Biomarkers and Social Determinants in atherosclerotic Arterial Diseases: A Scoping Review.

Background: Arterial diseases like coronary artery disease, carotid stenosis, peripheral artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm have high morbidity and mortality, making them key research areas. Their multifactorial nature complicates patient treatment and prevention. Biomarkers offer insights into the biochemical and molecular processes, while social factors also significantly impact patients' health and quality of life.

Contralateral Snare Cannulation vs. Retrograde Gate Cannulation during Endovascular Aortic Repair in Difficult Iliac Artery Anatomy: A Single Center Experience.

Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair is well established as the gold standard in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. Generally, endovascular repair is performed using a bi or trimodular stent graft, requiring placement of a contralateral iliac limb. Deployment of the contralateral iliac limb requires retrograde gate cannulation of the endograft main body contralateral limb.

Data Recorded in Real Life Support the Safety of Nattokinase in Patients with Vascular Diseases.

Nattokinase (NK) is a serine protease enzyme with fibrinolytic activity. Even if it could be used for the treatment of several diseases, no data have been published supporting its use patients who underwent vascular surgery. In this study, we evaluated both the efficacy and the safety of nattokinase (100 mg/day per os) in patients admitted to vascular surgery.

Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and NGAL in Tissue and Serum of Patients with Vascular Aneurysms and Their Modulation by Statin Treatment: A Pilot Study.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in vascular wall degradation, and drugs able to modulate MMP activity can be used to prevent or treat aneurysmal disease. In this study, we evaluated the effects of statins on MMP-2, MMP-9, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in both plasma and tissue in patients with aneurysmal disease.

Methods: We performed a prospective, single-blind, multicenter, control group clinical drug trial on 184 patients of both sexes >18 years old with a diagnosis of arterial aneurysmal disease.

Nano-hydrogel embedded with quercetin and oleic acid as a new formulation in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer: A pilot study.

Wound healing, especially diabetic ones, is a relevant clinical problem, so it is not surprising that surgical procedures are often needed. To overcome invasive procedures, several strategies with drugs or natural compound are used. Recently, in an experimental study, we described an increase in keratinocyte proliferation after their exposition to quercetin plus oleic acid.

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury: A systematic review of literature and the role of current drugs and biomarkers.

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is not only a pathophysiological process involving the liver, but also a complex systemic process affecting multiple tissues and organs. Hepatic IRI can seriously impair liver function, even producing irreversible damage, which causes a cascade of multiple organ dysfunction. Many factors, including anaerobic metabolism, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and secretion of ROS, intracellular Ca(2+) overload, cytokines and chemokines produced by KCs and neutrophils, and NO, are involved in the regulation of hepatic IRI processes.

Recognizing Severe Adverse Drug Reactions: Two Case Reports After Switching Therapies to the Same Generic Company.

Generic formulations represent a way to reduce the costs of brand compounds when their patent is expired. While, the bio-equivalence in generic drugs is guaranteed, some excipients as well as dyes could be different and this could reduce the drug safety. Herein, we report the development of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) in two patients after the switch from brand to generic formulations.

Retrospective evaluation of adverse drug reactions induced by antihypertensive treatment.

The use of cardiovascular drugs is related to the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in about 24% of the patients in the Cardiovascular Care Unit. Here, we evaluated the ADRs in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs. The study was conducted in two phases: In the first phase, we performed a retrospective study on clinical records of Clinical Divisions (i.

Human papillomavirus vaccination: what is the best choice? A comparison of 16 strategies by means of a decisional model.

Some European countries decided to include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in national immunization schedules. In order to help decision makers choose the best vaccination policy for females, a decisional model has been developed. The study was performed from the National Health Service perspective.

Long-term decline of 137Cs concentration in honey in the second decade after the Chernobyl accident.

In the years 2001-2004 the (137)Cs activity was investigated in a total of 336 samples of different varieties of honey harvested in the Liguria Region of Northern Italy. Our purpose was to define (a) residual radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident and (137)Cs long-term decline, (b) correlation between (137)Cs activity and different honey varieties, and (c) correlation between (137)Cs activity and the prevailing geomorphological configuration in the collection areas. The mean (137)Cs specific activity was 4.

Assessment and prevention of radioactive risk due to 222Radon on University Premises in Genoa, Italy.

From October 2004 to September 2005, Radon222 activity in high-risk indoor spaces used by employees and students at the University of Genoa was measured with CR-39 nuclear track detectors. The mean concentration in winter (78.9 Bq/m3 +/- 74.

Relevance of air conditioning for 222Radon concentration in shops of the Savona Province, Italy.

Radon (222Rn) concentration was evaluated in shops of the Savona Province, Italy, between summer 2002 and winter 2002-2003. The main characteristics of each shops were recorded through a questionnaire investigating the ventilation rate and factors related to 222Rn precursors in the soil and the construction materials. The main variables that were related to radon concentration were the following: age of the building, level of the shop above ground, season of the year, wind exposure, active windows, and type of heating system.

Factors affecting individual exposure to NO2 in Genoa (northern Italy).

The individual exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 89 volunteers living in Genoa, a large port city of northern Italy, was investigated with personal passive diffusion tubes in February-March 2000. The data were related to NO2 concentration in the kitchen and bedroom as measured by static samplers. Volunteers included students, workers and housewives living in three areas of Genoa differing by street traffic and industrial plant location.

[Fournier syndrome: multidisciplinary approach].

Fournier's gangrene, a form of necrotizing fasciitis, is an uncommon, fulminant, rapidly progressing subcutaneous infection of the scrotum and genito-perineal region, and may occur in all age groups. Most cases involve a mixed synergistic infection of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and occur as a result of one of this mechanisms: local trauma, extension from a perineal, periurethral or ischiorectal infection. It is associated with a high mortality rate.

[Complicated Spigelian hernia: our experience].

We present a case of complicated Spigelian hernia presented with symptoms of intestinal occlusion, in a 50 years old woman. Spigelian hernia represents 1-2% of all abdominal hernias and can occur anywhere along the semicircular line of Douglas. The patient underwent emergency surgery followed by polypropylene plastic repair.

Madelung's disease: case report and discussion of treatment options.

Madelung's disease was first described in 1846. Since then, approximately 200 patients have been reported in the literature. Its three main characteristics-typical location of the lesions, symmetry, and the diffusive nature of the fat-are more often found in men of Mediterranean descent.

Increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline in runners training in urban areas.

In this study, the authors investigated urinary excretion of hydroxyproline in 120 subjects to test the hypothesis that physical activity is associated with increased exposure to pollution derived from traffic exhaust. The study population comprised active noncompetitive runners (i.e.

[Zenker's diverticulum. Apropos a case].

The authors report a case of Zenker's diverticulum in a patient 72 years old who underwent surgery. The pharyngoesophageal function was investigated before and after cricopharyngeal myotomy and diverticulopexy, with oesophageal manometry. Preoperative manometry showed an incomplete relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter and increased of pharyngeal pressure.

Transudative right pleural effusion due to compression of the brachiocephalic vein caused by an intrathoracic goitre.

The case presented in this report is of a female patient who suffered recurrent transudative right pleural effusions, due to a giant benign intrathoracic goitre. The latter caused compression of the brachiocephalic vein, which is a very rare cause of pleural fluid accumulation. Magnetic resonance imaging played a crucial diagnostic role.

[Morgagni-Larrey diaphragmatic hernia: report of a case].

The Authors presents a Morgagni-Larrey's diaphragmatic hernia case, observed during subocclusive manifestation. They emphasize the utility to perform always the surgical intervention, also in the asintomatic cases.

Reduction in 222radon concentration due to water treatment processes.

In 40 samples of drinkable water taken from public fountains in the Province of Genoa determinations of 222Rn concentration were performed. The results were related to data obtained in a previous study on 222Rn concentration in spring water in the same areas, in order to assess a possible variation due to water treatment and to the aqueduct piping length. Radon concentration was also related to the main geographical areas in the Province and to the different geological formations.

[Meigs' syndrome: its clinical picture and treatment].

Meigs' syndrome is a rare clinical entity characterised with ovarian benign tumour, ascites and hydrothorax. Between January '94-September '98 we observed three patients with: ovarian neoformation, light (1 patient), moderate (2 patients) monolateral pleural effusion, moderate (2 patients) and considerable (1 patient) ascites. In all patients the preoperative evaluation (sero-haematologic routine, Ca 125 and other oncologic markers, chest X-ray, abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography, total-body Tc, cytological analysis of pleural and abdominal effusion) was suggestive for malignancy but not confirmed it.

Long-term decline of radiocesium concentration in seafood from the Ligurian sea (northern Italy) after Chernobyl.

The activity of 137Cs, 134Cs and 40K in tissues from fish, molluse and shellfish of the Ligurian sea was measured during 1987-1988. The mean annual concentrations in 1987 were 5.92 +/- 4.

Organochlorine residues in human adipose and hepatic tissues from autopsy sources in northern Italy.

Organochlorine compounds have been analyzed in human samples from residents of Genoa, a city in Northern Italy. Twenty-eight specimens of adipose tissue from 17 males and 11 females deceased from accidental causes in March and April 1989 were examined. In 12 of the 17 males, liver tissue specimens were also analyzed.