Publications by authors named "Giovanni Distefano"

Background: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the Medigus ultrasonic surgical endostapler (MUSE) is a new intervention for the treatment of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to assess the 12-month clinical, functional, and endoscopic effects of TIF by MUSE.

Methods: Patients undergoing MUSE completed the GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaires, and underwent endoscopy, esophageal 24-hour pH-impedance recording, and high resolution manometry (HRM) before the TIF procedure and 12 months later, or after 6 months for HRM.

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 Transoral incisionless fundoplication with EsophyX is reported to be effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in short-medium term follow-up.  To examine clinical outcomes up to 10 years.  In total, 51 procedures were performed in 50 patients.

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Monitoring a vial freeze-drying process without interfering with product dynamics is a challenging issue. This article presents a novel device constituted by an infrared camera designed to be placed inside the drying chamber, able to monitor the temperature of the vials, very close to that of the product inside. By this way it is possible to estimate the ending point of the primary drying, the heat transfer coefficient to the product (K), and the resistance of the dried product to vapor flux (R).

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Vascular bubble formation results from supersaturation during inadequate decompression contributes to endothelial injuries, which form the basis for the development of decompression sickness (DCS). Risk factors for DCS include increased age, weight-fat mass, decreased maximal oxygen uptake, chronic diseases, dehydration, and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Production of NO is often affected by diving and its expression-activity varies between the genders.

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