The use of onabotulinum toxin A (Botox(®)) in the treatment of chronic migraine at the Parma Headache Centre: a prospective observational study.

Chronic migraine is a debilitating headache, whose treatment is often complicated by the concomitant overuse of symptomatic medication and by the poor efficacy of standard prophylactic treatments. The PREEMPT studies have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of onabotulinum toxin A (Botox(®)) in the treatment of this headache type. Data about its use in clinical practice are still scarce.

Proposal for a biological environmental monitoring approach to be used in libraries and archives.

In cultural-heritage-related indoor environments, biological particles represent a hazard not only for cultural property, but also for operators and visitors. Reliable environmental monitoring methods are essential for examining each situation and assessing the effectiveness of preventive measures. We propose an integrated approach to the study of biological pollution in indoor environments such as libraries and archives.

Respiratory function in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atmospheric pollution in the city of Parma. Preliminary analysis.

A hospital case record study was carried out enlisting urgently hospitalized subjects for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in order to study the percentage values variations of Vital Capacity (VC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and maximum expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) based on atmospheric pollution trend in Parma city evaluated by PM10, NO2 and O3 concentrations. The results showed an association only between PM10 and hospitalizations for COPD with statistically significant differences between PM10 concentrations assessed 3-4 days before hospitalizations of the study subjects and the ones established in the days without any hospitalization. The regression analysis between PM10 and respiratory function concerning PM10 concentration at 24, 48, 72, 96 hours before the hospitalization showed significant association between FVC% and FEV1% and PM10 concentrations at 96 hours.

Training program for community health workers in remote areas in Senegal. First experience.

Background: In some countries, community health workers (CHWs) act as a bridge between the health care delivery system and the community, and ensure primary health care. It is essential to improve health worker education and training; however, in remote areas such as rural Senegal villages, these CHWs are often unable to leave their home community for training and education. We set out to perform a training program in a village in Senegal and to evaluate its effectiveness in that village.

Effect of mobile unidirectional air flow unit on microbial contamination of air in standard urologic procedures.

Background: Infection is one of the most feared complications of surgery. New instrumentation is being developed to reduce deposition of bacteria.

Methods: We investigated 45 major surgical procedures (21 radical nephrectomies [RN] and 24 radical retropubic prostatectomies [RRP]) in our urology department during 2007.

Impact of obesity on laparoscopic-assisted left colectomy in different stages of the learning curve.

Purpose: This study is aimed at verifying if the surgeon's experience has an impact on the risk of conversion to open surgery of laparoscopic left colectomy performed in obese patients.

Methods: A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed of 181 laparoscopic left hemicolectomies completed between April 2001 and June 2006. The results were analysed statistically in relation to the learning curve, by comparing factors that could have had an impact on the risk of conversion in the first 91 cases and in the last 90 cases.

Exposure to active and passive smoking during pregnancy and severe small for gestational age at term.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between active smoking as well as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and severe small for gestational age (SGA) at term in a sample of pregnant Italian women.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in nine cities in Italy between October 1999 and September 2000. Cases of severe SGA were singleton, live born, at term children with a birth weight View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Air microbial sampling: the state of the art].

Air microbial sampling is a subject of great interest in different fields of human activity; however, generally accepted indications, concerning both the sampling methods to be used and the interpretation of the results, are still lacking. The whole theme is greatly debated and several problems remains to be solved. The aim of this article is to provide knowledge relating to the problems associated with air microbial sampling, underlining the aspects to be considered in order to choice the sampling method on the basis of the objective of the sampling itself and on the knowledge of the characteristics and limits of the different methods.

Palliative resection of colorectal cancer: does it prolong survival?

Background: It is still a matter of debate as to whether resective surgery of the primary tumor may prolong the survival of patients affected by incurable colorectal cancer (CRC). The main goal of this retrospective study, carried out on patients not undergoing any therapy other than surgery, was to quantify the benefit of primary tumor removal in patients with differently presenting incurable CRC.

Methods: One hundred and thirty consecutive patients were operated on for incurable CRC (83 undergoing resective and 47 non-resective procedures).

Subtotal colectomy with antiperistaltic cecorectal anastomosis in the treatment of slow-transit constipation: long-term impact on quality of life.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of subtotal colectomy with cecorectal anastomosis (SCCA) in the treatment of slow-transit constipation, not just in terms of symptom resolution but also the overall impact on patients' quality of life.

Methods: Between 1991 and 2005, 43 patients underwent SCCA at our institution, 22 for slow-transit constipation (STC) and 21 for other types of colic diffuse disease (non-slow-transit constipation: NSTC), the latter being considered controls. A total of 29 patients (17 affected by STC) were administered a 50-item telephonic questionnaire, including the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), the Wexner constipation and incontinence scale (WC, WI), and individual willingness to repeat the procedure.

Preterm delivery and exposure to active and passive smoking during pregnancy: a case-control study from Italy.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between preterm/early preterm delivery and active smoking as well as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in a sample of pregnant Italian women. A case-control study was conducted in nine cities in Italy between October 1999 and September 2000. Cases of preterm birth were singleton babies born before the 37th gestational week; babies born before the 35th gestational week were considered early preterm births.

[Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and cancer risk: recent advances].

Polychlorinated Biphenyls are synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds whose commercial production started in the thirties and that have been widely used in the electro-technical industry. Although their production was stopped over 25 years ago, the Stockholm Convention included these compounds among the list of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). In fact, humans continue to be exposed to the toxic effects of PCBs because of their resistance to chemical and biological decomposition, their capacity of bio-accumulation and their long half-life.

Anorectal function problems after left hemicolectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective anorectal function in patients with left hemicolectomy and to clarify the clinical factors influencing postoperative anorectal function problems.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and twenty one patients who underwent left hemicolectomy from April 2002 to December 2003 were enrolled in this study and sent questionnaires concerning anorectal function. Left hemicolectomy in patients with cancer was performed by high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery; in patients with diverticulitis or polyposis, the inferior mesenteric artery was cut just below the branch of the left colonic artery.

[Treatment of thermal pool waters].

No laws currently exist regarding the treatment of spa pool water, since it is not completely logical that these should have the same requirements as normal swimming pools. The problem arises especially with regards to the use of chlorine as a disinfectant, which may actually annulate the therapeutic effects of spring waters by altering their physical-chemical characteristics. Possible choices may be represented by frequent replacement of pool water, which may be easily achievable for small pools but more difficult to implement for larger pools, or by alternative disinfection methods such as ozone or ultraviolet rays.

[Further research on the kinetics of inactivation of HAV and enteroviruses with peracetic acid. Note II].

Further research was performed on the disinfectant efficacy of peracetic acid on viruses. Hepatitis A virus (HM-175 strain), Poliovirus 2 (attenuated strain) and Coxsackie virus B5 (isolated strain) were tested using peracetic acid concentrations between 160 mg/l and 1280 mg/l. Inactivation tests were carried out at +20 degrees C and at 3 different pH conditions, acid, neutral and basic.

[Particulate matter (PM10) air pollution, daily mortality, and hospital admissions: recent findings].

The first studies conducted to evaluate a possible association between air pollution and mortality date back to the serious events that occurred in the Mosa Valley, Belgium (1930), in the small city of Donora ("killer fog" incident of 1948) and in London (1952). The latter episode led to the introduction of air pollution control policies. Following the introduction of air pollution control measures in economically advanced cities in the 60s and 70s, the concentration levels of pollutants reached were believed, for many years, to be risk free.

Predicting conversion to open surgery in laparoscopic left hemicolectomy.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to quantify the risk of conversion to open surgery of laparoscopic left hemicolectomy at an early stage of the learning curve.

Methods: A multiple logistic regression analysis of 100 laparoscopic left hemicolectomies completed between April 2001 and May 2004 was performed.

Results: The overall conversion rate was 12%.

Prospective comparison of laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for colon cancer with laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for benign colorectal disease.

Background: Short-term outcome and anorectal function results after laparoscopic hemicolectomy for colon cancer were compared with results after laparoscopic hemicolectomy for benign diseases.

Methods: A total of 108 patients who underwent laparoscopic left colectomy (60 for colon cancer, 48 for diverticulitis or polyposis) were enrolled in the study. Left hemicolectomy in patients affected by cancer was performed by high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Chlorination by-products (CBPs) in drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Italy.

Chlorination by-products (CBPs) in drinking water have been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including small for gestational age at term (term-SGA) and preterm delivery. Epidemiological evidence is weakened by a generally inaccurate exposure assessment, often at an ecological level. A case control study with incident cases was performed in nine Italian towns between October 1999 and September 2000.

Relationships between serum IGF-1, IGFBP-2, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aims: To study the relationships between serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 and interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Thirty-seven patients (18 males, 19 females, aged 8.8-26.