Long term survival of ovarian endometriosis associated clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancers.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze long-term survival of clear cells (CCs) and endometrioid (E) ovarian cancer cases according to presence of endometriosis in the pathologic report.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 47 CC and 66 E ovarian cancer cases observed consecutively at our center between 1990 and 2010.All cases had first surgery at our center or were referred to it for treatment and follow-up.

A novel data mining system points out hidden relationships between immunological markers in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a multi-factorial disease, where a single biomarker unlikely can provide comprehensive information. Moreover, due to the non-linearity of biomarkers, traditional statistic is both unsuitable and underpowered to dissect their relationship. Patients affected with primary (PP=14), secondary (SP=33), benign (BB=26), relapsing-remitting (RR=30) MS, and 42 sex and age matched healthy controls were studied.

High-fibre diet and Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.

Aim: To investigate in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease the efficacy of symbiotics associated with a high-fibre diet on abdominal symptoms.

Methods: This study was a multicentre, 6-mo randomized, controlled, parallel-group intervention with a preceding 4-wk washout period. Consecutive outpatients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, aged 40-80 years, evaluated in 4 Gastroenterology Units, were enrolled.

Assessment of a mitral valve replacement skills trainer: a simplified, low-cost approach.

Objectives: Simulated mitral valve replacement may aid in the assessment of technical skills required for adequate performance in the operating room. We sought to design and assess a mitral valve replacement training station that is low-cost, nonperishable, portable, and reproducible as a first step in developing a mitral valve surgical skills curriculum.

Methods: Nineteen physicians (7 general surgery residents, 8 cardiothoracic surgery residents, and 4 attending cardiothoracic surgeons) underwent simulated mitral valve replacement testing.

Mean platelet volume and long-term mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Increased platelet activity is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The mean platelet volume (MPV) correlates with platelet activity; however, the relation between the MPV and long-term mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well established. Furthermore, the role of change in the MPV over time has not been previously evaluated.

Teaching behaviors in the cardiac surgery simulation environment.

Objective: To understand how teaching behaviors contribute to simulation-based learning, we used a 7-category educational framework to assess the teaching behaviors used in basic skills training.

Methods: Twenty-four first-year cardiothoracic surgery residents and 20 faculty participated in the Boot Camp vessel anastomosis sessions. A portable chest model with synthetic graft and target vessels and a tissue-based porcine model simulated coronary artery anastomosis.

Mindfulness trait, eating behaviours and body uneasiness: a case-control study of binge eating disorder.

Background: Binge eating disorder (BED) is a complex and multifaceted eating disorder, and the literature indicates that BED patients show greater difficulty in identifying and making sense of emotional states, and that they have limited access to emotion regulation strategies. Findings show many links between mindfulness and emotional regulation, however there has been no previous research on mindfulness traits in BED patients.

Method: One hundred fifty BED patients (N=150: women=98, men=52; age 49.

Personality features of obese women in relation to binge eating and night eating.

Personality traits can affect eating behaviors, the development of obesity, and obesity treatment failure. We investigated the personality characteristics and their relation with disordered eating in 586 obese women consecutively seeking treatment at eight Italian medical centers (age, 47.7±9.

Measurements of carotid intima-media thickness and of interadventitia common carotid diameter improve prediction of cardiovascular events: results of the IMPROVE (Carotid Intima Media Thickness [IMT] and IMT-Progression as Predictors of Vascular Events in a High Risk European Population) study.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the performance of several measures of carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) as predictors of cardiovascular events (CVEs), and to investigate whether they add to the predictive accuracy of Framingham risk factors (FRFs).

Background: Various markers of subclinical atherosclerosis have been identified as predictors of CVEs, but the most powerful variable is still under debate.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out in 5 European countries.

LDL oxidative modification and carotid atherosclerosis: results of a multicenter study.

Objective: Serum LDL conjugated diene concentration is a marker of oxidative modification of LDL. We investigated the relationship between LDL conjugated dienes and cross-sectional subclinical atherosclerosis assessed by carotid IMT in high-risk subjects of a multicenter study.

Methods: Serum LDL conjugated dienes and ultrasonographically assessed carotid intima-media thickness (IMT(mean), IMT(max) and IMT(mean-max)) were available for 553 subjects from Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

WELL.ME - Wellbeing therapy based on real-time personalized mobile architecture, vs. cognitive therapy, to reduce psychological distress and promote healthy lifestyle in cardiovascular disease patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is compelling evidence that psychological factors may have the same or even greater impact on the possibility of adverse events on cardiac diseases (CD) than other traditional clinical risk factors. Anxiety and depression are predictors of short- and long-term adverse outcomes, increased risk for higher rates of in-hospital complications, re-infarction, malignant arrhythmias, and mortality in CD patients. Despite researchers finding that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms, the fact that such results are maintained only in the short term and the lack of maintenance of the long-term affects the absence of changes in lifestyles, preventing the possibility of a wide generalization of results.

A Novel Mathematical Approach to Define the Genes/SNPs Conferring Risk or Protection in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Based on Auto Contractive Map Neural Networks and Graph Theory.

Background. Complex diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) implicate phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, multiple genetic traits may show differential association with the disease.

Role of XPC, XPD, XRCC1, GSTP genetic polymorphisms and Barrett's esophagus in a cohort of Italian subjects. A neural network analysis.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE), a metaplastic premalignant disorder, represents the primary risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and central obesity have been associated with BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma, but relatively little is known about the specific genes that confer susceptibility to BE carcinogenesis.

Methods: A total of 74 patients with BE and 67 controls coming from six gastrointestinal Italian units were evaluated for six polymorphisms in four genes: XPC, XPD nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes, XRCC1 (BER gene), and glutathione S-transferase P1.

Effect of rosiglitazone on survival in patients with diabetes mellitus treated for coronary artery disease.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of rosiglitazone on survival in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We carried out a drug-exposure analysis in 801 patients with DM and CAD in a cardiac catheterization laboratory registry (490 patients treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention, 224 patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting, and 87 patients treated with medication alone).

Results: A total of 193 patients (24.

Patient-specific finite element-based analysis of ventricular myofiber stress after Coapsys: importance of residual stress.

Background: We sought to determine regional myofiber stress after Coapsys device (Myocor, Inc, Maple Grove, MN) implantation using a finite element model of the left ventricle (LV). Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation is caused by LV remodeling after posterolateral myocardial infarction. The Coapsys device consists of a single trans-LV chord placed below the mitral valve such that when tensioned it alters LV shape and decreases chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Regional changes in coaptation geometry after reduction annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation.

Background: While it is known that band annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) improves leaflet coaptation, the effect on regional coaptation geometry has not previously been well defined. We used three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) to analyze the regional effects of semirigid band annuloplasty on annular geometry and leaflet coaptation zones of patients with FMR.

Methods: Sixteen patients with severe FMR underwent a semirigid band annuloplasty.

Effects of a diet integration with an oily emulsion of DHA-phospholipids containing melatonin and tryptophan in elderly patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment.

Age-related changes in nutritional status can play an important role in brain functioning. Specific nutrient deficiencies in the elderly may exacerbate pathological processes in the brain. Consequently, the potential of nutritional intervention to prevent or delay cognitive impairment and the development of dementia is an important topic.

Evolution of operative techniques and perfusion strategies for minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

Objective: Perfusion strategies and operative techniques for minimally invasive mitral valve repair have evolved over time. During the past decade, our institution's approach has progressed from a port access platform with femoral perfusion to predominantly a central aortic cannulation through a right anterior minithoracotomy incision. We analyzed this institutional experience to evaluate the impact of approach on patient outcomes.

SEGMENTAL CLAVICLE FRACTURE.

The aim here was to present an unusual case of segmental clavicle fracture associated with ipsilateral rib fracture. Although the clavicle is very superficial, undetected cases of both types of fracture may occur, because these patients usually suffer multiple trauma. The case of a patient with a fracture of the diaphysis and lateral extremity of the clavicle is described: the patient was treated surgically and an excellent result was achieved.

Mortality from nonulcer bleeding is similar to that of ulcer bleeding in high-risk patients with nonvariceal hemorrhage: a prospective database study in Italy.

Background: Nonulcer causes of bleeding are often regarded as minor, ie, associated with a lower risk of mortality.

Objective: To assess the risk of death from nonulcer causes of upper GI bleeding (UGIB).

Design: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 3 national databases.

Minimally invasive valve surgery with antegrade perfusion strategy is not associated with increased neurologic complications.

Background: A Society of Thoracic Surgeons' publication recently associated "minimally invasive" approaches with increased neurologic complications; this proposed association was questionable due to imprecise definitions. To critically reevaluate this issue, we reviewed a large minimally invasive valve experience with robust definitions.

Methods: From November 1995 to January 2007, 3,180 isolated, non-reoperative valve operations were performed; 1,452 (45.