Quality of life analysis in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: implications for a multimodal integrated treatment.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a higher prevalence of anxiety-depressive disorders in women with BPS/IC (bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis) than in women with chronic non-neoplastic pain with or without fibromyalgia, to examine possible correlations between urological and psychiatric symptoms.

Methods: The patients included in the study were divided into two groups: 1) group 0: patients with an existing diagnosis of BPS/IC. BPS/IC was confirmed by reviewing medical record; group 1+2: patients with chronic non-neoplastic pain, suffering from fibromyalgia or other types of chronic pain (chronic arthralgia or lower back pain).

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy with Transperitoneal Approach for Large Renal Tumors: Standardized Surgical Technique and Outcomes.

Minimally invasive surgery is used only in selected cases of renal masses greater than 7 cm, and few studies exist in this setting. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a laparoscopic surgical approach for the treatment of large renal tumors using a standardized technique. Data of patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) using the transperitoneal approach were retrospectively evaluated from December 2019 to September 2022.

Predictive Factors for Anastomotic Leakage after Laparoscopic and Open Total Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to identify patient-related, perioperative and technical risk factors for esophago-jejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) in patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). A comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was performed. Studies providing factors predictive of EJAL by uni- and multivariate analysis or an estimate of association between EJAL and related risk factors were included.

Identification of Good Practices in Long-Term Exercise-Based Rehabilitation Programs in Stroke Patients.

Physical activity is an important factor for primary and secondary stroke prevention. The process of stroke rehabilitation includes early and late physical activity and exercise, which prevents further stoke and improve patients' quality of life. MY WAY project, an ERASMUS+ SPORT program, is aimed at analyzing and developing or transferring best innovative practices related to physical activity and exercise enhancing health in poststroke patients.

Role for OCT in detecting hemi-macular ganglion cell layer thinning in patients with multiple sclerosis and related demyelinating diseases.

Objective: Investigations have found associations of homonymous thinning of the macular ganglion cell/ inner-plexiform layer (GCIPL) with demyelinating lesions in the post-chiasmal visual pathway among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Retinal thinning may also occur through retrograde trans-synaptic degeneration, a process by which lesions in post-geniculate visual pathway structures lead to thinning of the GCIPL across thalamic synapses. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of homonymous hemimacular thinning that occurs in association with post-chiasmal visual pathway demyelinating lesions in patients with MS and other demyelinating diseases.

Analysis of e-waste recycling behavior based on survey at a Midwestern US University.

The United States lacks a set of unified electronic waste recycling laws, contributing in part to the observed low rate of e-waste recycling behaviors among consumers. Individual factors of consumers contributing to the low recycling rates are not well understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate consumer behaviors, including barriers, surrounding e-waste recycling at a large Midwestern university in the United States.

Risk Factors and Services to Reduce Child Sexual Abuse Recurrence.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a range of negative consequences for victims that are compounded when it recurs. We used the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System to study a cohort of 42,036 children in 45 U.S.

The M6 cell: A small-field bistratified photosensitive retinal ganglion cell.

We have identified a novel, sixth type of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) in the mouse-the M6 cell. Its spiny, highly branched dendritic arbor is bistratified, with dendrites restricted to the inner and outer margins of the inner plexiform layer, co-stratifying with the processes of other ipRGC types. We show that M6 cells are by far the most abundant ganglion cell type labeled in adult pigmented Cdh3-GFP BAC transgenic mice.

Inhibition of 2-AG hydrolysis differentially regulates blood brain barrier permeability after injury.

Background: Acute neurological insults caused by infection, systemic inflammation, ischemia, or traumatic injury are often associated with breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) followed by infiltration of peripheral immune cells, cytotoxic proteins, and water. BBB breakdown and extravasation of these peripheral components into the brain parenchyma result in inflammation, oxidative stress, edema, excitotoxicity, and neurodegeneration. These downstream consequences of BBB dysfunction can drive pathophysiological processes and play a substantial role in the morbidity and mortality of acute and chronic neurological insults, and contribute to long-term sequelae.

The M5 Cell: A Color-Opponent Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell.

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) combine direct photosensitivity through melanopsin with synaptically mediated drive from classical photoreceptors through bipolar-cell input. Here, we sought to provide a fuller description of the least understood ipRGC type, the M5 cell, and discovered a distinctive functional characteristic-chromatic opponency (ultraviolet excitatory, green inhibitory). Serial electron microscopic reconstructions revealed that M5 cells receive selective UV-opsin drive from Type 9 cone bipolar cells but also mixed cone signals from bipolar Types 6, 7, and 8.

Comparing charcoal and zeolite reflection filters for volatile anaesthetics: A laboratory evaluation.

Background: A modified heat-moisture exchanger that incorporates a reflecting filter for use with partial rebreathing of exhaled volatile anaesthetics has been commercially available since the 1990 s. The main advantages of the device are efficient delivery of inhaled sedation to intensive care patients and reduced anaesthetic consumption during anaesthesia. However, elevated arterial CO2 values have been observed with an anaesthetic conserving device compared with a conventional heat and moisture exchanger, despite compensation for larger apparatus dead space.

Effectiveness of risk minimization measures for cabergoline-induced cardiac valve fibrosis in clinical practice in Italy.

On June 2008, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) introduced changes to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for cabergoline and pergolide, to reduce the risk of cardiac valvulopathy in users of these drugs. To assess the effectiveness of EMA recommendations in Italian clinical practice, we retrospectively reviewed medical charts of patients with degenerative Parkinsonism treated with cabergoline in three large Italian clinics between January 2006 and June 2012. The prevalence and the severity of cardiac valve regurgitation were assessed in patients who stopped cabergoline therapy prior to June 2008 or continued therapy after that date.

Form and function of the M4 cell, an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell type contributing to geniculocortical vision.

The photopigment melanopsin confers photosensitivity upon a minority of retinal output neurons. These intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are more diverse than once believed, comprising five morphologically distinct types, M1 through M5. Here, in mouse retina, we provide the first in-depth characterization of M4 cells, including their structure, function, and central projections.

Childbearing among daughters of parents with HIV.

Objective: To examine first childbearing and its predictors among daughters of parents with HIV.

Method: Pairs of parents with HIV and their adolescent daughters (n = 181) participated in a randomized, controlled-intervention trial designed to improve coping skills within the family, and were monitored up to 7 years.

Results: Overall, daughters of HIV parents had a high rate of early childbearing compared to national and local rates.

Cardiovascular risk profile and blood pressure control in Italian hypertensive patients under specialist care.

Background: Information on the association between high hypertension and metabolic risk factors in Italy is limited. Furthermore, data on the rate of blood pressure control in the Italian hypertensive population are restricted to some Italian regions only, and refer usually to surveys performed, in most instances, several years ago.

Methods: In the present study, a total of 4059 essential hypertensive patients were examined consecutively from March to June 2000 by 450 cardiovascular specialists (cardiologists, internists and diabetologists) operating throughout the Italian territory.

Kidney vasculogenesis and angiogenesis: role of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in the establishment of the vascular tree pattern. New vessels can be formed by two different ways; in the development of kidney both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis participate to microvessel assembly. VEGF and its receptor (VEGF-R) are co-expressed during kidney organogenesis and stimulate renal blood vessels development, induce and maintain the fenestrated phenotype in endothelium and regulate vascular permeability.

The infrequent association of synchronous renal and colonic malignancies.

The coexistence of both kidney and colon primary malignancies is a rare condition. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with bilateral pulmonary nodules at chest X-ray and stratigraphy. Total-body CT scan showed multiple, apparently metastatic, bilateral pulmonary lesions, a diffusely dysomogeneous neoformation in the lower pole of the right kidney and a gross neoformation in the ascending colon.

Pathophysiology, clinical features and management of hepatorenal syndrome.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a form of functional renal failure occurring in patients with advanced liver disease. Hypoperfusion of the kidney, due to renal vasoconstriction, is the main feature of HRS. Conversely, the extrarenal circulation is characterized by low systemic resistance, especially occurring in splanchnic vessels, and arterial hypotension.

The use of indomethacin to treat acute rises of intracranial pressure and improve global cerebral perfusion in a child with head trauma.

Background: The use of vasoconstrictors (e.g. dihydroergotamine, indomethacin) for the treatment of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to brain trauma is controversial.