Reduced levels of plasma selenium are associated with increased inflammation and cardiovascular disease in an Italian elderly population.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health that protects from oxidative damage. Se deficiency has been associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this study we aimed to investigate the association between Se status, CVD risk, cardio-metabolic and inflammatory markers in elderly population.

The Feasibility of Underwater Computerised Strain Gauge Plethysmography and the Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Leg Venous Haemodynamics.

Background: Strain gauge plethysmography (SGP) is employed to evaluate venous drainage of the lower leg.

Methods: In this study, SGP was used to evaluate the effects of the hydrostatic pressure (HP) of water on venous volume (VV), expelled volume, and ejection fraction (EF) in 22 healthy legs before and during immersion in water.

Results: HP reduced VV by 100% and even more during underwater (UW) exercise, making calculation of the UW EF possible.

Continuous thoracic spinal anesthesia with local anesthetic plus midazolam and ketamine is superior to local anesthetic plus fentanyl in major abdominal surgery.

Background: Limited studies have applied thoracic continuous spinal anesthesia in abdominal surgery, relying exclusively on opioids. This retrospective study analyzes 2 different schemes of thoracic continuous spinal anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Methods: A total of 98 patients aged ≥ 75 years were divided into 2 groups.

A gas-filled abdominal cyst in an elderly woman: A giant colonic diverticulum case report.

Introduction: Giant colonic diverticulum (GCD), a rare complication of the diverticular disease, can present with a wide range of nonspecific symptoms as abdominal pain and bowel obstruction. Its diagnosis represents a challenge that mainly depends on imaging findings.

Presentation Of Case: We report the case of a 79 year-old female patient that came to our emergency department complaining of 5-day history of hypogastric pain and constipation.

Protective effects of the combination of alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides and rifampicin in three rat models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Introduction: An experimental study has been performed to compare the in vitro activity and the in vivo efficacy of magainin II and cecropin A with or without rifampicin against control and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.

Methods: In vitro experiments included MIC determinations and synergy studies. For in vivo studies, animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of P.

Efficacy of colistin/rifampin combination in experimental rat models of sepsis due to a multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of rifampin and colistin in three experimental rat models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

Setting: Research laboratory in a university hospital.

Experimental study on the efficacy of combination of alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides and vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

An experimental study has been performed to compare the in vitro activity and the in vivo efficacy of magainin II and cecropin A, two alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides, and vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides. In vitro experiments included MIC determination, time-kill and synergy studies. For in vivo studies, a mouse model of staphylococcal sepsis has been used.

Citropin 1.1-treated central venous catheters improve the efficacy of hydrophobic antibiotics in the treatment of experimental staphylococcal catheter-related infection.

An in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay for Staphylococcus aureus biofilms developed on 96-well polystyrene tissue culture plates was performed to elucidate the activity of citropin 1.1, rifampin and minocycline. Efficacy studies were performed in a rat model of staphylococcal CVC infection.