ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest.

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts.

Strangulated adenoma of the liver: a unique cause of acute abdomen.

Hepatic adenomas are uncommon benign tumours of the liver which may eventually present with acute onset following rupture of the lesion and haemorrhage. We present here a unique case of strangulated adenoma of the liver presenting as acute abdomen. A 27-year-old woman taking oral contraceptives, presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, fever, and neutrophilia.

Great saphenous varicose vein surgery without saphenofemoral junction disconnection.

Background: The aim of this case-control study was to determine whether preoperative duplex imaging could predict the outcome of varicose vein surgery without saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) disconnection. The duplex protocol included a reflux elimination test (RET) and assessment of the competence of the terminal valve of the femoral vein.

Methods: One hundred patients with chronic venous disease who had a positive RET result and an incompetent terminal valve were compared with 100 patients matched for age, sex, clinical class (Clinical Etiologic Anatomic Pathophysiologic (CEAP) class C2-C6) and disease duration, but who had a positive RET result and a competent terminal valve.

Custom CGH array profiling of copy number variations (CNVs) on chromosome 6p21.32 (HLA locus) in patients with venous malformations associated with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disorder thought to result from an interaction between environmental and genetic predisposing factors which have not yet been characterised, although it is known to be associated with the HLA region on 6p21.32. Recently, a picture of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), consequent to stenosing venous malformation of the main extra-cranial outflow routes (VM), has been described in patients affected with MS, introducing an additional phenotype with possible pathogenic significance.

Fast track postoperative management after elective colorectal surgery: a controlled trail.

In the attempt to reduce postoperative complications and costs and improve outcomes, the concept of fast track surgery has been proposed. Improvements in anesthesia techniques and a better understanding of the pathophysiologic events occurring during and after surgery have made it possible. A group of patients undergoing colorectal resections with a fast track approach were investigated; specifically, the effects on postoperative morbidity, resumption of intestinal function, and duration of hospitalization.

Echo-guided foam sclerotherapy treatment of venous malformation involving the sciatic nerve.

Primary sciatic nerve varices (SNV) lie within the sciatic nerve possibly causing chronic venous disease and sciatic pain as well. We report a series of 12 consecutive patients affected by symptomatic SNV. All of them were treated by echo-guided Tessari foam sclerotherapy (EGFSCL).

Inflammation in venous disease.

Chronic venous disease (CVD), mainly due to venous reflux or, sometimes, to venous outflow obstruction, produces a microcirculatory overload leading to the impairment of venous drainage. Venous drainage depends primarily on a major hemodynamic parameter called trans-mural pressure (TMP). TMP is increased in patients affected by CVD, leading to impaired tissue drainage, and, consequently, facilitating the beginning of the inflammatory cascade.

Varicose vein stripping vs haemodynamic correction (CHIVA): a long term randomised trial.

Objectives: To compare the long-term results of stripping vs. haemodynamic correction (Ambulatory Conservative Haemodynamic Management of Varicose Veins, CHIVA) in the treatment of superficial venous incompetence resulting in chronic venous disease (CVD).

Design: Randomised comparative trial.

The impact of radiotherapy on survival in resectable gastric carcinoma: a meta-analysis of literature data.

Background: The benefit of external radiotherapy for gastric carcinoma has been extensively studied, but data on survival are still equivocal.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of surgery combined with preoperative radiotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy in the reduction of all-cause mortality in patients with resectable gastric carcinoma.

Methods: Computerised bibliographic searches of MEDLINE and CANCERLIT (1970-2006) were supplemented with hand searches of reference lists.

Use of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma-probe detection for identification of the sentinel lymph node in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Aims: Lymph node metastases for papillary thyroid carcinoma are associated with an increased incidence of locoregional recurrence. The use of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe detection to localize the sentinel lymph node in papillary thyroid carcinoma was investigated.

Methods: From February 2004 to December 2005 the sentinel lymph node technique was studied in 64 consecutive patients with cytological evidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Colorectal cancer screening: results of a 5-year program in asymptomatic subjects at increased risk.

Background And Aims: The province of Ferrara has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Italy. In January 2000, we set up a colonoscopy screening program focussing on first-degree relatives of CRC patients. We now report the results 5 years after the beginning of the project.

Role of peritoneal lavage in adhesion formation and survival rate in rats: an experimental study.

Following laparotomy, almost 95% of patients develop adhesions. To prevent adhesion formation, peritoneal lavage has been investigated and many different lavage solutions have been proposed. In this study, different peritoneal lavage solutions were evaluated, testing their ability to prevent adhesion formation.

Clinical and therapeutic importance of sentinel node biopsy of the internal mammary chain in patients with breast cancer: a single-center study with long-term follow-up.

Background: We evaluated the incidence of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in the internal mammary chain, calculated the lymphoscintigraphy and surgical detection rates, and evaluated the clinical effect on staging and the therapeutic approach in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: The study involved 741 women diagnosed with breast cancer eligible for the SLN technique. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed on the day before the operation by peritumoral injection of (99m)Tc-labeled nanocolloid.

Influence of gene polymorphisms in ulcer healing process after superficial venous surgery.

Objective: Role of superficial venous surgery in reducing the time it takes for ulcers to heal is still controversial, although all studies confirm a significant reduction in ulcer recurrences. Recently, the HFE-C282Y and FXIII-V34L gene variants demonstrated a role in the risk of venous ulceration in primary chronic venous disorder (CVD) and in modulating lesion size in chronic venous ulcer (CVU), respectively. This study was conducted to investigate the role of HFE-C282Y and FXIII (V34L and P564L) gene variants in ulcer healing time after superficial venous surgery, by assessing the outcome of a cohort of homogeneous CVU patients.

Intrathoracoscopic localization techniques. Review of literature.

Background: Several techniques for localizing pulmonary nodules have been described, but the advantages and disadvantages of each method remain unclear. We reviewed ultrasound, endofinger, finger palpation and wait and watch, radioguided, vital dye, fluoroscopic, agar marking, and needle wire methods for localizing pulmonary nodules.

Methods: Original, peer-reviewed, and full-length articles in English were searched with PubMed and ISI Web of Sciences.

Randomized clinical trial of the effect of preoperative dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Preoperative dexamethasone may reduce disabling symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Between March and December 2004, 101 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive 8 mg dexamethasone (n = 49) or placebo (n = 52) intravenously before surgery.

Accuracy and reliability of sentinel node biopsy in patients with breast cancer. Single centre study with long term follow-up.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the frequency of false-negative (FN) sentinel node procedures in patients with breast cancer. A total of 791 breast cancer patients underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy at our institution between July 1997 and February 2005. A 2-day protocol was used to localise the sentinel node with the injection of 99mTc-nanocolloid.

Hemochromatosis C282Y gene mutation increases the risk of venous leg ulceration.

Objective: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is the most common vascular disorder, progressing in approximately 10% of cases toward chronic venous leg ulceration, whereas the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) C282Y mutation is the most common recognized genetic defect in iron metabolism. Because CVD leads to local iron overload in the affected legs, we investigated whether two common HFE mutations could increase the risk of chronic venous leg ulceration.

Methods: This was a case-control study at the Vascular Diseases Center, University of Ferrara, Italy.

[Emergency surgery for complicated colorectal cancer. Retrospective study].

Introduction: Emergency surgery for the complications of colorectal cancer poses a significant surgical problem with published mortality rates as hight as 25% to 30%. We reviewed the results of the analysis and quantification of the influence of complications on the outcome of the patients who underwent emergency colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study of the clinical features from, a series of 63 patients operated on from 1991 to 1997 (12% of all colorectal cancer operations in the same period).

Training guided by pain threshold speed. Effects of a home-based program on claudication.

Aim: To verify the effectiveness of a 120 day home-based program guided by the pain threshold speed (PTS).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with stable claudication were measured for ankle pressure (AP), ankle-brachial index (ABI), PTS, maximal speed (Smax) on treadmill. Daily walking sessions at a speed 20-30% below PTS were prescribed.

Thoracoscopic localization techniques for patients with solitary pulmonary nodule and history of malignancy.

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the best intrathoracoscopic localization technique in patients with single pulmonary nodule and a history of malignancy.

Methods: We divided 50 patients in two groups, well matched for diameter and depth of the pulmonary lesion. In 25 patients we performed intrathoracoscopic ultrasound to locate the pulmonary nodule (group A), whereas in the other 25 patients the radio-guided technique was adopted (group B).