[Is there an age limit for radical surgery in case of tumors infiltrating the duodenum?].

Aim: Radical resection is the only potential cure for pancreatic malignancies and a useful treatment for other benign diseases, such as pancreatitis. Over the last two decades, medical and surgical improvements have drastically changed the postoperative outcome of elderly patients undergoing pancreatic resection, and appropriate treatment for elderly potential candidates for pancreatic resection has become an important issue.

Methods: A hundred and five consecutive patients undergoing radical pancreatic resection between 2003 and 2007 at the Surgery Unit of the University of Modena, Italy, were considered and divided into two groups according to their age, i.

Microembolic signals and strategy to prevent gas embolism during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supplies systemic blood perfusion and gas exchange in patients with cardiopulmonary failure. The current literature lacks of papers reporting the possible risks of microembolism among the complications of this treatment.In this study we present our preliminary experience on brain blood flow velocity and emboli detection through the transcranial Doppler monitoring during ECMO.

Technological properties of bakers' yeasts in durum wheat semolina dough.

Properties of 13 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from different sources (traditional sourdoughs, industrial baking yeasts etc.) were studied in dough produced with durum wheat (Sicilian semolina, variety Mongibello). Durum wheat semolina and durum wheat flour are products prepared from grain of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.

Bosentan for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe and underdiagnosed disease characterized by progressive hypertension secondary to organized thrombi in pulmonary vessels. The arteriolar lesions of CTEPH are similar to those seen in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Surgical disobliteration of the vessels by pulmonary endarterectomy is the therapy of choice but this is not suitable for all cases.

A20 protects mice from lethal liver ischemia/reperfusion injury by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha expression.

The nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitory protein A20 demonstrates hepatoprotective abilities through combined antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and pro-proliferative functions. Accordingly, overexpression of A20 in the liver protects mice from toxic hepatitis and lethal radical hepatectomy, whereas A20 knockout mice die prematurely from unfettered liver inflammation. The effect of A20 on oxidative liver damage, as seen in ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), is unknown.

Reflectance confocal microscopy and features of melanocytic lesions: an internet-based study of the reproducibility of terminology.

Objective: To test the interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of the standard terminology for description and diagnosis of melanocytic lesions in in vivo confocal microscopy.

Design: A dedicated Web platform was developed to train the participants and to allow independent distant evaluations of confocal images via the Internet.

Setting: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

New insights into nevogenesis: in vivo characterization and follow-up of melanocytic nevi by reflectance confocal microscopy.

Background: Development of melanocytic nevi is a complex process.

Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the in vivo confocal microscopy patterns and histopathologic correlates of melanocytic nevi. In addition, for the first time, confocal follow-up of characteristic nevi was performed documenting histologic changes in nevi.

Endovascular bi-ventricular pacing-defibrillator placement using a trans-atrial approach.

Venous access for pectoral pacemaker and defibrillator lead placement can be compromised by venous occlusion due to previous pacing leads, access ports for medications such as chemotherapy, dialysis access, and other causes. On rare occasion, a femoral access is utilized for device placement. We report here a patient without venous access to the heart from either above or below due to retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Asymmetric Syntheses of L,L- and L,D-di-myo-inositol-1,1'-phosphate and their behavior as stabilizers of enzyme activity at extreme temperatures.

The big "DIP"per: The preparation of both l,l-DIP and l,d-DIP (see structures) involves a complex case of double asymmetric induction in the key step of the synthesis. The differential ability of each isomer to contribute to thermoprotection in the context of a key enzyme has been assessed and both isomers of DIP are shown to possess biological activity.

Core-shell hydrogel particles harvest, concentrate and preserve labile low abundance biomarkers.

Background: The blood proteome is thought to represent a rich source of biomarkers for early stage disease detection. Nevertheless, three major challenges have hindered biomarker discovery: a) candidate biomarkers exist at extremely low concentrations in blood; b) high abundance resident proteins such as albumin mask the rare biomarkers; c) biomarkers are rapidly degraded by endogenous and exogenous proteinases.

Methodology And Principal Findings: Hydrogel nanoparticles created with a N-isopropylacrylamide based core (365 nm)-shell (167 nm) and functionalized with a charged based bait (acrylic acid) were studied as a technology for addressing all these biomarker discovery problems, in one step, in solution.

Spitz nevi: In vivo confocal microscopic features, dermatoscopic aspects, histopathologic correlates, and diagnostic significance.

Background: Spitz nevi are benign melanocytic tumors, sometimes misdiagnosed as malignant melanoma (MM).

Objective: We sought identification of characteristic in vivo microscopic features of Spitz nevi, their histopathologic correlates, and diagnostic usefulness.

Methods: Forty Spitz nevi were studied by in vivo confocal microscopy and dermatoscopy, evaluating histopathologic correlates, and compared with 40 MMs and 40 Clark nevi.

In vivo confocal microscopic and histopathologic correlations of dermoscopic features in 202 melanocytic lesions.

Objectives: To identify in vivo microscopic substrates of the dermoscopic patterns of melanocytic lesions and to correlate them with histopathologic features.

Design: Before excision, lesion areas that showed characteristic dermoscopic patterns were imaged by dermoscopy and confocal microscopy and directly correlated with histopathologic features.

Setting: Departments of Dermatology of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Hospital Clínico of Barcelona, between July 2006 and March 2007.

Reflectance confocal microscopy for in vivo skin imaging.

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a novel noninvasive technique for "in vivo" examination of the skin. In a confocal microscope, near- infrared light from a diode laser is focused on a microscopic skin target. As this light passes between cellular structures having different refraction indexes, it is naturally reflected, and this reflected light is then captured and recomposed into a two-dimensional gray scale image by computer software.

A prospective, observational registry of patients with severe sepsis: the Canadian Sepsis Treatment and Response Registry.

Objective: To determine the location of acquisition, timing, and outcomes associated with severe sepsis in community and teaching hospital critical care units.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Twelve Canadian community and teaching hospital critical care units.

Concentration and Preservation of Very Low Abundance Biomarkers in Urine, such as Human Growth Hormone (hGH), by Cibacron Blue F3G-A Loaded Hydrogel Particles.

Urine is a potential source of diagnostic biomarkers for detection of diseases, and is a very attractive means of non-invasive biospecimen collection. Nonetheless, proteomic measurement in urine is very challenging because diagnostic biomarkers exist in very low concentration (usually below the sensitivity of common immunoassays) and may be subject to rapid degradation. Hydrogel nanoparticles functionalized with Cibacron Blue F3G-A (CB) have been applied to address these challenges for urine biomarker measurement.

In vivo microscopic features of nodular melanomas: dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and histopathologic correlates.

Objective: To characterize nodular melanoma (NM) using dermoscopy, in vivo reflectance-mode confocal microscopy, and histopathologic analysis.

Design: Consecutive pure NMs and superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs) with nodular or blue areas were studied using dermoscopy and confocal microscopy, and a correlation with histopathologic findings was performed.

Materials: Ten NMs, 10 SSMs with a nodular area, and 10 SSMs with a blue palpable but not yet nodular area.

[Microperimetry in age-related macular degeneration].

Introduction: Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) usually present fixation and sensitivity abnormalities. The relationships between fundus lesions and functional abnormalities were evaluated with microperimetry.

Patients And Methods: A complete ophthalmologic examination, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fundus-related perimetry (MP-1 Micro-Perimeter, Nidek Technologies, Padova, Italy) was performed in 80 eyes of 80 consecutive patients (43 females, 37 males) with AMD and in 20 matched healthy control subjects (11 females, nine males).

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy enhances secondary evaluation of melanocytic lesions.

We recently described an in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) method and our aim was to evaluate a possible additive value of this type of analysis in the management of melanocytic lesions. In two referral centers (Sydney and Modena), lesions (203 nevi and 123 melanomas (MMs) with a median Breslow thickness of 0.54 mm) were excised on the basis of clinical suspicion (history, dermoscopy examination, and/or digital monitoring).

Universal or targeted screening for fetal alcohol exposure: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: In this article, we compared the costs of testing meconium for alcohol exposure in newborns with the lifetime benefits of early detection and intervention.

Method: A decision analytic model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of testing meconium for two scenarios: (1) all infants in the Canadian province of Ontario and (2) infants who have an older sibling diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The model incorporated the costs of early screening, early intervention, and the lifetime societal benefits of early intervention.

Antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity in "early potatoes".

The antioxidant content and the antioxidant capacity of both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant extracts from four "early potato" cultivars, grown in two different locations (Racale and Monteroni), were examined. There was a considerable variation in carotenoid content and weak differences in the ascorbic acid concentration of the examined cultivars of "early potato" and between the harvested locations. An increase in both methanol/water (8:2 v/v) and phosphate buffer soluble (PBS) free phenols (70%) and bound phenols (28%) in the extracts from the cultivars grown at Racale site was found and discussed.

Evaluation of microbiological accumulation capability of the commercial sponge Spongia officinalis var. adriatica (Schmidt) (Porifera, Demospongiae).

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbiological accumulation capability of the demosponge Spongia officinalis var. adriatica. Six microbiological parameters were researched in two sampling periods in the water and in reared sponge samples coming from sites with different degrees of microbial contamination: an off-shore fish farm displaced off the Apulian coast (Southern Adriatic Sea) and a no-impacted area displaced into the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo (Apulian coast-Ionian Sea).

Ciprofloxacin in primary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Background/aims: Low protein concentration in ascitic fluid has been identified as a risk factor for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Until now, primary prophylaxis has not been recommended in these patients. The aim was to investigate the efficacy of long-term administration of ciprofloxacin to prevent SBP.

A long-term follow-up study investigating health-related quality of life and resource use in survivors of severe sepsis: comparison of recombinant human activated protein C with standard care.

Introduction: Recombinant human activated protein C (APC) therapy has been shown to reduce short-term mortality in patients with severe sepsis. However, survivors of sepsis may have long-term complications affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and resource utilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the effect of APC on long-term HRQoL and resource utilization compared with a nonrandomized control group that received standard care.

Fibrotic injury after experimental deep vein thrombosis is determined by the mechanism of thrombogenesis.

Vessel wall matrix changes occur after injury, although this has not been well studied in the venous system. This study tested the hypothesis that the thrombus dictates the vein wall response and vein wall damage is directly related to the duration of thrombus contact. To determine the injury response over time, rats underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation to produce a stasis thrombus, with harvest at various time points to 28 days (d).