The nutritional assessment of head and neck cancer patients.

Patients affected by head and neck cancer are particularly at risk for nutritional depletion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients affected by head and neck cancer at diagnosis. All adult patients with head and neck cancer between January 2009 and December 2013 were included.

Cystic fibrosis database (CFDB): a new web-based tool for cystic fibrosis specialists.

In order to help specialists involved in CF care and clinical research to know the current best evidence about clinical effectiveness of interventions in CF, we designed and developed a web-based, free access tool called "CFDB"--Cystic Fibrosis DataBase (www.inetflow.it/CFDB).

Integrated waste management in a zone of northern Italy: compost production and use, and analytical control of compost, soil, and crop.

Agricultural soils of two Italian maize farms were treated for five years with an industrially produced high-quality compost. Cattle manure and the usual mineral fertilizer were used for comparison purposes. The effects of the organic and mineral fertilizer treatments were studied by analyzing the compost and manure, cultured soils, and harvested material.

[Benefit from bio-enteric Intra-gastric balloon (BIB) to modify lifestyle and eating habits in severely obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery].

Aim: The therapeutic model for severe obesity includes bariatric surgery, representing the safest way to keep weight down and to prevent relapses. The selection of patients for the most suitable type of surgery implies multidisciplinary approach (nutritionist, dietist, clinical psychologist and surgeon). The intragastric balloon may represent a relatively invasive method to help the medical team to select and prepare severely obese patients for restrictive bariatric surgery.

Higher lipoprotein (a) levels in atherothrombotic than lacunar ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

To investigate the role of plasma lipid abnormalities in ischemic cerebrovascular disease related to primary vessel disease, the authors assess lipid profiles in a hospital-based cohort of 202 consecutive patients with atherothrombotic or lacunar stroke subtypes. Lipoprotein (a) was the unique lipid parameter that differs between these two subtypes being its value twofold higher in patients with atherothrombotic than in lacunar stroke. This suggests that lipoprotein (a) promotes large vessel atheromatosis rather than small vessel arteriolosclerosis and favors thrombosis on atheromatous plaques by suppressing local fibrinolysis.