Prevalence and characteristics of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV coinfections in Tuscany.

Introduction: Worldwide about 30% of HIV-infected patients are coinfected with HCV or HBV. The HIV/HCV coinfection is more common in individuals who have a history of drug addiction. The aims of this study were to assess the HCV and HBV prevalence in HIV-infected patients and analyze their characteristics.

Mortality and major morbidities in very preterm infants born from assisted conception or naturally conceived: results of the area-based ACTION study.

Background: The use of assisted conception (AC) has been associated with higher risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Few data are available on the outcome of AC-neonates when pregnancy ends before 32 weeks of gestational age.The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcome of AC- and naturally conceived preterm infants <32 weeks gestation.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine for hot flushes in menopause: a randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hot flushes and other menopause-related symptoms used in an integrated system, including such therapeutic techniques as diet therapy and Tuina self-massage.

Design: Randomized trial.

Setting: Outpatient center.

Increased morbidity and mortality in very preterm/VLBW infants with congenital heart disease.

Purpose: To study the association between congenital heart diseases (CHD) and in-hospital mortality and morbidity of very preterm/very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods: The area-based prospective cohort study ACTION included all infants with gestational age (GA) 22-31 weeks or birth weight <1,500 g admitted to neonatal care between July 2003 and June 2005 in six Italian regions (n = 3,684). CHD were coded according to ICD9-CM.

Pregnancy disorders leading to very preterm birth influence neonatal outcomes: results of the population-based ACTION cohort study.

Background: We examined the relationships between -pregnancy disorders leading to very preterm birth -(spontaneous preterm labor, prelabor premature rupture of -membranes (PPROM), hypertension/preeclampsia, -intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), antenatal hemorrhage, and maternal -infection), both in isolation and grouped together as -"disorders of placentation" (hypertensive disorders and IUGR) vs. -"presumed infection/inflammation" (all the others), and several unfavorable neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We examined a population-based prospective cohort of 2,085 singleton infants of 23-31 wk gestational age (GA) born in six Italian regions (the Accesso alle Cure e Terapie Intensive Ostetriche e Neonatali (ACTION) study).

Cause-specific mortality of very preterm infants and antenatal events.

Objective: To assess the relationship between antenatal factors and cause-specific risk of death in a large area-based cohort of very preterm infants.

Study Design: The ACTION (Accesso alle Cure e Terapie Intensive Ostetriche e Neonatali) study recruited during an 18-month period all infants 22-31 weeks' gestational age admitted to neonatal care in 6 Italian regions (n=3040). We analyzed the data of 2974 babies without lethal or acutely life-threatening malformations.

Homeopathic aggravation with Quinquagintamillesimal potencies.

Introduction: Homeopathic aggravation is the exacerbation of some symptoms or the whole pathological situation, followed by improvement of the patient's conditions.

Aim: To evaluate the typology, intensity and frequency of homeopathic aggravation, especially with Quinquagintamillesimal (Q, LM) potencies and its prognostic value.

Methods: The homeopathic prescription strategy evaluated consists in the administration of a single homeopathic medicine in Q dilutions, starting with 6Q, then a progressive scale of Q potencies.

Homeopathy in paediatric atopic diseases: long-term results in children with atopic dermatitis.

Aim: To study the socio-demographic features, the prescribed remedies and the outcome of atopic diseases in children treated with homeopathy at the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca (Italy), and the long-term outcome of children suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD) after an approximate 8-year period (range 5-10 years).

Methods: Our data derive from an observational longitudinal study carried out on 213 children (38.6%) with atopic diseases out of 551 children consecutively examined from September 1998 to December 2008.

[The health conditions of prison inmates in Tuscany].

Objective: Investigation of health conditions of prison inmates in Tuscany (Italy) compared with non-institutionalized population and literature data.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study of a sample recruited for a prospective cohort study. SETTING E PARTICIPANTS: Prison inmates detained in Tuscany on June 15th 2009.

Homeopathy in the public health system: a seven-year observational study at Lucca Hospital (Italy).

Objective: To evaluate the response to homeopathic treatment in a public homeopathic clinic of all patients attending between September 1998 until December 2005, and to analyze homeopathic practice.

Methods And Setting: Longitudinal observational study in a homeopathic clinic based in a public hospital in Lucca, Italy. Data relating to patient details, clinical diagnosis, remedy prescribed, potency of dosage, prescription strategy and identification of the case as acute-chronic-recurrent were analyzed.

Cesarean delivery on maternal request: can the ethical problem be solved by the principlist approach?

In this article, we use the principlist approach to identify, analyse and attempt to solve the ethical problem raised by a pregnant woman's request for cesarean delivery in absence of medical indications. We use two different types of premises: factual (facts about cesarean delivery and specifically attitudes of obstetricians as derived from the EUROBS European study) and value premises (principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, respect for autonomy and justice).Beneficence/non-maleficence entails physicians' responsibility to minimise harms and maximise benefits.

Accuracy and reproducibility of pleural effusion cytology.

The increasing number of Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) cases that arrive for expert examinations to court for compensation reasons in subjects exposed to asbestos, in many instances rely exclusively on cytological smears of pleural effusion. We evaluated the accuracy and reproducibility of cytological pleural effusions, based on morphological criteria alone. Nine pathologists and eight residents from seven institutions in north-east Italy blindly examined 45 smears of MM (17), metastases (14) and benign effusions (14), in two rounds.

General practitioners' knowledge and practice of complementary/alternative medicine and its relationship with life-styles: a population-based survey in Italy.

Background: The growing popularity of CAM among the public is coupled with an ongoing debate on its effectiveness, safety, and its implications on the reimbursement system. This issue is critically important for GPs, who have a "gatekeeping" role with respect to health care expenditure. GPs must be aware of medications' uses, limitations and possible adverse effects.

Patient refusal of emergency cesarean delivery: a study of obstetricians' attitudes in Europe.

Objective: To compare the attitudes of a large sample of obstetricians from eight European countries toward a competent woman's refusal to consent to an emergency cesarean delivery for acute fetal distress.

Methods: Obstetricians' attitudes in response to a hypothetical clinical case were surveyed through an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The sample included 1,530 obstetricians (response rate 77%) from 105 maternity units (response rate 70%) in eight countries: France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.