The Ventricular System Enlarges Abnormally in the Seventies, Earlier in Men, and First in the Frontal Horn: A Study Based on More Than 3,000 Scans.

: To detect on computed tomography (CT) brain scans the trajectories of normal and abnormal ventricular enlargement during aging. : For each 1-year age cohort, we assessed in 3,193 axial CT scans the Evans' index (EI) in the anterior frontal horns and the parieto-occipital (POR) and temporal ratio (TR) in the posterior and inferior horns. Cut-off values for abnormal enlargement were based on previous clinical studies.

Therapeutic efficacy of chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes and its adverse events: Performance-related evaluation of mouthwashes added with Anti-Discoloration System and cetylpyridinium chloride.

Objectives: To compare 3 mouthwashes: 0.20% chlorhexidine (CHX) with Anti-Discoloration System (ADS), 0.20% CHX and 0.

Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma.

We have compiled a complete list of new marine molluscan taxa introduced by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato (1841-1927). The dates of publication of every single work have been checked against available evidence, and an updated bibliography is also presented. Finally, the type material of all marine taxa expected to be in the collection Monterosato (presently preserved in the Museo Civico di Zoologia in Rome) has been searched in the main collection, and all retrieved specimens have been catalogued.

Fluctuations of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Outside Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Kidney Injury in End-Stage Liver Disease Outpatients and Outcome Postliver Transplantation.

Background: Renal dysfunction in end-stage liver disease (ESLD) results from systemic conditions that affect both liver and kidney with activation of vasoconstrictor systems. In this setting, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may undergo variations often outside Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria for acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis, whose meaning is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate eGFR variations in ESLD outpatients listed for liver transplant (liver Tx) and the association with post-Tx outcome.

Near-infrared imaging: an in vivo, non-invasive diagnostic tool in neurofibromatosis type 1.

Purpose: Only a few reports in the literature have investigated the presence of ocular abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in a large population of NF1 patients, focusing on the choroidal changes.

Methods: This study was conducted on 160 consecutive patients with NF1 and 106 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (control).

High prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism as evaluated by Kauppila score.

Objective: The prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is unknown. We assessed both prevalence and severity of AAC in PHPT postmenopausal women.

Methods: In this study 70 PHPT postmenopausal women and 70 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled.

In normal aging ventricular system never attains pathological values of Evans' index.

Ventricular enlargement in normal aging frequently forces the radiological diagnosis of hydrocephalus, but the reliability of Evans' index as a radiological marker of abnormal ventricular enlargement (values > 0.30) during aging is not assessed. Here we analyze ventricular size during aging and the reliability of Evans' index as a radiological marker of abnormal ventricular enlargement.

The multitasking role of macrophages in Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether the release by macrophages of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - leading to inflammation, matrix degradation and neoangiogenesis - represents an effective pathway that underlies aortic wall remodeling in Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with no genetic predisposition, with Stanford type A AAD were selected. In each patient, the levels of serum VEGF, MMP-12, serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A promise in the treatment of endometriosis: an observational cohort study on ovarian endometrioma reduction by N-acetylcysteine.

Urged by the unmet medical needs in endometriosis treatment, often with undesirable side effects, and encouraged by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) efficacy in an animal model of endometriosis and by the virtual absence of toxicity of this natural compound, we performed an observational cohort study on ovarian endometriosis. NAC treatment or no treatment was offered to 92 consecutive Italian women referred to our university hospital with ultrasound confirmed diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis and scheduled to undergo laparoscopy 3 months later. According to patients acceptance or refusal, NAC-treated and untreated groups finally comprised 73 and 72 endometriomas, respectively.

Prevalence, mass, and glucose-uptake activity of ¹⁸F-FDG-detected brown adipose tissue in humans living in a temperate zone of Italy.

Background: The ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG)-detected brown adipose tissue (BAT), is enhanced by cold stimulus and modulated by other factors that still have to be disentangled. We investigated the prevalence, mass, and glucose-uptake activity of ¹⁸F-FDG-detected BAT in a population of adults living in the temperate climatic zone of the Rome area.

Methods And Findings: We retrospectively analyzed 6454 patients who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examinations.

The effect of parathyroidectomy on chronic constipation in patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is usually associated with chronic constipation; however, its prevalence is not defined by standardized criteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate both the prevalence of chronic constipation, defined by the standardized Rome diagnostic criteria III (Rome III) in PHPT, and the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTx). Fifty postmenopausal PHPT patients and 50 sex- and age-matched controls were studied.

Visual evoked potential importance in the complex mechanism of amblyopia.

To compare the visual evoked potential (VEP) responses of amblyopic eyes with VEP responses of sound eyes in amblyopic children. A study of 65 amblyopic children with pattern-reversal VEPs elicited by checkerboard stimuli with large, medium and small checks. The children were classified into three groups: Group A, 22 children with anisometropic amblyopia; Group B, 16 children with exotropic strabismic amblyopia; and Group C, 27 children with esotropic strabismic amblyopia.

Cephalometric evaluation of the hyoid triangle before and after maxillary rapid expansion in patients with skeletal class II, mixed dentition, and infantile swallowing.

Background: Rocabado's hyoid triangle is the only cephalometric parameter that can assess the effects of orthodontic treatment on tongue posture.

Aim: To evaluate the restoration of tongue posture and function by conducting a cephalometric assessment of the hyoid triangle before and after rapid maxillary expansion.

Methods: Sixty-four healthy patients aged 6-11 years with skeletal class II malocclusion, mixed dentition, and infantile swallowing took part in this study.

Hysteroscopic findings in women with menorrhagia.

Study Objective: To describe the hysteroscopic findings in patients complaining of menorrhagia to establish any significant association between menorrhagia and benign/malignant intrauterine disorders.

Design: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II).

Setting: University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

"Trabecular Bone Score" (TBS): an indirect measure of bone micro-architecture in postmenopausal patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) generally show reduced bone mineral density (BMD) at cortical sites with relatively preserved trabecular bone. However, the increased fracture risk at all skeletal sites suggests that areal BMD probably is not effective in capturing all the determinants of bone strength. "Trabecular Bone Score" (TBS) has been recently proposed as an indirect measure of bone micro-architecture.

Maternal C-reactive protein at hospital admission is a simple predictor of funisitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Aim: To analyze the prognostic value of maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting funisitis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM).

Methods: 66 patients (gestational age 24-33 weeks) hospitalized 1-12 h after pPROM were enrolled. White blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT) and plasma concentration of CRP were assessed every 3 days.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and mammographic features.

Introduction: The IGF system has recently been shown to play an important role in the regulation of breast tumor cell proliferation. However, also breast density is currently considered as the strongest breast cancer risk factor. It is not yet clear whether these factors are interrelated and if and how they are influenced by menopausal status.

Comparative study of seminal parameters between samples collected in 1992 and samples collected in 2010.

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study of semen quality in two large populations; one evaluated in 1992 and another in 2010, in order to evaluate any possible decline in male fertility due, at least in part, to environmental factors.

Material And Methods: A total of 701 subjects in 1992 (TOTAL group 1992) and a total of 626 subjects in 2010 (TOTAL group 2010) were enrolled in our Andrology Unit. Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups: Subfertile, Pathology and Control.

Clinical and histological outcome predictors in renal limited pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis: a single centre experience.

Renal-limited vasculitis is a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis with no signs of systemic involvement, representing one of the most common causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The study aims to examine clinical and histological features in twenty-four patients with RLV diagnosed by the Nephrology Department of Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, evaluating the role of these parameters in predicting renal survival. Patients details, clinical and histological features and outcomes were recorded at the time of renal biopsy and over a mean follow-up period of 36±6 months.

Possible effects of insulin-like growth factor-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio on mammographic density: a cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effects of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio on mammographic density and assess whether this relationship was similar in subgroups of pre- and postmenopausal women. A group of 341 Italian women of childbearing age or naturally postmenopausal who had performed mammographic examination at the section of radiology of our department a maximum three months prior to recruitment were enrolled. A blood sample was drawn for determination of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 levels and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio was calculated.

Open debridement and radiocapitellar replacement in primary and post-traumatic arthritis of the elbow: a multicenter study.

Background: Postmortem and clinical studies have shown an early and prevalent involvement of the radiohumeral joint in primary and secondary arthritis of the elbow. The lateral resurfacing elbow (LRE) prosthesis has recently been developed for the treatment of lateral elbow arthritis. However, few data have been published on LRE results.

Complex fracture-dislocations of the proximal ulna and radius in adults: a comprehensive classification.

Background: Complex fracture-dislocations of the proximal ulna and radius include multiple anatomic lesions, the management of which is known to be demanding. Although several classifications have been proposed, none appear to be exhaustive, and most of them have neither therapeutic nor prognostic value. The purpose of this study was to design a comprehensive classification that may provide a guide for the operative management of these injuries.

Model for end-stage liver disease score versus simplified acute physiology score criteria in acute renal failure after liver transplantation.

Hepatic function and renal failure are closely related among patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) due to splanchnic hemodynamic mechanisms that characterize advanced decompensated cirrhosis. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent complication that occurs immediately post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score describes the survival of patients with ESLD awaiting OLT related to the severity of liver disease.

Acute renal failure in liver transplant recipients: role of pretransplantation renal function and 1-year follow-up.

Chronic renal failure and acute renal failure (CRF and ARF) are common complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) that adversely affect patient survival. Many factors influence the development of ARF in the OLT setting. In a previous study we reported an association between ARF and the development of CRF at 1 month after OLT.