Noninvasive ratio indexes to evaluate fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis C: role of platelet count/spleen diameter ratio index.

Objectives: Noninvasive evaluation of fibrosis is an on-going effort in the management of chronic hepatitis C. This study was planned to noninvasively evaluate fibrosis staging.

Design: We evaluated the biochemical, functional [aminopyrine breath test (ABT)] and ultrasonographic variables of 75 chronic hepatitis C patients.

Lack of effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation on erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration. A study on preterm neonates.

Background: Recently we demonstrated an increased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) erythrocyte concentration in rat pups subjected to nucleotide-enriched artificial feeding.

Design: The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that a possible increase in 2,3-DPG concentration can also be obtained in human neonates who are fed nucleotide-enriched formula. Preterm neonates born or referred to the neonatal intensive care unit of the G.

Ultrasound imaging of the female perineum: the effect of vaginal delivery on pelvic floor dynamics.

Objective: To assess the use of perineal ultrasound in the evaluation of the influence of vaginal delivery on urethral mobility and on the contraction strength of the levator ani muscles.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of 70 nulliparous women. Each woman underwent perineal ultrasound assessment at 36-38 weeks' gestation and at 1 week and 3 months following delivery.

Transvaginal sonohysterographic evaluation of uterine malformations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value and the usefulness of sonohysterography (SHG) in the detection of uterine anomalies, compared with other diagnostic methods.

Study Design: From January 2002 to December 2003, we collected 54 patients with a history of primary or secondary infertility or repeated spontaneous abortion and with a clinically or sonographically suspected abnormal uterus. All patients had previously undergone hysterosalpingography (ISG).

Perineal ultrasound evaluation of the urethrovesical junction angle and urethral mobility in nulliparous women and women following vaginal delivery.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the differences in the urethrovesical junction angle and urethral mobility by means of perineal ultrasounds in women following vaginal delivery with respect to nulliparous women. We have enrolled 34 women, 12 nulliparous (Group A) and 22 women in the post-partum period (Group B). The ultrasounds were employed to measure the urethrovesical junction angle ("urethro-pelvic" angle) and the urethral mobility.