Thermodilatometric Study of the Decay of Zeolite-Bearing Building Materials.

Six zeolite-bearing rocks, often used as building materials, were analyzed by thermodilatometry, together with a rock not bearing zeolites and a plaster covering a containing wall made of zeolite-bearing dimension stones, up to 250 °C. The main results obtained were the following: (i) the zeolite-bearing rocks exhibited very small, if any, positive variation of ΔL/L (%) up to about 100 °C, whereas they more or less shrank in the temperature range 100-250 °C (final values ranging from -0.21 to -0.

One-step versus two-step procedure for management procedures for management of concurrent gallbladder and common bile duct stones. Outcomes and cost analysis.

Background: The management of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis combined is controversial. The more frequent approach is a two-stage procedure, with endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone removal from the bile duct followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aims to demonstrate how, on the basis of the personal experience, the Rendez-vous technique, that combines the two techniques in a single-stage operation is better than the sequential treatment.

How to measure quality in endoscopic ultrasound.

Quality is a key focus for gastrointestinal endoscopy and main international gastroenterology societies instituted specific task forces focused on this issue. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) represents one of the most fascinating fields to explore in gastrointestinal endoscopy due to its relatively limited availability out of high-volume centers. This leads to a particular need to define widely accepted quality indicators (QIs) and the ways to measure them.

Diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions guided by endoscopic ultrasound elastography.

Background: Real-time elastography (RTE) may increase the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration guided by endoscopic ultrasound. The aim of this study was to establish the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of this combined methodological approach in a cohort of patients with solid pancreatic masses.

Methods: We reviewed data from 54 patients with solid pancreatic lesions referred to our institution between January 2014 and June 2015.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Change in liver stiffness during anti-viral therapy in patients with hepatitis B.

Background: Time-varying impact of anti-viral therapy on liver stiffness in patients with hepatitis B is unclear.

Aims: To estimate the magnitude and kinetics of change in liver stiffness in hepatitis B patients treated with nucleot(s)ide analogs.

Methods: Through a systematic review of multiple databases, we identified 24 studies in adults with hepatitis B who underwent transient elastography before and at least 6 months after starting nucleot(s)ide analogs therapy.