General practitioners and management of patients with respiratory diseases in a real life survey.

Aim: The prevalence of respiratory diseases has been assessed in community based epidemiological studies. General practice is the ideal position to intercept chronic respiratory illness and manage the first level of follow up as well. Aim of this study was to obtain General Practitioners (GPs) data about management and clinical setting of patients with respiratory diseases.

[Physiological adaptation of anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters on physical activity of elite athletes].

Introduction: Specific morphological and functional characteristics of athletes have a significant role in determining athletes' sports results and can be also used to assess the athlete's individual potential.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and cardiovascular parameters in trained subjects to those of untrained subjects.

Methods: A total number of 25 trained (17.

Cost of acute coronary syndrome in Switzerland in 2008.

Questions Under Study: To perform a cost-of-illness study of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Switzerland from a societal perspective, evaluating direct costs, production losses and intangible costs in terms of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) lost.

Methods: A bottom-up incidence-based approach was used. Data concerning patients with one or more ACS events were extracted from a national hospital database and from mortality statistics.

Comparison of blood pro/antioxidant levels before and after acute exercise in athletes and non-athletes.

The aims of our study were to assess the redox state of adolescent athletes and non-athletes both at rest and after acute exposure to physical load and to find relations between parameters of redox state and morphofunctional characteristics of subjects. 58 young handball players and 37 non-athletes were subjected to body composition analysis, measuring of maximal oxygen consumption and blood sampling immediately before and after a maximal progressive exercise test. At rest, athletes had significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, higher levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) and lower levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) compared with non-athletes.

Doctor-patient relationship: a resource to improve respiratory diseases management.

Background: Many respiratory diseases are chronic conditions that are strongly linked with the patient-physician relationship, disease perception and therapy adherence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate patient's viewpoint about the different aspects involved in their respiratory diseases.

Methods: This is a prospective observational survey.

Dramatic effect of early clopidogrel administration in reducing mortality and MACE rates in ACS patients. Data from the Swiss registry AMIS-Plus.

Background: Patients who have acute coronary syndromes with or without ST-segment elevation have high rates of major vascular events. We evaluated the efficacy of early clopidogrel administration (300 mg) (<24 hours) when given with aspirin in such patients.

Methods: We included 30,243 patients who had an acute coronary syndrome with or without ST segment elevation.

Characteristics and Outcome in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with and without Established Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Insights from the Nationwide AMIS Plus Registry 1997-2010.

Objectives: Little is known about patients without known modifiable risk factors presenting initially with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study assessed baseline characteristics and outcomes of ACS patients with and without the known modifiable risk factors arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking or diabetes.

Methods: All ACS patients enrolled in the AMIS Plus Registry between 1997 and 2010 were analyzed until hospital discharge; a subgroup was re-assessed at the 1-year follow-up.

Tiotropium: what came after the UPLIFT study.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a progressive bronchial obstruction, and bronchodilators represent the maintenance therapeutic choice. Tiotropium is an anticholinergic drug that is proved to be safe, efficient and simple to handle; Respimat® technology was recently introduced as a new device for tiotropium administration.

Areas Covered: This paper reviews clinical trials and meta-analyses, with tiotropium efficacy as a primary end point, found in MedLine, the Cochrane trials database and Embase.

Specific alterations of physiological parameters in competitive race walkers.

Race walking is the technical and athletic expression of fast walking and it can be considered as a type of endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 12 weeks of a specially designed training program results in the further training enhancement of endurance performance and the related physiological parameters in already well-trained race walkers competing at the national and international level. The investigation protocol consisted of determining the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and related gas exchange values using an automated cardiopulmonary exercise system and of determining blood lactate variables (aerobic threshold - LTAer and the maximal lactate steady state - MLSS) during walking with proper technique at 8, 10, 12 and 14 km·h-1 for 4 minutes without rest in between.

Foreign body extraction through the rigid bronchoscopy.

Introduction: Foreign body aspiration into tracheobronchial tree represents an urgent condition at high level of risk. Etiology is different, and this condition is typical for all ages with highest incidence in pediatric population.

Case Report: A successful foreign body removal (partial denture) in a 34-year old man was presented.

[Correlation between p53 expression and clinical-pathological characteristics of gastric cancer].

Unlabelled: BACKGRAUND/AIM: Gene p53, or "cell genome keeper", has a preventive effect on the occurrence of genetic aberrations and prevents abnormal expansion of (tumor) cells. In gastric cancer cells in most cases we register high expression of mutated p53 gene, which correlates with prognosis and specific clinical-pathological characteristics of gastric cancer.

Methods: Using the imunohistochemical method we determined the level of expression of p53 protein in 62 gastric cancers and 30 precancerous conditions (intestinal metaplasia of the stomach).

The half-size ABC transporters STR1 and STR2 are indispensable for mycorrhizal arbuscule formation in rice.

The central structure of the symbiotic association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is the fungal arbuscule that delivers minerals to the plant. Our earlier transcriptome analyses identified two half-size ABCG transporters that displayed enhanced mRNA levels in mycorrhizal roots. We now show specific transcript accumulation in arbusculated cells of both genes during symbiosis.

Effects of 12-week medicine ball training on muscle strength and power in young female handball players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of medicine ball training on the strength and power in young female handball athletes. Twenty-one young female handball players (age, 16.9 ± 1.

Awareness during general anaesthesia--implications of explicit intraoperative recall.

Anaesthesia awareness (AA) is postoperative recall of events experienced under general anaesthesia. Most frequently patients remember an auditory perception, the feeling of motor function lost, pain, helplessness, anxiety, panic, impending death. The prevalence of awareness in nonobstetric and noncardiac surgical cases is 0.

Surgical anatomy of the pyramidal lobe and its significance in thyroid surgery.

Aim: The purpose of this prospective study was to highlight some new findings about anatomical and morphological variations of the thyroid pyramidal lobe and to emphasise the necessity and importance of exploration of the visceral compartment of the neck and resection of this structure in primary thyroid operations.

Method: We analysed 100 consecutive primary thyroid operations with additional pathological examination of the specimens.

Results: A pyramidal lobe was found in 61% of the cases.

Lower age at first myocardial infarction in female compared to male smokers.

Background: Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for myocardial infarction. Smokers usually suffer their first myocardial infarction earlier in life compared to non-smokers. This age difference seems to be greater in women than in men.

Influence of resistance training on cardiorespiratory endurance and muscle power and strength in young athletes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of additional resistance training on cardiorespiratory endurance in young (15.8 ± 0.8 yrs) male basketball players.

Functional abilities as a predictor of specific motor skills of young water polo players.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of functional abilities on specificmotor skills. A total number of 92 male water polo players (age 12±0.5 years, body height 156.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main disease in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction the AMIS (Acute Myocardial Infarction in Switzerland) plus registry experience.

Objectives: This study sought to assess outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main (LM) disease.

Background: Limited data are available on outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing LM PCI.

Methods: Of 9,075 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction enrolled in the AMIS (Acute Myocardial Infarction in Switzerland) Plus registry between 2005 and June 30, 2010, 6,666 underwent primary PCI.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction after implementation of a public smoking ban in Graubünden, Switzerland: two year follow-up.

Question Under Study: In the first year after implementation of a public smoking ban a significant decrease in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was observed in Graubünden. In the present study we analyzed the incidence of AMI in the second year of the ban. In addition, we investigated the contribution of smoking ban-unrelated factors to the reduced incidence of AMI incidence observed after enactment of the ban.

Impact of a nationwide public campaign on delays and outcome in Swiss patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: To improve the outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), public campaigns have been launched aimed at shortening presentation delays and allowing more efficient treatment. Their impact is uncertain.

Methods: Pre-hospital delays and outcome in patients with ACS included in the Swiss National AMIS Plus registry were assessed prospectively before and after a nationwide multimedia campaign ('HELP') by the Swiss Heart Foundation in 2007.

Early complications after nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with silicone prosthesis: results of 214 procedures.

Background And Aims: breast reconstruction with silicone prosthesis following nipple-sparing mastectomy has become widely accepted as a reconstruction option in women requiring mastectomy for cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and some factors influencing early local complications in patients undergoing NSM with immediate implant reconstruction.

Material And Methods: prospective study was performed on a consecutive series of 214 breast reconstructions in 205 patients.

Impact of a normal or non-specific admission ECG on the treatment and early outcome of patients with myocardial infarction in Swiss hospitals between 2003 and 2008.

Background: Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rests upon clinical, electrocardiographic and biochemical parameters. Previous studies reported AMI patients who present with non-specific ECGs.

Objectives: To examine clinical or demographic features of AMI patients presenting with or without ECG changes and assess the impact of these ECGs on treatment and outcome.

Abdominal rectus muscle endometriosis after Cesarean section. Extrapelvic localization of endometriosis.

Introduction: Endometriosis is defined by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterus, where it is normally located. Endometriosis could has intra and extra pelvic localization. Abdominal endometriosis is the most common localization of extrapelvic endometriosis and is usually developed in the connective tissue surrounding the operation.