Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome: Microcephaly and Orofacial Anomalies.

The progressive reappearance of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections since October 2013 and its circulation in >70 countries and territories (from French Polynesia to Brazil and other countries in the Americas, with sporadic spread in Europe and the East) has long been reported as a global public health emergency. ZIKV is a virus transmitted by arthropods (arboviruses), mainly by Aedes mosquitoes. ZIKV can also be transmitted to humans through mechanisms other than vector infection such as sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission.

COVID-19 and Oral Lichen Planus: Between an "Intriguing Plot" and the "Fata Morgana Effect".

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide since its declaration as a global pandemic in March 2020. Alongside the typical respiratory symptoms, unusual clinical manifestations such as oral lichen planus (OLP) have been observed. OLP is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous dermatosis that results from a cell-mediated reaction, and its pathogenesis involves the loss of immunological tolerance.

Four-year follow-up in 33 patients after inguinal hernioplasty using the NeT Plug & Patch device.

Aim: To prove that the Net Plug & Patch is a valid device for the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia.

Material Of Study: The authors of a previous study decided to continue the follow-up for a further three years on 33 patients who had had hernia repair surgery using the three-dimensional NeT Plug & Patch device at their Hernia Center.

Results: All of the patients involved took part and the follow-up appointments were scheduled as follows: clinical examination at two years; telephone contact at three years and telephone contact and questionnaire at four years.

Primary Subcutaneous Umbilical Endometriosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

We report the case of a patient diagnosed with primary umbilical endometriosis intending to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this rare disease. A 45-year-old woman suffering from a painful swelling located in the umbilical region, with intact and normal cutaneous aspect, came to our attention. Ultrasonography of the umbilical region showed a nodule with a nonhomogeneous echotexture pattern.

Antimicrobial resistance: more than 70 years of war between humans and bacteria.

Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is one of the major issues in the present world and one of the greatest threats faced by mankind. Resistance is spread through both vertical gene transfer (parent to offspring) as well as by horizontal gene transfer like transformation, transduction and conjugation. The main mechanisms of resistance are limiting uptake of a drug, modification of a drug target, inactivation of a drug, and active efflux of a drug.

Alcoholic fermentation of soursop (Annona muricata) juice via an alternative fermentation technique.

Background: Wines are produced via the alcoholic fermentation of suitable substrates, usually sugar (sugar cane, grapes) and carbohydrates (wheat, grain). However, conventional alcoholic fermentation is limited by the inhibition of yeast by ethanol produced, usually at approximately 13-14%. Aside from that, soursop fruit is a very nutritious fruit, although it is highly perishable, and thus produces a lot of wastage.

spoilage and control - a review.

In the last few decades Gram positive non pathogenic, rod shaped, thermo-acidophilic and acid-tolerant spore-forming bacteria such as spp. have been identified as the causative agent in spoilage of commercially pasteurized fruit juice. In particular, is considered a major producer of off-flavors.

Primary acquired Grynfeltt Hernia: two new cases and literature review.

Aim: We report two cases of the very rare Primary Acquired Grynfeltt Hernia. The related abdominal wall defects were repaired, by open surgery, placing a partially absorbable plug and mesh. The observation and management of these two new cases prompted us to review the literature with the purpose of suggesting the most appropriate surgical approach and technique.

New "all-in-one" device for mesh plug hernioplasty: the Trabucco repair.

Unlabelled: Although Mesh Plug Repair (MPR) represents an effective method for the treatment of groin hernia, some criticisms still concern adverse effects related to the plug (shrinkage, chronic pain, migration and erosion). Different mesh and plug devices have been proposed in the past mostly to prevent migration but none of these achieved the same popularity as the cone or flower-shaped plug. Authors hereby present a pilot study with a new tridimensional device, denominated NeT Plug and Patch, that avoids any risk of migration.

Cell Therapy in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the most advanced stage of peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) with a severe obstruction of the arteries which markedly reduces blood flow to the extremities and has progressed to the point of severe rest pain and/or even tissue loss. Recent therapeutic strategies have focused on restoring this balance in favor of tissue survival using exogenous molecular and cellular agents to promote regeneration of the vasculature. These are based on stimulation of angiogenesis by extracellular and cellular components.

Intersphincteric anal lipofilling with micro-fragmented fat tissue for the treatment of faecal incontinence: preliminary results of three patients.

Faecal incontinence is a very debilitating problem. Many techniques have been proposed to treat this condition, with controversial results. Autologous transplant of fat tissue is an established procedure used for the repair of tissue damage, and recent studies revealed the potentiality of tissue regeneration by human adipose-derived stem cells.

Hepatitis E virus co-infection in HIV-infected patients in Foggia and Naples in southern Italy.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection represents an emerging infection in developed countries and is thought to be a zoonotic infection. It has recently been described as a new causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis in immunosuppressed subjects, including HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to assess the sero-virological prevalence of HEV in HIV patients and in the general population as control group.

A case of HPV and acquired genital lymphangioma: over-lapping clinical features.

Lymphatic malformation or lymphangioma is a benign proliferation of the lymphatics accounting for 4% of all vascular malformations and 26% of all benign vascular tumors. There are several reports about genital lymphangiomas mimicking venereal lesions, such as genital warts. Hereby we described a case of a 24 year old man affected by multiple vesicles and warts in genital area.

Hepatitis E in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in south-east Italy.

Aim: To investigate the serovirological prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in end-stage renal failure patients and in the healthy population.

Methods: HEV infection is a viral disease that can cause sporadic and epidemic hepatitis. Previous studies unexpectedly showed a high prevalence of HEV antibodies in immunosuppressed subjects, including hemodialysis (HD) patients and patients who had undergone kidney transplant.

Functional Starters for Functional Yogurt.

In this study, we investigated the multifunctionality (microbial starters and probiotics) of WCFS1 and CECT 8328 strains used as microbial starters for the production of yogurt in combination with ssp. and . The ability of the probiotic strains to survive oro-gastrointestinal stresses was monitored by an assay simulating the human digestive tract.

Fast track for elderly patients: is it feasible for colorectal surgery?

Background: Fast-track program has been applied in several surgical fields. However, currently many surgical patients are elderly over 70 years of age, and discussion about the application of such protocols for elderly patients is inadequate.

Materials And Methods: The present study was designed to consider the safety and feasibility of application of a fast-track program after colorectal surgery in elderly patients.

One-step mini-invasive treatment of abdominal aortic-iliac aneurysm associated with colo-rectal cancer.

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is still now a controversial technique, which remains the subject of a number of prospective randomised trials. Although questions remain regarding its long-term durability, objective evidence exists which demonstrates its reduced physiological impact compared with conventional open repair, especially for older population and for the concomitant treatment of aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) and abdominal neoplas, such as colo-rectal cancer (CRC). In these patients it may reduce the high perioperative mortality.

Fresh-cut pineapple as a new carrier of probiotic lactic acid bacteria.

Due to the increasing interest for healthy foods, the feasibility of using fresh-cut fruits to vehicle probiotic microorganisms is arising scientific interest. With this aim, the survival of probiotic lactic acid bacteria, belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum species, was monitored on artificially inoculated pineapple pieces throughout storage. The main nutritional, physicochemical, and sensorial parameters of minimally processed pineapples were monitored.

A fast, reliable, and sensitive method for detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat fresh-cut products by MPN-qPCR.

In the present work we developed a MPN quantitative real-time PCR (MPN-qPCR) method for a fast and reliable detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in minimally processed vegetables. In order to validate the proposed technique, the results were compared with conventional MPN followed by phenotypic and biochemical assays methods. When L.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: correlation among histology, intraoperative morphology and interindividual anatomic variability in muco-haemorrhoidal prolapse.

Purpouse: The Authors correlated intraoperative mucohaemorrhoidal prolapse morphology, specimen histology, anal canal length and purse-string height.

Methods: Between September-November 2010, 18 patients (9 grade III; 9 grade IV haemorrhoids) underwent stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Mean age was 54 years (range 38-78).

Emergency groin hernia repair: implications in elderly.

Background: Groin hernia is one of the most frequently encountered pathologies occurring in old age and it is often the cause of emergency procedures. In our study we evaluate the impact of emergency procedures in over 75 patients compared to younger patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study about patients who underwent emergency hernioplasty between September 2007 and January 2013.

Day-surgery inguinal hernia repair in the elderly: single centre experience.

Background: Inguinal hernioplasty is well established as a day-surgery procedure, our purpose is to assess the safeness of this approach in elderly patients.

Methods: A total of 292 inguinal hernioplasty were performed between June 2009 and February 2013. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the age and postoperative complications were compared in these groups.

Is 1 mm thickness sec. Breslow the correct cut-off for sentinel node biopsy in melanoma? Report of six cases of metastasis by thin melanoma.

Aim: To reassess selection criteria for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) in patients with thin melanoma (Breslow ≤ 1 mm).

Material Of Study: Between January 2004 and November 2010 we observed 6 patients with lymph node metastasis from early melanoma (Breslow ranging from 0.3 mm to 0.