Beneficial Effects of the Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet on the Symptoms of Male Accessory Gland Inflammation.

Obesity exposes individuals to the risk of chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. A longitudinal clinical study was conducted on selected overweight/obese patients with male accessory gland inflammation (MAGI) to evaluate the effects of body weight loss on their urogenital symptoms. One hundred patients were selected and assigned to two groups undergoing two different nutritional programs.

Is Chronic Varicocele a Risk Factor for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism?

Objective: To assess whether varicocele affects testicular 25-hydroxylase activity.

Methods: Twenty normozoospermic patients with bilateral varicocele (grade III according to the Dubin and Amelar classification) without indications to undergo varicocele repair (normal sperm parameters and testicular volume; no scrotal pain) were consecutively enrolled and followed-up for four years. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol [25(OH)D] along with serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), conventional sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) rate, and testicular volume (TV) were measured annually for three years.

Rates of lymphocytic thyroiditis and ultrasound features of citologically-interrogated thyroid nodules based on the area of residence in a Sicily province.

Purpose: To verify the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and the ultrasound characteristics (composition and volume) of thyroid nodules with respect to the area of residence in the province of Messina, some areas having environmental issues.

Methods: Fine-needle aspiration-interrogated nodules (n = 902) of 809 patients were evaluated upon stratification into 8 areas of residence.

Results: Overall, women were younger than men (55.

Thyroid vascularization is an important ultrasonographic parameter in untreated Graves' disease patients.

Graves' disease is characterized by two sonographic features, hypoechogenicity and increased blood flow. The aim of this study was to review retrospectively ultrasound features and biochemical data of a cohort of untreated Graves' disease patients. We reviewed charts of 42 such patients, who were referred to our Endocrinology Unit from January 2013 to May 2018.

Increased Requirement of Replacement Doses of Levothyroxine Caused by Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Since hypothyroidism is a fairly common dysfunction, levothyroxine (L-T4) is one of the most prescribed medications. Approximately 70% of the administered L-T4 dose is absorbed. The absorption process takes place in the small intestine.

l-Thyroxine in an Oral Liquid or Softgel Formulation Ensures More Normal Serum Levels of Free T4 in Patients with Central Hypothyroidism.

Context: l-Thyroxine (l-T4) therapy of central hypothyroidism (CH) is guided by measurements of serum free thyroxine (FT4), which should be above the midnormal range value (MNRV). In some countries, novel formulations of oral l-T4 (liquid or softgel) are available further to the classic tablets. The intestinal absorption of either novel formulation is greater than tablets in patients with primary hypothyroidism.

Efficacy of exogenous surfactant during conventional and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in preterm infants with RDS.

Introduction: The immediate effects of exogenous surfactant on lung volume and hemodynamics in preterm infants have been poorly studied.

Materials And Methods: Lung volume, SpO2, perfusion index, regional SO2, transcutaneous partial pressure of CO2 were simultaneously monitored and recorded ten minutes after surfactant tracheal instillation in elective HFOV ventilated preterm infants with RDS.

Outcomes: Despite a reduction in gas exchange during the first 5 minutes post surfactant instillation, most likely dependent on airway obstruction, lung volume increases rapidly in HFOV preterm infants with RDS.

Association of high levels of α-defensins and S100A proteins with Candida mannan detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of preterm neonates.

Background: Candida mannan (Mn) detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was shown to be useful for earlier identification and preemptive therapy targeting in preterm infants at high risk of invasive Candida infection. We investigated whether early detection of Candida Mn in BALF is associated with the presence of some neutrophilic products, as markers of prenatal infection/inflammation.

Methods: BALF specimens were collected during the first 48 h of life from mechanically ventilated preterm newborns.

Unexpected effect of recruitment procedure on lung volume measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) during high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Background: In clinical practice, one of the major problems in optimizing recruitment or lung volume during HFOV in preterm infants is the inability to accurately measure direct changes in lung volume at bedside.

Objective: To evaluate changes in lung volume during the recruitment phase of elective HFOV in preterm infants with RDS using respiratory inductive plethysmography.

Material And Methods: The preliminary results of an observational prospective study were reported.