Prognostic and predictive role of YKL-40 in anal squamous cell carcinoma: a serological and tissue-based analysis in a multicentric cohort.

Introduction: Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASC) is a rare gastrointestinal malignancy showing an increased incidence over the past decades. YKL-40 is an immune modulator and pro-angiogenetic factor that showed a promising prognostic and predictive potential in several malignancies, but limited data are available for ASC. This study aims to provide an extensive evaluation of the prognostic and predictive role of YKL-40 in a multicenter cohort of ASC patients.

The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in women with late pregnancy complications and low-risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

Background: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are known to increase the risk of obstetrical complications. However, aPL significance and prevalence in women with late-onset pregnancy complications (LO-PC) need further clarification.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of aPL in a cohort of women who experienced LO-PC and to compare it with a cohort of uneventful pregnancies.

Acromegaly and joint pain: is there something more? A cross-sectional study to evaluate rheumatic disorders in growth hormone secreting tumor patients.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the rheumatic profile in acromegalic patients to better characterize joint pain.

Methods: The immunological pattern (rheumatoid factor; antinuclear antibodies-ANA, extractable nuclear antigens-ENA-Ab; anti-citrullinated protein antibodies; erythrocyte sedimentation rate) was evaluated in 20 acromegaly subjects (AS) and 20 control subjects (CS). Bilateral joint ultrasound of hands/wrists and nail capillaroscopy were also performed.

Bisphenol A, Tobacco Smoke, and Age as Predictors of Oxidative Stress in Children and Adolescents.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate bisphenol A (BPA) and its role in the induction of oxidative stress and confirm the same for tobacco smoke.

Methods: A total of 223 young, healthy students (7-19 years old) were recruited in Chivasso, Italy. A spot of urine of each subject was analyzed to quantify BPA, cotinine, and 15F2t-isoprostane.

The impact of warmed and humidified CO insufflation during robotic radical prostatectomy: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cool and dry gas insufflation during laparoscopy induces hypothermia and cytokine increase, with significant perioperative morbidity. Our aim was to assess if warmed and humidified CO insufflation with HumiGard™ device can achieve significant benefits over standard insufflation in terms of risk of hypothermia, cytokine response, blood gases, and intra- and postoperative parameters, in the setting of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial.