Mobility scale for acute stroke patients (MSAS): construct validity and reliability of the Italian scale.

Background: The Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke Patients (MSAS) was developed to discriminate between the lower levels of mobility in acute stroke patients in the first two weeks post-onset.

Objective: The present study aims to develop and validate an Italian version of the MSAS.

Methods: The English version of the MSAS was translated into Italian according to international guidelines.

Action Observation Therapy for Upper Limb Recovery in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Due to the complexity of the interventions for upper limb recovery, at the moment there is a lack of evidence regarding innovative and effective rehabilitative interventions. Action Observation Training (AOT) constitutes a promising rehabilitative method to improve upper limb motor recovery in stroke patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of AOT, both in upper limb recovery and in functional outcomes when compared to patients treated with task oriented training (TOT).

Assessment of Core Competencies of Physical Therapists Among Students and Professionals in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Defining professional competence and identifying the best way to evaluate these skills has become a topic of study for physiotherapists. The aims of this study were: (1) to reveal and compare the level of competence declared by physiotherapy students with that of professional physiotherapists in the investigated competencies, and (2) to show any associations between the level of competences of physiotherapists and their age or education level.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey.

Surgical second-look in high risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor of small intestine: A case report.

Introduction: The peritoneum is one of the most common sites of distant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) metastases. In particular, GIST arising from the small intestine with resected minimal synchronous macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis or with primary tumor rupture has a higher risk of developing peritoneal recurrence. Current clinical practice does not envisage second-look surgery in GIST patients at high risk of developing peritoneal recurrence, and no literature data are available.

[Primary aorto-enteric fistula].

Aorto-enteric fistula, i.e. communication between the aorta and the digestive tract, is a clinical condition that usually appears in patients who have already been submitted to aneurismectomy.

[Renal transplant from living donor. Experience of the Parma Center].

Background And Aims: The scarce availability of organs and the excellent results obtained using living donors, due to the improved degree of compatibility between donor and recipient, the short period of organ storage and the possibility of choosing the ideal surgical "timing", in the authors' opinion justify the use of living donors from a clinical and ethical-moral point of view.

Methods: Between April 1986 and December 1996 a 406 renal transplants were performed; of these, 10 patients received grafts from living donors. Preliminary screening consisted in a careful clinical and immunological evaluation to evaluate the operating risk, good compatibility with the recipient and the perfect bilateral function of the kidney.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis with ceftriaxone in renal transplantation. Prospective study of 170 patients.

Due to their uremic state and altered host response induced by immunodepressive therapy, renal transplant recipients are particularly susceptible to infectious complications with high morbidity and mortality. We here report the results of a prospective study with 170 renal transplant patients, undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of ceftriaxone in the prevention of wound and early urinary tract infection. No wound infection was observed, however, 12 patients (7.

[Our experience with the surgical treatment of pulmonary hamartochondroma].

Pulmonary hamartochondromas are tumor-like malformations, often presenting as asymptomatic, noncharacteristic masses that sometimes cannot be differentiated from lung carcinomas and metastases, preoperatively. Eleven patients (6 females and 5 males) with hamartochondroma of the lung were treated at this Institute over a 10 years period. Definitive diagnosis was established at thoracotomy, and treatment of choice was wedge resection.