Prognostic Value of Hematological Parameters in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant public health concern. The variables utilized to determine appropriate treatment for this disease also represent its most unfavorable prognostic factors, with these parameters solely determined by the neoplasm and its behavior. However, a lack of well-established indices is evident in the literature that specifically relate to the patient and indicate a worse prognosis.

Monitoring surface contamination for thirty antineoplastic drugs: a new proposal for surface exposure levels (SELs).

Background: Chemotherapy drugs are widely used to treat cancer, but their active compounds represent a danger for workers who could be exposed to them. However, they aren't yet included in directive CE No. 1272/2008 and the European Biosafety Network has only recommended a limit value of 100 pg/cm for surface contamination.

Nutritional and immunological parameters as prognostic factors in patients with advanced oral cancer.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the prognostic relationship of weight loss and preoperative hematological indexes in patients surgically treated for pT4a squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study.

Results: Percent weight loss greater than 10% was identified in 49 patients (28.

Advanced Solid-Phase Microextraction Techniques and Related Automation: A Review of Commercially Available Technologies.

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME), invented by Pawliszyn in 1989, today has a renewed and growing use and interest in the scientific community with fourteen techniques currently available on the market. The miniaturization of traditional sample preparation devices fulfills the new request of an environmental friendly analytical chemistry. The recent upswing of these solid-phase microextraction technologies has brought new availability and range of robotic automation.

A case report: Use of FT-IR analysis to improve Colovesical fistula diagnosis.

Colovesical fistula (CVF) is an abnormal connection between the colon and the urinary bladder. Faecaluria, reported in 40-70% of cases, is virtually pathognomonic for CVF. During the 5th day of recovery in an 84 years old subject, the passage of cloudy, malodorous urine with visible debris was observed.

An Upgrade of Apparatus and Measurement Systems for Generation of Gaseous Formaldehyde: A Review.

Formaldehyde (FA) is ubiquitous in the atmospheric environment. It is generally the dominant atmospheric carbonyl compound. Due to its well-known carcinogenicity, FA is a compound that arises the attention in the scientific community.

Cardiac toxicity of combined vemurafenib and cobimetinib administration .

Vemurafenib and cobimetinib are extremely effective in treating V600E-mutated metastatic melanoma, but their use is associated with toxic cardiac effects. Vemurafenib-induced prolonged QTc interval may be associated with ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Cobimetinib-induced myocardial damage may lead to severely reduced heart function and lethal heart failure.

Usefulness of Left Atrial Remodeling in Predicting CardiacToxicity During Trastuzumab Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Trastuzumab is a key therapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer (BC). However, it may cause left ventricular dysfunction, resulting in withdrawal of therapy. Left atrium (LA) enlargement has proven to cue subclinical ventricular dysfunction in various clinical setting.

Left atrial volume in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer: One step further to predict trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity.

Background: Trastuzumab (TZ) therapy requires careful monitoring of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) because it can be potentially cardiotoxic. However, LVEF is an imperfect parameter and there is a need to find other variables to predict cardiac dysfunction early. Left atrium (LA) enlargement has proven to be a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes in several disease entities.

Left ventricular end-diastolic volume as early indicator of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in HER2+ breast cancer patients: results from a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy increases survival rates in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer, although it can be potentially cardiotoxic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction; and the relationship between the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac therapy and/or echocardiographic parameters of systolic function at baseline and the development of cardiotoxicity in such patients.

Methods: A total of 227 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Adherence to medical treatment in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Aim: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic intestinal conditions characterized by unpredictable course, with periods of flare-ups and remissions suggesting poor adherence to medical therapy. On the other hand adherence is one of the most common reason of failure in the treatment of chronic disease.

Methods: We have analyzed IBD patients' questionnaires, sent by IBD Society of Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy).

Colonoscopy, pain and fears: Is it an indissoluble trinomial?

Colonoscopy is the reference method in the secondary prevention, diagnosis and, in some cases, treatment of colorectal cancer. It can often cause pain associated with embarrassment, anxiety, and physical and emotional discomfort. Pain intensity is influenced by a lot of factors, and there is a strict relationship among pain, pain perception, and mind.

Emerging issues on selection criteria of levodopa carbidopa infusion therapy: considerations on outcome of 28 consecutive patients.

Many studies confirmed the efficacy and safety of continuous infusion of intrajejunal levodopa/carbidopa gel (CIILG) for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Although this treatment is widely used, definite inclusion/exclusion criteria do not exist. In this prospective open-label study, we evaluated the long-term outcome in 28 consecutive patients and sought to detect any predictive factor to identify the best candidates for CIILG therapy.

Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System to assess patient recovery and discharge after colonoscopy.

Aim: To investigate whether discharge scoring criteria are as safe as clinical criteria for discharge decision and allow for earlier discharge.

Methods: About 220 consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy under sedation with Meperidine plus Midazolam were enrolled and assigned to 2 groups: in Control-group (110 subjects) discharge decision was based on the clinical assessment; in PADSS-group (110 subjects) discharge decision was based on the modified Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System (PADSS). Measurements of the PADDS score were taken every 20 min after colonoscopy, and patients were discharged after two consecutive PADSS scores ≥ 9.

Validation of the pediatric surgical risk assessment scoring system.

Background: Within the adult population, there exist numerous validated risk stratification tools aimed at predicting postoperative outcomes using preoperative and intraoperative parameters. However, similar tools for the pediatric population are scarce. We previously developed and reported on a scoring system to predict postoperative complications in children undergoing surgery at Boston Children's Hospital.

Current controversies in pediatric urologic robotic surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Minimally invasive surgeries such as conventional laparoscopic surgery and robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) have significant advantages over the traditional open surgical approach including lower pain medication requirements and decreased length of hospitalization. However, open surgery has demonstrated better success rates and shorter surgery time when compared to the other modalities. Currently, it is unclear which approach has better long-term clinical outcomes, greater benefits and less cost.

The first 2 years of colorectal cancer screening in Ferrara, Italy.

We report on the first screening round in the District of Ferrara, a region of Emilia-Romagna, carried out between March 2005 and March 2007 to illustrate the effort of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening from administration and information to therapy and follow-up. After invitation of 38 344 persons aged 50-69 years (28.5%), 19 480 (50.

[Intestinal intussusception in adult. Abdominal ultrasound is useful as diagnostic method, if correctly assessed].

We report a case of adult intestinal intussusception. The patient had complained of intermittent nonspecific abdominal pain and nausea for two weeks, when acute abdomen appeared and required a segmental small bowell resection. During hospitalization in our Department three abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed, but only one of which was useful in making the diagnosis.

Multidimensional evaluation of performance: experimental application of the balanced scorecard in Ferrara university hospital.

Background And Aims: One of the best-known performance planning and evaluation techniques utilising both monetary and non-monetary data is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). This is a means of rationalising the global activity of a business in the attempt to create value, and to translate the company vision into a set of tactical objectives and measurable strategies. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate the use of BSC in two departments of the St.

Transthoracic ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy of pleural-based lung lesions: prospective randomized comparison between a Tru-cut-type needle and a modified Menghini-type needle.

Purpose: The diagnostic yield of the different types of cutting needles used to perform transthoracic biopsy is scarcely investigated. Aim of the study was to compare a Tru-cut-type (TCT) needle and a modified Menghini-type needle (MMT) in ultrasonography (US)-guided biopsy of pulmonary lesions.

Materials And Methods: 307 subjects (191 males and 116 females, mean age 58 years) with peripheral lung lesions selected to undergo US-guided biopsy were randomized to undergo biopsy by using an 18-gauge TCT or MMT needle.

[Screening for colorectal cancer in high-risk and intermediate-risk subject: what's the best tool?].

Although several screening tests are now available, at present none of them has been proven the best one. Colonoscopy is usually used in high-risk subjects (family history of either colorectal cancer [CRC] or adenomas). In intermediate-risk subjects, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is preferred, and colonoscopy is performed only when FOBT results positive.

[Physicians working in internal medicine's ward: a survey on their role in the management of the gastrointestinal endoscopy services in Emilia Romagna].

We carried out a survey on the role played by the Wards of Internal Medicine in the management of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (G.E.) Services operating in Emilia Romagna.

Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid fecal test to confirm H pylori eradication after therapy: prospective comparison with a laboratory stool test.

Aim: To investigate the clinical performances of rapid stool test (ImmunoCard STAT HpSA, Meridian Diagnostic Inc.) in the evaluation of eradication therapy of H pylori and to compare it with a well-known and validated laboratory stool test (Amplified IDEA Hp StAR, Dako).

Methods: Stool samples of 122 patients were evaluated after eradication therapy of H pylori.