Comparison of traditional surgery and laser treatment of incontinent great saphenous vein. Results of a meta-Analysis.

Aim: This paper aims to compare EVLA to traditional surgery, by evaluating the incidence of recurrences.

Material Of Study: We performed a meta-analysis to challenge both surgical and LASER treatment, using, as clinical outcome, the presence or the absence of reflux. A systematic review of literature about the treatment of varicose veins was performed, searching in the following databases: PUBMED-MEDLINE, Cochrane Library.

The current status of endoscopy in transsphenoidal surgery: an international survey.

Objective: A survey-based study was designed to assess opinions related to transsphenoidal endoscopy, to evaluate the current global attitudes of neurosurgeons regarding the use of this procedure, and to solicit basic data from key institutions worldwide, with the advantage that large series of cases become available for analysis.

Methods: A web-based multi-item questionnaire was distributed to the surgical departments of 393 neurosurgical centers by means of an invitation e-mail. The questionnaire was composed of 2 sections: section 1 focused on the surgical technique for pituitary adenomas (standard technique), and section 2 concentrated on surgery for skull base tumors (extended technique).

A general model of dioxin contamination in breast milk: results from a study on 94 women from the Caserta and Naples areas in Italy.

Background: The Caserta and Naples areas in Campania Region experience heavy environmental contamination due to illegal waste disposal and burns, thus representing a valuable setting to develop a general model of human contamination with dioxins (PCDDs-PCDFs) and dioxin-like-PCBs (dl-PCBs).

Methods: 94 breastfeeding women (aged 19-32 years; mean age 27.9 ± 3.

[Risk factors analysis for elective caesarean section in Campania region (Italy)].

Objective: to assess both clinical and non clinical factors associated with elective caesarean section practice and to highlight those typologies of expectant mothers who underwent elective caesarean delivery even in the absence of clinical risk factors.

Setting And Participants: Birth Certificates archive has been used as data source: 62888 available records of all the births that occurred in the Campania region in 2005 both in public and private hospitals. Only those births pertained to women without previous caesarean sections were analyzed.

Metals detected by ICP/MS in wound tissue of war injuries without fragments in Gaza.

Background: The amount and identity of metals incorporated into "weapons without fragments" remain undisclosed to health personnel. This poses a long-term risk of assumption and contributes to additional hazards for victims because of increased difficulties with clinical management. We assessed if there was evidence that metals are embedded in "wounds without fragments" of victims of the Israeli military operations in Gaza in 2006 and 2009.

Immune dysregulation and dyserythropoiesis in the myelodysplastic syndromes.

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders characterised by ineffective haematopoiesis with high risk of leukaemia progression. The relevance of immune-dysregulation for emergence, dominance and progression of dysplastic clones has been suggested, but valuable criteria to obtain insight into these connections are lacking. This study showed significant increase of CD8 lymphocytes and mature B cells in the bone marrow (BM) compared to peripheral blood (PB) of low risk MDS patients.

TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and risk of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in Uganda.

Background: The most common TP53 gene polymorphism, which alters the amino acid sequence of the oncosuppressor p53 protein, is located at the codon 72, resulting in either Pro72 or Arg72 p53 variant. Several studies have associated this polymorphism with different types of cancer. We have analyzed the distribution and the role of TP53 Arg72 and Pro72 alleles in conjunctival neoplasia.

Interexaminer reliability and validity for diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders of visual leg measurements used in dental kinesiology.

Aims: To determine the reliability and the validity of visual leg measurements used in dental kinesiology, which suggests that a masticatory dysfunction, such as occurs in temporomandibular disorders (TMD), can influence the length and the internal rotation of lower limbs.

Methods: The leg-length inequality test and the internal foot-rotation test were performed independently by 3 different examiners on 41 subjects who were also screened for TMD. Data were analyzed by means of kappa statistics and by calculation of sensitivity and specificity values.

Fetal size charts for the Italian population. Normative curves of head, abdomen and long bones.

Objective: To describe size charts developed from fetuses of Italian couples.

Method: Prospective cross-sectional investigation conducted in three referral centers for prenatal diagnosis. The population of the study included fetuses between the 16th and the 40th week of gestation recruited prospectively and examined only once for the purpose of this study.

Evolutionary epistemology and dynamical virtual learning networks.

This paper is an attempt to define the main features of a new educational model aimed at satisfying the needs of a rapidly changing society. The evolutionary epistemology paradigm of culture diffusion in human groups could be the conceptual ground for the development of this model. Multidimensionality, multi-disciplinarity, complexity, connectivity, critical thinking, creative thinking, constructivism, flexible learning, contextual learning, are the dimensions that should characterize distance learning models aimed at increasing the epistemological variability of learning communities.

Conventional and computerized antepartum telecardiotocography. Experienced and inexperienced observers versus computerized analysis.

The study assessed the agreement in cardiotocogram interpretation between the 2CTG computerized system and experienced and inexperienced observers involved in a telecardiotocography project called 'TOCOMAT'. Both observers and computer analyzed FHR baseline, FHR variability, and number of large accelerations and of decelerations. The k coefficient was calculated for the statistical analysis.

Prenatal telemedicine: clinical experience with conventional and computerised antepartum telecardiotocography.

Objective: To describe the clinical results of the first working year of a telemedicine project based on computerised telecardiotocography.

Study Design: The project is based on the "TOCOMAT" system, which remotely recorded and processed cardiotocograms performed at five peripheral units from high and low risk patients, then transferred them to a University Operative Centre, where they were displayed, stored and analysed by the 2CTG system and by two expert observers.

Results: 457 traces were analysed.