Digital tools and technologies used in food fortification: A scoping review.

Food fortification (i.e., industrial fortification and biofortification) increases the micronutrient content of foods to improve population nutrition.

Reproductive outcomes after conservative treatment in early and advanced stage MOGCTs.

Background: Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors usually occur in young women. The standard of care is fertility sparing surgery and comprehensive surgical staging followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) if needed. The aim of this study was to analyze the reproductive outcomes after conservative treatment in patients diagnosed, treated and followed up in MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer) centers.

Surveillance alone in stage I malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: a MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer) prospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the oncological outcome of stage I malignant ovarian germ cell tumors patients included in the MITO-9 study to identify those who might be recommended routine surveillance alone after complete surgical staging.

Methods: MITO-9 was a prospective observational study analyzing data collected between January 2013 and December 2019. Three groups were identified: group A included 13 patients stage IA dysgerminoma and IAG1 immature teratoma; group B included 29 patients with stage IB-C dysgerminomas, IA-C G2-G3 immature teratomas and stage IA mixed malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and yolk sac tumors; and group C included five patients (two patients with stage IC1 and one patient with stage IC2 yolk sac tumors and two patients with mixed-stage IC2 malignant ovarian germ cell tumors).

An Epistemological Perspective of Integrated Multidisciplinary Treatment When Dealing With Infertile Women With a Parenthood Goal: The Importance of Matterpsychic Perspective.

This article proposes a multidisciplinary work perspective on couples who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, with particular attention paid to the treatment of women. The epistemological references underlying a vision of infertility and sterility that respect the psyche-soma unity of the person are illustrated: the biopsychosocial model and the psychoneuroimmunology and psychosomatic contemporary models of health and illness. Based on clinical experience in a private and institutional setting, different steps in the course of treatment are described with the related areas of psychological work: from the search for pregnancy to the choice of adhering to an ART treatment, to conception, up to delivery and beyond.

Psychological factors influencing emotional reactions to gestational trophoblastic disease: The role of coping mechanisms and illness perception.

Objective: Referring to Leventhal's common-sense model, this observational cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the relationship between illness mental representations, coping mechanisms and psychological distress in a sample of women with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

Methods: Thirty-eight women diagnosed with GTD (18 with hydatidiform mole; 20 with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia) were asked to complete the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y and the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form. Demographic and clinical information was collected through a self-report questionnaire.

Reproductive Outcomes and Fertility Preservation Strategies in Women with Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors after Fertility Sparing Surgery.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare tumors that mainly affect patients of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive outcomes and fertility preservation strategies in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors after fertility-sparing surgery. Data in literature support that fertility-sparing surgery is associated with an excellent oncological outcome not only in early stages malignant ovarian germ cell tumors but also in advanced stages.

A retrospective, Italian multicenter study of complex abdominal wall defect repair with a Permacol biological mesh.

Complex abdominal wall defects (CAWDs) can be difficult to repair and using a conventional synthetic mesh is often unsuitable. A biological mesh might offer a solution for CAWD repair, but the clinical outcomes are unclear. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a cross-linked, acellular porcine dermal collagen matrix implant (Permacol) for CAWD repair in a cohort of 60 patients.

The Unfinished Agenda for Food Fortification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Quantifying Progress, Gaps and Potential Opportunities.

Large-scale food fortification (LSFF) is a cost-effective intervention that is widely implemented, but there is scope to further increase its potential. To identify gaps and opportunities, we first accessed the Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) to identify countries that could benefit from new fortification programs. Second, we aggregated Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) survey data from 16 countries to ascertain LSFF coverage and gaps therein.

Comparing regional models of congenital bleeding disorders: preliminary steps in the Italian context.

Background: Among these diseases, congenital bleeding disorders (CBD) represent a significant societal burden in terms of high morbidity costs and health outcomes. In Italy, the organization and provision of health care is a regional responsibility and regions must assure equity and quality to all their residents. This is also true for CBD care which is provided by 54 multidisciplinary Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) distributed among the regions.

GnRH-(1-5) transactivates EGFR in Ishikawa human endometrial cells via an orphan G protein-coupled receptor.

The decapeptide GnRH is known for its central role in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. In addition, it is also known to have local effects within peripheral tissues. The zinc metalloendopeptidase, EC 3.

Initial experience with hepatic intraarterial fotemustine and interferon alpha 2b combination for treatment of liver tumors.

Background: Locoregional treatments represent a good option for patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not eligible for resection or transplantation. Locoregional approaches include a wide spectrum of therapeutic methods and hepatic intra-arterial drug infusion is also considered. Fotemustine is a chemotherapy drug usually administered intravenously according to standard administration schedules.

Hepatic intra-arterial interferon alpha 2b-based immunotherapy combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based systemic chemotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not responsive and/or not eligible for conventional treatments: a pilot study.

Background: Surgery (partial hepatic resection or orthotopic liver transplantation) remains the mainstay for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, most patients have HCC that cannot be removed either as a result of its size, multiple tumors, location, proximity to major vessels or ducts within the liver, and comorbidity, such as a not well-compensated cirrhosis. For patients who cannot be treated surgically, systemic chemotherapy is frequently limited by unacceptable toxicity, poor response and low survival rates, so that locoregional approaches may be considered as alternatives.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in adult liver recipient with delayed graft function.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has become an effective treatment for the complications of portal hypertension. We assessed the feasibility and outcome of TIPS in liver transplant recipients who developed delayed graft function (DGF) with portal hypertension.

Methods: From June 2003 to June 2004, 80 cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) have been performed at our institution.

Basiliximab in a triple-drug regimen with tacrolimus and steroids in liver transplantation.

Background: Basiliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the alpha chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (CD25), has been extensively evaluated as induction therapy for kidney transplant recipients, more frequently in combination with a cyclosporine-based regimen. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of basiliximab in combination with tacrolimus and steroids following liver transplantation.

Methods: One hundred fifty-two liver transplant recipients (141 cadaveric donors and 11 living donors [LRLT]) in the last 4 years were treated with 2 20-mg doses of basiliximab (days 0 and 4 posttransplantation) followed by tacrolimus (0.

Pediatric liver transplantation: preliminary results at Istituto Mediterraneo Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione.

Between July 2003 and November 2004 14 pediatric liver transplantations (LTx) have been performed in 12 children using cadaveric donors. The primary diseases were as follows biliary atresia in 9 cases, whereas the other 3 children were affected by cystic fibrosis, Langherans cells histiocytosis, and hepatoblastoma, respectively. Median patient waiting time was 103 days (range, 2-158); no patient died while on the waiting list.

Improvements in hepatic parenchymal transection for living related liver donor.

Introduction: To eliminate mortality and morbidity risk in living related liver donors, we developed a new surgical technique to resect hepatic parenchyma using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator in association with a monopolar floating ball cautery.

Methods: We performed 17 right hepatectomies and 2 left hepatectomies using this technique. We performed a retrospective analysis of perioperative mortality, length of hospitalization (LOS), blood transfused during surgery (IBT), intraoperative blood lost (IBL), biliary complications (BC), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) peak in the first postoperative week.

Significance of the effective remnant liver volume in major hepatectomies.

The aim of this study is to identify the minimum safe amount of effective remnant liver volume (ERLV) in patients undergoing a major hepatectomy. Thirty-eight consecutive major hepatectomies (resection of > or = 3 Couinaud segments) performed between July 1999 and March 2004 in which a frozen section liver biopsy was obtained were included. No patient had chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or cholestasis.

Hereditary hemochromatosis in adults without pathogenic mutations in the hemochromatosis gene.

Background And Methods: Hereditary hemochromatosis in adults is usually characterized by mutations in the HFE gene on the short arm of chromosome 6. Most patients have a substitution of tyrosine for cysteine at position 282 (C282Y). We studied a large family from Italy that includes persons who have a hereditary iron-overload condition indistinguishable from hemochromatosis but without apparent pathogenic mutations in the HFE gene.

[Principles of rehabilitation of patients with ileostomy].

Authors, believing that ileostomy is the cause of serious clinical, functional and psychological consequences, dwell upon principles of rehabilitation, which aim is the reinstatement of ileostomized patients into daily life. The most important aspect is to select the position of the stoma; it is necessary to consider some technical and functional aspects. The Authors examine local problems of the stoma, the unstable electrolytical balance, and report some therapeutical aspects.

[US or CT-guided percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst].

Authors, after illustrating the pathogenesis of Pancreatic Pseudocysts (PPC) and classifying them into secondary to acute pancreatitis and arising in course of chronic pancreatitis, underline that the use of Ultrasound (US), CT-scan, Magnetic Resonance, Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography and, above all, percutaneous drainage of the cysts has modified the therapeutic approach to this pathology. They describe indications and technique of US or CT-guided percutaneous drainage, and report their experience about 12 cases of PPC secondary to acute pancreatitis and 4 of PPC arising during chronic pancreatitis. They analyze the limits of this technique (risk of infections, recurrences, fistulas), and conclude that Percutaneous Drainage of Pancreatic Pseudocysts is a useful therapeutic approach in the treatment of PPC secondary to acute pancreatitis, while its use is complementary to surgery in the treatment of PPC due to chronic pancreatitis.

Regional cerebral blood flow during hypoxia-ischemia in immature rats.

Immature rats subjected to a combination of unilateral common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia sustain brain damage confined largely to the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere. To ascertain the extent and distribution of ischemic alterations in the brains of these small animals, we modified the Sakurada technique to measure regional cerebral blood flow using carbon-14 autoradiography. Seven-day-old rats underwent right common carotid artery ligation following which they were rendered hypoxic with 8% O2 at 37 degrees C.

Cerebral metabolic responses of hyperglycemic immature rats to hypoxia-ischemia.

Unlike adult rats, glucose supplementation of immature rats does not lead to accentuated hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. To explore the reason for this age-specific paradox, we subjected 7-day postnatal rats to unilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by a subcutaneous injection of either 0.1 ml 50% glucose or normal saline.

Autoradiographic determination of regional cerebral blood flow in the immature rat.

Seven-day-old rats (15 g body weight) were injected subcutaneously with iodo-[14C] antipyrine (5 microCi). After a variable period, each pup was decapitated and arterial blood collected for scintillation counting. Brains were immediately removed and either prepared for isotopic counting or frozen for autoradiography.