Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) incidence and prevalence in Italy.

Background: Studies of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) epidemiology show regional variations of incidence and prevalence; no epidemiological studies have been carried out in Italy.

Objective: To determine incidence and prevalence rates of IPF in the population of a large Italian region.

Methods: in this cross-sectional study study data were collected on all patients of 18 years of age and older admitted as primary or secondary idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis (ICD9-CM 516.

Quality of colonoscopy in an organised colorectal cancer screening programme with immunochemical faecal occult blood test: the EQuIPE study (Evaluating Quality Indicators of the Performance of Endoscopy).

Objectives: To assess variation in the main colonoscopy quality indicators in organised colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes based on faecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Design: Data from a case-series of colonoscopies of FIT-positive subjects were provided by 44 Italian CRC screening programmes. Data on screening history, endoscopic procedure and histology results, and additional information on the endoscopy centre and the endoscopists were collected.

Breast cancer mortality trends in Italy by region and screening programme, 1980-2008.

Objectives: To describe trends in breast cancer mortality in 14 Italian regions representing 90% of the Italian population, and in the country overall, in relation to the diffusion of organized or opportunistic breast cancer screening programmes. Settings : Breast cancer mortality figures from 1980-2008 in Italy and 14 Italian regions were retrieved from the National Statistics Institute.

Methods: Estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was calculated for three time-periods (1980-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2008).

Screening and prostate cancer mortality: results of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) at 13 years of follow-up.

Background: The European Randomised study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has shown significant reductions in prostate cancer mortality after 9 years and 11 years of follow-up, but screening is controversial because of adverse events such as overdiagnosis. We provide updated results of mortality from prostate cancer with follow-up to 2010, with analyses truncated at 9, 11, and 13 years.

Methods: ERSPC is a multicentre, randomised trial with a predefined centralised database, analysis plan, and core age group (55-69 years), which assesses prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in eight European countries.

Detection of liver micrometastases from colorectal origin by perfusion CT in a rat model.

Background: Some patients with colorectal carcinoma have liver metastases (LMs) which cannot be detected by conventional imaging. This study aimed to assess whether hepatic perfusion changes induced by micrometastases can be detected by perfusion computed tomography (CT).

Methods: LMs were produced in rats by injecting carcinoma cells into the portal vein.

Participation and risk of high grade cytological lesions among immigrants and Italian-born women in an organized cervical cancer screening program in Central Italy.

Few studies analyzed the risk for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (HSIL+) among immigrants and natives attending organized cervical cancer (CC) screening programs (SP). We evaluated participation and diagnosis of HSIL+ by country of birth with logistic models. Overall 540,779 invitation letters were delivered to target women of Florence SP in three screening rounds (years 2000-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2008).

Does the intragastric balloon have a predictive role in subsequent LAP-BAND(®) surgery? Italian multicenter study results at 5-year follow-up.

Background: The intragastric balloon has been reported to be a safe and effective tool for temporary weight loss. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the possible predictive role of intragastric balloon when used before laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Methods: A longitudinal multicenter study was conducted in patients with body mass index (BMI)>35 kg/m(2) who underwent gastric banding with the BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB).

An epidemiology-based model to estimate the rate of inappropriateness of tumor marker requests.

Background: Appropriateness of tumor markers (TMs) has been retrospectively studied in limited patients' series, matching the requests to clinical records. Methods to monitor appropriateness suitable for use on a large scale are required. This study aims to establish and validate an innovative model to estimate appropriateness based on the comparison between the number of TMs requested and the expected requests inferred from epidemiological data.

Does pathologic response of rectal cancer influence postoperative morbidity after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and total mesorectal excision?

Background: A pathologic complete response (pCR) can be observed in up to 25% of patients after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer and is associated with an improved long-term prognosis. However, few data are available regarding the effect of pCR on postoperative morbidity. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pCR on postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME).

A different method of evaluation of the ERSPC trial confirms that prostate-specific antigen testing has a significant impact on prostate cancer mortality.

The advantages and disadvantages of two different methods of analyzing the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial with respect to the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening on prostate cancer (PCa) mortality (ie, disease-specific mortality analysis and excess mortality analysis) are discussed in depth. The traditional disease-specific mortality is the best end point, but it could be biased by misclassification of causes of death, and it does not take into account the possible effect of the screening process on other causes of death. Excess mortality analysis overcomes these problems, but the results could be biased if the expected mortality is not corrected for attendance status.

[Psychiatric features before and after intervention: a study of patients affected by severe obesity undergoing adjustable gastric banding].

Aim: This study identifies psychological features and the evolution of psychiatric symptoms in a group of patients affected by obesity, who underwent adjustable gastric banding.

Materials And Methods: In this group, other than clinical visit, test SCL-90 is made in preoperative time. In postoperative SCL-90, TAS and BES were carried out.

Comorbidities and polypharmacy impact on complete cytogenetic response in chronic myeloid leukaemia elderly patients.

Background: In older patients comorbidity and polypharmacy can significantly influence the success of the treatment, as well as the cognitive and psycho-social aspects. A significant proportion of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients are "elderly": in the past the aim of therapy in this subset of patients was only to contain the leukaemic mass, but nowadays, with the advent of the protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, also elderly patients can access these treatments. We want to assess if even old CML patients, with a correct geriatric evaluation, can be successfully treated with protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Laparoscopic resection of retrorectal tumors: a feasibility study in 12 consecutive patients.

Background: Surgical approaches for retrorectal tumors (RRT) are either abdominal, dorsal trans-sacrococcygeal, or perineal. Very few cases have been reported so far concerning a laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to assess the results of laparoscopy for the treatment of RRT.

PKA regulatory subunit R2B is required for murine and human adipocyte differentiation.

ADIPOGENESIS IS A COMPLEX PROCESS MODULATED BY SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING CAMP SIGNALING. THE MAIN CAMP TARGET IS PROTEIN KINASE A (PKA), A TETRAMERIC ENZYME WITH FOUR REGULATORY SUBUNITS SHOWING TISSUE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION: PRKAR2B is the main regulatory subunit in adipose tissue in mice and in adult humans. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of PKA regulatory subunits in human adipose tissue during fetal development and to investigate their role in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 and primary human preadipocytes.

The cancer screening monitoring system: indicators for organised programmes and possible extension to spontaneous screening.

European Commission recommends the implementation of organized screening programs for cervical cancer based on active invitation of the target population and with a systematic monitoring system and quality assurance. Nevertheless, in many Member States opportunistic screening is still the only or the main way to access Pap test. In Italy, Pap test coverage in women aged 25-64 is close to 80%, about half of them are screened in organized programs and half by opportunistic screening.

The impact of immunochemical faecal occult blood testing on colorectal cancer incidence.

Background: The efficacy of colorectal cancer screening based on faecal immunochemical test, in terms of reduction of colorectal cancer incidence, is under debate. In the district of Florence, an organized screening programme based on faecal immunochemical test has been running since the early 1990s. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of developing colorectal cancer for subjects undergoing faecal immunochemical test with those who did not undergo the test in the same period.

hr-HPV testing in the follow-up of women with cytological abnormalities and negative colposcopy.

Background: The follow-up after abnormal Pap smear and negative colposcopy is not clearly defined. This study aimed at investigating the role of hr-HPV testing in the management of abnormal Pap test and negative colposcopy for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). methods: The study enrolled 1029 women with abnormal screening cytology (years 2006-2010) and negative colposcopy for CIN2+, which subsequently performed a hr-HPV test.

The thymulin-lactotropic axis in rodents: thymectomy, immunoneutralization and gene transfer studies.

Objectives: There is clear evidence on the existence of a thymus-pituitary axis which seems to be particularly important during perinatal life. In particular, the thymic peptide thymulin has been shown to be a relevant player in thymus-pituitary communication. Our goal was to explore the effect of thymulin on circulating prolactin (PRL) levels in different animal models.

Can postoperative complications be predicted by a routine CT scan on day 5? A study of 78 laparoscopic colorectal resections.

Background: Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan patterns after colorectal resection are difficult to analyze for both clinicians and radiologists. This study aimed to assess the role of single CT scan on postoperative day 5 in predicting postoperative morbidity.

Methods: From October 2007 to August 2009, 78 patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection were enrolled in a research study involving a routine contrast-enhanced multi-detector CT scan on postoperative day 5.

Hepatic steatosis: a major trap in liver imaging.

Hepatic steatosis is a common condition, the prevalence of which is increasing along with non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis. In imaging, it can present in a typical homogeneous or heterogeneous way. Some forms create traps in imaging, whether localised steatosis is concerned or areas which have been spared by steatosis, and the purpose of this paper is to explain and illustrate them.

Screening patterns within organized programs and survival of Italian women with invasive cervical cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate screening patterns within organized cervical screening programs (OCSPs) and survival of women with invasive cervical cancer (ICC).

Methods: A population-based study was conducted in Italian areas covered by cancer registries and OCSPs. The study included all women aged 25-65 years diagnosed with ICC between 1995 and 2008, and their screening histories within OCSPs were retrieved.

Decreasing incidence of late-stage breast cancer after the introduction of organized mammography screening in Italy.

Background: After the introduction of a mammography screening program, the incidence of late-stage breast cancer is expected to decrease. The objective of the current study was to evaluate variations in the total incidence of breast cancer and in the incidence of breast cancers with a pathologic tumor (pT) classification of pT2 through pT4 after the introduction of mammography screening in 6 Italian administrative regions.

Methods: The study area included 700 municipalities, with a total population of 692,824 women ages 55 to 74 years, that were targeted by organized mammography screening between 1991 and 2005.

Screening for colorectal cancer with FOBT, virtual colonoscopy and optical colonoscopy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in the Florence district (SAVE study).

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most frequent cancer in Europe. Randomized clinical trials demonstrated that screening with fecal occult blood test (FOBT) reduces mortality from CRC. Accordingly, the European Community currently recommends population-based screening with FOBT.