Comparison Between Doppler-Echocardiography and Uncalibrated Pulse Contour Method for Cardiac Output Measurement: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Objectives: Echocardiography and pulse contour methods allow, respectively, noninvasive and less invasive cardiac output estimation. The aim of the present study was to compare Doppler echocardiography with the pulse contour method MostCare for cardiac output estimation in a large and nonselected critically ill population.

Design: A prospective multicenter observational comparison study.

Early Introduction of Subcutaneous Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin Following Liver Transplantation for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

Background: Subcutaneous administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) is effective in preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation, but early conversion to subcutaneous administration is undocumented.

Methods: In a prospective study, patients transplanted for terminal liver disease due to HBV infection who were HBV DNA-negative at transplant were switched by week 3 posttransplantation from intravenous to subcutaneous HBIg (500 or 1000 IU weekly or fortnightly, adjusted according to serum anti-HBs trough level) if they were HBsAg- and HBV-DNA negative at time of switch. All patients concomitantly received nucleos(t)ide analogue antiviral therapy.

Defining the possible therapeutic benefit of lymphadenectomy among patients undergoing hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy (LND) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods: 826 patients who underwent liver resection were identified using the SEER database from 1988 to 2011. Two groups of patients were defined: 201 (24%) undergoing potentially therapeutic LND (group A, >3 lymph nodes (LN) removed), and 625 (76%) not receiving therapeutic LND (group B, ≤3 LNs removed).

Randomized Open Trial Comparing 2-Dose Regimens of the Human Papillomavirus 16/18 AS04-Adjuvanted Vaccine in Girls Aged 9-14 Years Versus a 3-Dose Regimen in Women Aged 15-25 Years.

Background: This randomized, open trial compared regimens including 2 doses (2D) of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine in girls aged 9-14 years with one including 3 doses (3D) in women aged 15-25 years.

Methods: Girls aged 9-14 years were randomized to receive 2D at months 0 and 6 (M0,6; (n = 550) or months 0 and 12 (M0,12; n = 415), and women aged 15-25 years received 3D at months 0, 1, and 6 (n = 482). End points included noninferiority of HPV-16/18 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 2D (M0,6) versus 3D (primary), 2D (M0,12) versus 3D, and 2D (M0,6) versus 2D (M0,12); neutralizing antibodies; cell-mediated immunity; reactogenicity; and safety.

US-guided percutaneous treatment and physical therapy in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder: outcome at 3 and 12 months.

Objectives: To monitor the results of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous treatment of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder at 12 months (T12) after treatment (T0). To verify the possible relations between some pre- and post-procedural variables with the clinical outcome at T12.

Methods: Forty-seven patients (26 female and 21 male) were enrolled in the study.

Ageing with HIV: a multidisciplinary review.

Introduction: After the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment, the course of HIV infection turned into a chronic disease and most of HIV-positive patients will soon be over 50 years old.

Material And Methods: This paper reviews the multiple aspects that physicians have to face while taking care of HIV-positive ageing patients including the definitions of frailty and the prevalence and risk factors of concomitant diseases. From a therapeutic point of view pharmacokinetic changes and antiretroviral-specific toxicities associated with ageing are discussed; finally therapeutic approaches to frailty are reviewed both in HIV-positive and negative patients.

Laparoscopic ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients unsuitable for liver resection or percutaneous treatment: a cohort study.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic ablation for cirrhotic HCC patients. Between January 2004 and December 2009, laparoscopic ablation was applied prospectively in 169 consecutive HCC patients (median age 62 years, 43% hepatitis C positive) considered ineligible for liver resection and/or percutaneous ablation. There was clinically relevant portal hypertension in 72% of cases.

Prostate cancer: what are the news in hormonal therapy? The role of GnRH antagonists.

The latest EAU guidelines on the evidence based-management of prostate cancer (P.Ca.), with regard to pharmacological androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), reiterate that the primary objective of hormonal therapy is to slow down the progression of the disease to the greatest possible extent.