Patient and physician views on the quality of care in inflammatory bowel disease: results from SOLUTION-1, a prospective IG-IBD study.

Introduction: Remarkable differences in quality of care (QoC) might be observed in different countries, affecting quality of life of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess patient and physician perceptions of the QoC in Italy.

Methods: A multicentre observational study on the quality of care in IBD (SOLUTION-1) was conducted in 36 IG-IBD (Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease) centres in Italy.

The impact of preoperative testing for blood glucose concentration and haemoglobin A1c on mortality, changes in management and complications in noncardiac elective surgery: a systematic review.

Background: The risks associated with surgery are elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. For this reason, preoperative diagnostics frequently include the measurement of blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), but it is unclear whether these tests contribute to improved perioperative or postoperative outcomes.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence that preoperative testing for blood glucose and HbA1c might influence the following outcome parameters: changes in clinical management; mortality; and the incidence of perioperative and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective, noncardiac surgery.

Next generation sequencing: new tools in immunology and hematology.

One of the hallmarks of the adaptive immune system is the specificity of B and T cell receptors. Thanks to somatic recombination, a large repertoire of receptors can be generated within an individual that guarantee the recognition of a vast number of antigens. Monoclonal antibodies have limited applicability, given the high degree of diversity among these receptors, in BCR and TCR monitoring.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in patients with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To describe the appearance of acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis, a rare ocular manifestation of syphilis, on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) both before and after treatment.

Methods: Ophthalmic examination and imaging studies of 30 eyes of 19 confirmed cases were analyzed both at the time of presentation and at each follow-up visit. Patients with SD OCT and fluorescein angiography at the time of presentation, and at least three documented follow-up visits after initiation of therapy, were included in the study.

Intra-cavitary ECG is an effective method for correct positioning the tip of tunneled Groshong catheters.

Background: Intra-cavitary electrocardiography (ECG) is a well-known method for correct positioning of the tip of central venous catheters (CVC). A significant increase in the P wave, as registered by the intra-cavitary electrode, signals the entrance of the catheter into the right atrium.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 155 consecutive oncologic patients were enrolled for cannulation of the right or left internal jugular vein for insertion of a tunneled Groshong catheter.

Year in review 2010: Critical Care--Infection.

Infections remain among the most important concerns in critically ill patients. Early and reliable diagnosis of infection still poses difficulties in this setting but also represents a crucial step toward appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Increasing antimicrobial resistance challenges established approaches to the optimal management of infections in the intensive care unit.

Navigating the Web in search of resources on antimicrobial stewardship in health care institutions.

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials has become a public health threat for which coordinated action at the international, national, and local level is needed. Current recommendations for the control of antimicrobial overuse and resistance in hospitals recommend various strategies, including antimicrobial stewardship programs. Several of these integrated and multidisciplinary antimicrobial management programs provide detailed information and recommendations on the Web.

CT Perfusion Evaluation of Cerebral Haemodynamics before and after Cranioplasty.

CT Perfusion imaging is usually applied to assess perfusion abnormalities in acute stroke. This prospective study applied the technique to monitor cerebral haemodynamics before and after cranioplasty. Cranioplasty is the surgical correction of a skull defect using autologous or heterologous material to obtain cosmetic repair, restoration of brain protection and neurological improvement (1).

Soft tissue infection and bacteremia caused by Shewanella putrefaciens.

Shewanella putrefaciens is as yet rarely responsible for clinical syndromes in humans. However, a case involving multiple organs in an elderly male under treatment with appropriate steroids confirms that attention should be devoted to unusual pathogens.