Preoperative preparation workshop reduces postoperative maladaptive behavior in children.

Introduction: Postoperative maladaptive behaviors (POMBs) are common following pediatric anesthesia, and preoperative anxiety is associated with POMBs. A family-centered preoperative preparation workshop was instituted with the aim of reducing the incidence of POMB and preoperative anxiety, and the study was constructed to evaluate its effectiveness.

Material And Methods: A prospective cohort study was constructed, comparing patients who attended the workshop (workshop group) with patients who did not attend and who were matched for age and type of surgery (comparison group).

Effects of spironolactone on ventricular-arterial coupling in patients with chronic systolic heart failure and mild symptoms.

Background: Several studies demonstrated that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are able to prevent myocardial and vascular fibrosis, and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with systolic chronic heart failure (HF) and mild symptoms. Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) should be influenced by anti-fibrotic interventions. We have assessed the effects of spironolactone on VAC and its components, aortic elastance (Ea) and end-systolic LV elastance (Ees), in patients with HF.

Gender-specific factors associated with shorter sleep duration at age 3 years.

Total sleep duration has been decreasing among children in the last decades. Short sleep duration (SSD) has been associated with deleterious health consequences, such as excess weight/obesity. Risk factors for SSD have already been studied among school-aged children and adolescents, but inconsistent results have been reported regarding possible gender differences.

Diagnostic values of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube assay carried out in China for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Interferon-release assays (IGRAs) for diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are not yet fully validated, particularly in high TB-endemic areas as the People's Republic of China (PRC). The aim of this report was to assess the performance of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) and tuberculin skin test (TST), in addition to microbiological results, as contributors for diagnosing active PTB in the PRC.

Methods/principal Findings: A total of 300 PTB patients, 41 disease controls (DC) and 59 healthy community controls (HCC) were included prospectively between May 2010 and April 2011 from two provinces of the PRC (Heilongjiang and Zhejiang).

Conservative treatment of a large facial midroot perforation.

Aim. To report on the endodontic and periodontal management of a root and alveolar process perforation in a maxillary front tooth. Summary.

Oral Health and Blood Pressure: The IPC Cohort.

Background: Chronic periodontal diseases involve bacteria-induced inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth. An inflammatory origin for hypertension has been proposed, and periodontal diseases are associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. The present study was performed to assess whether oral health conditions were associated with the risk of hypertension in adult population.

Role of Intraoperative Radiographs in the Surgical Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Background: One of the main goals of scoliosis surgery is to obtain a balanced fused spine. Although preoperative planning remains essential, intraoperative posteroanterior radiographs are the only available tool during the procedure to verify shoulder and coronal spinal balance and, if necessary, adjust the construct. The aim of this study was to quantify the direct influence of intraoperative radiographs on the surgical procedure itself during correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in association with a wall thickening is a key sign at endoscopic ultrasonography for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of key signs identified at endoscopic ultrasonography in diagnosing an autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2011, a retrospective case-control study was conducted in 177 patients with AIP (n = 30), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 42), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (n = 21), alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (n = 32), and symptomatic common bile duct stones (n = 52).

Results: An irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in association with a wall thickening was seen in 28 of 30 AIP, 1 of 42 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 0 of 21 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, 0 of 32 alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, and 0 of 52 common bile duct stones (P < 0.

Clinical evaluation of two dental implant macrostructures on peri-implant bone loss: a comparative, retrospective study.

Objectives: To compare the effect of two implant macrostructures on peri-implant bone level.

Material And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a private practice. Patients received test (Nobel Speedy Groovy implants) or control implants (Mk III implants) or both.

HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibition, type 2 diabetes, and bodyweight: evidence from genetic analysis and randomised trials.

Background: Statins increase the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess whether this increase in risk is a consequence of inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the intended drug target.

Methods: We used single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HMGCR gene, rs17238484 (for the main analysis) and rs12916 (for a subsidiary analysis) as proxies for HMGCR inhibition by statins.

Long-term Prognosis of Resected Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in von Hippel-Lindau Disease Is Favorable and Not Influenced by Small Tumors Left in Place.

Background: Management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is challenging because of the malignant potential and difficulty in predicting prognosis.

Objective: Compare the long-term outcome of resected VHL-PNET and sporadic PNET.

Methods: Data of all patients with VHL (n = 23) operated on for nonmetastatic PNET were reviewed.

Elastase inhibitor AZD9668 treatment prevented progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a particular form of arterial disease characterized by the dilation of the aortic wall and the presence of an intraluminal thrombus linked to a high proteolytic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an elastase inhibitor (AZD9668 from AstraZeneca) on aneurysm progression.

Methods: For this purpose, we have used a rat model of elastase perfusion followed by repeated injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a weak periodontal pathogen recently reported to enhance AAA thrombus formation.

Characterization, comparison, and choice of a commercial double-clad fiber for nonlinear endomicroscopy.

Several endomicroscope prototypes for nonlinear optical imaging were developed in the last decade for in situ analysis of tissue with cellular resolution by using short infrared light pulses. Fourier-transform-limited pulses at the tissue site are necessary for optimal excitation of faint endogenous signals. However, obtaining these transform-limited short pulses remains a challenge, and previously proposed devices did not achieve an optimal pulse delivery.

Aspergillus in the lower respiratory tract of immunocompetent critically ill patients.

Objectives: To shed light on the meaning of Aspergillus-positive lower-respiratory-tract samples in non immunocompromized critically ill patients.

Methods: Multicentre matched case-control (1:5) study. We used prospectively collected data to identify risk factors for Aspergillus-positive specimens, as well as outcomes in Aspergillus-positive patients.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, or virus reactivation with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with HIV?

We report a case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in a patient with HIV receiving antitoxoplasmic drugs (adiazine and pyrimethamine) and levetiracetam along with highly active antiretroviral therapy (tenofovir-emtricitabine, darunavir and ritonavir). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was reactivated in the 7 weeks before the development of DRESS but was successfully treated with ganciclovir and corticosteroids. DRESS flare was concomitant with another CMV reactivation after the withdrawal of ganciclovir.

Analysis of 339 pregnancies in 181 women with 13 different forms of inherited thrombocytopenia.

Pregnancy in women with inherited thrombocytopenias is a major matter of concern as both the mothers and the newborns are potentially at risk of bleeding. However, medical management of this condition cannot be based on evidence because of the lack of consistent information in the literature. To advance knowledge on this matter, we performed a multicentric, retrospective study evaluating 339 pregnancies in 181 women with 13 different forms of inherited thrombocytopenia.

Release of leukotriene B4, transforming growth factor-beta1 and microparticles in relation to aortic valve calcification.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic stenosis, the most frequent valvulopathy in the Western world, is characterized by an important extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and a process of calcification in the aortic valves. One physiopathological assumption is that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) acts through ECM remodeling and plays a role in calcification, implicating also microparticles (MPs). Another recent notion is the active involvement of inflammatory mediators in the calcification process of aortic stenosis.