Germline prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2) variants associated with central hypogonadism cause differental modulation of distinct intracellular pathways.

Introduction: Defects of prokineticin pathway affect the neuroendocrine control of reproduction, but their role in the pathogenesis of central hypogonadism remains undefined, and the functional impact of the missense PROKR2 variants has been incompletely characterized.

Material And Methods: In a series of 246 idiopathic central hypogonadism patients, we found three novel (p.V158I, p.

Accuracy of a 3D laser∕camera surface imaging system for setup verification of the pelvic and thoracic regions in radiotherapy treatments.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the accuracy of a laser∕camera surface imaging system (Sentinel) when used on patients treated in the thorax or pelvic regions and to evaluate system employment conditions and patient setup procedures that provide more accurate results.

Methods: The system was tested on two groups of patients for whom different patient setup procedures and Sentinel employment conditions were considered. For the first group of 33 patients (FG) no changes to the usual setup procedures were made and a surface extension limited to the treated region was considered.

[Hyponatremia and syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH)].

The syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH), also termed ''syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD)'', is an often unrecognized cause of hypotonic hyponatremia, arising from ectopic release of ADH in lung cancer or as a side effect of various drugs. In SIADH, hyponatremia results from selectively impaired water excretion by the kidney, whereas the external Na+ balance is normally regulated. Despite the increase in total body water, only a slight reduction of urine output and modest edema are usually seen.

Headaches of otolaryngological interest: current status while awaiting revision of classification. Practical considerations and expectations.

In 1988, diagnostic criteria for headaches were drawn up by the International Headache Society (IHS) and is divided into headaches, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. The 2(nd) edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) was produced in 2004, and still provides a dynamic and useful instrument for clinical practice. We have examined the current IHC, which comprises 14 groups.

Changes in volume-corrected whole-lung density in smokers and former smokers during the ITALUNG screening trial.

Purpose: To evaluate with a volume-corrected whole-lung approach changes in lung density over 2 years consistent with progression of pulmonary emphysema in smokers and former smokers enrolled in the ITALUNG trial of lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 103 subjects (mean age 63±4 y with a pack-year history of at least 20) underwent 2 whole-lung LDCT examinations 2 years apart. Visual assessment was made independently by 2 experienced observers on the initial LDCT examination with a 0 to 4 grading system for each of 6 regions (right and left upper, mid, and lower lung).

A phantom evaluation of Sentinel(™), a commercial laser/camera surface imaging system for patient setup verification in radiotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of Sentinel(™), a patient setup verification device based on a laser/camera system, when used on rigid-body phantoms.

Methods: The Sentinel system consists of a scanner unit, containing the laser and the camera, and surface-matching registration software. For the registration procedure, both a computed tomography (CT) and a Sentinel image can be used as a reference.

Transient Hepatic Parenchymal Enhancement detected at dynamic imaging: a short instruction manual for the clinician.

Basic knowledge in the interpretation of hepatic imaging is essential for the clinical hepatologist. In recent years, the availability of dynamic imaging studies of the liver using computed tomography or magnetic resonance has led to appreciate the importance of early changes in arterial perfusion for the interpretation of hepatic lesions. Transient Hepatic Parenchymal Enhancement (THPE) is defined as a normal area of liver parenchyma that enhances after injection of contrast agent during the arterial phase of perfusion.

[Socio-presbyacusis: definition and prevention].

Socio-presbyacusis is a hot topic with an increasing incidence and high social costs. The main etiological factors are: genetics, smoking and drinking habits, diet, metabolic syndrome, chronic otitis and noise exposure (professional, environmental and recreative). Despite its multifactorial origin, the pathogenetic mechanism of cochlear damage is based on the increased production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

[Hearing loss and idoneity--the segnalation of noise-induced hearing loss hearing Loss].

Work idoneity in hearing loss must be related to working ability and evolution risks. Working ability is referred to the difficulties found in speech comprehension and in signals perception. As regards hearing loss evolution it is necessary to define if the subject is affected by conductive or neurosensorial hearing loss.

[The prevention of noise inducted hearing loss: the new challenge of active electronic hearing protection].

Based on today's common hearing aid design and technology, the team of researchers successfully designed a DPI which allows the worker to be "protected" against loudness and in the same time guarantee a good level of communication and perception of the surrounding environment. The design of this new device is very much similar to a standard BTE hearing aid which allows the use of an active DPI very comfortable, robust and easy to use. The research using the prototypes was divided into 3 phases: Phase 1: 24 volunteers coming from non-industry companies did undergo a specific trial protocol.

[From ergography to ergomachia. The scientific bases of occupational pathology at the end of the nineteenth century].

In the last twenty years of the nineteenth century in Italy, the scientific bases are set in order to give birth to industrial/physical medicine. Physiology, hygiene and pathology deal with topics/matters/subjects bound to the working environment. Angelo Mosso deepens the studies, already begun in the 70s by Ugo Kronaker in Leipzig, about muscular strain by publishing these researches with two different purposes.

[The monitoring role of otoacoustic emission and oxidative stress markers in the protective effects of antioxidant administration in noise-exposed subjects: a pilot study].

The aims of this study is to assess how DPOAEs can discriminate normal subjects with a risk of damage induced by noise, the effectiveness of OAEs in monitoring the effect of Q-Ter, and the role of blood tests to monitor therapy. In the placebo group, the amplitude of DPOAEs was reduced 1 hour and 16 hours after exposure, the group treated with Q-Ter showed normal DPOAEs. This pilot study confirms that DPOAEs represent a sensitive test for monitoring the effects of noise in preclinical conditions and pharmacological treatment.

[Effect of noise and reverberation on vocal effort and fatigue of primary school teachers].

Teachers are at a higher risk for occupation-related voice disorders than the general population. The aim of this work is the investigations on the relationships between vocal doses and clinical status, acoustical conditions (noise and reverberation) in the classrooms and subjective evaluations of vocal effort and fatigue. At clinical evaluation 41% of the teachers showed no sign of vocal disease.

[Clinical and biological prognostic factors in 135 patients affected by sinonasal carcinoma treated in Piedmont].

Clinical and biological prognostic factors in 135 patients affected by sinonasal carcinoma treated in Piedmont. Long-term survival of patients with sinonasal carcinoma remains disappointing in spite of aggressive treatment. The aim of the study is the assessment of overall survival in a group of patients treated with a fixed protocol and the positivity of proliferation and neoangiogenesis markers (Ki-67 and VEGF).

Thymidylate synthase expression and genotype have no major impact on the clinical outcome of colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil.

Background And Objectives: Thymidylate synthase (TS) expression levels appear to be related to response to 5-fluorouracil-(5-FU)-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Three polymorphisms have been proposed as modulators of TS expression: a tandemly repeated sequence (2R/3R) in the 5' UTR, a SNP (G>C) within the 3R allele and a 6bp deletion in the 3' UTR. To evaluate the influence of TS expression and polymorphisms on clinical outcome of 5-FU-treated patients we performed a comprehensive genetic analysis on 63 CRC patients.

Accuracy of iView and PIPSpro registration software.

In radiotherapy, treatment portal images and digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) are used to monitor patient setup during clinical routine. The output of the registration between the portal image and the reference DRR indicates the patient displacement. If the registration is not reliable, the patient positioning will not be accurate.

Ileocecal strictureplasty for Crohn's disease: long-term results and comparison with ileocecal resection.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate strictureplasty as the first choice for surgical treatment for Crohn's terminal ileitis.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2000 we performed Finney-shaped ileocecal strictureplasty (ICS), doubling up the diseased terminal ileum, in 14 patients affected by Crohn's disease (group A). We compared the postoperative and long-term outcomes of these patients with those of 14 similar patients who underwent ileocecal resection with ileocolonic anastomosis during the same period (group B).

A simple method to test the geometrical reliability of digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR).

In radiotherapy treatment portal images and digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) are the most frequently used image-guidance systems to monitor patient set-up during clinical routine. DRR is therefore a critical element in the process of virtual simulation and patient position verification in radiotherapy. The aim of this work was to assess the geometric reliability of the DRR generated by XiO, Pinnacle, Odyssey and Ocentra-Masterplan Treatment Planning Systems (TPS).

Resovist enhanced MR imaging of the liver: does quantitative assessment help in focal lesion classification and characterization?

Purpose: To improve characterization of focal liver lesions by a prospective quantitative analysis of percentage signal intensity change, in dynamic and late phases after slow (0.5 mL/s) Resovist administration.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-three patients were submitted on clinical indication to MR examination with Resovist.

[Diverticular disease of the colon: diagnosis and treatment. Consensus Conference, 5th National Congress of the Italian Society of Academic Surgeons].

Diverticular disease (DD) is one of the most common disorders of the colon with an increased prevalence in Western populations. There are still many unsolved issues about indications, timing of surgery and modality of surgical treatment. These topics were discussed during the Consensus Conference (CC).

The importance of preoperative swallowing therapy in subtotal laryngectomies.

Objective: To examine the utility of swallowing therapy (ST) before and after surgery in patients undergoing subtotal laryngectomy.

Study Design And Setting: From 1990 to 2000, 43 patients underwent subtotal laryngectomy. Prior to 1997 patients received ST only after surgery, while from 1997 on, patients scheduled for subtotal laryngectomy also received some sessions of ST before surgery.

[The new hospital model established at the end of 19th Century and the professional nursing schools].

The historical research in hospitals organisation began in Europe only after the II World War. In particular, studies regarding the nursing in Italy are very scarce and heavily influenced by the fragmented political and organisational management due to the historical divisions within Italy. All the same, the social and working conditions, at least in the north of Italy, were similar in this respect.

Eye injuries in an Italian urban population: report of 10,620 cases admitted to an eye emergency department in Torino.

Background: Ocular trauma has significant impact on the patient's future quality of life. Most of the hospital-based studies tend to underestimate the occurrence of minor ocular trauma. In Torino the large majority of patients with ocular trauma are referred to a single hospital with a 24-hour Emergency Department (Ospedale Oftalmico).

Design and implementation of a water phantom for IMRT, arc therapy, and tomotherapy dose distribution measurements.

The aim of this paper is to present a new phantom for arc therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and tomotherapy dose distribution measurement in pretreatment verification. The presented phantom is innovative for its use of water as the tissue equivalent material, together with a technical solution specifically designed to support radiographic or radiochromic film and ionization chambers in any desired position. The phantom comprise a Plexiglas container, whose present shape and dimensions offer the possibility to simulate a human torso or abdomen; the container can be filled with water by opening the upper cover.