Consensus for management of sacral fractures: from the diagnosis to the treatment, with a focus on the role of decompression in sacral fractures.

Background: There is no evidence in the current literature about the best treatment option in sacral fracture with or without neurological impairment.

Materials And Methods: The Italian Pelvic Trauma Association (A.I.

[Atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of high-resolution B mode ultrasound in the measurement of the arterial intima-media thickness].

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a reduced life expectancy and high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as compared to the general population. A number of possible factors for the atherogenesis in this disease have been described, such as homocysteine, altered serum levels of selected lipoproteins and treatment. Recent findings indicate that the systemic inflammation may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and confer an additional risk for cardiovascular death among patients with RA.

[Galenus Latinus, 1490-1533].

This article provides an examination of the Latin complete editions of Galen, from 1490 to 1528, which are not all pointed out and described by Richard Durling in his census published in 1961, in the Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes. They present the first large circulation of Galen in the Renassaince, which was in Latin, not in Greek, as well as the constitution of the Galenic corpus. At first it was formed by Medieval translations.

[Appendicectomy: laparoscopic or ''open approach''?].

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of open appendectomy versus laparoscopic appendectomy in the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis. We have compared the following items: operating time, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and costs.

Methods: The study was conducted on 435 patients admitted in our Department from December 1993 to December 2003 with diagnosis of acute appendicitis: 339 (77.

Phase-contrast microtomography of thin biomaterials.

Phase-contrast microtomography, performed at the beamline ID 22 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, Grenoble, France), is demonstrated for high-resolution 3-D imaging of a hydroxyapatite sample. The technique, which relies on phase contrast imaging, gives the possibility to observe features inside samples with negligible absorption contrast. The positive results obtained suggest a possible future investigation of the influence of the distribution of pores and defects inside biomaterial coatings, on the growth of osteoblast cells.

[Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma].

Being the excellent prognosis, the extension of the thyroidectomy in the surgical management of differentiated thyroid carcinomas is still controversial: some authors recommend total thyroidectomy for all patients, others suggest a conservative approach, that guarantee the same good prognosis but is associated with fewer complications. Even the cervical lymph node dissection is discussed, both regarding to the indications and the extension. The authors reported a retrospective review of their experience of the last 10 years on 75 patients operated for differentiated thyroid cancer, 61 for papillary carcinoma and 14 for follicular carcinoma; 18 of them were men and 57 females, with a mean age of 48.

The role of levamisole in the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer patients: a randomized trial of 5-fluorouracil and levamisole versus 5-fluorouracil alone.

Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and levamisole (Lev) have been considered standard treatment for stage III colon cancer patients. However, the uncertain contribution of Lev to the efficacy of treatment has led many oncologists to prefer the 5FU/leucovorin combination. To establish the role of Lev, we conducted a randomized trial comparing the 5FU/Lev combination with 5FU alone in patients with Dukes' C colon cancer.

Hox and paraHox genes in bivalve molluscs.

In this study, we sought the presence and analysed the sequences of the Hox and ParaHox genes in bivalve molluscs. The clustered Hox genes play a central role in anterior-posterior axial patterning in bilaterian metazoa, whereas the ParaHox gene cluster is a paralogue (evolutionary sister) of the Hox cluster. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches, we isolated nine different sequences in five species belonging to three of the main bivalve subclasses: Ensis ensis and Tapes philippinarum (Heterodonta), Pecten maximus and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Pteriomorphia), and Yoldia eightsi (Protobranchia).

[Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery: case report and review of the literature].

Introduction: The authors describe an unusual case of giant aneurysm of the splenic artery. The problem of deciding between endovascular and open vascular surgery and what are the tools necessary to choose the most appropriate procedure are discussed in this report.

Case Report: A man 55 years old was admitted to the hospital for an unspecified abdominal pain.

Effects of mercury on microbial biomass and enzyme activities in soil.

Mercury (Hg) is a persistent soil pollutant that affects soil microbial activity. We monitored the changes in soil microbial biomass and activity of enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolytic activity, and o-diphenol oxidase (o-DPO) in three soils contaminated with different concentrations of Hg. Increasing levels of Hg, from 0.

[Management of animal bites within the area of Ascoli Piceno, Marches Region, Italy (2000-2001)].

During the years 2000-2001, 284 cases of animal-bite injuries were reported to the Public Health Service of Ascoli Piceno, Marches Region, Italy. The authors have described the ways in which the accidents occurred as well as the clinical and prophylactic measures adopted. Dogs have shown to be responsible for most bites (87.

[Influence of biphosphonates on the integration process of endosseous implants evaluated using single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)].

Biphosphonates are a large class of drugs which inhibits the resorbing activity of osteoclasts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of topical application of the biphosphonate alendronate on the integration process of endosseus implants placed in a partially edentulous patient. After incision and elevation of a mucoperiosteal flap and carrying out the osteotomy, 2 SLA implants 10 mm long and 3.

[The in vitro release of hydroxyl radicals from dust containing fluoro-edenite fibers identified in the volcanic rocks of Biancavilla (eastern Sicily)].

Background: Epidemiological studies revealed an unusually high incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla, a town in eastern Sicily located in a volcanic area. In the absence of occupational risk factors connected with asbestos inhalation, a nearby stone quarry, which has long been providing most of the local building materials (e.g.

[Observations about the treatment of Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with HIV infection using Ganciclovir and Foscarnet].

Objective: The Authors report their experience of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis therapy in HIV patients, using Ganciclovir and Foscarnet in monotherapy. They also evaluate the reliability of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) through the qualitative technique as an index of active disease. Methods: 18 patients suffering from CMV retinitis were treated: Ganciclovir was administered at a dosage of 10 mg/kg b.

[Prevalence of Toxocara spp in public playgrounds in a town of Central Italy].

In this study, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. was evaluated in the soil of 22 public playgrounds of Ancona (Italy). The public playgrounds were selected according to the different areal distribution (centre, low-lying areas centre, hilly areas suburbs) within the urban area of Ancona, central Italy.

[Giardiasis: a parasitic disease of continued topicality. Study of prevalence among a selected adult population].

We studied the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in five patients risk groups including institutionalised psychiatric of elderly subjects, HIV-positive immunocompromised patients, immigrants from developing countries and travellers to tropical countries. Stool specimens of 1319 subjects were studied. Stools were collected in triplicate from each subject.

High-dose daunorubicin as liposomal compound (Daunoxome) in elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Elderly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare condition associated with low complete remission (CR) rate and short survival. In order to improve these results, we evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Daunoxome, a liposomal daunorubicin, exhibiting toxicity profile and pharmacokinetic indices better than standard daunorubicin. In total, 15 consecutive patients with nonmature ALL were enrolled on a prospective phase II study.

[Treatment of childhood obesity. Long-term outcome and predictive factors of success in a group of 130 subjects].

Background: In the last years the prevalence of childhood obesity has notably increased. The treatment of this condition is very difficult, because of the frequent relapses. The aim of our study was to examine the long-term outcomes of different dietary treatments (1200 or 1400 calories or chetogenic diet, derived from the protein sparing modified fast) in children and adolescents with primary obesity, in order to show factors predictive of the long-term success.

[Vertical ridge augmentation using a microplate in conjunction with a Gore-Tex membrane. A case report].

Oral implantology is considered an acceptable treatment modality to replace missing teeth when a recipient site with a sufficient horizontal and vertical bone volume exists. Guided bone regeneration is based on the principle of selective exclusion of non osteogenic cells from the bony defect by a barrier membrane. Several supporting systems of the barrier membrane have been successfully used to treat non space-mantaining de-fects.

Imaging modalities for identifying the origin of regional musculoskeletal pain.

Regional musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common complaints in daily rheumatological practice. Conventional radiology remains the cornerstone of diagnostic imaging in these patients despite the advent of new, fascinating imaging techniques. Ultrasonography may have a relevant impact on final diagnosis or therapeutic choices.

[Hidden bone erosions].

The aim of this pictorial essay was to demonstrate the diagnostic efficacy of high-resolution sonography in detecting bone erosions in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Standard X-Ray of the feet did not reveal clearly evident erosions. Ultrasonography was able to detect the presence of bone erosions of the metatarsal heads of both the first toes and of the V toe of the left foot.