Small dense LDL particles and metabolic syndrome in a sample of middle-aged women. Findings from Progetto Atena.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent in the general population. Recently, small dense LDL (sd-LDL) particles have been considered a risk marker in MS diagnosis. We analyzed cross-sectionally the association between sd-LDL and MS in a population-based sample of 210 middle-aged southern Italian women; among them 86 participants had MS (prevalence 40.

Early carotid atherosclerosis in normotensive severe obese premenopausal women with low DHEA(S).

The aim of this study was to investigate the direct involvement of hyperinsulinaemia, DHEA and DHEA-S [DHEA(S)] in severe obesity in early carotid atherosclerosis, measured as intima-media thickness (IMT). Seventeen normotensive premenopausal women with very high BMI (43.5 +/- 1.

Carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke in young patients.

Background: Epidemiological studies indicate a high prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of early carotid atherosclerotic lesions in young subjects with ischemic stroke, in the absence of the common atherosclerotic risk factors.

Methods: We studied 98 young patients with first ischemic stroke (54 males and 44 females; mean age 41.

Follow-up of Lap-Band complications.

Background: Proximal gastric pouch dilation (PGPD) and band dislocation (BD) are the most frequent complications of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB).

Methods: Conservative treatment of PGPD and BD was attempted in all patients by deflation of the band. In the case of failure, laparoscopic exploration was performed.

Comparison of conventional culture and PCR methods for the detection of Legionella pneumophila in water.

A comparative assessment of conventional culture and nucleic acid techniques in the detection of Legionella pneumophila in seeded tap water samples was performed, using bacterial concentrations ranging from 994 to 0.015 cfu ml-1. Different filtration and centrifugation protocols were evaluated.

Different dysregulations in adrenal steroid biosynthesis as a prevalent cause of hyperandrogenism in women from southern Italy.

Objective: To investigate the presence of a dysregulation in steroid biosynthesis in women from southern Italy.

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Setting: Normal and hyperandrogenic women referred to the Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University Medical School of Naples.

An evaluation of the use of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) in different solid media for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli in foods.

The use of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) in different solid media for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli in foods was evaluated by testing the effects of different substrate concentrations (50 or 100 micrograms ml-1), incubation temperatures (37 or 41.5 degrees C) and incubation times (8, 12, 24 and 48 h). Different kinds of foods, both naturally and artificially contaminated, were analysed.

Influence of goserelin depot therapy on epidermal growth factor receptor expression in pelvic endometriosis.

We have studied epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor expression in endometrium and in endometriotic implants, testing a group of 36 women before and after a 4-month gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog (GnRH-a) goserelin depot treatment. Each woman underwent laparoscopy twice. At the initial laparoscopy, before starting treatment, the disease was staged according to the American Fertility Society (AFS) classification and biopsies of endometriotic implants were undertaken.

Impaired cardiac reserve and exercise capacity in patients receiving long-term thyrotropin suppressive therapy with levothyroxine.

To assess cardiac function and exercise tolerance in patients receiving long term TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine (L-T4), we studied maximal exercise capacity with a bicycle ergometer and left ventricular function at rest and during physical exercise by radionuclide angiography. The evaluation was performed in 10 patients receiving L-T4 therapy (2.31 +/- 0.

Hepatitis C virus in prisoners.

The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in prisoners and outpatients attending our center. 2205 specimens were consecutively obtained under code and screened for anti-HCV by the second generation RIBA test and Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) by CORAB test. After serum samples were tested, we reviewed demographic data and categorized four groups: Intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), prisoners and apparently healthy subjects and warders.