Extrauterine life duration and ontogenic EEG parameters in preterm newborns with and without major ultrasound brain lesions.

Objective: To determine whether extrauterine life duration is associated with different ontogenic electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in premature infants compared with neonates born at later gestational ages (GAs).

Methods: We included 97 preterm infants of 24-36 weeks GA. We performed neurosonography and EEG recordings at week 1 and 2 of postnatal life, then every two weeks until term conceptional age (CA).

Midazolam in neonatal seizures with no response to phenobarbital.

The outcome of 45 neonates with EEG-confirmed seizures (ESz) was analyzed with regard to treatment. ESz persisted in 17 of 32 neonates receiving phenobarbital/phenytoin (13 had a poor outcome, 4 died). In contrast, ESz were rapidly controlled in 13 of 13 nonresponders to phenobarbital/phenytoin treated with midazolam (4 had poor outcome, 2 died).

Association of Helicobacter pylori-related distal gastric cancer with the HLA class II gene DQB10602 and cagA strains in a southern European population.

Background: Distinct human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ genes have been associated with an increased or reduced risk for gastric cancer, but its association with Helicobacter pylori status is controversial. In the present study we evaluated the influence of host HLA DQA1 and DQB1 loci, H. pylori genotype, and socio-economic factors on predicting H.

Role of apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele on chronic allograft nephropathy after renal transplantation.

Lipid abnormalities may contribute to chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism regulates lipoprotein metabolism, but little is known about an association between CAN and this polymorphism. The ApoE gene (E3/E4) polymorphism was typed by PCR assay (99 E3/E3, 28 E3/E4, 1 E4/E4) on 128 consecutive renal transplant patients with functioning grafts for more than 3 years (6.

Management of colonic Dieulafoy lesions with endoscopic mechanical techniques: report of two cases.

Although Dieulafoy lesion is generally located in the proximal stomach, other locations have been reported. We present two cases of bleeding colonic Dieulafoy in patients with chronic renal failure who were treated with mechanical methods. In the first case, an active arterial bleeding without mucosal defect was localized in the descending colon.

Dietary fish oil does not influence acute rejection rate and graft survival after renal transplantation: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Background: Dietary fish oil, rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreases TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-2 levels, which may benefit renal transplant recipients. To explore this possibility, we studied the effect of fish oil on the incidence of acute rejection, in situ expression of interleukins (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-2) and renal function after renal transplantation.

Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial, 86 subjects with no immunological risk randomly received either 6 g/day of fish oil (fish oil group; n=46) or soy oil (control group; n=40) during the first 3 months after transplantation.

Neurosurgery and the Internet: a critical analysis and a review of available resources.

Thanks to the development of computers and telecommunication, the concept of communication is undergoing radical changes. Scientific collaboration among medical professionals has evolved rapidly in the last few years toward the use of Internet, a new tool which will change the world of health. It is impossible to predict at present where this new type of scientific collaboration will lead us, but what is certain is that in the next decade, the so-called electronic communities will be created and will develop at an extraordinary rate.

Improvement of respiratory function in chronic asthmatic patients with autogenic therapy.

Stress, unpleasant emotions and autonomic imbalance may play a main role in precipitating asthmatic attacks. In this study two homogeneous groups of asthmatic patients (N = 24) are treated over an eight-month period. The experimental group was treated with autogenic therapy and the control group with supportive group psychotherapy.

Therapeutic effects of hidrosmin on chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a new synthetic bioflavonoid, hidrosmin, in patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Fifty-seven patients, showing varicose veins and ankle swelling and suffering from local pain and heaviness of the legs, were allocated at random to receive treatment for 45 days with 1 capsule 3-times daily of either 200 mg hidrosmin (30 patients) or placebo (27 patients). Pain and heavy legs were assessed using rating scales; swelling was assessed by a photographic method.