Assessment of volume preservation performed before or after partial nephrectomy accurately predicts postoperative renal function: Results from a prospective multicenter study

Purpose

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is standard for small renal masses, improving renal function by preserving renal parenchyma compared with radical nephrectomy. Recent work demonstrated that postoperative surgeon assessment of volume preservation (SAVP) and 3D imaging measurements agree and correlate with postoperative function. We hypothesize preoperative assessment of volume preservation (PAVP) with PN based on preoperative imaging will reliably indicate postoperative renal function.

Short- and mid-term results of limited approach septoplasty

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Limited approach septoplasty (LAS) follows the principle of respecting nasal structures and aims to minimize complications while ensuring proper nasal...     

Ex vivo histological analysis of the thermal effects created by a 445-nm diode laser in oral soft tissue biopsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate, ex vivo, the histological effects of 445-nm diode laser (Eltech K-Laser srl, Treviso, Italy), during an oral soft ti     

Trends in management and outcomes of pulmonary embolism with a multidisciplinary response team

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism (PE) response teams have garnered widespread adoption given the complexities of managing acute PE and provide a...     

When emulation becomes reciprocity

It is well known that perceiving another''s body movements activates corresponding motor representations in an observer''s brain. It is nevertheless true that in many situations simply imitating another''s actions would not be an effective or appropriate response, as successful interaction often requires complementary rather than emulative movements. At what point does the automatic tendency to mirror another''s actions become the inclination to carry out appropriate, complementary movements? In the present study, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to explore corticospinal excitability in participants observing action sequences evoking imitative or complementary movements. TMS was delivered at five time points corresponding to different moments in time when key kinematic landmarks characterizing an observed action occurred. A variation in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) confirmed that the motor system flexibly shifts from imitative to complementary action tendencies. That shift appears to take place very precociously in time. Observers are attuned to advance movement information and can use it to anticipate a future course of action and to prepare for an appropriate, complementary action. Altogether, these findings represent a step forward in research concerning social action-perception coupling mechanisms providing important data to better understand the role of predictive simulation in social contexts.     

Westernization of the Filipino population resident in Rome: obesity, diabetes and hypertension

BACKGROUND: Aims of the present study were to examine the anthropometrical and metabolic characteristics of the Filipino population migrant to the Southern European city of Rome, Italy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of Rome. Three hundred thirty-five Filipinos (95 M/240 F, mean age: 44.0+/-9.8 years, mean residence in Italy: 12.9+/-6.3 years) were studied. Data were collected by standardized questionnaires; anthropometrical parameters, arterial pressure, and fasting capillary blood glucose (FCG) were measured. RESULTS: Abdominal obesity was found in 52.5%, and BMI >or= 25 kg/m(2) in 44.5% of subjects. History of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension were reported by 6.0 and 9.0% of subjects, respectively. Impaired fasting glucose was found in 13.1%, and FCG >or= 110 mg/dl in 18.5% of subjects. Altered systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure was found in 34.3% of subjects. About three-fourths of subjects were unaware of being diabetic and/or hypertensive. Years of Italy residence showed a direct significant correlation with the degree of changes in alimentary behaviours (rho=0.18, p=0.001), and with weight gain (rho=0.27, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed only age and waist circumference to be associated with both diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the first to examine the metabolic disorders in a migrant Filipino population resident in Rome, a high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension was found. The alarming results emerging from this study should be seriously considered by public health practitioners and decision makers, and made known to the Filipinos resident in Europe.