Ricerc@Sapienza

Background and Objectives: Gastric cancers are usually characterized using Lauren's classification into intestinal and diffuse types. We previously documented the down-modulation of miR31, miR148a, miR204, and miR375 in gastric cancers. We aimed this manuscript to investigate these miRs with the end-points of diagnosis, Lauren's classification and prognosis. Methods: A total of 117 resected non-cardial adenocarcinomas were evaluated for miRs' expressions. The performance of miRs’ expressions for cancer diagnosis was tested using ROC curves.

Purpose The purpose was to assess image quality of portal-venous phase dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for liver lesions. Methods We performed 120-kVp-equivalent linear-blended (LB) and monoenergetic reconstructions from 40 to 190 keV by standard (VMI) and advanced virtual monoenergetic (VMI+) methods. Diagnostic performance, and quantitative and qualitative image analyses were assessed and compared. Results Liver contrast to noise ratio peaked at 40 keV_VMI+, while image quality and reader preference peaked at 50 keV_VMI+.

editorial no abstract available

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and the soluble isoform of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) are useful prognostic biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to test the short term prognostic value of sST2 compared with hs-cTnI in patients with chest pain. Methods: Assays for hs-cTnI and sST2 were performed in 157 patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) for chest pain at arrival. In-hospital and 30-day follow-up mortalities were assessed.

BACKGROUND:
Obesity has been suggested to confer a survival benefit in acute heart failure. The concentrations of NT-proBNP may be reduced in patients with high body mass index (BMI).

OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the relationship among BMI, NT-proBNP, and mortality risk in decompensated chronic heart failure (DCHF).

METHODS:
This was a retrospective study. We studied 1001 patients with DCHF. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated with Cox regression analysis.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a cardiac emergency often leading to multiple organ failure and death. Assessing organ dysfunction and appropriate risk stratification are central for the optimal management of these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs), as well as early changes of LFTs and their impact on outcome in CS. We measured LFTs in 178 patients in CS from serial blood samples taken at 0 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Biologically active adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) is an emerging biomarker for sepsis. We explored whether bio-ADM concentration could predict severity, organ failure, and 30-day mortality in septic patients.

Objectives/Hypothesis: During intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, endotracheal
(ET) tube migration can result in a decrease in vocalis electromyographic (EMG) amplitude without a concordant latency
elevation during stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN).
Study Design: Retrospective review.
Methods: Data were reviewed retrospectively for thyroid and parathyroid surgery patients with IONM of the laryngeal

Living organisms have evolved an array of genes coding for detoxifying enzymes and efflux protein pumps, to cope with endogenous and xenobiotic toxic compounds. The study of the genes activated during toxic exposure is relevant to the area of arthropod vector control, since these genes are one of the targets upon which natural selection acts for the evolution of insecticide resistance. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters participate to insecticide detoxification acting as efflux pumps, that reduce the intracellular concentration of toxic compounds, or of their metabolic derivatives.

Purpose: Sexual well-being and sexual functioning are understudied in patients born with ARM. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate sexual history, main fears, and problems encountered during sexual relationships. Methods: Before participating in a sexual education intervention, 21 adolescents or young adults (12 males; mean 28.8; SD 10.6) born with ARM, answered a ten-item questionnaire specifically developed to evaluate sexual well-being. Percentages and Chi-square were calculated. Results: 52.4% were married/had a partner.