Set Theory and its Place in the Foundations of Mathematics:a new look at an old question

This paper reviews the claims of several main-stream candidates to be the foundations of mathematics, including set theory. The review concludes that at this level of mathematical knowledge it would be very unreasonable to settle with any one of these foundations and that the only reasonable choice is a pluralist one

Safety and reliability of VDD pacemakers (PM) replacement independently of the implanted lead: preliminary results

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Early invasive strategy in elderly patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: comparison with younger patients regarding 30 day and long term outcome

Objectives: To evaluate an early invasive strategy in elderly patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: All consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation ACS from June 2002 to February 2004 were enrolled in this registry. Clinical outcome was assessed at 30 days and in long term follow up. Results: An early invasive strategy was followed for 439 patients, of whom 159 (36%) were elderly and had a higher clinical risk profile and greater extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) than the younger patients. Coronary revascularisation was conducted in 133 (83%) elderly patients and 239 (85%) younger patients (not significant). At a mean (SD) follow up time of 10.7 (5.2) months overall mortality, cardiac death, and death plus myocardial infarction were significantly higher among elderly patients than among younger patients (9.4% v 2.1%, p < 0.001; 6.8% v 1.8%, p < 0.01; 11.3% v 5%, p  =  0.02, respectively). The significant difference in cardiac death between the two groups was related more to elderly patients being treated by coronary artery bypass grafting (19.3% v 4.9%, p  =  0.05) than by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (2.9% v 1.1%, p  =  0.3). Cox regression analysis showed age, serum creatinine >115 μmol/l, no previous history of CAD, left ventricular ejection fraction > 45%, and the absence of diabetes to be independent predictors of the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Conclusions: In unselected elderly patients presenting with non-ST elevation ACS an early invasive strategy is feasible and leads to coronary revascularisation in the majority of cases, resulting in encouraging immediate and long term clinical results, particularly among PCI treated patients

Comprehensive response to usutu virus following first isolation in blood donors in the friuli venezia giulia region of italy: Development of recombinant ns1-based serology and sensitivity to antiviral drugs

Surveillance of Usutu virus is crucial to prevent future outbreaks both in Europe and in other countries currently na\uefve to the infection, such as the Americas. This goal remains difficult to achieve, notably because of the lack of large-scale cohort studies and the absence of commercially available diagnostic reagents for USUV. This work started with the first identification of USUV in a blood donor in the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region in Northern-Eastern Italy, which is endemic for West Nile virus. Consid-ering that only one IgG ELISA is commercially available, but none for IgM, a novel NS1 antigen based IgG/M ELISA has been developed. This assay tested successfully for the detection of Usutu virus in blood donors with the identification of a second case of transmission and high levels of exposure. Furthermore, two pan-flavivirus antiviral drugs, that we previously characterized to be inhibitors of other flavivirus infectivity, were successfully tested for inhibition of Usutu virus with inhibitory concentrations in the low micromolar range. To conclude, this work identifies North-Eastern Italy as endemic for Usutu virus with implications for the screening of transfusion blood. A novel NS1-based ELISA test has been implemented for the detection of IgM/G that will be of importance as a tool for the diagnosis and surveillance of Usutu virus infection. Finally, Usutu virus is shown to be sensitive to a class of promising pan-flavivirus drugs

Surgical management of surgery and radiation induced peristomal neck ulcerations

Problems/objective: Non-healing cervical skin ulcerations with concomitant necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and muscle is a rare but feared complication of radiotherapy that can arise in cervical regions. Constant erosion of the surrounding tissue by the expansion of the necrotic front can threaten important structures. Very few reports in the literature deal with the surgical management of these injuries. Methodology: This paper reports on two cases of non-healing. slow-growing cervical ulcerations that occurred as a result of radiotherapy and surgery. Results: After unsuccessful conservative treatment, definitive Surgical repair was performed to achieve reparation of the defect and protect deep structures. The onset and characteristics of the ulcerations as well as the reconstructive options are discussed. Conclusions: In the treatment of surgery and radiotherapy induced chronic cervical Wounds, non surgical medical treatment Should be always attempted for at least 6 months, and should always include hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If conservative methods fail. surgical repair by means of transposition of well vascularized tissue is mandatory to prevent serious complications such as major vessel rupture or fistulas

Surgical management of surgery and radiation induced peristomal neck ulcerations

PROBLEMS/OBJECTIVE: Non-healing cervical skin ulcerations with concomitant necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and muscle is a rare but feared complication of radiotherapy that can arise in cervical regions. Constant erosion of the surrounding tissue by the expansion of the necrotic front can threaten important structures. Very few reports in the literature deal with the surgical management of these injuries.This paper reports on two cases of non-healing, slow-growing cervical ulcerations that occurred as a result of radiotherapy and surgery.After unsuccessful conservative treatment, definitive surgical repair was performed to achieve reparation of the defect and protect deep structures. The onset and characteristics of the ulcerations as well as the reconstructive options are discussed.In the treatment of surgery and radiotherapy induced chronic cervical wounds, non surgical medical treatment should be always attempted for at least 6 months, and should always include hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If conservative methods fail, surgical repair by means of transposition of well vascularized tissue is mandatory to prevent serious complications such as major vessel rupture or fistulas