35 research outputs found
Extracellular matrix components in atherosclerotic arteries of Apo E/LDL receptor deficient mice: An immunohistochemical study
During accelerated vascular remodeling such
as in atherosclerosis, the composition of the extracellular
matrix becomes altered. The matrix components of the
diseased artery influence cellular processes such as
adhesion, migration and proliferation. Furthermore, in
atherosclerosis, the inability of the cells within the lesion
to produce a mechanically stable matrix may lead to
plaque rupture. In this immunohistochemical study of
atherosclerotic mice aorta, we have reviewed the
presence of ECM components with roles in maintaining
tissue structure and function. These components include
osteopontin and COMP as well as the leucine rich
repeats proteins decorin, PRELP, and fibromodulin.
Immunohistochemistry demonstrated presence of
osteopontin, COMP, decorin, PRELP and fibromodulin
in lesion areas of ApoE/LDLr deficient mice. Some
advanced lesions exhibited areas of cartilage-like
morphology and were shown to represent cartilage by
their content of the cartilage specific proteins collagen II
and aggrecan. The results suggest that cartilageassociated
cell/collagen binding ECM proteins may be
involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
Very good performance with bimodal stimulation in a like-hybrid modality in a patient with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with low-frequencies preservation.
In this work we describe the experimental protocol set up to obtain very good results in speech performance and in time course, with a subject presenting profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with low-frequencies preservation. We used a bimodal stimulation with a like-hybrid modality. Auditory functions have been analyzed by standard tonal and speech audiometry tests, and verbal perception test. The fitting protocol permitted the subject to reach a perception at 65 dB of 100% in a very short time. The subject showed a sufficient recovery of the language spectral information and a good integration of verbal information with high consonantal recognition is present. This case report shows the importance to realize a correct cochlear implant fitting and that, in the case of bimodal stimulation, it is very important to obtain the mutual adjustment of the two hearing aids. Moreover, this study enhances the importance of realizing a preservative surgery to make the most of cochlear implants capacit
Surgical results and functional outcome after total anorectal reconstruction by double graciloplasty supported by external-source electrostimulation and/or implantable pulse generators: an 8-year experience
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Surgical and functional results after abdominoperineal resection and total anorectal reconstruction by electrostimulated gracilis muscle transposition are still poorly documented. This study prospectively evaluated surgical and functional outcome over time in our patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients underwent abdominoperineal resection, coloperineal pullthrough, double graciloplasty, and loop abdominal stoma. Temporary external-source intermittent electrostimulation, biofeedback training, and selective delayed stimulator implantation to improve unsatisfactory results were carried out in the first 13 patients (1st series); thereafter (2nd series) the stimulator was implanted during graciloplasty. Surgical and oncological results were followed up in all patients. Functional results were evaluated in 16 patients who underwent abdominal stoma takedown, eight in each of the two series, by anomanometry (up to 1 year) and our own 0-20 scoring system (up to 8 years from initial surgery).
RESULTS: The rate of major and minor postoperative complications was 21.7% and 65%, respectively. Continuous electrostimulation proved effective on resting anal pressure. Early clinical assessments showed satisfactory functional results (considered as having a score < or =8) in all first-group patients, including five who had stimulator support, and in one-half of second-group patients. After impairment (at least 2 points) at 1 year in five patients, four of whom were from the first group, all functional results improved and became satisfactory from 5 years on (1st series) and from 4 years on (2nd series).
CONCLUSION: Despite marked morbidity the high rate of good results, which improved over time, suggests that total anorectal reconstruction is worth being performed as part of abdominoperineal resection in well-selected patients with a strong motivation to avoid a permanent colostom
Long-term treatment with mesalazine in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease
Abstract The aim of this work was to compare the
recurrence of diverticulitis during a 5-year follow-up in a
population of patients affected by symptomatic uncomplicated
diverticular disease (SUDD), taking either 800 mg of
mesalamine b.i.d for 10 days every month or no 5-ASA.
Sixty-seven consecutive patients affected by SUDD followed-
up every 6 months for 5 years. All patients in this
group (M-group) were requested to consume mesalamine
800 mg b.i.d for 10 days every month. A control group
(C-group) of 82 subjects with SUDD allocated in an
institution for the elderly and taking no 5-ASA medications
was also followed-up for the same period. As a result in the
M-group 14.9% of patients did not complete the follow-up,
and diverticulitis developed in two patients (4%; 95% CI
1.1\u201313.5). In the C-group 6.1% patients did not complete
the follow-up, and diverticulitis developed in 8 patients
(10.4%; 95% CI 5.4\u201319.2). The difference between the two
groups was not significant (difference = -6.4%; 95% CI
-15.6 to 4.3; log rank test: p = 0.1256). Cyclic treatment
with mesalazine seems to be clinical, although not statistically
effective in reducing the incidence of diverticulitis.
In future well-designed RCTs are necessary to demonstrate
the therapeutic gain of the use of mesalazine, if any, in the
management of patients with SUD