Three rare lignicolous fungi from Sicily (S Italy)

Sarcodontia crocea (Schwein.) Kotl., Oligoporus mappa (Overh. & Lowe) Gilbn. & Ryvarden and Inonotus rickii (Pat.) D.A. Reid. are reported for the first time from Sicily (southern Italy). Ecological and distributive features on the three relevant species are also here provided

Tra cinema e fumetto: due usi del montaggio

Entrambi linguaggi visivi, ove la narrazione si dipana grazie al rapporto di interdipendenza cheogni singola immagine intrattiene con l'immagine che la precede e quella che le succede.Pur dovendo ricorrere dunque a un montaggio di immagini, fumetto e cinema presentano tra di loro grandi differenze, ma anche grandi similitudini.Cercheremo di scoprire quali sono affidandoci all'analisi della duplice trasposizione di "300" da parte di Frank Miller e Zack Snyder.

Two Rare Northern Entoloma Species Observed in Sicily under Exceptionally Cold Weather Conditions

The biology and ecology of many Entoloma species is still poorly known as well as their geographical distribution. In Italy, there are no studies on the influence of weather on fungal abundance and richness and our knowledge on the ecology and distribution of Entoloma species needs to be improved. The discovery of two Entoloma species in Sicily (southern Italy), reported in the literature as belonging to the habitat of north European countries, was the basis leading to the assumption that anomalous climatic conditions could stimulate the growth of northern entolomas in the southernmost Mediterranean regions. The results of this study show that the presence of northern Entoloma species in Sicily is not influenced by the Mediterranean type of vegetation, by edaphic or altitudinal factors but by anomalous climatic trends of precipitations and temperatures which stimulate the fructification of basidiomata in correspondence with a thermal shock during autumn

Laser Circumcision: A New Technique

In this chapter, we would like to enlighten the importance of circumcision as a feasible and sometimes necessary surgical technique. In particular, laser circumcision seems to be more effective than other minimally invasive techniques in terms of safety, reproducibility of the technique, learning curve, and reduced execution times. Moreover, it is associated with low rates of all circumcision complications: no bleeding, no postoperative edema, and rapid functional recovery. The aesthetic results are very pleasing

Left coronary artery fistula to right ventricle complicated heart failure in a patient on hemodialysis

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Three rare lignicolous fungi from Sicily (S Italy)

Sarcodontia crocea (Schwein.) Kotl., Oligoporus mappa (Overh. & Lowe) Gilbn. & Ryvarden and Inonotus rickii (Pat.) D.A. Reid. are reported for the first time from Sicily (southern Italy). Ecological and distributive features on the three relevant species are also here provided

Self-reported halitosis and emotional state: impact on oral conditions and treatments

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Halitosis represents a common dental condition, although sufferers are often not conscious of it. The aim of this study was to examine behavior in a sample of Italian subjects with reference to self-reported halitosis and emotional state, and specifically the presence of dental anxiety.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was performed on Italian subjects (N = 1052; range 15-65 years). A self-report questionnaire was used to detect self-reported halitosis and other variables possibly linked to it (sociodemographic data, medical and dental history, oral hygiene, and others), and a dental anxiety scale (DAS) divided into two subscales that explore a patient's dental anxiety and dental anxiety concerning dentist-patient relations. Associations between self-reported halitosis and the abovementioned variables were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Correlations between the two groups, with self-perceived halitosis and without, were also investigated with dental anxiety and with the importance attributed to one's own mouth and that of others.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The rate of self-reported halitosis was 19.39%. The factors linked with halitosis were: anxiety regarding dentist patient relations (relational dental anxiety) (OR = 1.04, CI = 1.01-1.07), alcohol consumption (OR = 0.47, CI = 0.34-0.66), gum diseases (OR = 0.39, CI = 0.27-0.55), age > 30 years (OR = 1.01, CI = 1.00-1.02), female gender (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.51-0.98), poor oral hygiene (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.43-0.98), general anxiety (OR = 0.66, CI = 0.49-0.90), and urinary system pathologies (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.30-0.70). Other findings emerged concerning average differences between subjects with or without self-perceived halitosis, dental anxiety and the importance attributed to one's own mouth and that of others.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Halitosis requires professional care not only by dentists, but also psychological support as it is a problem that leads to avoidance behaviors and thereby limits relationships. It is also linked to poor self care. In the study population, poor oral health related to self-reported halitosis was associated with dental anxiety factors.</p

Combination therapy with aliskiren versus ramipril or losartan added to conventional therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension and microalbuminuria.

Hypothesis/Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of aliskiren versus ramipril or losartan in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria and uncontrolled hypertension, despite the use of optimal conventional antihypertensive therapy. Materials and methods: In this open-label active comparator study, 126 patients were randomly assigned to receive 24 weeks of additional therapy with aliskiren (Group A) or either losartan or ramipril (Group B), according to whether a patient was already treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, respectively. Results: After 24 weeks, both treatment groups experienced a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure (−11.37% and −8.47%, respectively; both p <0.001 vs . baseline) and diastolic blood pressure levels (−10.67% and −9.28%, respectively; both p <0.001 vs . baseline), with a greater reduction of mean systolic values in Group A compared with Group B ( p <0.001). Furthermore, after six months microalbuminuria was significantly decreased in both treatment groups (−67.62% and −49.1%, respectively; both p <0.001), with a reduction rate in Group A significantly higher than in Group B ( p <0.001). Conclusions: The addition of aliskiren to optimal conventional therapy provided a higher reduction of blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion when compared with the addition of losartan or ramipril

Technique for supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the gold standard for large kidney stones. Supine approach has proved to be safe and effective. Herein we present an educational video about our stepwise technique of supine PCNL in a safe way