Is there an association between severity of illness and psychiatric symptoms in patients with chronic renal failure?

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a frequent condition in elderly subjects, and it is associated with psychiatric comorbidity, especially depressive symptoms. Purpose of the present research was to compare patients with different severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in terms of psychiatric symptoms. One hundred CKD subjects were randomly selected among those attending the Department of Nephrology, University of Milan. The patients were evaluated through the following rating scales: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), Kidney Disease Quality of Life- Short Form (KDQOL-SF) and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed considering eGFR as continuous-dependent variable and rating scale scores as independent variables. A worse eGFR significantly correlated with the score about the effects of kidney disease on daily life (r = 0.25, p = 0.01) and the burden of kidney disease (r = 0.18, p = 0.05). Statistical significance of kidney disease on daily life persisted also in the final multivariate model (t = 2.04, p = 0.04). Severity of renal dysfunction seems to influence few psychiatric outcomes, particularly those related to quality of life and daily functioning. This result might depend on the over-worrying derived from the necessity to start a renal replacement therapy in the near future.

Calcium sulfate stimulates pulp stem cells towards osteoblasts differentiation.

Calcium sulfate (CaS) is a highly biocompatible material and enhances bone formation in vivo. However, how CaS alters osteoblast activity to promote bone formation is poorly understood. To study how CaS can induce osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, the expression levels of bone related genes and mesenchymal stem cells marker were compared in normal osteoblasts and dental pulp stem cells, using real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Gene differentially expressed between the two cells type were the trascriptional factor RUNX2, osteopontin (SPP1), COL1A1 (collagen type 1α1) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPL). The obtained results demonstrated that CaS strongly influences the behavior of DPSCs in vitro enhancing proliferation, differentiation and deposition of matrix.

Polylactide-polyglycolide resorbable plates stimulates adipose tissue-derived stem cells towards osteoblasts differentiation.

Polylactide, polyglycolide materials or devices have been utilized routinely during maxillofacial, craniofacial, and orthopaedic reconstructive surgical procedures.(1) These materials combine the benefits of rigid fixation with the advantages of biodegradation, avoiding the need for implant removal and minimizing the risk of other complications.(2) To study how polylactide, polyglycolide acids plates (PLPG plates) can induce osteoblast differentiation and proliferation in mesenchymal stem cells, the expression levels of bone related genes (RUNX2, SP7, ALPL, SPP1, COL1A1, COL3A1 and FOSL1) and mesenchymal stem cells marker (ENG) were measured in adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and normal osteoblast (NO) cultivated on PLPG plates after 15 and 30 days of treatment using real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Significantly differentially expressed genes among ADSCs and NO were SP7, ENG, FOSL1, RUNX, ALPL and SPP1 in the first 15 days of treatment and SP7, ENG FOSL1, COL3A1 COL1A1, SPP1 and ALPL after 30 days. The present study demonstrated that PLPG plates strongly influences the behavior of ADSCs in vitro by enhancing proliferation, differentiation and deposition of matrix.

Characterization of Rhynchosia yellow mosaic Yucatan virus, a new recombinant begomovirus associated with two fabaceous weeds in Yucatan, Mexico.

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) plants exhibiting bright golden mosaic symptoms were previously associated with begomovirus infection in Yucatan, México [1]. To characterize the begomovirus infecting these plants, the complete bipartite genome was cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparisons indicated that the virus was distinct from all other begomoviruses known to date, including those previously identified from symptomatic R. minima, and the name Rhynchosia yellow mosaic Yucatan virus (RhYMYuV) is proposed. Pairwise comparisons indicated that RhYMYuV DNA-A [2,597 nt, (EU021216)] and DNA-B [2,542 nt, (FJ792608)] components shared the highest nt sequence identity with Cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV), 87% for component A and 71% for component B. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both components of RhYMYuV are most closely related to other New World begomoviruses, having as closest relatives immediate outliers to the major Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) clade. Recombination analysis of the RhYMYuV genome indicated that the DNA-A component has arisen through intermolecular recombination. R. minima plants inoculated with the monomeric clones developed a bright yellow mosaic similar to symptoms observed in naturally infected plants, confirming that the clones were infectious. Nicotiana benthamiana plants biolistically inoculated with monomeric clones developed curling and chlorosis in the newly emerging leaves. RhYMYuV was also detected in symptomatic Desmodium sect. Scorpiurus Benth. (Fabaceae) that were collected near the RhYMYuV-infected plants.

[Cystic mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas]. / Neoplasie cistiche mucinose del pancreas.

The Authors report on three cases of Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms of the pancreas. These tumours are rare and the diagnosis is based on echography and CT scanning. After a radical excision the prognosis is good although these tumours are "all" potentially malignant.

[Obturator hernia]. / L'ernia otturatoria.

Obturator hernia, which is a rare cause of intestinal occlusion, generally presents non-specific signs and symptoms. Radiology may be sometimes useful for the diagnosis. Four cases of obturator hernia are described, and the possible surgical access routes are illustrated, emphasizing the use of prosthetic mesh.

[Treatment of large laparoceles with non-reabsorbable prosthetic material (our experience)]. / La cura dei voluminosi laparoceli con materiale protesico non riassorbibile (nostra esperienza).

A series of 96 patients who underwent "eventration repair" using Mersilene-Mesh, according to Rives technique between jan 1983 and june 1988 is reported. The Authors stress the excellent results and the low cost of this method: there were no recurrences, postoperative complications were rare (18.7%) and their recover was complete, the patient was allowed to return to work earlier after easy and prompt convalescence.

[Our experience in the treatment of intrathoracic and intraspinal hourglass neurogenic neoplasms]. / Nostra esperienza nel trattamento delle neoplasie neurogene a clessidra, intratoraciche ed intraspinali.

The authors describe their experience in the treatment of dumbbell neurogenic tumours, intrathoracic and intraspinal, with particular reference to clinical presentation, diagnostic for imaging, anatomo-pathological classification and surgical treatment, comparing their clinical cases (9) with the international literature, accurately reviewed. The authors think that the best surgical treatment is the combined approach, in only one stage, of thoracic surgeon and neurosurgeon by hemilaminectomy and extended costotrasversectomy, reserving hemilaminectomy and thoracotomy only for the tumours with big dimension of intrathoracic portion.

[Splenic arteriovenous fistula (a clinical case)]. / Fistola artero-venosa splenica (un caso clinico).

A splenic arteriovenous fistula is a situation often presenting with signs of portal hypertension and with a characteristic murmur. Though rare, the possibility of a splenic arteriovenous fistula must be borne in mind in differential diagnosis, since it can be corrected surgically by resolving the portal hypertension.

[Gastric resection and gastroduodenal anastomosis with mechanical staplers]. / Resezione gastrica ed anastomosi gastroduodenale con suturatrici meccaniche.

The Authors report their experience with stapling devices in gastric resection according to Billroth I. The operative technique for the restoration of the gastroduodenal continuity, the data concerning 39 cases observed from January 1, 1982 to May 30, 1989, and the relative indications are described.