Synergistic effects of cryolipolysis and shock waves for noninvasive body contouring.

BACKGROUND: Excess body fat, localized adiposity, and cellulite represent important social problems. To date, techniques using radiofrequencies, cavitation and noncavitation ultrasound, and carbon dioxide have been studied as treatments for noninvasive body contouring. Ice-Shock Lipolysis is a new noninvasive procedure for reducing subcutaneous fat volume and fibrous cellulite in areas that normally would be treated by liposuction. It uses a combination of acoustic waves and cryolipolysis. Shock waves, used normally in the treatment of renal calculi and musculoskeletal disorders, are focused on the collagen structure of cellulite-afflicted skin. When used on the skin and underlying fat, they cause a remodeling of the collagen fibers, improving the orange-peel appearance typical of the condition. Cryolipolysis, on the other hand, is a noninvasive method used for the localized destruction of subcutaneous adipocytes, with no effects on lipid or liver marker levels in the bloodstream. The combination of the two procedures causes the programmed death and slow resorption of destroyed adipocytes. METHODS: In this study, 50 patients with localized fat and cellulite were treated with a selective protocol for the simultaneous use of two transducers: a Freezing Probe for localized fatty tissue and a Shock Probe for fibrous cellulite. RESULTS: The procedure significantly reduced the circumference in the treated areas, significantly diminishing fat thickness. The mean reduction in fat thickness after treatments was 3.02 cm. Circumference was reduced by a mean of 4.45 cm. Weight was unchanged during the treatment, and no adverse effects were observed. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a gradual reduction of fat tissue by programmed cell death. Moreover, the reduction in fat thickness was accompanied by a significant improvement in microcirculation, and thus, the cellulite. The safety of the method also has been highlighted because it is accompanied by no significant increase in serum liver enzymes or serum lipids. CONCLUSION: The study aimed to observe the effects of the new technique in the treatment of localized fat associated with cellulite in order to assess adipose tissue alterations, cellular apoptosis, and levels of serum lipid or liver markers. The findings show that the action of Ice-Shock Lipolysis is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated noninvasive procedure for body contouring. In particular, the authors believe that this could be an ideal alternative to liposuction for patients who require only small or moderate amounts of adipose tissue and cellulite removal or are not suitable candidates for surgical approaches to body contouring.

[A rapid method for the analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water intended for human consumption]. / Applicazione di un metodo rapido per la determinazione di Pseudomonas aeruginosa in acque destinate al consumo umano.

Two Italian laws, come into force in the 2003, prescribe the use of the Standard UNI EN 12780 for the determination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water. A shortcoming of this method is due to long time for obtaining the analytical results. In this paper the performance of an early warning method, the Colifast Analyzer/Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was evaluated, respect to the standard reference method and for its sensitivity, specificity and time to detect. The Colifast Analyzer/Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave different results according to the analyzed water and much quickly than the standard reference method. The system could have wide prospects in a future also in relation to an adaptation of water technical regulations.

Sanitary quality of marine sediments and sands from an Italian beach.

Microbiological surveys were carried out on marine sands and sediments collected at a sandy beach along a coastal area close to Rome, Italy. Low densities of faecal indicator bacteria were recovered, and among them enterococci outnumbered the coliforms. The group of staphylococci was in a fairly constant concentration throughout the period of sampling. Some statistically significant correlations were calculated between yeasts and moulds, Escherichia coli and enterococci and between the latter and Clostridium spores. The data obtained could be a reference point for further studies.

Fate of bacterial indicators, viruses and protozoan parasites in a wastewater multi-component treatment system.

The extent of reduction in selected microrganisms was tested at a multi-component wastewater treatment plant that treats sewage for a potential re-use in agriculture. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate possible reciprocal correlation among the different microrganisms and to compare the removal of two encysted pathogenic protozoa with that of microbial indicators, Clostridium perfringens spores, enteroviruses and bacteriophages. Samples collected included the raw wastewater, the chlorinated effluent and the effluent after an ultraviolet light treatment. All of the raw sewage samples were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts, as well as for the other microorganisms tested but the bacteriophage B40-8. The data obtained confirm the removal efficiency of the entire process for indicator bacteria but also show the low and variable removal efficiency for the other microbial parameters, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, enteroviruses and Clostridium perfringens spores. Reciprocal correlation between Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts and the other microbial groups was not demonstrated. The results confirm the resistance of Clostridium perfringens spores, enteroviruses and protozoa to chlorination and demonstrate the relative persistence of these organisms in the effluents even during the ultraviolet light treatment. The yields also emphasise the influence of the analytical method for the determination of protozoan parasites.

Cuándo y cómo realizar una biopsia de las lesiones cutáneas frecuentes: lo que el cirujano debe saber / How and when to perform a skin biopsy of a pigmented lesion: what the surgeon need to know

At present times, general surgeons are continuously faced to evaluate patients with pigmented lesions. Thus, is very important that surgeons acquire adequate knowledge not only to distinguish between suspicious lesion and non suspicious lesion, but also to correctly assess when and how to perform a skin biopsy. The early detection of melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer is one of the most important factors to achieve a better prognosis. The main objective of this article is to provide surgeons some tips and pitfalls to help accurate the evaluation and diagnosis of pigmented lesions. The authors also want to stress out the importance of the team work between surgeons and dermatologist, due that is well documented that multidisciplinary approach to skin cancer raises the possibilities of early diagnosis, adequate treatment and better results for patients with skin cancer.

En la actualidad, el cirujano continuamente se ve enfrentado a evaluar distintos tipos de lesiones cutáneas en los pacientes, por lo que debe tener conocimientos de las características que hacen que una lesión sea sospechosa o no, para evaluar correctamente cuándo y cómo realizar una biopsia de una lesión cutánea. El diagnóstico precoz, tanto del melanoma como del cáncer de piel no melanoma, ha demostrado ser clave para mejorar el pronóstico de nuestros pacientes. Este artículo pretende entregar algunas claves para afinar la evaluación y diagnóstico de las lesiones pigmentadas. Es muy importante también, recalcar la importancia del trabajo conjunto de los cirujanos con los dermatólogos, ya que la evaluación y manejo multidisciplinario mejora sustancialmente el diagnóstico, tratamiento y resultados de los pacientes con cáncer de piel.

Carcinoma de ano, pene, vulva y vagina: ¿son enfermedades de transmisión sexual? / Anogenital neoplasms: are sexually transmitted diseases?

Introducción: La infección por virus papiloma humano (VPH) sería factor causal de cánceres de ano, pene, vulva y vagina. Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia actual en cuanto a infección por VPH y su rol carcinogénico en estas neoplasias. Metodología: Búsqueda de la literatura para identificar artículos sobre la transmisión sexual como factor de riesgo en cánceres anogenitales. Resultados: En lesiones premalignas y malignas anogenitales se encuentra en gran frecuencia el DNA de VPH, especialmente tipo 16. Se ha demostrado que la vacunación contra VPH previene el desarrollo de lesiones preinvasoras anales; en cambio, ni la vacuna ni la circuncisión parecen ser factores protectores contra cáncer de pene. Discusión: No hay estudios prospectivos que permitan establecer una relación causal entre VPH y cánceres anogenitales, lo que impide la elaboración de estrategias de prevención. El manejo de ciertos factores de riesgo sugeridos previamente en la literatura no reduce el riesgo de cáncer anogenital.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been suggested as a causal factor of anal, penile, vulvar and vaginal cancers. Objective: To analyze current evidence about HPV infection and its carcinogenic role in these neoplasms. Methodology: Literature search to identify articles about sexual transmission as a risk factor in anogenital cancers. Results: In premalignant and malignant anogenital lesions, an important presence of HPV DNA is often found, specially type16. It has been demonstrated that HPV vaccine prevents premalignant anal lesions; however, this vaccine and circumcision do not seem to be protective against penile cancer. Discussion: There are no prospective studies that had established a causal relationship between HPV and anogenital cancers. This keeps off the development of adequate prevention strategies. Management of certain previously suggested risk factors do not reduce the risk of anogenital cancer.

Three-dimensional ultrastructure and quantitative analysis of the human Sertoli cell nucleolus.

The nucleolus of the human Sertoli cell displays a spontaneous segregation of its components and has only one or 2 large fibrillar centers. The 3-dimensional reconstruction and quantitative analysis of its components was undertaken using a Quantimet 900 image analysis system in order to define the spatial relationships between the dense fibrillar component and the fibrillar center and especially to investigate whether threads of dense fibrillar component exist independently, without being linked to a fibrillar center. Our 3D reconstructions demonstrated that the dense fibrillar threads or sheets were never independent of fibrillar centers. These structures belonged to a continuous network that joined the layer of dense fibrils surrounding the fibrillar center. When the nucleolus contained 2 different-sized fibrillar centers, quantitative analysis showed that there was a proportional relationship between the volume of the dense fibrillar component and the volume of the fibrillar center. These data, compared with those previously obtained by means of autoradiographic techniques, suggest that the rDNA-containing chromatin passes through the fibrillar center and unwinds from there into the dense fibrillar component.

Frequency and distribution of tubulo-filamentous nuclear inclusions in the celiac ganglion of the cat as revealed by serial sections.

On sections at random of a cat celiac ganglion we counted 68 sections of nuclear inclusions (NI) for 320 sections of neuronal nuclei, i.e. an "apparent' frequency of 0.20. As revealed by serial sections the "actual' frequency is higher since the 5 nuclei entirely explored exhibit 19 NI. Such a study shows that each nucleus may contain at least 3 and up to 5 different tubulo-filamentous NI.

Three-dimensional analysis of fibrillar centers and associated chromatin in the nucleolus of human oocytes in primordial follicles.

The intranucleolar localization of fibrillar centers and their relationships with nucleolus-associated chromatin were determined in stereopairs of human oocyte nucleoli obtained by computer reconstruction of serial sections. This study showed that there was no numerical relationship between the number of fibrillar centers and the number of chromosomal NORs. The three-dimensional reconstruction demonstrated that the majority of fibrillar centers was directly connected with the nucleolus-associated chromatin.