Evaluating Semantic Knowledge Through a Semantic Association Task in Individuals With Dementia.

Conceptual knowledge is supported by multiple semantic systems that are specialized for the analysis of different properties associated with object concepts. Various types of semantic association between concrete concepts-categorical (CA), encyclopedic (EA), functional (FA), and visual-encyclopedic (VEA) associations-were tested through a new picture-to-picture matching task (semantic association task, SAT). Forty individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 13 with behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD), 6 with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and 37 healthy participants were tested with the SAT. Within-group comparisons highlighted a global impairment of all types of semantic association in bv-FTD individuals but a disproportionate impairment of EA and FA, with relative sparing of CA and VEA, in AD individuals. Single-case analyses detected dissociations in all dementia groups. Conceptual knowledge can be selectively impaired in various types of neurodegenerative disease on the basis of the specific cognitive process that is disrupted.

Effects of a Gluten-Containing Meal on Gastric Emptying and Gallbladder Contraction.

The ingestion of gluten has been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms even in the absence of detectable immune responses. Little is known about the pathophysiological effects of gluten on the upper gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to assess whether the ingestion of gluten leads to an impairment of the physiological mechanisms of gastric emptying, gallbladder contraction and relaxation. A total of 17 healthy subjects underwent ultrasound evaluation of gastric emptying dynamics and gallbladder contractions at baseline and every 30 min after a standard gluten-containing and gluten-free meal (250 kcal, 70% carbohydrates). The pattern of gastric emptying was similar after a standard meal with or without gluten, but differed in terms of the peak of the antral filling curve, which was wider (mean area 5.69, median 4.70, range 3.71‒9.27 cm² vs. mean 4.89, median 4.57, 2.27‒10.22 cm², p = 0.023) after the gluten-containing meal. The pattern of gallbladder contractions was different after the gluten-free meal (p < 0.05), with higher gallbladder volumes in the late refilling phases. The results of this study show that gluten ingestion exerts objective effects on gastric and gallbladder motility. Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unknown, these results could account for some of the gluten-related symptoms reported by patients with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Celiac Disease 30 Years After Diagnosis: Struggling With Gluten-free Adherence or Gaining Gluten Tolerance?

OBJECTIVES: Studies investigating patients with coeliac disease (CD) on very long-term follow-up are limited. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with CD diagnosed more than 30 years ago. METHODS: Clinical, histologic, genetic, and demographic data of patients with CD diagnosis made before 1985 were collected and their standardised mortality ratio calculated. According to the gluten-free diet (GFD) status, CD patients were divided into 3 groups and a specific questionnaire on GFD awareness and gluten-free products was administered to patients and caregivers. RESULTS: A total of 337 CD patients were included in the study. The standardised mortality ratio was 0.37 (confidence interval 0.10 to 0.94) compared with a matched population. A total of 197 patients were grouped according to GFD compliance, with 35 CD patients reporting chronic voluntary gluten ingestion. No significant differences were found between groups regarding family history of CD, symptoms and histology at diagnosis, autoimmune disorders. Follow-up histology was performed in 63 patients. Twenty patients had normal histology on gluten-containing diet (GCD). Questionnaire scores were lower in patients on GCD. Caregivers scores were not correlated with patients' gluten consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Although poor adherence to GFD is the major predictor of persistence of mucosal lesions at follow-up histology, a proportion of patients did not show a relapse of villous atrophy in spite chronic voluntary gluten ingestion, nor increase in mortality. Moreover, GFD knowledge and adherence could be partly lost during the transition between childhood and adulthood.

Evidence for the Presence of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity in Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Results from a Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Gluten Challenge.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is characterized by the onset of symptoms after eating gluten-containing food. We aimed to single out NCGS subjects among subjects with functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients were enrolled in a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial with crossover. Symptoms and quality of life were evaluated by means of 10-cm VAS and SF36. Iron parameters, transaminases and C reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. After a three-week-long gluten-free diet (GFD), responsive patients were randomly assigned to gluten intake (5.6 g/day) or placebo for seven days, followed by crossover. The primary endpoint was the worsening of symptoms (VAS increase ≥3 cm) during gluten ingestion compared to placebo. One hundred and forty patients were enrolled and 134 (17 males, mean age 39.1 ± 11.7 years, BMI 22.4 ± 3.8) completed the first period. A total of 101 subjects (10 males, mean age 39.3 ± 11.0 years, BMI 22.3 ± 4.0) reported a symptomatic improvement (VAS score 2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 6.5 ± 2.2 before and after GFD, p = 0.001). 98 patients underwent the gluten challenge and 28 (all females, mean age 38.9 ± 12.7 years, BMI 22.0 ± 2.9) reported a symptomatic relapse and deterioration of quality of life. No parameters were found to be statistically associated with positivity to the challenge. However, 14 patients responded to the placebo ingestion. Taking into account this finding, about 14% of patients responding to gluten withdrawal showed a symptomatic relapse during the gluten challenge. This group is suspected to have NCGS.

Skin substitutes based on allogenic fibroblasts or keratinocytes for chronic wounds not responding to conventional therapy: a retrospective observational study.

Chronic wounds are an expression of underlying complex pathologies and have a high incidence. Skin substitutes may represent an alternative approach to treat chronic ulcers. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate the wound reduction using skin substitutes based on allogenic fibroblasts or keratinocytes in 30 patients not responding to conventional therapy. Wound bed was prepared, then keratinocytes on Laserskin(®) to treat superficial wounds or fibroblasts on Hyalograft 3D(R) to treat deep leg ulcers were applied, and finally wounds were treated with a secondary dressing composed of nanocrystalline silver. Once a week constructs were removed and new bioengineered products were applied, as well as nanocrystalline silver medication. In none of the cases under examination did any complications arise relating to the treatment. We also achieved a reduction in wound dimension and exudates, and an increase in wound bed score. Postoperative assessment shows a degree of healing that is statistically higher in the group treated with keratinocytes as compared with the fibroblast group. This retrospective study improves our understanding and defines the clinical indications for the various uses of the two types of skin substitutes.

Systemic allergic contact dermatitis associated with allergy to intraoral metals.

Contact (allergic) dermatitis is a skin disorder related to natural exposure to various allergens. Systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) describes a cutaneous eruption in response to systemic exposure to an allergen. The exact pathologic mechanism remains uncertain. Herein we describe a 36-year-old woman with symmetric systemic allergic contact dermatitis, unresponsive to conventional treatment, associated with dental alloy-contact hypersensitivity. We did skin patch testing and the blood lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) from the dental allergen series to assess contact allergy to restorative dental materials. On patch testing, positive allergic contact dermatitis reactions to metals occurred (nickel, potassium dichromate, and gold). Nickel hypersensitivity was confirmed by LTT, which also revealed silver-amalgam sensitization. Our case report highlights the need to consider adverse reactions to base-metal dental alloys in the differential diagnosis of cases of systemic allergic contact dermatitis.

Pilot trial of osteopathic manipulative therapy for patients with frequent episodic tension-type headache.

CONTEXT: Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh; manipulative care provided by foreign-trained osteopaths) may be used for managing headache pain and related disability, but there is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness of this intervention. OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of OMTh for pain management in frequent episodic tension-type headache (TTH). DESIGN: Single-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. SETTING: Patients were recruited from 5 primary care settings. PATIENTS: Forty-four patients who were affected by frequent episodic TTH and not taking any drugs for prophylactic management of episodic TTH were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental or control group. The experimental group received corrective OMTh techniques, tailored for each patient; the control group received assessment of the cranial rhythmic impulse (sham therapy). The study included a 1-month baseline period, a 1-month treatment period, and a 3-month follow-up period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in patient-reported headache frequency, and secondary outcomes included changes in headache pain intensity (discrete score, 1 [lowest perceived pain] to 5 [worst perceived pain]), over-the-counter medication use, and Headache Disability Inventory score. RESULTS: Forty patients completed the study (OMTh, n=21; control, n=19). The OMTh group had a significant reduction in headache frequency over time that persisted 1 month (approximate reduction, 40%; P<.001) and 3 months (approximate reduction, 50%; P<.001) after the end of treatment. Moreover, there was an absolute difference between the 2 treatment groups at the end of the study, with a 33% lower frequency of headache in the OMTh group (P<.001). CONCLUSION: This feasibility study demonstrated the efficacy of OMTh in the management of frequent episodic TTH, compared with sham therapy in a control group. Osteopathic manipulative therapy may be preferred over other treatment modalities and may benefit patients who have adverse effects to medications or who have difficulty complying with pharmacologic regimens. This protocol may serve as a model for future studies.

Allergological and toxicological aspects in a multiple chemical sensitivity cohort.

BACKGROUND: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by an exaggerated response to toxicants. We ascertained the prevalence of allergy to metals and toxicological aspects in MCS patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 41 patients with MCS. We performed patch testing (n = 21) for dental series and did lymphocyte transformation test (n = 18) for metals. We measured mercury in samples of blood (n = 19), urine (n = 19), saliva (n = 20), and scalp hair (n = 17) to investigate the association between mercury levels and cases of MCS. RESULTS: The prevalence of metal immune hypersensitivity in a subset of 26 patients was 92.3 percent. Elevations of mercury occurred in 81.2 percent (26 of 32). The mean (±SD) in blood concentrations of mercury was 7.6 ± 13.6 µg/L; mean in urine was 1.9 ± 2.5 µg/L; mean in scalp hair was 2.2 ± 2.5 µg/g; mean in saliva was 38.1 ± 52.1 µg/L. Subgroup analyses showed that elevation of mercury levels in biological matrices were associated with mercury amalgams in patients with MCS (22 patients), compared with controls (8 patients) (odds ratio 11 : 95 percent confidence interval 1.5 to 81.6; P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show an increased prevalence of metal allergy and elevation of mercury levels in bioindicators among patients with MCS.

Influence of osteomyelitis location in the foot of diabetic patients with transtibial amputation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of osteomyelitis in different areas of the foot and the possible correlation between localization and outcome of major amputation. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2010, a total of 350 diabetic patients were admitted to our diabetic foot unit for the surgical treatment of osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis was diagnosed when both the probe-to-bone maneuver and plain radiography were positive. In all of these patients, osteomyelitis was confirmed by histological examination. RESULTS: Osteomyelitis was localized to the forefoot in 300 (85.7%) patients, to the midfoot in 27 (7.7%) patients, and to the hindfoot in the remaining 23 (6.75) patients. On average, foot lesions had developed 6.6 ± 5.6 months before admission to our unit. Transtibial amputation was performed in 1 (0.33%) patient with forefoot osteomyelitis, in 5 (18.5%) patients with midfoot osteomyelitis, and in 12 (52.2%) patients with osteomyelitis of the heel (χ(2) = 128.4, P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed the independent role that osteomyelitis in the heel region had in major amputation outcome (odds ratio 15.3; P < .001; confidence interval, 17.4-5336.0), dialysis treatment (odds ratio 6.3; P = .012; confidence interval, 2.5-1667.2), and leukocyte count greater than 10(3) mm(3) (odds ratio 2.25; P = .036; confidence interval, 1.1-76.6). CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher rate of transtibial amputation when osteomyelitis involved the heel instead of the midfoot or forefoot in diabetic patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Feasibility and effectiveness of internal pedal amputation of phalanx or metatarsal head in diabetic patients with forefoot osteomyelitis.

From January 2007 to December 2009, 207 diabetic patients were consecutively admitted to our foot center because of osteomyelitis of a phalanx or metatarsal head. The removal of infected bone was performed by internal bone resection in 110 patients (group A) and amputation in 97 patients (46.9%; group B). Dehiscence occurred in 15 patients (13.6%) patients in group A and 10 patients (10.3%) in group B (p = 0.464). A total of 206 patients (99.5%) were followed up from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011. Ulcer relapse occurred in 12 patients (12.4%) in group A and 18 patients (16.4%) in group B (p = .437). A contralateral ulcer occurred in 10 group A patients (10.3%) and 14 group B patients (12.7%; p = .667). The results of the present study have demonstrated that bone resection with preservation of the soft tissue envelope is feasible in approximately one half of diabetic patients with forefoot osteomyelitis and does not result in any risk of major dehiscence or ulcer recurrence compared with ray or toe amputation.

Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

The only currently recommended treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is lifestyle modification. Preliminary studies of silybin showed beneficial effects on liver function. Realsil (RA) comprises the silybin phytosome complex (silybin plus phosphatidylcholine) coformulated with vitamin E. We report on a multicenter, phase III, double-blind clinical trial to assess RA in patients with histologically documented NAFLD. Patients were randomized 1:1 to RA or placebo (P) orally twice daily for 12 months. Prespecified primary outcomes were improvement over time in clinical condition, normalization of liver enzyme plasma levels, and improvement of ultrasonographic liver steatosis, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were improvement in liver histologic score and/or decrease in NAFLD score without worsening of fibrosis and plasma changes in cytokines, ferritin, and liver fibrosis markers. We treated 179 patients with NAFLD; 36 were also HCV positive. Forty-one patients were prematurely withdrawn and 138 patients analyzed per protocol (69 per group). Baseline patient characteristics were generally well balanced between groups, except for steatosis, portal infiltration, and fibrosis. Adverse events (AEs) were generally transient and included diarrhea, dysgeusia, and pruritus; no serious AEs were recorded. Patients receiving RA but not P showed significant improvements in liver enzyme plasma levels, HOMA, and liver histology. Body mass index normalized in 15% of RA patients (2.1% with P). HCV-positive patients in the RA but not the P group showed improvements in fibrogenesis markers. This is the first study to systematically assess silybin in NAFLD patients. Treatment with RA but not P for 12 months was associated with improvement in liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and liver histology, without increases in body weight. These findings warrant further investigation.

Prognostic difference between soft tissue abscess and osteomyelitis of the foot in patients with diabetes: data from a consecutive series of 452 hospitalized patients.

From January 2008 to December 2010, 452 patients with diabetes were admitted to our diabetic foot unit because of deep soft tissue abscess (group A: n = 210) or chronic osteomyelitis (group B: n = 242). Patients from group A underwent emergency debridement in the operating room. Patients from group B underwent elective surgery. Twenty-six (5.8%) major amputations were performed: of these, 18 (8.57%) were performed in patients from group A and 8 (3.31%) were performed in patients from group B (p = .024). Multivariate analysis showed the independent role on amputation outcome of the abscess (odds ratio, 2.64; p = .029; confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 6.28), dialysis treatment (odds ratio, 3.17; p = .039, CI 1.06-9.51), and C-reactive protein > 0.5 mg/dL (odds ratio, 3.75; p = .022, CI 1.21-11.64). In group A, 43 (22.6%) patients healed only with drainage, and 147 (70.0%) minor amputations were performed: 53 (36.1%) at the level of the forefoot and 94 (63.9%) at the level of the midfoot. In group B, 234 (96.7%) minor amputations were performed, 208 (88.9%) at the forefoot and 26 (11.1%) at the midfoot level (p < .001). Fourteen postoperative complications occurred in patients from group A and 2 in patients from group B (p < .001). In group A, 3 patients died during hospitalization, 1 from septic shock and 2 from sudden death. None of the group B patients died. This study demonstrates that the severity of a foot soft tissue abscess is not comparable with that of a chronic osteomyelitis not only because of a higher rate of major amputation, but also because of a much more proximal level of minor amputation.

SPREAD-STACI study: a protocol for a randomized multicenter clinical trial comparing urgent with delayed endarterectomy in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

RATIONALE: In patients with >50% carotid artery stenosis (as measured by North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria) suffering a transient ischemic attack or a minor ipsilateral stroke, carotid endarterectomy exerts maximum benefits, when performed within the first 15 days from the initial ischemic symptom. It is also known that the probability of a major stroke spikes within the first few days after a transient ischemic attack/minor stroke and then flattens out in the following days and weeks. It could be hypothesized that urgent carotid endarterectomy has greater benefit than delayed procedure. AIMS: Demonstrate that urgent carotid endarterectomy is more effective than delayed interventions. DESIGN: Centers employing neurolgist/stroke physicians and vascular surgeons will enroll TIA or minor stroke patients with >50 % carotid artery stenosis (Nascet criteria), randomized in two groups: urgent carotid endarterectomy (within 48 hours) and delayed carotid endarterectomy ( operated between 48 hours and 15 days after onset of symptoms) Risk factors will be evaluated at enrollment. TIA will be classified by ABCD2 scoring system,and minor stroke by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. The study will last 90 days per patient,starting from their initial symptom,and the follow-up will be performed by an indipendent neurologist. A total of 456 patients (228 / group) is needed to observe an absolute difference of 10% between groups. OUTCOMES: Primary end-point is reduction in all types of stroke, AMI or death in urgent endarterectomy groupo compared to delayed ones. Secondary end-points are: Reduction of ipsilateral ischemic stroke in group 1 with respect to Group 2 Identification of predictive risk factors and Confirmation of no different rate for hemorragic/ischemiccomplications between groups.

Limb revascularization feasibility in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia: results from a cohort of 344 consecutive unselected diabetic patients evaluated in 2009.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of peripheral revascularization by angioplasty (PTA) or bypass grafting (BPG) in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: All diabetic patients referred to our Diabetic Foot Centre for foot lesion or rest pain were assessed for the presence of CLI as assessed by the TASC criteria. All patients underwent angiography that was evaluated jointly by an interventional radiologist, a vascular surgeon and a diabetologist of the diabetic foot care team. RESULTS: During 2009, 344 diabetics were admitted because of CLI in a total of 360 limbs. PTA was performed in 308 (85.6%) limbs, and BPG was performed in 40 (11.1%) limbs in which PTA was not feasible. Revascularization could not be carried out in 12 (3.3%) limbs due to the lack of target vessel (9 limbs) or high surgical risk (3 limbs). According to the judgement of the vascular surgeon, BPG was anatomically feasible in 180 (58.4%) of the 308 limbs that underwent PTA. Therefore, considering also the 40 limbs that underwent BPG, surgical revascularization was judged anatomically possible in a total of 220 (61.1%) limbs. At 30 days, 19 (5.3%) above-the-ankle amputations were performed: 8 (66.7%) amputations were performed in the 12 non-revascularized limbs, 8 (2.6%) amputations were performed in the 308 limbs treated with PTA and 3 (7.5%) amputations were performed in the 40 limbs treated with BPG. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization by PTA is highly feasible in diabetics with CLI. The feasibility of revascularization by BPG is lower but nonetheless consistent. In centres where both revascularization procedures are available, it is possible to revascularize more than 96% of diabetics with CLI.

Does continuous sciatic nerve block improve postoperative analgesia and early rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty? A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate whether continuous sciatic nerve block can improve postoperative pain relief and early rehabilitation compared with single-injection sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and lumbar plexus block. METHODS: After ethical committee approval and written informed consent, 38 patients with ASA physical status I to II were enrolled. The first group received continuous sciatic and continuous lumbar plexus blocks (group regional or R, n = 19), whereas the second group received a single sciatic nerve block followed by saline infusion through the sciatic catheter and continuous lumbar plexus block (group control or C, n = 19). We assessed morphine consumption, scores for visual analog scale for pain at rest (VASr), and during continuous passive motion (VASi during CPM) for 48 hours postoperatively. Effectiveness of early ambulation was also evaluated. RESULTS: Scores for VASr and VASi during CPM, as well as morphine consumption, were significantly higher in group C than in group R (P < 0.01). Moreover, patients in group R showed earlier rehabilitation with more effective ambulation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous sciatic nerve block improves analgesia, decreases morphine request, and improves early rehabilitation compared with single-injection sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing TKA and lumbar plexus block.

Efficacy and safety of antegrade common femoral artery access closure using the Angio-Seal device: experience with 1889 interventions for critical limb ischemia in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To report a retrospective evaluation of the 6-F Angio-Seal closure device in antegrade and retrograde common femoral artery (CFA) punctures during endovascular procedures in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: From January 2005 to March 2009, 2374 diabetic CLI patients underwent interventional procedures in the lower limbs at a single center under systemic anticoagulation (heparin 70 U/kg). In this population, 2016 patients (1184 men; mean age 69.6+/-9.1 years) had 2372 CFA punctures treated with either manual compression [205 punctures in 161 (8.0%) patients] or Angio-Seal deployment (2167 punctures in 1855 patients) and were eligible for this analysis. In the study cohort, there were 1889 antegrade CFA punctures closed with the device in 1626 (87.6%) patients compared to 278 retrograde punctures sealed in 229 (12.4%) patients. The complications from the antegrade CFA punctures were compared to those from retrograde closure and manual compression. RESULTS: The success rate for achieving hemostasis after antegrade and retrograde Angio-Seal placement was 97.9% and 97.8%, respectively. Major complications following antegrade Angio-Seal deployment, retrograde Angio-Seal deployment, and manual compression occurred in 20/1889 (1.1%), 5/278 (1.8%), and 4/205 (2.0%) cases, respectively. All complications developed within 24 hours of the procedure. No further complications were recorded in the 18-month follow-up (range 1-36). The overall complication rates after antegrade puncture closure, retrograde puncture closure, and manual compression at 30 days was 2.5%, 4.0%, and 4.9%, respectively (p = NS). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study shows that the 6-F Angio-Seal is a valuable and safe vascular closure device for percutaneous transfemoral antegrade access in diabetic patients undergoing interventional procedures for CLI.

Evaluation of feasibility of ankle pressure and foot oximetry values for the detection of critical limb ischemia in diabetic patients.

A total of 261 diabetic patients were admitted because of rest pain and/or foot ulcer in 1 limb. Ankle pressure (AP) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO(2)) were measured, and digital subtraction arteriography was performed. Transcutaneous oxygen tension was <30 mm Hg in 213 patients and >or=30<50 mm Hg in 48 patients. Ankle pressure could not be measured in 109 patients. In 50 patients, AP was <70 mm Hg and in 102 patients, it was >or=70 mm Hg. Arteriography showed evidence of stenoses >50% of vessel lumen diameter in all patients. Major amputation was performed in 16 patients; AP was <70 mm Hg in 4 patients and >or=70 mm Hg in 6. It was not practicable in the remaining 6 patients. Transcutaneous oxygen tension was <30 mm Hg in 15 patients and >or=30 mm Hg in 1 patient. For diagnosis of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetic patients presenting with rest pain or foot ulcer, measurement of TcPO( 2) is essential not only when AP is not measurable but also when this value is >or=70 mm Hg.

Fatty acid percentage in erythrocyte membranes of atrial flutter/fibrillation patients and controls.

PURPOSE: Several epidemiological published data support the protective role of omega-3 consumption in coronary artery disease, sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias, but interestingly, this is not the case for atrial arrhythmias. The purpose of this study is to evaluate different fatty acid profile between AF/AFL subjects and healthy controls. METHODS: Gas chromatography was employed to determine fatty acid percentage of erythrocyte membranes from 40 idiopathic AFL/AF patients and 53 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: AFL/AF erythrocyte membranes had significantly lower percentage of saturated fatty acid (43.1 +/- SD2.2 versus 47.8 +/- SD9.6, p < 0.001), monounsaturated fatty acid (18.2 +/- SD2.5 versus 22.6 +/- SD5.2, p < 0.001) and total trans fatty acid (0.2 +/- SD0.1 vs 1.3 +/- SD1.1, p < 0.001) than controls. Furthermore, fatty acid (FA) profiles of arrhythmic individuals showed an increased percent of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (36.7 +/- SD2.4 versus 26.4 +/- SD10.4, p < 0.001), PUFA n-3 (5.3 +/- SD1.1 versus 2.8 +/- SD1.8, p < 0.001) and n-6 (31.4 +/- SD2.2 versus 23.5 +/- SD9.9, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the erythrocyte membranes FA composition of AF/AFL subjects differs from that of healthy controls.

US-elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-elastography is a newly developed imaging technique for the reconstruction of tissue stiffness by measuring the degree of tissue's deformation in response to the application of an external force. This technique has previously been shown to be useful in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumors. METHODS: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of US-elastography in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer, using the cytologic/histopathologic analysis as the reference standard. A total of 67 consecutive patients with thyroid nodules who were referred to the Thyroid Unit at the Policlinico MultiMedica were enrolled in this prospective study between January and December 2006. Eighty-six nodules in these patients were examined by US B-mode, US color-power-Doppler, and US-elastography. Nodules were subjected to fine-needle aspiration biopsy and patients with a reading of malignant or indeterminate had thyroid surgery. The final diagnosis was based on the cytology reading in those who did not have surgery and the histopathology reading in those who had surgery. US-elastography scores were based on four classes of tissue stiffness (class 1 for soft nodules; class 2 and 3 for nodules with an intermediate degree of stiffness; class 4 for anelastic lesions). RESULTS: Seventeen nodules were malignant and 69 were benign. Sensitivity and specificity of the US-elastography for thyroid cancer diagnosis were 94.1% (16/17) and 81% (56/69), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 55.2% (16/29) and 98.2% (56/57), respectively. The accuracy of the technique was 83.7%. CONCLUSION: US-elastography is a promising technique that, combined with other US modalities, is easy and rapid to perform and can help to identify thyroid nodules that are likely to be malignant. An important limitation is probably lack of sensitivity for follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Fatty acid profile of erythrocyte membranes as possible biomarker of longevity.

Offspring of long-lived individuals are a useful model to discover biomarkers of longevity. The lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes from 41 nonagenarian offspring was compared with 30 matched controls. Genetic loci were also tested in 280 centenarians and 280 controls to verify a potential genetic predisposition in determining unique lipid profile. Gas chromatography was employed to determine fatty acid composition, and genotyping was performed using Taqman assays. Outcomes were measured for erythrocyte membrane percentage content of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3), geometrical isomers of arachidonic and oleic acids, and total trans-fatty acids. Also, allele and genotyping frequencies at endothelial-nitric oxide synthase and delta-5/delta-6 and delta-9 desaturase loci were considered. Erythrocyte membranes from nonagenarian offspring had significantly higher content of C16:1 n-7, trans C18:1 n-9, and total trans-fatty acids, and reduced content of C18:2 n-6 and C20:4 n-6. No association was detected at endothelial-nitric oxide synthase and delta-5/delta-6 and delta-9 desaturase loci that could justify genetic predisposition for the increased trans C18:1 n-9, monounsaturated fatty acids and decreased omega-6 synthesis. We concluded that erythrocyte membranes derived from nonagenarian offspring have a different lipid composition (reduced lipid peroxidation and increased membrane integrity) to that of the general population.