Rational ideation and empiric validation of an innovative digital dermographic tester.

BACKGROUND: Dermographism is a condition characterized by a weal response to a combination of pressure and traction on skin surface, and its diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical criteria and provocation test. The Dermographic Tester® , a pen-sized tool containing a spring-loaded blunt tip, is the most widely used instrument for the provocation test, and it exerts increasing pressures on the skin surface according to an arbitrary units (AU) scale. Analysing the mechanism of function and trying to convert the AUs to SI units (g/mm2 ), we found that this instrument had some defects and limits that would compromise a true and repeatable quantification of the weal response threshold. Consequently, we decided to develop a new instrument, the Digital Dermographic Tester (DDT), which is engineered with an inside force sensor to implement features lacking in the current tools, in the hope of enhancing the precision of the provocation test. AIM: To validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the DDT. METHODS: We tested the DDT on 213 participants purposely sampled to obtain three groups, each with a different pattern of reaction to mechanical stimuli. Based on anamnestic, diagnostic and symptomatic criteria, patients were divided into dermographic urticaria (DU), spontaneous urticaria (SU) and healthy control (HC) groups. The DDT was used to apply 12 levels of pressure to the skin surface, and a frequency distribution of positive reactions was displayed for each group. RESULTS: A force of 36-40 g/mm2 appropriately differentiated physiological from pathological conditions with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The DDT was found to be capable of differentiating patients with DU patients from those with SU and from HCs, and was able to precisely identify the weal elicitation threshold.

Inpatient burden of childhood functional GI disorders in the USA: an analysis of national trends in the USA from 1997 to 2009.

BACKGROUND: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are among the most common outpatient diagnoses in pediatric primary care and gastroenterology. There is limited data on the inpatient burden of childhood FGIDs in the USA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inpatient admission rate, length of stay (LoS), and associated costs related to FGIDs from 1997 to 2009. METHODS: We analyzed the Kids' Inpatient Sample Database (KID) for all subjects in which constipation (ICD-9 codes: 564.0-564.09), abdominal pain (ICD-9 codes: 789.0-789.09), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (ICD-9 code: 564.1), abdominal migraine (ICD-9 code: 346.80 and 346.81) dyspepsia (ICD-9 code: 536.8), or fecal incontinence (ICD-codes: 787.6-787.63) was the primary discharge diagnosis from 1997 to 2009. The KID is the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient database in the USA, containing data from 2 to 3 million pediatric hospital stays yearly. KEY RESULTS: From 1997 to 2009, the number of discharges with a FGID primary diagnosis increased slightly from 6,348,537 to 6,393,803. The total mean cost per discharge increased significantly from $6115 to $18,058 despite the LoS remaining relatively stable. Constipation and abdominal pain were the most common FGID discharge diagnoses. Abdominal pain and abdominal migraine discharges were most frequent in the 10-14 year age group. Constipation and fecal incontinence discharges were most frequent in the 5-9 year age group. IBS discharge was most common for the 15-17 year age group. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Hospitalizations and associated costs in childhood FGIDs have increased in number and cost in the USA from 1997 to 2009. Further studies to determine optimal methods to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and potentially harmful diagnostic testing are indicated.

Adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma are more likely to be sessile in the proximal colon.

AIM: Size and the sessile morphology of an adenoma may explain why colonoscopy is less effective in preventing proximal colonic cancer than distal cancers. We wanted to determine if advanced polypoid neoplasms (APNs, i.e. adenoma with high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma) are more likely to be sessile and/or smaller in the proximal colon. METHOD: We searched our institution's pathology database from 2004 to 2012 and identified patients with APNs. Polyps were categorized by size, morphology and location in the colon. Average polyp size and morphology were determined for each location. RESULTS: During the study period, 564 patients with APNs were identified. Of these, adenocarcinoma was noted in 21.6% and high-grade dysplasia in 78.4%. The average patient age was 64.4 years and 54.9% were men. The proportion of APNs that were ≤ 5 mm was 1.7%, ≤ 10 mm 19.3% and ≤ 15 mm 39%. APNs in the proximal colon were larger than those in the distal colon, but the difference was not statistically significant (27 vs 24 mm; P = 0.06). Eighty-three per cent of APNs in the proximal colon were sessile vs 57% in the distal colon (P = 0.001). APNs in the proximal colon were almost four times more likely to be sessile than in the distal colon (OR = 3.7). A similar association was noted for polyps ≤ 20 mm or polyps with high-grade dysplasia. CONCLUSION: APNs in the proximal colon were almost four-times more likely to be sessile than those in the distal colon. No difference in the size of polyps was noted.

Role of Renin-Angiotensin system and oxidative stress on vascular inflammation in insulin resistence model.

(1) This study aims to demonstrate the causal involvement of renin angiotensin system (RAS) and oxidative stress (OS) on vascular inflammation in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MS) achieved by fructose administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats (FFHR) during 12 weeks. (2) Chronic treatment with candesartan (C) (10 mg/kg per day for the last 6 weeks) or 4OH-Tempol (T) (10(-3) mmol/L in drinking water for the last 6 weeks) reversed the increment in metabolic variables and systolic blood pressure. In addition, chronic C treatment reverted cardiovascular remodeling but not T. (3) Furthermore, chronic treatment with C was able to completely reverse the expression of NF-κB and VCAM-1, but T only reduced the expression. C reduced the expression of proatherogenic cytokines as CINC2, CINC3, VEGF, Leptin, TNF-alpha, and MCP-1 and also significantly reduced MIP-3, beta-NGF, and INF-gamma in vascular tissue in this experimental model. T was not able to substantially modify the expression of these cytokines. (4) The data suggest the involvement of RAS in the expression of inflammatory proteins at different vascular levels, allowing the creation of a microenvironment suitable for the creation, perpetuation, growth, and destabilization of vascular injury.

A preterm infant with benign neonatal hemangiomatosis and persistent patent ductus arteriosus: a curious comorbidity.

A female infant had been delivered prematurely at 33 weeks to a gravida 1, para 0, 32-year-old mother following normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. Because of persistent patent ductus arteriosus the new born underwent surgery after 30 days. Four months later, when the infant arrived at our observation, approximately 13 red, nodular hemangiomas ranging from 0.5 to 30 mm in diameter were scattered over the scalp, trunk, abdomen, and extremities. Laboratory and instrumental tests investigating visceral involvement were all negative. Our diagnosis was of benign neonatal hemangiomatosis. Benign neonatal hemangiomatosis is a condition with multiple congenital hemangiomas limited to the skin. The incidence in the newborn population is between 1.0% and 4% with females 4 times more affected than males. Solitary hemangiomas occur more frequently in premature neonates with a reported incidence, inversely proportional to birth weight. Although the exact mechanism for hemangioma development remains unknown, vascular growth factors seem to play a role in the pathogenesis. Proliferation most likely results from an imbalance between positive and negative angiogenic factors expressed by the hemangioma and adjacent normal tissue. Patency of the ductus arteriosus is a common complication of preterm birth. During the immediate postpartum period, a loss of vasodilatory stimuli and activation of intrinsic contractile mechanisms facilitates ductus lumen occlusion. The imbalance of these forces, linked to premature birth, interrupts the normal maturation process, leaving the immature ductus patent. Our case is the first one of benign neonatal hemangiomatosis and patency ductus arteriosus described.

[A case of neonatal lupus syndrome and congenital atrioventricular block associated with maternal antibodies antiRo/SS-A]. / Un caso di lups neonatale con blocco atrioventricolare congenito da madre con anticorpi antiRo/SS-A.

The neonatal lupus erythematosus syndrome (LEN) is a disease due to the transplacental passage of maternal antiextractable nuclear antigens (ENA) antibodies, particularly anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B. The disease affects neonates born from mothers with autoimmune diseases. It is characterized by erythematous annular polycylic skin lesions, slightly scaling with prevalent face localization, hematologic and liver diseases and only in 2% of cases with extracutaneous lesions including complete atrioventricular block. The Authors describe a case of LEN characterized by isolated atrioventricular block at birth and endocardial fibroelastosis without skin lesions in a preterm infant female. She was born from asymptomatic, ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibodies) and ENA (anti-Extractable Nuclear Antigen) positive mother, with a previous miscarriage at the 5th week of gestation.

In vivo evaluation of a Poly-2p barrier cream protective effect.

AIM: Theoretically, skin barrier creams reduce or even prevent the penetration into the skin by building up a physical barrier, like a thin film between the skin and the irritant. Practically, controversial experiences concerning the effectiveness of barrier creams exist. For this, we propose an in vivo method to evaluate the efficacy of barrier creams trough clinical scoring and instrumental analysis. METHODS: Nineteen housewives with hand dermatitis in remission phase were enrolled in the study. Every patient was evaluated clinically and an arbitrary score was assigned by the investigator considering erythema, exudation, lichenification and xerosis. A score was also assigned by every patient to itching and burning. As measurement of the functional state of the skin and of the effectiveness of the barrier cream, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometry, colorimetry and visco-elasticity determination were performed. To investigate the protection properties against irritant products, the 24-h irritancy patch test with sodium lauryl sulphate 1% in water was used. RESULTS: Through the patch test technique the efficacy of the barrier cream was tested compared to other topical products containing corticosteroids, lipids, humectants or urea, with already known anti-inflammatory, lenitive or protective properties. The results showed this methods easy and fast in handling, non-invasive, standardized, and in vivo applicable for evaluation and ranking of barrier creams. CONCLUSION: The study preparation demonstrated high tolerability and indubitable efficacy in improving the skin barrier function even towards a very well known irritant.

Porokeratosis: Two Faces, One Family.

Porokeratosis is a disorder of keratinisation whose pathogenesis is yet unclear. It has been postulated that it results from the proliferation of an abnormal clone of keratinocytes, triggered by several factors, such as immunosuppression or prolonged ultraviolet exposure. Various clinical forms are recognized whose common denominator is a keratotic ring surrounding a central zone of atrophy. The histological hallmark is the cornoid lamella, a thin column of hyperproliferative abnormal keratinocytes. We describe two cases of porokeratosis. A 67-year-old woman with an erythematous purplish round plaque surrounded by a keratotic border that had appeared 6 years previously on the left sural region was diagnosed as 'giant' porokeratosis. A 49-year-old man presented with small papules coalescent in an erythematous oval plaque on the lateral side of the left foot consistent with linear porokeratosis.

[Development and use of quality control program in magnetic resonance]. / Messa a punto e applicazione di un protocollo di controllo di qualità in Risonanza Magnetica.

In 1992, two identical 0.5 Magnetic Resonance units were installed in Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi in Bologna. A Quality Assurance (QA) protocol was designed by the Medical Physics Department to monitor both systems as of Acceptance Test. Our main goals in drawing up the QA protocol were: 1) Completeness--to check all the most significant physical parameters; 2) Efficiency--to reduce examination time of the QC Protocol; 3) Reliability--to achieve good repeatability of results. The QA protocol consists of two QC programs: 1) Daily check of Variable Echo image SNR of a homogeneous phantom, Eddy Current compensation, laser printer test; 2) Monthly check of SNR of Spin Echo and Fast Scan images, integral uniformity, B0 uniformity, B1 uniformity, T2 stability, ghosts, slice thickness, slice profile, geometrical distortion, resolution power. SNR dependence on FOV, NEX, matrix and slice thickness, and resolution dependence on slice thickness and position were tested as Acceptance test. The daily checks provide continual monitoring of the performance of both systems and laser printer and have shown: 1) strong fluctuations in image reproduction probably due to film emulsion instability; 2) a "warning" of imminent malfunction. The monthly checks were in line with acceptance test data and have shown: 1) different behavior of the two systems that should perform analogously; 2) greater result stability in one system with better results also in terms of diagnostic images. The main aim of our QA protocol is to optimize diagnostic accuracy by checking several physical parameters that act as good "indicators" for possible malfunctioning. We believe this can be done with simple but useful daily QC supporting a routine more complex QC program and can be achieved through continual application of both protocols.

Colorectal carcinoma associated with ulcerative colitis: a study of prognostic indicators.

Fifty-two patients with ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer undergoing colectomy at the Mount Sinai Hospital between 1973 and 1988 were studied retrospectively to determine the correlation of age, sex, duration of colitis, tumor location, number of cancers, tumor differentiation, colloid content, presence of signet ring cells, Dukes' classification, and DNA ploidy with survival. The mean age was 45 years, with a mean duration of colitis of 21 years. Five patients (10%) had Dukes' A lesions, 17 (33%) had Dukes' B lesions, 17 (33%) had Dukes' C lesions, and 13 (25%) had distant metastases. Thirty patients (58%) had well- or moderately differentiated tumors, whereas tumors were poorly differentiated in 22 (42%). Twenty-eight patients (54%) had colloid tumors, and, in 14 (27%), signet ring cells were present. Thirty-one patients (60%) had nondiploid tumors. Actuarial analysis revealed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly worse for patients with nondiploid tumors (76% versus 32%). When stratified by stage, only patients with Dukes' C lesions showed a significant difference in survival for diploid versus nondiploid tumors. Multivariate analysis showed that the Dukes' classification was the best prognostic indicator, followed by tumor differentiation and DNA ploidy. Tumor location, colloid content, number of cancers, duration of disease, age, and sex did not correlate with the prognosis.

Persistence of the left superior vena cava: a case report.

A 38-year-old man with persistent left superior vena cava associated with the absence of the hepatic portion of inferior vena cava was reported. Angiography revealed the enlargement of the coronary sinus. In this respect the correlation between the enlarged coronary sinus and a history of precordial palpitation was suggested.

Hemodynamic and angiographic findings in a case of kinking of the aorta.

The authors report a case of aortic kinking associated with abnormalities of size of aortic arch vessels. The diagnostic aid of hemodynamic and angiographic techniques is emphasized. The possibility that aortic kinking and the abnormalities of aortic arch vessels may be etiologically related is suggested.