Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patient with a rare novel germline likely pathogenic variant of MSH2 gene: A case report.

The Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant condition usually characterized by germline pathogenic variants in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Despite the guidelines now available, determining the pathogenicity of rare variants remains challenging, as the clinical significance of a genetic variant could be uncertain, but it may represent a disease-associated variation in the aforementioned genes. In this case report we will describe the case of a 47 years-old female affected by endometrial cancer (EC) with an extremely rare germline heterozygous variant in the MSH2 gene (c.562G > T p. (Glu188Ter), exon 3) that is likely pathogenic, and a family history consistent with LS.

Colorimetric study about the stratification's effect on colour perception of resin composites.

To evaluate the influence of a different order of dentin and enamel layers on stratification appearance of different resin composites. 144 Dentin (D) and Enamel (E) composite samples (Clearfil Majesty ES-2 Premium, Brilliant EverGlow, Estelite Asteria), 1 mm thick, were divided into 12 configurations for each composite, with Enamel-Dentin-Dentin-Enamel (EDDE) assumed as target. The colour specification was conducted using a spectrophotometer, elaborating the results with the CIE L*a*b* colour coordinates and calculating the colour difference in terms of [Formula: see text] quantity. A value of this last major of 3.3 was considered not clinically acceptable. Moreover, data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test (P < 0.05). For Clearfil Majesty ES-2 Premium and Brilliant EverGlow, six configurations showed [Formula: see text] > 3.3 compared to gold standard EDDE. [Formula: see text] was influenced especially by b* and L* coordinates (P < 0.05). EDED showed no visual difference (0 < [Formula: see text] < 1.1) for both composites. For Estelite Asteria, two configurations reported [Formula: see text] > 3.3 compared to EDDE. In particular, the L* coordinate influenced [Formula: see text] results (P < 0.05). EDDD was the best configuration (0 < [Formula: see text] < 1.1). Within the limits of a vitro study, Brilliant EG showed more dependence from order and thickness of stratification (resulting more similar to Clearfil Majesty ES-2 Premium); therefore, it could be indicated for more complex aesthetic restorations. Estelite Asteria seems to be able to balance small differences in thickness of dentin and enamel layers, and consequently, it is more indicated to different clinical situations.

Ancient Greek text concealed on the back of unrolled papyrus revealed through shortwave-infrared hyperspectral imaging.

Only a few Herculaneum rolls exhibit writing on their reverse side. Since unrolled papyri are permanently glued to paperboard, so far, this fact was known to us only from 18th-century drawings. The application of shortwave-infrared (SWIR; 1000-2500 nm) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to one of them (PHerc. 1691/1021) has revealed portions of Greek text hidden on the back more than 220 years after their first discovery, making it possible to recover this primary source for the ongoing new edition of this precious book. SWIR HSI has produced better contrast and legibility even on the extensive text preserved on the front compared to former imaging of Herculaneum papyri at 950 nm (improperly called multispectral imaging), with a substantial impact on the text reconstruction. These promising results confirm the importance of advanced techniques applied to ancient carbonized papyri and open the way to a better investigation of hundreds of other such papyri.

A new modified Mayo technique: should the surgeons need a new open technique for hernia repair in their armamentarium?

INTRODUCTION: The Mayo technique is one of the most common techniques used to repair incisional, umbilical, and epigastric hernias. A high percentage of recurrences, together with the use of particular expensive types of meshes, are some of the most relevant problems in this surgical field. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a clinical prospective observational and involves all the patients who underwent procedures using a new modified Mayo technique from 2006 through 2013. The general criteria analyzed were age, sex, obesity, smoke abuse, diabetes, chronic diseases, type of hernia, operative time, morbidity and mortality. All the patients involved in this study were followed-up from 6 to 120 months. RESULTS: The types of hernia were 5 epigastic hernia (20,8%), 8 umbilical hernia (33,3%), 11 midline incision hernia (45,9%). Ten patients (41,7%) presented non-complicated hernias; 8 patients (33,3%) presented strangulated hernias and 6 patients (25,0%) presented obstructed hernias. No intestinal resection was necessary in any of the patients. The mean operative time was 55 minutes (range 30-180). The mean hospital stay of the patients' after-post operative procedure was 4.5 days (range, 2 to 8 days). No major complications have been reported. Only one patient present a recurrence. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that this modified Mayo technique could be useful in the armamentarium of surgeon to repair incisional, umbilical, and epigastric hernias. More studies are needed to validate the technique.

Latero-cervical lymph node metastases (N1b) represent an additional risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer outcome.

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common thyroid cancer histotype, has a good prognosis even when spread to the neck lymph node (LN). The prognostic role of LN metastases' location is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of the number and location of LN metastases at presentation in PTCs. METHODS: This retrospective study included a consecutive series of 1653 PTC patients followed for a mean period of 5.9 years in a referral thyroid cancer clinic. All patients have undergone thyroidectomy with the dissection of at least six LNs. According to the LN status, patients were subdivided into 569 N0 (34.4%), 644 N1a (39.0%, central compartment) and 440 N1b (26.6%, latero-cervical compartment). RESULTS: Age at diagnosis was significantly lower in N1b (39.8, IQR 30.7-51.6) and N1a (40.1, IQR 31.3-50.1) than in N0 (44.7, IQR 36.6-55.0 yrs). The male gender was more prevalent in N1b than in N1a and N0 (F/M = 1.9/1, 4.0/1 and 5.5/1, respectively). Persistent/recurrent disease at last control was significantly more frequent in N1b (29.8%) than in N1a (14.3%), and in N1a than in N0 (4.2%) (p < 0.01 for all). Also, distant metastases were significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent in N1b (14.1%) than in N1a (4.3%) and N0 (1.6%). LN metastases' number (>5) was a significant risk factor for persistent/recurrent disease only for N1a patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that persistent/recurrent disease and distant metastases are significantly more frequent in patients with latero-cervical LN (N1b) metastases and that the LN location should be used for a better postsurgical risk stratification.

Modified Mayo Technique for Ventral Hernia Repair: An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: To reduce the rate of recurrence of incisional hernia repair associated with open anatomic techniques, we present an experimental study, focusing on two different sutures, with the aim to apply clinically in a revised version of the Mayo technique. METHODS: Thirteen biological tissue samples from adult pig central brawn and upper and lower fasciae were measured using two techniques defined as "œunbroken suture thread" and "œseparated suture stitches" to test the breaking resistance of the two types of suture. RESULTS: The t test results show that the two sets can be considered as different populations. The mean tensile stress ƒmax is greater (with reduced deviation) for the specimens of the set sutured with unbroken thread technique. Student'™s t-test performed on values obtained for each set of samples indicated that the unbroken thread suture technique corresponds to higher ultimate failure strength. CONCLUSION: Considering these results, a modified Mayo technique with continuous closure could be suggested. Of course a valid clinical study is required to better clarify this experimental hypothesis.

Type 2 diabetic patients with Graves' disease have more frequent and severe Graves' orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Due to the worldwide increasing prevalence of diabetes (DM), patients with both diabetes and Graves' disease (GD) have become more frequent. Sporadic reports indicate that Graves' orbitopathy (GO), a GD complication that affects orbital soft tissues, can be severe in DM patients. The relationship between these diseases is not well understood. This study aims at evaluating the association of GD and GO with autoimmune and non-autoimmune diabetes (DM) and to assess diabetic features that influence GD and GO prevalence and severity. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective study evaluated GD, GO and DM association in 1211 consecutive GD patients (447 with GO and 77 with DM). A case-control study was carried out to evaluate DM relationship with GO severity by comparing at 1:2 ratio GO patients with or without DM. A strong association was found between GD and T1DM (p = 0.01) but not T2DM. Instead, the presence of GO was strongly associated with T2DM (p = 0.01). Moreover, GO was more frequently severe in GD patients with T2DM (11/30 or 36.6%) than in those without T2DM (1/60 or 1.7%, p = 0.05). T2DM was the strongest risk factor for severe GO (OR = 34.1 vs. 4.4 p < 0.049 in cigarette smokers). DM duration, obesity and vascular complications, but not metabolic control were significant determinants of GO severity. CONCLUSIONS: GD is associated with T1DM but not with T2DM, probably because of the common autoimmune background. GO, in contrast, is more frequent and severe in T2DM, significantly associated with obesity, diabetes duration and diabetic vasculopathy but not metabolic control.

Alexithymia, more than depression, influences glycaemic control of type 2 diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: Psychiatric disorders could affect the patients' abilities to cope with diabetes. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of depression and alexithymia among type 2 diabetic patients and investigate the possible correlations between these psychopathological phenomena and glycaemic control assessed through glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). METHODS: All the patients were evaluated through 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Hamilton rating scale for depression and Quality of Life Index. HbA1c values, diabetes duration, therapy and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients (75 males and 53 female, mean age 64.7 ± 11.2 years) were enrolled. Alexithymic patients, compared to non-alexithymic ones, presented a significantly higher HbA1c (7.7 ± 1.5 vs. 7 ± 1.5, p = 0.016). No statistically significant difference was found when comparing the HbA1c of depressed versus non-depressed patients. Considering the raw values of HbA1c, the higher percentage was recorded among patients suffering from depression plus alexithymia (comorbidity group) followed by patients presenting alexithymia only, patients with neither depression nor alexithymia (control group) and, finally, those presenting depression only. The comorbidity group presented a significantly higher value of HbA1c (7.7 ± 1.2) than the control group (7 ± 1.6, p < 0.04) and the depressed patients (6.9 ± 1.3, p = 0.04). At the logistic regression, the HbA1c was found to be significantly associated only with alexithymia (TAS-20 total score) and insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia more than depression influences glycaemic control. When evaluating a diabetic patient, a rapid screening for psychopathological alterations would guarantee a more accurate management. The treatment of any associated psychiatric disorders would improve the patients' quality of life.

Ectopic cutaneous Schistosomiasis.

The authors report a case of ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis in a 35 year-old female who presented clustered reddish macules and papules on the left buttock. The diagnosis was not suspected during clinical evaluation and required visualization of Schistosoma mansoni eggs on sections of tissue.

Ectopic cutaneous Schistosomiasis / Esquistossomose cutanea ectopica

The authors report a case of ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis in a 35 year-old female who presented clustered reddish macules and papules on the left buttock. The diagnosis was not suspected during clinical evaluation and required visualization of Schistosoma mansoni eggs on sections of tissue.

Os autores relatam um caso de esquistossomose cutânea ectópica em uma paciente de 35 anos que apresentou máculas e pápulas eritematosas agrupadas na nádega esquerda. O diagnostico não foi suspeitado durante a avaliação clínica, tendo sido obtido através da visualização dos ovos no exame histopatológico.

High prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety symptoms among HIV-positive individuals on cART: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety disorders are frequent in HIV-infected individuals, can pre-exist or occur during HIV infection. We evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire whether anxiety is related to HIV clinical status and therapeutic success in a cohort of HIV-positive subjects in Sicily. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 251 patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for at least six months; Self Rating Anxiety State SAS 054 was used to diagnose anxiety and a Z score ≥ 45 points was considered diagnostic. RESULTS: 47% of patients were diagnosed with anxiety. Patients showing symptoms related to anxiety had experienced a high number of therapeutic switches (fourth line or more). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms among subjects with HIV infection in Eastern Sicily. Physicians should be aware of the extent of the problem and should be able to adequately manage anxiety in the setting of HIV infection.

LPS and HIV gp120 modulate monocyte/macrophage CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 expression leading to vitamin D consumption and hypovitaminosis D in HIV-infected individuals.

AIM: Vitamin D deficiency is very common among HIV-infected subjects. We cross-sectionally evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in 91 HIV-infected Italian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied in a cohort of 91 HIV-infected Italian patients the metabolism of Vitamin D by evaluating the in vitro expression of CYP27B1, CYP24A1 and vitamin D receptor (VDR) by monocytes and macrophages stimulated with the viral envelope protein gp120 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 10 ng/ml) and vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD 10-30 ng/ml) was 31% and 57%, respectively. In univariate analysis, female sex (p = 0.01), increasing age (p = 0.05), higher highly sensitive-C reactive protein (p = 0.025), higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) (p = 0.043) and lower BMI (p = 0.04) were associated with vitamin D deficiency. In multivariate analysis, the association was still significant only for PTH (p = 0.03) and female sex (p = 0.03). Monocyte stimulation with LPS (100 ng/ml) or gp120 (1 µg/ml) significantly upregulated CYP27B1 mRNA expression. Moreover, gp120 significantly increased VDR mRNA levels. On the contrary, neither LPS nor gp120 modified CYP24A1 levels. Macrophage stimulation with LPS (100 ng/ml) significantly upregulated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 mRNA expression. When monocytes were cultured in the presence of 25OHD (40 ng/ml) and stimulated with LPS we detected significantly lower levels of 25OHD in the supernatant. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was very common in our cohort of HIV-infected patients. Chronic inflammation, including residual viral replication, may contribute to hypovitaminosis D, by modulating vitamin D metabolism and catabolism. Systematic screening may help identifying subjects requiring supplementation.

Late presentation of HIV infection: predictors of delayed diagnosis and survival in Eastern Sicily.

OBJECTIVES: Across Europe, more than one third of patients are diagnosed with HIV infection late. Late presentation for care has been associated with higher risk of clinical progression and mortality. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and survival probability of patients with late and very late presentation, newly diagnosed with HIV infection in Catania, Italy, from 1985 to 2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: According to the European Consensus definition, Late Presenters (LP) were defined as subjects presenting for care with a CD4+ T-cell count below 350 cells/µl or with an AIDS-defining event, regardless of CD4+ T-cell count; patients with advanced HIV disease (Very Late Presenters) (VLP) were those presenting with a CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/µl or with an AIDS-defining event, regardless of CD4+ T-cell count. RESULTS: 620 patients were included in the study. 345 (55.6%) subjects were LP, 35% of them were asymptomatic; 246 (39.7%) were VLP. In univariate analysis, late presentation was related to age (p < 0.001), to heterosexual exposure to HIV infection (70% of heterosexual subjects were LP) (p < 0.005) and to being diagnosed during the calendar period from 1991 to 2000 (p < 0.001). Very late presentation was related to age (p < 0.001), male sex (p < 0.01), heterosexual risk (p < 0.001) and to being diagnosed during the calendar period from 1991 to 2000 (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.0001), being older than 50 years old (p = 0.02), years of diagnosis 1991-1995 (p < 0.005) and 1996-2000 (p < 0.05) in the subgroup of late presenters and age (p < 0.0001), being older than 50 years old (p < 0.005), male sex (p < 0.0001), years of diagnosis 1991-1995 (p < 0.05) and 1996-2000 (p < 0.005) in the subgroup of very late presenters maintained statistical significance. The survival probability within LP and VLP group was statistically lower than no LP/VLP (log rank test p < 0.0005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). For both LP (p < 0.002) and VLP (p < 0.0001), survival probability was significantly lower in the pre-HAART era, in comparison with the period of mono/dual therapy and the HAART era. CONCLUSIONS: More than fifty percent of patients in our setting were diagnosed late with HIV infection and, consequently, treated late. Late and very late presentation were associated with lower survival probability. The implementation of strategies focused on targeted prevention efforts and HIV testing programs appears fundamental to diagnose and treat HIV infection as early as possible.

Dissemination metastasis after laparoscopic colorectal surgery versus conventional open surgery for colorectal cancer: a metanalysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate and compare the risk of dissemination metastasis (wound, port-side metastases and peritoneal seeding) after laparoscopic colorectal surgery and conventional open surgery for colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Authors searched relevant randomized controlled trials between January 1998 and July 2012. RESULTS: Wound, port-site metastases and peritoneal seeding were rare and no significant differences occurred between the two groups. The port-site and extraction site recurrence were likely to be the results of suboptimal surgical techniques and occurred in the early phase of the learning curve. The authors also found no significant differences in overall, local and distant recurrences. No significant differences between laparoscopic and open surgery were found in cancer-related mortality during the follow up period of the study (7 RCTs, 3525 patients, 12.8% vs. 14.00%; OR (fixed) 0.83, 95% CI 0.68-1.02), with no significant heterogeneity (p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The literature supports the implementation of laparoscopic surgery into daily practice. Laparoscopic surgery can be used for safe and radical resection of cancer in the right, left, sigmoid colon and rectum. However further studies should address whether laparoscopic surgery is superior to open surgery in this setting.

Cyclic fatigue resistance of two reciprocating nickel-titanium instruments after immersion in sodium hypochlorite.

AIM: To assess resistance to cyclic fatigue of reciprocating nickel-titanium ( NiTi ) files (Reciproc and WaveOne) after immersion in NaOCl solution over several time periods. METHODOLOGY: A total of 90 new Reciproc R25 and WaveOne Primary were tested. The 45 files of the same brand were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15) and submitted to the following immersion protocol in 5% NaOCl at 37 °C for 16 mm: no immersion (control), 1 or 5 min dynamically. The dynamic immersion and the following cyclic fatigue tests were performed using the appropriate preset reciprocation modes ('RECIPROC ALL' or 'WAVEONE ALL') in a specially designed endodontic motor. Resistance to cyclic fatigue was determined by recording time to fracture (TtF) in a stainless steel artificial canal with a 60° angle of curvature and 5 mm radius of curvature. The artificial canal was manufactured reproducing the instrument's size and taper. Data were analysed by 2-way analyses of variance. RESULTS: Resistance to cyclic fatigue of the same NiTi file was not significantly affected by immersion in NaOCl . Reciproc R25 was associated with a higher cyclic fatigue resistance in all groups compared to WaveOne Primary (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Reciprocating dynamic immersion in NaOCl for 1 or 5 min did not reduce the cyclic fatigue resistance of NiTi files significantly. However, the type of reciprocating instrument influenced cyclic fatigue resistance with Reciproc R25 being more resistant than WaveOne Primary.

Separate impact of metabolic syndrome and altered glucose tolerance on early markers of vascular injuries.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the separate impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) and altered glucose tolerance on early markers of vascular injuries. METHODS: Intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse wave analysis (PWA), were evaluated in 132 overweight or obese subjects, with (MS(+)) or without (MS(-)) MS; subjects were further classified as normotolerant (NT) or with altered glucose tolerance (AGT) according to a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: In MS(+) patients, IMT was higher than in the MS(-) group, and PWA revealed higher augmentation pressure (Aug, the contribution that wave reflection makes to systolic arterial pressure) and lower subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR, an estimate of myocardial perfusion). When analyzed according to glucose tolerance, IMT was higher in MS(+)NT subjects and AGT patients with and without MS, vs. MS(-)NT subjects. Logistic regression modeling showed that both AGT and MS were independently associated with increased IMT. However, only MS remained associated with IMT after adjustment for age. SEVR was reduced only in MS(+) patients, independently of glucose tolerance. In both groups, Aug and AugI were higher in the AGT group, but the correlation with 2 h-plasma glucose disappeared when corrected for age. CONCLUSION: Both MS and AGT altered IMT, but the effect of AGT disappears when age is added to the multiple regression model. In contrast, arterial stiffness was affected differently in the two categories: in subjects with MS, the subendocardial viability ratio (an estimate of myocardial perfusion) was impaired, while in subjects with AGT, both Aug and AugI were increased. These data suggest that applying the definition of MS might help to better characterize cardiovascular risk in subjects with altered glucose tolerance or obesity.

[Health promotion and obesity in the workplace among health care workers of a hospital in Catania (Italy)]. / Promozione della salute e obesità in operatori sanitari di una azienda ospedaliera della provincia di Catania.

BACKGROUND: Italian Legislative Decree No. 81/2008 foresees the involvement of a "specialised physician" in activities for the promotion of health at the workplace. OBJECTIVES: These activities are aimed at modifying erroneous lifestyles (such as smoking, drinking, bad diet, etc.) which are responsible for serious illnesses and also for repercussions on the assessment of fitness for a specific task. Obesity, as we know, represents the major risk factor in the onset of metabolic, neoplastic, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and also in the increased incidence of accidents at the workplace and sick absence. METHODS: A specific questionnaire was administered to 700 health care workers of a Hospital in Catania to estimate the incidence of factors which favour the onset of these diseases: factors such as familiarity, endocrinal dysfunction problems (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism), shift work and little physical exercise. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Statistical processing of the data confirmed, partially, that little physical exercise, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, familiarity in the > 36 age group were the major risk factors in the onset of obesity, as reported in the literature. However, contrary to the literature reports, shift work did not seem to be a risk factor in the sample under study. A programme of rehabilitation, on a voluntary basis, will be offered to those workers who are overweight/obese. This programme will involve professionals such as nutritionists, endocrinologists and psychologists, and it will aim at improving workers' health conditions as well as their work performance.

Early phase insulin secretion is increased in subjects with normal fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome: a premature feature of beta-cell dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been mainly related to insulin resistance, but the role of changes in insulin secretion has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) we studied beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity in subjects with normal fasting glucose with and without MS, and their relationship to fatty liver which was evaluated by abdominal-ultrasonography. In MS early phase insulin secretion, as measured by insulinogenic index (IG(30)), was increased (p<0.05) independently from insulin sensitivity. Furthermore IG(30) was progressively higher as the number of factors needed for the diagnosis of MS increased (p<0.01). Insulin and C-peptide AUC were also increased (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) but, in contrast to IG(30), these differences disappeared when ISI was used as a covariate. After OGTT, 51% of the subjects with MS had altered post-load glucose tolerance compared to 24.9% without MS (p<0.01). In both groups, the altered glucose tolerance was associated with a similar IG(30) reduction. In normo-tolerant subjects with MS the IG(30) was higher (+54.1%, p<0.01), and this elevation occurred irrespective of ISI; however, the beta-cell compensatory capacity for insulin resistance (disposition index) was impaired (p<0.001). Fatty liver was more frequent (p<0.001) and more severe (p<0.01) in MS, and it was significantly related to total AUC-insulin (p<0.001), independently from ISI. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the prevalence of altered tolerance is more frequent in subjects with normal fasting glucose and MS. The hyperinsulinemia might not only be an adaptive response to insulin resistance, but a primary defect of beta-cell function contributing to glucose intolerance.

Role of probiotics in the prevention of the enteric colonization by Candida in preterm newborns: incidence of late-onset sepsis and neurological outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of gastrointestinal colonization by Candida species, of late-onset sepsis and neurological outcome in preterm newborns. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted in 249 preterms who were subdivided into three groups: one group (n=83) was supplemented with Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri, one group with L. rhamnosus (n=83) and the other with no supplementation (n=83). The fungal colonization in the gastrointestinal tract, the late onset of sepsis and clinical parameters were recorded. A neurological structured assessment was further performed at 1 year of age. RESULT: Candida stool colonization was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the control group than in the groups treated with probiotics. The L. reuteri group presented a significantly higher reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms than did the L. rhamnosus and control groups. Infants treated with probiotics showed a statistically significant lower incidence of abnormal neurological outcome than did the control group. CONCLUSION: The use of both probiotics seems to be effective in the prevention of gastrointestinal colonization by Candida, in the protection from late-onset sepis and in reducing abnormal neurological outcomes in preterms.

Clinical presentation and outcome of geriatric depression in subcortical ischemic vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Vascular damage of frontal-subcortical circuits involved in mood regulation and cognition might be the main contributor to the pathogenesis of late-life depression, and it is linked to poor response to treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between executive dysfunction and outcome of depressive symptoms among elderly patients with subcortical ischemic vascular disease. METHODS: Ninety-two elderly patients with white matter lesions (WMLs) or lacunar infarcts (LAs) on brain MRI and depressive symptomatology were consecutively recruited. Depression was rated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Evaluation of executive functions by means of the Stroop color-word test was performed at entry of the study, and WMLs were categorized into mild, moderate or severe. Mood was reevaluated by means of HDRS after the 12th week of pharmacological treatment. RESULTS: Psychomotor retardation, difficulties at work, apathy, and lack of insight were the predominant symptoms. Fifty-six patients (62.8%) had a neuroradiological picture of WMLs, while the remaining 33 (37.1%) had LAs. Executive dysfunctions significantly and independently predict poor outcome of depressive symptoms. Patients with the severest WMLs showed not only a greater executive dysfunction, but also a minor response to antidepressant treatment. CONCLUSION: This study supports the vascular depression hypothesis. WMLs are of crucial clinical relevance as they are linked with cognitive symptoms and poor antidepressant outcome.