Moral Disengagement and Psychopathy: A Study on Offenders in Italian Jails.

This article investigates mechanisms of moral disengagement and psychopathy in offender detainees (sex offenders and non-sex offenders). In particular, this article investigates whether, in all offenders, moral disengagement and psychopathy are correlated, if there are any differences between sex offenders and non-sex offenders as to psychopathy, and if there are any differences between rapists and child molesters in regard to their levels of psychopathy. The results indicate that, in all offenders, levels of moral disengagement are associated with levels of psychopathy, while sex offenders are more selfish, more insensitive and less remorseful than non-sex offenders. It is also found that rapists display more antisocial behaviour problematic elements in their lifestyle than child molesters. As well as increasing the dedicated literature, studying the mechanisms and characteristics of offenders - and of sex offenders in particular - may be of considerable importance for the promotion of effective and targeted treatment strategies.

Sterols from the Caribbean sponge Neofibularia nolitangere. Isolation of two novel polyhydroxysteroids.

The sterol composition of the Caribbean sponge Neofibularia nolitangere has been investigated. In addition to usual sterols this sponge elaborates comparable amounts of 24-methylene-4 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-3 beta-ol (1), which is very unusual among sponge sterols, and lesser quantities of two new polyoxygenated sterols, (24S)-24-ethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-ene-5,6 beta,7 alpha-triol (2) and (24S)-24-ethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-ene-5,6 beta,7 alpha-triol (3).

Novel 3-beta-methoxysteroids from the Senegalese sponge Microscleroderma spirophora.

The Senegalese sponge Microscleroderma spirophora has been found to produce exclusively very unusual 3 beta-methoxysteroids in place of the common 3 beta-hydroxysteroids. Six different methoxysteroids (three of which are novel compounds) have been isolated and identified by spectroscopic means (MS, IR, 1H and 13C NMR), and their taxonomic significance discussed. A new method for the determination of the configuration at C-24 in saturated 24-ethyl side chains is also proposed.

Ecdysteroids from the caribbean sponge Iotrochota birotulata.

The sterol composition of the Caribbean sponge Iotrochota birotulata was investigated. Structure of a new ecdysteroid 2beta,3beta,14alpha, 20beta-tetrahydroxy-22alpha-(2-hydroxyacetiloxy)-5b eta-colest-7-en-6- one (1) was assigned on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence and molecular mechanics calculations. Isolation of the widespread ecdysteroids 2-5 is also reported.

New 9,11-secosterols from gorgonia Subergorgia suberosa of the Indian Ocean.

Three new 9,11-secosterols, 3 beta,6 alpha,11-trihydroxy-9,11-seco-5 alpha-cholest-7-ene-9-one (1), 24S- (2a), and 24R-methyl-3 beta,6 alpha, 11-trihydroxy-9,11-seco-5 alpha-cholest-7,22E-diene-9-one (2b), were isolated from the Indian Ocean gorgonia, Subergorgia suberosa. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data.

[Adrenal cystic masses. Our experience]. / Formazioni cistiche surrenaliche. Nostra esperienza.

Cystic masses of the adrenal gland are clinically and pathologically rare findings and few cases have been reported up to now in the medical literature. In the present work 5 new cases are reported: 3 adrenal pseudocysts, 1 lymphangioma, 1 cystic pheochromocytoma. In 3 cases there were clinical symptoms of retroperitoneal mass (lumbar pain, palpable mass, digestive symptoms); in 3 cases conventional radiology was helpful; ultrasonography was used for diagnosis in 1, CT scan in 2. In the pheochromocytoma case the real nature of the mass was determined through fluid hormone determination after fine needle puncture. All cases were treated by surgery.

[Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the breast. Report of 3 new cases]. / Tumori mesenchiamali maligni della mammella. A proposito di tre nuovi casi.

Malignant tumors of the breast arising from the connective tissue of the gland are rare and underestimated. Three new cases are here reported: 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma and 2 malignant phylloides tumors. Tumor size, mammographic findings and cytologic aspect of the needlebiopsy lead to the correct diagnosis. Large excision or radical mastectomy are treatments of choice, while axillary lymph nodes dissection does not appear justified, since metastatic spread via lymphatics is rare. Postoperative radiation and chemotherapy seem not effective in preventing local recurrences.

Biliary cyst. A case report.

A case of type-IA biliary cyst, according to the Todani classification, is reported in a 44-years-old man admitted to hospital with epigastric pain. Ultrasound was misleading; CT scanning and preoperative cholangiography confirmed the biliary duct's dilatation. Cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy were performed with a view to avoiding possible cyst cancerization.

[Tuberculosis of the breast. Presentation of 3 clinical cases]. / Tubercolosi della mammella. Presentazione di tre casi clinici.

Tuberculosis of the breast is quite rare. Three cases, histologically proved, are reported; one of them was associated with a carcinoma. Clinical and radiological tools can hardly differentiate tubercular from tumoral nodules.

[Adrenal cystic lymphangioma. A case report]. / Linfangioma cistico surrenalico. Presentazione di un caso.

Adrenal cysts are uncommon. A case of left adrenal cystic lymphangioma in 16 year old boy is reported. The adrenal cyst was a chance finding during radiological investigation for abdominal pain. Ultrasound and CT scan showed the cyst and suggested the correct diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma of the left adrenal gland. The patient underwent surgery and a left adrenalectomy was performed. Histology confirmed the previous diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma.

[Omeprazole prevention of the recurrence of peptic ulcer: the efficacy of treatment with 20 mg on alternate days]. / Prevenzione con omeprazolo della recidiva di ulcera peptica: validità di un trattamento con 20 mg a giorni alterni.

Omeprazole, 20 mg every second day, in prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse has been tested. 15 patients with peptic ulcer, which was endoscopically proved and then healed, underwent the treatment. No matter of ulcer original seat as well as antacid drug previously employed, recurrences were not seen after a 6 months period, while clinical symptoms and possible adverse reactions appeared to be very slight. The proposed regimen of omeprazole seems to be cost-saving and worth proving.

[Motivation and expectations of graduate nursing students at the university of Padova]. / Motivazioni e aspettative degli studenti neo iscritti al diploma universitario di infermiere dell'Università di Padova.

The correct planning of a educational university process requires the knowledge of students' motivations, aspirations and socio-cultural profile. The aim of this study is to describe the students of University of Padua Nursing school recently enrolled during the academic year 1998/99, focusing on the motivations of their choice and the expectations on the university course. The data were collected through a questionnaire on 50 different questions concerning: age, sex, address, previous school experience, professional aspirations, problems in learning and following the course of the study, influence of advertising in choosing the school, ideal and concept of the role of nurse, expectation on the University course, knowledge on the didactic plan and future job availability. The study investigated 195 (84 from Padua, 54 from Treviso and 49 from Feltre, side branches) students. Out of 195 tests, 85.5% were females averaging 21.1 years and 14.4 were males averaging 22.5 years. Mean high school degree score was 42.8 (valid score from 36 to 60). 50.6% of the students are resident in the school site (main site or side branches) of the school. 85.5% of the students are living with theirs parents. The choice of the school was principally due to: future job availability (95%), humanitarian reasons (94%), scientific interest (87%), social consideration (85%). The study activities were the students' most frequent expected difficulty. The choose of the course of study was influenced by: parents suggestion (39%), friends suggestion (28%), advertisement and conferences in the high school (21%), papers (18%). Very important factor was found previous voluntary sanitary experiences.

[The thesis of the university nursing diploma. Experience at the University of Padova, Italy]. / La tesi nel diploma universitario per infermieri. L'esperienza di Padova.

The new didactic organization of University degree of health areas considers a final qualifying examination composed, among other exams, by a written dissertation (thesis) dealing with technical-operative-experimental matters. At the faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Padua University, the council of the Degree in Nursing proposed a document about finalities, arguments, methods and operative rules for the production of the thesis as an instrument for students and teachers. During academic year 1996/97, 49 students had been graduated, for the first time in Italy. About 63% of theses were highly congruent with council's methodological instructions. When the matter of the theses was a technical aspect of an assistance problem, the theses were correct from a methodological point of view. Many professional figures supplied support to the students for the thesis, giving them a complete experience of professional application. The dimension of the thesis suggested by the Council's instruction was unrespected, the average length of the theses (30.3 pages) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that proposed (20 pages). This suggests that students could have an insufficient synthetic capability.

[Nurses, woman, breast cancer: integration in a surgical unit. Study of the needs of patients and possible solutions]. / L'infermiera/e, la donna, il cancro della mammella: l'integrazione in una unità operativa di chirurgia. Indagine conoscitiva dei bisogni delle pazienti e possibili proposte operative.

The authors report the results of an investigation performed in a surgical teaching department of the University of Padua. A form was given to all women admitted for breast cancer. Questions were related to the most important concerns during the hospital stay. The targets of this investigation were: To evaluate the feelings during the diagnostic work-up and the related procedures, to evaluate the role and the reaction of the patient's family, to define kind and quality of the informations given to the patients from the nurses staff, to report concern about the future, to define quality of nursing associate, ght to detect the most difficult moments of the disease. On the basis of this investigation the authors suggest the options to approach the problems and possible solutions.

Bilateral and multifocal Warthin's tumor of parotid gland: two case reports and review of literature.

Warthin's tumor is the second most common benign neoplasm of the parotid. Most of cases are represented by a single localization, while only a small percentage of patients presents bilateral lesions or unilateral multifocal pattern. Warthin's tumor has an excellent prognosis due to the low rate of recurrence after surgical treatment. Malignant transformation occurs in less than 1% of cases. The aim of this article is to present two unusual cases of Warthin's tumor and an updated review of the latest scientific literature.

CA 50 compared with CA 19-9 as a serum tumour marker for pancreatic carcinoma.

This study compared the sensitivity and specificity of CA 50 and CA 19-9 as serum tumour markers for pancreatic cancer. One hundred and seventy one subjects were evaluated: 50 healthy controls, 50 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 71 patients with chronic pancreatitis. Eighty per cent of the pancreatic cancer patients had raised CA 19-9 serum levels and 82% had raised CA 50 serum levels. In the group of patients ith chronic pancreatitis, false positive tests occurred in 8.4% for CA 19-9 and 11.3% for CA 50. For both markers the serum level showed a severe elevation in the advanced stage of cancer disease. Despite the good sensitivity and specificity of CA 50 as a serum tumour marker for pancreatic carcinoma, no major advantage was found compared to CA 19-9. Moreover, if the CA 50 cut-off, level is raised to 85 U/ml to exclude overlap with chronic pancreatitis, sensitivity falls sharply to 46% compared with 72% for CA 19-9 when a 100 U/ml cut-off level is used.

Human fibrin sealant in pancreatic surgery: it is useful in preventing fistulas? A prospective randomized study.

Some Authors have suggested the use of human fibrin sealants in pancreatic surgery to prevent fistulas. We performed a prospective randomized study including 97 patients (34F, 63M). Forty six were affected by pancreatic inflammatory diseases and 51 had pancreatic or peripancreatic neoplasms. All the patients were managed by the same surgical staff. Surgical treatment included 30 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 40 pancreatico-jejunostomies, 23 left pancreatic resections and 4 tumour excisions. The patients were randomized at the moment the surgical treatment was chosen and divided into 2 different groups: group A, including 43 subjects who had intraoperative fibrin sealing, and group B, including 54 patients who had no fibrin sealing during surgery. At the end of the trial, 6 patients in group A (13.9%) and 6 in group B (11.1%) developed a pancreatic fistula. No statistically significant difference was detected between the 2 groups. The highest incidence of fistulas was observed in the patients with pancreatic cancer in group A (18.7%) and in the patients who underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy in group A (25.0%).