Cerebral superb microvascular imaging in preterm neonates: in vivo evaluation of thalamic, striatal, and extrastriatal angioarchitecture.

PURPOSE: To explore the potential of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in visualizing brain microvessels in preterm neonates of different gestational ages (GA). METHODS: In this retrospective, observational pilot study, 15 preterm newborns were equally divided into GA groups: extremely (GA < 28 weeks), very (28-31 weeks), and moderate to late (32-37 weeks) preterm. All patients underwent conventional transcranial ultrasounds during the first day of life following the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine practice guidelines. SMI was then performed; based on their SMI morphology and location, brain microvessels were classified as extrastriatal (cortical and medullary), striatal, or thalamic. Two examiners independently classified vessels as visible or invisible. To assess the association between vessel visibility and GA, binomial logistic regression analysis (separate for each microvessel group) was performed, taking visibility as a dependent variable and both examiners and GA as predictor variables. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference among GA groups was found in sex (P = 0.030), birth weight (P = 0.007), and Apgar score within 1 min after birth (P = 0.024). Microvascular visibility increased with GA for superficial vessels (P < 0.05 for both cortical and medullary), while striatal and thalamic vessels were visible in all neonates irrespective of their GA. CONCLUSIONS: SMI technology shows promise to assess brain microvasculature in preterm neonates, even potentially providing data on early brain development.

The association between discrimination and drinking among sexual minorities: A daily diary study.

Background: Among sexual minorities (SMs), experiencing discrimination has been associated with greater substance use at the day-level. However, variations in sample characteristics and measures of day-level discrimination limit the generalizability of findings. Furthermore, it is unknown how positive experiences due to minority identity ("Minority Strengths") may impact the association between experiencing discrimination and same day drinking. Methods: The present study extends prior research on discrimination and drinking using detailed discrimination measures, Minority Strengths measures, and a gender diverse sample. Participants (N = 61) were majority White (n = 45, 73.8 %) adult (mean age 26.8 years) self-identified SMs (e.g., 44.3 % identified as "gay") who engaged in alcohol use within the past month. Participants completed up to 31 days of daily diary surveys about their experiences and drinking. Recruitment took place in the northeastern U.S. from May to December 2021. Results: Multilevel model analysis indicated that experiencing discrimination was associated with increased same day drinking among Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) participants but not among White participants. A significant gender by discrimination interaction indicated that cisgender men drank more the same day they experienced discrimination compared to cisgender women and transgender/non-binary participants. Minority Strengths had no impact on these relationships. Conclusions: Results highlight that the experience of discrimination and its association with drinking may be influenced by a host of contextual factors that are attached to racial and gender identities. Future research should examine how discrimination in different contexts (e.g., regions) and based on specific identities may be associated with alcohol use.

Aesthetic results following breast cancer surgery: A prospective study on 6515 cases from ten Italian Senonetwork breast centers.

Breast cancer treatment has deeply changed in the last decades, since clinical and oncological cure cannot be achieved without patient's satisfaction in term of aesthetic outcomes. Several methods have been proposed to objectively assess these results. However, Italian breast centers have not yet agreed on measurable, reproducible and validated aesthetic outcome indicators to monitor their performance. METHODS: The study was designed and conducted by Senonetwork, a not-for-profit association of Italian breast centers. Ten breast centers were selected based on specific eligibility criteria. This multicentre observational prospective study recruited 6515 patients with diagnosis of in situ or invasive breast cancer who underwent breast surgery in the years 2013-2016. Thirteen indicators of aesthetic results and of related quality of care were analyzed. Data collection and analysis were conducted using a common study database. RESULTS: On average, seven out of ten centers were able to collect data on the proposed indicators with a proportion of missing values < 25%. By expert consensus based on study results, some seven indicators have been defined as "mandatory" while the remaining six have been defined as "recommended" because they require further refinement before they can be proposed for monitoring aesthetic outcomes or because there are doubts on the feasibility of data collection. The minimum standard is reached for 5 of 13 indicators. This finding and the wide range between centers reveal that there is ample room for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: From the present study useful measurable aesthetic parameters have emerged, leading to the definition of target objectives that breast centers can use for benchmarking and improvement of quality of care.

Contrasting patterns of selenium excretion by female CD rats treated with chemically related chemopreventive organic selenocyanate compounds.

We previously demonstrated that while both benzyl selenocyanate (BSC) and 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) have high efficacy as cancer chemopreventive agents in several animal tumor models, p-XSC is less toxic. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, we compared the urinary and fecal excretion of total selenium derived from p-XSC and BSC in female CD rats. The results indicate that there exist distinct differences in the selenium excretion patterns when these compounds are administered orally, but not when they are administered i.p. In terms of the percent dose, the total selenium excreted in the 5 days following equimolar dosing (50 mumol/kg) of p-XSC or BSC, respectively, was as follows: after gavage, 68% or 3% in the feces and 6% or 18% in the urine; after i.p. administration, 9% or 4% in feces and 16% or 20% in urine. These results indicate that while most of the BSC administered orally is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, most of the p-XSC given the same way is not absorbed. This difference would account for the significantly lower tissue levels of selenium derived from orally administered p-XSC compared to BSC, and accounts, in part, for the lower oral toxicity of p-XSC compared to BSC. Subsequent studies employing o- and m-XSC, isomers of p-XSC, demonstrate that the excretion patterns of selenium are significantly different, depending on the position of substitution. In vitro studies suggest that the differences among BSC and the three XSC isomers with regard to absorption is probably due to different extent of binding to components of the gut contents. The results of these studies are useful for the future design of less toxic and more effective chemopreventive organic seleno-cyanates.

[Indications for and the validity of the traditional electrodiagnostic and electromyographic examinations in orthopedics and traumatology]. / Indicazioni e validta dell'esame elettrodiagnostico tradizionale e dell'esame elettromiografico in ortopedia e traumatologia.

Electrodiagnosis and E.M.G. are two neurophysiological primers able to study muscle and nerve problems related to the electroanalisis. This two primers are dissected in this text either in relation to their use or to their opportuneness for the diagnosis of some important disease of orthopedic interest.

[Diagnostic picture of spinal tumors]. / Inquadramento diagnostico dei tumori del rachide.

A correct classification both primary and secondary of the spinal tumour is given dealing with a present argument. The clinical aspect and The radiology of the different kinds of tumour are specified. Moreover they are classified according to their anatomo-pathological aspect. A complete analysis of the argument is the result of this work.

[Lumbago and arthrosis of posterior vertebral articulations (author's transl)]. / Lombalgia ed artrosi delle articolazioni vertebrali posteriori.

Such Authors value the importance of the arthrosis of the posterior vertebral articulations in the genesis of back pain with or without sciatica. A particular attention must be put on the correct differential diagnosis of the various back pains. They furthermore present their casuistry. The made results through endoarticular injection of steroid and local anesthetic are good. 78% of the subjects has gone back to work; even though this treatment must be considered only one mean to permit a better physical and natural activity.

[Volumetric valuation of dural sac by standard measurement on radiographs and saccoradiculographs (author's transl)]. / Valutazione volumetrica del sacco durale mediante misurazioni standard su radiografie e saccoradicol grafie.

The Authors have planned to connect unexplained osphyalgias with dural pouch disease, through roentgenographic research. The Authors suggest a standard measurement primer to single out narrow pouches, in order to settle surgical operation.

[Considerations about surgical treatment of complex fractures of malleoli (author's transl)]. / Considerazioni sul trattamento chirurgico delle fratture complesse dei malleoli.

According to the results established after careful observation of the series of cases (50 at all) examined, the malleolus fractures are submitted to analysis by the authors of the text. The outcome they achieve is the recovery may be attained, with better probabilities, only by the operation. The recovery is meant as complete both in the bony parts and in the ligaments' ones.

[Pre- and post-operative evaluation of biologic parameters in patients with scoliosis (author's transl)]. / Valutazione pre- e post-operatoria di parametri biologici in pazienti scoliotici.

The authors had studied biological parameters of respiratory and muscle function in patients effected by scoliosis before and after surgical treatment according to Harrington method, in order to evaluate a correlation with the anatomical deviations. The study has been led by spirometric and electromyographic tests, which have show a real correspondence between the anatomical situation and the considered parameters before and after surgical treatment, and emphasizing an improvement of respiratory and muscle function.

[Unusual trauma of atlas. (Jefferson's double fracture with a fracture of right lateral mass). Clinical note (author's transl)]. / Insolito traumatismo dell'atlante (doppia frattura di Jefferson associata a frattura della massa laterale destra). Nota clinica.

Reporting a study of theirs about a Jefferson bilateral fracture combined with a dislocated fracture of the atlas vertebra on its right side, the Authors inquire into the traumathology of the cervical spine giving account of the result study.

[Medical and surgical problems of old patients in orthopedics (author's transl)]. / Problemi medici e chirurgici dei pazienti anziani in ortopedia.

The world-wide medical researches are agreed to point up the importance of all the problems concerning the old age. Considering that, the authors of the text deal with the new therapeutic methods for the old, according to their peculiar orthopaedic studies.

[Clinical statistical remarks about osteoarticular tuberculosis in some hospitals in Milan from 1975 to 1978 (author's transl)]. / Rilievi clinico statistici sulla tubercolosi osteo-articolare in alcuni ospedali di milano dal 1975 al 1978.

The Authors have examined some patients (164 at all) accepted with specific osteoarthritis, among 7 Milan's hospitals. They have inferred clinical evaluations in connection to articular locations, their frequency and their development, to the connection with social and economic condition and to the management.

[Particular aspects of painful symptomatology in orthopedic-traumatologic pathology (author's transl)]. / Aspetti particolari della sintomatologia dolorosa nella patologia ortopedico-traumatologica.

Medicine and surgery are able to resolve almost the whole painful symptomatology now, but they are not allowed to understand and explain the original essence of the pain itself. In this work the authors aim to emphasize the physio-pathological features of the pain considering such a problem as a psychosomatic question.

[Treatment of delayed or defective consolidation in posttraumatic double fractures]. / Considerazioni sul trattamento dei ritardi o mancate consolidazioni nelle fratture biossee post-traumatiche.

The authors have analyzed a numerous case material of leg and antebrachium open fractures slowly evoluted or bad stiffened. After a classification of the various types of slow and defective knitting, according to their mechanical and biological etiology. The authors have examined the specific surgical cares, with particular attention about external fixator Hoffman-Vidal, Judet.

[Problems in fractures of the tibial plateau]. / Problematica delle fratture del piatto tibiale.

Subject of the work is the fracture of the tibial condyle. Their classification is based on two main principles: their site and their pathologic anatomy. Many and different theories about their treatment are carefully analized after.

[Neurogenic arthropathies]. / Considerazioni sulle artropatie neurogene.

Are taken in examination the various causes of the neurogenic arthropathy. Are described the three main diseases which provoke a neurogenic arthropathy, that is the tabes, the hydrosyringomyelia, the diabetic neuritis. Are described arthropathy above all on the shoulder, on the Knee, and on the Foot. Are described five points for the precocious diagnosis of the disease.

[Reasons for treatment failures in carpal scaphoid fractures]. / Cause di insuccessi nel trattamento delle fratture dello scafoide carpale.

Are taken into examination the principal causes of mechanical, biological, anatomical order, of incorrect treatment to whom to give the evolution in pseudoarthrosis of scaphoid fractures and of unsuccess for their bloody treatment. Cases of insuccesses is presented for whom is tried to give to each one of them an etiopathogenetical explanation and the most recent techniques adopted are shown.