Preliminary results of the project A.I.D.A. (Auto Immunity: Diagnosis Assisted by computer)

In this paper, are presented the preliminary results of the A.I.D.A. (Auto Immunity: Diagnosis Assisted by computer) project which is developed in the frame of the cross-border cooperation Italy-Tunisia. According to the main objectives of this project, a database of interpreted Indirect ImmunoFluorescence (IIF) images on HEp 2 cells is being collected thanks to the contribution of Italian and Tunisian experts involved in routine diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Through exchanging images and double reporting; a Gold Standard database, containing around 1000 double reported IIF images with different patterns including negative tests, has been settled. This Gold Standard database has been us…

Incidenza della mutazione rs12979860 del gene di IL28 in un gruppo di soggetti HCV positivi dell’U.O.C. di Malattie infettive del P.O. Civico di Palermo

L'infezione cronica da HCV colpisce 170 milioni di persone in tutto il mondo;su 100 persone infettate dal virus HCV il 15% non sviluppa alcuna patologia cronica ed elimina il virus, il restante 85% sviluppa forme croniche della malattia con evoluzione in cirrosi epatica e in carcinoma epato-cellulare.Il trattamento dell'epatite C cronica, che offre i maggiori vantaggi, è rappresentato da un ciclo di 24-48 settimane di PEG-Interferone-alfa-2a e Ribavirina. Il suo esito è influenzato da una serie di fattori tra cui il genotipo virale ed alcuni polimorfismi genetici dell’ospite I pazienti infetti da HCV di genotipo 2 o 3 hanno probabilità 2-3 volte maggiore di rispondere alla terapia rispetto …

Comportamento ciclico delle connessioni tra travi prefabbricate reticolari miste e pilastri in c. a.

A New Prosthetic Implant for Inguinal Hernia Repair: Its Features in a Porcine Experimental Model

Even after more than 100 years of inguinal hernia repair, the rate of complications and recurrence remains unacceptably high. In the last decades, few effective advances in surgical technique and materials have been made. The authors see them as minor adjustments in the shape and materials of the prosthetic implants. Still, the underlying genesis of inguinal hernia remains undefined. Based upon this, it seems the surgical repair of inguinal protrusions cannot be based upon the pathogenesis because the etiology to date has not been addressed. Most hernia repairs are performed with some degree of point fixation (sutures/tacks) to stop the mesh from migrating and creating high recurrence rates…

A system for wide area travellers to provide infomobility services

SWATHE (System for Wide Area Travellers and Haulers to provide infomobility sErvices) is a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Scientific and Technological Research (MIUR). The project, was led by Telespazio and the University of Palermo, it had a duration of three years and the main objective was the study and development of applications based on innovative location techniques (e.g. supported by GPS, EGNOS-TRAN and more, generally, by assisted network systems) for the provision of infomobility services in the framework of the intermodal transportation of goods. The SWATHE project manages the change among transport modes by the seamless monitoring of intermodal transport units. The pr…

Fixation free prosthetic repair of large umbilical hernia granting a broad defect overlap

lntroduction: Umbilical hernia is a common surgical disease, accounting for l0-147o of all hernias and having many therapeutic options. Pure tissue repair is affected by a recurrence tp to 40Vo. Prosthetic mesh repair is now widely utilized with a decrease of recurrences up to 107o. Nevertheless, if large defect are present, assuring a wide overlap and a fixation-free technique still represent an issue. In this report we describe the outcomes of an umbilical hernia repair technique via a new implant with radiating straps at its boundary. Material and methods: A light weight, large porous polypropylene implant having a central body of 12x15 cm in diameter and eight radiating straps was used …

Dynamic autostatic implant for inguinal hernia repair. Early results in an explorative cohort of patients

Acknowledging the need to further improve outcomes and reduce complications in inguinal hernia repair, our group has been developing new surgical implants for this condition. Our primary considerations are to reduce complications associated with invasive fixation, and improve the quality of the tissue ingrowth within the implant. We have developed a new type of 3D dynamic, self retaining implant to achieve these effects. This newly designed implant was previously experimentally tested in porcine model, showing excellent outcomes. Above all, the results concerning the quality of tissue ingrowth and the nearby absence of shrinkage in the long term were excellent. In this report we describe th…

Physiopathology of hernia disease

The genesis of inguinal hernia still represents a dilemma. Deryite innovation in surgical matenals and techniques, no care has lrccn eler concerning the etiology of hernia. Following a specific Erlnù tissue samples were excised in 30 fresh male cadavers with iÉr.l lsnias, from structures close to the hemia orifice. for histological study. 15 cadavers without hernia served as conffol. The tissue excised demonstrated several histological changes. Among these, fibrohyaline degeneration and fatty dystrophy of the myocytes. Besides limpho-histiocytic and plasmacellular clusters, we found also vein fibrosis and congestion. The arterial structrres showed thicken- ing of the media due to Lyperplade…

Adrenal cavernous hemangioma: which correct decision making process?

Introduction: Cavernous hemangioma of the adrenal gland is a rare benign tumor characterized by the presence of blood-fil- led, dilated vascular spaces. These adrenal masses are usually non-functioning and the patients have no symptoms so the diagnosis is incidental. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review for all articles published until April 2015. The initial search identified 98 publications. We considered some characteristics: the mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 59 years (range 19 - 84); there were approximately 1.7 times more female patients than male patients; mean diameter of the lesions was 10.3 cm (range 2 - 25). Surgical treatment was more often open with m…

Suture intradermiche totali

Two kind of total intradermal suture techniques are described in the present report. These procedures allow an effective reduction of post-operative pain of surgical wound, prevent infections, cut down tissutal trauma, achieve better aesthetic results, making easier postoperative patient''s management. From January 2001 to December 2007, 1,427 patients underwent surgical treatment and the wounds have been sewn with self-locking knots or intradermal skin closure with introflecting knots. This kind of procedures allow a sharp reduction of postoperative pain as well as the incidence of wound infections. Also the number of wound medication required after surgery is significantly reduced.

Fixation free open ventral hernia repair using a new mesh with integrated placement straps

COMPARING THE BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF CONVENTIONAL STATIC MESHES AND DYNAMIC RESPONSIVE IMPLANTS

Introduction: Inguinal hernia repair represent one of the most performed surgical procedure in the world. Notwithstanding the progress in prosthetic material and surgical procedures, the rate of complications remains high. Actually, chronic pain and discomfort are often source of debate among herniologists. Poor quality of tissue incorporation, such as stiff scar plaque leading to mesh shrinkage, is the typical results of conventional static implants that may lead to these adverse events. Recently, a new type of prosthesis, a 3D dynamic responsive implant, was introduced to the market. This device, designed to be positioned fixation-free, seems to induce the development of viable and more s…

The Effect of Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATIS) on public transport demand and its uncertainty

Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATISs) include a broad range of advanced computer and communication technologies. These systems are designed to provide transit riders pre-trip and real-time information, to make better informed decisions regarding their mode of travel, planned routes and travel times. ATISs include in-vehicle displays, terminal or wayside based information centres, information by phone or mobile and internet. In this article, a Stated Preference survey has been carried out in order to know the preferences of public transport’s customers related to different ATISs and their willingness to pay in Palermo. An ordered probit demand model has been calibrated to determine …

A NEW KIND OF DISPOSABLE AUTOSTATIC SURGICAL RETRACTOR IN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR

Objectives: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new kind of disposable autostatic surgical retractor in hernias procedures in order to achieve an easier, faster, and safer surgical intervention. Material and Methods: Between January and March 2008, 42 inguinal hernioplasty procedures have been performed using the 3PAWS model of ReeTrakt™ a self-retaining, low profile retractor. Equivalent patients samples, in which operations were performed using conventional retraction devices, were considered for comparison of the intra and postoperative results. Results: In all of the 42 inguinal hernioplasty procedures performed, the ReeTrakt™ system has simplified the perform…

The use of a tailored mesh with special design for ventral hernia repair. Preliminary report

Introduction: The study describes a modified technique for ventral hernia repair based upon a tension free, fixation free, and dynamic compliant implant. Material and methods: A unique geometrical shaped light weighted, large porous polypropylene mesh was created consisting of a large central body and six radial arms, designed to pass through the tissues and hold the mesh in place without tension. We used the mesh in a small exploratory cohort of patients with ventral hernia. The mesh was placed sublay by taking each of the six straps and passing from below the muscle, through the muscle allowing the fixation free strap to sit with friction within the tissues. This was designed to give a te…