RISULTATI A LUNGO TERMINE SULL'EFFICACIA DEL TRATTAMENTO CON RADIOFREQUENZA DELLA RINOPATIA IPERTROFICA

Prevalence and distribution of odontogenic cysts in Sicily: 1986-2005.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of odontogenic cysts (OCs) in Sicily and evaluate their distribution during a 20-year period. A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out in 1,310 cysts of the jaw diagnosed in 12,197 individuals, who consecutively attended the Odontostomatologic Clinic of Palermo from 1986 to 2005. 1,273 cysts were classified as odontogenic, whereas only 37 were non-odontogenic. In the former group, the most frequent lesions were radicular cysts (84.5%), followed by dentigerous OCs (11.4%). Inflammatory radicular cysts were observed more in male gender, younger age at diagnosis and anterior maxilla as site of presentation. Unlike dentigerou…

Factors associated with circulating concentrations of irisin in the general population cohort of the ABCD study

Animal studies have shown that irisin is a myokine secreted following physical exercise, and that it induces the remodeling of white adipose tissue toward brown adipose tissue. Therefore, a protective role of irisin against obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic and cardiovascular conditions has been hypothesized. However, data in humans are contradictory and few data are available concerning the general population.We aimed to evaluate the association between serum irisin concentrations and habitual physical activity, as well as other metabolic and cardiovascular factors in a general population in a Mediterranean area.We considered 858 consecutive individuals included in the ABCD (Alimentaz…

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI), SOVRAPPESO ED OBESITA' IN UN CAMPIONE RAPPRESENTATIVO DELLA POPOLAZIONE RESIDENTE IN UNA CITTADINA DELLA SICILIA OCCIDENTALE

Consumo abituale di pesce, funzione endoteliale e concentrazioni ematiche di metalli pesanti

Prevalence of Sensitization toAnisakis simplexAmong Professionally Exposed Populations in Sicily

Anisakis simplex (AS) is a cause of allergic sensitization and potential occupational risk is suggested in fishermen and workers assigned to fish processing and sale. A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to assess possible health effects of occupational exposure to AS in workers recruited from western Sicily fisheries sector. Social, demographic, and occupation-related data were collected. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE levels to AS (threshold >0.35 kU/L) were determined by an fluoroimmunoassay technique. Ninety-four subjects with potential occupational exposure (fishmongers, fishermen, fish industry employees) were recruited. Specific AS IgEs were detected in…

Anti-inflammatory and cognitive effects of interferon-β1a (IFNβ1a) in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Aβ 1-42 peptide abnormal production is associated with the development and maintenance of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in brains from Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Suppression of neuroinflammation may then represent a suitable therapeutic target in AD. We evaluated the efficacy of IFNβ1a in attenuating cognitive impairment and inflammation in an animal model of AD. Methods: A rat model of AD was obtained by intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ 1-42 peptide (23 μg/2 μl). After 6 days, 3.6 μg of IFNβ1a was given subcutaneously (s.c.) for 12 days. Using the novel object recognition (NOR) test, we evaluated changes in cognitive function. Measurement of pro-inflammatory or …

Consumo di sostanze alcoliche in un campione di studenti del primo anno della Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Palermo

URIC ACID LEVELS IN SERUM AND CSF OF ALS PATIENTS

Objective: Urate (UA) is a potent antioxidant that effectively scavenges reactive nitrogen and oxygen radicals, and persons with a high plasma UA level may be at lower risk of some neurodegenerative disorders, as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Low plasma UA level has been observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia, but there is no data on correlations to neuropsychological test results in these patient groups. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease, with a highly variable rate of progression and whose diagnosis is chiefly based on clinical and neurophysiological parameters. The etiopathogenesis is unknown, but the oxidative stress seems to play …

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) : a new marker of G1 HCV-induced steatosis

Retinol-binding protein 4: a new marker of virus-induced steatosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipocytokine associated with insulin resistance (IR). We tested serum levels of RBP4 to assess its link with steatosis in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nondiabetic patients with CHC (n = 143) or NAFLD (n = 37) were evaluated by liver biopsy and anthropometric and metabolic measurements, including IR by the homeostasis model assessment. Biopsies were scored by Scheuer classification for CHC, and Kleiner for NAFLD. Steatosis was tested as a continuous variable and graded as absent-mild <30%, or moderate-severe > or =30%. Thirty nondiabetic, nonobese blood donors served as controls. …

Blood lipids, homocysteine, stress factors, and vitamins in clinically stable multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients present a decrease of antioxidants and neuroprotective and immunoregulatory vitamins and an increase of total homocysteine (tHcy), cholesterol (CHL), HDL-cholesterol, and of cellular stress markers, variably associated with the different phases of the disease. We compared the blood levels of uric acid, folic acid, vitamins B12, A, and E, tHcy, CHL, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in forty MS patients during a phase of clinical inactivity with those of eighty healthy controls, matched for age and sex. We found higher levels of tHcy (p = 0.032) and of HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) and lower levels of vitamin E (p = 0.001) and the ratio vitamin E/CHL …

Myocardial infarction marker levels are influenced by prothrombin and tumor necrosis factor-α gene polymorphisms in young patients.

Polymorphisms of genes encoding key factors for the control and activation of inflammatory response and coagulation cascade regulation may play a role in genetic susceptibility to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study sought to analyze the effect of TNF - 308G/A and pro-thrombin (FII) 20210G/A polymorphisms on the laboratory parameters of young patients affected by AMI. Results indicated that TNF - 308A positive genotype frequencies were increased in these patients and that a genetically determined higher production of TNF-alpha is associated in young subjects to a more severe cardiac damage as depicted by higher levels of troponin, Creatine kinase-MB Isoenzyme (mCK-MB) and a signif…

VALUTAZIONE DELL'ESPOSIZIONE A FITOFARMACI IN POPOLAZIONE GENERALE DI UN COMUNE SICILIANO: DATI PRELIMINARI

Characterization of Metabolically Healthy Obese People and Metabolically Unhealthy Normal-Weight People in a General Population Cohort of the ABCD Study.

There is actually no consensus about the possibility that in some instances, obesity may be a benign metabolically healthy (MH) condition as opposed to a normal-weight but metabolically unhealthy (MUH) state. The aim of this study was to characterize MH condition and to investigate possible associations with metabolic and cardiovascular complications. One thousand nineteen people (range of age 18–90 years) of the cohort of the ABCD_2 study were investigated. Participants were classified as normal weight (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2) or overweight-obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2); they were also classified as MH in the presence of 0-1 among the following conditions: (a) prediabetes/type 2 diabetes, (b) hyperte…

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation in the rat hippocampus

AbstractRecently we found that acute treatment with Oxotremorine (Oxo), a non-selective mAChRs agonist, up-regulates heat shock proteins and activates their transcription factor heat shock factor 1 in the rat hippocampus. Here we aimed to investigate: a) if acute treatment with Oxo may regulate pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus; b) if chronic restraint stress (CRS) induces inflammatory or oxidative alterations in the hippocampus and whether such alterations may be affected by chronic treatment with Oxo. In the acute experiment, rats were injected with single dose of Oxo (0.4 mg/kg) and sacrificed at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. In the CRS ex…

Nell'attuale realtà sanitaria in cui la richiesta di riduzione della spesa diventa sempre più pressante è ancora possibile migliorare l'efficienza del laboratorio? La nostra esperienza nel settore emostasi del laboratorio centrale del Policlinico di Palermo.

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the inhabitants of a Sicilian city.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health problems. OBJECTIVES: To assess serum concentrations of several organochlorine contaminants in general population living in a city with an ancient agricultural tradition and to identify possible exposure sources in Sicily. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 individuals. Each participant answered a face-to-face questionnaire submitted by well-trained personnel and provided a serum sample which was analyzed for the concentrations of PCBs, HCB, HCHs and DDTs by using gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. RESULTS: HCB, p…

Long-Term Efficacy of Radiofrequency Treatment of Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Patient Based Point of View

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a major cause of nasal airway obstruction that affects up to 20% of the European general population. This study aims to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency treatment as perceived by patients during a 2-years period. From 2007 to 2009, an observational study was conducted on 36 patients who consecutively underwent temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction. A questionnaire was administered to each patient in order to collect demographic data, lifestyle habits, health status and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of perceived symptoms. Mean VAS scores of nasal obstruction, headache, rhinorrhoea and anosmia after treatment were significantl…

Time-course of insulin resistance during antiviral therapy in non-diabetic non-cirrhotic patients with genotype 1 HCV infection

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4): A new marker of G1 HCV-induced steatosis

Valutazione della didattica nel corso di laurea "Tecniche della prevenzione nell'ambiente e nei luoghi di lavoro"

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in plastic surgery: A prospective study of 1100 adult patients.

Summary Background Although guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) exist, specific guidelines for plastic surgery are missing and there is a tendency towards excessive administration of antibiotics. A total of 1100 patients were prospectively studied according to an evidence-based protocol to investigate if limiting antibiotic prophylaxis to high-risk cases does increase the infection rate. Methods Between April 2009 and April 2010, 1100 consecutive patients undergoing elective reconstructive or cosmetic procedures were enrolled. Procedures were classified into four groups, and prophylactic antibiotics were only administered perioperatively in 23.4%…

Dosaggio del D-dimero "alta sensibilità" (D-D HS): valutazione del test e applicazioni nella pratica laboratoristica (risultati preliminari)

Trattamento cronico con diuretici ed omeostasi glico-metabolica in un campione di adulti privi di diabete noto

Valutazione degli stili di vita in un campione di studenti del primo anno della Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Palermo

Time course of insulin resistance during antiviral therapy in non-diabetic, non-cirrhotic patients with genotype 1 HCV infection

Background Genotype 1 (G1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and its clearance seems to improve insulin sensitivity. We aimed to evaluate the time course of IR in response to antiviral therapy in non-diabetic, non-cirrhotic G1 HCV patients and to assess the effect of metabolic factors on sustained virological response (SVR). Methods A total of 83 consecutive treatment-naive G1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were evaluated by anthropometric and metabolic measurements, including IR using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Patients were considered to have IR if HOMA was >2.7. All cases had a liver biopsy scored for staging, grading and steatosis. A…

Body mass index and factors associated with overweight and obesity: a crosssectional study of adult subjects living in a small city of Western Sicily (Italy)

Background: although the epidemiological features of overweight and obesity have been well described, especially for very populous urban areas, less evidences are available for small urban areas. The aim of the present work was to assess BMI and factors associated with overweight and obesity in a representative sample of general population of a small city of Western Sicily (Italy). Methods: four hundred and eleven randomly selected adult subjects from general population living in a small Sicilian city with 7 144 inhabitants were interviewed by a standardized questionnaire investigating life-styles, eating habits, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and BMI) and socio-economic depriv…

Linee guida per l'analisi del liquido sinoviale: proposta

Knowledge about tuberculosis among undergraduate health care students in 15 Italian universities: a cross-sectional study

Background: The Italian Study Group on Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health conducted a multicentre survey aiming to evaluate undergraduate health care students’ knowledge of tuberculosis and tuberculosis control measures in Italy. Methods: In October 2012–June 2013, a sample of medical and nursing students from 15 Italian universities were enrolled on a voluntary basis and asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire investigating both general knowledge of tuberculosis (aetiology, clinical presentation, outcome, screening methods) and personal experiences and practices related to tuberculosis prevention. Data were analysed through multiv…

Sieroprevalenza dell'infezione da virus dell'epatite A nella provincia di Palermo

Prevalenza di sensibilizzazione all’Anisakis Simplex in popolazione professionalmente esposta in Sicilia

Prevalence of Sensitization to Anisakis simplex Among Professionally Exposed Populations in Sicily

Anisakis simplex (AS) is a cause of allergic sensitization and potential occupational risk is suggested in fishermen and workers assigned to fish processing and sale. A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to assess possible health effects of occupational exposure to AS in workers recruited from western Sicily fisheries sector. Social, demographic, and occupation-related data were collected. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE levels to AS (threshold >0.35 kU/L) were determined by an fluoroimmunoassay technique. Ninety-four subjects with potential occupational exposure (fishmongers, fishermen, fish industry employees) were recruited. Specific AS IgEs were detected in…

ALCOOL E GIOVANI. INDAGINE SULL'USO DI ALCOOL IN UN CAMPIONE DI STUDENTI DI SCUOLA MEDIA SUPERIORE

Anxiolytic effects of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors agonist oxotremorine in chronically stressed rats and related changes in BDNF and FGF2 levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Rationale: In depressive disorders, one of the mechanisms proposed for antidepressant drugs is the enhancement of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Previously, we showed that the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) agonist oxotremorine (Oxo) increases neuronal plasticity in hippocampal neurons via FGFR1 transactivation. Objectives: Here, we aimed to explore (a) whether Oxo exerts anxiolytic effect in the rat model of anxiety-depression-like behavior induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS), and (b) if the anxiolytic effect of Oxo is associated with the modulation of neurotrophic factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and fibroblast growth factor-2…

Alcol e giovani. Indagine sull’uso di alcol in un campione di studenti di Scuola Media Superiore.

Consumo di sostanze alcooliche in un campione di studenti del I anno della Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia

L’AUTOMAZIONE E LE SUE RICADUTE SULL’ORGANIZZAZIONE E SULLA QUALITÀ. L’ESPERIENZA DEL LABORATORIO CENTRALIZZATO DELL’AOUP “P. GIACCONE”DI PALERMO.

Il Corso di Laurea per la formazione del Tecnico della Prevenzione

Body mass index and factors associated with overweight and obesity: a crosssectional in a small city of Western Sicily (Italy)

<p><strong>Background</strong>: although the epidemiological features of overweight and obesity have been well described, especially for very populous urban areas, less evidences are available for small urban areas. The aim of the present work was to assess BMI and factors associated with overweight and obesity in a representative sample of general population of a small city of Western Sicily (Italy).</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: four hundred and eleven randomly selected adult subjects from general population living in a small Sicilian city with 7 144 inhabitants were interviewed by a standardized questionnaire investigating life-styles, eating h…