Search results for " treatments"
showing 10 items of 138 documents
Intraoperative Monitoring of Bladder and Internal Anal Sphincter Innervation: A Predictor of Erectile Function following Low Anterior Rectal Resectio…
2013
<b><i>Background:</i></b> The objective was to investigate whether two-dimensional intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of pelvic autonomic nerves has the potential to predict erectile function (EF) following surgery for rectal cancer. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A consecutive series of 17 sexually active male rectal cancer patients undergoing IONM-based nerve-sparing low anterior rectal resection were evaluated prospectively. IONM was performed by electric stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves with concomitant electromyography of the internal anal sphincter and cystomanometry. Sexual function was assessed using a validated questionnaire. &l…
Management of rectal cancers in relation to treatment guidelines: a population-based study comparing Italian and French patients
2014
Few studies have investigated rectal cancer management at the population level. We compared how rectal cancers diagnosed in Italy (2003-2005) and France (2005) were managed, and evaluated the extent to which management adhered to European guidelines.Samples of 3938 Italian and 2287 French colorectal cancer patients were randomly extracted from 8 and 12 cancer registries respectively. Rectal cancer patients (860 Italian, 559 French) were analysed. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) of being treated with curative intent, receiving sphincter-saving surgery, and receiving preoperative radiotherapy.Similar proportions of Italian and French patients were treated with curative …
Heparin in COVID-19 patients is associated with reduced in-hospital mortality: the multicentre Italian CORIST Study
2021
Abstract Introduction A hypercoagulable condition was described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and proposed as a possible pathogenic mechanism contributing to disease progression and lethality. Aim We evaluated if in-hospital administration of heparin improved survival in a large cohort of Italian COVID-19 patients. Methods In a retrospective observational study, 2,574 unselected patients hospitalized in 30 clinical centers in Italy from February 19, 2020 to June 5, 2020 with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection were analyzed. The primary endpoint in a time-to event analysis was in-hospital death, comparing patients who receive…
Segmental anatomy of the vastus lateralis: guidelines for muscle-sparing flap harvest.
2014
Background: The vastus lateralis muscle is a versatile donor site for pedicled and free flaps that, despite great potential, remains unpopular. Although the muscle is classically described as a single belly, evidence exists for a more complex morphology. The aim of this study was to investigate the segmental anatomy of the vastus lateralis muscle and the feasibility of selective flap harvest. Methods: Ten cadaveric lower limbs were investigated. Muscular partitions were identified according to morphologic architecture, vascular supply, and nerve supply; guidelines for selective flap harvest were described. Twenty-three segmental vastus lateralis (n = 14) or chimeric anterolateral thigh-vast…
Minimal manifestation status and prednisone withdrawal in the MGTX trial
2020
ObjectiveTo examine whether sustained minimal manifestation status (MMS) with complete withdrawal of prednisone is better achieved in thymectomized patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).MethodsThis study is a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized trial of thymectomy in MG (Thymectomy Trial in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Patients Receiving Prednisone Therapy [MGTX]). MGTX was a multicenter, randomized, rater-blinded 3-year trial that was followed by a voluntary 2-year extension for patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody–positive MG without thymoma. Patients were randomized 1:1 to thymectomy plus prednisone vs prednisone alone. Participants were age 18–65 years at enr…
Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection
2019
Background: End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods: This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associ…
The CRATI project: New insights on the consolidation of saltweathered stone and the case study of San Domenico Church in Cosenza (South Calabria, Ita…
2019
This paper presents the results of a laboratory experimentation carried out on stone materials in the framework of the CRATI project (Knowledge and Restoration through Advanced Integrated Technologies) aimed at testing new products with consolidating properties by means of an integrated methodological approach. After the preliminary characterization of stone materials collected in the pilot site, the second stage of the activities within the project were focused on the formulation and testing of products for the conservation of the same materials against decay, especially salt crystallization, one of the most aggressive and common degrading processes. The San Domenico Church, located in the…
Induced Modification of Flexural Toughness of Natural Hydraulic Lime Based Mortars by Addition of Giant Reed Fibers
2020
Abstract Nowadays, there is a growing need to reduce the environmental impact generated by the use of inorganic materials for building applications. The aim of this work is to investigate the bio-lime based mortar flexural toughness improvement due to the addition of common reed fibers (Arundo donax L.) in order to evaluate their possible application as ductile eco-compatible prefabricated bricks or laying and joint mortars for masonry. Different sets of specimens were tested by varying the fiber weight content and the fiber length. Moreover, chemical treatments with Linseed Oil and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) were performed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the fibers as w…
Mechanical and metallurgical effects of in process cooling during friction stir welding of AA7075-T6 butt joints
2010
This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and numerical investigation focused on the effects of an in process water cooling treatment aimed at improving the final quality of friction stir welded butt joints in terms of mechanical resistance and metallurgy of the processed material. Micro and macro observations, together with the evolution of an already developed finite element tool, have been used to analyze specimens obtained under different process conditions. Water cooling was found to enhance joint strength, reducing the material softening usually observed in the thermo-mechanically affected zone area, with no detrimental effect on nugget integrity.
Microstructural and tribological study of Nd:YAG laser treated titanium plates.
2008
Abstract In this work, the fretting behaviour of pure Ti plates laser treated with a Nd:YAG pulsed laser was compared to that of untreated Ti plates. Fretting tests were done at room temperature without lubrication. The contact geometry was a cylinder (bearing steel) on a plane. The evolution of both the ratio, μ = Q / P , between the normal and the tangential forces, and the Fouvry's energy criterion ( A ) were recorded as a function of the number of fretting cycles, N . Energy dispersive spectrometry and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to analyse the fretting scars. The oxidized layer formed by the laser treatment displayed a mixed slip regime as a function of N , and a smaller frettin…