102,007 research outputs found
RGS2 expression and aldosterone: renin ratio modulate response to drug therapy in hypertensive patients
No full textObjective RGS2 (regulators of G-protein signalling) is a negative regulator of G(alpha q) protein signalling, which mediates the action of several vasoconstrictors. Low RGS2 expression increases G-protein-coupled signalling in hypertensive patients. The aim of the present study was to correlate RGS2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) with response to antihypertensive therapy in never-treated patients with essential hypertension.
Methods and design RGS2 expression was measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) from 102 essential hypertensives. The diagnosis of essential hypertension was based on all clinically required tests, including the captopril suppression test. Antihypertensive treatment was given in accordance to international guidelines. End-point of the study was systolic blood pressure (BP) less than 140mmHg and diastolic BP less than 90mmHg with three or less different antihypertensive agents, which identified responders to treatment. Resistant hypertension was defined as the failure to control systolic and/or diastolic BP despite at least three different classes of antihypertensive agents, including a diuretic.
Results During follow-up, 85 (83%) patients reached the end point (responders). Resistant hypertensives (n=17, 17%) were older, had higher baseline BP, plasma aldosterone and aldosterone : renin ratio (ARR) and lower plasma renin activity than patients who reached the end point. RGS2 was negatively correlated to systolic BP at enrolment and significantly lower in PBMs from resistant hypertensives in comparison with patients that reached BP goal. According to logistic regression analysis, high RGS2 expression was predictor of reaching BP goal, whereas high ARR after captopril, age and systolic pressure at enrolment were predictor of resistant hypertension.
Conclusion RGS2 expression affects the response to antihypertensive treatment. Reduced RGS2 expression contributes to resistance to antihypertensive agents through poor negative feedback on the effects of aldosterone and of other vasoactive agents. J Hypertens 28: 1104-1108 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Trattamento delle verruche recidivanti con Dye laser pulsato: Nostra esperienza e revisione della letteratura
No full textCombined Pre- and Postnatal Minimally Invasive Approach to a Complex Symptomatic Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation
No full textCongenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare congenital lung lesion that usually remains asymptomatic during the fetal and neonatal period. However, it can occasionally cause prenatal cardiocirculatory failure and fetal hydrops, requiring a thoraco-amniotic shunt (TAS) placement. In other cases, it can also cause symptoms at birth (such as respiratory distress) and may require urgent surgical intervention. Thoracoscopic lobectomy for neonates is rarely reported. Here, we report a case of right macrocystic CPAM causing fetal hydrops at 27 weeks of gestation. The fetus was treated with a TAS placement that successfully resolved the hydrops. At 39 weeks of gestation, a male neonate was born (weight 2,850 g). The TAS spontaneously displaced during delivery, causing an open pneumothorax (PNX), initially treated with a drainage. His condition gradually worsened, requiring ventilatory support. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed different giant cysts in the context of the right lower lobe, left mediastinal shift, and compression of the rest of the lung. An urgent surgical management was required. A thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy was performed at 10 days of life (weight 2,840 g). The postoperative course was uneventful; the child remained totally asymptomatic and showed a good recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of open iatrogenic PNX following TAS positioning and the second of neonatal thoracoscopic lobectomy in a newborn weighting less than 3 kg. The purpose of this report is to indicate that minimally invasive surgery is feasible, safe, and effective for the resection of CPAM, even in small newborns
A Single-Center Experience with Very Low Birth Weight Infants and Focal Intestinal Perforation : Comparison of Primary Anastomosis versus Stoma Opening
No full textIntroduction We present a single-center experience with very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with focal intestinal perforation (FIP), comparing the results of primary anastomosis (PA) and stoma opening (SO). Materials and Methods Clinical records of VLBW infants with FIP who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the procedure performed: limited bowel resection and PA or SO. Patients with gastric perforation or patients who underwent clip and drop were excluded. Information regarding birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), weight at surgery (WS), number of abdominal reoperations, duration of parenteral nutrition (PN), and demise was recorded. Results In this study, 40 patients were included: 22 in PA group and 18 in SO group. BW was 865 g in PA and 778 in SO ( p -value: 0.2). GA was 26.1 weeks in PA and 25.6 in SO ( p -value: 0.3). WS was 1,014 g in PA and 842 in SO ( p -value: 0.09). Duration of surgery was 115 minutes in PA and 122 in SO ( p -value: 0.67). Five patients (23%) belonging to PA group developed complications and required SO. Five patients (23%) demised in PA group and six (33%) in SO ( p -value: 0.2). Seventeen abdominal reoperations were performed in PA group and 22 in SO group ( p -value: 0.08). Conclusion Both procedures appear to be safe. When possible, PA should be performed as it reduces the number of abdominal reinterventions
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of testicular syphilis: A case report
No full textIn North America and Europe, syphilis incidence has increased dramatically in the past decade among high-risk groups. Syphilis may occur in any organ, including the testis. There are not many cases of testicular syphilis assessed by means of ultrasound examination described in the literature, and in no case was the evaluation carried out using advanced ultrasound techniques. Here we present a case of testicular syphilis evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Ectopic thymus presenting as neck mass in a neonate : a case report
No full textNeck masses are rare in newborns and can represent a big challenge for the paediatric surgeons. Different histological types are reported in the recent literature; while 80% of neck masses are benign, the pediatric surgeon is often called upon to assist in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. A two-month old baby was evaluated for an asymptomatic left sided cervical mass, presented at birth, which slowly increased in size. A magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed, with evidence of capsulated solid neck mass, lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, not including the major vassel structures of the neck. The patient underwent surgical excision in the criteria to define the histology of the mass. A well capsulated mass was detected at surgery. At histology, an ectopic cervical thymus tissue was reported. The ectopic cervical thymus is an uncommon entity with only 91 cases reported; only nine occurred in infants, two in the neonatal period. According to the authors, in case of enlarging solid neck mass with unclear imaging or clinical data, complete surgical resection is the only and safe procedure to perform
Endoscopic Surveillance of Esophageal Atresia Population according to ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 Guidelines: Incidence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis and New Histological Findings
No full textFollow-up of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) is mandatory due to high incidence of comorbidities. We evaluated endoscopic findings at follow-up of EA patients performed at our Centre according to ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 guidelines. A retrospective observational study was performed using data from January 2016 to January 2021. We included EA patients (age range: 1–18 years) who were offered a program of endoscopic and histological high gastrointestinal (GI) tract examinations as per ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 guidelines. Clinical, surgical, auxological, endoscopic, and histological data were reviewed; variables as polyhydramnios, EA type, surgical type, enteral feeding introduction age, growth data, and symptoms were correlated to endoscopic and histological findings. The population included 75 patients (47 males), with mean age of 5 ± 4 years. In 40/75 (53.3%) patients, we recorded oral feeding problems, and upper gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms suspicious of gastroesophageal reflux. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) incidence was 9/75 (12%), significantly higher than in general population (p < 0.0001), and 10/75 (13.3%) presented non-specific duodenal mucosal lesions. EoE represents a frequent comorbidity of EA, as previously known. EA is also burdened by high, never-described incidence of non-specific duodenal mucosal lesions. Embedding high GI tract biopsies in EA endoscopic follow-up should be mandatory from pediatric age
Left extralobar pulmonary sequestration and a right aorto-topulmonary vein fistula in a newborn : a 3-mm thoracoscopic monolateral approach
No full textAn extralobar pulmonary sequestration (EPS) associated with a contralateral aorto-to-pulmonary vein fistula is rare. We report the case of a female newborn with left EPS fed by an artery originating from the distal thoracic aorta and, symmetrically on the controlateral side, an artery shunting in the inferior right pulmonary vein. Echocardiography showed dilatation of the left atrium. On the 34th day since birth (weight 4500 g), the patient was operated on thoracoscopically. The EPS was closed with a 3-mm sealing system, divided and removed. A window in the mediastinal pleura was created, and the origin of the fistula was identified and sealed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on Day 4 with no echocardiographic signs of persistence of the fistula and of the congestive heart failure. This is the first case report of a thoracic large systemic circulation-to-pulmonary vein fistula causing heart failure associated with EPS. The thoracoscopic monolateral approach and the availability of 3-mm instruments guaranteed a maximum level of minimal invasiveness
Anorectal malformations with good prognosis: Variables affecting the functional outcome
No full textBackgroud/Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients operated for anorectal malformations (ARMs) with good prognosis. Methods Thirty patients underwent clinical evaluation by Rintala score and anorectal manometry recording anal resting pressure (ARP), rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), and rectal volume (RV). The results were analysed with regard to sex, type of ARM, surgical timing of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP), neurospinal cord dysraphism (ND), neonatal colostomy, and institution where they underwent surgery. Results 6/30 (20%) presented ND despite normal sacrum. 17/30 (57%) patients had a normal Rintala score. ND and neonatal colostomy were significantly associated with a pathologic score (p = 0.0029 and p = 0.0016). Patients with ND had significantly lower ARP compared to patients with normal spine (23.5 ± 7.2 mmHg vs 32 ± 7.9 mmHg, p = 0.023). ARP was significantly lower in patients with neonatal colostomy compared to patients with primary repair (25.22 ± 10.24 mmHg vs 32.57 ± 6.68 mmHg, p = 0.026). RAIR was present in only 2/6 (33%) patients with ND, while in 21/24 (87.5%) without ND (p = 0.015) and in 4/9 (44%) patients with neonatal colostomy, while in 19/21 (90.5%) patients submitted to primary repair (p = 0.014). Conclusions Neurospinal cord dysraphism may be present despite normal sacral ratio. From a clinical point of view, patients with good prognosis ARMs are not completely comparable to healthy children. Neurospinal cord dysraphism and neonatal colostomy seem to worsen the clinical and manometric (ARP and RAIR) outcomes of these patients
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