Correction to: Impact of smoking habit on adult-onset Still’s disease prognosis,findings from a multicentre observational study

Clinical Rheumatology -     

Patients’ Perspectives of Oral Healthcare Providers’ Communication: Considering the Impact of Message Source and Content

This study explores patients’ perceptions of positive and negative communication experiences with dentists and dental hygienists using a sample of 267 individuals who reported having a general dental provider. Patients’ oral health literacy, dental mistrust, use of dental health services, anxiety, and provider satisfaction are examined on the basis of reported communication experiences in the dental context. When comparing participants who had or had not experienced positive communication with a dentist, individuals with positive experiences demonstrated significantly higher levels of oral health literacy and provider satisfaction, as well as lower levels of dental mistrust. Participants who had experienced negative communication with a dentist reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and dental mistrust, as well as greater likelihood of ever leaving a dental practice, as compared to those without negative communication experiences. By contrast, positive and negative communication experiences with hygienists had limited impact on patient outcomes. Information derived from this investigation can be used by dental providers to guide communicative actions with patients, as well as by scholars to enhance existing theoretical explanations of the function of communication in dentistry.     

Survey of delta infection in the Naples basin: a possible epidemiologic model for endemic areas

The prevalences of delta co-infections and superinfections in 100 randomly selected subjects for each year from 1977 to 1982 and in all the subjects of subsequent years until April 1986, admitted to our Department with acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB), were evaluated and compared with the annual incidence of cases of AVHB reported in Naples during the same period. Moreover, anti-delta antibodies were determined in the sera of 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis and 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis and 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive cirrhosis, respectively, for 1977, 1980, 1983 and 1986. Our data show a high, constant circulation of HDV and a decrease in its incidence in acute forms over the last 3 years, which coincides with the parallel lower incidence of AVHB, but which is not reflected in the delta prevalence in the chronic forms. They also indicate the possible existence of alternate cycles of increase and decrease in the infection, partly dissociated from HBV circulation, which present peculiar epidemiologic characteristics.     

Intra-aortic balloon pump induced pulsatile perfusion reduces endothelial activation and inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-induced pulsatile perfusion has demonstrated that it can preserve organ function during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We evaluated the role of IABP pulsatile perfusion on endothelial response. Methods: Forty consecutive isolated CABG undergoing preoperative IABP were randomized to receive IABP pulsatile CPB during aortic cross-clamping (group A, 20 patients) or standard linear CPB (group B, 20 patients) during cross-clamp time. Hemodynamic results were analyzed by Swan-Ganz catheter [mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), indexed systemic vascular resistances (ISVR), indexed pulmonary vascular resistances (IPVR), wedge pressure (PCWP)]. Inflammatory/endothelial response was analyzed by pro-inflammatory (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), and endothelial markers [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)]. All measurements were recorded preoperatively (T0), before aortic declamping (T1), at the end of surgery (T2), 12 h (T3) and 24 h (T4) postoperatively. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to evaluate the differences of means. Results: Hemodynamic response was comparable except for higher MAP (p = 0.01 at T1) and lower ISVR (p = 0.001 at T1, p = 0.003 at T2) in group A. No differences were found in perioperative leakage of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 between the two groups (within-group p = 0.0001 either in group A and group B; between-groups p = NS at 2-ANOVA). Group A showed significantly lower VEGF (between-groups p = 0.001 at 2-ANOVA, p = 0.001 at T1, T2) and MCP-1 (between-groups p = 0.001 at 2-ANOVA, p = 0.001 at T1, T2) with higher IL-10 secretion (between-groups p = 0.001 at 2-ANOVA, p = 0.01 at T1, T2, T3). Conclusions: IABP-induced pulsatile perfusion allows lower endothelial activation during CPB and higher anti-inflammatory cytokines secretion.     

Melatonin,melatonin isomers and stilbenes in Italian traditional grape products and their antiradical capacity

Although polyphenols represent the paradigm of the health‐promoting effects ascribed to grape products, recently, attention has been paid to dietary melatonin, significantly present in Mediterranean foods. In this work, we measured melatonin, its isomers, stilbenes (trans‐ and cis‐resveratrol and their glucosides, piceids) and total polyphenols in some different grape products (red, white and dessert wines, grape juices and Modena balsamic vinegars) of distinct Italian areas. We also evaluated their antiradical activity by DPPH ^· and ABTS ^{· +} assays. For indoleamine analysis, the separation was carried out on a 1.7‐μm C₁₈ BEH column and the detection performed by means of mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The confirmation of the peak identity was accomplished by injection into the high‐resolution system (Orbitrap) using accurate mass measurements (error below 1.0 ppm). Mass spectrometry analyses revealed, for the first time, the presence of melatonin in dessert wines and balsamic vinegars, as well as the occurrence of three different melatonin isomers in grape products.     

Tumor size as a prognostic factor in patients with stage IIa colon cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to identify stage II colon cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence.