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The discovery of conspicuous populations of the rare species Petrobiona massiliana is reported from shallow water karstic caves of Sardinia. The morphological comparative analysis versus previous data from the entire geographic range highlights that spicular traits seem to be highly conservative in contrast with a notable plasticity of growth form. Lifestyle and adaptive strategies that favoured the successful spread of P. massiliana in karstic caves and its persistence as extremely isolated populations in a fragmented habitat are discussed together with potential environmental constraints. The data indicate that conservation of this Mediterranean palaeoendemic species with a spot-like distribution may be a challenge for the western Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas to confer protection to numerous co-occurring cave-dwelling species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data about the epidemiology of primary intracranial tumours (PIT) are still heterogeneous depending on different methodological approach in collecting data. In Valle d'Aosta, north west side of Italy, we have carried out a prospective consecutive population based study to calculate the incidence of PIT in the last decade (1992–1999) and to compare these rates with the previous period (1986–1991), data reported in a previous paper. The mean annual PIT incidence rate (ri) per 100,000 inhabitants was 25.48. The mean annual incidence rates in the two period of comparison were adjusted to the 1991 Italian population by the direct method. The standardised ratio was 26.43 in the previous period and 23.24 in the second decade. There is no statistically significant difference. The mean annual PIT incidence rates by tumour types were meningiomas 13.27/100,000 (men 9.77; women 16.7), neuroepithelial group 9,3 (men 10.62; women 8,1), adenomas 1.26, neurinomas 0,7. Mean annual incidence rates by tumour class were also stable. The stable incidence rate in the two periods and the similar incidence in England (21.04 /100,000 person year), strengthen the evidence for a stable incidence rate of PIT in the last decade. These three papers used similar methodology. The homogeneous methodology allows comparison and further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate temporal changes of stroke in an Italian community by comparing the present incidence rates with those reported in the same area for 1989. The two studies were conducted by the same research group and met almost all the criteria proposed for an "ideal" stroke incidence study. The annual incidence rate per 1000 inhabitants increased (p < 0.01) by 29%, from 2.23 (95% CL, 1.96-2.50) in 1989 to 2.89 (95% CL, 2.58-3.20) in 1997. No statistically significant change was found when these rates were adjusted to the 1991 Italian population. The overall incidence rate was 2.40 (95% CL, 2.14-2.66) in 1989 and 2.65 (95% CL, 2.39-2.91) in 1997. The thirty-day case fatality rate declined dramatically (p < 0.001) from 31% (95% CL, 26-36) to 20% (95% CL, 16-24) between 1989 and 1997. Ageing of the population and better identification of cases could explain the high incidence rate, whereas the decrease of fatality rate may be due to a general improvement in acute care and inclusion of milder cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) incidence has been decreasing over the last decades; however, there are uncertainties in trends and proportional distribution of the diffuse type., Methods: GC incidence data were extracted from the population-based Friuli Venezia Giulia Cancer Registry. GC types (diffuse vs. others) were compared in relation to age at diagnosis, calendar years, and sexes., Results: Between 1995 and 2021, diffuse GC accounted for 10.2% of all GCs. The proportion was greater among individuals aged <45 years, 34.0% in women and 25.7% in men. An increasing proportion over time was observed, in particular in women (from 9.9% in 1995-2000 to 14.10% during 2011-2021). In the last decade (2011-2021), a decreased incidence of all GC was observed, reaching an age-standardized rate (world standard) of 1.4/100,000 for men and 1.2/100,000 for women. Rates of diffuse GC were 0.3/100,000 in younger population., Conclusion: Although the overall GC incidence is decreasing, the percentage of diffuse GC is increasing in the younger population, particularly in women. Reasons for the increased proportion of diffuse-type GC within younger women remain uncertain, possibly related to the decreased exposure to risk factors for other GC histotypes., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A breast unit is a multidisciplinary center specialized in the management of women with breast diseases, including breast cancer (BC). It represents a care path, passing from screening activities to diagnostic investigations, from surgery to the definition of the therapeutic strategy, from psychophysical rehabilitation to long-term checks (follow-up), and up to genetic counseling. Since 2006, following a resolution issued by the European Parliament to urge member states to activate multidisciplinary breast centers by 2016, work has been underway throughout Italy to improve the management of women with BC. In Italy, the State-Regions agreement was signed on 18 December 2014, sanctioning the establishment of breast units. These centers must adhere to specific quality criteria and requirements. In 2020, the experts of the EUSOMA group (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists), in their latest document published, expanded the requirements of the breast units. Furthermore, Senonetwork was founded in 2012 with the aim of allowing BC to be treated in breast units that comply with European requirements to ensure equal treatment opportunities for all Italian women. Indeed, the available data indicate that the BC patient has a greater chance of better treatment in the breast units with a multidisciplinary team, thus increasing the survival rate with a better quality of life, compared to those managed in nonspecialized structures. The present review is a perspective on the current Italian reality of breast units, updated with the available literature and the most recent epidemiological data from Senonetwork and AgeNaS., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Here we present results from a survey on anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in healthy blood donors from a low incidence coronavirus disease 2019 area (Apulia region, South Eastern Italy). Among 904 subjects tested, only in nine cases (0.99%) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were demonstrated. All the nine seropositive patients were negative for the research of viral RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in nasopharyngeal swabs. These data, along with those recently reported from other countries, clearly show that we are very far from herd immunity and that the containment measures are at the moment the only realistic instrument we have to slow the spread of the pandemic., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Recently, a significant cluster of pneumonia caused by a novel betacoronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) was described initially in China and then spread throughout the world. Like other coronaviridae, the viral transmission occurs mainly through droplets. In addition, the virus has been detected in different clinical specimens, suggesting a potential transmission by other routes, including blood transfusion. However, the potential risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via blood products is still unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors from South-Eastern Italy. Moreover, in the seropositive donors, we searched for the presence of the virus in nasopharyngeal swabs and in plasma samples. Overall, 1,797 blood donors from the Apulia region were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, using a commercially available assay. Only 18/1,797 donors (1.0%) tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; in none of them SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs and in plasma samples. Our results indicate that most of the blood donors in Apulia remained uninfected during this wave of the pandemic; further, none had detectable virus both in nasopharyngeal swabs and in blood samples. The risk to carry and transmit the virus by healthy and asymptomatic blood donors is probably very low., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the first coronavirus that has caused a pandemic. Assessing the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare worker groups offers a unique opportunity to study the correlation between seroconversion and immunization because of their occupational exposure and a higher risk of contagion. The study enrolled 3242 asymptomatic employees of "Policlinico Riuniti", Foggia. After the first screening, we collected sequential serum samples for up to 23 weeks from the same subjects. In order to perform a longitudinal follow-up study and get information about the titration of IgG levels, we analyzed data from subjects (33) with at least two consecutive serological IgG-positive tests; 62 (1.9%; 95% CI: 1.4-2.3) tested positive for at least one anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody. The seroprevalence was lower in the high-risk group 1.4% (6/428; 95% CI: 0.5-2.6) vs. the intermediate-risk group 2.0% (55/2736; 95% CI: 1.5-2.5). Overall, within eight weeks, we detected a mean reduction of -17% in IgG levels. Our data suggest a reduction of about 9.27 AU/mL every week (R 2 = 0.35, p = 0.0003). This study revealed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Foggia's hospital healthcare staff (1.9%). Moreover, the IgG level reduction suggests that the serological response fades fast in asymptomatic infections.

Tumor biobank plays a pivotal role in cancer biomedical research. The collection of a high variety of biological samples, including DNA, RNA, tissues, cells, blood, plasma and other body fluids, represents a necessary step to plan new strategies in the improvement of oncological patient care. Since 1985, a consolidated experience in biobanking management has been developed at the University of Siena (Italy). During these years, some information about clinico-pathology, surgery and a high number of human bispecimens have been collected. Herein, we described our experience in sampling management to improve the cancer research and the patient care.

Endovascular treatment (ET) showed to be safe in acute stroke, but its superiority over intravenous thrombolysis is debated. As ET is rapidly evolving, it is not clear which role it may deserve in the future of stoke treatments. Based on an observational design, a treatment registry allows to study a broad range of patients, turning into a powerful tool for patients' selection. We report the methodology and a descriptive analysis of patients from a national registry of ET for stroke. The Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke is a multicenter, observational registry running in Italy from 2010. All patients treated with ET in the participating centers were consecutively recorded. Safety measures were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, procedural adverse events and death rate. Efficacy measures were arterial recanalization and 3-month good functional outcome. From 2008 to 2012, 960 patients were treated in 25 centers. Median age was 67 years, male gender 57 %. Median baseline NIHSS was 17. The most frequent occlusion site was Middle cerebral artery (46.9 %). Intra-arterial thrombolytics were used in 165 (17.9 %) patients, in 531 (57.5 %) thrombectomy was employed, and 228 (24.7 %) patients received both treatments. Baseline features of this cohort are in line with data from large clinical series and recent trials. This registry allows to collect data from a real practice scenario and to highlight time trends in treatment modalities. It can address unsolved safety and efficacy issues on ET of stroke, providing a useful tool for the planning of new trials.

Background: Cysts of the jaws (JCs) are an important topic of oral pathology, but few epidemiological data are present in the literature, in particular about the potential of recurrence. The aim of this study was to describe a case series of JCs from a single institution, evaluating the frequency, the site, the age distribution, and the percentage of recurrence of all types of JCs., Methods: All JCs present in the histological records of the Section of Anatomic Pathology of the University of Bologna at Bellaria Hospital from 1992 to 2012 were retrieved., Results: A total of 1136 jaws cysts were obtained, of which 1117 (98.3%) were odontogenic and 19 (1.7%) were nonodontogenic. About odontogenic cysts (OCs), the most frequent was the radicular cyst (538 cases), followed by parakeratinized keratocystic odontogenic tumor (pKOT, 193 cases) and dentigerous cyst (120 cases). Among pKOT, 21 out of 193 cases (10.89%) showed a recurrence after a mean time of 4.5 years (range, 1-12 years). During follow-up (mean 11 years, range 1-19 years), all 3 cases of botrioid cysts, 12 out of 46 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma (26.09%), 2 out of 20 cases of calcifying OCs (10%) and 2 out of 538 cases of radicular cyst (0.37%) showed a recurrence., Conclusion: Our study confirms that the distribution pattern of JCs in Italy is relatively similar to other studies worldwide and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the different histological types of JCs for their potential local aggressive behavior., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Our aim was to prospectively ascertain the incidence of first-ever stroke and ischaemic stroke subtypes, mortality, functional outcome and recurrence in northern Italy. We identified all possible cases of stroke (1st January 2004 and 31st December 2008). Multiple overlapping sources were used. Standard definitions for incident cases, pathological types and infarction subtypes were used. Patient characteristics were identified and analysed, case-fatality was ascertained from administrative databases, and outcome was assessed in all surviving patients by modified Rankin Scale. We identified 1,326 incident strokes. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed in 94% of cases. The incidence of first-ever stroke was 80.2 per 100,000 (95% CI 73-87) when adjusted to world population. The incidence of embolic stroke was significantly greater in women than in men (p < 0.001) whereas the incidence of atherothrombotic stroke was significantly greater in men than in women (p < 0.001). The case-fatality of incident strokes was 9.5% at 7 day, 16.1% at 28 day, and 29.9% at 1 year. Case-fatality of ischaemic stroke was lower than that of other pathological types (p < 0.0001). Hypertension was the most important risk factor, and atrial fibrillation was the most common in embolic stroke. Increasing age, female gender and embolic stroke subtypes were associated with an adverse outcome. Data on stroke incidence and case-fatality were similar to those of other high-income countries. However, differences were found in the distribution of risk factors and prognosis across the stroke types and ischaemic stroke subtypes. Gender differences in long-term functional outcomes were significant.

Spectroscopic and MS techniques were used to characterize the pigments and the composition of polar and nonpolar binders of a stray wall painting fragment from Liternum (Italy) archaeological excavation. X-ray fluorescence and diffraction analysis of the decorations indicated mainly the presence of calcite, quartz, hematite, cinnabar, and cuprorivaite. Infrared spectroscopy, GC coupled to flame-ionization detector, and MS analysis of the polar and nonpolar components extracted from paint layers from three different color regions revealed the presence of free amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids. Interestingly, LC-MS shotgun analysis of the red painting region showed the presence of αS1-casein of buffalo origin. Compared to our previous results from Pompeii's wall paintings, even though the Liternum painting mixture contained also binders of animal origin, the data strongly suggest that in both cases a tempera painting technique was utilized., (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Stroke is one of the most relevant reasons of death and disability worldwide. Many cost of illness studies have been performed to evaluate direct and indirect costs of ischaemic stroke, especially within the first year after the acute episode, using different methodologies., Methods: We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective, bottom-up cost of illness study, to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes of a cohort of patients affected by a first cerebrovascular event, including subjects with ischaemic, haemorrhagic or transient episodes. The analysis intended to detect direct costs, within 1, 2 and 3 years from the index event. Clinical patient data collected in regional disease registry were integrated and linked to regional administrative databases to perform the analysis., Results: The analysis of costs within the first year from the index event included 800 patients. The majority of patients (71.5%) were affected by ischaemic stroke. Overall, per patient costs were €7,079. Overall costs significantly differ according to the type of stroke, with costs for haemorrhagic stroke and ischaemic stroke amounting to €9,044 and €7,289. Hospital costs, including inpatient rehabilitation, were driver of expenditure, accounting for 89.5% of total costs. The multiple regression model showed that sex, level of physical disability and level of neurological deficit predict direct healthcare costs within 1 year. The analysis at 2 and 3 years (per patient costs: €7,901 and €8,874, respectively) showed that majority of costs are concentrated in the first months after the acute event., Conclusions: This cost analysis highlights the importance to set up significant prevention programs to reduce the economic burden of stroke, which is mostly attributable to hospital and inpatient rehabilitation costs immediately after the acute episode. Although some limitation typical of retrospective analyses the approach of linking clinical and administrative database is a power tool to obtain useful information for healthcare planning.

The use of Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) allowed us to characterize the composition of polar and non-polar binders present in sporadic wall paint fragments taken from Pompeii's archaeological excavation. The analyses of the polar and non-polar binder components extracted from paint powder layer showed the presence of amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids but the absence of proteinaceous material. These results are consistent with a water tempera painting mixture composed of pigments, flours, gums, and oils and are in agreement with those obtained from a simulated wall paint sample made for mimicking an ancient "a secco" technique. Notably, for the first time, we report the capability to discriminate by tandem MS the presence of free amino acids in the paint layer.

Background: Nosocomial infections are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)., Objective: To describe the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in NICUs and to assess the risk of nosocomial infection related to the therapeutic procedures performed and to the clinical characteristics of the neonates at birth and at admission to the NICU, taking into account the time between the exposure and the onset of infection., Design: A multicenter, prospective cohort study., Patients and Setting: A total of 1,692 neonates admitted to 6 NICUs in Italy were observed and monitored for the development of nosocomial infection during their hospital stay., Methods: Data were collected on the clinical characteristics of the neonates admitted to the NICUs, their therapeutic interventions and treatments, their infections, and their mortality rate. The cumulative probability of having at least 1 infection and the cumulative probability of having at least 1 infection or dying were estimated. The hazard ratio (HR) for the first infection and the HR for the first infection or death were also estimated., Results: A total of 255 episodes of nosocomial infection were diagnosed in 217 neonates, yielding an incidence density of 6.9 episodes per 1,000 patient-days. The risk factors related to nosocomial infection in very-low-birth-weight neonates were receipt of continuous positive airway pressure (HR, 3.8 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.7-8.1]), a Clinical Risk Index for Babies score of 4 or greater (HR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.4-3.4]), and a gestational age of less than 28 weeks (HR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.2-3.8]). Among heavier neonates, the risk factors for nosocomial infection were receipt of parenteral nutrition (HR, 8.1 [95% CI, 3.2-20.5]) and presence of malformations (HR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.5-3.5])., Conclusions: Patterns of risk factors for nosocomial infection differ between very-low-birth-weight neonates and heavier neonates. Therapeutic procedures appear to be strong determinants of nosocomial infection in both groups of neonates, after controlling for clinical characteristics.

Hypothesis: Microsatellite instability (MSI) correlates with clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term prognosis in patients having gastric carcinoma., Design: Analysis of prospectively collected data and biologic material., Setting: Tertiary University Hospital, Policlinico "Le Scotte," Siena, Italy., Patients: Two hundred fifty patients with gastric carcinoma., Main Outcome Measures: Five mononucleotide repeats (BAT-26, BAT-25, NR-24, NR-21, and NR-27) were analyzed in these patients., Results: An MSI phenotype was identified in 63 patients (25.2%) and correlated with specific clinicopathologic characteristics. Favorable prognosis was confirmed for patients with an MSI phenotype in univariate (P < .001) and multivariate (P = .05) analyses. Significant differences in clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term prognoses were observed among patients with microsatellite-stable tumors, tumors having instability at 2 to 4 markers, and tumors having instability at all 5 markers (MSI/5). The MSI/5 phenotype was associated with older age (P < .001), female sex (P = .001), antral tumor location (P = .04), intestinal histotype (P = .003), and less infiltration of the serosa (P = .006); lymph node involvement was rare (P < .001) and was limited to few (median, 3) metastatic lymph nodes (P = .001). Long-term survival of patients with the MSI/5 phenotype is favorable and was confirmed in multivariate analysis (relative risk vs patients with stable tumors, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.63; P = .002)., Conclusions: Compared with stable tumors, MSI tumors have distinct clinicopathologic features and are associated with a better prognosis. Patients with the MSI/5 phenotype have a very good prognosis.

Objective: To compare clinicopathological features and long-term outcome in gastric cancer patients coming from high-risk and low-risk areas of Italy., Summary Background Data: Better survival rates have been reported from countries with higher incidence of gastric cancer., Methods: Data regarding 829 patients coming from Tuscany (group A) and 143 patients coming from Southern Italy (group B) were analyzed. Mean follow-up time was 56 +/- 57 months; it was 85 +/- 63 months in surviving patients or not tumor-related deaths. Prognostic factors were investigated by multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model after verifying the assumption of proportionality of the risk associated with covariates., Results: Lauren diffuse-mixed histotype, younger age, extended lymphadenectomy, and advanced stages were more common in group B. Gastric cancer-related 10-year survival probability was 48% in group A versus 29% in group B (log-rank test: P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, geographic area was confirmed as a significant prognostic factor (hazard ratio for group B vs. group A: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-2.06, P = 0.006). The influence of this factor on long-term survival was independent from other clinical, surgical, and pathologic factors, and was notable in neoplasms involving the serosa (10-year survival probability: 15% in group A vs. 3% in group B, log-rank test: P = 0.005)., Conclusions: Patients coming from low-risk area of Italy showed distinct pathologic features, more advanced stage, and worse prognosis when compared with patients coming from high-risk area. These findings may be indicative of different tumor biology, and may contribute to partly explain worldwide geographic variability in prognosis reported in different series.

The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence of stroke, case-fatality rate and disability at 1 year in the Valley of Aosta (Italy) in the years 2004 and 2005. All suspected strokes occurring between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005, in the resident population of the Valley of Aosta were identified according to the WHO criteria for stroke and included in a stroke registry (Cerebrovascular Aosta Registry, CARe) after revision by a clinical panel. Multiple overlapping sources were used to ascertain the cases. In the study period, 553 incident strokes were registered. A CT scan was performed in 94.2% of cases. The crude annual incidence rate was 223 (95% CI 197-249) per 100,000 inhabitants. After age and sex adjustment to the 'European' population, the stroke incidence rate was 126 (95% CI 106-146). In the 1-year follow-up, only a small number of patients with a first-ever stroke in their life time suffered a new event. Compared with the previous study performed in our region (Valley of Aosta) in 1989, a marked decline in the incidence rate was seen after adjustment to the 'European' population, and the 28-day case-fatality rate declined dramatically between 1989 and 2004-2005., (2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aims: Germline mutation of the E-cadherin gene (CDH1) accounts for the Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) syndrome. Fourteen pedigrees with Diffuse Gastric Cancer that fulfilled the International Gastric Cancer Linkage Consortium (IGCLC) criteria were selected and screened for CDH1 germline mutations., Methods: The entire coding region of the CDH1 gene and all intron-exon boundaries were analyzed by direct sequencing in the 14 families fulfilling the IGCLC criteria. E-cadherin immunohistochemical expression was evaluated on tumour as well as normal formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues., Results: A novel germline missense mutation was found. It was a single C-->T substitution in exon 8, resulting in a transition of CCG-->CTG (C1118T; Pro373Leu) demonstrated in the proband and her brother. At immunohistochemical analysis, the staining intensity was reduced and considered weakly positive (15%)., Conclusions: The first CDH1 germline mutation of an Italian family is herein reported. The present missense mutation has never been described so far.

Objectives: Only 1% of diffuse gastric cancers occur in families with autosomal dominant gastric cancer susceptibility. Germline mutations in the E-cadherin gene account for the hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) syndrome. We studied a large cohort of gastric cancer patients from Tuscany, a region in Italy, to evaluate the presence of familial clustering of gastric cancer., Methods: 238 pedigrees were retrospectively studied by structured interviews. All probands with diagnosed gastric cancer were contacted in-person or by phone and tumor types were assessed in first- and second-degree relatives. Familial aggregation was investigated in order to search for families with suspected HDGC., Results: Familial aggregation for gastric cancer was observed in 79 of 238 cases (33.2%). Among these, there were 64 families (81%) with one gastric cancer other than the proband, 10 families with two gastric cancers (12.7%) and 5 families with three gastric cancers (6.3%). Fourteen families fulfilled the HDGC clinical criteria, one of them presenting with a pathogenic germline mutation in the E-cadherin gene (7.1%)., Conclusions: The prevalence of familial HDGC appears extremely high. Since only one pathogenic germline mutation was noted in a family fulfilling the HDGC clinical criteria, factors other than E-cadherin gene mutations may contribute to the familial clustering of HDGC., ((c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Background and Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the prognostic significance of the number of metastatic nodes in early gastric cancer (EGC)., Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study 652 cases of resected EGC were analyzed. We searched for lymph node metastases-associated risk factors and to identify subsets of patients with different prognosis according to the number of involved nodes., Results: Nodal involvement was observed in 14.1%. A significant correlation was found between the presence of node metastases and tumor size (RR 1.34, P = 0.001), submucosal invasion (RR: 3.14, P = 0.007), Lauren diffuse/mixed type (RR: 4.88, P < 0.001) and Kodama Pen A type (RR: 4.59, P < 0.001). The 10-year survival rate was 92% for N0 cases, 82% and 73% for tumors with one to three and four to six positive nodes while it dropped to 27% with more than six metastatic nodes. Interestingly enough, the 10-year risk of recurrence diminished with the increasing number of retrieved nodes (>15) even in N0 patients., Conclusions: Nodal involvement confirmed to be a significant prognostic factor. In view of the trend to a lower risk of recurrence when more than 15 nodes were retrieved and the better staging achieved we consider D2 lymphadenectomy the treatment of choice., ((c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic study of a new family with autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF)., Methods: All the living affected members underwent a full clinical, neurophysiological, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. Genetic analysis was performed by typing their DNA with seven microsatellite markers previously found to cosegregate with ADPEAF on chromosome 10q24., Results: The three living affected members had a childhood onset of rare and drug-responsive tonic-clonic seizures constantly preceded by a humming sensation. Routine and sleep electroencephalograms revealed rare and inconstant focal abnormalities over both temporal regions. MRI detected atrophy with increased T2 signal in the subcortical lateral portion of the right temporal lobe in one case. Analysis of 10q24 polymorphic alleles showed the same haplotype in all three affected members but different alleles in unaffected individuals., Conclusions: ADPEAF is a distinct condition with homogeneous clinical features. Genetic findings are consistent with linkage of ADPEAF to chromosome 10q24.

Fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk, an important factor in newborn nutrition, may change in relation to maternal diet and individual metabolic characteristics. This study was carried out on a group of 40 puerperae who lived in Southern Italy, delivered at term and feeded with common mediterranean diet. End-milk samples were collected between the 15th and 40th day (in mean at 27th day) after delivery. Analysis of fatty acids was performed using high resolution gaschromatography and mass spectrometry. It has been reported 37 different fatty acids including 6 branched chain fatty acids (BCFA).