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New technologies play a central role in damage prevention of artistic and cultural heritage. The literature is ourishing of mathematical models that describe the process of corrosion due to weathering and exposition to pollutants. These models consist of differential equations or partial differential equations that need to be solved approximately by numerical methods. This paper aims to describe the mathematical models in the literature and the numerical methods used for their solution. We focus in particular on the studies of corrosion of pieces of art made of stone, lime mortar concrete and metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking for evidence on cadavers goes beyond what is visible; invisible traces can be sampled on the victim's body but this happens rarely with environmental ones. Given the lack of related literature on this subject, the present study was devised to verify to what extent sampling on skin for SEM-EDX analysis can convey interesting data. In the first research stage, stubs were taken from the skin of six living subjects and their work environments. In the second stage, twenty-four well preserved cadavers recovered from known environments were sampled. The study has demonstrated the presence of ubiquitous chemical elements, constituting a kind of 'background noise'. However, some characteristic elements have been identified: calcium and spores for the flower shop and the florist, calcium for the bakery and the baker, zinc for the foundry and the workman, and iron for the mechanic's workshop and the mechanic, thus demonstrating some potential that justifies future studies. Our results have demonstrated how environmental traces may be detected on 'clean' skin, a useful tool to connect body and environment. Even if this research represents just a first pilot study, results seem promising toward the recognition of the potential evidential value of this 'invisible' part of cadavers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the 3-year objective and subjective outcomes of patients with complex anorectal fistula treated with Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT). Furthermore, we evaluated the risk factors associated with recurrence. Methods: All consecutive patients with complex anorectal fistula who underwent VAAFT in Beata Vergine Hospital of Mendrisio, Switzerland, from January 2013 to January 2016, were enrolled. Patients with suspicion or diagnosis of Crohn's disease, malignancy, previous history of radiotherapy or radical pelvic surgery were excluded. Preoperative clinical assessment based upon medical history, physical examination and endosonography, was performed in all patients. Data regarding subjective outcomes (the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, patient satisfaction scores and Wexner score), objective cure rate (absence of fistula at clinical examination), and adverse events were collected during follow-up. Uni and multivariate analysis were performed to investigate outcomes. Results: One hundred and four patients had VAAFT. At 3-year follow-up, 96 patients (92.3%) were available for the evaluation. At 3 years after surgery, 81 of 96 patients (84.4%) declared themselves cured (p = 0.60). Similarly, at 3-year evaluation, 80 of 96 patients (83.3%) were objectively cured (p = 0.52). No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. All recurrences were treated with a repeat VAAFT procedure resulting in a complete healing. Uni and multivariate analysis of variables potentially involved in the failure of VAAFT showed that age ≥ 50 years was the only factor associated at risk of recurrence. Conclusions: VAAFT is a highly effective safe procedure for the treatment of anorectal fistula, with a low recurrence rate at 3-year follow-up. However, our study demonstrated that age ≥ 50 years is a risk factor for failure of VAAFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A novel fixed-dose combination of 150 mg of econazole with 6 mg of benzydamine formulated in vaginal ovules was investigated in a randomised, double-blind, four-parallel group, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic Phase I study in healthy women.Methods: The fixed-dose combination was compared to econazole and benzydamine single-drug formulations and with placebo after daily applications for 3 consecutive days. Safety and tolerability were evaluated recording the adverse drug reactions, local and general tolerability scores, clinical laboratory assays, and vital signs. Econazole, benzydamine, and its metabolite benzydamine N-oxide pharmacokinetics were investigated after single and multiple applications.Results: Local reactions were generally absent. Pruritus and pain at the application site were infrequently reported. According to the subjects' evaluations, the overall tolerability of the ovules was rated as excellent or good. No significant effect of any treatment on laboratory parameters, vital signs, body weight, vaginal pH, or ECG was observed. Very low econazole, benzydamine, and benzydamine-N-oxide concentrations were measured in plasma, though quantifiable in almost all samples.Conclusion: The tested fixed-dose combination showed a good safety profile consistently with the known tolerability of both active substances. In addition, the confirmed low bioavailability of the drugs excludes the possibility of any accumulation effects and limits the risk of undesired systemic effects. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT02720783 last updated on 07 February 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) has been proposed as a new, minimally invasive neuromodulation technique to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Objective: To evaluate efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life (QoL) of PTNS on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have LUTS.Methods: 21 patients (5 men, 16 women) with MS and LUTS unresponsive to anticholinergics were treated with 12 sessions of PTNS. Assessment of LUTS was by validated, self-administered chart and questionnaires, testing the subjective and objective relevance of LUTS for patients and their impact on QoL before and after treatment; the mean post-micturition residual was assessed by trans-abdominal ultrasound scanning. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results: There was a significant reduction of daytime frequency (from 9 to 6, p = 0.04), nocturia (from 3 to 1, p = 0.002) and mean post-micturition residual (from 98 ± 124 ml to 43 ± 45 ml, p = 0.02). The mean voided volume increased from 182 ± 50 ml to 225 ± 50 ml (p = 0.003). Eighty-nine percent of patients reported a treatment satisfaction of 70%. Significant improvement in QoL was seen in most domains of the King’s Health QoL questionnaire (p < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.Conclusions: PTNS is an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for LUTS in patients with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To achieve hepatic portal revascularisation and decompression of extrahepatic portal hypertension in children with cavernoma and obstruction caused by idiopathic portal vein thrombosis. Design: Selected cases. Setting: Teaching hospitals, Belgium and Italy. Subjects: 11 children who weighed between 5.9 and 54 kg (2 emergencies) with symptomatic extrahepatic portal hypertension. Intervention: Interposition of venous autograft between the superior mesenteric vein and the distal (umbilical) portion of the left portal vein. Main outcome measures: Improvements in symptoms and endoscopic appearance after operation. Results: 2 bypasses had to be redone because they stenosed; all 11 were patent at the time of writing (median follow-up 6 months, range 1-32 months). Conclusion: The bypass effectively relieved symptoms of extrahepatic portal hypertension by restoring normal hepatic portal blood flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas are benign, usually single, slowly growing tumors (1, 2). Their occurrence in the GI tract is most common in the colon, but they can he found also in the small bowel and very rarely in the stomach, where they account for 5% of all GI lipomas (3, 4). Although most gastric lipomas (GL) arc usually detected incidentally (2), they can cause severe symptoms such as obstruction, invagination, and life-threatening hemorrhages (5, 6). To date, only three cases of GL have been reported in childhood (7). We describe the case of an 11-yr-old girl with asymptomatic giant GL, who has not received any treatment until now. New diagnostic insights, therapeutic options, and indications for treatment in asymptomatic patients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of spontaneous and instrumented deliveries, the baby's birthweight, the presence of stress incontinence and the woman's age and weight on bladder neck (BN) position and mobility using perineosonography, a simple non-invasive method, and to compare these results with those from continent nulliparous controls. Two hundred and fourteen women, including 74 nullipara, 29 para-1, 64 para-2 and 3, 16 with previous forceps deliveries and 32 with stress incontinence, underwent perineosonography with measurements of BN position and backwards/downwards displacement of BN using a two-axis calculation system. Results showed that bladder neck position undergoes a significantly backwards and downwards displacement on assuming an upright position. When compared with nulliparous controls, the bladder neck position at rest was the same in all groups of parous women in the supine/standing positions, but lower in patients having undergone forceps delivery (standing position) and in stress incontinent patients (both supine and standing); the bladder neck position during Valsalva was significantly lower in all groups of patients in the standing position, but the only significant difference in the supine position was seen in stress incontinent patients; the extent of bladder neck displacement was not significantly different between the groups, except in stress incontinent patients. A strong correlation ( r=0.66) was found between the relative importance of backwards and downwards displacement, but no correlation was found between bladder neck displacement and baby's birthweight or patient's weight. It was concluded that compared to nulliparous continent patients, normal and instrumented delivery induces no modifications of BN position at rest, but is responsible for a lower bladder neck position during Valsalva in the standing position only. The extent of BN displacement is virtually the same in all groups of patients in both positions, except for stress incontinent patients, who have a significantly lower and more mobile bladder neck, the values of which overlap to a great extent (sensitivity of 78%/75% for a displacement >14 mm) within those seen in continent nulliparous women. The correlation between the importance of backwards and downwards displacement is strong, making superfluous a two-dimensional coordinate system for routine BN position/mobility assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of establishing a genuine stress urinary incontinence severity grading from the combination of historical clinical and urodynamic parameters. Four hundred and eighty-three patients underwent complete investigation, including a questionnaire, clinical evaluation and multichannel urodynamic testing. They were then divided into four groups on the basis of the presence of only a SUI history (group 1, n=65); positive urine loss with a 'continent' stress urethral pressure profile (SUPP) (group 2, n=61); positive urine loss with an 'incontinent' SUPP (group 3, n=231); or no urine loss with an 'incontinent' SUPP (group 4, n=126). Compared to group 1 the severity of incontinence was significantly greater in groups 2 and 3. and maximal urethral closure pressure and pressure transmission ratio were significantly reduced in group 3 and 4. Otherwise, history, clinical and urodynamic parameters showed no significant differences between the four groups. It was concluded that a scoring severity can be established when considering all the parameters of a woman suffering from GSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated torsion of the Fallopian tube is a rare gynecological cause of acute lower abdominal pain, and diagnosis is difficult. There are no pathognomonic symptoms; clinical, imaging, or laboratory findings. A preoperative ultrasound showing tubular adnexal masses of heterogeneous echogenicity with cystic component is often present. Diagnosis can rarely be made before operation, and laparoscopy is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Unfortunately, surgery often is performed too late for tube conservation. Isolated Fallopian tube torsion should be suspected in case of acute pelvic pain, and prompt intervention is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case Report: A 20 month old girl was admitted for intractable vomiting over several days, with no other symptoms. Family and personal history were not contributive. Clinical and neurological examination, and routine blood tests and investigations (plain abdominal x ray, upper gastrointestinal tract contrast study, abdominal ultrasonography) were normal. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a mild antral gastritis and the second portion of duodenum was occupied by a tough, fibrous mass partially embedded into the papilla of Vater. The foreign body was removed and proved to be vegetable fibre (pineapple). Symptoms subsided immediately and the child was discharged with gastroprotective therapy. After two months, on endoscopic examination, the signs of gastropathy had cleared; the papilla of Vater was undamaged, but unchomped food debris was again found in the duodenum.Discussion: There are sporadic reports of foreign bodies retained into the papilla of Vater, all of them in adults. This child, though her papilla was tiny, had no jaundice or pancreatitis, unlike most of the reported cases. This is the first report of this finding in a child. The cause of the vomiting was not shown on abdominal ultrasonography or contrast study. It should be added to the list of unusual causes of vomiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]