Aim. To evaluate the influence of selected maternal and neonatal characteristics on aorta walls in term, appropriately grown-for-gestational age newborns. Methods. Age, parity, previous abortions, weight, height, body mass index before and after delivery, smoking, and history of hypertension, of diabetes, of cardiovascular diseases, and of dyslipidemia were all assessed in seventy mothers. They delivered 34 males and 36 females healthy term newborns who underwent ultrasound evaluation of the anteroposterior infrarenal abdominal aorta diameter (APAO), biochemical profile (glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and D-dimers homeostasis model assessment [HOMAIR]index), and biometric parameters. Results. APAO was related to newborn length (r = +0.36; P = 0.001), head circumference (r = +0.37; P = 0.001), gestational age (r = +0.40, P = 0.0005), HOMA index (r = +0.24; P = 0.04), and D-dimers (r = +0.33, P = 0.004). Smoke influenced APAO values (odds ratio: 1.80; confidence interval 95%: 1.05–3.30), as well as diabetes during pregnancy (r = +0.42, P = 0.0002). Maternal height influenced neonatal APAO (r = +0.47, P = 0.00003). Multiple regression analysis outlined neonatal D-dimers as still significantly related to neonatal APAO values. Conclusions. Many maternal and neonatal characteristics could influence aorta structures. Neonatal D-dimers are independently related to APAO.

This population-based case-control study investigated the association between farming (a proxy for pesticide exposure) and cancer in the Vercelli suburban area (northwest Italy). The residents, aged 25 to 79 years, in the above-mentioned area during the period 2002-2009 were considered. Cases were all the first hospital admissions for cancer. Controls were all the subjects not included in the cases and not excluded from the study. Cases and controls were classified according to whether they occupationally resulted farmers or nonfarmers during the period 1965-2009. Cancer odds ratios (ORs) between farmers and nonfarmers were calculated with generalized linear mixed models adjusted by gender and age. Farmers showed higher odds for all cancers (OR=1.459; p < .001), nonmelanoma skin cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. The results suggest a plausible association between pesticide exposure and cancer occurrence.

Cerano is a municipality of the Province of Novara (North-West Italy). To assess the morbidity associated to its proximity to a petrochemical plant, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of oncological pathologies in the period 2003-2009 were calculated based on age-sex specific rates for the district of the Local Health Authority of Novara (ASL13) and the main regional city of Turin. For all cancers combined, men showed a significant higher risk (SIR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.02-1.40) compared to the ASL13 population; significantly lower risks for both men and women were observed in comparison to the Turin population. Among women, a significant excess of mesothelioma cancers was reported; a significantly higher risk for lympho-haematopoietic pathologies was also observed compared to the Turin population only. Several other cancers have significantly lower rates in Cerano for both men and women. Despite some studies' limitations, these findings could suggest potential chemical risk factors and need further investigation.

Aims: Dolichocarotids (DCs) represent a rare (2-6%) carotid imaging finding in the general population that may be free of clinical significance or be associated with cerebrovascular events. Their detection is traditionally assigned to carotid echo-color Doppler (ECD) and selective angiography (the standard method). The primary aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ECD in detecting DCs. Moreover, we monitored the DC curvature angle and the incidence of TIA, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death over a five-year followup period. Methods: A total of 112 consecutive patients with DCs (80 men, mean age: 61±7 years) were recruited for carotid ECD and carotid angiography due to the persistence of neurological symptoms not well explained on ultrasound evaluations, according to the current guidelines. Results: ECD proved to have 100% sensitivity in detecting tortuosity and coiling and 96% sensitivity in detecting kinking, with an overall accuracy ranging from 92% to 100%. The specificity was 75% for tortuosity, 91% for kinking and 100% for coiling. During the five-year follow-up period, there was a statistically significant increase in tortuosity (61±11° at baseline versus 81±11° after five years, p＜0.001) and the kinking curvature angle (97±3° at baseline versus 100±3° at five years, p＜0.001), whilst no differences were observed with respect to coiling (136±10° at baseline versus 138±11° at five years, p = ns). Moreover, kinking was found to be more frequently statistically associated with cardiovascular death than tortuosity (p = 0.005). Conclusions: DCs predispose patients to potentially disabling and fatal events. ECD plays a primary role in the detection of DCs and therefore should be considered to be a secure and reproducible technique.

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes and feasibility of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy, both procedures performed in the same patient. Forty-five subjects (33 males, 70 ± 7 years) underwent carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting, the counter procedure on the contralateral carotid performed after a variable period. We evaluated the post-procedural percentage of carotid stenosis at 30, 180 days and one-year follow-up, and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, New York Heart Association class progression, stroke, death, cardiovascular death, angina, transient ischemic attack and renal failure. Carotid artery stenting treatment reduced the degree of re-stenosis after 180 days equally to carotid endarterectomy procedure (difference: 0.033%, P = 0.285). No statistically significant differences were observed according to the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction and New York Heart Association class progression, revealing odds ratio (OR) equal to 0.182 ( P = 0.361) for acute myocardial infarction and 0.303 ( P = 0.434) for New York Heart Association class progression. Carotid endarterectomy confirms its efficacy in carotid revascularization, but carotid artery stenting constitutes a good alternative when the procedures are selected based on patient-specific risk factors.