THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ON YOUTH SPORTS DROPOUT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

This review explores how digital technologies affect youth sport dropout. While AI, virtual platforms, and apps can enhance motivation and training, they may also cause distraction, sedentariness, and low self-esteem. By analyzing current literature, the study suggests how educational settings can use technology to reduce dropout and promote long-term engagement in sports

Effective Surgical Management of a Large Serous Ovarian Cyst in a Morbidly Obese Middle-Aged Woman: A Case Study and Literature Review

Background: In contemporary gynecological practice, encountering giant ovarian tumors is a rarity. While most are benign and of the mucinous subtype, the borderline variant only accounts for approximately 10% of these cases. This paper addresses the paucity of information about this specific subtype, emphasizing critical elements of managing borderline tumors that can pose life-threatening complications. Additionally, a review of other documented cases of the borderline variant in the literature is also included to foster a deeper understanding of this uncommon condition. Case Report: We present the multidisciplinary management of a 52-year-old symptomatic woman with a giant serous borderline ovarian tumor. Preoperative assessment showed a multiloculated pelvic-abdominal cyst responsible for compression of the bowel and retroperitoneal organs, and dyspnea. All tumor markers were negative. Together with anesthesiologists and interventional cardiologists, we decided to perform a controlled drainage of the cyst of the tumor, to prevent hemodynamic instability. Subsequent total extrafascial hysterectomy, contralateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and abdominal wall reconstruction, followed by admission to the intensive care unit, were also conducted by the multidisciplinary team. During the postoperative period, the patient experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest and acute renal failure, which were managed by dialysis. After discharge, the patient underwent oncologic followup, and after 2 years, she was found to be completely recovered and disease free. Conclusions: Intraoperative controlled drainage of Giant ovarian tumor fluid, planned by a multidisciplinary management team, constitutes a valid and safe alternative to the popular choice of “en bloc” tumor resection. This approach avoids rapid changes in body circulation, which are responsible for intraoperative and postoperative severe complications

The profunda artery perforators: Anatomical study and radiological findings using computed tomography angiography in patients undergoing PAP flap breast reconstruction

Background: The popularity of the profunda femoris artery perforator (PAP) flap is increasing; however, knowledge concerning the standardization of radiological findings and their clinical implications is limited. We evaluated the radiological architecture of posterior thigh perforators using Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) to identify landmarks to facilitate flap dissection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 35 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with a PAP flap. The preoperative CTA scans were analyzed, and the perforator characteristics were evaluated. The perforators were mapped using a Cartesian coordinate system. Data were normalized by anatomical landmarks and overlapped. Perioperative and postoperative results were analyzed. Radiological and intraoperative were compared. Results: Two CTA scans were excluded; 66 thighs were examined. The mean perforator number was 3.2. The mean diameter of chosen perforators was 2.7 mm (DS ± 0.6 mm) at the origin, 2.2 mm (DS ± 0.4 mm) at the adductor space midpoint, and 1.7 mm (DS ± 0.3 mm) at the deep fascia. The mean adipose tissue thickness was 3.35 cm (DS ± 0.94) at the deep fascia and 3.59 cm (DS ± 1.19) at the adductor space midpoint. Intraoperatively, the perforator was located 3.22 cm (DS ± 0.87) from the posterior border of the gracilis muscle and 8.98 cm (DS ± 1.44) from the inferior gluteal crease. A radiological area located 9.33 cm (DS ± 4.81) from the y-axis and 7.48 cm (DS ± 1.88) from the x-axis was identified. Conclusions: CTA using the volume-rendering technique is a valuable method to study in vivo the radiological anatomy of the posterior thigh perforators

Avulsion thighplasty:what about the consent for loss of reconstructive options for microsurgical breast reconstruction?

Avulsion Thighplasty: What about the Consent for Loss of Reconstructive Options for Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction?

Sawmark Analysis of Three Cases of Amputation and a Craniotomy from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries Hospital Necropolis of Forlì Campus (Forlì, Italy)

The seventeenth-eighteenth century hospital necropolis of Forlì Campus (Forlì, Italy) was discovered during the Forlì Campus building work in 2014. Three cases of limb amputation and a craniotomy are examined using the forensic approach of sawmark analysis in order to understand features of the surgical instruments employed and to gain insight into the position of the surgeon during the cutting actions. With the aid of high definition photographs and moulds, we analyzed the cut surfaces of each sample, also using stereomicroscopy and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). A qualitative and quantitative approach was used in the analysis of the kerf features (e.g. breakaway spur and notch, tooth scratches and hop, exit chipping), and empirical evidence was compared against comparisons coeval surgical essays. We hypothesize that a linear hand-powered push saw and an alternated push saw with a 2mm distance between the teeth were used for amputations. The craniotomy was executed presumably using a linear hand-powered saw with the set of the blade circa 1.3mm wide. Through the application of forensic methods on individuals from archaeological context we describe early cases of surgical practice in a more technical way

Surgical Management of Patients with Parotid Involvement from Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck

We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal study on a single-center series of patients who underwent parotidectomy in the management of advanced head and neck non-melanoma skin cancer (hnNMSC). The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors associated with worse outcomes. Forty-one men and nine women were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 78.9 years. The 5-year overall survival, disease-specific survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival calculated with Kaplan-Meier curves were 39.9%, 56.3%, 58.6%, and 82.1%, respectively. A univariate analysis showed that the status of the margins, facial nerve direct involvement, lymph vascular invasion, and histological grading were associated with worse outcomes (p < 0.05). Positive margins were associated with worse disease-specific survival also in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.001, HR = 32.02, and CIs 4.338 to 351.3). Because the resection in free margins is the most important prognostic factor, early diagnosis or, in the case of advanced disease, extensive surgical resection with concomitant reconstruction is needed. Adjuvant therapy is indicated in selected cases

Plasmonic Structures for Sensing and Emitting Devices

We report on the study of a plasmonic nanostructure that could be adopted as platform for emitting and sensing applications. Several devices have been prepared and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform micro-reflectance (FT- pR) techniques. In addition, a modelling via finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations have been developed in order to interpret the morphological shape and the optical response of the considered structures. Until now, remarkable performances as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based optical sensor have been founded. Moreover, we are performing preliminary trials in order to establish a coupling between photoluminescence (PL) features of suitable emitters with respect to the plasmonic resonances

Survival in Patients with Primary Parotid Gland Carcinoma after Surgery—Results of a Single-Centre Study

This study aims to analyse a single-centre cohort series of patients who underwent parotidectomy for primary malignant parotid tumours. A retrospective chart review of 64 consecutive patients treated from November 2010 to March 2022 was performed. Outcomes were analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves. Sixty-four patients with a primary parotid malignancy were included in the study, with one bilateral case in this cohort. Patients were classified as stage I–II in 39 cases and stage III–IV in 26 cases. The five-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 78.4%, 89%, 92.5%, and 87.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that high-risk histology, stage IV disease, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, node metastasis, skin involvement, facial nerve involvement, and positive or close margins were risk factors associated with poorer outcomes. At present, the best evidence suggests that radical surgery should be the standard approach, and adjuvant therapy, in terms of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy, is recommended in patients with risk factors