Rate and predictors of thromboprophylaxis in internal medicine wards: Results from the AURELIO study.

Background: Randomized controlled trials suggest that prophylactic doses of anticoagulants effectively prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients with high thromboembolic risk. However, no prospective studies exist regarding the real-world prevalence of prophylactic anticoagulant use. This prospective study aimed to determine the rate and predictors of thromboprophylaxis in an unselected population of patients hospitalized in medical departments.

Cardiovascular risk and access to primary care: Comparisons among Chinese documented and undocumented immigrants.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine main risk factors of undocumented Chinese migrants living in Italy when compared with Chinese migrants registered with National Health Service (NHS).

Methods: A cohort of 3435 Chinese first-generation immigrants living in Prato underwent blood pressure (BP) measurement and blood tests. Hypertension was diagnosed for BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg at 2 visits, and/or antihypertensive drug use; type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL at 2 visits, and/or use of hypoglycemic drugs; hypercholesterolemia (HC) for cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL and/or statins use.

Interaction between Geographical Areas and Family Environment of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Nutritional Knowledge and Obesity of Adolescents.

There are marked differences in the regional distribution of childhood obesity in Italy. This study sought to investigate the interaction between geographical areas and family environment of dietary habits, physical activity, nutritional knowledge and obesity of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 school-aged children and 298 parents residing in Central Italy (Florence, Tuscany) and Southern Italy (Corigliano, Calabria), in 2021.

Asymptomatic and symptomatic deep venous thrombosis in hospitalized acutely ill medical patients: risk factors and therapeutic implications.

Background: Acutely ill medical patients experience deep venous thrombosis (DVT) during the hospitalization, however the time course of DVT is still unclear.

Objectives: To evaluate risk factors in acutely ill hospitalized medical patients for proximal asymptomatic DVT (ADVT) and symptomatic DVT (SDVT) at admission and discharge.

Patients/methods: In this prospective observational study, consecutive acutely ill medical patients (hospitalized mainly for acute medical disease as infections, neoplasm, anemia, heart failure) underwent compression ultrasonography (CUS) of proximal lower limb veins within 48 h from admission and at discharge to diagnose ADVT and SDVT.

Body-Size Perception among First-Generation Chinese Migrants in Italy.

Body-size perception is an important factor in motivating people to lose weight. Study aim was to explore the perception of body image among first-generation Chinese migrants living in Italy. A sample of 1258 Chinese first-generation immigrants and of 285 native Italians living in Prato, Italy, underwent blood pressure measurements, blood tests (with measurement of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides), and anthropometric measurements.

Gender differences in acculturation and cardiovascular disease risk-factor changes among Chinese immigrants in Italy: Evidence from a large population-based cohort.

Background: In recent decades, the Chinese presence in Southern Europe has grown rapidly but no data is available on the influence that residing in Mediterranean countries has on Chinese immigrants. In this study, we aim to examine the association between acculturation and cardiovascular risk factors among first-generation Chinese immigrants in Italy.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Ectopic Fat Depots and Cardiometabolic Burden: A Possible Dangerous Liaison in Women Planning Assisted Reproduction.

We evaluated cardiometabolic burden in women planning assisted reproduction in order to identify subgroups at higher risk of pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease. In this cross-sectional study we investigated 60 infertile women with BMI≥25 kg/m referred to the Center for Assisted Reproduction. All women underwent metabolic, anthropometric parameters and ultrasound evaluation of ectopic fat depots.

T Cell-based RAS Activity and Insulin Levels in Obese Subjects with Low Grade Inflammation.

Background: Obesity is a major contributor to inflammation and oxidative stress that are key underlying causes for insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes. Accumulated evidence suggest that RAS may serve as a strong link between IR and obesity. We investigated RAS activity in circulating T cells by obese subjects with and without angiotensin (Ang) II stimulation in presence or not of IR and of low-grade inflammation.

Gender differences in the impact on physical activity and lifestyle in Italy during the lockdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Aims: Italy responded to the Covid-19 pandemic early by forcing the entire population into a 2-month domestic confinement. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in the impact of lockdown on physical activity and lifestyle habits.

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in April 2020 on a general population sample residing in Italy.

Gender differences in barriers to physical activity among adolescents.

Background And Aims: Great attention is now being paid to effective policies and programs to promote physical activity among adolescents, girls consistently found to be less active than boys. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in perceived barriers for physical activity practice and their relationship with physical activity levels and physical condition among adolescents.

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February-April 2017 among students (n = 368) in the last year of two state high schools in Florence (Italy).

The Renal Resistive Index: A New Biomarker for the Follow-up of Vascular Modifications in Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: The aim of the present retrospective observational study was to evaluate the change of Renal Resistive Index (RRI) over time (ΔRRI) and under treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) as well as to correlate these changes with disease complications.

Methods: Two hundred thirty patients [29 male, median age 57 (IQR 48-67) yrs] were enrolled. At baseline and follow-up (3.

Blood pressure and fasting glucose changes in male migrants waiting for an asylum decision in Italy. A pilot study.

Background: The Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy has been for years the major port of entry from Africa to Europe. However, information on the early effects of permanence in Italy on cardiovascular risk factors is limited. Therefore, the association between length of stay in Italy and blood pressure or blood glucose was explored in young asylum seekers.

The Renal Resistive Index in systemic sclerosis: Determinants, prognostic implication and proposal for specific age-adjusted cut-offs.

Background: Renal Resistive Index (RRI), reflects changes in both renal vascular and tubular-interstitial compartments and in systemic vascular compliance related to age and comorbidities.

Objectives: a) To investigate determinants of RRI in SSc population, b) its association with SSc-related features and c) to test its prognostic impact on organ specific worsening or death.

Methods: 380 SSc patients ≥18 years were enrolled after giving informed consent.

T-Lymphocyte-Based Renin Angiotensin System in Obesity.

Background: Obesity can be associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk, but some subjects with obesity do not show metabolic impairment and escape this association. Low-grade inflammation (i.e.

Low Rate of Intrahospital Deep Venous Thrombosis in Acutely Ill Medical Patients: Results From the AURELIO Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hospitalization on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rate by the cumulative incidence of DVT in the proximal venous tract of the lower limbs at admission and discharge.

Methods: The AURELIO (rAte of venoUs thRombosis in acutEly iLl patIents hOspitalized in internal medicine wards) multicenter observational study was carried out in hospital-university internal medicine wards including consecutive acutely ill medical patients. Patients underwent compression ultrasonography (CUS) of proximal lower limb veins at admission and discharge.

Daily urinary sodium and potassium excretion in Chinese first-generation migrants in Italy.

Background: China has one of the highest salt intake levels in the world, and Chinese people form one of the largest foreign-born communities now living in Europe. The present study was performed to assess 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion in Chinese migrants in Italy and to explore possible associations with hypertension, hypertension awareness, and length of residence in Italy.

Methods: A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted on 319 first-generation Chinese migrants (154 women and 165 men) aged 18-70 years.

Adalimumab-Based Treatment Versus Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Venous Thrombosis in Behçet's Syndrome: A Retrospective Study of Seventy Patients With Vascular Involvement.

Objective: Since Behçet's syndrome (BS) is the prototype of inflammation-induced thrombosis, immunosuppressants are recommended in place of anticoagulants. We undertook this study to assess the clinical efficacy and the corticosteroid-sparing effect of adalimumab (ADA)-based treatment versus disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy in a large retrospective cohort of patients with BS-related venous thrombosis.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 70 BS patients treated with DMARDs or ADA-based regimens (ADA with or without DMARDs) because of venous complications.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Autologous Non-Mobilized Enriched Circulating Endothelial Progenitors in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia - The SCELTA Trial.

Background: The therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) autotransplantation in critical limb ischemia (CLI) has been reported. Variable proportions of circulating monocytes express low levels of CD34 (CD14CD34cells) and behave in vitro as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The aim of the present randomized clinical trial was to compare the safety and therapeutic effects of enriched circulating EPCs (ECEPCs) with BM-MNC administration.

Perioperative Levels of Adiponectin and Oxidative Stress in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery for Cancer.

Background: Low circulating levels of adiponectin are associated with the occurrence of infection after surgery in patients with cancer. Data are lacking on whether surgical stress is associated with a reduction in circulating levels of adiponectin. Furthermore, the relationship between oxidative stress and postoperative complications has not been investigated.

The involvement of pharmacies in the screening of undiagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Early identification of atrial fibrillation (AF) is now a priority in cardiovascular prevention because AF is common although often asymptomatic, and is associated with poor outcomes that are highly preventable with appropriate medical treatment. In Italy, AF prevalence among subjects aged ≥65 years ranges from 5 to 6% in observational studies based on the diagnosis recorded by general practitioners to 10-11% in studies where ECG screening is routinely offered. It is thus evident that a large number of subjects are not detected by conventional approach, and new strategies are required to increase early detection of AF.

Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension among Chinese First-Generation Migrants and Italians in Prato, Italy: The CHIP Study.

Data on health needs of Chinese living in the South of Europe are lacking. To compare prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors for hypertension between Chinese migrants and Italian adults, a sample of 1200 first-generation Chinese migrants and 291 native Italians aged 35-59 years living in Prato (Italy) was recruited in a community-based participatory cross-sectional survey. Primary outcome measure was hypertension, diagnosed for blood pressure values ≥ 140/90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive medications.

Persistent and selective upregulation of renin-angiotensin system in circulating T lymphocytes in unstable angina.

Introduction: Unstable angina is associated with an acute systemic inflammatory reaction and circulating T lymphocytes are activated. We investigated whether in unstable angina with marked immune system activation a selective upregulation of the circulating T-cell renin-angiotensin system, modulated by angiotensin II, could occur.

Methods: We studied 13 unstable angina patients, 10 patients with stable angina and 10 healthy subjects.

Renal Ultrasound (and Doppler Sonography) in Hypertension: An Update.

Ultrasound (US) allows the non-invasive evaluation of morphological changes of kidney structure (by means of B-Mode) and patterns of renal and extrarenal vascularization (by means of color-Doppler and contrast-enhanced US). In hypertensive subjects it offers a relevant contribution to the diagnosis of early renal damage, acute or chronic nephropathies and nephrovascular disease. However, morphological changes are often detected late and non-specific and in recent years evidence has increased regarding the clinical relevance of renal resistive index (RRI) for the study of vascular and renal parenchymal renal abnormalities.

Serial Lactate Measurements as a Prognostic Tool in Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

Background: Serial lactate measurements over time or lactate clearance has been reported to be clinically reliable for risk stratification in different pathologic conditions ranging from sepsis to trauma, but no data are so far available on the behavior of lactate during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support in refractory adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We assessed lactate values during VV-ECMO support and the prognostic role of lactate clearance at 6, 24, and 72 hours after ECMO start in 126 consecutive patients with refractory ARDS treated with VV-ECMO.

Results: Survivors showed a progressive, significant decrease in lactate values throughout the study period, whereas nonsurvivors exhibited a progressive increase.