Morbidity of Transrectal MRI-Fusion Targeted Prostate Biopsy at a Tertiary Referral Academic Centre: An Audit to Guide the Transition to the Transperineal Approach.

Despite transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) being still widespread globally, the EAU Guidelines strongly recommend the transperineal approach, due to the reported lower infectious risk. Our study aims to evaluate the impact of a standardized clinical pathway for TRPB on post-operative complications. We prospectively collected data from all patients undergoing mpMRI-targeted TRPB at our Academic Centre from January 2020 to December 2022.

Flexible Polyurethane Foams from Bio-Based Polyols: Prepolymer Synthesis and Characterization.

Bio-polyols (BPOs), characterized by a hydroxyl number up to around 90 mg KOH/g, narrow polydispersity index and relatively low molecular mass up to 2000 g/mol, were synthetized from partially and completely epoxidized soybean and linseed oils and caprylic acid or 3-phenyl butyric acid. These BPOs were used in the presence of toluene diisocyanate to produce polyurethane (PU) foams by using a quasi-prepolymer method involving a two-step reaction. A detailed structural investigation of the prepolymers from toluene diisocyanate and both BPOs and polypropylene glycol was conducted by SEC and solution NMR.

Testing the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Peer Support Intervention to Mitigate Social Isolation and Stigma of Adolescent Motherhood in Zimbabwe.

Objectives: Social isolation and stigma contribute to poor mental health outcomes. Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience isolation and stigma, lacking social support and resources to navigate motherhood. The study tested the effectiveness of a community-based peer support intervention to mitigate social isolation and stigma of adolescent motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Antibacterial Properties of Polyurethane Foams Additivated with Terpenes from a Bio-Based Polyol.

Water-blown polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared by bio-polyols from epoxidized linseed oils and caprylic acid in combination with toluene diisocianate (TDI). A series of terpenes (menthol, geraniol, terpineol, and borneol), natural compounds with recognized antibacterial properties, were included in the starting formulations to confer bactericidal properties to the final material. Foams additivated with Irgasan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial molecule, were prepared as reference.

Outcomes in Patients With High Transmitral Gradient After Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation.

Despite being highly effective in reducing residual mitral regurgitation and improving outcomes, mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MV-TEER) may be associated with high postprocedural residual mitral gradient (rMG). Conflicting results have been reported regarding the relation between rMG and adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors and the impact of elevated rMG after MV-TEER on clinical events in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) at 2 years follow-up.

Clinical outcomes and predictors in patients with previous cardiac surgery undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

Background: Mitral-valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MV-TEER) is recommended in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) and in those with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) not eligible to traditional surgery. Patients with a history of previous cardiac surgery are considered at high risk for surgical reintervention, but data are lacking regarding procedural and clinical outcomes.

Objective: aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and clinical results of MV-TEER in patients with previous cardiac surgery enrolled in the "multicentre Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology registry of transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation" (GIOTTO).

A Comparison Between Gore Cardioform and Amplatzer Septal Occluder for Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Associated With Atrial Septal Aneurysm: Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the short- and long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of the percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) with an atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) using 2 different devices.

Methods: We enrolled 100 patients with PFO and ASA. Fifty consecutive patients had transcatheter closure of the PFO with the Gore Cardioform septal occluder (GSO) (Gore Medical) and a second group of 50 consecutive patients with the Amplatzer PFO occluder (APO) (Abbott).

Development and assessment of feasibility of a community-based peer support intervention to mitigate social isolation and stigma of adolescent motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Background: Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience stigma, isolation, and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. Social isolation and stigma are linked to poor mental health outcomes. No interventions currently address mental health of adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe.

Flexible Polyurethane Foams from Epoxidized Vegetable Oils and a Bio-Based Diisocyanate.

Bio-polyols from epoxidized soybean and linseed oils and caprylic acid or 3-phenyl butyric acid were prepared using an environmentally friendly, solvent-free method evaluating the presence of triethylamine as catalyst. Side reactions, leading to a cross-linking structure with high density, were reduced, introducing the catalyst and properly tuning the reaction conditions. A medium functionality value of around 3 along with a hydroxyl number up to around 90 mg KOH/g, narrow polydispersity index, and relatively low molecular mass up to 2400 g/mol were the experimental targets.

Instantaneous wave-free ratio and fractional flow reserve for the assessment of nonculprit lesions during the index procedure in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: The WAVE study.

Background: Functional assessment of non-infarct-related artery lesions during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) might be useful to avoid revascularization of nonsignificant stenosis and staged procedures, thus reducing hospital stay. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) as compared with fractional flow reserve (FFR) in this setting.

Methods: In the WAVE study, a prospective, observational, single-center registry (NCT02869906), paired iFR and FFR measurements were performed at the level of non-IRA lesions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction both during primary PCI and during staged procedures (5-8 days after).

Treatment of mitral regurgitation.

In the elderly mitral regurgitation is very frequent and surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) has often a high operative risk, consequently, over the years, different percutaneous transcatheter techniques have been developed as a valid alternative to surgery. The edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip device has gained a wide clinical application, supported by several studies, both randomize trials and registries. It is indicated in functional MR as in degenerative MR.

Magnetic Nanoparticles-Loaded Physarum polycephalum: Directed Growth and Particles Distribution.

Slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by an unaided eye. The slime mold optimizes its network of protoplasmic tubes to minimize expose to repellents and maximize expose to attractants and to make efficient transportation of nutrients. These properties of P.

A hybrid living/organic electrochemical transistor based on the cell endowed with both sensing and memristive properties.

A hybrid bio-organic electrochemical transistor was developed by interfacing an organic semiconductor, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate), with the cell. The system shows unprecedented performances since it could be operated both as a transistor, in a three-terminal configuration, and as a memristive device in a two terminal configuration mode. This is quite a remarkable achievement since, in the transistor mode, it can be used as a very sensitive bio-sensor directly monitoring biochemical processes occurring in the cell, while, as a memristive device, it represents one of the very first examples of a bio-hybrid system demonstrating such a property.

Magnetic nanoparticles-loaded Physarum polycephalum: Directed growth and particles distribution.

Slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by an unaided eye. The slime mold optimizes its network of protoplasmic tubes to minimize expose to repellents and maximize expose to attractants and to make efficient transportation of nutrients. These properties of P.

Magnetic nanoparticles-loaded Physarum polycephalum: Directed growth and particles distribution.

Slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by an unaided eye. The slime mold optimizes its network of protoplasmic tubes to minimize expose to repellents and maximize expose to attractants and to make efficient transportation of nutrients. These properties of P.

Comparison between the new Gore septal and Amplatzer devices for transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale. Short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Background: The ideal device for percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) occlusion should provide effective closure with long-term biocompatibility and it should have a low profile without interfering with adjacent cardiac structures. Long-term data regarding safety and efficacy of the GORE Septal Occluder (GSO) are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of this device.

Gore Helex septal occluder for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale associated with atrial septal aneurysm: short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcome of HELEX Septal Occluder (HSO) implantation in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA).

Background: Percutaneous closure of PFO and ASA with HSO device has not been systematically studied.

Methods: We studied 90 patients with PFO and ASA with documented paradoxical embolic events.

Transcatheter closure of mitral paravalvular leak with an arteriovenous wire loop through an aortic mechanical valve prosthesis.

Percutaneous transcatheter closure of paravalvular leaks is an attractive treatment option in high risk symptomatic patients unsuitable for redo surgery. We present a case of a 64 year-old woman with double mechanical mitral and aortic valve prosthesis referred for a symptomatic mitral paravalvular leak. Because of the high surgical risk transcatheter closure of the defect was planned.

Comparison of one-year outcome of patients aged <75 years versus ≥75 years undergoing "rescue" percutaneous coronary intervention.

The influence of age on the clinical results after rescue angioplasty (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the outcome of 514 consecutive patients undergoing rescue PCI who were divided into 2 groups according to age: <75 years (n = 469) and ≥75 years (n = 45). The primary end point of the study was the incidence of death at 1 year of follow-up.

Maintenance of long-term clinical benefit with sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction 3-year results of the SESAMI (sirolimus-eluting stent versus bare-metal stent in acute myocardial infarction) trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reported favorable 1-year outcome of the sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) versus the bare-metal stent (BMS) in the SESAMI (Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Versus Bare-Metal Stent In Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is maintained at 3-year follow-up.

Background: At present, only long-term registry data, but not randomized trials, on the safety and effectiveness of SES in STEMI patients are available.

Methods: Overall, 320 STEMI patients were randomized to receive SES or BMS.

Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula using the new Amplatzer vascular plug and a telescoping catheter technique.

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare congenital or acquired anomalies characterized by an abnormal communication between the coronary arteries and the cardiac chambers or great vessels. Most patients are asymptomatic during childhood but symptoms and complications have been reported with advancing age. Until recently, surgery was the routine mode of treatment for CAFs but, today transcatheter closure is recommended using a variety of devices, such as occlusion coils, vascular plugs, umbrella devices and covered stents.

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale associated with atrial septal aneurysm with Amplatzer Cribriform septal occluder.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the short- and longterm outcomes of Amplatzer Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder Cribriform (AMF) device use in the percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) associated with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA).

Background: Since patients with PFO, associated with ASA, are at higher risk of embolic events (EE), the AMF device might offer advantages in this subgroup of patients.

Methods: Overall, 38 consecutive patients, with both PFO and ASA, underwent percutaneous closure of the defect with the AMF device, and the results were compared to those in 38 patients with PFO and ASA treated with the Amplatzer PFO device (APO).

Long-term outcome of transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure in patients with paradoxical embolism.

Background: Optimal management of patients with PFO and paradoxical embolic events is still debated. Moreover, data from long-term studies on large patient populations are lacking. Aim of the study is to assess immediate and long-term clinical outcome of patients with PFO and paradoxical thrombo-embolic events submitted to transcatheter PFO closure.

Endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation: long-term effects on hypertension.

Introduction: Endovascular management of aortic coarctation (CoA) is safe but few data are available concerning the long-term cure of hypertension. Aim of this study was to evaluate immediate and long-term clinical and haemodynamic outcome in a consecutive series of adolescent and adult patients with CoA submitted to endovascular treatment.

Methods: A total of 21 adolescent and adult patients underwent successful transcatheter intervention of CoA.