Publications by authors named "Erba P"

Fibrosis is one of the key healing responses to injury, especially within the heart where it helps to maintain structural integrity following acute insults such as myocardial infarction. However, if it becomes dysregulated then fibrosis can become maladaptive leading to adverse remodelling, impaired cardiac function and heart failure. Fibroblast activation protein is exclusively expressed by activated fibroblasts, the key effector cells of fibrogenesis, and has a unique extracellular domain that is an ideal ligand for novel molecular imaging probes.

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  • Cardiovascular imaging has evolved significantly, with traditional methods like echocardiography and CT scans essential for assessing heart structure and function, but often lacking direct insights into disease activity.
  • Molecular nuclear imaging techniques, such as PET and SPECT, are bridging this gap by allowing visualization of disease processes at a molecular and cellular level.
  • The review emphasizes how advancements in molecular imaging are crucial for precision medicine, aiding in better understanding of diseases, developing targeted treatments, and personalizing patient care.
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  • The introduction of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the 1980s transformed how osteoporosis is diagnosed and managed globally.
  • DXA results can be impacted by various technical factors, including instrument quality, patient positioning, and the interpretation of T-scores and Z-scores.
  • This report aims to highlight important technical and clinical elements of DXA use and discusses how to better integrate these practices into clinical settings, along with considering non-bone mineral density measurements.
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Osteoporotic fractures, also known as fragility fractures, are reflective of compromised bone strength and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such fractures may be clinically silent, and others may present clinically with pain and deformity at the time of the injury. Unfortunately, and even at the time of detection, most individuals sustaining fragility fractures are not identified as having underlying metabolic bone disease and are not evaluated or treated to reduce the incidence of future fractures.

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Background: Mobile technology is increasingly prevalent in healthcare, serving various purposes, including remote health monitoring and patient self-management, which could prove beneficial to early hospital discharges.

Aims: This study investigates the transitional care program experience facilitating early discharges in a pediatric setting through the use of an easy-to-use mobile medical device (TytoCare™, TytoCare Ltd., Natanya, Israel).

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  • This document is the first in the ASNC I series focusing on the role of radionuclide imaging for diagnosing cardiovascular infections, notably infective endocarditis, using a detailed consensus-based approach.
  • It highlights the rising incidence of cardiovascular infections, which present high risks and complications, and discusses the limitations of current diagnostic methods like echocardiography.
  • Advanced imaging techniques such as FDG PET/CT and SPECT/CT can improve diagnostic accuracy by revealing infection in cardiac devices and surrounding areas, emphasizing the need for better imaging strategies in complex cases.
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  • * A thorough consensus was reached using a modified Delphi method to outline clinical indications, diagnostic criteria, and a structured algorithm for diagnosis due to the rising incidence and high risks associated with these infections.
  • * Advanced imaging techniques, such as F-FDG PET/CT, can improve the evaluation and management of cardiovascular infections, particularly in complicated cases involving prosthetic valves and cardiac devices, while also highlighting the need for further research to optimize these applications.
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This document on cardiovascular infection, including infective endocarditis, is the first in the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology Imaging Indications (ASNC I) series to assess the role of radionuclide imaging in the multimodality context for the evaluation of complex systemic diseases with multi-societal involvement including pertinent disciplines. A rigorous modified Delphi approach was used to determine consensus clinical indications, diagnostic criteria, and an algorithmic approach to diagnosis of cardiovascular infection including infective endocarditis. Cardiovascular infection incidence is increasing and is associated with high morbidity and mortality.

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Article Synopsis
  • This document is the first in a series by the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology focusing on the use of radionuclide imaging for diagnosing cardiovascular infections, particularly infective endocarditis, in a comprehensive healthcare context.
  • A modified Delphi method was used to establish clinical indications, diagnostic criteria, and a structured approach for diagnosing these infections, which are increasingly common and associated with significant health risks.
  • Advanced imaging techniques, such as 18F-FDG PET/CT and SPECT/CT leukocyte scintigraphy, can significantly boost diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment decisions, especially for patients with complex cardiovascular issues or unclear initial imaging results.
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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the level of evidence of expert recommendations and guidelines for clinical indications and procedurals in hybrid nuclear cardiovascular imaging.

Methods: From inception to August 2023, a PubMed literature analysis of the latest version of guidelines for clinical hybrid cardiovascular imaging techniques including SPECT(/CT), PET(/CT), and PET(/MRI) was performed in two categories: (1) for clinical indications for all-in primary diagnosis; subgroup in prognosis and therapy evaluation; and for (2) imaging procedurals. We surveyed to what degree these followed a standard methodology to collect the data and provide levels of evidence, and for which topic systematic review evidence was executed.

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Background: Early detection of recurrent or progressive HCC remains the strongest prognostic factor for survival. Dual tracer PET/CT imaging with [C]CH and [F]FDG can further increase detection rates as both tracers entail different metabolic pathways involved in HCC development. We investigated dual-tracer PET/CT in clinical decision making in patients suspected of recurrent or progressive HCC.

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Imaging water pathways in the human body provides an excellent way of measuring accurately the blood flow directed to different organs. This makes it a powerful diagnostic tool for a wide range of diseases that are related to perfusion and oxygenation. Although water PET has a long history, its true potential has not made it into regular clinical practice.

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Purpose: F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography with low dose and/or contrast enhanced computed tomography ([F]FDG-PET/CT) scan reveals high sensitivity for the diagnosis of vascular graft and endograft infection (VGEI), but lower specificity. Reporting [F]FDG-PET/CT scans of suspected VGEI is challenging, reader dependent, and reporting standards are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability of [F]FDG-PET/low dose CT (LDCT) reporting of suspected VGEI using a proposed standard reporting format.

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Aim: We performed a systematic survey to assess the existing gaps in Europe in multidisciplinary education for integration of radioligand therapy (RLT) into cancer care and to obtain detailed information on the current limitations and key contents relevant.

Methods: A high-quality questionnaire, with emphasis on survey scales, formulation, and validity of the different items, was designed. An expert validation process was undertaken.

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Background And Aims: Mutations in FDXR gene, involved in mitochondrial pathway, cause a rare recessive neurological disorder with variable severity of phenotypes. The most common presentation includes optic and/or auditory neuropathy, variably associated to developmental delay or regression, global hypotonia, pyramidal, cerebellar signs, and seizures. The review of clinical findings in previously described cases from literature reveals also a significant incidence of sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy (22.

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Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is crucial for adequate patient management. Due to difficulties in the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary discussion in addition to the integration of clinical signs, microbiology data, and imaging data is used.

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