Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 4,170,027 Patients.

Background: Data on the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are controversial.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk of VTE in patients with AF according to the time from AF diagnosis.

Methods: Systematic review of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (EBSCO host), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2020) in the Cochrane Library, and World Health Organization Global Index Medicus databases and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Acute upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding management in older people taking or not taking anticoagulants: a literature review.

Acute upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding may be a potentially life-threatening event that requires prompt recognition and an early effective management, being responsible for a considerable number of hospital admissions. Methods. We perform a clinical review to summarize the recent international guidelines, helping the physician in clinical practice.

COVID-Vaccines in Pregnancy: Maternal and Neonatal Response over the First 9 Months after Delivery.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated to be safe during gestation. Nevertheless, there are no robust data investigating the entity of maternal antibodies' transmission through the placenta to the newborn and the persistence of the antibodies in babies' serum. The objective of this study is to assess the maternal antibody transmission and kinetics among newborns in the first months of life.

Potential application of mesenchymal stromal cells as a new therapeutic approach in acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis.

While the COVID-19 outbreak and its complications are still under investigation, post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has already been described as a long-term sequela of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to SARS-CoV2 infection. However, therapeutical strategies for patients with ARDS and PF are still limited and do not significantly extend lifespan. So far, lung transplantation remains the only definitive treatment for end-stage PF.

Left atrium veno-arterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation as temporary mechanical support for cardiogenic shock: A case report.

Background: Veno-arterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support is commonly complicated with left ventricle (LV) distension in patients with cardiogenic shock. We resolved this problem by transeptally converting VA-ECMO to left atrium veno-arterial (LAVA)-ECMO that functioned as a temporary paracorporeal left ventricular assist device to resolve LV distension. In our case LAVA-ECMO was also functioning as a bridge-to-transplant device, a technique that has been scarcely reported in the literature.

Complications of unintentional dural puncture during labour epidural analgesia: a 10-year retrospective observational study.

Introduction: Unintentional dural puncture (UDP) occurs in 0.5-1.5% of labour epidural analgesia cases.

The effect of antithrombotic treatment on mortality in patients with acute infection: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background And Aims: Acute infections cause relevant activation of innate immunity and inflammatory cascade. An excessive response against pathogens has been proved to trigger the pathophysiological process of thrombo-inflammation. Nevertheless, an association between the use of antithrombotic agents and the outcome of critically ill patients with infectious diseases is lacking.

Blood Coagulation and Beyond: Position Paper from the Fourth Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis.

The Fourth Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis included the following themes. Theme 1: The "coagulome" as a critical driver of cardiovascular disease. Blood coagulation proteins also play divergent roles in biology and pathophysiology, related to specific organs, including brain, heart, bone marrow, and kidney.

Effect of digoxin on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation with and without heart failure: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and 12 meta-analyses.

Purpose: To perform a systematic umbrella review with meta-analysis to evaluate the certainty of evidence on mortality risk associated with digoxin use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with or without heart failure (HF).

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to 19 October 2021. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies investigating digoxin effects on mortality of adult patients with AF and/or HF.

Antibody Response to COVID-19 Booster Vaccination in Healthcare Workers.

Objective: To evaluate the mean increase of anti-S IgG antibody titer between the basal, pre-booster level to the titer assessed 14 days after the booster dose of BNT162b2.

Patients And Methods: The RENAISSANCE study is an observational, longitudinal, prospective, population-based study, conducted on healthcare workers of Niguarda Hospital in Milan, Italy who received a BNT162b2 booster dose at least 180 days after their second dose or after positivity for SARS-CoV-2 and accepted to take part in the study. The RENAISSANCE study was conducted from January 1, 2021 through December 28, 2021.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis Induced by Anticancer Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition due to the presence of gas within the bowel wall; it is mainly caused by endoscopic procedures, infections and other gastrointestinal diseases. Oncological therapies have been reported to be a cause of PI as well, but their role is not clearly defined. This systematic review investigates the concurrency of PI and antitumor therapy in cancer patients, considering both solid tumors and onco-hematological ones.

A retrospective analysis of the hemolysis occurrence during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a single center.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-associated hemolysis still represents a serious complication. The present study aimed to investigate those predictive factors, such as flow rates, the use of anticoagulants, and circuit connected dialysis, that might play a pivotal role in hemolysis in adult patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective single-center case series of 35 consecutive adult patients undergoing veno-venous ECMO support at our center between April 2014 and February 2020.

Enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: The X-COVID-19 Randomized Trial.

Background: It is uncertain whether higher doses of anticoagulants than recommended for thromboprophylaxis are necessary in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in general wards METHODS: This is a multicentre, open-label, randomized trial performed in 9 Italian centres, comparing 40 mg b.i.d.

Protection of Concrete Structures: Performance Analysis of Different Commercial Products and Systems.

The increasing demand for reconstructions of concrete structures and the wide availability on the market of surface protective products and systems could lead to misunderstandings in the decision of the most effective solution. Surface protectors have become increasingly widespread in recent years in concrete restoration interventions thanks to their properties: they are able to protect the substrate from aggressive agents and consequently extend the useful life of the structures. The aim of this article is first of all to present the surface protective treatments available on the market, outlining their strengths and weaknesses.

Statin liver safety in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and metanalysis.

Aims: Statin liver safety in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients is not well defined. We analysed differences in liver function tests, including alanine transaminase aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in NAFLD patients treated or not treated with statins.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE via PubMed and EMBASE databases and metanalysis of clinical studies investigating levels of ALT, AST and GGT in NAFLD according to statin treatment.

Chloride Diffusion in Concrete Protected with a Silane-Based Corrosion Inhibitor.

One of the most important parameters concerning durability is undoubtedly represented by cement matrix resistance to chloride diffusion in environments where reinforced concrete structures are exposed to the corrosion risk induced by marine environment or de-icing salts. This paper deals with protection from chloride ingress by a silane-based surface-applied corrosion inhibitor. Results indicated that the corrosion inhibitor (CI) allows to reduce the penetration of chloride significantly compared to untreated specimens, independently of w/c, cement type, and dosage.

Association between protective and deleterious HLA alleles with multiple sclerosis in Central East Sardinia.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex on chromosome 6p21 has been unambiguously associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The complex features of the HLA region, especially its high genic content, extreme polymorphism, and extensive linkage disequilibrium, has prevented to resolve the nature of HLA association in MS. We performed a family based association study on the isolated population of the Nuoro province (Sardinia) to clarify the role of HLA genes in MS.

Assessment of hepatic reserve for the indication of hepatic resection: how I do it.

Despite the careful selection of cirrhotic patients with hepatic neoplasms, liver resection for these patients remains associated with greater risk than in patients without underlying liver disease. The most rational indications for resective surgery in patients with hepatic neoplasms and cirrhosis are nonprogressive cirrhosis and good functional reserve. Therefore, evaluation of hepatic reserve is mandatory for hepatectomy candidates.

Cancer of the rectum: comparison of two different surgical approaches.

Surgical treatment of rectal cancer is still controversial as regards the type of operation and the extent of lymphadenectomy. Four hundred and fifty-eight patients with rectal cancer operated on at two different hospitals (206 patients, Surgical Department, S. Martino General Hospital and 252 patients, Surgical Department, Galliera General Hospital) in the decade 1980-1989 were studied.

Colorectal cancer metastases: surgical indications and multimodal approach.

Background/aims: The therapeutic plan to follow in patients affected by hepatic and pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer is based on prognostic factors and staging.

Methodology: Our experience from January 1980 to January 2002 underlines the effectiveness of combined multimodal therapy in the treatment of advanced metastatic stages. A total of 224 patients with metastases from colorectal cancer have been treated.

[Anterior resection in rectal cancer: the role of lymphadenectomy. Comparison of 2 surgical experiences].

Of great interest today is the debate regarding the benefits and limitations of extended lymphadenectomy in rectal cancer, particularly with regard to patient survival. In the present report we review the experience of two different surgical departments: a total of 458 patients with rectal cancer were operated on in the 1st Surgical Department of S. Martino Hospital, Genoa, and in the 1st Surgical Department of Galliera Hospital, Genoa over the period from 1980 to 1989.

Experience with a questionnaire administered by emergency medical service for pre-hospital identification of patients with acute stroke.

We prospectively verified whether an ad-hoc questionnaire administered by phone supports pre-hospital suspicion of stroke in order to reduce the time before care is given. From June 1996 to May 1997, physicians of the Emergency Medical Service in the area of Bergamo, Italy asked all people calling for a patient with symptoms and signs suggesting a cerebral vascular injury to immediately answer some questions on common symptoms and signs of stroke. The medical records of the patients hospitalized at Ospedali Riuniti of Bergamo were reviewed at the end of the study by a single neurologist, skilled in stroke management and blinded to the questionnaires.

Role of p53 mutations on survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Background/aims: To determine the role of p53 mutations on survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Methodology: Resected specimens were assessed for expression of wild-type or mutated p53. Survival of p53-negative and- positive patients was investigated, and differences noted at 0.

Large demyelinating brain lesion mimicking a herniating tumor.

We describe the case of a large brain lesion whose computed tomography appearance and clinical evolution mimicked a herniating tumor. The patient progressed to coma within 6 days of hospitalization despite high-dose steroid treatment. Emergency excision of the lesion was carried out.

D1 versus D2 pancreatoduodenectomy in surgical therapy of pancreatic head cancer.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of standard pancreatoduodenectomy versus pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and the role of adjuvant therapy on survival in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. In addition the problems related to resection are discussed.

Methodology: A total number of 124 pts operated on between 1985 and 1999 were divided into three groups according to our different strategies.