Publications by authors named "Giannini E"
Background: The Crohn's disease exclusion diet (CDED) has been shown to induce remission in adult Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The aim of the study is to provide additional evidence-based validation.
Methods: We conducted an open-label, randomized trial on adult CD patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms to assess CDED efficacy in inducing symptomatic remission using Mediterranean diet as control.
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is associated with a significant reduction in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among patients with cirrhosis, but data are conflicting about the risk of recurrence following DAA therapy. DAA-PASS was a prospective, pragmatic, observational study designed to estimate the risk of HCC recurrence associated with DAA therapy exposure during routine clinical care. Eligible patients were DAA treatment naive with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTunable electronic properties in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are essential to further their use in device applications. Here, we present a comprehensive scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy study of a doping-induced charge density wave (CDW) in semiconducting bulk 1T-ZrSe. We find that atomic impurities that locally shift the Fermi level () into the conduction band trigger a CDW reconstruction concomitantly to the opening of a gap at .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Presence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may influence the outcome of patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although this issue has never been adequately assessed in a large series of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of active HCV affects the survival of patients treated for HCC.
Methods: This study assessed the outcome of 3123 anti-HCV-positive patients with HCC, subdivided according to the presence of active HCV infection or previous sustained virological response (SVR).
Background & Aims: Approximately 40% of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) show incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid, thus needing second-line treatment to prevent disease progression. As no head-to-head comparison study is available, we used a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare efficacy and safety of available second-line therapies.
Methods: We performed a systematic literature review including randomised, placebo-controlled trials of patients with PBC and incomplete response, or intolerance, to ursodeoxycholic acid, and compared relative risks (RRs) for primary (biochemical response at 52-week) and secondary outcomes [incidence of new-onset pruritus and serious adverse events (SAEs)].
Background & Aims: Noninvasive tests (NITs) for ruling-out clinical significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and high-risk varices (HRVs) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) are lacking. We evaluated NITs in these patients and the influence of cholestasis on their performance.
Methods: Consecutive patients from the "Italian PBC registry" and 2 United Kingdom large-volume PBC referral centers with upper endoscopy within 6 months from biochemical evaluation and transient elastography were included.
Article Synopsis
- A systematic review identified 10 retrospective studies involving 4,398 patients, focusing on outcomes like steroid-free remission and adverse events over 1 year.
- Results indicated that both drugs performed similarly in achieving steroid-free remission, but ustekinumab had a lower risk of adverse events, serious infections, and hospitalization.
Background: High-resolution Manometry (HRM) is the most sensitive and specific test available for clinical assessment of hiatal hernia (HH), a common condition defined as the separation between the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and crural diaphragm (CD). While the link between HH and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is established, the potential association of HH with esophageal dysmotility, independently from GERD, is uncertain. This study aimed to analyze if HH, with or without GERD, can associate with esophageal motility disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment includes both conventional and advanced options like biological therapies and small molecules; surgery, such as ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), is recommended for severe cases but can lead to complications.
- - Chronic pouchitis, especially antibiotic-dependent (CADP) and antibiotic-refractory (CARP) types, poses significant treatment challenges due to insufficient evidence for effective options.
- - Promising results have been observed with biological therapies like vedolizumab and small molecules like JAK inhibitors; however, further quality research and clinical monitoring are necessary to establish reliable treatment guidelines.
Article Synopsis
- Recent international guidelines have defined metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), leading to a rise in its prevalence as a reason for liver transplantation (LT) in Italy between 2012 and 2022.
- * An analysis of 1,941 patients with MASLD and 11,201 without MASLD revealed that while the prevalence of MASLD patients waiting for LT increased significantly, it did not independently affect patient survival post-transplant.
- * Patients with non-HCC MASLD faced higher mortality rates on the waiting list but projected better 5-year transplant survival benefits than those without MASLD or HCC.
Importance: Whether patients with Child-Pugh class B (CP-B) cancer with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) benefit from active anticancer treatment vs best supportive care (BSC) is debated.
Objective: To evaluate the association of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies vs BSC with overall survival (OS) of patients with uHCC and CP-B liver dysfunction.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective, multicenter, international clinical case series examined data of patients with CP-B with uHCC who were receiving first-line ICI-based regimens from September 2017 to December 2022 whose data were extracted from an international consortium and compared with a cohort of patients with CP-B receiving BSC.
Background: Age-related changes in the gastrointestinal system are common and may be influenced by physiological aging processes. To date, a comprehensive analysis of esophageal motor disorders in patients belonging to various age groups has not been adequately reported.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective assessment of high-resolution manometry (HRM) studies in a multicenter setting.
The SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with important mortality, particularly in immunocompromised patients, including solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Remdesivir (RDV) is an antiviral drug that has proven to be effective in reducing the replication of the virus in host cells, by which it may reduce the progression of symptoms and, consequently, the length of hospital stay and mortality. Randomized controlled trials have evaluated its use in the general population but never in SOT recipients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The 2022 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer algorithm advises against liver resection for patients with multiple small tumors (2 or 3 nodules, each ≤3 cm) in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- This study retrospectively analyzed data from over 12,000 patients to compare survival outcomes among those undergoing liver resection (LR), percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).
- Results showed that LR had the highest survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years (89.11%, 70.98%, 56.44% respectively) compared to PRFA and TACE, indicating that LR may offer better long-term outcomes in treating early multin
Background: Achalasia is a rare disorder characterized by impaired esophageal motility and symptoms like dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. A timely diagnosis is crucial to adequately manage this condition.
Aims: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic delay from symptom onset to a definite diagnosis of achalasia, and to identify associated factors.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assesses the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab/bevacizumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have moderate liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh B), through a meta-analysis of 8 studies involving over 1,200 patients.
- - Results indicate that Child-Pugh B patients experience more severe adverse events (26.8%) compared to Child-Pugh A patients (11.8%), and also have shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), with significant differences noted.
- - The findings suggest that while atezolizumab/bevacizumab can be used in Child-Pugh B patients, its effectiveness is limited, with lower response rates and shorter survival
Proper assessment and prognostication of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken)
March 2024
Background: The diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on otolaryngologist's assessment of laryngoscopic findings remains contentious in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
Aims: To evaluate GERD prevalence, applying Lyon 2.0 Consensus criteria, in patients with extra-oesophageal symptoms undergoing laryngoscopic examination and impedance-pH monitoring.