Pathological findings at invasive assessment in MINOCA: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathological mechanisms of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are heterogeneous, with an unknown impact on prognosis, and often remain unrecognised in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of pathological findings by invasive coronary angiography (ICA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and coronary function testing in MINOCA.

Methods: Studies published until August 2023 were searched on PubMed and SCOPUS and included if reporting the prevalence of patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries (NObs-CA; 1-49% coronary stenosis) versus normal coronary arteries (NCA; 0% coronary stenosis) by ICA, pathological findings by OCT, and/or coronary vasomotor tests in MINOCA.

Noninvasive Assessment in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction whose diagnosis can be challenging due to its resemblance to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite the growing recognition of TTS, acute complications and long-term mortality rates are comparable to those observed in AMI patients. In this context, a systematic diagnostic approach is imperative for an accurate patient assessment, with due consideration of the distinctive characteristics and optimal timing of each imaging modality.

Impact of Newly Diagnosed Cancer on Bleeding Events in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the association between cancer and cardioembolic or bleeding risk during oral anticoagulant therapy still remains unclear.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the impact of cancer present at baseline (CB) or diagnosed during follow-up (CFU) on bleeding events in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for non-valvular AF (NVAF) compared with patients without CB or CFU, respectively.

Methods: All consecutive patients with NVAF treated with DOACs for stroke prevention were enrolled between January 2017 and March 2019.

Spectrum of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses.

Background: Cardiac masses represent a heterogeneous clinical scenario. Potential electrocardiographic (ECG) red flags of malignancy remain to be investigated.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum of ECG abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses and to evaluate potential red flags suggestive of malignancy.

Early systemic insults following traumatic brain injury: association with biomarker profiles, therapy for intracranial hypertension, and neurological outcomes-an analysis of CENTER-TBI data.

Purpose: We analysed the impact of early systemic insults (hypoxemia and hypotension, SIs) on brain injury biomarker profiles, acute care requirements during intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and 6-month outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: From patients recruited to the Collaborative European neurotrauma effectiveness research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) study, we documented the prevalence and risk factors for SIs and analysed their effect on the levels of brain injury biomarkers [S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and protein Tau], critical care needs, and 6-month outcomes [Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE)].

Results: Among 1695 TBI patients, 24.

Switch to gliflozins and biventricular function improvement in patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes mellitus.

Background: SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce hospitalisation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The cardioprotective mechanisms of gliflozins however have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on right and left ventricular function in patients with diabetes and HF.

Switch to SGLT2 Inhibitors and Improved Endothelial Function in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Purpose: The use of sodium-glucose-cotransporter-type-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) was associated in previous studies with an improved vascular function in non-human experimental models. We therefore sought to evaluate possible changes in endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), switching from other oral hypoglycemic agents to SGLT2i in an observational study.

Methods: Twenty-two consecutive outpatients with CHF and T2DM were enrolled after switching to SGLT2i therapy, and compared with 23 consecutive controls from the same registry comparable for principal clinical characteristics.

A Bibliometric Analysis of 4 Major Foot and Ankle Surgery Journals.

Research publication is a central to the scientific process and comprehensive bibliometric analysis is a leading way to better understand trends within research. Currently, there are limited bibliometric analyses of literature pertaining to foot and ankle surgery. This study aims to quantify the volume of research and investigate what may affect publication and citation.

Readability of foot and ankle consent forms in Queensland.

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a readability analysis on both patient take-home information and consent forms for common foot and ankle procedures. Our hypothesis was that the objective reading skills required to read and comprehend the documentation currently in use would exceed the recommendations in place by both national and international bodies.

Methods: The current Queensland Health consent forms are divided into specific subsections.

Switch to direct anticoagulants and improved endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by higher rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) and endothelial dysfunction (ED). First line anticoagulant therapy in AF is represented by direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs); several patients, however, are still treated with vitamin-K inhibitors. The use of DOACs is associated in previous studies with an improved vascular function.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: update of the recommendations from the 2007 Italian Workshop.

The Italian recommendations for the therapy of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related disease were issued in 2008. Subsequently in 2008 the nucleotide analogue (NA) Tenofovir was approved for antiviral treatment. The introduction of this important new drug has called for the current guidelines update, which includes some additional revisions: (a) the indication for therapy is extended to mild liver fibrosis and the indication for treatment is graded as "possible", "optional" or "mandatory" according to the fibrosis stage; (b) two different treatment strategies are described: first line definite duration treatment with interferon, long-term treatment of indefinite duration with NA; (c) the indication to follow either strategy is also based on the stage of liver fibrosis; (d) virological monitoring is modified to include the definitions of failure and of sustained virological response to interferon therapy; (e) the recommendation to use HBV DNA assays with high sensitivity and wide linear ranges is underlined (f) guidelines on post-treatment follow-up after finite treatment with NA, potential side effects of therapy and non-virological monitoring are defined; (g) definitions and treatment of patients without optimal response to NA are reported; (f) treatment and monitoring of compensated or decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are updated.

Adefovir dipivoxil resistance patterns in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Lamivudine (3TC)-resistant chronic hepatitis B patients demonstrated a higher rate of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) resistance compared with nucleoside-naive patients. This study describes ADV mutation patterns in 3TC-resistant patients treated with ADV+3TC or ADV monotherapy, investigating whether mutations selected during 3TC therapy predispose to ADV resistance. Risk factors for ADV resistance were also evaluated.

Occult HBV infection in hemodialysis setting is marked by presence of isolated antibodies to HBcAg and HCV.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a matter of concern in hemodialysis units; occult HBV infections (serum HBsAg negative but HBV DNA positive) were demonstrated in this setting, and this involves further concerns regarding possible transmission and pathogenic consequences. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of occult HBV infection in a group of patients with reference to a single hemodialysis unit in southeastern Italy.

Methods: We analyzed HBV serology and DNA (using a qualitative nested PCR) in 128 HBsAg-negative hemodialysis patients, and correlated the results obtained, with sex, age, hemodialysis duration and HCV seropositivity.

B-mode ultrasound study of carotid plaques in HIV-positive patients to detect the presence of inflammatory endothelial lesions.

Several reports have indicated that patients with low CD4+ cell count could be at a higher risk for arterial lesions or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, current use of abacavir has been associated with an excess risk of CVD. High sensitivity-C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were high for patients receiving the drug.

Functional impairments of microcirculation in HIV-positive patients: a laser Doppler fluxometry-based investigation.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate the morphologic and functional characteristics of microcirculation in HIV-positive patients. Microcirculation was investigated by means of capillaroscopy and laser Doppler fluxometry (LDF). The results were compared with those obtained from healthy subjects and patients affected by sclerodermia.

A color Doppler ultrasound-based comparative study between stavudine and non-stavudine regimens in the onset of vascular lesions in HIV-1-positive patients.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the role of stavudine in the onset of premature vascular lesions using an ultrasound color Doppler evaluation of the carotid vessels.

Patients And Methods: A total of 266 patients were evaluated: 149 were treated with stavudine (group I) and 117 without stavudine (group II).

Results: Of the patients in group I, 41% exhibited vascular lesions vs.

Lack of correlation between serum anti-HBcore detectability and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

Background: While the likelihood of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients coinfected with both HBV and HCV is increased, the role of previous exposure to HBV as a risk factor associated with tumor occurrence in subjects with HCV-related cirrhosis has not been fully investigated.

Aim: To assess whether serum anti-HBc positivity, as a marker of previous HBV exposure, is associated with HCC development in HCV-related positive, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative patients with cirrhosis treated with alfa-interferon (IFN) monotherapy. PATIENTS AND: A database including 883 consecutive patients (557 men, mean age 54.

An ultrasound-based comparative study on carotid plaques in HIV-positive patients vs. atherosclerotic and arteritis patients: atherosclerotic or inflammatory lesions?

Background: We have previously described two cases of HIV-1-positive patients undergoing surgery for stenosis of the internal carotid arteries. Histology revealed an extensive inflammatory infiltration of the vascular wall and no evidence of atheromasic plaque. This unexpected pattern of carotid damage prompted us to perform a more accurate investigation of the characteristics of carotid plaques in a group of HIV-positive patients.

Pregnancy and human herpesvirus 8 reactivation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected women.

To investigate the impact of pregnancy on human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) reactivation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected women, the HHV-8 DNA presence and load were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) from 15 pregnant women coinfected with HIV-1 and HHV-8. HHV-8 detection was analyzed in relation to anti-HHV-8 antibodies and HIV-1-related parameters. Nucleotide sequence analysis of an ORFK1 hypervariable region of the HHV-8 strains was performed.

Rapid progression of carotid lesions in HAART-treated HIV-1 patients.

To obtain data on the evolution of carotid lesions, we evaluated 133 patients at their first antiretroviral regimen, followed for at least 2 years; 77 treated with protease inhibitors (PIs): Group A and 56 with non-nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): Group B. All patients were subjected to carotid ultrasonography. In Group A, among the previously normal patients 22.

Influence of genotype 3 hepatitis C coinfection on liver enzyme elevation in HIV-1-positive patients after commencement of a new highly active antiretroviral regimen: results from the EPOKA-MASTER Cohort.

Background: The independent role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 in liver transaminase elevation following highly active antiretroviral regimens is still controversial.

Methods: Analysis of data from a cohort of 492 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients was conducted using an intention-to-treat approach. Incidence of grade > or = III liver transaminase elevation was estimated per 100 patient-years of follow-up.

Antiretroviral therapy in chronic liver disease: focus on HIV/HCV coinfection--statements of the First Italian Consensus Workshop.

Hepatitis C virus common transmission routes and HCV coinfection is frequent in persons living with HIV. Liver enzyme elevation following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy is frequently seen in HIV-infected patients with chronic liver disease, particularly those with chronic hepatitis C. This complication may lead to treatment discontinuation, complicating HIV therapeutic management.

A dose-ranging study of the efficacy and tolerability of entecavir in Lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background & Aims: Entecavir is a nucleoside analogue with potent in vitro activity against lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV). This randomized, dose-ranging, phase 2 study compared the efficacy and safety of entecavir with lamivudine in lamivudine-refractory patients.

Methods: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and -negative patients (n = 182), viremic despite lamivudine treatment for > or =24 weeks or having documented lamivudine resistance substitutions, were switched directly to entecavir (1.