Evaluation of changes in cardiac longitudinal strain rate in patients with systemic sclerosis undergoing iloprost treatment: an observational study.

Objectives: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by widespread microangiopathy and fibrosis of skin and visceral organs. Left ventricle involvement is usually subclinical, characterized by systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction. The global longitudinal strain (GLS), a validated and reliable technique for the measurement of ventricular longitudinal deformation by means of echocardiography, may detect subclinical systolic dysfunction of SSc myocardium.

COVID-19-related retinal microvasculopathy and systemic implications in patients with severe disease: results from the Methuselah study.

Objectives: To assess the reversibility of retinal microvascular changes in the long term and to investigate the potential links with other vascular diseases of COVID-19.

Methods: We designed a prospective multicenter observational study. Patients were enrolled from the Methuselah study cohort.

Associations between Host Genetic Variants and Subgingival Microbiota in Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome.

Host genetic variants may affect oral biofilms, playing a role in the periodontitis-systemic disease axis. This is the first study to assess the associations between host genetic variants and subgingival microbiota in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS); 103 patients with MetS underwent medical and periodontal examinations and had blood and subgingival plaque samples taken. DNA was extracted and processed, assessing a panel of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) first (hypothesis testing) and then expanding to a discovery phase.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (Pan-NET) Presented by Abdominal Pain: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (Pan-NET) is a rare neoplasm originating in the neuroendocrine system. Carcinoid syndrome occurs in approximately 19% of patients with functional Pan-NETs, typically when liver metastases occur. In this paper, we describe the case of a patient with a low-grade non-functional Pan-NET, but with a typical clinical presentation of carcinoid syndrome.

Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Older Patients in Rehabilitation Wards.

The multidisciplinary assessment of hospitalized patients via validated scales and tools has become crucial in the early identification of sarcopenia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its related factors in patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the neurological rehabilitation departments of cognitive motor disorders and functional motor rehabilitation at the IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele in Milan. Using the algorithm reported by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2), the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients was investigated from 2019-2020.

Assessing Humoral Immuno-Inflammatory Pathways Associated with Respiratory Failure in COVID-19 Patients.

All severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections are characterized by a high risk of disease progression towards ARDS, leading to a bad outcome. Respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 patients often do not correspond to disease's worsening. In our sample, median age was 74 years (72-75) and 54% were men.

Clinical Presentation of Connective Tissue Disease Patients with and without Interstitial Lung Disease: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are responsible for about 20% of interstitial lung disease (ILD) cases, but their diagnosis in a pulmonary unit (PU) is not always straightforward due to a heterogeneous clinical picture.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and CTD-ILD cases diagnosed in PU, compared to RA and CTD patients diagnosed in a rheumatologic unit (RU).

Methods: Patients with RA, systemic sclerosis (SSc), primary Sjӧgren's syndrome (pSS), and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy were retrospectively enrolled from an RU and a PU designated to manage ILD during a period from January 2017 to October 2022.

Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Prospective Study.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common rheumatologic disorder characterised by widespread muscular pain. Myalgia is also a common clinical feature in Connective Tissue Disease (CTD), and FM should be studied for the concomitant presence of a CTD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies (MSA/MAA) in a cohort of FM patients.

Use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica and persistent increase of acute phase reactants.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease affecting older adults characterized by aching pain and morning stiffness of the shoulder and pelvic girdles. Moreover, PMR can be associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Generally, PMR is highly responsive to steroids, reaching complete remission in the majority of cases.

Systemic Sclerosis and Idiopathic Portal Hypertension: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

The presence of liver involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is considered atypical, besides the possible coexistence of other autoimmune hepatic disorders. However, the occurrence of portal hypertension and, more specifically, of the syndromes called idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and regenerative nodular hyperplasia (RNH) have been anecdotally reported in the literature for SSc patients. We described a case of SSc woman complicated by IPH; moreover, we reviewed the literature on the topic.

Quantitative chest tomography indexes are related to disease activity in systemic sclerosis: results from a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify if there are correlations between quantitative chest tomography (QCT) indexes and disease activity (DA) in a cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: SSc patients were assessed for DA and underwent high resolution chest tomography (CT). CT images were analysed with an operator-independent algorithm extracting the QCT indexes.

Progression and prognosis of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features: a longitudinal, prospective, multi-centre study.

Objectives: To evaluate the rate of progression towards specific autoimmune diseases (SADs) of a prospective, multi-centre cohort of patients classifiable as interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF).

Methods: IPAF patients were enrolled based on specific research criteria, and jointly followed by rheumatologists and pulmonologists for at least one year with clinical check-ups, serological exams including autoimmunity, capillaroscopy and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Diagnostic assessment was repeated at least once a year, or earlier when deemed useful.

Reduction of carotid baroreceptor sensitivity in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterised by diffuse vasculopathy and fibrosis of skin and visceral organs. Moreover, autonomic dysfunction is also suggested as an important step during the multifactorial SSc pathogenesis. Baroreceptors are responsible for maintaining blood pressure by means of autonomic system modulation.

The Impaired Elasticity of Large Arteries in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.

(1) Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction and fibrosis of skin and visceral organs. In the last decade, attention has been focused on the macrovascular involvement of the disease. In particular, the observation of increased arterial stiffness represented an interesting aspect of the disease, as predictor of cardiovascular risk.

Circulating miRNA-195-5p and -451a in Patients with Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke in Emergency Department.

(1) Background: In our previous study, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients showed increased levels of circulating miRNAs (-195-5p and -451a) involved in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) regulation. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, both circulating miRNAs in acute intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) patients. (2) Methods: Circulating miRNAs and serum VEGF-A were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA in 20 acute ICH, 21 AIS patients, and 21 controls.

A New Method for the Assessment of Myalgia in Interstitial Lung Disease: Association with Positivity for Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies.

In this study, it was found that myositis-specific and myositis-associated antibodies (MSAs and MAAs) improved the recognition of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. The objective of this study is to propose a clinical method to evaluate myalgia in respiratory settings as a possible tool for the recognition of MSA/MAA positivity in ILD patients. We prospectively enrolled 167 ILD patients with suspected myositis, of which 63 had myalgia evoked at specific points (M+ILD+).

Sclerosing cholangitis may mimic radiological pattern of cholangiocarcinoma: Differential diagnosis and review of literature.

IgG4 related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease, characterized by obstruction of the biliary tract due to IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltrations associated with fibrosis, phlebitis and presence of eosinophils. The diagnosis of the disease is supported by elevation in serum IgG4, radiological imaging and histology. In most of the cases IgG4-SC is associated with a wide spectrum of symptoms and manifestations summarized by the definition of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Is a Promising Predictor of Mortality and Admission to Intensive Care Unit of COVID-19 Patients.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker predicting the prognosis of several diseases. We aimed to assess its role as a predictor of mortality or admission to the intensive care unit in COVID-19 patients. We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 411 patients with COVID-19 infection.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio: An Emerging Marker of the Relationships between the Immune System and Diseases.

Over the last 10 years, the evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an emerging marker of diseases has become a compelling field of bio-medical research. Although a precise and unique cut-off value has not been yet found, its role as a flag of immune system homeostasis is well established. NLR has a well-known prognostic value and independently correlates with mortality in the general population and in several specific subsets of disease (sepsis, pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer, etc.

Working on the dirty side-the ipsilateral subclavian access for temporary pacing after lead extraction.

Background: Temporary pacing is necessary in pacemaker-dependent patients after transvenous lead extraction (TLE) for cardiac implantable electronic device infection. In case of unavailability of other accesses, we propose to use the ipsilateral subclavian access (ISA) combined with a standard permanent active fixation lead for the temporary pacemaker and present preliminary data.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients undergoing TLE who received a temporary pacemaker using the ISA between August 2016 and April 2020 at our centre.

"Usual" interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features: a prospective study on a cohort of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Objectives: The classification interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) includes patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with autoimmune characteristics insufficient to reach classification criteria for a specific autoimmune disease (SAD). These criteria are divided into three domains: clinical, serological and morphological. The latter domain does not include the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern, which is deemed not to be significantly associated with SAD.

Vascular Dysfunction of COVID-19 Is Partially Reverted in the Long-Term.

Background: COVID-19 is characterized by severe inflammation during the acute phase and increased aortic stiffness in the early postacute phase. In other models, aortic stiffness is improved after the reduction of inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the mid- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on vascular and cardiac autonomic function.

Analysis of gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: To assess associations between gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) markers in patients with metabolic syndrome, with or without concomitant periodontitis.

Methods: A total of 95 patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) had a periodontal examination and gingival crevicular fluid samples taken. Proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was carried out by Human XL Cytokine protein arrays in 12 selected patients, followed by multiplex ELISA of 11 analytes in 95 participants.

Amiodarone in ventricular arrhythmias: still a valuable resource?

Ventricular arrhythmias still represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Amiodarone is a Class III Vaughan-Williams anti-arrhythmic drug widely used in ventricular arrhythmias for its efficacy and low pro-arrhythmogenic effect. On the other hand, a significant limitation in its use is represented by toxicity.