Stability of Multi-Parametric Prostate MRI Radiomic Features to Variations in Segmentation.

Stability analysis remains a fundamental step in developing a successful imaging biomarker to personalize oncological strategies. This study proposes an in silico contour generation method for simulating segmentation variations to identify stable radiomic features. Ground-truth annotation provided for the whole prostate gland on the multi-parametric MRI sequences (T2w, ADC, and SUB-DCE) were perturbed to mimic segmentation differences observed among human annotators.

Induced myocardial ischemia in candidates to liver transplantation without evidence of heart disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with perioperative liver transplantation (LT) mortality. In absence of a defined risk algorithm, we aimed to test whether stress echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) could detect CAD in end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients without previous evidence of heart disease.

Methods: LT candidates ≥30 years underwent a cardiovascular (CV) assessment through stress echocardiography.

Adverse Pathological Findings at Radical Prostatectomy following Active Surveillance: Results from the Movember GAP3 Cohort.

Background: Little is known about the consequences of delaying radical prostatectomy (RP) after Active Surveillance (AS) according to stringent or wider entry criteria. We investigated the association between inclusion criteria and rates, and timing of adverse pathological findings (APFs) among patients in GAP3 cohorts. Methods: APFs (GG ≥ 3, pT ≥ 3, pN > 0 and positive surgical margins [R1]) were accounted for in very low-risk (VLR: grade group [GG] 1, cT1, positive cores < 3, PSA < 10 ng/mL, PSA density [PSAD] < 0.

Cross-cultural differences in men on active surveillance' anxiety: a longitudinal comparison between Italian and Dutch patients from the Prostate cancer Research International Active Surveillance study.

Background: Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS) have shown to cope with anxiety caused by living with an 'untreated cancer' and different factors can influence the tolerance level for anxiety in these patients. The present study analyzes Italian (Milan) and Dutch (Rotterdam) men prospectively included in the Prostate cancer International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) trial, aiming to explore whether socio-demographic factors (i.e.

Plasma levels of extracellular vesicles and the risk of post-operative pulmonary embolism in patients with primary brain tumors: a prospective study.

Primary brain tumors are associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), particularly in the early post-operative period. The pathophysiological mechanisms of PE are poorly understood. This study aims to describe prospectively extracellular vesicles (EVs) levels and investigate whether or not their variations allow to identify patients at increased risk of post-operative PE.

Supporting Patients With Untreated Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance: What Causes an Increase in Anxiety During the First 10 Months?

Background: The psychological burden possibly deriving from not immediately undergoing radical treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) could be a potential disadvantage of active surveillance (AS), especially in the eve of some relevant clinical exams [i.e., re-biopsy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and medical examination].

The dramatic COVID 19 outbreak in Italy is responsible of a huge drop of urological surgical activity: a multicenter observational study.

Objective: To describe the trend in surgical volume in urology in Italy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, as a result of the abrupt reorganisation of the Italian national health system to augment care provision to symptomatic patients with COVID-19.

Methods: A total of 33 urological units with physicians affiliated to the AGILE consortium (Italian Group for Advanced Laparo-Endoscopic Surgery; www.agilegroup.

Urology in the Time of Coronavirus: Reduced Access to Urgent and Emergent Urological Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Italy.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a substantial burden on the Italian healthcare system, resulting in the restructuring of hospitals to care for COVID-19 patients. However, this has likely impacted access to care for patients experiencing other conditions. We aimed to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on access to care for patients with urgent/emergent urological conditions throughout Italy.

How do prostate cancer patients navigate the active surveillance journey? A 3-year longitudinal study.

Objective: To investigate whether prostate cancer (PCa) patients' coping strategies (i.e., fighting spirit, anxious preoccupation, fatalism, helplessness/hopelessness, and avoidance) significantly change during the first 3-year follow-up period of active surveillance (AS).

Core Biopsies from Prostate Cancer Patients in Active Surveillance Protocols Harbor PTEN and MYC Alterations.

Background: Genomic characterization of prostate cancer (PCa) biopsies may improve criteria for the selection of patients suitable for active surveillance (AS).

Objective: To identify somatic genomic aberrations associated with adverse outcome as AS protocol exclusion indicators.

Design, Setting And Participants: Whole-exome sequencing profiles were generated for Gleason score (GS)=3+3 biopsies obtained from 54 PCa patients enrolled in two AS protocols.

Making Active Surveillance a path towards health promotion: A qualitative study on prostate cancer patients' perceptions of health promotion during Active Surveillance.

Objective: Health promotion is a key aspect for health outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) patients. However, it has been poorly explored among patients following monitoring programmes, for example Active Surveillance (AS). This study aimed to explore PCa patients' perceptions of health promotion during AS.

Intraoperative hypotension is not associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgery: results of a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Study Objective: To assess the effect of different intraoperative blood pressure targets on the development of POCD and test the feasibility of a larger trial.

Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Perioperative care in a tertiary care teaching hospital with outpatient follow-up.

Thulium Laser Treatment of Upper Urinary Tract Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Surgical and Oncological Outcomes.

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopic thulium laser (TL) treatment of upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC).

Materials And Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients underwent conservative TL treatment for UTUC at two referral institutions. All patients underwent preliminary biopsy and then laser vaporization.

Bedside selection of positive end-expiratory pressure by electrical impedance tomography in hypoxemic patients: a feasibility study.

Background: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a key element of mechanical ventilation. It should optimize recruitment, without causing excessive overdistension, but controversy exists on the best method to set it. The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility of setting PEEP with electrical impedance tomography in order to prevent lung de-recruitment following a recruitment maneuver.

Eleven-year management of prostate cancer patients on active surveillance: what have we learned?

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of active surveillance (AS) on patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) and to identify predictors of disease reclassification.

Methods: In 2005, we defined an institutional AS protocol (Sorveglianza Attiva Istituto Nazionale Tumori [SAINT]), and we joined the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study in 2007. Eligibility criteria included clinical stage ≤T2a, initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <10 ng/mL, and Gleason Pattern Score (GPS) ≤3 + 3 (both protocols); ≤25% positive cores with a maximum core length containing cancer ≤50% (SAINT); and ≤2 positive cores and PSA density <0.

Italian cultural adaptation of the Memorial Anxiety for Prostate Cancer scale for the population of men on active surveillance.

Purpose: The Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) is a self-report questionnaire that was developed in English to assess prostate cancer (PCa)-related anxiety. The aim of this study was to perform a cultural adaptation for the tool to be used in a population of Italian men on active surveillance (AS).

Methods: A total of 222 patients with localized PCa who were recruited for the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) protocol completed the MAX-PC.

Lifestyle interventions to improve the quality of life of men with prostate cancer: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Improving quality of life is a key issue for patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Lifestyle interventions could positively impact the quality of life of patients. However, there is no clear-cut understanding of the role of diet, exercise and risky behaviour reduction in improving the quality of life of men with PCa.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Real-time urinary electrolyte monitoring after furosemide administration in surgical ICU patients with normal renal function.

Background: Although the loop-diuretic furosemide is widely employed in critically ill patients with known long-term effects on plasma electrolytes, accurate data describing its acute effects on renal electrolyte handling and the generation of plasma electrolyte alterations are lacking. We hypothesized that the long-term effects of furosemide on plasma electrolytes and acid-base depend on its immediate effects on electrolyte excretion rate and patient clinical baseline characteristics. By monitoring urinary electrolytes quasi-continuously, we aimed to verify this hypothesis in a cohort of surgical ICU patients with normal renal function.

Reduction of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus pharyngo-tonsillar infections associated with use of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12: a retrospective observational study.

Recurrent pharyngo-tonsillar infections caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) occur frequently in young children, and the treatment of these infections contributes substantially to the total current requirement for antibiotic prescribing. Our study goal was to assess through a retrospective observational analysis whether the administration of the oral probiotic, Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SsK12), could reduce the occurrence of GABHS pharyngo-tonsillar infections in children who had a recent history of recurrent episodes of these infections. Twelve primary care pediatricians identified, through their databases, a total of 130 children who had experienced recurrent GABHS pharyngo-tonsillar infections over a period of at least 6-12 months prior to their inclusion in the study.