Laparoscopy Versus Open Technique for Inguinal Hernia Repair in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aims to compare operative time, recurrence, and complications between laparoscopic and open techniques for the repair of inguinal hernia in children. Pubmed and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies of pediatric patients who underwent open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia procedures. The main outcomes were operative time, recurrence, and complications.

Phytase Improves Zinc Utilization by Broiler Chickens.

The study aimed to evaluate phytase effects on the availability of zinc (Zn) from corn and soybean meal feeds for broiler chickens, whereas, in parallel, Zn requirements were investigated. A total of 640 Cobb × Cobb 500 male chicks were fed a Zn-deficient diet (18.87 ± 0.

Combination of monoclonal antibodies targeting type 2 inflammation for severe asthma and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Monoclonal antibodies targeting type 2 inflammation are promising treatments for eosinophilic-associated diseases. There is growing interest in the potential benefits of combining two biologics to treat patients with poorly controlled conditions. We present a case of a 54-year-old female patient affected with a relapsing-refractory ANCA myeloperoxidase positive eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), presenting with difficult-to-treat asthma and rhino-sinusitis manifestations.

The Effect of Outdoor Aeroallergens on Asthma Hospitalizations in Children in North-Western Tuscany, Italy.

Few data are currently available on the effects of aeroallergens in triggering respiratory symptoms in children. To evaluate the potential effects of daily outdoor aeroallergens loads on childhood admissions, in this case-crossover study, we analyzed data from 85 children hospitalized at the University Hospital of Pisa, Italy, for asthma or asthma-like symptoms without respiratory infection, between 2010 and 2019. Data were linked to outdoor allergens, temperature, nitrogen dioxide, and relative humidity observed during the same period.

Dyspnea, effort and muscle pain during exercise in lung transplant recipients: an analysis of their association with cardiopulmonary function parameters using machine learning.

Background: Despite improvement in lung function, most lung transplant (LTx) recipients show an unexpectedly reduced exercise capacity that could be explained by persisting peripheral muscle dysfunction of multifactorial origin. We analyzed the course of symptoms, including dyspnea, muscle effort and muscle pain and its relation with cardiac and pulmonary function parameters during an incremental exercise testing.

Methods: Twenty-four bilateral LTx recipients were evaluated in an observational cross-sectional study.

Mepolizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma: a real-world snapshot on clinical markers and timing of response.

: Few studies have provided real-world evidence of mepolizumab efficacy and safety. We aimed to evaluate mepolizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma in daily clinical practice.: Patients included in the RINOVA (Interdisciplinary Network for the management of severe asthma in Veneto region, Italy) database were investigated.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicating severe acute asthma exacerbation in adult patients.

: The real incidence of pneumomediastinum (PNM) in adult patients with severe acute asthma exacerbation continues to be unknown. The current study aims to investigate the occurrence of PNM in an adult population of patients presenting a severe asthma attack and to evaluate the risk factors associated to its development. : The 45 consecutive subjects who were admitted to our Division between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016 for severe acute asthma exacerbation underwent a diagnostic protocol including a standard chest X-ray and continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO) during the first 24 hours following admission.

Fatal asthma; is it still an epidemic?

Background: Asthma mortality has declined since the 1980s. Nevertheless the World Health Organization (WHO) identified asthma as responsible for 225.000 deaths worldwide in 2005, and 430.

Peptides as modulators of α-synuclein aggregation.

α-Synuclein forms amyloid deposits in the dopaminergic neurons; a process that is believed to contribute to the Parkinson's disease. An emerging theme in amyloid research is the hypothesis that the toxic species produced during amyloid formation share common physic-chemical features and exert their effects by common modes. This prompted the idea that molecules able to inhibit a protein aggregation process may cross-react with other amyloidogenic proteins, interfering in their fibrils formation.

Noninvasive ventilation in the event of acute respiratory failure in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Some patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) develop severe acute respiratory failure (ARF) requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilatory support. A limited number of observational studies have reported that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can be an effective treatment to support breathing and to prevent use of invasive mechanical ventilation in these patients. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the clinical status and outcomes in IPF patients receiving NIV for ARF and to identify those clinical and laboratory characteristics, which could be considered risk factors for its failure.

Omalizumab management beyond clinical trials: the added value of a network model.

Background: Omalizumab is effective and safe in severe allergic asthma. Few data are available about its impact on lung function and on asthma comorbidities, long-term follow-up of treated patients, adherence, non-responders profile, and optimal treatment duration.

Objective: We aimed at evaluating omalizumab-related clinical outcomes and unmet needs in a real-life setting.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the management of acute respiratory failure due to osteogenesis imperfecta.

The development of acute respiratory failure (ARF) secondary to respiratory tract infection is a common event in patients affected with osteogenesis imperfecta type III. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is increasingly administered to treat severe ARF of various origin. The use of NPPV in two patients with severe ARF secondary to osteogenesis imperfecta type III is presented.

Prevention of extubation failure in high-risk patients with neuromuscular disease.

Background: A substantial proportion of patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) who undergo positive pressure ventilation via endotracheal intubation for acute respiratory failure fail to pass spontaneous breathing trials and should be considered at high risk for extubation failure. In our study, we prospectively investigated the efficacy of early application of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) combined with assisted coughing as an intervention aimed at preventing extubation failure in patients with NMD.

Methods: This study is a prospective analysis of the short-term outcomes of 10 patients with NMD who were treated by NIV and assisted coughing immediately after extubation and comparison with the outcomes of a population of 10 historical control patients who received standard medical therapy (SMT) alone.

[Study on the appropriateness of utilization of dermatological consultants in emergency unit].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of appropriate use of dermatologist consultants, in order to identify its determinants and to define its economic impact. We analysed 1750 dermatological procedures performed in the emergency room of the Azienda Ospedaliera "Maggiore della Carità" in Novara. The 87,64% of the procedures were inappropriate.