Cytogenetic Key to Identification of Triatominae Species Reported in an Outbreak Region of Oral Transmission of Chagas Disease in the Brazilian Northeast.

Oral transmission from the consumption of processed food with triatomines and/or their feces infected with Trypanosoma cruzi prevails among recent cases of Chagas disease in Brazil. In Paraíba, a state of the Brazilian northeast, there was an outbreak caused by the consumption of sugarcane juice that resulted in 26 cases of infection and one death. Until now, 10 species of triatomines have been reported in this Brazilian state.

Dichotomous Keys Based on Cytogenetic Data for Triatomines Reported in Brazilian Regions with Outbreaks of Orally Transmitted Chagas Disease (Pernambuco and Rio Grande Do Norte).

Chagas disease (CD) affects about eight million people worldwide. Brazil has the highest number of estimated cases and the largest number of deaths due to CD. Considering the recent outbreaks of oral CD involving at least 27 cases of acute CD in Pernambuco (PE) as well as 18 cases and 2 deaths in the Rio Grande do Norte (RN), we developed dichotomous keys for the identification of triatomine species in these Brazilian states based on cytogenetic data.

Eating Disorders and Disturbed Eating Behaviors Underlying Body Weight Differences in Patients Affected by Endometriosis: Preliminary Results from an Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs), disturbed eating behaviors (DEBs), and emotional eating attitudes (EEAs) among patients affected by endometriosis in order to understand a potential crosslink between this impacting gynecological disease and a Body Mass Index shift. A total of 30 patients were recruited at an endometriosis outpatient clinic in Bologna and were assessed by using standardized instruments and specific questionnaires for EDs, DEBs, and EEAs. Sociodemographic information and endometriosis clinical features and history information were collected by adopting a specific questionnaire.

Do not judge a book by its cover: would Triatoma tibiamaculata (Pinto, 1926) belong to Triatoma Laporte, 1832, or to Panstrongylus Berg, 1879, with misleading homoplasies?

Background: Triatoma tibiamaculata is a species distributed in ten Brazilian states which has epidemiological importance as it has already been found infecting household areas. The taxonomy of this triatomine has been quite unstable: it was initially described as Eutriatoma tibiamaculata. Later, the species was transferred from the genus Eutriatoma to Triatoma.

Incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of barotrauma in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Barotrauma is rare in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation. Its incidence seems increased among critically ill COVID-19 patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of barotrauma among critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Qualitative and quantitative muscle ultrasound changes in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS.

Objectives: Severe forms of the novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) are associated with systemic inflammation and hypercatabolism. The aims of this study were to compare the time course of the size and quality of both rectus femoris and diaphragm muscles between critically ill, COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors and to explore the correlation between the change in muscles size and quality with the amount of nutritional support delivered and the cumulative fluid balance.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study in the general intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital for COVID-19.

Claustral Input to the Macaque Medial Posterior Parietal Cortex (Superior Parietal Lobule and Adjacent Areas).

The projections from the claustrum to cortical areas within and adjacent to the superior parietal lobule were studied in 10 macaque monkeys, using retrograde tracers, computerized reconstructions, and quantitative methods. In contrast with the classical view that posterior parietal areas receive afferents primarily from the dorsal and posterior regions of the claustrum, we found that these areas receive more extensive projections, including substantial afferents from the anterior and ventral regions of the claustrum. Moreover, our findings uncover a previously unsuspected variability in the precise regions of the claustrum that originate the projections, according to the target areas.

Natural Cycle Results in Lower Implantation Failure than Ovarian Stimulation in Advanced-Age Poor Responders Undergoing IVF: Fertility Outcomes from 585 Patients.

To compare pregnancy rate and implantation rate in poor responder women, aged over 40 years, who underwent natural cycle versus conventional ovarian stimulation. This is a retrospective single-center cohort study conducted at the GENERA IVF program, Rome, Italy, between September 2012 and December 2018, including only poor responder patients, according to Bologna criteria, of advanced age, who underwent IVF treatment through Natural Cycle or conventional ovarian stimulation. Between September 2012 and December 2018, 585 patients were included within the study.

A Case of Liver Failure Due to Dabigatran Treated with Venovenous Hemodiafiltration and Idarucizumab.

Dabigatran etexilate, a direct thrombin inhibitor, was recently introduced in clinical use to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with risk factors (such as non-valvular atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis). Dabigatran is not recommended in patients with creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min. More than 85% of the drug is eliminated by the renal route while the remaining part via the enteral route.

Performance of Circulating Placental Growth Factor as A Screening Marker for Diagnosis of Ovarian Endometriosis: A Pilot Study.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the circulating placental growth factor (PlGF) concentration in women with and without endometrioma to verify the performance of this marker to diagnose the disease.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, thirteen women with histological diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis were compared with women without endometriosis disease. PlGF plasma levels of endometriotic patients and controls were investigated using a fluorescence immunoassay technique.

Sexual function in women undergoing surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis: a comparison with healthy women.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive condition of women of reproductive age. It is strongly associated with significant impairment of sexual function.

Aim: To objectively evaluate the impact of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis on sexual function in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) compared to healthy women.

Does laparoscopic shaving for deep infiltrating endometriosis alter intestinal function? A prospective study.

Background: 5-12% of deep infiltrating endometriosis involves the digestive tract, especially the distal sigmoid colon and rectum. Bowel endometriosis surgery may be associated with neurological complications.

Aim: The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate whether excision of rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis by shaving technique alters intestinal and defecatory function at 6-months post-surgery.

Sexual function in women undergoing surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis: a comparison with healthy women.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive condition of women of reproductive age. It is strongly associated with significant impairment of sexual function.

Aim: To objectively evaluate the impact of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis on sexual function in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) compared to healthy women.

Intranasal budesonide in children affected by persistent allergic rhinitis and its effect on nasal patency and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score.

Background: Intranasal steroids are recognized as an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) although their effect on nasal patency has never been evaluated with an objective instrument such as anterior rhinomanometry in children. Moreover this effect has been widely assessed with total Nasal Symptom Scores (NSS) including all symptoms of allergic rhinitis and not with scores specifically focused on nasal obstruction such as the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score (NOSE).

Materials And Methods: Sixty children (42 males and 18 female) aged 6-10 years, affected by persistent AR, were randomized and divided in two groups of 30 children to be included in an unblinded trial: one group treated with intranasal budesonide and isotonic nasal saline for 2 weeks and the other group treated only with isotonic nasal saline for 2 weeks.

Prevalence of adenomyosis in women undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

Objective(s): To evaluate the prevalence of adenomyosis in patients undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

Study Design: Retrospective study including 1618 women with preoperative clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of endometriosis. As preoperative assessment, all patients underwent ultrasound to assess endometriosis and all features associated with adenomyosis (heterogeneous myometrial echotexture, globular-appearing uterus, asymmetrical thickness of anteroposterior wall of the myometrium, subendometrial myometrial cysts, subendometrial echogenic linear striations or poor definition of the endometrial-myometrial junction).

Do women with endometriosis have to worry about sex?

Objective(s): Sexual function is negatively influenced by endometriosis and women with endometriosis show less sexual and partnership satisfaction compared to patients with other gynaecological disorders. This study aims to compare sexual function between patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and healthy women using Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q).

Study Design: Case-control study including 182 patients with histological diagnosis of DIE and 182 healthy women, who referred to our tertiary care university hospital from 2010 to 2012.

External validation of the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire in Italian and Brazilian populations to select patients with colorectal endometriosis for surgery.

Study Objective: To evaluate the external validity of the validated French model of the quality-of-life questionnaire (QOL) SF-36 in predicting improvement after colorectal resection for endometriosis.

Design: Italian and Brazilian cohort studies (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

Setting: Tertiary referral university hospital in Brazil and expert center in endometriosis in Italy.

The role of ovarian suspension in endometriosis surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Objective: A very high percentage of patients with severe pelvic endometriosis develop adhesions after laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the role of ovarian suspension performed during surgery for severe endometriosis on ovarian adhesions and postoperative pelvic pain.

Design: A randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).

Dysmenorrhea, absenteeism from school, and symptoms suspicious for endometriosis in adolescents.

Study Objective: To quantify in adolescents the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and other symptoms found to be suggestive of future diagnosis of endometriosis, in particular their impact on monthly absenteeism from school/work, activity impairment, and sexual life and to quantify the awareness of endometriosis in adolescents.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic institution.

Laparoscopic fertility sparing management of cervical cancer.

Fertility can be preserved after conservative cervical surgery. We report on a 29-year-old woman who was obese, para 0, and diagnosed with cervical insufficiency at the first trimester of current pregnancy due to a previous trachelectomy. She underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cervical cerclage (LTCC) for cervical cancer.

The response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test does not predict the progression to true precocious puberty in girls with onset of premature thelarche in the first three years of life.

Context: Premature thelarche in early childhood may evolve into true precocious puberty. The individuation of cases progressing to precocious puberty is challenging.

Objective: We analyzed the parameters predictive for progression in girls younger than 3 years.

Do women with deep infiltrating endometriosis have more tubal alterations? Objective evaluation of 473 patients.

Objective: To evaluate whether deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is associated with tubal alterations.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Our study included 335 women with ovarian endometriosis (Group A), 66 women with DIE (Group B), and 72 women presenting with both conditions (Group C).