This interventional pilot study aimed to evaluate the short-term (3 years) efficacy of focal laser ablation (FLA) in treating the index lesion of low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer, along with assessing the safety of the procedure (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04045756). Forty patients aged between 46 and 86 with histologically proven organ-confined prostate cancer and low-to-intermediate progression risk were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study is to evaluate changes in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and cardiac extracellular volume (ECV) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) treated with R-CHOP-like regimens or R-bendamustine. We included 80 patients with FL between the ages of 60 and 80 and, using computed tomography (CT) performed at onset and at the end of treatment, we assessed changes in EAT by measuring tissue density at the level of the cardiac apex, anterior interventricular sulcus and posterior interventricular sulcus of the heart. EAT is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome, increased calcium in the coronary arteries and therefore increased risk of coronary artery disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective of this study was to assess the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) guided by ultrasound/magnetic resonance (MR) fusion as a salvage treatment for refractory focal prostate cancer.
Methods: A total of five patients who had undergone radiation therapy (RT) for prostate carcinoma and biochemical recurrence, confirmed by both prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and MRI (3T mpMRI), were enrolled in this study. Focal ablation was performed using a 1064 nm diode laser.
The authors of the Comments on: Effect of physical activity on long COVID fatigue by Daungsupawong F. and Wiwanitkit V. (2023) have highlighted certain aspects of future research that need to be considered before any conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of previous physical activity and/or fitness on the course of long-COVID.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCovid-19 disease is well documented and often the most common symptoms include myalgia and muscle fatigue. Approximately 10% of those infected complain of persistent fatigue even many months after the end of the acute phase of the disease. This gives rise to a condition different from the previous one and commonly known as 'post-acute COVID-19 syndrome' or simply Long-COVID.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLong COVID-19-related changes in physiology includes alterations in performing muscle work as fatigue. Data available do not allow us to define the usefulness of physical activity to attenuate long COVID-19 functional modifications. The present observational study investigates the effects of physical activity on the perception of fatigue, maximum power output, sleep, and cognitive modifications in subjects affected by long COVID-19, distinguishing between active and sedentary subjects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFErdheim-Chester disease is an uncommon non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis affecting multiple systems. There is limited knowledge on the imaging capabilities of this disease. We present an extremely rare case of Erdheim-Chester illness in a 67-year-old man with multisystem involvement, including the cardiovascular system, skeleton, retroperitoneum (renal and adrenal infiltration) and the neurologic system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Despite an aging population, there is no consensus regarding ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treatment for elderly women. Breast surgery can be well tolerated even in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical management of DCIS in elderly patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), therapeutic advances have led to improved survival, and within this framework, it is important to identify treatment strategies offering a better quality of life. Using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), in patients treated with R-CHOP-like or R-Bendamustine regimens, we assessed changes in the bone mineral density (BMD), musculoskeletal index (SMI), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at disease onset and at the end of therapy. We evaluated whether the high-steroid regimen could lead to more significant radiological changes than those induced by the steroid-free regimen and whether a low BMD at disease onset is an unfavorable prognostic index.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases and it is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Clinical and laboratory data are fundamental for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, but diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may be helpful in the evaluation of disease severity and complications. In this context, the aim of this review is to explore the actual role of diagnostic imaging in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, underlining advantages and drawbacks providing information about the utilization of diagnostic imaging techniques in this context.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the last decade, clear evidence has emerged that the cellular components of skeletal muscle are important sites for the release of proteins and peptides called "myokines", suggesting that skeletal muscle plays the role of a secretory organ. After their secretion by muscles, these factors serve many biological functions, including the exertion of complex autocrine, paracrine and/or endocrine effects. In sum, myokines affect complex multi-organ processes, such as skeletal muscle trophism, metabolism, angiogenesis and immunological response to different physiological (physical activity, aging, etc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlobal Proprioceptive Resonance (GPR) is a recently developed approach conceived to solicit the various cutaneous mechanoreceptors, through application of mechanical multifocal vibration at low amplitude and at definite body sites, limiting the stimulation of the profound structures. This interventional study evaluated the effects of GPR on cardiorespiratory function during the post-exertional recovery period. A group of volunteers involved in Triathlon (a multisport discipline consisting of sequential swim, cycle, and run disciplines higly demanding in terms of metabolic engagment), underwent two maximal incremental exercise tests until exhaustion followed alternatively to (a) a 13 minutes section of GPR or (b) a standard low intensity exercise acute trend of the same duration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs humans become more and more sedentary, physical capacities also become lost along with aerobic fitness, muscular strength, coordination, and action-reaction time. This situation can lead to not only absence from work (back pain is the most common reason in European Union (EU), but especially, workplace accidents. In this article, we want to combine our experience with exercise physiology and physical capacities with our medical work in a critical environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlobal Proprioceptive Resonance (GPR) is a recently developed approach conceived to solicit the various cutaneous mechanoreceptors, through application of mechanical multifocal vibration at low amplitude and at definite body sites, limiting the stimulation of the profound structures. This interventional study evaluated the effects of GPR on cardiorespiratory function during the post-exertional recovery period. A group of volunteers involved in Triathlon (a multisport discipline consisting of sequential swim, cycle, and run disciplines higly demanding in terms of metabolic engagment), underwent two maximal incremental exercise tests until exhaustion followed alternatively to (a) a 13 minutes section of GPR or (b) a standard low intensity exercise acute trend of the same duration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) otherwise known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a debilitating syndrome whose identification is very complex due to lack of precise diagnostic criteria. This pathology begins with limitations in duration and intensity of exercise and rapid onset of pain during physical activity. Its etiology is unknown, and symptoms are not limited to the muscles.
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