Detection of Echinococcus spp. and other taeniid species in lettuces and berries: Two international multicenter studies from the MEmE project.

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are severe zoonotic diseases characterized by long asymptomatic periods lasting months or years. Viable Echinococcus spp. eggs released into the environment through the feces of canids can infect humans through accidental ingestion via hand-to-mouth contact or consumption of contaminated food or water.

Multiparametric MRI targeted prostate biopsy: When omit systematic biopsy?

Introduction: To evaluate the detection rate for prostate cancer (PCa) performing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) fusion targeted biopsy (TPBx) combined only with ipsilateral systematic prostate biopsy (SPBx).

Materials And Methods: From January 2023 to December 2023, 495 men with clinical suspicion of PCa underwent transperineal SPBx plus TPBx in the presence of PI-RADS score lesions ≥ 3.

Results: In 250/495 men (50.

Effectiveness of Ketamine As a Rescue Drug for Patients Experiencing Benzodiazepine-Resistant Status Epilepticus in the Prehospital Setting.

Objectives: Accumulating basic science data, early clinical findings and various feasibility considerations have provided rationales for administering ketamine as a proposed rescue medication for midazolam-resistant status epilepticus (SE) in the logistically challenging prehospital environment. This report details the multiyear experience of paramedics managing midazolam-resistant SE following the introduction of a ketamine-rescue protocol.

Design: A 7-year, population-based, observational study was conducted to evaluate outcomes of patients treated with IV, intraosseous, intramuscular, or intranasal ketamine for SE despite sufficient midazolam dosings.

PSMA PET/CT Accuracy in Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Nodes Metastases.

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-directed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in pelvic nodal staging, using postoperative histopathology data as the reference standard.

Patients And Methods: From January 2020 to June 2024, 78 patients with clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) (ISUP Grade Group 2) underwent radical prostatectomy plus extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND): 60 (77%) vs. 18 (23%) men had an intermediate vs.

Transcriptome Analysis in Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

Background/aim: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor in the urinary tract, classified mainly into muscle-invasive BC (MIBC) and non-MIBC (NMIBC). Recent studies highlight the important role of changes in transcriptome activity in carcinogenesis, aiding in the identification of additional differentially regulated candidate genes, improving our understanding of the molecular basis of gene regulation in BC. This study aimed to evaluate the transcriptome of MIBC patients compared with normal subjects.

Negative biopsy histology in men with PI-RADS score 5: is it useful PSMA PET/CT evaluation?

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of PSMA PET/CT in men with mpMRI PI-RADS score 5 negative biopsy histology.

Materials And Methods: From January 2011 to January 2023, 180 men with PI-RADS score 5 underwent systematic plus mpMRI/TRUS biopsy; 25/180 (13.9%) patients had absence of cancer and six months from biopsy were submitted to: digital rectal examination, PSA and PSA density exams, mpMRI and 68GaPSMA PET/CT evaluation (standardized uptake value "SUVmax" was reported).

Oncological Outcomes in Men With Favorable Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer Enrolled in Active Surveillance.

Background/aim: To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes in men with intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa) enrolled in active surveillance (AS).

Patients And Methods: From April 2015 to December 2022, 30 men with Gleason score 3+4/ISUP Grade Group2 (GG2), greatest percentage of cancer (GPC) ≤50%, Gleason pattern 4 ≤10%, ≤3 positive biopsy cores were enrolled in AS. All patients underwent confirmatory transperineal saturation biopsy (SPBx: 20 cores) 12 months from diagnosis plus multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) evaluation.

Salvage Radiotherapy PSMA PET/CT-guided in Men With PSA Recurrence.

Background/aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome in men with recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) treated by salvage radiotherapy (sRT) prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT)-guided.

Patients And Methods: From January 2021 to January 2023, 33 patients who previously underwent definitive/systemic therapy were submitted to sRT PSMA PET/CT-guided for PCa recurrence: 16 (48.5%) on the prostate bed (PB), 12 (36.

Baiting not-owned dogs against : innovative tools for integrated control.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of the cestode is one of the most widespread zoonoses in Mediterranean countries. Baiting not-owned dogs with praziquantel (PZQ), due to their key role in the maintaining the transmission of CE, currently appears to be the most effective way to limit the transmission of CE, as well as an important aspect to introduce for the control of this parasitic disease. Therefore, this study aims to test 3 types of PZQ-based baits by evaluating different parameters (integrity over time, attractiveness and palatability for dogs, and mechanical resistance after release to different altitudes) and the bait acceptance in field by target animals, i.

Population mortality before and during the COVID-19 epidemic in two Sudanese settings: a key informant study.

Background: Population mortality is an important metric that sums information from different public health risk factors into a single indicator of health. However, the impact of COVID-19 on population mortality in low-income and crisis-affected countries like Sudan remains difficult to measure. Using a community-led approach, we estimated excess mortality during the COVID-19 epidemic in two Sudanese communities.

An innovative strategy for deworming dogs in Mediterranean areas highly endemic for cystic echinococcosis.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a zoonotic parasitic disease of economic and public health importance worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean area. Canids are the main definitive hosts of the adult cestode contaminating the environment with parasite eggs released with feces. In rural and peri-urban areas, the risk of transmission to livestock as well as humans is high because of the free-roaming behavior of owned/not owned dogs.

Ductal prostate cancer staging: Role of PSMA PET/CT.

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of PSMA PET/CT in the diagnosis and clinical staging of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma (DAC).

Materials And Methods: Two Caucasian men 58 and 62 years old were admitted to our Department for dysuria: the patients had not familiarity for prostate cancer (PCa), PSA values were 5.6 and 2.

Survival for Nonshockable Cardiac Arrests Treated With Noninvasive Circulatory Adjuncts and Head/Thorax Elevation.

Objectives: Cardiac arrests remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Most patients have nonshockable electrocardiographic presentations (asystole/pulseless electrical activity). Despite well-performed basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) interventions, patients with these presentations have always faced unlikely chances of survival.

Multifocal contact lens success predictability.

Purpose: The current multi-study analysis combined data from three studies to quantify the relationship between the initial reaction to soft multifocal contact lens (MFCL) design types at dispensing and evaluate the predictability of overall vision satisfaction (OVS) and intention to purchase (ITP) after 1 week of wear.

Method: Three prospective studies tested MFCLs over 1-week of wear following the same protocol, using a range of potentially predictive ratings at dispensing, and both OVS and ITP at 1-week as an indicator acceptance level. In each study, two of MyDay® multifocal, clariti® 1 day multifocal, Biofinity® multifocal (worn as a daily disposable lens) or 1 DAY ACUVUE® MOIST MULTIFOCAL were dispensed for 1-week of daily wear.

Remission of severe forms of long COVID following monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusions: A report of signal index cases and call for targeted research.

Objective: Long COVID has afflicted tens of millions globally leaving many previously-healthy persons severely and indefinitely debilitated. The objective here was to report cases of complete, rapid remission of severe forms of long COVID following certain monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusions and review the corresponding pathophysiological implications.

Design: Case histories of the first three index events (among others) are presented.

Epidemiological and molecular updates on hookworm species in dogs from southern Italy.

Background: The zoonotic hookworms Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are widespread soil-transmitted helminths in dogs in Europe. Given the veterinary and public health importance of hookworms in dogs and the recent changes in the molecular epidemiology of some species, there is a need to continuously monitor the epidemiological and molecular prevalence of these parasites also at the "local" level. The present study aimed to update the epidemiological scenario of hookworm infections in both owned and stray dogs in southern Italy and to discriminate between different hookworm species (A.

Diagnosis and treatment of coagulopathy using thromboelastography with platelet mapping is associated with decreased risk of pulmonary failure in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may require antithrombotic and/or anti-inflammatory medications. We hypothesized that individualized anticoagulant (AC) management, based on diagnosis of coagulopathy using thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG-PM), would decrease the frequency of pulmonary failure (PF) requiring mechanical ventilation (MV), mitigate thrombotic and hemorrhagic events, and, in-turn, reduce mortality.

Methods: Hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients, age 18 or older, with escalating oxygen requirements were included.

Prehospital Resuscitation: What Should It Be?

Prehospital resuscitation is a dynamic field now being energized by new technologies and a shift in thinking regarding intravascular resuscitation. Growing evidence discourages use of intravenous (IV) crystalloid and colloid solutions in trauma, whereas blood products, particularly whole blood, are becoming preferred. Although randomized clinical trials validating definitive resuscitative protocols are still lacking, most preclinical and clinical indicators support this approach.

Targeted Biopsy in Men High Risk for Prostate Cancer: Ga-PSMA PET/CT Versus mpMRI.

Introduction/background: To evaluate the accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT versus mpMRI targeted biopsy (TPBx) in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men high risk for PCa.

Materials And Methods: From January 2021 to March 2023, 125 men with clinical parameters high risk for PCa were evaluated by mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT; median PSA was 32.5 ng/mL (range: 12-160 ng/mL) and 60/125 (48%) had abnormal digital rectal examination.

The Implementation of a Prehospital Whole Blood Transfusion Program and Early Results.

Introduction: In far-forward combat situations, the military challenged dogma by using whole blood transfusions (WBTs) rather than component-based therapy. More recently, some trauma centers have initiated WBT programs with reported success. There are a few Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems that are using WBTs, but the vast majority are not.

Evaluation of the Local Immune Response to Hydatid Cysts in Sheep Liver.

In order to characterize the inflammatory phenotype of livers of sheep naturally infected by cystic echinococcosis, 100 sheep livers have been macroscopically assessed for the presence of hydatid cysts and sampled for histopathological and molecular analysis. According to gross and microscopic examination, livers were subsequently classified into three groups: normal liver (Group A), liver with the presence of fertile hydatid cysts (Group B), and liver with the presence of sterile hydatid cysts (Group C). Immunohistochemical analyses were accomplished using primary antibodies anti-Iba1, anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-TGF-β, and anti-MMP9.

68Ga-PSMA PET/CT evaluation in men enrolled in prostate cancer Active Surveillance.

Introduction: To evaluate the accuracy of 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa: Grade Group ≥ 2) in men enrolled in Active Surveillance (AS) protocol.

Materials And Methods: From May 2013 to December 2021 200 men aged between 52 and 74 years (median age 63) with very low risk PCa were enrolled in an AS protocol study. During the follow up 48/200 (24%) men were upgraded and 10/200 (5%) decided to leave the AS protocol.