Exploring Sex Differences in Outcomes of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Patients With Noncardioembolic Mild-to-Moderate Ischemic Stroke or High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of the READAPT Study Cohort.

Background: Sex may impact clinical outcomes in patients with stroke treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We aimed to investigate the sex differences in the short-term outcomes of DAPT within a real-world population of patients with noncardioembolic mild-to-moderate ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack.

Methods: We performed a propensity score-matched analysis from a prospective multicentric cohort study (READAPT [Real-Life Study on Short-Term Dual Antiplatelet Treatment in Patients With Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack]) by including patients with noncardioembolic mild-to-moderate stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 0-10) or high-risk transient ischemic attack (age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration of transient ischemic attack, presence of diabetes [ABCD] ≥4) who initiated DAPT within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Hypogammaglobulinemia and severe infections in Multiple Sclerosis patients on anti-CD20 agents: A multicentre study.

Background: Hypogammaglobulinemia (HG) is a known side effect of treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and it is associated with the risk of infections.

Objectives: Aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to assess the frequency of HG in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder patients treated with Ocrelizumab or Rituximab and its association with the occurrence of severe infections (SI). Furthermore, predictors of HG and SI were sought.

Predicted Expenditure for Prescription Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis in the Italian Market Between 2023 and 2028: Results of the Oracle Project.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that leads to impaired cognitive function and accumulation of disability, with significant socioeconomic burden. Serious unmet need in the context of managing MS has given rise to ongoing research efforts, leading to the launch of new drugs planned for the near future, and subsequent concerns about the sustainability of healthcare systems. This study assessed the changes in the Italian MS market and their impact on the expenditures of the Italian National Healthcare Service between 2023 and 2028.

Mortality among Italians and immigrants with COVID-19 hospitalised in Milan, Italy: data from the Luigi Sacco Hospital registry.

Background: To compare differences in the probability of COVID-19-related death between native Italians and immigrants hospitalised with COVID-19.

Methods: This retrospective study of prospectively collected data was conducted at the ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, between 21 February and 31 November 2020. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of the patients' origin on the probability of COVID-19-related death.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS: a review of 2019/2020 phase II and III trials.

The study of emerging drug trials to treat people living with HIV (PLWH) helps to understand any advantages and disadvantages of therapies that will be available on the market in the short-term future as well as the mechanisms underlying a better cure. This review analyzes phase 2 and 3 clinical trials published between 2019 and 2020 concerning six different emerging drugs. The majority of the trials focus on long acting drugs, but also on new orally administered compounds.

Disseminated Cryptococcosis in a Patient With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Who Died in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.

We report the case of a 61-year-old patient with a history of prostate cancer affected by bone metastasis. He presented to our attention for ulcerous and necrotic cutaneous lesions unresponsive to antibiotics. The spread of cutaneous lesions and the onset of neurological symptoms suggested a cryptococcal disease, which was confirmed by lumbar puncture and cutaneous biopsy.

Fibromyalgia and coeliac disease: a media hype or an emerging clinical problem?

Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) association with autoimmune diseases has been widely reported in literature. Coeliac disease (CD) is a small intestine immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed patients. In recent years, the Internet and the non-medical press have reported a correlation between gluten-related disorders and fibromyalgia-like symptoms.

Serological tests in gluten sensitivity (nonceliac gluten intolerance).

Goals: To characterize the serological pattern of gluten sensitivity (GS) and to compare it with that found in celiac disease.

Background: GS has recently been identified as a new clinical entity included in the spectrum of gluten-related disorders, but it is still lacking of diagnostic markers.

Study: Sera from 78 patients with GS and 80 patients with celiac disease were retrospectively assessed for immunoglobulin (Ig)G/IgA antigliadin antibodies (AGA), IgG deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP-AGA), IgA tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA), and IgA endomysial antibodies (EmA).

Old and new serological tests for celiac disease screening.

Evaluation of: Lewis NR, Scott BB. Meta-analysis: deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) antibody and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody compared as screening test for celiac disease. Aliment.

Deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies as a routine test for celiac disease: a prospective analysis.

Goals: This study was designed to establish whether deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP-AGA) could improve the serologic workup for celiac disease (CD).

Background: The best serologic approach for CD screening is currently based on the combined detection of tissue transglutaminase (tTGA), endomysial (EmA), and gliadin antibodies (AGA).

Study: One hundred forty-four consecutive patients with gastrointestinal and extraintestinal signs suggestive for CD were investigated using serologic tests, that is, IgG and IgA DGP-AGA, IgA tTGA, IgA EmA, and duodenal biopsy.

Sensorineural hearing loss and celiac disease: a coincidental finding.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) can be associated with a variety of extraintestinal manifestations, including neurological diseases. A new neurological correlation has been found between CD and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Objective: To verify the association between SNHL and CD, and to establish whether the neurological hearing impairment in CD is related to nonorgan-specific and antineuronal antibodies, as well as the presence of autoimmune disorders.

Usefulness of antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides in celiac disease diagnosis and follow-up.

The prevalence of the recently described deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies was compared with that of the routinely used antigliadin, antiendomysial, and tissue transglutaminase antibodies in the sera of 128 untreated celiac patients and 134 controls. Sensitivity and specificity for celiac disease were 83.6 and 90.

New therapeutic perspectives for demyelinating retrobulbar optic neuritis.

In patients with demyelinating retrobulbar optic neuritis (RON), a spontaneous or corticosteroid-induced improvement is generally observed within the first month, but this is clinically insignificant in 5%-7% of patients. We report the case histories of four patients who were considered to be "non-responders" to corticosteroids because their visus remained unchanged or had improved by only 1/10 after one month from intravenous corticoid therapy begun 2-7 days after disease onset, and who were therefore subsequently administered high intravenous doses of immunoglobulin. Three of these patients completely recovered in a period of 3-9 months; the fourth showed only a partial improvement, but this was consolidated after long-term continuation of the same therapy.

An autosomal locus predisposing to multiple deletions of mtDNA on chromosome 3p.

Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO) is a disorder characterized by ptosis, progressive weakness of the external eye muscles, and general muscle weakness. The patients have multiple deletions of mtDNA on Southern blots or in PCR analysis of muscle DNA and a mild deficiency of one or more respiratory-chain enzymes carrying mtDNA-encoded subunits. The pattern of inheritance indicates a nuclear gene defect predisposing to secondary mtDNA deletions.

Lacunar infarcts: a personal series of 92 consecutive cases.

A series of 92 patients with lacunar infarcts identified by CT brain scan are described. Risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, clinical aspects and outcome are analyzed. Our cases show unusual clinical syndromes in a remarkable number of subjects, indicating the usefulness of performing a CT brain scan.