Lean body weight-based contrast injection protocol in liver CT: optimization of contrast medium dose.

Objectives: To evaluate liver enhancement and image quality of abdominal CECT examinations acquired with multiple LBW-based contrast medium injection protocols.

Material & Methods: One hundred fifty patients who underwent a clinically indicated CECT examination were prospectively and randomly assigned to one of the following contrast medium injection protocol groups: A, 700 mg iodine(I)/kg of LBW; B, 650 mgI/kg of LBW; and C, 600 mgI/kg of LBW. Liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and magnitude of contrast enhancement (ΔHU) were calculated.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn's Disease: Results from a Large Real-Life Cohort Study.

Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Only limited real-life data on the long-term outcomes of CD patients treated with UST are available. This study assessed UST's long-term effectiveness and safety in a large population-based cohort of moderate to severe CD patients.

Clinical, Radiological, and Surgical Risk Factors for Endoscopic Anastomotic Recurrence Following Surgery in Crohn's Disease.

This study investigated the radiological, clinical, and surgical factors linked to the risk of endoscopic recurrence following ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from all patients who underwent primary ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease in a single colorectal unit between 2004 and 2020. We analyzed the potential risk factors subdivided by the clinical, radiological, and surgical factors associated with morphological recurrence, as detected by endoscopy within 2 years after surgery.

Development of Biodegradable and Recyclable FRLM Composites Incorporating Cork Aggregates for Sustainable Construction Practices.

Reducing energy consumption in the building sector has driven the search for more sustainable construction methods. This study explores the potential of cork-modified mortars reinforced with basalt fabric, focusing on optimizing both mechanical and hygroscopic properties. Six mortar mixtures were produced using a breathable structural mortar made from pure natural hydraulic lime, incorporating varying percentages (0-3%) of cork granules () as lightweight aggregates.

Post-Discharge Outcomes of Elderly Patients Hospitalized for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flare Complicated by Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Objectives: Elderly hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare and concurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) are considered at high risk of IBD-related complications. We aimed to evaluate the short, intermediate, and long-term post-discharge complications among these patients.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study assessing outcomes of elderly individuals (≥60 years) hospitalized for an IBD flare who were tested for CDI (either positive or negative) and discharged.

Use of bioresorbable fibers for short-wave infrared spectroscopy using time-domain diffuse optics.

We demonstrate the usability of bioresorbable phosphate glass fibers for time-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy (TD-DOS) in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region of 950-1600 nm, with the use of an InGaAs detector. Bioresorbable fibers for diffuse optics present an exciting prospect due to their ability to be left implanted while retrieving optical properties from deeper regions (few cm) for monitoring treatments. Extending TD-DOS to the SWIR region could be useful to better identify biomarkers such as water, lipids and collagen, given their increase in absorption in this range.

Effectiveness of autologous emulsified stromal vascular fraction tissue injection for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in inflammatory bowel diseases patients: a pilot study.

Complex fistulizing perianal disease is a disabling manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), seriously compromising patients 'quality of life'. The success rate of available treatments is quite low, and nearly half of the patients will develop chronically active fistulas or experience fistula recurrence. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy has shown interesting results, but the complexity and the cost of production limit its widespread use.

Crohn's Disease: Radiological Answers to Clinical Questions and Review of the Literature.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory condition, involving primarily the bowel, characterized by a typical remitting-relapsing pattern. Despite endoscopy representing the reference standard for the diagnosis and assessment of disease activity, radiological imaging has a key role, providing information about mural and extra-visceral involvement. Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are the most frequently used radiological techniques in clinical practice for both the diagnosis and staging of CD involving the small bowel in non-urgent settings.

A 1-year follow-up study on checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis: results from a European consortium.

Background: Data regarding the clinical outcome of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced colitis are scant. We aimed to describe the 12-month clinical outcome of patients with ICI-induced colitis.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective, European, multicentre study.

Paternal microbiome perturbations impact offspring fitness.

The gut microbiota operates at the interface of host-environment interactions to influence human homoeostasis and metabolic networks. Environmental factors that unbalance gut microbial ecosystems can therefore shape physiological and disease-associated responses across somatic tissues. However, the systemic impact of the gut microbiome on the germline-and consequently on the F offspring it gives rise to-is unexplored.

Crohn's disease after surgery: Changes in post-operative management strategies over time and their impact on long-term re-operation rate-A retrospective multicentre real-world study.

Background: Few data are available addressing the impact of post-operative management of Crohn's disease (CD) on long-term clinical course.

Aim: To assess the evolution of post-operative management strategies over the last 40 years and their impact on the re-operation rate of CD.

Methods: We included 657 patients with CD who had undergone their first radical ileo-caecal resection between 1980 and 2020.

Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Awareness and Management among Physicians Treating Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An IG-IBD Survey.

(1) : Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequently associated to other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). This study aims at assessing physicians' awareness of the issue and the current status of IMID management. (2) : A web-based survey was distributed to all 567 physicians affiliated to IG-IBD.

The management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis: Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD) and Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) recommendations based on a pseudo-Delphi consensus.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is the most frequent extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). When IBD and spondyloarthritis coexist, musculoskeletal and intestinal disease features should be considered when planning a therapeutic strategy. Treatment options for IBD and SpA have expanded enormously over the last few years, but randomized controlled trials with specific endpoints focused on SpA are not available in the IBD setting.

Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Biologic Drugs Resistance and Therapeutic Failure in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The advent of biologic drugs has revolutionized the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, increasing rates of response and mucosal healing in comparison to conventional therapies by allowing the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory cases and reducing corticosteroid-related side effects. However, biologic therapies (anti-TNFα inhibitors, anti-α4β7 integrin and anti-IL12/23) are still burdened by rates of response that hover around 40% (in biologic-naïve patients) or lower (for biologic-experienced patients). Moreover, knowledge of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance or loss of response is still scarce.

Community responses to persons with aphasia participating in CoActive therapeutic theatre: A pilot study.

Background: Persons with aphasia (PWA) experience a number of communicative and social-emotional challenges. Reported experiences of PWA include but are not limited to, being misunderstood, isolated, frustrated, and infantilised.

Aims: The aim of this pilot study, involving a Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA), conducted over the course of 2 years, was to understand community perceptions of aphasia while PWA engaged in an interprofessional treatment program involving speech and drama therapy.

Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review of the Latest Advances in Materials, Fabrication Techniques, and Stability Enhancement Strategies.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining popularity due to their high efficiency and low-cost fabrication. In recent decades, noticeable research efforts have been devoted to improving the stability of these cells under ambient conditions. Moreover, researchers are exploring new materials and fabrication techniques to enhance the performance of PSCs under various environmental conditions.

Predictors of Efficacy of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Patients Affected by Ulcerative Colitis.

Personalised medicine and the identification of predictors of the efficacy of specific drugs represent the ultimate goal for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in order to break the current therapeutic ceiling. JAK inhibitors are a new class of advanced therapies, orally administered, showing a good profile of efficacy and safety in both randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world studies. Unfortunately, to date, it is not possible to draw the ideal profile of a patient maximally benefiting from this class of drugs to guide clinicians' therapeutic choices.

Rates of Adverse Events in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Undergoing Colectomy During Treatment With Tofacitinib vs Biologics: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Introduction: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) receiving immunosuppressive drugs are at substantial risk of colectomy. We aimed to assess the risk of postoperative complications of tofacitinib exposure before colectomy in comparison with biologics.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted in patients with UC who underwent total colectomy for medically refractory disease, exposed to tofacitinib or a biologic before surgery.

Ustekinumab safety and effectiveness in patients with ulcerative colitis: results from a large real-life study.

Background: Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist recently approved for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) but with limited real-world data. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of UST in patients with UC in a real-world setting.

Research Design And Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study.

Transition from intravenous to subcutaneous biological therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: An online survey of patients.

Background: The transition from in-hospital intravenous administration to subcutaneous therapies to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can raise some concerns among patients due to the self-administration concerns, the management of potential side effects and the overall worries related to a change of treatment. This study aimed at evaluating patients' opinion about the switch from intravenous to subcutaneous formulations and their knowledge on new available therapeutic options.

Methods: We conducted a survey using a questionnaire prepared by a team of gastroenterologists and nurses working at the IBD unit.

The inflammatory bowel disease care manager: Italian state of the art.

Background: In the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) multidisciplinary team, a key figure is the IBD care manager, usually an independent practice nurse, responsible for evidence-based assessment, care planning, treatment evaluation, and provision of practical information, health education, and emotional support to patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of this figure in Italy.

Methods: A team of experienced nurses created a questionnaire based on the Second N-ECCO declaration, which was administered to nurses who worked in an IBD unit for a period of at least 3 years.

Primary Intracranial Gliosarcoma: Is It Really a Variant of Glioblastoma? An Update of the Clinical, Radiological, and Biomolecular Characteristics.

Gliosarcomas (GS) are sporadic malignant tumors classified as a Glioblastoma (GBM) variant with IDH-wild type phenotype. It appears as a well-circumscribed lesion with a biphasic, glial, and metaplastic mesenchymal component. The current knowledge about GS comes from the limited literature.

Effectiveness and Safety of Switching from Intravenous to Subcutaneous Vedolizumab Formulation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Clinical Remission.

Background And Aims: Subcutaneous vedolizumab formulation has been shown to be as effective and safe as the intravenous one in randomized control trials. Real-life data are limited especially for patients receiving long-term intravenous therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of switching from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab in a large cohort of patients with stable clinical remission.