Video calls during the COVID-19 pandemic: A bridge for patients, families, and respiratory therapists.

Background: In response to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, healthcare procedures and modalities have changed considerably. Video calls may supply valid support for health care professionals, contributing to maintaining the communication between hospitalized patients and their families. The present study aimed to observe the experience of a group of respiratory therapists who conducted video calls between patients and their families in a COVID-19 unit.

A real-world study of alemtuzumab in a cohort of Italian patients.

Background And Purpose: Real-world data on alemtuzumab are limited and do not provide evidence of its effectiveness after various disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Our aim was to provide real-world data on the impact of clinical variables and previous DMTs on clinical response to alemtuzumab.

Methods: Sixteen Italian multiple sclerosis centers retrospectively included patients who started alemtuzumab from January 2015 to December 2018, and recorded demographics, previous therapies, washout duration, relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and magnetic resonance imaging data.

Cladribine vs other drugs in MS: Merging randomized trial with real-life data.

Objective: Cladribine tablets were tested against placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this study, the effectiveness of cladribine vs other approved drugs in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was compared by matching RCT to observational data.

Methods: Data from the pivotal trial assessing cladribine tablets vs placebo (CLARITY) were propensity score matched to data from the Italian multicenter database i-MuST.

Immune and central nervous system-related miRNAs expression profiling in monocytes of multiple sclerosis patients.

It is widely recognized that monocytes-macrophages adopt a wide variety of phenotypes, influencing the inflammatory activity and demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, how the phenotype of human monocytes evolves in the course of MS is largely unknown. The aim of our preliminary study was to analyse in monocytes of relapsing-remitting and progressive forms of MS patients the expression of a set of miRNAs which impact monocyte-macrophage immune function and their communication with brain cells.

Preterm birth: seven-year retrospective study in a single centre population.

Background: Preterm birth is a health and social problem, considered the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. It is associated with higher rates of neurodevelopmental morbidity, sensorineural impairments and other complications. The aim of the study was to describe the incidence and the major risk factors associated with preterm birth.

Effect of fingolimod action on the release of monocyte-derived microvesicles in multiple sclerosis patients.

Recently, microvesicles (MVs) were considered as important mediators of intercellular communication, especially in pathological conditions as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In myeloid cells, MV shedding is induced by the receptor P2X7 with the involvement of acid sphingomyelinase (A-SMase) and release of the IL-1β. In this study we evaluate how Fingolimod affects MVs production by the monocytes, as well as P2X7R, IL-1β expression and A-SMase activity.

Determinants of therapy switch in multiple sclerosis treatment-naïve patients: A real-life study.

Background: With many options now available, first therapy choice is challenging in multiple sclerosis (MS) and depends mainly on neurologist and patient preferences.

Objectives: To identify prognostic factors for early switch after first therapy choice.

Methods: Newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS patients from 24 Italian centers were included.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments Affect Monocyte-Derived Microvesicle Production.

Microvesicles (MVs) are released by immune cells especially of the myeloid lineage upon stimulation with ATP on its cognate receptor P2X7, both in physiological and pathological conditions. In multiple sclerosis (MS) the role of MVs remains little investigated. We aimed to compare the release of MVs in peripheral blood monocytes from MS patients with healthy donors (HDs) and to see how current MS treatment may affect such a production.

Low prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus serum markers in a cohort of pregnant women from Southern Italy.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission is still considered a major factor in the spread of hepatitis viruses. Nevertheless, epidemiological data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in reproductive-age women are limited even in areas like the South of Italy where both viruses had been widespread.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV serum markers in a large cohort of pregnant women from Southern Italy.

Thromboembolism prophylaxis in laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic benign diseases. Results of a single center experience in 922 procedures.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the role of preoperative evaluation risk for venous tromboembolism (VTE) in patients submitted to laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic benign diseases.

Methods: Date from nine hundred twenty-two women affected by adnexal benign diseases treated with laparoscopic procedures were collected and included in this study. VTE risk was assessed by "on line Caprini score calculator".

Data comparison between pharmacological induction of labour and spontaneous delivery. A single centre experience.

Objectives: To assess the differences in the maternal and fetal outcomes between pharmacological induced and sponta-neous labour in nulliparous women.

Material And Methods: Observational cohort study carried out over a period of 2 years.

Inclusion Criteria: nulliparous sin-gleton pregnancies, with cephalic fetal presentation, elective labour induction with intra-vaginal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel (Prepidil® 2 mg) at a gestational age of 41 weeks.

Full-Thickness Excision versus Shaving by Laparoscopy for Intestinal Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: Rationale and Potential Treatment Options.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial mucosa (glands and stroma) abnormally implanted in locations other than the uterine cavity. Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is considered the most aggressive presentation of the disease, penetrating more than 5 mm in affected tissues, and it is reported in approximately 20% of all women with endometriosis. DIE can cause a complete distortion of the pelvic anatomy and it mainly involves uterosacral ligaments, bladder, rectovaginal septum, rectum, and rectosigmoid colon.

Thyroid diseases in pregnancy: a current and controversial topic on diagnosis and treatment over the past 20 years.

Background: Management of thyroid diseases during pregnancy requires special considerations because maternal thyroid diseases can have adverse effects on both pregnancy and fetus. Universal screening for thyroid diseases in pregnant women is not currently supported by studies with high evidence whereas guidelines have been released for individuals at high risk, although controversies are still in debate. Iodine prophylaxis should be performed systematically to women during pregnancy.

Would it be too late? A retrospective case-control analysis to evaluate maternal-fetal outcomes in advanced maternal age.

Purpose: To evaluate maternal-fetal outcomes in women of advanced maternal age (AMA; >35 years old) and women of physiological maternal age as controls (C; <35 years old).

Methods: Single-center, retrospective case-control analysis, from January 1 to December 31, 2013. For each group, we evaluated obstetric history, number of twin pregnancies, delivery mode, incidence of obstetric diseases and neonatal outcomes (5-min Apgar score, neonatal weight, meconium stained fluid rate, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit rate, and incidence of congenital malformations).

Sjögren's syndrome associated with antiphospholipid syndrome and fetal myocardial echogenicity: case report.

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder associated with pregnancy (0.3-0.6%).

An unusual form of mirror syndrome: a case report.

Aim: Mirror syndrome is a triad consisting of fetal hydrops, maternal edema and placentomegaly. Its pathogenesis is unclear and it is frequently mistaken for preeclampsia, even though distinguishing features can be identified. It is associated with an increase in fetal mortality and maternal morbility.

The influence of planned kinds of delivery on pregnant women's emotional state.

Objective: To evaluate if labour induction and elective caesarean section could influence anxiety and depression in pregnant women.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at term, scheduled for these two obstetric procedures were enrolled. An anonymous questionnaire with two self-rating instruments STAI and HAM-A for anxiety and HAM-D for depression was administered.