Targeted Blood Brain Barrier Opening With Focused Ultrasound Induces Focal Macrophage/Microglial Activation in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a model of multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE reflects important histopathological hallmarks, dissemination, and diversity of the disease, but has only moderate reproducibility of clinical and histopathological features. Focal lesions are less frequently observed in EAE than in MS, and can neither be constrained to specific locations nor timed to occur at a pre-specified moment.

Prognostic value of CT integrated with clinical and laboratory data during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Italy: A nomogram to predict unfavorable outcome.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic role of chest computed tomography (CT), alone or in combination with clinical and laboratory parameters, in COVID-19 patients during the first peak of the pandemic.

Methods: A retrospective single-center study of 301 COVID-19 patients referred to our Emergency Department (ED) from February 25 to March 29, 2020. At presentation, patients underwent chest CT and clinical and laboratory examinations.

Increased incidence of interstitial pneumonia detected on [F]-FDG-PET/CT in asymptomatic cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic in Lombardy: a casualty or COVID-19 infection?

Purpose: The study aimed to compare the incidence of interstitial pneumonia on [F]-FDG PET/CT scans between two 6-month periods: (a) the COVID-19 pandemic peak and (b) control period. Secondly, we compared the incidence of interstitial pneumonia on [F]-FDG PET/CT and epidemiological data from the regional registry of COVID-19 cases. Additionally, imaging findings and the intensity of [F]-FDG PET/CT uptake in terms of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were compared.

Lanosterol Synthase Genetic Variants, Endogenous Ouabain, and Both Acute and Chronic Kidney Injury.

Rationale & Objective: Studies of humans and animals have suggested that endogenous ouabain (EO) and related genes are mediators of acute (AKI) and chronic kidney injury. We sought to examine the relationship among EO levels, genetic variants in lanosterol synthase (LSS; an enzyme that catalyzes synthesis of cholesterol, a precursor of EO), and both AKI and chronic kidney injury.

Study Design: 2 prospective observational cohort studies and a cross-sectional study of kidney tissue.

Different strategies for mechanical VENTilation during CardioPulmonary Bypass (CPBVENT 2014): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is no consensus on which lung-protective strategies should be used in cardiac surgery patients. Sparse and small randomized clinical and animal trials suggest that maintaining mechanical ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass is protective on the lungs. Unfortunately, such evidence is weak as it comes from surrogate and minor clinical endpoints mainly limited to elective coronary surgery.

Feasibility of Anesthesia Maintenance With Sevoflurane During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Pilot Pharmacokinetics Study.

Objective: Adequate maintenance of hypnosis during anesthesia throughout surgery using sevoflurane alone was investigated. In addition, sevoflurane pharmacokinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed.

Design: This was a pilot pharmacokinetic study.

Mortality in Multicenter Critical Care Trials: An Analysis of Interventions With a Significant Effect.

Objectives: We aimed to identify all treatments that affect mortality in adult critically ill patients in multicenter randomized controlled trials. We also evaluated the methodological aspects of these studies, and we surveyed clinicians' opinion and usual practice for the selected interventions.

Data Sources: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin time course during cardiac surgery.

Background: NGAL is one of the most promising AKI biomarkers in cardiac surgery. However, the best timing to dose it and the reference values are still matter of discussion.

Aim Of The Study: We performed a uNGAL perioperative time course, to better understand its perioperative kinetics and its role in AKI diagnosis.

A new clinical multivariable model that predicts postoperative acute kidney injury: impact of endogenous ouabain.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of cardiac surgery. Recently, elevated levels of endogenous ouabain (EO), an adrenal stress hormone with haemodynamic and renal effects, have been associated with worse renal outcome after cardiac surgery. Our aim was to develop and evaluate a new risk model of AKI using simple preoperative clinical parameters and to investigate the utility of EO.

Extracorporeal venovenous membrane oxygenation in the treatment of respiratory insufficiency following cardiac surgery.

Following cardiac surgery, patients can develop acute respiratory failure. We present the case of a 66-year-old male successfully treated with extracorporeal venovenous membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) for acute respiratory failure postsurgery and review the literature on vvECMO in this specific setting.

Preoperative urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and outcome in high-risk heart failure patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Objective: To investigate the ability of early urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin to predict postoperative complications in adult patients with ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Single-center study, university hospital.

A survey on the use of intra-aortic balloon pump in cardiac surgery.

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is an established tool in the management of cardiac dysfunction in cardiac surgery. The best timing for IABP weaning is unknown and varies greatly among cardiac centers. The authors investigated the differences in IABP management among 66 cardiac surgery centers performing 40,675 cardiac surgery procedures in the 12-month study period.

Use of an endoscopic ultrasound probe for the evaluation of the Müllerian rudiments in patients with Rokitansky syndrome.

Objective: To assess the use of an endoscopic ultrasound probe in the evaluation of the uterine horns in a series of patients who were undergoing laparoscopy for the creation of a neovagina.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a tertiary care and referral center for Rokitansky syndrome.

The role of interventional radiology in biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

This study evaluated interventional radiological experience in the management of biliary complications of OLT at the National Cancer Institute of Milan. Seventeen patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation in various hospital were referred to our unit with biliary complications. Group I consisted of 8 patients with anastomotic biliary fistula who came to our attention a short time after transplantation.

Correlation between radiotherapy and suture fistulas following colo-anal anastomosis for carcinoma of the rectum evaluation of 152 consecutive patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of suture fistulas and their possible correlation with adjuvant therapy in patients who underwent colo-anal anastomosis and J pouch reconstruction with a protective colostomy. The reliability of the radiological screening and monitoring program was also verified.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-two consecutive patients were evaluated radiologically with water-soluble radio-opaque contrast enema before surgery for closure of the protective colostomy.