Publications by authors named "Rocco R"
Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is mostly caused by hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and subaortic stenosis. Rarely, malignancy can lead to dynamic LVOT obstruction and has only been sporadically documented. We present the first case of dynamic and/or nearly fixed LVOT obstruction caused by a cardiac myxoid spindle cell sarcoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) revised operative quality standards recommending resection of lymph nodes from at least one hilar station and three different mediastinal stations in all curative-intent pulmonary resections. This study evaluated the prognostic value and factors associated with adherence to this new CoC standard in patients with resected clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Retrospective review of 654 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for clinical IA NSCLC.
Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of original and bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in reducing COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among the adult population of Turin, Italy.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective, test-negative, case-control study of 5768 adults aged ≥50 years who had symptoms that were consistent with COVID-19-like illness and were admitted to the hospitals of the Turin Health Unit network from 1 January 2021 to 31 January 2023. We evaluated the effectiveness of the vaccines that at the time of the study were authorized in the European Union (original/bivalent BNT162b2; original mRNA-1273; ChAdOx1-S; Ad26.
Recurrence of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and De Novo Cholangiocarcinoma After Liver Transplantation: Results From the Brazilian Cholestasis Consortium.
Clin Transplant
October 2024
Background And Aim: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been shown to recur after liver transplantation (LT). Some studies have identified certain clinical and laboratory variables associated with an increased risk for recurrent PSC (rPSC) in Caucasians. Furthermore, de novo cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has been reported anecdotally in patients with rPSC.
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- Pegunigalsidase alfa is a new enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease, showing a longer half-life and administered every 4 weeks instead of the typical 2-week schedule.
- The BRIGHT study involved 30 adult patients who switched from another ERT to pegunigalsidase alfa, revealing good safety results with mostly mild side effects and no new anti-drug antibodies.
- Although the treatment showed acceptable tolerance, more research is needed due to the small sample size, but it suggests that this 4-week regimen could be a viable new option for managing Fabry disease.
Article Synopsis
- Young women with breast cancer have a higher likelihood of carrying harmful BRCA gene variants, but data on tumor histology's prognostic value is limited.
- A study involving 4,628 patients revealed that lobular tumors are generally diagnosed at a later stage and are more often linked to BRCA2 mutations, while ductal tumors are frequently associated with BRCA1 mutations.
- Despite differences in tumor characteristics and treatment approaches, the study found no significant differences in disease-free or overall survival between those with ductal and lobular tumors, indicating that histology may not influence prognosis.
With improved medical treatments, the prognosis for many malignancies has improved, and more patients are presenting for transplant evaluation with a history of treated cancer. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with a prior malignancy are at higher risk of posttransplant recurrence or de novo malignancy, and they may require a cancer surveillance program that is individualized to their specific needs. There is a dearth of literature on optimal surveillance strategies specific to SOT recipients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRobotic-Assisted Resection of Rare Mitral Valve Hemangioma.
Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes
June 2024
Cardiac hemangiomas are extremely rare tumors accounting for only 1.5%-2.5% of all cardiac tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Post-COVID disabilities, encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects, constitute the primary health sequelae for survivors. While the rehabilitation needs post COVID-19 are now well understood, each country possesses unique characteristics in terms of populations, healthcare systems, social dynamics, and economic profiles, necessitating context-specific recommendations. This study aims to address two main objectives: (1) analyze the impact of an 8-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on the quality of life, functional capacity, cognition, and mental health adaptations in adults recovering from COVID-19 in northern Chile, and (2) propose a personalized model for predicting program dropouts and responses.
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- Pegunigalsidase alfa is a new enzyme replacement therapy compared to agalsidase beta for treating Fabry disease, evaluated through the BALANCE trial.
- In the study, 77 adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either treatment every two weeks for two years, focusing on eGFR slope differences to measure effectiveness.
- Results showed that pegunigalsidase alfa was not inferior to agalsidase beta in terms of eGFR decline, with fewer adverse events and infusion reactions for the new treatment.
Article Synopsis
- Pegunigalsidase alfa is a new enzyme-replacement therapy approved for treating Fabry disease, evaluated for 12 months in a phase 3 study involving adults previously treated with agalsidase alfa.
- The study found that pegunigalsidase alfa was well-tolerated, with most adverse events being mild or moderate, and showed a significant reduction in the annual decline of kidney function compared to prior treatment.
- Overall, a portion of patients developed antibodies against the treatment, but this did not negatively affect their kidney function, suggesting pegunigalsidase alfa could be a promising option for Fabry disease management.
Article Synopsis
- Fabry disease is a rare condition caused by mutations in the GLA gene, leading to a deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase, and this study evaluates the long-term safety and effectiveness of a new treatment called pegunigalsidase alfa.
- *The study involved 15 adults with Fabry disease who received bi-weekly infusions of this enzyme replacement therapy for up to 60 months, with most adverse events being mild to moderate.
- *Results showed a significant, continuous decrease in a specific plasma biomarker and stability in kidney and heart function, indicating the treatment has favorable long-term effects.*
Customized Three-Dimensional Printed Nuss Bar Molds for Repair of Pectus Excavatum.
Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep
December 2023
Background: The minimally invasive Nuss procedure has emerged as the standard of care for correction of pectus excavatum. The site of chest wall insertion and bar shape are currently contoured on the basis of the surgeon's judgment. To optimize and individualize Nuss bar configuration, we aimed to create a virtual surgical planning workflow and 3-dimensional (3D) printed Nuss bar molds customized to each patient's defect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn addition to long-term regulation of blood pressure (BP), in the kidney resides the initial trigger for hypertension development due to an altered capacity to excrete sodium and water. Betaine is one of the major organic osmolytes, and its betaine/gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter (BGT-1) expression in the renal medulla relates to interstitial tonicity and urinary osmolality and volume. This study investigated altered water and sodium balance as well as changes in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) activity in female spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats from their 3-5 weeks of age (prehypertensive phase) to SHR's 28-30 weeks of age (established hypertension-organ damage).
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- The study explores the off-label use of imiquimod (IQ) for treating hemangiomas and its selective cytotoxic effects on transformed endothelial cells versus normal cells.
- IQ's mechanism of action was investigated, focusing on TLR7/8 receptor expression and oxidative stress parameters, revealing no upregulation of TLR7/8 or activation of NF-κB signaling after treatment.
- Findings demonstrate that transformed cells show significant oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction after IQ treatment, suggesting its potential for broader therapeutic applications in skin malignancies.
Many correlated systems feature an insulator-to-metal transition that can be triggered by an electric field. Although it is known that metallization takes place through filament formation, the details of how this process initiates and evolves remain elusive. We use in-operando optical reflectivity to capture the growth dynamics of the metallic phase with space and time resolution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Oligometastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is potentially curable and demands individualised strategies.
Methods: This single-centre retrospective study investigated if positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MR) had a clinical impact on oligometastatic CRC relative to the standard of care imaging (SCI). Adult patients with oligometastatic CRC on SCI who also underwent PET/MR between 3/2016 and 3/2019 were included.
This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the treatment of viral hepatitis, focusing on its clinical management. Also, future treatment options and areas of potential research interest are detailed. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for primary studies published within the last ten years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In Jan 2018, we began routinely obtaining neck ultrasound (US) with 123I/99Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) for parathyroid gland localization and to identify thyroid pathology in the setting of primary hyperparathyroidism (1HPT). The aim of this study is to assess if routine neck US is a useful adjunct to 123I/99Tc-MIBI in 1HPT.
Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for 1HPT with both 123I/99Tc-MIBI and US at our institution after implementation of routine US were reviewed.
Article Synopsis
- Alpha-mannosidosis is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects children, often leading to delays in diagnosis due to its complex symptoms and the need for multiple specialist referrals.
- The study highlights the experiences of two mothers from different backgrounds, one in a city and the other in a rural area, showing how access to healthcare and timely diagnosis can vastly differ and impact the care journey for their children.
- The report emphasizes the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers and improved support systems for both patients and their caregivers, especially in rural settings where access to specialized care may be limited.