Stability of the thromboxane B biomarker of low-dose aspirin pharmacodynamics in human whole blood and in long-term stored serum samples.

Background: Serum thromboxane B (sTXB) is a validated biomarker of low-dose aspirin pharmacodynamics. In the original method, nonanticoagulated blood samples must be incubated at 37 °C immediately after withdrawal, centrifuged and serum supernatant should be frozen until assayed. Timely completion of all preanalytical steps may affect the feasibility and quality of sTXB measurements.

Autologous anti-GD2 CAR T cells efficiently target primary human glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a deadly tumor. Treatment with chemo-radiotherapy and corticosteroids is known to impair the functionality of lymphocytes, potentially compromising the development of autologous CAR T cell therapies. We here generated pre-clinical investigations of autologous anti-GD2 CAR T cells tested against 2D and 3D models of GBM primary cells.

Extracorporeal hemoadsorption therapy as a potential therapeutic option for rapid removal of Apixaban in high risk-surgical patients: a case report.

Background: Apixaban is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOACs) recently emerged as an effective alternative to conventional vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in the treatment of several thromboembolic disorders. However, in case of overdose or in patients requiring emergency surgery there is a high bleeding rate and severe adverse side effects due to the absence of an antidote. There is promising data from in vitro and clinical studies, that certain antithrombotic agents (that is Rivaroxaban and Ticagrelor) have been successfully removed by the extracorporeal hemoadsorption therapy CytoSorb.

Does COVID-19 vaccination protect against pulmonary embolism?

The prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 patients is highly variable, depending on methodological and clinical factors, among which vaccination (1). The hypothesis of a possible protective role of vaccination in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients has not been explored. The aim of the study was to evaluate PE prevalence in vaccinated versus unvaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Is SARS-CoV-2 infection an emerging risk factor for splanchnic venous thrombosis?

Objective: Thrombosis represents one of the most feared complications of the COronaVIrus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Although pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis are the most described complications, some investigations reported thrombotic localization also in the splanchnic venous district.

Methods: We describe the case of a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting with abdominal pain and diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis.

CXCR4 engagement triggers CD47 internalization and antitumor immunization in a mouse model of mesothelioma.

Boosting antitumor immunity has emerged as a powerful strategy in cancer treatment. While releasing T-cell brakes has received most attention, tumor recognition by T cells is a pre-requisite. Radiotherapy and certain cytotoxic drugs induce the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, which promote tumor antigen cross-presentation and T-cell priming.

Is disruption of sleep quality a consequence of severe Covid-19 infection? A case-series examination.

The Covid-19 outbreak put enormous stress on the health system worldwide, and objective data to handle the emergency are still needed. We aimed to objectively assess the consequence of severe symptoms of Covid-19 infection on sleep quality through wrist actigraphy monitoring of four patients during the sub-acute recovery stage of the disease. The sleep of those patients who had experienced the most severe respiratory symptoms and who had needed prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay showed lower Sleep Efficiency and Immobility Time and higher Fragmentation Index compared to those patients who had experienced only mild respiratory symptoms and not requiring ICU stay.

Ultrasound imaging of abdominal sarcoidosis: State of the art.

Since it has been recognized that sarcoidosis (SA) is not an exclusive disorder of the lungs but can also affect other organs such as the liver and spleen, efforts have been made to define specific imaging criteria for the diagnosis of the single organ involvement, and the concept has been reinforced that the exclusion of alternative causes is important to achieve the correct diagnosis. Ultrasound (US) is a useful tool to evaluate patients with suspected abdominal SA, such as of the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas and other organs, showing findings such as organomegaly, focal lesions and lymphadenopathy. While the diagnosis of abdominal SA is more predictable in the case of involvement of other organs (.

Rivaroxaban in cervical and "cervico-cerebral" artery dissections: a new therapeutic option?

Antiplatelet agents and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are usually used in the treatment of cervical (carotid or vertebral) artery dissections (CADs); however, data about the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in these conditions are very limited. DOACs have proven to be effective in stroke reduction in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and, when possible, they are preferred to warfarin because of their better safety profile. We describe four cases of CADs and, firstly in literature, cervico-cerebral (CCADs) in young patients (average age of 42 years) treated with rivaroxaban 20 mg daily.

The secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism: Towards an individual therapeutic strategy.

After the anticoagulant withdrawal, a substantial proportion of patients with venous thromboembolism will develop recurrent events. Whether to consider an extended treatment depends on the risk of recurrence and bleeding risk. The assessment of the individual risk profile remains a difficult task.

The role of matricellular proteins and tissue stiffness in breast cancer: a systematic review.

Malignancies consist not only of cancerous and nonmalignant cells, but also of additional elements, as extracellular matrix. The aim of this review is to summarize meta-analyses, describing breast tissue stiffness and risk of breast carcinoma (BC) assessing the potential relationship between matricellular proteins (MPs) and survival. A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to PRISMA statement, was conducted through Ovid interface.

Emphysematous pancreatitis associated with penetrating duodenal ulcer.

In the "proton pump inhibitors era", a penetrating peptic ulcer (PPU) represents an exceptional cause of abdominal pain, and was more frequently observed in the past where there was not an effective antacid treatment. Ulcer-induced pancreatitis is very rare, too, and manifests with persistent, intense pain radiating to the back. A mild to severe pancreatitis with peripancreatic fluid collection can be observed at imaging.

Hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in NAFLD patients: cut-off suggestive of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) evolution.

Purpose Of The Study: Conventional ultrasound (US) is reliable to reveal the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but it is neither sensitive nor specific to reveal fibrosis clues, except in advanced stages where signs of cirrhosis are evident. NALFD fibrosis score is a non-invasive parameter that predicts well the presence of significant fibrosis, but correlations with US parameters are lacking. The aim of this study was, therefore, to compare resistive index of hepatic artery (HARI) of NAFLD patients with different severity degrees of diffuse fatty liver disease vs HARI of controls, and to compare HARI of NAFLD patients with different NAFLD fibrosis scores vs HARI of controls.

Pulmonary and abdominal sarcoidosis, the great imitators on imaging?

Sarcoidosis is an insidious disorder that virtually affects every body organ. Lungs are the site most often affected (in up to 90% of patients) followed by intra thoracic more often than peripheral lymph nodes and other sites can be involved in different percentages. The evaluation of pulmonary sarcoidosis is best performed with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), as traditional chest X-ray has a low resolution and can be negative or give non-significant results.

Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosarcoidosis.

The diagnosis and treatment of neurosarcoidosis can be very challenging for several reasons. It affects clinically 5%-10% of sarcoidosis patients, but can be found in up to 25% of autopsies. These data reveal that a high percentage of asymptomatic or misdiagnosed cases can be missed at an initial diagnostic approach.

Aspirin for preventing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism.

Background: About 20% of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism have a recurrence within 2 years after the withdrawal of oral anticoagulant therapy. Extending anticoagulation prevents recurrences but is associated with increased bleeding. The benefit of aspirin for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism is unknown.

Long-term outcomes of patients with cerebral vein thrombosis: a multicenter study.

Background: Little information is available on the long-term clinical outcome of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT).

Objectives And Methods: In an international, retrospective cohort study, we assessed the long-term rates of mortality, residual disability and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a cohort of patients with a first CVT episode.

Results: Seven hundred and six patients (73.

Large-vessel involvement in recent-onset giant cell arteritis: a case-control colour-Doppler sonography study.

Objectives: The prevalence of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) in newly diagnosed GCA is still debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of LVV in newly diagnosed GCA using colour-Doppler sonography (CDS) and to compare the clinical and laboratory findings of GCA patients with and without LVV.

Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients with new-onset GCA underwent CDS of the epiaortic vessels and of the aorta.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer: guidelines of the Italian Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis (SISET)(1).

Background: Prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients remains controversial in most clinical settings.

Purpose: The Italian Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis (SISET) commissioned a project to develop clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of VTE in patients with malignancy.

Methods: Key questions concerning the prevention of VTE in patients with malignancy were formulated by a multidisciplinary working group consisting of experts in clinical medicine and research.

Incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolism in post-acute care patients. A prospective cohort study.

Few studies have addressed the topic of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients hospitalised in rehabilitation facilities. This patient population is rapidly growing, and data aimed to better define VTE risk in this setting are needed. Primary aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic, objectively confirmed VTE in a cohort of unselected consecutive patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities, after medical diseases or surgery.