Publications by authors named "Valentina Del Prete"
Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and SARS-CoV2 share some similarities in their effects on the respiratory system, clinical presentation, and management. The COVID-19 pandemic required rapid action to curb transmission and mitigate its lethiferous impact. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were globally adopted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInformation regarding the incidence and the prognostic impact of thrombotic events (TE) in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is sparse. Although several risk factors associated with an increased risk of TE development have been recognized, we still lack universally approved guidelines for identification and management of these complications. We retrospectively analyzed 300 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AML.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Several studies in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV infection, undergoing cancer chemotherapy or organ transplant, have led to the development of guidelines on the use of prophylaxis to prevent Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), in these specific conditions. Instead, since the association between PJP and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is not clearly defined, the role of prophylaxis in patients with AML is not yet established.
Methods: We retrospectively analysed 251 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed non-M3-AML, admitted at the Hematology Unit of University Tor Vergata in Rome, during the period 2010-2020.
Background And Aims: There are limited and conflicting data on the impact of fellow participation in improving the colon adenoma detection rate. We performed a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether fellow involvement might have a beneficial effect on adenoma detection rate.
Methods: The trial was conducted at 4 tertiary hospitals between April and December 2019.
Background And Aims: There is currently limited evidence supporting the use of EUS-guided through-the-needle biopsy for sampling pancreatic cystic lesions. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a pooled estimate of the diagnostic performance of through-the-needle biopsy for sampling of pancreatic cysts.
Methods: A bibliographic search on the main databases was performed in September 2019.
Background: Basic and clinical studies suggest that statins may prevent and even ameliorate acute pancreatitis. The present study was to evaluate whether statin decreases the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts.
Methods: Out of 456 patients with pancreatic cysts referred to our center between 2006 and 2018, 365 were finally included in analyses: 86 were treated with statins and 279 were not at the time of endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration.
Although newer needle designs are thought to improve diagnostic outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy, there is limited evidence on their diagnostic performance. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a pooled estimate of the diagnostic performance and safety profile of Franseen and Fork-tip fine-needle biopsy needles. Computerized bibliographic search on the main databases was performed through March 2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: /Objectives: Efficacy of repeat echoendoscopic celiac plexus neurolysis is still unclear. Aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of repeat celiac plexus neurolysis and to build an artificial neural network model able to predict pain response.
Methods: Data regarding 156 patients treated with repeat celiac plexus neurolysis between 2004 and 2019 were reviewed.
Background And Aims: There is limited evidence on the diagnostic performance of EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) sampling in patients with subepithelial lesions. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare EUS-guided FNB sampling performance with FNA in patients with GI subepithelial lesions.
Methods: A computerized bibliographic search on the main databases was performed through May 2019.
Background: Cirrhotic patients are at increased risk of adverse events (AEs) after invasive procedures. However, the safety profile of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine-needle aspiration in cirrhotic patients is still unknown.
Objectives: To examine the AEs rate after EUS fine-needle aspiration in cirrhotic patients as compared to a control group of noncirrhotic patients.
Background & Aims: Several add-on devices have been developed to increase rates of colon adenoma detection (ADR). We assessed their overall and comparative efficacy, and estimated absolute magnitude of benefit through a network meta-analysis.
Methods: We searched the PubMed/Medline and Embase database through March 2017 and identified 25 randomized controlled trials (comprising 16,103 patients) that compared the efficacy of add-on devices (cap; Endocuff; Arc Medical Design Ltd, Leeds, UK, and Endorings; Us Endoscopy, Mentor, OH) with each other or with standard colonoscopy.
Background And Aim: Observational studies showed significant liver stiffness regression after sustained virological response, but long-term effects of antiviral therapy are still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of change in stiffness up to 5 years after therapy in hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral treatment.
Methods: Data of 153 patients were retrieved.
Background And Aim: Full-spectrum endoscopy represents a new endoscopic platform allowing a panoramic 330 degree view of the colon, but evidence of its superiority over standard colonoscopy is still lacking. Our study is the first meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of full-spectrum endoscopy with standard colonoscopy.
Methods: Through a systematic literature review until May 2017, we identified eight randomized-controlled trials.
Aim: To test the correlation between lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and survival after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for colorectal liver metastasis (CLMs).
Methods: From July 2003 to Feb 2012, 127 consecutive patients with 193 histologically-proven unresectable CLMs were treated with percutaneous RFA at the University of Foggia. All patients had undergone primary colorectal tumor resection before RFA and received systemic chemotherapy.
Background And Aim: Vitamin D is implicated in the etiology of several neoplastic diseases, but its relationship with colorectal cancer survival is still unclear. Aim of this study was to determine whether vitamin D levels influence survival outcomes in colorectal cancer liver metastases patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
Methods: We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in 143 patients with 215 colorectal liver metastases who underwent radiofrequency ablation between 1999 and 2011 at our institution.
A multidisciplinary approach based on clinical expertise and knowledge of molecular processes involved in hepatocarcinogenesis is needed for the proper management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Such information must be considered in the context of pathobiology of the underlying liver disease. New drugs targeting specific molecular steps in pathways involved in HCC growth and development bear the promise to radically modify the pharmacological therapies currently in use in hepatooncology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aim: Inhibition of angiotensin II synthesis seems to decrease hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after radical therapies; however, data on the adjuvant role of angiotensin II receptor 1 blockers (sartans) are still lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether sartans delay time to recurrence and prolong overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after radiofrequency ablation.
Methods: Data on 153 patients were reviewed.
Background: EMR is the standard of care for the resection of large polyps.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety profile of submucosal polidocanol injection with epinephrine-saline solution injection for colon polypectomy with a diathermic snare.
Design: After 1-to-1 propensity score caliper matching, comparison of submucosal epinephrine injection was performed with polidocanol injection.
Aim: Survival estimates are commonly reported as survival from the first observation, but future survival probability changes based on the survival time already accumulated after therapy, otherwise known as conditional survival (CS). The aim of the study was to describe CS according to different prognostic variables in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Methods: Data on 125 very early/early HCC patients treated with RFA between 1999 and 2007 were analyzed.
Ascites and hyponatremia are the most common complications in patients with liver cirrhosis and develop as a consequence of a severe impairment of liver function and portal hypertension. Increasing evidences support the central role of renal function alterations in the pathogenesis of hydroelectrolytic imbalances in cirrhotic patients, thus implying a dense cross-talk between liver and kidney in the systemic and splanchnic vascular homeostasis in such subjects. Since Arginin Vasopressin (AVP) hyperincretion occurs at late stage of cirrhosis and plays an important role in the development of refractory ascites, dilutional hyponatremia and finally hepato-renal syndrome, selective antagonists of AVP receptors V2 (vaptans) have been recently introduced in the therapeutic algorithm of advanced cirrhotic patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTHE LIVER HAS THREE CELL LINEAGES ABLE TO PROLIFERATE AFTER A HEPATIC INJURY: the mature hepatocyte, the ductular "bipolar" progenitor cell termed "oval cell" and the putative periductular stem cell. Hepatocytes can only produce other hepatocytes whereas ductular progenitor cells are considerate bipolar since they can give rise to biliary cells or hepatocytes. Periductular stem cells are rare in the liver, have a very long proliferation potential and may be multipotent, being this aspect still under investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is influenced by both recurrence and successive treatments. We investigated post-recurrence survival after radiofrequency ablation.
Methods: Data on 103 early/intermediate patients initially treated with radiofrequency ablation and followed for a median of 78 months (range 68-82) were retrospectively analysed.
Background And Aim: Hepatic iron accumulation is considered to be a cofactor that influences liver injury and hepatocarcinogenesis. Aim of this study is to determine whether serum ferritin (SF) levels relate to overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Methods: We measured SF levels in 103 HCC patients (median age 70, M/F = 82.