A Pilot Case Series on the Use of a Large Mushroom-Shaped Corneal Graft for the Surgical Management of Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Ectasia and Endothelial Failure.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a surgical technique for managing post-penetrating keratoplasty (PK) ectasia complicated by late endothelial failure (LEF). : A single-center pilot case series was conducted regarding consecutive patients affected by post-PK ectasia with late graft failure. Using a microkeratome, a single donor cornea was dissected to prepare a two-piece graft, comprising a larger anterior lamella made up of anterior stroma and a smaller posterior lamella made up of posterior stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium.

Development and validation of the Italian digit-in-noise test.

Objectives: This research aims to validate the digits-in-noise (DIN) test for the Italian language and develop a version capable of independently assessing both ears while maintaining acceptable administration times.

Methods: Individual digits from 0 to 9 in Italian were recorded and adjusted to equalise recognition probabilities. An iOS application (APP) was developed for the independent ear test using triplets in noise.

Preoperative Posterior Stromal Ripples as Predictive Biomarkers of Visual Recovery After DMEK.

Purpose: To investigate the role of preoperative posterior stromal ripples (pre-PSR) on visual acuity recovery after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods: This is a comparative case series retrospectively analyzing patients who underwent DMEK. Electronic records and imaging of DMEK patients were reviewed.

Automated single-isocenter stereotactic body radiotherapy for multiple metastases from breast cancer: A case study.

Oligometastatic breast cancer patients can today could benefit from a multimodal approach, combining systemic therapy with metastasis-directed treatment using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). However, the possibility to synchronously treat multiple lesions is still challenging, needing the ability to generate complex dose distributions with steep dose gradients outside the lesions and major sparing of surrounding organs at risk and accurately track and reproduce the patient's position before and during radiation therapy. We report the case of an oligometastatic patient from left breast cancer, which occurred after a full course of whole breast radiotherapy, treated using the potential of modern technology including single-isocenter setup, plan automation, breath-hold technique and surface guided tracking and reproducibility of patient's position before and during radiation therapy.

Dietary inflammatory index and inflammatory markers in Brazilian adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the inflammatory potential of the diet measured by the energy-adjusted diet inflammatory index (E-DII) and inflammatory markers in adolescents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 518 adolescents aged 18 and 19 years from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil in 2016. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake from which E-DII scores were calculated to determine the inflammatory potential of the diet.

Parental views on prospective consent: Experience from a pilot randomised trial recruiting extremely preterm infants during the perinatal period.

Aim: To explore parental perceptions of the consenting process and understanding of the study in a pilot randomised controlled trial wherein extremely premature infants (<29 weeks' gestation) were recruited either antenatally or by 4 h of life.

Methods: We prospectively surveyed parents who had consented, declined consent or were eligible infants in the Positioning Preterm Infants for Neuroprotection study, a low-risk intervention study in the first 72 h of life. Structured interview questions explored the process and acceptability of the consenting approach by the parents and their knowledge of the study.

A novel seated repositioning maneuver for geotropic lateral canal BPPV: efficacy and technique.

Purpose: This study introduces and evaluates the sitting lateral canal maneuver (SLCM), a novel seated repositioning technique for treating geotropic lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at the Hospital of Salerno, focusing on 26 patients diagnosed with geotropic LC-BPPV between 2021 and 2022. The SLCM was applied, and its efficacy was assessed based on the resolution of nystagmus and vertigo symptoms.

Role of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and the Tumor Microenvironment in the Survival of Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors: A Two-Centre Retrospective Analysis of 107 Patients.

This study aims to retrospectively investigate the prognostic significance of the tumor microenvironment, with a focus on TILs (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes), in relation to survival in a large cohort of patients with parotid gland cancer, and it uses the method proposed by the International TILs Working Group in breast cancer. We included a cohort of consecutive patients with biopsy-proven parotid cancer who underwent surgery between January 2010 and September 2023. A retrospective review of medical records, including surgical, pathological and follow-up reports, was performed.

Tissue expression of miR-449a as risk factor for occult neck metastasis in patients with cT3-T4 N0 laryngeal cancer. A pilot study.

Objective: To explore the potential role of miR-449a as biomarker for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), especially in the decision strategy of neck dissection (ND).

Methods: Each patient underwent total laryngectomy and bilateral ND (levels II-IV); during surgery, tissue samples of around 1 × 0.5 cm were extracted from both healthy tissue adjacent to the tumor and the visibly affected tumor tissue.

Efficacy of rehabilitative therapies on otologic symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Background: The term temporomandibular disorder (TMD) indicates a set of musculoskeletal conditions involving temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory musculature, and related anatomical structures. Pain is the most common clinical manifestation of TMD, and the auditory system might be involved and affected, through tinnitus, dizziness, otalgia and ear fullness sensation.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review of randomised controlled trails (RCTs) was to evaluate the efficacy of rehabilitative approaches on otologic symptoms in patients with TMD.

Association between breast feeding and food consumption according to the degree of processing in Brazil: a cohort study.

Background: The benefits of breast feeding may be associated with better formation of eating habits beyond childhood. This study was designed to verify the association between breast feeding and food consumption according to the degree of processing in four Brazilian birth cohorts.

Methods: The duration of exclusive, predominant and total breast feeding was evaluated.

Temperature probe placement in very preterm infants during delivery room stabilization: an open-label randomized trial.

Background: Variation in practice exists for temperature probe positioning during stabilization of very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation). We explored the influence of temperature probe sites on thermoregulation.

Methods: An open-label, stratified, balanced, parallel, randomized trial was conducted.

Instrumental Assessment and Pharmacological Treatment of Migraine-Related Vertigo in Pediatric Age.

Background: The most frequent form of vertigo in pediatric age is represented by vertigo linked to migraine, with a prevalence of 32.7%. This group of pathologies has received a redefinition of the diagnostic criteria to adapt them to the pediatric age with a new classification of the clinical pictures.

Predicting Long-Term Endothelial Cell Loss after Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: A Mathematical Model.

(1) : This study offers a biexponential model to estimate corneal endothelial cell decay (ECD) following preloaded "endothelium-in" Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) patients; (2) : A total of 65 eyes undergoing DMEK alone or combined with cataract surgery were evaluated. The follow-up period was divided into an early phase (first 6 months) and a late phase (up to 36 months). Endothelial cell count (ECC) and endothelial cell loss (ECL) were analyzed; (3) : The half time of the ECD was 3.

Efficacy and preservation of hearing with low-dose gentamicin in unilateral meniere's disease: A clinical symptomatology-based study.

Purpose: Meniere's disease (MD), a disorder of the inner ear, presents numerous therapeutic challenges, and intratympanic (IT) gentamicin has been proposed for intractable cases. However, controversy regarding dosage and method persists. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose IT gentamicin on vertigo attacks in MD using a clinical symptomatology-based method, wherein administration was repeated only if vertigo attacks recurred, with a 2-week interval between injections.

Enhancing the therapeutic potential of intravenous glycerol for Meniere's disease: Robust results from an extensive patient cohort.

Introduction: Meniere's disease (MD) is an idiopatic condition characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness, affecting quality of life. Intravenous glycerol has shown potential as a therapeutic option. This study evaluates its efficacy in a larger patient cohort.

Sarcoidosis following COVID infection: A case series.

Here we describe three cases of sarcoidosis which were diagnosed following COVID infection. Treating clinicians should consider post-COVID-19 sarcoidosis in their differential, as it represents a potentially treatable cause of persistent symptomatology.