AQP4 antibody-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease: a case report.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are degenerative diseases frequently associated with severe recurrences and high risk of progressive disability. In this report, we describe an unusual case of a patient with the coexistence between NMOSD and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Case Description: A 58-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with low back pain and walking inability.

How can cervical screening meet the needs of vulnerable women? A qualitative comparative study with stakeholder perspectives from seven European countries.

Objective: This study explored and compared stakeholder perspectives on enhancements to cervical cancer screening for vulnerable women across seven European countries.

Design: In a series of Collaborative User Boards, stakeholders were invited to collaborate on identifying facilitators to improve cervical cancer screening.

Setting: This study was part of the CBIG-SCREEN project which is funded by the European Union and targets disparities in cervical cancer screening for vulnerable women (www.

Trajectory and predictors of psychological distress and posttraumatic growth among rectal cancer patients undergoing combined modality treatment: An exploratory prospective study.

Objective: This exploratory prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the trajectory of psychological distress and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in rectal cancer patients from diagnosis to follow-up and to explore factors that could predict PTG and psychological distress at follow-up.

Method: We assessed psychological distress (anxiety and depression), PTG, physical symptoms, quality of life, cancer-related coping, state and trait affectivity, resilience, and alexithymia in 43 rectal cancer patients, ) age: 61.6 (12.

How Italian radiation oncologists use ChatGPT: a survey by the young group of the Italian association of radiotherapy and clinical oncology (yAIRO).

Purpose: To investigate the awareness and the spread of ChatGPT and its possible role in both scientific research and clinical practice among the young radiation oncologists (RO).

Material And Methods: An anonymous, online survey via Google Forms (including 24 questions) was distributed among young (< 40 years old) ROs in Italy through the yAIRO network, from March 15, 2024, to 31, 2024. These ROs were officially registered with yAIRO in 2023.

Evaluation of menstrual blood loss (MBL) by self-perception and pictorial methods and correlation to uterine myometrial pathology.

Purpose: Evaluating menstrual blood loss (MBL) in primary healthcare is challenging. Our study aimed to assess MBL using two methods: self-perception and pictograms (Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart-PBAC and Menstrual Pictogram superabsorbent polymer-c version-MP) in women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound (TVS).

Methods: We enrolled 221 premenopausal women with spontaneous menstruation, no hormonal therapy, and no ongoing pregnancy.

Scrolling through adolescence: a systematic review of the impact of TikTok on adolescent mental health.

Amidst rising concerns about mental health in adolescents, the role of social media (SM), particularly highly visual platforms such as TikTok, has become a growing focus of investigation. In the extant literature, conclusive evidence is limited by the aggregate analysis of very heterogeneous SM platforms. This systematic scoping review examines the relationship between TikTok and mental health in adolescents.

Comparative Performance of Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and Conventional Imaging in the Primary Staging of High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Who Are Candidates for Radical Prostatectomy.

This prospective study aimed to (1) compare the diagnostic performance of Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with respect to conventional imaging (computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy (BS)) in the primary staging of high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients and (2) validate PSMA-PET/CT accuracy in pelvic nodal staging in comparison with postoperative histopathology and assess PSMA-PET/CT's impact on patient management. Sixty castration-sensitive high-risk (ISUP 4-5 and/or PSA > 20 ng/mL and/or cT3) PCa patients eligible for radical prostatectomy were enrolled (median PSA 10.10 [IQR: 6.

Definitive radiotherapy and trismus in HNC patients: A critical review.

Introduction: Trismus is a potentially critical morbidity following curative-intended radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. However, in this setting, evidence regarding this side effect remains to be fully defined, particularly in terms of dosimetric parameters.

Materials And Methods: Key references were derived from a PubMed query.

The time course of health-related Quality of Life in rectal cancer patients undergoing combined modality treatment.

Background And Purpose: This exploratory prospective observational study investigated the changes in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in rectal cancer patients (RCPs), from diagnosis to one-year-post-surgery follow-up and explored the role of physical symptoms and psychological determinants on HRQoL at the different time points.

Materials And Methods: We assessed HRQoL, psychological distress, coping, affectivity, alexithymia and social support in 43 RCPs treated with preoperative (chemo)radiation and surgery, at three different assessment time points: diagnosis (T0), one month after the end of preoperative treatment (T1), one month after resection surgery (T2), and at follow-up (T3).

Results: The data showed that HRQoL decreased during active treatments, especially between T1 and T2 ( = 0.

Diverse Imaging Methods May Influence Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Metastasis-Directed Therapy (the PRECISE-MDT Study).

Metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) has been tested in clinical trials as a treatment option for oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa). However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the impact of using different imaging techniques interchangeably for defining lesions and guiding MDT within clinical trials. We retrospectively identified oligorecurrent PCa patients who had 5 or fewer nodal, bone, or visceral metastases detected by choline or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT and who underwent MDT stereotactic body radiotherapy with or without systemic therapy in 8 tertiary-level cancer centers.

The impact of resveratrol on the outcome of the in vitro fertilization: an exploratory randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound present in plants and red wine with many potential health benefits. This compound has various anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties and can improve cellular mitochondrial activity. This trial was designed to evaluate the effect on the outcome of IVF of Resveratrol supplementation in women > 35 years with good ovarian reserve (AMH > 1.

Type and Location of Adenomyosis in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Transvaginal Ultrasonographic Assessment.

The current knowledge on adenomyosis as a risk factor for RPL is very scant. Overall 120 women were included in this retrospective observational study. They were divided in three groups each of which consisted of 40 subjects: Group 1: women with RPL who were diagnosed to have adenomyosis on transvaginal ultrasound (TVS); Group 2: patients with RPL without ultrasonographic findings of adenomyosis; Group 3: patients with ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis without RPL and at least one live birth pregnancy.

Assessing ovarian stimulation with letrozole and levonorgestrel intrauterine system after combined fertility-sparing approach for atypical endometrial lesions: a retrospective case-control study.

Research Question: Is ovarian stimulation with levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in situ and co-treatment with letrozole safe and effective in patients undergoing fertility-sparing combined treatment for atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) or early endometrial cancer limited to the endometrium?

Design: Retrospective case-control study recruiting women who had undergone fertility-sparing 'combined' treatment and ovarian stimulation with letrozole and LNG-IUS in situ. The 'three steps' hysteroscopic technique was used. Once complete response was achieved, the ovaries were stimulated, and mature oocytes cryopreserved.

Systemic Connective Tissue Disease and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Coexistence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Several results support the hypothesis that a group of pathologies falling within the Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) diagnostic criteria may coexist with Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) in patients with a high susceptibility to autoimmune conditions. However, the relationship between NMOSD and rheumatologic diseases deserves further investigations to clarify all clinical aspects of this coexistence. We designed a systematic review and a proportional meta-analysis to estimate the association between CTD and MNOSD, with the aim of helping to plan the best strategy to achieve the most significant public health benefit for these conditions.

Management of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a real-life survey among 25 Italian radiation oncology centers.

Aim: Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is the most frequent side effect in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with curative radiotherapy (RT). A standardized strategy for preventing and treating RIOM has not been defined. Aim of this study was to perform a real-life survey on RIOM management among Italian RT centers.

Cohort profile: the Turin prostate cancer prognostication (TPCP) cohort.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent tumor among men in Europe and has both indolent and aggressive forms. There are several treatment options, the choice of which depends on multiple factors. To further improve current prognostication models, we established the Turin Prostate Cancer Prognostication (TPCP) cohort, an Italian retrospective biopsy cohort of patients with PCa and long-term follow-up.

Artificial intelligence applied to image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): a systematic review by the Young Group of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (yAIRO).

Introduction: The advent of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) has recently changed the workflow of radiation treatments by ensuring highly collimated treatments. Artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics are tools that have shown promising results for diagnosis, treatment optimization and outcome prediction. This review aims to assess the impact of AI and radiomics on modern IGRT modalities in RT.

Novel Pharmacological Targets of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychopathological condition with a heterogeneous clinical picture that is complex and challenging to treat. Its multifaceted pathophysiology still remains an unresolved question and certainly contributes to this issue. The pharmacological treatment of PTSD is mainly empirical and centered on the serotonergic system.