EULAR standardised training model for ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive synovial tissue biopsy procedures in large and small joints.

Objectives: To develop an EULAR training model for education in synovial tissue biopsy (STB) under ultrasound guidance (UG) following a stepwise approach: (1) development of educational material on UGSTB in large and small joints; (2) assessment of the validity, reliability and feasibility of the UGSTB educational procedure on cadaveric specimens; (3) validation of this procedure in live patients.

Methods: Using a nominal group (NG) and a DELPHI consensus methodology, educational audio-visual (AV) material and minimal requirements for education in UGSTB were developed by an expert panel. Then the experts performed an UGSTB on cadaveric joints using the developed approach.

Endoscopic techniques for the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Pancreatic cysts are mostly incidental findings on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, with few patients presenting with abdominal pain or other symptoms. The accurate diagnosis of cysts is important as management depends on the type (neoplastic or non-neoplastic). Cross-sectional imaging is fast being replaced with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and various techniques based on that such as EUS-guided fine needle aspiration, EUS-guided needle confocal laser endomicroscopy, EUS-through-the-needle biopsy, and contrast-enhanced EUS.

How to preserve the native or reconstructed esophagus after perforations or postoperative leaks: A multidisciplinary 15-year experience.

Background: Esophageal perforation or postoperative leak after esophageal surgery remain a life-threatening condition. The optimal management strategy is still unclear.

Aim: To determine clinical outcomes and complications of our 15-year experience in the multidisciplinary management of esophageal perforations and anastomotic leaks.

Development and validation of a MRI-radiomics-based machine learning approach in High Grade Glioma to detect early recurrence.

Purpose: Patients diagnosed with High Grade Gliomas (HGG) generally tend to have a relatively negative prognosis with a high risk of early tumor recurrence (TR) after post-operative radio-chemotherapy. The assessment of the pre-operative risk of early versus delayed TR can be crucial to develop a personalized surgical approach. The purpose of this article is to predict TR using MRI radiomic analysis.

Surgeons' fatigue in minimally invasive and open surgery: A review of the current literature.

Technological advancements have revolutionized surgical methods, with laparoscopic and robotic surgeries offering significant benefits over traditional open procedures. These benefits include reduced intraoperative blood loss, shortened hospital stays, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic outcomes. However, the learning curve for laparoscopic surgery remains a challenge.

Mitochondrial quality control measures, systemic inflammation, and lower-limb muscle power in older adults: a PROMPT secondary analysis.

Objectives: The study was conducted to explore associations between markers of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies, serum inflammatory markers, and measures of muscle power assessed by two different tools in a sample of older adults.

Design: Secondary analysis of data collected in the PeppeR develOpMental ProjecT (PROMPT) at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL, USA).

Methods: Forty-three older adults (n = 20 women) were included in the study.

Four-year effectiveness, safety and drug retention rate of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis: a real-life Italian multicenter cohort.

Objectives: to evaluate over a 48-month follow-up period the: 1) long-term effectiveness and safety; 2) drug retention rate (DRR); 3) impact of comorbidities and bDMARDs line on MDA and DAPSA remission/low disease activity (LDA) of secukinumab in a multicenter Italian cohort of PsA patients.

Methods: Consecutive PsA patients receiving secukinumab were followed prospectively in Italian centers between 2016 and 2023. Disease characteristics, previous/ongoing treatments, comorbidities and follow-up duration were recorded.

Designing Perforator Flaps Using Ultrasound.

Microsurgeons have today the freedom of the "chosen flap," as opposed to the "flap of choice," but the preoperative knowledge of the microanatomy of each patient is mandatory. The need for preoperative evaluation of the perforators, not only in terms of position, but also for dimensions, flow, and relationship with the surrounding structures became essential and allows more personalized reconstruction, less invasiveness, more safety and finally increase microsurgeon creativity.

Feasibility of a single-phase portal venous CT protocol using bolus tracking technique and lean body weight-based contrast media dose.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the use of lean body weight (LBW)-based contrast material (CM) dose and bolus tracking technique on portal venous phase abdominal CT image quality.

Materials And Methods: IRB-approved prospective study; informed consent was acquired. In the period July-November 2023, we randomly selected 105 oncologic patients scheduled for a portal venous phase abdominal CT to undergo our experimental protocol (i.

Recent Advances in the Surgical Management of Radiation-Induced Fractures following Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Post-radiation fractures are a significant complication of cancer treatment, often being challenging to manage and impacting patients' quality of life. This study systematically reviews the literature on fractures in irradiated bones, focusing on risk factors, treatment modalities, and prevention strategies. Factors increasing fracture risk include exposure to high doses of radiation of at least 50 Gy, female gender, menopausal age, and periosteal stripping.

Safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

Background: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: Data from patients at 16 centers were collected for a multicenter retrospective study. Patients who underwent at least one RFA treatment for Barrett's esophagus and thereafter underwent further esophageal ESD for neoplasia recurrence were included.

Survival among patients receiving eteplirsen for up to 8 years for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and contextualization with natural history controls.

Introduction/aims: Eteplirsen, approved in the US for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with exon 51 skip-amenable variants, is associated with attenuated ambulatory/pulmonary decline versus DMD natural history (NH). We report overall survival in a US cohort receiving eteplirsen and contextualize these outcomes versus DMD NH.

Methods: US patients with DMD receiving eteplirsen were followed through a patient support program, with data collected on ages at eteplirsen initiation and death/end of follow-up.

Standardization of interstitial lung disease assessment by ultrasound: results from a Delphi process and web-reliability exercise by the OMERACT ultrasound working group.

Objectives: Over the last years ultrasound has shown to be an important tool for evaluating lung involvement, including interstitial lung disease (ILD) a potentially severe systemic involvement in many rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). Despite the potential sensitivity of the technique the actual use is hampered by the lack of consensual definitions of elementary lesions to be assessed and of the scanning protocol to apply. Within the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound Working Group we aimed at developing consensus-based definitions for ultrasound detected ILD findings in RMDs and assessing their reliability in dynamic images.

Risk of cardiovascular disease decreases over time in psoriatic arthritis but not in spondylarthritis: meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Objective: SpA and PsA represent two frequent inflammatory rheumatic disorders characterized by an increased burden on quality of life due to the association of several comorbidities, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). The estimated prevalence of CVD ranges from 12 to 19% and differs between the two diseases, however, the incidence of CVD is not completely known. We aimed to systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis of controlled observational studies to assess the incidence rate of CVD over time in SpA and PsA.

Development and validation of an OMERACT ultrasound scoring system for the extent of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition at the joint level and patient level.

Background: The Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) subgroup of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound working group was established to validate ultrasound as an outcome measure instrument for CPPD, and in 2017 has developed and validated standardised definitions for elementary lesions for the detection of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joints. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound scoring system for CPPD extent, representing the next phase in the OMERACT methodology.

Methods: In this study the novel scoring system for CPPD was developed through a stepwise process, following an established OMERACT ultrasound methodology.

Neural correlates of empathy in mild cognitive impairment.

The occurrence of clinically significant changes in empathy is a matter of debate in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Altered empathic mechanisms observed in AD may be a consequence of cognitive impairment, more specifically of reduced mental flexibility and self-regulation. The present study explored possible changes in empathy for subjects in the prodromal phase of AD, namely mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD, and of their neural substrates.

Effectiveness and Safety of Switching from Intravenous to Subcutaneous Vedolizumab Formulation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Clinical Remission.

Background And Aims: Subcutaneous vedolizumab formulation has been shown to be as effective and safe as the intravenous one in randomized control trials. Real-life data are limited especially for patients receiving long-term intravenous therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of switching from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab in a large cohort of patients with stable clinical remission.

Brexpiprazole in patients with schizophrenia with or without substance use disorder: an observational study.

Background: Partial dopamine D receptor agonists are used for psychotic symptoms in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Recently, interest surged for partial dopamine D receptor agonists in substance use disorders (SUDs). Since it is believed that SUDs decrease the efficacy of pharmacotherapy of underlying psychiatric disorders, we tested the efficacy of the partial D agonist brexpiprazole in patients with schizophrenia who were either comorbid with a SUD (SUD group) or not comorbid (non-SUD) to assess treatment response and the effect of brexpiprazole on substance craving in SUD.

Exome sequencing of ATP1A3-negative cases of alternating hemiplegia of childhood reveals SCN2A as a novel causative gene.

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurodevelopment disorder that is typically characterized by debilitating episodic attacks of hemiplegia, seizures, and intellectual disability. Over 85% of individuals with AHC have a de novo missense variant in ATP1A3 encoding the catalytic α3 subunit of neuronal NaK ATPases. The remainder of the patients are genetically unexplained.

Psychological factors and barriers to donating and receiving milk from human milk banks: A review.

Human milk banks (HMBs), established in the early 20th century, aimed to provide safe breast milk for infants with challenges obtaining it. The spread of infections since the 1980s resulted in strict regulations and screening in HMBs, to ensure the safety of donated milk. Several social and personal factors discourage mothers from practicing breastfeeding, making donated milk a viable alternative because of its protective and immunity-enhancing properties.

Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Italian version of the paediatric eating assessment tool (I-PEDI-EAT-10) in genetic syndromes.

Background: The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10) is a reliable and valid tool for rapid identification of dysphagia in patients aged 18 months to 18 years.

Aims: To translate and adapt the PEDI-EAT-10 into the Italian language and evaluate its validity and reliability.

Methods & Procedures: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the tool consisted of five stages: initial translation, synthesis of the translations, back translation, expert committee evaluation and test of the prefinal version.