Outcome of acute ischemic stroke with absent opacification of the cervical internal carotid artery at CT-angiography after endovascular treatment.

Occlusion of the distal internal carotid artery can simulate a proximal occlusion of its cervical tract on CT angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke, that is, pseudo-occlusion. As true and false carotid occlusions can present similarly on non-invasive imaging in patients undergoing endovascular treatment for stroke, our study aimed to evaluate clinical and technical differences of these conditions and the possible consequences of a misdiagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at a single center between July 2015 and May 2022 and included patients with absent opacification of the cervical carotid artery on CT-angiography.

Treatment Options for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Failure of Previous Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Chemotherapy: Meta-Analysis of Five Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), either alone or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, are effective in the first-line treatment of metastatic, non-oncogene-addicted, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, when NSCLC patients progress, the efficacy of available treatment options is limited.

Methods: We undertook a meta-analysis that compared combination regimens with the current standard of care.

Urethra-sparing prostate cancer radiotherapy: Current practices and future insights from an international survey.

Purpose: In prostate cancer patients, high radiation doses to the urethra have been associated with an increased risk of severe genitourinary toxicity following dose-escalated radiotherapy. Urethra-sparing techniques have emerged as a promising approach to reduce urinary toxicity. This international survey aims to evaluate current global practices in urethra-sparing and explore future directions for the implementation of this technique in external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer.

Integrating BRCA testing into routine prostate cancer care: a multidisciplinary approach by SIUrO and other Italian Scientific Societies.

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies in men, with notable associations to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) and Lynch Syndrome, both linked to germline likely pathogenetic variant/pathogenetic variant (LPV/PV) in genes involved in DNA repair. Among these genes, BRCA2 in PCa patients is the most frequently altered. Despite progresses, challenges in BRCA carriers detection persist, with a quarter of PCa cases lacking family history.

Validation of a Monte Carlo-based dose calculation engine including the 1.5 T magnetic field for independent dose-check in MRgRT.

Purpose: Adaptive MRgRT by 1.5 T MR-linac requires independent verification of the plan-of-the-day by the primary TPS (Monaco) (M). Here we validated a Monte Carlo-based dose-check including the magnetostatic field, SciMoCa (S).

Insights into the ecological and climate crisis: Emerging infections threatening human health.

The Anthropocene era is marked by unprecedented human-induced alterations to the environment, resulting in a climate emergency and widespread ecological deterioration. A staggering number of up to one million species of plants and animals are in danger of becoming extinct, which includes over 10 % of insect species and 40 % of plant species. Unrestrained release of greenhouse gases, widespread deforestation, intense agricultural practices, excessive fishing, and alterations in land use have exceeded the ecological boundaries that were once responsible for humanity's wellbeing.

MAPK pathway activating alteration and immunotherapy efficacy in squamous cell lung carcinoma: results from the randomized, prospective SQUINT trial.

Background: The role of activating alterations in the MAPK pathway in predicting immunotherapy efficacy in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients is largely unknown. The aims of the randomized, phase II SQUINT trial were to assess the efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) versus platinum-based chemotherapy plus nivolumab (N-CT) and to identify clinically available biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic LSCC.

Methods: SQUINT was an open-label, randomized, parallel, non-comparative, phase II trial of NI versus N-CT in chemo-naïve, metastatic or recurrent LSCC adult patients.

« Augmented radiotherapy » in the management of high-risk prostate cancer (PCa): A systematic review.

Background: In patients with high-risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), intensification with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) improves overall survival (OS), at the cost of significant side-effects. We hypothesized that "augmented RT" schedules (defined as either dose-escalation on the prostate gland over 78 Gy and/or addition of whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT)), combined with long-term ADT can reach excellent prostate cancer specific survival (PCSS) in this population with little detrimental impact on quality of life.

Methods: We searched Pubmed database until February 8, 2024.

Ivermectin moxidectin for treating infection: a systematic review.

The aim was to assess the efficacy of ivermectin moxidectin for treating infection. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for studies comparing ivermectin and moxidectin from inception to February 2024. The outcomes: elimination of infection or parasitological cure, mortality and serious adverse events.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis Reveals Exercise-Induced Transcriptional Dynamics in Half-Marathon Runners.

Previous studies in sports science suggested that regular exercise has a positive impact on human health. However, the effects of endurance sports and their underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. One of the main debates regards the modulation of immune dynamics in high-intensity exercise.

Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Framework of mHSPC and nmCRPC: A Multidisciplinary Consensus Project of the Italian Society for Uro-Oncology (SIUrO).

The recent evidences provided in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC) and in nonmetastatic castration resistant (nmCRPC) introduced the possibility to adopt Androgen Receptor Signaling inhibitor (ARSi) alone (both settings) or with chemotherapy (in mHSPC). In daily clinical practice there are some opening questions regarding the inclusion of next generation imaging, mainly PSMA-PET, how integrate local treatment as radiotherapy, how to select patients or drugs in a multiple-choice scenario, and how to manage patients with comorbidities and polypharmacy. These issues led the Italian Society for Uro-Oncology (SIUrO) to develop a consensus project involving all of the most important Italian scientific societies engaged in the multidisciplinary and multiprofessional management of the disease.

RadiOnCOVID: Multicentric Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy in Italy.

Methods And Materials: Patients with ongoing or planned anticancer treatment at 19 Italian Radiation Oncology centers were included in the study retrospectively from 3 February 2020 to 31 December 2020 and prospectively from 1 January 2021 to 31 May 2021. Anonymized data were processed through a specific website and database. Antineoplastic treatment characteristics and timing and outcomes of COVID-19 and its impact on radiotherapy or systemic therapy were described.

Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside, Part 2 Management.

The first part of this review highlighted the evolving landscape of atherosclerosis, noting emerging cardiometabolic risk factors, the growing impact of exposomes, and social determinants of health. The prominent role of atherosclerosis in the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer was also discussed. In this second part, we examine the complex interplay between multimorbid cardio-oncologic patients, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the harmful environments that lend a "syndemic" nature to these chronic diseases.

Absence of Viral Replication Is Associated With Improved Outcome in Anti-HCV-Positive Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Presence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may influence the outcome of patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although this issue has never been adequately assessed in a large series of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of active HCV affects the survival of patients treated for HCC.

Methods: This study assessed the outcome of 3123 anti-HCV-positive patients with HCC, subdivided according to the presence of active HCV infection or previous sustained virological response (SVR).

Fluoroquinolones and Biofilm: A Narrative Review.

: Biofilm-associated infections frequently span multiple body sites and represent a significant clinical challenge, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and antimicrobial therapy. These infections are commonly healthcare-associated and frequently related to internal or external medical devices. The formation of biofilms complicates treatment, as they create environments that are difficult for most antimicrobial agents to penetrate.

Effectiveness and Predictors of Long-Term Treatment Response to Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort: General Analysis and Focus on High-Cardiovascular-Risk Subgroup-A Multicenter Study.

The treatment landscape for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has evolved significantly with the introduction of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), such as Tofacitinib (TOFA), which offer a new therapeutic option for patients who have failed or are intolerant to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Safety concerns, particularly related to cardiovascular and cancer risks, prompted a need for additional investigation in real-world clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and predictors of response to TOFA in two subpopulations of RA patients, categorized by differing cardiovascular risk profiles.

Autologous Neurosensory Retinal Flap Transplantation in a Porcine Model of Retinal Hole.

Purpose: Autologous retinal transplantation has been successfully employed in the treatment of large and myopic macular holes that are refractory to standard surgical treatments. Patients transplanted with a peripheral neurosensory retinal graft have shown unexpected improvements in visual acuity. The study aims to investigate if neural integration of the graft takes place in a porcine model of retinal hole.

Pain and the perception of space in fibromyalgia.

The Economy of action hypothesis postulates that bodily states rescale the perception of the individual's environment's spatial layout. The estimation of distances and slopes in navigation space (i.e.

Global, regional, and national burden of primary liver cancer attributable to metabolic risks: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2021.

Background: The global burden of metabolic diseases is increasing, but estimates of their impact on primary liver cancer are uncertain. We aimed to assess the global burden of primary liver cancer attributable to metabolic risk factors, including high body mass index (BMI) and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, between 1990 and 2021.

Methods: The total number and age-standardized rates of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from primary liver cancer attributable to each metabolic risk factor were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2021.

: a Python package for simplifying cBioPortal data access in cancer research.

Objectives: In recent years, the rise of big data and artificial intelligence has led to an increasing expansion of databases and web services in biomedical research. cBioPortal is one of the most widely used platforms for accessing cancer genomic and clinical data. The primary objective of this study was to develop a tool that simplifies programmatic interaction with cBioPortal's web service.

Ceramide-based risk score CERT-1 improves risk prediction for overall mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without cardiovascular disease: A prospective cohort study.

Aims: Whether the plasma-based ceramide-based risk score CERT1 improves risk prediction for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain.

Materials And Methods: Baseline and follow-up data were combined from two cohorts, 334 patients with established/suspected CVD and 196 patients with type 2 diabetes followed for a median of 74 months (interquartile range 54-79 months). For the calculation of CERT1 risk score, we measured four specific plasma ceramides [Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0) and Cer(d18:1/24:1)] and their ratios to Cer(d18:1/24:0).

MASLD Is Associated With an Increased Long-Term Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Studies have reported an association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the magnitude of the risk and whether this risk varies with the severity of MASLD remains uncertain.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched three large electronic databases using predefined keywords to identify cohort studies (published up to 30 September 2024) in which MASLD was diagnosed by liver biopsy, imaging methods, International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, or blood-based scores.

Technical evaluation of the InBios Strongy Detect IgG ELISA assay for the diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis infection.

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis, recently included in the 2030 targets of the World Health Organization for the control of STHs. Assessment of infection prevalence is fundamental for decision-making about the implementation of control programs, but diagnostic assays to be applied in such context require evaluation. Seroassays based on recombinant antigens, which could be produced in a standardized and scalable manner, are particularly appealing for use in control programs.