Role of Multimodal Imaging in Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis: A Case Series.

Background: The 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis (IE) highlighted the essential role of multimodal imaging in the diagnostic algorithm of IE and its complications.

Methods: We hereby report a case series of IE in which the diagnosis was confirmed or excluded by the use of multimodal imaging during the period between January 2024 and July 2024 at the Infectious Diseases Clinic, Perugia Hospital, Italy.

Results: Six patients were retrospectively included.

Ischemic Stroke Prevention in Patients Atrial Fibrillation and a Recent Ischemic Stroke, TIA, or Intracranial Hemorrhage; a World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Scientific Statement.

Background: Secondary stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the fastest growing areas in the field of cerebrovascular diseases. This Scientific statement from the World Stroke Organization Brain & Heart Task Force provides a critical analysis of the strength of current evidence this topic, highlights areas of current controversy, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes priorities for future research.

Methods: We select topics with the highest clinical relevance and perform a systematic search to answer specific practical questions.

Spotlight on the 2024 ESC/EACTS management of atrial fibrillation guidelines: 10 novel key aspects.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) have recently released the 2024 guidelines for the management of AF. This review highlights 10 novel aspects of the ESC/EACTS 2024 Guidelines.

European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for melanoma. Part 2: Treatment - Update 2024.

A unique collaboration of multi-disciplinary experts from the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) was formed to make recommendations on cutaneous melanoma diagnosis and treatment, based on systematic literature reviews and the experts' experience. Cutaneous melanomas are excised with one to two-centimeter safety margins. For a correct stage classification and treatment decision, a sentinel lymph node biopsy shall be offered in patients with tumor thickness ≥ 1.

Amino Acid Infusion for Kidney Protection in Cardiac Surgery Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Secondary Analysis of the PROTECTION Trial.

Background: In the PROTECTION trial, intravenous amino acids (AA) decreased the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Recruitment of renal functional reserve may be responsible for such protection. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have diminished renal functional reserve, and AA may be less protective in such patients.

Relational skills of nephrology and dialysis nurses in clinical care settings: A scoping review and stakeholder consultation.

Aim: To describe and analyze the relational skills of nephrology nurses.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) profoundly affects patients' psychosocial well-being. Nephrology and dialysis nurses meet clinical demands while providing vital emotional support.

An open-label, randomized phase III study of early switch maintenance vs delayed second-line nivolumab in advanced stage squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after standard first-line platinum-based chemotherapy-EDEN trial GOIRC 04-2016.

Background: As for squamous (Sq)-NSCLC, Checkmate-017 trial showed a significant overall survival (OS) improvement in favor of Nivolumab (Nivo) over Docetaxel in 2nd-line. We hypothesized that anticipating Nivo use, as early switch maintenance after 1st-line chemotherapy (CHT), might have improved survival as compared to delayed 2nd-line treatment.

Methods: EDEN was an open-label, 2-arm, phase III study which randomized (1:1) stage IIIB/IV Sq-NSCLC pts non-progressive after 1st-line platinum-based CHT, to receive early Nivo as switch maintenance (Arm A) or standard best supportive care followed by 2nd-line Nivo at disease progression (Arm B).

European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for melanoma. Part 1: Diagnostics - Update 2024.

This guideline was developed in close collaboration with multidisciplinary experts from the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma were developed on the basis of systematic literature research and consensus conferences. Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most dangerous form of skin tumor and accounts for 90 % of skin cancer mortality.

Early vs Late Anticoagulation After Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Covert Brain Infarcts.

Background And Objectives: Covert brain infarcts (CBIs) in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke (IS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence. We aimed to assess whether CBIs modify the treatment effect of early vs late initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with IS and AF.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the international, multicenter, randomized-controlled ELAN trial, which compared early (<48 hours after ischemic stroke for minor and moderate stroke, 6-7 days for major stroke) vs late (>48 hours for minor, 3-4 days for moderate, 12-14 days for major stroke) initiation of DOACs in patients with IS and AF.

Clinico-pathological predictors of radiologic complete response to first-line anti-HER2 therapy in metastatic breast cancer.

This study aimed to identify the clinico-pathological variables predictive of radiologic complete response (rCR) to first-line anti-HER2 therapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients were selected from the database of the GIM14 study and classified according to the best radiologic response obtained to first-line anti-HER2 therapy and upon time-to-treatment-discontinuation (TTD). A total of 545 patients were included in the analysis.

Role of MR-proADM and Monocyte CD169 in Predicting In-Hospital and 60-Day Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and monocyte CD169 (CD169) are valuable prognostic indicators of severe COVID-19.

Methods: We assessed the predictive ability of a single measurement of MR-proADM and CD169 at emergency department (ED) admission to forecast in-hospital and 60-day mortality in adult COVID-19 patients. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data, with in-hospital mortality as the primary endpoint and 60-day mortality as the secondary endpoint.

Functions of the native NPM1 protein and its leukemic mutant.

The nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene encodes for the most abundant nucleolar protein. Thanks to its property to act as histone chaperone and to shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm, the NPM1 protein is involved in multiple cellular function that are here extensively reviewed and include the formation of the nucleolus through liquid-liquid phase separation, regulation of ribosome biogenesis and transport, control of DNA repair and centrosome duplication as well as response to nucleolar stress. NPM1 is mutated in about 30-35% of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The Role of the Endometrial Microbiota in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

: Endometrial cancer is currently the sixth most frequent cancer in women, and scientific research is focusing on the search for particular features of the endometrium that may explain a further predisposition to the onset of endometrial cancer, aimed at improving knowledge of the pathogenetic factors of this disease. The aim of our review is to analyze in detail the results of the literature on the endometrial microbiota in patients with endometrial cancer and to investigate its role. : We performed our research on the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.

Immunonutrition in Acute Geriatric Care: Clinical Outcomes, Inflammatory Profiles, and Immune Responses.

Background And Aims: Malnutrition is common in acutely ill geriatric patients, worsening immune function and clinical outcomes. Immunonutrition, containing nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, arginin and glutamine, may improve recovery in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of immunonutrition on clinical outcomes, inflammatory markers, and immune responses in frail, hospitalized older adults.

Capsular Contracture After Breast Augmentation: Our Approach to Prevent Reoccurrence with Combined Total Capsulectomy and Implantation of Motiva Ergonomix® Implants.

Background: Breast augmentation is the second most common aesthetic surgery worldwide. Capsular contracture, a prevalent complication which affects up to 30% of patients post-surgery, often leads to further necessary surgeries.

Objectives: This study investigates the effectiveness of total capsulectomy combined with Motiva Ergonomix® implant replacement in resolving capsular contracture and minimizing recurrence rates.

Single-modality endocrine therapy versus radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in women aged 70 years and older with luminal A-like early breast cancer (EUROPA): a preplanned interim analysis of a phase 3, non-inferiority, randomised trial.

Background: Optimal therapy following breast-conserving surgery in older adults with low-risk, early-stage breast cancer remains uncertain. The EUROPA trial aims to compare the effects of radiotherapy and endocrine therapy as single-modality treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR) outcomes in this population.

Methods: This non-inferiority, phase 3, randomised study was conducted at 18 academic hospitals across Italy (17 centres) and Slovenia (one centre).

Clinical manifestations, imaging and treatment of Sjögren's disease: one year in review 2024.

Sjögren's disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterised by hyperactivation of B-cells and cytokine production. The condition may evolve from an asymptomatic, indolent course, with glandular involvement, to several extra-glandular systemic manifestations up to lymphoma development. Recent efforts have been undertaken to identify patient phenotypes at risk of developing specific extraglandular manifestations in order to improve patient management.

Sjögren's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome as distinct entity at crossroads of two autoimmune disorders: clinical characterisation from two Italian reference centres for both the diseases.

Objectives: To characterise the overlap syndrome between Sjögren's disease (SjD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Consecutive patients clinically defined as affected by SjD and SLE overlap syndrome (SjD-SLE), belonging to two Italian rheumatology centres were classified following the application of both the SjD and SLE classification criteria. Clinical, functional, ultrasound and histological data were compared with patients suffering from only SjD or SLE.

Arthralgia and Extraintestinal Manifestations in Crohn's Disease Elevate the Risk of IBD-Related Arthritis over Sacroiliitis.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) related arthritis is the most prevalent extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of IBD, ranging between 10 and 39%. Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is used to assess small bowel disease involvement in Crohn's disease (CD) and can detect signs of sacroiliitis in up to 23.5% of patients.

Resuscitation With Placental Circulation Intact Compared With Cord Milking: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Among preterm newborns undergoing resuscitation, delayed cord clamping for 60 seconds is associated with reduced mortality compared with early clamping. However, the effects of longer durations of cord clamping with respiratory support are unknown.

Objective: To determine whether resuscitating preterm newborns while keeping the placental circulation intact and clamping the cord after a long delay would improve outcomes compared with umbilical cord milking.

Primary cutaneous CD4 small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder nodule successfully treated with laser Co ablation: a case report and literature review.

This case report describes an 83-year-old patient with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer who presented with a violaceous, painless nodule on the neck. Dermoscopic examination and subsequent biopsy revealed a Small/Medium CD4 T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (SMPLPD) of the skin. Although excision was initially recommended, the patient opted for treatment with CO laser ablation.

Role of lymphadenectomy in advanced-stage ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer is one of the most lethal cancers among gynecologic malignancies. The disease metastasizes mainly through the peritoneal spread in the abdomen and through the lymphatic system. Lymph node involvement is present in 48% up to 75% of cases of advanced-stage ovarian cancer (ASOC).