Mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in older adult patients with cirrhosis: A validated prediction model.

Background And Aims: Implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) improves survival in patients with cirrhosis with refractory ascites and portal hypertensive bleeding. However, the indication for TIPS in older adult patients (greater than or equal to 70 years) is debated, and a specific prediction model developed in this particular setting is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multivariable model for an accurate prediction of mortality in older adults.

Gastric Th17 Cells Specific for H/K-ATPase and Serum IL-17 Signature in Gastric Autoimmunity.

Human gastric autoimmunity [autoimmune gastritis (AIG)] is characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa and parietal cell loss. The gastric parietal cell proton pump H/K-adenosine triphosphatase (H/K-ATPase) is the major autoantigen in AIG. Our work aimed to investigate the gastric H/K-ATPase-specific T helper 17 (Th17) responses in AIG and serum interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine subfamily in AIG patients, in healthy subjects [healthy controls (HCs)], and in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) without AIG.

Radical Nephroureterectomy Tetrafecta: A Proposal Reporting Surgical Strategy Quality at Surgery.

Background: Standardized methods for reporting surgical quality have been described for all the major urological procedures apart from radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Objective: To propose a tetrafecta criterion for assessing the quality of RNU based on a consensus panel within the Young Association of Urology (YAU) Urothelial Group, and to test the impact of this tetrafecta in a multicenter, large contemporary cohort of patients treated with RNU for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Design Setting And Participants: This was a retrospective analysis of 1765 patients with UTUC treated between 2000 and 2021.

3D Visualization System in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK): A Six-Month Comparison with Conventional Microscope.

Background: To compare the efficacy and safety of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery using the three-dimensional (3D) display system NGENUITY to DMEK surgery performed with the traditional microscope (TM) in patients affected by Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Disease (FECD). Methods: Retrospective comparative study of 40 pseudophakic eyes of 40 patients affected by FECD who underwent DMEK surgery. Twenty patients (3D group) were operated on using the 3D display system and 20 patients (TM group) were operated on using the traditional microscope.

Assessing the impact of socio-economic determinants on access to care, surgical treatment options and outcomes among patients with renal mass: Insight from the universal healthcare system.

Objective: To assess whether socio-economic disparities exist on access to care, treatment options and outcomes among patients with renal mass amenable of surgical treatment within the universal healthcare system.

Methods: Data of consecutive patients submitted to partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) at our Institution between 2017 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were grouped according to their income level (low, intermediate, and high) based on the Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation national criterion.

Early non compliance to enhanced recovery pathway might be an alert for underlying complications following colon surgery.

Purpose: Early non compliance to postoperative ERAS pathway has been reported in 20-30% of patients who underwent elective colon surgery. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible relationship between early non compliance and postoperative complications.

Methods: We reviewed a prospective database including 1391 consecutively collected patients undergoing elective colon surgery in 22 Italian hospitals between January 2017 and June 2020.

The Impact of Primary Versus Secondary Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer at Diagnosis on the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: There might be differential sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with primary muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in comparison to patients with secondary MIBC after a history of non-muscle-invasive disease.

Objective: To investigate pathologic response rates and survival associated with primary versus secondary MIBC among patients treated with cisplatin-based NAC for cT2-4N0M0 MIBC.

Design Setting And Participants: Oncologic outcomes were compared for 350 patients with primary MIBC and 64 with secondary MIBC treated with NAC and radical cystectomy between 1992 and 2021 at 11 academic centers.

Cardiac magnetic resonance for prophylactic implantable-cardioverter defibrillator therapy international study: prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance-derived right ventricular parameters substudy.

Aims: Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) is an important determinant of outcomes in heart failure (HF) cohorts. While the quantitative assessment of RV function is challenging using 2D-echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard with its high spatial resolution and precise anatomical definition. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of CMR-derived RV systolic function in a large cohort of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Persistent respiratory failure after SARS-CoV-2 infection: The role of dual energy computed tomography. A case report.

COVID-19 disease is often complicated by respiratory failure, developing through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, with pulmonary embolism (PE) and microvascular thrombosis as key and frequent components. Newer imaging modalities such as dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) can represent a turning point in the diagnosis and follow-up of suspected PE during COVID-19. A 78-year-old female presented to our internal medicine 3 weeks after initial hospitalization for COVID-19 disease, for recrudescent respiratory failure needing oxygen therapy.

The key role of levator ani thickness for early urinary continence recovery in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A multi-institutional study.

Background: Urinary continence (UC) recovery dramatically affects quality of life after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Membranous urethral length (MUL) has been the most studied anatomical variable associated with UC recovery.

Objective: To investigate whether levator ani thickness (LAT), assessed with multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), correlates with UC recovery after RARP.

Current trends in erectile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy: Results from a worldwide survey.

We aimed to analyse the current trend of erectile rehabilitation (ER) following radical prostatectomy (RP) using a dedicated survey. An online survey was developed between July and September 2020, aiming to evaluate the ER protocols after RP in daily practice among urologists, andrologists, sexual medicine specialists and residents. We investigated demographics data, type of RP performed, and type, schedule, timing and duration of ER protocols.

Determinants of symptom burden related to bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: Symptoms developing during bowel preparation are major concerns among subjects who refuse the procedure.

Aims: We aimed to explore the determinants of symptoms occurring during preparation among patients undergoing elective colonoscopy.

Methods: This is a prospective multicenter study conducted in 10 Italian hospitals.

Enhancing Recovery After Major Bladder Cancer Surgery: Comprehensive Review and Assessment of Application of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines.

Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion is the standard treatment for patients diagnosed with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative care pathway comprising recommendations on different items with variable evidence that are aimed at improving outcomes. This review provides an overview of the application of specific elements of the ERAS guidelines.

Carfilzomib plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: A retro-prospective observational study.

Objective: We investigate safety and efficacy in common clinical practice of the combination of carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd56) approved for the ENDEAVOR trial for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Methods: We retro-prospective analyzed 75 patients in three centers in Tuscany, 48 of whom had a clinically relevant comorbidity and 50 of whom were older than 65 years, treated with a median use in the fourth line of therapy. We assessed the efficacy based on the International Myeloma Working Group criteria.

Impact of stereotactic body radiotherapy vs palliative radiotherapy on oncologic outcomes of patients with metastatic kidney cancer concomitantly treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a preliminary, multicentre experience.

Purpose: To explore the benefit yielded by radiotherapy (RT), we report a series of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with concomitant RT plus Nivolumab.

Methods/patients: Patients undergoing Nivolumab treatment plus concomitant RT (ablative or palliative) were included. RT was defined Ablative if >5 Gy/fraction were delivered.