Why lipid transfer protein allergy is not a pollen-food syndrome: novel data and literature review.

Based on the cross-reactivity between pollen lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) and the peach LTP, Pru p 3, it has been suggested that the pollen might initiate the LTP sensitization process. To establish whether LTP allergy can be considered as a pollen-food syndrome. The literature was reviewed and new data of component-resolved diagnosis from Italy obtained by both ISAC immunoassay and ImmunoCAP on large populations of LTP hypersensitive patients were provided and analyzed.

Water vapor therapy (Rezūm) for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia: early results from the first Italian multicentric study.

Purpose: Rezūm is the latest developed minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We aimed to carefully assess the functional outcomes of patients treated with Rezūm for BPH.

Methods: We prospectively followed 135 consecutive patients treated by Rezūm at 5 institutions from June 2019 to August 2020.

@IT2020: An innovative algorithm for allergen immunotherapy prescription in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). Its efficacy depends on the precise identification of the triggering allergen. However, diagnostics based on retrospective clinical history and sensitization to whole extracts (SWE) often leads to equivocal results.

Evaluation and predictive value of IgE responses toward a comprehensive panel of house dust mite allergens using a new multiplex assay: a real-life experience on an Italian population.

House dust mites (HDM) are among the most important allergen sources worldwide, representing a major cause of perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma. To evaluate the prevalence of IgE responses towards a comprehensive panel of HDM allergens and to evaluate the implications of molecular sensitization profiles on respiratory symptoms. 155 consecutive HDM-allergic patients (mean age: 27.

Differences between transient neonatal diabetes mellitus subtypes can guide diagnosis and therapy.

Objective: Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDM) is caused by activating mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes (KATP/TNDM) or by chromosome 6q24 abnormalities (6q24/TNDM). We wanted to assess whether these different genetic aetiologies result in distinct clinical features.

Design: Retrospective analysis of the Italian data set of patients with TNDM.

Dietary Habits and Risk of Esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus: A Multicenter Italian Case-Control Study.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophagitis share potentially modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and alcohol. The role of diet on BE and esophagitis is still debated.

Aims: The objective of this study was to examine the association between some dietary habits and the risk of BE and esophagitis in Italy.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Pleural Fluid Cytology, Carcinoembryonic Antigen and C-Reactive Protein Together in Patients With Pulmonary Metastases and Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background/aim: Pleural effusion (PE) has a heterogeneous aetiology, and differential diagnosis between benign and malignant disease may require invasive procedures in up to 60% of cases. The sensitivity of pleural cytology is limited, and several strategies have been tested to reduce the need of invasive diagnostic approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of pleural fluid cytology, compared to, and combined with, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C reactive protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay of pleural fluid (PF) in patients with a history of cancer, exudative non-purulent PE, and suspicion of malignant PE on imaging studies.

Receptor autoimmunity: diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Receptor autoimmunity is one of the ways in which autoimmune diseases appear in humans. Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, idiopathic membranous nephropathy, and autoimmune acute encephalitis are the major autoimmune diseases belonging to this particular group. Receptor autoimmune disease are dependent on the presence of autoantibodies directed against cell-surface antigens, namely TSH receptor in thyrocytes, acetylcholine receptor in neuromuscular junction, phospholipase 2 receptor in podocytes, and NMDA receptor in cortical neurons.

Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Effusion Using CT Scan and Pleural-Fluid Cytology Together. A Preliminary Case-Control Study.

Background/aim: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of chest computed tomographic (CT) scan plus pleural fluid cytology (PFC) together in patients with malignant pleural effusion (PE), and to compare the results of these diagnostic tools in patients with malignant PE due to non-small-cell lung cancer and pulmonary metastases from other malignancies.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of 185 patients with PE, who underwent chest CT, PFC and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) thoracentesis followed by VATS-guided biopsy for diagnostic purpose, were reviewed. At the final diagnosis, 123 (66.

Micronized Palmitoylethanolamide-Polydatin Reduces the Painful Symptomatology in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Aims: To assess the efficacy of a micronized-palmitoylethanolamide-polydatin (m-PEA-Pol) based product on chronic pelvic pain and severity of other symptoms in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients refractory to conventional therapies.

Methods: A pilot, open-label bicentric study was carried out involving 32 IC/BPS patients. Chronic, oral m-PEA-Pol treatment lasted 6 months.

IgE antibody repertoire in nasal secretions of children and adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis: A molecular analysis.

Background: There is growing interest both in testing IgE in nasal secretions (NS) and in molecular diagnosis of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Yet, the reliability of nasal IgE detection with the newest molecular assays has never been assessed in a large cohort of pollen allergic patients.

Objective: To investigate with microarray technology and compare the repertoires of specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies in NS and sera of a large population of children and adults with SAR.

A 5-Year-Old Case of Choroidal Neovascularization in Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome Treated with Ranibizumab.

Introduction: We describe the youngest case of enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) successfully treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections.

Case Report: A 5-year-old boy presented with round-shaped fibrotic subretinal lesions in both eyes with surrounding subretinal fluid and progressive visual deterioration in the right eye. Fine foci of increased autofluorescence were observed along the arcades in both eyes.

A new molecular multiplex IgE assay for the diagnosis of pollen allergy in Mediterranean countries: A validation study.

Background: The identification of the primary sensitizing pollen is difficult in Southern European patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) if sensitized to various pollen sources with overlapping seasonality. A more precise diagnosis is obtained by IgE assays to allergen molecules, currently available as singleplex or microarrays.

Objectives: To test the analytical performance of a multi-parameter immunoblot molecular "Pollen Test" specifically designed to test IgE antibodies to pollen extracts and molecules clinically relevant in Southern Europe.

Prognostic Value of a Tissue Doppler Index of Systodiastolic Function in Patients with Asymptomatic Heart Failure.

Introduction: Doppler echocardiography with early diastolic transmitral velocity (E)/early mitral annular diastolic velocity (E') ratio has been proposed as the best predictor for evaluating left ventricle (LV) filling pressure. A dimensionless index E/(E' × S') ratio (S' = systolic mitral annulus velocity) resulted in readily, reproducible, and reliable predictor of LV filling pressure. We assessed the prognostic impact of E/E' × S') in patients with asymptomatic heart failure (HF).

Adelmidrol + sodium hyaluronate in IC/BPS or conditions associated to chronic urothelial inflammation. A translational study.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic bladder condition characterized by frequent urination, bladder inflammation and pain. It is a particular challenging disease and a clear unmet medical need in terms of identifying new therapeutic strategies. The aim of study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of intravesical Vessilen (a new formulation of 2% adelmidrol (the diethanolamide derivative of azelaic acid) + 0.

Improved GMP compliant approach to manipulate lipoaspirates, to cryopreserve stromal vascular fraction, and to expand adipose stem cells in xeno-free media.

Background: The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) derived from adipose tissue contains adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) and can be used for regenerative applications. Thus, a validated protocol for SVF isolation, freezing, and thawing is required to manage product administration. To comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), fetal bovine serum (FBS), used to expand ASC in vitro, could be replaced by growth factors from platelet concentrates.

Bone Mineral Density as a Potential Predictive Factor for Luminal-type Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women.

Background/aim: We performed a case-control study to evaluate whether bone mineral density (BMD) can be considered a potential predictive factor for luminal-type breast cancer (BC), that could be useful in constructing a predictive risk model.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of 297 postmenopausal women with luminal-type node-negative BC who underwent lumbar-spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with BMD measurement before surgery, were analyzed and compared with those of 297 age-matched randomly selected healthy controls. The correlations between women's reproductive history, including the age at menarche and menopause, parity, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use, the results of DXA, and BC risk were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED) position paper on the non-anaesthesiologist administration of propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Propofol sedation by non-anesthesiologists in GI endoscopy, despite generally considered a safe procedure, is still a matter of debate. Benefits of propofol sedation include rapid onset of action, greater patient comfort and fast recovery with prompt discharge from the endoscopy unit. The use of propofol for sedation in GI endoscopy, preceded by dedicated training courses, has been approved by several anaesthesiologist and gastroenterologist societies but an Italian position paper taking into account the Italian law is lacking.

Risk Stratification Using the CHADS-VASc Score in Takotsubo Syndrome: Data From the Takotsubo Italian Network.

Background: The CHADS-VASc score predicts stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and has been reported to have a prognostic role even in acute coronary syndrome patients. The Takotsubo syndrome is a condition that mimics acute coronary syndrome and may present several complications including stroke. We sought to assess the ability of CHADS-VASc score to predict adverse events in Takotsubo syndrome patients.

Definition of the upper reference limit for thyroglobulin antibodies according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry guidelines: comparison of eleven different automated methods.

Purpose: In the last two decades, thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb) measurement has progressively switched from marker of thyroid autoimmunity to test associated with thyroglobulin (Tg) to verify the presence or absence of TgAb interference in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Of note, TgAb measurement is cumbersome: despite standardization against the International Reference Preparation MRC 65/93, several studies demonstrated high inter-method variability and wide variation in limits of detection and in reference intervals. Taking into account the above considerations, the main aim of the present study was the determination of TgAb upper reference limit (URL), according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry guidelines, through the comparison of eleven commercial automated immunoassay platforms.