Severe bronchiolitis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective database analysis by the Italian Network of PICU study group (TIPNet).

Background: The first post-COVID-19 pandemic year demonstrated an unusual bronchiolitis epidemic in both hemispheres and has been attributed to the removal of barriers implemented during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several countries reported an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, with more hospitalizations and a greater need for respiratory support. We aimed to evaluate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology and management of severe bronchiolitis in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Italy.

Digital Twins' Advancements and Applications in Healthcare, Towards Precision Medicine.

This review examines the significant influence of Digital Twins (DTs) and their variant, Digital Human Twins (DHTs), on the healthcare field. DTs represent virtual replicas that encapsulate both medical and physiological characteristics-such as tissues, organs, and biokinetic data-of patients. These virtual models facilitate a deeper understanding of disease progression and enhance the customization and optimization of treatment plans by modeling complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental influences.

Oxytocin, the Love Hormone, in Stem Cell Differentiation.

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neurohypophysial nonapeptide that exerts its effects mainly through the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Several studies have pointed out the role of OXT in the modulation of stem cell (SC) fate and properties. SCs are undifferentiated cells characterized by a remarkable ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types of the body.

Pancreatic cancer and long survivors: a survey of Italian society of oncological surgery (SICO).

Long-term survivors after pancreatic resection for PDAC are rare, constituting a specific subset of patients that remains poorly understood. The aim of this survey is to describe the current landscape related to survival in the Italian context and identify factors associated with long-term survival. An online survey, conducted by the Italian Society of Oncological Surgery (SICO) and endorsed by Italian Association of the Study of the Pancreas (AISP) and Italian Association of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery (AICEP), was distributed to surgeons in July 2023.

C3 glomerulopathy in children: a European longitudinal study evaluating outcome.

Background: C3 glomerulopathy is a rare clinical entity characterized by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway in glomerular disease. Studies defining the natural history of C3G in the pediatric population are scarce.

Methods: Patients included in this retrospective study were diagnosed between 2011 and 2020 in 12 European pediatric nephrology units.

[Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) Position paper: Integrated management and transcatheter interventions for acute pulmonary embolism].

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is commonly treated primarily with pharmacological therapy, while advanced reperfusion therapies (transcatheter or surgical) are considered only in cases of contraindications or failure of standard therapies. Treatment algorithms vary depending on the patient's risk, with patients at intermediate or high risk potentially requiring evaluation for such advanced reperfusion therapies. Critical scenarios, such as contraindications to systemic thrombolysis or failure of pharmacological protocols, necessitate the activation of a multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) and prompt therapeutic escalation.

Screening and surveillance practices for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1-related Neuroendocrine Tumours in European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Centers of Excellence (ENETS CoE)-An ENETS MEN1 task force questionnaire study.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) Clinical Practice Guidelines (2012) are predominantly based on expert opinion due to limited available evidence at the time, leaving room for interpretation and variation in practices. Evidence on the natural course of MEN1-related neuroendocrine tumours (NET) and the value of screening programs has increased and new imaging techniques have emerged. The aim of this study is to provide insight in the current practices of screening and surveillance for MEN1-related NETs in ENETS Centers of Excellence (CoEs).

Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance (MGRS): A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: MGRS are new rare clinical entities, whose recognition and optimal management is evolving.

Methods: To implement real-life data, we retrospectively analysed a multicentre cohort of 60 patients with renal biopsy-proven MGRS receiving mainly novel treatments (between 2006 and 2021) in eight Italian centres. Based on renal biopsy, patients were divided into two subgroups: AL amyloidosis (70%, n = 42) and other-MGRS (30%, n = 18).

Revisiting Diagnostic Criteria for Bilateral Vestibulopathy: A New Comprehensive Instrumental Model.

Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a disabling condition characterized by a deficit in vestibular function on both sides. Current diagnostic criteria consider instrumental data only from horizontal canals, excluding vertical canals and otolithic function, with the possibility of not including some variants of BVP. This study aims to evaluate vestibular functions in people with chronic vestibular syndrome through a comprehensive battery of tests.

Gemcitabine, a rare cause of chemotherapy-related reticulate hyperpigmentation.

Reticulate pigmentary disorders can be classified into inherited or acquired and cutaneous drug- induced reticulate hyperpigmentation belongs to this last group. The list of the drugs involved is constantly increasing and chemotherapy agents are frequently implicated. We report a new case of chemotherapy-related reticulate hyperpigmentation to gemcitabine, even though a previous chemotherapy with nanoparticle, albumin-bound (Nab®) paclitaxel and gemcitabine may have promoted the onset of the disease.

The role of combined FDG and SST PET/CT in neuroendocrine tumors.

Somatostatin receptor (SST) positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) is the gold standard for functional imaging of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), but FDG PET/CT is increasingly recognized for its prognostic value, particularly for higher-grade NETs and to detect disease heterogeneity. Despite the established role of pathological grading, clinical heterogeneity within the tumor burden often complicates accurate prognostication. Evidence suggests FDG PET/CT can outperform WHO grading in predicting outcomes by identifying aggressive, undifferentiated tumor clones that influence long-term prognosis and treatment decisions.

Expert consensus on antimicrobial resistance research priorities to focus development and implementation of antibacterial vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

To reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pathogen-specific AMR burden data are crucial to guide target selection for research and development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We identified knowledge gaps through previously conducted systematic reviews, which informed a Delphi expert consultation on future AMR research priorities and harmonisation strategies to support data-driven decision-making. Consensus (≥80% agreement) on importance and feasibility of research topics was achieved in two rounds, involving 24 of 39 and 19 of 24 invited experts, respectively.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Trial on Survival Evaluation (HORSE; MITO-18).

Purpose: To investigate whether the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) without neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a benefit on progression-free survival (PFS), as opposed to SCS alone in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (platinum-free interval, >6 months).

Methods: This was a multicenter randomized phase III study. Random assignment was performed at the time of surgery in cases with residual tumor ≤0.

Laparoscopic Cytoreduction After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A LANCE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite the absence of high-quality evidence of its safety and effectiveness, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly used to treat advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomized clinical trial (RCT) designed to compare the efficacy of MIS vs laparotomy in patients with advanced-stage EOC and a complete or partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This lead-in pilot phase of LANCE (Laparoscopic Cytoreduction After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy), an international, open-label, noninferiority RCT, opened to enrollment in September 2020 and enrolled the 100th eligible patient in February 2023.

Development and validation of the D-PACE scoring system to predict delayed high-grade conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: New conduction disturbances are frequent after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Refining our ability to predict high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB) occurring later than 24 hours after the procedure would be useful in order to select patients eligible for early discharge.

Aims: This study was designed to identify predictors of high-grade AVB occurring between 24 hours and 30 days after TAVI and to develop and validate a predictive risk score.

Light and shade of multigene panel testing for hereditary cancer: Examples from the real world.

Background: MultiGene Panel Testing (MGPT) allows for simultaneous analysis of multiple cancer-related genes, enabling the identification of pathogenic variants in genes beyond those that would be analyzed based on a specific phenotype. However, a relevant fraction of variants so identified has little or no clinical utility, raising the need for guidance in selecting genes to include in panels and for interpretation of the results.

Methods: Taking advantage of seven real paradigmatic cases, we analyze some of the scenarios where MGPT constitutes a meaningful advantage for diagnosis, as well as situations where panel use increases the risk of misinterpretation or complicates result communication and management.

Polyol pathway-generated fructose is indispensable for growth and survival of non-small cell lung cancer.

Despite recent treatment advances, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and therefore it necessitates the exploration of new therapy options. One commonly shared feature of malignant cells is their ability to hijack metabolic pathways to confer survival or proliferation. In this study, we highlight the importance of the polyol pathway (PP) in NSCLC metabolism.