Transitioning between therapeutic anticoagulants: a clinicians guide to switching patients to or from DOAC therapy.

Introduction: The transition to or from direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is common in clinical practice.

Areas Covered: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, and UpToDate up to March 2024 for conditions and approaches for transitioning from one agent to the other. No randomized clinical trials were retrieved except for two studies regarding switching to DOAC in well-conducted vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy.

Targeting HER2 in breast cancer with brain metastases: A pharmacological point of view with special focus on the permeability of blood-brain barrier to targeted treatments.

Understanding the capability of a drug to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an unmet medical need in patients with positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 positive) and brain metastases. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) lapatinib, neratinib, and tucatinib in co-administration with monoclonal antibodies or chemotherapy drugs and the antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) trastuzumab-deruxtecan and trastuzumab-emtansine. Predicting the BBB permeability of these therapeutic agents is a pharmacological challenge due to the various factors involved in the barrier functions.

Arrhythmic risk stratification in patients with left ventricular ring-like scar.

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) ring-like scar on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been linked to malignant arrhythmias in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive evaluation of this phenotype and to identify risk factors for life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAEs), a composite of sudden cardiac death (SCD), aborted SCD, and sustained ventricular tachycardia.

Methods And Results: One-hundred-fifteen patients (median age 39 [IQR 28-52], 42% females) were identified at 6 referral centres.

Clash of the Titans: the first multi-center retrospective comparative study between da Vinci and Hugo RAS surgical systems for the treatment of deep endometriosis.

Background: The proliferation of several robotic platforms presents an opportunity to pinpoint the most suitable system for specific procedures and patient profiles. This study aims to explore differences in complications and functional outcomes among patients undergoing deep endometriosis excision with the da Vinci surgical system compared to the Hugo RAS system.

Method: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

Auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs in patients with severe Powassan, Usutu, or Ross River virus disease.

Arboviral diseases are a growing global health concern. Pre-existing autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) can underlie encephalitis due to West Nile virus (WNV) (∼40% of patients) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE, due to TBE virus [TBEV]) (∼10%). We report here that these auto-Abs can also underlie severe forms of rarer arboviral infections.

Laryngotracheal and esophageal functional reconstruction using a single anterolateral thigh flap.

The main goal for treatment of locally advanced thyroid carcinoma invading the laryngotracheal and esophageal complex, is radical surgical excision and reconstruction of a functional aerodigestive tract. We describe a challenging surgical technique in which a wide laryngotracheal and esophageal defect was functionally reconstructed using a single anterolateral thigh flap. This can represent a good option for a tailored functional reconstruction of extended defects of the aerodigestive tract.

Inter-Reader Agreement for Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System Major Features and Final Categorization: A Subanalysis From a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objectives: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) is used to definitively diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients at risk. However, the user variability associated with CEUS LI-RADS has not been validated in North American and European patients. This study aims to evaluate the inter-reader agreements of CEUS LI-RADS features for, and final categorization of, HCC in patients at risk.

Surgical Tracheostomies: A Retrospective Chart Analysis Comparing ENT Specialists and Residents.

Aim: The primary aim of our retrospective chart review is to compare open surgical (OS) tracheostomies performed by specialist and supervised resident surgeons, focusing on surgical time and post-surgical complications. The secondary objective was to compare these data based on the years of surgical experience for both specialists and residents.

Methods: All patients undergoing surgical tracheostomy at the Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Department, University of Verona between 1 January 2017, and 31 December 2022, were subjected to a retrospective analysis.

Clonal hematopoiesis in cardiovascular aging: Insights from the verona heart study.

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), marked by the accumulation of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells, significantly elevates the risk of all-cause mortality, mainly due to cardiovascular events. Therefore, investigating this pathophysiological phenomenon is crucial for understanding cardiovascular aging and enhancing both health span and lifespan. In the present study, we examined samples of subjects enrolled within the angiographically controlled Verona Heart Study (VHS), which provides a robust model for cardiovascular aging, particularly regarding coronary artery disease (CAD).

Management of human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors-related acneiform rash: A position paper based on the first Europe/USA Delphi consensus process.

Background: There is a need for unified guidance in the management of acneiform rash induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) among dermatologists.

Objective: To establish unified international guidelines for the management of acneiform rash caused by EGFR inhibitors, based on an experts' Delphi consensus.

Methods: The initiative was led by five members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force 'Dermatology for Cancer Patients' who developed a questionnaire that was circulated to a group of 32 supportive oncodermatology experts in Europe, Canada, Argentina, the US States and Asia.

Lack of oral involvement in a large cohort of women with vulvar lichen sclerosus - a multicenter prospective study.

Background And Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of oral lichen sclerosus in a cohort of women affected with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).

Patients And Methods: This prospective, observational study included adult female patients with a histologically proven VLS who attended the Vulva Clinics of three Dermatology Units from January 2020 to July 2023. During this period, all VLS patients were asked to be examined in their oral cavities in order to detect any possible sign of oral diseases, which were then biopsied.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for Prevention of Gastroesophageal Inflammation: Insights from In Vitro Models.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that can lead to chronic mucosal damage, causing esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. GERD currently affects about 13% of the world's population and represent a major public health concern due to the increasing prevalence and incidence. The aim of this study was to explore complementary strategies for GERD management based the natural compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), alone or associated with plant extracts with demonstrated anti-GERD activity (, , and ).

Novel Diagnosis and Therapeutics Approaches in Retina Diseases.

We have warmly welcomed the opportunity to propose the Special Issue titled "Novel Diagnosis and Therapeutics Approaches in Retina Diseases", and numerous authors have decided to submit their works to it [...

Sanitary Waters: Is It Worth Looking for Mycobacteria?

The freshwater environment is suitable for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) growth. Their high adaptability represents a considerable risk for sanitary water systems, which are a potential vector for NTMs transmission. This study investigated the occurrence of NTMs, such as , in hospital water systems to support the surveillance and control of potentially pathogenic NTMs.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy: Predictors of Response, Issues, and Challenges.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as durvalumab, tremelimumab, and atezolizumab, have emerged as a significant therapeutic option for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In fact, the efficacy of ICIs as single agents or as part of combination therapies has been demonstrated in practice-changing phase III clinical trials. However, ICIs confront several difficulties, including the lack of predictive biomarkers, primary and secondary drug resistance, and treatment-related side effects.

Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Regulatory Mechanisms, Functions, and Therapeutic Implications.

Treatment options for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis, are limited. Recent developments in immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have offered new hope for treating iCCA. However, several issues remain, including the identification of reliable biomarkers of response to ICIs and immune-based combinations.

Impact of Continuous Infusion Meropenem PK/PD Target Attainment on C-Reactive Protein Dynamics in Critically Ill Patients With Documented Gram-Negative Hospital-Acquired or Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Background And Objective: Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling of antibiotics including C-reactive protein (C-RP) dynamics could be helpful in predicting the efficacy of antimicrobials. We developed a PK/PD model for assessing the impact of continuous infusion (CI) meropenem PK/PD target attainment on C-RP dynamics in critically ill patients with documented Gram-negative hospital- (HAP) or ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: Patients were grouped according to the type of antibiotic treatment received [meropenem monotherapy; meropenem plus empirical anti-MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) therapy; meropenem in combination with another anti-Gram-negative active agent; meropenem plus a targeted anti-MRSA therapy].