Role of advanced CMR features in identifying a positive genotype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disease that affects approximately one in 500 people. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for the non-invasive assessment of HCM. CMR can accurately quantify the extent and distribution of hypertrophy, assess the presence and severity of myocardial fibrosis, and detect associated abnormalities.

Prognostic Electrocardiographic Signs in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare cardiac disease, characterized by the progressive replacement of myocardial tissue with fibrous and fatty deposits. It can involve both the right and left ventricles. It is associated with the development of life-threatening arrhythmias and culminates in sudden cardiac death.

Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection and mortality in older inpatients.

Purpose: The prevalence of Clostridioides difficile infection in older and frail population is extremely high and adverse outcomes, including future recurrences and premature mortality, are common. Nonetheless, the clinical risk profile for Clostridioides difficile recurrence in older people is still controversial. We aimed to investigate: 1) the association between Clostridioides difficile recurrence and 6-month mortality; 2) the risk factors for Clostridioides difficile recurrence after hospital discharge.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and risk of infectious diseases in hospitalized older patients.

Purpose: Vaccinations, for example flu vaccine, may be a cause of cross-reactive immunostimulation that prevents a larger spectrum of infections. However, whether SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations may also determine this effect is unclear. This study aims, first, to assess the incidence of infections at hospital admission and during the hospitalization in older inpatients vaccinated and unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2; second, to compare length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Cardiac Computed Tomography in Monitoring Revascularization.

The use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in the setting of stable coronary artery disease is highly recommended for low-risk patients. High-risk patients, such as symptomatic subjects with prior revascularization, are suggested to be investigated with noninvasive functional tests or invasive coronary angiography. CCTA is not considered for these patients because of some well-known CCTA artifacts, such as blooming and motion artifacts.

Frailty trajectories in ICU survivors: A comparison between the clinical frailty scale and the Tilburg frailty Indicator and association with 1 year mortality.

Purpose: To test the agreement of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), their association with 3, 6 months and 1-year mortality and the trajectory of frailty in a mixed population of ICU survivors.

Material And Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study on ICU survivors ≥18 years old with an ICU stay >72 h. For each patient, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected.

ObsErvatioNal prospective multicenter stuDy tO characterize the cLinical ANd DiagnoStiC feAtures of endocarditis in the contemPorary Era (ENDO-LANDSCAPE study): rationale and design.

Background: Recent developments in the management of valvular heart disease and heart failure have resulted in a dramatic increase in percutaneous valve procedures and implanted devices. We hypothesize that this has impacted the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of endocarditis.

Methods: The obsErvatioNal prospective multicenter stuDy tO characterize the cLinical ANd DiagnoStiC feAtures of endocarditis in the contemPorary Era (ENDO-LANDSCAPE study) is an observational, multicenter, and international study aimed to examine the epidemiology of endocarditis in the contemporary era.

In Vitro Model for the Evaluation of Innovative Transcatheter Debridement Device (TDD): Pericardium-Based Scaffold and Stem Cells to Reproduce Calcificated Valves.

Aortic valve stenosis has become the most common valvular disease in elderly patients. Several treatments are available such as surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. To date, however, there is a need to discover alternative treatments that can delay the disease progression and, therefore, the implant of a prosthetic valve.

Predictive factors of recurrence for laparoscopic repair of primary and incisional ventral hernias with single mesh from a multicenter study.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is a widely practiced treatment for primary (PH) and incisional (IH) hernias, with acceptable outcomes. Prevention of recurrence is crucial and still highly debated. Purpose of this study was to evaluate predictive factors of recurrence following LVHR with intraperitoneal onlay mesh with a single type of mesh for both PH and IH.

The impact of sex and physical performance on long-term mortality in older patients with myocardial infarction.

Background: Sex influences outcome of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). If there is a relationship between sex and physical performance is unknown.

Methods: The analysis is based on older (≥70 years) ACS patients included in the FRASER, HULK, and LONGEVO SCA prospective studies.

Conservative methotrexate treatment of a scar pregnancy case: adding evidence to the evidence.

A single case of ultrasonographic-guided local injection of methotrexate for managing scar pregnancy is reported. The outcome was successful and had no side effects. The case was reported to increase the evidence supporting this type of management.

Phase 2 study of NAB-paclitaxel in SensiTivE and refractory relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (NABSTER TRIAL).

Background: Despite sensitivity to first-line chemotherapy, most small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients relapse. In this setting, topotecan demonstrated modest activity with significant toxicity. Paclitaxel was also active.

Hand grip strength assessment in older people: is the supine position valid and reliable?

Purpose: Muscle strength evaluation is important in older people's functional assessment. We investigated the validity of grip strength measurement in a supine position as compared to the traditional one.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in older people hospitalized in a medical unit.

Which is the destiny of ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids? A commentary on the Italian medicines agency (AIFA) pronouncements.

The 19 of February 2018 the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA - Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) temporary stopped the new administration of Ulipristal Acetate (UPA) for treating uterine leiomyomas symptoms, because liver injury and hepatic failure had been reported in relationship with UPA use. After the European Medicines Agency review of risks of UPA, the 3 of August 2018 the AIFA produced another note, disclosing that a cause-effect relationship between the UPA use and liver injury is not proved and that some patients can be discontinuously treated if surgery is not recommended. However, a close monitoring of hepatic function must be done in Ulipristal users.

Gene-gene interactions among coding genes of iron-homeostasis proteins and APOE-alleles in cognitive impairment diseases.

Cognitive impairments of different aetiology share alterations in iron and lipid homeostasis with mutual relationships. Since iron and cholesterol accumulation impact on neurodegenerative disease, the associated gene variants are appealing candidate targets for risk and disease progression assessment. In this light, we explored the role of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the main iron homeostasis genes and in the main lipoprotein transporter gene (APOE) in a cohort of 765 patients with dementia of different origin: Alzheimer's disease (AD) n = 276; vascular dementia (VaD), n = 255; mild cognitive impairment (MCI), n = 234; and in normal controls (n = 1086).

Telomere length is independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: Individuals with type 2 diabetes show shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) compared to people without diabetes. Reduced LTL is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy subjects. The aim of the study is to assess whether LTL also correlates with IMT in patients with diabetes.