Difference in safety and humoral response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with autoimmune neurological disorders: the ANCOVAX study.

Background: Assessing the safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines and the effect of immunotherapies on the seroconversion rate in patients with autoimmune neurological conditions (ANC) is relevant to clinical practice. Our aim was to assess the antibody response to and safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in ANC.

Methods: This longitudinal study included ANC patients vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 between March and August 2021.

Pre-operative interventional radiology: could it have a role before complex laparoscopic surgery?

Bleedings occurring during a surgical intervention can be caused by haemostatic defects, but they are generally due to ineffective local haemostasis. Current coagulation systems may not be sufficient to achieve a good haemostasis, causing, at the same time, tissue dama-ge. Furthermore, the availability of such devices does not eliminate difficulties linked to the isolation of vessels, a crucial step of surgical procedures that require the removal of an organ or part of it, in case of inflammation or neoplasm.

Stroke network performance during the first COVID-19 pandemic stage: A meta-analysis based on stroke network models.

Background: The effect of the COVID pandemic on stroke network performance is unclear, particularly with consideration of drip&ship vs. mothership models.

Aims: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed variations in stroke admissions, rate and timing of reperfusion treatments during the first wave COVID pandemic vs.

Diagnostic performance of MRI/TRUS fusion-guided biopsies vs. systematic prostate biopsies in biopsy-naïve, previous negative biopsy patients and men undergoing active surveillance.

Background: We aimed to assess the detection rate of overall PCa and csPCa, and the clinical impact of MRI/TRUS fusion targeted biopsy (FUSION-TB) compared to TRUS guided systematic biopsy (SB) in patients with different biopsy settings.

Methods: Three hundred and five patients were submitted to FUSION-TB, divided into three groups: biopsy naïve patients, previous negative biopsies and patients under active surveillance (AS). All patients had a single suspicious index lesion at mpMRI.

Sleep disorders and late-onset epilepsy of unknown origin: Understanding new trajectories to brain amyloidopathy.

The intertwining between epilepsy, sleep disorders and beta amyloid pathology has been progressively highlighted, as early identification and stratification of patients at high risk of cognitive decline is the need of the hour. Modification of the sleep-wake activity, such as sleep impairment or excessive daytime sleepiness, can critically affect cerebral beta amyloid levels. Both mice models and human studies have demonstrated a substantial increase in the burden of beta amyloid pathology after sleep-deprivation, with potential negative effects partially restored by sleep recovery.

Stroke and digital technology: a wake-up call from COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The pandemic has implemented the need for new digital technologies as useful tools during the emergency and the long recovery phase that will follow. SARS-CoV-2 has strongly impacted stroke care with significant contraction in a number of patients treated.

Methods: This mini-review is an initiative of the "Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group" of the Italian Society of Neurology and briefly discusses digital tools for managing the acute phase and the rehabilitation after stroke, even considering the new apps that will improve the process of remote monitoring of patients after discharge at home.

Cerebral venous thrombosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection predisposes patients to arterial and venous thrombosis. This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence in the literature for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in association with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify cases of COVID-19-associated CVT.

The stroke mothership model survived during COVID-19 era: an observational single-center study in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Introduction: A reduction of the hospitalization and reperfusion treatments was reported during COVID-19 pandemic. However, high variability in results emerged, potentially due to logistic paradigms adopted. Here, we analyze stroke code admissions, hospitalizations, and stroke belt performance for ischemic stroke patients in the metropolitan Bologna region, comparing temporal trends between 2019 and 2020 to define the impact of COVID-19 on the stroke network.

Variation in complications and mortality following ALPPS at early-adopting centers.

Background: Various, often conflicting, estimates for post-operative morbidity and mortality following ALPPS have been reported in the literature, suggesting that considerable center-level variation exists. Some of this variation may be related to center volume and experience.

Methods: Using data from seventeen centers who were early adopters of the ALPPS technique, we estimated the variation, by center, in standardized 90-day mortality and comprehensive complication index (CCI) for patients treated between 2012 and 2018.

Portal Hypertensive Biliopathy in Adult Patients: Findings and Interventional Radiologic Treatment-A Single-Center Experience.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphologic appearance, the clinical scenario, and the outcomes of patients with portal hypertensive biliopathy (PHB), particularly in the symptomatic subgroup treated with interventional radiology (IR) procedures. The outcome of 20 patients with PHB were retrospectively reviewed over a 5-year period. In all cases, the extrahepatic portal vein occlusion (EHPVO) and the compensatory cavernomatosis was the cause of PHB.

Accuracy of estimated total liver volume formulas before liver resection.

Background: Future remnant liver volume is used to predict the risk for liver failure in patients who will undergo major liver resection. Formulas to estimate total liver volume based on biometric data are widely used to calculate future remnant liver volume; however, it remains unclear which formula is most accurate. This study evaluated published estimate total liver volume formulas to determine which formula best predicts the actual future remnant liver volume based on measurements in a large number of patients who underwent associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy surgery.

Characterization of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors-a single center experience.

Background: The recurrence rate, related to the unpredictable behavior of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), continues to be a major topic of investigation, since no actual risk evaluation scales have proven to be exceedingly effective in predicting prognosis. We therefore focus in this study on investigating the predictive variables of disease recurrence.

Methods: Between September 2004 and January 2011, 34 patients, 18 males and 16 females with a median age of 62 (range, 27-87) years, underwent operations for primary, localized and advanced GISTs.

Repair of primary and incisional hernias using composite mesh fixed with absorbable tackers: preliminary experience of a laparoscopic approach with a newly designed mesh in 29 cases.

Outcome of primary and incisional hernia repair is still affected by clinical complications in terms of recurrences, pain and discomfort. Factors like surgical approach, prosthesis characteristics and method of fixation might influence the outcome. We evaluated in a prospective observational study a cohort population which underwent primary and incisional laparoscopic hernia repair, with the use of a composite mesh in polypropylene fixed with absorbable devices.

Advances in laparoscopy for acute care surgery and trauma.

The greatest advantages of laparoscopy when compared to open surgery include the faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, decreased postoperative pain, earlier return to work and resumption of normal daily activity as well as cosmetic benefits. Laparoscopy today is considered the gold standard of care in the treatment of cholecystitis and appendicitis worldwide. Laparoscopy has even been adopted in colorectal surgery with good results.

Comparison of four methods of automated recording of physiologic data at one minute intervals.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate possible differences between the maximum, minimum, and mean value over each epoch, or the instantaneous value at the end of the interval, when recording physiological data at 1-minute intervals.

Methods: The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate derived from the radial pulse (PULSE), end-tidal CO2 (etCO2), and the arterial O2 saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2) were measured continuously in 10 patients during general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced and maintained using the same technique for the first 10 minutes.

Control of body temperature during abdominal aortic surgery.

Background: Careful control of body temperature during anesthesia aims to prevent cardiocirculatory complications during the phase of recovery from anesthesia. Numerous studies have examined methods for warming the gases breathed by the patient, but the question of whether low flow anesthesia or heat and moisture exchanges can also influence the pattern of body temperature remains unresolved.

Methods: In this clinical trial we evaluated the mean body temperature profile measured at five points in 40 patients divided into two groups: Group I was ventilated with a non-rebreathing circuit and Group II was ventilated with a circle system using low flow rates of fresh gases.

Effect of low fresh gas flow rates on inspired gas composition in a circle absorber system.

Study Objective: To determine the effects of fresh gas flow on inspired gas composition during low-flow anesthesia.

Design: Randomized trial with 2-hour observation periods in patients assigned to one of three groups.

Setting: Inpatient surgery clinic at a medical center.