Treatment Satisfaction, Patient Preferences, and the Impact of Suboptimal Disease Control in a Large International Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort: SENSE Study.

Background: Patients' needs and perspectives are important determinants of treatment success in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Assessing patients' perspectives can help identify unmet needs and enhance the understanding of treatment benefits.

Objective: The SENSE study assessed the impact of inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on treatment satisfaction, disease outcomes, and patient perspectives related to RA disease management.

Comparison of 12-cm versus 6-cm long peripheral catheters in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA).

Background: Long peripheral catheter is 6-15 cm long vascular device. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of complications of two types of long peripheral catheters with different length inserted in DIVA patients.

Methods: Under ultrasound navigation 2.

Duration of Surgery, Ventilation, and Length of Hospital Stay Do Not Affect Breastfeeding in Newborns After Early Cleft Lip Repair.

Objective: There are minimal data available on nutrition after early repair of cleft lip and the factors influencing initiation of breastfeeding. This study assessed the impact of the length of surgery, length of ventilation support, and duration of hospital stay on breastfeeding rates after early cleft lip surgery.

Design: This is a prospective observational cohort study comparing 2 hospitals providing early surgical repair of facial clefts from January 2014 to December 2016.

Comparison of Interim PET Response to Second-Line Versus First-Line Treatment in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: Contribution to the Development of Response Criteria for Relapsed or Progressive Disease.

In first-line treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), Deauville scores 1-3 define complete metabolic remission. Interim F-FDG PET is also used for relapse-treatment adaptation; however, PET response criteria are not validated for relapse treatment. We performed a pairwise comparative analysis of early response to first- and second-line treatments in 127 patients with classic HL who experienced relapse.

Analysis of HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Paired Normal Mucosae Reveals Cyclin D1 Deregulation and Compensatory Effect of Cyclin D2.

Aberrant regulation of the cell cycle is a typical feature of all forms of cancer. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), it is often associated with the overexpression of cyclin D1 (). However, it remains unclear how expression changes between tumor and normal tissues and whether human papillomavirus (HPV) affects differential expression.

Plerixafor combined with standard regimens for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in pediatric patients with solid tumors eligible for autologous transplants: two-arm phase I/II study (MOZAIC).

This study (NCT01288573) investigated plerixafor's safety and efficacy in children with cancer. Stage 1 investigated the dosage, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety of plerixafor + standard mobilization (G-CSF ± chemotherapy). The stage 2 primary endpoint was successful mobilization (doubling of peripheral blood CD34+ cell count in the 24 h prior to first apheresis) in patients treated with plerixafor + standard mobilization vs.

The impact of balance specific physiotherapy, intensity of therapy and disability on static and dynamic balance in people with multiple sclerosis: A multi-center prospective study.

Background: A high-quality research identifying the best physiotherapeutic approach for the improvement of balance in people with multiple sclerosis is missing. This study compared aspects of balance improvement such as therapy specificity to balance, therapy method and category, country, intensity and medical conditions.

Methods: A multicentric randomised rater-blinded controlled trial comprised three different physiotherapy programs (Czech and Italian outpatient or inpatient programs).

The identification and management of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: evidence-based European consensus statements.

Background: Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) carries a high mortality risk; expert guidance is required to aid early recognition and treatment. We aimed to develop the first expert consensus and define an algorithm for the identification and management of the condition through application of well established methods.

Methods: Evidence-based consensus statements for systemic sclerosis-associated ILD management were established for six domains (ie, risk factors, screening, diagnosis and severity assessment, treatment initiation and options, disease progression, and treatment escalation) using a modified Delphi process based on a systematic literature analysis.

Uterus transplant graft's arterial atherosclerotic remodeling veracity.

Background: Uterus transplantation is a complex, multi-step experimental procedure used for the treatment of uterus absence or uterus anomaly that prevents embryo implantation or pregnancy completion.

Method: To date, only 51 uterus transplants worldwide had been performed. When simplified, it is vascularized composite allograft transplantation.

Switching of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy After PCI in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The RE-DUAL PCI Trial Subanalysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess if prior oral anticoagulant agent (OAC) use modifies the lower bleeding risk observed with dabigatran dual therapy (dabigatran twice daily plus a P2Y inhibitor) versus warfarin triple therapy (warfarin plus a P2Y inhibitor plus aspirin) in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: In the RE-DUAL PCI (Randomized Evaluation of Dual Antithrombotic Therapy With Dabigatran Versus Triple Therapy With Warfarin in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial, the primary outcome of major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was lower with dabigatran dual therapy versus warfarin triple therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent PCI.

Methods: A total of 2,725 patients were randomized to dual therapy with dabigatran (110 or 150 mg twice daily) plus clopidogrel or ticagrelor or triple therapy with warfarin plus aspirin and clopidogrel or ticagrelor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors - Summary of mutational status of the primary/secondary KIT/PDGFRA mutations, BRAF mutations and SDH defects.

The most important findings revealing pathogenesis, molecular characteristics, genotyping and targeted therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are activated oncogenic mutations in KIT and PDGFRA genes. Imatinib mesylate (IM), which inhibits both KIT and PDGFRA receptors, significantly improved treatment of advanced (metastatic, recurrent, and/or inoperable) GISTs. However, in a significant number of patients the treatment fails due to the primary or secondary resistance to targeted therapy.

Hypoglycemia and antihyperglycemic treatment in adult MODY patients - A systematic review of literature.

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by a single mutation in one of the 14 genes involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. GCK, HNF1A, and HNF4A genes are among the most common genes affected. Expression of these genes in the key organs for defense against hypoglycemia and their participation in counter-regulation to hypoglycemia may potentially put individuals with a heterozygous mutation in these genes at increased risk for hypoglycemia.

European muscle MRI study in limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R1/2A (LGMDR1/LGMD2A).

Background: Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R1/2A (LGMDR1/LGMD2A) is a progressive myopathy caused by deficiency of calpain 3, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease of skeletal muscle, and it represents the most frequent type of LGMD worldwide. In the last few years, muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a tool for identifying patterns of muscular involvement in genetic disorders and as a biomarker of disease progression in muscle diseases. In this study, 57 molecularly confirmed LGMDR1 patients from a European cohort (age range 7-78 years) underwent muscle MRI and a global evaluation of functional status (Gardner-Medwin and Walton score and ability to raise the arms).

Moderate sensorineural hearing loss is typical for DFNB16 caused by various types of mutations affecting the STRC gene.

Introduction: Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder and is genetically extremely heterogeneous. By far the most frequent cause of nonsyndromic autosomal recessive hearing loss (AR-NSHL) are biallelic pathogenic mutations in the GJB2 gene causing DFNB1. The worldwide search for the second most common type of AR-NSHL took almost two decades.

How can maturity-onset diabetes of the young be identified among more common diabetes subtypes?

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) represents a diabetes type which has an enormous clinical impact. It significantly alters treatment, refines a patient's prognosis and enables early detection of diabetes in relatives. Nevertheless, when diabetes is manifested the vast majority of MODY patients are not correctly diagnosed, but mostly falsely included among patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, in many cases permanently.

Interference of bone marrow CD56 mesenchymal stromal cells in minimal residual disease investigation of neuroblastoma and other CD45 /CD56 pediatric malignancies using flow cytometry.

Background: Bone marrow (BM) samples obtained from minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) were used in our laboratory as negative biological controls for the development of a neuroblastoma (NBL) flow-cytometric (FC) protocol. The accidental, but systematic, identification of rare cell populations (RCP) mimicking NBL cells (CD45 /CD56 ) in these samples indicated the need for their thorough immunophenotypic identification, in order to elucidate their possible interference in NBL-MRD assessment.

Procedure: RCP observed in BM samples from 14 children recovering from BM aplasia due to intensive chemotherapy for B-ALL were investigated with the following markers: CD81, CD200, CD24, GD2, CD73, CD13, CD90, CD146, CD9, CD117, CD10, CD99, and NG2.

Histopathological changes to the vascular wall after treatment of great saphenous veins using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

A histopathological examination was conducted on vein samples from six patients who had undergone great saphenous vein sealing with Histoacryl and Lipiodol to treat chronic venous insufficiency of the superficial venous system. In each patient a sample of the complete vein including the surrounding tissue was obtained through a minor incision under perioperative sonographic monitoring. Each patient had signed an informed consent form.

Characteristics of patients with cervical cancer during pregnancy: a multicenter matched cohort study. An initiative from the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy.

Background: Treatment of cervical cancer during pregnancy is often complex and challenging. This study aimed to analyze current patterns of practice in the management of pregnant patients diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Methods: This was a matched cohort study comprising patients managed for cervical cancer during pregnancy from six European centers.

Intradialytic alkalinization is a neglected factor affecting calcium mass balance and parathyroid hormone level during haemodiafiltration.

Background: The diffusion gradient between ionized calcium (iCa) in the inlet dialysate and blood is considered to be the main driving force of calcium mass balance (CMB). The intradialytic change of parathyroid hormone (PTH) level corresponds to the change in plasma iCa. In contrast to the widely discussed calcium concentration of dialysis solution, the dialysate pH and bicarbonate concentration (DHCO), important factors affecting the level of iCa, have not been studied with respect to the intradialytic change of plasma PTH level (ΔPTH) and CMB.

Menopause hormone therapy: latest developments and clinical practice.

Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is the most efficient treatment for symptoms of acute climacteric syndrome and for efficient prevention of long-term estrogen deficiency. Vaginal administration of low doses of estrogen is a therapy of choice for treatment and prevention of urogenital atrophy and its consequences. Systemic treatment may include estrogen, but an equally efficient alternative is tibolone.

Chronic Inflammation as a Potential Predictive Factor of Nivolumab Therapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Aim: To investigate potential associations between clinical and standard peripheral blood biomarkers and clinical outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with nivolumab.

Patients And Methods: A total of 120 patients with advanced NSCLC treated at seven comprehensive cancer care centers were analyzed in this national retrospective study. Survival statistics were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox analysis.

The use of estradiol metered-dose transdermal spray in clinical practice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of novel estradiol metered-dose transdermal spray (EMDTS) in the treatment of acute climacteric syndrome.

Methods: A multicenter open-label trial was conducted with a 24-week intervention. EMDTS 1.