Patient and physician views on the quality of care for inflammatory bowel disease after one-year follow-up: Results from SOLUTION-2, a prospective IG-IBD study.

Background And Aims: Perception of quality of care is important in the management of patients with chronic diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel disease.

Aims And Methods: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate variations of the Quality of Care through the Patients' Eyes (QUOTE-IBD) questionnaire scores one year after the basal evaluation in the Studio Osservazionale quaLità cUre malatTIe crOniche intestiNali (SOLUTION-1) study.

Results: Of the cohort of 992 patients, 936 were evaluable.

Residual vein thrombosis and serial D-dimer for the long-term management of patients with deep venous thrombosis.

Background: The optimal long-term strategy for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is uncertain.

Methods: In 620 consecutive outpatients with a first proximal DVT who had completed at least three months of anticoagulation (unprovoked in 483, associated with minor risk factors in 137), the ultrasound presence of residual vein thrombosis (RVT) was assessed and defined as an incompressibility of at least 4mm. In 517 patients without RVT and with negative D-dimer, anticoagulation was stopped and D-dimer was repeated after one and three months.

Comparison of HAS-BLED and HAS-BED Versus CHADS and CHADSVASC Stroke and Bleeding Scores in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Anticoagulation is recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for stroke prevention, and the bleeding risk associated suggests the need for a bleeding risk stratification. HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio (INR), elderly >65 years, drugs/alcohol concomitantly) score includes "labile INR" referred to quality of anticoagulation. However, in naïve patients, this item is not available.

Targeted Proteomics for Multiplexed Verification of Markers of Colorectal Tumorigenesis.

Targeted proteomic methods can accelerate the verification of multiple tumor marker candidates in large series of patient samples. We utilized the targeted approach known as selected/multiple reaction monitoring (S/MRM) to verify potential protein markers of colorectal adenoma identified by our group in previous transcriptomic and quantitative shotgun proteomic studies of a large cohort of precancerous colorectal lesions. We developed SRM assays to reproducibly detect and quantify 25 (62.

Galectin-3 predicts left ventricular remodelling after anterior-wall myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: Despite modern reperfusion therapies, left ventricular remodelling (LVR) occurs frequently after an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and represents a strong predictor of mortality and heart failure. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a novel biomarker involved in inflammation, tissue repair and fibrogenesis, might be a valuable predictor of LVR.

Methods: We enrolled consecutively admitted patients with a first anterior STEMI and left anterior descending artery occlusion treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

The Immune Landscapes of Polypoid and Nonpolypoid Precancerous Colorectal Lesions.

Little is known about the immunoediting process in precancerous lesions. We explored this aspect of benign colorectal adenomas with a descriptive analysis of the immune pathways and immune cells whose regulation is linked to the morphology and size of these lesions. Two series of polypoid and nonpolypoid colorectal adenomas were used in this study: 1) 84 samples (42 lesions, each with matched samples of normal mucosa) whose gene expression data were used to quantify the tumor morphology- and size-related dysregulation of immune pathways collected in the Molecular Signature Database, using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis; 2) 40 other lesions examined with immunohistochemistry to quantify the presence of immune cells in the stromal compartment.

Duration of anticoagulation after isolated pulmonary embolism.

In the D-dimer and ULtrasonography in Combination Italian Study (DULCIS), serial D-dimer measurement in combination with assessment of residual thrombosis (in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) identified patients who safely discontinued anticoagulation after an unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE).In this subgroup analysis, the value of D-dimer tests was assessed in patients with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE) compared with those with DVT, with or without PE (DVT/PE). The DULCIS database was reanalysed in relation to this target.

Unilateral paravertebral block compared with subarachnoid anesthesia for the management of postoperative pain syndrome after inguinal herniorrhaphy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Inguinal herniorrhaphy is a common surgical procedure. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether unilateral paravertebral block could provide better control of postoperative pain syndrome compared with unilateral subarachnoid block (SAB). A randomized controlled study was conducted using 50 patients with unilateral inguinal hernias.

Role of TM6SF2 rs58542926 in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic pediatric fatty liver disease: A multiethnic study.

Unlabelled: We assessed the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs58542926 in the transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) gene and fatty liver disease in obese youth. We genotyped the TM6SF2 rs58542926 SNP in a multiethnic cohort of 957 obese children and adolescents (42% Caucasians, 28% African Americans, 30% Hispanics). All underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, a liver panel, and a lipid profile.

Comparison between different D-Dimer cutoff values to assess the individual risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism: analysis of results obtained in the DULCIS study.

Introduction: D-dimer assay, generally evaluated according to cutoff points calibrated for VTE exclusion, is used to estimate the individual risk of recurrence after a first idiopathic event of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: Commercial D-dimer assays, evaluated according to predetermined cutoff levels for each assay, specific for age (lower in subjects <70 years) and gender (lower in males), were used in the recent DULCIS study. The present analysis compared the results obtained in the DULCIS with those that might have been had using the following different cutoff criteria: traditional cutoff for VTE exclusion, higher levels in subjects aged ≥60 years, or age multiplied by 10.

FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab versus FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: updated overall survival and molecular subgroup analyses of the open-label, phase 3 TRIBE study.

Background: In the TRIBE study, FOLFOXIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab significantly improved progression-free survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer compared with FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab. In this updated analysis, we aimed to provide mature results for overall survival-a secondary endpoint-and report treatment efficacy in RAS and BRAF molecular subgroups.

Methods: TRIBE was an open-label, multicentre, phase 3 randomised study of patients (aged 18-70 years with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status of 2 or less and aged 71-75 years with an ECOG performance status of 0) with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer who were recruited from 34 Italian oncology units.

Expression of the immunoglobulin superfamily cell membrane adhesion molecule Cd146 in acute leukemia.

Background: The expression of the immunoglobulin superfamily cell membrane adhesion molecule CD146 has been reported on several normal and pathological cell types in human. The aim of this study was to investigate CD146 expression in acute leukemia using a multiparametric cytofluorimetric approach.

Methods: Cytofluorimetric and cytogenetic studies were performed on peripheral blood and bone marrow samples from 162 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n = 121) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n = 41).

Atherogenic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children.

Childhood obesity when associated with serum lipoprotein changes triggers atherosclerosis. Evidences suggest that the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood and that the extent of early atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary arteries can be associated with lipoprotein levels and obesity. Furthermore, many studies in childhood demonstrate an important relationship between parameters of insulin sensitivity, body fat distribution, and the development of lipid abnormalities.

Patient and physician views on the quality of care in inflammatory bowel disease: results from SOLUTION-1, a prospective IG-IBD study.

Introduction: Remarkable differences in quality of care (QoC) might be observed in different countries, affecting quality of life of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess patient and physician perceptions of the QoC in Italy.

Methods: A multicentre observational study on the quality of care in IBD (SOLUTION-1) was conducted in 36 IG-IBD (Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease) centres in Italy.

Essential requirements for setting up a stem cell processing laboratory.

The Graft Processing subcommittee of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation wrote this guideline to assist physicians and laboratory technologists with the setting up of a cell processing laboratory (CPL) to support a hematopoietic stem cell transplant program, thereby facilitating the start-up of a transplant program in a new location and improving patient access to transplantation worldwide. This guideline describes the minimal essential features of designing such a laboratory and provides a list of equipment and supply needs and staffing recommendations. It describes the typical scope of services that a CPL is expected to perform, including product testing services, and discusses the basic principles behind the most frequent procedures.

D-dimer to guide the duration of anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism: a management study.

The optimal duration of anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncertain. We investigated whether persistently negative D-dimers in patients with vein recanalization or stable thrombotic burden can identify subjects at low recurrence risk. Outpatients with a first VTE (unprovoked or associated with weak risk factors) were eligible after at least 3 months (12 in those with residual thrombosis) of anticoagulation.

Antiviral treatment in patients with indolent B-cell lymphomas associated with HCV infection: a study of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

Background: Tumor regression after antiviral therapy (AT) is in favor of an etiological role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas (NHL).

Patients And Methods: We carried out a cohort study of 704 consecutive HIV-negative, HCV-positive patients with indolent NHL diagnosed and treated from 1993 to 2009 in 39 centers of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi; 134 patients were managed with AT for lymphoma control.

Results: For entire cohort, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 78% [95% confidence interval (CI): 74%-82%] and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 48% (95% CI: 44%-53%).

Individual quality assessment of autografting by probability estimation for clinical endpoints: a prospective validation study from the European group for blood and marrow transplantation.

The aim of supportive autografting is to reduce the side effects from stem cell transplantation and avoid procedure-related health disadvantages for patients at the lowest possible cost and resource expenditure. Economic evaluation of health care is becoming increasingly important. We report clinical and laboratory data collected from 397 consecutive adult patients (173 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 30 Hodgkin lymphoma, 160 multiple myeloma, 7 autoimmune diseases, and 28 acute leukemia) who underwent their first autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT).

Activating c-KIT mutations in a subset of thymic carcinoma and response to different c-KIT inhibitors.

Background: To analyze a multi-institutional series of type C thymic carcinomas (TCs) (including neuroendocrine tumors), focusing on the expression and mutations of c-KIT.

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of c-KIT/CD117, p63, CD5 and neuroendocrine markers, as well as mutational analysis of c-KIT exons 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 by direct sequencing of 48 cases of TCs. Immunohistochemical and molecular data were statistically crossed with clinicopathological features.

Tamoxifen vs Tamoxifen plus 13-cis-retinoic acid vs Tamoxifen plus Interferon alpha-2a as first-line endocrine treatments in advanced breast cancer: updated results of a phase II, prospective, randomised multicentre trial.

Aims And Background: To demonstrate the efficacy of 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) or Interferon alpha-2a (IFN alpha-2a) with Tamoxifen (TAM) in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Methods: Ninety-nine postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer, and a positive or unknown estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PgR) receptor status, were randomised to receive TAM 20 mg/m2/day orally (arm A), or TAM plus RA 1 mg/kg/day orally (arm B), or TAM plus IFN alpha-2a 3 MU thrice a week intramuscular (arm C). The three treatment groups were well balanced in terms of the main prognostic factors.

Left main coronary artery disease. Clinical and angiographic features. A retrospective study regarding two groups of patients with left main coronary artery disease and three-vessel disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of clinical and instrumental features to identify patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCD) compared with a three-vessel coronary artery disease group.

Methods: A cohort of 70 patients with LMCD was matched with another one of 66 patients with three-vessel disease. A history of angina before angiography was similar in both groups; the higher degrees of stable angina and the forms of unstable angina were moderately prevalent in the group with LMCD.