The clinical meaning of the UIP pattern in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis on cryobiopsy: A multicentre retrospective study.

Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (f-HP) is an interstitial lung disease in which various antigens in susceptible individuals may play a pathogenetic role. This study evaluates the role of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in identifying a UIP-like pattern and its association with fibrosis progression. We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with f-HP who underwent BAL and TBLC between 2011 and 2023.

Ultrathin bronchoscopy-guided small airway biopsy for diagnosing sarcoidosis: A prospective study.

New ultrathin bronchoscopes (UTBs) enable the inspection and biopsy of small airways, potentially offering diagnostic advantages in sarcoidosis. In this prospective study, patients with suspected sarcoidosis underwent airway inspection with a UTB. Observed airway abnormalities were categorised into six predefined patterns.

Not too much, not too little. Titrating flow rate to minimise inspiratory effort during helmet CPAP: A bench study.

Background: Non-invasive helmet respiratory support is suitable for several clinical conditions. Continuous-flow helmet CPAP systems equipped with HEPA filters have become popular during the recent Coronavirus pandemic. However, HEPA filters generate an overpressure above the set PEEP.

Effects of asymmetric nasal high-flow cannula on carbon dioxide in hypercapnic patients: A randomised crossover physiological pilot study.

Nasal high flow (NHF) therapy is an established form of non invasive respiratory support used in acute and chronic care. Recently, a new high flow nasal cannula with asymmetric prongs was approved for clinical use. The clinical benefits of the new cannula have not yet been defined and no evidence are available on the use of asymmetric NHF support in patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Knee kinematics during gait in patients with discoid lateral meniscus: a systematic review.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference between symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) and healthy knees in terms of gait analysis.

Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was conducted from the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus. The review was performed on studies that reported data on kinematics, gait analysis, biomechanics in discoid lateral meniscus, before and after surgery.

"Nobody Seemed to Notice My Work": The Lived Experiences of Home Care Workers Assisting People With Chronic Diseases: A Phenomenological Study.

Introduction: Home care workers (HCWs) are paid caregivers who provide support to patients with chronic conditions and functional limitations. Additionally, they provide emotional support to patients and familial support. Although several qualitative studies have been conducted on HCWs, they focused more on studying prevalently the lived experiences about the workplace violence, the end of life, stressor and resilience, during the COVID-19 pandemic or focused more in dementia and heart failure, but not on feelings and working conditions.

Adjuvant Atezolizumab for Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: The ALEXANDRA/IMpassion030 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype with a high incidence in young patients, a high incidence in non-Hispanic Black women, and a high risk of progression to metastatic cancer, a devastating sequela with a 12- to 18-month life expectancy. Until recently, one strategy for treating early-stage triple-negative breast cancer was chemotherapy after surgery. However, it was not known whether the addition of immune therapy to postsurgery chemotherapy would be beneficial.

Relaxin in pregnancy: a narrative review of a pleiotropic molecule.

Introduction: Relaxin is a hormone primarily produced by the corpus luteum during pregnancy, and it plays a critical role in various physiological processes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Evidence Acquisition: Studies have suggested a possible link between relaxin levels and preterm birth. Relaxin's effects on the cervix and pelvic ligaments suggest it could influence the mode of delivery.

Pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria of PCOS.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine-metabolic syndrome mainly characterized by ovarian dysfunction, which is only one manifestation of a more complex syndrome with a significant systemic impact.

Evidence Acquisition: We review scientific literature on the pathophysiology and diagnosis of PCOS evaluating the most relevant data from original articles, reviews and meta-analyses published until June 2024.

Evidence Synthesis: From a pathophysiological point of view, the concurrence of both metabolic aspects, such as insulin resistance and obesity, and hormonal alterations, such as hyperandrogenemia, might produce the most relevant clinical signs and/symptoms of this syndrome, for instance menstrual irregularities, hair loss, acne and hirsutism.

"Minimal-Advice" on Salt Intake: Results of a Multicentre Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial on Hypertensive Patients.

Introduction: A strong and well-known association exists between salt consumption, potassium intake, and cardiovascular diseases. MINISAL-SIIA results showed high salt and low potassium consumption in Italian hypertensive patients. In addition, a recent Italian survey showed that the degree of knowledge and behaviour about salt was directly interrelated, suggesting a key role of the educational approach.

Reversibility of acrocyanosis and improvement of capillaroscopic pattern in a patient with polycythemia vera treated with ruxolitinib: a case report.

This case report describes the clinical course of a 78-year-old patient diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV), who presented with pronounced acrocyanosis of the hands in 2021. The patient was treated with hydroxyurea (oncocarbide), and nailfold capillaroscopy revealed an "abnormal pattern" characterized by pronounced architectural disarray and capillary tortuosity, which is uncommon in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In 2023, owing to suboptimal symptom management and hematological side effects, the treatment was switched to ruxolitinib, which led to significant clinical improvements by 2024, including near-complete resolution of acrocyanosis and substantial improvement in capillaroscopic abnormalities, with only residual capillary tortuosity noted.

Clinical presentation, outcomes and risk of relapses of lupus podocytopathy in a multicentre Italian cohort.

Background: In an Italian cohort of lupus podocytopathy patients, we aimed to characterize the presenting features, therapy, and outcomes, and explore differences between relapsing and non-relapsing patients.

Methods: We identified 29 patients with lupus podocytopathy from 1994 to 2023 in 11 Italian Nephrology/Rheumatology Units, and divided them into two groups: relapsing and non-relapsing. Given the limited sample size, a p-value ≤ 0.

The impact of a secondary, rare, non-pathogenic PKD1 variant on disease progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused primarily by pathogenic variants in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes. Although the type of ADPKD variant can influence disease severity, rare, hypomorphic PKD1 variants have also been reported to modify disease severity or cause biallelic ADPKD. This study examines whether rare, additional, potentially protein-altering, non-pathogenic PKD1 variants contribute to ADPKD phenotypic outcomes.

Partington-Rochelle modified procedure of pancreatotomy with short pancreaticojejunostomy for groove pancreatitis: a technical note.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a chronic segmental pancreatitis which leads to altered pancreatic secretions and pancreatitis. The exact pathogenesis of GP has not been clearly identified to date but heavy smoking and chronic alcohol consumption seem to be the main factors involved. The resulting chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a debilitating disease causing abdominal pain often refractory to medical therapy, so much that the main indication for surgical treatment is intractable abdominal pain.

Prevalence and predictive risk factors of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes. The PREeclampsia in DIabetiC gestaTION (PREDICTION) study.

Purpose: Women with gestational diabetes (GDM) have increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). However, knowledge remains limited for women with high-risk metabolic profiles, regardless of GDM diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HDP among women at high risk for GDM, while simultaneously identifying potential predictive clinical risk factors of HDP.

European Survey on Adults with Type 1 Diabetes and their Caregivers: Insights into Personal Experience and Needs for Improving Diabetes Care.

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires constant self-management and substantially impacts daily life. We surveyed the experiences/burdens of people with T1D (PWD) and their caregivers.

Methods: An online survey of PWD/caregivers (aged ≥ 18 years) living in five European countries was conducted from July to August 2021.

Outbreak of autochthonous dengue in Fano, Pesaro-Urbino Province - Marche region, Italy, September 2024.

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease globally. It is caused by four distinct but closely related Dengue viruses (DENV-1, -2, -3, and - 4) transmitted through bites of infected Aedes species mosquito vectors. In the last 50 years, incidence has increased 30-fold with increasing geographic expansion to new countries.

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for MRAs optimization in HFrEF: lessons learned from the REALIZE-K trial.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are a cornerstone of guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), offering significant benefits in reducing mortality and hospitalizations. However, their use is often constrained by the risk of hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), two novel potassium binders, have emerged as highly effective and safe tools for managing hyperkalemia and enabling the optimization of MRA therapy.

Human-biting behaviour of Leptoconops irritans (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in a touristic area of the Balearic Islands (Spain).

Biting midges of genus Leptoconops Skuse 1889 are small blood-feeding insects recognized as highly irritating diurnal pests in certain regions around the globe. In Europe, their presence is poorly documented, except in France and Italy. Following reports of human discomfort in a tourist area of Menorca, Balearic Islands (Spain), a small-scale study was conducted to identify the biting species and assess their preferred biting sites using a human-landing assay along a habitat gradient in a coastal dune area.