Appropriateness of admission to rehabilitation: definition of a set of criteria and rules through the application of the Delphi method.

Background: Controlling inappropriateness of care is an essential issue, especially in rehabilitation medicine. In fact, admitting a patient to a rehabilitation hospital or unit is a complex decision also due to the absence of shared and objective admission criteria.

Aim: The aim was to define clinical admission criteria and rules in rehabilitation medicine.

The effects of a 50 km ultramarathon race on high sensitivity cardiac troponin I and NT-proBNP in highly trained athletes.

Background: High sensitivity cardiac troponins I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) and natriuretic peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) are universally recognized as cardiac reference biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes and heart failure respectively. However, while on one hand the high sensitivity methods of cardiac biomarkers have provided answers to fundamental pathophysiological and clinical questions in patients with heart disease, less information is available on their assessment in paraphysiological conditions, such as high intensity exercise in healthy athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP in highly trained runners after a 50 km ultramarathon.

COVID-19 mortality rates in the European Union, Switzerland, and the UK: effect of timeliness, lockdown rigidity, and population density.

Background: To date, the European experience with COVID-19 mortality has been different to that observed in China and Asia. We aimed to forecast mortality trends in the 27 countries of the European Union (EU), plus Switzerland and the UK, where lockdown dates and confinement interventions have been heterogeneous, and to explore its determinants.

Methods: We have adapted our predictive model of COVID-19-related mortality, which rested on the observed mortality within the first weeks of the outbreak and the date of the respective lockdown in each country.

Dynamic bedside assessment of the physiologic effects of prone position in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients by electrical impedance tomography.

Background: Prone position (PP) improves acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survival by reducing the risk of ventilation-induced lung injury. However, inter-individual variability is a hallmark of ARDS and lung protection by PP might not be optimal in all patients. In the present study, we dynamically assessed physiologic effects of PP by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and identified predictors of improved lung protection by PP in ARDS patients.

Pilot study on non-celiac gluten sensitivity: effects of Bifidobacterium longum ES1 co-administered with a gluten-free diet.

Background: Bifidobacterium longum ES1 is a strain probiotic, colonizing the human gut and capable of a degradative action on gliadin. In an attempt to find new nutritional solutions aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) we evaluated the effectiveness of this strain, in association with a gluten-free diet, comparing its efficacy versus diet therapy alone.

Methods: The experimental design included a non-randomized, open-label, 1:1 intervention study in parallel groups.

Switch from intravenous or intramuscular to subcutaneous hepatitis B immunoglobulin: effect on quality of life after liver transplantation.

Background: Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) therapy is available in intravenous (IV) or intra-muscular (IM) formulations. Recently, a subcutaneous (SC) formulation was introduced. This study evaluated changes in quality of life when liver transplant (LT) recipients were switched from IV or IM HBIG to the SC formulation.

Donation after circulatory death: possible strategies for in-situ organ preservation.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is an accepted strategy to expand the potential donor pool. The complexity of organ procurement from DCD donors requires the development of new strategies for organ preservation. Standard DCD organ recovery involves a super rapid technique, with cold thoracic and abdominal perfusion.

Long-term effect of oxycodone/naloxone on the management of postoperative pain after hysterectomy: a randomized prospective study.

Background: The analgesic efficacy of oxycodone prolonged-release (PR) combined with naloxone PR (OXN) in postoperative pain management is recognized, however, few studies have examined the efficacy of OXN on pain relief and bowel function following hysterectomy. This study compared the effect of OXN vs. standard treatment for post-operative pain management and bowel function following hysterectomy.

Clinical and anatomical variables associated in the literature to limb graft occlusion after endovascular aneurysm repair compared to the experience of a tertiary referral center.

Introduction: Limb graft occlusion (LGO) is the third reason for hospital readmission after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We reviewed the clinical features, incidence, anatomical and devices related predictive factors for LGO after EVAR, and compared them with our experience.

Evidence Acquisition: EVAR between 2010-2017 were included.

Pthiriasis of the eyelashes.

Pthirus pubis, popularly known as crab louse, usually infests the pubis, groin, buttocks, intergluteal fold and perianal region. However, it can also infest, in particular in hairy males or when the infestation is longstanding, the thighs, abdomen, chest, axillae and face. The involvement of the scalp is very rare.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome: should the EOLIA Study results change our clinical approach?

The original discouraging results of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) application in acute respiratory failure caused the technique to be almost abandoned. Fortunately, ECMO survived thanks to the good results obtained in neonates. The interest on ECMO renewed after the publication of the CESAR Trial in 2009.

Efficacy and tolerability of 1% ciclopirox shampoo in the treatment of moderate-to-severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis: a multicenter, prospective, assessor-blinded trial.

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a very common inflammatory skin disease. It occurs in 1-3% of the population. The most supported pathogenetic theory links SD to dandruff via a common etiology, yeasts of the genus Malassezia.

Effects of a physiotherapic program in patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an 8-year single-center experience.

Background: To date, there is no agreement on the timing to perform a physical session in patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). We aimed to assess whether early physiotherapy (within the first week from ECMO start) could affect in-ICU mortality.

Methods: Our retrospective observational study included 101 adults supported on VV ECMO from 2009 to 2016, consecutively admitted at our ECMO referral Center in Florence (Italy).

Extracorporeal blood purification techniques in children with hyper-inflammatory syndromes: a clinical overview.

Data on clinical applications of blood purification techniques in children are scarce. The aim of this review is to offer a clinical overview, as complete as possible, on blood purification in children with hyper-inflammatory syndromes (HS). A review of the literature using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, on the most recent data about blood purification in children was conducted until June 2018.

Anogenital warts treatment options: a practical approach.

Anogenital warts (AGWs) are an important issue for public health centers dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections. They are epidemiologically relevant, with significant morbidity and an established effective treatment is lacking. In this article, we examine the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspect of the problem in order to give an up to date picture of the situation and a practical clue for the management of AGWs.

The occurrence of intraoperative complications during partial nephrectomy and their impact on postoperative outcome: results from the RECORd1 project.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive factors of intraoperative complications in patients submitted to PN and the impact of intraoperative complications on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Data of 1055 patients who underwent PN for cortical renal masses were recorded from a multicenter prospective observational study (RECORd1 project).

Results: Overall, 48 (5%) patients experienced 49 intraoperative complications (four medical, 45 surgical).

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: a prospective bacteriological study and review of the literature.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that usually involves specific anatomic areas which are partially occluded, have a higher density of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands and a higher pH. These characteristics could promote the superinfection of certain group of bacteria. We aimed to describe the bacteria that can be isolated from hidradenitis lesions and to establish a correlation between bacteriological results and clinical data.

Bullous pemphigoid: Italian guidelines adapted from the EDF/EADV guidelines.

Bullous pemphigoid is the most common autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. This disease typically affects the elderly and presents with itch and localized or generalized bullous lesions. In up to 20% of affected patients blister may be completely absent, and only excoriations, prurigo-like lesions, eczematous lesions, urticated lesions, and/or infiltrated plaques are observed.