Tolerability and Preliminary Outcomes of Adjuvant T-DM1 in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy: The ATD Study.

Background/objectives: HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2BC) is an aggressive subtype, with neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) aiming to achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) to improve long-term outcomes. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has been established as the standard of care in the adjuvant setting for HER2BC patients who do not obtain pCR. The ATD study aimed to evaluate the real-world tolerability of T-DM1 in this setting.

Methods of diagnosis and rehabilitation of dysphagia in patients with spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Introduction: Latest epidemiological metrics put a global prevalence of 20.6 million people suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI), leading to a burden of functional disability, deterioration in quality of life and reduced life expectancy. A thorough statement of diagnostic methods and treatment protocols for swallowing disorders after SCI stands as a major priority to streamline patient care and cost-sharing.

Two still unanswered questions about uric acid and cardiovascular prevention: Is a specific uric acid cut-off needed? Is hypouricemic treatment able to reduce cardiovascular risk?

Aims: The most frequent consequence of elevated uric acid (UA) levels is the development of gout and urate kidney disease. Besides these effects, several studies have investigated the association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular (CV) disease. High serum UA has been identified as an important determinant of all-cause and CV mortality and CV events (acute and chronic coronary syndrome, stroke and peripheral artery disease).

Characterization of cardiorespiratory coupling via a variability-based multi-method approach: Application to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

There are several mechanisms responsible for the dynamical link between heart period (HP) and respiration (R), usually referred to as cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC). Historically, diverse signal processing techniques have been employed to study CRC from the spontaneous fluctuations of HP and respiration (R). The proposed tools differ in terms of rationale and implementation, capturing diverse aspects of CRC.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on different types of errors -occurring during inhaler therapy use in COPD patients during a -Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

Background: Inhaled drug therapy is an essential treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients as it reduces symptoms, exacerbation rate and mortality risk. Errors in inhaler use can affect drug delivery to the lungs and minimize treatment benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a nurse-lead educational intervention on inhaler use in a group of patients with COPD during a Respiratory Rehabilitation Program.

Peripheral artery disease, antithrombotic treatment and outcomes in European and Asian patients with atrial fibrillation: analysis from two prospective observational registries.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy use and the risk of outcomes remains unclear.

Objective: To analyse the epidemiology of PAD in a large cohort of European and Asian AF patients, and the impact on treatment patterns and risks of adverse outcomes.

Methods: We analysed AF patients from two large prospective observational registries.

Informational and educational needs of caregivers of neurologic inpatients in rehabilitation treatment: A qualitative exploratory study.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to identify information and educational needs of neurological inpatients during residential rehabilitation from the caregivers' perspective. On top of that, it was important to acknowledge the conceptual framework underlying the complexity of needs, for the development in future research of an early identification of caregiver's information needs assessment tool. This preliminary study will allow to define the dimensions on which to measure caregiver needs and the quality of care provided to the patients and their families.

An international core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia (COS-PPA): Consensus-based recommendations for communication interventions across research and clinical settings.

Introduction: Interventions to treat speech-language difficulties in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) often use word accuracy as a highly comparable outcome. However, there are more constructs of importance to people with PPA that have received less attention.

Methods: Following Core Outcome Set Standards for Development Recommendations (COSSTAD), this study comprised: Stage 1 - systematic review to identify measures; Stage 2 - consensus groups to identify important outcome constructs for people with PPA (n = 82) and care partners (n = 91); Stage 3 - e-Delphi consensus with 57 researchers.

Intranasal esketamine for patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A large number of people worldwide grapple with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and a significant portion of them confront resistance to conventional antidepressant treatments. Esketamine, an innovative intervention, has garnered attention due to its rapid-acting antidepressant effects. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esketamine in individuals with MDD and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD).

Rare Head and Neck Cancers and Pathological Diagnosis Challenges: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) arise from anatomically adjacent sites and subsites, with varying etiological factors, diagnostic strategies, prognoses, and treatment approaches. While conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common histology in the head and neck district, HNCs encompass a variety of rare histopathological entities, categorized into epithelial tumors such as salivary gland cancers, sinonasal tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, malignant odontogenic tumors, and SCC variants versus non-epithelial tumors including soft tissue sarcomas, mucosal melanomas, and hematological malignancies. Rare HNCs (R-HNCs) represent a diagnostic and clinical challenge, requiring histopathological expertise, the availability of peculiar molecular analysis, and the personalization of local and systemic treatments, all guided by a multidisciplinary tumor board.

Treatment of hypertension in the elderly: target the lowest well-tolerated blood pressure.

Introduction: Antihypertensive treatment provides substantial benefits in older people. However, many challenges remain, including the ideal blood pressure (BP) target to be achieved. Because the elderly population is particularly vulnerable to adverse events, BP control should be carefully managed.

Pre-treatment DTI markers: predicting clinical outcomes in microvascular decompression for classic trigeminal neuralgia - a systematic review.

Background And Purpose: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe chronic pain condition, typically affecting patients over 50-year-old, caused by the compression of the nerve at the root entry zone (REZ) by blood vessels. While the diagnosis is clinical, advanced imaging like diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is crucial to identify underlying causes and assessing nerve damage. DTI may help develop neuroimaging markers to improve understanding of TN and predict surgical outcomes.

Efficacy of the ABC Pathway for Integrated Care Across Phenotypes of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Latent-Class Analysis Report from the mAFA-II Clinical Trial.

Background: The mAFA-II cluster randomised trial demonstrated the efficacy of a mobile health-technology implemented 'Atrial fibrillation Better Care' (ABC) pathway (mAFA intervention) for integrated care management of patients with AF.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mAFA intervention across phenotypes of patients with AF.

Design: We conducted a latent-class analysis (LCA) according to eight variables, including age and comorbidities.

Clinical characteristics, use and switch of drugs for obstructive airway diseases among patients with COPD experiencing an exacerbation: a retrospective analysis of Italian administrative healthcare data.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an important health challenge, despite being preventable and manageable thanks to up-to-date recommendations. In Italy, the pharmaceutical care of COPD patients is still ill-timed and inaccurate. This study aimed to describe the treatment of COPD patients in Italy and possible switches following an exacerbation.

Transient vertical diplopia following ibuprofen intake: a case report.

Ibuprofen, a commonly used over-the-counter medication, is widely recognized for its effective pain relief properties but is also associated with various adverse effects, including rare ocular and neurological manifestations. We report a case of a 27-year-old male who experienced transient vertical diplopia following a standard ibuprofen dosage for back pain. Symptoms resolved promptly upon discontinuation of the drug, with normal findings on extensive clinical and laboratory evaluations.