Long-term functional outcomes and predictors of efficacy in thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a retrospective observational study.

Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition affecting aging men worldwide. Among the treatment options available for BPH, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard invasive intervention. To reduce the TURP-related non-negligible morbidity, loss-of-ejaculation rate, hospitalization, blood loss and catheterization time several laser techniques have been developed, such as the Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (ThuLEP).

A wearable system for visual cueing gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: a randomized non-inferiority trial.

Background: Gait disturbances represent one of the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of a new wearable visual cueing system (Q-Walk) for gait rehabilitation in PD subjects, compared to traditional visual cues (stripes on the floor).

Design: Open-label, monocentric, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Validation of the Italian version of the Parkinson's Disease- Cognitive Functional Rating Scale.

A key distinguishing factor between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) lies in the notable decrease in functioning due to cognitive impairment. The Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Functional Rating Scale (PD-CRFS) was developed to assess functional limitations caused by cognitive impairment, while reducing the influence of motor impairment. The aim of this multicenter study was to (i) validate the Italian version of the PD-CFRS in PD, (ii) determine optimal cut-off scores for detecting MCI and dementia in PD, (iii) compare its performances with the most established functional assessment tool (IADL).

Gait Analysis in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Gait analysis objectively quantifies gait impairment in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), may improve diagnosis and evaluation for surgical candidacy.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to understand which objective gait parameters improve after tap-test (TT) and CSF shunt surgery (CSS), also comparing responders (R) with non-responders (NR) and to assess if gait restores within the range of healthy controls after procedures.

Methods: Studies enrolling iNPH with at least one instrumented gait measure were selected.

Real-world use of Safinamide in motor fluctuating Parkinson's disease patients in Italy.

Introduction: Safinamide is a recent antiparkinsonian drug that modulates both dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems with positive effects on motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of safinamide in the Italian PD patients in real-life conditions.

Methods: We performed a sub-analysis of the Italian cohort of the SYNAPSES study, a multi-country, multi-center, retrospective-prospective cohort observational study, designed to investigate the use of safinamide in routine clinical practice.

Pitfalls and biases in neuroepidemiological studies of COVID-19 and the nervous system: a critical appraisal of the current evidence and future directions.

Background: Neurological manifestations frequently occur in individuals with COVID-19, manifesting during the acute phase, persisting beyond the resolution of acute symptoms, and appearing days or weeks after the initial onset of COVID-19 symptoms. However, predicting the incidence, course, and outcome of these neurological manifestations at the individual patient level remains challenging. Biases in study design and limitations in data collection may contribute to the inconsistency and limited validity of the reported findings.

The Role of Helicobacter pylori and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder whose etiology remains largely unexplained. Several studies have aimed to describe a causative effect in the interactions between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, for both PD pathogenesis and disease course. However, the results have been controversial.

Levonorgestrel intrauterine device with absence of threads: don't take expulsion for granted! A case series of possible errors in ultrasound evaluation, in case of "lost IUDs".

Levonorgestel intrauterine devices are safe contraceptive methods, with even medical indications. However, they may present rare, but severe complications such as perforation and abdominal dislocation. Ultrasound assessment may be limited if a medicate intrauterine device is lost, due to its particular echogenicity.

Essential Tremor - Deep Brain Stimulation vs. Focused Ultrasound.

Introduction: Essential Tremor (ET) is one of the most common tremor syndromes typically presented as action tremor, affecting mainly the upper limbs. In at least 30-50% of patients, tremor interferes with quality of life, does not respond to first-line therapies and/or intolerable adverse effects may occur. Therefore, surgery may be considered.

Different types of tremor and myoclonus in an atypical case of shaking upon standing.

Shaking upon standing is associated with a spectrum of different conditions. We describe an unusual case with a combination of slow orthostatic tremor, orthostatic myoclonus, and parkinsonism. The case illustrates the utility of electrophysiology for precise characterization of physical findings to establish the diagnosis.

Levodopa Dose Equivalency in Parkinson's Disease: Updated Systematic Review and Proposals.

Background: To compare drug regimens across clinical trials in Parkinson's disease (PD) conversion formulae between antiparkinsonian drugs have been developed. These are reported in relation to levodopa as the benchmark drug in PD pharmacotherapy as 'levodopa equivalent dose' (LED). Currently, the LED conversion formulae proposed in 2010 by Tomlinson et al.

Levodopa Equivalent Dose of Safinamide: A Multicenter, Longitudinal, Case-Control Study.

Background: Effects of dopaminergic medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) may be compared with each other by using conversion factors, calculated as Levodopa equivalent dose (LED). However, current LED proposals on MAO-B inhibitors (iMAO-B) safinamide and rasagiline are still based on empirical approaches.

Objectives: To estimate LED of safinamide 50 and 100 mg.

Towards a common language in neurosurgical outcome evaluation: the NEON (NEurosurgical Outcome Network) proposal.

Background: The aim of this study was to achieve a consensus on the minimum set of outcome measures and predictors to be used in the neurosurgical practice and on the timing of outcome assessment.

Methods: A consensus building approach was employed. All neurosurgical departments in Lombardy (Italy) were invited to participate by the Carlo Besta Neurologic Institute IRCCS Foundation.

Can we add whey protein supplementation in patients with Parkinson's disease without interfering with levodopa response?

Objective: The main endpoint of the study was to evaluate if a daily intake of whey protein-based dietary supplement causes a worse response to levodopa in people with Parkinson's Disease (PWPD).

Background: In PWPD, the competition between large neutral aminoacids and levodopa at intestinal absorption level may interfere with dopaminergic therapy's (DRT) effect; therefore, protein redistribution dietary regimen has been suggested. Many dietary supplementations are available to help people in balancing the protein intake and overcoming muscle mass loss.

Motivational and myopic mechanisms underlying dopamine medication-induced impulsive-compulsive behaviors in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Dopaminergic medications can trigger impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICBs) in pre-disposed patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but what this implies on a neurocognitive level is unclear. Previous findings highlighted potentially exacerbated incentive motivation (willingness to work for rewards) and choice impulsivity (preferring smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards) in PD patients with ICBs (PD + ICBs).

Methods: To deeply understand this evidence, we studied 24 PD + ICBs and 28 PD patients without ICBs (PD-ICBs).

Prognostic Role of Lung Ultrasound in Children with Bronchiolitis: Multicentric Prospective Study.

There is increasing recognition of the role of lung ultrasound (LUS) to assess bronchiolitis severity in children. However, available studies are limited to small, single-center cohorts. We aimed to assess a qualitative and quantitative LUS protocol to evaluate the course of bronchiolitis at diagnosis and during follow-up.

Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Features of COVID-19 Patients After Hospital Dismission: An Italian Sample.

Background And Aims: Recent studies suggest cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments occur in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, studies are limited to case reports or case series and, to our knowledge, few of them have control groups. This study aims to assess the prevalence of neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric impairment in patients after hospitalization.