Stage IV pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with synchronous liver metastasis: are there survival benefits in liver resection? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Metastatic PDAC has a very poor prognosis, and surgery has a limited role. The study aims to evaluate the OS of patients with PDAC and synchronous liver metastasis who undergo surgical therapy (ST) versus non-surgical therapies (NST).

Methods: We performed a random effects meta-analysis.

The Invisibility of the Multiply Stigmatized Patient: Intersections of Ethnic Prejudice and Stigma of Chronic Disease in Medical Students.

Ethnic prejudice in healthcare has been widely examined, yet little is known about its intersection with stigma and prejudice based on one's health status. The present study investigates the intersections of ethnic prejudice and stigma of chronic disease in a healthcare setting as shaping unique forms of disadvantage. From an intersectional perspective, we examined whether ethnically diverse patients affected by stigmatized health conditions would be differentially perceived and cared for by prospective medical doctors.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.

Autologous Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Injection in Refractory Complex Crohn's Perianal Fistulas: Long-Term Results at 6.7 Years Mean Follow-up.

Background: Nowadays, there is a clear need for new viable therapeutic options to face complex perianal Crohn's disease (PCD). Results of our previous pilot study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of local injection of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue (MFat) in this setting. This study aims to evaluate the long-term follow-up results in the same cohort of patients.

Feasibility and Clinical Efficacy of Focal Pulsed Field Ablation in Patients With Non-Pulmonary Vein Triggered Atrial Arrhythmia From the Superior Caval Vein.

Introduction: In patients with atrial arrhythmias originating from the superior vena cava (SVC), the use of radiofrequency energy to isolate the SVC is associated with a significant risk of injury both to the phrenic nerve and the sinus node. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) may overcome the disadvantages of thermal energy and improve both ablation efficacy and safety.

Objective: We report the feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of focal monopolar PFA in patients with the origin of their atrial arrhythmia in the SVC.

SARS-CoV-2 in semen: a multicenter prospective study and literature review.

Background: Despite numerous efforts to demonstrate the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in semen of affected males, no clear evidence exists. We conducted a multicenter prospective study on adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 including patients with active infection (Active Group) and with a history of COVID-19 disease at least of 6 months (Recovered Group). An RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and a semen analysis were performed on the semen of the enrolled patients.

SGLT2-inhibitors in diabetic patients with severe aortic stenosis and cardiac damage undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: A substantial number of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) experience adverse events after TAVI, with health care expenditure. We aimed to investigate cardiac remodeling and long-term outcomes in diabetic patients with severe AS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, and extra-valvular cardiac damage (EVCD) undergoing TAVI treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus other glucose-lowering strategies (no-SGLT2i users).

Methods: Multicenter international registry of consecutive diabetic patients with severe AS, LVEF < 50%, and EVCD undergoing TAVI.

Clinicopathological predictive factors in long-term survivors who underwent surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A single-center propensity score matched analysis.

Background: Long-term survivors (LTSs) after pancreatic resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represent a particular subgroup of patients that remains poorly understood. The primary endpoint was to identify clinicopathological factors associated with LTSs after pancreatic resection for PDAC.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who had undergone pancreatic resection for PDAC.

Piloting a PREMs and PROMs longitudinal survey on the integration of healthcare services for patients living with hepatitis C in Tuscany region: study protocol.

Introduction: Patient-reported measures are an invaluable resource for health systems to improve the quality of healthcare services. Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are an under-represented group within the stream of literature on collecting and using the experiences and outcomes reported by patients to improve healthcare performance. This protocol outlines the methodology to implement a longitudinal survey in Tuscany, Italy, to systematically gather patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) for patients with HCV, with a focus on the integration of primary and hospital care.

The safety of corticosteroid therapy in IGA nephropathy: analysis of a real-life Italian cohort.

Background: Systemic steroids are recommended for patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and proteinuria. However, there are concerns about their safety due to an excess of serious adverse events (SAEs) in previous randomised trials. This study evaluates the incidence of SAEs in IgAN patients receiving different treatment regimens in clinical practice.

Are there any benefits of prolonged hypothermic oxygenated perfusion?: Results from a national retrospective study.

Dual hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (DHOPE) is increasingly being used to extend liver preservation to improve transplant logistics. However, little is known about its benefits in high-risk liver grafts. This study aimed to investigate whether prolonged DHOPE provides benefits other than improved logistics in all liver types.

Combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Major hepatectomy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients with a small future liver remnant (FLR) risks posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study examines combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation (PVE/HVE) to increase preoperative FLR volume and potentially decrease PHLF rates.

Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, data was collected from centres affiliated with the DRAGON Trials Collaborative and the EuroLVD registry.

Impact of Complex Anatomy and Patient Risk Profile in Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery.

Background: We aimed to assess the impact of complex mitral valve disease and patient risk profile on operative outcomes in the large cohort of the Mini-Mitral International Registry.

Methods: Patients were assigned to categories of complex degenerative mitral valve regurgitation (DMR; bileaflet or anterior mitral leaflet prolapse/flail) and simple DMR (posterior mitral leaflet prolapse/flail). Subgroup analyses was performed in low-risk (EuroSCORE II <8%) and high-risk (EuroSCORE II >8%) cohorts.

Parvovirus B19 in Rheumatic Diseases.

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a human pathogen belonging to the family. It is widely diffused in the population and responsible for a wide range of diseases, diverse in pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical course, and severity. B19V infects and replicates in erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs) in the bone marrow leading to their apoptosis.