Clinical significance of the anti-Nucleolar Organizer Region 90 antibodies (NOR90) in systemic sclerosis: Analysis of the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort and a systematic literature review.

Background: The anti-Nucleolar Organizer Region 90 antibodies (NOR90) are rare antinuclear antibodies (ANA) reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Especially due to low prevalence, the clinical relevance of NOR90 in SSc remains uncertain.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical associations of NOR90 in patients with SSc in a multicentric cohort.

European Society of Pediatric Radiology survey of perioperative imaging in pediatric liver transplantation: (3) postoperative imaging.

Background: Liver transplantation is the state-of-the-art curative treatment for end-stage liver disease. Imaging is a key element in the detection of postoperative complications. So far, limited data is available regarding the best radiologic approach to monitor children after liver transplantation.

Cytokine pattern in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab.

Background: Tocilizumab improves myocardial salvage index (MSI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but its mechanisms of action are unclear. Here, we explored how cytokines were affected by tocilizumab and their correlations with neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin T, MSI and infarct size.

Methods: STEMI patients were randomised to receive a single dose of 280 mg tocilizumab (n=101) or placebo (n=98) before percutaneous coronary intervention.

International Delphi Consensus Study on disposable single-use endoscopy: A path to clinical adoption.

Background/objective: Increasing infectious rate estimates and low microbiological surveillance affect safety of gastrointestinal endoscopy globally. Single use endoscopes and accessories have been claimed to improve safety, but there is lack of data on their indication and sustainability. We aimed to identify a series of best practice recommendations for the use of single use endoscopes and accessories using a modified Delphi.

Cutaneous Manifestations, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognosis of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma: Data From the International EUSTAR Database.

Importance: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) sine scleroderma (ssSSc) is a subset of SSc defined by the absence of skin fibrosis. Little is known about the natural history and skin manifestations among patients with ssSSc.

Objective: To characterize the clinical phenotype of patients with ssSSc compared with patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) within the EUSTAR database.

Histologic healing and factors associated with complete remission following conventional treatment in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Endoscopic and histological activity scores in ulcerative colitis (UC) are associated with clinical outcomes and have become important targets of clinical trials. However, these endpoints have been scarcely investigated in patients receiving only conventional treatment.

Objective: We aimed to assess the deep and complete remission rates after 3 months of conventional treatment in patients with newly diagnosed UC with moderate to severe endoscopic activity.

Glucocorticoids prescribing practices in systemic sclerosis: an analysis of the EUSTAR database.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of long-term exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) and to identify factors associated with, and variations in prescribing practices over time and across recruiting countries.

Methods: We included patients with SSc having a visit recorded in the EUSTAR database from January 2013 onward. We analysed the prevalence and the main features of GCs users, their exposure to GCs over time, and their GCs dosages.

Early surfactant and non-invasive ventilation versus intubation and surfactant: a propensity score-matched national study.

Objective: To compare outcome after less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) and primary endotracheal intubation (non-LISA) in infants born before gestational age (GA) 28 weeks.

Setting: All neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Norway during 2012-2018.

Methods: Defined population-based data were prospectively entered into a national registry.

Motorized spiral enteroscopy: results of an international multicenter prospective observational clinical study in patients with normal and altered gastrointestinal anatomy.

BACKGROUND : Motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) has been shown to be safe and effective for deep enteroscopy in studies performed at expert centers with limited numbers of patients without previous abdominal surgery. This study aimed to investigate the safety, efficacy, and learning curve associated with MSE in a real-life scenario, with the inclusion of patients after abdominal surgery and with altered anatomy. METHODS : Patients with indications for deep enteroscopy were enrolled in a prospective observational multicenter study.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for adults with hydrocephalus: creating a prognostic model for success: protocol for a retrospective multicentre study (Nordic ETV).

Introduction: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is becoming an increasingly widespread treatment for hydrocephalus, but research is primarily based on paediatric populations. In 2009, Kulkarni created the ETV Success score to predict the outcome of ETV in children. The purpose of this study is to create a prognostic model to predict the success of ETV for adult patients with hydrocephalus.

The burden of systemic sclerosis in Switzerland - the Swiss systemic sclerosis EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Characteristics of Swiss patients with systemic sclerosis have not been described so far. The aim of the current study was to identify unmet needs in comparison with other European countries that could inform specific interventions to improve the care of systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods: We analysed Swiss and other European systemic sclerosis patients registered in European Scleroderma Trials And Research (EUSTAR) and the Very Early Diagnosis Of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS) cohort.

Transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy versus double guidewire in difficult biliary cannulation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Difficult biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) increases the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). The purpose of this prospective, randomized, multicenter study was to compare two advanced rescue methods, transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy (TPBS) and a double-guidewire (DGW) technique, in difficult common bile duct (CBD) cannulation.

Methods: Patients with native papilla and planned CBD cannulation were recruited at eight Scandinavian hospitals.

Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet Enhances Adipose Lipolysis and Leptin Release in aP2-Cre Fatp4-Knockout Mice.

Scope: Inadequate intake of choline commonly leads to liver diseases. Methionine- and choline-deficient diets (MCDD) induce fatty liver in mice which is partly mediated by triglyceride (TG) lipolysis in white adipose tissues (WATs). Because Fatp4 knockdown has been shown to increase adipocyte lipolysis in vitro, here, the effects of MCDD on WAT lipolysis in aP2-Cre Fatp4-knockout (Fatp4 ) mice are determined.

Age Dependency of the Prognostic Impact of Tumor Genomics in Localized Resectable -Nonamplified Neuroblastomas. Report From the SIOPEN Biology Group on the LNESG Trials and a COG Validation Group.

Purpose: For localized, resectable neuroblastoma without amplification, surgery only is recommended even if incomplete. However, it is not known whether the genomic background of these tumors may influence outcome.

Patients And Methods: Diagnostic samples were obtained from 317 tumors, International Neuroblastoma Staging System stages 1/2A/2B, from 3 cohorts: Localized Neuroblastoma European Study Group I/II and Children's Oncology Group.

COVID-19 salivary signature: diagnostic and research opportunities.

The COVID-19 (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) epidemic started in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) in mid-December 2019 and quickly spread across the world as a pandemic. As a key to tracing the disease and to implement strategies aimed at breaking the chain of disease transmission, extensive testing for SARS-CoV-2 was suggested. Although nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs are the most commonly used biological samples for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, they have a number of limitations related to sample collection and healthcare personnel safety.

ERCP-related adverse events: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline.

Prophylaxis: 1:  ESGE recommends routine rectal administration of 100 mg of diclofenac or indomethacin immediately before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in all patients without contraindications to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 2:  ESGE recommends prophylactic pancreatic stenting in selected patients at high risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis (inadvertent guidewire insertion/opacification of the pancreatic duct, double-guidewire cannulation).

Impact of Renal Impairment on Beta-Blocker Efficacy in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Moderate and moderately severe renal impairment are common in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, but whether beta-blockers are effective is unclear, leading to underuse of life-saving therapy.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate patient prognosis and the efficacy of beta-blockers according to renal function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods: Analysis of 16,740 individual patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <50% from 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials was performed.

Heat-shock protein 90 in plasma reflects severity of fatigue in patients with Crohn's disease.

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins with important cellular homeostasis functions during harmful conditions, including inflammation. Some HSPs are secreted extracellularly and act on distant cells by down-regulating inflammation and increasing cellular stress defence mechanisms. HSP90α has been postulated to signal fatigue in chronic inflammation.

Outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis treated with rituximab in contemporary practice: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of rituximab in systemic sclerosis (SSc) in clinical practice.

Methods: We performed a prospective study including patients with SSc from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) network treated with rituximab and matched with untreated patients with SSc. The main outcomes measures were adverse events, skin fibrosis improvement, lung fibrosis worsening and steroids use among propensity score-matched patients treated or not with rituximab.

Endoscopic management of common bile duct stones: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline.

ESGE recommends offering stone extraction to all patients with common bile duct stones, symptomatic or not, who are fit enough to tolerate the intervention.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.ESGE recommends liver function tests and abdominal ultrasonography as the initial diagnostic steps for suspected common bile duct stones.