Predictors of COVID-19 Readmission Among Patients Previously Hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related rehospitalization remain underexplored. This study aims to identify the main risk factors associated with rehospitalizations due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfections among residents of Lombardy, northern Italy.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using two linked administrative databases covering demographic data, comorbidities, hospital records, and COVID-19 data of Lombardy residents.

Biologics as well as inhaled anti-asthmatic therapy achieve clinical remission: Evidence from the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI).

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of severe asthma (SA) treatments after 12 months in achieving clinical remission (CR) within the context of the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI) using the recent SANI definition of CR on treatment.

Methods: CR has been defined by SANI as complete, partial, and no CR. Complete CR is defined by the absence of oral corticosteroids (OCS), no symptoms, no exacerbations, and stable lung function, and partial CR requires the absence of OCS and the fulfillment of 2 out of the other 3 criteria.

Rising Concern About the Carcinogenetic Role of Micro-Nanoplastics.

In recent years, awareness regarding micro-nanoplastics' (MNPs) potential effects on human health has progressively increased. Despite a large body of evidence regarding the origin and distribution of MNPs in the environment, their impact on human health remains to be determined. In this context, there is a major need to address their potential carcinogenic risks, since MNPs could hypothetically mediate direct and indirect carcinogenic effects, the latter mediated by particle-linked chemical carcinogens.

Pre-biologic FeNO might predict anti-IL-5/IL-5Rα response to treatment in severe asthmatics.

Objective: It remains unclear whether baseline FeNO levels can predict response to anti-IL5/5R biologic treatment in patients with severe asthma.

Methods: We recruited 104 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with anti-IL5/anti-IL5R for at least one year who had measured FeNO values before the beginning of anti-eosinophilic treatment. Population was divided into subjects with FeNO < 25 and ≥25 ppb.

Assessing Lifestyle in a Large Cohort of Undergraduate Students: Significance of Stress, Exercise and Nutrition.

Background/objectives: Lifestyle (in particular, nutrition and exercise) determines present and future youths' health. The goal of the present study was to identify specific student groups who deserve precise lifestyle improvement interventions, tailored to their characteristics.

Methods: An anonymous web-based questionnaire to assess lifestyle was posted on the websites of two main Italian Academic Institutions, and 9423 students voluntarily participated.

International multicenter validation of AI-driven ultrasound detection of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian lesions are common and often incidentally detected. A critical shortage of expert ultrasound examiners has raised concerns of unnecessary interventions and delayed cancer diagnoses. Deep learning has shown promising results in the detection of ovarian cancer in ultrasound images; however, external validation is lacking.

Advancing high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound: a histology- and anatomy-driven approach for enhanced shoulder imaging. Part 2: Anterior and lateral shoulder.

Ultrasonography is a reliable imaging technique for the accurate diagnosis and evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders. Recent developments in ultrasound technology have significantly increased image resolution, making it possible to see anatomical features at almost microscopic dimensions. Current standards for standardized shoulder ultrasonography mostly depend on outdated machine types and configurations that may not fully utilize these high-resolution imaging capabilities.

From diagnosis to rehabilitation of trigger finger: a narrative review.

Trigger finger (TF), also known as stenosing flexor tenosynovitis, is a common pathology of the fingers causing functional deficit of the hand. In recent years, new therapeutic approaches such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound-guided (USG) procedures have joined the most traditional conservative treatments as the adaptation of daily activities involving the affected hand and the orthosis. Likewise, the ultrasound (US) examination of the affected finger using modern high-frequency probes has progressively become part of the comprehensive assessment of patients with TF coupled with the medical history, the physical examination, and the functional scales.

COVID-19 Pandemic's Effects on Occupational Health and Perceived Work Ability of a Large Group of Italian Banking Employees.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic compelled changes to the structure and organization of many occupational sectors that may impact workers' well-being and work-related symptoms.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of working modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational health outcomes and work ability (WA) among a large group of Italian banking employees.

Methods: 2,859 employees visited during health surveillance in 2021 were divided into two job groups: front-office (FO) and back-office workers (BO).

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn's Disease: Results from a Large Real-Life Cohort Study.

Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Only limited real-life data on the long-term outcomes of CD patients treated with UST are available. This study assessed UST's long-term effectiveness and safety in a large population-based cohort of moderate to severe CD patients.

Outcomes of loop ileostomy after rectal resection for cancer: A prospective observational multicenter snapshot study from Multidisciplinary Italian Study group for STOmas (MISSTO).

Background: Diverting ileostomy is a common procedure in rectal cancer surgery, but it is sometimes associated with a nonnegligible rate of complications. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and types of stoma-related complications for ileostomy creation after rectal cancer resection. The secondary aims were to report the indications, the technical details, and the efficacy of stoma care provided by ostomy nurses.

Does coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent affect stent-related symptoms?

Objective: To evaluate the impact of coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent on stent-related symptoms (SRS) in in subgroup of patients undergoing preoperative ureteral stenting preceding flexible retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective comparative study including patients undergoing stent placement 7-10 days prior to RIRS. Patients were divided into 2 groups; in Group 1 coiling of proximal end of the DJ was present, while in Group 2 coiling was absent.

Burden and Risk Factors for Coinfections in Patients with a Viral Respiratory Tract Infection.

Which patients should be monitored for coinfections or should receive empirical antibiotic treatment, in patients with an acute viral respiratory infection, is largely unknown. We evaluated the prevalence, characteristics, outcomes of coinfected patients, and risk factors associated with a coinfection among patients with an acute viral infection. A retrospective, single-center study recruited consecutive patients from October 2022 to March 2023 presenting to the emergency department with signs of a respiratory tract infection.

Patellar tendon-Hoffa fat pad interface: From anatomy to high-resolution ultrasound imaging.

Aim: To propose a standardized, high-resolution ultrasound (US) protocol to assess the patellar tendon-Hoffa fat pad interface (PTHFPI) in patients with (proximal) patellar tendinopathy (PPT).

Methods: Using a high-frequency transducer and a high-level machine, we matched the cadaveric and histological microarchitecture of the PTHFPI with multiple sonographic patterns of patients with PPT. Likewise, high-sensitive color/power Doppler assessments were also performed to evaluate the microcirculation of the soft tissues beneath the patellar tendon.

Triple inhaled therapy in asthma: Beliefs, behaviours and doubts.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) in association with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA) are recommended by the GINA report as further option in step 4 and first choice in step 5 treatment. Despite consistent evidence of its efficacy and safety, inhaled triple therapy (ITT) is still not largely used in patients with asthma. With the aim to explore belief and behaviours of asthma specialists, an ad hoc survey has been developed by a panel of Interasma Scientific Network (INESnet) experts and subsequently defined by two Delphi rounds among an international group of physicians.

Ultrasound imaging for sternoclavicular joint involvement in enthesitis-related arthritis: A closer look at capsular enthesitis.

Introduction: Enthesitis-related arthritis is a specific subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterised by the co-presence of arthritis and enthesitis or the evidence of one of them coupled with at least two among sacroiliac joint tenderness, inflammatory back pain, presence of human leukocyte antigen-B27, acute symptomatic anterior uveitis, onset in a male child aged 6 years or older or history of spondyloarthropathy in a first-degree relative. Small joints like the sternoclavicular joint are rarely affected, and the prevalence of their involvement in enthesitis-related arthritis has been poorly assessed in the pertinent literature.

Case Report: The authors report an atypical case of left sternoclavicular joint arthritis/enthesitis in a 12-year-old male child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

High Symptom Burden in Patients With Advanced Chronic or Prolonged Infectious Diseases: Not Only Pain.

Introduction: The growing evidence of increased life expectancy in the future reveals the high relevance of frailty in patients with chronic-degenerative diseases; identification and management of symptoms may improve significantly their quality of life. The objective of our study was to assess the symptom burden in patients with advanced chronic or prolonged infectious diseases.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed enrolling 88 patients, referred to palliative care consultation for chronic pain, and evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System to define Total Symptom Distress Score (TSDS) and high symptom burden (HSB) when more than six symptoms along with Numerical Rating Scale ≥4 were present.