Practice pattern for the use of intravenous iloprost for the treatment of peripheral vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: A case-control study from the Italian national multicenter "SPRING" (Systemic Sclerosis Progression InvestiGation) Registry.

Background: Intravenous iloprost has been widely used for the treatment of systemic sclerosis peripheral vasculopathy. No agreement has been found on the regimen and the dosage of intravenous iloprost in different scleroderma subset conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the modalities of intravenous iloprost administration within a large cohort of systemic sclerosis patients from the SPRING Registry and to identify any associated clinical-demographic, instrumental or therapeutic data.

Prevalence of transthyretin-related amyloidosis in Tuscany: Data from the regional population-based registry.

The limited available data regarding the prevalence of transthyretin amyloidosis, both for wild-type (ATTRwt) and hereditary form (ATTRv), is inferred from highly selected patients and subsequent extrapolations that limit the comprehension of the clinical disease impact. The Tuscan healthcare system in 2006 developed a web-based rare disease registry, to monitor and profile patients affected by rare diseases. Clinicians belonging to regional validated healthcare data centres can register patients at the diagnosis, with a rigorous approach and distinguishing the types of amyloidosis, i.

Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma: clinical and serological features and relationship with other cutaneous subsets in a large series of patients from the national registry 'SPRING' of the Italian Society for Rheumatology.

Objective: To describe demographic, clinical and laboratory features of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc) in a large multicentre systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort.

Methods: Data involving 1808 SSc patients from Italian Systemic sclerosis PRogression INvestiGation registry were collected. The ssSSc was defined by the absence of any cutaneous sclerosis and/or puffy fingers.

Geographical heterogeneity of clinical and serological phenotypes of systemic sclerosis observed at tertiary referral centres. The experience of the Italian SIR-SPRING registry and review of the world literature.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by a complex etiopathogenesis encompassing both host genetic and environmental -infectious/toxic- factors responsible for altered fibrogenesis and diffuse microangiopathy. A wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes may be observed in patients' populations from different geographical areas. We investigated the prevalence of specific clinical and serological phenotypes in patients with definite SSc enrolled at tertiary referral centres in different Italian geographical macro-areas.

Rheumatic immune-and nonimmune-related adverse events in phase 3 clinical trials assessing PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitors for lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to analyze rheumatic immune-related (ir) and nonimmune-related adverse events (AEs) due to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death-1 or its ligand PD-(L)1 in lung cancer patients from the available literature.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of phase III randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing PD-(L)1-ICIs in lung cancer patients, from inception until January 12th, 2021. We extracted data of each trial to estimate odds ratio (OR) for rheumatic ir or non-irAE as classified in RCTs safety data.

Predictors of poor outcome in tocilizumab treated patients with Sars-CoV-2 related severe respiratory failure: A multicentre real world study.

Introduction: Despite Tocilizumab is now recognized as a concrete therapeutic option in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 related respiratory failure, literature lacks about factors influencing the response to it in this context. Therefore, the aim of our study was to provide evidence about predictors of poor outcome in Tocilizumab treated patients in the real-world practice.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, laboratory and chest computer tomography (CCT) data of patients firstly admitted in non Intensive Care Units (ICU) and suffering from severe respiratory failure, who were treated with the IL-6 antagonist Tocilizumab.

Meta-analysis of immune-related adverse events in phase 3 clinical trials assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors for lung cancer.

Introduction: The introduction in clinical practice of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) radically changed the treatment algorithm of lung cancers. To characterize the toxicity of ICIs (atezolizumab, durvalumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab) is important for personalizing treatment.

Patients And Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of phase III randomized controlled trials assessing ICIs, from inception until April 23, 2020.

Epicardial standalone left atrial appendage clipping for prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation contraindicated for oral anticaogulation.

Introduction: The most appropriate treatment for stroke prevention in standalone atrial fibrillation patients with a high CHADS2VASC score contraindicated for oral anticoagulation (OAC) or novel OAC (NOAC) still needs to be defined. Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure devices are available, but because of their endocardial positioning need a period of antiplatelet therapy (APT). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of epicardial left atrial appendage clipping in patients contraindicated for (N)OAC and APT.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients Undergoing Urgent Reperfusion for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation-Related Ischemic Stroke: A Brief Report on Literature Evidence.

Introduction: The optimal timing for starting anticoagulation in the early phase of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a challenge, especially in patients undergoing urgent reperfusion by systemic thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. The aim of our study was to review the literature evidence reporting on safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) starting in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS undergoing systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the PubMed databases searching articles reporting on efficacy and safety of DOACs starting time within two weeks from AIS onset in patients undergoing systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy.

Direct oral anticoagulants in the early phase of non valvular atrial fibrillation-related acute ischemic stroke: focus on real life studies.

Strong evidence for the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the early phase of non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is lacking, because this kind of patients were excluded from phase III randomized clinical trials (RCT) and ad hoc RCTs are ongoing. In the latest years a lot of real life studies on this topic have been published. The aim of our review was to focus on these.

Flavonoid mixture (diosmin, troxerutin, rutin, hesperidin, quercetin) in the treatment of I-III degree hemorroidal disease: a double-blind multicenter prospective comparative study.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of new flavonoids mixture (diosmin, troxerutin, rutin, hesperidin, quercetin) to reduce bleeding from I-III degrees hemorrhoidal disease in the short and medium time.

Methods: One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients with hemorrhoidal disease recruited in four colorectal units were enrolled to the study. Exclusion criteria were allergy to the flavonoids, inflammatory bowel disease, obstructed defecation syndrome, pregnancy and puerperium, associated anal disease or hemorrhoidal thrombosis, proctologic surgical procedures within 1 year before recruitment, contemporary cancer or HIV, previous pelvic radiotherapy, patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy, or contemporary administration of other therapy for hemorrhoids.

Confidence in the Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Acute Phase of Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation-Related Ischemic Stroke Over the Years: A Real-World Single-Center Study.

Backgroud And Aim: The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is controversial. The aims of our study were to analyze physicians' confidence in prescribing DOACs in NVAF-related AIS, the characteristics of patients receiving DOACs, and their 90-day prognosis.

Material And Methods: Clinical records of consecutive patients admitted to our wards for NVAF-related AIS over the years 2014-2016 were reviewed.

Myoxinol ointment for the treatment of acute fissure.

Myoxinol is a complex of oligopeptides obtained from the seeds of Hibiscus esculentus used in cosmetic as natural alternative to botulin toxin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of local myoxinol for the treatment of acute anal fissure. All the consecutive patients with acute fissure treated from January to June 2014 underwent 30 days of topical treatment (twice/day) with a mioxinol based ointment.

Correction of vaginal vault prolapse using Capio™ suture capturing device: our experience.

Aim: Aim of the present study was to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of the sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) technique using the Capio™ suture capturing device (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) in a group of menopausal women affected by vaginal vault prolapse.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Menopausal women with vaginal vault prolapse (grade >2) who had never before been treated to correct the vaginal prolapse received the SSF technique using the Capio™ suture capturing device.

Lower Limb Ischemia: Aortoiliac Thrombosis Related to Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)-Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is recognized as one of the main determinants of hypercoagulable conditions. The literature reports the incidence of this syndrome in a third of patients who underwent surgery for peripheral revascularization. Antiphospholipid antibodies are divided into two categories in relation to specific diagnostic tests.

Bone marrow metastases from anaplastic oligodendroglioma presenting with pancytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia: a case report.

We report the case of a 40-year-old man whose bone marrow metastases occurred 57 months after the initial diagnosis and 9 months after completing radiotherapy for an anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Four months before the demonstration of visceral metastases was obtained by bone marrow biopsy, the patient developed diffuse bone pain, pancytopenia, hypercalcemia, and panhypogammaglobulinemia. These abnormalities and other clinical signs of extracranial dissemination of the primary brain tumor were initially unrecognized until the patient was admitted with the suspicion of a nonsecretory multiple myeloma.

Conventional pap smear and liquid-based cervical cytology smear: comparison from the same patient.

Background: The results of blind reading of smears obtained with liquid-based cytology in patients previously screened by conventional cytology were compared.

Material And Methods: Cases selected for the study were a consecutive series of 99 subjects undergoing colposcopy within the screening program of the Florence District. The Pap test samples were processed utilizing the Thin Prep 2000 (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA).

Resting energy expenditure, growth hormone indices, body composition and adipose tissue distribution in premenopausal women.

Objectives: A significant growth hormone (GH) contribution to interindividual variance in energy expenditure (REE) in women can be hypothesized. The present study examines the independent association between physiological levels of GH function indices and REE.

Setting: All subjects were hospitalized in the Institute of Internal Medicine of the University of Verona.

Postabsorptive resting metabolic rate and thermic effect of food in relation to body composition and adipose tissue distribution.

One hundred thirty subjects were studied to investigate relationships between the body composition and fat distribution as evaluated by computed tomography and the resting metabolic rate (RMR) as evaluated by indirect calorimetry: 82 premenopausal women (age, 18 to 52 years; body mass index [BMI], 27 to 52 kg/m2), 27 postmenopausal women (46 to 71 years; 28 to 49 kg/m2), and 21 men (18 to 70 years; 31 to 43 kg/m2). The thermic effect of food (TEF) was evaluated in all men and in 2 subgroups of 55 and 19 women. The best-fitting equations for predicting RMR, obtained by multiple regression, included the following as covariates: fat-free mass and both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in premenopausal women (R2 = .