Systemic Therapy for Melanoma Brain and Leptomeningeal Metastases.

Melanoma has a high propensity to metastasize to the brain which portends a poorer prognosis. With advanced radiation techniques and targeted therapies, outcomes however are improving. Melanoma brain metastases are best managed in a multi-disciplinary approach, including medical oncologists, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and neurosurgeons.

Coronary physiology thresholds associated with microvascular obstruction in myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To ascertain whether invasive assessment of coronary physiology soon after recanalisation of the culprit artery by primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with the development of microvascular obstruction by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Between November 2020 and December 2021, 102 consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled in five tertiary centres in Italy. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microvascular resistance (IMR) were measured in the culprit vessel soon after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in clinical practice: A nationwide survey of cardiological implanting and non-implanting physicians.

Aim: Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation (TPVI), when feasible, is the first-line approach to pulmonary valve replacement. Our aim was to obtain a picture of current TPVI practice in Italy.

Methods: After conducting a literature review on TPVI, online surveys were devised by an Advisory Board of 10 experts from the three Italian reference centers for congenital heart diseases and sent electronically to physicians working either in implanting center or in referral non-implanting cardiologic centers.

European Association of Nuclear Medicine Focus 5: Consensus on Molecular Imaging and Theranostics in Prostate Cancer.

Background: In prostate cancer (PCa), questions remain on indications for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and PSMA radioligand therapy, integration of advanced imaging in nomogram-based decision-making, dosimetry, and development of new theranostic applications.

Objective: We aimed to critically review developments in molecular hybrid imaging and systemic radioligand therapy, to reach a multidisciplinary consensus on the current state of the art in PCa.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The results of a systematic literature search informed a two-round Delphi process with a panel of 28 PCa experts in medical or radiation oncology, urology, radiology, medical physics, and nuclear medicine.

Treatment sequences and prognostic/predictive factors in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: univariate and multivariate analyses of a real-world study in Europe.

Background: Real-world data on treatment patterns/outcomes for metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPAC) are limited. This study aims to assess real-world treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and prognostic/predictive factors in patients with mPAC.

Methods: Retrospective, observational, chart-review involving medical oncologists and gastroenterologists from five European countries.

Diagnostic concordance between traditional and digital workflows. A study on 1427 prostate biopsies.

Objective: To evaluate intra-observer diagnostic reproducibility using traditional slides (TS) versus whole slide images (WSI).

Methods: TS and WSI of 1427 prostatic biopsies (107 consecutive patients) were evaluated by a single pathologist. Agreement between readings was evaluated with Gwet's Agreement coefficient (AC) and Landis and Koch benchmark scale.

Development and multi-center validation of a fully automated digital immunoassay for neurofilament light chain: toward a clinical blood test for neuronal injury.

Objectives: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a promising biomarker for detecting and monitoring axonal injury. Until recently, NfL could only be reliably measured in cerebrospinal fluid, but digital single molecule array (Simoa) technology has enabled its precise measurement in blood samples where it is typically 50-100 times less abundant. We report development and multi-center validation of a novel fully automated digital immunoassay for NfL in serum for informing axonal injury status.

How images of food become cravingly salient in obesity.

Objective: This case-control study was aimed at testing two main hypotheses: (i) obesity is characterized by neurofunctional alterations within the mesocorticolimbic reward system, a brain network originating from the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA); and (ii) these alterations are associated with a bias for food-related stimuli and craving.

Methods: Normal-weight individuals and individuals with obesity underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and the assessment of impulsivity, food craving, appetite, and implicit bias for food and non-food stimuli. The VTA was used as a seed to map, for each participant, the strength of its functional connections with the rest of the brain.

Accuracy of intraoral optical scan versus stereophotogrammetry for complete-arch digital implant impression: An in vitro study.

Purpose: To assess and compare the accuracies of intraoral scanners (IOS) and stereophotogrammetry (SPG) devices for complete-arch digital implant impressions.

Methods: A 4-analog model was digitized using a desk scanner to obtain a reference file. Thirty test scans were conducted using the investigated IOS device, while an additional 30 scans were performed using the SPG device.

Impact of powered circular stapler on anastomotic leak after anastomosis to the rectum: a propensity score matched study.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of Echelon Circular powered stapler (PCS) on left-sided colorectal anastomotic leaks and to compare results to conventional circular staplers (CCS).

Methods: A single center cohort study was carried out on 552 consecutive patients, who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection and anastomosis to the rectum between December 2017 and September 2022. Patients who underwent powered circular anastomosis to the rectum were matched to those who had a conventional stapled anastomosis using a propensity score matching.

Phenotypes, bedside examination, and video head impulse test in vestibular migraine of childhood compared with probable vestibular migraine and recurrent vertigo in childhood.

Introduction: Vestibular impairment and vertigo in the pediatric population have an estimated prevalence ranging between 0.4% and 5.6% and are a topic of interest in recent years.

The role of the dentist and the orthodontist in early diagnosis of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: a cephalometric and photometric study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the facial characteristics and the craniofacial morphology in GGS patients in order to enable an early diagnosis.

Background: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is a autosomic dominant disease, characterised by basal cell carcinoma, palmar/plantar pits, maxillary and mandibular keratocysts and dental abnormalities.

Methods: Nine out of a sample of 24 GGS patients had complete cephalometric and photographic records at an average age of 8.

Predicting global QoL after orthotopic neobladder or ileal conduit diversion: nomogram development.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (ONB) or ileal conduit (IC) have been extensively investigated. However, a general lack of consensus on QoL's predictive factors exists. The aim of the study was to develop a nomogram using preoperative parameters to predict global QoL outcome in patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) undergoing RC with ONB or IC urinary diversion (UD).

The Effect of Holographic Heart Models and Mixed Reality for Anatomy Learning in Congenital Heart Disease: An Exploratory Study.

In this paper, we present an exploratory study on the potential impact of holographic heart models and mixed reality technology on medical training, and in particular in teaching complex Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) to medical students. Fifty-nine medical students were randomly allocated into three groups. Each participant in each group received a 30-minute lecture on a CHD condition interpretation and transcatheter treatment with different instructional tools.

Empathy at school project: Effects of didactics of emotions® on emotional competence, cortisol secretion and inflammatory profile in primary school children. A controlled longitudinal psychobiological study.

Background: There is mounting evidence of the presence of chronic stress among children during primary school: girls and boys under the age of 15 years often experience anxiety, irritability and sleeping problems with negative consequences on scholastic climate and the spread of bullying and dropping out of school. The promotion of emotion regulation within school environment through innovative didactic methodologies represents a valuable tool for teachers and parents to reduce emotional distress and associated risk behaviours and to promote wellbeing.

Aim: Our research aims to explore the psychological and biological consequences of teaching emotional training in an experimental group of Italian Primary School children.

Evolving Technique of Laparoscopic Vertical Gastric Clip Placement.

Introduction: Laparoscopic BariClip gastroplasty (LBCG) will address a similar tubular restriction than the one achieved with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) at the level of the gastric fundus, while maintaining the advantage of simplicity and anatomic preservation. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the risk of slippage and to present the evolving technique by adding gastro-gastric plication of the gastric wall covering the BariClip at those areas where the gastric wall "slips" between the limbs of the clip.

Methods: All patients undergoing LBCG with the evolving technique of gastric plication around the device associated with antral gastroplasty from January 2021 to May 2022 were included in the study group (group A).

Guideline Application in Real world: multi-Institutional Based survey of Adjuvant and first-Line pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma treatment in Italy. Primary analysis of the GARIBALDI survey.

Background: Information about the adherence to scientific societies guidelines in the 'real-world' therapeutic management of oncological patients are lacking. This multicenter, prospective survey was aimed to improve the knowledge relative to 2017-2018 recommendations of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).

Patients And Methods: Treatment-naive adult patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled.

Mapping European Association of Urology Guideline Practice Across Europe: An Audit of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Use Before Prostate Cancer Surgery in 6598 Cases in 187 Hospitals Across 31 European Countries.

Background: Evidence-practice gaps exist in urology. We previously surveyed European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for strong recommendations underpinned by high-certainty evidence that impact patient experience for which practice variations were suspected. The recommendation "Do not offer neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) before surgery for patients with prostate cancer" was prioritised for further investigation.