Real-World Impact of Olaparib Exposure in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients Harboring Germline BRCA1-2 Pathogenic Variants.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer arising in the context of BRCA predisposition may benefit from poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. We analyzed real-world data on the impact of olaparib on survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients harboring germline BRCA mutations in Italy, where olaparib is not reimbursed for this indication.

Methods: Clinico/pathological data of pancreatic cancer patients with documented BRCA1-2 germline pathogenic variants who had received first-line chemotherapy for metastatic disease were collected from 23 Italian oncology departments and the impact of olaparib exposure on overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Pediatric, adult, and late onset multiple sclerosis: Cognitive phenotypes and gray matter atrophy.

Objectives: We aim to investigate cognitive phenotype distribution and MRI correlates across pediatric-, elderly-, and adult-onset MS patients as a function of disease duration.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1262 MS patients and 238 healthy controls, with neurological and cognitive assessments. A subset of 222 MS patients and 92 controls underwent 3T-MRI scan for brain atrophy and lesion analysis.

Herbal and Dietary Supplements as Adjunctive Treatment for Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Italy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several observational studies proved a certain efficacy of nutraceuticals, herbal products, and other dietary supplements as adjuvant therapies used alongside antiviral drugs. Although their use has not been widespread in Italy, according to preliminary evidence, many supplements with demonstrated immunomodulatory effects, such as vitamins C and D, herbal medicines and essential oils, might relieve the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, since SARS-CoV-2 can activate inflammasome-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways. Other observational studies have shown that herbal treatments, such as and ginseng, help alleviate respiratory symptoms and reduce serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are typically overexpressed in both adult and pediatric SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Retrospective Analysis of R-COMP Therapy in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Assessing the Impact of Sample Selection Bias.

: Retrospective studies are often criticized for their susceptibility to case selection bias compared to prospective studies, which include all patients consecutively and are thus less prone to such limitations. However, the larger sample sizes typical of retrospective studies can sometimes offset this drawback. On behalf of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL), a substantial retrospective study involving 946 patients was conducted to examine the use of non-pegylated liposomal anthracycline (Myocet).

Predictive Value of the DETECT Algorithm for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis: Findings from an Italian Observational Study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and several screening algorithms have been proposed for the early detection of PAH in SSc. This study aimed to evaluate the predicting values of the DETECT algorithm for SSc-PAH screening in patients with SSc undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC) based on 2015 ESC/ERS echocardiographic criteria in a real-life setting. Patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc and with available data for PAH screening with the DETECT algorithm and the 2015 ESC/ERS echocardiographic criteria were retrospectively enrolled from January to June 2017 and then followed for 5 years.

Regional Anesthesia with Spontaneous Breathing for Trans-Axillary Surgery in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon condition defined by the compression of neurovascular structures within the thoracic outlet. When conservative management strategies fail to alleviate symptoms, surgical decompression becomes necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of regional anesthesia (RA) using spontaneous breathing in contrast to general anesthesia (GA) for patients undergoing surgical intervention for TOS.

Proposal of a Machine Learning Based Prognostic Score for Ruptured Microsurgically Treated Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) carries significant mortality and disability rates, with rebleeding posing a grave risk, particularly in anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysms. This retrospective study aims to analyze preoperative and intraoperative variables of patients with ruptured AcoA aneurysms, evaluating the association of these variables with patient outcomes using machine learning techniques, proposing a prognostic score. : A retrospective study was conducted on 50 patients who underwent microsurgical clipping for a ruptured AcoA aneurysm at San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy.

Therapeutic Inertia in Dyslipidemia Management for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention: Results from the Italian ITACARE-P Network.

This study assessed the proportion of secondary cardiovascular prevention patients who achieved low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol targets as per the 2019 ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines. We also evaluated whether lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) were adjusted in patients not meeting targets and analyzed the likelihood of these modifications achieving recommended levels. A multicenter, cross-sectional observational study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 1909 outpatients in 9 Italian cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention clinics from January 2023 to June 2024.

Endoscopic-Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Pancreatic Tumors.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising minimally invasive technique for the treatment of pancreatic lesions. This review first focuses on the technical aspects in EUS-RFA: the procedure typically employs EUS probes with integrated radiofrequency electrodes, enabling accurate targeting and ablation of pancreatic lesions. Different types of RFA devices, monopolar and bipolar energy delivery systems, are discussed, along with considerations for optimal ablation, including energy settings, procedure time, and pre- and post-procedural management.

Supra-Normal Ejection Fraction at Hospital Admission Stratifies Mortality Risk in HFpEF Patients Aged ≥ 70 Years.

During the last few years, significant pathophysiological differences between heart failure (HF) patients with "normal" ejection fraction (EF) (50% to 64%) and those with supra-normal EF (≥65%) have been highlighted. However, these distinct EF phenotypes have been poorly investigated in elderly patients aged ≥70 y. Accordingly, the present study aimed at assessing the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of a retrospective cohort of elderly HFpEF patients (aged ≥ 70 y), categorized on the basis of "normal" EF (50 to 64%) or "supra-normal" EF (≥65%).

Early Surgical Resection in Pediatric Patients with Localized Ileo-Cecal Crohn's Disease: Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study.

: Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that also affects pediatric patients. It frequently presents as a localized disease, affecting the ileocecal area, ileum, or colon. It requires targeted therapy to achieve a good quality of life and long-term control of disease activity.

Diagnostic Approach to Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Hosts.

In immunocompromised patients, pneumonia presents a diagnostic challenge due to diverse etiologies, nonspecific symptoms, overlapping radiological presentation, frequent co-infections, and the potential for rapid progression to severe disease. Thus, timely and accurate diagnosis of all pathogens is crucial. This narrative review explores the latest advancements in microbiological diagnostic techniques for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

Partial Loss of NEMO Function in a Female Carrier with No Incontinentia Pigmenti.

: The nuclear factor (NF)-kB essential modulator (NEMO) has a crucial role in the NFκB pathway. Hypomorphic pathogenic variants cause ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency (EDA-ID) in affected males. However, heterozygous amorphic variants could be responsible for Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP) in female carriers.

EnBloc Resection of a Chordoma of the Thoracic Spine by "L"-Shaped Osteotomy for Spinal Canal Preservation.

: EnBloc resections of bone tumors of the spine are very demanding as the target to achieve a tumor-free margin specimen (sometimes impossible due to the extracompartimental tumor extension) is sometimes conflicting with the integrity of neurological functions and spine stability. : The surgical treatment of a huge multi-level chordoma of the thoracic spine with unusual extension is reported. Anteriorly, the tumor widely invaded the mediastinum and displaced the aorta; on the left side, it expanded in the subpleuric region; posteriorly, it was uncommonly distant 13 mm from the posterior wall.

Differential Impact of Medical Therapies for Acromegaly on Glucose Metabolism.

Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excessive growth hormone (GH) production, due, in the vast majority of cases, to the presence of a GH-secreting pituitary tumour. The chronic elevation of GH and the resulting high circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) cause the characteristic tissue overgrowth and a number of associated comorbidities, including several metabolic changes, such as glucose intolerance and overt diabetes mellitus (DM). Elevated GH concentrations directly attenuate insulin signalling and stimulate lipolysis, decreasing glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, thus leading to the development of impaired glucose tolerance and DM.

The Role of Butirprost as an Adjuvant in Enhancing the Effect of Antibiotics in Patients Affected by Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Randomized Prospective Trial.

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. : Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes.

Tracheostomy Practice in the Italian Intensive Care Units: A Point-Prevalence Survey.

: A tracheostomy is a frequently performed surgical intervention in intensive care units (ICUs) for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. This procedure can offer significant benefits, including reduced sedation requirements, improved patient comfort, and enhanced airway management. However, it is also associated with various risks, and the absence of standardized clinical guidelines complicates its implementation.

Characteristics of the First Italian Older Adults Vaccinated with an Adjuvanted Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine.

: Three respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines have been recently made available for older adults. Understanding the principal characteristics of the first vaccine-takers can pave the way for a successful vaccination campaign. The objective of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the first Italian users of an adjuvanted RSV vaccine and their attitudes towards RSV and vaccination.

Can Gut Microbiota Analysis Reveal Infection? Evidence from an Italian Cohort at Disease Onset.

A diverse and well-functioning gut microbiota normally serves as a protective shield against the invasion of harmful bacteria or the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens. infection (CDI) is predominantly associated with the overuse of antibiotics, resulting in a significant alteration in the gut's microbial balance. Unfortunately, the lack of global standardization does not allow for the identification of a set of biomarkers associated with the onset and progression of this disease.

Relevance of Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies: The Experience of Four Italian Diagnostic Hubs.

Unlabelled: Thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies are among the most common genetic diseases worldwide and have a significant impact on public health. The decreasing cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has quickly enabled the development of new assays that allow for the simultaneous analysis of small nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs) as deletions/duplications of α- and β-globin genes.

Background/objectives: This study highlighted the efficacy and rapid identification of all types of mutations in the α- and β-globin genes, including silent variants, using the Devyser Thalassemia NGS kit.

Atypical Metastases from Prostate Cancer: Alpha-Methylacyl-Coenzyme A Racemase (AMACR) as a Potential Molecular Target in Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Negative Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a high-prevalence disease usually characterized by metastatic spread to the pelvic lymph nodes and bones and the development of visceral metastases only in the late stages of disease. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) plays a key role in the detection of PCa metastases. Several PET radiotracers are used in PCa patients according to the stage and pathological features of the disease, in particular Ga/F-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands.

Sources and Transmission Routes of Carbapenem-Resistant : Study Design and Methodology of the SAMPAN Study.

: The global spread of carbapenem-resistant (CRPA) warrants collaborative action. Guidance should come from integrated One Health surveillance; however, a surveillance strategy is currently unavailable due to insufficient knowledge on the sources and transmission routes of CRPA. The aim of the SAMPAN study ("A Smart Surveillance Strategy for Carbapenem-resistant ") is to develop a globally applicable surveillance strategy.

Predictive Factors for the Discontinuation of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy: Enhancing Patient Selection to Improve Oncological Outcomes-A Single-Center Experience.

: Since 2011, Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) has emerged as a promising treatment option for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) who are not eligible for cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Repeated minimal-invasive treatment is one of the key features and the current empirical standard treatment (ST) consists of at least three administrations over about three months. However, many patients are unable to complete the full course, limiting the potential benefits of PIPAC.

Multiple Myeloma Cells Shift the Fate of Cytolytic ILC2s Towards TIGIT-Mediated Cell Death.

Background: Growing evidence attests to the multifaceted roles of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in cancer immunity. They exhibit either pro- or anticancer activity depending on tumor type but their function in Multiple Myeloma (MM) is still not elucidated.

Methods: The bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of patients (pts) with MM or precancerous conditions were collected, and specific properties of ILC2 subsets were assessed by flow cytometry.

The Rare Entity of Basaloid Thymic Carcinoma: A Multicentric Retrospective Analysis from the Italian Collaborative Group for ThYmic MalignanciEs (TYME).

Background: thymic basaloid carcinoma (BTC) is an extremely rare tumor, and very little data are available on BTC's biology, clinical behavior, drug sensitivity, and patient outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study on patients diagnosed with BTC in 11 referral centers of TYME. All BTC diagnoses were reviewed by the referring pathologist.