The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Fourth report: Focus on standardized outcome ratios.

Objectives: This fourth report aimed to provide insights into patient characteristics, outcomes, and standardized outcome ratios of patients implanted with durable Mechanical Circulatory Support across participating centers in the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) registry.

Methods: All registered patients receiving durable mechanical circulatory support up to August 2024 were included. Expected number of events were predicted using penalized logistic regression.

Validity and Reliability of Patient Activation Measure (PAM13-I) Italian Version Among Patient Undergoing Elective Surgery.

The patient activation measure (PAM), a recognized measure of how active patients are in their care, is one of the most extensively used, widely translated, and tested instruments worldwide in measuring patient activation. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties and construct validity of the Italian version of the 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM13-I) among patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A multicenter study was conducted across 111 surgical units in Italy.

Rome Foundation Working Team Report on overlap in disorders of gut-brain interaction.

In patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), overlapping non-gastrointestinal conditions such as fibromyalgia, headaches, gynaecological and urological conditions, sleep disturbances and fatigue are common, as is overlap among DGBI in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. These overlaps strongly influence patient management and outcome. Shared pathophysiology could explain this scenario, but details are not fully understood.

Comparison of aesthetic perception and acceptability of silver diamine fluoride staining between Spanish and Italian parents.

Assessing parental aesthetic acceptability of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) staining is crucial for its potential implementation in paediatric dentistry in different regions. This study aimed to compare aesthetic perceptions and acceptance of SDF staining between Spanish and Italian parents, and assess weather acceptability is influenced by location, child's cooperation, or demographic background. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among Spanish and Italian parents at three university dental clinics, using a validated Italian version of the questionnaire "Parental perceptions of Silver Diamine Fluoride Dental Color Changes".

Prospective Validation of CAR-HEMATOTOX and a simplified version predict Survival in Patients with Large B-Cell Lymphoma treated with anti-CD19 CAR T-cells: data from CART-SIE study.

Background: Anti-CD19 CAR T-cells have revolutionized outcomes in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphomas. Long-term follow-up underscored the role of hematological toxicity in non-relapse mortality, largely driven by infections, leading to the development of the CAR-HEMATOTOX (HT) score for predicting neutropenia. The European scientific community (EHA/EBMT) later reached a consensus, defining a new entity: immune effector cell-associated hematotoxicity (ICAHT).

The dilemma of X-linked agammaglobulinemia carriers.

Background: Many patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) nowadays have reached adulthood, as well as their sisters, possibly carriers of a deleterious Bruton tyrosine kinase variant. Studies on motherhood outcomes in families with XLA are lacking.

Objective: We sought to investigate adherence to carrier status screening, interest in preconception and prenatal genetic counseling, and reproductive decisions in relatives with XLA.

Musicians and researchers: two creative professions striving to improve heart health through music.

Musicians and researchers are creative professions that share many similarities. They both aim to bring joy and progress to humanity. In recent decades, it has been shown that music has the ability to alleviate pain, improve heart function, reduce anxiety, and stimulate the release of endogenous opioids in the brain.

Multiomic analyses direct hypotheses for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease risk genes.

Prions are assemblies of misfolded prion protein that cause several fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, with the most common phenotype in humans being sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Aside from variation of the prion protein itself, molecular risk factors are not well understood. Prion and prion-like mechanisms are thought to underpin common neurodegenerative disorders meaning that the elucidation of mechanisms could have broad relevance.

Feasibility and accuracy of continuous intraabdominal pressure monitoring with a capsular device in human pilot trial.

Background: Intrabdominal pressure (IAP) is an important parameter. Elevated IAP can reduce visceral perfusion, lead to intraabdominal hypertension, and result in life-threatening abdominal compartment syndrome. While ingestible capsular devices have been used for various abdominal diagnoses, their application in continuous IAP monitoring remains unproven.

Unveiling results and insights from multinational, multicenter Study of Prescribing patterns and Effectiveness of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Real-world Analysis (SPECTRA).

Objectives: Antibacterial-resistant gram-negative hospital-acquired infections result in significant morbidity and mortality. In clinical trials, ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) has been effective against these infections; however, real-world findings are limited.

Methods: SPECTRA was a global, retrospective, observational inpatient study of adults treated with C/T for ≥48 hours, conducted between 2016 and 2020.

Specialized pediatric palliative care in Italy: where are we going? The Palliped 2022-2023 study.

Background: The PalliPed project is a nationwide, observational, cross-sectional study designed with the aim of providing a constantly updated national database for the census and monitoring of specialized pediatric palliative care (PPC) activities in Italy. This paper presents the results of the first monitoring phase of the PalliPed project, which was developed through the PalliPed 2022-2023 study, to update current knowledge on the provision of specialized PPC services in Italy.

Methods: Italian specialized PPC centers/facilities were invited to participate and asked to complete a self-reporting, ad-hoc, online survey regarding their clinical activity in 2022-2023, in the revision of the data initially collected in the first PalliPed study of 2021.

Abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of testicular germ-cell tumors in adults: recommendations of the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology.

Objectives: The Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (SPIWG) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) aimed to formulate recommendations on the imaging modalities and minimal technical requirements for abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of adult patients treated for testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT).

Methods: The SPIWG members performed an extensive literature search, reviewed the current clinical practice, and reached a consensus based on the opinions of experts in the field.

Results: Recurrence in patients treated for TGCT mainly occurs in retroperitoneal lymph nodes (LNs).

Hormonal Contraception and Bone Metabolism: Emerging Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies on Post-Pubertal and Reproductive-Age Women.

Background/objectives: This study aims to assess the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on bone metabolism markers. It primarily measures osteocalcin and additionally examines other bone health markers, seeking to determine their responses to estrogen-progestogen treatments.

Methods: This study involved a comprehensive evaluation of the pertinent literature and a meta-analysis explicitly conducted on data describing women of reproductive age.

Unexpected Clinically Relevant Findings Detected via Computed Tomography in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis Who Are Candidates for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

The detection of unexpected findings (UF) during CT scans of patients undergoing TAVR is frequent; however, it is unclear whether such findings have a clinical impact on the TAVR pathway. We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational study enrolling patients who were candidates for TAVR. All enrolled patients underwent a CT scan before valve implantation.

A Pilot Case Series on the Use of a Large Mushroom-Shaped Corneal Graft for the Surgical Management of Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Ectasia and Endothelial Failure.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a surgical technique for managing post-penetrating keratoplasty (PK) ectasia complicated by late endothelial failure (LEF). : A single-center pilot case series was conducted regarding consecutive patients affected by post-PK ectasia with late graft failure. Using a microkeratome, a single donor cornea was dissected to prepare a two-piece graft, comprising a larger anterior lamella made up of anterior stroma and a smaller posterior lamella made up of posterior stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium.

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.

Diagnostic Performance of PIVKA-II in Italian Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Six-month imaging along with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) serum levels detection are the current gold standard to exclude HCC. Protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) has been proposed as a potential screening biomarker for HCC.

MicroRNAs Expression Profile in MN1-Altered Astroblastoma.

Background/objectives: Astroblastoma is a rare glial neoplasm more frequent in young female patients, with unclear clinical behaviors and outcomes. The diagnostic molecular alteration is a rearrangement of the Meningioma 1 () gene. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene expression regulators with strong implications in biological processes.

Cartilage defect identification on computed tomography arthrography in equine fetlock: Ex-vivo study.

CT arthrography (CTA) for evaluating cartilage defects would be beneficial in clinical practice. Since the contrast medium (CM) volume is often driven by operator experience, the aim was to evaluate the minimum volume of iodinated CM for CTA sufficient to identify iatrogenic cartilage defects in horse fetlock. The study was conducted on ex-vivo 32 distal limbs from adult horses collected at slaughter.

Capecitabine and temozolomide or temozolomide alone in patients with atypical carcinoids.

Background: Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent about 20% of all lung cancers. Few therapeutic options are available for atypical carcinoids (ACs). Single-agent temozolomide (TEM) is active in lung NENs, but whether the addition of capecitabine (CAPTEM) is associated with improved outcomes, is unknown.

The Role of 3D Virtual Anatomy and Scanning Environmental Electron Microscopy in Understanding Morphology and Pathology of Ancient Bodies.

Background/objectives: Mummy studies allow to reconstruct the characteristic of a population in a specific spatiotemporal context, in terms of living conditions, pathologies and death. Radiology represents an efficient diagnostic technique able to establish the preservation state of mummified organs and to estimate the patient's pathological conditions. However, the radiological approach shows some limitations.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Imaging Advances in 2024 with a Focus on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The EASL diagnostic algorithm for hepatocellular carcinoma, currently in use, dates back to 2018. While awaiting its update, numerous advancements have emerged in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma imaging. These innovations impact every step of the diagnostic algorithm, from surveillance protocols to diagnostic processes, encompassing aspects preceding a patient's inclusion in surveillance programs as well as the potential applications of imaging after the hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis.