Multicenter randomized study on the comparison between electronic and traditional chest drainage systems.

Background: In patients submitted to major pulmonary resection, the postoperative length of stay is mainly influenced by the duration of air leaks and chest tube removal. The measurement of air leaks largely relies on traditional chest drainage systems which are prone to subjective interpretation. Difficulty in differentiating between active air leaks and bubbles due to a pleural space effect may also lead to tentative drain clamping and prolonged time for chest drain removal.

Mineral and Electrolyte Disorders With SGLT2i Therapy.

The newly developed sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) effectively modulate glucose metabolism in diabetes. Although clinical data suggest that SGLT2is (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ertugliflozin, canagliflozin, ipragliflozin) are safe and protect against renal and cardiovascular events, very little attention has been dedicated to the effects of these compounds on different electrolytes. As with other antidiabetic compounds, some effects on water and electrolytes balance have been documented.

Influence of the Lung Microbiota Dysbiosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: The Controversial Use of Corticosteroid and Antibiotic Treatments and the Role of Eosinophils as a Disease Marker.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung disease associated with loss of lung function, poorer quality of life, co-morbidities, significant mortality, and higher health care costs. Frequent acute exacerbations of COPD are sudden worsening of symptoms, the nature of which is associated with bacterial or viral infections. However, one-third of exacerbations remain of undetermined origin.

Metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide plus low dose of corticosteroids in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer across the era of taxanes and new hormonal drugs.

The aim of our study is to investigate the efficacy of metronomic cyclophosphamide plus low dose of corticosteroids in advanced or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) before, between, and after standard chemotherapy, such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel, and new hormonal treatments, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. A retrospective analysis was performed on 37 patients. Cyclophosphamide was given orally 50 mg per day together with low dose of corticosteroids, namely dexametasone orally 1 mg per day or prednisone 10 mg per day.

Efficacy of thermal ablation in benign non-functioning solid thyroid nodule: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Image-guided thermal ablations are commonly used in the treatment of thyroid nodules. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation are the most commonly used. Here we aimed to obtain solid evidence of the long-term efficacy of RFA and laser ablation in benign non-functioning solid thyroid nodules (BNFSTN).

Levothyroxine before conception in women with thyroid antibodies: a step forward in the management of thyroid disease in pregnancy.

Studies suggesting an association between thyroid autoimmunity and pregnancy-related adverse outcomes, particularly miscarriage and preterm delivery, date to nineties. The postulated causes for these associations were attributed to a direct or indirect effect of autoimmunity and/or to a mild thyroid impairment. Since then, small trials and several meta-analyses confirmed a detrimental effect of thyroid autoimmunity and suggested that patients with thyroid autoimmunity who wish to conceive or are pregnant might benefit from levothyroxine treatment to decrease the rate of miscarriage and preterm delivery.

Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a growing healthcare problem. Identification of modifiable risk factors for prevention and treatment of COPD is urgent, and the scientific community has begun to pay close attention to diet as an integral part of COPD management, from prevention to treatment. This review summarizes the evidence from observational and clinical studies regarding the impact of nutrients and dietary patterns on lung function and COPD development, progression, and outcomes, with highlights on potential mechanisms of action.

The INTERACT Trial: Long-term results of a randomised trial on preoperative capecitabine-based radiochemotherapy intensified by concomitant boost or oxaliplatin, for cT2 (distal)-cT3 rectal cancer.

Background And Purpose: Capecitabine-based radiochemotherapy (cbRCT) is standard for preoperative long-course radiochemotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer. This prospective, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial investigated two intensification regimens. cT4 lesions were excluded.

Effectiveness of Certolizumab-Pegol in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, and Psoriatic Arthritis Based on the BIOPURE Registry: Can Early Response Predict Late Outcomes?

Background: Identification of predictors of clinical response to certolizumab-pegol (certolizumab) may aid the decision-making process for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of certolizumab and identify any predictors of favorable outcome in patients with RA, PsA, or SpA.

Methods: We studied 355 RA, SpA, and PsA patients starting treatment with certolizumab.

A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Graves' Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Orbitopathy.

Objective: Selenium (Se) supplementation has been suggested in the treatment of Graves' disease (GD). We sought to investigate Se prescription patterns for GD across European countries.

Methods: Members of the European Thyroid Association were invited to participate in an online survey investigating the use of Se in GD either without or with orbitopathy (GO).

Unfavorable Outcomes in Solid and Spongiform Thyroid Nodules Treated with Laser Ablation. A 5-Year Follow-up Retrospective Study.

Objective: Laser Ablation (LA) is a therapeutic modality for reducing the volume of large benign thyroid nodules. This retrospective study was aimed at assessing the outcome of LA in patients with benign nonfunctioning thyroid nodules in a 5-years follow-up.

Methods: Sixty-two patients (47 females; mean age 54.

A 2018 Italian and Romanian Survey on Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy.

Objectives: Pregnancy induces changes in thyroid function, and thyroid dysfunction during gestation is associated with adverse outcomes. We examined the management of subclinical hypothyroidism and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis in pregnancy among Italian and Romanian endocrinologists.

Methods: Members of the Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME) and Romanian Society of Endocrinology (RSE) were invited to participate in a web-based survey investigating the topic.

Quality of life and outcomes in patients with a large toxic adenoma undergoing laser ablation plus radioiodine vs lobectomy.

Purpose: Patients with toxic adenomas (TAs) that are too large to undergo radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment aimed at resolving hyperthyroidism and/or relieving mechanical pressure symptoms are referred to surgery. This prospective study aimed to assess the outcomes of combining laser ablation (LA) plus RAI vs lobectomy to treat large TAs in terms of clinical efficacy and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Patients And Methods: Patients with TAs of volumes greater than 20 mL and a calculated therapeutic activity exceeding 600 Mbq were randomly assigned to undergo LA + RAI (Group A) or lobectomy (Group B).

ENT and mucopolysaccharidoses.

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a heterogeneous group of inherited metabolic disorders, each associated with a deficiency in one of the enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) catabolism. Over time, GAGs accumulate in cells and tissues causing progressive damage, a variety of multi-organ clinical manifestations, and premature death. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders affect more than 90% of MPS patients and appear in the early stage of MPS; also reported are recurrent otitis media and persistent otitis media with effusion, macroglossia, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, nasal obstruction, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), hearing loss, and progressive respiratory disorders.

The Clinical Use of Stem Cell Research in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Critical Analysis of Current Policies.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disorder affecting more than 200 million people around the world, resulting in three million deaths per year. COPD is characterized by the loss of lung tissue and airway remodelling, with chronic inflammation of the airways and progressive destruction of lung parenchyma. The use of stem cells may lead to regenerative processes that address biological damage.

Current Practices in the Management of Pulmonary Ground-Glass Opacities: A Survey of SICT Members.

Background: Several gray areas and controversies exist concerning the management of pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs), and there is a lack of consensus among clinicians on this topic. One of the main aims of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery is to promote education and research, so we decided to perform a survey on this topic to estimate current trends in practice in a large sample of thoracic surgeons.

Methods: A total of 160 thoracic surgeons responded, namely, completed our questionnaire (response rate, 53%; 160 of 302).

Prevalence and pharmacologic management of familial hypercholesterolemia in an unselected contemporary cohort of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) associated with premature cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Using the data from the START (STable Coronary Artery Diseases RegisTry) study, a nationwide, prospective survey on patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), we described prevalence and lipid lowering strategies commonly employed in these patients. The study population was divided into "definite/probable FH," defined as a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score ≥6, "possible FH" with DLCN 3-5, and "unlikely FH" in presence of a DLCN <3.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea With or Without Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Clinical and Experimental Data-Driven Phenotyping.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious and prevalent medical condition with major consequences for health and safety. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common-but not universal-accompanying symptom. The purpose of this literature analysis is to understand whether the presence/absence of EDS is associated with different physiopathologic, prognostic, and therapeutic outcomes in OSA patients.

Prognostic Value of the 6-Min Walk Test After Open-Heart Valve Surgery: EXPERIENCE OF A CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

Purpose: This single-center retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic relevance of 6-min walk test (6MWT) in patients admitted to an in-hospital cardiovascular rehabilitation program after open-heart valve surgery.

Methods: One hundred one patients able to perform a 6MWT within the first week of admission (time after surgery: 16 ± 8 d) were included (age 68 ± 11 y; 55% female; median left ventricular ejection fraction 55% [interquartile range: 50-60]; 51% after aortic valve surgery). Study endpoints were cardiovascular death and the combined outcome of cardiovascular death/cardiac hospitalization.

Safety and effectiveness of rivaroxaban and warfarin in moderate-to-advanced CKD: real world data.

Background: In recent years, novel anticoagulant drugs have been introduced in the clinical armamentarium and have progressively gained momentum. Although their use is increasing among CKD patients, some skepticism about their risk-benefit ratio still persists. We sought to investigate the safety and effectiveness of rivaroxaban in a cohort of moderate-to-advanced CKD patients.

Percutaneous Ethanol Injection in Combination with Laser Ablation for a 100 ml Partially Cystic Thyroid Nodule.

Until nonsurgical techniques like laser ablation (LA) or radiofrequency became available, patients suffering from large nodules with compressive symptoms were addressed to surgery. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman with a large, partially cystic thyroid nodule having a volume of about 100 ml. As the patient refused surgery, despite her constant local discomfort, such large partially cystic nodule underwent several percutaneous ethanol injections (PEI) and then was submitted to LA.

Alogliptin and Gliclazide Similarly Increase Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Aim: We investigated the effect of alogliptin and gliclazide on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c between 7.5% and 8.

Correction to: Drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Real-life data from the biologic Apulian registry (BIOPURE).

In Fig. 1 - paned D, incorrect image was published. This is now presented correctly in this article.

Drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Real-life data from the biologic Apulian registry (BIOPURE).

This study aims to evaluate the drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients naïve to biologics or inadequate responders to tumor necrosis factor (TNF-IR) inhibitors in real life. PsA patients starting ustekinumab were enrolled from 2014 to 2016. Joint involvement, peripheral or axial, Psoriatic Area Severity Index, Disease Activity Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Lee Enthesitis Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, body mass index, comorbidities, co-therapies, mechanism of action, and causes of discontinuation of prior TNFi were collected at baseline, and 6 and 12 months.