Coronary Artery Disease and Atherosclerosis in Other Vascular Districts: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Atherosclerotic Plaque Features.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of morbidity and death worldwide, and atherosclerosis represents the leading pathophysiological pathway responsible for CAD. Atherosclerotic process is a complex interplay of mechanisms and mediators resulting in plaque formation, progression and destabilization, the latter being the most frequent cause of acute cardiovascular events. Considering the systemic nature of atherosclerosis, polyvascular disease involvement is possible and has been described since 1960s.

Team-based, hybrid, or standard of care? Organizational models of tuberculosis care on tuberculosis outcomes in eleven Italian hospital.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose challenges in high-income countries, among migrant and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Treatment discontinuity and loss to follow-up (LTFU) remain critical barriers to TB control. This study evaluated the impact of three organizational models of TB care on clinical and programmatic outcomes in Italy.

Stratifying risk in oligoprogressive EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): The role of liquid biopsy.

Background: EGFR-TKIs have markedly enhanced outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, but resistance development is virtually inevitable. In the context of oligoprogressive disease (OPD), local treatments can target resistant clones while EGFR-TKIs maintain systemic control, potentially extending the duration of therapy. However, identifying patients who benefit from this combined approach remains unclear.

Innovation in next-generation sequencing in non-small cell lung cancer diagnostics.

Introduction: In the era of precision medicine, molecular biomarker testing is increasingly becoming the standard of care for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. Tissue and liquid biopsy-based Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is now highly recommended.

Areas Covered: Different NGS platforms emerged as a cost-effective strategy to perform a massive and parallel sequencing performing higher technical sensitivity than old generation technologies in detecting low abundant alterations in challenging diagnostic samples.

Game-set-MATCH: Liquid biopsy advances to the next round.

A recent article evaluated the concordance rate between tumor and plasma genotyping for detecting actionable genomic alterations to guide targeted therapy. These results support the utility of liquid biopsy for enrolling patients into genomically-guided trials, especially in scenarios where tissue is unavailable or biopsy is not feasible.

Genetic drivers of tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer: the role of , , and mutations.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in shaping the response to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized NSCLC treatment, a significant proportion of patients exhibit primary or acquired resistance. Emerging evidence highlights the role of specific genetic alterations, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (), /-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily A member 4 (), and phosphatase and tensin homolog ( mutations, in driving immune evasion and limiting the effectiveness of ICIs.

Treatment and follow-up of vascular graft and endograft infection: Delphi consensus document.

Scope: Vascular graft or endograft infection (VGEI) is a severe complication requiring a multidisciplinary approach combining surgery and antimicrobial therapy. This study aimed to develop expert consensus on the management and follow-up of VGEI, with a focus on antimicrobial strategies.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was conducted to reach consensus on key aspects of VGEI care, including antimicrobial treatment, surgical management, and follow-up.

The Changing Landscape of Antibiotic Treatment: Reevaluating Treatment Length in the Age of New Agents.

Background: The landscape of antimicrobial therapy is undergoing a profound transformation; the contemporary arsenal of antimicrobials, particularly those with extended half-lives and enhanced tissue penetration, necessitates critically reassessing these traditional paradigms. The growing emphasis on antimicrobial stewardship programs has underscored the importance of optimizing antimicrobial agents to minimize the development and spread of resistance. Shorter treatment durations, when clinically appropriate, represent a key strategy in this endeavor.

Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Nab-Paclitaxel Treatment in Elderly Patients with HER-2 Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: NEREIDE Study.

: Older women represent a significant and increasing population of patients with breast cancer, accounting for over 40% of new cases of breast cancer. However, this growing subgroup of patients is still underrepresented in clinical trials, and treatment is usually selected based on limited data from retrospective subgroup analyses. However, the ESMO guidelines for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) suggest that the management decision should not be based on age alone.

Molecular versus conventional assay for diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia in critically ill patients: a single center experience.

Purpose: Lower respiratory tract infections are reported as one of top five causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. A bacterial etiology is often involved in HAP, most frequently from multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria, and fast accurate diagnosis of etiologic agent(s) of LRTI is essential for an appropriate management. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the analytical performance of Biofire Filmarray Pneumonia Plus for bacteria detection in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and the concordance of bacterial loads between BFPP and cultural gold standard methods.

Expression of Membrane Targets for Therapeutics in RET-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Importance: Patients with advanced RET fusion-positive (RET+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who experience disease progression following treatment with RET inhibitors (RETis) have limited treatment options. Identifying membrane protein targets may support the assessment of novel therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.

Objective: To evaluate membrane target expression in RET+ NSCLC.

Emerging Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Human Cytomegalovirus Infection During Pregnancy: Unmet Needs and Future Perspectives.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection during pregnancy is a leading cause of congenital infections worldwide, posing significant risks to fetal health. Despite advances in prenatal care, managing HCMV infection remains challenging. Early detection, accurate risk assessment, and timely intervention are critical to mitigating the adverse outcomes associated with congenital HCMV (cHCMV), such as neurodevelopmental delays and hearing loss.

ADCs and TCE in SCLC Therapy: The Beginning of a New Era?

The therapeutic landscape for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remained stationary for decades, with chemotherapy representing the sole treatment strategy, with a modest survival benefit. The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to standard first-line chemotherapy for SCLC was a considerable milestone. However, despite high overall response rates, this strategy failed to deliver long-term benefits for most patients, who continue to face a poor prognosis.

Real-world outcomes of subsequent treatment strategies after durvalumab consolidation in stage III unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The PACIFIC trial established chemoradiation followed by 1-year durvalumab consolidation as standard of care for unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). This study aims to investigate therapeutic strategies and clinical outcomes after durvalumab failure in the real-world.

Materials And Methods: Patients with stage III LA-NSCLC from 23 Italian centres were retrospectively enrolled at durvalumab progression.

Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy.

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has significantly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnostics, offering rapid and precise identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unlike traditional culture methods, which may take days to yield results, multiplex PCR provides diagnostic insights within hours, enabling faster, targeted antimicrobial therapy and reducing the delay in treating critical infections like sepsis. The technique's high sensitivity and broad pathogen coverage make it ideal for both single and polymicrobial infections, improving outcomes across respiratory, bloodstream, and bacterial/fungal infections.

Early combined therapy for COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients: a promising approach against viral persistence and drug resistance.

Immunocompromised (IC) patients face significant challenges in managing COVID-19 due to their heightened susceptibility to severe illness, persistent infections, and the potential development of drug resistance. Studies indicate that IC patients, particularly those with hematologic malignancies (HM), hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTR), or solid organ transplants (SOTR), experience higher mortality rates and worse outcomes compared to the general population, even post-vaccination. The persistence of the virus in these patients, combined with its rapid mutation, further complicates treatment.

Risk factors for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii respiratory colonization and the role of multisite colonization: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, the role of CRAB respiratory colonization, including multisite colonization, has not yet been adequately highlighted in critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, conducted in 4 different Italian hospitals, patients with CRAB respiratory colonization +/- other site who developed or did not develop clinically significant pneumonia from December 2015 to December 2023 were enrolled.

The Multifaceted Landscape of Healthcare-Associated Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant .

Carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) is an emerging and important major cause of nosocomial infections, posing a significant challenge to clinicians worldwide. The intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms exhibited by CRAB, associated with its ability to persist in healthcare environments, have transformed it into a critical public health concern. The clinical implications of CRAB infections include severe manifestations, like ventilator-associated pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Severe Hemodynamic Instability in a Young Pregnant Woman with Massive Pericardial Effusion and Pulmonary Embolism Secondary to Primary Mediastinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Lymphomas account for approximately 10% of cancers diagnosed during pregnancy, with Hodgkin's lymphoma being the most common. However, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), also represent a significant proportion. Both mediastinal lymphomas and pregnancy develop a hypercoagulable state, increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism and massive pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

From Clinical Trials to Real-World Experiences: Evidence About Cefiderocol Use and Potential Role in Empirical Therapy.

Cefiderocol is a novel siderophore cephalosporin that has gained attention for its potent activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens, making it a valuable addition to the antimicrobial armamentarium. Its efficacy in treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and nosocomial pneumonia has been well-established, although challenges remain regarding its role in Acinetobacter baumannii infections and the possible emergence of resistance. The decision to use cefiderocol as a monotherapy or in combination should be guided by pathogen susceptibility, clinical severity, and local epidemiology.

On the role of bacterial gut microbiota from supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808) in bioplastic degradation.

Despite the promise of a reduced environmental impact, bioplastics are subjected to dispersion and accumulation similarly to traditional plastics, especially in marine and coastal environments. The environmental impact of bioplastics is attracting increasing attention due to the growing market demand. The ability of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator to ingest and survive on pristine starch-based bioplastic has already been assessed.

Circulation of a Unique Clone, ST147 NDM-1/OXA-48, in Two Diverse Hospitals in Calabria (Italy).

Carbapenem-resistant has become endemic in Europe, including in Italy, where its prevalence has risen dramatically, primarily due to epidemic clones harboring metallo-enzymes. This study aims to investigate the dissemination of strains co-producing OXA-48 and NDM-1 between two hospitals in southern Italy using molecular analyses. A total of 49 strains, predominantly co-producing OXA-48 and NDM-1, were collected between March and December 2023.

Clinical characteristics, therapy and outcome of bloodstream infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci: a multicentre clinical experience.

Objectives: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) are considered a predictor of mortality among frail patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with 30 day mortality and relapse of infection in enterococcal BSI caused by VRE and to evaluate the impact of antibiotic regimens in targeted therapy.