Clinical presentation and echocardiographic characteristics of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: Insights from the Italian Multicentre Registry.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, life-threatening form of heart failure occurring in late pregnancy or postpartum, with variable clinical course and outcomes. We report preliminary clinical and echocardiographic findings from a national Italian registry of PPCM patients METHODS: The study was approved by the institutional Ethics Committee and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05878041).

Textbook Outcomes and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Resectable Gallbladder Cancer: A Global Cohort Study.

Introduction: Surgery for resectable gallbladder cancer (GbC) encompasses complex operative management, and evaluating surgical quality through textbook outcome (TO) is crucial. This study aimed to assess TO incidence and impact in a global cohort, identify independent predictors, and evaluate TO rates of minimally invasive (MI) techniques, including robotic (ROB) and laparoscopic (LPS).

Materials And Methods: This cohort study included patients undergoing curative-intent hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy for GbC (T1b-T3) from 2012 to 2023 in 41 hospitals.

Efficacy of spectacle lenses for myopia control: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Purpose: To determine the effects of advanced spectacle lens technologies on changes in spherical equivalent of refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) elongation in slowing down the progression of myopia in children and adolescents, by synthesising data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify all RCTs up to 27 February 2025 that compared intervention groups with myopia control lenses and control groups with standard single vision lenses (SVLs). Data from eligible studies were extracted into specially-designed data collection forms without changing the original values.

The needs and unmet needs for people living with dementia, caregivers and care workers in dementia health care systems: a systematic review.

Introduction: The prevalence and costs of dementias are rising due to demographic changes. Dementia care depends largely on informal caregivers and fragmented healthcare systems that often fail to meet the needs of people with dementia.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to identify unmet needs and barriers in European dementia care, providing a framework to improve health strategies.

Biliary and respiratory complications after right hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma following selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT): a retrospective case-control study.

Background: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) has emerged as a promising and recent treatment for downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before surgical intervention. However, the potential occurrence of postoperative biliary and respiratory complications following major hepatectomy subsequent to SIRT remains unclear. We hypothesized that SIRT can increase the rate of biliary leakage and cause diaphragmatic dysfunction, especially for huge HCC in contact with the diaphragm.

Personalized or Standard Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: PARTHENOPE Randomized Trial.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although its optimal duration remains uncertain.

Objectives: We performed a randomized trial comparing a personalized duration of DAPT, based on a risk score, for 3-, 6-, or 24-months with a standard duration of DAPT for 12 months after PCI.

Methods: We randomly assigned 2,107 patients undergoing PCI to receive either a personalized or a standard DAPT.

Right Heart Evaluation: A Tough Challenge for Clinicians.

The right heart-pulmonary circulation unit (RH-PCU) constitutes an integrated anatomo-functional system characterized by high-volume blood flow, low intravascular pressure, and minimal pulmonary vascular resistance. The RH-PCU dysfunction is a challenge for clinicians, as it can result from numerous pathological conditions, each with different clinical presentations. The pathophysiological changes underlying the hemodynamic alterations in the pressure and volume affecting the right ventricle can lead the patient to present with the primary symptom: dyspnea.

Aims and Rationale of a National Registry Integrating Clinical, Echocardiographic, and Multi-Omics Profiling to Promote Precision Medicine in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition typically presenting as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the last month of pregnancy or in the first five months following delivery in women without other known causes of heart failure. PPCM incidence and prevalence are highly variable in different populations and geographical areas. The etiology of PPCM is likely multifactorial, with genetic predisposition, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal and metabolic changes, myocardial inflammation, enhanced oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, and angiogenic imbalance all listed as possible contributing factors.

Two Year Outcomes following Off the Shelf Inner Branch Endograft Implantation for the Treatment of Complex Abdominal and Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Analysis from the Multicentre ItaliaN Branched Registry of E-nside EnDograft (INBREED).

Objective: This study aimed to report the 2 year outcomes obtained with the E-nside endograft (Artivion) for the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (cAAA) and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA).

Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre study. Data from the multicentre ItaliaN Branched Registry of E-nside EnDograft (INBREED) were analysed.

Liver hypertrophy techniques: a position paper from the Italian Group of Regenerative and Occlusive Worldwide-used techniques of hepatic Hypertrophy (I GROWtoH).

In candidates for hepatectomy, different techniques to induce liver hypertrophy and modulate the future liver remnant are available. However, their use in specific clinical scenarios is highly heterogeneous and there is no consensus about minimal safety standards needed to incorporate these strategies into routine clinical practice. The aim of this position paper was to summarize newly available evidence in the field and compare medical practice among different hepatobiliary surgical units to evaluate the transformative potential of liver hypertrophy techniques in surgical oncology.

Saving the Testis: A Multimodal Approach to Testicular Epidermoid Cysts in the Adolescent Age Group.

Testicular epidermoid cysts (TECs) are rare benign intratesticular lesions that can clinically and radiologically mimic malignant germ cell tumors. We report two cases of adolescent males presenting with painless testicular nodules. Imaging findings-characteristic concentric echogenic rings, absence of vascularity, and normal tumor markers-suggested TECs.

Prospective assessment of intraoperative renal perfusion with transit time flow measurements (TTFM) in deceased and living donor kidney transplantation.

Optimal graft perfusion is key to achieving satisfactory post-transplant function. The possibility of evaluating vascular flows can lead to the early identification of vascular complications and reflect graft quality and outcome. From 1, 2022 to 1, 2024, transit time flow measurements (TTFM) were prospectively recorded in 75 consecutive kidney transplants (KTx) and analyzed alongside donor, recipient, transplant, and outcome data.

Imaging the developing brain with near-infrared spectroscopy in cochlear implanted children.

Cochlear implants (CIs) have revolutionized how we treat hearing impairment. Despite major technological and clinical advances, some CI children's language abilities remain below those of their age-matched peers, and there is still considerable individual variability in final outcomes. One important factor underlying this may be individual differences in brain plasticity before and after implantation.

Inside the Fire. Exploring the Impact of Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Disturbances on Pain Perception in Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of 200 Patients.

Background: This study investigates how anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances affect pain perception and clinical impairment in burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 200 BMS patients. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAM-A), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and short form of McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used.

Efficacy, safety, and legal considerations of do-it-yourself artificial pancreas systems: a position statement from italian diabetes societies.

Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas Systems (DIY-APS)-which combine commercially available devices with open-source software-are increasingly used for the management of type 1 diabetes, despite a lack of formal regulatory approval in many jurisdictions, including in Italy. This position statement, endorsed by Italian diabetes societies (Associazione Medici Diabetologici, Societa Italiana di Diabetologia, and Società Italiana di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia Pediatrica) and "Diabete Italia", the national patient association, addresses the efficacy, safety, and legal implications of DIY-APS in Italy. Real-world evidence and clinical trials demonstrate that DIY-APS improves glycemic control and quality of life and reduce fear of hypoglycemia in users.

Laparoscopic Interval Appendectomy as Safe and Effective Treatment of Complicated Appendicitis after Failed Initial Conservative Approach: A Single-Center Experience.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic therapy has become the first-line treatment for acute appendicitis (AA) in many centers. Interval appendectomy (IA) is often needed later due to symptom recurrence. This paper aimed to report our experience with early, unplanned laparoscopic IA (LIA) over the past 2 years.

Sleep and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: Bridging the Gap Between Inflammation and Neurodegeneration via Glymphatic Failure.

Epidemiological studies identified insufficient and poor-quality sleep as independent risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). The glymphatic system, active during slow-wave sleep, clears brain waste through perivascular astrocytic aquaporin-4 (AQP4) channels. The presence of antigens induces a transient, physiological lowering of glymphatic flux as a first step of an inflammatory response.

Defining Global Benchmarks for Robotic Liver Resections: An International Multicenter Study.

Objective: This study aimed to establish global benchmark outcomes indicators for robotic liver resections (R-LR).

Background: In recent years, minimally invasive liver resections and in particular R-LR has seen an increase in uptake in recent years. Although, benchmark outcomes have been recently established for laparoscopic (L) -LR, this has not been established for R-LR.

New generation of paediatricians in the health care system: are paediatric residents ready to manage children without supervision? A survey using respiratory infections as a model.

Objectives: To measure the perceived autonomy level in managing lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) among paediatric residents and to compare perceived autonomy with the assessments by tutors who directly supervise and evaluate residents DESIGN/SETTING: A survey on managing LRTIs was distributed among all Italian paediatric residents and tutors via Google Forms between January 1 and 31, 2024.Participants, residents and tutors were classified according to their training year and clinical setting: primary care paediatrics (PCP), emergency department (ED) and hospital ward (HW).

Outcome: Perceived autonomy of paediatric residents in managing LRTI in different settings; overall perceived autonomy and interest in employment.

Minimally invasive hepatectomy thermoablation for single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma: A weighted real-life national comparison.

Background & Aims: For patients with single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma ablation is the first-line treatment, although a high rate of recurrence has been reported. The aim was to compare videolaparoscopic liver resection (laparoscopic resection group) percutaneous thermoablation (ablation group) in terms of overall survival, recurrence-free survival and early recurrence in a real-life national scenario.

Methods: The study is a retrospective collection with subsequent survival analysis.

Long-term retention of diabetes management skills in type 1 diabetic patients trained with advanced technologies.

Objectives: The effectiveness of diabetes management depends significantly on patients' knowledge of key concepts such as carbohydrate counting, bolus timing, duration of insulin action, and the interpretation of trend arrows. This study aims to evaluate the understanding of these concepts among patients with type 1 diabetes who are using advanced technologies.

Methods: From January 2024 to July 2024, consecutive patients with type 1 diabetes who met inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Mitochondrial accumulation of GRK2 as a protective mechanism against hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Hypoxia, a condition characterized by a temporary lack of oxygen, causes mitochondrial damage, which in turn leads to endothelial dysfunction. G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) plays a key role in vascular homeostasis and remodeling, influencing endothelial function through various pathways. GRK2 moves within the cellular compartments and is linked to mitochondrial function and biogenesis, promoting ATP production and protecting against oxidative stress and cell death.

Understanding the delay in seeking treatment in women with acute myocardial infarction: description of the Leventhal's Self-Regulation of Disease Model.

Timely access to care for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality, but women often seek care later than men. This article examines how Leventhal's Self-Regulation of Disease Model (SRM) can explain these delays and suggests interventions to improve the response to cardiac emergencies in women. Cultural perceptions of the disease as more prevalent in men contribute to the delays.

Clinical application of age-derived cut-offs for plasma neurofilament light chain in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Clinical use of neurofilament light chain (NfL) requires cut-off values that reflect disease status independently of confounding factors, such as age, hemodilution, and cardiovascular risk factors. We compared the performance of different previously suggested cut-offs in separating MS cases and controls, and in identifying different MS clinical features, across age groups.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included people with MS (n = 312) and age-, sex-, and eGFR-matched controls (n = 236).