Article
Surgery
Sarthak Tandon, Nicholas D. Ensor, Maurizio Pacilli, Ashleigh J. Laird, Juan Bortagaray, Robert J. Stunden, Ramesh M. Nataraja
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of tissue adhesive, adhesive tape, and sutures in closing surgical incisions in children. The findings showed that tissue adhesive had poorer short-term wound cosmesis compared to the other two methods, but it is unclear if this difference is sustained in the long-term. There were no significant differences between the techniques for other outcomes evaluated.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Etan P. Sugarman, Michael E. Birns, Matthew Fishman, Deepan N. Patel, Laura Goldsmith, Renee S. Greene, Michael B. Banffy
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of interportal capsulotomy repair compared with no repair on patient outcomes after hip arthroscopy. The results showed that there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the two groups, but some secondary outcome measures did show changes.
ORTHOPAEDIC JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yong-Soo Baek, Oh-Seok Kwon, Byounghyun Lim, Song-Yi Yang, Je-Wook Park, Hee Tae Yu, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jae-Sun Uhm, Boyoung Joung, Dae-Hyeok Kim, Moon-Hyoung Lee, Junbeom Park, Hui-Nam Pak
Summary: Computational modeling-guided virtual DF ablation targeting extra-PV improved the rhythm outcome of AFCA in patients with persistent AF, leading to a significant reduction in clinical recurrence rates.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Surgery
S. D. Kristensen, J. Gormsen, L. Naver, F. Helgstrand, A. K. Floyd
Summary: This study suggests that routine closure of mesenteric defects with clips during LRYGB is associated with a lower rate of internal herniation. While closure of defects increases operating time, it does not affect postoperative blood transfusion rates and pain scores.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Issei Hasegawa, Takeshi Yamamura, Hiroto Suzuki, Keiko Maeda, Tsunaki Sawada, Yasuyuki Mizutani, Eri Ishikawa, Takuya Ishikawa, Naomi Kakushima, Kazuhiro Furukawa, Eizaburo Ohno, Hiroki Kawashima, Masanao Nakamura, Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
Summary: The study found that while the ADR was similar between the LCI and WLI groups, the LCI group showed significantly lower AMR, especially for diminutive adenomas and nonpolypoid lesions. This suggests that LCI has an advantage in reducing adenoma miss rate.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Carolyn A. McCarty, Douglas F. Zatzick, Lyscha A. Marcynyszyn, Jin Wang, Robert Hilt, Thomas Jinguji, Celeste Quitiquit, Sara P. D. Chrisman, Frederick P. Rivara
Summary: This randomized clinical trial examined the effectiveness of collaborative care treatment for adolescents with persistent postconcussive symptoms in improving symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms over 1 year compared to usual care. The findings suggest that collaborative care intervention led to fewer symptoms and better quality of life for adolescents over the course of 1 year. Additionally, delivering the intervention through telehealth broadened the reach of treatment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tian-Xiao Jiao, Yang Hu, Shi-Bin Guo
Summary: This study investigated the clinical value of sigmoid colon water exchange (SWE) colonoscopy compared to air insufflation (AI) colonoscopy. The results showed that SWE colonoscopy significantly reduced abdominal pain compared to AI colonoscopy, and this was particularly true for patients with a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery and those who were overweight.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Magdy Mohamed Allam, Hanaa Tarek El-Zawawy, Amr Abdel Kader Okda, Ayoub Ali Alshaikh, Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of azathioprine (AZA) as an adjuvant therapy to antithyroid drugs (ATDs) for moderate and severe Graves' disease (GD), and conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of AZA. The results showed higher remission rates in the AZA groups compared with the control group and significant differences in hormone levels between the groups. The relapse rate was also lower in the AZA groups.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Luca Lambertini, Fabrizio Di Maida, Anna Cadenar, Samuele Nardoni, Antonio Andrea Grosso, Francesca Valastro, Pietro Spinelli, Riccardo Fantechi, Agostino Tuccio, Gianni Vittori, Andrea Mari, Lorenzo Masieri, Andrea Minervini
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of Florence intracorporeal neobladder (FloRIN) configuration technique performed with a stentless procedure. The results showed that the stentless procedure was associated with shorter console time and lower estimated blood loss compared to the stent group. There were no significant differences in terms of perioperative features and mid-term functional outcomes between the two groups.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peiyuan Li, Bin Zeng, Xuanmin Chen, Zhifeng Liu, Jing Yang
Summary: The results of the study showed that in the gastroenterology curriculum, the seminar-case learning model performed better than the traditional lecture-based learning model, especially in case analysis tests. It increased student interest and motivation, improved clinical thinking and summary ability, and promoted a positive classroom atmosphere.
Article
Oncology
Muhammer Ergenc, Sakir Karpuz, Merve Ergenc, Cumhur Yegen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ERAS protocol on postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates in pancreatic surgery patients. The results showed that the ERAS protocol can reduce total complication rates, but had no significant effect on severe complications, and can be safely applied in pancreatic surgery patients.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mamta K. Jain, James A. De Lemos, Darren K. McGuire, Colby. Ayers, Jennifer L. Eitson, Claudia L. Sanchez, Dena Kamel, Jessica A. Meisner, Emilia V. Thomas, Anita A. Hegde, Satish Mocherla, Joslyn K. Strebe, Xilong Li, Noelle S. Williams, Chao Xing, Mahmoud S. Ahmed, Ping Wang, Hesham A. Sadek, John W. Schoggins
Summary: In this trial, atovaquone did not show evidence of enhanced SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance compared with placebo, but an inverse correlation was observed between atovaquone levels and viral load, suggesting the need for further PK-guided studies to examine the antiviral effect of atovaquone in COVID-19 patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Tanya N. Turan, Marios-Nikos Psychogios
Summary: The CASSISS trial, published in JAMA, adds to the growing body of evidence that percutaneous angioplasty and stenting does not provide a benefit over medical therapy for preventing stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Current guidelines recommend against routine use of this intervention for stroke prevention in these patients. The trial may offer valuable insights for future trial design.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Todd J. Schwedt, Joseph G. Hentz, Soma Sahai-Srivastava, Natalia Murinova, Nicole M. Spare, Christina Treppendahl, Vincent T. Martin, Marius Birlea, Kathleen Digre, David Watson, Michael Leonard, Teri Robert, David W. Dodick
Summary: This study aims to determine whether migraine preventive therapy without switching or limiting the frequency of overused medication is noninferior to migraine preventive therapy with switching to an alternative medication that could be used on <= 2 d/wk.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Roberto Galea, Federico De Marco, Nicolas Meneveau, Adel Aminian, Frederic Anselme, Christoph Grani, Adrian T. Huber, Emmanuel Teiger, Xavier Iriart, Flora Babongo Bosombo, Dik Heg, Anna Franzone, Pascal Vranckx, Urs Fischer, Giovanni Pedrazzini, Francesco Bedogni, Lorenz Raber, Marco Valgimigli
Summary: In percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, there is no significant difference in residual LAA patency and clinical outcomes between Amulet and Watchman FLX. The latter has a higher leakage rate at transesophageal echocardiography, but the Amulet group has more procedural complications. The clinical significance of LAA patency detected by CCTA requires further investigation.
Article
Biology
Davide Vacca, Antonino Fiannaca, Fabio Tramuto, Valeria Cancila, Laura La Paglia, Walter Mazzucco, Alessandro Gulino, Massimo La Rosa, Carmelo Massimo Maida, Gaia Morello, Beatrice Belmonte, Alessandra Casuccio, Rosario Maugeri, Gerardo Iacopino, Carmela Rita Balistreri, Francesco Vitale, Claudio Tripodo, Alfonso Urso
Summary: In this study, direct RNA sequencing technology was used to directly identify SARS-CoV-2 sequences from samples of patients infected with the virus in Sicily, Italy. Mutations were found in the nucleocapsid gene, and the technique used offers the advantages of true native RNA sequencing without amplification steps that could introduce errors. This study provides novel information relevant to next-generation sequencing strategies for SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppa Minutolo, Palmira Immordino, Alessia Dolce, Mario Valenza, Emanuele Amodio, Walter Mazzucco, Alessandra Casuccio, Vincenzo Restivo
Summary: This study investigated the adherence to colorectal cancer screening in the Palermo province of Italy and found that the population had lower adherence to colonoscopy. The results indicated that perceived benefits of colonoscopy were significantly associated with adherence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Palmira Immordino, Dario Genovese, Fatima Morales, Alessandra Casuccio, Emanuele Amodio
Summary: Undocumented migrants in Italy, particularly those in Sicily, have experienced worse health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, with higher hospitalization rates and more severe clinical outcomes compared to Italian nationals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Emanuele Amodio, Giuseppe Vella, Vincenzo Restivo, Alessandra Casuccio, Francesco Vitale
Summary: This retrospective cohort study in Sicily aimed to estimate the effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The results showed high effectiveness in the first two months after vaccination, but a decrease over time, suggesting the need for booster vaccination campaigns.
Article
Immunology
Emanuele Amodio, Giuseppa Minutolo, Alessandra Casuccio, Claudio Costantino, Giorgio Graziano, Walter Mazzucco, Alessia Pieri, Francesco Vitale, Maurizio Zarcone, Vincenzo Restivo
Summary: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused high morbidity and mortality globally. BNT162b2, the only authorized vaccine in Italy, can lead to adverse reactions. An active surveillance system using instant messaging was implemented to monitor vaccine recipients, revealing a higher prevalence of adverse reactions after the second dose compared to the first dose. Younger individuals and females were at higher risk for adverse reactions. This active surveillance system appears to be more effective in detecting adverse reactions compared to passive surveillance.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Pasquale Mansueto, Aurelio Seidita, Marta Chiavetta, Dario Genovese, Alessandra Giuliano, Walter Priano, Antonio Carroccio, Alessandra Casuccio, Emanuele Amodio
Summary: This narrative review analyzed the correlation between diet and clinical outcomes of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Conflicting results were found regarding the association between high-fat and high-salt food intake and FMF attack recurrence. Wheat was suggested to potentially play a role in FMF. A diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory supplements may partly reduce symptoms and improve the well-being of FMF patients. However, further studies are needed to clarify the impact of diet on FMF symptom triggering.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sebastiano Mercadante, Yasmine Grassi, Alessio Lo Cascio, Vincenzo Restivo, Alessandra Casuccio
Summary: This study explored the characteristics of patients who had never received anticancer treatments at admission to an acute supportive palliative care unit. The results showed that these treatment-naive patients were mainly admitted to the unit due to low Karnofsky status and high symptom burden. Compared to patients who had received treatment, these patients were older, more frequently male, had more comorbidities, and had higher symptom burden that was less responsive to palliative treatment. They also had a higher mortality rate within three months.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sebastiano Mercadante, Alessio Lo Cascio, Alessandra Casuccio
Summary: This study assessed the outcome of switching patients from oral opioids to intravenous methadone (IV-ME), and evaluated the conversion ratio from IV-ME to oral methadone at hospital discharge. The results showed that titrated IV-ME dose infusion allowed rapid pain control in patients with severe pain not responsive to previous opioids. Conversion to oral methadone was successful and facilitated discharge. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Vincenzo Restivo, Giuseppa Minutolo, Marianna Maranto, Antonio Maiorana, Francesco Vitale, Alessandra Casuccio, Emanuele Amodio
Summary: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of preventive strategies in Italian HPV-related hospital admissions. From 2008 to 2018, all HPV-related diseases showed a decrease. The increase in cervical cancer screening adherence and HPV vaccine coverage led to a decrease in invasive cervical cancer and in situ cervical cancer. The study highlights the need to improve acceptance of preventive strategies and provide consistent information by healthcare workers.
Article
Immunology
Vincenzo Restivo, Alessandra Fallucca, Federica Trapani, Palmira Immordino, Giuseppe Calamusa, Alessandra Casuccio
Summary: Suboptimal levels of measles vaccination coverage in Italy have led to endemic virus circulation and nosocomial outbreaks among hospitalized patients and healthcare workers. A study conducted in the University Hospital of Palermo found that almost half of the healthcare workers were not immunized against measles, with factors such as female sex, non-physician status, high perception of barriers to vaccination, and lack of immunization for other exanthematous diseases being associated with non-immunization. Effective strategies are needed to increase immunization coverage among healthcare workers and prevent further nosocomial measles outbreaks.
Article
Immunology
Marianna Maranto, Giuseppe Gullo, Alessandra Bruno, Giuseppa Minutolo, Gaspare Cucinella, Antonio Maiorana, Alessandra Casuccio, Vincenzo Restivo
Summary: Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications. The exclusion of pregnant women from vaccine trials has led to a lack of conclusive data on vaccine safety and efficacy for this vulnerable population. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance among high-risk pregnant women were identified through a cross-sectional study. The results showed that a high educational level, low perception of barriers to vaccination, and gynecologist's advice were associated with vaccine acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women highlights the need to address conflicting information and develop effective vaccination strategies.
Article
Pediatrics
Anna Maria Caruso, Denisia Bommarito, Vincenza Girgenti, Glenda Amato, Ugo Calabrese, Adele Figuccia, Fabio Baldanza, Francesco Grasso, Emanuela Giglione, Alessandra Casuccio, Mario Pietro Marcello Milazzo, Maria Rita Di Pace
Summary: This study analyzed anal sphincter activity in patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) using Three-Dimensional High Resolution Anorectal Manometry (3D-HRAM). The results revealed a correlation between manometric parameters and clinical outcomes, highlighting spinal malformations and ARM type as important prognostic risk factors for a bad outcome. Specific sphincteric defects can be explored with manometry, enabling tailored bowel management strategies.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Giuseppe Miceli, Vincenza Calvaruso, Alessandra Casuccio, Grazia Pennisi, Massimo Licata, Chiara Pintus, Maria G. Basso, Mariachiara Velardo, Mario Daidone, Emanuele Amodio, Salvatore Petta, Fabio Simone, Giuseppe Cabibbo, Domenico Di Raimondo, Antonio Craxi, Antonio Pinto, Antonino Tuttolomondo
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between HRV parameters and the degree of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. The results showed that liver dysfunction was positively correlated with HRV parameters, while the presence of ascites was negatively correlated. Drug treatment also had an impact on HRV parameters. These findings suggest a role of the autonomic nervous system in hepatic decompensation.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Vincenzo Restivo, Alessandra Bruno, Giuseppa Minutolo, Alessia Pieri, Luca Riggio, Maurizio Zarcone, Stefania Candiloro, Rosalia Caldarella, Palmira Immordino, Emanuele Amodio, Alessandra Casuccio
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an online intervention among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in increasing knowledge and positive attitudes toward vaccinations. The results showed a significant increase in perception of disease severity among adolescents after the intervention. The educational intervention was found to be more effective in schools with lower dropout rates. It is crucial to tailor interventions for adolescents to reduce their concerns about adverse effects and improve vaccination coverage.
Article
Immunology
Palmira Immordino, Vincenzo Pisciotta, Emanuele Amodio, Celestino Bonura, Floriana Bonura, Federica Cacioppo, Giuseppe Calamusa, Giuseppina Capra, Alessandra Casuccio, Simona De Grazia, Dario Genovese, Davide Graci, Guido Lacca, Giuseppa Luisa Sanfilippo, Maria Gabriella Verso, Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco, Donatella Ferraro
Summary: The study compared neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants in recovered and vaccinated healthcare workers. Higher titers were observed in vaccinated individuals compared to recovered patients, indicating better efficacy of artificial immunization. This emphasizes the importance of vaccination even in individuals with previous infections.