Search

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) sessions induce changes in plasma electrolytes that lead to modifications of QT interval, virtually associated with dangerous arrhythmias. It is not known whether such a phenomenon occurs even during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between dialysate and plasma electrolyte modifications and QT interval during a PD exchange. Methods: In 15 patients, two manual PD 4-h exchanges were performed, using two isotonic solutions with different calcium concentration (Ca++1.25 and Ca1.75++mmol/L). Dialysate and plasma electrolyte concentration and QT interval (ECG Holter recording) were monitored hourly. A computational model simulating the ventricular action potential during the exchange was also performed. Results: Dialysis exchange induced a significant plasma alkalizing effect (p < 0.001). Plasma K+ significantly decreased at the third hour (p < 0.05). Plasma Na+ significantly decreased (p < 0.001), while plasma Ca++ slightly increased only when using the Ca 1.75++mmol/L solution (p < 0.01). The PD exchange did not induce modifications of clinical relevance in the QT interval, while a significant decrease in heart rate (p < 0.001) was observed. The changes in plasma K+ values were significantly inversely correlated to QT interval modifications (p < 0.001), indicating that even small decreases of K+ were consistently paralleled by small QT prolongations. These results were perfectly confirmed by the computational model. Conclusions: The PD exchange guarantees a greater cardiac electrical stability compared to the HD session and should be preferred in patients with a higher arrhythmic risk. Moreover, our study shows that ventricular repolarization is extremely sensitive to plasma K+ changes, also in normal range.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of autoantibodies to desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 detected by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of oral pemphigus and to correlate the antibody titres with the severity of the disease. Materials and Methods: We report a retrospective cohort study of 22 patients with oral pemphigus and 64 controls from a single tertiary centre. Data about histopathological examination, direct immunofluorescence, indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA were analysed. Global validation of ELISA and IIF both alone and combined was established by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and both positive predictive value and negative predictive value. The relationship between Oral Disease Severity Score values and ELISA titres was analysed using Pearson's coefficient. Results: The best diagnostic performance was observed for anti-desmoglein 3 ELISA. The sensitivity was 75% and specificity 100% and positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 92.5% and accuracy 93.9%. The level of agreement with histopathology+direct immunofluorescence was substantial (k=.758). Anti-desmoglein 3 titres showed a significant correlation with Oral Disease Severity Score (p&nbsp

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with early-onset periodontitis and other periodontal diseases (PDs). The present work aimed to systematically review the scientific literature reporting studies in vivo on oral microbiota features in subjects with DS and related periodontal health and to highlight any correlation and difference with subjects not affected by DS, with and without PDs. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane were searched for relevant studies in May 2021. The participants were subjects affected by Down syndrome (DS) with and without periodontal diseases; the study compared subjects with periodontal diseases but not affected by DS, and DS without periodontal diseases; the outcomes were the differences in oral microbiota/periodontopathogen bacterial composition among subjects considered; the study design was a systematic review. Study quality was assessed with risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I). Of the 954 references retrieved, 26 studies were considered. The conclusions from the qualitative assessment of the papers revealed an increasing knowledge over the last years of the microbiota associated with DS and their periodontal diseases, in comparison with healthy subjects and subjects with other kinds of mental disabilities. Few data have emerged on the mycobiome and virobiome of DS, hence, further investigations are still necessary.

PurposeInadequate oral intake may play an important role in the onset of malnutrition in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). The aims of this cross-sectional study were: (1) to compare dietary intake in clinically active and quiescent CD patients, and (2) to assess patients’ nutritional adequacy relative to the dietary reference values (DRVs) for the Italian population using LARN (Livelli di Assunzione di Riferimento di Nutrienti ed energia per la popolazione italiana).MethodsPatients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of CD were recruited.All participants underwent anthropometry and were instructed to fill in a 3-day food record. Disease activity was clinically defined using the Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI).ResultsOverall, 117 patients, 71 males and 46 females, with a mean age of 39.6 ± 13.8 years and a mean body weight of 65.4 ± 11.8 kg, were ultimately included. Our findings showed that the amount of nutrients was similar between patients with active and quiescent disease. The mean intake of macronutrients was adequate, except for fiber, while dietary micronutrients were insufficient. Median intakes of sodium, phosphorus, and fluorine met LARN recommendations in both sexes, and the DRVs were accomplished by many patients (53/117; 104/117 and 98/117, respectively). Interestingly, dietary amounts of iron and zinc were barely acceptable in males but not in females. However, a few of the patients (ConclusionsThis study showed that the assessment of dietary intake can be crucial for optimizing dietary intervention with focused nutrition counseling, to improve nutritional status in CD patients.

A 80-year-old woman underwent vulvar melanoma resection and segmental lung resection for pulmonary metastasis. Immunotherapy with Nivolumab was performed. One year later, the patient was admitted for gastrointestinal (GI) recurrent bleeding and severe anemia. Esophagoastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy did not show any abnormality, while videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) revealed an irregular and exophytic whitish area with a “coal-black” central depression. Small bowel resection was performed and histological examination revealed S100 protein strongly positive melanoma metastasis. The patient died six months later from disease progression. A “coal-black” appearance of intestinal metastatic melanoma has been described only twice before this report. In one case the patient had been treated by immunotherapy with interferon A and dendritic cell-based vaccination. In our patient, it is presumable that the picture we observed was a consequence of Nivolumab treatment inducing the disappearance of melanocytes in the area surrounding the metastasis with the onset of the central coal-black lesion encircled by whitish tissue. This picture should be emblematic of intestinal metastatic melanoma in subjects treated with immunotherapy showing occult/obscure bleeding.

The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a high-risk viral agent involved in the recent pandemic stated worldwide by the World Health Organization. The infection is correlated to a severe systemic and respiratory disease in many cases, which is clinically treated with a multi-drug pharmacological approach. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate through a literature overview the effect of adjuvant therapies and supplements for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research has analyzed the advantage of the EK1C4, by also assessing the studies on the resveratrol, vitamin D, and melatonin as adjuvant supplements for long hauler patients’ prognosis. The evaluated substances reported important benefits for the improvement of the immune system and as a potential inhibitor molecules against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the use of sartans as therapy. The adjuvant supplements seem to create an advantage for the healing of the long hauler patients affected by chronic symptoms of constant chest and heart pain, intestinal disorders, headache, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and tachycardia.

Background In patients with end stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation (AF), undergoing chronic dialysis, direct oral agents are contraindicated and warfarin does not fully prevent embolic events while increasing the bleeding risk. The high hemorrhagic risk represents the main problem in this population. Aim of the study was to estimate the safety and efficacy for thromboembolic prevention of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in a cohort of dialysis patients with AF and high hemorrhagic risk. Methods Ninety-two dialysis patients with AF who underwent LAA occlusion were recruited. For comparative purposes, two cohorts of dialysis patients with AF, one taking warfarin (oral anticoagulant therapy, OAT cohort, n = 114) and the other not taking any OAT (no-therapy cohort, n = 148) were included in the study. Primary endpoints were (1) incidence of peri-procedural complications, (2) incidence of 2-year thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, (3) mortality at 2 years. In order to evaluate the effect of the LAA occlusion on the endpoints with respect to the OAT and No-therapy cohorts, a multivariable Cox regression model was applied adjusted for possible confounding factors. Results The device was successfully implanted in 100% of cases. Two major peri-procedural complications were reported. No thromboembolic events occurred at 2-year follow-up. The adjusted multivariable Cox regression model showed no difference in bleeding risk in the OAT compared to the LAA occlusion cohort in the first 3 months of follow-up [HR 1.65 (95% CI 0.43–6.33)], when most of patients were taking two antiplatelet drugs. In the following 21 months the bleeding incidence became higher in OAT patients [HR 6.48 (95% CI 1.32–31.72)]. Overall mortality was greater in both the OAT [HR 2.76 (95% CI 1.31–5.86)] and No-Therapy [HR 3.09 (95% CI 1.59–5.98)] cohorts compared to LAA occlusion patients. Conclusions The study could open the way to a non-pharmacological option for thromboembolic protection in dialysis patients with AF and high bleeding risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative course in patients undergoing oral mucosal biopsies, considering clinical and patient’s perception variables potentially correlated to poor healing. Subjects and methods: Eighty patients underwent oral biopsies. All the variables connected with the surgery were recorded, and the harvested volume was calculated through image software (ImageJ, NIH, Betesda, USA). To evaluate the postoperative discomfort, the OHIP-14 and the numeric rating scale of pain (NRS) were administered at 6 h, 7 days and 21 days after biopsy. Results: Six hours after the biopsy, 22 (OHIP-14 ≥ 20) and 24 (NRS ≥ 4) patients experienced a troublesome or painful healing, respectively. A significant statistical correlation between poor healing and high scores of NRS and OHIP was detected (Pearson’s correlation test p < 0.05). Higher values of OHIP-14 were correlated to the type of lesion (OR = 1.165; p < 0.05), whereas high values of NRS were correlated to the use of systemic drugs (p < 0.05). No surgical variable had a significant statistical correlation with any of the outcomes. Conclusions: The clinical evaluation was correlated with the patient’s perception of pain and discomfort. This finding could be suggestive of the fact that wound healing can be reliably monitored with the help of these tools. Clinical relevance: Patient perception can be a predictor of the healing of biopsied tissues.

Background: Based on recent findings, we speculated the existence of the lung, heart, and kidney axis as the main pathway for the COVID-19 disease progression. Methods: This paper reports on an observational study conducted by a team of researchers and doctors of the 118-Pre-Hospital and Emergency Department of SG Moscati of Taranto City in Italy. The study was conducted on a totality of 185 participants that were divided into three groups. The study group included COVID-19 affected patients (PP n = 80), the first control group included patients with different pathologies (non-COVID-19 NNp n = 62) of the SG Moscati Hospital, and the second control group included healthy individuals (NNh n = 43). The core of the current trial was focused on assessing the level of the vitamin D (serum 25(OH) D concentration), IL-6, and the renal glomerular filtrate (eGFR) in COVID-19 disease and non-COVID-19 patients in both groups. Results: It was observed that the majority of COVID-19-infected patients showed a progressive multi-organ involvement, especially in regard to the lung, kidney, and heart. The majority of the COVID-19 patients exhibited preexisting comorbidities which include cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal disorders accompanied by a severely low level of vitamin D, extremely high level of IL-6, and low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The significant overall damages exerted by the immune-mediated responses under the hyper-expression of proinflammatory cytokines and interleukins, such as IL-6, may be facilitated by either a decreased level of vitamin D or the ageing process. The reduced presence of vitamin D was often found together with a reduced functionality of renal activity, as revealed by the low eGFR, and both were seen to be concomitant with an increased mortality risk in patients with lung disorders and heart failure (HF), whether it is showed at baseline or it develops during manifestation of COVID-19. Therefore, the documentation of the modifiable risk factors related to SARS-CoV-2 and lung impairment in older patients with kidney and heart disease may help the clinician to better manage the situation. Conclusions: This paper addresses how a low level of vitamin D and older age may be indicative of systemic worsening in patients with COVID-19, with a goal of providing a broader context in which to view a better therapeutic approach.

Oral cancer is the most common malignancy of the head and neck region, characterized by a poor prognosis. Novel prognostic markers are needed to better stratify these patients. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has been included in the eighth edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual as an additional prognostic factor, but its influence on the recurrence risk and lymph node metastasis is relatively understudied. This is a comprehensive review of the literature on the clinical and prognostic role of LVI in oral cancer. A relevant search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases yielded 29 articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that LVI is an independent negative prognostic factor in oral cancer patients and appears to be associated with cervical lymph node metastasis and loco-regional recurrence. Notably, in oral tongue cancer, survival outcomes progressively worsen when LVI is associated with other adverse pathological features, especially in the early stages. Therefore, these patients could benefit from elective neck dissection and/or adjuvant therapy. The high variability of LVI prevalence hinders the comparison of literature results. Several methodological limitations were found to be present in the collected articles, including the lack of a rigorous definition for LVI, the difficult detection in routine histological section, the presence of potential confounders, the retrospective nature, and an inadequate sample size in most studies. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct prognostic studies using standardized methods to define and quantify LVI.

This study aimed to assess health related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult patients with Crohn&rsquo, s disease (CD), considering disease severity and gender differences, and also its relationship with nutritional status. Consecutive adult patients aged 18&ndash, 65 years with CD were recruited. Disease activity was clinically defined by the Crohn&rsquo, s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) in active and quiescent phases. HRQoL was evaluated using the validated short form (SF)-36 questionnaire for the Italian population. Additionally, anthropometry, bioimpedance analysis, and handgrip-strength (HGS) were performed. Findings showed that 135 patients (79 men and 56 women) were included, having a mean age of 38.8 &plusmn, 14 years and a BMI of 23.2 &plusmn, 3.7 kg/m2. Overall, active CD patients had a lower perception of their QoL compared to those clinically quiescent, while gender differences emerged mostly in the quiescent group. Interestingly, HRQoL was significantly associated with many nutritional variables, and muscle strength was the main predictor. Therefore, HRQoL is perceived lower in active compared to quiescent patients, but women experienced poorer QoL than men, especially in the quiescent phase. Finally, higher QoL scores were found in subjects being in clinical remission phase with a preserved muscle function. However, further studies are still required to verify these findings.

Aims: To estimate the safety and the efficacy of the off label left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in chronic dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this preliminary paper, we report the design of the study and the data on peri-procedural complications. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Primary endpoints are i) incidence of peri-procedural complications, ii) cumulative incidence of two-year thromboembolic events iii) cumulative incidence of two-year bleedings iiii) mortality at two years. Adverse events and death within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. Results: Fifty patients who underwent LAA occlusion between May 2014 and September 2017 were recruited. Both the mean age of the sample study and the dialysis duration were high [71.8 (9.6) years and 59.4 (78.2) months, respectively]. Most patients (84%) were hypertensive and 62% suffered a previous major bleeding. About half of them presented cardiovascular diseases. CHA2DS2VASCs and HASBLED scores were 4.0 (1.5) and 4.4 (0.9), respectively. Most patients (88%) showed atrial dilatation and 44% left ventricular hypertrophy; 32% had left ventricular ejection fraction

Purpose :໿ Preliminary data suggest that patients with Dravet Syndrome (DS) have a reduced heart rate variability (HRV). This seems particularly evident in patients who experienced sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This study aims at confirming these finding in a larger cohort and at defining clinical, genetic or electroencephalographic predictors of HRV impairment in DS patients. Methods : ໿DS patients followed at our Institution performed a 24h-ECG Holter to derive HRV parameters. We used as control population patients with epilepsy (PWEs) and healthy controls (HCs). In DS patients, we assessed the impact of different clinical, neurophysiological and genetic features on HRV alterations through multiple linear regression. After a mean follow-up of 7.4±3.2 years since the HRV assessment all DS patients were contacted to record death or life-threatening events. Results : 56 DS patients had a significantly reduced HRV compared to both HCs and PWEs. A recent history of status epilepticus (SE) was the only significant predictor of lower HRV in the multivariate analysis. At follow up, only one patient died; her HRV was lower than that of all the controls and was in the low range for DS patients. Conclusion : We describe for the first time an association between SE and HRV alterations is DS. Further studies on other SCN1A-related phenotypes and other epilepsies with frequent SE will help clarify this finding. Compared to the literature, our cohort showed better HRV and lower mortality. Although limited, this observation reinforces the role of HRV as a biomarker for mortality risk in DS.

Objective: Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFCS) is a rare developmental disorder caused by upregulated signaling through the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, mostly resulting from de novo activating BRAF mutations. Children with CFCS are prone to epilepsy, which is a major life-threatening complication. The aim of our study was to define the natural history of epilepsy in this syndrome and exploring genotype–phenotype correlations. Methods: We performed an observational study, including 34 patients with molecularly confirmed diagnosis (11 males, mean age: 15.8 years). The mean follow-up period was 9.2 years. For all patients, we performed neurological examination, cognitive assessment when possible, neuroimaging, electrophysiological assessment and systematic assessment of epilepsy features. Correlation analyses were performed, taking into account gender, age of seizure onset, EEG features, degree of cognitive deficits, type of mutation, presence of non-epileptic paroxysmal events and neuroimaging features. Results: Epilepsy was documented in 64% of cases, a higher prevalence compared to previous reports. Patients were classified into three groups based on their electroclinical features, long-term outcome and response to therapy. A genotype–phenotype correlation linking the presence/severity of epilepsy to the nature of the structural/functional consequences of mutations was observed, providing a stratification based on genotype to improve the clinical management of these patients.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare resting energy expenditure (REE) measured (MREE) by indirect calorimetry (IC) and REE predicted (PREE) from established predictive equations in a large sample of obese Caucasian adults. Subjects/Methods: We evaluated 1851 obese patients (body mass index (BMI)>30 kg m−2) aged between 18a and 65 years. Data were obtained by comparing MREE with PREE, derived from different equations, within and between normal weight and obese groups. The mean differences between PREE and MREE as well as the accuracy prediction within ±10% level were investigated in the whole sample and in three subgroups, classified by BMI (Group 1=30–39.9 kg m−2; Group 2=40–49.9 kg m−2; Group 3>50 kg m−2). Results: We observed that FAO, Henry and Muller3 (body composition (BC)) equations provided good mean PREE–MREE (bias −0.7, −0.3 and 0.9% root mean standard error (RMSE) 273, 263 and 269 kcal per day, respectively); HB and Henry equations were more accurate individually (57 and 56.9%). Only the Muller1 (BC) equation gave the lowest PREE–MREE difference (bias −1.7% RMSE 228 kcal per day) in females, while Johnstone and De Lorenzo equations were the most accurate (55.1 and 54.8%). When the sample was split into three subgroups according to BMI, no differences were found in males; however, the majority of the equations included in this study failed to estimate REE in severely obese females (BMI>40 kg m−2). Overall, prediction accuracy was low (~55%) for all predictive equations, regardless of BMI. Conclusions: Different established equations can be used for estimating REE at the population level in both sexes. However, the accuracy was very low for all predictive equations used, particularly among females and when BMI was high, limiting their use in clinical practice. Our findings suggest that the validation of new predictive equations would improve the accuracy of REE prediction, especially for severely obese subjects (BMI>40 kg m−2).

The assessment of body composition (BC) can be used to identify malnutrition in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of CD patients by assessing BC, phase angle (PhA) and muscle strength. Differences in disease duration and medications were also considered.Consecutive adult CD patients aged 18-65 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Disease activity was clinically defined by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) in the active and quiescent phases. All participants underwent anthropometry, BC and handgrip-strength (HGS) measurements; additionally, blood samples were taken. Data from CD patients were also compared with age-, sex- and BMI-matched healthy people.A total of 140 CD patients with a mean age of 38.8 ± 13.9 years and a mean body weight of 64.9 ± 12 kg were recruited and compared to controls. The findings showed that all nutritional parameters, especially PhA and HGS, were lower in CD patients than in controls, and these parameters were substantially impaired as disease activity increased. Active CD patients had a lower body weight and fat mass than both the quiescent and control groups. PhA was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.362; p = 0.000) and CDAI (r = -0.135; p = 0.001) but was positively associated with fat free mass (FFM) (r = 0.443; p = 0.000) and HGS (r = 0.539; p = 0.000). Similarly, serum protein markers were lower in the active CD group than in the quiescent group (p 0.05). Disease duration and medications did not significantly affect nutritional status.BIA-derived PhA is a valid indicator of nutritional status in CD patients, and its values decreased with increasing disease activity. Additionally, small alterations in BC, such as low FFM, and reduced HGS values can be considered markers of nutritional deficiency. Therefore, the assessment of BC should be recommended in clinical practice for screening and monitoring the nutritional status of CD patients.

The use of hypnosis can generate hallucinatory phenomena, which ranged from vivid/auditory imagery to fully developed “hallucinations” in selected people. The aim of this pilot trial was investigating the acute effects of a hypnosis-induced hallucinated breakfast (HB) compared to those of a real breakfast (RB) on subjective appetite and appetite-regulating hormones in highly hypnotizable individuals. Eight healthy post-menopausal women were recruited to consume two meals: the HB and the RB in a randomized crossover design. Participants underwent appetite sensations measurements (before meal and each 30-min until 270-min) and blood sample collection (at 0, 20, 60, 90, 180-min). A 3-day food-record was filled after each meal. The adjusted repeated measures ANCOVA did not show any meal×time interactions on subjective appetite postprandially. As expected, significantly higher glucose (p < 0.001), insulin (p < 0.001), and lower free fatty acid (p < 0.001) concentrations were found after the RB, but not following HB. Furthermore, RB significantly increased postprandial levels of glucagon-like-peptide-1 and peptide-YY at 20, 60, 90 and 180-min, whereas acylated-ghrelin and leptin levels did not differ. Postprandial neuropeptide-Y and orexin-A values significantly increased at different time-points after RB, but not following HB, while α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels enhanced after HB only. Energy intakes were significantly lower after HB on the test-day only (HB = 1146.6 ± 343.8 vs RB = 1634.7 ± 274.2 kcal/d; p = 0.003). Appetite sensation might be modulated by fully developed meal “hallucination” induced by hypnosis, likely affecting brain-peptides implicated in the appetite regulation. However, further studies are needed to verify these results obtained in a highly selected group of individuals. NCT03934580.

Concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a relevant comorbidity since IBD itself exposes to a high risk of liver damage. We aimed to evaluate liver stiffness (LS) in IBD-HCV after antiviral treatment. We enrolled IBD patients with HCV. All patients at baseline underwent LS measurement by elastography. Patients who were eligible for antiviral therapy received direct antiviral agents (DAAs) and sustained viral response was evaluated at the 12th week. A control group was selected within IBD patients without HCV. One year later, all IBD-HCV patients and controls repeated LS measurement. Twenty-four IBD-HCV patients and 24 IBD controls entered the study. Only twelve out of 24 received DAAs and all achieved sustained viral response (SVR). All IBD subjects were in remission at enrollment and maintained remission for one year. After one year, IBD patients who eradicated HCV passed from a liver stiffness of 8.5 &plusmn, 6.2 kPa to 7.1 &plusmn, 3.9, p = 0.13. IBD patients who did not eradicate HCV worsened liver stiffness: from 7.6 &plusmn, 4.4 to 8.6 &plusmn, 4.6, p = 0.01. In the IBD control group, stiffness decreased from 7.8 &plusmn, 4.4 to 6.0 &plusmn, 3.1, p &lt, 0.001. In conclusion, HCV eradication is able to stop the evolution of liver fibrosis in IBD, while failure to treat may lead to its progression. A stable IBD remission may improve LS even in non-infected subjects.

We performed an epidemiologic study to assess the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to detect their possible relationships. Methods: It was a single centre cohort cross-sectional study, during October 2016 and October 2017. Consecutive IBD adult patients and a control group of non-IBD subjects were recruited. All patients underwent laboratory investigations to detect chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection. Parameters of liver function, elastography and IBD features were collected. Univariate analysis was performed by Student&rsquo, s t or chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was performed by binomial logistic regression and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. We enrolled 807 IBD patients and 189 controls. Thirty-five (4.3%) had chronic viral hepatitis: 28 HCV (3.4%, versus 5.3% in controls, p = 0.24) and 7 HBV (0.9% versus 0.5% in controls, p = 0.64). More men were observed in the IBD&ndash, hepatitis group (71.2% versus 58.2%, p &lt, 0.001). Patients with IBD and chronic viral hepatitis had a higher mean age and showed a higher frequency of diabetes, hypertension and wider waist circumference. They suffered more frequently from ulcerative colitis. Liver stiffness was greater in subjects with IBD and chronic viral hepatitis (7.0 &plusmn, 4.4 versus 5.0 &plusmn, 1.2 KPa, p &lt, 0.001). At multivariate analysis, only old age directly correlated with viral hepatitis risk (OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.02&ndash, 1.08, p &lt, 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of HBV/HCV in IBD is low in our region. Age may be the only independent factor of viral hepatitis&ndash, IBD association. Finally, this study firstly measured liver stiffness in a large scale, showing higher values in subjects with both diseases.

Background In recent years, an increasing prevalence of obesity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been observed. Obesity, moreover, has been directly correlated with a more severe clinical course and loss of response to treatment. Aim To assess the prevalence and associated factors of obesity in IBD. Methods We collected data about IBD disease pattern and activity, drugs and laboratory investigations in our center. Anthropometric measures were retrieved and obesity defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 30. Then, we compared characteristics of obese vs non obese patients, and Chi-squared test and Student's t test were used for discrete and continuous variables, respectively, at univariate analysis. For multivariate analysis, we used binomial logistic regression and estimated odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to ascertain factors associated with obesity. Results We enrolled 807 patients with IBD, either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). Four hundred seventy-four patients were male (58.7%); the average age was 46.2 ± 13.2 years; 438 (54.2%) patients had CD and 369 (45.8%) UC. We enrolled 378 controls, who were comparable to IBD group for age, sex, BMI, obesity, diabetes and abdominal circumference, while more smokers and more subjects with hypertension were observed among controls. The prevalence of obesity was 6.9% in IBD and 7.9% in controls (not statistically different; P = 0.38). In the comparison of obese IBD patients and obese controls, we did not find any difference regarding diabetes and hypertension prevalence, nor in sex or smoking habits. Obese IBD patients were younger than obese controls (51.2 ± 14.9 years vs 60.7 ± 12.1 years, P = 0.03). At univariate analysis, obese IBD were older than normal weight ones (51.2 ± 14.9 vs 44.5 ± 15.8, P = 0.002). IBD onset age was earlier in obese population (44.8 ± 13.6 vs 35.6 ± 15.6, P = 0.004). We did not detect any difference in disease extension. Obese subjects had consumed more frequently long course of systemic steroids (66.6% vs 12.5%, P = 0.02) as well as antibiotics such as metronidazole or ciprofloxacin (71.4% vs 54.7%, P = 0.05). No difference about other drugs (biologics, mesalazine or thiopurines) was observed. Disease activity was similar between obese and non obese subjects both for UC and CD. Obese IBD patients suffered more frequently from arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Regarding laboratory investigations, obese IBD patients had higher levels of triglyceridemia, fasting blood glucose, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase. On multivariate analysis, however, the only factor that appeared to be independently linked to obesity in IBD was the high abdominal circumference (OR = 16.3, 95%CI: 1.03-250, P = 0.04). Conclusion Obese IBD patients seem to have features similar to general obese population, and there is no disease-specific factor (disease activity, extension or therapy) that may foster obesity in IBD.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) endoscopic scores translate mucosal damage into values standardizing image analysis. Due to potential limits of current endoscopic activity indexes, we have elaborated on a new score, the “Extended Mayo Endoscopic Score (EMES),” and evaluated its inter-observer agreement in a multicenter endoscopy team, comparing concordance with the Mayo subscore. Sixteen UC consecutive patients underwent follow-up colonoscopy. Recorded videos were anonymously loaded on a web platform. Thirteen expert endoscopists evaluated UC activity using both Mayo and EMES. EMES was described in every colon segment: erythema (0: absent, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe), vascular pattern (0: normal, 1: reduction, 2: disappearance), erosions and ulcers (0: absent, 1: from 1 to 5, 2: 6 to 10, 3: >10). Weighted Fleiss’ kappa with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value defined inter-rater agreement. Global inter-observer agreement of EMES was moderate (kappa = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.46–0.67, p < 0.001). The evaluation of each colonic segment showed moderate agreement for all segments: ascending (kappa = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.32–0.60, p < 0.001), transverse (kappa = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.29–0.67, p < 0.001); descending (kappa = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.35–0.64, p < 0.001), sigmoid (kappa = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.39–0.65, p < 0.001) and rectum (kappa = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.42–0.69, p < 0.001). Mayo subscore agreement was similar to global EMES (kappa = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.39–0.66, p = 0.001). Therefore, our report emphasizes the importance of assessing inter-observer agreement for EMES, but also for other known scoring systems, including the Mayo subscore.

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Herein, NAFLD prevalence and risk factors in a large IBD cohort were evaluated and compared to that of a non-IBD sample. Methods Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis outpatients referred to IBD service of our Gastroenterology Unit were enrolled. Subjects affected by functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders, in whom IBD was ruled out, referred to general outpatient service in the same area, were considered as nonIBD group. Exclusion criteria were based on previous diagnosis of nonNAFLD chronic liver diseases and secondary causes of fat liver overload. Characteristics of IBD and liver status were collected. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome were analyzed. Ultrasonographic presence and degree of steatosis were assessed. Data were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results For this study 465 IBD and 189 non-IBD subjects were consecutively enrolled. NAFLD was found in 28.0% and 20.1% in IBD and non-IBD subjects, respectively (P = 0.04). IBD patients with NAFLD were younger than non-IBD ones. There was no significant difference in steatosis grade and association between NAFLD and IBD behavior, extension, activity, and drugs. In the IBD group, multivariate analysis demonstrated that NAFLD was independently associated to metabolic syndrome (OR=2.24, 95%CI 1.77-28.81), diabetes (OR=1.71, 95%CI 1.43-12.25), fasting blood glucose (OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.13-1.68), and abdominal circumference (OR=1.68, 95%CI 1.15-14.52). Conclusions NAFLD is more common and occurs at a younger age in IBD than in nonIBD subjects. However, further investigation is required to ascertain possible NAFLD pathogenic IBD-related factors other than conventional/metabolic ones. 10.1093/ibd/izy051_video1izy051.video15774874877001.

Background: Total gastrectomy (TG) is responsible for symptoms or disturbance of alimentary status (changes in body weight, food intake per meal and frequency of meal per day) which, in turn are responsible for weight loss and malnutrition. The study evaluates the gut hormone responses in totally gastrectomized (TG) patients after a liquid meal test. Methods: Twenty total gastrectomized cancer-free patients (12 M, 8 F, 56.4 ± 10.2 years, BMI 21.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2) and 10 healthy volunteers (4 M, 6 F, 48.0 ± 12.7 years, BMI 26.7 ± 3.0 kg/m2 ) drank a liquid meal (1.25 kcal/mL) at the rate of 50 mL/5′ min for a maximum of 30 min. Satiety score was assessed and blood sample was taken at different time points. Results: The time response course, particularly for insulin, glucose-like pepetide-1, and cholecystokinin, significantly differed between TG patients and controls. Conclusions: Our results may help to better understand hormone responses triggered by the faster arrival of nutrients in the small bowel and to explain some post-TG symptoms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a nutritional program, which is characterized by a different modulation of proteins, in adult patients with sarcopenic obesity. Methods: We studied 18 obese women aged 41-74 years. Obesity was diagnosed as fat mass > 34.8% and sarcopenia was defined when lean body mass was Results: Weight significantly decreased in both groups. Women with high-protein diet preserved lean body mass compared to low-calorie diet and improved significantly muscle strength; SPPB score did not change in both groups. SF-36 test showed a significant change for general health after 4 months in group B. Conclusions: In our study, sarcopenic obese patients with high-protein diet showed an improvement in muscle strength. Furthermore, dietary protein enrichment may represent a protection from the risk of sarcopenia following a hypocaloric diet.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate total and sudden death (SD) in a cohort of dialysis patients, comparing hemodialysis (HD) vs. peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Results: Deaths were 626 out of 1,823 in HD and 62 of 249 in PD patients. HD patients had a greater number of comorbidities (p < 0.05). PD patients had a lower risk of death than HD patients (p < 0.001); however, the advantage decreased with time (p < 0.001). Mortality predictors were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, older age, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, and atrial fibrillation (p < 0.03). SDs were 84:71 in HD and 13 in PD population (12.1 and 22.8% of all causes of death, respectively). A non-significant risk of SD among PD compared to HD patients was detected. SD predictors were older age, ischemic heart disease, and LVEF ≤35% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HD patients showed a greater presence of comorbidities and reduced survival compared to PD patients; however, the incidence of SD does not differ in the 2 populations. Video Journal Club “Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco” at http://www.karger.com/?doi=464347.

Summary Background The prevalence of central venous catheter (CVC)-related blood-stream infections (CRBSI), infecting agents and the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy were evaluated in 172 adult patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) at the Clinical Nutrition Outpatient Unit of Federico II University Hospital in Naples, Italy. Materials and methods The study population consisted of 127 oncological (74%) and 45 (26%) non-oncological patients, for a total of 53,818 (median 104; range 14–1080) CVC days. Results Ninety-four CRBSIs were diagnosed on 238 CVC (infection rate 1.74/1000 CVC days). Coagulase negative (CoNs) Staphylococci were the most frequently infecting agents (52.8% as single agent) with 17.1% Staphylococcus epidermidis infections. Eighty-three percent S. epidermidis were beta-lattamase producer (BLACT), 66.6% methicillin-resistant (MR) and 55.5% had a MIC for Vancomicin ≥1. Gram-negative bacteria represented 18.6% infections, fungi 7.1%, finally 15% infections were polymicrobial. Previous catheterizations and the presence of an enterocutaneous stoma were significantly related with a higher infection risk (p Conclusions CRBSI and antibiotic resistance of infecting agents remain an important challenge in adult patients on HPN; an active research on strategies to counteract the phenomena is required.

Background/objectives: Anemia, leukopenia and, although less frequently, thrombocytopenia are possible hematological complications of anorexia nervosa considered strictly secondary to chronic malnutrition. This is a retrospective study on the prevalence of these disorders in a large cohort of 318 female patients with AN (20.4±5.6 years, body mass index (BMI) 15.9±1.6 kg/m2), recruited in the Outpatient Unit for Malnutrition secondary to Eating Disorders at the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Hospital, since February 1991 to December 2012. Subjects/methods: Patients were studied on an outpatient basis after obtaining medical history, clinical examination, routine hematobiochemical and endocrine tests, electrocardiography, psychiatric interview and bioelectrical impedance analysis and, in particular, phase angle determination. All patients with other comorbidities, in particular with mean corpuscular volume

Aim To investigate the correlation between the dorsal tongue porphyrin autofluorescence, revealed using VELscope, and Candida saprophytism. Material and methods Consecutive patients underwent an autofluorescence examination by the VELscope device to establish the presence or absence of porphyrin fluorescence. A tongue swab was collected for the Candida cultural test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were calculated considering the oral swab as the gold standard. The degree of agreement between the two tests was calculated using Cohen's K coefficient. Results One hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled. Porphyrin fluorescence method showed a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 76% and an accuracy of 78%. Negative predictive value and positive predictive value were respectively 90% and 59%. The strength of agreement between the two methods resulted to be moderate (k = 0.551). Conclusions Off-label use of tongue autofluorescence examination to detect the presence of Candida species is characterized by a loss of porphyrin fluorescence. The high negative predictive value of porphyrin fluorescence loss suggests its use in preliminary selection of Candida carriers, in order to plan preventive and therapeutic strategies.

The MARS-5 (Medication Adherence Report Scale) was developed in English. The aim of this project was to analyse the MARS-5I (© Prof Rob Horne) psychometric properties and to identify whether its Italian translation is suitable for assessing medication adherence in Crohn Disease (CD) Italian patients. The MARS was translated and linguistically validated in Italian. The MARS-5I was used for evaluating medication adherence in the SOLE study, conducted in Italy on 552 subjects with CD. In order to un-bias the questionnaire results from the effects of treatment change and/or effectiveness, the analyses were performed on the 277 patients whose disease activity remained stable, selected among the 371 patients who maintained the same treatment between two consecutive visits. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha of 0.86). Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.50 (p0.001) and 0.86 (p0.001- outliers removed), indicating satisfactory test-retest. MARS 5I scores were not correlated with Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication but a small and statistically significant correlation was shown with physician-evaluated medication adherence, indicating convergent validity. MARS-5I, the Italian translation of the English MARS, showed satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest, and a low but statistically significant convergent validity. We confirmed the utility of this tool in patients with CD.

The original article can be found online.

Background Basic and clinical studies suggest that statins may prevent and even ameliorate acute pancreatitis. The present study was to evaluate whether statin decreases the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts. Methods Out of 456 patients with pancreatic cysts referred to our center between 2006 and 2018, 365 were finally included in analyses: 86 were treated with statins and 279 were not at the time of endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration. We compared the acute pancreatitis incidence between the two groups, and we also compared other complications such as bleeding and infections. Results Median age was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR) 62–69] and median cyst size was 24 mm (IQR, 21–29). The most frequent histology was intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (45.3% and 42.3% in the two groups, respectively; P = 0.98). All 13 patients experiencing post-endoscopic ultrasound acute pancreatitis were from the control group (4.7%), of which 3 were classified as severe pancreatitis. None of statin users developed post-procedural acute pancreatitis (odds ratio: 0.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.98; P = 0.03). No difference was registered with regard to severe pancreatitis and other complications. Conclusions Statins exert a beneficial role in preventing acute pancreatitis in patients with pancreatic cysts undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. If confirmed in prospective trials, our findings may pave the way to an extensive use of statins as prophylactic agents in pancreatic interventional endoscopy.

Background and objectives: Video-capsule endoscopy (VCE) has shown a large range (38&ndash, 83%) of diagnostic yield in unexplained iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and obscure-occult bleeding. Therefore, we retrospectively investigated the VCE-detected spectrum and the prevalence of small bowel injuries and associated risk factors in inpatients with both of the above reported conditions. Methods: We selected inpatients with IDA (hemoglobin &lt, 12 g/dL in women, &lt, 13 g/dL in men) and obscure-occult bleeding. We excluded VCE indications other than IDA. Complete medical histories and laboratory tests were collected. All subjects underwent PillCam SB2/SB3. The VCE feature Lewis score was calculated when appropriate. We used the t-test and Fisher&rsquo, s exact test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, in univariate analysis. For multivariate analysis, we used binomial logistic regression. Results: We retrieved 109 patients (female:male ratio of 53:56, age 63.4 &plusmn, 18.9 years). Eighty patients (73.4%) showed &ge, 1 small bowel lesions. The Lewis score was calculated in 41 patients: 13 (31.7%) showed a mild (&lt, 135) and 28 (68.3%) a moderate-severe (135&ndash, 790 and &gt, 790, respectively) score. In univariate analysis, the small bowel transit time (6.2 &plusmn, 2.9 versus 5.2 &plusmn, 2.1 h, p = 0.049) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use for at least two weeks (17.5% versus 0%, p = 0.01) were significantly higher in subjects with injuries. These associations were not confirmed at multivariate analysis. The severity of a lesion directly correlated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and duration (not confirmed in multivariate analysis). VCE can reveal the source of obscure-occult bleeding in a high percentage of unexplained IDAs. A wide spectrum of endoscopic pictures may be found. Known as well as supposed risk factors for small bowel lesions may be detected.

Background: The main components of GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis and Sirtuin 4 (Sirt4), highly expressed in liver and skeletal muscle mitochondria, serve as active regulators of mitochondrial oxidative capacity with opposite functions. In obesity both GH/IGF-1 status and serum Sirt4 levels, likely mirroring its reduced mitochondrial expression, might be altered. Objective: To evaluate the association between circulating levels of Sirt4, body composition, metabolic parameters and cardio-metabolic risk profile in obese patients according to their different GH/IGF-1 status. Design: Cross-sectional study with measurement of serum Sirt4, GH after GH releasing hormone (GHRH)+Arginine test, IGF-1 and assessment of body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism in 50 class II-III obese subjects (BMI 35.6 to 62.1kg/m2) and 15 normal weight subjects. Low GH secretion and IGF-1 were defined using pre-determined cutoff-points. The Homeostatic Metabolic Assessment of insulin resistance index and Visceral adiposity index were also calculated. The association of Sirt4 with peak stimulated GH and IGF-1, body composition, metabolic parameters and cardio-metabolic risk profile was assessed. Results: Serum Sirt4 was inversely related to anthropometric and metabolic parameters and positively related to peak GH and IGF-1. After adjusting for peak GH and IGF-1, the relationships between Sirt4 and BMI became not significant. At multiple regression analysis IGF-1 (p < 0.001) was the independent predictor for Sirt4. Conclusion: There was a close relationship between low IGF-1 and low serum Sirt4. This observation suggested that in obese patients, low GH/IGF-1 status was likely associated with a major compensatory decrease in circulating levels of Sirt4 to oppose to its negative regulator effect on mitochondrial oxidative capacity.

Background: Late-onset UC represents an important issue for the near future, but its outcomes and relative therapeutic strategies are yet poorly studied. Aim: To better define the natural history of late-onset ulcerative colitis. Methods: In a multicenter retrospective study, we investigated the disease presentation and course in the first 3 years in 1091 UC patients divided into 3 age-groups: diagnosis >65 years, 40-64 years, and

Background This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the most recent evidence on the efficacy of intermittent energy restriction (IER) versus continuous energy restriction on weight-loss, body composition, blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods Randomized controlled trials were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, TRIP databases, EMBASE and CINAHL until May 2018. Effect sizes were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Eleven trials were included (duration range 8–24 weeks). All selected intermittent regimens provided ≤ 25% of daily energy needs on “fast” days but differed for type of regimen (5:2 or other regimens) and/or dietary instructions given on the “feed” days (ad libitum energy versus balanced energy consumption). The intermittent approach determined a comparable weight-loss (WMD: − 0.61 kg; 95% CI − 1.70 to 0.47; p = 0.87) or percent weight loss (WMD: − 0.38%, − 1.16 to 0.40; p = 0.34) when compared to the continuous approach. A slight reduction in fasting insulin concentrations was evident with IER regimens (WMD = − 0.89 µU/mL; − 1.56 to − 0.22; p = 0.009), but the clinical relevance of this result is uncertain. No between-arms differences in the other variables were found. Conclusions Both intermittent and continuous energy restriction achieved a comparable effect in promoting weight-loss and metabolic improvements. Long-term trials are needed to draw definitive conclusions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-018-1748-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Summary Background & aims The assessment of body composition is crucial in evaluating nutritional status in female subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN) and improving their clinical management. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the accuracy of selected BIA (bioimpedance analysis) equations for fat-free mass (FFM) in female AN subjects and to formulate a specific equation for these subjects. Methods Eighty-two restrictive female AN subjects (age 20.5 ± 3.7 yrs, BMI 15.7 ± 1.7 kg/m2) were studied. Body composition was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and estimated by BIA using five different equations. Linear correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the association of FFM with selected variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to formulate specific equations to predict FFM in AN. Results All predictive equations underestimated FFM at the population level with a bias from −5.6 to −11.7%, while the percentage of accurate predictions varied from 12.2% to 35.4%. More interestingly, multiple regression analysis clearly indicates that, in addition to weight, ZI100 or RI also emerged as independent predictors of DXA-derived FFM, increasing the prediction power of the equation well above that observed with anthropometric characteristics only. Conclusions This study shows that the selected predictive BIA equations considered exhibit an insufficient accuracy at the population and the individual level. Predictive formulas based on body weight plus BIA parameters such as RI and ZI100 offer a rather accurate prediction of FFM (with high R squared).

Obesity is a chronic complex disease, consequence of an unbalance between energy intake and expenditure and of the interaction between predisposing genotype and facilitating environmental factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate body composition, abdominal fat, and metabolic changes in a group of severely obese patients before and after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) at standardized (10% and 25%) total weight loss.Twenty-eight patients (14 M, 14 F; age 41.71 +/- 6.9 years; body mass index (BMI) 49.76 +/- 5.8 kg/m(2)) were treated with laparoscopic gastric bypass. All evaluations before surgery and after achieving ~10% and ~25% weight loss (WL). Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance analysis; resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry.Body weight, BMI, and waist circumference significantly decreased at 10% and 25% WL. We observed a significant reduction of both RMR (2,492 +/- 388 at entry vs. 2,098 +/- 346.6 at 10% WL vs. 2,035 +/- 312 kcal per 24 h at 25% WL, p = 0.001 vs. baseline) as well as of RMR corrected for fat-free mass (FFM; 35.7 +/- 6.7 vs. 34.9 +/- 9.0 at 10% WL vs. 33.5 +/- 5.4 at 25% WL kilocalorie per kilogram FFM x 24 h, p = 0.041 vs. baseline). Body composition analysis showed a relative increase in FFM and a reduction of fat mass at 25% WL. A significant reduction in blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index was observed. Ultrasonography showed a marked decrease in the signs of hepatic steatosis.In conclusion, our study confirms that LGBP is a safe procedure in well-selected severely obese patients and has early favorable effects on both metabolic parameters and body composition. Longer-term observations are required for in-depth evaluation of body composition changes.

Background: Crohn&rsquo, s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease frequently associated with malabsorption and secondary protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Methods: Biochemical and clinical data of 63 (34 females, 29 males) patients with PEM due to CD sent to our outpatient unit for nutritional evaluation were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, according to disease activity. Thirty-eight patients (group A) had the active disease, and 25 patients (group B) suffered from malabsorption resulting from past intestinal resections due to CD. After a physical and hemato-biochemical evaluation at the first visit, all patients received disease-specific personalized dietetic indications. When indicated, oral nutritional supplements, oral/parenteral vitamins, micronutrients, and electrolytes, up to parenteral nutrition, were prescribed. Results: After 1, 3, and 6 months of nutritional therapy, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and serum butyryl-cholinesterase significantly improved in both groups. In 8 out of 13 (61.5%) patients with a cutaneous stoma, intestinal continuity was restored. Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness of nutritional rehabilitation and provides information on the time required for nutritional treatment in patients with CD, both during the acute phase and after malabsorption due to intestinal resection.

Patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) on long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) chronically receive high fluid volumes directly into the right atrium (RA) through the superior vena cava. We retrospectively evaluated cardiac function measured by routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a population of 26 SBS patients on long-term HPN and compared their data on echocardiograph-derived right heart structure and function, with those of a control group of 26 patients also bearing a central venous catheter (CVC) for other reasons. Results showed that body weight and BMI were significantly higher in the control group. The echocardiographic estimate of RA pressure was higher in HPN patients than in controls (p = 0.01). An increased estimate of RA pressure indicates the need to consider TTE in the follow-up of long-term HPN patients to detect functional impairment early.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have a large economic burden on health systems. Our single-centre observational retrospective study aimed to assess an economic evaluation in two IBD outpatient cohorts (biological and conventional therapy) in relation to disease activity within a three-year follow-up. Four hundred and seventeen consecutive IBD patients referred to our tertiary gastroenterology unit (Bari-Puglia-Southern Italy) on January 2014&ndash, December 2016 were included. For each group (conventional/biological), we assessed direct/indirect costs and clinical/endoscopic activity within the first year and along the three-year follow-up. Statistical analyses: Wilcoxon signed-rank test (continuous variables), chi-square and Fisher&rsquo, s test (categorical variables), Spearman ranks (single outcome) and ANOVA (detection time, clinical/endoscopic scores) were used. Continuous variables were expressed as mean &plusmn, standard deviation and range and/or median, interquartile range and range, categorical variables were expressed as proportions with 95% confidence interval. Direct and indirect cost items of 2014 and 2014&ndash, 2016 were higher in patients treated with biological than conventional therapy. Subjects on biological therapy were younger and showed clinical and endoscopic moderate-to-severe disease activity. After three years, they reached a significant improvement from baseline. Conversely, disease activity was mild when conventional treatment had a beneficial effect. In conclusion, overall IBD management cost matches with clinical course and needs long-term evaluation in critical patients.

In breast cancer (BC), axillary lymph node (ALN) involvement is one of the strongest adverse prognostic factors. However, it is unclear whether loco-regional lymph node deposits are effectively the root of secondary metastases or only an indicator of competence of the primary tumour to spread to distant organs., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: Local and regional lymph node metastases are associated with worse prognosis in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. However, to date it still remains debated whether axillary lymph node metastases can seed distant metastases or whether they merely represent a surrogate marker for tumor aggressiveness. Here, using multiple matched samples from primary tumor, axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases from breast cancer patients, we explored to which extent lymph nodes are transit points for further dissemination events to distant organs and assessed their role in disease progression using copy number phylogenetic reconstruction. Samples and Methods: We retrospectively identified 30 estrogen receptor-positive lymph node-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with 238 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples available together with well-annotated clinico-pathological and outcome data. Eligible patients had at least one primary tumor, one axillary lymph node metastasis, one distant metastatic sample as well as histologically normal tissue sample as germline reference. Low coverage whole genome sequencing was performed to infer somatic copy number aberrations. After rigorous filtering of the raw data, copy number phylogenetic reconstruction was performed with Integer Linear Program for the Copy-Number Tree Problem algorithm. Bootstrapping of the samples and of the segmented copy number data was performed to assess the robustness of the phylogenetic tree classification. Results: Phylogenetic tree analyses revealed that two different routes of metastatic dissemination occur in breast cancer. Unexpectedly, in only 24% of the patients, lymph nodes and distant metastases shared a common origin implying that dissemination occurred via the axillary lymphatic system whereas in the majority of the cases (76%) lymph node and distant metastases showed a distinct origin suggesting a direct seeding from the primary tumor to a distant organ. Of note, histological grade was the only clinic-pathological feature significantly associated with the route of dissemination, low grade tumors being associated with the common origin dissemination route (p=0.04). Interestingly, the patients sharing a common origin dissemination route were found to have significantly worse prognosis than the remaining patients (p=5.3x10−4), despite being low grade. Bootstrapping analyses showed identical topology as the original phylogeny in about 80% of the cases demonstrating the robustness of our method. Conclusions: In this study, we showed for the first time that the predominant route of metastatic dissemination operating in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer is the direct seeding of tumor cells from the primary tumor to distant organ, independently of lymph node metastasis. These findings shed light on the routes on which tumor cells metastasize and could potentially improve the clinical management of lymph node-positive breast cancer patients. Citation Format: David Venet, David Brown, Danai Fimereli, Bram Boeckx, Marion Maetens, Samira Majjaj, Ghizlane Rouas, Maria Capra, Giuseppina Bonizzi, Federica Contaldo, Christine Galant, Martine Piccart, Giancarlo Pruneri, Denis Larsimont, Diether Lambrechts, Françoise Rothé, Christine Desmedt, Christos Sotiriou. Phylogenetic reconstruction of advanced breast cancer reveals two different routes of metastatic dissemination associated with distinct clinical outcome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD8-02.