The projected economic burden of non-communicable diseases attributable to overweight in Brazil by 2030.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of overweight increases the risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and, consequently, the costs of health care systems. In this study, we aimed to project the economic burden of NCDs attributable to overweight in Brazil between 2021 and 2030. METHODS: A cohort simulation of adults (17-117 years) using multistate lifetable modeling was used to estimate the costs of NCDs attributable to overweight in Brazil. The projections of direct health care costs (outpatient and inpatient expenses in the Unified Health System) and indirect costs (years of productive life lost) considered different trajectories of the prevalence of overweight between 2021 and 2030. RESULTS: In 2019, the prevalence of overweight was 55.4% in the adult Brazilian population. We estimate that around 1.8 billion international dollars (Int$) would be spent on the direct health care cost of NCDs between 2021 and 2030, through the continued increase in overweight prevalence observed between 2006 and 2020. The indirect costs over the same time would be approximately 20.1 billion Int$. We estimate that halving the annual increase in body mass index slope from the beginning of 2021 until 2030 would save 20.2 million Int$ direct and indirect costs by 2030. In the scenario of keeping the prevalence of overweight observed in 2019 constant until 2030, the savings would be 40.8 million Int$. Finally, in the scenario of a 6.7% reduction in the prevalence of overweight observed in 2019 (to be achieved gradually until 2030), 74.1 million Int$ would be saved. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the high economic burden of overweight in the Brazilian adult population.

Preventable incidence cases from non-communicable diseases attributable to insufficient physical activity in Chile.

OBJECTIVES: Lack of sufficient physical activity (PA) has been associated with an increased risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and all-cause mortality. This study aimed to estimate the number of preventable incidence cases of NCDs attributable to insufficient PA in the Chilean population. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative risk assessment modelling study. METHODS: This study examined data from 5834 participants aged ≥20 years from the Chilean National Survey (2016-2017). PA was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) were assigned according to PA intensity. Estimated incidence cases of NCDs in Chile in 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study. Relative risks for breast cancer, colon cancer, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and stroke were obtained from a published meta-analysis and applied to the prevalence of insufficient PA estimates through the potential impact fraction equation. RESULTS: High levels of PA (≥8000 MET-min/week) could potentially avoid more than 22,000 (64.6 %) incidence NCD cases, ranging from 498 (10.1 %) preventable cases of breast cancer to 5629 (14.7 %) cases of diabetes. Other modelled scenarios also showed to reduce the incidence cases of all five NCDs but to a lesser extent; where at least PA recommendation was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 6522 cases (18.7 %), and where a 10 % relative reduction in insufficient PA level in the population was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 651 (1.8 %) cases. CONCLUSIONS: The study results provide estimates for the incidence cases of preventable NCDs attributable to insufficient PA, highlighting the important role of PA in NCD prevention in Chile.

Temporal trends in sleep pattern among Chinese adults between 2010 and 2018: findings from five consecutive nationally representative surveys.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the time trends in average sleep duration and prevalence of short sleep, poor sleep quality, and high sleep debt among Chinese adults. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study used nationally representative data from Chinese Family Panel Survey (CFPS) among adults aged ≥18 years. Linear regression and logistic regression were used to calculate P-values for trends across waves, and absolute difference in prevalences were calculated by linear regression. Poisson regression analysis was used to calculate the prevalence ratios of sleep-related problems. RESULTS: In 2018, the estimated average sleep duration in adults was 7.6 h/d. A shorter sleep duration, higher proportion of short sleep, and poor sleep quality were observed in people aged ≥65 years, women, people with primary school education or below, and residents in Liaoning province. The average sleep duration slightly decreased from 8.2 h/d in 2010 to 7.6 h/d in 2016, and then remained stable from 2016 to 2018. The prevalence of short sleep duration has markedly increased from 11.8% in 2010 to 24.1% in 2016, and then there was a decline in prevalence from 2016 to 2018, although this decrease was not significant. The prevalence of high sleep debt among employed people increased from 6.2% in 2010 to 8.6% in 2018 (absolute difference, 2.4 p.p; P trend = 0.063). In addition, the prevalence of poor sleep quality increased from 15.6% in 2012 to 21.3% in 2018 (absolute difference of 5.7 p.p; P trend<0.001). For all the sleep-related variables, the degree of changes varied by sociodemographic subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationally representative survey of the Chinese population, the average sleep duration slightly decreased from 2010 to 2016, and then remained stable from 2016 to 2018. Poor sleep quality, and high sleep debt increased among most of the sociodemographic subgroups. Future studies are needed to understand the drivers of changes in sleep health among Chinese adults.

Cut-off points for isometric handgrip and low limb explosive strength in relation to indicators of overweight/obesity in people with intellectual disabilities: analysis by age groups.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight/obesity has been increasing globally and in people with Intellectual Disabilities (IDs), this problem is exacerbated even more, which added to a low physical condition that contributes to the deterioration of functionality and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases in the course of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish cut-off points for levels of isometric handgrip and low limb explosive strength in children, adolescents and adults, which identify overweight/obesity in people with IDs and their respective associations. METHODS: The sample was made up of 131 individuals with IDs, belonging to four special and community educational centres in the city of Santiago, Chile. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were used as indicators of overweight/obesity. Handgrip strength was used as a measure of isometric strength, and countermovement jump was used as a measure of low limb explosive strength. For the comparison of variables by age group, the analysis of Ancova, Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests were used. The total area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of isometric handgrip and low limb explosive strength was identified as an indicator of overweight/obesity according to age groups. A logistic regression model was used to quantify the effect that strength categories below the cut-off point have on the risk of overweight and obesity. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the age groups for body weight, height, BMI and WHR, as well as in the levels of absolute handgrip strength and vertical jump with countermovement (P ≤ 0.05). Children showed the lowest cut-off points for absolute and relative strength. The adolescent group showed the highest cut-off points for relative strength and countermovement jump and adults showed the highest value for absolute strength as indicators of overweight/obesity. Different associations between cut-off points with BMI and WHR were found. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents showed the highest cut-off point for relative strength and countermovement jump, and adults showed the highest value for absolute strength, according to overweight/obesity indicators (BMI and WHR). It is suggested to adjust resistance training programmes according to age categories for the prevention of overweight/obesity in people with IDs.

Oscillating Solitons and ac Josephson Effect in Ferromagnetic Bose-Bose Mixtures.

Close to the demixing transition, the degree of freedom associated with relative density fluctuations of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate is described by a nondissipative Landau-Lifshitz equation. In the quasi-one-dimensional weakly immiscible case, this mapping surprisingly predicts that a dark-bright soliton should oscillate when subject to a constant force favoring separation of the two components. We propose a realistic experimental implementation of this phenomenon which we interpret as a spin-Josephson effect in the presence of a movable barrier.

Implementation of self-monitoring of blood glucose for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes at a rural non-communicable disease clinic in Neno, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a widely accepted standard of practice for management of insulin-dependentdiabetes, yet is largely unavailable in rural sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This prospective cohort study is the first known report ofimplementation of SMBG in a rural, low-income country setting. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate adherence and change in clinical outcomes with SMBG implementation at two rural hospitals in Neno, Malawi. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes were trained to use glucometers and logbooks. Participantsmonitored preprandial glucose daily at rotating times and overnight glucose once a week. Healthcare providers were trained to evaluateglucose trends, and adjusted insulin regimens based on results. Adherence was measured as the frequency with which patients checked anddocumented blood glucose at prescribed times, while clinical changes were measured by change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) over a6-month period. RESULTS: Participants brought their glucometers and logbooks to the clinic 95 - 100% of the time. Adherence with measuring glucose valuesand recording them in logbooks eight times a week was high (mean (standard deviation) 69.4% (15.7) and 69.0% (16.6), respectively). MeanHbA1c decreased from 9.0% (75 mmol/mol) at enrolment to 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) at 6 months (mean difference 1.2% (95% confidenceinterval (CI) 0.6 - 2.0; p=0.0005). The difference was greater for type 1 diabetes (1.6%; 95% CI 0.6 - 2.7; p=0.0031) than for type 2 diabetes(0.9%; 95% CI 0.1 - 1.9; p=0.0630). There was no documented increase in hypoglycaemic events, and no hospitalisations or deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: SMBG is feasible for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes in a rural SSA population, and may be associated with improvedHbA1c levels. Despite common misconceptions, all patients, regardless of education level, can benefit from SMBG. Further research onlong-term retention of SMBG activities and the benefits of increasing frequency of monitoring is warranted.

Open versus laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: a propensity score matching analysis of survival in a western population-on behalf of the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in the West have been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to compare survival outcomes in patients undergoing curative-intent laparoscopic and open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in several centres belonging to the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer. METHODS: Data of patients operated between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Propensity Score Matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics of patients undergoing laparoscopic and open gastrectomy. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival. Secondary endpoints were 3-year disease-free survival and short-term outcomes. Multivariable regression analyses for survival were conducted. RESULTS: Data were retrieved from 20 centres. Of the 717 patients included, 438 patients were correctly matched, 219 per group. The 3-year overall survival was 73.6% and 68.7% in the laparoscopic and open group, respectively (p = 0.40). When compared with open gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy showed comparable 3-year disease-free survival (62.8%, vs 58.9%, p = 0.40), higher rate of return to intended oncologic treatment (56.9% vs 40.2%, p = 0.001), similar 30-day morbidity/mortality. Prognostic factors for survival were ASA Score ≥ 3, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 5, lymph node ratio ≥ 0.15, p/ypTNM Stage III and return to intended oncologic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer offers similar rates of survival when compared to open gastrectomy, with higher rates of return to intended oncologic treatment. ASA score, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, lymph node ratio, return to intended oncologic treatment and p/ypTNM Stage, but not surgical approach, are prognostic factors for survival.

Observation of Massless and Massive Collective Excitations with Faraday Patterns in a Two-Component Superfluid.

We report on the experimental measurement of the dispersion relation of the density and spin collective excitation modes in an elongated two-component superfluid of ultracold bosonic atoms. Our parametric spectroscopic technique is based on the external modulation of the transverse confinement frequency, leading to the formation of density and spin Faraday waves. We show that the application of a coherent coupling between the two components reduces the phase symmetry and gives a finite mass to the spin modes.

Inferior vena cava ultrasonography before general anesthesia cannot predict arterial hypotension in patients undergoing vascular surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative hypotension (IH) is an independent predictor of mortality. Some experts have suggested that ultrasound measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in spontaneous ventilation can predict IH. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the capacity of ultrasound measures of IVC in spontaneous ventilation to predict episodes of IH after anaesthesia induction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 55 high-risk cardiac patients undergoing vascular surgery. The maximum (dIVCmax) and minimum (dIVCmin) diameter of the IVC were measured and the collapsibility index CI = (dIVCmax-dIVCmin)/dIVCmax was calculated prior to anaesthesia induction. Three definitions of IH were used: systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 100 mmHg, mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 60 mmHg, and a decrease in MAP greater than or equal to 30% compared to baseline. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in dIVCmax or in CI between patients presenting IH after anaesthesia induction and those who did not. ROC curves for dIVCmax showed an area under the curve of 0.55 (0.39-0.70), 0.69 (0.48-0.90), and 0.57 (0.42-0.73) and ROC curves for the CI were 0.62 (0.47-0.78), 0.60 (0.41-0.78) and 0.62 (0.47-0.78) for the 3 definitions of IH (<100 mmHg, MAP < 60 mmHg, and MAP ≥30% baseline), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound measurements of IVC in spontaneous ventilation are not good predictors of IH after anaesthesia induction in these patients. The optimal cut-off points show low specificity and moderate sensitivity for predicting IH.

The economic burden of overweight and obesity in Brazil: perspectives for the Brazilian Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVES: Parallel to rising obesity prevalence in Brazil, there is expected to be increased direct health care costs related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this study, we estimated the economic burden of NCDs attributable to overweight and obesity in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS: We used self-reported body mass index of 85,715 adults from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. Annual costs (1 US$ = 2.281 Reais) with inpatient and outpatient procedures were obtained from the Hospital and Ambulatory Information Systems of the Brazilian SUS. Relative risks for cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, neoplasm, digestive disease, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes and kidney diseases, sense organ diseases, and neurological disorders were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study. RESULTS: Annually, US$ 654 million (95% uncertainty interval: US$ 418.4 to US$ 893.2) direct health care costs related to NCDs were attributable to overweight and obesity. Attributable costs were higher in women than men. Cardiovascular diseases had the highest attributable costs (US$ 289 million), followed by chronic respiratory diseases (US$ 110 million), neoplasms (US$ 96 million), digestive diseases (US$ 60 million), musculoskeletal disorders (US$ 44 million), diabetes and kidney disease (US$ 31 million), sense organ diseases (US$ 22 million) and neurological disorders (US$ 11 million). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity account for US$ 654 million direct costs of NCDs annually. Effective policies to promote healthy body weight may have economic benefits.

Las medidas ecográficas de la vena cava inferior no predicen hipotensión arterial postinducción anestésica en pacientes tratados mediante cirugía vascular / Inferior vena cava ultrasonography before general anesthesia cannot predict arterial hypotension in patients undergoing vascular surgery

Introducción: La hipotensión arterial intraoperatoria (HIO) es un predictor independiente de mortalidad. Las medidas ecográficas de la vena cava inferior (VCI) en ventilación espontánea han sido propuestas como predictores de este evento.ObjetivoEvaluar la capacidad de las medidas ecográficas de la VCI en ventilación espontánea para predecir episodios de HIO postinducción anestésica. Pacientes y métodos: Estudiamos a 55 pacientes de alto riesgo cardíaco tratados mediante cirugía vascular. Previamente a la inducción anestésica se midió el diámetro máximo de la VCI (dVCImáx.), el diámetro mínimo (dVCImín.) y el índice de colapsabilidad (ICVCI=dVCImáx. – dVCImin.)/dVCImáx.). Se utilizaron 3definiciones de HIO: presión arterial sistólica menor de 100mmHg, presión arterial media (PAM) menor de 60mmHg o un descenso de la PAM mayor o igual al 30% respecto a la PAM basal. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas en el dVCImáx. ni en el ICVCI entre quienes presentaron HIO postinducción anestésica y quienes no. Las curvas ROC para el dVCImáx. mostraron un área bajo la curva de 0,55 (0,39-0,70); 0,69 (0,48-0,90) y 0,57 (0,42-0,73), mientras que para el ICVCI fueron de 0,62 (0,47-0,78); 0,60 (0,41-0,78) y 0,62 (0,47-0,78), para las definiciones de HIO de<100mmHg, PAM<60mmHg y descenso de la PAM ≥ 30%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Las medidas ecográficas de la VCI en ventilación espontánea no son buenos predictores de HIO postinducción anestésica en estos pacientes. Los puntos de corte óptimos permiten predecir hipotensión con baja especificidad y moderada sensibilidad.(AU)

Introduction: Intraoperative hypotension (IH) is an independent predictor of mortality. Some experts have suggested that ultrasound measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in spontaneous ventilation can predict IH.ObjectiveTo evaluate the capacity of ultrasound measures of IVC in spontaneous ventilation to predict episodes of IH after anaesthesia induction. Patients and methods: We studied 55 high-risk cardiac patients undergoing vascular surgery. The maximum (dIVCmax) and minimum (dIVCmin) diameter of the IVC were measured and the collapsibility index CI=(dIVCmax-dIVCmin)/dIVCmax was calculated prior to anaesthesia induction. Three definitions of IH were used: systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 100mmHg, mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 60mmHg, and a decrease in MAP greater than or equal to 30% compared to baseline. Results: There were no significant differences in dIVCmax or in CI between patients presenting IH after anaesthesia induction and those who did not. ROC curves for dIVCmax showed an area under the curve of 0.55 (0.39-0.70), 0.69 (0.48-0.90), and 0.57 (0.42-0.73) and ROC curves for the CI were 0.62 (0.47-0.78), 0.60 (0.41-0.78) and 0.62 (0.47-0.78) for the 3 definitions of IH (<100mmHg, MAP<60mmHg, and MAP ≥30% baseline), respectively. Conclusions: Ultrasound measurements of IVC in spontaneous ventilation are not good predictors of IH after anaesthesia induction in these patients. The optimal cut-off points show low specificity and moderate sensitivity for predicting IH.(AU)

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis in a Rubinstein Taybi syndrome patient.

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is an autosomal dominant disorder, caused by variants in CREBBP or EP300. Affected individuals present with distinctive craniofacial features, broad thumbs and/or halluces, intellectual disability and immunodeficiency. Here we report on one RSTS patient who experienced hemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (HLH) and disseminated herpes virus 1 ( HSV-1) disease. The clinical picture of RSTS is expanding to include autoinflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious complications. Prompt treatment of HLH and disseminated HSV-1 can lower the mortality rate of these life-threatening conditions.

Sensitivity Analysis of Single Beat Left Ventricular Elastance Estimation by Chen Method.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular (LV) end-systolic elastance (Ees) can be estimated using single-beat (Ees(sb)) Chen method, employing systolic and diastolic arm-cuff pressures, stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction and estimated normalized ventricular elastance at arterial end-diastole. This work aims to conduct a sensitivity analysis of Chen formula to verify its reliability and applicability in clinical scenario. METHODS: Starting from a baseline condition, we evaluated the sensitivity of Ees(sb) to the parameters contained in the formula. Moreover, a mathematical model of the cardiovascular system was used to evaluate the sensitivity of Ees(sb) to end-diastolic LV elastance (Eed), Ees, arterial systemic resistance (Ras) and heart rate (HR). RESULTS: In accordance with Ees definition, Ees(sb) increases by increasing aortic pressure and pre-ejection time, reaching the highest value for a pre-ejection time = 40 ms, and then decreases. In contrast with Ees definition, Ees(sb) increases (from 3.21 mmHg/mL to 12.15 mmHg/mL) by increasing the LV end-systolic volume and decreases by increasing the SV. In the majority of the analysis with the mathematical model, Ees was underestimated using the Chen method: by increasing Ees (from 0.5 to 2.5 mmHg/mL), Ees(sb) passes only from 0.56 to 1.54 mmHg/mL. Ees(sb) increases for higher Eed (from 1.03 to 2.33 mmHg/mL). Finally, Ees(sb) decreases (increases) for HR < 50 bpm (< 50 bpm), and for Ras < 1100 mmHg/gcm4 (> 1100 mmHg/gcm4). CONCLUSION: Unexpectedly Ees(sb) increases for higher LV end-systolic volume and decreases for higher SV. These results contrast with Ees definition, which is the ratio between the LV end-systolic pressure and the LV end-systolic volume. Moreover, Ees(sb) is influenced by cardiocirculatory parameters such as LV Eed, HR, Ras, ejection time, and pre-ejection time. Finally, Ees(sb) computed with the model output often underestimates model Ees.

Cerebral hemodynamics during atrial fibrillation: Computational fluid dynamics analysis of lenticulostriate arteries using 7 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, inducing irregular and faster heart beating. Aside from disabling symptoms-such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and reduced exercise capacity-there is growing evidence that AF increases the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, even in the absence of clinical strokes. Among the possible mechanisms, the alteration of deep cerebral hemodynamics during AF is one of the most fascinating and least investigated hypotheses. Lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs)-small perforating arteries perpendicularly departing from the anterior and middle cerebral arteries and supplying blood flow to basal ganglia-are especially involved in silent strokes and cerebral small vessel diseases, which are considered among the main vascular drivers of dementia. We propose for the first time a computational fluid dynamics analysis to investigate the AF effects on the LSAs hemodynamics by using 7 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We explored different heart rates (HRs)-from 50 to 130 bpm-in sinus rhythm and AF, exploiting MRI data from a healthy young male and internal carotid artery data from validated 0D cardiovascular-cerebral modeling as inflow condition. Our results reveal that AF induces a marked reduction of wall shear stress and flow velocity fields. This study suggests that AF at higher HR leads to a more hazardous hemodynamic scenario by increasing the atheromatosis and thrombogenesis risks in the LSAs region.

Impedance-based Real-time Monitoring of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation.

We present here the first impedance-based characterization of the differentiation process of two human mesencephalic fetal neural stem lines. The two dopaminergic neural stem cell lines used in this study, Lund human mesencephalic (LUHMES) and human ventral mesencephalic (hVM1 Bcl-XL), have been developed for the study of Parkinsonian pathogenesis and its treatment using cell replacement therapy. We show that if only relying on impedance magnitude analysis, which is by far the most usual approach in, e.g., cytotoxicity evaluation and drug screening applications, one may not be able to distinguish whether the neural stem cells in a population are proliferating or differentiating. However, the presented results highlight that equivalent circuit analysis can provide detailed information on cellular behavior, e.g. simultaneous changes in cell morphology, cell-cell contacts, and cell adhesion during formation of neural projections, which are the fundamental behavioral differences between proliferating and differentiating neural stem cells. Moreover, our work also demonstrates the sensitivity of impedance-based monitoring with capability to provide information on changes in cellular behavior in relation to proliferation and differentiation. For both of the studied cell lines, in already two days (one day after induction of differentiation) equivalent circuit analysis was able to show distinction between proliferation and differentiation conditions, which is significantly earlier than by microscopic imaging. This study demonstrates the potential of impedance-based monitoring as a technique of choice in the study of stem cell behavior, laying the foundation for screening assays to characterize stem cell lines and testing the efficacy epigenetic control.

Surgical coaching applied to laparoscopic TME for continuous professional development in rectal surgery: proof of concept.

BACKGROUND: Coaching is maturing as a strategy for surgeons' continuous professional development in different types of surgery. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LAP TME) is one of the recognized difficult procedures in colorectal surgery. Aim of this trial is to introduce the surgical coaching as a tool for a continuous technical education of LAP TME for cancer in a consultant surgeon carrier. METHODS: Twelve Italian colorectal surgeons were enrolled as trainees in the AIMS Academy rectal cancer surgical coaching project and attended a face-to-face 90-min surgical coaching on a pre-edited 45-min-long video of a laparoscopic proctectomy according to pre-determined guidelines. At the end of the coaching, all mentors were asked to fill a questionnaire evaluating the trainee's skills. All trainees had to fill a post-coaching questionnaire addressing the appropriateness of the coaching with respect to their actual level. RESULTS: Trainees were more confident in performing the extra-pelvic part of the surgical procedures compared to the intra-pelvic dissection. The most challenging steps according to the trainees were the seminal vesicles identification and the pelvic floor dissection. Mentors found the trainees quite confident in the approach to the vascular structures, lymphadenectomy, stapler utilization and bleeding control. The sharpness and the efficacy of the dissection, the dissection of the surgical planes and the anastomosis fashioning were reported at a lower level of confidence. The higher grade of satisfaction reported by the trainee came from the attention that the mentors demonstrated towards them, from the availability of the mentors to take into consideration the surgical issues raised and from the willingness to apply the suggestions received during their next proctectomies. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical coaching applied to LAP TME should be considered as an innovative tool for continuous professional development.

Long-term (≥15 years) Follow-up of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Unprotected Left Main (From the GRAVITY Registry).

Long term survival and its determinants after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery (ULMCA) remain to be appraised. In 9 European Centers 470 consecutive patients performing PCI on ULMCA between 2002 and 2005 were retrospectively enrolled. Survival from all cause and cardiovascular (CV) death were the primary end points, while their predictors at multivariate analysis the secondary ones. Among the overall cohort 81.5% of patients were male and mean age was 66 ± 12 years. After 15 years (IQR 13 to 16), 223 patients (47%) died, 81 (17.2%) due to CV etiology. At multivariable analysis, older age (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.11), LVEF < 35% (HR 2.97, 95%CI 1.24 to 7.15) and number of vessels treated during the index PCI (HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.12 to 2.72) were related to all-cause mortality, while only LVEF <35% (HR 4.71, 95%CI 1.90 to 11.66) to CV death. Repeated PCI on ULMCA occurred in 91 (28%) patients during the course of follow up and did not significantly impact on freedom from all-cause or CV mortality. In conclusion, in a large, unselected population treated with PCI on ULMCA, 47% died after 15 years, 17% due to CV causes. Age, number of vessels treated during index PCI and depressed LVEF increased risk of all cause death, while re-PCI on ULMCA did not impact survival.

Ventricular arrhythmias among patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with myocardial injury and higher risk of arrhythmic complications. However, no reports are available about the effect of the ongoing pandemic on arrhythmias in patients at risk. Objective: To describe the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on arrhythmic burden among high-risk patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) during the pandemic outbreak (study period), compared to the same timeframe in 2019 (reference period). Inclusion criteria were age (>18 years) and having an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). Results: Among 455 patients enrolled (mean age 64.9 ± 15.7 years; 25.1% females and 39.6% with CRTD), in the study period, 45 (9.9%) patients experienced a total of 86 VA; 8 patients (1.7%) required antitachycardia-pacing (ATP) and 6 (1.3%) at least one shock. In the reference period, a total of 69 events occurred in 36 patients (7.9%). Six patients (1.3%) required ATP and three (0.7%) at least one shock. The number of patients that suffered from any arrhythmic events in the study period (9.9% vs 7.9%) did not significantly differ from the reference period (χ2 = 1.09, P = .29). The main predictor of VA during the COVID-19 pandemic was the previous history of any ICD therapy (OR = 3.84, P < .001). Conclusions: No evidence of an increase of arrhythmic burden was found during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with an ICD.

Water vapor therapy (Rezum) for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia: early results from the first Italian multicentric study.

PURPOSE: Rezum is the latest developed minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We aimed to carefully assess the functional outcomes of patients treated with Rezum for BPH. METHODS: We prospectively followed 135 consecutive patients treated by Rezum at 5 institutions from June 2019 to August 2020. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF) score, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and questions 9 and 10 to assess ejaculatory dysfunction were recorded. Election criteria were age > 18, no prior prostate interventions, IPSS ≥ 13, post-void residual ≤ 250 mL, prostate volume between 30 and 120 cc. RESULTS: The median operative time was 10.5 (IQR 8.7-15) min. All patients were dismissed few hours after surgery with indwelling urinary catheter that was removed after a median of 7 (IQR 7-10) days. A significantly decrease of IPSS from baseline at first (p = 0.001) and third (p < 0.0001) month after surgery was reported. No difference was reported in terms of ICIQ-UI SF score postoperatively. A mild reduction of the OAB-q SF score was reported at 1 month from surgery (p = 0.06) that turned significant at 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.0001). A slight but statistically significant increase of the IIEF-5 score was reported from baseline at 6 months (p = 0.04). Postoperatively, patients reported a significantly decrease of ejaculatory dysfunction after alpha-blocker interruption. CONCLUSION: Rezum treatment is a feasible minimally invasive option for patients with BPH symptoms and showed optimal early functional outcomes.