Trapani

This research aims to study the epidemiology of invasive bacterial diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumococcus, Neisseria meningitidis meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae hemophilus. These infections can cause severe illness and serious complications. The study focuses on monitoring these infections to guide public health efforts, evaluate vaccine impacts, and plan prevention and treatment strategies by identifying circulating strains and assessing vaccine failures. The study uses molecular diagnostic testing to identify these bacteria from blood samples, even when traditional culture methods may fail due to prior antibiotic use or sample handling issues. Pediatric and adult patients diagnosed with invasive bacterial diseases caused by these pathogens are included. This approach enables more accurate detection and characterization of the bacteria. Participants diagnosed with these invasive bacterial infections will have their samples analyzed using molecular methods. Researchers will monitor the incidence rates of these infections in children, the distribution of bacterial types, and the proportion of cases preventable by vaccination. The study will also assess vaccine failure rates. The average study duration for outcome measurement is about one year, supporting improved surveillance and public health interventions.

Researchers are evaluating the use of intracoronary optical coherence tomography OCT guidance compared to angiography-only guidance during percutaneous coronary intervention PCI to treat coronary in-stent restenosis ISR. ISR remains a challenge despite advances in drug-eluting stents, and this trial aims to understand whether OCT can improve acute PCI outcomes by providing more detailed imaging guidance. The study is a randomized, multicenter, non-blinded trial including patients with acute coronary syndrome or stable ischemic heart disease who have ISR requiring PCI. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups PCI guided by OCT plus angiography or PCI guided by angiography alone. In the OCT group, operators perform at least one OCT imaging run before and after PCI and may perform additional OCT runs during the procedure. In the angiography-only group, operators perform PCI guided by angiography, but OCT imaging is also done before and after PCI without the operator seeing the results to allow outcome comparison. Operators use standard PCI tools and techniques at their discretion in both groups. During the study, participants undergo diagnostic angiography followed by PCI with assigned imaging guidance. Researchers will assess the cross-sectional area of the treated coronary segment before and after PCI using imaging techniques. Additional data collected include the number of PCI maneuvers, intracoronary devices used, and quantitative flow ratio values. Participants will be followed for one year to monitor major adverse cardiovascular events. The total participation period includes the PCI procedure and follow-up evaluations up to one year post-procedure.

Researchers are evaluating mid- and long-term outcomes of various surgical methods used to correct anorectal malformations ARM with perineal or vestibular fistula. This national, multicenter study includes patients who had surgery between 2020 and 2027. The study compares techniques like posterior sagittal anorectoplasty PSARP, anterior sagittal anorectoplasty ASARP, and transanal proctoplasty TAP to understand their effects on fecal continence and other factors. The study involves groups of patients who underwent different surgical approaches PSARP including miniPSARP variants and TAP. Data collected before the study start date will be analyzed retrospectively, while patients treated after that will be followed prospectively with yearly assessments until they achieve fecal continence or reach 6 years of age. The study measures postoperative complications, quality of life, constipation severity, bowel management needs, and time to achieve continence. Participants will be assessed annually with questionnaires and clinical evaluations until they reach fecal continence or turn 6 years old. Researchers will use the Krickenbeck score to evaluate fecal continence at 3 and 6 years post-surgery. Safety and complications will be monitored within 30 days after surgery, and quality of life will be assessed yearly. Total participation may last up to 6 years depending on continence achievement.