SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic betacoronavirus associated with worldwide transmission of COVID-19 disease. By the beginning of March, WHO reported about 113,820,000 confirmed cases including more than 2,527,000 deaths all over the world. However, the true extent of virus circulation or its real infection/fatality ratio is not well-estimated due to the huge portion of asymptomatic infections. In this observational study, we have estimated the prevalence of specific immunoglobulin M and G directed towards SARS-CoV-2 antigen in a cohort of 1383 adult volunteers aged over 65 years old, living in the district of Benevento, in the South of Italy. Serological screening was carried out on capillary blood in September 2020, seven months after pandemic outbreak in Italy, to evaluate virus circulation and antibody response among elderly adults, in which severe symptoms due to viral infection are more common. The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 4.70% (CI 3.70%–5.95%) with no statistically significant differences between sexes. Among these, 69.69% (CI 55.61%–77.80%) tested positive to IgM, 23.08% (CI 14.51%–34.64%) to IgG and 9.23% (CI 4.30%–18.71%) was positive for both. All patients that were positive to IgM underwent molecular testing through RT-qPCR on oral-rhino pharyngeal swabs and only one specimen was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Instead, the presence of IgG from screened volunteers was confirmed by re-testing serum samples using both an ELISA assay validated for in vitro diagnostic use (IVD) and a recently published synthetic peptide-based ELISA assay. In conclusion, our report suggests that (1) early restrictions were successful in limiting COVID-19 diffusion in the district of Benevento; (2) rapid serological analysis is an ideal testing for both determining real seroprevalence and massive screening, whereas detection of viral RNA remains a gold standard for identification of infected patients; (3) even among people without COVID-19 related symptoms, the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 antigens has individual features.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy, with rising incidence and mortality rates. Key risk factors, including obesity, prolonged estrogen exposure, and metabolic disorders, underscore the urgent need for non-invasive, early diagnostic tools. This review focuses on the role of DNA methylation as a potential biomarker for early EC detection. Aberrant DNA methylation in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes can lead to gene silencing and cancer progression. We examine recent studies utilizing minimally invasive samples, such as urine, cervicovaginal, and cervical scrapes, to detect early-stage EC through DNA methylation patterns. Markers such as RASSF1A, HIST1H4F, GHSR, SST, and ZIC1 have demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with AUC values up to 0.95, effectively distinguishing EC from non-cancerous conditions. This review highlights the potential of DNA methylation-based testing as a non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostic methods, offering earlier detection, better risk stratification, and more personalized treatment plans. These innovations hold the promise of transforming clinical practice by enabling more timely and effective management of endometrial cancer.

Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is a rare, often asymptomatic disease (0.1% incidence in general population) and can be incidentally diagnosed during an abdominal imaging workup. The traditional, gold standard of treatment is open surgery, carrying with it, however, a high risk of nephrectomy, mortality, and collateral morbidity. The endovascular approach is currently the most valid alternative to treating RAAs reducing, as it does, the risks associated with the surgical approach/open surgery. Herein we report on our experience with a case of wide-necked RAA treated with the Pipeline Vantage (Medtronic) flow diverter stent. Wide-neck aneurysms are defined as having neck diameters greater than 4 mm. Our choice of endovascular treatment was preferred over the surgical option notwithstanding the large size of the neck and the involvement of the branching vessels.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, safety, and clinical effectiveness of a response-guided, stepwise endovascular treatment strategy for patients with refractory plantar fasciitis. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included consecutive patients with chronic plantar fasciitis refractory to conservative therapy who were treated between January and June 2025. All patients initially underwent ultrasound-guided direct puncture of the posterior tibial artery, followed by intra-arterial administration of imipenem/cilastatin as a temporary embolic agent. Clinical response was evaluated at 1 month using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients showing a <50% pain reduction were classified as non-responders and underwent second-line transcatheter arterial embolization (TAME) via transfemoral access, with selective embolization of pathological neovessels using bioresorbable microspheres. Technical success, pain outcomes, and procedure-related adverse events were assessed during follow-up for up to 6 months. Results: Twelve patients (13 treated feet) were included. First-line embolization was technically successful in all cases. At the 1-month follow-up, 6/13 feet (46.2%) demonstrated clinically meaningful pain reduction and required no further intervention. The remaining 7/13 feet (53.8%) underwent second-line TAME, which was technically successful in all cases and was associated with further pain reduction. Mean VAS scores decreased from 7.36 ± 1.12 at baseline to 1.37 ± 0.52 at 6 months. No major adverse events occurred; minor complications were self-limited. Conclusions: A stepwise endovascular treatment strategy for refractory plantar fasciitis appears feasible and safe, providing a high rate of symptom improvement while allowing procedural complexity to be escalated according to early clinical response.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and adaptability of cryoablation (CA) as a minimally invasive treatment for renal tumors, particularly in high-risk patients managed in a small healthcare center. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive therapeutic technique used to treat tumors in various organs, including the lung, kidney, liver, breast, bone, and pancreas, as well as metastases. It employs extremely low temperatures to destroy tumor tissue, with potential systemic effects due to the release of tumor antigens. The procedure, guided by advanced imaging, involves positioning cryoprobes to create a targeted “ice ball” around the tumor. Methods: Between January 2023 and October 2024, six patients with renal tumors were treated with cryoablation at the Interventional Radiology Division of Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy. Cases included patients with advanced age, significant comorbidities, or contraindications to surgery. Tumor sizes ranged from 16 to 34 mm, involving both exophytic and central lesions. Cryoablation was performed under CT or CBCT guidance, using advanced techniques such as hydrodissection and tailored cryoprobes to ensure safe and precise ablation. Clinical outcomes and recurrence rates were assessed over a follow-up period of 6–15 months (mean 12.33 ± 3.50 months). Results: Cryoablation achieved a 100% technical success rate with no major complications. Imaging follow-up confirmed complete tumor ablation in all cases, with no evidence of recurrence. The technique demonstrated versatility in managing various clinical scenarios, including an atrophic native kidney in a kidney transplant patient, obesity, and lesions near critical structures. Patients experienced minimal recovery times and were discharged shortly after the procedure. Conclusion: Cryoablation is a safe and effective nephron-sparing technique for small renal masses, offering excellent oncological control and rapid recovery, even in high-risk patients. Its minimally invasive nature and adaptability underscore its value as a cornerstone of modern oncology care, particularly in small healthcare centers. Further research is warranted to evaluate long-term outcomes and expand its application in broader clinical contexts.