Role of gliflozins on hepatocellular carcinoma progression: a systematic synthesis of preclinical and clinical evidence.

Introduction: The risk of HCC is twice as high in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic ones, suggesting that diabetes advances carcinogenesis in the liver through a variety of mechanisms. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been shown to improve liver outcomes, emerging as promising agents to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We searched PubMed and Scopus databases for articles presenting an association between SGLT2is and HCC to explore the putative mechanisms of action underlying the anti-proliferative activity of SGLT2is.

α-Synuclein Oligomers in Skin Biopsies Predict the Worsening of Cognitive Functions in Parkinson's Disease: A Single-Center Longitudinal Cohort Study.

α-synuclein oligomers within synaptic terminals of autonomic fibers of the skin reliably discriminate Parkinson's disease (PD) patients from healthy controls. Nonetheless, the prognostic role of oligomers for disease progression is unknown. We explored whether α-synuclein oligomers evaluated as proximity ligation assay (PLA) score may predict the worsening of cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Macrophages producing chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 induce neuro-cardiac junction impairment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of the full form of the dystrophin protein, which is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of muscle cells, including those in the heart and respiratory system. Despite progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with DMD, myocardial insufficiency persists as the primary cause of mortality, and existing therapeutic strategies remain limited. This study investigates the hypothesis that a dysregulation of the biological communication between infiltrating macrophages (MPs) and neurocardiac junctions exists in dystrophic cardiac tissue.

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty for the Treatment of Obesity: A Single-Centre Experience and Literature Review.

Background:  In the world, obesity is constantly increasing, and so are the types of medical and surgical therapies. However, to cope with the increase in costs associated with surgical procedures and certain complications, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, the number of bariatric endoscopic (BE) procedures has been increasing in recent years. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is one of the most rapidly increasing BE procedures, given its benefits in terms of patient quality of life and reduced costs.

Incidental Parathyroidectomy After Thyroid Surgery: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemia is the most frequent complication after thyroid surgery. Many risk factors have been involved in the development of this complication, with conflicting results. Incidental parathyroidectomy (IP) may be a frequent cause of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Effects of Varicocele Repair on Testicular Endocrine Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The objective of this manuscript is to assess the effect of varicocele repair (VR) in patients with clinical varicoceles on serum total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and inhibin B serum levels.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed in compliance with the Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies (MOOSE) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). All eligible studies were selected following the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison/Comparator, Outcomes, Study design) model.

Effects of Switching FSH Preparations on Sperm Parameters and Pregnancy: A Prospective Controlled Study.

To study the effect of switching to a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation other than that to which infertile male patients have not had an effective response. Seventy-four normogonadotropinemic, non-obstructive, oligozoospermic patients who were poor responders to the administration of highly purified FSH (hpFSH) (Group 1 (n = 22) and Group 3 (n = 15)) or to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) (Group 2 (n = 22) and Group 4 (n = 15)) were selected for this prospective study. After 3 months of washout from treatment with the first FSH preparation of choice, rhFSH was administered to patients in Groups 1 and 4 and hpFSH to those in Groups 2 and 3.

Theodor Billroth: The Pioneer Gastrectomy Surgeon and His Contributions to the Evolution of General Surgery.

Christian Albert Theodor Billroth, born in Rügen on April 26, 1829, is considered a pioneer of gastrectomy. Billroth entered the history of general surgery with his two famous methods of gastric resection. In his time, the diagnosis of stomach cancer was often extremely late because it was based exclusively on anamnesis and palpation and X-rays had not yet been discovered.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphisms influence Body Mass Index, metabolism, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Background: Covering a significant part of a woman's life, the postmenopausal phase is often associated with the onset of obesity, metabolic dysfunction, osteoporosis, and their most disabling complications. In this context, scant evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of these conditions, posing them as possible molecular predictors of their development. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the role of the FSHR gene SNPs c.

Sperm-carried IGF2: towards the discovery of a spark contributing to embryo growth and development.

Spermatozoa have been shown to carry key RNAs which, according to animal evidence, seem to play a role in early embryo development. In this context, a potential key growth regulator is insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a highly conserved paternally expressed imprinted gene involved in cell growth and proliferation which, recent observations indicate, is expressed in human spermatozoa. We herein hypothesized that sperm IGF2 gene expression and transmission at fertilization is required to support early embryo development.

Oxidative stress affects sperm health and fertility-Time to apply facts learned at the bench to help the patient: Lessons for busy clinicians.

Background: Increased oxidative stress (OS), resulting from the delicate balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense, is closely linked to sperm abnormalities and male subfertility. Elevated ROS levels particularly affect sperm quality. The vulnerability of spermatozoa to ROS is due to the absence of DNA repair mechanisms and the high presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membranes.

Comparing GBA1-Parkinson's disease and idiopathic Parkinson's disease: α-Synuclein oligomers and synaptic density as biomarkers in the skin biopsy.

The main genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD) are presently represented by variants in GBA1 gene encoding for the β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Searching for a peripheral biomarker that can be used for selecting and monitoring patients in clinical trials targeting GBA1-associated PD (GBA1-PD) is a current challenge. We previously demonstrated that α-synuclein oligomers expressed as proximity ligation assay (PLA) score in synaptic terminals of skin biopsy are a reliable biomarker for distinguishing idiopathic PD (iPD) from healthy controls (HC).

The intricate relationship between obesity, type 2 diabetes and female breast cancer: A retrospective study of 335 women.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for female breast cancer (FBC). Obesity has also been associated with FBC, also depending on menopausal status. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity and T2D on the development, aggressiveness, and invasiveness of FBC.

Predictability of varicocele repair success: preliminary results of a machine learning-based approach.

Varicocele is a prevalent condition in the infertile male population. However, to date, which patients may benefit most from varicocele repair is still a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether certain preintervention sperm parameters are predictive of successful varicocele repair, defined as an improvement in total motile sperm count (TMSC).

Behind the Genetics: The Role of Epigenetics in Infertility-Related Testicular Dysfunction.

In recent decades, we have witnessed a progressive decline in male fertility. This is partly related to the increased prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g.

Semaglutide and obesity: beyond the nutritional and lifestyle intervention?

Semaglutide is the second marketed glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that can be used safely and efficiently in non-diabetic people with excess weight, providing a new milestone in the pharmacological treatment of obesity. This narrative review aims to describe the clinical actions of this new drug in weight management in non-diabetic patients along with possible side-effects and dropout reasons. To accomplish this, the PubMed database was searched to retrieve the most relevant clinical studies published to date on this topic, using the following keywords "semaglutide and obesity".

Enhancing neovascularization post-myocardial infarction through injectable hydrogel functionalized with endothelial-derived EVs.

Over the past three decades, cell therapy development has fallen short of expectations, with many cellular sources demonstrating a 'Janus effect' and raising safety concerns. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), supported by advanced technologies, present a promising avenue in regenerative medicine, offering benefits such as immune tolerance and avoidance of negative aspects associated with cell transplants. Our previous research showcased enhanced and organized subcutaneous vascularization using three-dimensional bioprinted patches containing HUVEC-derived EVs in immunodeficient animal models.

Artificial intelligence in andrology - fact or fiction: essential takeaway for busy clinicians.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the current approach to medicine. AI uses machine learning algorithms to predict the success of therapeutic procedures or assist the clinician in the decision-making process. To date, machine learning studies in the andrological field have mainly focused on prostate cancer imaging and management.

Molecular insights into Sertoli cell function: how do metabolic disorders in childhood and adolescence affect spermatogonial fate?

Male infertility is a major public health concern globally with unknown etiology in approximately half of cases. The decline in total sperm count over the past four decades and the parallel increase in childhood obesity may suggest an association between these two conditions. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms through which obesity during childhood and adolescence may impair future testicular function.

Early and late post-procedural complications in different orthotopic neobladder surgical approaches: A systematic review.

Bladder cancer (BCa) represents the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract. The major risk factors include age, gender, smoking attitude, and occupational exposure, while the exact etiopathogenesis is still uncertain. Patients diagnosed with a BCa showing invasion of the muscle layer below the submucosa must undergo radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion (UD).