Sleeve Gastrectomy Preferentially Increases GDF15 Plasma Levels in Patients With Obesity but Without Metabolic Syndrome.

The mechanisms by which bariatric/metabolic surgery induces weight loss and the amelioration of obesity-associated complications are far from being fully elucidated. Variations in circulating hormones involved in the regulation of energy balance are usually considered to explain the effects of surgery beyond the restrictive mechanism. Recent studies have shown that gastric bypass modulates the plasma levels of GDF15, a molecule with anorectic action potentially contributing to the body weight reduction observed after surgery.

The effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on cholinergic neural networks in humans: A neurophysiological study.

Objective: The mechanisms of actions of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) are still unclear, however the activity of the cholinergic system seems to be critical for the induction of VNS-mediated plasticity. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a well-suited, non-invasive tool to investigate cortical microcircuits involving different neurotransmitters. Herein, we evaluated the effect of taVNS on short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), a TMS paradigm specifically measuring cholinergic neurotransmission.

Development of hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in liquid cells using optimized microfabricated silicon nitride membranes.

We present first hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) results of aqueous salt solutions and dispersions of gold nanoparticles in liquid cells equipped with specially designed microfabricated thin silicon nitride membranes, with thickness in the 15-25 nm range, mounted in a high-vacuum-compatible environment. The experiments have been performed at the HAXPES endstation of the GALAXIES beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility. The low-stress membranes are fabricated from 100 mm silicon wafers using standard lithography techniques.

Investigating the pathophysiology and evolution of internal carotid dissection: a fluid-structure interaction simulation study.

Background: Arterial dissection, a condition marked by the tearing of the carotid artery's inner layers, can result in varied clinical outcomes, including progression, stability, or spontaneous regression. Understanding these outcomes' underlying mechanisms is crucial for enhancing patient care, particularly with the increasing use of computer simulations in medical diagnostics and treatment planning. The aim of this study is to utilize computational analysis of blood flow and vascular wall to: (1) understand the pathophysiology of stroke-like episodes in patients with carotid artery dissection; and (2) assess the effectiveness of this method in predicting the evolution of carotid dissection.

Neurophysiological methods for assessing and treating cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: A scoping review of the literature.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the non-classical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), with a particular focus on cognitive impairments associated with the disease's progression. These cognitive symptoms are now recognized as crucial elements in the assessment of disease activity. In this context, neurophysiology has emerged as a valuable and accessible tool for studying and addressing cognitive decline in individuals with MS.

Lifestyle interventions in cardiometabolic HFpEF: dietary and exercise modalities.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is rapidly growing as the most common form of heart failure. Among HFpEF phenotypes, the cardiometabolic/obese HFpEF - HFpEF driven by cardiometabolic alterations - emerges as one of the most prevalent forms of this syndrome and the one on which recent therapeutic success have been made. Indeed, pharmacological approaches with sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have proved to be effective due to metabolic protective effects.

Risk factors, prevention and treatment of weight gain associated with the use of antidepressants and antipsychotics: a state-of-the-art clinical review.

Introduction: People with severe mental illness have poor cardiometabolic health. Commonly used antidepressants and antipsychotics frequently lead to weight gain, which may further contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Areas Covered: We searched MEDLINE up to April 2023 for umbrella reviews, (network-)meta-analyses, trials and cohort studies on risk factors, prevention and treatment strategies of weight gain associated with antidepressants/antipsychotics.

Transcranial static magnetic stimulation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a bicentric, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

Background: Enhanced glutamatergic transmission leading to motor neuron death is considered the major pathophysiological mechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Motor cortex excitability can be suppressed by transcranial static magnetic stimulation (tSMS), thus tSMS can be evaluated as a potential treatment for ALS. The aim of present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of tSMS in ALS.

Cortical plasticity in AQP4-positive NMOSD: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by suboptimal recovery from attacks and long-term disability. Experimental data suggest that AQP4 antibodies can disrupt neuroplasticity, a fundamental driver of brain recovery. A well-established method to assess brain LTP is through intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS).

Bilateral median nerve stimulation and High-Frequency Oscillations unveil interhemispheric inhibition of primary sensory cortex.

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effect of median nerve stimulation on ipsilateral cortical potentials evoked by contralateral median nerve electrical stimulation.

Methods: We recorded somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) from the left parietal cortex in 15 right-handed, healthy subjects. We administered bilateral median nerve stimulation, with the ipsilateral stimulation preceding the stimulation on the contralateral by intervals of 5, 10, 20, or 40 ms.

Pharmacological inhibition of CDK4/6 impairs diffuse pleural mesothelioma 3D spheroid growth and reduces viability of cisplatin-resistant cells.

Introduction: Diffuse pleural mesothelioma (DPM) of the pleura is a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis for DPM patients remains very poor, with an average survival of 2 years from diagnosis. Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, is commonly used in the treatment of DPM.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at gamma frequency: an up-and-coming tool to modify the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

The last decades have witnessed huge efforts devoted to deciphering the pathological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and to testing new drugs, with the recent FDA approval of two anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for AD treatment. Beyond these drug-based experimentations, a number of pre-clinical and clinical trials are exploring the benefits of alternative treatments, such as non-invasive stimulation techniques on AD neuropathology and symptoms. Among the different non-invasive brain stimulation approaches, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is gaining particular attention due to its ability to externally control gamma oscillations.

Long-term functional outcomes and predictors of efficacy in thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a retrospective observational study.

Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition affecting aging men worldwide. Among the treatment options available for BPH, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard invasive intervention. To reduce the TURP-related non-negligible morbidity, loss-of-ejaculation rate, hospitalization, blood loss and catheterization time several laser techniques have been developed, such as the Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (ThuLEP).

Unusual CLIPPERS presentation with a predominant spinal cord involvement: case report and review of the literature.

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is a discrete nosological entity characterized by punctate and curvilinear gadolinium enhancement "peppering" the pons and a strong response to steroids. MRI images typically show pontine and cerebellar punctate-enhancing lesions, which occasionally spread up to the juxtacortical areas and down to the spinal cord. Interestingly, the more distant the lesion is from the pons, the less intense they become.

Incidence and determinants of seizures in multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Background: Seizures are reported to be more prevalent in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with the general population. Existing data predominantly originate from population-based studies, which introduce variability in methodologies and are vulnerable to selection and reporting biases.

Methods: This meta-analysis aims to assess the incidence of seizures in patients participating in randomised clinical trials and to identify potential contributing factors.

Beyond Weight Loss: the Emerging Role of Incretin-Based Treatments in Cardiometabolic HFpEF.

Purpose Of Review: Incretin-based drugs are potent weight-lowering agents, emerging as potential breakthrough therapy for the treatment of obesity-related phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In this review article, we will discuss the contribution of weight loss as part of the benefits of incretin-based medications in obese patients with HFpEF. Furthermore, we will describe the potential effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists on the heart, particularly in relation to HFpEF pathophysiology.

Left Vagus Stimulation Modulates Contralateral Subthalamic β Power Improving the Gait in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) showed early evidence of efficacy for the gait treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives: Providing data on neurophysiological and clinical effects of transauricular VNS (taVNS).

Methods: Ten patients with recording deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been enrolled in a within participant design pilot study, double-blind crossover sham-controlled trial of taVNS.

High-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation matching individual frequency of somatosensory evoked high-frequency oscillations can modulate the somatosensory system through thalamocortical pathway.

tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) is a technique for modulating brain activity through electrical current. Its effects depend on cortical entrainment, which is most effective when transcranial alternating current stimulation matches the brain's natural rhythm. High-frequency oscillations produced by external stimuli are useful for studying the somatosensory pathway.

Soluble P2X7 Receptor Plasma Levels in Obese Subjects before and after Weight Loss via Bariatric Surgery.

Obesity is a systemic disease frequently associated with important complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It has also been proven that obesity is a disease associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and that weight loss improves this low-grade chronic inflammatory condition. The P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R), belonging to the family of the receptors for extracellular ATP, is a main player in inflammation, activating inflammasome and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Transcranial direct current stimulation in semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia: a state-of-the-art review.

The semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), known also as "semantic dementia (SD)," is a neurodegenerative disorder that pertains to the frontotemporal lobar degeneration clinical syndromes. There is currently no approved pharmacological therapy for all frontotemporal dementia variants. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive brain stimulation technique capable of modulating cortical excitability through a sub-threshold shift in neuronal resting potential.