Maresin-1 promotes neuroprotection and modulates metabolic and inflammatory responses in disease-associated cell types in preclinical models of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prevalent inflammatory neurodegenerative disease in young people, causing neurological abnormalities and impairment. To investigate a novel therapeutic agent for MS, we observed the impact of maresin 1 (MaR1) on disease progression in a well-known, relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE) mouse model. Treatment with MaR1 accelerated inflammation resolution, reduced neurological impairment, and delayed disease development by reducing immune cell infiltration (CD4+IL-17+ and CD4+IFNγ+) into the central nervous system (CNS).

Left ventricular reverse remodeling after combined ARNI and SGLT2 therapy in heart failure patients with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Cardiac remodeling is an adverse phenomenon linked to heart failure (HF) progression. Cardiac remodeling could represent the real therapeutic goal in the treatment of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), being potentially reversed through different pharmacotherapies. Currently, there are well-established drugs such as ACEi/ARBs and β-blockers with anti-remodeling effects.

Lipid-associated macrophages reshape BAT cell identity in obesity.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes cause a loss in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, but the molecular mechanisms that drive BAT cell remodeling remain largely unexplored. Using a multilayered approach, we comprehensively mapped a reorganization in BAT cells. We uncovered a subset of macrophages as lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs), which were massively increased in genetic and dietary model of BAT expansion.

Frataxin deficiency shifts metabolism to promote reactive microglia via glucose catabolism.

Immunometabolism investigates the intricate relationship between the immune system and cellular metabolism. This study delves into the consequences of mitochondrial frataxin (FXN) depletion, the primary cause of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a debilitating neurodegenerative condition characterized by impaired coordination and muscle control. By using single-cell RNA sequencing, we have identified distinct cellular clusters within the cerebellum of an FRDA mouse model, emphasizing a significant loss in the homeostatic response of microglial cells lacking FXN.

Maresin-1 promotes neuroprotection and prevents disease progression in experimental models of multiple sclerosis through metabolic reprogramming and shaping innate and adaptive disease-associated cell types.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases in young adults and causes neurological abnormalities and disability. We studied the effect of maresin 1 (MaR1) on the progression of disease in a relapsing-remitting form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE). Treatment with MaR1 in RR-EAE accelerated inflammation resolution, protected against neurological deficits, and delayed disease progression by decreasing immune cell infiltration (CD4+IL17+ and CD4+IFNγ+) into the CNS.

Butyrate prevents visceral adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic alterations in a Friedreich's ataxia mouse model.

Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a neurodegenerative disease resulting from a mutation in the gene, leading to mitochondrial frataxin deficiency. FA patients exhibit increased visceral adiposity, inflammation, and heightened diabetes risk, negatively affecting prognosis. We investigated visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) in a murine model (KIKO) to understand its role in FA-related metabolic complications.

Lipocalin-2 promotes adipose-macrophage interactions to shape peripheral and central inflammatory responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Objective: Accumulating evidence suggests that dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT) plays a major role in the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common immune-mediated and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. However, the contribution of adipose tissue to the etiology and progression of MS is still obscure. This study aimed at deciphering the responses of AT in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the best characterized animal model of MS.

Pharmacological Anti-Remodelling Effects of Disease-Modifying Drugs in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Cardiac remodelling is an adverse phenomenon linked to heart failure progression and an important contributor to heart failure severity. Cardiac remodelling could represent the real therapeutic goal in the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, being potentially reversed through different pharmacotherapies. Currently, there are well-established drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers and β-blockers with anti-remodelling effects; recently, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor effects on inhibiting cardiac remodelling (improving N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, echocardiographic parameters of reverse cardiac remodelling and right ventricular function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction) were demonstrated.

Ejection of damaged mitochondria and their removal by macrophages ensure efficient thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Recent findings have demonstrated that mitochondria can be transferred between cells to control metabolic homeostasis. Although the mitochondria of brown adipocytes comprise a large component of the cell volume and undergo reorganization to sustain thermogenesis, it remains unclear whether an intercellular mitochondrial transfer occurs in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and regulates adaptive thermogenesis. Herein, we demonstrated that thermogenically stressed brown adipocytes release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contain oxidatively damaged mitochondrial parts to avoid failure of the thermogenic program.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of intra-abdominal diverticular abscess. A case series.

Aim: Diverticular disease is widespread worldwide. Mainstay approach is non-operative treatment with bowel rest and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. However, extra-colic abscess larger than 4 cm may require percutaneous trans-abdominal drainage.

The Evolving Phenotypes of Cardiovascular Disease during COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the management of patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular disease: acute coronary syndrome patients were often not timely reperfused, heart failure patients not adequately followed up and titrated, atrial arrhythmias not efficaciously treated and became chronic. New phenotypes of cardiovascular patients were more and more frequent during COVID-19 pandemic and are expected to be even more frequent in the next future in the new world shaped by the pandemic. We therefore aimed to briefly summarize the main changes in the phenotype of cardiovascular patients in the COVID-19 era, focusing on new clinical challenges and possible therapeutic options.

Low-protein/high-carbohydrate diet induces AMPK-dependent canonical and non-canonical thermogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Low-protein/high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet has been suggested to promote metabolic health and longevity in adult humans and animal models. However, the complex molecular underpinnings of how LPHC diet leads to metabolic benefits remain elusive. Through a multi-layered approach, here we observed that LPHC diet promotes an energy-dissipating response consisting in the parallel recruitment of canonical and non-canonical (muscular) thermogenic systems in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT).

Adipocyte metabolism is improved by TNF receptor-targeting small RNAs identified from dried nuts.

There is a growing interest in therapeutically targeting the inflammatory response that underlies age-related chronic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Through integrative small RNA sequencing, we show the presence of conserved plant miR159a and miR156c in dried nuts having high complementarity with the mammalian TNF receptor superfamily member 1a (Tnfrsf1a) transcript. We detected both miR159a and miR156c in exosome-like nut nanovesicles (NVs) and demonstrated that such NVs reduce Tnfrsf1a protein and dampen TNF-α signaling pathway in adipocytes.

Fully covered self-expandable metal stent in the treatment of postsurgical colorectal diseases: outcome in 29 patients.

Background: Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement is a minimally invasive treatment for palliation of malignant colorectal strictures and as a bridge to surgery. However, the use of SEMS for benign colorectal diseases is controversial. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) placement in postsurgical colorectal diseases.

Early 'shallow' needle-knife papillotomy and guidewire cannulation: an effective and safe approach to difficult papilla.

Introduction: Needle-knife sphincterotomy (NKS), known as 'precut', is used worldwide to facilitate access to the common bile duct when standard cannulation has failed. This procedure is considered hazardous because it is burdened with high procedural related complications (bleeding and perforation). Its right timing is still debated.

Complete transection of the main bile duct: minimally invasive treatment with an endoscopic-radiologic rendezvous.

Background: Complete transection of the common bile duct (CBD) is a dramatic and often extremely difficult-to-repair event after surgery. Abdominal biliary fluid collection or jaundice is the initial symptom, and ERCP is the determinant for diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined endoscopic-radiologic technique for the reconstruction of the CBD.

Global secondary prevention strategies to limit event recurrence after myocardial infarction: results of the GOSPEL study, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial from the Italian Cardiac Rehabilitation Network.

Background: Secondary prevention is not adequately implemented after myocardial infarction (MI). We assessed the effect on quality of care and prognosis of a long-term, relatively intensive rehabilitation strategy after MI.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in patients following standard post-MI cardiac rehabilitation, comparing a long-term, reinforced, multifactorial educational and behavioral intervention with usual care.

ERCP in total situs viscerum inversus.

A 69-year-old cholecystectomized female with known total situs viscerum inversus presented recurrent colicky pain in the left upper abdominal quadrant and jaundice. Laboratory parameters showed increased neutrophils and coniugated bilirubin of 5.53 mg/dl.

Multiparametric risk stratification in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure.

Background: Whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) combined with cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPx) and echocardiographic findings improves prognostic stratification in mild-to-moderate systolic heart failure (HF) is unclear.

Methods And Results: A total of 244 consecutive stable outpatients, median age of 71 (62-76) years, with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-III HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45% underwent BNP measurement, Doppler echocardiography, and a maximal CPx. Median BNP was 166 (70-403) pg/mL, median LVEF 35% (28%-40%).

The cardiopulmonary exercise test is safe and reliable in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

Aim: To assess safety and feasibility of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods And Results: We analysed 395 cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPXs) performed in 227 clinically stable patients with CHF [mean age 76 years, males 70%, mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2.2 +/- 0.

Prognostic role of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with diabetes and acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: Several studies have reported the prognostic value of natriuretic peptides, but their predictive value in patients with diabetes mellitus is unknown. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in ambulatory patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and diabetes can predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events at 6-month follow-up.

Methods: We enrolled 145 consecutive patient with diabetes [age 72 +/- 9 years, hypertension (21%), ischaemic heart disease (52%), atrial fibrillation (22%), preserved left ventricular function (29%)] seen in the outpatient heart failure clinic after an acute episode of cardiac failure.

Palliative treatment of upper gastrointestinal obstruction using self-expansible metal stents.

Gastric outlet obstruction is either a late event in the natural history of bilio-pancreatic tumors or the result of recurrent gastric or pancreatic tumors. Self-expansible metal stents, inserted under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control, can be used for palliative treatment. The present study was aimed at evaluating both the feasibility and the results of stenting in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction; in addition, some technical suggestions are presented.