The effects of the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant on susceptibility and disability worsening in multiple sclerosis patients are mediated by homocysteine.

Background: Interactions between genetic and environmental variables contribute to the autoimmune inflammatory process in multiple sclerosis (MS). Elevated homocysteine levels, and vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies are some of the environmental factors associated with the pathogenesis of MS. Considering that the relationship between MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant, homocysteine, and folate in patients with MS remains unclear and that their role were not extensively explored in the clinical course of the disease, we investigated whether this variant and plasma homocysteine and folate levels are associated with MS susceptibility, disability, disability progression, and inflammatory biomarkers.

Exploring climate-smart forestry in Mediterranean forests through an innovative composite climate-smart index.

In recent years, Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) has emerged as an innovative approach to sustainable forest management, aiming to enhance forest resilience and to balance the provision of ecosystem services facing climate-related threats. This study introduces for the first time a new composite climate-smart index (I) to assess CSF. The methodological approach comprises the following steps: (i) the selection and evaluation of CSF indicators; (ii) the weighting of these indicators; and (iii) the assessment of CSF for Mediterranean forests in two distinct periods, specifically 2005 and 2015.

Acute kidney injury is associated with soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 levels and short-term mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: The mechanisms that modulate the onset of acute kidney inlury (AKI) after ischemic stroke (IS) and valuable biomarkers to predict the occurrence and prognosis of AKI among patients with IS are missing.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of AKI and the prognostic validity of clinical and laboratory biomarkers in predicting AKI and short-term mortality after the IS.

Methods: Ninety-five patients with IS were enrolled.

Prognostic Role of Basal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Suitable for Curative Treatment.

: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a recognized affordable oncological marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, AFP's prognostic role has been assessed mainly after specific treatments, and no unanimously recognized cut-offs have been identified. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic role of different basal AFP cut-offs on survival and HCC course.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 4: experience from a single reference center.

Purpose: To characterize patients with APS type 4 among those affected by APS diagnosed and monitored at our local Reference Center for Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes.

Methods: Monocentric observational retrospective study enrolling patients affected by APS diagnosed and monitored in a Reference Center. Clinical records were retrieved and analyzed.