Neurofilament Light Protein as a Biomarker in Severe Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Severe mental disorders (SMDs), such as schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD), are heterogeneous psychiatric diseases that impose a significant societal burden due to their chronic disabling nature. There are no objective and reliable diagnostic tests for SMDs; thus, there is an urgent need for specific biomarkers to improve diagnosis, treatment, and resource allocation. Neurofilaments, found in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, offer reliable diagnostic and prognostic potential.

Effectiveness and Predictors of Long-Term Treatment Response to Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort: General Analysis and Focus on High-Cardiovascular-Risk Subgroup-A Multicenter Study.

The treatment landscape for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has evolved significantly with the introduction of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), such as Tofacitinib (TOFA), which offer a new therapeutic option for patients who have failed or are intolerant to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Safety concerns, particularly related to cardiovascular and cancer risks, prompted a need for additional investigation in real-world clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and predictors of response to TOFA in two subpopulations of RA patients, categorized by differing cardiovascular risk profiles.

Multicenter observational study on the efficacy of selective Janus Kinase-1 inhibitor upatacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Upadacitinib (UPA) is a selective, reversible Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) approved for the treatment of RA. However, there is still no solid evidence on the long-term efficacy of UPA in treated patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of UPA to obtain remission or low disease activity (LDA) in a series of UPA patients in patients with RA after 6 and 12 months of treatment in a real-world setting.

Hypoperfusion intensity ratio correlates with collaterals and predicts outcome and infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio (HIR) is associated with collaterals and outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated whether a combined assessment of HIR and collaterals could provide an added value.

Methods: Retrospective single-center study, including AIS patients with large vessel occlusion and endovascular treatment 0-24 h from onset.

Ablative Treatments for Small Renal Masses and Management of Recurrences: A Comprehensive Review.

This review focuses on ablative techniques for small renal masses (SRMs), including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation (CA), microwave ablation (MWA), and irreversible electroporation (IRE), and discusses recurrence management. Through an extensive literature review, we outline the procedures, outcomes, and follow-up strategies associated with each ablative method. The review provides a detailed examination of these techniques-RFA, CA, MWA, and IRE-elucidating their respective outcomes.

Oocyte competence is comparable between progestin primed ovarian stimulation with Norethisterone acetate (NETA-PPOS) and GnRH-antagonist protocols: A matched case-control study in PGT-A cycles.

Objective: To outline oocyte competence after progestin primed ovarian stimulation with Norethisterone acetate (NETA-PPOS) compared to conventional GnRH-antagonist protocol.

Study Design: Retrospective matched case-control study involving advanced-maternal-age women undergoing ICSI with PGT-A. 89 NETA-PPOS were matched with 178 control patients based on maternal age and ovarian reserve biomarkers.

Long-Term Retention Rate of Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Italian Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

: Tofacitinib (TOFA) was the first Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) to be approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data on the retention rate of TOFA therapy are still far from definitive. : The goal of this study is to add new real-world data on the TOFA retention rate in a cohort of RA patients followed for a long period of time.

sp. nov. and Causing Stem Lesion and Dieback on Avocado Plants in Italy.

Avocado () represents an important emerging tropical crop in Italy, especially in the southern regions. In this study, young plants of avocado showing symptoms of stem and wood lesion, and dieback, were investigated. Isolations from symptomatic tissues consistently yielded colonies of -like species.

Assessment of brain tumors by magnetic resonance dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging and computed tomography perfusion: a comparison study.

Purpose: To investigate the association and agreement between magnetic resonance dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) and computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in determining vascularity and permeability of primary and secondary brain tumors.

Material And Methods: DSC-PWI and CTP studies from 97 patients with high-grade glioma, low-grade glioma and solitary brain metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. Normalized cerebral blood flow (nCBF), cerebral blood volume (nCBV), capillary transfer constant (nK2) and permeability surface area product (nPS) values were obtained.

Reliability assessment of the definition of ultrasound enthesitis in SpA: results of a large, multicentre, international, web-based study.

Objectives: To investigate the reliability of the OMERACT US Task Force definition of US enthesitis in SpA.

Methods: In this web exercise, based on the evaluation of 101 images and 39 clips of the main entheses of the lower limbs, the elementary components included in the OMERACT definition of US enthesitis in SpA (hypoechoic areas, entheseal thickening, power Doppler signal at the enthesis, enthesophytes/calcifications, bone erosions) were assessed by 47 rheumatologists from 37 rheumatology centres in 15 countries. Inter- and intra-observer reliability of the US components of enthesitis was calculated using Light's kappa, Cohen's kappa, Prevalence And Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) and their 95% CIs.

Delayed perihematomal hypoperfusion is associated with poor outcome in intracerebral haemorrhage.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize the temporal evolution and prognostic significance of perihematomal perfusion in acute intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: A single-centre prospective cohort of patients with primary spontaneous ICH receives computed tomography perfusion (CTP) within 6 h from onset (T0) and at 7 days (T7). Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) were measured in the manually outlined perihematomal low-density area.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors treatment in dyslipidemic patients: a real world prescription.

Aim: Dyslipidemia is recognized as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This retrospective observational study was aimed to assess the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in dyslipidemic patients with a lipid profile not well controlled by maximally tolerated statin therapy or intolerant to these lipid-lowering drugs. We enrolled 151 patients, of whom, 119 were taking evolocumab and 32 alirocumab.

( Species Complex) Causing the Wilting of Passion Fruit in Italy.

Passion fruit ( Sims.) is an ever-increasing interest crop in Italy because it is mainly cultivated for its edible fruit and, secondly, as an ornamental evergreen climber. During the summer of 2020, two-year-old plants of purple passion fruit in one of the most important expanding production areas of Sicily (southern Italy) showed symptoms of yellowing, wilting, and vascular discoloration.

Compromised N-Glycosylation Processing of Kv3.1b Correlates with Perturbed Motor Neuron Structure and Locomotor Activity.

Neurological difficulties commonly accompany individuals suffering from congenital disorders of glycosylation, resulting from defects in the N-glycosylation pathway. Vacant N-glycosylation sites (N220 and N229) of Kv3, voltage-gated K+ channels of high-firing neurons, deeply perturb channel activity in neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Here we examined neuron development, localization, and activity of Kv3 channels in wildtype AB zebrafish and CRISPR/Cas9 engineered NB cells, due to perturbations in N-glycosylation processing of Kv3.

Unusual Stylar-End Breakdown and Sour Rot on Key Lime () in Pre-Harvest Condition in Italy.

Key lime () is an emerging crop in Italy, especially in the Southern regions, where the environmental conditions are suitable for its cultivation. A field survey in Sicily in a commercial orchard of Key lime revealed the widespread presence of water-soaked spots and sunken/dry lesions at the stylar-end, mainly in pre-harvest condition. Water-soaked spots were attributed to , an agent of sour rot on spp.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status of infertile couples.

Objective(s): to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infertile couples' emotions, anxiety and future plans.

Study Design: An observational study was perfomed by Italian ART centers and online forums. In this study, infertile couples candidate to ART and whose treatment was blocked due to the COVID-19 lockdown were enrolled through an online survey.

Relugolix for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Introduction: Uterine fibroids (UF) are benign tumors common in premenopausal women, with strong impact on the health-care systems. For many years, surgery represented the only therapy for symptomatic fibroids. However, clinicians are observing a switch from surgery to noninvasive methods; in particular, medical treatment has been shown to be efficacious in obtaining a bleeding reduction and in ameliorating patient conditions.

Assessment of enthesis in patients with psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia using clinical examination and ultrasound.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of clinical and particularly ultrasonographic signs of enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia (FM), or both. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of FM on disease activity and clinimetric scores.

Methods: This single-centre, observational cross-sectional study involved 101 consenting patients: 39 with PsA (CASPAR criteria), 23 with FM (2016 criteria), and 39 with both.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus has been extensively documented. Sub-clinical atherosclerosis can be assessed using various non-invasive imaging techniques. However, the mechanisms underlying the higher risk of atherosclerotic CVD in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are not fully known, although they seem to include chronic low-grade systemic inflammation leading to prolonged endothelial activation, accompanied by a pro-thrombotic/pro-coagulant and autoantibody state.

Recurrent intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: an atypical case of Neuro-Behçet's Syndrome.

We report the case of a 22-year-old man with an history of headaches, seizures, cognitive impairment associated with recurrent intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), worsened over the last eighteen months for a new onset of uveitis and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). After excluding common causes of lobar ICH, and some rare ones according to the diagnostic protocol proposed by Beuker et al, in the suspicion of Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System (PACNS), the gradual development of a low-grade fever, a cutaneous rash, and a papulopustular manifestation on lower back after rachicentesis (pathergy phenomenon), allowed us to make a diagnosis of Neuro-Behçet's Syndrome (NBS) without oral/genital aphthous ulcerations, according to the International Study Group for Behçet's Disease classification criteria for BD (ICBD).