The Impact of a Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet on Monocyte Subsets of Patients with Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Obesity is closely linked to chronic low-grade inflammation and the development of cardio-metabolic comorbidities. Monocyte subsets, which are crucial in immune responses, have been reported to be altered in individuals with obesity, potentially exacerbating inflammation. Although very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) are recognized for their efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health, their impact on circulating monocyte subsets remains poorly understood.

Staple principles for the definition of front-of-pack nutritional labels.

Front-of-pack nutrition labels (FOPNLs) have been developed since 1989 to curb the increasing prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and to promote healthy consumption choices. While several countries have introduced their own labeling schemes on a voluntary basis, the European Commission aims to harmonize a FOPNL system that will be mandatory for all member states. This paper summarizes a contribution to the current debate on FOPNLs from Italian and Spanish researchers working in the fields of human nutrition, nutritional epidemiology and public health education and communication policy before the final decision on FOPNLs to become mandatory in Europe is taken.

The effect of plasma-treated nutrient solution on yield, pigments, and mineral content of rocket [ (L.) DC.] grown under different nitrogen fertilization levels.

Introduction: The non-thermal plasma (NTP) technique has been suggested as a sustainable horticultural practice to promote biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, N metabolism, and disease prevention in plants. In particular, the potentiality of this technique to promote the natural accumulation of nutrients into plants deserve to be explored as input saving is strongly recommended in the horticultural sector.

Methods: The nutrient solution supplied to a red coloured variety of rocket salad [ (L.

Impact of Female Sex and Mild Cortisol Secretion on Coagulation Profile in Adrenal Incidentalomas.

Context: Studies describing the coagulation profile in adrenal adenomas still need to be added.

Objective: We explored how sex and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) affect coagulation parameters in patients with adrenal adenomas.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Circulating Proneurotensin Levels Predict Impaired Bone Mineralisation in Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: The mechanisms underlying bone fragility and increased fracture risk observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not yet fully elucidated. Previous research has suggested a role for neuropeptides in regulating bone metabolism; however, the contribution of the neuropeptide Neurotensin (NT), which is thoroughly implicated in T2D and cardiovascular disease, has not been investigated in this context.

Objective: To study the relationship between circulating levels of the NT precursor proneurotensin (proNT) and bone mineralisation in T2D women.

Decoding the Challenges: navigating Intact Peptide Mass Spectrometry-Based Analysis for Biological Applications.

Quantitative analysis of peptides in biological fluids offers a high diagnostic and prognostic tool to reflect the pathophysiological condition of the patient. Recently, methods based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the quantitative determination of intact peptides have been replacing traditionally used ligand-binding assays, which suffer from cross-reactivity issues. The use of "top-down" analysis of peptides is rapidly increasing since it does not undergo incomplete or non-reproducible digestion like "bottom-up" approaches.

Clostridioides difficile infections caused by hypervirulent strains: a single-centre real-life study.

Background And Purpose: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, with hypervirulent strains linked to severe disease and higher mortality. This study aims to analyze the epidemiology of CDI at a tertiary-care hospital in Italy and compare clinical outcomes between patients infected with hypervirulent and non-hypervirulent strains.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients diagnosed with CDI at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy, from January 2015 to June 2023.

An inherited TBX3 alteration in a prenatal case of ulnar-mammary syndrome: Clinical assessment and functional characterization in Drosophila melanogaster.

Ulnar mammary syndrome (UMS) results from heterozygous variants in the TBX3 gene and impacts limb, tooth, hair, apocrine gland, and genitalia development. The expressivity of UMS is highly variable with no established genotype-phenotype correlations. TBX3 belongs to the Tbx gene family, which encodes transcription factors characterized by the presence of a T-box DNA-binding domain.

Testicular ultrasonographic features predict future risk for bilateral testicular germ cell tumour: A long-term single centre follow-up study.

Background: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumours (B-GCT) are rare, with an incidence of 2-5%, and can be classified as synchronous (sB-GCT) or metachronous (mB-GCT). Our study aimed to identify clinical, biochemical, and radiological risk factors for mB-GCT in a cohort of patients with GCT at a single tertiary referral centre.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included patients with GCT referred to Policlinico Umberto I-Sapienza University of Rome, from 2005 to 2023.

A MEPS-UHPLC-MS/MS analytical platform to detect isoprostanoids and specialized pro-resolving mediators in the urinary extracellular vesicles of mountain ultramarathon runners.

Oxylipins are powerful signalling compounds derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and involved in regulating the immune system response. A mass spectrometry-based method was developed and validated for the targeted profiling of 52 oxylipins (e.g.

Fosfomycin-Containing Regimens for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Case Series Study.

Central nervous system infections are among the most severe infectious conditions in the neonatal period and are still burdened by significant mortality, especially in preterm infants and those with a low birth weight or other comorbidities. In this study, we examined the role of fosfomycin-containing antibiotic regimens in neonates with central nervous system infections. We included six neonates over a period of five years: four with meningitis and two with cerebral abscesses.

Relationship between Salmonella enterica attachment and leaf hydrophobicity, roughness, and epicuticular waxes: a focus on 30 baby-leaf salads.

Background: The first step in the contamination of leafy vegetables by human pathogens is their attachment to the leaf surface. The success of this is influenced strongly by the physical and chemical characteristics of the surface itself (number and size of stomata, presence of trichomes and veins, epicuticular waxes, hydrophobicity, etc.).

Urban diabetes: analysis of diabetes prevalence in cities of the Lombardy region participating in the cities changing diabetes project.

Aim: The urban population increases by about 60 million people/year. Urbanization, unhealthy lifestyle and aging of the population are reflected in a constant growth in the prevalence of diabetes. In 2014, Steno Diabetes Centre in Copenhagen, University College London and Novo Nordisk, launched the Cities Changing Diabetes® program with the aim of creating a unified movement that would stimulate policy-makers to prioritize urban diabetes.

Novel Techniques, Biomarkers and Molecular Targets to Address Cardiometabolic Diseases.

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are interrelated and multifactorial conditions, including arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Due to the burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with CMDs' increasing prevalence, there is a critical need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in their management. In clinical practice, innovative methods such as epicardial adipose tissue evaluation, ventricular-arterial coupling, and exercise tolerance studies could help to elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms associated with CMDs.

Role of Cefiderocol in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Central Nervous System Infections: Real Life Experience and State-of-the-Art.

Cefiderocol is a new molecule effective against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens. Currently, there is limited evidence regarding the use of cefiderocol in central nervous system (CNS) infections. Data on the cerebrospinal fluid penetration rate of cefiderocol are limited and heterogeneous, and there is no consensus on the dosing scheme of cefiderocol to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Italy: the ACTION Teens study.

Purpose: ACTION Teens (NCT05013359) was conducted in 10 countries to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care among adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), caregivers of ALwO, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Here, we report data from participants in Italy.

Methods: The ACTION Teens cross-sectional online survey was completed by 649 ALwO (aged 12- < 18 years), 455 caregivers, and 252 HCPs in Italy in 2021.

Chemical and olfactometric inventory of gaseous spot vents in Mt. Amiata volcanic-geothermal area (Italy).

Geothermal areas are typically characterised by the presence of gases and odours in the background atmosphere, stemming from natural emissions and possible mining exploitation of the area. This study presents the first olfactometric investigation of endogenous gas emissions from natural and archaeo-industrial vents in a geothermal area. Mt.

The sequential antifracturative treatment: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Subjects with a fragility fracture have an increased risk of a new fracture and should receive effective strategies to prevent new events. The medium-term to long-term strategy should be scheduled by considering the mechanisms of action in therapy and the estimated fracture risk.

Objective: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the sequential strategy in patients with or at risk of a fragility fracture in the context of the development of the Italian Guidelines.

Development of a high-throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry platform for the determination of intact natriuretic peptides in human plasma.

We present an innovative, reliable, and antibody-free analytical method to determine multiple intact natriuretic peptides in human plasma. These biomolecules are routinely used to confirm the diagnosis and monitor the evolution of heart failure, so that their determination is essential to improve diagnosis and monitor the efficacy of treatment. However, common immunoassay kits suffer from main limitations due to high cross-reactivity with structurally similar species.

Sharing the multidisciplinary clinical approach to peri- and postmenopausal women: A Delphi consensus among Italian gynecologists, endocrinologists, and cardiologists for an integrated and optimal approach to clinical practice.

Objective: The critical phase of perimenopausal period is marked by a reduction in estrogen levels, leading to various clinical issues (vasomotor and neurodegenerative symptoms, increased osteoporosis risk and cardiovascular risk). These complex clinical scenarios pose challenges to clinicians in providing the right support for diagnosis and treatment. A group of Italian cardiologists, endocrinologists, and gynecologists conducted a survey among expert colleagues to assess consensus on controversial issues and best practices for screening and treating peri- and postmenopausal women.

Investigating the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Celiac Disease. A Dual Research Approach.

Background: Most evidence on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has been obtained from web- or telephone-based surveys. In particular, few laboratory data, often incomplete, have been reported on the frequency of COVID-19-related serology at celiac disease (CD) diagnosis or on the effects of COVID-19 on the development of CD-specific autoimmunity.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional case/control study was to: (1) evaluate the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in 78 children and adolescents at CD diagnosis (CD, 44 females, median age 7.

Stereoselective Voltammetric Biosensor for Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Recognition.

This paper describes the development of a simple voltammetric biosensor for the stereoselective discrimination of myo-inositol (myo-Ins) and D-chiro-inositol (D-chiro-Ins) by means of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption onto a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) graphite screen-printed electrode (MWCNT-GSPE), previously functionalized by the electropolymerization of methylene blue (MB). After a morphological characterization, the enantioselective biosensor platform was electrochemically characterized after each modification step by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the binding affinity between myo-Ins and BSA was higher than that between D-chiro-Ins and BSA, confirming the different interactions exhibited by the novel BSA/MB/MWCNT/GSPE platform towards the two diastereoisomers.

Refracture following vertebral fragility fracture when bone fragility is not recognized: summarizing findings from comparator arms of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: Since vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs) might increase the risk of subsequent fractures, we evaluated the incidence rate and the refracture risk of subsequent vertebral and non-vertebral fragility fractures (nVFFs) in untreated patients with a previous VFF.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to February 2022 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that analyzed the occurrence of subsequent fractures in untreated patients with prior VFFs. Two authors independently extracted data and appraised the risk of bias in the selected studies.

Effects of biochar and compost addition in potting substrates on growth and volatile compounds profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

Background: Despite the optimal characteristics of peat, more environmental-friendly materials are needed in the nursery sector, although these must guarantee specific quantitative and qualitative commercial standards. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of biochar and compost as peat surrogates on yield and essential oil profile of two different varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum var. Italiano and Ocimum basilicum var.