Revolutionizing MASLD: How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping the Future of Liver Care.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is emerging as a leading cause of chronic liver disease. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted significant attention in healthcare, particularly in diagnostics, patient management, and drug development, demonstrating immense potential for application and implementation. In the field of MASLD, substantial research has explored the application of AI in various areas, including patient counseling, improved patient stratification, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, drug development, and prognosis prediction.

Circulating mitochondrial DNA signature in cardiometabolic patients.

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of cardiometabolic diseases. Circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiles could refine risk stratification, but current methods do not account for different fractions of circulating mtDNA. We investigated whether patients with type 2 diabetes and/or heart failure (HF) have a specific signature of the total circulating mtDNA profile, including intracellular and cell-free fractions.

Beauveria bassiana delivered through a cellulose-based hydrogel is effective against the red poultry mite, Dermanyssus gallinae.

Though the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has shown to be efficacious for managing Dermanyssus gallinae infestations, its delivery as liquid formulation poses concerns related to environmental stability and efficacy. To overcome such concerns, here we proposed a hydrogel matrix based on hydroxyethyl-cellulose (HEC) for delivering B. bassiana to control D.

Treatment of avian malaria in captive African penguins () by the combination of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride.

Avian malaria, a vector-borne disease caused by spp., poses significant threats to various bird populations, particularly captive penguins like the endangered African penguin (). Penguins, originating from regions with low malaria prevalence, are highly susceptible when housed in malaria-permissive areas.

Imaging of Congestion in Cardio-renal Syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: Both cardiac and renal dysfunction can lead to water overload - commonly referred to as "congestion". Identification of congestion is difficult, especially when clinical signs are subtle.

Recent Findings: As an extension of an echocardiographic examination, ultrasound can be used to identify intravascular (inferior vena cava diameter dilation, internal jugular vein distension or discontinuous venous renal flow) and tissue congestion (pulmonary B-lines).

Left Ventricular Outflow Indices in Chronic Systolic Heart Failure: Thresholds and Prognostic Value.

Background And Aims: The assessment of left ventricular (LV) outflow velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) has gained favor in the stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). We evaluated the prognostic significance of LVOT-VTI compared with the commonly used indices of LV outflow: cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI), their reproducibility and cut-off values.

Methods And Results: A total of 424 outpatients diagnosed with HF and LV systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction < 50%) underwent a Doppler echocardiographic examination, including the assessment of CI, SVI, and LVOT-VTI.

Genome Wide Identification of Structure Variations in Five Italian Turkey Populations.

Structural variants (SVs) are one of the main sources of genetic variants and have a significant impact on phenotype evolution, disease susceptibility, and environmental adaptations. We used 73 whole genome sequencing (12x) to apply a mapping approach to identify SVs in five turkey populations. A notable degree of genetic isolation was observed between the Basilicata and Apulian populations, as indicated by principal component analysis and admixture results.

Assessment of ChatGPT-generated medical Arabic responses for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background And Aim: Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), have shown promising results in healthcare settings. These tools can help patients obtain real-time responses to queries, ensuring immediate access to relevant information. The study aimed to explore the potential use of ChatGPT-generated medical Arabic responses for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Spleen volume assessment in Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms: a real-life study comparing ultrasonography vs. magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Splenomegaly is a quite common clinical feature of Philadelphia (Ph) negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and its presence may, in some cases, drives treatment decision. Most importantly, palpable splenomegaly is a minor criterion for both pre-fibrotic/early primary myelofibrosis and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) diagnosis, even if clinical assessment by physical examination is poorly reliable and accurate. On the other hand, despite the International Working Group-Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment and European LeukemiaNet guidelines defined spleen response criteria by palpation, they also recognized the highly subjective nature of spleen size assessment by physical examination, and recommended objective confirmation of volume reduction via computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Impact of calreticulin mutations on treatment and survival outcomes in myelofibrosis during ruxolitinib therapy.

Calreticulin (CALR) mutations are detected in around 20% of patients with primary and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (MF). Regardless of driver mutations, patients with splenomegaly and symptoms are generally treated with JAK2-inhibitors, most commonly ruxolitinib. Recently, new therapies specifically targeting the CALR mutant clone have entered clinical investigation.

Genomic scans for selection and runs of homozygosity in southern Italian turkey populations.

Basilicata and Apulian (BAS-APU) turkeys, a native population in the Basilicata and Puglia regions of southern Italy, are known for their high meat quality and tolerance to local conditions. Understanding the genomic patterns of BAS-APU turkeys is critical for effective breeding and preservation strategies. In this study, we characterized runs of homozygosity (ROH), and selection signatures using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and ROH approaches.

Epidemiology and Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated From Blood Samples in Septic Patients at Emergency Department Admission: A 6-Year Single Centre Retrospective Analysis From Northern Italy.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the microbiological and clinical heterogeneity of community-onset bloodstream infections (BSIs) and identify features to support targeted empirical antibiotic therapy in the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: Clinical and microbiological data from 992 BSI cases (1,135 isolates) diagnosed within 24 h of ED admission at IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy (January 2015-June 2022), were analysed. Drug resistance was interpreted using EUCAST-2023.

The evolving scenario of HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia and B-cell lymphoma in the era of direct-acting antivirals.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a significant global health burden, particularly due to its extrahepatic immune-mediated manifestations, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia, associated vasculitis (CryoVas), and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (B-NHL), which pose significant challenges. The advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) has changed the therapeutic landscape for HCV-related complications.

Areas Covered: This review explores the evolving epidemiology and management of HCV extrahepatic manifestation and lymphoproliferative disorders in the era of DAAs.

Associations of iron deficiency with cardiac function, congestion, exercise capacity and prognosis in heart failure.

Aims: Uncertainty exists about defining true iron deficiency (ID) in heart failure (HF) patients. We assessed the relationship of different ID definitions with cardiac structure and function, congestion, exercise capacity, and prognosis in HF outpatients.

Methods And Results: Iron deficiency was defined according to guidelines (G-ID: ferritin <100 ng/ml or ferritin 100-299 ng/ml with transferrin saturation [TSAT] <20%).

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.

Liposomal Doxorubicin, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine Plus Consolidation Radiotherapy of Residual Nodal Masses for Frontline Treatment in Older Adults With Advanced Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: Improved Outcome in a Multi-Center Real-Life Study.

In elderly patients with high-risk classic Hodgkin lymphoma (c-HL), we evaluated the impact of a new modality treatment without bleomycin, that is, liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD)-based regimen plus consolidation radiotherapy of residual nodal masses (RNMs), on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). In this retrospective study (2013-2023) conducted in tertiary hospitals in the bay of Naples (Italy), 50 older adults (median age, 69 years; range, 60-89) with advanced stage c-HL received frontline treatment with MVD ± irradiation. MVD consisted of 25 mg/m of NPLD along with standard Vinblastine and Dacarbazine for a total of 6 cycles (twelve iv administrations, every 2 weeks) followed by radiation of RNMs with size ≥ 2.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of peripheral vasopressors to decrease central line placement and associated bloodstream infections.

Background: In 2020, as a result of evidence of demonstrated safety of an initial pilot program, our institution set out to implement a peripheral vasopressor infusion protocol.

Objective: To evaluate the use of peripheral lines for vasopressor administration to reduce placement of unnecessary central lines and central line days.

Methods: This is an Institutional Review Board approved, single center retrospective chart review conducted as pre/post-analysis.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy for challenging perihilar focal liver lesions: diagnostic accuracy and safety assessment.

Purpose: In cases of perihilar focal liver lesions, distinguishing between benign strictures and malignancies is critical to prevent unnecessary surgery. Although the use of contrast-enhanced CT or MRI in combination with clinical and laboratory findings can aid in diagnosis, histologic examination is often necessary. Histologic specimens can be obtained through various techniques, including ERCP-guided brush cytology or intraductal biopsy, cholangioscopy-directed biopsy or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).