[F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT-based radiomics may help enhance the interpretation of bone focal uptakes in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: We hypothesised that applying radiomics to [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT images could help distinguish Unspecific Bone Uptakes (UBUs) from bone metastases in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. We compared the performance of radiomic features to human visual interpretation.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analysed 102 hormone-sensitive PCa patients who underwent [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT and exhibited at least one focal bone uptake with known clinical follow-up (reference standard).

[18F]Tetrafluoroborate: a new NIS PET/CT radiopharmaceutical. An overview focused on differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background: In relapsing differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), the in vivo evaluation of natrium-iodine symporter (NIS) expression is pivotal in the therapeutic planning and is achieved by [131/123I]Iodine whole-body scan. However, these approaches have low sensitivity due to the low sensitivity due to the low resolution of SPECT. [18F]Tetrafluoroborate (TFB) has been proposed as a viable alternative, which could outperform [131/123I]Iodine scans owing to the superior PET resolution.

Feasibility and Clinical Efficacy of Focal Pulsed Field Ablation in Patients With Non-Pulmonary Vein Triggered Atrial Arrhythmia From the Superior Caval Vein.

Introduction: In patients with atrial arrhythmias originating from the superior vena cava (SVC), the use of radiofrequency energy to isolate the SVC is associated with a significant risk of injury both to the phrenic nerve and the sinus node. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) may overcome the disadvantages of thermal energy and improve both ablation efficacy and safety.

Objective: We report the feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of focal monopolar PFA in patients with the origin of their atrial arrhythmia in the SVC.

The Expression of HPV-16 E5 Oncoprotein Impacts the Transcript Profiles of FGFR2 and EMT-Related Genes in Preneoplastic Anal Epithelium Lesions.

Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCA) is a rare Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-associated carcinoma whose pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Recent studies based on biopsy and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches have linked the viral episomal status to aggressive SCCA phenotypes, suggesting a potential role of the 16E5 oncoprotein in tumor development. Our previous findings indicated that 16E5 induces Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) isoform switching, aberrant mesenchymal FGFR2c expression, Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and cell invasion in various in vitro human keratinocyte models, as well as in the in vivo context of cervical Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSILs).

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) modulates stress-induced autophagy in endothelial cells.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a cardiac hormone involved in the regulation of water/sodium balance and blood pressure, is also secreted by endothelial cells, where it exerts protective effects in response to stress. Autophagy is an intracellular self-renewal process involved in the degradation of dysfunctional cytoplasmic elements. ANP was recently reported to act as an extracellular regulator of cardiac autophagy.

Metabolic and dopaminergic correlates of intellectual enrichment in de-novo Parkinson's disease patients.

Background: Cognitive reserve (CR) is an expression of brain resilience in response to damage. Education, occupational experience and leisure activities are thought to increase CR and have beneficial effects on global cognition and cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to disclose brain metabolic and dopaminergic correlates of CR in de-novo PD patients.

Composite Prediction Score to Interpret Bone Focal Uptake in Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Patients Imaged with [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT.

Unspecific bone uptake (UBU) related to [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging represents a clinical challenge. We aimed to assess whether a combination of clinical, biochemical, and imaging parameters could predict skeletal metastases in patients with [F]PSMA-1007 bone focal uptake, aiding in result interpretation. We retrospectively analyzed [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT performed in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) patients at 3 tertiary-level cancer centers.

Focal Pulsed Field Ablation for Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Multicenter Experience.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel technology for catheter-based atrial arrhythmia treatment. Evidence of its application for ventricular arrhythmia ablation is still limited. In this study, we describe the feasibility and efficacy of focal PFA for premature ventricular contraction (PVC) ablation.

Seminological, Hormonal and Ultrasonographic Features of Male Factor Infertility Due to Genetic Causes: Results from a Large Monocentric Retrospective Study.

Evaluate the prevalence of genetic factors in a large population of infertile subjects and define the seminological, hormonal, and ultrasonographic features for each alteration. : This single-center retrospective study included male partners of infertile couples undergoing genetic investigations due to oligozoospermia or azoospermia evaluated from January 2012 to January 2022. The genetic investigations consist of karyotype, gene mutations plus variant of the IVS8-5T polymorphic trait, Y chromosome microdeletion, and Next Generation Sequencing panel to analyze genes implicated in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH).

Real-world impacts from a decade of Quality Enhancement Research Initiative-partnered projects to translate the Diabetes Prevention Program in the Veterans Health Administration.

Objectives: To describe the impacts of four Veterans Health Administration (VA) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) projects implementing an evidence-based lifestyle intervention known as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

Data Sources And Study Setting: 2012-2024 VA administrative and survey data.

Study Design: This is a summary of findings and impacts from four effectiveness-implementation projects focused on in-person and/or online DPP across VA sites.

The TOTAL trial for weight management participation: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: The three types of evidence-based treatment options for adults with overweight and obesity - behavioral weight management, anti-obesity medications (AOM), and bariatric surgery - are underutilized in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. Our objective in this manuscript is to describe the study protocol for an adequately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a behavioral intervention: TOTAL (Teaching Obesity Treatment Options to Adult Learners) to increase patient uptake of obesity treatment.

Methods: In this multi-site, parallel, RCT, eligible Veterans with a body mass index [BMI] ≥ 27 who had not received obesity treatment within the past 12 months were randomly assigned to TOTAL or usual care.

Association between a national behavioral weight management program and real-world weight change.

Objective: In a national cohort of Veterans, weight change was compared between participants in a US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) behavioral weight management program (MOVE!) and matched non-participants, and between high-intensity and low-intensity participants.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of Veterans with 1 + MOVE! visits in 2008-2017 were matched to MOVE! non-participants via sequential stratification. Percent weight change up to two years after MOVE! initiation of participants and non-participants was modeled using generalized additive mixed models, and 1-year weight change of high-intensity or low-intensity participants was also compared.

Presynaptic Dopaminergic Imaging Characterizes Patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Due to Synucleinopathy.

Objective: To apply a machine learning analysis to clinical and presynaptic dopaminergic imaging data of patients with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) to predict the development of Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Methods: In this multicenter study of the International RBD study group, 173 patients (mean age 70.5 ± 6.

Association Between a National Behavioral Weight Management Program and Veterans Affairs Health Expenditures.

Objective: The association between participation in a behavioral weight intervention and health expenditures has not been well characterized. We compared Veterans Affairs (VA) expenditures of individuals participating in MOVE!, a VA behavioral weight loss program, and matched comparators 2 years before and 2 years after MOVE! initiation.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of Veterans who had one or more MOVE! visits in 2008-2017 who were matched contemporaneously to up to 3 comparators with overweight or obesity through sequential stratification on an array of patient characteristics, including sex.

Black Veterans Experiences with and Recommendations for Improving Weight-Related Health Care: A Photovoice Study.

Background: Non-Hispanic Black or African American (hereafter Black) veterans lose less weight than other users of the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) weight management program (MOVE!), despite higher enrollment.

Objective: To understand factors that affect weight loss disparities between Black veterans and other veterans.

Design: Qualitative study using Photovoice methods.

TRPA1 Contributes to FGFR2c Signaling and to Its Oncogenic Outcomes in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma-Derived Cell Lines.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is a key modulator of cellular processes dysregulated in cancer. We recently found that the high expression of the mesenchymal FGFR2c variant in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-derived cells triggers the PKCε-mediated improvement of EMT and of MCL-1/SRC-dependent cell invasion. Since other membrane proteins can affect the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, including transient receptor potential channels (TRPs), in this work, we investigated the role of TRPs in the FGFR2c/PKCε oncogenic axis.

Real World Use of Anti-Obesity Medications and Weight Change in Veterans.

Background: Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) can be initiated in conjunction with participation in the VA national behavioral weight management program, MOVE!, to help achieve clinically meaningful weight loss.

Objective: To compare weight change between Veterans who used AOM + MOVE! versus MOVE! alone and examine AOM use, duration, and characteristics associated with longer duration of use.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using VA electronic health records.

The prognostic value of FIGO staging defined by combining MRI and [F]FDG PET/CT in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

The last version of the FIGO classification recommended imaging tools to complete the clinical assessment of patients with cervical cancer. However, the preferable imaging approach is still unclear. We aimed to explore the prognostic power of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (ceCT), and [F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography ([F]FDG-PET)/CT in patients staged for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC, FIGO stages IB3-IVA).

Divergent Oxidative Stress in Normal Tissues and Inflammatory Cells in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background: Previous studies reported mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum redox stress in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) of treatment-naïve Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Here, we assessed whether this response also applies to non-HL (NHL) patients, and whether the oxidative damage is a selective feature of PBMCs or, rather, also affects tissues not directly involved in the inflammatory response.

Methods: Isolated PBMCs of 28 HL, 9 diffuse large B cell lymphoma, 8 less aggressive-NHL, and 45 controls underwent flow cytometry to evaluate redox stress and uptake of the glucose analogue 2-NBDG.

The Impact of Non-Andrological Medications on Semen Characteristics, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Parameters.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of medications on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers and semen characteristics in males with idiopathic infertility. : In this observational case-control clinical study, 50 men with idiopathic infertility were enrolled, of whom 38 (the study group) were on pharmacological treatment and 12 made up the control group. The study group was clustered according to the medications (Group A: anti-hypertensive, = 10; Group B: thyroxine, = 6; Group C: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, = 13; Group D: miscellaneous, = 6; Group E: lipid-lowering drugs, = 4).

Endovascular aortic repair impact on myocardial contractility: A prospective study.

Background: This study aimed to estimate if the altered sphygmic wave transmission may affect the left ventricular (LV) contractile function in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

Methods: A prospective single-centre study was carried out on consecutive patients undergoing EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm. A preoperative and 6-month single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with arterial stiffness measurement were performed to evaluate variations in pressure wave curve and myocardial perfusion parameters.

Atrial natriuretic peptide stimulates autophagy/mitophagy and improves mitochondrial function in chronic heart failure.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, causing increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, is a molecular feature of heart failure (HF). A defective antioxidant response and mitophagic flux were reported in circulating leucocytes of patients with chronic HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exerts many cardiac beneficial effects, including the ability to protect cardiomyocytes by promoting autophagy.

FGFR2c Upregulation Contributes to Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Program Activation and to Enhanced Autophagy in Actinic Keratosis-Derived Dermal Fibroblasts: A Possible Role in Precancerous Cell/Stromal Cell Crosstalk.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a preneoplastic skin disorder which can rapidly progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In light of our previous findings, indicating a possible oncogenic role of the mesenchymal isoform of FGFR2 (FGFR2c) aberrantly expressed in AK keratinocytes, we analyzed the possible tumor-promoting role of this receptor in the stromal AK counterpart in this work. Molecular analysis showed that, particularly in early AK lesions, FGFR2c dermal upregulation is accompanied by the downregulation of the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) transcription repressor CSL, the upregulation of the CAF activator ULK3, and the consequent CAF gene induction.