Modulation of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway promotes expansion and maturation of human iPSCs-derived myogenic progenitor cells.

Generation of induced pluripotent cells (hiPSCs)-derived skeletal muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs) holds great promise for regenerative medicine for skeletal muscle wasting diseases, as for example Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Multiple approaches, involving ectopic expression of key regulatory myogenic genes or small molecules cocktails, have been described by different groups to obtain SMPC towards cell-transplantation as a therapeutic approach to skeletal muscle diseases. However, hiPSCs-derived SMPC generated using transgene-free protocols are usually obtained in a low amount and resemble a more embryonal/fetal stage of differentiation.

Tenascin-C from the tissue microenvironment promotes muscle stem cell self-renewal through Annexin A2.

Skeletal muscle tissue self-repair occurs through the finely timed activation of resident muscle stem cells (MuSC). Following perturbation, MuSC exit quiescence, undergo myogenic commitment, and differentiate to regenerate the injured muscle. This process is coordinated by signals present in the tissue microenvironment, however the precise mechanisms by which the microenvironment regulates MuSC activation are still poorly understood.

Radiotherapy with cetuximab or durvalumab for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer in patients with a contraindication to cisplatin (NRG-HN004): an open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Management of patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) when cisplatin is contraindicated is controversial. We aimed to assess whether radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant durvalumab would improve outcomes compared with radiotherapy with cetuximab.

Methods: NRG-HN004 was designed as an open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial with safety lead-in conducted at 89 academic and community medical centres in North America.

3D-Printed Polymeric Biomaterials for Health Applications.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, holds immense potential for rapid prototyping and customized production of functional health-related devices. With advancements in polymer chemistry and biomedical engineering, polymeric biomaterials have become integral to 3D-printed biomedical applications. However, there still exists a bottleneck in the compatibility of polymeric biomaterials with different 3D printing methods, as well as intrinsic challenges such as limited printing resolution and rates.

The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma.

Among blood cancers, multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common neoplasm and is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells within the bone marrow. Despite the last few decades being characterized by the development of different therapeutic strategies against MM, at present such disease is still considered incurable. Although MM is highly heterogeneous in terms of genetic and molecular subtypes, about 67% of MM cases are associated with abnormal activity of the transcription factor c-Myc, which has so far revealed a protein extremely difficult to target.

Major Publications in the Critical Care Pharmacotherapy Literature: 2023.

Objectives: We aimed to summarize the most significant and impactful publications describing the pharmacotherapeutic care of critically ill patients in 2023.

Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE and the Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Pharmacotherapy Literature Update.

Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials and prospective studies of adult critically ill patients assessing a pharmacotherapeutic intervention and reporting clinical endpoints published between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, were eligible for inclusion in this article.

Clinical profile and management of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to cardiac care units: The EYESHOT-2 registry.

Background: The clinical governance of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has markedly changed in the last few years. We sought to assess the contemporary in-hospital management patterns of patients with AMI at a country level.

Methods: EYESHOT (EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in iTalian cardiac care units)-2 was a nationwide, prospective registry aimed to evaluate the current management of patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units (CCUs) for an AMI in Italy.

Potential Impact of Physical Activity on Measures of Well-Being and Quality of Life in People with Rare Diseases: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Italy.

Background: Rare diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of approximately 7000-8000 conditions, distinguished by their low prevalence. Collectively, they present a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that rare diseases affect approximately 10% of the global population, which places a significant burden on individuals, families, and society.

Cigarette smoke exposure impairs early-stage recovery from lengthening contraction-induced muscle injury in male mice.

The use of tobacco cigarettes produces locomotor muscle weakness and fatigue intolerance. Also, smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients have a greater incidence of muscle injury and a deficient myogenic response. However, the effects of smoke exposure on the recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle injuries are unknown.

Redefining Candidates for Deintensification in Locoregionally Advanced P16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer Based on Relative Risk.

Purpose: Randomized trials have found that patients with locoregionally advanced p16+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) do not benefit from treatment deintensification, even among favorable risk groups. Although various methods have been used to identify candidates for treatment deintensification, the optimal approach is unknown.

Methods And Materials: We conducted a multi-institutional cohort study of 444 patients with previously untreated p16+ OPSCC undergoing definitive radiation therapy with or without systemic therapy between 2009 and 2022.

Ferroptosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma: connecting the dots to move forward.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive disease whose incomplete biological comprehension contributes to the inappropriate clinical management and poor prognosis. Thus, the identification of new promising molecular targets to treat OSCC is of paramount importance. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death caused by the iron-dependent accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the consequent oxidative damage of lipid membranes.

Automated registration-based skull stripping procedure for feline neuroimaging.

Skull stripping is a fundamental preprocessing step in modern neuroimaging analyses that consists of removing non-brain voxels from structural images. When performed entirely manually, this laborious step can be rate-limiting for analyses, with the potential to influence the population size chosen. This emphasizes the need for a fully- or semi-automated masking procedure to decrease man-hours without an associated decline in accuracy.

Gray matter volume of the feline cerebral cortex and structural plasticity following perinatal deafness.

In response to sensory deprivation, the brain adapts according to contemporary demands to efficiently navigate a modified perceptual environment. This reorganization may result in improved processing of the remaining senses-a phenomenon referred to as compensatory crossmodal plasticity. One approach to explore this neuroplasticity is to consider the macrostructural changes in neural tissue that mirror this functional optimization.

Ventilation strategies in cardiogenic shock: Insights from the AltShock-2 registry.

Aims: To describe the use and the relation to outcome of different ventilation strategies in a contemporary, large, prospective registry of cardiogenic shock patients.

Methods And Results: Among 657 patients enrolled from March 2020 to November 2023, 198 (30.1%) received oxygen therapy (OT), 96 (14.

Discovery of novel FGF trap small molecules endowed with anti-myeloma activity.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) act as proangiogenic and mitogenic cytokines in several cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM). Indeed, corrupted FGF autocrine and paracrine secretion induces an aberrant activation of the FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling sustaining cancer cell spreading and resistance to pharmacological treatments. Thus, FGF traps may represent a promising anti-cancer strategy to hamper the ligand-dependent activation of the FGF/FGFR system.

The role of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in myocardial infarction: available evidence and future perspectives.

There is an unmet need for new treatment options for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as progress in patients' outcomes has plateaued over the past 15 years. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated cardio-renal benefits in various disease states, encompassing diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. Experimental studies further support their use in AMI, demonstrating beneficial effects in animal models by reducing infarct size and mitigating adverse cardiac remodelling.

First-trimester 3D fetal neurosonography: five standardised views.

Background: There are several international guidelines for foetal anomalies scanning at 11-14 weeks' gestation. The aim of this study is to present our first-trimester specialist neurosonography protocol with examples of pathology in order to develop a systematic approach to evaluating the first-trimester foetal brain.

Methods: Women undergoing a first-trimester foetal medicine ultrasound scan between 2010 and 2020 for multiple indications underwent neurosonography according to a set protocol.

STAT3 inhibition recovers regeneration of aged muscles by restoring autophagy in muscle stem cells.

Age-related reduction in muscle stem cell (MuSC) regenerative capacity is associated with cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous changes caused by alterations in systemic and skeletal muscle environments, ultimately leading to a decline in MuSC number and function. Previous studies demonstrated that STAT3 plays a key role in driving MuSC expansion and differentiation after injury-activated regeneration, by regulating autophagy in activated MuSCs. However, autophagy gradually declines in MuSCs during lifespan and contributes to the impairment of MuSC-mediated regeneration of aged muscles.

Examining the relationship between civic engagement and mental health in young adults: a systematic review of the literature.

Researchers have examined civic engagement as a health promotion tool among older adults and adolescents, yet less is known about its mental health implications for young adults. This systematic review identified 53 articles on civic engagement and well-being in young adults. Five key themes emerged: (1) varying associations between type of civic engagement and well-being, (2) duration and frequency of civic behaviors, (3) directionality in the civic-to-well-being pathway, (4) mediation and moderation factors affecting the civic-to-well-being pathway, and (5) civic engagement as a tool for coping with adversity or systemic oppression.

Sex-Specific Survival and Treatment Delay in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: As the majority of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is diagnosed in males, outcomes among females are not well-characterized. We identify sex-specific factors in OPSCC to refine female prognostication.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.