Machine learning to predict the decision to perform surgery in hepatic echinococcosis.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a significant public health issue, primarily affecting the liver. While several management strategies exist, there is a lack of predictive tools to guide surgical decisions for hepatic CE. This study aimed to develop predictive models to support surgical decision-making in hepatic CE, enhancing the precision of patient allocation to surgical or non-surgical management pathways.

Forty-eight months outcomes of teduglutide treatment in adult stable patients with short bowel syndrome and home parenteral nutrition dependence: A real-world Italian single-center observational cohort study.

Aim Of The Study: This real-life study is designed to investigate the short and long-term efficacy and safety of teduglutide (TED) and its effects on the quality of life (QoL) in a cohort of adult, stable patients with short bowel syndrome and chronic intestinal failure receiving long-term parenteral support (PS).

Patient And Methods: A prospective, single-center study was conducted for individuals who began to take TED between March 2017 and August 2023.

Results: Ten patients were included in the analysis, among whom the median duration of TED administration was 48 (range, 12-71) months.

A fungal sRNA silences a host plant transcription factor to promote arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Cross-kingdom RNA interference (ckRNAi) is a mechanism of interspecies communication where small RNAs (sRNAs) are transported from one organism to another; these sRNAs silence target genes in trans by loading into host AGO proteins. In this work, we investigated the occurrence of ckRNAi in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis (AMS). We used an in silico prediction analysis to identify a sRNA (Rir2216) from the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and its putative plant gene target, the Medicago truncatula MtWRKY69 transcription factor.

Predicting paediatric asthma exacerbations with machine learning: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Asthma exacerbations in children pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and families. While traditional risk assessment tools exist, artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for enhanced prediction models.

Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate and quantify the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting the risk of hospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission for acute asthma exacerbations in children.

Oncogenic mutations in the TP53 and PI-3 kinase/AKT pathway are independent predictors of survival for advanced thyroid cancer: Analysis from the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST) program.

Background: Thyroid cancers with mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT pathway have a poorer prognosis. However, knowledge about the relationship between histology, mutation profile, and outcomes is still developing. This study assessed the prognostic value of genomic profiles for patients with advanced thyroid cancer who experienced progression on conventional treatment.

Synbiotic supplementation may globally improve non-motor symptoms in patients with stable Parkinson's disease: results from an open label single-arm study.

Gut microbiota changes and brain-gut-axis (BGA) dysregulation are common in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Probiotics and prebiotics are emerging as a potential therapeutic approach for PD patients. The aim of this paper was to assess the neurological and gastroenterological effects in PD patients with constipation after the administration of a synbiotic product, with a focus on behavioral and cognitive symptoms.

Circulating Endothelin 1 but Not Transforming Growth Factor-β Levels Are Reduced after Pulmonary Endarterectomy in Subjects Affected by Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology and vascular remodeling of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) which is an under-diagnosed complication of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Currently, pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is still the treatment of choice for selected patients suffering from CTEPH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative circulating levels of ET-1 and TGF-β in subjects affected by CTEPH undergoing successful surgical treatment by PEA.

Eating disorder risks and psychopathological distress in Italian high school adolescents.

Background: Psychopathological disorders are often comorbid diagnosis in eating disorders (EDs). We aimed to assess the presence of psychopathological traits and symptoms associated with EDs in an Italian high school adolescent population.

Methods: A sample of high school adolescents was enrolled, and demographic and clinical data were collected.

Antibiotics Removal during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Septic Shock Patients: Mixed Modality Versus "Expanded Haemodialysis".

Background And Objective: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) plays a critical role in antimicrobial removal, particularly for low-molecular-weight drugs with low plasma protein binding, low distribution volume and hydrophilicity. Medium cut-off (MCO) membranes represent a new generation in dialysis technology, enhancing diffusive modality efficacy and increasing the cut-off from 30 to 45 kDa, crucial for middle molecule removal. This monocentric randomized crossover pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of continuous haemodialysis with MCO membrane (MCO-CVVHD) on the removal of piperacillin, tazobactam and meropenem compared with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration with standard high-flux membrane (HFM-CVVHDF).

YAP Ultralate Laser-Evoked Responses in Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study in Patients with Small Fiber Pathology.

: The investigation of C-fiber-evoked ultralow-level responses (ULEPs) at somatic sites is difficult in clinical practice but may be useful in patients with small fiber neuropathy. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in LEPs and ULEPs in patients with fibromyalgia affected or not by abnormal intraepidermal innervation. : We recorded LEPs and ULEPs of the hand, thigh and foot in 13 FM patients with a normal skin biopsy (NFM), 13 patients with a reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) (AFM) and 13 age-matched controls.

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units.

Background: The demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll.

Objective: The aim was to achieve adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) use in 90% of patient encounters, to reach 90% compliance with objectives of patient flow (OPF) and to provide emotional support tools to 90% of healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design in 14 ICUs in Argentina.

After silencing suppression: miRNA targets strike back.

Within the continuous tug-of-war between plants and microbes, RNA silencing stands out as a key battleground. Pathogens, in their quest to colonize host plants, have evolved a diverse arsenal of silencing suppressors as a common strategy to undermine the host's RNA silencing-based defenses. When RNA silencing malfunctions in the host, genes that are usually targeted and silenced by microRNAs (miRNAs) become active and can contribute to the reprogramming of host cells, providing an additional defense mechanism.

Comparison of Synthetic Pathways for Obtaining Fluorescent Nanomaterials Based on Halloysite and Carbon Dots for Potential Biological Sensing.

Recently, fluorescent sensors have gained considerable attention due to their high sensitivity, low cost and noninvasiveness. Among the different materials that can be used for this purpose, carbon dots (CDs) represent valuable candidates for applications in sensing. These, indeed, are easily synthesized, show high quantum yield and are highly biocompatible.

Video clips for patient comprehension of atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis in emergency care. A randomised clinical trial.

Integrating video clips in the discharge process may enhance patients' understanding and awareness of their condition. To determine the effect of video clip-integrated discharge discussion on patient comprehension of atrial fibrillation (AF) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and their main complications (stroke and pulmonary embolism), we designed a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel groups, randomised clinical trial, that was conducted at two Emergency Units in Italy. A convenience sample of 144 adult patients (or their caregivers) discharged home with either AF or DVT were randomised to receive standard verbal instructions (control) or video clip-integrated doctor-patient discharge discussion.

Does Meal or Water Intake Affect Ultrasound Attenuation Coefficient Estimate?

Objectives: To assess whether meal or water intake may affect the measurement of the ultrasound (US) attenuation coefficient (AC) imaging, a parameter that is directly related to liver fat content.

Methods: The study was performed in two centers (Italy and USA). AC was obtained using the ATI algorithm implemented in the Aplio i-series US systems (Canon Medical Systems, Japan) by one operator at each center.

Clinical outcomes of diverticular disease in young adults: results from a tertiary referral center.

Introduction: Diverticular disease (DD), commonly associated with the elderly, is becoming more prevalent among younger individuals. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the differences in the natural history and outcomes between young and old patients with DD.

Methods: Adult patients with DD diagnosed between 2010 and 2022 at an Italian tertiary referral center were enrolled, and their demographic and clinical data were retrieved.