Brolucizumab for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: An Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Analysis.

: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the structural and functional outcomes after the loading phase with brolucizumab in switched patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to identify potential predictive biomarkers of treatment response. : A total of 28 eyes with DME, switched to brolucizumab, were retrospectively reviewed. Main outcomes during the follow-up period, up to 6 weeks after the fifth injection, included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume, subfoveal choroidal thickness, intraretinal and subretinal fluid (IRF and SRF), cyst dimension including maximal horizontal cyst diameter (MHCD), maximal vertical cyst diameter (MVCD), width-to-height ratio (WHR), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) dimension, and vessel density (VD).

Exudative perifoveal vascular anomalous complex (ePVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy.

Purpose: to report a case of exudative perifoveal vascular anomalous complex (ePVAC) in a patient with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy.

Observations: A 71-year-old male presented with moderate vision loss in his left eye. His past medical and ocular history were unremarkable.

Frontiers and Challenges of Computing ncRNAs Biogenesis, Function and Modulation.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), generated from nonprotein coding DNA sequences, constitute 98-99% of the human genome. Non-coding RNAs encompass diverse functional classes, including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. With critical involvement in gene expression and regulation across various biological and physiopathological contexts, such as neuronal disorders, immune responses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, non-coding RNAs are emerging as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Label-Free SERS and MD Analysis of Biomarkers for Rapid Point-of-Care Sensors Detecting Head and Neck Cancer and Infections.

For the progress of point-of-care medicine, where individual health status can be easily and quickly monitored using a handheld sensor, saliva serves as one of the best-suited body fluids thanks to its availability and abundance of physiological indicators. Salivary biomarkers, combined with rapid and highly sensitive detection tools, may pave the way to new real-time health monitoring and personalized preventative therapy branches using saliva as a target matrix. Saliva is increasing in importance in liquid biopsy, a non-invasive approach that helps physicians diagnose and characterize specific diseases in patients.

SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity of a short peptide derived from internal fusion peptide of S2 subunit of spike glycoprotein.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a great concern in human population. To fight coronavirus emergence, we have dissected the conserved amino acid region of the internal fusion peptide in the S2 subunit of Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to design new inhibitory peptides. Among the 11 overlapping peptides (9-23-mer), PN19, a 19-mer peptide, exhibited a powerful inhibitory activity against different SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolate variants in absence of cytotoxicity.

Management of lung cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: dos, don'ts and don't knows.

Aim: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic two needs have overlapped: on one hand continuing to provide the best care for patients with lung cancer and preventing the spread of the virus between patients and healthcare professionals on the other hand. Due to the pandemic's unpredictable duration, physicians had to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of anti-cancer therapeutic strategy to do the best for their patients and to protect patients themselves, as well as healthcare workers.

Methods: Systematic literature research was performed with the aim to assess the available guidelines for the management of lung cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The dynamics of t1 adenosine binding on human Argonaute 2: Understanding recognition with conformational selection.

The control of expression in genetic regulation is a fundamental process for cell life. In RNA-mediated silencing, human Argonaute-2 protein (hAgo2) uses sequence information encoded in small RNAs (guide) to identify complementary sites in messenger RNAs (target) for repression. The specificity of this molecular recognition lies at the basis of the mechanisms that control the expression of thousands of genes, which necessarily requires a fine tuning of complex events.

BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) and miR-31 combination predicts outcomes in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease, with few available treatment options. Identification of novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers is a priority. In MPM patients, BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) alterations are detected in about 60% of cases and miR-31 seems to be involved in BAP1 regulation at post-transcriptional level.

Exploring the role of respiratory microbiome in lung cancer: A systematic review.

Giving the potential contribute in cancer initiation and progression, lung microbiota represents a promising topic in cancer research, although still unexplored. We performed a systematic literature search to identify clinical studies evaluating lung microbiota composition, its correlation with lung cancer patients' clinico-pathological features and prognosis. Of the identified 370 studies, 21 were eligible and included.

The Gustave Roussy Immune (GRIm)-Score Variation Is an Early-on-Treatment Biomarker of Outcome in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Treated with First-Line Pembrolizumab.

Background: The Gustave Roussy Immune (GRIm)-Score takes into account neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum albumin concentration and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its prognostic value has been investigated in patients treated with immune check-point inhibitors (ICIs). To further assess the prognostic and predictive value of baseline GRIm-Score (GRImT0) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients, we separately investigated two cohorts of patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab or chemotherapy. We also investigated whether GRIm-Score at 45 days since treatment initiation (GRImT1) and GRIm-Score difference between the two timepoints may better predict clinical outcomes (GRImΔ = GRImT0 - GRImT1).

The role of angiogenetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms in thymic malignancies and thymic benign lesions.

Background: We previously showed that selected single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in angiogenesis influence the aggressiveness of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). This study analyzes their role in TETs and in thymic benign lesions, in order to investigate potential correlation with risk and outcome.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of 92 patients, undergoing surgery at our Institution.

Machine Learning of Allosteric Effects: The Analysis of Ligand-Induced Dynamics to Predict Functional Effects in TRAP1.

Allosteric molecules provide a powerful means to modulate protein function. However, the effect of such ligands on distal orthosteric sites cannot be easily described by classical docking methods. Here, we applied machine learning (ML) approaches to expose the links between local dynamic patterns and different degrees of allosteric inhibition of the ATPase function in the molecular chaperone TRAP1.

High-intensity statins are associated with improved clinical activity of PD-1 inhibitors in malignant pleural mesothelioma and advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: In preclinical models, statins showed vaccine adjuvant activities and synergized with PD-1 inhibitors. We analyzed the impact of statin treatment on clinical outcome in thoracic cancer patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Methods: A total of 82 malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and 179 advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors as second or further line treatment were examined.

High Prevalence and Early Occurrence of Skeletal Complications in EGFR Mutated NSCLC Patients With Bone Metastases.

Objectives: The prevalence of Skeletal Related Adverse Events (SREs) in EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with bone metastases, treated with modern tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has been scarcely investigated.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of EGFR mutated NSCLC patients with bone metastases treated with TKIs in 12 Italian centers from 2014 to 2019, with the primary aim to explore type and frequency of SREs.

Results: Seventy-seven out of 274 patients enrolled (28%) developed at least one major SRE: 55/274 (20%) bone fractures, 30/274 (11%) spinal cord compression, 5/274 (2%) hypercalcemia.

Setup and Validation of a Reliable Docking Protocol for the Development of Neuroprotective Agents by Targeting the Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R).

Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a promising molecular target for the development of novel effective therapies against neurodegenerative diseases. To speed up the discovery of new S1R modulators, herein we report the development of a reliable in silico protocol suitable to predict the affinity of small molecules against S1R. The docking method was validated by comparing the computational calculated values of a test set of new aryl-aminoalkyl-ketone with experimental determined binding affinity.

Benefits and Limitations of a Multidisciplinary Approach in Cancer Patient Management.

Over the years, a growing body of literature has confirmed as beneficial the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the so-often-intricate scenario of cancer patients' management. Together with the consolidation of tumor-board experience in clinical practice, certain aspects have emerged as controversial and a source of current debate. In this systematic literature review, we focused our attention on the impact of multidisciplinary tumor boards, assessing benefits and limitations as a result of the dissemination of such approaches.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): Optimal Management.

Hyponatremia, defined as serum sodium concentration <135 mEq/l, is the most common electrolyte balance disorder in clinical practice. Many causes are listed, but syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is certainly the most relevant, mainly in oncological and hospitalized patients. In this review, the pathophysiological and clinical aspects are described in detail.

MALAT1 as a Versatile Regulator of Cancer: Overview of the updates from Predatory role as Competitive Endogenous RNA to Mechanistic Insights.

The central dogma of molecular biology, has remained a cornerstone of classical molecular biology. However, serendipitously discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) in nematodes paradigmatically shifted our current knowledge of the intricate mechanisms during transitions from transcription to translation. The discovery of miRNA captured considerable attention and appreciation, and we had witnessed an explosion in the field of non-coding RNAs.

Hyponatremia is a Predictor of Clinical Outcome for Resected Biliary Tract Cancers: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) include both gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, both of which have a poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the main clinical prognostic factors in this setting and to assess their impact on overall survival (OS).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data collected on 64 patients with BTC who underwent surgery with radical intent at our institution.

Prognostic relevance of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 pathway in thymic malignancies with combined immunohistochemical and biomolecular approach.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and their mRNA expression in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs).

Research Design And Methods: We analyzed 68 samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (63 thymomas and 5 thymic carcinomas). PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR.

The Role of Hyponatraemia Before Surgery in Patients With Radical Resected Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: Hyponatraemia represents a negative prognostic factor in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the role of hyponatraemia in patients undergoing radical surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A total of 89 patients with stage I-III pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma underwent radical surgery between November 2012 and October 2014.

Questioning the prognostic role of BAP-1 immunohistochemistry in malignant pleural mesothelioma: A single center experience with systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The prognostic role of BRCA1 associated protein-1 (BAP1) expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a matter of debate. We aimed to clarify whether MPM patients with loss of BAP1 expression have better overall survival (OS) compared to BAP1 positive patients.

Methods: BAP1 immunohistochemical staining of tumor samples from 60 MPM patients treated at our institution with first-line chemotherapy was evaluated.

Electrolyte disorders in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune check-point inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relative risk (RR) of electrolyte disorders (EDs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients treated with immune check-point inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: We searched for phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ICIs (alone or combined with chemotherapy) with standard chemotherapy in aNSCLC. Summary incidence and RR were calculated.