Bias in O-Information Estimation.

Higher-order relationships are a central concept in the science of complex systems. A popular method of attempting to estimate the higher-order relationships of synergy and redundancy from data is through the O-information. It is an information-theoretic measure composed of Shannon entropy terms that quantifies the balance between redundancy and synergy in a system.

Intradialytic serum phosphate variations are associated with low PTH levels.

Background: Numerous studies have explored the role of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in phosphorus (P) control among prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, whether the reduction of P achieved during KRT affects parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels is still a matter of debate.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on the prevalent HD population at the Division of Nephrology, University Hospital of Verona, from January to December 2022.

Graph-guided Gaussian Process-based Diagnosis of CVD Severity with Uncertainty Measures.

The severity of coronary artery disease can be assessed invasively using the Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) index which is a useful diagnostic tool for the clinicians to select the treatment approach. The present work capitalizes a Gaussian process (GP) framework over graphs for the prediction of FFR index using only non-invasive imaging and clinical features. More specifically, taking the per-node one-hop connectivity vector as input, we employed a regression-based task by applying an ensemble of graph-adapted Gaussian process experts, with a data-adaptive fashion via online training.

Fusion computed tomography-magnetic resonance imaging scans for pre-operative staging of congenital middle-ear cholesteatoma.

Objective: To evaluate if fusion computed tomography-diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging may have a role in the pre-operative assessment of congenital middle-ear cholesteatoma.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of surgically treated congenital middle-ear cholesteatoma patients over a 2-year timespan was conducted. Pre-operative staging was performed on computed tomography and fusion computed tomography-diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging based on extension of the disease according to the ChOLE classification system and the Potsic classification system.

Surgical anatomy of posterior tympanotomy: influence of the retrotympanum on round window exposure.

Objectives: To describe how the retrotympanic structures could influence the visibility of the round window niche and the round window membrane during cochlear implant surgery, and to investigate if a round window approach is possible even in cases with unfavourable anatomy.

Methods: Video recordings from 37 patients who underwent cochlear implantation were reviewed. The visibility of the round window niche and round window membrane at different timepoints was assessed according to a modified version of the Saint Thomas Hospital classification.

Features and management of a schwannoma of the chorda tympani and review of the literature.

Intrinsic facial nerve tumors are rare lesions. Among the different histology types, schwannomas is the most frequently reported in literature. Other histological types of facial nerve tumors are hemangiomas, meningiomas, and neurofibromas.

Therapeutic alternatives in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: from pulmonary endarterectomy to balloon pulmonary angioplasty to medical therapy. State of the art from a multidisciplinary team.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare disease with a very complex pathophysiology differing from other causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH). It is an infrequent consequence of acute pulmonary embolism that is frequently misdiagnosed. Pathogenesis has been related to coagulation abnormalities, infection or inflammation, although these disturbances can be absent in many cases.

Impact of Predicted Heart Mass-Based Donor-Recipient Size Matching on Transplant Outcomes.

Background: Currently, guidelines for appropriate donor sizing in recipients mostly focuses on donor-recipient body weight matching. The purpose is to retrospectively determine the impact of predicted heart mass (pHM)-based size matching on heart transplant (HT) outcomes.

Methods: According to our institutional registry, 512 consecutive adult patients underwent HT between January 2000 and August 2020.

The Tensor Tympani Tendon: A Hypothetical Site of Origin of Congenital Cholesteatoma.

Multiple theories have been discussed about the etiopathogenesis of congenital middle ear cholesteatoma (CMEC) and its specific site of origin. The intraoperative identification of the precise location of the keratinous mass is important to guarantee its complete removal, in order to reduce the risk of recurrence. This study proposes the tensor tympani tendon (TTT) as a possible site of origin of CMEC.

Dermoid Cyst of the retroauricular region: a rare clinicopathological entity.

Dermoid cysts (DC) of the head and neck are rare congenital anomalies derived from entrapment of ectodermal cells at lines of fusion in the embryo into mesoderm. We describe a 22-years-old female with an unusual presentation of DC in the subcutaneous tissue of the retro-auricular region, confirmed by pathological examination of the surgically removed specimen. A DC in this region is rare and may be misdiagnosed as a retroauricular lymph node.

Nutritional Aspects in Diabetic CKD Patients on Tertiary Care.

: Diabetes is largely prevalent in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. Both conditions have metabolic and nutritional abnormalities that affect body composition and the presence of diabetes makes the dietary management of CKD patients more difficult. The aim of this study was to assess peculiar nutritional and functional aspects of diabetic patients in an adult/elderly CKD population, and their predictive significance.

The Association Between Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Results From an Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

Cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, and depression are among the most frequent clinical conditions in the Western world, often in comorbidity. Evidence regarding a shared pathophysiology suggests a mediating role by chronic systemic inflammation. The aims of this study were to measure the association between anxiety and depressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammatory markers.

Prevalence and Correlates of Sarcopenia among Elderly CKD Outpatients on Tertiary Care.

Background: Sarcopenia is a widespread concern in chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well in elderly patients and is one of the main reasons why low-protein diets for this population are controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of sarcopenia among elderly male patients affected by CKD followed up in an outpatient nephrology clinic, where moderate protein restriction (0.6⁻0.

Efficacy of stem cells on periodontal regeneration: Systematic review of pre-clinical studies.

This systematic review aims to evaluate mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) periodontal regenerative potential in animal models. MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases were searched for quantitative pre-clinical controlled animal model studies that evaluated the effect of local administration of MSC on periodontal regeneration. The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines.

Polydimethylsiloxane Injection Laryngoplasty for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Long-Term Results.

Objectives: To analyze the long-term objective, perceptive, and subjective outcomes after endoscopic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) injection laryngoplasty in unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Study Design: A retrospective study carried out between January 2008 and January 2012.

Setting: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.

Aesthetic comparison between synthetic glue and subcuticular sutures in thyroid and parathyroid surgery: a single-blinded randomised clinical trial.

The aim of our study was to compare, in terms of aesthetic results, the use of synthetic glue to intradermal absorbable sutures in postthyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy wound closure in a single blinded, randomised, per protocol equivalence study. From September 2008 to May 2010, patients undergoing thyroid or parathyroid surgery (with an external approach) at the Otolaryngology Department of the University Hospital of Modena were assessed for eligibility. In total, 42 patients who had had synthetic glue application on surgical incisions (A) and 47 patients who had subcuticular sutures on their surgical incisions (B) were enrolled.

Deficient production of IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-6 coupled to oxidative stress in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome monocytes.

Objective: To determine whether dysregulated production of cytokines downstream of interleukin (IL)-1 participates in the pathophysiology of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).

Methods: Primary monocytes from patients with CAPS, unstimulated or after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, were examined for signs of stress and production of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and IL-6 in comparison with monocytes from patients with autoimmune diseases and from healthy donors.

Results: Unstimulated CAPS monocytes showed mild signs of stress including elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and fragmented mitochondria.

Voice and swallowing after partial laryngectomy: factors influencing outcome.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing swallowing and phonatory results after partial laryngectomy.

Methods: We carried out a medical chart review of patients who underwent partial laryngectomies between June 2003 and November 2010, focusing on functional outcomes.

Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled.

The rate of interleukin-1beta secretion in different myeloid cells varies with the extent of redox response to Toll-like receptor triggering.

Human myeloid cells activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and secrete interleukin (IL)-1β in response to various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, but the rate of secretion is much higher in primary human monocytes than in cultured macrophages or THP-1 cells. The different myeloid cells also display different redox status under resting conditions and redox response to TLR activation. Resting monocytes display a balanced redox state, with low production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants.

Parapharyngeal space tumors without mandibulotomy: our experience.

Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors are rare and benign in 80% of cases. Since surgeons first resected this anatomical region, the surgical approach to PPS bulks has been a hot topic due to their shape and the important structures involved. We present a series of patients treated with a transcervical or transcervical-transparotid approach to benign PPS tumors without mandibulotomy.

Clinical presentation and pathogenesis of cold-induced autoinflammatory disease in a family with recurrence of an NLRP12 mutation.

Objective: NLRP12 mutations have been described in patients affected with peculiar autoinflammatory symptoms. This study was undertaken to characterize NLRP12 mutations in patients with autoinflammatory syndromes, particularly a novel missense mutation, p.D294E, affecting a protein sequence crucial for ATP binding, which was identified in a Caucasian family with familial cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome in some family members.

Horizontal glottectomy: is it an out-of-date procedure?

Purpose: The aim of the study is to illustrate our experience with horizontal glottectomy (HG), reviewing the indications and results of this uncommon partial laryngectomy.

Materials And Methods: It is a retrospective study. We completed a chart review of patients who underwent partial laryngectomy between May 2003 and June 2010.

Altered redox state of monocytes from cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes causes accelerated IL-1beta secretion.

In healthy monocytes, Toll-like receptor (TLR) engagement induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), followed by an antioxidant response involved in IL-1beta processing and secretion. Markers of the antioxidant response include intracellular thioredoxin and extracellular release of reduced cysteine. Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are autoinflammatory diseases in which Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) gene mutations lead to increased IL-1beta secretion.

DAMPs and inflammatory processes: the role of redox in the different outcomes.

Inflammation is deeply entangled with redox modulation. Triggering of PRRs on inflammatory cells induces ROS generation. As a consequence, activated cells mount antioxidant responses to counteract the possible harmful effects of oxidation.