Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Focused Vibrations Plus Kinesiotaping with Insights into Radiological Influences-An Observational Study.

Background: This observational study investigates the efficacy of combining local muscle vibration (LMV) therapy and kinesiotaping using the McConnell method (KMcCM) in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a prevalent knee condition characterized by anterior or medial knee pain exacerbated by activities that overload the patellofemoral joint.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LMV combined with KMcCM in reducing pain and improving function in PFPS patients.

Macular Alterations in a Cohort of Caucasian Patients Affected by Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of macular complications detected by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a large Caucasian cohort of RP patients, highlight the major alterations in chorioretinal structure, and compare the macular structural changes in eyes affected by retinal dystrophies with those in healthy controls.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Three hundred and seven patients with RP were consecutively enrolled and underwent clinical assessment.

Focal Versus Combined Focal Plus Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Retrospective Study.

Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and degeneration of the common extensor tendon. Despite various treatments, optimal management remains debated. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of focal extracorporeal shockwave therapy (F-ESWT) alone versus a combination of focal and radial pressure waves (F-ESWT+R-PW) in treating chronic lateral epicondylitis.

Psychophysical, electrofunctional, and morphological evaluation in naïve neovascular AMD patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the retinal morpho-functional characteristics of patients with neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal injection (IV) of aflibercept (AFL).

Methods: The study was conducted on 35 patients previously diagnosed with type 1 nAMD who received a fixed-dosing regimen of aflibercept injections over 12 months. The goal was to assess trends in visual abilities over time by measuring visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), visual evoked potentials (VEPs), and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Petroclival Clinoidal Folds and Arachnoidal Membranes of the Anteromedial Incisural Space: Clinical Anatomy for Neuro Critical Care.

A systematic and narrative literature review was performed, focusing attention on the anatomy of the area located at the junction of the sphenoid and the basal portion of the temporal bone (petrous bone, petrous apex, upper petro-clival region) encircled by the free edge of the tentorium, the insertion of the tentorium itself to the petrous apex and the anterior and posterior clinoid processes that give rise to three distinct dural folds or ligaments: the anterior petroclinoid ligament, the posterior petroclinoid ligament and the interclinoid ligament. These dural folds constitute the posterior portion of the roof of the cavernous sinus denominated "the oculomotor triangle". The main purpose of this review study was to describe this anatomical region, particularly in the light of the relationships between the anterior margin of the free edge of the tentorium and the above-mentioned components of the sphenoid and petrous bone.

Cancer progression: a single cell perspective.

Tumor tissues are constituted by a dynamic diversity of malignant and non-malignant cells, which shape a puzzling biological ecosystem affecting cancer biology and response to treatments. Over the course of the tumoral disease, cancer cells acquire genotypic and phenotypic changes, allowing them to improve cellular fitness and overcome environmental and treatment constraints. This progression is depicted by an evolutionary process in which single cells expand as a result of an interaction between single-cell changes and the local microenvironment.

Effects of Modified Glucosamine on the Chondrogenic Potential of Circulating Stem Cells under Experimental Inflammation.

Glucosamine (GlcN) is a glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) constituent in connective tissues. It is naturally produced by our body or consumed from diets. In the last decade, in vitro and in vivo trials have demonstrated that the administration of GlcN or its derivates has a protective effect on cartilage when the balance between catabolic and anabolic processes is disrupted and cells are no longer able to fully compensate for the loss of collagen and proteoglycans.

Pyrrolyl and Indolyl α-γ-Diketo Acid Derivatives Acting as Selective Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases IX and XII.

Solid tumors are active tissues containing hypoxic regions and producing metabolic acids. By decreasing pH, cancer cells create a hostile environment for surrounding host cells and foster tumor growth and progression. By governing acid/base regulation, carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are involved in several physiological/pathological processes, including tumors.

Cellular Immuno-Profile in Septic Human Host: A Scoping Review.

Innate and adaptive immune system cells play a critical role in the host response to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening disease characterized by apoptosis-induced depletion of immune cells and immunodepression, which contribute to morbidity and mortality. Many alterations in the expression of surface markers of neutrophils and monocytes have been described in septic patients.

Oxidative Stress Implication in Retinal Diseases-A Review.

Oxidative stress (OS) refers to an imbalance between free radicals (FRs), namely highly reactive molecules normally generated in our body by several pathways, and intrinsic antioxidant capacity. When FR levels overwhelm intrinsic antioxidant defenses, OS occurs, inducing a series of downstream chemical reactions. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced by numerous chemical reactions that take place in tissues and organs and are then eliminated by antioxidant molecules.

Cerebral Vasospasm: Practical Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Background: Cerebral vasospasm is one of the frequent complications that can occur following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). With new protocols in the management of SAH, the combined risk of death and long-term disability have been reduced by about 10% compared with the past.

Objective: This work aims to report the latest updates on the vasospasm developing after the SAH in patients in the ICU department.

Oxidative stress and visual system: a review.

Different types of tissues respond differently to the action of oxidative stress. The visual system is very sensitive to oxidative action due to continuous exposure to light. In consideration of the growing interest of scientific studies towards various compounds endowed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, we performed a review of the literature focusing on the use of some antioxidant molecules for the treatment of conditions affecting the visual system.

Biochemical Functions and Clinical Characterizations of the Sirtuins in Diabetes-Induced Retinal Pathologies.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is undoubtedly one of the most prominent causes of blindness worldwide. This pathology is the most frequent microvascular complication arising from diabetes, and its incidence is increasing at a constant pace. To date, the insurgence of DR is thought to be the consequence of the intricate complex of relations connecting inflammation, the generation of free oxygen species, and the consequent oxidative stress determined by protracted hyperglycemia.

The kinesin Eg5 inhibitor K858 exerts antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects and attenuates the invasive potential of head and neck squamous carcinoma cells.

Our group recently demonstrated that K858, an inhibitor of motor kinesin Eg5, has important antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on breast cancer, prostatic cancer, melanoma and glioblastoma cells. Since high levels of kinesin Eg5 expression have been correlated with a poor prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma, we decided to test the anticancer activity of K858 toward this tumor, which belongs to the group of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). These cancers are characterized by low responsiveness to therapy.

A proposal for the reference intervals of the Italian microbiota "scaffold" in healthy adults.

Numerous factors, ranging from genetics, age, lifestyle, and dietary habits to local environments, contribute to the heterogeneity of the microbiota in humans. Understanding the variability of a "healthy microbiota" is a major challenge in scientific research. The gut microbiota profiles of 148 healthy Italian volunteers were examined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the range and diversity of taxonomic compositions in the gut microbiota of healthy populations.

Complement Mediators in Development to Treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Over recent years, great attention has been paid to the role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In particular, several studies have highlighted a link between AMD development and complement dysregulation, which can probably be explained as a complement cascade hyperactivation resulting from the presence of a series of risk factors such as aging; smoking; obesity; alcohol consumption; exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals, or pollution; and other causes of oxidative stress. This hypothesis has been mainly supported by the presence of complement mediators as constituents of drusen, representing one of the earliest and most characteristic signs of retinal damage in AMD.

Porcine coronary arteries: immunohistochemical profile of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TGF-beta1 and ICAM-1.

Background: In our study we used immunohistochemical technique to demonstrate the presence of the cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in porcine coronaries even in physiological conditions.

Materials And Methods: Inflammatory cytokines are polypeptide mediators which act as a communication signal between immune system cells and other types of cellsin different organs and tissues, both in human and pig coronary circulation.

Results: Our results show that pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β1 and ICAM-1 are also present in the medium tunica of the coronary arteries under physiological conditions.

Keratoconus: the possible involvement of inflammatory cytokines in its pathogenesis. An experimental study and review of the literature.

Objective: Keratoconus (KC) is generally described as a non-inflammatory disease, characterized by thinning in the central region of the cornea with consequent tissue degradation producing impaired visual acuity.

Materials And Methods: In our experimental study, we analyzed the presence and implications of several inflammatory cytokines in the corneal tissues of patients suffering from keratoconus by immunohistochemical analysis.

Results: The analysis showed increased levels of inflammatory factors in the pathological tissues compared to controls, confirming that KC cannot be considered an entirely non-inflammatory pathology and that its etiopathogenesis includes several chronic inflammatory events.

Anti-Tumoral Effects of a (1-Pyrrol-1-yl)Methyl-1-Benzoimidazole Carbamate Ester Derivative on Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cell Lines.

Nocodazole is an antineoplastic agent that exerts its effects by depolymerizing microtubules. Herein we report a structural analog of nocodazole, a (1-pyrrol-1-yl)methyl-1-benzoimidazole carbamate ester derivative, named RDS 60. We evaluated the antineoplastic properties of RDS 60 in two human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and we found that this compound significantly inhibited replication of both HNSCC cell lines without inducing any important cytotoxic effect on human dermal fibroblasts and human keratinocytes.

Anti-inflammatory role of curcumin in retinal disorders (Review).

Curcumin [1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione], the main component of turmeric (, a flowering plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae), is known to possess different pharmacological activities, particularly anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Since an underlying inflammatory process exists in several ocular conditions, such as anterior uveitis, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), the aim of the present review was to summarize the pleiotropic effects exerted by this molecule, focusing in particular on its beneficial role in retinal diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin has also been described in numerous systemic inflammatory pathologies and tumors.

Melatonin role in skeletal muscle disorders.

Objective: This review discusses the impact of the neuro-hormone melatonin on skeletal muscle disorders based on recent literature data with the aim to clarify the utility of the melatonin therapy in patients affected by muscle diseases.

Materials And Methods: It has been pointed out the possible role of melatonin as a food supplement to cure muscular disorders characterized by muscle wasting. Oxidative damage has been proposed as one of the major contributors of the skeletal muscle decline occurring both in physiological and pathological conditions.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Pyrimidine Derivatives as Anticancer Agents.

Background: Anticancer drug resistance is a challenging phenomenon of growing concern which arises from alteration in drug targets. Despite the fast speed of new chemotherapeutic agent design, the increasing prevalence of this phenomenon requires further research and treatment development. Recently, we reported a new aminopyrimidine compound-namely RDS 344-as a potential innovative anticancer agent.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Biomarker Expression in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory sleep disorder characterised by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during the night. This obstruction usually occurs with a reduction (hypopnea) or complete cessation (apnea) of the airflow in the upper airways with the persistence of thoracic-diaphragmatic respiratory movements. During the hypopnea/apnea events, poor alveolar ventilation reduces the oxygen saturation in the arterial blood (SaO) and a gradual increase in the partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO).