International Expert-Based Consensus Definition, Classification Criteria, and Minimum Data Elements for Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: An Inter-Disciplinary Modified Delphi Study.

Purpose: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a severe iatrogenic disease characterized by bone death after radiation therapy (RT) to the head and neck. With over 9 published definitions and at least 16 classification systems, the true incidence and severity of ORNJ are obscured by lack of a standard for disease definition and severity assessment, leading to inaccurate estimation of incidence, reporting ambiguity, and likely under-diagnosis worldwide. This study aimed to achieve consensus on an explicit definition and phenotype of ORNJ and related precursor states through data standardization to facilitate effective diagnosis, monitoring, and multidisciplinary management of ORNJ.

Exposure to Cadmium and Other Trace Elements Among Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: A limited number of studies have investigated the role of environmental chemicals in the etiology of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We performed a cross-sectional study of the association between exposure to selected trace elements and the biomarkers of cognitive decline.

Methods: During 2019-2021, we recruited 128 newly diagnosed patients with MCI from two Neurology Clinics in Northern Italy, i.

Light at night exposure and risk of dementia conversion from mild cognitive impairment in a Northern Italy population.

Background: A few studies have suggested that light at night (LAN) exposure, i.e. lighting during night hours, may increase dementia risk.

Comparison of Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light Chain Concentrations Measured by Ella™ and Lumipulse™ in Patients with Cognitive Impairment.

Objective: Neurofilament light chain proteins (NfLs) are considered a promising biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in several neurological diseases. Their measurement in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with dementia may be especially useful. Our aim was to compare the NfL measurement performance of two advanced technologies, specifically the Ella™ microfluidic platform and the Lumipulse™ fully automated system, in patients with cognitive disorders.

Comparison of deep-learning multimodality data fusion strategies in mandibular osteoradionecrosis NTCP modelling using clinical variables and radiation dose distribution volumes.

Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modelling is rapidly embracing deep learning (DL) methods, acknowledging the importance of spatial dose information. Finding effective ways to combine information from radiation dose distribution maps (dosiomics) and clinical data involves technical challenges and requires domain knowledge. We propose different multi-modality data fusion strategies to facilitate future DL-based NTCP studies.

Cadmium exposure and risk of hypertension: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: Exposure to environmental toxic metals represents a significant global public health concern. Many studies have reported that cadmium (Cd) exposure increases the risk of hypertension. Since the shape of such relation has not been well characterized, we assessed it by performing a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of human studies.

Is there a role for [F]-FMISO PET to guide dose adaptive radiotherapy in head and neck cancer? A review of the literature.

Purpose: Hypoxia is a major cause of radioresistance in head and neck cancer (HNC), resulting in treatment failure and disease recurrence. F-fluoromisonidazole [F]FMISO PET has been proposed as a means of localising intratumoural hypoxia in HNC so that radiotherapy can be specifically escalated in hypoxic regions. This concept may not be deliverable in routine clinical practice, however, given that [F]FMISO PET is costly, time consuming and difficult to access.

Reproductive parameters of Oreochromis mossambicus in Laguna de Los Patos, Cumaná, Venezuela.

A total of 381 specimens of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus collected monthly from May 2017 to May 2018 in the Laguna de Los Patos, Cumaná, Venezuela, to evaluate reproductive parameters of this non-native species. Significant differences were found in relation to average height and weight between males and females, with the highest values in males. The sex ratio was 1:1.

[F]FSPG-PET provides an early marker of radiotherapy response in head and neck squamous cell cancer.

The ability to image early treatment response to radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) will enable the identification of radioresistant tumor volumes suitable for treatment intensification. Here, we propose the system x radiotracer (4)-4-(3-[F]fluoropropyl)-L-glutamate ([F]FSPG) as a non-invasive method to monitor radiation response in HNSCC. We assessed temporal changes in cell death, antioxidant status, and [F]FSPG retention following a single dose of 10 Gy irradiation in FaDU HNSCC cells.

Cadmium exposure and cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Exposure to toxic metals is a global public health threat. Among other adverse effects, exposure to the heavy metal cadmium has been associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, the shape of the association between cadmium exposure and CVD risk is not clear.

The key role of public health in renovating Italian biomedical doctoral programs.

Background: A key renovation of doctoral programs is currently ongoing in Italy. Public health and its competencies may play a pivotal role in high-level training to scientific research, including interdisciplinary and methodological abilities.

Methods: As a case study, we used the ongoing renovation of the Clinical and Experimental Medicine doctoral program at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Adherence to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and exposure to selenium species: A cross-sectional study.

Selenium is a trace element found in many chemical forms. Selenium and its species have nutritional and toxicologic properties, some of which may play a role in the etiology of neurological disease. We hypothesized that adherence to the Mediterranean-Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet could influence intake and endogenous concentrations of selenium and selenium species, thus contributing to the beneficial effects of this dietary pattern.

Influence of dietary patterns on urinary excretion of cadmium in an Italian population: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with detrimental effects on human health. Apart from smoking and occupational factors, diet is the main source of cadmium. However, the relation between adherence to so-called "healthy" dietary patterns and cadmium exposure has not been investigated in detail.

Gender disparity in survival of early porcine fetuses due to altered androgen receptor or associated U2 spliceosome component.

A single locus on the X chromosome codes for androgen receptor (AR) although this gene is subject to alternative splicing. AR is expressed in multiple tissues in males and females and is essential for reproductive success in the male. Since male and female mice are viable following naturally occurring and engineered loss of function with male mice infertile as anticipated, functional deletion of AR in pigs was hypothesized to provide a genetic containment strategy for males with edited genomes.

Human serum albumin-bound selenium (Se-HSA) in serum and its correlation with other selenium species.

Introduction: Selenium (Se) is a trace element with different toxicological and nutritional properties according to its chemical forms. Among the wide range of selenium species, human serum albumin-bound selenium (Se-HSA) has still uncertain composition in terms of organic or inorganic selenium species. This study aimed at investigating the relation between Se-HSA levels with total selenium and the specific organic and inorganic selenium species.

Selenoprotein P concentrations and risk of progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

There is a growing literature investigating the effects of selenium on the central nervous system and cognitive function. However, little is known about the role of selenoprotein P, the main selenium transporter, which can also have adverse biological effects. We conducted a prospective cohort study of individuals aged 42-81 years who received a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment.

Salivary Electrostimulation in the Treatment of Radiation Therapy-Induced Xerostomia (LEONIDAS-2): A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Sham-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.

Purpose: Radiation therapy-induced xerostomia significantly affects quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors. Neuro-electrostimulation of the salivary glands may safely increase natural salivation and reduce dry mouth symptoms.

Methods And Materials: This multicenter, double-masked, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial assessed the long-term effects of a commercially available intraoral neuro-electrostimulating device in lessening xerostomia symptoms, increasing salivary flow, and improving quality of life in individuals with radiation therapy-induced xerostomia.

Cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle: Diagnostic accuracy when using B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound.

The most frequently reported definition of cystic ovarian disease in cattle is an abnormally persistent follicle (>7 to 10 d) with a diameter >25 mm. Discrimination between luteal and follicular ovarian cystic structures has traditionally been conducted by measuring the rim width of luteal tissue. The most common practice used in the field for diagnosis of cystic ovarian disease is examination by rectal palpation with or without the use of a B-mode ultrasound.

Particulate matter exposure from motorized traffic and risk of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: An Italian prospective cohort study.

Background: Based on epidemiologic and laboratory studies, exposure to air pollutants has been linked to many adverse health effects including a higher risk of dementia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on risk of conversion to dementia in a cohort of subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: We recruited 53 Italian subjects newly-diagnosed with MCI.

Selenium exposure and urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine: Major effects of chemical species and sex.

Selenium is an element present in trace amounts and different chemical forms. It may exert both beneficial and adverse effects on cellular redox status and on the generation of reactive oxygen species. 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is an oxidized derivative of deoxyguanosine, and a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress and genotoxicity.

How to Treat Algodystrophy and Rheumatic Comorbidity in Myelofibrosis: Three Case Reports.

Algodystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia. Patients with algodystrophy present an amplified and persistent activation of the innate immune system, with subsequent proliferation of keratinocytes and release of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Chronic inflammation and increased levels of cytokines are observed also in Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis.

Selenoprotein P Concentrations in the Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum of Individuals Affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Dementia.

Selenoprotein P, a selenium-transporter protein, has been hypothesized to play a role in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD). However, data in humans are scarce and largely confined to autoptic samples. In this case-control study, we determined selenoprotein P concentrations in both the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the serum of 50 individuals diagnosed with ALS, 30 with AD, 54 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and of 30 controls, using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.