Publications by authors named "Valeria Pellegrini"

Aim: Intraindividual body weight variability (BWV), that is, the degree of weight fluctuations over time, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in multiple settings. The impact of BWV on cardiovascular risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unclear, despite the issues relative to weight management in individuals with this condition.

Materials And Methods: Using data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register, we identified individuals with T1D and without CVD at baseline with at least three measurements of body weight taken over three consecutive years.

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Low-grade inflammation (LGI) represents a key driver of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its associated cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Indeed, inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP and IL-6 predict the development of T2D and its complications, suggesting that LGI already increases before T2D diagnosis and remains elevated even after treatment. Overnutrition, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity, and aging are all recognized triggers of LGI, promoting insulin resistance and sustaining the pathogenesis of T2D.

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Article Synopsis
  • Emerging evidence shows that environmental chemical exposures, particularly from micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) particles, may be significant contributors to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
  • MNPs can cause harmful effects in the body, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to cardiovascular issues and can lead to premature death, with these particles found in affected human cardiovascular tissues.
  • Future research should investigate how exposure to MNPs relates to CVD development, and strategies to reduce plastic use may improve both environmental and human health, potentially supported by the UN Global Plastics Treaty under negotiation.
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Background: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) face an increased mortality risk, not fully captured by canonical risk factors. Biological age estimation through DNA methylation (DNAm), i.e.

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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cells and contribute to cell-to-cell communication. The capacity of EVs to target specific cells and to efficiently deliver a composite profile of functional molecules have led researchers around the world to hypothesize their potential as therapeutics. While studies of EV treatment in animal models are numerous, their actual clinical benefit in humans has more slowly started to be tested.

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Aging is a complex multidimensional, progressive remodeling process affecting multiple organ systems. While many studies have focused on studying aging across multiple organs, assessment of the contribution of individual organs to overall aging processes is a cutting-edge issue. An organ's biological age might influence the aging of other organs, revealing a multiorgan aging network.

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Background: Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in preclinical studies. Direct evidence that this risk extends to humans is lacking.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

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Background: Lifestyle interventions halt the progression of prediabetes to frank type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the feasibility of a diabetes prevention program promoting tailored interventions on a national scale and conducted by primary care physicians is unclear.

Methods: General practitioners located in ten different regions throughout Italy enrolled random subjects without known metabolic diseases to identify individuals with prediabetes and prescribe them an intervention based on physical activity.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of two diabetes medications, SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, on heart-related health in patients with type 2 diabetes and acute heart attacks.
  • *The research involved 443 patients over two years, finding that those on the combination therapy had fewer major cardiovascular events compared to those on individual medications.
  • *Results showed that the combination therapy also improved myocardial salvage index, indicating better heart recovery post-attack.
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Background: In education, lecturers play a crucial role in facilitating students' learning process. However, only a few studies explored which lecturers' characteristics can facilitate this process in higher education for rehabilitation healthcare professionals. Starting from students' perspectives, our qualitative study investigated the lecturers' characteristics that facilitate students' learning process in the rehabilitation sciences.

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