Bacteremic nosocomial pneumonia caused by Gram-negative bacilli: results from the nationwide ALARICO study in Italy.

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) and to compare them to patients with NP caused by carbapenem-susceptible (CS)-GNB.

Methods: Prospective observational multicenter study including patients with bacteremic NP caused by GNB from the ALARICO Network (June 2018-January 2020). The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality.

A multi-comprehensive approach to assess the responses of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1919) to a simulation of a diesel-oil mixture spill.

Oil spills are a major cause of pollution impacting marine ecosystems. In this work, the effects of short-term exposure to three different concentrations of a hydrocarbon mixture (HC), that simulated the action of such an event, were investigated on Mytilus galloprovincialis specimens. Physiological effects were measured using a battery of biomarkers consisting of cellular activity (phagocytosis), immune-related enzymes, chaperonins (HSP70 and HSC70), and histomorphological alterations.

Acute local and non-local morphological, sensory and fluid responses to stretching and foam rolling in young females.

Background: This study aimed to compare and examine the local and non-local effects of a foam rolling (FR) and static stretching (SS) intervention applied to the plantar flexor (PF).

Methods: Fourteen female participants were investigated. Each participant underwent three conditions in a random order at least 48h apart and at the same time of the day: Control (CC), SS, and FR.

Real-world experience with long-term albumin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

Background & Aims: Long-term albumin (LTA) is currently standard of care for patients with decompensated cirrhosis in many Italian hepatology centres. In this real-life study, we aimed to describe patient, logistical and treatment-related characteristics in daily clinical practice and to identify predictors of response.

Methods: We performed a multicentre, retrospective, observational study in patients with cirrhosis and ascites receiving LTA between 01/2016 and 02/2022 and followed until death, TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) placement, transplantation or 02/2023.

Parallel Wire Approach for Recanalisation of Chronic Total Coronary Occlusions in a Large Contemporary Multi-Center Registry.

Background: The parallel wire technique (PW) is a classic part of the antegrade strategy to open chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO).

Aims: With modern wires and dual-lumen catheters (DLC) the approach has evolved, but this progress had not been evaluated in a contemporary registry of CTO interventions.

Method: This analysis is based on 26,589 CTO procedures performed by 36 operators with > 50 procedures annually between 2015 and 2022.

A child opportunity index in Italy: a pilot proposal.

Background: The Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a new and innovative tool designed to assess the environment in which children grow up, offering a broad evaluation of the opportunities available to them in different neighborhoods. This initiative aims to ensure improvements in children's living conditions and future health outcomes.

Methods: The study was performed in the cities of Palermo and Rome.

Interesting case of syphilis with atypical vegetative lesions.

Syphilis is a re-emerging disease, and suspicion of syphilis infection should be considered in all cases with atypical skin manifestations, mainly when there is a history of unprotected sexual intercourse. Here, we describe a case of secondary syphilis in a woman aged 42 years, who presented with an atypical, painful and itchy skin rash with vegetative cerebriform lesions, which resolved after the administration of penicillin. Multiplex PCR targeting on vaginal and lesion swabs, along with syphilis serology, confirmed the diagnosis.

The impact of schizophrenia genetic load and heavy cannabis use on the risk of psychotic disorder in the EU-GEI case-control and UK Biobank studies.

Background: The association between cannabis and psychosis is established, but the role of underlying genetics is unclear. We used data from the EU-GEI case-control study and UK Biobank to examine the independent and combined effect of heavy cannabis use and schizophrenia polygenic risk score (PRS) on risk for psychosis.

Methods: Genome-wide association study summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort were used to calculate schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder (CUD) PRS for 1098 participants from the EU-GEI study and 143600 from the UK Biobank.

Enhancing second harmonic generation by Q-boosting lossless cavities beyond the time bandwidth limit.

Nanostructures proved to be versatile platforms to control the electromagnetic field at subwavelength scale. Indeed, high-quality-factors nanocavities have been used to boost and control nonlinear frequency generation by increasing the light-matter interaction. However, nonlinear processes are triggered by high-intensities, which are provided by ultrashort laser pulses with large bandwidth, which cannot be fully exploited in such devices.

Effects of Nanofat and PRP on Type I Collagen Production in Striae Distensae: Preliminary Findings from a Prospective, Randomized Single-Blind Study.

Introduction: Striae distensae (SD) appear clinically as parallel striae, lying perpendicular to the tension lines of the skin. SD evolve into two clinical phases, an initial inflammatory phase in which they are called "striae rubrae" (SR) and a chronic phase in which they are called striae albae (SA). This study investigates the synergistic effect of nanofat and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections on collagen production in fibroblasts derived from SA (SAF).

A rare case of split notochord syndrome with neurenteric cyst: clinical challenges, surgical approach, and literature review.

Split notochord syndrome (SNS) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by incomplete midline notochordal integration during gastrulation, leading to segmental clefts of the spine. This case report describes a female patient with symptomatic cervico-dorsal SNS associated with a neurenteric cyst (NEC), intrathoracic gut duplication, and secondary hydrocephalus. Multistep surgical interventions were performed, including hydrocephalus management, excision of the cyst and gut duplication, and detethering with sectioning of the filum.

Mediterranean diet and osteoarthritis: an update.

The Mediterranean diet has gained significant attention for its potential health benefits on diverse pathological conditions including osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and inflammation. Numerous observational studies have suggested that adherence to the Mediterranean diet, may have protective effects against OA. The abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and omega-3 fatty acids, among the Mediterranean diet components is believed to contribute to its beneficial effects on OA.

Design of an international, phase IV, open-label study of simoctocog alfa in women/girls with hemophilia A undergoing surgery (NuDIMENSION).

Background: Although hemophilia A mainly affects males, carriers (defined as females with hemophilia A, as well as symptomatic or asymptomatic hemophilia A carriers) are at risk of excessive bleeding, particularly during trauma or during surgical procedures. Clinical trials have focused on male patients with severe disease, and data for females are limited. Improved, evidence-based treatment guidelines for management of hemophilia A carriers are required.

The mummy of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned ca. 1388-1351 BC) and its facial approximation: An anatomical approach.

This article offers for the first time a facial approximation of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned ca. 1388-1351 BC) based on photographic material of his mortal remains and anthropometric data collected at the time, and by adopting a novel technique previously used in similar research by our team. A comprehensive discussion of the mummy attributed to Pharaoh Amenhotep III is also annexed to the study, focusing on the bioarcheological and embalming aspects.

Revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a surgical procedure for managing osteoarthritis of one joint compartment, most commonly the medial side. This systematic review investigates the causes of UKA revision. The outcomes of interest were establishing the revision rate, time to revision, and the most common causes of revision in the long- and midterm follow-up.

A novel in silico approach for identifying multi-target JAK/STAT inhibitors as anticancer agents.

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by eliminating damaged or surplus cells. Dysregulation of signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, is implicated in various diseases, rendering them attractive therapeutic targets for potential new anticancer drugs. Concurrently, it is imperative to preserve essential proteins like TNF-α and p53 to maintain normal cellular life/death balance.

The Skin-Lightening Power of Tirbanibulin 1% Ointment.

Background: Tirbanibulin 1% ointment has been licensed to treat non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis (AK) on the face and scalp in adults. Recent evidence suggests that, besides the antineoplastic effect, tirbanibulin may also confer substantial cosmetic benefits to patients.

Methods: We report a single-center retrospective study of patients affected by solar lentigines (SLs) and AKs in the context of field cancerization treated with tirbanibulin 1% ointment.