Carotid Ultrasound-Based Plaque Score for the Allocation of Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Events: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: Coronary artery calcium testing using noncontrast cardiac computed tomography is a guideline-indicated test to help refine eligibility for aspirin in primary prevention. However, access to cardiac computed tomography remains limited, with carotid ultrasound used much more often internationally. We sought to update the role of aspirin allocation in primary prevention as a function of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Relationship between interleukin 1 (IL-1) genetic polymorphism and periimplantitis: systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Periimplantitis (PI) is a complex multifactorial chronic disease caused by interactions between bacteria, host immune-inflammatory responses, and genetic or environmental factors that modify buccal eutrophism. In daily clinical practice, an increase in the prevalence of PI (8%) determined the need to establish the PI causes and set optimal therapeutic strategies. The interleukin family (IL-1), a group of cytokines, triggers and perpetuates peri-implantitis.

Moderate aortic stenosis: Navigating the uncharted.

Aortic stenosis (AS) stands as the most common valvular heart disease in developed countries and is characterized by progressive narrowing of the aortic valve orifice resulting in elevated transvalvular flow resistance, left ventricular hypertrophy, and progressive increased risk of heart failure and sudden death. This narrative review explores clinical challenges and evolving perspectives in moderate AS, where discrepancies between aortic valve area and pressure gradient measurements may pose diagnostic and therapeutic quandaries. Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for AS evaluation, yet cases of discordance may require the application of ancillary noninvasive diagnostic modalities.

Influence of extraction solvents on the chemical constituents and biological activities of Astragalus aduncus from Turkey flora: In vitro and in silico insights.

The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70% ethanol), and water extracts of Astragalus aduncus aerial parts were investigated for their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activity (anti-acetylcholinesterase [AChE], anti-butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], antityrosinase, antiamylase, and antiglucosidase) and antiproliferative effect (against colon adenocarcinoma cell line [HT-29], gastric cancer cell line [HGC-27], prostate carcinoma cell line [DU-145], breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MDA-MB-231], and cervix adenocarcinoma cell line [HeLa]). In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was evaluated using validated spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectroscopy methods. Generally, the 70% ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties, and it was the richest source of total phenolic constituents.

Combat phytopathogenic bacteria employing Argirium-SUNCs: limits and perspectives.

Bacterial plant diseases are difficult to control as the durability of deployed control measures is thwarted by continuous and rapid changing of bacterial populations. Although application of copper compounds to plants is the most widespread and inexpensive control measure, it is often partially efficacious for the frequent appearance of copper-resistant bacterial strains and it is raising concerns for the harmful effects of copper on environment and human health. Consequently, European Community included copper compounds in the list of substances candidates for substitution.

Thromboembolic and bleeding risk in cardiac amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis represents a spectrum of conditions characterized by the accumulation of insoluble fibrils, resulting in progressive deposition and myocardial dysfunction. The exact mechanisms contributing to the heightened risk of thromboembolic events and bleeding tendencies in cardiac amyloidosis remain unclear. Proteins such as transthyretin in transthyretin amyloidosis and light chains in light-chain amyloidosis, along with acute phase proteins in amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, play complex roles in the coagulation cascade, affecting both coagulation initiation and fibrinolysis regulation.

Integrating human expertise & automated methods for a dynamic and multi-parametric evaluation of large language models' feasibility in clinical decision-making.

Background: Recent enhancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have exponentially increased user adoption. These models are accessible on mobile devices and support multimodal interactions, including conversations, code generation, and patient image uploads, broadening their utility in providing healthcare professionals with real-time support for clinical decision-making. Nevertheless, many authors have highlighted serious risks that may arise from the adoption of LLMs, principally related to safety and alignment with ethical guidelines.

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of benzoxazole-based PPARα/γ antagonists in colorectal cancer cell lines.

A series of benzoxazole-based amides and sulfonamides were synthesized and evaluated for their human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and PPARγ activity. All tested compounds showed a dual antagonist profile on both PPAR subtypes; based on transactivation results, seven compounds were selected to test their in vitro antiproliferative activity in a panel of eight cancer cell lines with different expression rates of PPARα and PPARγ. 3f was identified as the most cytotoxic compound, with higher potency in the colorectal cancer cell lines HT-29 and HCT116.

Screening embryos for polygenic disease risk: a review of epidemiological, clinical, and ethical considerations.

Background: The genetic composition of embryos generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be examined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Until recently, PGT was limited to detecting single-gene, high-risk pathogenic variants, large structural variants, and aneuploidy. Recent advances have made genome-wide genotyping of IVF embryos feasible and affordable, raising the possibility of screening embryos for their risk of polygenic diseases such as breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, or schizophrenia.

Parents' Participation in Care during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stay in COVID-19 Era: An Observational Study.

Background: Parents play a crucial role in the care of infants during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Recent studies have reported a decrease in parental participation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has led to restricted access policies in hospitals. The aim of this study was to describe the barriers to good parental participation during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit in the COVID-19 era.

From surgery to functional capacity: muscle strength modifications in women post sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Severe obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat generating a general health decline. Multidisciplinary treatment of obesity leads to significant weight loss in a few patients; therefore, many incur bariatric surgery. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate changes in functional capacity of people with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery and, in parallel, to correlate pre-surgery functional capacity with weight loss to improve exercise prescription during pre-operatory stage.

Polystyrene nanoplastics mediate oxidative stress, senescence, and apoptosis in a human alveolar epithelial cell line.

Background: Nanoplastics, an emerging form of pollution, are easily consumed by organisms and pose a significant threat to biological functions due to their size, expansive surface area, and potent ability to penetrate biological systems. Recent findings indicate an increasing presence of airborne nanoplastics in atmospheric samples, such as polystyrene (PS), raising concerns about potential risks to the human respiratory system.

Methods: This study investigates the impact of 800 nm diameter-PS nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, examining cell viability, redox balance, senescence, apoptosis, and internalization.

An Analytical Approach for Naturalistic Cooperative and Competitive EEG-Hyperscanning Data: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Investigating the neural mechanisms underlying both cooperative and competitive joint actions may have a wide impact in many social contexts of human daily life. An effective pipeline of analysis for hyperscanning data recorded in a naturalistic context with a cooperative and competitive motor task has been missing. We propose an analytical pipeline for this type of joint action data, which was validated on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded in a proof-of-concept study on two dyads playing cooperative and competitive table tennis.

Immunogenicity of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

Background: The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), consisting of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) and the AS01 adjuvant system, effectively prevents herpes zoster (HZ). In the absence of a well-defined correlate of protection, it is important to monitor the RZV immune response, as a proxy of clinical effectiveness.

Methods: This systematic review examined post-vaccination parameters: humoral and cell-mediated immunity, avidity index, geometric mean concentration of antibody (GMC), and immunity persistence.

The Burden of Herpes Zoster on Hospital Admissions: A Retrospective Analysis in the Years of 2015-2021 from the Abruzzo Region, Italy.

(1) Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a disease caused by the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). Clinical reactivation, herpes zoster, takes place in 10-20% of subjects who contracted the primary infection, with a higher risk of developing zoster increasing proportionally with age, especially after 50 years of age. HZ is a common clinical problem, particularly among patients aged over 50 years and immunocompromised patients.

Geometry and Symmetry of Willis' Circle and Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms Development.

: A relationship between the geometry and symmetry of Willis' circle and intracranial aneurysms was reported for anterior communicating and posterior communicating (PCom) aneurysms. A similar association with the middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms instead appeared weaker. : We reviewed 432 patients from six Italian centers with unilateral MCA aneurysms, analyzing the relationship between the caliber and symmetry of Willis' circle and the presence of ruptured and unruptured presentation.

Exploring the Immunomodulatory Potential of Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles through Proteomic and Functional Analyses.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and displays resistance to immunotherapy. A better understanding of tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) effects on immune responses might contribute to improved immunotherapy. EVs derived from Capan-2 and BxPC-3 PC cells isolated by ultracentrifugation were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis, and label-free proteomics.