Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs): Current evidence and open questions.

With the increasing use of cardiac electronic implantable devices in recent years, the identification of asymptomatic atrial arrhythmias, including atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and device-detected subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF), has become common in clinical practice. AHREs have potentially important clinical implications because they are considered precursors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although to a lesser extent than clinical AF, both AHREs and device-detected SCAF are associated with thromboembolic events, however routine use of anticoagulants in these conditions is not recommended.

Sex-related differences in response to lomitapide in HoFH: A subanalysis of the Pan-European Lomitapide retrospective observational study.

Background And Aims: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a hereditary lipid metabolism disorder characterized by severe elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and heightened risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Lomitapide, an inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, has shown promise in reducing LDL-C levels, albeit with variable response in real-world settings. Sex-based differences in treatment efficacy and safety remain unclear.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes across mental disorders and the role of sex: A register-based study from Catalonia.

Introduction: This study investigated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes among different mental health diagnoses and the role of sex in these associations.

Methods: Using electronic records from Catalonia, we identified adults receiving mental health care from 2017-2019 with diagnoses of non-affective psychosis (NAP), bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DEP), stress-related disorders, neurotic/somatoform disorders (NSD), and substance misuse (SUB) (exposed). The outcomes assessed were SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19-related death, compared to matched individuals without these mental disorders (unexposed).

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in women: A forgotten cardiovascular risk factor.

Sleep-disordered breathing is a highly prevalent disorder with negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide. This condition has detrimental effects on cardiovascular health and quality of life, and is frequently associated with a variety of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, diabetes and atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, it remains frequently undiagnosed and undertreated, especially in specific populations.

Protocol for high-resolution 3D spatial transcriptomics using Open-ST.

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) is fundamental for understanding molecular mechanisms in health and disease. Here, we present a protocol for efficient and high-resolution ST in 2D/3D with Open-ST. We describe all steps for repurposing Illumina flow cells into spatially barcoded capture areas and preparing ST libraries from stained cryosections.

The inactivation of the Niemann Pick C1 cholesterol transporter restricts SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells by decreasing ACE2 abundance at the plasma membrane.

Background: The Niemann Pick C1 (NPC1) protein is an intracellular cholesterol transporter located in the late endosome/lysosome (LE/Ly) that is involved in the mobilization of endocytosed cholesterol. Loss-of-function mutations in the NPC1 gene lead to the accumulation of cholesterol and sphingolipids in LE/Ly, resulting in severe fatal NPC1 disease. Cellular alterations associated with NPC1 inactivation affect both the integrity of lipid rafts and the endocytic pathway.

Therapeutic role of Differential Target Multiplexed (DTM) spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic neuropathy. Case report.

Diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (DPN) is the most common cause for diabetic foot complications, including diabetic ulcers, Charcot arthropathy, and lower limb amputations. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a safe and effective treatment used for pain reduction in neuropathic/nociceptive pain conditions; the most common stimulation modalities used for the management of painful diabetic neuropathy were conventional paresthesia-based and high-frequency SCS, which stimulate the A beta fibers in the dorsal column of the spinal cord. Differential Target Multiplexed (DTM) SCS is a novel paresthesia-free stimulation technique targeting the supportive glial cells in the nervous system, modulating glial cells and neurons with a rebalance of their interactions.

Synthetic inhibition of SREBP2 and the mevalonate pathway blocks rhabdomyosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo and promotes chemosensitization.

By analyzing RNA datasets from rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a soft tissue tumor with a prevalence in young people, we found upregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and mevalonate pathway (MVP) genes, including 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMGCR), farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (FDPS), squalene epoxidase (SQLE), which correlated with worse overall patient survival and predicted statin sensitivity. In human RD and RH30 lines, treatment with 0.01-1 μM doses of fatostatin (SREBP2 inhibitor), lovastatin and simvastatin (HMGCR inhibitors), and zoledronic acid (FDPS inhibitor) impaired cell growth and migration, which were conversely stimulated by 50-100 μM cholesterol (CHO) supplementation.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection - A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

Objectives: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive TEVAR with custom-made devices vs conventional OMT. The pre-trial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance, 2) outcome reporting, and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centres and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

Assessing the interaction between the N-terminal region of the membrane protein magnesium transporter A and a lipid bilayer.

Unlabelled: This study investigates the interaction of KEIF, the intrinsically disordered N-terminal region of the magnesium transporter MgtA, with lipid bilayers mimicking cell membranes. Combining experimental techniques such as neutron reflectometry (NR), quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD), and oriented circular dichroism (OCD), with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we characterized KEIF's adsorption behavior.

Hypothesis: KEIF undergoes conformational changes upon interacting with lipid bilayers, potentially influencing MgtA's function within the plasma membrane.

Development of two machine learning models to predict conversion from primary HER2-0 breast cancer to HER2-low metastases: a proof-of-concept study.

Background: HER2-low expression has gained clinical relevance in breast cancer (BC) due to the availability of anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates for patients with HER2-low metastatic BC. The well-reported instability of HER2-low status during disease evolution highlights the need to identify patients with HER2-0 primary BC who may develop a HER2-low phenotype at relapse. In response to the urgency of maximizing treatment access, we utilized artificial intelligence to predict this occurrence.

Regional disparities in the management and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an Italian analysis focusing on time-dependent reperfusion networks and in-hospital logistics.

Background: Prompt reperfusion is critical for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to improve outcomes. Yet, variability in regional healthcare delivery may influence treatment times and patient outcomes. We thus aimed at evaluating differences in management and outcomes of STEMI patients across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, focusing on time-dependent reperfusion and in-hospital logistics.

Endoscopic Epidurolysis for the Management of Chronic Spinal Pain: A Delphi-Based Italian Experts Consensus.

Introduction: Endoscopic epidurolysis (EE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to manage chronic spinal pain, particularly in cases unresponsive to traditional treatments. Despite its growing recognition, the literature lacks comprehensive guidelines on its optimal use. This study utilized a modified Delphi approach to gather expert consensus on best practices for EE in the Italian pain therapy network.

Optimal Medical Therapy for Heart Failure and Integrated Care in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation Long-Term General Registry.

Background: Heart failure (HF) often occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with a major impact on prognosis. Few data are available on the effect of integrated treatment strategies to improve prognosis in patients with AF. We aimed to evaluate the association between HF (according to left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]), HF optimal medical therapy and adherence to the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway, and major outcomes in patients with AF.

Quantitative Neuroanatomical measurement on Photogrammetric model: Validation study.

Objective: To scrutinize and compare the accuracy of measurements obtained from photogrammetric models against direct measurements taken on dry skulls, with the aim to verify the feasibility of photogrammetry for quantitative analysis in microsurgical neuroanatomy.

Methods: Two dry human skulls were used. Each was scanned using the dual camera system of a smartphone The selected photos were separately processed two different software to create 3D models.

Clinical trial eligibility in PSP: Population representativeness and potential criteria adjustment based on PSP-NET findings.

Background: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare, heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease for which no treatment is currently available. In the context of clinical trials, the representativeness of the included patients is crucial for the generalizability of the results. Herein, we present results from a multicenter perspective study to identify the most restrictive criteria for patient selection and to assess the representativeness of eligible patients.

Association of Early fMRI Connectivity Alterations With Different Cognitive Phenotypes in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: According to the dual syndrome hypothesis, patients with Parkinson disease (PD) with visuospatial deficits are more likely to progress to dementia, compared with patients with a prevalent dysexecutive syndrome. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether early connectivity changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the precuneus (PCun)-which are critical to fronto-executive and visuospatial functions, respectively-can identify distinct cognitive phenotypes in cognitively intact newly diagnosed patients with PD.

Methods: Newly diagnosed, drug-naïve patients with PD (≤2 years from clinical onset) with normal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), were consecutively enrolled from our Movement Disorders Clinics in Italy.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Outcomes of Neonates Born at Less Than 30 Weeks' Gestation, 2018-2022.

Importance: Previous research has examined outcomes among very preterm newborns by the birthing parent's race and ethnicity, but knowledge about these trends during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited.

Objective: To examine trends in outcomes among Black, Hispanic, and Asian preterm newborns compared with White preterm newborns.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study (2018-2022) took place at 774 neonatal intensive care units in the Vermont Oxford Network.

AUGMENTed Real-World Data Enhances Comparative Efficacy Between Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec with Dosing Guide App Versus Once-Daily Insulin Glargine U300 in Insulin-Naive Type 2 Diabetes.

Introduction: ONWARDS 5 evaluated the effectiveness and safety of insulin icodec (icodec) titrated with a dosing guide app (icodec with app) versus once-daily insulin analogs in insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes. The insulin glargine U300 (glargine U300) stratum was too small to enable a robust post hoc efficacy comparison. Augmentation methodology was applied to increase the glargine U300 group size using real-world data (RWD), to facilitate efficacy comparisons of icodec with app versus glargine U300, and to demonstrate the potential of the augmentation methodology to strengthen underpowered treatment comparisons (AUGMENT study).

Can triad forestry reconcile Europe's biodiversity and forestry strategies? A critical evaluation of forest zoning.

Balancing increasing demand for wood products while also maintaining forest biodiversity is a paramount challenge. Europe's Biodiversity and Forest Strategies for 2030 attempt to address this challenge. Together, they call for strict protection of 10% of land area, including all primary and old growth forests, increasing use of ecological forestry, and less reliance on monocultural plantations.