Prognostic utility of assessing ventricular-arterial coupling in arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

The assessment of myocardial function and its coupling with the arterial system, called ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC), is of paramount importance in many clinical fields, from arterial hypertension, which is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and death, to heart failure. VAC has been the subject of studies for several decades both from an energetic cost and the impact it can exert on cardiovascular performance. Although more attention has been paid to the relationship between the left ventricle and the left arterial circuit in compromised hemodynamic stages, VAC has aroused interest in many other aspects of study, from its application in pathologies of the right sections of the heart to its clinical impact in prevention and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results of ICE-Guided Isolation of the Superior Vena Cava With Pulsed Field Ablation.

Background: Earlier studies have documented the risk for sinoatrial node injury and phrenic nerve paralysis as complications following radiofrequency catheter ablation for electrical isolation of the superior vena cava (SVCI).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of SVCI in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing pulsed field ablation (PFA) METHODS: Six hundred sixteen consecutive patients undergoing PFA for pulmonary vein isolation plus SVCI were included in this multicenter analysis. Superior vena cava (SVC) ablation was performed under the continuous guidance of intracardiac echocardiography.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Focused Vibrations Plus Kinesiotaping with Insights into Radiological Influences-An Observational Study.

Background: This observational study investigates the efficacy of combining local muscle vibration (LMV) therapy and kinesiotaping using the McConnell method (KMcCM) in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a prevalent knee condition characterized by anterior or medial knee pain exacerbated by activities that overload the patellofemoral joint.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LMV combined with KMcCM in reducing pain and improving function in PFPS patients.

Oncological Feasibility of Limited Neck Dissection in cN0 Supraglottic Laryngeal Cancer.

Background: Supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a significant portion of head and neck cancers, with the management of clinically negative necks (cN0) through selective neck dissection (SND) being debated due to potential morbidities and low metastasis rates in levels IIb and IV.

Methods: This study is a retrospective, multicenter examination of the potential feasibility of limited neck dissection (LND), including only levels IIa and III in cN0 supraglottic SCC patients. It analyzed occult metastasis rates and explored relapse occurrences alongside potential predictors of lymph node metastasis.

[Gastroenterology and hepatology : what's new in 2024].

The year 2024 was rich in developments in the field of hepatology, gastroenterology, and interventional endoscopy. New molecules have been developed for the treatment of metabolic steatohepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Technological progress now makes it possible to perform screening measurements for portal hypertension directly under echo-endoscopic guidance and to extend the use of intraluminal stents to surgically modified anatomies.

Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy and De-escalation of Surgery in Locally Advanced Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma diagnosed in patients with a history of breast implants. Most patients develop a periprosthetic effusion at early stages of disease while less common presentations include a palpable mass, severe capsular contracture, lymphadenopathy, or cutaneous erythema. Due to the complex nature of this disease, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for optimal management, particularly in locally advanced disease or inoperable patients.

The Early Pharmacological Strategy with Inodilator, bEta-blockers, Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists, Sodium-glucose coTransporter-2 Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor-neprylisin Inhibitors in Acute Heart Failure (PENTA-HF).

Purpose: The management of acute heart failure (AHF) is crucial and challenging. Regarding the use of inotropes, correct patient selection and time of administration are of the essence. We hypothesize that the early use of Levosimendan favouring hemodynamic stabilization and enables rapid optimization of guideline-directed medical treatment (GDMT) in patients with HF, eventually impacting the patient's prognosis during the vulnerable phase.

Essential Oils as Antimicrobials against : Experimental and Literature Data to Definite Predictive Quantitative Composition-Activity Relationship Models Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

Essential oils (EOs) exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, their clinical application is hindered by challenges, such as variability in chemical composition and chemical/physical instability. A critical limitation is the lack of chemical consistency across EO samples, which impedes standardization. Despite this, evidence suggests that EOs with differing chemical profiles often display similar (micro)biological activities, raising the possibility of standardizing EOs based on their biological effects rather than their chemical composition.

Regional and institutional trends in assessment for academic promotion.

The assessment of research performance is widely seen as a vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress. Academic institutions need to take critical decisions on hiring and promotion, while facing external pressure by also being subject to research assessment. Here we present an outlook on research assessment for career progression with specific focus on promotion to full professorship, based on 314 policies from 190 academic institutions and 218 policies from 58 government agencies, covering 32 countries in the Global North and 89 countries in the Global South.

Real life outcome analysis of breast cancer brain metastases treated with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan.

Tumor dissemination to the central nervous system (CNS) is almost a rule in the treatment journey of advanced HER2+ breast cancer (BC). Recent results demonstrated high intracranial efficacy with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd). However, a real-world evidence is lacking in literature.

Integrated gene expression and alternative splicing analysis in human and mouse models of Rett syndrome.

Mutations of the MECP2 gene lead to Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare developmental disease causing severe intellectual and physical disability. How the loss or defective function of MeCP2 mediates RTT is still poorly understood. MeCP2 is a global gene expression regulator, acting at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.

Sarcoglycans are enriched at the neuromuscular junction in a nerve-dependent manner.

Sarcoglycanopathies are heterogeneous proximo-distal diseases presenting severe muscle alterations. Although there are 6 different sarcoglycan isoforms, sarcoglycanopathies are caused exclusively by mutations in genes coding for one of the four sarcoglycan transmembrane proteins (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) forming the sarcoglycan complex (SGC) in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Little is known about the different roles of the SGC beyond the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) structural role.

Safety and efficacy of early initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors 2 in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: Data on the early use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with acute heart failure (HF) are conflicting, and mostly evaluating soft endpoints (i.e., indices of congestion, renal function, ejection fraction, and diuresis).

Hemp tea waste-immobilized lipase for the synthesis of alkyl oleates in solvent free systems.

This study explores the immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) on hemp tea waste to catalyze the esterification of oleic acid with primary aliphatic C2-C12 alcohols. in a solvent-free system. The immobilization method employed was adsorption, chosen for its simplicity, low cost, and ability to preserve enzyme activity.

REVEAL-CP: Selective Screening of Pediatric Patients for Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency with a Guthrie Card and Structural Modeling of One Index Case.

The main objective of this prospective, multicenter study (REVEAL-CP) was to test children with cerebral palsy-like signs and symptoms for raised 3--methyldopa (3-OMD) blood levels, a biomarker for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCd). A secondary objective was to characterize the molecular basis for the defective aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) gene product. Patients were identified in pediatric secondary and tertiary care hospitals through database searches and personal communication.

Differences and analogies in thyroid cancer discovered incidentally or by thyroid related screening: A multicenter study.

Objective: The prevalence of Thyroid-Cancer (TC) has increased worldwide and an association with metabolic and cardio-vascular disorders has been reported. Moreover, an increasing percentage of patients are currently diagnosed incidentally through non-thyroid related imaging for other clinical conditions. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of Thyroid-Related (TD) versus Incidental (ID) pre-surgery reasons leading to TC diagnosis and to compare the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics, size and severity of TC at presentation and rate of non-thyroid cancers and cardiovascular/metabolic comorbidities.

Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset-with data collected between 2020 and 2022 -to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions.

An innovative microwave technology for the treatment of submental skin laxity.

Backgrounds And Aims: Submental skin laxity (SSL), manifesting as sagging skin and double chin, can significantly affect patients' self-perception and social interactions. While surgical treatments exist, non-invasive methods are increasingly sought for their minimal recovery time. This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of a novel microwave-based device for treating SSL, aiming to provide long-term improvements in skin tightness and appearance.

Murine Models and Human Cell Line Models to Study Altered Dynamics of Ovarian Follicles in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, characterized by functional and structural alterations of the female reproductive organs. Due to the unknown underlying molecular mechanisms, in vivo murine models and in vitro human cellular models are developed to study the syndrome. These models are used to analyze various aspects of the pathology by replicating the conditions of the syndrome.

Introduction to the Operation Room Management technology: Interrupted Time Series analysis in an urban acute care hospital facility in Rome, Italy.

Background: The surgical pathway represents a fundamental process in hospital productivity, and its digitalization is a major focus for hospital management. ASL Roma 1 health authority has taken up this digitalization challenge by introducing an Operation Room Management (ORM) system within the operating block of one of its hospital facilities in 2022.

Study Design: Interrupted Time Series analysis.

Hemorrhoidal disease: what role can rectal artery embolization play?

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal artery embolization, also known as Emborrhoid, has emerged in recent years as a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with recurrent and unresponsive to medical therapies hemorrhoidal bleeding symptoms. We present here an overview of the profile of rectal artery embolization based on the most relevant and recent literature.

Methods: A comprehensive review of literature on Hemorrhoidal artery embolization, was conducted on PubMed-Medline.

Case report: Prolonged and severe hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy in X-linked hypophosphatemia.

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by hypercalcemia resulting from autonomous parathyroid hormone production and usually occurs after a prolonged period of secondary hyperparathyroidism. This condition can be a complication of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), a rare genetic disease characterized by renal phosphate loss and consequent hypophosphatemia. Parathyroidectomy is considered the first-line therapy but surgical intervention can be complicated by hungry bone syndrome.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of in vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Melanoma Diagnosis in a Real-World Clinical Setting.

Background: In a recent prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT), we demonstrated that adjunctive reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in routine clinical practice provides clinical benefits, including safe melanoma detection and a 43.3% reduction in the number needed to excise (NNE).

Methods: A cost-benefit analysis was conducted based on NNEs for standard care (5.

Parents' reflective functioning and stress: The associations with preschoolers' social understanding.

Social understanding competence develops in sensitive and co-regulating caregiver interactions. Parental reflective functioning (PRF) and parenting stress can affect children's social understanding. This study investigated if children's social understanding was associated with PRF and parenting stress.