Association between echocardiography-derived haemodynamic force parameters and left ventricular reverse remodelling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may induce left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling (=LV response) in patients with heart failure. Intraventricular pressure gradients can be quantified using echocardiography-derived haemodynamic forces (HDF). The aim was to evaluate the association between baseline HDF and LV response and to compare the change of HDF after CRT between LV responders and LV non-responders.

The role of environmental sensitivity in the experience and processing of emotions: implications for well-being.

Several theories suggest that people differ significantly in their environmental sensitivity, defined as the capacity to perceive and process information about the environment. More sensitive people, who make up between 25% and 30% of the population, are not only more negatively affected by adverse experiences but also benefit disproportionately from positive ones, in line with differential susceptibility theory. Heightened emotional reactivity has been identified as one of the key markers of sensitivity.

Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of bi-partite and tri-partite murine iPSC-derived neurospheroids under steady-state and inflammatory condition.

induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurospheroid (NSPH) models are an emerging in vitro toolkit to study the influence of inflammatory triggers on neurodegeneration and repair in a 3D neural environment. In contrast to their human counterpart, the absence of murine iPSC-derived NSPHs for profound characterisation and validation studies is a major experimental research gap, even though they offer the only possibility to truly compare or validate in vitro NSPH responses with in vivo brain responses. To contribute to these developments, we here describe the generation and characterisation of 5-week-old CXCR1 CCR2 murine (m)iPSC-derived bi-partite (neurons + astrocytes) and tri-partite (neurons + astrocytes + microglia) NSPH models that can be subjected to cellular activation following pro-inflammatory stimulation.

The Crucial Role of Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing in Unaffected Individuals with a Strong Family History of Cancer: A Retrospective Study of a Cohort of 103 Healthy Subjects.

Hereditary cancer syndromes caused by germline mutations account for 5-10% of all cancers. The finding of a genetic mutation could have far-reaching consequences for pharmaceutical therapy, personalized prevention strategies, and cascade testing. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) and the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines, unaffected family members should be tested only if the affected one is unavailable.

The Molecular Link between Obesity and the Endometrial Environment: A Starting Point for Female Infertility.

Female infertility constitutes a growing health problem in developing countries and could be associated with several possible causes including reproductive disorders, congenital malformations, infections and hormonal dysfunction. Nonetheless, a series of additional factors can also negatively impact female fertility and are represented by chronic exposure to environmental pollutants, stress, unhealthy lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking and, among others, obesity. Excess weight is associated with several chronic diseases, and growing evidence demonstrates that it can compromise reproductive physiology due to its influence on endometrial gene expression and receptivity.

Identification of Benzothiazoles Bearing 1,3,4-Thiadiazole as Antiproliferative Hybrids Targeting VEGFR-2 and BRAF Kinase: Design, Synthesis, BIO Evaluation and In Silico Study.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, often resulting from uncontrolled growth in various organs. Protein kinase inhibitors represent an important class of targeted cancer therapies. Recently, the kinases BRAF and VEGFR-2 have shown synergistic effects on tumor progression.

Confirmation and pathogenicity of small copy number variations incidentally detected via a targeted next-generation sequencing-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy platform.

Objective: To evaluate the technical accuracy, inheritance, and pathogenicity of small copy number variants (CNVs) detected by a targeted next-generation sequencing-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) platform.

Design: Retrospective observational study performed between 2020 and 2022.

Setting: Clinic.

Dynamic ultrasound assessment for insertional achilles tendinopathy: the COcco-RIcci (CORI) sign.

Objective: To describe a novel, dynamic ultrasound assessment of the Achilles tendon at the calcaneal insertion taking advantage of the effusion within the deep retrocalcaneal bursa as a natural contrast agent.

Materials And Methods: Positioning the ultrasound transducer in a longitudinal plane over the Achilles tendon at the calcaneal insertion, manual compression of the deep retrocalcaneal bursa can be performed using the other hand. Dynamically shifting the anechoic effusion from the proximal to the distal compartment of the bursa, the undersurface of the Achilles tendon is lifted from the underlying cortical bone of the superior facet of the calcaneal tuberosity.

ER and SOCE Ca signals are not required for directed cell migration in human iPSC-derived microglia.

The central nervous system (CNS) is constantly surveilled by microglia, highly motile and dynamic cells deputed to act as the first line of immune defense in the brain and spinal cord. Alterations in the homeostasis of the CNS are detected by microglia that respond by extending their processes or - following major injuries - by migrating toward the affected area. Understanding the mechanisms controlling directed cell migration of microglia is crucial to dissect their responses to neuroinflammation and injury.

Profiling and assessing the risks of image- and performance-enhancing drugs use during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Background: Image and Performance-Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) can enhance mental and physical capabilities and impact one's overall health. Initially confined in sport environments, IPEDs use has become increasingly widespread in a high-performing society. The present study was aimed at profiling IPEDs use during the COVID-19 lockdown among an international sample of young adults.

The Role of Physical Exercise as a Therapeutic Tool to Improve Lipedema: A Consensus Statement from the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive, SISMeS) and the Italian Society of Phlebology (Società Italiana di Flebologia, SIF).

Purpose Of Review: This consensus statement from the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive, SISMeS) and the Italian Society of Phlebology (Società Italiana di Flebologia, SIF) provides the official view on the role of exercise as a non-pharmacological approach in lipedema. In detail, this consensus statement SISMeS - SIF aims to provide a comprehensive overview of lipedema, focusing, in particular, on the role played by physical exercise (PE) in the management of its clinical features.

Recent Findings: Lipedema is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation.

Solute Transporter OCTN1/Slc22a4 Affects Disease Severity and Response to Infliximab in Experimental Colitis: Role of Gut Microbiota and Immune Modulation.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic disabling conditions with a complex and multifactorial etiology, still incompletely understood. OCTN1, an organic cation transporter, could have a role in modulating the inflammatory response, and some genetic polymorphisms of this molecule have been associated with increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases. Until now, limited information exists on its potential in predicting/modulating patient's response to therapies.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm (LCWB): a suitable dual-species model for in vitro studies.

Antimicrobial treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius associated with canine wounds represents an important challenge. The aim of this study was to create a canine wound infection model, Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm (LCWB), with a focus on S. pseudintermedius, drawing inspiration from the established human model involving Staphylococcus aureus.

Incidence, Timing, and Pattern of Atypical Recurrence after Minimally Invasive Surgery for Urothelial Carcinoma.

The management of urothelial carcinoma has evolved with the introduction of minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic procedures, challenging the traditional approach of open surgery, and giving rise to atypical recurrences (ARs). ARs include port-site metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis, yet discrepancies persist among authors regarding their precise classification. Incidence rates of ARs vary widely across studies, ranging from less than 1% to over 10% in both muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and upper tract urothelial tumor (UTUC).

Predictive Prognostic Factors in Non-Calcific Supraspinatus Tendinopathy Treated with Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: An Artificial Neural Network Approach.

The supraspinatus tendon is one of the most involved tendons in the development of shoulder pain. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been recognized as a valid and safe treatment. Sometimes the symptoms cannot be relieved, or a relapse develops, affecting the patient's quality of life.

Consumption of Chokeberry Bio-Products Improves Specific Metabolic Parameters and Increases the Plasma Antioxidant Status.

Because of its high antioxidant activity, chokeberry can be used both in the prevention and treatment of various metabolic disorders. In this study, for the first time, the synergistic effects of chokeberry juice and chokeberry fiber on selected metabolic and anthropometric parameters were assessed during a 90-day intervention including 102 people (67 women and 35 men). After 60 days of intervention with chokeberry juice, statistically significant increases in the muscle mass and antioxidant potential of the serum were observed.

Assessing Mineral Content and Heavy Metal Exposure in Abruzzo Honey and Bee Pollen from Different Anthropic Areas.

Honey and bee pollen offer potential health benefits due to their nutrient and bioactive molecules, but they may also harbor contaminants such as heavy metals. This study aimed to assess the content of different metals, including Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Tl, Pb and U, in honey and bee pollen collected from different Abruzzo region (Italy) areas (A1, A2, A3, A4), characterized by different anthropic influences described by Corine Land Cover maps. Differences were observed in the mineral and heavy metal content associated with the influence of biotic and abiotic factors.

Unraveling the Epigenetic Landscape: Insights into Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are examples of neurodegenerative movement disorders (NMDs), which are defined by a gradual loss of motor function that is frequently accompanied by cognitive decline. Although genetic abnormalities have long been acknowledged as significant factors, new research indicates that epigenetic alterations are crucial for the initiation and development of disease. This review delves into the complex interactions that exist between the pathophysiology of NMDs and epigenetic mechanisms such DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.