Identifying Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Biomarkers in a Cohort of Patients Affected by DM Type II.

(1) Background: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common manifestation of dry eye syndrome (DES). (2) Methods: The purpose of this study is to identify clinical parameters and biomarkers useful to improve the follow-up and the treatment of these patients. We have used an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer test I/II, tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), fluorescein plus lissamine green staining, Marx's line (ML), and meibomian gland (MGs) morphology using Sirius Topographer (CSO, Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy).

Clinical diagnostic utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation in neurological disorders. Updated report of an IFCN committee.

The review provides a comprehensive update (previous report: Chen R, Cros D, Curra A, Di Lazzaro V, Lefaucheur JP, Magistris MR, et al. The clinical diagnostic utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation: report of an IFCN committee. Clin Neurophysiol 2008;119(3):504-32) on clinical diagnostic utility of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in neurological diseases.

A pilot study on secondary anemia in "frailty" patients treated with Ferric Sodium EDTA in combination with vitamin C, folic acid, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate and selenomethionine: safety of treatment explored by HRV non-linear analysis as predictive factor of cardiovascular tolerability.

Objective: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with heart disease is correlated with decreased exercise capacity and poor health-related quality of life, and predicts worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially for elderly patients. IDA can worsen cardiac function that can be monitored with Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis, providing important information about cardiac health. In a recent study we explored the effect and the tolerability of the administration of Ferric Sodium EDTA in combination with vitamin C, folic acid, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate and selenomethionine (Ferachel Forte®) in "frailty" patients with secondary anemia and low kidney failure, by analysing the HRV frequency domain.

Cardiovascular risk in scuba divers.

Background: We evaluated the role of scuba diving on cardiovascular risk in a small group of divers.

Methods: We have enrolled 14 subjects (12 males and 1 female, mean age 49±12.2 years) undergone to scuba diving (one patient did not complete the period of observation due to the b-blocker treatment).

Effect of low-dose sacubitril/valsartan on body composition, bioelectrical impedance analysis, heart rate variability and T-peak to T-end index in elderly patients with severe chronic heart failure: a pilot experience.

Objective: We evaluated the role of sacubitril/valsartan in heart rate variability, T-peak to T-end index, external cell mass, internal cell mass and total body water in elderly patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: Eleven elderly patients (9 males; mean age 77 years, range 70-87; 2 females, mean age 60 years, range 50-71) with HFrEF (<35%) were included in this analysis. Four patients presented moderate chronic kidney failure (creatinine clearance [CrCl] 30-59 mL/min) and four patients with diabetes (HbA1c >6.

A Case of Ventricular Fibrillation in a Frail Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, and Electrolytic Disorder.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, although the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for this interdependence are not completely known. For instance, the increased sympathetic activity may be implied. The severity of COPD correlates with various arrhythmic manifestations such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and either sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.

The Mozart effect in biofeedback visual rehabilitation: a case report.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of acoustic biofeedback by means of Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major K. 448 to maintain and/or restore visual performance in a patient with macular pucker and glaucoma.

Methods: A 74-year-old patient with open angle glaucoma in both eyes and macular pucker in the right eye (RE) underwent visual rehabilitation with acoustic biofeedback by means of the MAIA™ Vision Training Module (Centervue, Padova, Italy) 10 minutes each eye once a week for 5 weeks.

Low-vision rehabilitation by means of MP-1 biofeedback examination in patients with different macular diseases: a pilot study.

Macular disease is one of the main causes of visual impairment. We studied the efficacy of low-vision rehabilitation by means of MP-1 biofeedback examination in patients with different macular disease. Five patients were enrolled (3 female and 2 male, mean age 53.