How to perform and evaluate a myocardial perfusion imaging by computed tomography.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (CTP) delivers a comprehensive evaluation of both the anatomical and functional aspects in a single examination. It stands out as the only non-invasive technique capable of quantifying coronary stenosis and assessing its functional impact, offering a consolidated diagnostic and management approach for patients with confirmed or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This very practical review ('How to.

Insights into the ecological and climate crisis: emerging infections threatening human health.

The Anthropocene era is marked by unprecedented human-induced alterations to the environment, resulting in a climate emergency and widespread ecological deterioration. A staggering number of up to one million species of plants and animals are in danger of becoming extinct, which includes over 10% of insect species and 40% of plant species. Unrestrained release of greenhouse gases, widespread deforestation, intense agricultural practices, excessive fishing, and alterations in land use have exceeded the ecological boundaries that were once responsible for humanity's wellbeing.

Matters arising: cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis of disease-modifying drugs of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Background: In their interesting systematic review, Gallehzan et al. quoted our article Cost-utility analysis of teriflunomide in naïve vs. previously treated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Italy.

Potassium-Rich, Gluten-Free Diets for Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome: A Hypothesis.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease and its management is palliative. There is no specific dietary protocol for SS patients. A gluten-free diet has been tested in SS patients with celiac disease (CD) and indicated modest improvements.

Development and Validation of the Family and Community Nursing Advanced Practice Scale.

Aim: To develop and test a Family and Community Nursing-Advanced Practice Scale.

Design: A cross-sectional and methodological scale validation design, following classical test theory.

Methods: Three phases, the first of which involved scale development, including item generation.

Biologics as well as inhaled anti-asthmatic therapy achieve clinical remission: Evidence from the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI).

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of severe asthma (SA) treatments after 12 months in achieving clinical remission (CR) within the context of the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI) using the recent SANI definition of CR on treatment.

Methods: CR has been defined by SANI as complete, partial, and no CR. Complete CR is defined by the absence of oral corticosteroids (OCS), no symptoms, no exacerbations, and stable lung function, and partial CR requires the absence of OCS and the fulfillment of 2 out of the other 3 criteria.

Genomic scans for selection and runs of homozygosity in southern Italian turkey populations.

Basilicata and Apulian (BAS-APU) turkeys, a native population in the Basilicata and Puglia regions of southern Italy, are known for their high meat quality and tolerance to local conditions. Understanding the genomic patterns of BAS-APU turkeys is critical for effective breeding and preservation strategies. In this study, we characterized runs of homozygosity (ROH), and selection signatures using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and ROH approaches.

Bile acid diarrhea in patients with chronic diarrhea. Current appraisal and recommendations for clinical practice.

Bile Acid Diarrhea (BAD) is a common cause of chronic diarrhea, often accompanied by urgency, occasional fecal incontinence, abdominal pain, and fatigue. A nationwide survey has shown limited awareness of BAD within the Italian medical community, prompting a panel of experts to develop a Position Paper that outlines the most practical and cost-saving diagnostic investigations and treatments for this frequently overlooked condition. The document provides an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and classification of the different types of Bile Acid Diarrhea (BAD).

Reciprocal relationships between adolescent mental health difficulties and alcohol consumption.

The directionality of the relationship between adolescent alcohol consumption and mental health difficulties remains poorly understood. This study investigates the longitudinal relationship between alcohol use frequency, internalizing and externalizing symptoms from the ages of 11 to 17. We conducted a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model across three timepoints (ages: 11yrs, 14yrs, 17yrs; 50.

Comorbidity patterns and mortality in atrial fibrillation: a latent class analysis of the EURopean study of Older Subjects with Atrial Fibrillation (EUROSAF).

Background: Most older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have comorbidities. However, it is unclear whether specific comorbidity patterns are associated with adverse outcomes. We identified comorbidity patterns and their association with mortality in multimorbid older AF patients with different multidimensional frailty.

Enhancing AI Chatbot Responses in Health Care: The SMART Prompt Structure in Head and Neck Surgery.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of prompt construction on the quality of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot responses in the context of head and neck surgery.

Study Design: Observational and evaluative study.

Setting: An international collaboration involving 16 researchers from 11 European centers specializing in head and neck surgery.

Oxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While oxidised apolipoproteins A and B have been linked to obesity and CVD, the association between other oxidised apolipoproteins and MASLD is yet to be established. To fill this gap, we characterised the circulating serum peptidome of patients with MASLD.

Fatty-acid amide hydrolase inhibition mitigates Alzheimer's disease progression in mouse models of amyloidosis.

The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a pro-homeostatic bioactive lipid known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties, which may contrast/mitigate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This study explores the therapeutic potential of targeting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the major enzyme degrading AEA, in mouse models of amyloidosis (APP/PS1 and Tg2576). Enhancing AEA signaling by genetic deletion of FAAH delayed cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice and improved cognitive symptoms in 12-month-old AD-like mice.

Neuroendocrine Tumors: Germline Genetics and Hereditary Syndromes.

The vast majority of neuroendocrine 'neoplasms (NENs) are sporadic, although recent evidence has indicated that a subset of these cancers may also originate as a result of genetic germline mutations. To date, 10% of these cancers can be linked to an inherited genetic syndrome. Genetic diagnosis is crucial for patients with a suspected hereditary NEN syndrome, as it recognizes patients carrying germline mutations and allows for personalized clinical follow-up, considering the higher risk of developing other tumours.

Imino and Thioureidic Derivatives as New Tools for Alzheimer's Disease: Preliminary Studies.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative chronic disease with a severe social and economic impact in the societies, which still lacks an efficient therapy. Several pathophysiological events (β-amyloid [Aβ] deposits, τ-protein aggregation, loss of cholinergic activity, and oxidative stress) occurs in the progression of the disease. Therefore, the search for efficient multi-targeted agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease becomes indispensable.

Bacillary layer detachment: Updates on its clinical and prognostic significance in retinal disease.

Bacillary layer detachment (BALAD) refers to the distinctive splitting at the level of the photoreceptor inner segment myoid and accumulation of intraretinal fluid, as seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT).BALAD is an increasingly recognized OCT biomarker of numerous heterogeneous chorioretinal diseases, including posterior uveitis, age-related macular degeneration and macular neovascularization, neoplastic and paraneoplastic retinal disorders, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, blunt ocular trauma, and miscellaneous conditions. The recognition of BALAD is clinically relevant because, based on the specific etiology, BALAD may require simple observation, ocular or systemic medical treatment, or even surgical intervention, with subsequent different prognosis.

Identification and treatment of false methane values produced by the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology equipped on unmanned aerial vehicles.

Fugitive or diffuse methane emissions constitute an important source of damage to the environment, much greater even than CO2 both over a time span of 20 years and over a longer time span of 100. It is therefore of preeminent importance to undertake all the efforts necessary to implement new tools, protocols, and methods that contribute to the identification and measurement of these emissions to implement site-specific actions of mitigation, repair, and conscious management of the emitting plants. Among the remote sensing and leak detection technologies currently used, the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) method plays a relevant role.

Real-world effectiveness of mepolizumab in asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Exacerbations and suboptimal disease control are common in severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype (SAep). Mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We aimed to strengthen the real-world evidence base for mepolizumab in SAep.

The Immune System: An Arrow to the Heart and Principles of Cardioimmunology as an Emerging Branch of Medicine.

Background: Cardioimmunology is an emerging branch of medicine whose development has been facilitated by more sophisticated diagnostic procedures. Recent studies have mainly focused on the immune response during myocardial infarction (MI), and there is evidence that both resident and external immune cells participate in acute inflammatory disease, as well as tissue remodeling. Cardiac Innate Immune Cells: Following MI, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and mast cells (MCs) are the main players in the heart.

Esketamine Treatment Trajectory of Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression in the Mid and Long-Term Run: Data from REAL-ESK Study Group.

Introduction/objective: Data on long-term treatment with Esketamine Nasal Spray (ESKNS) in real-world patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD) is scarce. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of ESK-NS treatment at 6 and 12-month follow-ups.

Methods: This is part of an observational, retrospective, multicentric Italian study (REAL-ESK study).

Exploring Dance as a Therapeutic Approach for Parkinson Disease Through the Social Robotics for Active and Healthy Ageing (SI-Robotics): Results From a Technical Feasibility Study.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms. Recently, dance has started to be considered an effective intervention for people with PD. Several findings in the literature emphasize the necessity for deeper exploration into the synergistic impacts of dance therapy and exergaming for PD management.