Sleep medicine in otolaryngology units: an international survey.

Purpose: No study to date has described the overall landscape of sleep disorders management and training in otolaryngology departments of different countries. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare settings, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and training programmes.

Methods: An international online survey was developed with the collaboration of the YO-IFOS (Young Otolaryngologists-International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies) to assess the current practice of otolaryngologists in the management of sleep disorders.

Mortality and other adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted for COVID-19 in association with glucose-lowering drugs: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Limited evidence exists on the role of glucose-lowering drugs in patients with COVID-19. Our main objective was to examine the association between in-hospital death and each routine at-home glucose-lowering drug both individually and in combination with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted for COVID-19. We also evaluated their association with the composite outcome of the need for ICU admission, invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death as well as on the development of in-hospital complications and a long-time hospital stay.

Venetoclax or placebo in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (BELLINI): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial.

Background: Venetoclax is a highly selective, potent, oral BCL-2 inhibitor, which induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells. Venetoclax plus bortezomib and dexamethasone has shown encouraging clinical efficacy with acceptable safety and tolerability in a phase 1 trial. The aim of this study was to evaluate venetoclax plus bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Human milk microbiota in sub-acute lactational mastitis induces inflammation and undergoes changes in composition, diversity and load.

Sub-acute mastitis (SAM) is a prevalent disease among lactating women, being one of the main reasons for early weaning. Although the etiology and diagnosis of acute mastitis (AM) is well established, little is known about the underlying mechanisms causing SAM. We collected human milk samples from healthy and SAM-suffering mothers, during the course of mastitis and after symptoms disappeared.

A 300 IR sublingual tablet is an effective, safe treatment for house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis: An international, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase III clinical trial.

Background: Allergic rhinitis induced by house dust mites (HDMs) is a highly prevalent but often underdiagnosed and undertreated/untreated chronic disease. It often has a negative impact on sleep, work, leisure activities, and health-related quality of life. Allergen immunotherapy is a proven, safe treatment for respiratory allergies.

Melatonin Content of Human Milk: The Effect of Mode of Delivery.

Cesarean section rates are increasing in developed countries and could be performed as an emergency or elective procedure. Our research aim was to determine whether elective cesarean section influences the melatonin content, the main circadian hormone, in human milk. Twenty-one women after vaginal delivery and 18 women after elective cesarean section were included.

Depletion of Species in the Microbiota of Obese Children Relates to Intestinal Inflammation and Metabolic Phenotype Worsening.

Cross-sectional studies conducted with obese and control subjects have suggested associations between gut microbiota alterations and obesity, but the links with specific disease phenotypes and proofs of causality are still scarce. The present study aimed to profile the gut microbiota of lean and obese children with and without insulin resistance to characterize associations with specific obesity-related complications and understand the role played in metabolic inflammation. Through massive sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and data analysis using a novel permutation approach, we have detected decreased incidence of species, especially and , in the gut microbiota of obese children, which was even more pronounced in cases with both obesity and insulin resistance.

Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity prevention with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in women with low-risk breast cancer: results of a prospective randomized study.

Background: Anthracycline‑induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) remains the main long‑term irreversible side effect in malignancy survivors. Cardiotoxicity prevention is one of the most reasonable approaches.

Aims: In this prospective randomized open‑label study, we aimed to verify whether ramipril protects from early‑onset AIC in women with breast cancer (BC).

Genome-Wide Association Study for Serum Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Exploratory Analysis of the Sex-Specific Effects and Dietary Modulation in Mediterranean Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome.

Many early studies presented beneficial effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on cardiovascular risk factors and disease. However, results from recent meta-analyses indicate that this effect would be very low or nil. One of the factors that may contribute to the inconsistency of the results is that, in most studies, genetic factors have not been taken into consideration.

Impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers.

Background: Tonsils are first-line host defence organs against pathogenic agents and participate in local and systemic immunity. Persistent increases in systemic inflammatory responses may contribute to associated morbidity. The aim of this study was to verify the short- and long-term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers in 3- to 9-year-old children.

Decision-making for pediatric allergy immunotherapy for aeroallergens: a narrative review.

There has been exciting progress in diagnosis and in the treatment of allergic patients. The objective of this review is to summarize the most relevant contributions in the past 10 years with a special focus on the pediatric population allergic to aeroallergens and provide the most relevant references and practical issues for the decision-making. Current guidelines on allergy diagnosis recommend a thorough clinical history as the first step, followed by allergen extract testing using an in vivo prick test and/or an in vitro specific IgE test.

Insulin resistance and diabetes in hyperthyroidism: a possible role for oxygen and nitrogen reactive species.

In addition to insulin, glycemic control involves thyroid hormones. However, an excess of thyroid hormone can disturb the blood glucose equilibrium, leading to alterations of carbohydrate metabolism and, eventually, diabetes. Indeed, experimental and clinical hyperthyroidism is often accompanied by abnormal glucose tolerance.

Quantifying memory deficits in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: In the present study, we use the item-specific deficit approach (ISDA), a method for characterizing memory deficits in list-learning, to portray the memory deficits in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Methods: We applied the ISDA to compare memory performance of patients with aMCI and healthy controls in encoding, consolidation, and retrieval using the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test.

Results: The results revealed clear differences in recall performance between patients with aMCI and controls.

Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) on Bilirubin Concentrations in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: Sex-Specific GWAS Analysis and Gene-Diet Interactions in a Mediterranean Population.

Although, for decades, increased serum bilirubin concentrations were considered a threatening sign of underlying liver disease and had been associated with neonatal jaundice, data from recent years show that bilirubin is a powerful antioxidant and suggest that slightly increased serum bilirubin concentrations are protective against oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, a better understanding of the gene-diet interactions in determining serum bilirubin concentrations is needed. None of the previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on bilirubin concentrations has been stratified by sex.

The connection of circadian rhythm to inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic, immune system-mediated inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions in IBD remains elusive, but the inflammation process could be the result of dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems induced by genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, research has demonstrated a connection between environmental stressors that can influence day-night variations, also called circadian rhythms, and digestive health.

A Guide to Applying the Sex-Gender Perspective to Nutritional Genomics.

Precision nutrition aims to make dietary recommendations of a more personalized nature possible, to optimize the prevention or delay of a disease and to improve health. Therefore, the characteristics (including sex) of an individual have to be taken into account as well as a series of omics markers. The results of nutritional genomics studies are crucial to generate the evidence needed so that precision nutrition can be applied.

Cytotoxic Natural Killer Subpopulations as a Prognostic Factor of Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a sign of advanced disease of poor prognosis. As natural killer (NK) cells are involved in the first line of tumour defence, we aimed to validate a new diagnostic and prognostic indicator for MPE based on NK subpopulations of pleural fluid (PF) and peripheral blood (PB).

Methods: NK subpopulations were determined in PF and PB in 71 patients with malignant, paramalignant or benign pleural effusion.

The Merete BioBall system in hip revision surgery: A systematic review.

Background: Modular hip arthroplasty is widely recognized in hip surgery; nevertheless, despite advances in prosthetic design, the incidence of hip revision surgery is increasing. In these procedures, a modular adapter that engages the femoral stem and the modular femoral head could be useful in order to protect the neck-head junction and restore preoperative biomechanics and soft tissue tension when the femoral or acetabular component should be retained. The Merete™ BioBall™ system (Merete Medical, Berlin, Germany) could fill this need.

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 supplementation improves inflammatory status in insulin-resistant obese children.

Purpose: The relationships between gut microbiota and obesity-related co-morbidities have been increasingly recognized. Low-grade inflammation may be the main factor in the pathogenesis of such disorders. We investigated the effect of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 on cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiota composition in obese children with insulin resistance.

Asthma diagnosis in infants and preschool children: a systematic review of clinical guidelines.

Background And Aim: The definition and diagnosis of asthma are the subject of controversy that is particularly intense in the case of individuals in the first years of life, due to reasons such as the difficulty of performing objective pulmonary function tests or the high frequency with which the symptoms subside in the course of childhood. Since there is no consensus regarding the diagnosis of asthma in preschool children, a systematic review has been carried out.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was made of the clinical guidelines published in the last 10 years and containing information referred to the concept or diagnosis of asthma in childhood - including the first years of life (infants and preschool children).

Review of evidence on handling hazardous drugs and Products in Urology Services; consensus document between the Spanish Urology Association and the Spanish Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Objective: The intravesical administration of hazardous drug products is a  standard practice in the urology setting, which potentially exposing medical  personnel to these drug products. It was deemed necessary to have a consensus document among the scientific societies involved (the Spanish Urological  Association and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy) that collects the best  available evidence on the safest handling possible of dangerous drug products in the setting of urology departments.

Method: We reviewed the legislation and recommendations on the handling of  dangerous drug products, both at the national and international level.