Performance of Noninvasive Tests for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis and Liver Fibrosis Resolution after Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Noninvasive tests (NITs) to monitor metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) progression and response to interventions are needed because of the risks of liver biopsy. A monocytes-based diagnostic test using perilipin-2 (PLIN2) and Ras-related protein-14 (RAB14) predict the severity of MASH and fibrosis. Here we compared the performances of PLIN2 and RAB14 with cytokeratin-18 (CK18) assessed by Ella™ or M65 ELISA in predicting MASH and fibrosis resolution following bariatric surgery in a longitudinal and histologically characterized cohort of individuals with obesity.

Impact of different 2D materials on the efficacy of photothermal and photodynamic therapy in 3D-bioprinted breast cancer.

The convergence of nanotechnology and tissue engineering has paved the way for innovative cancer treatments that leverage the unique light absorption properties of nanomaterials. Indeed, photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilize nanomaterials to convert near-infrared light into therapeutic energy for cancer treatment. This study focuses on the application of poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds, enhanced by graphene oxide, TiCT MXene, and TiS transition metal dichalcogenides for PDT and PTT treatments evaluated within 3D-bioprinted breast cancers.

Evaluating Red Blood Cells' Membrane Fluidity in Diabetes: Insights, Mechanisms, and Future Aspects.

Aims: This review evaluates the mechanisms underlying red blood cell (RBC) membrane fluidity changes in diabetes mellitus (DM) and explores strategies to assess and address these alterations. Emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive index for membrane fluidity to improve monitoring and management in diabetic patients.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed current literature on RBC membrane fluidity, focussing on lipid composition, glycation, oxidative stress, and lipid transport alterations in diabetic patients.

Prenatal THC exposure drives sex-specific alterations in spatial memory and hippocampal excitatory/inhibitory balance in adolescent rats.

The interaction between the main psychotropic ingredient of Cannabis, Δ⁹- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical and underrated issue that deserves utmost attention. The ECS, indeed, contributes to the formation and regulation of excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neuronal networks that in the hippocampus underly spatial memory. This study explored sex-specific consequences of prenatal exposure to THC in hippocampus-dependent memory and the underlying cellular and molecular contributors of synaptic plasticity and E/I homeostasis.

Patient-centered care in pulmonary fibrosis: access, anticipate, and act.

Comprehensive care integrates individual patient needs and is highly valued for patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The importance of a patient-centered care approach is rooted in the unpredictable progressiveness of the disease course in PF. The respiratory impairment associated with PF has a major impact on the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles release combined with systemic DOX exhibits synergistic effects in 3D bioprinted triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, lacking targeted therapeutic options. Hydrogels, particularly gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), have emerged as promising materials for localized drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and tunable properties. This study investigates a dual-delivery system for enhancing the treatment efficacy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using a combination of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Citrus limon L.

Contemporary Use of Drug-Coated Balloons for Coronary Angioplasty: A Comprehensive Review.

The interventional treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) has undergone significant improvements thanks to technological innovations. Nowadays, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is the standard of care for the treatment of CAD. Nevertheless, the non-negligible incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and suboptimal results in various anatomical settings has led to the development of drug-coated balloons (DCBs).

TRIVALVE Score: A Risk Score for Mortality/Hospitalization Prediction in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention.

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) has been increasingly adopted in recent years for the treatment of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, no dedicated risk stratification has been established for patients undergoing TTVI.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to propose a dedicated risk score for patients affected by severe TR undergoing TTVI.

Advanced approaches in skin wound healing - a review on the multifunctional properties of MXenes in therapy and sensing.

In recent years, the use of MXenes, a class of two-dimensional materials composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, has shown significant promise in the field of skin wound healing. This review explores the multifunctional properties of MXenes, focusing on their electrical conductivity, photothermal effects, and biocompatibility in this field. MXenes have been utilized to develop advanced wound healing devices such as hydrogels, patches, and smart bandages for healing examination.

Defining the immunological compatibility of graphene oxide-loaded PLGA scaffolds for biomedical applications.

Graphene oxide (GO), a carbon-based nanomaterial, presents significant potential across biomedical fields such as bioimaging, drug delivery, biosensors, and phototherapy. This study examines the effects of integrating GO into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds on human immune cell function. Our results demonstrate that high concentrations of GO reduce the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody.

Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Novel Frontier in Cancer Therapeutics.

Recent advancements in nanomedicine and biotechnology have unveiled the remarkable potential of plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) as a novel and promising approach for cancer treatment. These naturally occurring nanoscale particles exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, targeted delivery capabilities, and the capacity to load therapeutic agents, positioning them at the forefront of innovative cancer therapy strategies. PDEVs are distinguished by their unique properties that facilitate tumor targeting and penetration, thereby enhancing the efficacy of drug delivery systems.

Imaging in pelvic exenteration-a multidisciplinary practice guide from the ESGAR-SAR-ESUR-PelvEx collaborative group.

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical surgical approach designed for the curative treatment of advanced pelvic malignancies, requiring en-bloc resection of multiple pelvic organs. While the procedure is radical, it has shown promise in enhancing long-term survival and is now comparable in surgical mortality to elective resections for primary pelvic cancers. Imaging plays a crucial role in preoperative planning, with MRI, CT, and PET/CT being pivotal in assessing the extent of cancer and formulating a surgical roadmap.

Protein corona alleviates adverse biological effects of nanoplastics in breast cancer cells.

Pollution from micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) has long been a topic of concern due to its potential impact on human health. MNPs can circulate through human blood and, thus far, have been found in the lungs, spleen, stomach, liver, kidneys and even in the brain, placenta, and breast milk. While data are already available on the adverse biological effects of pristine MNPs ( oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and even cancer induction), no report thus far clarified whether the same effects are modulated by the formation of a protein corona around MNPs.

"If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it". Outcome measures in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: current and future perspectives.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder primarily affecting males, caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. The absence of dystrophin protein leads to progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. Recent advances in the therapeutic landscape underscore the need to identify appropriate outcome measures to assess treatment efficacy in ambulant and non-ambulant DMD patients, across clinical and research settings.

Attitudes, weight stigma and misperceptions of weight loss strategies among patients living with obesity in the Lazio Region, Italy.

Introduction: Patient engagement is essential to achieve long-term goals in obesity management. It is crucial to identify patients' perspectives, misperceptions and unmet educational needs on obesity etiology and treatments, to establish a correct therapeutic alliance between healthcare providers and patients.

Methods: Objective: This study, promoted by the regional section of the Italian Obesity Society (SIO Lazio), explores attitudes towards obesity, self-awareness, misperceptions of weight loss strategies, experiences of weight stigma and educational needs of patients living with overweight or obesity.

Plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles: a promising biomedical approach for effective targeting of triple negative breast cancer cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype accounting for 15-20% of all breast cancer cases, faces limited treatment options often accompanied by severe side effects. In recent years, natural extracellular nanovesicles derived from plants have emerged as promising candidates for cancer therapy, given their safety profile marked by non-immunogenicity and absence of inflammatory responses. Nevertheless, the potential anti-cancer effects of .

The polyphenolic compound punicalagin protects skin fibroblasts from UVA radiation oxidative damage.

Polyphenols are a class of natural compounds that act as antioxidants, neutralising harmful free radicals that would damage cells and increase the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. They also reduce inflammation, which is thought to be at the root of many chronic diseases. We are investigating the photoprotective effects of punicalagin, a type of polyphenolic compound mainly found in pomegranates, against UVA-induced damage in human skin fibroblasts.