Astrocytes phenomics as new druggable targets in healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease progression.

For over a century after their discovery astrocytes were regarded merely as cells located among other brain cells to hold and give support to neurons. Astrocytes activation, "astrocytosis" or A1 functional state, was considered a detrimental mechanism against neuronal survival. Recently, the scientific view on astrocytes has changed.

Microstructure of the human metastatic vertebral body.

Introduction: Bone spinal metastases disrupt the bone homeostasis, inducing a local imbalance in the bone formation and/or resorption, with consequent loss of the structural optimisation of the vertebrae and increase of the risk of fracture. Little is known about the microstructure of the metastatic tissue, the microstructure of the tissue surrounding the lesion, and how it does compare with vertebrae with no lesions observed on the biomedical images. A comprehensive assessment of the microstructural properties of the entire vertebral body can be obtained with micro computed tomography.

The carbon footprint and energy consumption of liver transplantation.

Background And Aims: There is growing interest in the environmental impact of surgical procedures, yet more information is needed specifically regarding liver transplantation. This study aims to quantify the total greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon footprint, associated with adult whole-size liver transplantation from donors after brain death, including the relevant back-table graft preparation.

Methods: The carbon footprint was calculated retrospectively using a bottom-up approach.

Ageing, clinical complexity, and exercise therapy: a multidimensional approach.

Ageing is a multidimensional concept related to the progressive decline in physiological functions. The decrease of physical autonomy due to the ageing process leads to frailty, which in turn is associated with disability and comorbidity. Ageing represents the primary risk factor for chronic degenerative diseases, especially involving cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, and osteoarticular systems, determining the decrease in activities and quality of daily life.

First report of in a wolf in Italy: An increasing health concern?

is a zoonotic nematode parasite of worldwide distribution. It is present in Europe with important foci, particularly in Eastern countries and Spain. This species is generally associated with a domestic cycle that involves primarily pigs.

Robot-assisted upper limb therapy for personalized rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders of movement development that may cause activity limitations. In this context, robot-assisted therapy might play a key role in clinical management. This comprehensive systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of robotic systems in improving upper limb (UL) functions in children with CP.

Interleukin-32 positive immune and resident cells in kidney samples from lupus patients: a pilot study.

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN), caused by immune complexes produced or deposited from the bloodstream, is one of the most severe features of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) leading to an increased morbidity and mortality. Toll like receptors (TLRs), such as TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9, may play a key role in its pathogenesis. Interleukin-32 (IL-32), a cytokine involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses, has been widely considered in autoimmune-inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Use of the oxygen reserve index/FiO as a non-invasive index to estimate venous admixture in anesthetized dogs.

The oxygen reserve index (ORi) is a novel, non-invasive parameter that estimates arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO) during hyperoxia when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) is elevated. This study aimed to assess the utility of the ORi/FiO ratio as an index for quantifying F-shunt, serving as an estimate of venous admixture. Anesthetic records were reviewed from 44 dogs undergoing general anesthesia and requiring arterial catheterization.

Bees on the run: spp. (Microsporidia) in and related products, Italy.

Introduction: The decline of the European/western honeybee () population is on account of a plethora of microorganisms, such as and , two microsporidian fungi responsible of nosemosis that affects welfare and production of the bee industry. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the presence of both pathogens in bees, pollen and honey from apiaries in Southwestern Italy.

Methods: From March to July 2022 and 2023, apiaries ( = 10) were selected and classified as High Impact Areas (HIAs,  = 5) and Low Impact Areas (LIAs,  = 5) according to a 5-point environmental risk index based on factors affecting bee health sand related productions.

Cu(OTf)-catalyzed multicomponent reactions.

This review reports the achievements in copper(II) triflate-catalyzed processes concerning the multicomponent reactions, applied to the synthesis of acyclic and cyclic compounds. In particular, for the heteropolycyclic systems mechanistic insights were outlined as well as cycloaddition and aza-Diels-Alder reactions were included. These strategies have gained attention due to their highly atom- and step-economy, one-step multi-bond forming, mild reaction conditions, low cost and easy handling.

Evaluating the role of generative AI and color patterns in the dissemination of war imagery and disinformation on social media.

This study explores the evolving role of social media in the spread of misinformation during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with a focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to the creation of deceptive war imagery. Specifically, the research examines the relationship between color patterns (LUTs) in war-related visuals and their perceived authenticity, highlighting the economic, political, and social ramifications of such manipulative practices. AI technologies have significantly advanced the production of highly convincing, yet artificial, war imagery, blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Augmented Reality for extremity hemorrhage training: a usability study.

Introduction: Limb massive hemorrhage is the first cause of potentially preventable death in trauma. Its prompt and proper management is crucial to increase the survival rate. To handle a massive hemorrhage, it is important to train people without medical background, who might be the first responders in an emergency.

Effects of clear aligners treatment in growing patients: a systematic review.

Introduction: In recent years, the use of Clear aligners (CA) has been diffused among children and adolescents. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature regarding the effects of CA therapy in growing patients, including dentoalveolar and skeletal effects, periodontal changes, and quality of life measurements.

Methods: An electronic search on four databases was performed until September 2023, and studies including patients <18 years, treated with CA were selected.

Optimizing personalized psychological well-being interventions through digital phenotyping: results from a randomized non-clinical trial.

Background: Digital technologies, including smartphones, hold great promise for expanding mental health services and improving access to care. Digital phenotyping, which involves the collection of behavioral and physiological data using smartphones, offers a novel way to understand and monitor mental health. This study examines the feasibility of a psychological well-being program using a telegram-integrated chatbot for digital phenotyping.

Depression in adolescence and young adulthood: the difficulty to integrate motivational/emotional systems.

Depression is presented as a multi-factorial bio-psycho-social expression that has evolved primarily as an effect of stressors related to the motivational/emotional systems that regulate the in our relationship with conspecifics. These stressors may be caused by two sources of threat, firstly, the loss of bonding with the caregiver and later with a partner and/or group which relates to the SEPARATION (PANIC/GRIEF) system, secondly, social defeat as an expression of the social competition and social dominance. The sexual maturity drives the individual to social competition and social dominance, even if the latter often occurs before sexual maturity, e.

Case Report: Targeted plasticity in spinal cord injury-the role of focal muscle vibration and neurocognitive rehabilitation in adaptative synaptic change along sensory and motor circuit.

Purpose: The purpose of this case was to investigate objectively and quantitatively the effects of the application of repeated focal muscle vibration (fMV) associated with neurocognitive exercise on a 46-year-old patient with spastic paraparesis secondary to the surgical removal of a C5-C6 ependymoma.

Methods: We have evaluated gait parameters, spasticity, and pain with clinical scales. We have applied focal muscle vibration on quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and iliopsoas muscles bilaterally.

Liver Transplantation in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. Benefits and Limitations of Psychosocial Selection and Support in Alcohol Relapse. The Experience of a Tertiary Center in Italy.

Patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis SAH may suffer of undiagnosed psychiatric illnesses, typically depression. Assessment of prevalence and potential impact of psychiatric disturbances on alcohol relapse after LT, were the main objectives of this study. One hundred consecutive patients with SAH from April 2016 to May 2023 were analyzed.

Exploring the role of epileptic focus lateralization on facial emotion recognition in the spectrum of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Introduction: Evidence increasingly shows that facial emotion recognition (FER) is impaired in refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (rMTLE), especially in patients with a right focus. This study explores FER in both mild (mMTLE) and refractory forms, examining the influence of epileptic focus lateralization on FER.

Methods: 50 MTLE patients, categorized by epilepsy severity and focus lateralization, were compared with healthy controls.

A methodological scoping review on EMG processing and synergy-based results in muscle synergy studies in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. It affects mainly people over 65 and the incidence increases with age. It is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms and several clinical manifestations.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with CKD: real-world experience in 93 Italian renal clinics.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are recommended for reducing the renal and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on the positive results reported by clinical trials. However, real-world data on the efficacy and the safety of these drugs in CKD population followed in nephrology setting are lacking.

Methods: We report the effects of dapagliflozin in CKD patients by using data collected during a learning program in which 105 nephrologists added dapagliflozin (10 mg/day) to consecutive patients referred to their renal clinics.

What is needed to successfully implement the EU HTA Regulation enabling broad patient access in Europe.

There has been a lot of discussion on the technical aspects of the soon to be implemented European Union's Health Technology Assessment (EU HTA) regulation. However, there has been limited discussion on the implementation aspects and the potential limitations from a policy perspective. In May 2024, a group of HTA experts with previous policy responsibilities met in Rome to propose some policy aspects to be considered.