Topical Protection of Esophageal Mucosa as a New Treatment of GERD.

Among the various factors implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), visceral hypersensitivity and mucosal resistance have been recently re-evaluated in relation to the increasing phenomenon of proton pump inhibitor failure, particularly in patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). Intensive research has allowed us to understand that noxious substances contained in the refluxate are able to interact with esophageal epithelium and to induce the elicitation of symptoms. The frequent evidence of microscopic esophagitis able to increase the permeability of the mucosa, the proximity of sensory afferent nerve fibers to the esophageal lumen favoring the higher sensitivity to noxious substances and the possible activation of inflammatory pathways interacting with sensory nerve endings are pathophysiological alterations confirming that mucosal resistance is impaired in GERD patients.

Efficacy of Corticosteroids in Patients With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) represents a complication of pregnancy occurring in 1%-3% of all couples trying to conceive. About 50%-60% of RPL cases remain idiopathic, therefore therapeutic strategies seem empirical and based on unproven evidence. We investigated the efficacy of corticosteroids in women with RPL.

The European Drug-Drug Interaction (EuroDDI) Study Protocol: A Cross-Country Comparison of Drug-Drug Interaction Prevalence in the Older Community-Dwelling Population.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs), highly prevalent amongst the elderly, can lead to avoidable medication-related harm. Cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) drugs are commonly implicated. To date, there is no consensus on how to measure DDIs, making comparisons across countries challenging.

Electrophysiological Studies in Combination With Interim-Positron Emission Tomography Scan for Prevention of Severe Brentuximab-Vedotin-Induced Neurotoxicity.

Brentuximab-vedotin (BV)-induced neurotoxicity (BVIN), a frequent adverse event caused by this monoclonal antibody, is the primary reason for dose modification or drug discontinuation, and is characterized by sensory, motor, and/or autonomic peripheral nerve dysfunctions. Although reversible, BVIN can persist for months or years after treatment and negatively affect quality of life (QoL). Currently, BVIN is managed by dose adjustment or drug interruption, leading to an increased risk of disease relapse.

May a Single Presurgical High-Field MRI Sequence Replace Standard Radiographs for TPLO Surgical Planning in Dogs?

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease causes variable stifle instability assessed by specific clinical tests. Radiographs are performed to measure the tibial plateau angle (TPA) for planning tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Concomitant damage to other intra-articular structures, for which clinical detection is unreliable, may occur and potentially affect the surgical outcome.

Prognostic impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) expression on cancer survival and its implications for GLP-1R agonist therapy: an integrative analysis across multiple tumor types.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), albiglutide (Tanzeum), dulaglutide (Trulicity), lixisenatide (Lyxumia, Adlyxin), semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), are widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. While these agents are well known for their metabolic benefits, there is growing interest in their potential effects on cancer biology. However, the role of GLP-1R agonists in cancer remains complex and not fully understood, particularly across different tumor types.

Impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on stroke risk.

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and dietary patterns have emerged as a significant modifiable factor in stroke prevention. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and fish, has been widely recognized for its cardiovascular benefits. However, its specific impact on stroke risk requires further elucidation.

Venetoclax therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients relapsed after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains an option for young and fit chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients with high-risk disease features. However, allotransplanted patients are generally excluded from clinical trials, making data regarding the use of venetoclax after alloHSCT extremely rare. We report data from 7 CLL patients who received venetoclax after alloHSCT among 53 Italian centers.

The Role of [F]F-FDG PET/CT for Predicting Histology and Prognosis in Patients with Thymic Lesions.

Objectives: To investigate whether 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ([F]F-FDG PET/CT) metabolic parameters were associated with histology and to assess their prognostic role in patients with thymic lesions.

Patients And Methods: In total, 116 patients (49/67 M/F; mean age 59.5 years) who underwent preoperative [F]F-FDG PET/CT and thymectomy from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Heart failure outpatient clinics resources in Italy: a viewpoint of Italian Society of Cardiology organization.

The current paper reports the model organization, level of health care, and type of medical and research activities related to the existing heart failure centers of the Italian Society of Cardiology. Of note, we conduced an internal survey among the members of heart failure working group and related hospital and territorial sites about the quality of care and assistance levels according to the local hospital resources and type of diagnostic therapeutic and management resources. Thirty-two hospital ambulatorial structures have been identified, the centers were equally distributed within the national ground, with similar concentration between north and south regions of the Italian country.

Hypoparathyroidism: Similarities and differences between Western and Eastern countries.

Backgroud: Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is characterized by acute and chronic complications due to insufficient parathyroid hormone (PTH) production or action. Several management guidelines have been developed, but mostly based on evidence from Western countries. Data from Eastern countries have not been systematically compared with those from Western countries.

Mental Health Care Utilization and Prescription Rates Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults in France.

Importance: Amid escalating mental health challenges among young individuals, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing postpandemic trends is critical.

Objective: To examine mental health care utilization and prescription rates for children, adolescents, and young adults before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based time trend study used an interrupted time series analysis to examine mental health care and prescription patterns among the French population 25 years and younger.

Rigidity in Parkinson's Disease: The Objective Effect of Levodopa.

Background: Quantitative evidence of levodopa-induced beneficial effects on parkinsonian rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) is lacking. Recent research has demonstrated the velocity-dependent nature of objective rigidity in PD and revealed its neural underpinning.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effect of levodopa on objective rigidity in PD.

Assessment of ante mortem welfare indicators and the pathophysiology of captive-bolt trauma in equids at slaughter.

There is limited research into horse slaughter, particularly ante mortem welfare, and the effectiveness of captive-bolt gun (CBG) stunning, despite this being a widely used method worldwide. To address this evidence gap and explore associations between ante and post mortem factors, the welfare of 62 horses was assessed at a commercial Italian abattoir. Animal-based measures were used to identify stress-related behaviours and stunning effectiveness.

Toward Resilient Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Care: A Qualitative Study Involving Afghan Refugee Women in Pakistan.

Background: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly in Quetta, Balochistan, encounter formidable barriers in accessing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services. These challenges have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and entrenched systemic health inequities.

Methods: This qualitative study, conducted from February to April 2023, aimed to assess the obstacles within health systems and community environments that hinder MNCH service access among Afghan refugees.

A data-driven model of disability progression in progressive multiple sclerosis.

This study applies the Gaussian process progression model, a Bayesian data-driven disease progression model, to analyse the evolution of primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Utilizing data from 1521 primary progressive multiple sclerosis participants collected within the International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance Project, the analysis includes 18 581 longitudinal time-points (average follow-up time: 28.2 months) of disability assessments including the expanded disability status scale, symbol digit modalities, timed 25-foot-walk, 9-hole-peg test and of MRI metrics such as T1 and T2 lesion volume and normalized brain volume.

Endoscopic techniques for the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Pancreatic cysts are mostly incidental findings on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, with few patients presenting with abdominal pain or other symptoms. The accurate diagnosis of cysts is important as management depends on the type (neoplastic or non-neoplastic). Cross-sectional imaging is fast being replaced with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and various techniques based on that such as EUS-guided fine needle aspiration, EUS-guided needle confocal laser endomicroscopy, EUS-through-the-needle biopsy, and contrast-enhanced EUS.

New insights into the management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients treated with lomitapide: a single-center experience.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease, usually with onset during childhood, characterized by elevated blood LDL cholesterol levels and potentially associated with severe cardiovascular complications. Concerning mutated genes in FH, such as , a small subset of FH patients presents a homozygous genotype, resulting in homozygous FH (HoFH) disease with a generally aggressive phenotype. Besides statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors, lomitapide (an anti-ApoB therapy) was also approved in 2012-2013 as an adjunctive treatment for HoFH.

Longitudinal association between nailfold capillaroscopy and incident interstitial lung disease: A EUSTAR database analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate (1) the association between nailfold capillaroscopy pattern and 5-year risk for incident interstitial lung disease and (2) the association between transition in nailfold capillaroscopy pattern and risk of incident interstitial lung disease.

Methods: Data of adult patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the ACR-EULAR criteria with a disease duration ⩽5 years, having a scleroderma pattern at nailfold capillaroscopy with high-resolution computed tomography confirmed absence of interstitial lung disease (i.e.

Racecadotril in the management of diarrhea: an underestimated therapeutic option?

Acute infectious diarrhea (AID) represents an important clinical entity both regarding morbidity and mortality rates, even in industrialized countries, and it leads to one of the major public health burdens, among gastroenterological diseases, with significant healthcare costs. Oral rehydration solution is the cornerstone of the therapy, but despite its proven efficacy in avoiding dehydration, it is still underused as it does not reduce the duration of diarrhea; hence, it is perceived as ineffective by caregivers. In this narrative review, we collected literature regarding the use of racecadotril, deeply discussing its role in the treatment of AID in both adults and children.

Potential guidelines for cataract surgery and rehabilitation in visually impaired patients: Literature analysis.

Cataracts can reduce the quality of vision in visually impaired patients who already have a visual impairment. The most common causes of low vision include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), high myopia (HM), diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma (GL), and inherited degenerative ocular diseases. The surgery aims to improve their independence, quality of life, and ability to engage in daily, social, and work activities.

A systematic realist synthesis of digital interventions for enhancing mental health at work: contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes.

Background: Digital interventions (DIs) have emerged as promising tools for promoting mental health in the workplace. However, evidence on if, how, and under what circumstances they affect positive outcomes requires elucidation. This systematic realist review aimed to synthesize current knowledge on contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of workplace DIs to enhance mental health at work.

Dynamic supramolecular snub cubes.

Mimicking the superstructures and properties of spherical biological encapsulants such as viral capsids and ferritin offers viable pathways to understand their chiral assemblies and functional roles in living systems. However, stereospecific assembly of artificial polyhedra with mechanical properties and guest-binding attributes akin to biological encapsulants remains a formidable challenge. Here we report the stereospecific assembly of dynamic supramolecular snub cubes from 12 helical macrocycles, which are held together by 144 weak C-H hydrogen bonds.

Pangenome graphs and their applications in biodiversity genomics.

Complete datasets of genetic variants are key to biodiversity genomic studies. Long-read sequencing technologies allow the routine assembly of highly contiguous, haplotype-resolved reference genomes. However, even when complete, reference genomes from a single individual may bias downstream analyses and fail to adequately represent genetic diversity within a population or species.