Oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matched international multicenter cohort study.

Background: Ampullary adenocarcinoma (AAC) typically presents at an early stage due to biliary obstruction and therefore might be specifically suitable for minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD). However, studies assessing MIPD specifically for AAC, including the robotic and laparoscopic approach, are limited. The aim of this study is to compare short- and long-term oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic (RPD), laparoscopic (LPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) performed specifically for AAC.

Cutting-edge lipid-lowering pharmacological therapies: Improving lipid control beyond statins.

Statins are crucial for both the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, even with optimized statin therapy, a significant residual risk of ASCVD remains, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) that more effectively target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other atherogenic lipoproteins. Recently, novel pharmacologic agents have been introduced for the management of dyslipidemia.

Interpretation and management of T wave inversion in athletes: AnKazimexpert opinion statement of the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology (SICSPORT).

T wave inversion (TWI) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a relatively common finding in athletes. It poses a diagnostic challenge, as it can indicate either a benign physiological pattern or an early sign of serious cardiac pathology. This expert opinion statement provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of TWI in athletes, emphasizing the importance of its localization, associated clinical features, and demographic factors in guiding its interpretation and management.

Computed tomography derived predictors of left ventricular obstruction after TAVR.

Background: Left ventricular obstruction (LVO) is an infrequent complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that can lead to severe hemodynamic decompensation. Previous studies have analyzed the pathophysiology of this clinical entity; however, little is known about the anatomical characteristics as assessed by computational tomography (CT) of patients at risk.

Methods: Data from 349 patients were retrospectively analyzed from a single center registry of patients undergoing TAVR at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy, between January 2020 and December 2021.

Coronary artery calcification as an incremental predictive risk: Research perspectives in primary prevention.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a neglected biomarker that can be derived from non-cardiac chest computed tomography scan and represents a surrogate for atherosclerosis. We created a simulation model using different CAC score values in the MESA coronary artery risk score in a population derived from the Fourier Trial. CAC score could modulate the sample sizes of cardiovascular trials in primary and secondary prevention and offer new primary prevention treatments to high-risk subjects with reasonable numbers needed to treat comparable to secondary prevention trials.

Evolving Paradigms in Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Learning Curves in Minimally Invasive Spine Techniques.

Our research examines the learning curves of various minimally invasive lumbar surgeries to determine the benefits and challenges they pose to both surgeons and patients. The advent of microsurgical techniques since the 1960s, including advances in fluoroscopic navigation and intraoperative computed tomography, has significantly shifted spinal surgery from open to minimally invasive methods. This study critically evaluates surgical duration, intraoperative conversions to open surgery, and complications as primary parameters to gauge these learning curves.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), its additives, microplastic and human health: Unresolved and emerging issues.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a commonly used plastic across Europe, poses a number of risks at various stages of its life cycle. The carcinogenicity of PVC monomer, the need to use high number and volume of problematic additives, the easiness of fragmentation compared to other thermoplastics, the high volume of use in everyday products and the resulting extent to which European population is potentially exposed to both microplastics and chemicals and, finally, continuous problems during waste management, have raised concerns about impacts of PVC on human health and the environment for decades. As far back as in 2000, the European Commission recognized that PVC causes a wide range of serious problems for the environment and human health.

The hidden cost of illicit trade: Evaluating the physiological health of smuggled European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla).

European eel is considered a "critically endangered" species due to its population decline (c.a. 98 %) in all European waters, primarily because human activities.

Gamify to persuade: A systematic review of gamified sustainable mobility.

The increasing need to address climate change has intensified efforts to promote green transportation options, such as cycling and public transit. Over the past few decades, gamification-the integration of game-like elements into non-game contexts to motivate and engage people in adopting new behaviors-has emerged as a strategy to encourage the use of sustainable transportation. This literature review examines how gamification has been used to drive the adoption of green transportation.

Insight into radionuclide U deposition in multiple-environmental media in Muztagh Ata Glacier Basin of the eastern Pamirs.

This study concerns the U/U ratios in environmental samples collected in the Pamir region (Central Asia). Cryoconite (a supra-glacial sediment), soil and river water were sampled in the Muztagh Ata Glacier Basin, a secondary basin belonging to Gaizi River watershed. The aim of the research is to assess the impact of anthropic nuclear activities in such a remote area, being the U/U ratio highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances.

The prognostic role of iron deficiency in acute ischemic stroke patients: A prospective multicentric cohort study.

Background And Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is a prognostic factor in heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. However, its role in cerebrovascular diseases is controversial. We aimed to determine the impact of ID on the functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients.

How To Write a Response to Reviewers.

Peer review and comments from reviewers are part of the submission process for scientific papers. We provide tips on how best to respond to reviewers, and point out the most common mistakes that authors make. The ultimate goal is to work with reviewers and editors to improve the quality of a paper so that it is accepted for publication.

Gut TLRs and IFN pathway mRNA expression and frequencies of CD4 T Cell expressing CD38 or HLA-DR go in Parallel During HIV Immunopathogenesis.

Whereas much knowledge exists on the expression of IFN pathways in the blood of people living with HIV (PLWH), its role has only recently been appreciated in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the gut mRNA expression levels of innate immune genes involved in the HIV-host interaction and their association with CD4 T cell activation in long-term HAART-experienced PLWH. PLWH had increased TLR4, IFN-α2, IFN-α14, IFN-β and IFNAR1 mRNAs levels in LPLs, as well as increased frequencies of CD4 T lymphocytes expressing CD38 or HLA-DR compared to the healthy donors.

Phylogenetic characterization of Bifidobacterium kimbladii sp. nov., a novel species from the honey stomach of the honeybee Apis mellifera.

Six novel Bifidobacterium strains H1HS16N, Bin2N, Hma3N, H6bp22N, H1HS10N, and H6bp9N, were isolated from the honey stomach of Apis mellifera. Cells are Gram-positive, non-motile, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic, and fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive. Optimal growth conditions occur at 37 °C in anaerobiosis in MRS medium added with 2 % fructose and 0.

Mid-infrared enhanced spectrochemical detection using azide vibrational probes.

Spectrochemical analysis of trace elements in complex matrices is crucial across various fields of science, industry, and technology. However, this analysis is often hindered by background interference and the challenge of detecting ultralow analyte concentrations. Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy is emerging as a viable technique to address these challenges as it can successfully reveal soluble and unmodified analytes in a label-free manner through their interactions with a bioreceptor following site-specific labeling with small infrared-active probes.

Impaired spatial dynamic functional network connectivity and neurophysiological correlates in functional hemiparesis.

The present study investigated spatial dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) in patients with functional hemiparesis (i.e., functional stroke mimics, FSM).

Stereo-EEG around the world: State of the art in Italy.

Stereo-EEG is not just a diagnostic examination but a complex methodology, requiring an accurate synthesis of many data (anatomical, clinical, neurophysiological, cognitive, metabolic, and genetic). The implantation scheme is decided based on a hypothesis (or hypotheses) of epileptogenic zone localization. Subsequently, intracerebral electrical stimulation is used to define the extent of highly functional cortical regions and to reproduce the clinical symptoms and signs associated with seizures.

Incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective: Therapeutic interventions for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have increased greatly over the last decade but improvements outside of biomarker selected therapies have been limited. There remains a pressing need for more effective treatment options that can prolong survival and enhance the quality of life of patients with EOC. In contrast to the significant benefits of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) seen in many solid tumors, initial experience in EOC suggests limited efficacy of CPIs monotherapy.

Modulation of inflammatory signaling in vitamin E metabolites and its therapeutic implications.

Naturally occurring vitamin E is a lipophilic plant-derived molecule corresponding to the 2R forms of alpha-tocopherol. A series of natural analogs or tocochromanols are present in nature, including β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol (βT, γT, δT), the corresponding tocotrienols (αTE, βTE, γTE, δTE) and tocomonoenols. Differences between these analogs as lipophilic antioxidants and modulators of molecular processes suggest specific therapeutic properties against various disorders associated with acute and chronic inflammation.

Diagnostic and Management Challenges in Interferon-γ Release Assay-Positive Patient with Sarcoid Panuveitis from a Non-Endemic Tuberculosis Region.

Purpose: To report a case of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis in a patient with panuveitis and a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) from a non-endemic tuberculosis (TB) country.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 26-year-old male from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presented with granulomatous panuveitis characterized by mutton-fat keratic precipitates, anterior chamber and vitreous cells, and retinal vasculitis.

Changes in upper airway airflow after rapid maxillary expansion considering normal craniofacial development as a factor: a retrospective study using computer fluid dynamics.

Background/objectives: Evidence suggests nasal airflow resistance reduces after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). However, the medium-term effects of RME on upper airway (UA) airflow characteristics when normal craniofacial development is considered are still unclear. This retrospective cohort study used computer fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate the medium-term changes in the UA airflow (pressure and velocity) after RME in two distinct age-based cohorts.

Using system dynamics modeling approach to strengthen health systems to combat cancer: a systematic literature review.

Aim: Dynamic cancer control is a current health system priority, yet methods for achieving it are lacking. This study aims to review the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) on cancer control and evaluate the research quality.

Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from the inception of the study to November 15th, 2023.