Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in De Novo Lesions in Large Coronary Vessels: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Evidence regarding drug-coated balloon (DCB)-only angioplasty in de novo lesions of large vessels is still limited and mainly focused on paclitaxel-coated balloon. We aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB)-only angioplasty in de novo lesions in large vessels compared to drug-eluting stent (DES).

Methods: In this retrospective, dual-center, case-control study, we enrolled all consecutive patients treated between January 2022 and January 2024 with SCB-only angioplasty in de novo lesion in large vessel (> 2.

Neurophysiological Insights into the Pathophysiology of Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders.

Background: Stiff Person Spectrum Disorders (SPSD) are classically defined by the presence of muscle stiffness, spasms and hyperactivity of the central nervous system. There is a notable correlation between neurophysiological features and the clinical hallmark of SPSD, which has greatly encouraged the use of these techniques for diagnostic purposes. Besides, electrophysiological techniques allow for a functional evaluation of the 'hyperactivity of the CNS', thus offering the opportunity to clarify the mechanisms underlying this disorder.

Uncertainty Quantification and Sensitivity Analysis for Non-invasive Model-Based Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio Prediction.

The main objectives of this work are to validate a 1D-0D unsteady solver with a distributed stenosis model for the patient-specific estimation of resting haemodynamic indices and to assess the sensitivity of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) predictions to uncertainties in input parameters. We considered 52 patients with stable coronary artery disease, for which 81 invasive iFR measurements were available. We validated the performance of our solver compared to 3D steady-state and transient results and invasive measurements.

Identification of an exosite at the neutrophil elastase/alpha-1-antitrypsin interface.

Neutrophil elastase (NE) is released by activated neutrophils during an inflammatory response and exerts proteolytic activity on elastin and other extracellular matrix components. This protease is rapidly inhibited by the plasma serine protease inhibitor alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), and the importance of this protective activity on lung tissue is highlighted by the development of early onset emphysema in individuals with AAT deficiency. As a serpin, AAT presents a surface-exposed reactive centre loop (RCL) whose sequence mirrors the target protease specificity.

Mechanical Circulatory Support With Impella in High-Risk Patients With Chronic Total Occlusion and Complex Multivessel Disease.

Background: The therapeutic management of patients with multivessel disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction is complex and controversial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes and the changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and at least one chronic total occlusion (CTO) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with hemodynamic support provided by Impella.

Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study enrolling patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and severe coronary artery disease with at least one CTO who required percutaneous mechanical circulatory support with Impella, from January 2019 to December 2023.

Assessment of Clinical Predictability of Overbite Reduction and Curve of Spee Levelling in Clear Aligner Treatment.

Objective: This retrospective study aims to assess the predictability of Overbite (OVB) reduction and Curve of Spee (COS) levelling in patients with deep bite malocclusion treated with Clear Aligner Therapy (CAT). The research evaluates the accuracy of the prescribed movements in growing and non-growing patients.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six patients treated with Invisalign from January 2018 using SmartTrack were included.

Pomalidomide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Final Survival and Subgroup Analyses From the OPTIMISMM Trial.

Introduction: In the OPTIMISMM trial, pomalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (PVd) significantly prolonged median progression-free survival (PFS) versus bortezomib/dexamethasone (Vd) in lenalidomide-exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report final overall survival (OS) and updated efficacy analyses.

Methods: Adults with RRMM who had 1-3 prior regimens, including lenalidomide (≥ 2 cycles), were assigned (1:1) to PVd or Vd.

CO and Temperature Induced Switching of a Flexible Metal-Organic Framework with Surface-Mounted Nanoparticles.

Within the material family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) the subclass of flexible MOFs (flexMOFs) has attracted great attention, showing structural flexibility as a response to external stimuli such as guest adsorption, temperature, and pressure. Hybrid composites like nanoparticle (NP) loaded flexible MOFs, which stand to potentially combine advantageous properties of both are yet largely unexplored. Here the synthesis of flexMOFs with surface mounted nanoparticles, e.

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.

cHild -in-mothEr Approach for DeliverING Renal Denervation System: The HEADING-IN Technique.

Renal denervation is an emerging strategy for the management of uncontrolled hypertension. However, real-world experience is still modest, in particular for the management of complex anatomy, with available data being limited to the selected population of randomized clinical trials. We first describe the feasibility of delivering the renal denervation system to the target site with a child-in-mother technique, using a common coronary guiding extension, in a patient with severe tortuosity and double renal arteries.

Gut Neuropathies and Intestinal Motility Disorders.

Background: The enteric nervous system plays a key role in the coordination of gastrointestinal motility together with sympathetic, parasympathetic, and extrinsic sensory pathways. In some cases, abnormalities in neural activity in these pathways contribute to disorders of gut motility. Where this is associated with damage or death of enteric neurons, usually detected by microscopy, this is considered a gut neuropathy.

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.

Registries on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in heart failure: Current evidence and future perspectives.

Aims: Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are the most common valvular heart diseases in patients with heart failure (HF). Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) devices designed for treating MR and TR have been successfully tested in randomized controlled trials, but methodological issues have often challenged their interpretation. This manuscript aimed to provide an overview of TEER registries on SMR and TR in HF, highlighting their key features, describing clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving these devices, and exploring the available data limitations.

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.

A Study of Bioactivities and Composition of a Cocktail of Supernatants Derived from Lactic Acid Bacteria for Potential Food Applications.

Growing interests in replacing conventional preservatives and antibiotics in food and pharmaceutical industries have driven the exploration of bacterial metabolites, especially those from strains with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study, a supernatant cocktail derived from multiple LAB strains was prepared and its bioactivities-antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and stability-were thoroughly investigated. The cocktail's main components were identified using thermal and protease treatments, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and flame ionization detection (GC-FID).

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.

Emperor Leo I "the Thracian": a possible case of Graves' orbitopathy.

Representation of exophthalmos in ancient artworks is reported by several authors. In the present paper we analyze a sculpture belonging to the V century AD, likely embodying the eastern Roman emperor Leo I. As the portrait statue is sculpted with uncommon prominent eyes, we discuss the possibility that the historical personage was affected by exophthalmos due to Graves' orbitopathy.

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.