Effects of Palmitoylethanolamide Combined with Luteoline on Frontal Lobe Functions, High Frequency Oscillations, and GABAergic Transmission in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia.

Background: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a presenile neurodegenerative disease for which there is no effective pharmacological treatment. Recently, a link has been proposed between neuroinflammation and FTD.

Objective: Here, we aim to investigate the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) combined with luteoline (PEA-LUT), an endocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, on behavior, cognition, and cortical activity in a sample of FTD patients.

High serum ferritin levels in newly diagnosed patients with myelodysplastic syndromes are associated with greater symptom severity.

We examined the association between serum ferritin (SF) levels and patient-reported functional aspects and symptoms, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, in newly diagnosed patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Analysis was conducted on 497 MDS patients who were classified in two groups based on the SF value of 1000 ng/mL. Clinically relevant differences of patient-reported functional and symptom scales were evaluated and classified as small, medium and large, based on established thresholds.

Accuracy of the PARIS score and PCI complexity to predict ischemic events in patients treated with very thin stents in unprotected left main or coronary bifurcations.

Background: The PARIS risk score (PARIS-rs) and percutaneous coronary intervention complexity (PCI-c) predict clinical and procedural residual ischemic risk following PCI. Their accuracy in patients undergoing unprotected left main (ULM) or bifurcation PCI has not been assessed.

Methods: The predictive performances of the PARIS-rs (categorized as low, intermediate, and high) and PCI-c (according to guideline-endorsed criteria) were evaluated in 3,002 patients undergoing ULM/bifurcation PCI with very thin strut stents.

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) in the Context of Immunosuppression: Genetic Analysis of Noncoding Control Region (NCCR) Variability among a HIV-1-Positive Population.

Background: Since limited data are available about the prevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and the genetic variability of its noncoding control region (NCCR) in the context of immunosuppression, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of MCPyV in anatomical sites other than the skin and the behavior of NCCR among an HIV-1-positive population.

Methods: Urine, plasma, and rectal swabs specimens from a cohort of 66 HIV-1-positive patients were collected and subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for MCPyV DNA detection. MCPyV-positive samples were amplified by nested PCR targeting the NCCR, and NCCRs alignment was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of mutations and to identify putative binding sites for cellular factors.

Mid-transverse colon cancer and extended versus transverse colectomy: Results of the Italian society of surgical oncology colorectal cancer network (SICO CCN) multicenter collaborative study.

Introduction: Transverse colon cancer (TCC) is poorly studied, and TCC cases are often excluded from large prospective randomized trials because of their complexity and their potentially high complication rate. The best surgical approach for TCC has yet to be established. The aim of this large retrospective multicenter Italian series is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of both hemicolectomy and transverse colectomy in order to identify the best surgical approach.

Out with the Old and in with the New: the Contribution of Prefrontal and Cerebellar Areas to Backward Inhibition.

The inhibitory mechanism named backward inhibition (BI) counteracts interference of previous tasks supporting task switching. For instance, if task set A is inhibited when switching to task B, then it should take longer to immediately return to task set A (as occurring in an ABA sequence), as compared to a task set that has not been just inhibited (as occurring in a CBA sequence), because extra time will be needed to overcome the inhibition of task set A.The evidenced prefrontal and cerebellar role in inhibitory control suggests their involvement even in BI.

Serum Levels of Granulocyte-Macrophage-colony-stimulating Factor and Stem-cell Factor During Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Humans.

Background: Multiple biological functions have been recognized regarding Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Stem Cell Factor (SCF).

Aim: To evaluate the serum changes of GM-CSF and SCF in patients undergoing surgical resection for liver tumor, in the regenerative phase after surgery in order to identify the possible relationship with the patient, tumor or surgical variables.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients (50% male, median age 66), undergoing hepatic resection of liver neoplasm, were evaluated.

Luspatercept in Patients with Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Background: Patients with anemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in whom erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy is not effective generally become dependent on red-cell transfusions. Luspatercept, a recombinant fusion protein that binds transforming growth factor β superfamily ligands to reduce SMAD2 and SMAD3 signaling, showed promising results in a phase 2 study.

Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with very-low-risk, low-risk, or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (defined according to the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System) with ring sideroblasts who had been receiving regular red-cell transfusions to receive either luspatercept (at a dose of 1.

CMV infection management in transplant patients in Italy.

Transplant represents an effective strategy in the management of chronic organ dysfunction. Nonetheless, life threatening risks remain, especially in the post-transplant; among them, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major concern, currently causing active infections in at least one-third of transplant recipients. Microbiologist and transplant scientific societies redefined guidance on CMV disease prevention and the best use for universal prophylaxis and pre-emptive virological monitoring.

Improving visuo-motor learning with cerebellar theta burst stimulation: Behavioral and neurophysiological evidence.

The cerebellum is strongly implicated in learning new motor skills. Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, can be used to influence cerebellar activity. Our aim was to explore the potential of cerebellar TBS in modulating visuo-motor adaptation, a form of motor learning, in young healthy subjects.

Nonintubated Video-Assisted Wedge Resections in Peripheral Lung Cancer.

Wedge resection in peripheral lung cancer is considered a suboptimal procedure. However, in elderly and/or frail patients it is a reliable and safer alternative. This procedure can be easily performed under nonintubated anesthesia, allowing the recruitment of patients considered otherwise marginal for a surgical treatment.

Evaluation of the Mistakes in Self-Diagnosis of Sexual Dysfunctions in 11,000 Male Outpatients: A Real-Life Study in An Andrology Clinic.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the initial request for sexual consultation with the final diagnosis and to evaluate the limits of the active andrological anamnesis concerning unclassified male sexual dysfunction.

Methods: In this 12-year observational retrospective study, we collected data from patients referring to an andrological outpatient clinic, evaluating the requests, perceptions, needs, and self-diagnosis at their first visit and comparing them with the final diagnosis reached after a complete clinical, laboratory, and instrumental investigation.

Results: A total of 11,200 patients were evaluated.

Infectious Aortic Root Pseudoaneurysm after Bentall Procedure: To Treat or Not to Treat by Redo Operation?

We present a case of a 75-year-old man who developed an early aortic bioprosthesis endocarditis due to complicated by aortic root pseudoaneurysm after Bentall procedure. A prompt surgical option was hypothesized, but we decided to wait and keep on clinical observation and antibiotic therapy. One year after discharge, we observed stable clinical conditions and echocardiographic findings.

Targeting LOX-1 Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Metastasis in an Animal Model.

Recurrence and metastasis are the primary causes of mortality in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and therefore effective tools to reduce morbidity and mortality of CRC patients are necessary. LOX-1, the ox-LDL receptor, is strongly involved in inflammation, obesity, and atherosclerosis, and several studies have assessed its role in the carcinogenesis process linking ROS, metabolic disorders and cancer. We have already demonstrated that LOX-1 expression correlates to the aggressiveness of human colon cancer and its downregulation weakens the tumoral phenotype, indicating its potential function as a biomarker and a target in CRC therapy.

Urinary physiology and hypoxia: a pilot study of moderate-altitude trekking effects on urodynamic indexes.

Exposure to high altitude is one of the most widely used models to study the adaptive response to hypoxia in humans. However, little is known about the related effects on micturition. The present study addresses the adaptive urinary responses in four healthy adult lowlanders, comparing urodynamic indexes at Kathmandu [1,450 m above sea level (a.

Very high pre-therapy viral load is a predictor of virological rebound in HIV-1-infected patients starting a modern first-line regimen.

Background: Pre-cART (combined antiretroviral therapy) plasma viral load >500,000 copies/ml has been associated with a lower probability of achieving virological suppression, while few data about its role on maintenance of virological suppression are available. In this study we aimed to clarify whether high levels of pre-cART viraemia are associated with virological rebound (VR) after virological suppression.

Methods: HIV-infected individuals who achieved virological suppression after first-line cART were included.

Surgical Techniques for Myasthenia Gravis: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery.

We describe the various video-assisted thoracic surgery approaches to the thymus currently adopted in nonthymomatous and thymomatous myasthenic patients. Despite several controversies, video-assisted thoracic surgery thymectomy gained worldwide popularity. Classic 3-port approaches proved safe and effective.

Oral prolonged-release Oxycodone-Naloxone: analgesic response, safety profile, and factors influencing the response in advanced cancer patients.

Background: Oxycodone-Naloxone (OXN) aims to reduce opioid-related constipation while being successfully analgesic.

Methods: We evaluated the analgesic response, prevalence, and severity of side effects in 176 cancer patients with moderate to severe pain and treated with OXN. Patients were followed for 28 days and evaluated every seven.

A national mandatory-split liver policy: A report from the Italian experience.

To implement split liver transplantation (SLT) a mandatory-split policy has been adopted in Italy since August 2015: donors aged 18-50 years at standard risk are offered for SLT, resulting in a left-lateral segment (LLS) graft for children and an extended-right graft (ERG) for adults. We aim to analyze the impact of the new mandatory-split policy on liver transplantation (LT)-waiting list and SLT outcomes, compared to old allocation policy. Between August 2015 and December 2016 out of 413 potentially "splittable" donors, 252 (61%) were proposed for SLT, of whom 53 (21%) donors were accepted for SLT whereas 101 (40.

Coronary endarterectomy: an old tool for patients currently operated on with coronary artery bypass grafting. Long-term results, risk factor analysis.

Aim: Coronary endarterectomy (CE) may provide a useful adjunctive technique to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease. Nevertheless, the incidence of complications still remains high, long-term results remain unclear, and no risk factors for late mortality have been completely described yet.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 90 consecutive patients (67 ±8.

Expression and potential role of cellular retinol binding protein I in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a diffuse chronic skin disorder characterized from accelerated epidermal turnover and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Retinoids influence keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation as well as inflammatory response. Cellular retinol binding protein (CRBPI) regulates intracellular vitamin A bioavailability and contributes to maintain skin homeostasis.

Mitral Valve Repair with a Semi-Rigid C-Band Annuloplasty Ring in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Still a Viable Surgical Option?

Background: Ischemic mitral valve regurgitation (IMR) develops in approximately 10% of patients after myocardial infarction. Surgical management of IMR is controversial, as many series have failed to demonstrate the superiority of mitral valve repair (MVRep) over mitral valve replacement (MVR) in IMR. Moreover, in the setting of MVRep, the choice of ring type is the subject of much debate.