Cracking the Code of Calcification: How Presence and Burden among Intracranial Arteries Influence Stroke Incidence and Recurrence.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis accounts for about 8% of all strokes in Western societies but the influence of arterial calcification on plaque instability is a topic on ongoing debate.

Purpose: Explore the association between the presence and burden of calcium in atherosclerotic plaques among intracranial arteries with the risk of clinical or silent stroke events through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, studies from PubMed and Embase were analyzed up to May 2024.

Patient-reported outcomes in sarcopenia: An ICFSR task force report.

The International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) Task Force convened in March 2024 to address patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in the field of sarcopenia. PROMs are crucial to enhance healthcare services at both individual and societal levels. PROMs complement objective outcome measures by capturing insights that patients are best suited to judge.

Laparoscopic approach for rectal cancer surgery: Triumph of reason or necessity of evolution?

The role of laparoscopy in rectal cancer surgery has evolved considerably since the early 2000s. Initial randomized trials, such as COLOR II and COREAN, indicated that laparoscopic approaches offered similar pathological outcomes with better postoperative recovery than open surgery. In contrast, trials like ACOSOG Z6051 and ALaCaRT suggested noninferiority could not be established.

Advanced flame-retardant biocomposites: Polylactic acid reinforced with green gallic acid‑iron‑phosphorus coated flax fibers.

This study introduces a sustainable approach for enhancing the fire retardancy and smoke suppression of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites, contributing to addressing one of the major challenges in biocomposites that limits their application in various engineering fields, as automotive and construction sectors. Flax fibers (FF) were surface functionalized with a novel organic-inorganic hybrid flame retardant (FR), offering a sustainable bioinspired approach that mitigates potential mechanical properties impairment and FR leaching, which can cause environmental concerns and reduced composite durability. The process involves a three-step coating procedure.

Resting-state electroencephalographic rhythms depend on sex in patients with dementia due to Parkinson's and Lewy Body diseases: An exploratory study.

Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are more prevalent in males than females. Furthermore, they typically showed abnormally high delta (< 4 Hz) and low alpha (8-10 Hz) rhythms from resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) activity. Here, we hypothesized that those abnormalities may depend on the patient's sex.

Critical Review of Guidelines for Type B Aortic Dissection.

The management of type B aortic dissection is one of the most challenging and debated topics in contemporary cardiovascular surgery practice. Patients with acute or chronic dissection-related complications, face high morbidity and mortality if not treated promptly. For most patients requiring intervention, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is considered the gold standard.

Sand and dust storms: a growing global health threat calls for international health studies to support policy action.

Sand and dust storms increasingly threaten global environmental and public health. To date, 150 countries are directly affected, with more than 100 classified as non-dust source regions. With climate change, these storms are expected to become more frequent and severe.

Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy as pre-habilitation program in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Introduction: Approximately 70 % of ovarian cancer patients present at diagnosis with advanced disease(AOC) and impaired clinical conditions, making them not ideal surgical candidates. We aimed to investigate whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT) can modify pre-operative characteristics of patients at high risk(HR) of perioperative complications, as defined in the Mayo Clinic Algorithm. We also compared their morbidity and survival outcomes with comparable HR women undergoing primary surgery (PCS).

High prevalence of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and inflammatory myopathies association: Is there an interplay?

Introduction: Certain types of muscular dystrophy (MD), notably facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), exhibit muscle fiber necrosis with regeneration and a nonspecific inflammatory process. Although rare, the coexistence of MDs and autoimmune myositis has been observed. We hypothesized that, in some circumstances, FSHD may predispose individuals to myositis through muscle damage-induced autoantigen overexpression, contributing to an autoimmune response.

Optimizing TMS dosimetry: evaluating the effective electric field as a novel metric.

Objective: This study introduces the effective electric field (Eeff) as a novel observable for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) numerical dosimetry. Eeff represents the electric field component aligned with the local orientation of cortical and white matter neuronal elements. To assess the utility of Eeff as a predictive measure for TMS outcomes, we evaluated its correlation with TMS induced muscle responses and compared it against conventional observables, including the electric (E-)field magnitude, and its components normal and tangential to the cortical surface.

Inter-institutional cooperation and migrants' financial education: An Italian case study.

This study examines the Welcome-ED project-a partnership between the Municipality of Turin and the Turin Museum of Savings (MoS)-designed to provide tailored financial education to diverse migrant groups through cooperation with local entities, including cooperatives, non-profit associations, and provincial centers for adult education. By analyzing the project's implementation, we identify its strengths and critical areas for improvement, offering actionable recommendations to guide the design of future financial education programs for migrants at the local level. The program's use of multimodal, interactive teaching methods is a valuable aspect of this initiative, as it contributed to increasing participant engagement and delivering accessible content.

Childbearing plans' predictive value for birth outcomes: A systematic review to inform mode of delivery decisions.

Objective: Rising cesarean delivery (CD) rates significantly impact maternal health, underscoring the need for comprehensive counseling. This review examines the consistency of childbearing plans over time and their predictive value for childbirth events.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases up to October 2023.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in PDGFRA-Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Importance: The D842V platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) mutation identifies a molecular subgroup of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), primarily resistant to standard tyrosine kinase inhibitors and with an overall more indolent behavior. Although functional imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-labeled positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) plays a proven role in GISTs, especially in early assessment of tumor response, less is known about [18F]FDG uptake according to the GIST molecular subtypes.

Objective: To evaluate the degree of [18F]FDG uptake in PDGFRA-mutant GISTs and better define the role of functional imaging in this rare and peculiar subset of GISTs.

Communicating scientific evidence: drugs for Alzheimer's disease as a case study.

This paper reviews the scientific evidence on new anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for treating Alzheimer's disease as a case study for improving scientific evidence communication. We introduce five guidelines condensed from the biomedical evidence literature but adapted to the short format of science communication in e.g.

Capecitabine and temozolomide or temozolomide alone in patients with atypical carcinoids.

Background: Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent about 20% of all lung cancers. Few therapeutic options are available for atypical carcinoids (ACs). Single-agent temozolomide (TEM) is active in lung NENs, but whether the addition of capecitabine (CAPTEM) is associated with improved outcomes, is unknown.

Non-targeted metabolomics-based molecular networking enables the chemical characterization of Rumex sanguineus, a wild edible plant.

Introduction And Objective: Rumex sanguineus, a traditional medicinal plant of the Polygonaceae family, is gaining popularity as an edible resource. However, despite its historical and nutritional significance, its chemical composition remains poorly understood. To deepen the understanding of the of Rumex sanguineus composition, an in-depth analysis using non-targeted, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was performed.

The Evolving Features of Takotsubo Syndrome.

Purpose Of The Review: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient form of left ventricular dysfunction, typically affecting post-menopausal females, often preceded by emotional or physical stressful events that act as triggers. Initially believed to be a rare and benign condition for its reversible nature, TTS has recently emerged as a complex multifaceted clinical entity, with heterogenous clinical presentations and a non-negligible risk of serious in-hospital complications, including acute heart failure, arrhythmias and death.

Recent Findings: Emerging pathophysiological hypotheses, ranging from microvascular dysfunction to systemic inflammation, offer new insights into the underlying mechanisms of TTS.

Defining Health Management: A Conceptual Foundation for Excellence Through Efficiency, Sustainability and Equity.

The practice of healthcare management is essential for the efficient operation of health services, encompassing leadership, management, and direction within healthcare organisations. 'Health management' extends beyond healthcare management by integrating principles of public health and health policy. As health management is commonly practised but not cohesively recognised, the European Health Management Association (EHMA) conducted this study to develop a cohesive definition of health management.

Blastocystis ST1: Protein Profile and Specific Serum Immunoglobulin in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Patients.

Purpose: Blastocystis sp. is a common enteric human parasite, which recently has been linked to gastrointestinal disorders i.e.

Surgeon attitudes toward risk stratification in emergency surgery for the elderly: an ESTES cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: Our study explores the utilization of objective tools for preoperative assessment of elderly patients by Emergency General Surgeons (EGS).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted via the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) Research Committee. EGS were invited through the ESTES members' mailing list and social media platforms.

Specialty laboratory testing for chronic abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder seen by both primary care providers (PCPs) and gastroenterologists, and further diagnostic testing is generally discouraged unless red-flag symptoms are present.

Aims: Examine if advanced serologic testing for chronic abdominal pain in IBS patients followed society-specific guidelines and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these tests.

Methods: The study involved a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of adults aged 18 and older who were seen at our institution between 2013 and 2018.

New Plastitar Record for the Mediterranean Sea: Characterization of Plastics and Tar from the Salento Peninsula (Ionian Sea).

The various forms of anthropogenic pollution are regarded as a serious threat to marine coastal areas. The overproduction and mismanagement of petroleum derivatives, such as tar and plastics, have resulted in a significant correlation between these two pollutants. The aggregation of tar, microplastics (MPs), and natural materials can create plastitar blocks, which are common in coastal areas.

Active Moss Biomonitoring of Mercury in the Mine-Polluted Area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Mt. Amiata, Central Italy).

Active biomonitoring of mercury (Hg) using non-indigenous moss bags was performed for the first time within and around the former Hg mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Mt. Amiata, central Italy). The purpose was to discern the Hg spatial distribution, identify the most polluted areas, and evaluate the impacts of dry and wet deposition on mosses.