Evaluation of the Early Development of 6-Month-Old Babies in the Case of Maternal Postpartum Depression with or Without Bipolar Disorder.

Background: The first year of life is the period of greatest brain plasticity. Postpartum depression can adversely affect the first interactions with the child and, consequently, their emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Objectives: First, to describe the developmental profile of six-month-old infants of mothers suffering from severe postpartum depression, and, second, to compare the development of infants whose mothers suffer from depression with or without bipolar disorder.

Oral Hygiene in Children with Autism: Teaching Self-Toothbrushing via Behavioural Intervention Including Parents.

Background/objectives: Children on the autism spectrum experience more oral hygiene issues than peers, and tooth-brushing behavior seems particularly challenging for them since it includes diverse skills and collaboration. In this study, the efficacy is explored of a behavioral intervention mediated by staff and parents in teaching self-brushing teeth in eight autistic children. First, we wanted to examine whether the intervention improved self-brushing teeth skills in a short-term period.

GH Therapy in Non-Growth Hormone-Deficient Children.

Before 1985, growth hormone (GH) was extracted from human pituitaries, and its therapeutic use was limited to children with severe GH deficiency (GHD). The availability of an unlimited amount of recombinant GH (rhGH) allowed for investigating the efficacy of its therapeutic use in a number of conditions other than GHD. Nowadays, patients with Turner syndrome, deficiency, Noonan syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature, chronic kidney disease, and children born small for gestational age can be treated with rhGH in order to improve adult height.

Comparison of Different Molecular Weights of Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Level I Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

The present Bayesian network meta-analysis compared the efficacy of intra-articular injections of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In November 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. All randomised controlled trials investigating the efficacy of intra-articular HA injections for knee osteoarthritis were accessed.

MicroRNAs Expression Profile in MN1-Altered Astroblastoma.

Background/objectives: Astroblastoma is a rare glial neoplasm more frequent in young female patients, with unclear clinical behaviors and outcomes. The diagnostic molecular alteration is a rearrangement of the Meningioma 1 () gene. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene expression regulators with strong implications in biological processes.

Non-Invasive Detection of Tumors by Volatile Organic Compounds in Urine.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death, and as it becomes more malignant, it becomes an intractable disease that is difficult to cure completely. Therefore, early detection is important to increase the survival rate. For this reason, testing with blood biomarkers is currently common.

Unraveling the Genetic Heartbeat: Decoding Cardiac Involvement in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Cardiomyopathy represents the most important life-limiting condition of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients after the age of 20. Genetic alterations in the DMD gene result in the absence of functional dystrophin protein, leading to skeletal/cardiac muscle impairment. The DMD incidence is one in 5000 live male births.

Epicardial Ablation for Arrhythmogenic Disorders in Patients with Brugada Syndrome.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by distinct electrocardiographic patterns and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias. Effective management of BrS is essential, particularly for high-risk patients with recurrent arrhythmias. While implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is effective in terminating life-threatening arrhythmias, it does not prevent arrhythmia onset and can lead to complications such as inappropriate shocks.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Family and the Immune System: Activators or Inhibitors?

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family includes key mediators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. VEGFs are secreted by various cells of epithelial and mesenchymal origin and by some immune cells in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. In addition, immune cells express VEGF receptors and/or co-receptors and can respond to VEGFs in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

Biomonitoring of Hydroxylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Workers at a Waste-to-Energy Incinerator, Turin, Italy.

This paper presents the results of the human biomonitoring of ten urinary OH-PAHs (hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) in a cohort of workers at an incinerator in Turin, Italy. Long-term exposure was assessed through repeated measurements at three time points: before the startup (T0), after 1 year (T1), and after 3 years (T2). Paired data were available for 26 subjects, seven administrative workers (AWs) and 19 plant workers (PWs).

Microplastics in Agricultural Crops and Their Possible Impact on Farmers' Health: A Review.

The indiscriminate use of plastic products and their inappropriate management and disposal contribute to the increasing presence and accumulation of this material in all environmental zones. The chemical properties of plastics and their resistance to natural degradation lead over time to the production of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics, which are dispersed in soil, water, and air and can be absorbed by plants, including those grown for food. In agriculture, MPs can come from many sources (mulch film, tractor tires, compost, fertilizers, and pesticides).

Changes in Tendon Thickness After Chondrovita FIT Supplementation in Elite Skaters: Findings from a Quasi-Experimental Study.

The use of dietary supplements is widespread in sports and fitness, with many products containing multiple ingredients. Among supplements often consumed to support musculotendinous health, collagen hydrolysate (CH) has gained popularity for its potential in improving joint comfort and function. This single-blind quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a three-month oral supplementation with a specific CH-based product, Chondrovita FIT (Bone Srl, Rome, Italy), on tendon structure in elite Italian skaters.

The Role of Extracts of Edible Parts and Production Wastes of Globe Artichoke ( L. var. (L.)) in Counteracting Oxidative Stress.

In addition to the immature edible flower heads, the cultivation of globe artichoke ( L. var. (L.

Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS; RNS) are natural bioproducts of cellular metabolism, particularly produced within the mitochondria during energy production [...

Hypoxia-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species: Their Role in Cancer Resistance and Emerging Therapies to Overcome It.

Normal tissues typically maintain partial oxygen pressure within a range of 3-10% oxygen, ensuring homeostasis through a well-regulated oxygen supply and responsive vascular network. However, in solid tumors, rapid growth often outpaces angiogenesis, creating a hypoxic microenvironment that fosters tumor progression, altered metabolism and resistance to therapy. Hypoxic tumor regions experience uneven oxygen distribution with severe hypoxia in the core due to poor vascularization and high metabolic oxygen consumption.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidases and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by lipid accumulation in the liver due to an excess in their supplies or an impairment in their management. While some patients remain stable for years, a proportion of them progress up to steatohepatitis (MASH). MASLD links with systemic pathways being associated with metabolic and non-metabolic diseases.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes: From Pathophysiology to Lifestyle Modifications.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients. A central pathophysiological mechanism linking T2DM to cardiovascular complications is oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body's antioxidant defenses. Hyperglycemia in T2DM promotes oxidative stress through various pathways, including the formation of advanced glycation end products, the activation of protein kinase C, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the polyol pathway.

Gut Microbiota at the Crossroad of Hepatic Oxidative Stress and MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent chronic liver condition marked by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatic tissue. This disorder can lead to a range of pathological outcomes, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cirrhosis. Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms driving MASLD initiation and progression remain incompletely understood.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Tomato Skin and Pomegranate Peel Extracts: A Sustainable Approach for Oral Health Care.

Agricultural food waste and by-products could provide high-value compounds that positively affect human and environmental health, thus representing promising ingredients for cosmeceutical products. This study explores the biological activities of tomato skin (HP) and pomegranate peel (PPE) extracts on oral mucosa to evaluate their possible use in mouthwashes. The biological activities of the extracts and the mouthwash (MW) containing them were evaluated in Human Primary Gingival Epithelial cells (HGECs).

Editorial for the Special Issue on "Multidisciplinary Insights on Bone Healing (Volume II)".

As the population ages and differences among sexes and age groups become more pronounced, the research on bone healing and damage mechanisms continues to advance, with evaluation conducted in both pre-clinical and clinical settings [...

The New Italian Guidelines for Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART): Ethical and Medico-Legal Issues.

On 20 March 2024, the Italian Minister of Health, in collaboration with the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) and the National Health Council (Consiglio Superiore di Sanità), issued updated guidelines for assisted reproduction technologies (ART). They introduced two key changes: (1) permitting post-mortem embryo transfers, allowing a woman to proceed with the procedure after her male partner's death, and (2) permitting embryo transfer even if the male partner is alive but the relationship has ended. : This study explores the ethical and medico-legal challenges posed by the updated Italian ART Guidelines, with a specific focus on the complexities of informed consent and the ethical dilemmas introduced by these provisions.

Cybersecuity Analysis of a Telemedicine Platform.

The global shift toward telemedicine, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has revolutionized healthcare delivery by enabling remote consultations and treatments. However, this rapid adoption has also introduced critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly in safeguarding sensitive medical data and ensuring the secure operation of telemedicine platforms. If not properly addressed, these vulnerabilities can compromise patient safety and the integrity of healthcare systems.

The Impact of a Healthy Lifestyle on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Function: A Prospective Study.

: The impact of lifestyle on lower urinary tract symptoms has been deeply evaluated in recent years; however, studies in the young population are missing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of alcohol intake, tobacco and cannabinoid smoking, physical activity, and dietary regime on urinary symptoms and sexual function in young adults under 30 years of age. : A prospectively enrolled population of healthy young adults of both sexes under 30 years of age was selected.

Advancements in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Screening Through Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition associated with a major healthcare burden. Current diagnostic tools, such as full-night polysomnography (PSG), pose a limited accessibility to diagnosis due to their elevated costs. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Machine Learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms, offer novel potential tools for an accurate OSA screening and diagnosis.

Enlightening Nursing Care: A Protocol for a Multicenter Observational Study Measuring Nursing Work in Hospital Settings.

: Rising costs and demands for improved quality of care present complex challenges for existing healthcare systems. The strain on healthcare resources is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of patient conditions. The Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system classifies inpatients according to clinical and treatment criteria, controls healthcare expenditures, and ensures the sustainability of procedures.