Influence of Persistently Elevated LDL Values on Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Elite Athletes.

Introduction: Carotid IMT is a recognized marker for early atherosclerotic changes and a predictor of future CV events. Previous studies showed 11% increased risk of myocardial infarction with each 0.1 mm incremental increase of carotid IMT.

Prognostic Value of Advanced Echocardiographic Analysis for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the main treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and older age. Improved imaging techniques have enabled better patient selection, and the main role is played by echocardiography. Methods more sensitive than LVEF in assessing cardiac function, such as global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work (MW), have become widespread, and other methods, like hemodynamic forces (HDFs), might be promising.

Osteoporosis in Older Men: Informing Patient Management and Improving Health-Related Outcomes.

Osteoporosis has been usually considered a female disease, generally causing more fracture risk and complications in adult and older women compared to older men. While vertebral fractures occur in a small proportion of men during middle age, men generally fracture about 10 years later than women, with significant increases in fracture risk after about age 75. Independent of age, men experiencing fragility fractures have a higher risk of life-threatening events compared to women, but the risk of secondary fragility fracture overlaps between men and women.

End-procedural adherence to recommended hemodynamic targets does not improve the outcome of elective tips in cirrhotic patients.

Background Aims: In clinical practice, the reduction of porto-caval pressure gradient (PCPG) following trans-jugular intra-hepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) does not always meet the recommendation of current guidance. We evaluated the impact of different degrees of PCPG reduction, measured at the end of an elective TIPS, on ascites control, recurrence of portal hypertension-related bleeding (PHRB) and survival.

Approach And Results: Cirrhotic patients receiving TIPS for refractory ascites (RA) or for the secondary prophylaxis of PHRB were consecutively enrolled.

Combined single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging with coronary calcium score for assessing coronary disease.

Purpose: Coronary artery disease (CAD) underestimation represents a major pitfall of single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has emerged as a sensitive tool for the assessment of suspect CAD; however, the integration of SPECT-MPI with CACS has been seldom evaluated, so far, and was therefore the aim of the present study.

Methods: Patients undergoing SPECT-MPI with CACS and subsequent coronary angiography were included.

Safety and Efficacy of opioid-sparing Anesthesia Compared with Traditional opioid-anesthesia: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: The rationale of adoption opioid sparing anesthesia (OSA) is to achieve perioperative analgesia with a minimal amount of opioid combined to non-opioid adjuvants during and after surgery, namely multimodal anesthesia. The OSA approach was originally developed to overcome the known complications of opioid-based anesthesia (OA) and the present scoping review (ScR) aims at providing the clinical evidence of safety and efficacy of OSA with respect to OA.

Methods: This ScR is mainly focused on studies presenting evidence on the safety and efficacy of OSA versus OA.

Arrhythmia Detection by Data Fusion of ECG Scalograms and Phasograms.

The automatic detection of arrhythmia is of primary importance due to the huge number of victims caused worldwide by cardiovascular diseases. To this aim, several deep learning approaches have been recently proposed to automatically classify heartbeats in a small number of classes. Most of these approaches use convolutional neural networks (CNNs), exploiting some bi-dimensional representation of the ECG signal, such as spectrograms, scalograms, or similar.

A Case Series Report on the Effect of Tofacitinib on Joint Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Composition in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients Naive to Biologic Agents.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex condition within the Spondyloarthritis (SpA) group. Recent studies have focused on the important role of the intestinal microbiota in maintaining immunological homeostasis, highlighting how intestinal dysbiosis may act as a trigger for autoimmune diseases. Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK-i) with proven efficacy for the treatment of both rheumatoid arthritis and PsA.

Antibacterial and Anti-Influenza Activities of -Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold Complexes.

Background/objectives: Infectious diseases represent a serious threat due to rising antimicrobial resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant bacteria and influenza viruses. Metal-based complexes, such as -heterocyclic carbene-gold (NHC-gold) complexes, show promising therapeutic potential due to their ability to inhibit various pathogens.

Methods: Eight NHC-gold complexes were synthesized and tested for antibacterial activity against , , and for anti-influenza activity in lung and bronchial epithelial cells infected with influenza virus A/H1N1.

Carotenoid Interactions with PCSK9: Exploring Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Strategies.

: This study investigated the potential of green algae-derived carotenoids as natural inhibitors of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 promotes the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby increasing blood cholesterol levels and elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases. /: We screened the pharmacophore fit score of 27 carotenoids with PCSK9 and identified 14 that were analyzed for binding affinity and molecular interactions.

Modulatory Effect of Cucurbitacin D from on ZNF217 Oncogene Expression in NPM-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The expression of oncogene zinc-finger protein 217 (ZNF217) has been reported to play a central role in cancer development, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, targeting ZNF217 has been proposed as a possible strategy to fight cancer, and there has been much research on compounds that can target ZNF217. The present work investigates the chemo-preventive properties of cucurbitacin D, a compound with a broad range of anticancer effects, in hematological cancer cells, specifically with regard to its ability to modulate ZNF217 expression.

Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) and Its Constituent S-Allyl-Cysteine (SAC) Inhibit the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Genes Induced in Bronchial Epithelial IB3-1 Cells by Exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and the BNT162b2 Vaccine.

Garlic ( L.) is a species of the onion family () widely used as a food and a folk medicine. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of AGE (aged garlic extract) on pro-inflammatory genes relevant to COVID-19.

Targeting EZH2 in Cancer: Mechanisms, Pathways, and Therapeutic Potential.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a methyltransferase involved in cell cycle regulation, cell differentiation, and cell death and plays a role in modulating the immune response. Although it mainly functions by catalyzing the tri-methylation of H3 histone on K27 (H3K27), to inhibit the transcription of target genes, EZH2 can directly methylate several transcription factors or form complexes with them, regulating their functions. EZH2 expression/activity is often dysregulated in cancer, contributing to carcinogenesis and immune escape, thereby representing an important target in anti-cancer therapy.

Whole-Exome Analysis and Osteosarcoma: A Game Still Open.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in adolescents and young adults. OS cells grow in a permissive local microenvironment which modulates their behavior and facilitates all steps in tumor development (e.g.

Imaging-Based Molecular Interaction Between Src and Lamin A/C Mechanosensitive Proteins in the Nucleus of Laminopathic Cells.

Laminopathies represent a wide range of genetic disorders caused by mutations in gene-encoding proteins of the nuclear lamina. Altered nuclear mechanics have been associated with laminopathies, given the key role of nuclear lamins as mechanosensitive proteins involved in the mechanotransduction process. To shed light on the nuclear partners cooperating with altered lamins, we focused on Src tyrosine kinase, known to phosphorylate proteins of the nuclear lamina.

The Potential Application of Resveratrol and Its Derivatives in Central Nervous System Tumors.

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in various plants, has been extensively studied for its broad spectrum of beneficial biological effects. These encompass its potent antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-aging capabilities, cardioprotective functions, and neuroprotective potential. The diverse biological actions of resveratrol extend beyond these well-established properties.

Two-Step Surgical Strategy for Parathyroid Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare endocrine malignancy that poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its resemblance to benign conditions. This case series describes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and short-term outcomes of four male patients (aged 54, 65, 73, and 74 years) with primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia. The preoperative diagnosis of PC remains challenging; suspicion should arise in cases of severe hypercalcemia, elevated parathyroid hormone levels, and the presence of a mass on imaging or during surgery.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) in a Population of Kitesurfers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: Musculoskeletal disorders affect a large portion of the population worldwide. The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) is a helpful tool for assessing the health state of patients with these disorders. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MSK-HQ-IT in a population of kitesurfers.

Effectiveness and Predictors of Long-Term Treatment Response to Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort: General Analysis and Focus on High-Cardiovascular-Risk Subgroup-A Multicenter Study.

The treatment landscape for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has evolved significantly with the introduction of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), such as Tofacitinib (TOFA), which offer a new therapeutic option for patients who have failed or are intolerant to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Safety concerns, particularly related to cardiovascular and cancer risks, prompted a need for additional investigation in real-world clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and predictors of response to TOFA in two subpopulations of RA patients, categorized by differing cardiovascular risk profiles.

Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress and Brain Involvement in Sepsis: A Relationship Supported by Immunohistochemistry.

: A large amount of recent evidence suggests that cellular inability to consume oxygen could play a notable part in promoting sepsis as a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The latter could, in fact, represent a fundamental stage in the evolution of the "natural history" of sepsis. Following a study previously conducted by the same working group on heart samples, the present research project aims to evaluate, through an immunohistochemical study, the existence and/or extent of oxidative stress in the brains of subjects who died due to sepsis and define, after reviewing the literature, its contribution to the septic process to support the use of medications aimed at correcting redox anomalies in the management of septic patients.

Functional Rehabilitation in Non-Reconstructed Hemimandibulectomy Patients.

Functional rehabilitation in patients with hemimandibulectomy remains a challenge no matter what method of reconstruction is chosen by physicians. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the feasibility of an acceptable occlusal restoration in patients who have undergone hemimanidublectomy without the reestablishment of mandibular continuity. Data were collected retrospectively on 10 patients with varying degrees of mandible resection.

Retinal Vascular Complications in Cocaine Abuse: A Case Report and a Literature Review.

This comprehensive review examines the ocular vascular complications of cocaine use, focusing on its effects on retinal vasculature and inflammation. A rare case of bilateral frosted branch angiitis (FBA) in a 48-year-old man with a history of intranasal cocaine abuse is presented as an illustrative example to stimulate discussion. The case highlights severe retinal ischemia and vascular sheathing, with no identifiable infectious or autoimmune cause, ultimately complicated by systemic vascular events.

Heart Rate Variability During Weaning from Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review.

The role of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indices in predicting the outcome of the weaning process remains a subject of debate. The aim of this study is to investigate HRV analysis in critically ill adult patients undergoing weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The protocol of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024485800).

MicroRNA and Heart Failure: A Novel Promising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool.

Heart failure (HF) has a multifaceted and complex pathophysiology. Beyond neurohormonal, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and adrenergic hyperactivation, a role for other pathophysiological determinants is emerging. Genetic and epigenetic factors are involved in this syndrome.