Fluoroquinolones and Biofilm: A Narrative Review.

: Biofilm-associated infections frequently span multiple body sites and represent a significant clinical challenge, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and antimicrobial therapy. These infections are commonly healthcare-associated and frequently related to internal or external medical devices. The formation of biofilms complicates treatment, as they create environments that are difficult for most antimicrobial agents to penetrate.

BioFire Joint Infection Panel for Samples Other than Synovial Fluid.

: The early identification of infection-causing microorganisms through multiplex PCR panels enables prompt and targeted antibiotic therapy. This study aimed to assess the performance of the BioFire Joint Infection Panel (BF-JIP) in analysing non-synovial fluid samples. : We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Trieste University Hospital, Italy, on hospitalised adults with non-synovial fluid samples tested by both BF-JIP and traditional culture methods (November 2022-April 2024).

'Real-life' approach to applying PK/PD principles in infectious diseases clinical practice without access to prompt TDM.

Introduction: Infectious disease treatments are transitioning from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more tailored approach. The increasing adoption of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antimicrobials is a clear example of this trend. Routine antimicrobial TDM in critically ill patients should be mandatory.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF): present and future therapeutic armamentarium.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging severe tick-borne illness. The expanding habitat of ticks, coupled with migratory birds harbouring CCHF-infected ticks, contributes to an increasing number of potential hosts. The seroprevalence of anti-CCHF virus antibodies in livestock is approximately one-quarter, with a noticeable upward trend in recent years.

Position statement of Italian Society of Obesity (SIO): Gestational Obesity.

Purpose: Gestational obesity (GO) presents a multifaceted challenge to maternal and fetal health, with an escalating prevalence and far-reaching consequences extending beyond pregnancy. This perspective statement by the Italian Society of Obesity (SIO) provides current insights into the diagnosis, maternal and fetal impacts, and treatment strategies for managing this pressing condition.

Methods: This article provides a comprehensive review of the maternal and fetal effects of GO and provides suggestions on strategies for management.

Plasma p-tau181 and amyloid markers in Alzheimer's disease: A comparison between Lumipulse and SIMOA.

Aim of the project was to evaluate the technical and clinical validity of plasma Lumipulse p-tau, Aβ42 and Aβ40 species and their correlation with CSF core Alzheimer's Disease (AD) markers; a method comparison with SIMOA was also performed. One-hundred-thirthy-three participants, namely 55 A+T+N+ AD, 28 Neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) and 50 controls were enrolled for the study. Lumipulse technical validity showed high stability for p-tau181, Aβ42, and Aβ40, with higher stability of p-tau to repeated freezing thaw cycles.

Impact of Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Probiotics on Gut Microbiome and Mood in Autism: A Case Report.

Recent evidence has highlighted the role of the gut-brain axis in the progression of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with significant changes in the gut microbiome of individuals with this condition. This report investigates the effects of probiotics and human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) supplements on the gut microbiome, inflammatory cytokine profile, and clinical outcomes in an ASD adolescent with chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Following treatment, we observed a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines' concentration alongside relative abundance, a bacterium reported to be linked with gastrointestinal diseases.

On the Clinimetrics of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: Cutoff Analysis in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: In the era of disease-modifying therapies, empowering the clinical neuropsychologist's toolkit for timely identification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial.

Objective: Here we examine the clinimetric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for the early diagnosis of MCI due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI-AD).

Methods: Data from 48 patients with MCI-AD and 47 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Mortality in Nosocomial Enterococcal Bloodstream Infections.

Enterococci commonly cause nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs), and the global incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) BSIs is rising. This study aimed to assess the risk factors for enterococcal BSIs and 30-day mortality, stratified by species, vancomycin resistance, and treatment appropriateness. We conducted a retrospective cohort study (2014-2021) including all hospitalized adult patients with at least one blood culture positive for or .

Performance of 16S rRNA Gene Next-Generation Sequencing and the Culture Method in the Detection of Bacteria in Clinical Specimens.

Effective treatment of infectious diseases requires prompt and accurate bacterial identification and tailored antimicrobial treatments. Traditional culture methods are considered the gold standard, but their effectiveness diminishes for fastidious and hard-to-grow microorganisms. In recent years, molecular diagnostic tools such as 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing (16S NGS) have gained popularity in the field.

, an Emerging Drug-Resistant Dermatophyte: A Review of the Treatment Options.

Dermatophytosis is a prevalent superficial infection caused by filamentous fungi, primarily affecting the skin and/or its appendages. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in mycotic strains resistant to standard antifungal therapies, including , a dermatophyte of the complex. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the treatment options for , elucidating their effectiveness in managing this challenging mycotic infection.

Synergistic Activity of Temocillin and Fosfomycin Combination against KPC-Producing Clinical Isolates.

Infections caused by KPC-producing continue to pose a significant clinical challenge due to their emerging resistance to new antimicrobials. We investigated the association between two drugs whose roles have been repurposed against multidrug-resistant bacteria: fosfomycin and temocillin. Temocillin exhibits unusual stability against KPC enzymes, while fosfomycin acts as a potent "synergizer".

Prediction of 30-day mortality after surgery for infective endocarditis using risk scores: Insights from a European multicenter comparative validation study.

Background: It remains unclear today whether risk scores created specifically to predict early mortality after cardiac operations for infective endocarditis (IE) outperform or not the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II).

Methods: Perioperative data and outcomes from a European multicenter series of patients undergoing surgery for definite IE were retrospectively reviewed. Only the cases with known pathogen and without missing values for all considered variables were retained for analyses.

Key messages on obesity care from the 2023 ASPEN Physician Preconference Course: A narrative review.

Obesity is a challenging chronic disease process that continues to affect a large percentage of the population at large. With the advent of new therapeutic options and interventions and a deeper scientific understanding of obesity as a complex illness, there is hope in curtailing this evolving pandemic. In this article, we present key medical information to engage and empower nutrition-focused providers to manage obesity and its nutrition complications.

Association of APOE genotype with blood-brain barrier permeability in neurodegenerative disorders.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is recognized for its role in modulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in vitro, which may have significant implications for the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. However, evidence in vivo is contrasting. This study explores the impact of APOE genotypes on BBB integrity among 230 participants experiencing cognitive impairment, encompassing cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as various non-AD neurodegenerative conditions.

Predicting response to non-selective beta-blockers with liver-spleen stiffness and heart rate in patients with liver cirrhosis and high-risk varices.

Introduction: Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) are used for primary prophylaxis in patients with liver cirrhosis and high-risk varices (HRVs). Assessing therapeutic response is challenging due to the invasive nature of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. This study aims to define a noninvasive machine-learning based approach to determine response to NSBB in patients with liver cirrhosis and HRVs.

Nipple Reconstruction Using the "Arrow Flap" Technique: Outcomes and Patients Satisfaction.

Introduction: Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) entails complete removal of the breast tissue and the nipple and areola complex (NAC) with preservation of as much of the overlying skin as possible. The preservation of the natural skin envelope during SSM improves the aesthetic outcome of immediate breast reconstruction, but the lack of NAC determines that the reconstructed breast remains anatomically incomplete with not always satisfactory final results. For this purpose, the aim of the present study was to investigate and evaluate the impact of nipple reconstruction after skin sparing and skin reducing mastectomy on the patients' perception and intimate life.