Caspase-1 activation, IL-1/IL-6 signature and IFNγ-induced chemokines in lungs of COVID-19 patients.

Rationale: COVID-19-associated acute-respiratory distress syndrome (C-ARDS) results from a direct viral injury associated with host excessive innate immune response mainly affecting the lungs. However, cytokine profile in the lung compartment of C-ARDS patients has not been widely studied, nor compared to non-COVID related ARDS (NC-ARDS).

Objectives: To evaluate caspase-1 activation, IL-1 signature, and other inflammatory cytokine pathways associated with tissue damage using post-mortem lung tissues, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and serum across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity.

Human head and neck cancer cell lines response to cold atmospheric plasma activated media is affected by the chemistry of culture media.

Survival rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) patients are still to date very poor, and the application of innovative clinical approaches are urgently needed. Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) are partially ionized gases that have shown anti-tumor effectiveness over a wide range of cancer types with potential application into clinics. However, the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying indirect CAP effects plays a key role for the prediction of treatment outcomes.

The association between adolescents' knowledge and perception of HPV vaccination and parents' characteristics: A cross-sectional study.

Background: In Italy, the anti-Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign began in 2008. To date, despite the effectiveness and safety of HPV vaccines, coverage among Italian adolescents is still suboptimal. Evidence suggests that different factors could influence parents' choices regarding their children's vaccination uptake.

Intratumoral in Pancreatic Cancer: Current and Future Perspectives.

The intratumoral microbiome plays a significant role in many cancers, such as lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal malignancies and is often diagnosed at advanced stages. , an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium primarily residing in the oral cavity, has garnered significant attention for its emerging role in several extra-oral human diseases and, lately, in pancreatic cancer progression and prognosis.

Early Surgical Resection in Pediatric Patients with Localized Ileo-Cecal Crohn's Disease: Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study.

: Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that also affects pediatric patients. It frequently presents as a localized disease, affecting the ileocecal area, ileum, or colon. It requires targeted therapy to achieve a good quality of life and long-term control of disease activity.

Tracheostomy Practice in the Italian Intensive Care Units: A Point-Prevalence Survey.

: A tracheostomy is a frequently performed surgical intervention in intensive care units (ICUs) for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. This procedure can offer significant benefits, including reduced sedation requirements, improved patient comfort, and enhanced airway management. However, it is also associated with various risks, and the absence of standardized clinical guidelines complicates its implementation.

COVID-19-Related Discontinuation Impact on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Long-Term Thermal Therapy: A Single-Center Observational Study at Saturnia Thermal Springs.

Background: Thermal therapy represents a well-established therapeutic approach for chronic musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions. To date, no studies have investigated the clinical effects of treatment interruption in thermal medicine. We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of COVID-19 lockdown-induced thermal therapy discontinuation through validated patient-reported outcomes.

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.

Emerging Evidence on Balneotherapy and Thermal Interventions in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome affects 10-60% of SARS-CoV-2 survivors. While conventional treatments show limited efficacy, emerging evidence suggests the potential benefits of balneotherapy in managing persistent symptoms. We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of balneotherapy and thermal treatment interventions in treating post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Pomegranate Juices: Analytical and Bio-Toxicological Comparison of Pasteurization and High-Pressure Processing in the Development of Healthy Products.

Two different produced and packaged commercial typologies of pomegranate juice were analyzed for their physicochemical, nutritional, and biological properties. The effects of classical pasteurization (PJ) and high-pressure processing (HP), applied during the productive cycle, were evaluated through several advanced analytical methods, such as CIEL*a*b* colorimetry, HPLC-DAD, DI-ESI-MS and MS/MS, and NMR analyses. Moreover, the exerted biological activity of the two pomegranate juices was monitored through Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Contents, antiradical, antioxidant and chelating activity.

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.

Validation of the Italian Sense of Agency Scale and Its Relevance to Well-Being: An Iterative Bootstrap Approach.

The Sense of Agency (SoA) refers to the subjective experience of controlling one's actions and the external events resulting from those actions. This study aimed to critically evaluate the construct validity, robustness, and clinical utility of the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS) in an Italian-speaking population, using a data-driven approach to explore potential factor structures. A sample of 992 adults completed the SoAS alongside other validated psychological measures, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the scale's psychometric properties.

Biomechanical Analysis of Truncated Cone Implants for Maxillary Sinus Lift: An In Vitro Study on Polyurethane Laminas.

This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical performance of two truncated cone implant designs in maxillary sinus lift (MSL) procedures using polyurethane laminas. A total of 128 implants were used. Polyurethane laminas were divided into two groups based on thickness (1 and 3 mm) and two subgroups based on density (20 and 30 pounds per cubic foot, PCF).

Assessment of Attenuation in Pericarotid Fat among Patients with Carotid Plaque and Spontaneous Carotid Dissection.

Background And Purpose: Changes in perivascular fat density (PFD) and its association with inflammation have been topics of interest in both atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic vasculopathies. The objective of this study was to assess the PFD in patients with spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection (SICAD) or carotid atherosclerotic plaque, with and without intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective bicentric analysis of 130 patients (30 with SICAD and 100 with carotid atherosclerotic plaque) who underwent CT angiography was performed.

Optimized Rutin-incorporating PEGylated Nanoliposomes as a Model with Remarkable Selectivity Against PANC1 and MCF7 Cell Lines.

Background: This study aims to enhance the delivery of polyphenols using nanotechnology.

Objective: To develop and evaluate liposomal formulations for improved delivery and stability of polyphenols, specifically focusing on Rutin.

Methods: Liposomal formulations were meticulously prepared via the Thin-Film Hydration method.

Fatigue relief in multiple sclerosis by personalized neuromodulation: A multicenter pilot study [FaremusGE].

Background: A recent application of the GRADE guidelines indicated Faremus, a 5-day neuromodulation for 15 min per day via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as medium to highly recommendable for alleviating fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: With this pilot study we aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, safety, and effectiveness of the Faremus treatment carried out in a multicenter context. The Rome unit prepared the intervention, supplied the personalized electrodes to the San Martino Hospital in Genova, where the neurological team enrolled the population of fatigued people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and carried out the treatment.

Robot-assisted upper limb therapy for personalized rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders of movement development that may cause activity limitations. In this context, robot-assisted therapy might play a key role in clinical management. This comprehensive systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of robotic systems in improving upper limb (UL) functions in children with CP.

Impact of physiological and non-physiological loading scenarios and crown material on periimplant bone stress distribution: A 3D finite element study.

This study numerically investigates the impact of different loading modes on the biomechanical response of an osseointegrated dental implant. While finite element modeling is commonly employed to investigate the mechanical behavior of dental implants, several models lack physiological accuracy in their loading conditions, omitting occlusal contact points that influence stress distribution in periimplant bone. Using 3D finite element modeling and analysis, stress distributions at the bone-implant interface are evaluated under both physiological loading, incorporating natural occlusal contact points, and non-physiological loading conditions, with a focus on load transmission mechanisms and the potential risk of bone overloading.

Billing models for measuring nursing care in inpatient and outpatient settings: a scoping review.

Background: The rising cost of healthcare is a concerning issue for healthcare systems. The Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) system lacks direct consideration for costs related to nursing care. Therefore, to date there is no clear picture of billing models that consider also nursing activity when evaluating healthcare service costs or what factors related to nursing care affect the costs of healthcare services and would therefore need to be considered in billing models.

Unfolded protein response: An essential element of intestinal homeostasis and a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease.

Different physiological and pathological situations can produce alterations in the cell's endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to a condition known as ER stress, which can trigger an intricate intracellular signal transduction system known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is primarily tailored to restore proteostasis and ER equilibrium; otherwise, if ER stress persists, it can cause programmed cell death as a cytoprotective mechanism and drive inflammatory processes. Therefore, since intestinal cells strongly rely on UPR for their biological functions and unbalanced UPR has been linked to inflammatory, metabolic, and immune disorders, here we discussed the role of the UPR within the intestinal tract, focusing on the UPR contribution to inflammatory bowel disease development.

ECG Patterns of Occlusion Myocardial Infarction: A Narrative Review.

The traditional management of acute coronary syndrome has relied on the identification of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a proxy of acute coronary occlusion. This conflation of STEMI with acute coronary occlusion has historically overshadowed non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), despite evidence suggesting 25% to 34% of NSTEMI cases may also include acute coronary occlusion. Current limitations in the STEMI/NSTEMI binary framework underscore the need for a revised approach to chest pain and acute coronary syndrome management.

Vaginal delivery of the second twin: simulation to improve trainee knowledge and comfort.

Background: Vaginal delivery in twins is feasible but challenging. Successful vaginal delivery of a non-vertex second twin depends on knowledge of specific obstetrical maneuvers. Skill acquisition at the patient's bedside is difficult, making simulation training an integral part of obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.

Proteolysis-targeting influenza vaccine strains induce broad-spectrum immunity and in vivo protection.

Generating effective live vaccines from intact viruses remains challenging owing to considerations of safety and immunogenicity. Approaches that can be applied in a systematic manner are needed. Here we created a library of live attenuated influenza vaccines by using diverse cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases to generate proteolysis-targeting (PROTAR) influenza A viruses.

PROTAR Vaccine 2.0 generates influenza vaccines by degrading multiple viral proteins.

Manipulating viral protein stability using the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) represents a promising approach for developing live-attenuated vaccines. The first-generation proteolysis-targeting (PROTAR) vaccine had limitations, as it incorporates proteasome-targeting degrons (PTDs) at only the terminal ends of viral proteins, potentially restricting its broad application. Here we developed the next-generation PROTAR vaccine approach, referred to as PROTAR 2.