Uveitis in paediatric Behçet disease: a large multicentric Italian cohort.

Background: Behçet disease (BD) is a rare disease in childhood and its uveitis may lead to blindness if not properly treated.

Objectives: We aim to describe a cohort of paediatric BD patients with uveitis.

Design: This is a multicentric retrospective study.

Lebrikizumab: a new anti-IL-13 agent for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Moderate-to-severe AD severely affects patients' quality of life. New drugs selectively targeting molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease led to a new era for the treatment of AD.

Elevated whole blood viscosity is associated with an impaired insulin-stimulated myocardial glucose metabolism.

Background: Increased whole blood viscosity (WBV) was associated with impaired peripheral glucose metabolism, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Impaired myocardial glucose metabolism is a risk factor for CVD. Whether an increased WBV is associated with impaired myocardial glucose metabolism is still undefined.

Reprogrammed lipid metabolism in advanced resistant cancers: an upcoming therapeutic opportunity.

Resistance of cancer to therapy is the main challenge to its therapeutic management and is still an unsolved problem. Rearranged lipid metabolism is a strategy adopted by cancer cells to counteract adversity during their evolution toward aggressiveness and immune evasion. This relies on several mechanisms, ranging from altered metabolic pathways within cancer cells to evolved dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), with some cell populations at the forefront of metabolic reprogramming, thereby contributing to the resistance of the whole ecosystem during therapy.

Efficacy of Perfluorohexyloctane for the Treatment of Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to systematically review the evidence from randomized controlled trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of perfluorohexyloctane in the treatment of dry eye disease.

Methods: Literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus in April 2024 with the search strategy ("perfluorohexyloctane" or "NOV03" or "semifluorinated alkane") and "dry eye." Extension and paired-eyes study were excluded.

The cornerstones of randomized clinical trials.

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are pivotal in medical research, offering critical evidence on the efficacy and safety of treatments. This paper explores the distinct purposes and designs of superiority, non-inferiority, equivalence, and pragmatic trials, each addressing unique research questions. Superiority trials aim to demonstrate a new treatment's effectiveness over existing standards, while non-inferiority and equivalence trials focus on ensuring new treatments are not significantly worse or are similar to existing ones, respectively.

Differences in target organ damage in individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes identified by 1-hour plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test.

Aims: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently recommended determination of 1-hour glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to diagnose intermediate hyperglycemia (IH) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Herein, we investigated the implications of IDF recommendation for characterizing the risk of cardiovascular target organ damage including left ventricular mass normalized by body surface area (LVM index [LVMI]), and myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency normalized by LVM (MEEi) in individuals with IH and T2D.

Methods: LVMI, and MEEi were assessed in 1847 adults classified on the basis of fasting, 1-hour and 2- hour glucose during an OGTT according to the IDF recommendation as having normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 736), isolated impaired fasting glucose (iIFG, n = 105), IH (n = 676), and newly diagnosed T2D (n = 330).

Role of solute carrier transporters in ovarian cancer (Review).

Solute carrier (SLC) transporters are involved in various biological processes associated with metabolic reprogramming and cancer, supporting the increased requirement of nutrients and energy. Over the past decade, there have been significant advancements in understanding the expression and function of SLCs in ovarian cancer (OC). This gynecological condition has a high mortality rate and limited treatment options; thus, early diagnosis remains a target clinically.

Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses: Evolution, Ecology, and Public Health Strategies in a Changing World.

The family includes a number of negative RNA viruses known for their wide host range and significant zoonotic potential. In recent years, there has been a surge in the identification of emerging zoonotic paramyxoviruses, particularly those hosted by bat species, which serve as key reservoirs. Among these, the genera Henipavirus and Pararubulavirus are of particular concern.

Zibibbo Grape Seeds' Polyphenolic Profile: Effects on Bone Turnover and Metabolism.

Background: The consumption of seeds as food has become increasingly common due to their numerous health benefits. Among these, the seeds of the Zibibbo grape from Pantelleria, a native species of southern Italy, remain largely unexplored and are usually considered waste material from viticulture. Nevertheless, Zibibbo grape seeds may offer health benefits, particularly for the elderly and people with metabolic disorders, due to their potential content of beneficial compounds such as polyphenols.

A Multicenter Retrospective Study Evaluating Distal Radial Access vs. Conventional Transradial or Transvenous Access for Endovascular Treatment of Malfunctioning Dialysis Fistulas.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of distal transradial access (dRA) for the endovascular management of malfunctioning dialysis fistulas. This study also compares dRA with conventional access techniques, such as proximal radial and transvenous access, focusing on technical success, clinical outcomes, and vascular access site complications (VASCs).

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted across four hospitals, including 292 patients treated between January 2019 and June 2024.

Use of Non-Invasive Biomarkers and Clinical Scores to Predict the Complications of Liver Cirrhosis: A Bicentric Experience.

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive condition characterized by fibrosis and architectural distortion of the liver, leading to impaired liver function and severe complications. Accurately predicting these complications is crucial to the improvement of patient outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of various non-invasive biomarkers and clinical scores in assessing the risk of complications among cirrhotic patients.

Histomorphometric and Micro-CT Evaluation of Cerabone and Bio-Oss in Maxillary Sinus Lifting: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

: The loss of teeth in the posterior maxillary region often leads to significant alveolar bone resorption and maxillary sinus pneumatization, complicating dental implant placement. Maxillary sinus grafting, typically using autogenous bone, is a common solution. However, autogenous bone grafts require additional surgical procedures, leading to increased morbidity.

Osteoporosis in Systemic Mastocytosis: A Scoping Review.

: Mastocytosis (MS) is a rare disease that can involve various organs, including the bone. Given the incidence of the disease in the global population, MS poses a challenge for physicians, and early therapeutic intervention in the initial stages could significantly impact the quality of life of affected patients. : The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of secondary osteoporosis in systemic mastocytosis (SM), focusing on the heterogeneity of its manifestations, the benefits of early diagnosis, and appropriate pharmacological treatment.

Nutritional and Nutraceutical Support to the Failing Myocardium: A Possible Way of Potentiating the Current Treatment of Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex condition that affects 1-2% of the global population. The presence of comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or obesity has been shown in various studies to elevate mortality and hospitalization rates in HF patients. Insufficient outcomes persist in HF, necessitating additional research to address unmet needs in disease management.

Recent Advances in miRNA-Based Therapy for MASLD/MASH and MASH-Associated HCC.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a growing health concern worldwide, affecting more than 1 billion adults. It may progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Emerging evidence has demonstrated the role in this transition of microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation.

Multiple Aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Role of the Immune System: An Overview of Systematic Reviews with a Focus on Polyphenols.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex and often debilitating condition that significantly impacts the gastrointestinal system and the overall quality of life of those affected. IBS is characterized by a variety of distressing symptoms, including cramping, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements, underlined by an intricate interplay of immune system dysfunction in its pathology. Numerous studies highlight an increased cellular immune response, with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, mucosal alterations due to immune imbalance, and visceral hypersensitivity.

Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on Vascular Function in a Real-Life Cohort of Elderly Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and has a detrimental effect on vascular function, in particular on arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold-standard therapy for OSAS and its effects on arterial stiffness and endothelial function have been demonstrated in non-elderly patients.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of one year of CPAP treatment on arterial stiffness, through assessment of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), and on endothelial function, through the reactive hyperaemia index (RHi), in a real-life cohort of elderly patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS and several comorbidities.

Accuracy Assessment of EM3D App-Based 3D Facial Scanning Compared to Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

The use of 3D facial scans is becoming essential for dental practice. However, traditional scanners require labor-intensive procedures and are expensive, making them less accessible in routine clinical practice. In this context, high-performance smartphones and dedicated apps offer a more accessible alternative.

Germline Variant Spectrum in Southern Italian High-Risk Hereditary Breast Cancer Patients: Insights from Multi-Gene Panel Testing.

Hereditary breast cancer accounts for 5-10% of all cases, with pathogenic variants in and other susceptibility genes playing a crucial role. This study elucidates the prevalence and spectrum of germline variants in 13 cancer predisposition genes among high-risk hereditary breast cancer patients from Southern Italy. We employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze 254 individuals selected through genetic counseling.

AI-enabled pipeline for virus detection, validation, and SNP discovery from next-generation sequencing data.

Background And Aims: The rapid and accurate detection of viruses and the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are critical for disease management and understanding viral evolution. This study presents a pipeline for virus detection, validation, and SNP discovery from next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. The pipeline processes raw sequencing data to identify viral sequences with high accuracy and sensitivity by integrating state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools with artificial intelligence.