Digital Applications for Videoterminal-Associated Dry Eye Disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) has become increasingly prevalent in the digital era, largely due to prolonged screen exposure. The excessive use of digital devices contributes to inappropriate blink frequency and dynamics, leading to ocular surface dryness and discomfort. Additionally, digital screen use has broader implications for systemic health, including visual strain, headaches, and disrupted circadian rhythms caused by blue light exposure.

Environmentally Sustainable Preparation of Oleuropein and Its Dialdehydic Derivatives in a Simple Pharmaceutical Formulation.

In this paper, Krapcho's one-step decarbomethoxylation of oleuropein in DES is reported. Oleuropein used as reagent was extracted with water from olive leaves, widely available and inexpensive waste from the olive oil production chain. The reaction has been carried out in a series of ChCl-based DES of increasing acidity, with or without the addition of an amount of water, under microwave and conventional heating.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in women: A forgotten cardiovascular risk factor.

Sleep-disordered breathing is a highly prevalent disorder with negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide. This condition has detrimental effects on cardiovascular health and quality of life, and is frequently associated with a variety of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, diabetes and atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, it remains frequently undiagnosed and undertreated, especially in specific populations.

Topical insulin used alone or in combination with drug-depository contact lens for refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes achieved in refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) through the utilization of insulin eye drops alone or in conjunction with a drug-depository contact lens (DDCL).

Observations: This multicentric prospective open-label uncontrolled case series included consecutive patients with NK refractory to conventional treatment. Insulin eye drops (1 unit/mL) were prescribed 4 times/day in all cases, and a Therapeutic Hyper-CL™ soft contact lens (EyeYon Medical, Ness Ziona, Israel), designed to act as a drug reservoir, was applied in selected patients.

Rapunzel Syndrome: Clinical, Diagnostic and Forensic Aspects in Related Deaths-A Review of the Literature.

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare and severe form of trichobezoar, characterized by the presence of hair masses in the stomach that often extend into the bowel, resembling the legendary "Rapunzel's" long hair. : This review examines the clinical, diagnostic, forensic, and post-mortem aspects associated with Rapunzel syndrome, with a focus on cases resulting in mortality or those at high risk of death due to complications. In particular, the review systematically analyzes the existing literature on fatal cases of Rapunzel syndrome, emphasizing insights into risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, autopsy findings, and preventive measures to provide a focused understanding of these critical aspects.

Long term efficacy and safety profile of dexamethasone intravitreal implant in retinal vein occlusions: a systematic review.

Background/objective: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common, sight-threatening vascular disorder affecting individuals of all ages, with incidence increasing with age. Due to its complex, multifactorial nature, treating RVO remains a clinical challenge. Currently, treatment strategies include laser photocoagulation (especially for branch RVO), anti-VEGF therapies, and intravitreal corticosteroids.

π-HuB: the proteomic navigator of the human body.

The human body contains trillions of cells, classified into specific cell types, with diverse morphologies and functions. In addition, cells of the same type can assume different states within an individual's body during their lifetime. Understanding the complexities of the proteome in the context of a human organism and its many potential states is a necessary requirement to understanding human biology, but these complexities can neither be predicted from the genome, nor have they been systematically measurable with available technologies.

NAD+ METABOLISM RESTRICTION BOOSTS HIGH-DOSE MELPHALAN EFFICACY IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMA.

Elevated levels of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-generating enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) are a common feature across numerous cancer types. Accordingly, we previously reported pervasive NAD+ dysregulation in Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells in association with upregulated NAMPT expression. Unfortunately, albeit being effective in preclinical models of cancer, NAMPT inhibition has proven ineffective in clinical trials due to the existence of alternative NAD+ production routes utilizing NAD+ precursors other than nicotinamide.

Combining simulation models and machine learning in healthcare management: strategies and applications.

Simulation models and artificial intelligence (AI) are largely used to address healthcare and biomedical engineering problems. Both approaches showed promising results in the analysis and optimization of healthcare processes. Therefore, the combination of simulation models and AI could provide a strategy to further boost the quality of health services.

The maximum size of cell-aggregates is determined by the competition between the strain energy and the binding energy of cells.

The development of tissues and organs is affected by how cells interact with each other to form aggregates. Such an interaction is in turn determined by several different factors, such as inter-cellular attractive forces, cell motility, and the strain energy of cells. Here, we have used mathematical modelling and numerical simulations to explore how the interplay between these factors can influence the formation and stability of 2D cell aggregates.

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.

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.

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).

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.