Therapeutic Inertia in Dyslipidemia Management for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention: Results from the Italian ITACARE-P Network.

This study assessed the proportion of secondary cardiovascular prevention patients who achieved low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol targets as per the 2019 ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines. We also evaluated whether lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) were adjusted in patients not meeting targets and analyzed the likelihood of these modifications achieving recommended levels. A multicenter, cross-sectional observational study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 1909 outpatients in 9 Italian cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention clinics from January 2023 to June 2024.

Diagnostic Approach to Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Hosts.

In immunocompromised patients, pneumonia presents a diagnostic challenge due to diverse etiologies, nonspecific symptoms, overlapping radiological presentation, frequent co-infections, and the potential for rapid progression to severe disease. Thus, timely and accurate diagnosis of all pathogens is crucial. This narrative review explores the latest advancements in microbiological diagnostic techniques for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

Physiology-Versus Angiography-Guided Complete Coronary Revascularization in STEMI Patients with Multivessel Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis.

: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD), complete revascularization (CR) is recommended over culprit-only PCI to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the optimal strategy for CR, whether angiography (Angio)-guided or physiology-guided, remains uncertain. : This network meta-analysis included 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 11,568 patients to compare the efficacy of angio-guided CR, physiology-guided CR, and culprit-only PCI in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular (CV) death, and unplanned revascularization.

Medical Digital Twin: A Review on Technical Principles and Clinical Applications.

The usage of digital twins (DTs) is growing across a wide range of businesses. The health sector is one area where DT use has recently increased. Ultimately, the concept of digital health twins holds the potential to enhance human existence by transforming disease prevention, health preservation, diagnosis, treatment, and management.

The Effect of Zeolite Na-X and Clinoptilolite as Functional Fillers on the Mechanical, Thermal and Barrier Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane.

To obtain sustainable food packaging materials, alternatives to traditional ones must be researched. In this work, two different kinds of zeolites, i.e.

Immune-Boosting and Antiviral Effects of Antioxidants in COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Therapeutic Perspective.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has profoundly impacted global health, with pneumonia emerging as a major complication in severe cases. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is marked by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an excessive inflammatory response, resulting in oxidative stress and significant tissue damage, particularly in the respiratory system. Antioxidants have garnered considerable attention for their potential role in managing COVID-19 pneumonia by mitigating oxidative stress and modulating immune responses.

Three Unrelated Patients of Roma Ethnicity from a Single Center Carrying the Same Deletion in Gene: A Founder Effect?

MyD88 deficiency is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized by susceptibility to pyogenic infections without overt signs of inflammation. Half of the reported patients belong to Roma descent, an itinerant ethnic group living mostly in Europe, with an increased risk of childhood mortality due to limited access to healthcare services. We describe three unrelated patients from the Campania region in Italy with MyD88 deficiency, all belonging to Roma descent and displaying severe or recurrent infections in early infancy.

New Record of and Confirmed Occurrence of (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as Parasitoids of (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Italy.

(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is recorded here for the first time in Italy as a parasitoid of the whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), one of the most invasive alien pests of exotic species. originating from the Oriental region, has established a global presence. Monitoring of the whitefly and its parasitoids was conducted in the southern areas of Italy, providing crucial insights into their distribution and interactions.

The Role of Butirprost as an Adjuvant in Enhancing the Effect of Antibiotics in Patients Affected by Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Randomized Prospective Trial.

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. : Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes.

Technical Report on the New Ultrasound Lateral Mid-Shaft Approach to the Sciatic Nerve: A Never-Ending Story.

The anatomy of the sciatic nerve allows it to be blocked at different levels using various anesthetic approaches. However, for several reasons, performing these approaches may be challenging or disadvantageous in specific categories of patients, particularly in obese patients. The objective of this brief technical report is to describe a new technical approach to sciatic nerve block, designed to simplify the procedure for certain categories of patients and less experienced practitioners.

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.

Fungal Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Background: Despite kidney transplantation being a life-saving procedure, patients experience a high risk of developing fungal infections (FIs), with an increased risk of both morbidity and mortality, especially during the first year after transplant.

Methods: We herein conducted a narrative review of the most common FIs in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), with a focus on prevalence, risk factors, mortality, and prevention strategies.

Results: The most common fungal pathogens in KTRs include species (up to 70% of the overall FIs), species, , and species.

Probiotics in the Management of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial to Evaluate a Possible Link Between Gut Microbiota Restoring and Symptom Relief.

Several studies have suggested that probiotics could play a role in the management of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). In this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of consumption of probiotics containing human DG as an add-on treatment in patients with clinical recurrences of CBP, through gut microbiota modification analysis. Enrolled patients with CBP were randomized to receive for 3 months probiotics containing human DG or placebo following 1 month treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Thyme Essential Oil as a Potential Tool Against Common and Re-Emerging Foodborne Pathogens: Biocidal Effect on Bacterial Membrane Permeability.

Over the past decade, foodborne diseases have become a significant public health concern, affecting millions of people globally. Major pathogens like spp., , , and contaminate food and cause several infections.

An Optimized NGS Workflow Defines Genetically Based Prognostic Categories for Patients with Uveal Melanoma.

Background: Despite advances in uveal melanoma (UM) diagnosis and treatment, about 50% of patients develop distant metastases, thereby displaying poor overall survival. Molecular profiling has identified several genetic alterations that can stratify patients with UM into different risk categories. However, these genetic alterations are currently dispersed over multiple studies and several methodologies, emphasizing the need for a defined workflow that will allow standardized and reproducible molecular analyses.

Evaluation of the Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Cecropin A Natural Peptide on Gram-Negative Bacteria.

In an era dominated by the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, it is increasingly important to look for alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. In light of these considerations, the synergistic use of essential oils and Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) seems a viable strategy. In this study, we assessed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) of three Essential Oils (EOs): winter savory (), bergamot () and cinnamon () and of the insect antimicrobial peptide Cecropin A (CecA), alone and in combination with EOs, against two Gram-negative ATCC bacterial strains: and serovar Typhimurium.

Transferrin Receptor 2 in Canine Testicular Tumors: An Emerging Key Role in Seminomas.

Transferrin Receptor 2 (TfR2) is a homolog of Transferrin Receptor 1 (TfR1), involved in regulating intra and extracellular iron levels. Altered iron pathways have been associated with cancer onset and progression; however, their role in canine tumors remains poorly explored. This study investigated TfR2 immunohistochemical expression in non-neoplastic canine testis for the first time and in the most common types of canine testicular tumors: intratubular seminomas (ITSEMs), diffuse seminomas (DSEMs), Leydig cell tumors (LCTs), and Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs).

Sex Determination in Reptiles: A Review.

Reptile biodiversity is rapidly declining, with over 11,733 recognized species across 1226 genera being documented, many of which are endangered. Captive breeding programs play a crucial role in conservation; however, effective management requires accurate sex determination, especially due to the fact that many reptile species exhibit minimal or no sexual dimorphism. When present, sexual dimorphism manifests as differences such as size, coloration, and morphological features influenced by evolutionary pressures and hormones.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Competency and Educational Needs: Results of an AI Survey of Members of the European Society of Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons (ESPES).

: Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are set to revolutionize healthcare, particularly in fields like endoscopic surgery that heavily rely on digital imaging. However, to effectively integrate these technologies and drive future innovations, pediatric surgeons need specialized AI/ML skills. This survey evaluated the current level of readiness and educational needs regarding AI/ML among members of the European Society of Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons (ESPES).

A Systematic Review of Micropulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (MLT) in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Management: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Perspectives.

Background/objectives: Micropulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT) is gaining attention as a non-invasive treatment option for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), offering an alternative to traditional surgeries and medications. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and potential of MLT in glaucoma management.

Methods: This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Conventional Chemotherapy and Inflammation: What Is the Role of the Inflammasome in the Tumor Microenvironment?

The link between inflammation and cancer has been extensively studied over the years. While the inflammatory process can facilitate tumor establishment and progression, on the other hand, current clinical approaches aim to boost the immune system against the tumor mass. In this scenario, the conventional chemotherapy has proven to induce immunogenic cell death in that the release of danger-associated alarmins can foster the cytotoxic immunity following the blockade of immune checkpoints.

A Pilot Study of Exosome Proteomic Profiling Reveals Dysregulated Metabolic Pathways in Endometrial Cancer.

: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the second most frequent gynecological malignant tumor in postmenopausal women. Pathogenic mechanisms related to the onset and development of the disease are still unknown. To identify dysregulated proteins associated with EC we exploited a combined in vitro/in silico approach analyzing the proteome of exosomes with advanced MS techniques and annotating their results by using Chymeris1 AI tools.

A Structural Effect of the Antioxidant Curcuminoids on the Aβ(1-42) Amyloid Peptide.

Investigating amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in solution is essential during the initial stages of developing lead compounds that can influence Aβ fibrillation while the peptide is still in a soluble state. The tendency of the Aβ(1-42) peptide to misfold in solution, correlated to the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is one of the main hindrances to characterising its aggregation kinetics in a cell-mimetic environment. Moreover, the Aβ(1-42) aggregation triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to cellular dysfunction and multiple cell death modalities, exacerbated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components and trigger inflammation.

Mitochondrial Management of ROS in Physiological and Pathological Conditions.

Mitochondria are found, with rare exceptions [...

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy.

Omega-3 fatty acids are critical components of cell membranes, including those in the retina. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied for their potential benefits in retinal health, preventing the progression of retinopathy. Several studies have shown that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).