Left atrial shunting devices: why, what, how, and… when?

Left atrial (LA) hypertension is central in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) in general and of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in particular. Despite approved treatments, a number of HF patients continue experiencing disabling symptoms due to LA hypertension, causing pulmonary congestion, pulmonary hypertension, and right heart dysfunction, at rest and/or during exercise. LA decompression therapies, i.

Effects of Methylglyoxal on Intestine and Microbiome Composition in Aged Mice.

Background: Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), is endogenously produced and prevalent in various ultra-processed foods. MGO has emerged as a significant precursor implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. To date, the effects of dietary MGO on the intestine have been limited explored.

Real-World Impact of Olaparib Exposure in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients Harboring Germline BRCA1-2 Pathogenic Variants.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer arising in the context of BRCA predisposition may benefit from poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. We analyzed real-world data on the impact of olaparib on survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients harboring germline BRCA mutations in Italy, where olaparib is not reimbursed for this indication.

Methods: Clinico/pathological data of pancreatic cancer patients with documented BRCA1-2 germline pathogenic variants who had received first-line chemotherapy for metastatic disease were collected from 23 Italian oncology departments and the impact of olaparib exposure on overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Pediatric, adult, and late onset multiple sclerosis: Cognitive phenotypes and gray matter atrophy.

Objectives: We aim to investigate cognitive phenotype distribution and MRI correlates across pediatric-, elderly-, and adult-onset MS patients as a function of disease duration.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1262 MS patients and 238 healthy controls, with neurological and cognitive assessments. A subset of 222 MS patients and 92 controls underwent 3T-MRI scan for brain atrophy and lesion analysis.

Neurotropic Tick-Borne Flavivirus in Alpine Chamois (), Austria, 2017, Italy, 2023.

The European subtype of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV-Eur; species , family ) was the only tick-borne flavivirus present in central Europe known to cause neurologic disease in humans and several animal species. Here, we report a tick-borne flavivirus isolated from Alpine chamois () with encephalitis and attached ticks, present over a wide area in the Alps. Cases were detected in 2017 in Salzburg, Austria, and 2023 in Lombardy and Piedmont, Italy.

Very-Low-Absorbable Geraniol for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A "Real-World" Open-Label Study on 1585 Patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a very-low-absorbable geraniol formulation, administered as a food supplement, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a real-world setting in Italy.

Methods: This open-label study was conducted in Italy on patients diagnosed with IBS and treated for 4 weeks with 240 mg/day of Palmarosa essential oil, absorbed on 960 mg of ginger root powder to obtain a very-low-absorbable geraniol formulation. Baseline characteristics, including demographic and symptoms were recorded using the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS).

Introduction of Vector-Borne Infections in Europe: Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Pathogens with Potential Impact on One Health.

The rise and resurgence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Europe pose an expanding public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and ecological disruptions. Both arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) transmitted by ticks such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis have broadened their distribution due to rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, and increased human mobility. By emphasizing the importance of interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, integrated One Health strategies are crucial in addressing this complex issue.

Prediction Model for POstoperative atriaL fibrillAtion in caRdIac Surgery: The POLARIS Score.

: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery, occurring approximately in one-third of the patients. This study considered all-comer patients who underwent cardiac surgery to build a predictive model for POAF. : A total of 3467 (Center 1) consecutive patients were used as a derivation cohort to build the model.

Combined Multilayered Amniotic Membrane Graft and Fibrin Glue as a Surgical Management of Limbal Dermoid Cyst.

To report the cosmetic, clinical, and visual outcomes of a combined surgical approach for treating a corneal/limbal dermoid using excision and a three-layered amniotic membrane graft with fibrin glue. An 18-year-old female presented with impaired vision and ocular discomfort caused by a prominent dome-shaped limbal congenital dermoid on the inferotemporal cornea, resulting in a significant aesthetic concern. A full assessment, including refraction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal topography, aberrometry and anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) was conducted to plan the surgical approach.

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.

Repeatability of Pentacam HR in Keratoconus According to Two Different Scan Protocols: 25-3D Scan and 50-Cornea Fine.

This study aims to evaluate the repeatability of the Pentacam HR, comparing two different measurement modes (50-cornea fine and 25-3D scan) in patients affected by keratoconus. Multicenter retrospective study, conducted at Eye Clinic of the ASST-Spedali Civili-University of Brescia, Italy, and St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, United Kingdom.

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Functional Recovery and Predict Outcome After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Narrative Review.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a leading cause of stroke-related mortality and long-term disability, with initial ICH volume, age, location of the hemorrhage, and clinical severity being key predictors of outcome. While clinical scores incorporating these elements are validated and exhibit good inter-rater reliability, their accuracy in predicting long-term recovery remains suboptimal. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has emerged as a potential adjunct for improving both prognostication and functional recovery in ICH survivors.

A Pilot Case Series on the Use of a Large Mushroom-Shaped Corneal Graft for the Surgical Management of Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Ectasia and Endothelial Failure.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a surgical technique for managing post-penetrating keratoplasty (PK) ectasia complicated by late endothelial failure (LEF). : A single-center pilot case series was conducted regarding consecutive patients affected by post-PK ectasia with late graft failure. Using a microkeratome, a single donor cornea was dissected to prepare a two-piece graft, comprising a larger anterior lamella made up of anterior stroma and a smaller posterior lamella made up of posterior stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Micromachined Acoustic Transducers for Audio-Frequency Range.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) refer to miniaturized mechanical and electro-mechanical elements that are fabricated through microelectronic processes [...

ADAR Therapeutics as a New Tool for Personalized Medicine.

In the field of RNA therapy, innovative approaches based on adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR)-mediated site-directed RNA editing (SDRE) have been established, providing an exciting opportunity for RNA therapeutics. ADAR1 and ADAR2 enzymes are accountable for the predominant form of RNA editing in humans, which involves the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine (A) to inosine (I). This inosine is subsequently interpreted as guanosine (G) by the translational and splicing machinery because of their structural similarity.

Reference Intervals (RIs) of the Bone Turnover Markers (BTMs) in Children and Adolescents: A Proposal for Effective Use.

Background/objectives: Bone turnover markers (BTMs) can provide information on the bone growth of apparently healthy children and adolescents or useful results in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease condition, comparing them with appropriate reference intervals (RIs). The aim of this study was to establish the RI for the BTM [specific bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), carboxy-terminal cross-linked collagen type I telopeptide (CTX), N-terminal propeptide pro-collagen type I (PINP), osteocalcin (OC), resistant to acid tartrate phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAcP-5b)] on serum samples from children and adolescents.

Method: 202 samples from children and adolescents (ages 1-18 years) (51.

Predictive value of TG/HDL-C and GFR-adjusted uric acid levels on cardiovascular mortality: the URRAH study.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) and serum uric acid (SUA) are closely interconnected: SUA contributes to adversely affects the insulin signaling pathway and contributes to IR, while IR is a known predictor for the development of hyperuricemia. The triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio has been proposed as an easily obtainable marker for IR. This research aimed to investigate the interaction between IR and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)-adjusted uricemia (SUA/GFR ratio) in determining CV risk in a large population cohort study.

Plasma levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light chain in patients with chronic migraine: a multicenter case-control study.

Objective: Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (pGFAP) and plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) levels reflect astrocyte activation and neuronal damage, respectively. Whether these phenomena play a role in migraine is unknown. This study aimed to compare pGFAP and pNfL levels in patients with chronic migraine (CM) and age-matched controls and to analyze their relation with clinical features.

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.

Chronic intestinal spirochaetosis and Giardia lamblia infection mimicking eosinophilic enterocolitis.

Human intestinal spirochaetosis is caused by the colonisation of the luminal membrane of the colon and rectum by anaerobic spirochaetes belonging to the genus Brachyspira. The common method used for its diagnosis is routine haematoxylin and eosin staining of colonic and rectal biopsy samples. The clinical spectrum of human intestinal spirochaetosis is heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic colonisation to symptoms such as chronic mucosal diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain.

Impacts of Racket Handle Design on Table Tennis Topspin Forehand Rally Performance Among Beginner Players.

Physical inactivity is a major global public health concern, and table tennis offers a low-impact, engaging way to promote physical activity across various age groups. However, many beginners struggle to maintain effective participation due to their lower skill levels. Therefore, the development and reinforcement of stable grip techniques is crucial because it will help beginners achieve sustainable improvements in performance.

Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project.

The management of biological sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant environmental challenge due to increasing sludge production and the presence of emerging pollutants. This study investigates an innovative solution by integrating a thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor (TAMR) into the sludge treatment line of a medium-size WWTP, aiming to minimize biological sludge output while enhancing resource recovery. The study involved a six-month monitoring of an industrial-scale TAMR system, assessing the reduction in volatile solids (VSs) in thickened sludge and evaluating the compatibility of TAMR residues with conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Advancing Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a widely performed surgical procedure that has evolved significantly due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. As demand for THA grows, reliable tools are essential to enhance diagnosis, preoperative planning, surgical precision, and postoperative rehabilitation. AI applications in orthopedic surgery offer innovative solutions, including automated hip osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis, precise implant positioning, and personalized risk stratification, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Premature thelarche and pesticide exposure: A case-control study in an intensive agricultural area.

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture significantly enhances crop yields and pest control. However, it also raises concerns regarding environmental and human health impacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to health effects of pesticide exposure, especially for neurological development and reproductive health.