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.

Transcriptomic-Based Identification of miR-125a Novel Targets in Human Hepatocarcinoma Cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most aggressive and lethal human tumors. Many functional studies have demonstrated the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), particularly microRNAs (miRNA), in the regulation of hepatocarcinogenesis driving pathways. MiR-125a-5p (miR-125a) has been consistently reported as an oncosuppressive miRNA, as demonstrated in vivo and in vitro.

Antiviral Activity of the Marine Haptophyta .

There are still several viral infections affecting a considerable number of the world's population, causing thousands of deaths each year. There are no drugs available for most viral infections and for many not even a vaccine. The marine kingdom is characterized by a huge chemical diversity; however, there is currently on the market only one drug derived from the sea with antiviral properties, called Ara-A.

Real-Life Experience with Tildrakizumab in Plaque Psoriasis with Palmoplantar Involvement: A Multi-Center Retrospective Italian Study.

Introduction: Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPp) has a profound negative impact on patients' quality of life, and it represents a therapeutic challenge, as palms and soles are difficult to treat area. Although the efficacy profile of tildrakizumab has been well evaluated in the literature, data on its use for PPp are still limited. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab on moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with involvement of the palmoplantar area.

A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists' experiences of using telepsychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship with burnout in selected high, middle, and low-income countries.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated substantial modifications in the delivery of patient care on a global scale. Telemedicine-based care services were implemented worldwide to maximize access to healthcare systems.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the use of and satisfaction with telepsychiatry services implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic by psychiatrists across low, middle, and high income countries, and to assess levels of burnout among psychiatrists providing telepsychiatry services in different settings and countries.

Role of the androgen receptor in melanoma aggressiveness.

Malignant melanoma represents the fifth most common cancer in the world and its incidence is rising. Novel therapies targeting receptor tyrosine kinases, kinases and immune checkpoints have been employed with a significant improvement of the overall survival and long-term disease containment. Nevertheless, the disease often progresses and becomes resistant to the therapies.

Biomarker-Directed Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Importance: Integration of molecular biomarker information into systemic therapy has become standard practice in breast cancer care. However, its implementation in guiding radiotherapy (RT) is slower. Although postoperative RT is recommended for most patients after breast-conserving surgery and, depending on risk factors, following mastectomy, emerging evidence has indicated that patients with low scores on gene expression signatures or selected clinical-pathological features may have very low local recurrence rates.

Study of spectral overlap and heterogeneity in agriculture based on soft classification techniques.

This study explores the application of fuzzy soft classification techniques combined with vegetation indices to address spectral overlap and heterogeneity in agricultural image processing. The methodology focuses on the integration of three key vegetation indices: Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI), and Modified Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index (MCARI), with Modified Possibilistic C-Means (MPCM) clustering. The analysis involves preprocessing the image data, calculating the vegetation indices, and applying the MPCM algorithm to perform soft classification, allowing pixels to belong to multiple classes with varying degrees of membership.

The lived experience of postpartum depression and psychosis in women: a bottom-up review co-written by experts by experience and academics.

This is the first bottom-up review of the lived experience of postpartum depression and psychosis in women. The study has been co-designed, co-conducted and co-written by experts by experience and academics, drawing on first-person accounts within and outside the medical field. The material initially identified was shared with all participants in a cloud-based system, discussed across the research team, and enriched by phenomenological insights.

Enhancing emergency care for older persons: the role and impact of the electronic Frailty Index.

As the elderly population expands, enhancing emergency department (ED) care by assessing frailty becomes increasingly vital. To address this, we developed a novel electronic Frailty Index (eFI) from ED health records, specifically designed to assess frailty and predict hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, ICU admissions, and 30-day ED readmissions. This retrospective, single-center study included patients 65 years old or older who presented to the ED of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, Italy, between January 2015 and December 2019.

What is the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and severe mental disorders? A systematic review on shared biological pathways.

Severe mental disorders are multi-dimensional constructs, resulting from the interaction of genetic, biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Among the latter, pollution and climate change are frequently being considered in the etiopathogenesis of severe mental disorders. This systematic review aims to investigate the biological mechanisms behind the relationship between environmental pollutants, climate change, and mental disorders.

Innovations in Nipple-areolar Complex Reconstruction: Evaluation of a New Prosthesis.

Background: The reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is a crucial step for completing breast restoration with patient satisfaction. Surgical reconstruction or tattooing of the NAC may not be preferable or feasible for some patients. There is no universal method for NAC that is ideal for every patient or clinical situation.

Impact of Triple Inhaler Therapy on COPD Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Radical Surgery: A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the most relevant comorbidity associated with lung cancer. The advent of innovative triple treatment approaches for COPD has significantly improved patients' quality of life and outcomes. Few data are available regarding the impact of triple inhaler therapy on patients featuring COPD and lung cancer.

Endobronchial Suture of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Through Rigid Bronchoscopy Without Tracheostomy: A Preliminary, Observational Retrospective Study.

A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) represents a condition characterized by abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the airways. Although the current gold-standard treatment is surgery, pre-existing clinical conditions may represent contraindications. We therefore propose a bronchoscopic approach through rigid bronchoscopy without tracheostomy for total repair in patients suffering from benign tracheoesophageal fistulas.

Progress and Challenges in Integrating Nutritional Care into Oncology Practice: Results from a National Survey on Behalf of the NutriOnc Research Group.

Introduction: Nutritional care is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by addressing malnutrition and enhancing recovery. Despite growing awareness, the integration of evidence-based nutritional strategies into oncology remains inconsistent. Following a 2020 survey that highlighted critical gaps, the NutriOnc Research Group launched targeted initiatives to raise awareness and improve practices.

Efficacy and Satisfaction of a Chemically Characterized L. Extract-Based Food Supplement for Functional Constipation in Healthy Consumers: Preliminary Results of a Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Background/objectives: L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities.

Reversible Perfusion Changes during Acute Attacks in Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome: A Pediatric Case Series.

Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-DS) is an uncommon condition represented by an infantile-onset disorder, frequently arising from heterozygous mutations in the gene. Individuals with GLUT1-DS may present with early-onset seizures (typically manifesting before 4 years of age), developmental delay, and complex movement disorders. In fewer cases, stroke-like events or hemiplegic migraine-like symptoms are also reported, defined by unilateral paresis affecting 1 side of the body and/or one-half of the face, occasionally accompanied by speech impairment.

Implementing proximity care for people with multiple sclerosis in Italy: the bottom-up approach of the StayHome project.

Objective: In Italy, around 137,000 people live with multiple sclerosis, facing organizational complexities due to the current model's limited focus on proximity care. This project aims to define a proximity model, in accordance with recent developments in the Italian healthcare landscape, engaging over 150 healthcare stakeholders and potentially impacting approximately 14,000 patients.

Methods: An analysis was pursued to map the multiple sclerosis pathway, followed by interviews to capture the actual implementation in Italian Multiple Sclerosis Centers.

Temporary Flow Diversion in Oncological Embolization Procedures Using Degradable Starch Microspheres.

Objectives: This study aims to report on the application of degradable starch microspheres to provide flow diversion by means of temporary embolization of healthy tissues in oncological endovascular procedures when tumor feeding vessels are not selectively accessible.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients undergoing visceral embolization procedures of malignancies. The inclusion criteria were as follows: flow diversion performed by injection of degradable starch microspheres, visceral embolization procedures with unfeasible superselective catheterism of the target, and a malignant pathology.

Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in the General Population Under Stressful Conditions: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

: The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on mental health in the general population. The fear, stress, and uncertainty surrounding that traumatic period could have contributed to the aggravation or possible new onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The COvid Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) is a nationwide project organized by the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", designed as an observational investigation that aimed to gather data from a representative sample of the Italian general population.

Baricitinib for the treatment of severe alopecia areata: results from a 52-week multicenter retrospective real-world study.

Baricitinib, a JAK 1/2 inhibitor, is approved for treating severe alopecia areata (AA). This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in a real-world setting over 52 weeks. This multicenter retrospective study included 96 adult patients diagnosed with severe AA from 11 Italian Dermatology Units.