The interplay between lung galectins and pro-fibrotic markers in post-COVID-19 fibrogenesis: A pilot study.

Aims: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to serious lung conditions, notably interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Main Methods: Our study tracked the progression of fibrosis markers in serial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) measurements collected from 16 COVID-19 patients at 1, 3, and 6 months post-infection. Additionally, BAL samples from 10 healthy control subjects were included.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs): Current evidence and open questions.

With the increasing use of cardiac electronic implantable devices in recent years, the identification of asymptomatic atrial arrhythmias, including atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and device-detected subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF), has become common in clinical practice. AHREs have potentially important clinical implications because they are considered precursors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although to a lesser extent than clinical AF, both AHREs and device-detected SCAF are associated with thromboembolic events, however routine use of anticoagulants in these conditions is not recommended.

The inactivation of the Niemann Pick C1 cholesterol transporter restricts SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells by decreasing ACE2 abundance at the plasma membrane.

Background: The Niemann Pick C1 (NPC1) protein is an intracellular cholesterol transporter located in the late endosome/lysosome (LE/Ly) that is involved in the mobilization of endocytosed cholesterol. Loss-of-function mutations in the NPC1 gene lead to the accumulation of cholesterol and sphingolipids in LE/Ly, resulting in severe fatal NPC1 disease. Cellular alterations associated with NPC1 inactivation affect both the integrity of lipid rafts and the endocytic pathway.

Hymenoptera venom allergy in children.

From a taxonomic point of view, Hymenoptera are subclassified into families: Apidae, including honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus), and Vespidae, which, in turn, are divided into the subfamilies of Vespinae (wasps, including hornets, vespules, dolichovespules) and Polistinae (paper wasp). Hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera venom can be linked to immunological (IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated) and non-immunological mechanisms. Reactions are classified into local reactions, large local reactions, systemic reactions, toxic reactions, and unusual reactions.

Expansion of the Phenotype of You-Hoover-Fong Syndrome and Possible Increased Risk of Cancer.

You-Hoover-Fong syndrome (YHFS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by global developmental delay, microcephaly, dysmorphic facial features, and a spectrum of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. YHFS is caused by pathogenic variants in TELO2, a gene involved in regulation of the cell cycle. To date, 29 individuals with YHFS have been reported and none of them has been reported to develop tumors.

Methods to Detect and Compare Cellular and Mitochondrial Changes in Senescent and Healthy Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Cellular senescence is a multifaceted process marked by irreversible cell cycle arrest in response to stressors such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and telomere shortening, leading to significant cellular and mitochondrial alterations. These changes impact mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function, affecting their differentiation, self-renewal, and regenerative abilities. Senescent MSCs adopt the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), characterized by the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors that propagate senescence to neighboring cells.

Variations of blood D-serine and D-aspartate homeostasis track psychosis stages.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychotic disorder characterized by a disruption in glutamatergic NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated neurotransmission. Compelling evidence has revealed that NMDAR activation is not limited to L-glutamate, L-aspartate, and glycine since other free amino acids (AAs) in the atypical D-configuration, such as D-aspartate and D-serine, also modulate this class of glutamatergic receptors. Although dysregulation of AAs modulating NMDARs has been previously reported in SCZ, it remains unclear whether distinct variations of these biomolecules occur during illness progression from at-risk premorbid to clinically manifest stage.

Clinical trial eligibility in PSP: Population representativeness and potential criteria adjustment based on PSP-NET findings.

Background: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare, heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease for which no treatment is currently available. In the context of clinical trials, the representativeness of the included patients is crucial for the generalizability of the results. Herein, we present results from a multicenter perspective study to identify the most restrictive criteria for patient selection and to assess the representativeness of eligible patients.

The CXCR4 antagonist R54 targets epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human ovarian cancer cells.

The axis CXCL12-CXCR4 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer where contributes to disease progression. Aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of the newly developed CXCR4 antagonist R54 on human ovarian cancer cells aggressiveness. CXCL12-CXCR4 axis was evaluated in human ovarian cancer cells through proliferation, migration and signaling CXCL12-dependents.

Clinical Practice Recommendations on Kidney Management in Methylmalonic Acidemia: an Expert Consensus Statement From ERKNet and MetabERN.

Methylmalonic acidemias (MMAs) are rare inherited metabolic diseases with multiorgan involvement. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common complication, leading to kidney failure, dialysis, and kidney transplantation (KT). The objective of these guidelines was to develop clinical practice recommendations focusing on specific aspects of the kidney management of this disease.

Plasma transfusion in the intensive care unit.

Background: Current guidelines discourage prophylactic plasma use in non-bleeding patients. This study assesses global plasma transfusion practices in the intensive care unit (ICU) and their alignment with current guidelines.

Study Design And Methods: This was a sub-study of an international, prospective, observational cohort.

Mothers balancing work and family: the associations with emotional well-being, sleep-wake problems and the role of basic needs.

Background: The transition to motherhood involves significant changes, extending from pregnancy to the early years of a child's life. This period, characterized by multiple stressors and adjustments, can profoundly impact maternal well-being. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between work-family balance, need satisfaction, depression, anger, vitality and sleep-wake problems, using Self-determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework.

Combining and extracts: a novel pharmacological approach in inflammatory vestibulodynia.

Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition that affects the vulvar area, often resulting in significant discomfort and a reduced quality of life. Current treatments for vulvodynia are limited, and there is a need for more effective therapeutic options. Acmella oleracea, known for its spilanthol content, and Boswellia serrata, rich in boswellic acids, have been explored for their potential analgesic properties in pain management.

Advantage of remote workstation and job performance: the impact of worktime autonomy and remote work intensity.

Grounded on the Affective Event Theory and the Quality of Telework Model, this cross-sectional study examined the impact of perceived advantage of remote workstation on remote work performance and if this relationship is mediated through remote work intensity and moderated by worktime autonomy. The perceived advantage of remote workstation was operationalised as the arithmetical difference between perceived home office and in-site office workstation quality. A sample of 349 Italian researchers involved in hybrid work arrangements completed an online questionnaire.

Glue and Ethanol Mixture for Aneurysm Endovascular Treatment: Animal Lab Study, Imaging, and Histopathological Findings.

This study aims to investigate the degree of penetration, permanence of occlusion, and vascular changes induced by a newly modified mixture of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (Glubran 2), ethanol, and Lipidol (GEL) in the endovascular treatment of experimental aneurysms induced in swine. Bilateral pouch aneurysms were created in the wall of the internal carotid artery in eighteen pigs. The sixteen aneurysms were treated with a new mixture of GEL with different component proportions.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn's Disease: Results from a Large Real-Life Cohort Study.

Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Only limited real-life data on the long-term outcomes of CD patients treated with UST are available. This study assessed UST's long-term effectiveness and safety in a large population-based cohort of moderate to severe CD patients.

Kidney Damage in Pediatric Obesity: Insights from an Emerging Perspective.

The role of obesity as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adulthood has been well established. Over the last years, kidney damage (KD) has emerged as a significant consequence of obesity since childhood. Indeed, a complex interplay of metabolic factors, including insulin resistance (IR), hypertension, oxidative stress, adipose tissue dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, might affect renal hemodynamics, contributing to CKD development over time in at-risk young patients.

The Medico-Legal and Social Aspects of the Eligibility Examination for Enrolment in the Seafarers Registry: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Background: Working on board presents unique healthcare challenges for maritime personnel. Italian Law mandates a medical fitness assessment for seafarers registry enrolment. The Port Health Officer assesses seaworthiness and, against this judgment, the applicants can appeal to the First-degree Medical Commission.

Now or Later? The Role of Neoadjuvant Treatment in Advanced Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is, nowadays, the most frequent gynecological malignancy worldwide. The main treatment approach for EC is surgery, especially for early-stage tumors. For advanced EC, chemotherapy (CT) with carboplatin and paclitaxel is the standard treatment, especially for women with metastatic or recurrent disease.

Optimization of the Mechanical Recycling of Phenolic Resins for Household Appliances.

In light of the significant impact of climate change, it is imperative to identify effective solutions to reduce the environmental burdens of industrial production and to promote recycling strategies also for thermosetting polymers. In this work, the mechanical recycling of phenolic resins, obtained from industrial production scrap of plastic knobs for household appliances, was optimized. The feasibility of a partial substitution of virgin materials with recycled ones was investigated both at a laboratory and industrial scale.

Risky Behaviors for Non-Communicable Diseases: Italian Adolescents' Food Habits and Physical Activity.

Background: Driving adolescents to more correct food habits and physical activity is crucial to promoting health and avoiding the increase in morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Literature has focused on these behaviors in the adult population, while studies on adolescents are more limited. This study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding nutrition and physical activity to acquire insight into adolescents and identify the associated predictors.

Retrospective-Prospective Observational Study of Italian Patients Treated in Melanoma Adjuvant Cohort MAP-MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP): Interim Analysis.

: Dabrafenib and trametinib (D + T) have been approved for the treatment of stage III melanoma with BRAF V600E V600K mutations in an adjuvant setting, based on the results from the COMBI-AD trial. To provide early access to this combination therapy prior to its commercial availability in Italy, a Managed Access Program (MAP) was run in Italy from June 2018 to December 2019. : The MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP) study is an Italian retrospective-prospective observational study that included patients who received at least one dose of D + T through the MAP.

Molecular and Clinical Features of Adrenocortical Tumors in Beckwith-Wiedemann Spectrum.

Background/objectives: Adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), including adrenocortical adenoma (ACA) and carcinoma (ACC), represent 0.3-0.4% of pediatric tumors.

Combined Therapeutic Strategies Based on the Inhibition of Non-Oncogene Addiction to Improve Tumor Response in EGFR- and KRAS-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Oncogene-driven NSCLC is usually treated with targeted therapies using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to inhibit oncogene downstream signaling pathways, affecting tumor survival and proliferation. EGFR- and KRAS-mutant NSCLCs are the most represented subtypes, and they are treated in clinical practice with oncogene-targeting drugs in the first and second line, respectively. Unfortunately, the development of oncogene-independent resistant clones limits TKI efficacy.