Association of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors with mortality across the spectrum of myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on mortality following myocardial infarction (MI) remains uncertain. Additionally, the role of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF) in modulating the effectiveness of these drugs post-MI are not fully understood. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association of SGLT2 inhibitors with all-cause mortality in post-MI patients and to explore key moderators influencing this benefit.

A map of the rubisco biochemical landscape.

Rubisco is the primary CO-fixing enzyme of the biosphere, yet it has slow kinetics. The roles of evolution and chemical mechanism in constraining its biochemical function remain debated. Engineering efforts aimed at adjusting the biochemical parameters of rubisco have largely failed, although recent results indicate that the functional potential of rubisco has a wider scope than previously known.

Regulatory non-coding somatic mutations as drivers of neuroblastoma.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that non-coding somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in cis-regulatory elements (CREs) contribute to cancer by disrupting gene expression networks. However, the role of non-coding SNVs in cancer, particularly neuroblastoma, remains largely unclear.

Methods: SNVs effect on CREs activity was evaluated by luciferase assays.

Ergothioneine improves healthspan of aged animals by enhancing cGPDH activity through CSE-dependent persulfidation.

Ergothioneine (ET), a dietary thione/thiol, is receiving growing attention for its possible benefits in healthy aging and metabolic resilience. Our study investigates ET's effects on healthspan in aged animals, revealing lifespan extension and enhanced mobility in Caenorhabditis elegans, accompanied by improved stress resistance and reduced age-associated biomarkers. In aged rats, ET administration enhances exercise endurance, muscle mass, and vascularization, concomitant with higher NAD levels in muscle.

Importance of integrin transmembrane helical interactions for antagonistic versus agonistic ligand behavior: Consequences for medical applications.

Integrins are well-characterized receptors involved in cell adhesion and signaling. With six approved drugs, they are recognized as valuable therapeutic targets. Here, we explore potential activation mechanisms that may clarify the agonist versus antagonist behavior of integrin ligands.

Did selective kinase inhibitors change the management of patients with radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer?

Objective: To analyse at our Institution the criteria for selecting a first-line therapy for patients with an advanced radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer, their clinical responses, safety and survival outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We extracted data from 69 consecutive patients referred from September 2016 to September 2024 at Federico II University Hospital, among whom 44 patients were treated with TKIs as first line treatment and outside any clinical trial, and form the basis of this report.

Results: Thirty-one (71%) patients were treated with the antiangiogenesis inhibitor lenvatinib and 13 (29%) with selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (s-TKIs).

Contact Lenses in Therapeutic Care: A Comprehensive Review of Past Innovations, Present Applications, and Future Directions.

Contact lenses have become integral tools in the realm of ocular therapeutics, extending beyond their primary function of refractive correction to encompass a diverse array of therapeutic applications. This review explores the evolving role of contact lenses in managing various ocular conditions, highlighting their efficacy in enhancing patient outcomes. Initially developed to correct refractive errors, contact lenses now serve as effective vehicles for delivering medications directly to the ocular surface, offering targeted treatment for conditions such as dry eye syndrome and corneal ulcers.

Imaging predictors of adverse prognosis in Fabry disease cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac involvement represents the main cause of death in patients with Fabry disease (FD). Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have an established diagnostic role, but their prognostic value remains unresolved. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to assess the prognostic implications of imaging parameters in FD.

Smaller-incision new-generation implantable miniature telescope in late-stage age-related macular degeneration: 6 month outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the intermediate-term visual and safety outcomes of the small-incision second-generation implantable miniature telescope (SING IMT) in patients with late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at 6 months post-surgery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Medical records of patients implanted with the SING IMT at two sites in Italy were reviewed.

Spleen volume assessment in Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms: a real-life study comparing ultrasonography vs. magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Splenomegaly is a quite common clinical feature of Philadelphia (Ph) negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and its presence may, in some cases, drives treatment decision. Most importantly, palpable splenomegaly is a minor criterion for both pre-fibrotic/early primary myelofibrosis and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) diagnosis, even if clinical assessment by physical examination is poorly reliable and accurate. On the other hand, despite the International Working Group-Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment and European LeukemiaNet guidelines defined spleen response criteria by palpation, they also recognized the highly subjective nature of spleen size assessment by physical examination, and recommended objective confirmation of volume reduction via computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Automated Ultra-Fast C NMR Analysis of Polyolefin Materials.

Polyolefins are unique among synthetic polymers because their wide application envelope originates from a finely controlled microstructure of hydrocarbon chains, lacking any distinctive functional groups. This hampers the methods of automated sorting based on vibrational spectroscopies and calls for much more complex C NMR elucidations. High-temperature cryoprobes have dramatically shortened the acquisition time of C NMR spectra, and few minutes are now enough for polyolefin classification purposes; however, conventional data analysis remains labor and time-consuming.

Effects of clear aligners treatment in growing patients: a systematic review.

Introduction: In recent years, the use of Clear aligners (CA) has been diffused among children and adolescents. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature regarding the effects of CA therapy in growing patients, including dentoalveolar and skeletal effects, periodontal changes, and quality of life measurements.

Methods: An electronic search on four databases was performed until September 2023, and studies including patients <18 years, treated with CA were selected.

Use of artificial intelligence to study the hospitalization of women undergoing caesarean section.

Objective: The incidence of caesarean sections (CSs) has increased significantly in recent years, especially in developed countries. This study aimed to identify the factors that most influence the length of hospital stay (LOS) after a CS, using data from 9,900 women who underwent CS at the "Federico II" University Hospital of Naples between 2014 and 2021.

Methods: Various artificial intelligence models were employed to analyze the relationships between the LOS and a set of independent variables, including maternal and foetal characteristics.

Epigenetic regulation of HOXA2 expression affects tumor progression and predicts breast cancer patient survival.

Accumulating evidence suggests that genetic and epigenetic biomarkers hold potential for enhancing the early detection and monitoring of breast cancer (BC). Epigenetic alterations of the Homeobox A2 (HOXA2) gene have recently garnered significant attention in the clinical management of various malignancies. However, the precise role of HOXA2 in breast tumorigenesis has remained elusive.

The clinical assessment of lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, results from the multicentre international AIDA Network Still's Disease Registry.

Objectives: To assess the lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, an inflammatory disease assessing both children and adults. To exploit possible associated factors for parenchymal lung involvement in these patients.

Methods: A multicentre observational study was arranged assessing consecutive patients with Still's disease characterized by the lung involvement among those included in the AIDA (AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance) Network Still's Disease Registry.

Inappropriate prescribing of drugs for peptic ulcer and gastro-esophageal reflux disease remains a matter of concern: Results from the LAPTOP-PPI cluster randomized trial.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly and inappropriately prescribed drugs by general practitioners (GPs), resulting in increased risk of adverse outcomes for patients and in avoidable costs for Italy's National Health Service (NHS). This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost and easily implementable informative intervention directed at GPs to enhance the appropriate prescription of PPIs.

Methods: The LAPTOP-PPI study is a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial designed to improve the appropriateness of PPI prescriptions among community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years.