Establishing an Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a complex, life-saving procedure that uses mechanical support for patients with refractory cardiac arrest, representing the pinnacle of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) applications. Effective ECPR requires precise patient selection, rapid mobilization of a multidisciplinary team, and skilled cannulation techniques. Establishing a program necessitates a cohesive ECMO system that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, which is essential for managing acute cardiogenic shock and severe pulmonary failure.

Ablative Five-Fraction Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: A Single Institution Experience.

Pancreatic cancer, with its poor prognosis, is frequently diagnosed in elderly patients who may be ineligible for surgery or chemoradiation due to age or comorbidities. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) offers a targeted approach by delivering precise, high-dose radiation to a limited volume in few fractions. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT in elderly pancreatic cancer patients.

Retrospective Clinical Outcomes of Keratoplasty Using Human Donor Corneas Preserved in Eusol-C Hypothermic Storage Medium.

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of cornea transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty, Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) using donor corneas stored in Eusol-C hypothermic storage medium compared to corneas stored in organ-culture. : The clinical outcomes of 92 patients who underwent corneal transplantation with human donor corneas stored in Eusol-C medium at 2-8 °C were retrospectively evaluated. The control group consisted of 169 patients who received corneas organ-cultured at 31 °C.

Bleeding Symptoms in Pediatric Patients with Congenital FVII Deficiency and Correlation to Thrombin Generation Assay Parameters: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

Inherited factor VII deficiency is the most common rare bleeding disorder, affecting about 1/500,000 individuals without gender predilection. Most of the patients with FVII 20-50% are asymptomatic, but post-traumatic or post-surgical bleeding may often occur since there is not an exact correlation between FVII plasma levels and the bleeding phenotype. We enrolled 19 children and adolescents with FVII levels of 20-35% and 33 controls.

Food Allergy-Related Bullying in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review.

Background: Food allergy (FA)-related bullying is a significant public health concern affecting pediatric patients. This systematic review investigates the prevalence, characteristics, and psychosocial impact of FA-related bullying, as well as current intervention strategies within educational and healthcare settings.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases, covering publications up to February 2024.

Vascular Function in Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases 2.0.

Chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases (CDNCDs) represent the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide [...

It Looks Like a Zebra but Is Not: [F]FDG PET/CT in a Giant Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Mimicking Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, associated with high mortality and rising incidence rates in Europe despite prevention efforts. Nodular MM, the most aggressive subtype, often mimics other skin tumors, complicating diagnosis. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a large, ulcerated tumor beneath the left scapula, along with multiple nodular lesions on the left arm and chest.

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.

Federated Learning: Breaking Down Barriers in Global Genomic Research.

Recent advancements in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized genomic research, presenting unprecedented opportunities for personalized medicine and population genetics. However, issues such as data silos, privacy concerns, and regulatory challenges hinder large-scale data integration and collaboration. Federated Learning (FL) has emerged as a transformative solution, enabling decentralized data analysis while preserving privacy and complying with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Two Novel Biallelic Variants in the Gene: The First Italian Case and a Literature Review.

: The gene encodes for the catalytic α subunit of Cytoplasmic phenylalanine-tRNA synthetase (FARS1), an essential enzyme for protein biosynthesis in transferring its amino acid component to tRNAs. Biallelic pathogenic variants have been associated with a multisystemic condition, characterized by variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. Here, we report the case of an 11 year-old girl presenting interstitial lung disease, supratentorial leukoencephalopathy with brain cysts, hepatic dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, skin and joint hyperlaxity, growth retardation, and dysmorphic features.

Impact of Cognitive VR vs. Traditional Training on Emotional Self-Efficacy and Cognitive Function in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Study Focusing on Gender Differences.

Background And Aim: While conventional MS rehabilitation primarily addresses physical and cognitive symptoms, recent advances in VR technology offer immersive environments that facilitate both emotional and cognitive skill development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of VR-based training on emotional self-efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and examine its association with cognitive function improvement. Additionally, this study aims to explore potential gender differences in these outcomes, hypothesizing that gender may influence the effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation, which could inform more tailored approaches for emotional and cognitive rehabilitation in MS.

Treatment Strategies for Painful Pelvic Floor Conditions: A Focus on the Potential Benefits of Cannabidiol.

Painful conditions of the pelvic floor include a set of disorders of the pelvic region, discreetly prevalent in the female population, in which pain emerges as the predominant symptom. Such disorders have a significant impact on quality of life as they impair couple relationships and promote states of anxiety and irascibility in affected individuals. Although numerous treatment approaches have been proposed for the management of such disorders, there is a need to identify strategies to promote muscle relaxation, counter pelvic pain, and reduce inflammation.

Role of Nicotinamide in the Pathogenesis of Actinic Keratosis: Implications for NAD/SIRT1 Pathway.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precursor to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, making early diagnosis and treatment essential to prevent progression. Among available therapeutic options, nicotinamide (NAM) has shown potential in reducing AK progression. NAM is a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which activates sirtuin (SIRT)1, a protein with anti-cancer properties.

Impact of Vitamin D Levels on Progression-Free Survival and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women despite advances in early detection. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is now standard for early-stage BC, with vitamin D (VD) emerging as a potential prognostic biomarker considering its positive pleiotropic effects. This review and meta-analysis assess the impact of baseline VD levels on outcomes in BC patients undergoing NACT.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia-like AML: Genetic Perspective and Clinical Implications.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare type of AML, characterized by the t(15;17) translocation and accounting for 8-15% of cases. The introduction of target therapies, such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), radically changed the management of APL, making it the most curable AML subtype. However, a small percentage (estimated to be 2%) of AML presenting with APL-like morphology and/or immunophenotype lacks t(15;17).

The Relationship Between Nursing Work Environment and Breastfeeding Prevalence During Child Hospitalization: A Multicenter Study.

: Breastfeeding during pediatric hospitalization is often challenging, especially in a setting where nursing work environments can affect breastfeeding support. This study examines the relationship between nursing work environments and the prevalence of breastfeeding during child hospitalization, focusing on aspects such as nursing workload, stress levels, and quality of work life (QoWL). : A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in Italian pediatric hospitals from October 2023 to January 2024.

Unveiling MHC- Polymorphism Within the Western Balkan Salmonid Hotspot: Preliminary Outcomes from Native Trouts of Ohrid Lake and the Drin-Skadar Drainage (Albania).

Due to their involvement in pathogen-mediated immune responses, the hypervariable genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) have become a paradigm for investigating the evolution and maintenance of genetic (adaptive) diversity, contextually providing insight into the viability of wild populations, which is meaningful for conservation. Here, we provide the first preliminary characterization of MHC polymorphism and evolution in trouts from Albania, a known hotspot of Salmonid diversity harboring ecologically and phylogenetically distinct native (threatened) taxa. Overall, 36 trout-including Lake Ohrid-endemic and , and both riverine and lacustrine native brown trout (the complex) from the Drin-Skadar drainage-were genotyped at the MHC- locus through next-generation amplicon sequencing.

Two FAM134B isoforms differentially regulate ER dynamics during myogenesis.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plasticity and ER-phagy are intertwined processes essential for maintaining ER dynamics. We investigated the interplay between two isoforms of the ER-phagy receptor FAM134B in regulating ER remodeling in differentiating myoblasts. During myogenesis, the canonical FAM134B1 is degraded, while its isoform FAM134B2 is transcriptionally upregulated.

Exploring fatigue in Marfan and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: an analytical cross-sectional study in two Italian healthcare centres.

Objective: This study investigates the prevalence and underlying factors of fatigue in individuals with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS), highlighting the necessity for focused research on this symptom within these patient populations.

Design: Cross-sectional, multicentre study.

Setting: Data were collected from participants diagnosed with MFS or hEDS across multiple healthcare centres.

Secure attachment to caregiver prevents adult depressive symptoms in a sex-dependent manner: A translational study.

Although clinically relevant, evidence for a protective effect of early secure attachment against the development of depressive symptoms in adulthood is still inconsistent. This study used a translational approach to overcome this limitation. The analysis of a non-clinical adult population revealed a moderating effect of secure attachment on depressive symptoms in women only.

The role of umbilical vein blood flow assessment in the prediction of fetal growth velocity and adverse outcome: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Identifying fetal growth restriction and distinguishing it from a constitutionally small fetus can be challenging. The umbilical vein blood flow is a surrogate parameter of the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the fetus, providing valuable insights about the function of the placenta. Nevertheless, currently, this parameter is not used in the diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction.