High Sensitivity of Fine-Needle Aspiration Calcitonin in Detecting Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Is Independent of Predefined Decisional Thresholds.

The measurement of Calcitonin (Ctn) in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) washout fluids (FNA-Ctn) has demonstrated excellent sensitivity, significantly higher than FNA cytology, in detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the absence of a fixed cutoff value for FNA-Ctn poses a limitation. This study aimed to investigate whether the sensitivity of FNA-Ctn in detecting MTC varies with different cutoffs reported in the literature.

The Efficacy of Defensive Antibacterial Coating (DAC™) Periprosthetic Joint Infection Prevention in the Hip: A Systematic Review.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are a significant issue in joint replacement surgery patients, affecting results and mortality. Recent research focuses on developing hydrogels (HG) and antimicrobial coatings to reduce pressure injuries, with DAC™ HG showing lower infection risk in hip revision surgery. However, the effectiveness of DAC™ hydrogel in PIJs is still unknown.

Enhancing Corneal Sensitivity in Diabetic Patients Through an Innovative Ophthalmic Solution: In Vivo and Vitro Results.

: Diabetes is a well-recognised factor inducing a plethora of corneal alterations ranging from dry eye to reduced corneal sensibility, epithelial defects, and reduced cicatrisation. This cohort study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel ophthalmic solution combining cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CHA), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and inositol (INS) in managing diabetes-induced corneal alterations. Specifically, it evaluated the solution's impact on the tear breakup time (TBUT), the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and corneal sensitivity after three months of treatment.

Determinants of Sexual Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

: Sexual dysfunction (SD) in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients is a common and distressing concern, although it remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. Indeed, the prevalence of SD in PD ranges from 42.6% to 79% in men and from 36% to 87.

Identification of the EBF1/ETS2/KLF2-miR-126-Gene Feed-Forward Loop in Breast Carcinogenesis and Stemness.

MicroRNA (miR)-126 is frequently downregulated in malignancies, including breast cancer (BC). Despite its tumor-suppressive role, the mechanisms underlying miR-126 deregulation in BC remain elusive. Through silencing experiments, we identified Early B Cell Factor 1 (EBF1), ETS Proto-Oncogene 2 (ETS2), and Krüppel-Like Factor 2 (KLF2) as pivotal regulators of miR-126 expression.

Characterization of Mesenchymal and Neural Stem Cells Response to Bipolar Microsecond Electric Pulses Stimulation.

In the tissue regeneration field, stem cell transplantation represents a promising therapeutic strategy. To favor their implantation, proliferation and differentiation need to be controlled. Several studies have demonstrated that stem cell fate can be controlled by applying continuous electric field stimulation.

Exceeding the Limits with Nutraceuticals: Looking Towards Parkinson's Disease and Frailty.

One of the most pressing challenges facing society today is the rising prevalence of physical and cognitive frailty. This geriatric condition makes older adults more vulnerable to disability, illness, and a heightened risk of mortality. In this scenario, Parkinson's disease (PD) and geriatric frailty, which share several common characteristics, are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for innovative strategies.

Dimer Is Not Double: The Unexpected Behavior of Two-Floor Peptide Nanosponge.

Using the framework of an investigation of the stimuli-responsive behavior of peptide assembly on a solid surface, this study on the behavior of a chemisorbed peptide on a gold surface was performed. The studied peptide is a dimeric form of the antimicrobial peptide Trichogin GAIV, which was also modified by substituting the glycine with lysine residues, while the N-terminus octanoyl group was replaced by a lipoic one that was able to bind to the gold surface. In this way, a chemically linked peptide assembly that is pH-responsive was obtained because of the protonation/deprotonation of the sidechains of the Lys residues.

Multiomics dissection of human RAG deficiency reveals distinctive patterns of immune dysregulation but a common inflammatory signature.

Human recombination-activating gene (RAG) deficiency can manifest with distinct clinical and immunological phenotypes. By applying a multiomics approach to a large group of -mutated patients, we aimed at characterizing the immunopathology associated with each phenotype. Although defective T and B cell development is common to all phenotypes, patients with hypomorphic variants can generate T and B cells with signatures of immune dysregulation and produce autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens, including type I interferons.

CAR-T Therapy Beyond B-Cell Hematological Malignancies.

Despite the advances of CAR-T cells in certain hematological malignancies, mostly from B-cell derivations such as non-Hodgkin lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, a significant portion of other hematological and non-hematological pathologies can benefit from this innovative treatment, as the results of clinical studies are demonstrating. The clinical application of CAR-T in the setting of acute T-lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, solid tumors, autoimmune diseases and infections has encountered limitations that are different from those of hematological B-cell diseases. To overcome these restrictions, strategies based on different molecular engineering platforms have been devised and will be illustrated below.

The baked side: Cow's milk and egg protein threshold dose distributions in children reacting to baked milk and baked egg.

Background: Children allergic to milk and egg, but tolerant to baked products, display higher reactivity thresholds than the general population of children allergic to milk and egg. We sought to verify the reactivity thresholds of milk- and egg-allergic children who also react to baked milk and baked egg, respectively.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed consecutive oral food challenge (OFC) for baked milk and egg between January 2018 and March 2022 in a population of baked milk- and baked-egg allergic children.

Uncovering the Fungal Community Composition of Alive and Dead Posidonia oceanica Matte.

Posidonia oceanica retains a large amount of carbon within its belowground recalcitrant structure, the 'matte,' which is characterized by low oxygen availability and biodegradation. Fungi may play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration within the matte, even if little/no information is available. To fill this gap, we profiled fungal communities from the upper and lower layers of alive and dead matte, by using an ITS2-5.

Pre-biologic FeNO might predict anti-IL-5/IL-5Rα response to treatment in severe asthmatics.

Objective: It remains unclear whether baseline FENO levels can predict response to anti-IL5/5R biologic treatment in patients with severe asthma.

Methods: We recruited 104 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with anti-IL5/anti-IL5R for at least one year who had measured FeNO values before the beginning of anti-eosinophilic treatment. Population was divided into subjects with FeNO < 25 and ≥25 ppb.

Perceptions of Obesity Among Healthcare Professionals and Policy Makers in 2023: Results of the Global OPEN Survey.

Objective: Obesity is a disease with severe health impacts on individuals and economic impacts on society, yet healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and policy makers often fail to address it. This survey was conducted to examine current global obesity care and perceptions influencing care delivery among HCPs and healthcare decision makers (HC DMs).

Methods: A survey with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 1200 HCPs (primary care providers, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and nurses) and 414 HC DMs from eight countries across five continents.

Outcomes and prognostic indicators in daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma: a multicenter real-world study of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone in 247 patients.

Background: Daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma (Dara-R MM) presents a significant treatment challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and survival outcomes of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (EloPd) in a large, real-world cohort of patients with Dara-R MM, with particular focus on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included 247 Dara-R MM patients treated with EloPd.

Rigidity in Parkinson's Disease: The Objective Effect of Levodopa.

Background: Quantitative evidence of levodopa-induced beneficial effects on parkinsonian rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) is lacking. Recent research has demonstrated the velocity-dependent nature of objective rigidity in PD and revealed its neural underpinning.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effect of levodopa on objective rigidity in PD.

Molecular detection of the zoonotic trematode Centrocestus formosanus (Nishigori, 1924) (Opisthorchiida, Heterophyidae) in Central Europe.

In our study, fancy southern platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) were examined due to breathing disorders and mortality. Fish came from Vietnam farm and were redistributed by international wholesaler. In fish, loss of appetite and gasping near the water surface was observed.

Extended clinical phenotypes and treatment modalities in 32 JAGN1-deficient patients. A multicenter study by EBMT IEWP.

JAGN1 (Jagunal-homolog1) is a ER-resident transmembrane protein which is part of the early secretory pathway and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor mediated signaling. Autosomal recessively inherited variants in the JAGN1 gene lead to congenital neutropenia, early-onset bacterial infections, aphthosis and skin abscesses due to aberrant differentiation and maturation of neutrophils. In addition, bone metabolism disorders and a syndromic phenotype, including facial features, short stature and neurodevelopmental delay, have been reported in affected patients.

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.

Safety of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Administration in Children With Immunodeficiency and/or Comorbidities With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Clinical Report.

Introduction: Despite the generally mild course of COVID-19 in children, immunocompromised patients may experience complications or severe infection. This study reports the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (N/R) for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reported the data of children with any immunodeficiency with COVID-19 who received N/R treatment between March 2022 and June 2023 at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.

A fatal case of peritonitis due to colonic localization of acute myeloid leukemia.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is an extramedullary localization of immature granulocyte cells that can occur in association with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Gastrointestinal involvement is relatively common in MS, but exclusive colonic localization is a rare occurrence. Here, we report on a 53-year-old male patient affected by AML developing a severe abdominal pain caused by intestinal perforation requiring surgical intervention.

Monocytes across life span in hiv infection: lights and shadows.

Purpose Of Review: This review highlights the role of monocytes in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, focusing on their involvement in the inflammatory response and their function as viral targets and long-term reservoirs.

Recent Findings: Monocytes have been categorized into three subsets: classical, intermediate, and nonclassical, each with distinct functional characteristics. Advances in genetic sequencing technologies have enabled a more in-depth exploration of the phenotypic and functional variations among these subsets, particularly in the context of HIV.

Parental burnout, personality, and parenting alliance in first-time mothers and fathers during the perinatal period.

Background: Parental burnout - a condition characterised by intense exhaustion related to parenting, emotional distancing from one's children, a loss of parental fulfilment, and a lack of recognition of oneself as the parent used and wanted to be - is particularly critical during the perinatal period. While previous research has focused mainly on mothers, suggesting that dispositional and couple factors influence parental burnout more than sociodemographic factors, little is known about fathers' experiences and the influence of personality and couple functioning on parental burnout.

Method: This cross-sectional study examined the impact of personality functioning (Level of Personality Functioning Scale - Brief Form 2.

Effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in routine clinical care in Italy: 12-Month results from the BICSTaR cohort.

Background: BICSTaR is a multi-national, observational cohort evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment-naïve (TN) and -experienced (TE) people with HIV-1 receiving bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in routine clinical care. We present the 12-month (M12) outcomes of the Italian BICSTaR cohort.

Methods: Participants initiating B/F/TAF in routine care were prospectively followed.