Does Arthrocentesis Reduce Pain in Patients With Systemic Polyarthritis and Temporomandibular Joint Intra-Articular Pain and Dysfunction?

Background: Arthrocentesis is effective at reducing pain and improving function in patients with temporomandibular joint intra-articular pain and dysfunction (IPD). It remains unclear if it is equally effective in patients with systemic polyarthritis (SPA) and IPD.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare changes in pain and function following arthrocentesis for IPD in subjects with and without SPA.

A Case of Hirata Syndrome in Pregnancy Induced by α-Lipoic Acid: Diagnosis and Management.

Background/objective: Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS), also known as "Hirata disease", is an uncommon cause of hypoglycemia, linked to the presence of insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) in subjects who are not taking insulin and with no evidence of histopathological abnormalities of the pancreatic islets.

Case Report: We report a case of a 25-year-old pregnant woman who displayed recurrent symptomatic hypoglycemia that began after treatment with α-lipoic acid. One episode of severe hypoglycemia was documented, which resulted in syncope.

Different Glucose Variability in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With and Without Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age, and it is often associated with insulin resistance (IR). There is a lack of evidence about glucose profiles evaluated throughout continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in women with PCOS, especially according to the presence of IR.

Methods: Women with PCOS ≥18 years old underwent CGM (Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott) for 14 days.

Effects of low-dose rivaroxaban combined with low-dose aspirin versus low-dose aspirin alone on in vivo platelet activation, endothelial function and inflammation in type 2 diabetes patients with stable atherosclerotic disease: the RivAsa randomized, crossover study.

Aims: A very-low-dose regimen of the anti-factor Xa rivaroxaban combined with low-dose aspirin reduces vascular events more than aspirin alone in atherosclerotic patients, including those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Given the high platelet activation in T2DM patients, we investigated whether this combination reduces platelet activation versus aspirin alone and the possible mechanisms.

Methods: Seventy-5 patients (12 females, aged 69 [65-72]), with stable atherothrombotic disease, on low-dose aspirin, participated in a randomized, cross-over, open-label, study with two arms: 4-week aspirin (100 mg once-daily) followed by 4-week aspirin plus rivaroxaban (2.

Dequantenhancement by spatial color algorithms.

Spatial color algorithms (SCAs) are algorithms grounded in the retinex theory of color sensation that, mimicking the human visual system, perform image enhancement based on the spatial arrangement of the scene. Despite their established role in image enhancement, their potential as dequantizers has never been investigated. Here, we aim to assess the effectiveness of SCAs in addressing the dual objectives of color dequantization and image enhancement at the same time.

The Influence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Mandibular Position on Visual Capacities: A Case-Control Study.

Aims: To verify the possible association between the stomatognathic and the visual system by analyzing the effects that different mandibular postures may have on the accommodative capacity and ocular convergence and by assessing whether temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can influence visual abilities.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was performed during a 1-year period on a sample of 100 subjects (50 cases and 50 controls). The subjects underwent a gnathological examination, and two visual tests were performed in three different jaw positions: maximum intercuspation, resting position, and open mouth.

Health outcome priorities of people with multiple long-term conditions using the outcome prioritisation tool in the UK: A survey study and feasibility assessment.

Background: The outcome prioritisation tool (OPT) is a simple tool to ascertain the health outcome priorities of people with MLTC. Use of this tool in people aged under 65 years with MLTC has not previously been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the OPT in people with MLTC aged 45 years or above, in a multi-ethnic primary-care setting and describe the health outcome priorities of people with MLTC by age, clusters of long-term conditions and demographic factors, and to investigate any differences in prioritisation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sensing Biomechanical Alterations in Red Blood Cells of Type 1 Diabetes Patients: Potential Markers for Microvascular Complications.

In physiological conditions, red blood cells (RBCs) demonstrate remarkable deformability, allowing them to undergo considerable deformation when passing through the microcirculation. However, this deformability is compromised in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and related pathological conditions. This study aims to investigate the biomechanical properties of RBCs in T1DM patients, focusing on identifying significant mechanical alterations associated with microvascular complications (MCs).

Stability of the thromboxane B biomarker of low-dose aspirin pharmacodynamics in human whole blood and in long-term stored serum samples.

Background: Serum thromboxane B (sTXB) is a validated biomarker of low-dose aspirin pharmacodynamics. In the original method, nonanticoagulated blood samples must be incubated at 37 °C immediately after withdrawal, centrifuged and serum supernatant should be frozen until assayed. Timely completion of all preanalytical steps may affect the feasibility and quality of sTXB measurements.

Evaluating Red Blood Cells' Membrane Fluidity in Diabetes: Insights, Mechanisms, and Future Aspects.

Aims: This review evaluates the mechanisms underlying red blood cell (RBC) membrane fluidity changes in diabetes mellitus (DM) and explores strategies to assess and address these alterations. Emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive index for membrane fluidity to improve monitoring and management in diabetic patients.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed current literature on RBC membrane fluidity, focussing on lipid composition, glycation, oxidative stress, and lipid transport alterations in diabetic patients.

Unmet needs in the treatment of type 1 diabetes: why is it so difficult to achieve an improvement in metabolic control?

The development of advanced diabetes technology has permitted persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus to improve metabolic control significantly, particularly with the development of advanced hybrid closed-loop systems which have improved the quality of life by reducing hypoglycemia, decreasing macroangiopathy and microangiopathy-related complications, ameliorating HbA1c and improving glycemic variability. Despite the progression made over the past few decades, there is still significant margin for improvement to be made in terms of attaining appropriate metabolic control. Various factors are responsible for poor glycemic control including inappropriate carbohydrate counting, repeated bouts of hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia unawareness, cutaneous manifestations due to localized insulin use and prolonged use of diabetes technology, psychosocial comorbidities such as eating disorders or 'diabulimia', the coexistence of insulin resistance among people with type 1 diabetes and the inability to mirror physiological endogenous pancreatic insulin secretion appropriately.

Evaluation of time in tight range and the glycaemia risk index in adults with type 1 diabetes using an advanced hybrid closed loop system: A 1-year real-world assessment.

Aim: To assess the long-term glycaemic outcomes, with additional metrics, in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ technology advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) system.

Methods: This was a single-centre, retrospective study involving 56 T1D patients who transitioned to the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ system. The primary and secondary endpoints consisted of variations in time in tight range (TiTR; 70-140 mg/dL) and the glycaemia risk index (GRI), respectively.

Reconsidering the role of depression and common psychiatric disorders as partners in the type 2 diabetes epidemic.

Common psychiatric disorders (CPDs) and depression contribute significantly to the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We postulated a possible pathophysiological mechanism that through Bridge-Symptoms present in depression and CPDs, promotes the establishment of emotional eating, activation of the reward system, onset of overweight and obesity and, ultimately the increased risk of developing T2D. The plausibility of the proposed pathophysiological mechanism is supported by the mechanism of action of drugs such as naltrexone-bupropion currently approved for the treatment of both obesity/overweight with T2D and as separate active pharmaceutical ingredients in drug addiction, but also from initial evidence that is emerging regarding glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists that appear to be effective in the treatment of drug addiction.

Optical discrimination of pathological red blood cells.

Fast diagnostic methods are crucial to reduce the burden on healthcare systems. Currently, detection of diabetes complications such as neuropathy requires time-consuming approaches to observe the correlated red blood cells (RBCs) morphological changes. To tackle this issue, an optical analysis of RBCs in air was conducted in the 250-2500 nm range.

Translating trial results into interpretable risk estimates: Systematic analysis of cardiorenal outcome trials of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Background And Aims: In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), the between-arm difference in the average probability of an event per unit of time (i.e., yearly incidence risk difference, YIRD) is an easy-to-interpret treatment effect metric.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on time to outcome in type 2 diabetes cardiorenal outcome trials.

Introduction: In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), treatment effects are commonly reported as hazard ratio, a measure often misinterpreted as a relative risk reduction. The acceleration factor (AF) indicates the extent to which a treatment increases/decreases the time before the occurrence of an outcome and gives useful insights in the interpretation of trials' results.

Methods: Using individual time-to-event data reconstructed from Kaplan-Meier plots, we estimated AFs for the primary outcomes (POs) and all-cause mortality in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-is) cardiorenal outcome trials in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Insulin pump treatment vs. multiple daily insulin injections in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comparison of cardiovascular effects.

Aims: Both hyperglycaemia and large glycaemic variability are associated with worse outcomes in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), possibly causing sympatho-vagal imbalance and endothelial dysfunction. Continuous subcutaneous insulin injection (CSII) improves glycemic control compared to multiple daily insulin injections (MDI). We aimed to assess whether CSII may improve cardiac autonomic and vascular dilation function compared to MDI.

Von Willebrand factor hyperactivity affects the outcome of lower limb revascularization in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic foot vasculopathy: An observational pilot study.

Unlabelled: Aim of this study is to evaluate any differences in VWF antigen, VWF activity and ADAMTS-13 activity before and after successful and non-successful Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) complicated by Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) in diabetic foot vasculopathy.

Methods: In this prospective observational pilot study, we enrolled 35 T2DM subjects who underwent lower limb PTA. Transcutaneous oximetry was performed in all patients before and 6 weeks after PTA.

Predisposition to eating disorders in adults with type 1 diabetes: Comparison between multiple daily injections and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

Aim: To evaluate predisposition to eating disorders (ED) or body dissatisfaction in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); to further investigate any differences in ED predisposition between subjects with T1DM on multiple daily injections (MDI) or insulin pumps (CSII) and in respect to control healthy subjects.

Methods: We conducted a monocentric, cross-sectional, observational study. We enrolled subjects with T1DM, aged ≥ 18 years, and healthy subjects (HS) as control group.

Lights and shadows on the use of metformin in pregnancy: from the preconception phase to breastfeeding and beyond.

During pregnancy, the complex hormonal changes lead to a progressive decrease of insulin sensitivity that can drive the onset of gestational diabetes (GDM) or worsen an already-known condition of insulin resistance like type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and obesity, with complications for the mother and the fetus. Metformin during pregnancy is proving to be safe in a growing number of studies, although it freely crosses the placenta, leading to a fetal level similar to maternal concentration. The aim of this literature review is to analyze the main available evidence on the use of metformin during, throughout, and beyond pregnancy, including fertilization, lactation, and medium-term effects on offspring.

The development and evolution of insulin pumps: from early beginnings to future prospects.

Diabetes technology has proliferated extensively over the past few decades with vast ameliorations in glucose monitoring and in insulin delivery systems. From a treatment based on daily insulin injections, we have moved to increasingly advanced technologies. Despite such advancements which have allowed better glycemic control, decreased diabetes-related complications, and improved the quality of life among diabetic patients, it has left many individuals unsatisfied with the current rate of commercial artificial pancreas development, stemming the need for further research into novel technologies.

Edges and gradients in lightness illusions: Role of optical veiling glare.

Lightness Illusions (Contrast, Assimilation, and Natural Scenes with Edges and Gradients) show that appearances do not correlate with the light sent from the scene to the eye. Lightness Illusions begin with a control experiment that includes two identical Gray Regions-Of-Interest(GrayROI) that have equal appearances in uniform surrounds. The Illusion experiment modifies "the-rest-of-the-scene" to make these GrayROIs appear different from each other.