Exploring the Role of Voice Assistants in Managing Noncommunicable Diseases: A Systematic Review on Clinical, Behavioral Outcomes, Quality of Life, and User Experiences.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a leading cause of global mortality, demanding innovative approaches to management. Voice assistants (VAs) have emerged as promising tools in healthcare, offering support for self-management, behavioral engagement, and patient care. This systematic review evaluates the role of VAs in NCD management, analyzing their impact on clinical and behavioral outcomes, quality of life, usability, and user experiences while identifying barriers to their adoption.

GH provocative tests stimulate the growth in children with idiopathic short stature.

Context: Growth hormone (GH) deficiency in a child with short stature is diagnosed by GH secretion provocative tests. When the test response is considered adequate, the short stature is considered idiopathic (ISS).

Objective: To determine the effect of GH provocative tests on the growth rate in children with idiopathic short stature.

Bile duct injury after cholecystectomy: timing of surgical repair should be based on clinical presentation. The experience of a tertiary referral center with Hepp-Couinaud hepatico-jejunostomy.

Impact of timing of repair on outcomes of patients repaired with Hepp-Couinaud hepatico-jejunostomy (HC-HJ) after bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy remains debated. This is an observational retrospective study at a tertiary referral hepato-biliary center. HC-HJ was always performed in patients without sepsis or bile leak and with dilated bile ducts.

The DiaCoVAb Study in South Italy: Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Dialysis Patients.

Introduction: Since the pandemic of COVID-19 started from December 2019, remarkable numbers of infections and deaths associated with COVID-19 have been recorded worldwide. End-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis are particularly at high risk of infections due to impairments in the innate and adaptive immune systems. Vaccination on dialysis patients (DP) still remains challenging because of the variable response and a low seroconversion rate compared with healthy participants (HP).

Pancreatico-Jejunostomy On Isolated Loop After Pancreatico-Duodenectomy: Is It Worthwhile?

Background: Postoperative morbidity remains a significant problem after pancreatico-duodenectomy. The management of pancreatic stump continues to be a challenge, and many technical solutions have been developed over the years. In this study, we report the results obtained with the use of an isolated loop for pancreatico-jejunostomy in patients with soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct diameter.

Outcomes comparison of Pancreato-Gastrostomy and Isolated Jejunal Loop Pancreato-Jejunostomy following Pancreato-Duodenectomy in patients with soft pancreas and at moderate-high risk for POPF: a retrospective multicenter experience-based analysis.

Following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), the modality of pancreato-enteric continuity restoration may impact on postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) risk. The aim of this study is to compare, among patients with soft pancreas and at moderate/high risk for POPF, the outcomes of PD with Pancreato-Gastrostomy (PG), versus Isolated Jejunal Loop Pancreato-Jejunostomy (IJL-PJ). 193 patients with a Callery Fistula Risk Score (C-FRS) ≥ 3 operated at 3 HPB Units, two performing PG and one IJL-PJ as their preferred anastomotic technique following PD (2009-2019) were included in this study (PG = 123, IJL-PJ = 70).

Effectiveness on major cardiovascular risk factors of an educational program to promote a Mediterranean type of diet among the employees of the company FCA Italia S.p.A.

Aims: The educational program implemented at the Pratola Serra (Avellino, Italy) facility of the company FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), had as its goal to raise awareness among people to adopt behaviors inspired by the principles of a Mediterranean diet, physical activity and prevention of the main cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: The educational program was implemented in two different ways in order to compare, according to an intervention-control scheme, the performance of the subgroups and the effect of the types of intervention. On both groups measurements of the vital parameters were carried out and compared by means of statistical probabilistic tests.

Effects of a multifactorial ecosustainable isocaloric diet on liver fat in patients with type 2 diabetes: randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Treatment options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are still a matter of debate. We compared the effects of a diet including different components versus a proven beneficial diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) on liver fat in T2D.

Research Design And Methods: According to a parallel design, 49 individuals with T2D, overweight/obese, with high waist circumference, 35-75 years-old, in satisfactory blood glucose control with diet or drugs not affecting liver fat content, were randomly assigned to an 8-week isocaloric intervention with a MUFA diet (n=26) or a multifactorial diet rich in fiber, MUFA, n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and vitamins D, E, and C (n=23).

Pasta Consumption and Connected Dietary Habits: Associations with Glucose Control, Adiposity Measures, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in People with Type 2 Diabetes-TOSCA.IT Study.

Background: Pasta is a refined carbohydrate with a low glycemic index. Whether pasta shares the metabolic advantages of other low glycemic index foods has not really been investigated. The aim of this study is to document, in people with type-2 diabetes, the consumption of pasta, the connected dietary habits, and the association with glucose control, measures of adiposity, and major cardiovascular risk factors.

An integrated care pathway for cancer patients with diabetes: A proposal from the Italian experience.

Diabetes and cancer frequently coexist in the same subject, often with relevant clinical effects on the management and prognosis of the comorbid patient. The existing guidelines, however, do not appropriately address many clinical issues in this setting. Although collaboration between diabetologists and oncologists should play an important role in achieving appropriate levels of care, close coordination or agreement between these specialists is seldom offered.

Preferential MGMT methylation could predispose a subset of KIT/PDGFRA-WT GISTs, including SDH-deficient ones, to respond to alkylating agents.

Background: Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute a small KIT/PDGFRA-WT GIST subgroup featuring DNA methylation which, although pervasive, appears nevertheless not randomly distributed. Although often indolent, these tumors are mostly chemorefractory in aggressive cases. Promoter methylation-induced O-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) inactivation improves the efficacy of alkylating agents in gliomas, colorectal cancer and diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Gastrointestinal effects of extra-virgin olive oil associated with lower postprandial glycemia in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To explore the possible mechanisms behind the lower glycemic response observed when extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is added to a high-glycemic index meal in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research Design And Methods: According to a randomized cross-over design, eleven T1D patients (6 women, 5 men) on insulin pump consumed in the metabolic ward, one week apart, three high-glycemic index meals differing only for amount and quality of fat: high-monounsaturated fat (EVOO), high-saturated fat (Butter), and low-fat (LF). Before and after the meals, blood glucose (continuous glucose monitoring), gastric emptying rate (ultrasound technique), and plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide GIP (ELISA), glucagon (RIA), and lipids (colorimetric assays) were evaluated.

Mirizzi Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management of a Challenging Biliary Disease.

Background: Mirizzi syndrome is a condition difficult to diagnose and treat, representing a particular "challenge" for the biliary surgeon. The disease can mimic cancer of the gallbladder, causing considerable diagnostic difficulties. Furthermore, it increases the risk of intraoperative biliary injury during cholecystectomy.

Impact of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Its Components on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Glucose Control, and Body Weight in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-Life Study.

This study evaluates the relation of a Mediterranean dietary pattern and its individual components with the cardiovascular risk factors profile, plasma glucose and body mass index (BMI) in people with type 2 diabetes. We studied 2568 participants at 57 diabetes clinics. Diet was assessed with the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) questionnaire, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated with the relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED).

Diabetologists and Oncologists attitudes towards treating diabetes in the oncologic patient: Insights from an exploratory survey.

Aims: Diabetes and cancer frequently coexist in the same subject, often having relevant effects on the management and prognosis of the oncologic patient. However, existing guidelines do not deal with many clinical issues in this setting appropriately. In evaluating the opinions of Diabetologists and Oncologists dealing with diabetes care in people with cancer, the Italian Association of Diabetologists (AMD) promoted a dedicated exploratory survey.

The Mucocele of the Gallbladder.

The gallbladder polyps are a common finding during ultrasonography but only in rare cases they may be a cancer. When a polyp is greater than 1 cm, the cholecystectomy is usually performed. In these images, a polyp of 4 cm corresponding to a collection of mucus (mucocele) is reported.

Polyphenol intake and cardiovascular risk factors in a population with type 2 diabetes: The TOSCA.IT study.

Background: The role of polyphenol intake on cardiovascular risk factors is little explored, particularly in people with diabetes.

Aim: To evaluate the association between the intake of total polyphenols and polyphenol classes with the major cardiovascular risk factors in a population with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Dietary habits were investigated in 2573 males and females participants of the TOSCA.

Unexpected gallbladder cancer: Surgical strategies and prognostic factors.

Gallbladder cancer is the most common tumor of the biliary tract and it is associated with a poor prognosis. Unexpected gallbladder cancer is a cancer incidentally discovered, as a surprise, at the histological examination after cholecystectomy for gallstones or other indications. It is a potentially curable disease, with an intermediate or good prognosis in most cases.

Diabetology and oncology meet in a network model: union is strength.

Diabetes and cancer are increasingly common conditions, and the management of cancer patients with diabetes is often challenging. Diabetes in cancer patients poses several complex clinical issues, including which treatment is suitable to control hyperglycemia, how to better counteract glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia, and how to manage nutritional problems of cachectic patients and glucose variability linked to artificial nutrition. A key aspect to consider is the patients' position on the trajectory of the oncologic disease, both to establish which level of glycemic control should be pursued and to decide the most suitable antidiabetic treatment to recommend.

Liver Resection for Primary Intrahepatic Stones: Focus on Postoperative Infectious Complications.

Background: Primary intrahepatic lithiasis is defined by the presence of gallstones at the level of cystic dilatations of the intrahepatic biliary tree. Liver resection is considered the treatment of choice, with the purpose of removing stones and atrophic parenchyma, also reducing the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. However, in consequence of the considerable incidence of infectious complications, postoperative morbidity remains high.

Visceral adiposity and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy young men.

Background: Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and develops silently for decades before clinical events such as myocardial infarction or stroke occur. Only few studies have evaluated the relationship between CVD risk factors and carotid artery Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in young asymptomatic people.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with higher Carotid Intimal Media Thickness (IMT) in healthy young subjects.

Metabolic consequences of the occlusion of the main pancreatic duct with acrylic glue after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy represents the major treatment for pancreatic and periampullary neoplasms. Complications related to pancreaticojejunostomy are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. A solution proposed by some surgeons is the occlusion of main pancreatic duct by acrylic glue, avoiding pancreaticojejunostomy.