Oxidative Stress, MicroRNAs, and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis: Cross-Talk and Molecular Mechanisms Involved.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, characterized by articular cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and ligament lesions. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) do not encode any protein products and play a fundamental role in regulating gene expression in several physiological processes, such as in the regulation of cartilage homeostasis. When deregulated, they affect the expression of genes involved in cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation, contributing to the onset and progression of OA.

Serums miR-24-3p and miR-1301-3p as Potential Biomarkers in MEN1 Syndrome.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare hereditary tumor syndrome caused by inactivating mutations of the gene and characterized by the occurrence of multiple endocrine tumors within a single patient (i.e., parathyroid, pituitary, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)).

Establishment and Molecular Characterization of a Human Stem Cell Line from a Primary Cell Culture Obtained from an Ectopic Calcified Lesion of a Tumoral Calcinosis Patient Carrying a Novel Mutation.

Background/objectives: Tumoral calcinosis (TC) is an extremely rare inherited disease characterized by multilobulated, dense ectopic calcified masses, usually in the periarticular soft tissue regions. In a previous study, we isolated a primary cell line from an ectopic lesion of a TC patient carrying a previously undescribed mutation. Here, we researched whether a stem cell (SC) subpopulation, which may play a critical role in TC progression, could be present within these lesions.

Antiproliferative Role of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Tocopherols on Colorectal Cancer Cells Overexpressing the Estrogen Receptor β.

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is the most highly expressed subtype in the colon epithelium and mediates the protective effect of estrogen against the development of colon cancer. Indeed, the expression of this receptor is inversely related to colorectal cancer progression. Structurally estrogen-like compounds, including vitamin E components, affect cell growth by binding to ERs.

The Presence of the Endocannabinoid System in an In Vitro Model of Gorham-Stout Disease and Its Possible Role in the Pathogenesis.

Gorham-Stout syndrome (GSD), also known as disappearing bone disease, is an extremely rare bone disorder, characterized by a huge bone loss, which is followed by a lack of new matrix deposition and an excessive proliferation of both blood vessels and lymphatics. Unfortunately, the biological causes of GSD are still unknown. Recent studies that have tried to understand the etiopathogenesis of GSD have been principally focused on the vascular and osteoclastogenic aspects, not considering the possibility of a lack of osteoblast function.

NET Models Meeting 2024 white paper: the current state of neuroendocrine tumour research models and our future aspirations.

Current models for the study of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are severely limited. While (e.g.

Advantage of remote workstation and job performance: the impact of worktime autonomy and remote work intensity.

Grounded on the Affective Event Theory and the Quality of Telework Model, this cross-sectional study examined the impact of perceived advantage of remote workstation on remote work performance and if this relationship is mediated through remote work intensity and moderated by worktime autonomy. The perceived advantage of remote workstation was operationalised as the arithmetical difference between perceived home office and in-site office workstation quality. A sample of 349 Italian researchers involved in hybrid work arrangements completed an online questionnaire.

Role of inflammation in diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are multifactorial disorders that affect the macula and cause significant vision loss. Although inflammation and neoangiogenesis are hallmarks of DME and nAMD, respectively, they share some biochemical mediators. While inflammation is a trigger for the processes that lead to the development of DME, in nAMD inflammation seems to be the consequence of retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch membrane alterations.

Irisin and Its Role in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia.

Menopause, an extremely delicate phase in a woman's life, is characterized by a drop in estrogen levels. This decrease has been associated with the onset of several diseases, including postmenopausal osteoporosis and sarcopenia, which often coexist in the same person, leading to an increased risk of fractures, morbidity, and mortality. To date, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for sarcopenia, while not all of those approved for postmenopausal osteoporosis are beneficial to muscles.

Ten Years of Experience With a Telemedicine Platform Dedicated to Health Care Personnel: Implementation Report.

Background: Telemedicine, a term that encompasses several applications and tasks, generally involves the remote management and treatment of patients by physicians. It is known as transversal telemedicine when practiced among health care professionals (HCPs).

Objective: We describe the experience of implementing our telemedicine Eumeda platform for HCPs over the last 10 years.

Intravitreal Aflibercept for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema in Routine Clinical Practice: Results from the 24-Month AURIGA Observational Study.

Introduction: AURIGA is the largest real-world study to date to evaluate intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) or macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion in routine clinical practice. The 24-month outcomes in the DME cohort from across 11 participating countries are reported here.

Methods: AURIGA (NCT03161912) was a prospective observational study.

Real-World Management of Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion with Intravitreal Aflibercept: 24-month Results from the AURIGA Observational Study.

Introduction: AURIGA is the largest real-world study to date to evaluate intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) treatment of diabetic macular edema or macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in routine clinical practice. Here, we report the 24-month outcomes in the RVO cohort from France, Germany, Italy, and Taiwan.

Methods: AURIGA (NCT03161912) was a prospective observational study.

Calcifediol: Mechanisms of Action.

Due to its essential role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, the secosteroid hormone calcitriol has received growing attention over the last few years. Calcitriol, like other steroid hormones, may function through both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. In the traditional function, the interaction between the biologically active form of vitamin D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) affects the transcription of thousands of genes by binding to repeated sequences present in their promoter region, named vitamin D-responsive elements (VDREs).

COVID-19 pandemic and ophthalmological emergencies: a case-control analysis of the impact of lockdowns in a University Hospital in Lombardy region, Italy.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of ocular pathologies seen at the ophthalmological emergency department (OED) during the national lockdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it to the corresponding period in 2019.

Methods: Electronic records of patients who presented at the OED of our University Hospital in Varese, Italy during the COVID-19 lockdown were compared with that from the corresponding period in 2019. Records from the spring (2020A) and winter (2020B) lockdowns were compared with each other and with the same periods in 2019 (2019A and 2019B).

Clinical and Diagnostic Findings of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy and Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy in the COVID-19 Era.

Background: Growing evidence suggests an association between the infection from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and eye disorders. The aim of this review was to analyze the clinical presentation and diagnostic features of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) and paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) associated with COVID-19 infection. The features are then compared with previous reports regarding these retinal disorders, to recognize possible specific characteristics and to assess the role of multimodal ophthalmic imaging.

Calcifediol: Why, When, How Much?

Vitamin D deficiency is a constantly growing health problem worldwide. Adults affected with hypovitaminosis D could experience negative consequences on their musculoskeletal system and extra-skeletal health. In fact, an optimal vitamin D status is essential to ensure the correct bone, calcium, and phosphate homeostasis.

Parathyroid carcinoma: molecular therapeutic targets.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an extremely rare malignant tumor of the parathyroid glands, accounting for less than 1% of primary hyperparathyroidism, commonly characterized by severe and unmanageable hypercalcemia, aggressive behavior, high metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. PC manifests prevalently as a sporadic tumor and only occasionally it is part of congenital syndromic and non-syndromic endocrine diseases. Molecular pathogenesis of this form of parathyroid tumor is not fully elucidated and it appears to be caused by multiple genetic and epigenetic drivers, differing among affected patients and not yet clearly stated in distinguishing PC from the benign parathyroid adenoma (PA).

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Osteoporosis: Molecular Mechanisms Involved and the Relationship with microRNAs.

Osteoporosis is characterized by the alteration of bone homeostasis due to an imbalance between osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. Estrogen deficiency causes bone loss and postmenopausal osteoporosis, the pathogenesis of which also involves oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, and the dysregulation of the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) that control gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Oxidative stress, due to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory mediators and altered levels of miRNAs enhance osteoclastogenesis and reduce osteoblastogenesis through mechanisms involving the activation of MAPK and transcription factors.

Presentation of Graves' orbitopathy within European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) centres from 2012 to 2019 (PREGO III).

Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is subject to epidemiological and care-related changes. Aim of the survey was to identify trends in presentation of GO to the European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) tertiary referral centres and initial management over time.

Methods: Prospective observational multicentre study.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in a 14-year-old atopic boy: a case report.

Background: Corticosteroids are widely used in medicine. Few cases of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) have been reported following topical corticosteroid administration. We describe the first case of pediatric CSC related to topical corticosteroid administration.

Autophagy-Related ncRNAs in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignancy accounting for only 3% of total cancers, but with a low 5-year relative survival rate. Approximately 80% of PC patients are diagnosed at a late stage when the disease has already spread from the primary site. Despite advances in PC treatment, there is an urgently needed for the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for PC, particularly for patients who cannot undergo classical surgery.

Presumed sympathetic ophthalmia following scleral buckling surgery: A case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: To report a case of presumed sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) following scleral buckling (SB) surgery and to discuss the possible pathogenesis of this condition by reviewing the current evidence on this subject.

Methods: Case report and narrative review of the literature; our case was imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Results: A 55-year-old man presented with a macula on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment which was treated with 360° SB surgery, subretinal fluid drain (SRFD), cryopexy and pneumoretinopexy.

Glaucoma and Driving License: How to Identify Patients at Risk of Revocation.

Aim: To identify clinical criteria that are easily achievable with follow-up tests and can identify subjects not suitable for driving.

Patients And Methods: We recruited 194 subjects with a clear diagnosis of glaucoma, with no other conditions that could affect the visual field (VF), and who performed a reliable VF examination. All patients underwent a full ophthalmologic evaluation and a questionnaire considering driving habits.

Circulating MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures.

Context: Measurement of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers of fragility fracture risk has recently become a subject of investigation.

Objective: Measure by next-generation sequencing (NGS), global miRNA expression in serum samples of osteoporotic subjects vs individuals with normal bone mineral density (BMD).

Design: Samples were collected from patients with different bone phenotypes and/or fragility fractures who did not receive any antiresorptive and/or bone-forming drug at the time of blood collection.

Macular Holes: Main Clinical Presentations, Diagnosis, and Therapies.

Macular holes are a spectrum of retinal diseases that comprehends full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs), refractory/recurrent macular holes, lamellar macular holes (LMHs), myopic macular holes (MMHs), traumatic macular holes, and macular holes secondary to other retinal pathologies or injuries. There are various classifications of the subtypes of macular hole, and only in recent times researchers defined a common nomenclature, especially thanks to the evolution in retinal imaging, offered by new instruments like the swept-source OCT. The proposed therapies for macular holes are different and range from a "wait-and-see" approach to the vitrectomy, with different results in each subtype of macular hole.