The Clinical Significance of Atrial Fibrillation in Non-High-Risk Brugada Syndrome: The BruFib Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in up to 20% of patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS), yet its risk factors and prognostic implications remain uncertain.

Objectives: This study sought to identify risk factors for AF in patients with non-high-risk BrS and to evaluate the impact of AF on ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and stroke in non-high-risk BrS.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study conducted across 20 international centers.

Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer: Pathophysiological Mechanism and Clinical Implications.

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent arrhythmia in elderly subjects. Cancer currently represents one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Often, the two pathologies coexist.

Hydroxyapatite Scaffold and Bioactive Factor Combination as a Tool to Improve Osteogenesis, In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Using Phage Display Technology.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been widely investigated in the field of regenerative medicine and also used as a model to study the differentiation-induction properties of a variety of biomaterials. This study evaluates the osteoinductive potential of novel hydroxyapatite scaffolds functionalized with a phage-displayed peptide (SC1) selected via biopanning for its similarity to bone matrix proteins. The peptide, identified through sequence alignment as a mimotope of osteonectin (SPARC), was used to functionalize scaffolds.

COVID-19: A Disease Driven by Protease/Antiprotease Imbalance? A Specific Review Five Years into the Pandemic.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global health since late 2019. Beyond respiratory complications, the disease involves systemic manifestations driven by immune dysregulation, inflammation, and coagulopathy. Among the many mechanisms implicated in severe disease, a growing body of evidence suggests a central role for the imbalance between proteases and antiproteases.

Baroreflex Sensitivity Predicts the Head-Up Tilt Test Induced Asystole Among Patients With Suspected Vasovagal Syncope.

The impairment of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has been hypothized in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS). The aim of our study was to assess the baroreflex sensitivity in patients with suspected vasovagal syncope who underwent head up tilt test (HUTT) and its role in predicting the HUTT response. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was calculated using the sequence method in 224 consecutive patients (mean age 40.

Diagnostic yield of nitroglycerin-potentiated head-up tilt test in a pediatric population with suspected reflex syncope.

Background: Syncope is a prevalent issue in pediatric patients. The nitroglycerin (NTG)-potentiated head-up tilt test (HUTT) is widely used in adults for diagnosing reflex syncope; however, few and contrasting data are available in pediatric populations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the positivity rate and types of responses to NTG-potentiated HUTT in pediatric patients with suspected reflex syncope.

Characterization of reflex syncope in Brugada syndrome: a literature review.

In Brugada syndrome (BrS), syncope is considered a sign of increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) episodes. However, arrhythmic syncope in BrS is extremely rare, while nonarrhythmic syncope may occur as in the general active population, mostly from reflex events. Symptomatic patients with BrS show a higher risk profile, requiring a watchful risk stratification.

Sex-related differences among patients with reflex neurally mediated syncope.

Few studies have evaluated the effect of sex in patients with reflex neurally mediated syncope. The aim of our study was to describe the sex-related differences in clinical characteristics and responses to HUTT among a large population with syncope. 1845 consecutive patients who underwent HUTT for suspected or established reflex syncope were evaluated.

How to nudge students toward healthier snacks? Consumer neuroscience insights on multisensory nudge interventions in university vending machines.

Nudge has proven effective in promoting healthier eating, especially in academic environments. However, its application in vending machines has not been extensively studied yet, with existing studies focusing on choice and overlooking the emotional and cognitive responses to these interventions. Our research explored how visual and olfactory nudges (and a combination of both) can encourage healthier choices in university vending machines, and examined the related emotional and cognitive reactions, adopting a consumer neuroscience approach.

Heart Failure and Wide QRS: Clinical and Pharmacological Perspectives.

Heart failure (HF) is a highly prevalent cardiovascular clinical syndrome. Health care spending on HF treatment is high. Therefore, its treatment has generated a great deal of interest in pharmacological research in recent years.

Skin Photodamage and Melanomagenesis: A Comprehensive Review.

Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, still represents a significant and growing public health concern. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is considered the primary driver of melanoma, although genetic predisposition also plays a critical role. This review explores the intricate molecular mechanisms by which UVR-induced photodamage contributes to melanoma development.

Prevalence and prognostic impact of cardiac resonance abnormalities in myotonic dystrophy patients.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscular weakness and multisystem involvement. Cardiac involvement is recorded in about 80 % of cases and often precedes the involvement of skeletal muscle. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been recently included as a recommended test in the cardiac assessment of DM patients at the time of diagnosis, and subsequently with periodic testing.

Migration of an Implantable Loop Recorder: A Meta-summary of Case Reports.

The migration of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a rare complication. We aimed to perform a meta-summary of case reports to characterize patients who experienced an ILR migration. We searched for case reports published in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase from January 2017 to 2023 using the following keywords: "migration ILR," "migration loop recorder," "complication loop recorder," and "complication ILR.

Takotsubo Syndrome and Oxidative Stress: Physiopathological Linkage and Future Perspectives.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute coronary syndrome of unknown prevalence with a physiopathological mechanism that is not yet fully understood. The course is generally benign. Current therapeutic management is based on limited evidence.

Right atrial cardioneuroablation of asystolic reflex syncope.

Background: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) should focus on the vagal ganglia located in the right atrium close to the sinoatrial and the atrioventricular nodes.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of right atrial CNA.

Methods: Patients with severe, asystolic reflex syncope identified by implantable loop recorder (ILR) or tilt testing underwent right atrial CNA and were subsequently monitored using ILR.

Rhamnolipid Self-Aggregation in Water-Bioglycerol Mixtures: Byproduct Valorization for Sustainable Formulation Design.

Increasing biodiesel production poses a significant challenge in managing its primary byproduct, bioglycerol. Advancements in production techniques have markedly enhanced bioglycerol potential applications across various sectors, including as cosolvent in industrial formulations. In the context of ecosustainable formulation design, this study addresses the self-aggregation of rhamnolipids, biosurfactants with a wide range of physicochemical and biological activities, in bioglycerol aqueous mixtures, studied by integrating surface tension and NMR self-diffusion measurements.

The importance of measuring diffusion coefficients in reactor design and simulation.

Glucose is extensively employed to produce sorbitol through catalytic hydrogenation. In the process development, parameters such as fluid dynamic conditions, temperature, and diffusion coefficients must be evaluated. To optimize the production of sorbitol, it is necessary to know the diffusion coefficients of the reacting system.

Predictors of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Machine Learning Analysis After a 7-Year Follow-Up.

Ischemic heart disease is a major global health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Several cardiometabolic variables play a key role in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of the present study was to apply a machine learning approach to investigate factors that can predict acute coronary syndrome in patients with a previous episode.

Enhancing the Efficacy of Melanoma Treatment: The In Vitro Chemosensitising Impact of Venom on Human Melanoma Cell Lines.

Research on viper venom has expanded into diverse medical applications, including cancer treatment. This study investigates the potential of venom in oncology, evaluating its cytotoxicity and chemosensitising effects on malignant melanoma cells. Proteomic analysis identified 125 proteins in the venom, with Phospholipases A2, C-type lectins, and metalloproteinases among the most abundant components.

Current clinical practice versus remote monitoring recommendations for cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: A real-world analysis from a remote monitoring database.

Background: The recently published Consensus Statement on the Practical Management of Remote Device Clinics offers recommendations for managing patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). They recommend activating remote monitoring (RM) soon after implantation and maintaining connectivity. Moreover, it is reasonable to replace scheduled device follow-up with alert-based RM, with alert parameters customized to clinical indications to reduce RM workload.

Clinical Utilization and Performance of Bempedoic Acid in an Italian Real-World Setting: Insight from Campania Region.

: Bempedoic acid (BA) is a novel lipid-lowering agent that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and cardiovascular events. Limited real-world data on its effectiveness and safety are available. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization and clinical performance of BA in routine clinical practice.