Myocardial Work Indexes in elite athletes: An Emerging Echocardiographic Tool to confirm physiologic cardiac remodeling in elite athletes with mildly reduced systolic function.

Background: Athlete's heart, characterized by cardiac chambers adaptations to exercise has some diagnostic overlaps with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In the setting of differential diagnosis, myocardial work indexes (MWI), afterload-independent tool, could be helpful to identify early subclinical alterations. The aim of our study was to assess the utility of MWI in athletes with mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Chronic early-life obesity linked to childhood impulsivity predicts long-term psychosis trajectory through dose-dependent cerebellar dysmaturation in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Background: Recent epidemiological evidence links early-life obesity and metabolic dysregulation to adult psychosis vulnerability, though a causal relationship remains unclear. Establishing causality in highly heritable psychotic disorders requires: 1) demonstrating that early-life metabolic factors mediate between genetic vulnerability and psychosis trajectory, 2) dissecting mechanisms leading to early-life obesity in genetically vulnerable individuals, and 3) clarifying downstream neurodevelopmental pathways linking early-life obesity to psychosis symptoms.

Methods: Here we investigated bidirectional pathways linking behavioral, BMI, and neurodevelopment trajectories in a unique longitudinal cohort of 184 individuals at high genetic risk for psychosis, due to 22q11.

Risk Factors for Persisting SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients with B-Cell Malignancies in the Omicron Era: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with B-cell malignancies are at high risk of persisting SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may delay oncologic treatments and increase morbidity. We aimed to assess risk factors for persisting infection in this population.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study across five tertiary hospitals between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023.

Multimodality imaging assessment of the left atrial appendage for percutaneous closure.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has emerged as a critical therapeutic option for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for long-term oral anticoagulation. Multimodality imaging plays a pivotal role throughout the LAA closure process, from pre-procedural planning to long-term follow-up. This review focuses on the complementary roles of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), outlining their respective strengths and limitations in various phases of LAA management, while also discussing the roles of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and fluoroscopy.

LightCPPgen: An Explainable Machine Learning Pipeline for Rational Design of Cell Penetrating Peptides.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are powerful vectors for the intracellular delivery of a diverse array of therapeutic molecules. Despite their potential, the rational design of CPPs remains a challenging task that often requires extensive experimental efforts and iterations. In this study, we introduce an innovative approach for the de novo design of CPPs, leveraging the strengths of machine learning (ML) and optimization algorithms.

Gut instincts: Gasdermin D feeds while it fights.

The small intestine coordinates nutrient absorption and immune defense, but the epithelial signaling mechanisms bridging these functions are unclear. In this issue of Immunity, Yu et al. reveal a gasdermin-D-driven circuit that links lipid uptake and enterocyte metabolism to γδ T cell maintenance and barrier protection.

Ectopic recruitment of neuroblasts in striatal myelin bundles and nucleus accumbens following AraC chemical lesion.

In the adult brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) constitutively generate new neurons in specific neurogenic domains. Recent research has unveiled reactive neurogenesis, whereby brain injury triggers NSC activation, enhancing their differentiation potential and guiding progeny to injured areas. Our study provides evidence of alternative migration pathways for newborn neurons in the mouse subcortical forebrain, revealed by administration of a chemotherapeutic agent.

The emergence of electrical activity in human brain organoids.

Human brain organoids, generated from pluripotent stem cells, recapitulate fundamental features of human brain development, including neuronal diversity, regional architecture, and functional network activity. Integrated multimodal and transcriptomic analyses reveal a molecular repertoire of ionotropic receptors supporting action potentials, synaptic transmission, and oscillatory dynamics resembling early brain activity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular and electrophysiological determinants of neuronal maturation and network computations, from synaptic integration to large-scale dynamics.

Herpes zoster reactivation in a cohort of people living with HIV vaccinated with recombinant vaccine.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of herpes zoster (HZ) reactivation and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) compared to general population. Our study aims to evaluate prevalence of HZ reactivation and PHN after vaccination with recombinant vaccine (RZV) in a population living with HIV, and to identify risk factors associated with recurrence.

Methods: We conducted an observational study, enrolling all PLWH ≥18 years old vaccinated with RZV from January 2022 to December 2023.

Sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: Comparative actigraphy and questionnaire assessment in ASD, ADHD, and controls.

Background: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), yet few studies have combined objective and subjective measures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sleep patterns and sleep hygiene in children with ADHD and ASD compared age-matched typically developing children, using both parent-reported questionnaires and actigraphy, to assess the concordance between these measures, and to determine the clinical applicability of actigraphy in this population.

Methods: Sixty children with NDD (30 ASD, 30 ADHD) and 40 typically developing controls, matched for age, underwent seven nights of actigraphic recording.

Remote sensing and image analysis of macro-plastic litter: A review.

Effective reduction of oceanic plastic pollution requires scalable and objective monitoring methods that go beyond traditional human-based surveys. This review synthesizes recent advances in remote sensing and AI-driven image analysis for detecting macro-plastic litter. Peer-reviewed studies published up to 2024 were systematically selected from the Scopus database, focusing on applications of remote sensing platforms including webcams, drones, balloons, aircraft, and satellites for monitoring plastic litter in coastal, riverine, and other aquatic environments.

A nationwide forensic case-series of femicides in Italy - Part 1: Clues to the motives of the murder.

Understanding the motives behind femicides is crucial to design effective prevention strategies and to support women's self-determination, free from threats to their mental and physical integrity. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter forensic study involving 27 Italian Institutes of Legal Medicine, analyzing 1238 female homicides (1950-2023). Cases were classified as femicide or non-femicide female homicide according to the medico-legal definition of femicide as the murder due to the failure to recognize women's right to self-determination.

Pharmacokinetics of carprofen in Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis).

Carprofen (CAR) is an NSAID commonly used in veterinary medicine that preferentially inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby mitigating inflammation and pain while minimizing adverse effects linked to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibition. This study characterizes the pharmacokinetics of CAR in Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) and was conducted at an ambient temperature range of 27-30 °C following single intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) administration at 2 mg/kg, and IM administration at 4 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV).

Dual inhibition of carbonic anhydrase IX and glutathione peroxidase 4 as a novel strategy for ferroptosis-induced tumor cell death.

In this study, we explored a dual-target strategy combining the inhibition of human carbonic anhydrase IX (hCA IX), a tumor-associated isoform, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a key regulator of ferroptosis. We demonstrated that the simultaneous inhibition of hCA IX and GPX4 disrupts redox and iron homeostasis, thereby enhancing cell death via ferroptosis. Three series of compounds were rationally designed and synthesized based on the ML162 scaffold using an integrated structural approach and their enzymatic inhibition was evaluated in vitro.

Developing Type II F508del-CFTR correctors with a protective effect against respiratory viruses.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multifaceted disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The resulting thick mucus accumulation increases the risk of microbial infections, leading to chronic lung inflammation, progressive tissue damage, and pulmonary exacerbations (PEs). Respiratory viruses may facilitate bacterial colonization, significantly contributing to PEs.

Quasi-static and dynamic nanoindentation for mechano-chemical analysis on biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites for regenerative medicine.

Four different biomedical patches were bioprinted using nanocomposite hydrogels of sodium alginate/gelatin, sodium alginate/gelatin/indocyanine green freely dispersed, sodium alginate/gelatin/empty liposomes and sodium alginate/gelatin/indocyanine green loaded liposomes. Quasi-static and dynamic nanoindentations of the patch surfaces were performed to examine the effect of the single component on the mechanical response. The combination of results suggests that the mechanical structure of the gels is strongly influenced by crosslinking and the liposomes incorporating dye.

Performance evaluation of a p-type co-axial HPGe detector: Long-term analysis of key parameters for gamma spectroscopy.

Accurate determination of the parameters of each high purity germanium, HPGe detectors ensure the precision of quantitative results obtained from spectrum analysis. This study presents a comprehensive performance evaluation and long-term quality control assessment of a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry system that has been operational for over 15 years. Key spectrometric measures were recorded, including energy resolution, peak shape ratios, asymmetry, peak-to-Compton ratio, relative efficiency, electronic noise, minimum detectable activity (MDA), and repeatability and reproducibility of the system.

Potassium Hydroxide as a Cost-Effective Catalyst for Broad-Scope Silylation with TMSCF.

The development of efficient and broadly applicable silylation methodologies remains a central goal in synthetic organic and organosilicon chemistry. Traditionally, silylation reactions employ chlorosilanes or hydrosilanes, often necessitating the use of moisture-sensitive and corrosive reagents. Herein, we report a high-yielding, operationally simple, rapid, and economical silylation platform based on trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane (TMSCF) and catalytic potassium hydroxide (KOH).

Health Inequity in People with Cystic Fibrosis: Can We Close the Gap?

Background Although advances in care have improved cystic fibrosis (CF) outcomes in higher-income countries (HICs), the situation remains alarming in lower-income countries (LICs). Methods People with CF (pwCF) enrolled in the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Patient Registry (ECFSPR) and carrying at least one F508del variant allele were evaluated in 2017 and in 2022 for predicted percent forced expiratory volume (ppFEV1), underweight status, and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infection, according to the gross national income (GNI) per capita divided into three terciles (low-income countries, LICs; middle-income countries, MICs; and high-income countries, HICs). Survival was evaluated in the periods 2013-2017 and 2018-2022.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of probiotics with psychotropic potential in mental health benefits in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: The use of probiotics as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is gaining attention, with recent studies indicating that certain probiotics or combinations may have mental health benefits for patients with IBS.

Aims: To systematically review and meta-analyze, using network meta-analysis (NWM), the comparative effectiveness and safety of probiotics with psychotropic potential on quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with IBS.

Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were analyzed, using a Bayesian NWM, to compare the performance of probiotics with mental health benefits in IBS treatment.

Understanding the epidemiology of gastric cancer: a review and case-only analysis from Italy.

Background: Gastric cancer epidemiology evolved rapidly in the last century, shifting from being one of the main causes of cancer-related death to the sixth in high-income countries.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review on gastric cancer epidemiology. Our review focused on trends of gastric cancer and its relationship with Helicobacter pylori infection; cardia and noncardia gastric cancer risk factors; early onset gastric cancer; second primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer; and implementation of gastric cancer prevention strategies.

Enhancing Readability of Lay Abstracts and Summaries for Urologic Oncology Literature Using Generative Artificial Intelligence: BRIDGE-AI 6 Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate a generative artificial intelligence (GAI) framework for creating readable lay abstracts and summaries (LASs) of urologic oncology research, while maintaining accuracy, completeness, and clarity, for the purpose of assessing their comprehension and perception among patients and caregivers.

Methods: Forty original abstracts (OAs) on prostate, bladder, kidney, and testis cancers from leading journals were selected. LASs were generated using a free GAI tool, with three versions per abstract for consistency.

Germline Findings From Tumor-Only Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in the RATIONAL Study: A Missed Opportunity?

Purpose: Tumor comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) may detect potential germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) alterations as secondary findings. We analyzed the frequency of potentially germline variants and large rearrangements (LRs) in the RATIONAL study, an Italian multicenter, observational clinical trial that collects next-generation sequencing-based tumor profiling data, and evaluated how these findings were managed by the enrolling centers.

Patients And Methods: Patients prospectively enrolled in the pathway-B of the RATIONAL study and undergoing CGP with the FoundationOne CDx assays were included in the analysis.

Cycling-Based Telerehabilitation: Acceptability and Feasibility Study.

Background: Telerehabilitation is a promising solution to provide continuity of care. Most existing telerehabilitation platforms focus on rehabilitating upper limbs, balance, and cognitive training, but exercises improving cardiovascular fitness are often neglected.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a telerehabilitation intervention combining cognitive and aerobic exercises.