Mesenchymal progenitor cells in perivascular niches: forerunners of mesenchymal stem cells and players in tissue scarring and regeneration.

The walls of all embryonic, foetal, and adult blood vessels contain mesodermal progenitors, distributed as pericytes in capillaries and micro vessels, and fibroblastic cells in the tunica adventitia of larger veins and arteries. Following dissociation, selection by flow cytometry, and culture, those perivascular cells turn into bona fide mesenchymal stem cells of which they possess all attributes. In vivo, the adventitial cellular niche supports several spatially-organized subsets of mesodermal progenitors biased toward either osteo-, adipo-, or fibrogenesis, and dominated by more primitive, multi-lineage stem-like cells.

Epstein-Barr Virus-associated gastric cancer: a histopathologic study with comprehensive molecular profiling.

A subset of gastric cancers (GCs) is linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study aims to characterize the histopathological and molecular features of EBV-associated GCs (EBVaGCs), focusing on predictive biomarkers and genomic and transcriptomic analysis. A total of 35 primary EBVaGCs were considered.

Gastrointestinal involvement in very early and established systemic sclerosis: insights from the SPRING-SIR national Italian registry.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Very Early Diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS), identify clinical and serological features associated with GI involvement, and explore a cranio-caudal pattern of symptom distribution, using data from the Italian SPRING-SIR registry.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included patients fulfilling 2013 ACR/EULAR SSc or VEDOSS criteria. GI involvement was defined as symptoms in at least one GI tract segment and categorized as upper and lower.

Preliminary observations of glucose metabolism dysregulation in pediatric Huntington's disease.

Background: Pediatric Huntington's disease (PHD), a rare and severe form of juvenile-onset Huntington's disease (JOHD), is associated with highly expanded CAG repeats in the gene and a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative course. Recent studies have suggested that glucose metabolism may be impaired in PHD due to reduced expression of glucose transporters in the brain, resembling aspects of GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT1DS).

Methods: We investigated glucose metabolism in two pediatric patients with genetically confirmed PHD (CAG repeats: 76 and 79) referred to our tertiary care center.

Support Needs of Parents of Children With Congenital Anomalies Across Europe: A EUROlinkCAT Survey.

Background: Parents and carers of children with congenital anomalies can experience stress when managing their child's healthcare needs. It is important that they are well supported. This study explored the support needs of parents/carers of children with a congenital anomaly across Europe.

Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on respiratory and bruxism indexes in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on sleep bruxism (SB) and respiratory indexes in pediatric patients.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects needing orthodontic treatment and with suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were recruited. Before orthodontics, a clinical and anamnestic evaluation as well as a polygraphic recording was performed.

Validation of a lipopeptide approach to a safe-and-sustainable-by-design strategy on TiO nanoparticles UV filters.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are well suited for cosmetics and polymer films because they efficiently absorb UV light while remaining transparent to visible light. Their widespread use requires strategies for managing potential human and environmental risks. Implementing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to advanced chemicals and materials is a major global challenge and a concept that is included in several EU research projects.

Identification of pyrazolo-piperidinone derivatives targeting YAP-TEAD interface 3 as anticancer agents through integrated virtual screening and mass spectrometry proteomics.

The transcriptional activity of TEAD4 (transcriptional enhancer associated domain proteins), one of the final effectors of the Hippo pathway, can be dysregulated or mutated in cancer. Consequently, targeting the interaction between TEAD and its co-activator YAP (Yes Associated Protein) to disrupt the YAP:TEAD (Y:T) heterodimer has emerged as a promising anti-cancer strategy. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify novel scaffolds targeting the TEAD Interface 3 surface as effective anticancer agents against colorectal and ovarian cancer.

Early clinical experience with a topical desiccating agent for wound bed preparation in diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes, often requiring effective wound bed preparation for healing. This retrospective case series assessed a novel topical desiccating agent (TDA) used under a compassionate-use protocol approved by the institutional ethics board. A total of 67 patients with hard-to-heal (chronic) DFUs treated between 2020 and 2023 were included.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy: a mini review.

Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CHIC) represents a growing clinical challenge due to the increasing use of cardiotoxic treatments. These therapies can lead to progressive myocardial dysfunction, ultimately resulting in heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been widely investigated in selected patients with chronic heart failure; however, those with CHIC remain underrepresented in CRT trials.

Trends in non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity: a self-managed problem?

Introduction: Self-reported non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) is triggered by gluten/wheat ingestion in patients without coeliac disease (CD) or wheat allergy. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnoses of NCGWS appear to have declined. A gluten/wheat-free diet (GFD) remains the only management approach, though long-term adherence and outcomes are unclear.

Two-Piece Mushroom Penetrating Keratoplasty With "Pull-Through" Technique to Manage High Vitreous Pressure in Infant Eyes.

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique for 2-piece mushroom penetrating keratoplasty using the "pull-through" technique in infant eyes.

Methods: Using a 250-μm microkeratome head, the donor cornea was split into anterior and posterior lamella, which were then punched to 8.0 to 8.

One scan, many stories: deep learning for signal separation in multi-tracer PET imaging.

not requested for this type of paper.

Cystoid Macular Edema in Non-Syndromic Retinitis Pigmentosa: Associations With Causative Genes in a Large Cohort.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of cystoid macular edema (CME) in relation to the disease-causing genes in a large cohort of genetically defined patients with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging has been retrospectively reviewed in order to assess the presence of CME over the disease course in a cohort of 580 patients with a clinical and genetic diagnosis of non-syndromic RP.

Results: Over the course of the disease, 179 patients (30.

What we cannot miss in clinical trials on compression therapy.

BackgroundCompression therapy (CT) is widely prescribed for chronic venous disease (CVD), lymphedema, and lipedema despite robust evidence supporting its effectiveness only in a minority of clinical scenarios.AimProvide an overview of the methodological parameters essential for obtaining a high-quality scientific trial.MethodsThe International Compression Club (ICC) chairman prepared a preliminary list of the main methodological flaws in publications on CT, and a list of parameters to be included in high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Perceptions on vaccines, vaccine communication and information needs of healthcare professionals involved in older adult vaccination: A cross-country interview study.

The global population of older adults is growing. Older adults are more vulnerable to infectious diseases compared to younger adults. Vaccines are available to protect older adults against several infectious diseases, yet their uptake remains sub-optimal.

Personalized or Standard Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: PARTHENOPE Randomized Trial.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although its optimal duration remains uncertain.

Objectives: We performed a randomized trial comparing a personalized duration of DAPT, based on a risk score, for 3-, 6-, or 24-months with a standard duration of DAPT for 12 months after PCI.

Methods: We randomly assigned 2,107 patients undergoing PCI to receive either a personalized or a standard DAPT.

The impact of socioeconomic factors on the incidence and characteristics of first-episode psychosis.

Aim: The environment shapes the risk of psychosis. In particular, urbanicity, deprivation or inequality, migrant density and cannabis availability may not only influence psychosis incidence, but also the characteristics of individuals who arrive at clinical services. This study examined how socioeconomic factors influence the incidence and characteristics of cases of First-Episode Psychosis (FEP).

Physiological correlates of math ability in higher education.

Background: Physiological responses offer a promising avenue for investigating emotional states associated with task performance. Yet, studies examining the physiological correlates of mathematical performance remain limited and conflicting.

Method: Here we investigated the relationship between math ability and three measures of physiological arousal (salivary cortisol, skin conductance, and heart rate variability) among 130 university students.

Muscle pad interposition technique in microvascular decompression for primary hemifacial spasm: a single-center case series and systematic review.

Objective: Primary hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a rare neurological condition characterized by involuntary contractions of hemifacial mimic muscles. Microvascular decompression (MVD) with the interposition technique, in which a Teflon spacer is inserted between the nerve and the offending vessel, is the most commonly used treatment. However, the authors' institution has used autologous muscle pledgets for more than 15 years as an alternative spacer material, with satisfactory results.