Anterior vs. Posterior Bite Raisers: Assessment of Quality of Life and Pain Experience.

This retrospective study aims to assess the impact of bite-raising on patients' quality of life and to compare the outcomes of anterior versus posterior build-ups. A total of 94 young adolescents treated with fixed orthodontic were selected and divided into two groups: the anterior bite raisers group (ABG) and the posterior bite raisers group (PBG). To enable comparison with untreated individuals, a control group (CG) of 50 subjects was also included.

Together TO-CARE: A Novel Tool for Measuring Caregiver Involvement and Parental Relational Engagement.

Preterm infants and their families face a challenging experience during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Family-centered care emphasizes the importance of welcoming parents, involving them in their baby's daily care, and supporting the development of parenting skills. NICU staff should support parents in understanding their baby's needs and in strengthening the parent-infant bond.

Early Predictors of Outcome in Pediatric Acquired Demyelinating Syndromes: A Retrospective Study Stratified by Final Diagnosis.

: Pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADSs) encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), with distinct clinical trajectories and prognoses. While analyzed collectively at baseline to reflect real-world diagnostic uncertainty, outcome predictors were also examined according to final diagnosis. Identifying early predictors is crucial for optimizing long-term outcomes.

Dual Oxytocin Signals in Striatal Astrocytes.

The ability of the neuropeptide oxytocin to affect glial cell function is receiving increasing attention. We previously reported that oxytocin at a low nanomolar concentration could inhibit both astrocytic Ca signals and glutamate release. Here, we investigate the ability of oxytocin receptors to couple both inhibitory and stimulatory pathways in astrocytes, as already reported in neurons.

Impact of Manganese on Neuronal Function: An Exploratory Multi-Omics Study on Ferroalloy Workers in Brescia, Italy.

Background: There is growing interest in the potential role of manganese (Mn) in the development of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Methods: In this nested pilot study of a ferroalloy worker cohort, we investigated the impact of chronic occupational Mn exposure on cognitive function through β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and multi-omics profiling. We evaluated six male Mn-exposed workers (median age 63, exposure duration 31 years) and five historical controls (median age: 60 years), all of whom had undergone brain PET scans.

Clinical, Dermoscopic and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Characteristics Associated With the Presence of Negative Pigment Network Among Spitzoid Neoplasms.

Negative pigment network (NPN) is a dermoscopic structure frequently associated with melanoma. Though commonly observed in Spitz naevi (SN) and Spitzoid melanoma (SM), its reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) correlates have been primarily studied in non-Spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms. This study aimed to identify clinical, dermoscopic, and RCM features associated with dermoscopic NPN in Spitzoid neoplasms and explore its histopathological correlates.

Clinical, dermoscopic and confocal microscopy features of multiple primary melanomas according to germline variant status: a retrospective, hospital-based study.

Background: Familial melanoma represents approximately 10% of cutaneous melanomas. Individuals with pathogenic germline variants have a higher risk of developing multiple primary melanomas (MPM). However, differences in clinical, dermoscopic, and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features between variant carriers and non-carriers are not well established.

Genetic Engineering in CAR T Cells for Solid Tumors: Current State, Barriers and Future Developments.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for hematological malignancies, yet translating this success to solid tumors remains challenging. Major obstacles include antigen heterogeneity, on-target off-tumor toxicity, limited infiltration and persistence, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The present review discusses recent engineering strategies designed to overcome these barriers.

A unique case of prenatal diagnosis of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

We present a rare instance of prenatal diagnosis of vEDS without a family history. The suspicion of a genetic syndrome arose from an incidental ultrasound finding of a facial anomaly-previously associated with vEDS in adulthood but never described prenatally.

Comparable clinical outcomes in functionally aligned computer-assisted and image-based robotic assisted total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To determine the clinical outcomes differences and complications in two comparable groups of patients undergoing computer aided surgery (CAS) and robotic-assisted (RA) posterior stabilised (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) following functional alignment (FA) principles with tibial pre-cut at a minimum of 4-year follow-up.

Methods: This retrospective, monocentric and observational study included 94 consecutive patients undergoing PS TKA performed with CAS and RA-TKA following FA principles, between January 2017 and January 2020. Patients were followed with radiological and clinical assessment and evaluated with the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR) and the 5-Level Likert Scale (5-LLS).

Updated systematic literature review and meta-analysis to inform the Italian Society of Rheumatology Recommendations on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Background: rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite recent guideline initiatives, no treatment recommendations specifically tailored to RA-ILD have been developed in Italy. This systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis was conducted to inform the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) national recommendations for the management of RA-ILD.

Most prominent challenges in translational neuroscience and strategic solutions to bridge the gaps: Perspectives from an editorial board interrogation.

Recent progress in translational neuroscience has significantly advanced our understanding of neurological diseases. Research progress closely went in line with innovations in research methods, which have expanded our insights considerably beyond previous limits. However, despite the development of disease-modifying treatments, therapeutic options in brain diseases still lag behind fundamental discoveries in basic neuroscience.

Locally advanced NSCLC: overview of real-world pattern of recurrence in durvalumab era (LEOPARD trial).

Background: Despite the advances introduced by the PACIFIC trial, recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by durvalumab consolidation remains a significant clinical challenge in unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to investigate relapse patterns and outcomes of salvage treatments in a real-world cohort, providing insights for post-progression management.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 166 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC treated with the PACIFIC regimen across eight Italian centers from January 2018 to December 2021.

History of falls in patients with atrial fibrillation and risk of major outcomes: analysis from the Prospective GLORIA-AF Registry.

Falls pose concerns for the management and prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Epidemiological data on patients with AF who fall are limited. From the prospective global GLORIA-AF Registry Phase III study, we evaluated patients with a recent diagnosis of AF and CHADS-VASc score ≥ 1 according to previous history of falling at baseline.

LH prevents AMH action via receptor downregulation in human primary granulosa lutein cells.

Purpose: Gonadotropins and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) regulate reproductive development and ovarian function. While AMH plays a well-established role in early folliculogenesis by counteracting gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) becomes more active later, during the antral phase, when granulosa and theca cells express their respective receptors. There are hints suggesting the existence of an interplay between these hormones regulating granulosa cell functions at late stages of the folliculogenesis.

Recent-onset atrial fibrillation: challenges and opportunities.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly diagnosed early, close to its first occurrence due to: (i) increased public awareness with self-screening; (ii) health care initiatives including population screening and opportunistic case finding; and (iii) increased use and surveillance of implantable cardiac devices. At its onset, AF is often low burden, and cardiovascular co-morbidities may be absent or at an early stage. Thus, the management of recent-onset AF has become an issue of growing importance.

Endovascular Treatment of Stroke and Anesthesia Technique: What Is the Best Approach, According to the Literature?

Background/objectives: Endovascular thrombectomy has become a mainstay in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. Among the multiple factors that influence outcomes, the choice of anesthetic technique-general anesthesia (GA), conscious sedation (CS), or local anesthesia (LA)-remains controversial. This narrative review aims to critically examine and synthesize current evidence comparing the efficacy and safety of different anesthetic strategies in endovascular stroke treatment.

On the Interplay Between Roughness and Elastic Modulus at the Nanoscale: A Methodology Study with Bone as Model Material.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoindentation enables investigation of the mechanical response of biological materials at a subcellular scale. However, quantitative estimates of mechanical parameters such as the elastic modulus (E) remain unreliable because the influence of sample roughness on E measurements at the nanoscale is still poorly understood. This study re-examines the interpretation of roughness from a more rigorous perspective and validates an experimental methodology to extract roughness at each nanoindentation site-i.

Pancreatic Stone Protein as a Versatile Biomarker: Current Evidence and Clinical Applications.

Background: The identification and clinical implementation of robust biomarkers are essential for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment across a wide range of diseases. Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) has recently emerged as a promising candidate biomarker.

Objective: This narrative review aims to provide an updated and comprehensive overview of the clinical applications of PSP in infectious, oncological, metabolic, and surgical contexts.

Update on pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases epidemiology during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak:data from the Italian society of pediatric gastroenterology, epatology and nutrition registry.

Unlabelled: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly affected clinical practice worldwide. In Italy, hospital access was limited to urgent cases in 2020. The primary aim was to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pIBD in Italy during 2020 compared to 2019 and to 2021.

Mortality and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in an Italian Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Aim: Preterm infants face high risks of mortality and neurodevelopmental impairment. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes in an Italian cohort of very low birth weight infants.

Methods: This multicenter prospective study included very low birth weight infants born in Italy between 2016 and 2020.

Blood immunomap for prediction of responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The identification of circulating predictors of response to ICB therapy is vital as very few of them meet the demands of the clinic. Herein, by using high-dimensionality mass cytometry, we designed a blood immunomap in metastatic NSCLC individuals who underwent anti-PD-1 treatment. We identified heightened frequencies of CD8PD-L1 T cells in non-responders compared to responders.

Liver hypertrophy techniques: a position paper from the Italian Group of Regenerative and Occlusive Worldwide-used techniques of hepatic Hypertrophy (I GROWtoH).

In candidates for hepatectomy, different techniques to induce liver hypertrophy and modulate the future liver remnant are available. However, their use in specific clinical scenarios is highly heterogeneous and there is no consensus about minimal safety standards needed to incorporate these strategies into routine clinical practice. The aim of this position paper was to summarize newly available evidence in the field and compare medical practice among different hepatobiliary surgical units to evaluate the transformative potential of liver hypertrophy techniques in surgical oncology.

An uncommon case of neonatal asphyxia associated with infantile-onset Pompe disease.

Background: Pompe disease, also known as glycogenosis type II or acid maltase deficiency, is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a deficiency of alpha-glucosidase. The severity depends mainly on the type of mutation, which in turn determines early or late onset; therapy modifies the outcome but does not alter the severity of the disease at presentation.

Case Presentation: We present a case report of a male infant, inborn and delivered at a gestational age of 39 weeks.

Cost-Effectiveness of Atrial Fibrillation Screening Programmes Across European Nations.

Background And Aims: Due to the aging population in Europe, a significant increase in the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is anticipated. This is predicted to have a detrimental impact on public health costs, particularly among the elderly, because of an increased number of stroke cases. Early detection of AF is crucial for initiating treatment with oral anticoagulants (OACs) to reduce the risk of stroke.