Search Results (384)

Iron plays a vital role in insulin signaling, regulating molecular mechanisms that influence cellular insulin responses. This review explores the link between iron metabolism and insulin resistance (IR) in children and adolescents with obesity. A connection between iron metabolism, iron deficiency (ID), and IR is well-documented, but further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand how iron metabolism influences insulin resistance during childhood and adolescence. This connection warrants attention due to its significant public health implications, as optimizing obesity management could help prevent both ID and metabolic complications in children. Current evidence does not suggest that dietary factors are primary contributors to ID in children. However, there is scientific evidence that weight reduction can restore iron homeostasis in people with obesity. Therefore, efforts should focus on improving dietary habits, increasing awareness of iron’s importance, and implementing strategies to address both ID and obesity. Full article

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stroke are interconnected conditions that often share risk factors such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and systemic inflammation. When these events occur simultaneously, they present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This review explores the pathophysiological mechanisms linking ACS and stroke, including common pathways like plaque instability, cardioembolism, and endothelial dysfunction, while highlighting the distinct features of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. The manuscript provides an overview of diagnostic strategies, emphasizing the role of biomarkers, advanced neuroimaging, and risk stratification tools in guiding acute management. Furthermore, the review delves into treatment approach, emphasizing the need to balance reperfusion therapies for ACS with thrombolysis or thrombectomy for ischemic stroke while carefully managing the challenges posed by anticoagulation in cases complicated by bleeding. Long-term strategies for secondary prevention are examined, including antithrombotic regimens tailored to the dual risk of thrombosis and bleeding, as well as lipid-lowering and blood pressure management. Future perspectives highlight the potential of novel pharmacological agents, neuroprotective therapies, and AI-driven tools to enhance patient outcomes. This review underscores the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary care and identifies key areas for future research to optimize the management of these high-risk patients. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with better cardiovascular health, with evidence suggesting that it may play a key role in reducing arterial stiffness. This research aims to systematically review existing evidence on the association between a Mediterranean diet pattern and arterial stiffness in the general population. Methods: The literature was examined in six electronic databases up until December 2024. The evaluation of the 128 publications based on inclusion criteria resulted in the selection of 16 observational and randomized controlled trials that aligned with the research question. Two researchers simultaneously extracted the data, employing inter-rater reliability (IRR) to assess coder agreement, followed by the κ statistic to evaluate accuracy and precision. According to the PRISMA principles and quality evaluation procedures, all data extraction phases achieved a k coefficient of no less than 0.9. All publications, with the exception of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were evaluated for bias risk utilizing the NIH Quality Assessment Toolkit. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024597173). Results: Most studies were observational (ten cross-sectional, three longitudinal), with three RCTs. Studies were primarily conducted in Europe (82%), followed by America (12%) and Australia (6%), with a total of 13,680 participants. The evidence showed an inverse relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and arterial stiffness, with a focus on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the Augmentation Index (AIx) as outcome measures. Lower but consistent and statistically significant evidence was also found in the cross-tabulation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the cardiovascular ankle index (CAVI), a proxy of the overall stiffness of the artery from the origin of the aorta to the ankle. Study quality ranged from moderate to high. Conclusions: The available evidence consistently shows that people who follow a Mediterranean diet may have less stiff arteries and, therefore, a lower cardiovascular risk. However, multifactorial biological pathways still need to be corroborated. Full article

Microplastic contamination is rapidly becoming an increasingly worrying environmental problem and poses a real threat to marine ecosystems and human health. The aim of this research was to conduct a traditional review of the current state of the art regarding the sources of MPs in marine environment, including an assessment of their toxic effect on marine organisms and transfer within the food webs and up to humans. An extensive literature search (from 1 January 2024 to 15 February 2025) yielded a total of 1027 primary research articles on this topic. This overview revealed that MPs can be ingested by marine organisms, migrate through the intestinal wall, and spread to other organs. They can biomagnify along the food chain and can be carriers of toxic chemicals and pathogen agents. Exposure of marine organisms to MPs can lead to several risks, including tissue damage, oxidative stress, and changes in immune-related gene expression, neurotoxicity, growth retardation, and behavioural abnormalities. The toxicity of MPs depends mainly on the particle size distribution and composition/characteristics of the polymer. The main routes of human exposure to MPs have been identified as ingestion (mainly seafood), inhalation, and dermal exposure. There is strong evidence of contamination of seafood by MPs, which pose a potential risk to human health. This study provides the basis for assessing MPs’ risk to marine ecosystems and potential human health impacts. Full article

We investigated the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and prognostic role of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC) in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-TDT). We retrospectively included 415 β-TDT patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance to quantify myocardial iron overload (MIO) and biventricular function parameters and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis. Demographic and laboratory parameters were comparable among patients with no overt cardiomyopathy (NOCM; n = 294), DCM (n = 12), and NDLVC (n = 109), while cardiac size and systolic function were significantly different. Compared to NOCM patients, DCM and NDLVC patients had a higher prevalence of MIO and replacement myocardial fibrosis. During a mean follow-up of 57.03 ± 18.01 months, cardiac complications occurred in 32 (7.7%) patients: 15 heart failures, 15 supraventricular arrhythmias, and 2 pulmonary hypertensions. Compared to the NOCM group, both the NDLVC and the DCM groups were associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiac complications (hazard ratio = 4.26 and 8.81, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictive factors were age, MIO, and the presence of DCM and NDLVC versus the NOCM phenotype. In β-TDT, the detection of NDLVC and DCM phenotypes may hold value in predicting cardiac outcomes. Full article

Mucomics is the study of mucus and its biochemical properties. This discipline has gained increasing attention due to the critical roles mucus plays in protection, adhesion, and communication across species. Ethical restrictions on vertebrate research have driven the interest in invertebrate models such as mollusks. Mollusks produce large amounts of mucus which has several functions, including immune defense, digestion, and environmental adaptation. Mollusks—terrestrial, freshwater, or marine—are valuable models for investigating mucus composition and its responses to environmental stressors, including heavy metal contamination. Histochemical and glycomic techniques have revealed variations in mucin glycosylation patterns that influence mucus functionality, such as its viscoelastic and adhesive properties. Bivalves and gastropods, widely used as bioindicators and generally not subject to regulatory constraints in experimental use, accumulate pollutants in their mucus, reflecting environmental health. Investigative techniques such as lectin histochemistry, proteomic, and glycomic analyses provide insights into the impact of contaminants on mucus composition. Further research on molluscan mucins can enhance understanding of their physiological roles, environmental interactions, and potential biomedical applications. By integrating molecular and histochemical approaches, mucomic studies offer a comprehensive perspective on mucus function, advancing both ecological monitoring and biotechnological applications. Full article

In the oil and gas sectors, as well as in waste landfills, the commitment to greater sustainability is leading to increased efforts in the search for methane leaks, both to avoid the emission of a major greenhouse gas and to enable greater fuel recovery. For rapid leak detection and flow estimation, drone-mounted sensors are used, which require a balanced configuration of the detection and measurement system, adequate for the specific sensor used. In the present work, the search for methane leaks is carried out using a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) mounted on a drone. Once the survey is carried out, the data obtained feed the algorithms necessary for estimating the methane flow using the mass balance approach. Various algorithms are tested in the background measurement phases and in the actual detection phase, integrated with each other in order to constitute a single balanced set-up for the estimation of the flow emitted. The research methodology adopted is that of field testing through controlled releases of methane. Three different flows are released to simulate different emission intensities: 0.054, 1.91 and 95.9 kg/h. Various data configurations are developed in order to capture the set-up that best represents the emission situation. The results show that for the correction of methane background errors, the threshold that best fits appears to be the one that combines an initial application of the 2σ threshold on the mean values with the subsequent application of the new 2σ threshold calculated on the remaining values. Among the detection algorithms, however, the use of a threshold of the 75th percentile on a series of 25 consecutive readings to ascertain the presence of methane is reported as an optimal result. For a sustainable approach to become truly practicable, it is necessary to have effective and reliable measurement systems. In this context, the integrated use of the highlighted algorithms allows for a greater identification of false positives which are therefore excluded both from the physical search for the leak and from the flow estimation calculations, arriving at a more consistent quantification, especially in the presence of low-emission flows. Full article

The literature has identified several common acute and chronic complications associated with periodontal health during pregnancy, such as gingivitis, recession, periodontitis, and changes in systemic health, such as gestational diabetes, which may act as additional risk factors for chronic periodontal disease. Are the general public and health care providers aware of the potential risks of systemic and intrauterine inflammation caused by bacteria from the oral microbiota entering the bloodstream through inflamed gingival tissue and affecting the fetoplacental unit, leading to complications, such as preterm birth and reduced prenatal growth? A questionnaire-based survey, conducted between January 2023 and June 2023, aimed to assess patients’ personal oral hygiene practices and their understanding of the link between pregnancy and periodontal health. A total of 826 people completed a questionnaire for this study. The majority of women surveyed (86.9%) were not pregnant, but 77.7% had at least one child. The majority of women believed in good oral hygiene during pregnancy but lacked knowledge about how oral care can affect pregnancy outcomes. Full article

We present the continuation of a study on an international MOOC for the training of mathematics teachers who were introduced to the methodology of outdoor mathematics through MathCityMap. Previously, we presented the immediate learning and professional development outcomes achieved by teachers who participated in the MOOC. Here, using the theoretical framework of Meta-Didactical Transposition and performing a mixed-type analysis, we investigate the long-term impact of the MOOC on these teachers to whom we administered a questionnaire one year after the end of the MOOC. We conclude that for these teachers, practising mathematics outdoors has become a consolidated teaching practice, but they still feel quite uncomfortable for structural reasons about using some pedagogical instruments they have learned in the MOOC. Full article

Optical aberrations represent a critical issue for gravitational wave interferometers, as they impact the stability and controllability of the experiment. In the next generation of detectors, the circulating power in the cavity arms is expected to increase by up to a factor of 20 compared to current ones. This significant increase makes the mitigation of power-dependent optical aberrations extremely challenging. In this paper, we describe the problem of absorption in the optics and its role in generating some of the most important wavefront distortions, along with the present compensation strategy. To meet the new stringent requirements, new technologies must be designed, and existing ones upgraded. We present a review of the strategies and concepts in the field of aberration control in gravitational wave detectors and discuss the challenges for future detectors like the high-power operation of the Einstein Telescope. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) treatment plays an important role in the transition phase in those subjects diagnosed as having persistent growth hormone deficiency (GHD). We aimed to identify the main predictors of persistent GHD in a large cohort of subjects with childhood-onset GHD who underwent retesting and their correlation with height gain and mid-parental height (MPH). Methods: Anthropometric data, such as growth rate; bone age (BA); IGF-1 SDS at the start, at 1 year, and at the end of rhGH therapy; GH peak at diagnosis and at retesting; brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at diagnosis; and height gain upon reaching final height (FH) and compared to MPH, were obtained from medical records of GHD patients. Results: Persistent GHD was detected in 37 out of 91 (40.7%) GHD subjects. In univariate analysis, persistent GHD was associated with growth rate at 1 year (p = 0.0117) and with the first test GH peak (p = 0.0290). In the regression analysis, persistent GHD was positively associated with growth rate at 1 year (p = 0.0294) and negatively with female gender (p = 0.0424). Height gain was positively associated with growth rate (p = 0.0010) and with age at onset (p = 0.0021), while an inverse association with BA at baseline (p = 0.0002) and IGF-1 SDS (p = 0.0321) was found. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that the most important predictor of persistent GHD is the growth rate in the first year of therapy. Furthermore, growth rate in the first year, female gender, and lower BA at diagnosis are predictors of rhGH efficacy both in terms of height gain and target height achievement. Full article

Background/Objectives: The identification of driver mutations in NSCLC such as those in the EGFR and KRAS genes has revolutionized the understanding and management of many lung cancer patients and has opened up a new scenario in the early disease stages in terms of therapeutic options (EGFR) and prognosis (KRAS). Data on prevalence rates and disease stage distributions of EGFR and KRAS mutations in surgically resected NSCLC are growing, but in Southern Italy, estimation is limited, since upfront EGFR testing in early-stage adenocarcinoma has been only recently introduced according to the current guidelines in clinical practice, whereas KRAS screening is usually uninvestigated in resected NSCLC. In this real-life study of a single institution in the Apulia Region, we provide an overview of the epidemiological distribution of EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients in Southern Italy with resected NSCLC, highlighting their prevalence, clinical significance, and correlation with demographic and pathological factors. A literature review was also performed to compare our findings with the most recent available data from the screening of Italian cohorts of advanced and surgically resected NSCLC patients. Methods: Data from 149 patients coming from Southern Italy with surgically resected NSCLC were retrospectively collected over a period of 16 years. EGFR and KRAS mutation screenings were performed and correlated with clinical and pathological data. Results: In total, 24 out of 149 NSCLC (16%) patients harbored an EGFR mutation. Exon 19 deletions and missense p.L858R mutations of the EGFR gene have quite similar frequencies (46%) and were more observed in never smokers (p < 0.001) and female (p < 0.001) patients with the adenocarcinoma histotype. KRAS gene mutations were detected in 31.5% of cases, with missense p.G12C (32%), p.G12V (28%), and p.G12D (17%) mutations as the most frequent ones. Neither EGFR nor KRAS mutational status were found to impact overall survival (OS) in our study cohort. Conclusions: Our findings improve the understanding of lung cancer genetics in a small and homogeneous area of Southern Italy and guide future research. The EGFR and KRAS mutations in NSCLC resected patients from Southern Italy showed a global similar incidence compared to other recently described Italian cohorts of advanced and early-stage NSCLC, with a higher frequency of exon19 EGFR deletions. No prognostic impact was observed for both EGFR and KRAS status, but additional investigations on a larger cohort are needed. Full article

The Belostomatidae is a family of aquatic Heteropteran insects that normally inhabit swamps of tropical, subtropical and temperate regions where they naturally feed on a large range of prey, mainly fish, amphibians and reptiles. However, these arthropods can occasionally bite humans when provoked, causing pain. The only species of giant water bug known to be found in Europe is Lethocerus (L.) patruelis. We reported the finding of a specimen of female L. patruelis in Southern Italy. The arthropod was collected by a tourist on his body while he lying down on a beach close to a nature reserve. To finalize the giant water bug identification, both morphological and molecular tools were used for the first time in our country. Herein, information on cases of patients bitten by giant water bugs belonging to the Belostomatidae family are reported, and circumstances involving their contact with humans are also discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Brodalumab is a monoclonal antibody against the anti-IL-17 receptor A, approved for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. This retrospective study investigated patients in clinical practice to assess the impact of body weight and previous treatments with biologics on the effectiveness of brodalumab. Methods: Patients were treated according to clinical practice, and assessed at baseline, 16, 36 and 52 weeks by means of the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and DLQI score. Overall, 299 patients were included (147 naïve to biologics). Results: Mean PASI was significantly reduced compared with the baseline in the overall population by week 4 and continued to decrease at each study time point (15.9 ± 7.9 at baseline, 5.4 ± 5.3 at week 4, 1.9 ± 3.6 at week 6, 1.0 ± 2.1 at week 36, and 0.8 ± 2.1 at week 52; p < 0.001 at each control). PASI improved significantly both in bio-naïve and bio-experienced patients (p < 0.001). The proportions of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100 were comparable between the bio-naïve and bio-experienced groups at all time points. The percentages of patients who achieved PASI 75 were similar in obese and non-obese subjects at all determinations except the visit performed after 36 weeks of treatment (94.3% non-obese vs. 83.1% obese, p = 0.005). PASI 90 was achieved more frequently among non-obese patients than obese patients after 36 weeks (80.7% vs. 64.4%, p = 0.008) and 52 weeks of treatment (84.1% vs. 71.7%, 0.027). The probability of achieving PASI 75 and PASI 100 was independent of nutritional status at any time during the study. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results confirm that brodalumab has both rapid and sustained effectiveness in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis; our results could be extended to patients with multiple risk factors impairing treatment response, such as multiple biological failure and obesity. Full article

The success of the Primitivo variety underscores the critical need for the managing of clone genetic conservation, utilization, and improvement. By combining genomic and environmental data, breeders can better predict the performance of varieties, thereby improving breeding efficiency and enabling more targeted development of high-quality grapevine cultivars. In this study, 35 Primitivo clones were analysed, including selected and certified clones that have been propagated over several years in Apulia. Genetic variability among the Primitivo clones was assessed through genotyping by sequencing. Using 38,387 filtered SNPs, pairwise identity-by-state (IBS) analysis demonstrated the uniqueness of the 35 clones (IBS < 0.75), indicating a high degree of variability among the samples. Genetic diversity analysis revealed three primary groups, which were differentiated based on geographic origin. The clones from Gioia del Colle were grouped into two distinct clusters, which aligns with the observed variation in grape-related traits. The fixation index (F_ST > 0.50) identified numerous loci putatively associated with stress responses and developmental traits, including genes involved in key plant biological processes, stress response regulation, and adaptation to environmental conditions such as glutamate receptors, auxin, and ethylene signalling. Full article