University Hospital Foundation

Male accessory gland inflammation (MAGI) can impair male fertility through inflammation-driven oxidative stress and direct sperm damage; nutraceutical approaches may be useful when antibiotics are not indicated. Here, we evaluated a 3-month treatment with a Graminex™-based dietary supplement (Deprox-HP) in twenty MAGI patients integrating conventional semen analysis and oxidative stress assessment with sperm proteomics before and after therapy. After treatment, total and progressive sperm motility increased significantly, whereas sperm concentration and sperm morphology showed a non-significant upward trend. Sperm lipid peroxidation decreased markedly, while the antioxidant capacity showed a non-significant increase. Analysis of the sperm proteome demonstrated a clear PRE-POST clustering, consistent with treatment-associated remodeling. POST samples showed upregulation of proteins linked to sperm motility, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial metabolism and membrane remodeling. Two pregnancies occurred during the treatment period; in both cases, lipid peroxidation decreased along with an increase of morphologically typical spermatozoa, and sperm proteomics showed a concordant post-treatment shift enriched in flagellar and mitochondrial respiratory/redox compartments. Moreover, we found a selective enrichment POST treatment in these two patients of TEX50, a crucial protein involved in acrosome/head-stability during epididymal transit. Overall, Deprox-HP was associated with reduced oxidative membrane damage and a coordinated sperm proteomic shift consistent with improved motility.

Chronic kidney disease [CKD] is associated with profound alterations of both gut microbiota composition and functions, commonly referred to as gut dysbiosis. These changes are driven by several factors such as dietary restrictions, medications, and uremia, which further contribute to patients with CKD to their pro-inflammatory and immunocompromised state. Recent evidence suggests that dysbiosis may also increase susceptibility to infections, which remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in CKD patients. In this review, we aimed at examining the features of the altered gut microbiome in patients with CKD, its potential role in promoting infection risk, and current therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota to mitigate CKD-related complications.

Abstract Introduction : Artificial intelligence(AI) techniques may combine various omics datasets to create more accurate predictive models for lung cancer patients management. The aim of this study from the LANTERN project, is to develop an AI-based predictive model of post-operative complications after lung resection for NSCLC. Methods In the framework of LANTERN Consortium we prospectively collected data from 3/2023 to 12/2024 of patients who underwent curative surgery for Stage I-III NSCLC and were herein analyzed considering 80 preoperative clinical features and 43 spirometric variables to predict the occurrence of post-operative complications. Prediction models were developed on the basis of different feature selection algorithms and machine-learning models. An external dataset composed by a surgical series of 232 patients was used for validation. Results The final analysis was conducted on 231 surgical patients. Post-operative complications were observed in 37 patients (16%). AI-based models showed that pathologic score (AUC = 0.72, 95% CI [0.62–0.81]) and pre-opFEV1_TEOR (AUC = 0.77, CI [0.67–0.89]) was the most relevant variables. Testing the models on the external dataset, while the predictive value of Pathologic score alone was reduced, pre-opFEV1_TEOR and the combination of Pathologic score and pre-opFEV1_TEOR were confirmed to predict post-op outcome. Postoperative risk rises by about 6% per pathologic score level and 11–12% for each 10% decrease in FEV1_TEOR. Conclusions Combining the FEV1_TEOR and the pathologic score permits to predict the complications risk in significant way. This model could be tested in a further prospective cohort of patients to verify its effectiveness in order to improve the perioperative management of lung resection candidates.

<h3>Introduction</h3> Respiratory and oropharyngeal secretions present significant challenges in motor neurone disease (MND). Symptoms such as choking and impaired cough compromise quality of life, place burdens on unpaid carers, and limit the effectiveness of interventions including non-invasive ventilation. Despite their prevalence, good symptom management is rare. <h3>Aims</h3> The session Aims to: Describe the complexity of secretion management in MND. Consider the Impact of cough, choking, and secretion difficulties on patients and carers. Present emerging evidence and co-produced interventions to improve practice. <h3>Methods</h3> Speakers will present perspectives informed by clinical research and co-production with people living with MND. Topics include healthcare professional challenges, development of assessment tools, co-designed clinical management plans for choking, and approaches to sialorrhea management in complex neurological disability. A person living with MND will provide a lived experience perspective. The 45-minute session will combine structured presentations with panel discussion and case studies. <h3>Results</h3> The session will highlight the multifactorial nature of secretion management, the need for individualised approaches to cough augmentation, and the importance of equipping clinicians with confidence to respond to choking episodes. Co-production with patients and carers will underpin practical guidance and assessment tools, ensuring interventions are clinically relevant and acceptable. Lessons from specialist neurological care will broaden understanding of transferable strategies for secretion management. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Effective management of cough and secretions in MND require integrated, patient-centred solutions. Collaborative approaches between clinicians, researchers, and people living with MND will generate interventions that address unmet needs in palliative care. <h3>Impact</h3> This work will strengthen professional knowledge and confidence, support equitable palliative care for non-cancer conditions, and demonstrate the value of co-production. It will provide a model for improving symptom management and quality of life in MND and related neurodegenerative diseases.

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In the daily clinical practice of cattle, the use of locoregional anaesthesia is needed to provide analgesia during standing surgical procedures. It is important to ensure the success of the blockade before starting the surgery. One of the most used techniques is the paravertebral lumbar block. In this pilot study we evaluated the efficacy of thermography in assessing this block. For this matter, 12 cows from our university research and teaching farm, with similar characteristics, were included and in which an ultrasound-guided technique of lumbar paravertebral block (T13/L1) or (L1/L2) with lidocaine was performed. Thermal photographs were taken with a FLIR® One camera at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min and at the same time a test to evaluate the response to a painful stimulus was performed in each dermatome (T13, L1, L2 and L3). The data was collected in predesigned cards and placed in the Excel programme for further statistical analysis with the R programme. The analysis determined a correlation between the increase in skin temperature of the dermatomes that had been blocked and the increase in skin temperature and the negative response to the painful stimulus test. Although the pilot study has some limitations, this allows us to assess the use of thermography as an efficient method for assessing the success of lumbar paravertebral blockade in cattle.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). The adult parasite typically resides in the intestine of canids, while the larval stage, a fluid-filled cyst, primarily resides in the liver and lungs of ungulates and humans. The diagnosis of abdominal CE in humans is mainly based on ultrasound (US) complemented by serology, but both techniques present limitations. Therefore, new diagnostic methods are needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential suitable biomarkers for parasitic diseases, as well as for the diagnosis and cyst staging of CE. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of three E. granulosus s.l. miRNAs (egr-let-7-5p, egr-miR-10a-5p, and egr-miR-71-5p) in the serum of CE patients using novel TaqMan-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) assays. Serum samples from 25 patients with CE, 10 patients with non-CE hepatic lesions, and 10 patients with other parasitic infections were collected. In addition, four cyst fluids were also obtained. Total small RNAs were extracted, reverse-transcribed into cDNA, and amplified. Echinococcus granulosus s.l. miRNAs were detected by qPCR and dPCR in cyst fluid samples, and by dPCR in serum samples. In detail, egr-let-7-5p, egr-miR-10a-5p, and egr-miR-71-5p were amplified in 52%, 48%, and 36% of CE samples, respectively (range: 0.20- 2.86 copies/µL). No egr-miRNAs were detected in patients with non-CE hepatic lesions, whereas egr-miR-71-5p was amplified in only one Schistosoma spp. patient. In association with US for CE diagnosis, dPCR assay showed the highest performance when a single E. granulosus s.l. miRNA was amplified, achieving a sensitivity of 84% (95% CI 63.9-95.5) and specificity of 95% (95% CI 75.0-99.9). Increasing the number of positive miRNAs required for a positive result reduced sensitivity substantially (40% with two miRNAs, 95% CI 21.1-61.3; 12% with three miRNAs, 95% CI 2.5-31.2). In conclusion, although this study's explorative nature and the limited sample size, the detection of E. granulosus s.l. miRNAs in the serum of CE patients proved feasible, potentially supporting the medical decision-making process in association with US for CE diagnosis.