Predictors of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetic patients at onset: The role of metabolic memory

2011

Background Several epidemiological studies showed a close association between metabolic control and microvascular complications in type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). The aim of our longitudinal observational study was to evaluate the predictive role of the main clinical and biochemical parameters in determining microvascular complications. Methods 376 T1DM patients, hospitalized in our division from 1991 to 2005 (mean follow-up = 10.93 ± 4.26 years) were studied. Stepwise Cox regression analysis was used to identify the influence of residual ß-cell function, ß-cell autoimmunity, HbA1c levels and other clinical and laboratory parameters in the development of microalbuminuria and retinopathy. R…

An overview of statin-induced myopathy and perspectives for the future

2020

Introduction: Statins remain the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering drug class for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Their well-recognized side effects are known as statin-associated muscle symptom (SAMS). Some advances in this field have been made in recent years, but the understanding of the mechanisms has lagged. Investigating the specific role of the anti-HMGCR autoantibody, pharmacokinetic genetic variants, characterization of the known phenotypes of statin toxicity, in relation to clinical markers of disease, is of high importance. Areas covered: We summarized currently available findings (on PubMed) related to SAMS and discussed the therapeutic approaches,…

Liraglutide Improved Cardiometabolic Parameters More in Obese than in Non-obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-World 18-Month Prospective Stud…

2022

Introduction The glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP1-RA) liraglutide is currently approved for the treatment of both obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We investigated whether the effect of this agent on cardiometabolic parameters in subjects with T2DM varied in relation to the concomitant presence of obesity. Methods One hundred thirty-five subjects (78 men and 57 women; age: 62 +/- 10 years) naive to incretin-based therapies were treated with low-dose liraglutide (1.2 mg/day) as an add-on to metformin for 18 months. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on their body-mass index (BMI): (a) obese (BMI >= 30) and (b) non-obese (BMI < 30). Clinical and laboratory analyses we…

COVID in 2022. Clinical risk management of sars-cov-2 positive patients admitted to an internal medicine ward

2022

Diabetic Microagiopathy of Oral Mucosa Depends on Disease Duration and Therapy

2017

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic degenerative systemic disease whose prevalence is increasing. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of diabetic microangiopathy, depending on its duration and the type of treatment administered, by using polarized light videocapillaroscopy of the oral mucosa. Material/Methods: We enrolled 120 subjects: 60 healthy subjects and 60 patients with diabetes mellitus. In turn, patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the type of diabetes, the duration of the disease, and the type of treatment administered. A videocapillaroscopic examination of the oral mucosa was carried out on the diabetic and healthy subjects. Results: Changes in microcircu…

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: preoperative data, surgical technique and clinical outcomes

2019

Background: laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for adrenal lesions. The better clinical outcoms of laparoscopic technique are valid for treatment of small benign masses (< 5-6 cm), instead there are still open questions in literature regarding the correct management of larger lesions (> 6 cm) or in case of potentially malignant adrenal tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a referral surgical department for endocrine surgery. Methods: at the University Hospital Policlinico "P. Giaccone" of Palermo between January 2010 and December 2017 we performed a total of 81 laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We created a retr…

The degree of urinary hypercortisolism is not correlated with the severity of cushing’s syndrome

2017

Cushing syndrome (CS) is characterized by increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. However, there are patients who have more clinical aggressive forms than others. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether the degree of hypercortisolism, defined by the number of times urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels exceed the upper limit of the normal range (ULN), is related to the worsening of phenotypic features, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular parameters, in a cohort of CS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 192 patients with active CS, consecutively presenting at the outpatients' clinic of the University Hospitals of Ancona, Naples, and Palermo. Pati…

In Vitro Generation of Pancreatic Endocrine Cells from Human Adult Fibroblast-Like Limbal Stem Cells

2012

Stem cells might provide unlimited supply of transplantable cells for β-cell replacement therapy in diabetes. The human limbus is a highly specialized region hosting a well-recognized population of epithelial stem cells, which sustain the continuous renewal of the cornea, and the recently identified stromal fibroblast-like stem cells (f-LSCs), with apparent broader plasticity. However, the lack of specific molecular markers for the identification of the multipotent limbal subpopulation has so far limited the investigation of their differentiation potential. In this study we show that the human limbus contains uncommitted cells that could be potentially harnessed for the treatment of diabete…

Effects of Aging and Diet on Cardioprotection and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers.

2019

The prevalence of several diseases increases by age, including cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aging, as a complex process characterized by senescence, triggers various pathways, such as oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, metabolism dysfunction, telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction and deregulated autophagy. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying senescence may lead to the development of new therapeutic targets and strategies for age-related pathologies and extend the healthy lifespan. Modulating lifestyle risk factors and adopting healthy dietary patterns remain significant tools in delaying the aging …

Transient chylomicronemia preceding the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes in a young girl with no humoral markers of islet autoimmunity

2004

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the possible causes of diabetes in a young child who presented with hyperglycemia associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia (>166 mmol/l), hypercholesterolemia (>38 mmol/l) and fasting chilomicrons. RESULTS: The patient did not have any of the HLA and autoantibody markers typically associated with type 1 diabetes. A glucose clamp failed to demonstrate insulin resistance (peripheral glucose utilization rate (M)=4.3 mg/kg per min) and there was no family history of type 2 diabetes or maturity onset diabetes in youth. Both fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels, including those in response to i.v. glucagon, were below the limit of detection. This is consiste…

Three-dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopic adrenalectomy: A case-control study

2016

Abstract Introduction Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is today considered the gold standard of treatment for adrenal tumors. The development of high definition cameras does not eliminate the major limitation of two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopy: lack of depth perception and loss of spatial orientation. Tree-dimensional (3D) HD laparoscopy was developed as an alternative to conventional 2D laparoscopy. Methods We report our experience with use of 3D vision system for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Between January 2009 and March 2015 we performed a total of 52 laparoscopic adrenalectomies. In this case-control study we considered 13 laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed with three-dimensional (3D) vi…

Obesity and HFpEF.

2022

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has represented a therapeutic challenge in recent decades [...]

Innovation in endocrine surgery: robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Meta-analysis and systematic literature review.

2017

Several studies in the last years demonstrated the better surgical outcome of laparoscopic approach to adrenal gland. Laparoscopic surgery is more difficult to learn and requires different psychomotor skills than open surgery, especially with regard to complex maneuvers requiring precision and dexterity. The development of robotic platform with three-dimensional vision and increased degrees of freedom of the surgical instruments has the aim to overcome these problems. We performed a systematic literature review with meta-analysis to evaluate preoperative data and surgical outcomes of robotic adrenalectomy compared with laparoscopic technique. In September 2016 we performed a systematic lite…

Gut Microbiota, Obesity and Bariatric Surgery: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives.

2019

Background::There is an urgent need for a better understanding and management of obesity and obesity- associated diseases. It is known that obesity is associated with structural and functional changes in the microbiome.Methods::The purpose of this review is to present current evidence from animal and human studies, demonstrating the effects and the potential efficacy of microbiota modulation in improving obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions.Results::This review discusses possible mechanisms linking gut microbiota dysbiosis and obesity, since there is a dual interaction between the two of them. Furthermore, comments on bariatric surgery, as a favourable model to understand the under…

EVOO's Effects on Incretin Production: Is There a Rationale for a Combination in T2DM Therapy?

2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious public health concern as it is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide due to social and economic developments that have led to unhealthy lifestyles, with a considerable impact both in terms of morbidity and mortality. The management of T2DM, before starting specific therapies, includes cornerstones such as healthy eating, regular exercise and weight loss. Strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been related to an inverse association with the risk of T2DM onset, as well as an improvement in glycaemic control; in particular, thanks to the consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Agonists of gut-derived glucagon-like…

Late-onset Sheehan's syndrome presenting with rhabdomyolysis and hyponatremia: a case report.

2013

Abstract Introduction Hyponatremia associated with rhabdomyolysis is a rare event and a correct diagnostic approach is required to rule out this or other diseases as a primary cause and to avoid other complications resulting from a lack of appropriate treatment. Case presentation A 64-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our facility with worsening fatigue, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and high serum levels of creatine kinase and myoglobin together with hyponatremia. Normal arterial blood gas analysis results, normal serum potassium levels, increased urine sodium levels, urine specific gravity of >1003N/m3 and low urine volume suggested an endocrine etiology. Her low cortisol an…

Efficacy of a fasting-mimicking diet in functional therapy for depression: A randomised controlled pilot trial.

2020

Objective: This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of adding a fasting‐mimicking diet to a structured psychotherapy protocol for treating depression.Design: Of 20 patients with depression, 10 were randomly assigned to psychotherapy and dieting (i.e., experimental group) and the other 10 to psychotherapy only (i.e., control group). Patients in both groups received20 individual sessions of functional therapy along with nutrition consultation. Patients in the control group were instructed to maintain their usual daily diets. Results: Both treatments were effective in reducing depression as well as increasing self‐esteem and quality of life. The experimental group showed improved…

The clinical impact of an extra virgin olive oil enriched mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome: Lights and shadows of a nutraceutical approach

2022

For years it has been established that the only truly effective treatment of metabolic syndrome (MS) is lifestyle modification to prevent its cardiovascular (e.g., coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis), metabolic (e.g., diabetes mellitus), and hepatic (e.g., steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) complications. The focal points of this approach are to increase physical activity and intake of a diet characterized by high quantities of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, and low-fat dairy products, the so called mediterranean diet (MD); however, the added value of MD is the presence of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a healthy food with a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids,…

SGLT2 Inhibitors as the Most Promising Influencers on the Outcome of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most frequent liver disease in the Western world, is a common hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). A specific cure has not yet been identified, and its treatment is currently based on risk factor therapy. Given that the initial accumulation of triglycerides in the liver parenchyma, in the presence of inflammatory processes, mitochondrial dysfunction, lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, and oxidative stress, can evolve into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The main goal is to identify the factors contributing to this evolution because, once established, untreated NASH can progress through fibrosis to cirrhosis and, ultimately, be co…

Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma: From a Dogmatic to a Tailored Approach

2021

Background: Perioperative management of pheochromocytoma (PCC) remains under debate. Methods: A bicentric retrospective study was conducted, including all patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for PCC from 2000 to 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 treated with alpha-blockade, and Group 2, without alfa-blockers. The primary end point was the major complication rate. The secondary end points were: the need for advanced intra-operative hemostasis, the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), the length of stay (LOS), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. A p-value &lt

Median arcuate ligament syndrome, a rare case of chronic abdominal pain

2018

The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disease characterized by abdominal pain caused by the external compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament. Surgical treatment is indicated, but given the non-specific symptoms, these patients are often hospitalized in the Departments of Internal Medicine where the diagnosis may be unknown. We present a case of MALS admitted to our Internal Medicine Division. An abdominal ultrasound in a woman with longstanding abdominal pain showed elevated celiac artery velocities during forced expiration. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdomen showed stenosis of the origin of the celiac artery and confirmed the diagno…

Preliminary Results of CitraVes™ Effects on Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Waist Circumference in Healthy Subjects after 12 Weeks: A Pilot O…

2021

Appropriate monitoring and control of modifiable risk factors, such as the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other types of dyslipidemia, have an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recently, various nutraceuticals with lipid-lowering effects have gained attention. In addition to the plant-derived bioactive compounds, recent studies suggested that plant cells are able to release small lipoproteic structures named extracellular vesicles (EVs). The interaction between EVs and mammalian cells could lead to beneficial effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The present study aimed to assess the safety of the new patente…

Exenatide once-weekly improves metabolic parameters, endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type-2 diabetes: An …

2019

AIM: To evaluate the effect of exenatide long acting release (LAR) on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Sixty subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were treated with exenatide LAR as add-on to stable doses of metformin for 8 months in an open label study. Anthropometric variables, lipid profile and glycemic parameters were assessed by routine analysis. Carotid IMT by Doppler ultrasound and endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery were also assessed. RESULTS: Exenatide significantly improved fasting glycaemia (from 8.8 ± 2.8 to 7.3 ± 2.2 mmol/L, p < 0.0001), HbA1c (from 8.0 ± 0.4 …

CD4(+)IL-13(+) cells in peripheral blood well correlates with the severity of atopic dermatitis in children.

2005

BACKGROUND In atopic dermatitis (AD) a Th1/Th2 imbalance has been reported, and interleukin (IL)-13 seems to play a pivotal role in the inflammatory network. We tried to assess the correlation between the immunological marker CD4(+)IL-13(+) and the clinical phase of extrinsic AD in children. METHODS Twenty children with AD were studied. Assessed parameters were: clinical severity (SCORAD index), total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophil count, and percentage of CD4(+)IFNgamma(+), CD4(+)IL-4(+), CD4(+)IL-13(+) T cells. Determinations were carried out in the acute phase and after clinical remission were achieved. Ten nonatopic-matched children served as controls. RESULTS At baselin…

Elevated blood Hsp60, its structural similarities and cross-reactivity with thyroid molecules, and its presence on the plasma membrane of oncocytes p…

2014

The role Hsp60 might play in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases is under investigation, but little information exists pertaining to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). With the aim to fill this gap, in the present work, we directed our attention to Hsp60 participation in HT pathogenesis. We found Hsp60 levels increased in the blood of HT patients compared to controls. The chaperonin was immunolocalized in thyroid tissue specimens from patients with HT, both in thyrocytes and oncocytes (Hurthle cells) with higher levels compared to controls (goiter). In oncocytes, we found Hsp60 not only in the cytoplasm but also on the plasma membrane, as shown by double immunofluorescence performed on …

Un raro caso di sindrome ipoglicemica ipoinsulinemica: S. di Doege-Potter (SDP)

2014

Th1 and Th2 cell phenotypes in AITD: role of allergy in Graves' disease

2004

Distinct subsets of intrathyroidal regulatory CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ T cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Potential role in the neoplastic cell growt…

2005

Peak systolic velocity (PSV) in inferior thyroid arteries (ITA) at Graves'disease onset is predictive of the risk for ophtalmopathy development

2005

The relationship between metabolic syndrome and bone health: results of a retrospective gender specific female study.

2013

L’espressione di citochine TH1 e TH2 nei pazienti affetti da tireopatia autoimmune (AITD) e diabete di tipo 1

2004

Clinical anatomic, immunomorphologic and molecular anatomic data suggest interplay of thyroidal molecules, autoantibodies and Hsp60 in Hashimoto’s di…

2014

Hsp60 is, typically, a mitochondrial protein, but it also occurs in the cytosol, vesicles, and plasma membrane, and in the intercellular space and biological fluids, e.g., blood. Changes in the levels and distribution of Hsp60 are linked to several pathologies, including cancer and chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. What is the histopathological pattern of Hsp60 in the thyroid of Hashimoto’s patients? Are there indications of a pathogenic role of Hsp60 that may make Hashimoto’s thyroiditis a chaperonopathy? Experiments reported here provide information regarding those questions. We found by various immunomorphological techniques increased levels of Hsp60 in the thyroid from HT p…

I picchi di flusso delle AA. Tiroidee Inferiori all’esordio del M. di Graves sono predittivi di Basso Rischio di Associata Oftalmopatia

2004

High expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPRgamma) in infiltrating lymphocytes from glands with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

2005

Serological, immunomorphological and bioinformatics analyses suggest Hsp60 is involved in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis pathogenesis.

2013

L’uso del hrTSH nel follow up del microcarcinoma tiroideo in pazienti sottoposti a tiroidectomia totale

2004

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GONADAL HOMEOSTASIS AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN A POPULATION OF HOSPITALIZED DIABETIC MALES.

2015

Systolic flow peak of inferior thyroid arteries in Graves’disease: A predictive parameter for the ophalmopathy development.

2004

I picchi di flusso dell aa. tiroidee inferiori all'esordio del m. Graved sono predittivi di basso rischio di associata oftalmopatia

2004

Il c-peptide come marker principale nella storia naturale del Diabete di tipo 1: ruolo della funzione b-cellulare pancreatica nelle complicanze.

2004

Cellule Staminali Pancreatiche

2004

non disponibile

Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNAB) Molecular Analysis for the Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma through BRAFv600E mutation and RET/PTC rearrangement

2007

Objective: To evaluate BRAFV600E mutation on consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens in order to assess FNAB’s usefulness in preoperative papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosis with the contemporaneous analysis of RET=PTC1 and RET=PTC3 rearrangements obtained from ex vivo thyroid nodules. Design: Thyroid FNABs from 156 subjects with nodules and 49 corresponding surgical samples were examined for the presence of BRAF mutation by real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, confirmed with the use of a laser pressure catapulting system. Samples were also examined for RET=PTC rearrangements. The results were compared with the cytological diagnosis and histopathol…

Different Th1/Th2 cytokine expression in Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (T1DM) alone or associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD)

2004

Decreased regulatory CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

2003

Maggior rischio cardiometabolico nelle donne affette da Cushing, anche in assenza di una franca Sindrome Metabolica.

2013

Il c-peptide come marker principale nella storia naturale del Diabete tipo 1: ruolo della funzione b-cellulare pancreatica nelle complicanze

2004

Decremento delle cellule T regolatorie (Treg) CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ nei linfociti periferici dei pazienti affetti da diabete di tipo 1.

2006

Low hrTSH-Tg levels in patients affected by papillary thyroid microcarcinoma are influenced by pre-surgery L-thyroxine therapy.

2006

Amplificazione real-time allele-specifica per l'individuazione della mutazione V600E del B-RAF nel carcinoma papillare su agoaspirato tiroideo.

2005

Differente pattern di espressione di citochine a fenotipo Th1 e Th2 nei pazienti affetti da diabete di tipo 1 (T1DM) e con associata tireopatia autoi…

2004

L’espressione del “peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma” (PPARgamma) nelle tireopatie croniche autoimmuni

2003

The sonographic pattern of neck lymph nodes in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

2013

Background: Neck lymph nodes may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT).We hypothesized that the involvement of cervical lymph nodes in CAT may be associated with a different sonographic pattern of neck nodes in comparison to subjects without CAT. Methods: We included 106 patients (92 females and 14 males) with CAT and 70 control subjects (53 females andm17 males) without clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic evidence of thyroid and neck diseases. We performed laboratory tests (thyrotropin, antithyroperoxidase antibodies, antithyroglobulin antibodies, and ultrasonography) to evaluate in each group: (i) thyroid function, autoimmunity, and morphology; (i…