Minerva medica
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Review
Exploring the landscape of academic retractions in medicine: a comprehensive umbrella review.
The escalating trend of academic article retractions over the last decades raises concerns about scientific integrity, but heterogeneity in retractions and reasons for them pose a major challenge. We aimed to comprehensively overview systematic reviews focusing on retractions in the biomedical literature. ⋯ In order to prevent retractions and amend their adverse effects, rigorous and transparent reporting standards, enhanced training in research ethics, strengthened peer review processes, and the establishment of collaborative and integrated research integrity offices are proposed.
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Review
Exploring the landscape of academic retractions in medicine: a comprehensive umbrella review.
The escalating trend of academic article retractions over the last decades raises concerns about scientific integrity, but heterogeneity in retractions and reasons for them pose a major challenge. We aimed to comprehensively overview systematic reviews focusing on retractions in the biomedical literature. ⋯ In order to prevent retractions and amend their adverse effects, rigorous and transparent reporting standards, enhanced training in research ethics, strengthened peer review processes, and the establishment of collaborative and integrated research integrity offices are proposed.
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Alcohol consumption can cause, beyond addiction, roughly 200 different diseases and at least fourteen types of cancer. In 2016 the WHO estimated that 29% of alcohol-related deaths were mainly due to oncological diseases, liver cirrhosis (20%), and cardiovascular disorders (19%). The aim of this review was to focus on the absorption and metabolism of ethanol and discuss the main conditions caused by alcohol consumption (i.e., liver and cardiovascular diseases, and tumors). ⋯ Even moderate drinking appears not to reduce mortality risk. Alcohol intake is one of the main risk factors for several pathological conditions and social problems, thus drastically impacting on public health. Proper awareness of the high risk related to alcohol consumption is of crucial importance to reduce the harm to public health.
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Review Historical Article
A 25-year-long journey into interventional cardiology: looking back, and rushing forward.
Cardiovascular disease remains decade after decade a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and resource use globally as well as locally. We have had the opportunity of being involved in several iterative breakthroughs in invasive cardiovascular procedures, ranging from the advent of coronary stents to transcatheter mitral valve repair. Building up such extensive clinical and research experience, we hereby present 25 years of cardiovascular interventions at Pineta Grande Hospital and Casa di Salute S. ⋯ Furthermore, this overview scrutinizes procedural challenges, patient outcomes, and quality of life improvements, providing a rich tapestry of clinical experiences and research insights. It serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of interventional cardiology, offering a forward-looking perspective on future trends and technologies. We hope that this overview will prove an informative and insightful read for those seeking to understand the intricate journey of invasive cardiovascular care over the past decades and its trajectory into the future.
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Pidotimod (3-L-pyroglutamyl-L-thiaziolidine-4-carboxylic acid) is a synthetic dipeptide with immunomodulatory properties that is indicated for use in adults and children over 3 years of age with documented cell-mediated immunodepression during respiratory and urinary tract infections. Infections are associated with an immune response that helps fight pathogens. In this scenario, inflammatory events occur to improve the antimicrobial reaction. ⋯ Recent studies provide interesting information on how Pidotimod affects the metabolomic profiles of patients with bronchiectasis, clinical and immunological outcomes of elderly patients with pneumonia, clinical and cellular changes in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma, and beneficial effects on cytokines and humoral immunity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Preliminary experience suggests that Pidotimod can shorten the duration of COVID-19 infection and reduce clinical severity by modulating the immune response, as well as prevent vaccination-related adverse events. In conclusion, the immunomodulatory properties of Pidotimod indicate that it may be a valuable option in managing patients with respiratory infections and other immune-mediated disorders, including allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma.