Correlation between endometriosis and migraine features: Results from a prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis and migraine frequently coexist, but only a limited number of studies have focused on their mutual association. The aim of our study was to investigate, in untreated women with comorbid endometriosis/adenomyosis and migraine, the correlation between headache features and endometriotic subtypes and their possible relationship with pain severity and disease disability. METHODS: Fifty women affected by endometriosis/adenomyosis and migraine matched (1:2) with 100 patients with endometriosis alone and 100 patients with only migraine were recruited and underwent pelvic ultrasound imaging and neurological examination. RESULTS: Severe adenomyosis, posterior and anterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (p = 0.027, p = 0.0031 and p = 0.029, respectively) occurred more frequently in women with migraine. Dysmenorrhea was the most commonly reported symptom in women with endometriosis and migraine and the mean VAS scores of all typical endometriotic symptoms were significantly higher in the presence of comorbidity. Women with both migraine and endometriosis reported significant higher pain intensity (p = 0.004), higher monthly migraine days (p = 0.042) and increased HIT 6-scores (p = 0.01), compared with those without endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the co-occurrence of migraine in untreated women with endometriosis is associated with more severe gynecological infiltrations and correlated with increased pain intensity and disease disability.Trial Registration: Protocol number 119/21.

Chronic kidney disease and orthostatic hypotension in hospitalised older adults.

PURPOSE: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) may predispose older adults to health complications leading to functional impairment. Despite the central role of the kidney in blood pressure control, the contribution of renal function in orthostatic hypotension is poorly investigated. To verify the association between Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and OH a population of hospitalised elderly patients with comorbidities was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 174 patients were consecutively admitted to Acute Geriatric Wards. On admission, patients underwent postural systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure evaluation by automatic oscillometric device after 10 min rest in lying position, and in standing position at time 0, 1, 3 and 5 min. CKD was assumed for estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: The mean age of the population enrolled was 74.4 ± 7.0. OH was found in 46.0% and CKD in 56.3% of patients, respectively. A lower e-GFR was observed in patients with (56.1 ± 16.7 mL/min/1.73 m2) than in those without OH (61.1 ± 15.9 mL/min/1.73 m2) (p < 0.05). A greater fall in SBP at 0-min (12.8 ± 6.3 vs. 7.7 ± 3.2 mmHg) and at 1-min (8.4 ± 4.5 vs. 5.7 ± 2.8 mmHg) was found in CKD patients in respect to patients without CKD during active standing test (p < 0.05). Similarly, a DBP reduction at 0-min and at 1-min was observed in CKD patients in respect to patients without CKD (p < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CKD was associated to OH (OR 2.426; 95%CI 1.192-4.937; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: CKD is associated to OH in hospitalised older adults.

An Appraisal of the Oleocanthal-Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Its Potential Anticancer and Neuroprotective Properties.

Dietary consumption of olive oil represents a key pillar of the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to exert beneficial effects on human health, such as the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases like cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. These health benefits are partly mediated by the high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is produced mostly in Mediterranean countries and is directly made from olives, the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). Preclinical evidence supports the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties exerted by the polyphenol oleocanthal, which belongs to the EVOO minor polar compound subclass of secoiridoids (like oleuropein). This narrative review aims to describe the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oleocanthal, as well as the potential anticancer and neuroprotective actions of this polyphenol. Based on recent evidence, we also discuss the reasons underlying the need to include the concentrations of oleocanthal and other polyphenols in the EVOO's nutrition facts label. Finally, we report our personal experience in the production of a certified organic EVOO with a "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO), which was obtained from olives of three different cultivars (Rotondella, Frantoio, and Leccino) harvested in geographical areas located a short distance from one another (villages' names: Gorga and Camella) within the Southern Italy "Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park" of the Campania Region (Province of Salerno, Italy).

The role of sirtuins and uncoupling proteins on vascular aging: The Northern Manhattan Study experience.

Aging affects all organs. Arteries, in particular, are among the most affected. Vascular aging (VA) is defined as age-associated changes in function and structure of vessels. Classical VA phenotypes are carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid plaque (CP), and arterial stiffness (STIFF). Individuals have different predisposition to these VA phenotypes and their associated risk of cardiovascular events. Some develop an early vascular aging (EVA), and others are protected and identified as having supernormal vascular aging (SUPERNOVA). The mechanisms leading to these phenotypes are not well understood. In the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), we found genetic variants in the 7 Sirtuins (SIRT) and 5 Uncoupling Proteins (UCP) to be differently associated with risk to developing VA phenotypes. In this article, we review the results of genetic-epidemiology studies to better understand which of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SIRT and UCP are responsible for both EVA and SUPERNOVA.

The first report of leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide.

INTRODUCTION: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small vessel vasculitis involving arterioles, capillaries and postcapillary venules. LCV is generally confined to the skin, with extracutaneous manifestations occurring less frequently. LCV has multiple potential etiologies. Indeed, histological LCV can be found in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, immune complex vasculitis, vasculitis associated with systemic diseases (i.e. sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus), or in vasculitis associated with cancer, infections, sepsis and use of certain medications. LCV can also be idiopathic in up to 50% of cases. CASE REPORT: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and overweight associated with one or more weight-related comorbidities. A case of drug-induced LCV has already been described with the use of once-daily oral semaglutide. Herein, we describe the first case of skin-limited LCV induced by once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide in a 73-year-old man with T2DM, who experienced the complete resolution of the skin lesions shortly after the discontinuation of semaglutide therapy. CONCLUSION: Future prospective studies, adverse event reporting and post-marketing surveillance will certainly contribute to establishing if LCV represents a less rare than expected side effect of both oral and subcutaneous semaglutide formulations.

The Relationship between Exposome and Microbiome.

Currently, exposome studies include a raft of different monitoring tools, including remote sensors, smartphones, omics analyses, distributed lag models, etc. The similarity in structure between the exposome and the microbiota plus their functions led us to pose three pertinent questions from this viewpoint, looking at the actual relationship between the exposome and the microbiota. In terms of the exposome, a bistable equilibrium between health and disease depends on constantly dealing with an ever-changing totality of exposures that together shape an individual from conception to death. Regarding scientific knowledge, the exposome is still lagging in certain areas, like the importance of microorganisms in the equation. The human microbiome is defined as an aggregate assemblage of gut commensals that are hosted by our surfaces related to the external environment. Commensals' resistance to a variety of environmental exposures, such as antibiotic administration, confirms that a layer of these organisms is protected within the host. The exposome is a conceptual framework defined as the environmental component of the science-inspired systems ideology that shifts from a specificity-based medical approach to reasoning in terms of complexity. A parallel concept in population health research and precision public health is the human flourishing index, which aims to account for the numerous environmental factors that affect individual and population well-being beyond ambient pollution.

Poor Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Sleep Disturbances Are Associated with Migraine Chronification and Disability among an Adult Population in the Lazio Region, Italy.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet and sleep quality, are receiving increasing interest as accessible therapeutic approaches to migraine. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has shown clear benefits in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as in sleep patterns. Here, our objective was to identify the impact of adherence to the MD and other lifestyle factors on the clinical burden of migraine. For this purpose, we enrolled 170 migraine patients and 100 controls, assessing the clinical disability of headache using standardized clinical scales (HIT-6 and MIDAS) in the migraineur cohort and lifestyle patterns in both groups through the PREDIMED score for MD adherence, the IPAQ scale for physical activity, and BMI. Subjects were also screened for sleep-wake disturbances based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We found that migraine patients had lower adherence to the MD compared to the controls and that the HIT-6 scale had a significant negative relationship with MD adherence in patients with high-frequency episodic and chronic migraine. Additionally, in the same migraine patients, the presence of sleep-wake disturbances was correlated with greater migraine disability as assessed by the MIDAS score. In conclusion, this study found that among different lifestyle factors, poor adherence to the MD and the presence of sleep-wake disturbances were closely associated with migraine disability and chronification.

Omega-3-Enriched Diet Improves Metabolic Profile in Prdx6-Deficient Mice Exposed to Microgravity.

BACKGROUND: Space travel has always been one of mankind's greatest dreams. Thanks to technological innovation, this dream is becoming more of a reality. Soon, humans (not only astronauts) will travel, live, and work in space. However, a microgravity environment can induce several pathological alterations that should be, at least in part, controlled and alleviated. Among those, glucose homeostasis impairment and insulin resistance occur, which can lead to reduced muscle mass and liver dysfunctions. Thus, it is relevant to shed light on the mechanism underlaying these pathological conditions, also considering a nutritional approach that can mitigate these effects. METHODS: To achieve this goal, we used Prdx6-/- mice exposed to Hindlimb Unloading (HU), a well-established experimental protocol to simulate microgravity, fed with a chow diet or an omega-3-enriched diet. RESULTS: Our results innovatively demonstrated that HU-induced metabolic alterations, mainly related to glucose metabolism, may be mitigated by the administration of omega-3-enriched diet. Specifically, a significant improvement in insulin resistance has been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, our results highlight the importance of specific nutritional approaches that can alleviate microgravity-induced harmful effects. These findings should be considered soon by those planning trips around the earth.

Papel inmunomodulador de la vitamina D y los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 en trastornos autoinmunes: Revisión de la Literatura / Immunomodulatory role of vitamin D and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in autoinmune disorders: Literature Review

Los trastornos autoinmunes representan una familia de al menos 80 condiciones diferentes que surgen de una respuesta aberrante del sistema inmunológico resultando finalmente en la destrucción de tejidos y órganos específicos del cuerpo. Es importante destacar que durante las últimas tres décadas los estudios epidemiológicos han proporcionado evidencia de un aumento constante en la incidencia y prevalencia de trastornos autoinmunes. En los últimos años, varios estudios han demostrado que la vitamina D y los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (AGPs) omega-3 ejercen propiedades inmunomoduladoras y antiinflamatorias sinérgicas que pueden aprovecharse positivamente para la prevención y el tratamiento de trastornos autoinmunes. En este sentido, el reciente ensayo clínico denominado VITAL (ensayo de vitamina D y omega 3); un estudio a gran escala, aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo encontró que la suplementación conjunta de vitamina D y AGPs omega-3 (VIDOM) puede reducir la incidencia de enfermedades autoinmunes. En esta revisión de la literatura, resumimos los mecanismos moleculares detrás de las propiedades inmunomoduladoras y antiinflamatorias de la vitamina D y los AGPs omega-3, así como la posible interacción bidireccional entre el metabolismo de la vitamina D y el metabolismo de los AGPs omega-3 que justifica la co- suplementación VIDOM en trastornos autoinmunes(AU)

Autoimmune disorders represent a family of at least 80 different conditions that arise from an aberrant immune system response, which ultimately results in the destruction of specific body tissues and organs. It is important to highlight that during the last three decades epidemiological studies have provided evidence of a steady increase in the incidence and prevalence of autoimmune disorders. In recent years, several studies have shown that vitamin D and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exert synergistic immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that can be positively harnessed for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune disorders. In this sense, the recent clinical trial called VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega 3 trial) - a large, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled study - found that co-supplementation of vitamin D and omega-3 PUFAs (VIDOM) can reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases. In this literature review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms behind the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D and omega-3 PUFAs, as well as the possible bidirectional interaction between vitamin D metabolism and omega-3 PUFA metabolism that justifies VIDOM co- supplementation in autoimmune disorders(AU)