Letteria Minutoli

Background: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia frequently coexist in older adults and jointly contribute to increased risk of falls and fragility fractures. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been broadly associated with favorable health outcomes, its potential role in modulating muscle-related functional status and, indirectly, fracture risk remains incompletely understood. Objective: To investigate the association between adherence to MD and SARC-F-assessed functional status, and to explore their interplay with FRAX-estimated fracture probability in postmenopausal women evaluated for osteoporosis. Methods: Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Medi-Lite questionnaire. Muscle-related functional status was evaluated through the SARC-F questionnaire and objectively measured by handgrip strength. Fracture probability was estimated using the FRAX tool. Correlation and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate associations among study variables. In addition, an exploratory indirect-effect analysis was conducted to investigate whether functional status might represent a potential intermediate pathway linking MD adherence and FRAX-estimated fracture probability. Results: A total of 96 participants (median age 66 years) were consecutively recruited. Greater adherence to the MD was associated with lower SARC-F scores (r = −0.292; p = 0.005), indicating better muscle-related functional status. SARC-F scores were inversely correlated with handgrip strength (r = −0.264; p = 0.013) and positively correlated with the estimated 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (r = 0.289; p = 0.005) and hip fractures (r = 0.277; p = 0.008). No significant associations were observed between MD adherence and FRAX-estimated fracture probability, bone mineral density, or prevalent fractures. In the exploratory indirect-effect analysis, a significant indirect association between MD adherence and FRAX-estimated fracture probability through SARC-F score was observed, whereas the direct association was not significant. Conclusions: In postmenopausal women referred for osteoporosis evaluation, greater adherence to the MD was associated with better self-reported muscle-related functional status but not directly with FRAX-estimated fracture probability. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that functional status may represent an intermediate link between dietary habits and estimated fracture risk. However, because dietary adherence, functional status, and fracture risk were assessed simultaneously, no causal or temporal inferences can be drawn. Consequently, the indirect-effect findings should be regarded as exploratory and hypothesis-generating, requiring confirmation in adequately powered longitudinal and mechanistic studies.

The journal retracts the article titled, “A Flavonoid-Rich Extract from Bergamot Juice, Alone or in Association with Curcumin and Resveratrol, Shows Protective Effects in a Murine Model of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury”

The ocular surface microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining ocular health, preventing infections, and regulating immune responses. Contact lens (CL) wear has been linked to alterations in microbial composition, potentially leading to dysbiosis and increased susceptibility to ocular infections. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the effects of CL use on the ocular microbiome and to discuss strategies to preserve microbial homeostasis. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language human studies published between January 2005 and January 2025. We included original studies and systematic reviews evaluating the ocular surface bacterial community in contact lens (CL) wearers using either sequencing-based approaches (microbiome; e.g., 16S rRNA gene sequencing/metagenomics) or culture-based methods (microbiota). Two authors screened titles/abstracts and full texts. Overall, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were qualitatively synthesized. Across included studies, CL wear was associated with reproducible changes in the ocular surface bacterial community, most commonly a shift toward a skin-like profile and increased detection/relative abundance of opportunistic taxa (e.g., Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus) together with reduced representation of typical ocular commensals in several sequencing-based datasets. Culture-based studies reported increased recovery of opportunistic bacteria from lenses and storage cases, supporting contamination/biofilm-related mechanisms. Lens care solutions and preservatives were reported to modulate bacterial profiles and may contribute to dysbiosis, although evidence remains heterogeneous across study designs and analytic pipelines. CL use is associated with significant alterations in the ocular microbiome, increasing the risk of microbial keratitis and corneal inflammatory events. Strategies to maintain microbial balance, including careful selection of lens care products and development of antimicrobial lenses, may improve ocular surface health in CL wearers. Future longitudinal studies with standardized sampling and analytic workflows are needed to clarify causal links between CL-associated microbial changes and clinical outcomes.

In the original publication [...].

Lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of blood tumors, generally divided into non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (90% of all lymphomas) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). High-grade NHL can rapidly progress so that new strategies and potentially therapeutical options are needed. Recently, it was shown that Vitamin D (VitD) inhibits the growth of cancer cells, controls their invasion and metastasis, and strengthens the antitumor activity of various types of chemotherapeutic anticancer agents. Therefore, we reviewed the recent literature about the influence of VitD and its analogues (VDAs) on the treatment and the prognosis of B-cell lymphomas. As to the in vitro studies in different cell lines, VitD3 and VDAs enhanced the anti-proliferative efficacy of various chemotherapeutics and increased the expression of VitD receptor. In in vivo studies, blood levels of VitD were considered: higher values of plasma bioavailable VitD were correlated with better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while an unfavorable PFS and OS were observed in VitD deficient groups. No clinical trial was made on the analogs, thus confirming the absence of in vivo positive role of these synthetic drugs. In conclusion, higher levels of circulating VitD are related to improved OS, reduced cancer-specific mortality, and better disease-free survival. VitD and analogs showed also positive effects in in vitro studies, while only VitD was able to improve clinical parameters. Furthermore, a complex approach with plant-based diet, adequate levels for motor exercise, and/or eventual VitD supplementation could be a valuable strategy to challenge lymphomas.

The journal retracts the article titled “Beta-Caryophyllene, a Plant-Derived CB2 Receptor Agonist, Protects SH-SY5Y Cells from Cadmium-Induced Toxicity”

Obesity is considered one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The browning process has been recently recognized as a promising anti-obesity therapy. Lycopene (LYC) and Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (GE) might be important resources for anti-obesity drugs; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of LYC and GE on 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Zucker rats. Mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated in mature adipocytes and then treated with LYC (0.5 μM), GE (30 mg/mL) or LYC + GE for 24 h. Moreover, male Zucker Crl:ZUC-Leprfa rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups of 10 animals to orally receive Vehicle (Ctrl), Orlistat (20 mg/kg), LYC (5 mg/kg), GE (1000 mg/kg) or LYC + GE for 28 days. LYC, GC extracts and even more LYC + GE stimulated the mRNA and protein expression of thermogenic genes UCP1, CIDEA and DIO2, significantly reduced lipid droplet size and increased lipid droplet number in adipocytes. UCP1 mRNA and protein expression was also increased in the visceral adipose tissue of the rats that received the dietary intake of LYC, GE and even more LYC + GE. Moreover, LYC + GE induced the reorganization of visceral fat depots that showed a great number of small adipocytes and a significant reduction in weight gain and food intake compared to the control group. The obtained results demonstrated that LYC + GE might be used as new approaches for obesity management in order to induce the browning process and achieve a metabolically active tissue instead of a tissue characterized by lipid depot accumulation.

Cadmium (Cd) is a potentially toxic element able to interfere with cellular functions and lead to disease or even death. Cd accumulation has been demonstrated in cartilage, where it can induce damage in joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CdCl₂ on primary cultures of human chondrocytes and the possible protective effect of seleno-methionine (Se-Met). Human primary articular chondrocytes were cultured and treated as follows: control groups, cells challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl₂ alone, and cells pretreated with 10 and 20 μM Se-Met and then challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl₂. Twenty-four hours after incubation, cell viability, histological evaluation with hematoxylin–eosin stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed. Furthermore, reverse transcription-PCR was carried out to evaluate mRNA levels of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9. After CdCl₂ challenge at both doses, a reduced cell viability and an overexpression of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9 genes, as well as a high number of TUNEL-positive cells, were demonstrated, all parameters becoming higher as the dose of CdCl₂ was increased. The pretreatment with Se-Met lowered the expression of all considered genes, improved cell viability and morphological changes, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. It was concluded that Se-Met plays a protective role against CdCl₂-induced structural and functional changes in chondrocytes in vitro, as it improved cell viability and showed a positive role in the context of the apoptotic pathways. It is therefore suggested that a translational, multifaceted approach, with plant-based diets, bioactive functional foods, nutraceuticals, micronutrients, and drugs, is possibly advisable in situations of environmental pollution caused by potentially toxic elements.

An acute metabolic complication of diabetes mellitus, especially type 1, is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is due to an increase in blood ketone concentrations. Sodium/glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2-i) drugs have been associated with the occurrence of a particular type of DKA defined as euglycemic (euDKA), characterized by glycemic levels below 300 mg/dL. A fair number of euDKA cases in SGLT2-i-treated patients have been described, especially in the last few years when there has been a significant increased use of these drugs. This form of euDKA is particularly insidious because of its latent onset, associated with unspecific symptomatology, until it evolves (progressing) to severe systemic forms. In addition, its atypical presentation can delay diagnosis and treatment. However, the risk of euDKA associated with SGLT2-i drugs remains relatively low, but it is essential to promptly diagnose and manage it to prevent its serious life-threatening complications. In this narrative review, we intended to gather current research evidence on SGLT2i-associated euDKA from randomized controlled trials and real-world evidence studies, its diagnostic criteria and precipitating factors.

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary tumor of the CNS. The prognosis is dismal, with a median survival of 15 months. Surgical treatment followed by adjuvant therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy characterize the classical strategy. The WNT pathway plays a key role in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. The DKK3 protein, capable of acting as a tumor suppressor, also appears to be able to modulate the WNT pathway. We performed, in a series of 40 patients, immunohistochemical and Western blot evaluations of DKK3 to better understand how the expression of this protein can influence clinical behavior. We used a statistical analysis, with correlations between the expression of DKK3 and overall survival, age, sex, Ki-67, p53, and MGMT and IDH status. We also correlated our data with information included in the cBioPortal database. In our analyses, DKK3 expression, in both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses, was reduced or absent in many cases, showing downregulation. To date, no clinical study exists in the literature that reports a potential correlation between IDH and MGMT status and the WNT pathway through the expression of DKK3. Modulation of this pathway through the expression of DKK3 could represent a new tailored therapeutic strategy in the treatment of glioblastoma.