The global momentum towards hydrogen has led to various initiatives aimed at harnessing hydrogen’s potential. In particular, low-carbon hydrogen is recognized for its crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement and heavy-duty transport. This study focuses on the presentation of all hydrogen-related financing initiatives in Italy, providing a comprehensive overview of the various activities and their geographical locations. The examined funding comes from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), from projects directly funded through the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and from several initiatives supported by private companies or other funding sources (hydrogen valleys). Specific calls for proposals within the PNRR initiative outline the allocation of funds, focusing on hydrogen production in brownfield areas (52 expected hydrogen production plants by 2026), hydrogen use in hard-to-abate sectors and the establishment of hydrogen refuelling stations for both road (48 refuelling stations by 2026) and railway transport (10 hydrogen-based railway lines). A detailed description of the funded initiatives (150 in total) is presented, encompassing their geographical location, typology and size (when available), as well as the funding they have received. This overview sheds light on regions prioritising decarbonisation efforts in heavy-duty transport, especially along cross-border commercial routes, as evident in northern Italy. Conversely, some regions concentrate more on local transport, typically buses, or on the industrial sector, primarily steel and chemical industries. Additionally, the study presents initiatives aimed at strengthening the national manufacturing capacity for hydrogen-related technologies, alongside new regulatory and incentive schemes for hydrogen. The ultimate goal of this analysis is to foster connections among existing and planned projects, stimulate new initiatives along the entire hydrogen value chain, raise an awareness of hydrogen among stakeholders and promote cooperation and international competitiveness. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death globally. Currently, clinical diagnosis of CVD primarily relies on electrocardiograms (ECG), which are relatively easier to identify compared to other diagnostic methods. However, ensuring the accuracy of ECG readings requires specialized training for healthcare professionals. Therefore, developing a CVD diagnostic system based on ECGs can provide preliminary diagnostic results, effectively reducing the workload of healthcare staff and enhancing the accuracy of CVD diagnosis. In this study, a deep neural network with a cross-stage partial network and a cross-attention-based transformer is used to develop an ECG-based CVD decision system. To accurately represent the characteristics of ECG, the cross-stage partial network is employed to extract embedding features. This network can effectively capture and leverage partial information from different stages, enhancing the feature extraction process. To effectively distill the embedding features, a cross-attention-based transformer model, known for its robust scalability that enables it to process data sequences with different lengths and complexities, is employed to extract meaningful embedding features, resulting in more accurate outcomes. The experimental results showed that the challenge scoring metric of the proposed approach is 0.6112, which outperforms others. Therefore, the proposed ECG-based CVD decision system is useful for clinical diagnosis. Full article

Peyronie’s disease (PD) affects the penile albuginea, resulting in penile deformity, pain, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an anxious–depressive state. PD diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, penile palpation, documentation of the penile deformation, a dynamic penile echo color Doppler ultrasound (PCDU), and the completion of questionnaires for the evaluation of pain, ED, and psychometric tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the symptoms of PD and their prevalence in PD patients in the active phase who had access to our andrology clinic. Inclusion criteria: availability of data on patients diagnosed with PD, including detailed medical history, blood tests, penile palpation, photographic documentation of penile deformity, and penile PCDU. Exclusion criteria: PD patients in the stable phase or those without the specified tests and data mentioned above. Our study found a higher prevalence of PD in younger patients (24.2%), a higher coexistence of PD with chronic prostatitis (35.6%), a higher percentage of cases of association between penile deformity and penile curvature (84.4%), a higher prevalence of “significant anxiety” (88.4%), a higher presence of plaque calcification (35.6%), and the detection of a longer duration of the first phase of PD (>18 months). The most frequently observed type of penile curvature was dorsal, followed by left lateral, right lateral, and, less commonly, ventral. We observed a significant statistical correlation between patient age and IIEF score, indicating that patients over the age of 40 years are at a higher risk of experiencing ED. We found a strong statistical relationship between VAS score and age. As age increases, the VAS score decreases, suggesting that younger patients reported more penile pain compared to those who were older than 40 years. Furthermore, we found that penile pain has a significant impact on the psychological state of PD patients. We also found that 38.8% of PD patients suffered from severe anxiety. In relation to this, psychotherapy should be integrated into PD treatment to improve the quality of life and treatment adherence. Full article

Background: Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent joint disorders in the world. The specialists in the field strongly support the role of physical exercise as a key component in the holistic management of arthrosis. The aim of the current study was to identify and assess the functional deficit of these patients and to identify means to alleviate it through pre-surgery physiotherapy programs. Methods: The study was conducted on two samples of patients: a witness sample, encompassing 126 subjects without pathologies at the level of their lower limbs, and a study sample, formed of 116 subjects diagnosed with severe gonarthrosis with total knee arthroplasty indication. The assessment protocol was accomplished with the GPS 400 stabilometric platform. Results: The barycenter differences within the support polygon, recorded for the two samples within sagittal deviation, emphasize that the barycenter shifting mainly towards the healthy lower limb will demand, from the individual, more intense rebalancing postural reactions that will place the center-of-gravity projection in the sagittal plane, closer to the central area of the support polygon. Conclusions: In the case of gonarthrosis and other joint disorders, the use of functional testing to assess body weight distribution and center-of-gravity imbalances represents a promising direction in the research on and management of these disorders, providing essential information for functional diagnosing and thus enabling the elaboration and monitoring of individualized functional rehabilitation plans. Full article

Background: Prolonged sitting is a potential risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of active breaks on reducing muscle overload in subjects who sit for long periods using infrared thermography (IRT). Methods: A sample of 57 office workers participated in this study and were divided into two groups: active breaks (ABs) and no active breaks (NABs). The NAB group sat continuously for 90 min without standing up, while the AB group performed stretching and mobility exercises every 30 min. IRT measurements were taken every 30 min before the active breaks. Results: The results highlight that the skin temperature of the back increased significantly in both groups after 30 min of sitting; however, in the subsequent measurements, the AB group showed a decrease in temperature, while the NAB group maintained a high temperature. Exercise and time point of measurement all reported p-values < 0.001; there were no statistically significant differences between the Δ_t0-1 of the NAB and AB groups, while the Δ_t1-2 and Δ_t1-3 of the NAB and AB groups showed statistically significant differences for all back regions. Conclusions: The clinical relevance of this study confirms the negative effects of prolonged sitting on the health of the back, demonstrating that active breaks can reduce back strain, emphasizing the need for workplace interventions. In addition, IRT represents a non-invasive method to assess back muscle overload and monitor the effectiveness of interventions in all categories of workers who maintain a prolonged sitting position. The main limitation of this study is the absence of a questionnaire for the assessment of back pain, which does not allow a direct correlation between temperature changes and back pain outcomes. Full article

Simulating the probability of type I error is a powerful statistical tool that allows confirming if the statistical test achieves the established nominal level. However, its computational implementation has the drawback of significantly long execution times. Therefore, this article analyzes the performance of two parallel implementations (parRapply and boot) which significantly reduce the execution time of simulations of type I error probability for a goodness-of-fit test for the bivariate Poisson distribution. The results obtained demonstrate how the parallelization strategies accelerate the simulations, reducing the time by 50% to 90% when using 2 to 12 processors running in parallel. This reduction is graphically evidenced as the execution time of the analyzed parallel versions fits almost perfectly ($R^2\approx 0.999$) to the power model $y=a{p}^b$, where p is the number of processors used, and $a>0$ and $b<0$ are the constants of the model. Furthermore, it is shown that the parallelization strategies used scale with an increasing number of processors. All algorithms were implemented in the R programming language, and their code is included at the end of this article. Full article

Background—This review provides a comprehensive overview of rare anemias, emphasizing their hereditary and acquired causes, diagnostic advancements, and evolving treatment strategies. It outlines the significance of rare anemias within public health, historical challenges in recognition and treatment, and the role of European initiatives like ENERCA and EuroBloodNet in advancing care. Content—This document discusses diagnostic technologies like next-generation sequencing and the impact of artificial intelligence, alongside the promising avenues of gene therapy, targeted drug treatments, and stem cell transplantation. It underscores the importance of a patient-tailored approach, advances in diagnostic tools, and the necessity for continued research, patient advocacy, and international collaboration to improve outcomes for individuals with rare anemias. Full article

Orogen-parallel ductile shear zones are conspicuous structures in the Khondalite Belt, but the timing of shearing remains poorly understood. Here, we present field-based structural and zircon U-Pb geochronological studies on the newly discovered Qianlishan ductile shear zones (QDSZ) in the Khondalite Belt. Our results show that the nearly E-W-trending QDSZ are characterized by steeply S(SW)-dipping mylonitic foliations and mainly display a top-to-N(NE) sense of shearing. Two pre-kinematic intrusions yielded zircon crystallization ages of 2055 ± 17 Ma and 1947 ± 9 Ma, providing the maximum age limit for the QDSZ. Additionally, zircon overgrowth rims from three high-temperature mylonites gave metamorphic ages of 1902 ± 8 Ma, 1902 ± 26 Ma and 1884 ± 12 Ma, interpreted to record the timing of development of the QDSZ. Integrated with previous studies, we propose that the Qianlishan Complex suffered three phases of Orosirian deformation (D1–D3), of which the D3 deformation led to the development of the QDSZ. Deformation events D1, D2 and D3 are considered to have occurred at ca. 1.97–1.93 Ga, 1.93–1.90 Ga and 1.90–1.82 Ga, respectively. These events document that the Khondalite Belt underwent a protracted (>100 Myr) orogenic history in response to the collision between the Yinshan and Ordos blocks. Full article

Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) is a primary contributor to visual impairment and severe vision loss globally, but the prevailing treatments are often unsatisfactory. The development of conventional treatment strategies has largely been based on the understanding that the angiogenic switch of endothelial cells (ECs) is mainly dictated by angiogenic growth factors. Even though treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), like ranibizumab, are widely administered, more than half of patients still exhibit inadequate or null responses, suggesting the involvement of other pathogenic mechanisms. With advances in research in recent years, it has become well recognized that EC metabolic regulation plays an active rather than merely passive responsive role in angiogenesis. Disturbances of these metabolic pathways may lead to excessive neovascularization in angiogenic diseases such as wet AMD, therefore targeted modulation of EC metabolism represents a promising therapeutic strategy for wet AMD. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the potential applications of EC metabolic regulation in wet AMD treatment from multiple perspectives, including the involvement of ECs in wet AMD pathogenesis, the major endothelial metabolic pathways, and novel therapeutic approaches targeting metabolism for wet AMD. Full article

Rabbit coccidiosis is caused by infection with one or, more commonly, several Eimeria species that parasitize the hepatobiliary ducts or intestinal epithelium of rabbits. Currently, there are eleven internationally recognized species of rabbit coccidia, with the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of six species commonly infecting rabbits having been sequenced and annotated. Eimeria kongi was initially discovered in 2011 and prompted a preliminary study on this species. Through traditional morphological analysis, E. kongi was identified as a novel species of rabbit coccidia. To further validate this classification, we sequenced and annotated its mitochondrial genome. The complete mt genome of E. kongi spans 6258 bp and comprises three cytochrome genes (cytb, cox1, cox3), fourteen gene fragments for the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, and nine gene fragments for the small subunit (SSU) rRNA, lacking transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome sequence of E. kongi revealed its clustering with six other species of rabbit coccidia into a monophyletic group. Additionally, E. irresidua and E. flavescens were grouped within the lineage lacking oocyst residuum, consistent with their morphological characteristics. Consistent with multiple molecular phylogenies, in this investigation, E. kongi was further confirmed as a new species of rabbit coccidia. Our research findings are of great significance for the classification of coccidia and for coccidiosis prevention and control in rabbits. Full article

A novel method is introduced in this study for producing ceramisite coarse aggregates that are both lightweight and possess high strength. The process involves utilizing fly ash as the primary material, along with coal ash floating beads (CAFBs) that have high softening temperature and a spherical hollow structure serving as the template for forming pores. This study examined the impact of varying particle size and quantity of floating beads on the composition and characteristics of ceramisite aggregates. Results showed that the high softening temperature of floating beads provided stability to the spherical cavity structure throughout the sintering process. Furthermore, the pore structure could be effectively tailored by manipulating the size and quantity of the floating beads in the manufacturing procedure. The obtained ceramisite aggregates feature a compact outer shell and a cellular inner core with uniformly distributed pores that are isolated from each other and mostly spherical in form. They achieve a low density ranging from 723 to 855 kg/m³, a high cylinder compressive strength between 8.7 and 13.5 MPa, and minimal water absorption rates of 3.00 to 4.09%. The performance metrics of these coarse aggregates significantly exceeded the parameters specified in GB/T 17431.1-2010 standards. Full article

Code classification and code clone detection are crucial for understanding and maintaining large software systems. Although deep learning surpasses traditional techniques in capturing the features of source code, existing models suffer from low processing power and high complexity. We propose a novel source code representation method based on the multi-head attention mechanism (SCRMHA). SCRMHA captures the vector representation of entire code segments, enabling it to focus on different positions of the input sequence, capture richer semantic information, and simultaneously process different aspects and relationships of the sequence. Moreover, it can calculate multiple attention heads in parallel, speeding up the computational process. We evaluate SCRMHA on both the standard dataset and an actual industrial dataset, and analyze the differences between these two datasets. Experiment results in code classification and clone detection tasks show that SCRMHA consumes less time and reduces complexity by about one-third compared with traditional source code feature representation methods. The results demonstrate that SCRMHA reduces the computational complexity and time consumption of the model while maintaining accuracy. Full article

The aim of this study was to examine the value of tumor enhancement parameters on dual-phase cone-beam CT (CBCT) in predicting initial response, local progression-free survival (L-PFS) and overall survival (OS) following hepatic artery embolization (HAE). Between Feb 2016 and Feb 2023, 13 patients with 29 hepatic tumors treated with HAE were analyzed. Pre- and post-embolization, subtracted CBCTs were performed, and tumor enhancement parameters were measured, resulting in three parameters: pre-embolization Adjusted Tumor Enhancement (pre-ATE), post-embolization ATE and the difference between pre- and post-ATE (∆ATE). Treatment response was evaluated using the mRECIST criteria at 1 month. Tumors were grouped into complete response (CR) and non-complete response (non-CR) groups. To account for the effect of multiple lesions per patient, a cluster data analytic method was employed. The Kaplan–Meier method was utilized for survival analysis using the lesion with the lowest ∆ATE value in each patient. Seventeen (59%) tumors showed CR and twelve (41%) showed non-CR. Pre-ATE was 38.5 ± 10.6% in the CR group and 30.4 ± 11.0% in the non-CR group (p = 0.023). ∆ATE in the CR group was 39 ± 12 percentage points following embolization, compared with 29 ± 11 in the non-CR group (p = 0.009). Patients with ∆ATE > 33 had a median L-PFS of 13.1 months compared to 5.7 in patients with ∆ATE ≤ 33 (95% CI = 0.038–0.21) (HR, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.20–0.9, p = 0.04). Patients with ∆ATE ≤ 33 had a median OS of 19.7 months (95% CI = 3.77–19.8), while in the ∆ATE > 33 group, median OS was not reached (95% CI = 20.3-NA) (HR, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.018–1.38, p = 0.04). CBCT-derived ATE parameters can predict treatment response, L-PFS and OS following HAE. Full article

Background: this study explored the prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic variations produced by the association of an Interoceptive Attentiveness (IA) condition with a simple breath, motor, and cognitive synchronization task. Methods: 18 healthy individuals performed different synchronization activities (breath, motor, and cognitive) under both IA and control conditions, while levels of oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin were measured using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Results: findings revealed higher O2Hb levels in the prefrontal brain region during the experimental condition (IA) in contrast to the control condition. Notably, this difference was particularly evident during the cognitive task as opposed to the other tasks (breath and motor). In contrast, no significant differences were found for the PFC lateralization effect. Conclusions: This evidence holds potential for rehabilitation professionals suggesting that the combination of deliberate attention to the breath and a cognitive synchronization task (such as a vocal exercise executed simultaneously) could boost PFC responsiveness. Full article

Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis, represents a significant challenge to public health. The IGF1/IGF1R axis plays a pivotal role in tumor proliferation and survival, presenting an attractive target for intervention. NT157, a small molecule tyrphostin, has emerged as a promising inhibitor of this axis, displaying potent antineoplastic effects across various cancer types. This review synthesizes the literature on NT157’s mechanism of action and its impact on cellular processes in experimental cancer models. Initially identified for inducing the serine phosphorylation of IRS1 and IRS2, leading to their degradation and inhibiting the IGF1R signaling cascade, subsequent studies revealed additional targets of NT157, including STAT3, STAT5, and AXL, suggesting a multifaceted mechanism. Experimental evidence demonstrates that NT157 effectively suppresses tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in diverse cancer models. Additionally, NT157 enhances chemotherapy efficacy in combination therapy. Moreover, NT157 impacts not only tumor cells but also the tumor microenvironment, modulating inflammation and immune responses by targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts, myeloid cells, and immune cells, creating a suppressive milieu hindering tumor progression and metastasis. In conclusion, NT157 exhibits remarkable versatility in targeting multiple oncogenic pathways and hallmarks of cancer, underscoring its potential as a promising therapeutic agent. Full article

Scoliosis, characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, is predominantly idiopathic, underscoring the need to delve into its underlying causes for effective treatment and preventive strategies. This study investigates a potential correlation between scoliosis and Schmorl’s nodes (intervertebral disc herniations) influenced by Wolff’s law, which posits that bones adapt to external pressures. We analyzed CT scans from 108 juvenile decedents, including 56 with scoliosis and 52 without. After running multiple statistical tests, there was no significance between the mean bone density when compared to having scoliosis. An independent t-test provided a t-value of 0.041, which, when compared to the original significance level of 0.05, is statistically significant, although weak. When compared to the Bonferroni correction level of 0.008, it throws out the significance to give a result of not being statistically significant. It was the same in the cases of L3 (t = 0.103), L2 (t = 0.084), and L1 (t = 0.053). If compared to the regular significance level of 0.05, T12 (t = 0.012) and T11 (t = 0.042) had weak significance, but that was then excluded when the Bonferroni correction was applied. When looking at any significance of densities in different vertebral regions, the results from a one-way ANOVA (p-value = 0.213) suggest that it is likely that the results are due to random variability or chance, and that there is no statistical significance. With a value of 0.273 from a Chi-squared (χ²)/Fisher’s exact test, it suggests that there is no statistically significant correlation or difference between the variables of scoliosis and Schmorl’s nodes. The general pattern seems to follow that as the spine ascends, the density increases, and this is true in both scoliotic and non-scoliotic individuals. As a whole, it is evident that those with scoliosis have a lower vertebral density than those without, in all of the vertebral regions. There is, however, a weak negative linear relationship between bone density and age in both scoliotic and non-scoliotic individuals. A p-value of −0.229 obtained from a Pearson correlation coefficient analysis in non-scoliotic individuals, as well as a p-value of −0.069 in scoliotic individuals, was obtained. Overall, the findings of this study are comparable to some existing studies on similar topics, but there are few results that hold statistical significance and so this would be interesting to research further, potentially using a different dataset or a larger sample size that is more representative. Full article

Cognitive reserve (CR) seems to be an ability to adapt cognitive processes in response to brain disease and may influence rehabilitation outcomes. This is a secondary analysis of the “Robot-Assisted Gait Training versus conventional therapy on mobility in severely disabled progressive MultiplE sclerosis patients” (RAGTIME) trial to investigate the influence of CR on the outcomes after gait rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). We included 53 PwMS and severe gait disability (EDSS 6–7). The participants were randomized into two groups to receive either robot-assisted gait training or overground walking (three times/week over four weeks). CR was evaluated by the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), which encompasses three sections (CRI Education, CRI Working Activity, and CRI Leisure Time). We stratified the patients using the 115 cut-off CRIq total score of at least a medium-high CR. The outcome measures were Timed 25-Foot Walk, 6 min walking test, Berg Balance Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale—29, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale—12, Patient Health Questionnaire—9, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). After gait rehabilitation, the FSS was significantly improved in those patients with higher CR compared with the others (F = 4.757, p = 0.015). In our study, CR did not affect the gait, balance, disability perception, and depression. Conversely, it positively influenced the fatigue after gait rehabilitation. Full article

The fourth industrial revolution has transformed the industry, with information technology playing a crucial role in this shift. The increasing digitization of industrial systems demands efficient sensing and control methods, giving rise to soft sensors that have the potential to replace traditional physical sensors in order to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. This study explores the implementation of an artificial neural network (ANN) based soft sensor model in a water supply system to predict flow rates within the system. The soft sensor is centered on a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) artificial neural network model using Monte Carlo dropout to reduce uncertainty and improve estimation performance. Based on the results of this work, it is concluded that the proposed soft sensor (with Monte Carlo dropout) can predict flow rates more precisely, contributing to the reduction in water losses, as well as cost savings. This approach offers a valuable solution for minimizing water losses and ensuring the efficient use of this vital resource. Regarding the use of soft sensors based on LSTM neural networks with a careful choice of Monte Carlo dropout parameters, when compared to the multilayer perceptron model, the LSTM model with Monte Carlo dropout showed better mean absolute error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination: 0.2450, 0.3121, and 0.996437 versus 0.2556, 0.3522, and 0.9954. Furthermore, this choice of Monte Carlo dropout parameters allowed us to achieve an LSTM network model capable of reducing uncertainty to 1.8290, keeping the error metrics also at low levels. Full article

We present a case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis with an extremely rare etiology of Capnocytophaga canimorsus. A 42-year-old asplenic patient with bilateral deterioration of visual acuity presented to the Emergency Department. The sudden deterioration of visual acuity, which prompted the patient to visit the ophthalmologist, was the first sign of the onset of sepsis. The physicians’ attention, in addition to poor visual acuity and intense inflammation on ophthalmologic examination, was drawn to the reported flu-like symptoms. They were accompanied by high C-reactive protein results and abnormalities in echocardiography. A blood culture isolated the bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus. Immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to C. canimorsus infection. Endophthalmitis of this etiology has a very aggressive course, both ophthalmic and systemic. Therefore, quick diagnosis and initiation of adequate therapy are crucial. Full article

Background and Objective: This study aimed to identify the incidence of sarcopenia and disease risk factors in Korean adults and to provide data for sarcopenia prevention. Materials and Methods: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2008–2011, we selected 14,185 adults over the age of 20 who participated in sarcopenia diagnostic tests and health surveys. We analyzed sarcopenia risk factors using complex sample multi-logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia in Korea was 31.3%, with 20.2% in men and 40.4% in women. In men, there was a higher risk of sarcopenia in those of older age, without a spouse, with a low body mass index (BMI), who never engage in resistance exercise, or who do mid-level intensity resistance exercises. In women, sarcopenia risk was higher in those in their 20s compared to those in their 60s, and risk factors included a low BMI, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and waist circumference measurements, alcohol consumption, aerobic exercise, and resistance exercise. Conclusions: Interventions and lifestyle improvements will help prevent the onset of sarcopenia in elderly men and young women with risk factors such as a low BMI. Full article

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationships among several clinical factors and also the tumor topography and surgical strategies used in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We designed an analytical, observational, retrospective study that included patients admitted to our emergency surgical department and diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The study group inclusion criteria were: patients admitted during 2020–2022; patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (including the ileocecal valve); patients who benefited from a surgical procedure, either emergency or elective. Results: In our study group, consisting of 153 patients, we accounted for 56.9% male patients and 43.1% female patients. The most common clinical manifestations were pain (73.2% of the study group), followed by abdominal distension (69.3% of the study group) and absence of intestinal transit (38.6% of the study group). A total of 69 patients had emergency surgery (45.1%), while 84 patients (54.9%) benefited from elective surgery. The most frequent topography of the tumor was the sigmoid colon, with 19.60% of the patients, followed by the colorectal junction, with 15.68% of the patients, and superior rectum and inferior rectum, with 11.11% of the patients in each subcategory. The most frequent type of procedure was right hemicolectomy (21.6% of the study group), followed by rectosigmoid resection (20.9% of the study group). The surgical procedure was finished by performing an anastomosis in 49% of the patients, and an ostomy in 43.1% of the patients, while for 7.8% of the patients, a tumoral biopsy was performed. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer remains one of the most frequent cancers in the world, with a heavy burden that involves high mortality, alterations in the quality of life of patients and their families, and also the financial costs of the medical systems. Full article

Background and Objectives: Heart rate variability (HRV) is defined as a physiological variation in duration between sinus beats. The aim of this study was to research and analyze the HRV between various groups of patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in an outpatient setting. Patients who had undergone a tilt-table test were selected for this study and were divided into three groups based on their self-reported health anamnesis: group 1 (n = 84, mean age 45.8 ± 17.8) consisted of patients with no known orthostatic intolerance or neurodegenerative disease, group 2 consisted of patients with a known or suspected orthostatic intolerance (n = 50, mean age 46.5 ± 18.6), and group 3 consisted of patients with a known or suspected neurodegenerative disorder (n = 29, mean age 55.6 ± 20.4). During the tilt-table test, HRV frequency-domain parameters—normalized low frequency (LFnu) and high frequency (HFnu), absolute powers—absolute low frequency (LF-RRI), absolute high frequency (HF-RRI), and LF/HF ratio—were recorded during 5 min rest in the supine position. Results: Group 1 had a reduced LFnu at 52.93% (SD: 18.00) compared to group 2 at 58.57% (18.06) and group 3 at 61.80% (SD: 17.74), and group 1 had increased HFnu: group 1—47.08% (SD: 17.97), group 2—41.41% (SD: 18.03), and group 3—38.16% (SD: 14.7). LFnu and HFnu differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). LF-RRI was reported as follows: group 1—531.32 ms² (SD: 578.57), group 2—346.2 ms² (SD: 447.96), and group 3—143.21 ms² (SD: 166.96). HF-RRI was reported as follows: group 1—835.87 ms² (SD: 1625.42), group 2—297.46 ms² (SD: 507.15), and group 3—70.83 ms² (SD: 75.67). LF-RRI and HF-RRI comparisons between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). LF/HF ratios were reported as follows: group 1—1.91 (SD: 2.29), group 2—2.43 (SD: 2.33), and group 3–2.54 (SD: 2.17). LF/HF ratio comparisons between groups were statistically significant at p < 0.05. Conclusions: This study shows that patients with known or suspected orthostatic intolerance and neurodegenerative disorders have reduced HRV, possibly caused by reduced parasympathetic modulation. HRV in patients with known or suspected neurodegenerative disorders is reduced more severely than in patients with orthostatic disorders. Other studies in HRV have indicated a possible increase of risk in cardiovascular disorders in patients with reduced HRV, and therefore, HRV analysis could be a potential clinical diagnostic tool. However, the lack of universally agreed upon methodology, reference values, and possible external and internal factor influence hinders the introduction of HRV examinations into wider clinical practice. Full article