Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management

Live-chat support for people bereaved by suicide: a content analysis.

Background: People bereaved by suicide, or \u201csurvivors\u201d, are subject to increased risk of complicated grief and suicide, and struggle to obtain proper support. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and needs of survivors who find help on live-chats. No such analysis has been conducted so far. Methods: Qualitative content analysis was carried out on 30 live-chat conversations occurred between 2014 and 2019 through the software ATLAS.ti8 and by means of a Grounded Theory approach. Transcripts were retrieved from one of the major associations in Italy providing free of charge online support. Information about the sample was retrieved from the transcripts: users had different age (from 18 to 60 years), degrees of kinship with the deceased, and time distance from the loss (between 10 days and 36 months). Findings: Five macro-categories were identified: Reactions, Needs, Resources, Intervention of the operator and Sense-making of the loss. The latter included attempts at finding explanations for the suicide. A strong sense of responsibility towards those remaining emerged as the main reason for seeking help. However, several users reported lack of family support and, sometimes, dissatisfaction with formal support. Conclusions: Live-chat services represent a safe space where survivors can obtain useful information and start their process of meaning making of the loss. Because of its anonymity and availability, live-chats may represent a valid first line of support and a tool for prevention of suicidal ideation. Insights obtained from this study would help in the implementation of better services for survivors

Live-Chat Support for People Bereaved Due to Suicide: A Thematic Analysis

Background: People bereaved by suicide often face isolation, complicated grief and increased suicide risk. Aims T o explore how live chat can support survivors in the ir bere a vement process . Method A t hematic analysis wa s carried out on 30 live chat conversations through the software ATLAS.ti8. Transcripts were retrieved from a major Italian association providing online support. The u sers had different age s (18 to 60 years), degrees of kinship with the deceased blood rel at ed and not )), and time distance from the loss (between 48 hr and 10 years Results Five themes were identified: m eaning making, r eactions to the loss, r esources, n eeds and i nteractions with the operator Survivors used the live chat as a safe space in wh ich to disc lose nonsocially desirable details and to make sense of suicide through the reconstruction of events and the deceased\u2019s motivations . G i ven the li mited social resources and the dissatisfaction with the available formal support , users resort ed to justificati on , rationalization or faith and found support and reassurance in the live chats Limitations: S ome conversations were fragmented and lacked detailed information on the users . Conclusion Because of their anonymity and accessibility , live chats represent a valid first line fo rm of s upport from which survivors may obtain useful information and start a meaning making process

Nucleic Acid-Sensing Toll-like Receptors Are Essential for the Control of Endogenous Retrovirus Viremia and ERV-Induced Tumors

SummaryThe genome of vertebrates contains endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) that are largely nonfunctional relicts of ancestral germline infection by exogenous retroviruses. However, in some mouse strains ERVs are actively involved in disease. Here we report that nucleic acid-recognizing Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 9 (TLR 3, TLR7, and TLR9) are essential for the control of ERVs. Loss of TLR7 function caused spontaneous retroviral viremia that coincided with the absence of ERV-specific antibodies. Importantly, additional TLR3 and TLR9 deficiency led to acute T cell lymphoblastic leukemia, underscoring a prominent role for TLR3 and TLR9 in surveillance of ERV-induced tumors. Experimental ERV infection induced a TLR3-, TLR7-, and TLR9-dependent group of “acute-phase” genes previously described in HIV and SIV infections. Our study suggests that in addition to their role in innate immunity against exogenous pathogens, nucleic acid-recognizing TLRs contribute to the immune control of activated ERVs and ERV-induced tumors