The role of lipids is essential in any phase of the atherosclerotic process, which is considered a chronic lipid-related and inflammatory condition. The traditional lipid profile (including the evaluation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein) is a well-established tool to assess the risk of atherosclerosis and as such has been widely used as a pillar of cardiovascular disease prevention and as a target of pharmacological treatments in clinical practice over the last decades. However, other non-traditional lipids have emerged as possible alternative predictors of cardiometabolic risk in addition to traditional single or panel lipids, as they better reflect the overall interaction between lipid/lipoprotein fractions. Therefore, this review deals with the lipid involvement characterizing the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, discussing some recently proposed non-traditional lipid indices and, in the light of available knowledge, their actual potential as new additive tools to better stratify cardiovascular risk in patients with hyperlipidemia as well as possible therapeutic targets in the clinical practice.

Transitioning from childhood into adolescence is an extraordinary time of life, associated with major physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes and characterized by dynamic development in which interaction with the environment modulates the individual resources responsible for well-being and health. This sensitive period is the time when, in addition to hormonal, metabolic, and neural changes, certain behavioral strategies begin to take shape that will shortly go on to define the emotional, social, and cultural identity of the individual. This narrative review aimed to uncover the crucial processes underlying the transition by identifying processes that are responsible for cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional development, in the absence of disease. For this aim, we highlight (1) the physical, psychological, and social determinants during the transition from childhood to adolescence; (2) the role of health-related variables in resilience or vulnerability mechanisms; and (3) recent school-based strategies to promote health and well-being. Recognizing that health and well-being are the result of the interaction of many biological, psychological, social, cultural, and physical factors will lead to comprehensive health promotion involving all actors joining the growth process, from health professionals and the educational community to parents and community. Furthermore, it is important that psychosocial dimensions are strengthened already during childhood to prevent the onset of frailty and illness in adolescence.

Ceramides, composed of a sphingosine and a fatty acid, are bioactive lipid molecules involved in many key cellular pathways (e.g., apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation). There is much evidence on the relationship between ceramide species and cardiometabolic disease, especially in relationship with the onset and development of diabetes and acute and chronic coronary artery disease. This review reports available evidence on ceramide structure and generation, and discusses their role in cardiometabolic disease, as well as current translational chances and difficulties for ceramide application in the cardiometabolic clinical settings.

Selenium (Se), a microelement essential for life, is critical for homeostasis of several critical functions, such as those related to immune–endocrine function and signaling transduction pathways. In particular, Se is critical for the function of the thyroid, and it is particularly abundant in this gland. Unfortunately, Se deficiency is a very common condition worldwide. Supplementation is possible, but as Se has a narrow safety level, toxic levels are close to those normally required for a correct need. Thus, whether the obtaining of optimal selenium concentration is desirable, the risk of dangerous concentrations must be equally excluded. This review addressed the contribution by environment and food intake on Se circulating levels (e.g., geographical factors, such as soil concentration and climate, and different quantities in food, such as nuts, cereals, eggs, meat and fish) and effects related to its deficiency or excess, together with the role of selenium and selenoproteins in the thyroid pathophysiology (e.g., Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease).

Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is a clinical condition characterized by a cluster of major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes: proatherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, dysglycemia, and abdominal obesity. Each risk factor has an independent effect, but, when aggregated, they become synergistic, doubling the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and causing a 1.5-fold increase in all-cause mortality. We will highlight gender differences in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical expression of the aforementioned Mets components. Moreover, we will discuss gender differences in new biochemical markers of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.