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Abstract Structuring sensory events in time is essential for interacting with the environment and producing adaptive behaviors. Over the past years, the microstructure of temporality received increasing attention, recognized as a fundamental factor influencing cognitive, affective, and social abilities, whose alteration can underlie the etiopathogeneses of some clinical symptoms in psychiatric disorders. The present research investigated multisensory temporal processing in individuals with schizophrenia (N = 21), bipolar disorder (N = 20) and healthy controls (N = 21) in order to explore a plausible link between multisensory alterations in the temporal order of events and the psychopathological dimensions underlying psychosis. We asked participants to temporally order audio-tactile, visual-tactile, and audio-visual stimuli, and we administered different psychopathological scales to explore depressive, manic and psychotic symptoms. Results demonstrated that both subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are less precise in temporal order judgment independently of the sensory modalities involved. Interestingly, reduced precision in temporal processing of patients is positively associated with the presence and severity of positive symptoms. Our findings support the hypothesis that low-level sensory alterations in temporal structure may contribute to the emergence of clinical symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behaviors.

Abstract Background The Mediterranean diet (MD), globally recognized for its sustainability and health benefits, traditionally emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods in raw or minimally processed forms. However, shifting lifestyles, even in Mediterranean regions, have led to an increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF). Epidemiological evidence suggests that UPF consumption may be detrimental to human health, but there is only one clinical trial on this topic which is largely debated in the scientific community. This study aims to investigate the impact of the inclusion of UPF within a Mediterranean-based dietary pattern on cardiometabolic markers, gut microbiota, and other markers of human and planet health. Methods Fifty clinically healthy individuals showing overweight and presenting a low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk profile will be recruited for a 7-month randomized, open, cross-over dietary trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to a 3-month high-UPF MD (intervention group) or a low-UPF MD (control group), with a 1-month wash-out period. Both intervention diets will have identical food group compositions, with the intervention group consuming 5 servings/day of selected UPF items, and the control group consuming raw/minimally processed items from the same food group. Blood, urine, and fecal samples, alongside food/lifestyle diaries, will be collected from each participant before and after the dietary interventions. The primary endpoint will be the change in plasma LDL-cholesterol levels from baseline. Additional markers include blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, chemical parameters, glucose and lipid-related metabolic markers, incretins, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, fecal microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acids. Finally, food waste production will be evaluated through specific validated food diaries. The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Milan and the Tuscany Regional Ethics Committee of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) - Careggi, Florence. Discussion Results from the PROMENADE study will improve knowledge about the impact of UPF consumption on human and planet health and will contribute to the scientific debate on this topic. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06314932. Registered on March 13, 2024.

Abstract Background In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of humans, nutrient malabsorption can result in fat‐soluble vitamin deficiency, especially of vitamin D. In veterinary species, decreased concentrations of vitamin D are relatively common in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE), but data on the status of other fat‐soluble vitamins (FSVs) is lacking. Objectives Determine the serum concentrations of retinol, vitamin D, and α‐tocopherol in dogs with CE compared with healthy dogs and compare clinical, clinicopathologic variables between CE and healthy dogs to detect associations with decreased FSVs concentrations. Animals Eighteen client‐owned dogs with CE and 33 healthy dogs. Methods Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), serum retinol and α‐tocopherol concentrations were compared between groups. Correlations and multiple regression modeling were used to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D, retinol, and α‐tocopherol concentrations and clinical and clinicopathological variables. Results Dogs with low serum albumin concentrations were more likely to have lower 25(OH)D concentrations than dogs with normal serum albumin concentration. Dogs with CE had higher serum concentrations of retinol, and variable α‐tocopherol concentrations. The cause of these dysregulated vitamin concentrations is unclear and requires further study. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Dogs with severe forms of CE should be monitored for decreased concentrations of 25(OH)D. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance and the possible benefit of vitamin D supplementation in these patients.

Adenomyosis is a widespread disease affecting the reproductive period of women’s life. In the last ten years, different pathogenetic hypotheses have been proposed to explain the initiation and development of the disease. This article aims to present and discuss the most important pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying adenomyosis development in order to clarify the relationship between adenomyosis and infertility. A PubMed search was undertaken for English language literature using the MeSH terms ‘adenomyosis’, ‘infertility’, ‘treatment’, and ‘pathogenesis’. Although the exact etiology of adenomyosis is unknown, many theories have been proposed. We analysed the most important pathogenic theories expressed and evaluated the potential consequences on women fertility. A better comprehension of the adenomyosis pathogenesis has allowed realizing that adenomyosis may affect young women and may have a great impact on their fertility through different mechanisms. The understanding of these mechanisms helps to clarify the potential usefulness of current therapies.

Abstract Background One single-center randomized clinical trial showed that INTELLiVENT-adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is superior to conventional ventilation with respect to the quality of ventilation in post-cardiac surgery patients. Other studies showed that this automated ventilation mode reduces the number of manual interventions at the ventilator in various types of critically ill patients. In this multicenter study in patients post-cardiac surgery, we test the hypothesis that INTELLiVENT-ASV is superior to conventional ventilation with respect to the quality of ventilation. Methods “POStoperative INTELLiVENT-adaptive support VEntilation in cardiac surgery patients II (POSITiVE II)” is an international, multicenter, two-group randomized clinical superiority trial. In total, 328 cardiac surgery patients will be randomized. Investigators screen patients aged > 18 years of age, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery, and expected to receive postoperative ventilation in the ICU for longer than 2 h. Patients either receive automated ventilation by means of INTELLiVENT-ASV or ventilation that is not automated by means of a conventional ventilation mode. The primary endpoint is quality of ventilation, defined as the proportion of postoperative ventilation time characterized by exposure to predefined optimal, acceptable, and critical (injurious) ventilatory parameters in the first two postoperative hours. One major secondary endpoint is ICU team staff workload, captured by the ventilator software collecting manual settings on alarms. Patient-centered endpoints include duration of postoperative ventilation and length of stay in ICU. Discussion POSITiVE II is the first international, multicenter, randomized clinical trial designed to confirm that POStoperative INTELLiVENT-ASV is superior to non-automated conventional ventilation and secondary to determine if this closed-loop ventilation mode reduces ICU team staff workload. The results of POSITiVE II will support intensive care teams in their choices regarding the use of automated ventilation in postoperative care of uncomplicated cardiac surgery patients. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06178510 . Registered on December 4, 2023.

Abstract Background Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a crucial role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 8% of cases requiring hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 data often goes unnoticed on European government dashboards and in media discussions. This project aims to examine official information on PHC patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, with specific objectives: (1) Describe PHC’s clinical pathways for acute COVID-19 cases, including long-term care facilities, (2) Describe PHC COVID-19 pandemic indicators, (3) Develop COVID-19 PHC activity indicators, (4) Explain PHC’s role in vaccination strategies, and (5) Create a PHC contingency plan for future pandemics. Methods A mixed-method study will employ two online questionnaires to gather retrospective PHC data on COVID-19 management and PHC involvement in vaccination strategies. Validation will occur through focus group discussions with medical and public health (PH) experts. A two-wave Delphi survey will establish a European PHC indicators dashboard for future pandemics. Additionally, a coordinated health system action plan involving PHC, secondary care, and PH will be devised to address future pandemic scenarios. Analysis: Quantitative data will be analysed using STATA v16.0 for descriptive and multivariate analyses. Qualitative data will be collected through peer-reviewed questionnaires and content analysis of focus group discussions. A Delphi survey and multiple focus groups will be employed to achieve consensus on PHC indicators and a common European health system response plan for future pandemics. The Eurodata research group involving researchers from 28 European countries support the development. Discussion While PHC manages most COVID-19 acute cases, data remains limited in many European countries. This study collects data from numerous countries, offering a comprehensive perspective on PHC’s role during the pandemic in Europe. It pioneers the development of a PHC dashboard and health system plan for pandemics in Europe. These results may prove invaluable in future pandemics. However, data may have biases due to key informants’ involvement and may not fully represent all European GP practices. PHC has a significant role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of the cases are mild or moderate and only 8% needed hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 activity data is invisible on governments’ daily dashboards in Europe, often overlooked in media and public debates.

Informal urban settlements represent a structural problem in Paraguay. They house about 20% of Asuncion’s population and are constantly threatened by urban flooding caused by the river regime and precipitations. The following article is a summary of the authors’ thesis work on the case of Santa Ana, a neighborhood located on a flood area of Asuncion. Paraguay’s Public Works Department offered two possible solutions to tackle floods, namely polder and hydraulic filling), which resulted incomprehensible to the residents of the area. This research work is intended to provide an analysis of both proposed solutions to flood risks as a contribution to decision making for those who live in informal urban settlements, spreading the advantages and disadvantages of these proposals. Providing a design solution is beyond the scope of this work. At the time of this research (2023), the population was about 7,344 inhabitants. The overall situation of the neighborhood was analyzed to determine the possible impacts of both solutions. Pros and cons were systematized. An overview of the impact and risks involved in both techniques was obtained, highlighting the importance of disclosing that information to the population for allowing conscious decision making.

Abstract Background Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a leading cause of hospitalization in emergency surgery. The occurrence of bowel ischemia significantly increases the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this condition. Current clinical, biochemical and radiological parameters have poor predictive value for bowel ischemia. This study is designed to ascertain predictive elements for the progression to bowel ischemia in patients diagnosed with non-strangulated ASBO who are initially managed through conservative therapeutic approaches. Methods The study was based on the previously collected medical records of 128 patients admitted to the Department of Acute Care Surgery of Padua General Hospital, from August 2020 to April 2023, with a diagnosis of non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction, who were then operated for failure of conservative treatment. The presence or absence of bowel ischemia was used to distinguish the two populations. Clinical, biochemical and radiological data were used to verify whether there is a correlation with the detection of bowel ischemia. Results We found that a Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 6.8 (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.41–6.21), the presence of mesenteric haziness (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.11–5.88), decreased wall enhancement (OR 4.3; 95% CI 3.34–10.9) and free abdominal fluid (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.08–6.16) were significantly associated with bowel ischemia at univariate analysis. At the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only NLR > 6.8 (OR 5.9; 95% CI 2.2–18.6) remained independent predictive factor for small bowel ischemia in non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction, with 78% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Conclusions NLR is a straightforward and reproducible parameter to predict bowel ischemia in cases of non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction. Employing NLR during reevaluation of patients with this condition, who were initially treated conservatively, can help the acute care surgeons in the early prediction of bowel ischemia onset.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fatigue survival of 5Y-PSZ zirconia infiltrated with an experimental glass and bonded onto dentin analogues. Disc-shaped specimens of a 5Y-PSZ (Katana UTML Kuraray Noritake) were cemented onto dentin analogs (NEMA G10) and divided into four groups (n = 15): Zctrl Group (control, without infiltration); Zglz Group (Glaze, compression surface); Zinf-comp Group (Experimental Glass, compression surface); Zinf-tens Group (Experimental Glass, tension surface). Surface treatments were varied. Cyclic fatigue loading, oblique transillumination, stereomicroscope examination, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. Fatigue data were analyzed (failure load and number of cycles) using survival analysis (Kaplan–Meier and Log-Rank Mantel–Cox). There was no statistically significant difference in fatigue survival between the Zglz, Zctrl, and Zinf-comp groups. The Zinf-tens group presented a significantly higher failure load when compared to the other groups and exhibited a different failure mode. The experimental glass effectively infiltrated the zirconia, enhancing structural reliability, altering the failure mode, and improving load-bearing capacity over more cycles, particularly in the group where the glass was infiltrated into the tensile surface of the zirconia. Glass infiltration into 5Y-PSZ zirconia significantly enhanced structural reliability and the ability to withstand loads over an increased number of cycles. This approach has the potential to increase the durability of zirconia restorations, reducing the need for replacements and save time and resources, promoting efficiency in clinical practice.

A abordagem do conteúdo de óptica geométrica costuma ser desafiadora para os professores do ensino médio e superior, pois, além da complexidade do assunto, eles enfrentam dificuldades para a demonstração dos fenômenos ópticos, devido às limitações experimentais encontradas. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho abordou o conteúdo de lentes esféricas por meio da construção e do estudo de duas lentes biconvexas simples, uma espessa de formato esférico (lente-bola), feita com balões de fundo chato, e outra com foco ajustável, cuja superfície foi produzida com látex, ambas utilizando água como meio de propagação. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar o comportamento da luz ao incidir nas lentes e explorar seus pontos notáveis, como a distância focal, a formação de imagens e a relação entre as distâncias do objeto e da imagem. A partir dos resultados encontrados, verificou-se que o comportamento das lentes produzidas está de acordo com os princípios teóricos da óptica geométrica. Imagens reais e invertidas foram obtidas de acordo com a literatura e a relação entre as distâncias do objeto e da imagem à lente foi verificada. Dessa forma, conclui-se que as lentes construídas com materiais de fácil acesso podem ser ferramentas eficazes para o ensino de óptica geométrica, permitindo a investigação experimental de conceitos importantes desse ramo da física e a simulação de sistemas ópticos reais.

Introdução: A neurossífilis é uma manifestação que pode ocorrer em qualquer momento da doença (precoce ou tardia). Na fase inicial, predomina a forma de meningite ou meningovascular. Na tardia, quadros neuropsiquiátricos ou lesões com efeito de massa (goma) podem acometer o parênquima. Formas atípicas podem ocorrer, dificultando o diagnóstico. Objetivo: Relatar caso de neurossífilis meningovascular que mimetiza lesão expansiva em pessoa imunocompetente, diagnosticada por biópsia em investigação de neoplasia cerebral. Método: Relato de caso. Resultados: Homem, 28 anos, natural de Ribeirão Preto-SP, heterossexual. Encaminhado à Unidade de Emergência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto por desvio de rima labial à direita e disartria há 5 dias, com 3 episódios de crises clônicas de hemiface direita e perda de consciência, além de cefaleia há 1 mês. A tomografia de crânio evidenciou hipodensidade parietal esquerda sugerindo edema vasogênico, e a ressonância de encéfalo, uma formação expansiva nodular extraxial e dural parietal esquerda e edema adjacente, sugerindo meningioma ou metástase. O rastreio neoplásico foi negativo, bem como sorologias para HIV e hepatites B e C. O teste rápido treponêmico foi positivo e VDRL 1:2. Paciente relatou lesão peniana única e indolor há 3 meses, tratada com antibiótico oral, sem uso de Penicilina. Realizada craniotomia e exérese de lesão. A biópsia cerebral mostrou neurossífilis meningovascular, com infiltrado linfohistiocitário rico em plasmócitos, focos de vasculite linfocitária e endarterite, necrose do córtex superficial e estruturas compatíveis com espiroquetas. Sem granuloma ou sinais de neoplasia. Após 1 mês, no retorno, paciente relata que parceria apresentou lesões cutâneas palmo-plantares e ambos receberam tratamento com 1 dose de Penicilina Benzatina. Coletado líquor com pleocitose mononuclear, sem glicorraquia ou proteinorraquia relevante e VDRL negativo. Novo VDRL sérico 1:64 e RNM com sinais inflamatórios residuais, optado por tratamento com Penicilina Cristalina por 14 dias. Em seguimento, paciente evolui com resolução de sintomas e da pleocitose no líquor, com VDRL sérico 1:1. Conclusão: A sífilis é conhecida como a “grande imitadora” e este relato confirma esta definição, demonstrando a pluralidade de apresentações possíveis para a doença e sua importância como diferencial em quadros neurológicos.

To date, soft-tissue remains of extinct incirrate octopods have been described exclusively from Upper Cretaceous deposits. Here, three specimens of an incirrate octopodid with well-preserved soft tissue imprints are described for the first time from Paleogene strata. This material originates from the upper Ypresian (lower Eocene) fish-bearing levels of the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte in the Pesciara of Bolca in north-eastern Italy. Previously, these specimens had tentatively been interpreted as teuthids. Based on a detailed study of their anatomical structure, a new genus and species of octopodid, Bolcaoctopus pesciaraensis, belonging to the extant family Octopodidae, are here erected. Bolcaoctopus gen. nov. may be distinguished from the Late Cretaceous genus Styletoctopus by the presence of long and thin arms and an elongated body shape with a narrowed apical end and covered by longitudinal wrinkles. Although finds of fossil octopuses in the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte remain extremely rare, it is worth noting that Cenozoic marine vertebrate localities constitute an important potential source of additional finds of coleoid cephalopods, the study of which may shed light on a poorly understood period in the evolutionary history of these molluscs.

BackgroundPeripersonal Space (PS) is represented as the immediate area surrounding an individual. The extent of PS changes in relation to several factors, including emotional states, type of relationship or psychopathology. Attachment anxiety has an impact on the social adaptability of peripersonal space and anxiety and fear are associated with an expansion of peripersonal space, possibly serving as a mechanism of self-protection. Peripersonal space appears to be intricately linked to various psychiatric conditions like anxiety disorders and converging evidence suggests that social maladjustment may predict or exacerbate eating disorder symptoms expression.MethodsFifty-eight healthy adolescents (38F, 20M) performed a comfort distance estimation task to assess peripersonal space. The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) was used to assess sensory profiles and the SAFA protocol to investigate psychopathological aspects. Data was analysed using Network Analysis, estimating a Gaussian Graphical Models with a Bayesian approach.ResultsWe found that the task related to comfort estimation distance demonstrated a correlation with the visual scale of the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). Additionally, a correlation was observed with the Eating Disorder scale of the SAFA protocol. The touch scale also was negatively correlated with Eating disorder symptoms but not with the comfort estimation task.ConclusionOur results demonstrate a relation between peripersonal space and eating disorder symptoms in healthy adolescents in line with previous findings in adults with eating disorders diagnosis. These findings suggest that socio-emotional difficulties may be possible precursors or reinforce for the development of an eating disorder symptoms.

Abstract Tracheal pooling for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) DNA detection allows for decreased diagnostic cost, one of the main constraints in surveillance programs. The objectives of this study were to estimate the sensitivity of pooled-sample testing for the detection of M. hyopneumoniae in tracheal samples and to develop probability of M. hyopneumoniae detection estimates for tracheal samples pooled by 3, 5, and 10. A total of 48 M. hyopneumoniae PCR-positive field samples were pooled 3-, 5-, and 10-times using field M. hyopneumoniae DNA-negative samples and tested in triplicate. The sensitivity was estimated at 0.96 (95% credible interval [Cred. Int.]: 0.93, 0.98) for pools of 3, 0.95 (95% Cred. Int: 0.92, 0.98) for pools of 5, and 0.93 (95% Cred. Int.: 0.89, 0.96) for pools of 10. All pool sizes resulted in PCR-positive if the individual tracheal sample Ct value was

Previous research has proposed a crucial role for critical experiences in language learning to better understand how learners understand and discursively construct their self-concept (Mercer, 2011, 2016; Serafini, 2020a; Thompson, 2020). However, studies have mainly explored critical experiences in the narratives of foreign language learners of English with little attention to how heritage speakers of languages other than English (LOTE) draw on critical experiences in discursive constructions of self. To address this gap, this study aims to explore the impact of critical experiences in university heritage Spanish speakers’ self-narratives. Twenty heritage Spanish students completed a background questionnaire and peer-facilitated, video-recorded interview. Emergent, recurring themes were identified in transcribed interview data following tenets of grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006; Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Findings underscore the key role of positioning (Davies & Harré, 1990) in dynamic conceptions of self, particularly how heritage speakers (re)imagine and discursively construct past, current, and future self-states. Positioning was also linked to agency (Ahearn, 2001) in relation to students’ critical reflections on experiences of racialization and resistance to, or reproduction of, dominant language ideologies. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for (heritage) language educators seeking to enact critical pedagogical principles in their classroom and curriculum.

Background The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in several European countries involved collaboration between public health and Primary Health Care (PHC).Objective To highlight the role of PHC professionals in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, specifically in terms of vaccine administration, communication and contributing to vaccination population coverage.Methods A descriptive retrospective study of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign across 28 European countries was conducted, covering data from December 2020 to November 2021. Data were collected by key informants recruited from each country, who were health professionals involved in their national vaccination campaigns. Utilising an ad-hoc semi-structured questionnaire, information was gathered on organisation, communication strategies, priority groups, vaccine types, and vaccination pathways in PHC.Results PHC participated in communication strategies in 10 out of 28 countries, and vaccination was voluntary in most of them. The priority groups for vaccination varied across Europe, and the availability of vaccines in PHC differed between countries within the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries. The BioNTech Pfizer vaccine was the most widely available vaccine in most countries, followed by Moderna and AstraZeneca. PHC administered COVID-19 vaccines to the population, being the nurses the most involved, followed by general practitioners. Vaccination appointments were available online in 18/28 or by phone in 15/28, direct appointments at health centres were available in 8/28. In several countries, healthcare professionals who administered vaccines were given extra compensation for their role.Conclusion PHC professionals played a crucial role in the successful distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in European countries.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de microrganismos indicadores e potencialmente patogênicos que indicam as condições higiênico-sanitárias das amostras de leite humano ordenhado coletadas em banco de leite. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas de 338 amostras de leite humano ordenhado, sendo 194 de leite cru e 144, pasteurizado, coletadas em banco de leite humano de um hospital materno infantil de Goiânia, GO. As análises microbiológicas foram realizadas com semeadura em ágar Mc Conkey, de acordo com o tipo de bactéria. RESULTADOS: No leite cru, verificou-se a presença de Staphylococcus spp. Streptococcus spp., bolores e leveduras e Enterobacteriaceae. Observou-se que Staphylococcus aureus esteve presente em 10 (5,2%) amostras, Staphylococcus epidermidis em 28 (14,4%), Streptococcus spp. em três (1,6%), bolores e leveduras em 43 (22,2%) e Enterobacteriaceae em 49 (25,3%). Das 144 amostras de leite humano ordenhado pasteurizado, detectaram-se Staphylococcus aureus em cinco (3,5%), Staphylococcus epidermidis em 15 (10,4%), Staphylococcus lugdenensis em duas (1,4%), Streptococcus spp. em quatro (2,8%), bolores e leveduras em 37 (25,7%) e Enterobacteriaceae em nove (6,3%). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram um alto grau de contaminação no leite cru. No leite pasteurizado, apesar da eliminação da grande maioria de microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos, a percentagem de bolores e leveduras excedeu a de leite cru, mostrando a necessidade de obtenção de um leite com carga microbiana inicial mais baixa para que a pasteurização seja eficiente no controle microbiológico.

Abstract: For the propagation of guava seedlings to occur, it is necessary to address numerous factors, therefore, the objective was to verify the influence of the diameter and type of cut on the base of ‘Pedro Sato’ guava tree cuttings. Experiment I: implemented in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, consisting of three types of cut at the base of the cutting and five biostimulant concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L-¹). Experiment II: implemented in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, composed of two stem diameters (D1: 3 - 3,99 mm; D2: 4 - 4,99 mm) combined with five biostimulant concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L-¹), and both experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, with 4 replicates of 10 cuttings per plot. Considering the above, it could be concluded that the use of biostimulant increases the rooting rate. Cut with the removal of lateral portions at the base of the cutting promotes greater mortality, while evidencing less increase in root length. In experiment II, it was found that cuttings with diameter between 4 and 4.99 mm show greater survival rate at concentrations of 0 and 5 g L-¹, while cuttings with diameter between 3 and 3.99 mm have higher rooting rate at concentrations 0 and 5 g L-¹ but with high mortality rate at concentration of 5 g L-¹.

BackgroundOver the past decade migration to Italy has increased significantly for various reasons including armed conflicts. Generally, the migration process is exposed to different risk factors during different periods of migration, which can compromise well-being and promote the onset or exacerbation of mental disorders. A community with resources and the perception of one’s community as resilient can be important protective factor in the context of migration.PurposeThis study aims to understand which variables in migration predict an increase in perceived community resilience and to understand the role of community resilience in the relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being in a sample of 100 adult migrants at the first consultation interview in the ambulatories of Psychiatry Unit.MethodsAfter defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, migrants were asked to fill out self-report questionnaires to collect socio-demographic data and to assess perception of mental disorders, perceived community resilience and perception of subjective well-being. Descriptive analysis, simple regression, and moderation analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses.ResultsThe results show that the variable meaning attributed to the community with reference to the host community, migration with someone, and longer duration of stay in Italy contribute to increased perceptions of community resilience. In addition, a direct negative effect of mental disorders on subjective well-being and the moderating role of community resilience in relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being have been demonstrated.ConclusionsThis result underscores the importance of perceived community resilience in mitigating the negative effects of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Perceiving one’s community as more resilient seems to protect against the impact of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Our results support an ecological model of migrants’ mental health that values the community and its resources in coping with mental disorders in the context of migration.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between raw bioelectrical data and physical performance in track and field athletes. Specifically, the objectives were to determine: 1) whether a regional bioelectrical impedance approach provides additional insights compared to whole-body analysis, 2) the reliability of the Levi Muscle Index (LMI) in this context, and 3) whether there are differences in these relationships between male and female athletes. Design: This study utilized a cross-sectional design involving thirty-one female athletes (mean age 21.4 ± 3.8 years) and thirty male athletes (mean age 21.1 ± 2.6 years) from track and field. On a single day, participants underwent whole-body and regional bioelectrical impedance assessments focusing on the lower limbs, alongside strength and speed performance tests. Results: The study found no significant differences in the relationship between whole-body versus regional bioelectrical impedance and performance tests. Resistance (R) demonstrated an inverse correlation, while phase angle (PhA) and Levi Muscle Index (LMI) showed direct correlations with most performance variables in track and field athletes. Significant differences were observed between male and female athletes across all parameters, with male athletes exhibiting superior performance, higher PhA and LMI values, and stronger correlation coefficients compared to females. Conclusions: In summary, this study highlights the intricate relationship between body composition and physical performance in athletes. It underscores the importance of considering sex differences and the reliability of raw bioelectrical data, whether obtained through regional or whole-body approaches, in assessing athletic performance.

Summary: Background: The search for factors beyond the radiotherapy dose that could identify patients more at risk of developing radio-induced toxicity is essential to establish personalised treatment protocols for improving the quality-of-life of survivors. To investigate the role of the intestinal microbiota in the development of radiotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity, the MicroLearner observational cohort study characterised the intestinal microbiota of 136 (discovery) and 79 (validation) consecutive prostate cancer patients at baseline radiotherapy. Methods: Gastrointestinal toxicity was assessed weekly during RT using CTCAE. An average grade >1.3 over time points was used to identify patients suffering from persistent acute toxicity (endpoint). The microbiota of patients was quantified from the baseline faecal samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology and the Ion Reporter metagenomic pipeline. Statistical techniques and computational and machine learning tools were used to extract, functionally characterise, and predict core features of the bacterial communities of patients who developed acute gastrointestinal toxicity. Findings: Analysis of the core bacterial composition in the discovery cohort revealed a cluster of patients significantly enriched for toxicity, displaying a toxicity rate of 60%. Based on selected high-risk microbiota compositional features, we developed a clinical decision tree that could effectively predict the risk of toxicity based on the relative abundance of genera Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Alistipes, Prevotella and Phascolarctobacterium both in internal and external validation cohorts. Interpretation: We provide evidence showing that intestinal bacteria profiling from baseline faecal samples can be effectively used in the clinic to improve the pre-radiotherapy assessment of gastrointestinal toxicity risk in prostate cancer patients. Funding: Italian Ministry of Health (Promotion of Institutional Research INT-year 2016, 5 × 1000, Ricerca Corrente funds). Fondazione Regionale per la Ricerca Biomedica (ID 2721017). AIRC (IG 21479).

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential due to their abilities of differentiation, immunomodulation, and migration to injured tissues, potentiating such effects when cells are activated. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a tropical plant species found in South America that is known for its antioxidant, stimulant, and cicatricial effects. The guarana extract is composed of many substances and caffeine is the main component. The objective was to evaluate the effects of guarana and caffeine on MSCs. After the initial characterization, MSCs were treated with Paullinia cupana (10, 100, and 1000 μg/mL) or caffeine (0.4, 4, and 40 μg/mL) for 24 h. MSCs treatment with 1000 μg/mL guarana increased cell polarity, viability, cell migration to chemoattractant, antioxidant potential, and liberation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), while it reduced the levels of autophagy. MSCs treated with 100 and 1000 μg/mL guarana or 40 μg/mL caffeine showed a decrease of cell proliferation. No treatment affected the cellular area and cell cycle of MSCs. The study shows in vitro evidence that guarana could be a promising alternative for activating MSCs to promote better cellular products for future clinical therapies.

BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern due to its various physical, psychological, and social consequences. Despite regulatory differences, abstinence remains the primary treatment objective. Addressing the multifaceted nature of alcohol use disorder requires a comprehensive approach.Methods150 AUD patients (66%male) with a mean age of 54.10 ± 11.3 years were recruited for the study. Depression, impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness were assessed to determine if there were significant differences in these dimensions between abstinent (N=72) and active drinkers (N=78).ResultsThe study found significant differences in the psychological dimensions scores, active drinkers exhibited higher levels of depression, impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness compared to abstinent patients.ConclusionTreatment outcomes for patients with AUD vary between regulatory agencies, but abstinence remains the safest and most preferred objective in managing AUD. Prioritizing abstinence-oriented interventions is crucial for achieving long term recovery and minimizing relapse risk. These results emphasize the intricate relationship between AUD and mental health issues, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both alcohol consumption and associated psychological distress. Promoting abstinence (or at least reducing alcohol consumption) not only preserves mental health but also prevents life-threatening consequences such as suicide.

Abstract To evaluate the effect of acidic challenge on erosion depth and topographic characteristics of different materials used as occlusal sealants. Two hundred specimens of five sealant materials (Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, Fuji II, Equia and Clinpro) and forty bovine teeth enamel samples (control) were prepared and exposed to acidic challenge. The specimens were immersed in four different solutions (orange juice, coke drink, citric acid or distilled water) under mildly shaken conditions for 3 days. The erosion depth profiles were measured using a profilometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Two-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test was performed to evaluate the interactions. Sealant material and acidic challenge had significant effects on erosion depth. Among the materials, Fuji II presented the highest mean of erosion depth after immersion in orange juice, coke drink, and citric acid. All materials groups presented higher erosion depth values after immersion in the citric acid solution, except Clinpro. Bovine enamel presented higher erosion depth values compared to all materials when submitted to erosive challenge. Sealant materials submitted to the acidic challenge presented different degrees of erosion and topographic modification; however, they are less susceptible to erosion than bovine teeth enamel.

Dear Editor, Since 2011, the Internal Medical Unit of Ospedale dell’Angelo, Mestre, has been equipped with an area of eight beds which served as a short-stay unit called area di accoglimento e degenza breve (area of admission and short-term care, ADB). All patients coming from the emergency room (99%) passed through the ADB area. Here, doctors and nurses carried out an initial clinical care triage to identify patients with features that made the discharge possible within 72 hours. [...]

Although adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells has achieved unprecedented response rates in patients with certain hematological malignancies, this therapeutic modality is still far from fulfilling its remarkable potential, especially in the context of solid cancers. Antigen escape variants, off-tumor destruction of healthy tissues expressing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), poor CAR-T cell persistence, and the occurrence of functional exhaustion represent some of the most prominent hurdles that limit CAR-T cell ability to induce long-lasting remissions with a tolerable adverse effect profile. In this review, we summarize the main approaches that have been developed to face such bottlenecks, including the adapter CAR (AdCAR) system, Boolean-logic gating, epitope editing, the modulation of cell-intrinsic signaling pathways, and the incorporation of safety switches to precisely control CAR-T cell activation. We also discuss the most pressing issues pertaining to the selection of co-stimulatory domains, with a focus on strategies aimed at promoting CAR-T cell persistence and optimal antitumor functionality.

Little is known on seabirds of the order Procellariiformes which visit the Brazilian oceanic islands. Herein, we present new records of five birds found stranded in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago: Fregetta tropica melanoleuca Salvadori, 1908, Ardenna grisea (Gmelin, 1789), Puffinus lherminieri Lesson, 1839, and Hydrobates leucorhous (Vieillot, 1818). Citizen‑science platforms include only one documentation for each of these species, but there is potential for greater detection. Pelagic birds have rarely been reported in recent decades, and continued monitoring is needed for better understanding of their distribution patterns.

Robotic systems, such as Lokomat® have shown promising results in people with severe motor impairments, who suffered a stroke or other neurological damage. Robotic devices have also been used by people with more challenging damages, such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), using feedback strategies that provide information about the brain activity in real-time. This study proposes a novel Motor Imagery (MI)-based Electroencephalogram (EEG) Visual Neurofeedback (VNFB) system for Lokomat® to teach individuals how to modulate their own $\mu $ (8-12 Hz) and $\beta $ (15-20 Hz) rhythms during passive walking. Two individuals with complete SCI tested our VNFB system completing a total of 12 sessions, each on different days. For evaluation, clinical outcomes before and after the intervention and brain connectivity were analyzed. As findings, the sensitivity related to light touch and painful discrimination increased for both individuals. Furthermore, an improvement in neurogenic bladder and bowel functions was observed according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score, and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. Moreover, brain connectivity between different EEG locations significantly ( ${p}\lt 0.05$ ) increased, mainly in the motor cortex. As other highlight, both SCI individuals enhanced their $\mu $ rhythm, suggesting motor learning. These results indicate that our gait training approach may have substantial clinical benefits in complete SCI individuals.

Abstract Background Accurate measurement of disease associated with endemic bacterial agents in pig populations is challenging due to their commensal ecology, the lack of disease-specific antemortem diagnostic tests, and the polymicrobial nature of swine diagnostic cases. The main objective of this retrospective study was to estimate temporal patterns of agent detection and disease diagnosis for five endemic bacteria that can cause systemic disease in porcine tissue specimens submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) from 2017 to 2022. The study also explored the diagnostic value of specific tissue specimens for disease diagnosis, estimated the frequency of polymicrobial diagnosis, and evaluated the association between phase of pig production and disease diagnosis. Results S. suis and G. parasuis bronchopneumonia increased on average 6 and 4.3%, while S. suis endocarditis increased by 23% per year, respectively. M. hyorhinis and A. suis associated serositis increased yearly by 4.2 and 12.8%, respectively. A significant upward trend in M. hyorhinis arthritis cases was also observed. In contrast, M. hyosynoviae arthritis cases decreased by 33% average/year. Investigation into the diagnostic value of tissues showed that lungs were the most frequently submitted sample, However, the use of lung for systemic disease diagnosis requires caution due to the commensal nature of these agents in the respiratory system, compared to systemic sites that diagnosticians typically target. This study also explored associations between phase of production and specific diseases caused by each agent, showcasing the role of S. suis arthritis in suckling pigs, meningitis in early nursery and endocarditis in growing pigs, and the role of G. parasuis, A. suis, M. hyorhinis and M. hyosynoviae disease mainly in post-weaning phases. Finally, this study highlighted the high frequency of co-detection and -disease diagnosis with other infectious etiologies, such as PRRSV and IAV, demonstrating that to minimize the health impact of these endemic bacterial agents it is imperative to establish effective viral control programs. Conclusions Results from this retrospective study demonstrated significant increases in disease diagnosis for S. suis, G. parasuis, M. hyorhinis, and A. suis, and a significant decrease in detection and disease diagnosis of M. hyosynoviae. High frequencies of interactions between these endemic agents and with viral pathogens was also demonstrated. Consequently, improved control programs are needed to mitigate the adverse effect of these endemic bacterial agents on swine health and wellbeing. This includes improving diagnostic procedures, developing more effective vaccine products, fine-tuning antimicrobial approaches, and managing viral co-infections.

Background: Long COVID-19 is an emerging chronic illness of significant public health concern due to a myriad of neuropsychiatric sequelae, including increased suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior (SB). Methods: This review provides a concise synthesis of clinical evidence that points toward the dysfunction of astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the central nervous system, as a potential shared pathology between SI/SB and COVID-19. Results: Depression, a suicide risk factor, and SI/SB were both associated with reduced frequencies of various astrocyte subsets and complex proteomic/transcriptional changes of astrocyte-related markers in a brain-region-specific manner. Astrocyte-related circulating markers were increased in depressed subjects and, to a less consistent extent, in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, reactive astrocytosis was observed in subjects with SI/SB and those with COVID-19. Conclusions: Astrocyte dysfunctions occurred in depression, SI/SB, and COVID-19. Reactive-astrocyte-mediated loss of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and subsequent neuroinflammation—a factor previously linked to SI/SB development—might contribute to increased suicide in individuals with long COVID-19. As such, the formulation of new therapeutic strategies to restore astrocyte homeostasis, enhance BBB integrity, and mitigate neuroinflammation may reduce SI/SB-associated neuropsychiatric manifestations among long COVID-19 patients.

This study introduces a method for identifying territories ideal for establishing photovoltaic (PV) plants for green hydrogen (GH2) production in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, a location celebrated for its outstanding solar energy potential. Assessing the viability of PV plant installation necessitates a balanced consideration of technical aspects and socio-environmental constraints, such as the proximity to areas of ecological importance and indigenous communities, to identify potential zones for solar and non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE)-based hydrogen production.To tackle this challenge, we propose a methodology that utilizes geospatial analysis, integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) tools with sensitivity analysis, to determine the most suitable sites for PV plant installation in the Antofagasta region. Our geospatial analysis employs the QGIS software to identify these optimal locations, while sensitivity analysis uses the Sørensen–Dice coefficient method to assess the similarity among chosen socio-environmental variables.Applying this methodology to the Antofagasta region reveals that a significant area within a 15 km radius of existing road networks and electrical substations is favorable for photovoltaic projects. Our sensitivity analysis further highlights the limiting effects of socio-environmental factors and their interactions. Moreover, our research finds that enlarging areas of socio-environmental importance could increase the total hydrogen production by about 10% per commune, indicating the impact of these factors on the potential for renewable energy production.

Objectives: CrossFit® is a high-intensity sport characterized by various workouts that require strength, speed, endurance, or agility, impacting participants' body composition. This observational study aimed to determine the morphological (anthropometrical and bioelectrical) profile of CrossFit® athletes and to compare them with other athletic populations. Methods: Anthropometrical measurements and bioelectrical vector analysis (classic and specific approaches) were performed on 145 CrossFit® practitioners (107 men aged 30.7 ± 8.4 years and 38 women aged 28.1 ± 6.7 years). Each participant's relative somatotype was calculated and compared between sexes and with a Spanish CrossFit® athletes' group. Resistance-reactance graphs and Hotelling's T2 test were applied to characterize the sample, compare them with an athletes' reference population, and identify differences between somatotype groups. Results: The most represented somatotype in both groups was the balanced mesomorph (male 3.5–5.2 - 1.7 and female 4.4–4.5 - 1.8). Compared with Spanish CrossFit® athletes, significant differences were denoted for men but not women (SAD = 2.3). The bioelectrical graphs indicated that the distribution of CrossFit® athletes is quite heterogeneous and within average values for the athlete's reference. The mesomorphic and endomorphic components were associated with a higher phase angle. Conclusions: CrossFit® practitioners predominantly present a mesomorphic component and show a body type like other power athletes, although with less pronounced characteristics. The somatotype may influence the vector's position in the RXc graphs. This study provided the bioelectrical tolerance ellipses for CrossFit® practitioners in classic and specific approaches for the first time.

Summary: Background: Suicide is a serious but preventable public health concern at the global level, showing relevant geographical differences. This study aims to monitor global temporal and geographical patterns in suicide mortality in pre-adolescents, adolescents, and young adults (i.e., aged 10–24 years), from 1990 to 2020 or the most recent available year. Methods: Using the World Health Organisation mortality database, we conducted an analysis on a subset of 52 countries with valid and high-quality data. We computed age-standardised suicide rates (ASR) by sex, country, and calendar year, and performed a joinpoint regression analysis to identify significant changes in the temporal suicide trends over the studied period. Findings: High variability in suicide rates and trends was observed, with a male-to-female ratio of two to five. Between 1990 and 2020, most European countries reported declining suicide trends, with some exceptions. In particular, alarming trends emerged in the United Kingdom, with annual rises of 2.5% (95% CI: 1.6–3.5) since 2005 among males and 8.5% (95% CI: 4.7–12.6) since 2012 among females. The most favorable trends and lowest suicide rates were in Southern Europe, with 3.1/100,000 persons in Italy (2020) and 3.5/100,000 persons in Spain (2021) among males, and 0.9/100,000 persons in Italy (2020) and 1.1/100,000 persons in Romania (2019) among females. Conversely, the highest rates were in Central-Eastern Europe, with 10.2/100,000 males in the Russian Federation (2019) and 10.0/100,000 males in Poland (2002). Higher suicide rates and significant increases were reported in not European areas. The highest ASR was 15.5/100,000 males in the United States of America, with an annual increase of 3.8% (95% CI: 3.1–4.5) among males in 2009–2020 and 6.7% (95% CI: 5.6–7.8) among females in 2007–2017, followed by a levelling off. Interpretation: Temporal and geographical comparisons of suicide mortality should be interpreted with caution due to potential misclassification or under-reporting of suicide deaths in some countries. Funding: None.

Geopolymers (GPs) are versatile materials that have low intrinsic porosity. This characteristic can be used as a motivator for the development of porous GPs, since separation processes require adsorbents with a high specific area. Thus, this work aimed to elucidate how acid attack and calcination affect the microstructure of GPs. For this purpose, a GP was exposed to H2SO4 and 200 °C, being later characterized in terms of morphology, mineralogy, functional groups, and textural properties. Acid etching and calcination proved to be effective strategies for surface area improvement, making the modified GP a strong candidate for use as an adsorbent.

Modern cetaceans are considered the best anatomical and ecological analogue for many Mesozoic secondary aquatic reptiles. Such similarities extend also after the death of these phylogenetically distant amniotes, when the sinking and decomposition of large carcasses in marine environments (deadfalls) follow common biostratinomic processes. Most taphonomic studies on Mesozoic deadfalls have been limited to shallow-water settings, often neglecting deeper waters. Here we provide a detailed taphonomic survey of ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs and metriorhynchoids from the pelagic Middle-Upper Jurassic Rosso Ammonitico Veronese (RAV) of northeastern Italy. Our taphonomic revision of the RAV tetrapod record highlights a common poor state of preservation of the bones, often associated with abundant macrofossils, consistent with a prolonged exposure of carcasses on a well-oxygenated seafloor. For the first time we confirm the role of nautiloids as active mobile scavengers by means of tens of beak elements found closely associated with, or even piercing, the bones. Hexanchiform shark teeth are also found associated with the carcasses, supporting a distinctive deep-water mobile scavenging community. Echinoids, sponges and other bioeroders are identified as representative of the enrichment-opportunist stage, and a high concentration of belemnites is believed to be indicative of mass-spawning deaths in the surroundings of the carcasses. Abundant crinoids are recognized as part of the reef stage by colonization of the eroded bones. While some of our data deviate from previous Mesozoic reptile-falls from shallow-waters, they are consistent with findings at Recent whale-falls in bathyal zones, and overall represent a precious window into the complex ecology of Jurassic open seas.

O cobre em elevada concentração no solo, causa toxidez nas plantas, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos que reduzam, ou imobilizem esse elemento. Nesse sentido, o biocarvão poderia ser uma alternativa para a imobilização de cobre no solo, visando menores teores deste elemento na biomassa e nos grãos do feijão preto (Phaseolus vulgaris) utilizado para consumo humano. Contudo, há variações na reatividade do biocarvão em decorrência do seu material de origem e tempo de pirólise. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito do biocarvão de eucalipto na disponibilidade de cobre no solo e nos teores em feijão cultivado em solo contaminado. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 5 × 2, sendo cinco doses de biocarvão (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 e 2% mm-1 de solo seco), solo sem e com adição de cobre (1.000 mg kg-1 de solo seco), com oito repetições. Avaliou-se o teor de cobre disponível no solo, teor de cobre na raiz, na parte aérea e no grão do feijão; índice de clorofila e fatores de bioconcentração e de translocação de cobre na planta. O biocarvão derivado de resíduos de eucalipto diminui a disponibilidade de cobre em solo contaminado. Os teores de cobre na raiz, parte aérea e nos grãos de Phaseolus vulgaris são reduzidos com a aplicação de biocarvão no solo, mantendo-se nos grãos, a partir da dose 1,66% mm-1, abaixo do limite máximo tolerável pela legislação brasileira.

Abstract The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out, through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a path for the prosperity of people and the planet. SDG 3 in particular aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages and includes several targets to enhance health. This review presents a “headache-tailored” perspective on how to achieve SDG 3 by focusing on six specific actions: targeting chronic headaches; reducing the overuse of acute pain-relieving medications; promoting the education of healthcare professionals; granting access to medication in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); implementing training and educational opportunities for healthcare professionals in low and middle income countries; building a global alliance against headache disorders. Addressing the burden of headache disorders directly impacts on populations’ health, as well as on the possibility to improve the productivity of people aged below 50, women in particular. Our analysis pointed out several elements, and included: moving forward from frequency-based parameters to define headache severity; recognizing and managing comorbid diseases and risk factors; implementing a disease management multi-modal management model that incorporates pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments; early recognizing and managing the overuse of acute pain-relieving medications; promoting undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education of healthcare professionals with specific training on headache; and promoting a culture that favors the recognition of headaches as diseases with a neurobiological basis, where this is not yet recognized. Making headache care more sustainable is an achievable objective, which will require multi-stakeholder collaborations across all sectors of society, both health-related and not health-related. Robust investments will be needed; however, considering the high prevalence of headache disorders and the associated disability, these investments will surely improve multiple health outcomes and lift development and well-being globally.

Abstract Background This study aims to present and discuss the psychometric properties of executive functions, which were measured using the TDI-FE instrument. The analysis encompasses its internal structure, potential sensitivity to fatigue factors, relationships with external criteria, and diagnostic accuracy. Methods The study sample comprised 382 students from Brazil, aged 6–8 years. Child development variables were screened using the TDI-FE and gold standard tests (Cancellation Attention and Trail Making Tests). The proposed scale comprised four activities: a test with fruit images with three tasks, and one memory game. Results The one-factor model of EF of the TDI-FE failed to fit to the data. However, fit substantially improved once a latent fatigue factor was controlled in the model. The latent factor of EF assessed by the TDI-FE tasks was coherently associated with a series of external variables, including two popular collateral measures of EF. The diagnostic accuracy was reasonable, and a cut-off of 37 points produced 70% of sensitivity and 60% of specificity. Conclusion Results indicated that the TDI-FE demonstrated sound psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy, then consisting of an efficient alternative for the assessment of EFs in early childhood education. The study also proved the need to control for response biases such as fatigue in the latent variable models of EF. The TDI-FE is notable because of its low cost and easy application, and it might fulfill a need for instruments for individuals from different contexts at this stage of development in Brazil.

We revisit the kinematics of Compton scattering (electron-photon interactions producing electrons and photons in the exit channel) covering the full range of energy/momenta distribution between the two colliding particles, with a dedicated view to statistical properties of secondary beams that are generated in beam-beam collisions. Starting from the Thomson inverse scattering, where electrons do not recoil and photons are backscattered to higher energies by a Lorentz boost effect (factor 4γ^{2}), we analyze three transition points, separating four regions. These are in sequence, given by increasing the electron recoil (numbers are for transition points and letters for regions): (a) Thomson backscattering, (1) equal sharing of total energy in the exit channel between electron and photon, (b) deep recoil regime where the bandwidth/energy spread of the two interacting beams are exchanged in the exit channel, (2) electron is stopped, i.e., taken down at rest in the laboratory system by colliding with an incident photon of mc^{2}/2 energy, (c) electron backscattering region, where incident electron is backscattered by the incident photon, and (3) symmetric scattering, when the incident particles carry equal and opposite momenta, so that in the exit channel they are backscattered with same energy/momenta, and (d) Compton scattering [ála Arthur Compton, see A. J. Compton, A quantum theory of the scattering of X-rays by light elements, Phys. Rev. 21, 83 (1923)PHRVAO0031-899X], where photons carry an energy much larger than the colliding electron energy. For each region and/or transition point, we discuss the potential effects of interest in diverse areas, like generating monochromatic gamma-ray beams in deep recoil regions with spectral purification, or possible mechanisms of generation and propagation of very high energy photons in the cosmological domain.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient global public health problem. Several strategies have been applied to develop new and more effective vaccines against TB, from attenuated or inactivated mycobacteria to recombinant subunit or genetic vaccines, including viral vectors. This review aimed to evaluate patents filed between 2010 and 2023 for TB vaccine candidates. It focuses on viral vector-based strategies. A search was carried out in Espacenet, using the descriptors “mycobacterium and tuberculosis” and the classification A61K39. Of the 411 patents preliminarily identified, the majority were related to subunit vaccines, with 10 patents based on viral vector platforms selected in this study. Most of the identified patents belong to the United States or China, with a concentration of patent filings between 2013 and 2023. Adenoviruses were the most explored viral vectors, and the most common immunodominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens were present in all the selected patents. The majority of patents were tested in mouse models by intranasal or subcutaneous route of immunization. In the coming years, an increased use of this platform for prophylactic and/or therapeutic approaches for TB and other diseases is expected. Along with this, expanding knowledge about the safety of this technology is essential to advance its use.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated changes in European healthcare systems, with a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases being managed on an outpatient basis in primary healthcare (PHC). To alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities, many European countries developed contact-tracing apps and symptom checkers to identify potential cases. As the pandemic evolved, the European Union introduced the Digital COVID-19 Certificate for travel, which relies on vaccination, recent recovery, or negative test results. However, the integration between these apps and PHC has not been thoroughly explored in Europe. Objective: To describe if governmental COVID-19 apps allowed COVID-19 patients to connect with PHC through their apps in Europe and to examine how the Digital COVID-19 Certificate was obtained. Methodology: Design and setting: Retrospective descriptive study in PHC in 30 European countries. An ad hoc, semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect country-specific data on primary healthcare activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of information technology tools to support medical care from 15 March 2020 to 31 August 2021. Key informants belong to the WONCA Europe network (World Organization of Family Doctors). The data were collected from relevant and reliable official sources, such as governmental websites and guidelines. Main outcome measures: Patient’s first contact with health system, governmental COVID-19 app (name and function), Digital COVID-19 Certification, COVID-19 app connection with PHC. Results: Primary care was the first point of care for suspected COVID-19 patients in 28 countries, and 24 countries developed apps to complement classical medical care. The most frequently developed app was for tracing COVID-19 cases (24 countries), followed by the Digital COVID-19 Certificate app (17 countries). Bulgaria, Italy, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Romania had interoperability between PHC and COVID-19 apps, and Poland and Romania’s apps considered social needs. Conclusions: COVID-19 apps were widely created during the first pandemic year. Contact tracing was the most frequent function found in the registered apps. Connection with PHC was scarcely developed. In future pandemics, connections between health system levels should be guaranteed to develop and implement effective strategies for managing diseases.

Over the last decades, a variety of biomaterials, ranging from synthetic products to autologous and heterologous grafts, have been recommended to conserve and regenerate bone tissue after tooth extraction. We conducted a biochemical study on ground extracted teeth that aimed to evaluate the osteoinductive and osteoconductive potential of dentin by assessing the releases of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), osteocalcin (OC) and osteonectin (ON) over time (24 h, 10 days and 28 days). Twenty-six patients, who required the extraction of nonrestorable teeth, were enrolled in the study according to the inclusion criteria, as follows: thirteen young patients 18 to 49 years of age (UNDER 50), and thirteen patients of 50 to 70 years (OVER 50); a total of twenty-six teeth were extracted, ground and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). All ground teeth released BMP-2, OC and ON at each time point; no differences were observed between the UNDER-50 and OVER-50 patients. The results of the study support the use of autologous dentin as osteoinductive material for bone regeneration procedures, irrespective of patients’ ages.

Abstract In journalism studies, the advent of the World Wide Web and the rise of online journalism are generally associated with going beyond the objective, normative paradigm associated with the principles of philosophical and scientific modernity towards a postmodern paradigm centred on subjectivity and relativism. This article offers an alternative reading of the epistemology of online journalism: the fragmentation of audiences into homophilic networks, the formation of ideological bubbles, and the growing polarisation caused by algorithms make the contents circulating online a reintroduction of modernity’s metanarratives. These metanarratives in no way correspond to the principles typical of postmodernism, such as the equivalence of interpretations and openness to dialogue. Journalistic content also comes under this charge: although it conveys narratives that are subjective, they are perceived as absolute truths inside the information bubbles in which they circulate. This phenomenon is caused by “information platformization” processes. Based on these premises, a new definition of online journalism is proposed: rather than “postmodern”, it can be better understood as a fulfilment of the foundational principles of modernism, but in a subjective form.

Professor Antonio Lima-de-Faria was our friend and, in a sense, a teacher. Despite our different fields of study, this master of scientific thought has deeply influenced both of us. Dr. Stefano Serafini came to know the work of Antonio Lima-de-Faria when he was just a teenager thanks to a disseminative article by the late Italian geneticist, Giuseppe Sermonti. Lima-de-Faria’s elegant vision of a universal order at all levels of nature opened his eyes to the consistency of patterns, forms, and function throughout the mineral, vegetable, and animal realms – a concept that has influenced his work in urban studies. Prof. Tatyana Turova met Antonio Lima-de-Faria on a museum tour of the Royal Physiographic Society (Lund). He was 95. When Antonio came to know that she is a mathematician working in probability, the discussion went straight to a critical analysis of the concept of randomness. That conversation kept going over the years. Professor Emeritus of Molecular Cytogenetics at Lund University (Sweden), Antonio Lima-de-Faria was a scientist of rare character. He had the innate gift of courage and the ability to tackle big problems despite dominant opinions. He was rigorous and tenacious in his method, and he had an immense knowledge and a sharp rationality. Antonio Lima-de-Faria defined himself as “a surviving dinosaur” to both of us. He was a magnificent old man – but that “dinosaur” had been ahead of his time since the beginning of his career. This was a constant. In the early 1960s, a multinational company discreetly requested him to develop a futuristic agrifood bioengineering program. This is the current reality of the genetically modified organism. Known to the scientific world as a pioneer and one of the most relevant exponents of molecular cytogenetics (his 1969 Handbook of Molecular Cytology is a classic) – not to mention author of over 200 research articles and influencing monographs – Lima-de-Faria became a member of some of the world’s top scientific societies. He also taught in some of the most prestigious universities. He received awards and recognition for his extraordinary activity. These included the appointment as Knight of the Order of the North Star by the Swedish King and as Great Official of the Order of Santiago by the President of Portugal. He held scientific consultancy positions for governments and institutions, including the European Space Agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Bank Group. He never stopped working and studying. In fact, he focused on the molecular organization of the chromosome until the end of his long life. Despite all of this, his endeavor was not always understood. His famous book, Evolution without Selection: Form and Function by Autoevolution (Elsevier, 1988, translated into Russian, Japanese, and Italian) is not only fundamental and revolutionary but also a case of sociology of science. This book, which advanced the current trend in molecular biology, even branded him as anti-evolutionist. Such a tag limited the essence of his work to a mere attack against natural selection – “a parlor game to explain life,” as Giuseppe Sermonti would say. Rather, this treatise, based on his vast physical, chemical, crystallographic, botanical, and zoological expertise, proposed to overcome the concept of natural selection. It downsized the role of genes and chromosomes in the architecture of living things through a plethora of biological forms that came directly from physical constraints. His self-evolutionism united the biological and inorganic worlds. This echoed Aristotelian and Goethean intuitions of morphofunctional homologies, that is, a sort of “non-genic kinship” between the spin of the ultramicroscopic electron, the shell of a Limnaea, and the spirals of immense galaxies. Indeed, selectionism (identifying natural selection not as a contributing cause but as the main engine of biological development) is the major methodological obstacle to the recognition and explanation of Lima-de-Faria’s morphofunctional homology. This is the true protagonist of his book. An order crosses and defines the subatomic, chemical, and physical worlds on all of their scales through progressive and deterministic channels. The form of Chitoniscus feedjeanus, traditionally explained as a classic example of the mimetic imitation of leaves, has a precedent in the arrangement of the crystals of pure bismuth. The same structure appears in the patterns of chlorite crystals, several vegetal hooks, the shells of ancient ammonites, or goat horns. The bird’s-eye-view of an estuary, the branches of a tree, and the vascularization of a mammal follow a single dendritic development pattern – so much so that their images, once reduced to the same size, are difficult to distinguish. Constant chemical commonalities actually underlie these and countless, more apparent natural oddities. Now, selection is not only powerless to account for them but also logically incompatible with any attempt to explain them. Like all strong theoretical systems faced with a fact that is refractory to integration, selectionism ignores homology. And when it cannot help but deal with it, it defines it as mere analogy. This then relegates it to that metaphor of annihilation, which is accidentality. Therefore, demolishing selectionism in biology was the necessary premise for developing a theory of self-evolution, towards which Lima-de-Faria has led us with a firm, methodical hand. Indeed, he deploys a set of images and observations that are rarely rivalled in modern scientific literature. Beyond classic studies on the subject, from D’Arcy Thompson (On Growth and Form, 1917) onwards, there is no doubt that recent molecular biology has continued to confirm with ever greater evidence the importance of elements that are complementary to classical theoretical genetics in the formation of living organisms. Lima-de-Faria had already begun to indicate and systematize these elements 40 years ago in Molecular Evolution and Organization of the Chromosome (1983). In fact, as the author himself recalled, Evolution without Selection is the consequence of those premises once applied to evolutionism. The last writing of Antonio Lima-de-Faria, printed in this very issue of Caryologia, develops and complements his marvelous treatise Praise of Chromosome “Folly”: Confessions of an Untamed Molecular Structure (2008). This masterpiece continues the great tradition of scientific giants such as Schrödinger and Feynman (authors that Antonio Lima-de-Faria highly regarded) talking to the public about the most advanced theories in a clear way. It is written with such wit and humor and such an elegant reference to art that any reader with a natural sciences or mathematics background, having read the first sentence, will not stop until the last. The book summarizes results on chromosome research and offers directions and ideas for further studies. It clearly confirms that understanding evolution requires a deep knowledge in not only chemistry and physics, but also mathematics – especially when it comes to the atomic level. Long discussions with Antonio Lima-de-Faria of one the authors began soon after Molecular Origins of Brain and Body Geometry: Plato’s Concept of Reality is Reversed (2014) was published. In an intriguing manner, this work unveils and explains the emergence of body patterns in animals by tracing them to the origin of the brain. For Antonio Lima-de-Faria, “geometry” manifests an “utter simplicity coupled to rigorous order that underlines the phenomenon.” He does not use the language of mathematics, as he was not trained in it. However – even if this may sound paradoxical for a non-mathematician – his search for order, for “a common denominator”, for a unifying theory, make them akin to fundamental mathematics. Remarkably, already in his early nineties, Antonio Lima-de-Faria completed an extensive analysis of the structures and functions of living organisms on a molecular level. He then created a new book, Periodic Tables Unifying Living Organisms at the Molecular Level: The Predictive Power of the Law of Periodicity (2017). This truly fascinating work provides a new perspective on the relations between matter and energy. Its logical systematic approach links different levels, from atoms to macromolecules to organisms. As Lima-de-Faria stated, his books do not give ultimate answers and immediate solutions to the posed questions. On the other hand, readers are invited to use the tools, methods, and ideas that he generously expressed in his late works. “Order allows variation but imposes in the same time a canalization that is patent in what we call evolution, being that of galaxies or of living organisms.” Antonio Lima-de-Faria was almost 100 years old when he released his last book, Science and Art are Based on the Same Principles and Values (2020) – something he had thought about “for 30 years.” It was his scientific testament, encompassing his life-long love for art, beauty, and truth. There, as a “lonely wolf howling in the immensity of the night,” he launched a straightforward warning: “At present a wave of obscurantism is spreading over Western countries affecting both science and art in a deadly way. (…) Modern technology has been most successful in transforming our daily lives and in allowing us to conquer outer space. These impressive achievements have, to a large extent, made us dumb, making it difficult to perceive the danger that lies ahead. Hence, there is a pressing need to bring forward the original sources in which, leading scientists and renowned artists, explained the principles that they followed in their discovery of novel phenomena and in the creation of unique works of art. It turns out that both types of minds speak the same language. There is a basic denominator that unites the human endeavor.” Lima-de-Faria’s works are jewels for scientific and aesthetic minds. The beauty of Nature absorbed him completely, and he devoted himself passionately to it. He was an admirer and a true connoisseur of the arts, music, and ballet. He was a passionate gardener and loved roses and the fragrance of flowers. Antonio Lima-de-Faria was a man of enlightenment, dedication, will, and truth. With his gentle and generous attitude towards anyone around him, Antonio Lima-de-Faria radiated love. He knew what happiness is (“What is Happiness?”, Journal of Biourbanism, IX, 2021). Antonio Lima-de-Faria is an endless source of inspiration and admiration for us.

This study evaluated the use of endemic enteric coronaviruses polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-negative testing results as an alternative approach to detect the emergence of animal health threats with similar clinical diseases presentation. This retrospective study, conducted in the United States, used PCR-negative testing results from porcine samples tested at six veterinary diagnostic laboratories. As a proof of concept, the database was first searched for transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) negative submissions between January 1st, 2010, through April 29th, 2013, when the first porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) case was diagnosed. Secondly, TGEV- and PEDV-negative submissions were used to detect the porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV) emergence in 2014. Lastly, encountered best detection algorithms were implemented to prospectively monitor the 2023 enteric coronavirus-negative submissions. Time series (weekly TGEV-negative counts) and Seasonal Autoregressive-Integrated Moving-Average (SARIMA) were used to control for outliers, trends, and seasonality. The SARIMA's fitted and residuals were then subjected to anomaly detection algorithms (EARS, EWMA, CUSUM, Farrington) to identify alarms, defined as weeks of higher TGEV-negativity than what was predicted by models preceding the PEDV emergence. The best-performing detection algorithms had the lowest false alarms (number of alarms detected during the baseline) and highest time to detect (number of weeks between the first alarm and PEDV emergence). The best-performing detection algorithms were CUSUM, EWMA, and Farrington flexible using SARIMA fitted values, having a lower false alarm rate and identified alarms 4 to 17 weeks before PEDV and PDCoV emergences. No alarms were identified in the 2023 enteric negative testing results. The negative-based monitoring system functioned in the case of PEDV propagating epidemic and in the presence of a concurrent propagating epidemic with the PDCoV emergence. It demonstrated its applicability as an additional tool for diagnostic data monitoring of emergent pathogens having similar clinical disease as the monitored endemic pathogens.

Semi-articulated remains of a large chelonioid turtle from the Turonian strata (Upper Cretaceous; ca. 93.9-89.8 Myr) near Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo (Verona province, northeastern Italy) are described for the first time. Together with the skeletal elements, the specimen also preserves pebbles inside the thoracic area which are lithologically distinct from the surrounding matrix. These allochthonous clasts are here interpreted as geo-gastroliths, in-life ingested stones that resided in the digestive tract of the animal. This interpretation marks the first reported evidence of geophagy in a fossil marine turtle. SEM-EDS analysis, together with macroscopic petrological characterization, confirm the presence of both siliceous and carbonatic pebbles. These putative geo-gastroliths have morphometries and size ranges more similar to those of gastroliths in different taxa (fossils and extant) than allochthonous "dropstone" clasts from the same deposit that were carried by floating vegetation A dense pitted pattern of superficial erosion is microscopically recognizable on the carbonatic gastroliths, consistent with surface etching due to gastric acids. The occurrence of a similar pattern was demonstrated by the experimental etching of carbonatic pebbles with synthetic gastric juice. Gut contents of modern green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were surveyed for substrate ingestion, providing direct evidence of geophagic behavior in extant chelonioids. Comparison with modern turtle dietary habits may suggests that the pebbles were ingested as a way to supplement calcium after or in preparation for egg deposition, implying that the studied specimen was possibly a gravid female.

Abstract

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved and currently used in the clinical management of recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) patients. The reported benefit in clinical trials is variable and heterogeneous. Our study aims at exploring and comparing the predictive role of gene-expression signatures with classical biomarkers for immunotherapy-treated R/M HNSCC patients in a multicentric phase IIIb trial.Methods Clinical data were prospectively collected in Nivactor tiral (single-arm, open-label, multicenter, phase IIIb clinical trial in platinum-refractory HNSCC treated with nivolumab). Findings were validated in an external independent cohort of immune-treated HNSCC patients, divided in long-term and short-term survivors (overall survival >18 and