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The -N + (CH 3 ) 3 residue is present in acetylcholine (ACh) and in many of its analogues which are used as selective ACh agonist or antagonists for human therapy. The X-ray structures of four ACh derivatives show the presence of short and linear contacts between the C atoms of -N + (CH 3 ) 3 groups and lone pair possessing atoms. These contacts can be rationalized as tetrel bonds (TtBs) thanks to their geometric features. Interrogation of the Protein Data Bank suggests that similar -N + -C⋅⋅⋅nucleophile contacts affect the details of the binding of ACh and its derivatives to proteins. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interaction plot, and natural bond orbital analyses consistently confirm that the -N + -C⋅⋅⋅nucleophile contacts observed in small molecule crystals and in substrate/protein complexes are attractive in nature and can be rationalized as TtBs. TtBs involving methyl groups of the -N + (CH 3 ) 3 moiety can be proposed as a new item in the palette of interactions allowing the compounds containing this pharmacophoric unit to bind to their target protein and/or to express their biological/pharmacological properties., (© 2024 The Author(s). Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Introduction: Caring for the dying can generate anxiety and emotional distress, particularly in nursing students, and perceived competence could play a crucial role in enabling nurses to perform their duties with greater confidence. Unfortunately, few studies describe the relationship between students' nursing attitudes and perceived self-efficacy in palliative care (PC). To overcome this gap, this survey aimed to assess the attitudes towards dying patients and the perceived competence of nursing students in palliative care at different universities in the south of Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to March 2023 involving nursing students from the three major Sicilian universities (Italy). The study included a survey investigating socio-demographic characteristics, palliative care training, knowledge about pain management, and previous experience with dying. Moreover, the Professional Competence of the Core Curriculum in Palliative Care Nursing (CCPCN) questionnaire and the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying-B Italian version (FATCOD-B-I) assessed competencies and emotional attitudes. Results: A total of 1913 nursing students were recruited, of which 71.3% were females, and 53.9% were in the age range of 18 to 21 years. In the multivariable analysis, practical PC training was a substantial factor in enhancing competencies (Adj-OR 2.78 [95% CI = 2.12-3.65]). Male students had higher competence odds (Adj-OR 1.38 [95% CI = 1.14-1.66]), and perceived knowledge strongly correlated with self-assessed competence. Advancement in academic years also positively influenced competence self-assessment (Adj-OR 1.98 [95% CI = 1.75-2.24]). Regarding emotional attitudes, a per-quartile increase in competence score was found to improve the attitude score (Adj-OR 1.24 [95% CI = 1.13-1.35]). Conclusions: Nursing students gain valuable experience during clinical experience. PC training and perceived knowledge of PC significantly increase nurses' competencies, and the latter seem to be strongly associated with attitudes. Thus, introducing palliative care education into nurses' core curricula could be a way to reduce anxiety and emotional distress in young students.

Adducts between OsO 4 and Lewis bases exert a role in important oxidation processes such as epoxidation and dihydroxylation. It has been shown that the attractive interaction driving the formation of these adducts is a σ-hole bond involving the metal as the electrophilic species; the term Osme Bond (OmB) was proposed for designating it. Here some new adducts between OsO 4 and various bases have been characterized through single crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD) and computational studies (density functional theory, DFT), confirming the existence of a robust correlation between σ-hole interaction energy and deformation of the tetrahedral geometry of OsO 4 . Also, some adducts formed by RuO 4 with nucleophiles were investigated computationally., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Despite cold-water coral (CWC) reefs being considered biodiversity hotspots, very little is known about the main processes driving their morphological development. Indeed, there is a considerable knowledge gap in quantitative experimental studies that help understand the interaction between reef morphology, near-bed hydrodynamics, coral growth, and (food) particle transport processes. In the present study, we performed a 2-month long flume experiment in which living coral nubbins were placed on a reef patch to determine the effect of a unidirectional flow on the growth and physiological condition of Lophelia pertusa. Measurements revealed how the presence of coral framework increased current speed and turbulence above the frontal part of the reef patch, while conditions immediately behind it were characterised by an almost stagnant flow and reduced turbulence. Owing to the higher current speeds that likely promoted a higher food encounter rate and intake of ions involved in the calcification process, the coral nubbins located on the upstream part of the reef presented a significantly enhanced average growth and a lower expression of stress-related enzymes than the downstream ones. Yet, further experiments would be needed to fully quantify how the variations in water hydrodynamics modify particle encounter and ion intake rates by coral nubbins located in different parts of a reef, and how such discrepancies may ultimately affect coral growth. Nonetheless, the results acquired here denote that a reef influenced by a unidirectional water flow would grow into the current: a pattern of reef development that coincides with that of actual coral reefs located in similar water flow settings. Ultimately, the results of this study suggest that at the local scale coral reef morphology has a direct effect on coral growth thus, indicating that the spatial patterns of living CWC colonies in reef patches are the result of spatial self-organisation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Bottom trawling in submarine canyons can affect their natural sedimentation rates, but studies addressing this issue are still scarce. In the Gulf of Palermo (SW Mediterranean), bottom trawling occurs on the slope around Oreto, Arenella and Eleuterio canyons. Analyses of excess 210 Pb concentrations and grain size fractions in sediment cores from their canyon axes revealed that sedimentation rates and silt contents increased in all canyons in the 1980s, due to the expansion of more powerful trawlers (>500 HP) to deeper fishing grounds. In Eleuterio and Arenella canyons, sedimentation rates increased by an order of magnitude (0.1-1.4 cm·yr -1 ), whereas they increased less (0.1-0.7 cm·yr -1 ) in Oreto Canyon, since the enhanced trawling-derived sediment fluxes into this canyon are affected by sediment resuspension from trawling along its axis. Considering the global expansion of bottom trawling, we anticipate similar alterations in other trawled canyons, with ecological consequences that should be addressed by management strategies., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

One of Saturn's largest moons, Enceladus, possesses a vast extraterrestrial ocean ( i.e., exo-ocean) that is increasingly becoming the hotspot of future research initiatives dedicated to the exploration of putative life. Here, a new bio-exploration concept design for Enceladus' exo-ocean is proposed, focusing on the potential presence of organisms across a wide range of sizes ( i.e., from uni- to multicellular and animal-like), according to state-of-the-art sensor and robotic platform technologies used in terrestrial deep-sea research. In particular, we focus on combined direct and indirect life-detection capabilities, based on optoacoustic imaging and passive acoustics, as well as molecular approaches. Such biologically oriented sampling can be accompanied by concomitant geochemical and oceanographic measurements to provide data relevant to exo-ocean exploration and understanding. Finally, we describe how this multidisciplinary monitoring approach is currently enabled in terrestrial oceans through cabled (fixed) observatories and their related mobile multiparametric platforms ( i.e., Autonomous Underwater and Remotely Operated Vehicles, as well as crawlers, rovers, and biomimetic robots) and how their modified design can be used for exo-ocean exploration.

Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves are rich in polyphenols, conferring them a high antioxidant activity. The application of UV-B can be used to maintain the post-harvest nutraceutical quality of basil leaves. We aimed to investigate the effects of pre-harvest UV-B application on polyphenolic and pigment contents, antioxidant capacity, and the visual quality of basil stored leaves. We also evaluated the applicability of the non-invasive Dualex ® for monitoring the accumulation of leaf epidermal phenolics (Flav Index). After exposing plants to white light (control) and to supplemental UV-B radiation for 4 d, the leaves were harvested and stored for 7d (T S7 ). The UV-B leaves showed both a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than the controls at T S7 . In addition, the correlations between the Flav Index and phenolic content demonstrated that Dualex ® can reliably assess the content of epidermal phenolics, thus confirming its promising utilization as a non-destructive method for monitoring the phytochemical quality of O. basilicum leaves. In conclusion, a pre-harvesting UV-B application may be a tool for enhancing the content of polyphenols and the antioxidant potential of basil stored leaves without detrimental effects on their visual quality. These results are important considering the nutraceutical value of this plant and its wide commercial distribution.

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form boundaries between rigid tectonic blocks. These faults are associated with prominent topographic features and can produce large earthquakes. Here we show the first evidence of a major tectonic structure in its initial-stage, the Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS), in the Alboran Sea. Combining bathymetric and seismic reflection data, together with seismological analyses of the 2016 M w 6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco - the largest event ever recorded in the area - we unveil a 3D geometry for the AIFS. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterise the fault segmentation and demonstrate that AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of the M w 6.4 earthquake together with historical and instrumental events supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. Thus, the AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary fault system.

Aims: Evaluating the prevalence and the degree of steatosis in geriatric patients (65 to 85 years of age) with Metabolic Syndrome (defined by ATP III criteria); searching for metabolic factors which are predictive for the degree of steatosis; evaluating the efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) for 6 months in the treatment of patients with NAFLD or NASH., Materials and Methods: We studied 87 geriatric patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Steatosis was diagnosed and graded by laboratory assessment and ultrasonography, method based on the determination of liver/kidney ratio through grey-scale intensity, which was calculated as an index of the severity of the steatosis: it could oscilates from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). We randomized the geriatric patients into two groups: Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA)-treated group (n=43 pz) and diet-treated group (1200 Kcal/die for female, 1500 Kcal/die for male) (n=44 pz), for a period of 6 months. BMI, principal symptoms, liver function, blood lipids, ultrasonography liver were evaluated respectively before and after treatment., Results: The prevalence of steatosis was 100% (26 mild steatosis cases, 38 moderate cases and 23 severe cases) in our patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Of the 43 subjects assigned to receive 300-450 mg/d of UDCA and diet, the hepatic steatosis index decreased on the average, of the 75%. Serum AST, ALT and γ-GT decreased significantly at 3 months already (p<0.001)., Conclusions: UDCA improves liver enzymes and ultrasonography immaging in geriatric patients with NAFLD or NASH. Unexpectedly, UDCA has resulted in beneficial effects on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity.

AF is able not only to increase the risk of cognitive decline due to acute cerebrovascular events, but also to reduce cardiac output, with the consequence of impaired cerebral perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between AF, dementia and depression in patients with negative anamnesis for past strokes. Our sample included 26 patients with a diagnosis of AF (paroxystic, persistent, permanent) and 31 patients with sinus rhythm, enrolled as controls. All selected patients underwent a Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment in order to investigate cognitive and behavioral functions. Statistical analysis of results showed a greater frequency of latent cognitive impairment in patients with AF, even in the absence of memory disorders. As a matter of facts, AF patients showed Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores significantly lower than those with sinus rhythm (p<0.05) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores higher than those without AF, evidencing a greater risk of depression too (p<0.02). Results showed a statistically significant association between AF, depression and cognitive impairment in early stage. In conclusion, AF is not only associated with the risk of developing cognitive impairment, but it can also be considered as a risk factor for dementia and depression, even in the absence of medical history of past stroke., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This is a case of 89 years old patient suffering by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and affected by acute respiratory failure characterized by hypoxemia and hipercapnia. It is interesting because, comparing oxygen therapy and non invasive ventilation, the best results were reached with the last technique, in an elder patient.

Metabolic Syndrome (Metabolic Syndrome, MS) is associated with many other diseases in the elderly. We have studied a possible correlation between this disorder and depression in a Geriatric Centre. The study was conducted on a random sample of 30 geriatric patients, then divided into 2 groups according to clinical and instrumental diagnostic investigations: 15 patients affected MS according to the criteria of NCEP ATP III, and 15 controls without MS. Then it's administered the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Elaboration of the results it appears statistically significant correlation (t=2.05, p=0.0495) between MS and depression in the elderly.

This study compares the efficacy of telmisartan with that of valsartan and ramipril in reducing blood pressure (BP) over 24 hrs in the elderly patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). This prospective and open label study analyzed a sample of 60 patients over 65 years of age with hypertension and with MS. At the beginning the BP was monitored by a 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (AMBP). Following this, the 60 patients were divided into 3 groups of 20, to each of which was prescribed, respectively, telmisartan, valsartan and ramipril to take for 12 weeks. The drugs were to be taken at 9.00 a.m. Later on the doses were increased. After 12 weeks of therapy, BP was monitored by a 24-hr AMBP. The use of telmisartan caused a greater reduction of the BP in the final 4-6 hours of the period between the 1st administration of the drug and the next one, these last 4-6 hours being those when cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents are more frequent (between 6.00 and 10.00 a.m.). Comparing to valsartan and ramipril, telmisartan results in excellent pressure control during the last 4-6 hours between the 1st administration of the drug and the next one.