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Rapidly progressive dementias are conditions that worsening the patient’s life; however they are not always considered during the investigation of dementia syndrome. This report describes the case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic use of corticosteroid therapy, who developed rapidly progressive dementia within 5 months. During the investigation, the primary lymphoma of the central nervous system was evidenced as the cause of its dementia syndrome. Importantly, prolonged use of corticosteroids may be associated with a state of immunosuppression, which is a risk factor for the onset of central nervous system lymphoma.

Children/adolescents with cancer can develop adverse effects impacting gross motor function. There is a lack of gross motor function assessment tools that have been validated for this population. The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional study was to preliminary validate the 88-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) for use in children/adolescents with cancer, exploring internal consistency and floor/ceiling effect. Inclusion criteria regarded children/adolescents diagnosed with cancer on treatment or

Bacterial infections are a common complication in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The complex landscape of cirrhosis, characterized by immune paralysis and an exhausted response to exogenous triggers, explains the higher prevalence of such infections, particularly in advanced disease stages. In clinical practice, the onset of a bacterial infection can lead to further deterioration of hepatic and extra-hepatic function, potentially resulting in acute decompensation or acute-on-chronic liver failure. This has significant clinical implications, particularly for patients awaiting a transplant. In this review, we will discuss the latest evidence on the diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Additionally, we will analyze the impact of bacterial infections in the context of liver transplantation, discussing debated topics such as the timing of transplantation in patients with infections, potential implications for prioritization, effects on post-operative recovery, grafts, and patient survival.

Abstract Edible electronics is emerging in recent years motivated by a diverse number of healthcare applications, where sensors can be safely ingested without the need for any medical supervision. However, the current lack of stable and well‐performing edible semiconductors needs to be addressed to reach technological maturity and allow the surge of a new generation of edible circuits. In the quest for good‐performing edible semiconductors, this study has explored the possibility of considering materials that are not regulated for intentional ingestion, yet are daily swallowed with no adverse reactions, such as pigments contained in toothpaste. This work first elaborates on the basis of inadvertent ingestion data to estimate the quantity of daily ingested Copper(II) Phthalocyanine (CuPc), a whitening pigment and well‐known organic semiconductor. Subsequently, CuPc is employed in the first demonstration of fully edible electrolyte‐gated transistors operating at low voltage (

Background and Aims: We aimed to characterize the epidemiologic and comorbidities profiles of patients with chronic Hepatitis D (CHD) followed in clinical practice in Italy and explored their interferon (IFN) eligibility. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the PITER cohort consisting of consecutive HBsAg-positive patients from 59 centers over the period 2019-2023. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression model. Results: Of 5492 HBsAg-positive enrolled patients, 4152 (75.6%) were screened for HDV, 422 (10.2%) were anti-HDV positive. Compared with HBsAg mono-infected, anti-HDV positive patients were more often younger, non-Italians, with a history of drug use, had elevated alanine transaminase (ALT), cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with Italians, anti-HDV positive non-Italians were younger (42.2% age ≤ 40 years vs. 2.1%; P < 0.001), more often females (males 43.0% vs. 68.6%; P < 0.001) with less frequent cirrhosis and HCC. HDV-RNA was detected in 63.2% of anti-HDV-positive patients, who were more likely to have elevated ALT, cirrhosis, and HCC. Extrahepatic comorbidities were present in 47.4% of anti-HDV positive patients and could affect the eligibility of IFN-containing therapies in at least 53.0% of patients in care. Conclusions: CHD affects young, foreign-born patients and older Italians, of whom two-thirds had cirrhosis or HCC. Comorbidities were frequent in both Italians and non-Italians and impacted eligibility for IFN.

Hydroxycinnamates induce lignification in young plants, leading to the overproduction of lignin as a defense mechanism. Phenylpropanoids-containing oligosaccharides are thought to be a signal of pathogen attack on the cell wall polysaccharides. However, it is unclear if hydroxycinnamates induce lignification by acting solely as stress elicitors or feeding the phenylpropanoid pathway as lignin precursors. To examine this hypothesis, we added 1 mM deuterated ferulic acid (FA) or sinapic acid (SA) to the nutrient solution in which we cultivated soybean or maize plantlets. After 24 h, we assessed the biometric parameters and the contents of ester-linked FA and SA, total lignin, monolignol ratio, and heavy monolignols. FA treatment increased the content of ester-linked FA, syringyl, and guaiacyl monomers measured by nitrobenzene oxidation, lignin content, and reduced root growth in both soybean and maize plants. p-Coumaric acid content ester-linked to the cell wall increased in soybean but decreased in maize after treatment with FA. Treatment with SA also induced lignification in soybean but not in maize. SA increased S-lignin and sinapoyl esters content in the cell wall polymers in both soybean and maize. Residues of deuterated hydroxycinnamates were detected in the lignin of both plants in both treatments. The assay demonstrated that exogenously applied SA and FA were metabolized through the phenylpropanoid pathway. Furthermore, they were, at least partially, exported to the apoplast, where they were ester-linked to cell wall polymers. This suggests hydroxycinnamic acids are metabolized differently by plants with different types of cell walls.

Abstract Background Air pollution is a major health concern in worldwide. Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are precursors of secondary air pollutants, with road transport being responsible of ~ 90% for the EU-27’s NMVOCs transport emissions in 2021. A series of VOC emissions from 17 modern gasoline, Diesel and Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles were investigated under various driving conditions and temperatures. All tested vehicles meet the latest European emission standard (Euro 6d and Euro 6d-TEMP). The different VOC species were measured with a Fourier-Transform Infrared Analyzer (FTIR). Results Diesel vehicles presented the lowest VOC emissions, while PHEVs operating in charge sustaining mode, with a depleted battery, exhibited very similar behavior to conventional gasoline. Among the VOCs, C5 compounds were the primary contributors to total NMVOCs over WLTC at 23 °C for gasoline and PHEV vehicles. A proportional increase in VOC emissions at colder temperatures, affecting all the studied species, was observed. Significant increases were observed for Aromatics, with an important contribution of

Abstract Background Neurosarcoidosis occurs symptomatically in 5–10% of patients with sarcoidosis, and hydrocephalus is a rare complication of neurosarcoidosis, with either acute or subacute onset and presenting symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure. It represents a potentially fatal manifestation with a mortality rate of 22% (increased to 75% in case of coexistence of seizures) that requires a prompt initiation of treatment. High-dose intravenous corticosteroid treatment and neurosurgical treatment must be considered in all cases of neurosarcoidosis hydrocephalus. Case presentation Here we present a case of hydrocephalus in neurosarcoidosis, complicated by generalized seizures, in a 29-year-old Caucasian male patient treated with medical treatment only, with optimal response. Conclusion Since neurosurgery treatment can lead to severe complications, this case report underlines the possibility to undergo only medical treatment in selected cases. Further studies are needed to stratify patients and better identify those eligible for only medical approach.

Abstract Aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1) is the enzyme synthesizing itaconate, an immuno-regulatory metabolite tuning host-pathogen interactions. Such functions are achieved by affecting metabolic pathways regulating inflammation and microbe survival. However, at the whole-body level, metabolic roles of itaconate remain largely unresolved. By using multiomics-integrated approaches, here we show that ACOD1 responds to high-fat diet consumption in mice by promoting gut microbiota alterations supporting metabolic disease. Genetic disruption of itaconate biosynthesis protects mice against obesity, alterations in glucose homeostasis and liver metabolic dysfunctions by decreasing meta-inflammatory responses to dietary lipid overload. Mechanistically, fecal metagenomics and microbiota transplantation experiments demonstrate such effects are dependent on an amelioration of the intestinal ecosystem composition, skewed by high-fat diet feeding towards obesogenic phenotype. In particular, unbiased fecal microbiota profiling and axenic culture experiments point towards a primary role for itaconate in inhibiting growth of Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides, family and genus of Bacteroidetes phylum, the major gut microbial taxon associated with metabolic health. Specularly to the effects imposed by Acod1 deficiency on fecal microbiota, oral itaconate consumption enhances diet-induced gut dysbiosis and associated obesogenic responses in mice. Unveiling an unrecognized role of itaconate, either endogenously produced or exogenously administered, in supporting microbiota alterations underlying diet-induced obesity in mice, our study points ACOD1 as a target against inflammatory consequences of overnutrition.

Abstract Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a clinical syndrome determined by various underlying neurodegenerative disorders requiring a pathological assessment for a definitive diagnosis. A literature review was performed following the methodology described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews to investigate the additional value of traditional and cutting-edge cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum/plasma biomarkers in profiling CBS. Four databases were screened applying predefined inclusion criteria: (1) recruiting patients with CBS; (2) analyzing CSF/plasma biomarkers in CBS. The review highlights the potential role of the association of fluid biomarkers in diagnostic workup of CBS, since they may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and patient selection for future disease-modifying agent; for example, future trial designs should consider baseline CSF Neurofilament Light Chains (NfL) or progranulin dosage to stratify treatment arms according to neuropathological substrates, and serum NfL dosage might be used to monitor the evolution of CBS. In this scenario, prospective cohort studies, starting with neurological examination and neuropsychological tests, should be considered to assess the correlations of clinical profiles and various biomarkers.

Abstract Introduction Over the last ten years an increasing prevalence and incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been reported among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) Viviani (J Cyst Fibros, 15(5):619–623, 2016). NTM pulmonary disease has been associated with negative clinical outcomes and often requires pharmacological treatment. Although specific guidelines help clinicians in the process of diagnosis and clinical management, the focus on the multidimensional assessment of concomitant problems is still scarce. Main body This review aims to identify the treatable traits of NTM pulmonary disease in people with CF and discuss the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in order to detect and manage all the clinical and behavioral aspects of the disease. The multidisciplinary complexity of NTM pulmonary disease in CF requires careful management of respiratory and extra-respiratory, including control of comorbidities, drug interactions and behavioral factors as adherence to therapies. Conclusions The treatable trait strategy can help to optimize clinical management through systematic assessment of all the aspects of the disease, providing a holistic treatment for such a multi-systemic and complex condition.

Abstract Retinotopy, like all long-range projections, can arise from the axons themselves or their targets. The underlying connectivity pattern, however, remains elusive at the fine scale in the mammalian brain. To address this question, we functionally mapped the spatial organization of the input axons and target neurons in the female mouse retinocollicular pathway at single-cell resolution using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. We found a near-perfect retinotopic tiling of retinal ganglion cell axon terminals, with an average error below 30 μm or 2° of visual angle. The precision of retinotopy was relatively lower for local neurons in the superior colliculus. Subsequent data-driven modeling ascribed it to a low input convergence, on average 5.5 retinal ganglion cell inputs per postsynaptic cell in the superior colliculus. These results indicate that retinotopy arises largely from topographically precise input from presynaptic cells, rather than elaborating local circuitry to reconstruct the topography by postsynaptic cells.

Abstract JEM-EUSO is an international program for the development of space-based Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray observatories. The program consists of a series of missions which are either under development or in the data analysis phase. All instruments are based on a wide-field-of-view telescope, which operates in the near-UV range, designed to detect the fluorescence light emitted by extensive air showers in the atmosphere. We describe the simulation software ESAF in the framework of the JEM-EUSO program and explain the physical assumptions used. We present here the implementation of the JEM-EUSO, POEMMA, K-EUSO, TUS, Mini-EUSO, EUSO-SPB1 and EUSO-TA configurations in ESAF. For the first time ESAF simulation outputs are compared with experimental data.

Upper-limb spasticity, frequent after central nervous system lesions, is typically treated with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injections to reduce muscle tone and increase range of motion. However, performing adjunct physical therapy post-BoNT-A can be challenging due to residual weakness or spasticity. This study evaluates the feasibility of hand therapy using a robotic hand orthosis (RELab tenoexo) with a mobile phone application as an adjunct to BoNT-A injections. Five chronic spastic patients participated in a two-session pilot study. Functional (Box and Block Test (BBT), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)), and muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)) assessments were conducted to assess functional abilities and impairment, along with usability evaluations. In the first session, subjects received BoNT-A injections, and then they performed a simulated unsupervised therapy session with the RELab tenoexo in a second session a month later. Results showed that BoNT-A reduced muscle tone (from 12.2 to 7.4 MAS points). The addition of RELab tenoexo therapy was safe, led to functional improvements in four subjects (two-cube increase in BBT as well as 2.8 points in grasp and 1.3 points in grip on ARAT). Usability results indicate that, with minor improvements, adjunct RELab tenoexo therapy could enhance therapy doses and, potentially, long-term outcomes.

L-cysteine, a precursor of essential components for plant growth, is synthesized by the cysteine synthase complex, which includes O-acetylserine(thiol) lyase (OAS-TL) and serine acetyltransferase. In this work, we investigated how S-benzyl-L-cysteine (SBC), an OAS-TL inhibitor, affects the growth, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress of Ipomoea grandifolia plants. SBC impaired gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence, indicating damage that compromised photosynthesis and reduced plant growth. Critical parameters such as the electron transport rate (J), triose phosphate utilization (TPU), light-saturation point (LSP), maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (Vcmax), and light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (PNmax) decreased by 19%, 20%, 22%, 23%, and 24%, respectively. The photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry (ϕPSII), electron transport rate through PSII (ETR), and stomatal conductance (gs) decreased by 12%, 19%, 19%, and 34%, respectively. Additionally, SBC decreased the maximum fluorescence yield (Fm), variable fluorescence (Fv), and chlorophyll (SPAD index) by 14%, 15%, and 15%, respectively, indicating possible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. SBC triggered root oxidative stress by increasing malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and conjugated dienes by 30%, 55%, and 61%, respectively. We hypothesize that dysfunctions in sulfur-containing components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, such as the cytochrome b6f complex, ferredoxin, and the iron–sulfur (Fe-S) centers are the cause of these effects, which ultimately reduce the efficiency of electron transport and hinder photosynthesis in I. grandifolia plants. In short, our findings suggest that targeting OAS-TL with inhibitors like SBC could be a promising strategy for the development of novel herbicides.

Prendendo le mosse dalla riscoperta della copia cinquecentesca dell’importante documento (1183-1184) con l’elenco delle villae del distretto veronese, edito per la prima volta dallo storico Carlo Cipolla nel 1895 e a lungo ritenuto perduto, questo breve saggio ha tentato di ricostruire la misconosciuta e frammentata biografia del medico ottocentesco Giovanni Battista Bertoli (1811-1895). Attraverso un’ampia ricognizione archivistica e bibliografica, si è tentato di rintracciare e riordinare le poche informazioni disponibili su di una vita appartata tra le plaghe della pianura veronese, ma in realtà intrecciata da profondi e duraturi legami con i principali protagonisti della cultura e dell’erudizione storica veronese del secondo Ottocento. Sullo sfondo di una vita trascorsa all’insegna di una diuturna attenzione professionale e filantropica per la propria comunità di Casaleone (Verona), emerge l’appartata figura di un collezionista indefesso di manoscritti, di libri, di memorie storiche, in più casi fonte di imprescindibili informazioni per i suoi più noti corrispondenti veronesi, quanto un attento custode dei beni culturali di un territorio al tempo ancora impreparato a farsene carico.

AbstractThe invasive tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a serious nuisance for people due to its biting and potential for disease transmission, even in Italian mountain regions. In this work, we examined its occurrence dynamic from the first invasion in two Alpine cities, Rovereto and Trento, only 25 km apart. Mosquito’s distribution was assessed using ovitraps, from mid-May to end-October, from its first reported occurrence, i.e. 2001 in Rovereto and 2010 in Trento. In both cities, ovitraps were located in seven habitat types: gathering places, residential areas, urban parks, car parks, near watercourses, industrial areas and croplands. The annual average temperature and precipitation were similar in the two cities from 2001 to 2020. We had hypothesized that the seasonal and annual differences in egg number between both cities would be limited. Significant linear and positive relationship was found between the average number of eggs and air temperature in both the cities, but with a steeper slope in Trento. In addition, the average number of eggs per ovitrap was higher in Trento than in Rovereto (average 50.3 vs 14.2). None of the considered risk factors (climate, habitat type) explained such difference in abundance between cities. Indeed, based on the temperature, the expectation was to find fewer eggs in Trento being cooler than Rovereto during 2010–2020 (the average in the period of activated traps was, respectively, 19.2 vs 19.7°C). Thus, we argue that other anthropogenic factors, such as different control activities (adulticide treatments were carried out solely in Rovereto), might explain the difference in egg abundance found between cities. A specific experimental design to evaluate treatment effect might validate our hypothesis (e.g. apply adulticides during the surveillance period, with treatments applied at regular distances from the ovitraps and with a specific periodicity to compare adult and egg abundance).

Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength caused by an imbalance in protein synthesis and degradation. This process naturally occurs upon reduced or absent physical activity, often related to illness, forced bed rest, or unhealthy lifestyles. Currently, no treatment is available for atrophy, and it can only be prevented by overloading exercise, causing severe problems for patients who cannot exercise due to chronic diseases, disabilities, or being bedridden. The two murine models commonly used to induce muscle atrophy are hindlimb suspension and ankle joint immobilization, both of which come with criticalities. The lack of treatments and the relevance of this atrophic process require a unilateral, safe, and robust model to induce muscle atrophy. In this work, we designed and developed a 3D-printed cast to be used for the study of disuse skeletal muscle atrophy. Applying two halves of the cast is non-invasive, producing little to no swelling or skin damage. The application of the cast induces, in 2-weeks immobilized leg, the activation of atrophy-related genes, causing a muscle weight loss up to 25% in the gastrocnemius muscle, and 31% in the soleus muscle of the immobilized leg compared to the control leg. The cross-sectional area of the fibers is decreased by 31% and 34% respectively, with a peculiar effect on fiber types. In the immobilized gastrocnemius, absolute muscle force is reduced by 38%, while normalized force is reduced by 16%. The contralateral leg did not show signs of overload or hypertrophy when compared to free roaming littermates, offering a good internal control over the immobilized limb. Upon removing the cast, the mice effectively recovered mass and force in 3 weeks.

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and management in special populations remain challenging. Data about TB and transgender individuals is scarce, and strategies aimed at reducing the TB burden in this at-risk group are needed. We conducted an observational monocentric study from a national reference center for TB, including transgender individuals with active TB in a low-TB burden country (Italy), over 34 years (1990-2023). Sixty-six transgender males and two transgender females (median age 30 years, interquartile range 26-38 years, 65 migrants) were included. Most patients (38/66, 57.6%) lived in poor social conditions. 65.2% (43/66) of patients were people living with HIV. Multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and isoniazid-resistant TB were diagnosed in five (7.6%) and three (4.5%) patients, respectively. The overall treatment success rate was 72.7% (48/66 patients), with differences observed according to social conditions. Our study highlights the need for a tailored approach to increase treatment success in this at-risk population.

BackgroundLeft ventricular free-wall rupture (LVFWR) is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Historically, cardiac surgery is considered the treatment of choice. However, because of the rarity of this entity, little is known regarding the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment for post-infarction LVFWR. The aim of this study was to report a single-center experience in this field over a period of 30 years.MethodsPatients who developed LVFWR following AMI and underwent surgical repair at our Institution from January 1990 to December 2019 were considered. The primary end-point was in-hospital morality rate; secondary outcomes were long-term survival and postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis was carried out by constructing a logistic regression model to identify risk factors for early mortality.ResultsA total of 35 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 68.9 years; 65.7% were male. The oozing type of LVFWR was encountered in 29 individuals, and the blowout type in 6 subjects. Sutured repair was used in 77.1% of patients, and sutureless repair in the remaining cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 28.6%. Low cardiac output syndrome was the main cause of postoperative death. Multivariable analysis identified age >75 years at operation, preoperative cardiac arrest, concurrent ventricular septal rupture (VSR) as independent predictors of in-hospital death. Follow-up was complete in 100% of patients who survived surgery (mean follow-up: 9.3 ± 7.8 years); among the survivors, 16 patients died during the follow-up with a 3-year and 12-year overall survival rate of 82.5% and 55.2%, respectively.ConclusionsSurgical treatment of LVFWR following AMI is possible with acceptable in-hospital mortality and excellent long-term results. Advanced age, concurrent VSR and cardiac arrest at presentation are independent risk factors of poor early outcome.

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are a heterogeneous set of psychological and behavioral abnormalities seen in persons with dementia (PwD), significantly impacting their quality of life and that of their caregivers. Current assessment tools, such as the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), are limited by recall bias and lack of direct observation. This study aims to overcome this limitation by making caregiver reports more objective through the use of a novel instrument, referred to as the BPSDiary. This randomized controlled trial will involve 300 caregiver-PwD dyads. The objective is to evaluate whether the use of the BPSDiary could significantly reduce caregiver burden, assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), compared to usual care. The study will include adult PwD, caregivers living with or close to the patient, and BPSD related to the HIDA (hyperactivity, impulsivity, irritability, disinhibition, aggression, agitation) domain. Caregivers randomized to the intervention arm will use the BPSDiary to record specific BPSD, including insomnia, agitation/anxiety, aggression, purposeless motor behavior, and delusions/hallucinations, registering time of onset, severity, and potential triggers. The primary outcome will be the change in ZBI scores at 3 months, with secondary outcomes including changes in NPI scores, olanzapine equivalents, NPI-distress scores related to specific BPSD domains, and caregiver and physician satisfaction. The study will be conducted in 9 Italian centers, representing diverse geographic and sociocultural contexts. While potential limitations include the relatively short observation period and the focus on specific BPSD disturbances, the BPSDiary could provide physicians with objective data to tailor appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Additionally, it may empower caregivers by encouraging reflection on BPSD triggers, with the potential to improve the quality of life for both PwD and their caregivers.Trial registryNCT05977855.

Objectives: The study measures trends in the profile of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus linked to care in Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational cohort (PITER cohort) of consecutive patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) over the period 2019-2021 from 46 centers was evaluated. The reference was the MASTER cohort collected over the years 2012-2015. Standard statistical methods were used. Results: The PITER cohort enrolled 4583 patients, of whom 21.8% were non-Italian natives. Compared with those in MASTER, the patients were older and more often female. The prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) declined (7.2% vs 12.3; P