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International audience; Hybrid magnets are currently under consideration as an economically viable option towards 20 T dipole magnets for next generation of particle accelerators. In these magnets, High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials are used in the high field part of the coil with so-called insert coils, and Low Temperature Superconductors (LTS) like Nb3Sn and Nb-Ti superconductors are used in the lower field region with so-called outsert coils. The attractiveness of the hybrid option lays on the fact that, on the one hand, the 20 T field level is beyond the Nb3Sn practical limits of 15-16 T for accelerator magnets and can be achieved only via HTS materials; on the other hand, the high cost of HTS superconductors compared to LTS superconductors makes it advantageous exploring a hybrid approach, where the HTS portion of the coil is minimized. We present in this paper an overview of different design options aimed at generating 20 T field in a 50 mm clear aperture. The coil layouts investigated include the Cos-theta design (CT), with its variations to reduce the conductor peak stress, namely the Canted Cos-theta design (CCT) and the Stress Management Cos-theta design (SMCT), and, in addition, the Block-type design (BL) including a form of stress management and the Common-Coil design (CC). Results from a magnetic and mechanical analysis are discussed, with particular focus on the comparison between the different options regarding quantity of superconducting material, field quality, conductor peak stress, and quench protection.

O transtorno dismórfico corporal (TDC) é um transtorno psiquiátrico caracterizado pela preocupação excessiva e distorcida com a aparência física. Na especialidade da cirurgia plástica, é comum que pacientes busquem procedimentos estéticos para corrigir supostas imperfeições corporais decorrentes do TDC. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática é avaliar a prevalência do TDC em pacientes candidatos e/ou submetidos a procedimentos estéticos na especialidade da cirurgia plástica. Foram selecionados estudos que abordam a prevalência do TDC em pacientes submetidos a procedimentos estéticos, publicados entre 2010 e 2022. Os resultados indicam uma prevalência elevada de TDC em pacientes que buscam procedimentos estéticos na cirurgia plástica. A revisão também destaca a importância da avaliação psicológica pré-operatória e do tratamento adequado para pacientes com TDC ou outras condições mentais que possam interferir no resultado da cirurgia e na satisfação do paciente. Uma abordagem multidisciplinar envolvendo cirurgiões plásticos e profissionais de saúde mental é fundamental para garantir a segurança e a satisfação dos pacientes submetidos a procedimentos estéticos.

Background and aims Higher plants represent an optimal tool to regenerate resources while producing food in Space. However, the configuration of fertile cultivation substrates based on extraterrestrial resources is still a challenge. We evaluated the adaptability of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. ‘Colomba’) to the growth on six substrates: the MMS-1 Mars regolith simulant, alone (R100) and in mixture with 30% in vol. of green compost (R70C30), a fluvial sand, alone or mixed with 30% of compost (S100 and S70C30), a red soil from Sicily (RS), and a volcanic soil from Campania (VS). Methods We assessed the physicochemical properties of the substrates, and the physiological and biometric parameters of potato plants grown in pot on these substrates, in cold glasshouse. Results Both R100 and S100 were alkaline (pH ≥ 8.6) and coarse-textured, lacking organic matter and pivotal macronutrients. The amendment with compost significantly lowered their alkaline pH and improved the chemical fertility. The sandy-loam textured VS was sub-alkaline, slightly calcareous, with higher organic C and nutrient availability than RS. This latter was neutral-to-sub-alkaline, clay textured, poorly calcareous, with significantly higher CEC than VS. Leaf CO2 assimilation rate was higher in plants grown in terrestrial soils and S100. Plant growth was greater in VS, R70C30 and S70C30, while it was reduced on R100. Plants produced healthy tubers on all the substrates. Conclusion MMS-1 regolith simulant was found poor in nutrients and unsuitable to sustain adequately the plant growth. Amendment with organic compost improved MMS-1 physiochemical properties and fertility and plant performance.

Objective The aetiologic diagnosis of non-traumatic acute myelopathies (AMs), and their differentiation from other mimicking conditions (i.e. ‘mimics’), are clinically challenging, especially in the emergency setting. Here, we sought to identify: (i) red flags suggesting diagnoses alternative to AMs and (ii) clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features differentiating non-compressive from compressive AMs. Materials and methods We retrospectively retrieved MRI scans of spinal cord dictated at emergency room from January 2016 to December 2020 in the suspicion of AMs. Patients with traumatic myelopathies and those with subacute/chronic myelopathies (i.e. MRI scans acquired >48 h from symptom onset) were excluded from analysis. Results Our search retrieved 105 patients; after excluding 16 cases of traumatic myelopathies and 14 cases of subacute/chronic myelopathies, we identified 30 cases with non-compressive AMs, 30 cases with compressive AMs and 15 mimics. The presence of pyramidal signs ( p = 0.012) and/or pain ( p = 0.048) correctly identified 88% of cases with AMs. We failed to identify clinical indicators for distinguishing non-compressive and compressive AMs, although cases with inflammatory AMs were younger than cases with all the remaining conditions ( p < 0.05). Different MRI patterns could be described according to the final diagnosis: among non-compressive AMs, inflammatory lesions were more often posterior or central; vascular malformation had a fairly widespread distribution; spine ischaemia was more often central. Anterior or lateral compression were more often associated with neoplasms and disc herniation , whereas hemorrhages and infections produced spine compression on all sides. Conclusion We propose a simple clinical indicator (i.e. pyramidal signs and/or pain) to distinguish AMs from their mimics in an emergency setting. Urgent spinal cord MRI remains essential to discriminate compressive and non-compressive aetiologies.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) negatively impacts on renal function with the contribution of the I148M variant in the patatin like phospholipase containing domain 3 (PNPLA3) gene. We hypothesized that children with prediabetes present with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) than those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and that the 148M PNPLA3 allele could play a worsening role. We aimed evaluating the influence of the I148M PNPLA3 polymorphism on the relationship between eGFR and prediabetes in children with obesity. Methods: One thousand thirty-six children underwent to complete assessment and were genotyped for the I148M PNPLA3 polymorphism. Results: Patients with prediabetes showed lower eGFR levels (171.03±40.32 vs. 190.80±41.71ml/min/1.73 m2; p=0.001) and higher prevalence of NAFLD (80% vs. 59%; p=0.003) than those with NGT. Children with prediabetes showed lower eGFR levels than those with NGT (150.97±14.56 vs 192.88±40.09; p

PurposeThe present paper aims at understanding how horizontal network collaborations between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be designed and implemented to take advantage of a supply chain finance (SCF) perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents an SCF literature background identifying four literature gaps, and in response to them it adopts an action research approach. The empirical analysis is developed on a network-case study: a horizontal collaboration project between small businesses of the Italian wine industry and their supply chains.FindingsSMEs can play an active role in developing – in terms of design and implementation – their collaborative networks by taking advantage of an SCF perspective for themselves, and their customers, based on the reorganization of relationships interface processes. Taking this perspective can be a concrete and crucial way to sustain the development of SMEs and their supply chains in an actual competitive context.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper identifies the theoretical gaps in the literature, suggests new research areas that deserve to be more deeply investigated and connects case-related results to the key concepts. The empirical part presents a real case application that proposes a complete roadmap for managers and practitioners who wish to experience similar projects.Practical implicationsThis network-case study storyline, presenting an overview of ten years of meetings, with related purposes, is suggesting a roadmap for design and implementation of horizontal network as managerial implications. These kinds of active research projects, with a collaborative mixed team of academics and practitioners, and involving a multilayer group of participants, are positive examples for closing the bridge between companies and academia, which enhance this network of small businesses active in trying to improve their competitiveness working together.Originality/valueThe value of the paper is to embrace a supply chain-oriented perspective for an SME, independent of the financial system and based on inventory flow management. Very little literature focuses on inventory-based research within the SCF framework, designed for real implementation in horizontal network collaboration by entrepreneurial ventures.

Reintroduction of separated individuals into their social group is a major problem in the management of captive group of non-human primates. Here we report a case in captive Tonkean macaques in which a female infant was abandoned by her mother after birth, then removed, hand-reared, and reintroduced after weaning to her original group in several stages. After the initial phase of separation, a period of habituation to group members followed during which the infant was brought to the front of the group enclosure daily for two months. We then started a phased reintroduction process that lasted a year. Because the biological mother was the group member most attracted to the infant, the process began by allowing the two individuals to interact. In the next stages, we introduced the infant to the other individuals one after the other, starting with the females. Females then acted as protectors against potential male aggression. At the age of one year and two months, the introduced individual had fully integrated her original group. Two years later, she appeared to behave like the other group members. This report shows that a phased process can be used to reintroduce an infant to a macaque group containing several adult females and males.

Introduction: Primary focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a rare, likely immune-mediated disease. Rituximab (RTX) may play a role in management, although data in adults are scanty. Methods: We collected cases of RTX-treated primary FSGS within the Italian Society of Nephrology Immunopathology Working Group and explored response rate (24-hour proteinuria

This experimental study investigates the effects of process parameters for 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) samples on both the mechanical properties obtained and the energy consumption in the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process. The explained experimental activities provide an in-depth evaluation of all the strategies adopted in different temperatures and scan speed strategies. The results, extracted in tensile strength, ultrasonic inspection (UT), and specific energy consumption (SEC), highlight the printing parameters that mainly affect the mechanical characteristics of the final workpieces and the energy consumption to find an appropriate energy-saving energy strategy for the PLA additive manufacturing process. The results indicate a more excellent uniformity of the molded material, reducing the printing time and total energy consumption at high speeds (V = 110 mm/s) and one level of temperature (T = 215 °C). A new efficiency index has been introduced to release guidelines to pursue the best setup compromise.

In addition to the adoption of proper temperature and relative humidity, the selection of an atmosphere surrounding packaged fresh produce with reduced O2 and/or increased CO2 is one of the most widely used and useful tools to prolong the shelf-life of horticultural crops. However, as O2 and/or CO2 values that might cause injury are strictly related to the commodity, they should be optimized for each product. Here three study cases are reported about the application of modified atmospheres (MA), with different CO2 concentrations (0-40 kPa), to table grapes (cv. Italia) and sweet cherries (cv. Ferrovia) and, as short-term treatment (48 h at 0 °C), to fresh-cut artichokes (cv. Violet de Provence). In each trial, the effect of high CO2 treatment on quality parameters was observed during cold storage. Concerning table grape “Italia”, our results show that low CO2 (up to 10kPa) MA preserved the quality and sensory parameters of the fruit, whereas high CO2 (> 20 kPa) caused a fermentative metabolism. As for sweet cherries 'Ferrovia', 20 kPa CO2 MA helped to maintain the quality traits during storage. On the other hand, this fruit proved to be sensitive to CO2 accumulation (over 20kPa) in hypoxic conditions, since it caused an increase in respiration rate and the biosynthesis of volatile fermentative metabolites. Finally, for fresh-cut artichokes, a short-term CO2 treatment, up to 10kPa, reduced respiration rate and browning index, preserving the volatile profile, while high CO2 (40 kPa) may have caused fermentative metabolism. In conclusion, the application of a MA enriched in CO2 has been shown to have different effects on the quality parameters of the three products, in agreement with the fact that CO2 sensibility depends on each specific fruit or vegetable under study.

PurposeThis study analyzes sustainable practices adopted by Italian firms to enhance the circularity of packaging and related results in terms of environmental improvements.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed an empirical analysis using publicly available data from the National Consortium of Packaging (CONAI) in Italy, which consists of 603 circular packaging projects. The authors ran both descriptive and prescriptive analyses to determine individual sustainable practices and portfolios adopted to enhance packaging circularity and to verify related reductions in terms of CO2 emissions as well as energy usage and water consumption.FindingsThe findings reveal that firms are more accustomed to focusing on single sustainable practices than on portfolios of practices to achieve packaging circularity. Raw material saving and logistics optimization are the most frequent sustainable practices adopted by firms to improve circularity of packaging. The reuse of packaging allows firms to simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions, energy usage and water consumption. Preferences in terms of portfolio of sustainable practices are strictly linked to the types of materials used for packaging and environmental targets.Originality/valueThe authors investigate environmental practices that firms adopt to support packaging circularity, and the authors detect portfolios of sustainable practices that positively impact environmental performance indicators. This research extends a significant glimpse into the portfolio of sustainable practices for packaging in the circular economy implemented by firms, filling academic gaps and indicating business opportunities and avenues for economic development.

Does aromatase inhibitor improve IVF outcomes by reducing local oestrogen production in patients with adenomyosis undergoing long-term gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment?Four patients with severe adenomyosis who failed to improve after long-term treatment (≥3 months) with depot GnRHa received treatment with an aromatase inhibitor for 21 days. Blood oestradiol concentrations were monitored after GnRHa treatment both before and after treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Women received a transfer of IVF autologous or donor oocytes. Pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates were the primary outcomes. Blood oestradiol concentration after treatment with an aromatase inhibitor was a secondary outcome.Patients with severe adenomyosis presented with hyperestrogenism due to local production from the lesions even after long-term treatment with GnRHa. Treatment with an aromatase inhibitor reduced hyperestrogenism and improved clinical outcomes in adenomyosis patients who have experienced previous embryo transfer failures.Women with severe adenomyosis would benefit from letrozole or a combination of GnRHa plus letrozole before receipt of treatment with assisted reproductive technology. For women with severe adenomyosis, GnRHa treatment alone may be insufficient to suppress oestrogen production by adenomyotic lesions. Thus, it should be mandatory to test for oestradiol concentrations in patients with severe adenomyosis who have received long-term GnRHa treatment. Also, GnRHa may not always be the sole strategy for medical management of adenomyotic lesions. Letrozole is safe and can improve IVF outcomes for patients with adenomyosis.

Do patients with adenomyosis present a dysregulated endometrial receptivity that can be reversed with personalized embryo transfer (PET) by transcriptomic-based progesterone adjustment, improving IVF outcomes?A multicentre, retrospective, cohort study that transcriptomically analysed the endometrial receptivity of the endometrium in patients with adenomyosis (n = 81) and healthy women (n = 231). Subsequently, implantation, biochemical and clinical miscarriage, and live birth rates between adenomyosis patients with one previous implantation failure using donor oocytes who received (n = 59) or did not receive (n = 66) PET based on endometrial receptivity, were observed to evaluate if adjusted progesterone improves reproductive outcomes of adenomyosis patients.Patients with adenomyosis significantly presented an altered endometrial receptivity (non-receptive) compared with healthy patients (53.1% versus 37.2%, P = 0.0179), elevating the risk of adenomyosis patients having a non-receptive endometrium 42.59% higher (95% CI 41.50 to 44.45). No significant differences were found in implantation (62.7% versus 78.8%, P = 0.0514), biochemical (13.5% versus 3.9%, P = 0.1223) and clinical (10.8% versus 15.4%, P = 0.7543) miscarriage, or live birth rates (75.7% versus 80.8%, P = 0.6066), in patients with PET compared with those without PET.Women with adenomyosis presented an altered expression of genes involved in decidualization, and a higher rate of non-receptive endometrial statuses than controls. Although progesterone is indispensable for implantation, adjusting progesterone before PET, using endometrial transcriptomic signatures, does not improve IVF outcomes in patients with adenomyosis. Other molecular mechanisms beyond progesterone regulation may be involved in implantation failure.

Growing location is known to affect the metabolite content and functionality of wild harvested fruits. Terminalia ferdinandiana, commonly known as Kakadu plum (KP), is among the most commercially important native Australian bush foods. Therefore, we evaluated the composition and in vitro bioactivity of aqueous acidified ethanol (AAE) and water extracts prepared from KP fruit wild harvested in the Northern Territory (NT) and Western Australia (WA). Compositional analysis included vitamin C, total ellagic acid (TEA), and total phenolic content (TPC), while in vitro bioactivity was assessed through anti-inflammatory (RAW 264.7 macrophages) activity and cell viability (Hep G2) assay. The IC50 of the extracts ranged from 33.3 to 166.3 µg/mL for NO inhibition and CC50 from 1676 to 7337 µg/mL for Hep G2 cell viability inhibition. The AAE KP fruit extracts from the NT exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity and impacted Hep G2 cell viability more than other extracts, most likely due to TEA (3189 mg/100 g dry weight (DW)), vitamin C (180.5 mg/g DW) and TPC (196 mg GAE/g DW) being higher than in any other extract. Overall, the findings of the present study are promising for using KP fruit and derived products in functional foods, nutraceuticals, or dietary supplements.

Clinical algorithms stipulate that transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) can be diagnosed noninvasively by technetium-99m pyrophosphate (PYP) imaging when light chain (AL) amyloidosis has been excluded. We sought to define the distribution of light chain abnormalities and final diagnosis of ATTR-CM among patients referred for PYP imaging. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 378 sequential patients with suspected ATTR-CM, referred for PYP imaging from October 2014 to January 2019. PYP scans were adjudicated as per guidelines. We found that 97 patients (26%) had abnormal plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD) markers, including serum free light chain (FLC) and/or urine/serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). After exclusions for incomplete data or known AL amyloidosis, the final study population with abnormal PCD testing was n = 82. Final adjudication of amyloidosis was determined by multidisciplinary clinical assessment and/or tissue biopsy. The median age of cohort was 75 (68 to 81) years, 88% were men, and 33% were Black. Of the 82 patients, 62 had positive PYP scans (76%) and 20 had negative PYP scans (24%). A total of 64 patients had adjudicated ATTR-CM, confirmed by tissue biopsy in 41 (64%). Of those with confirmed ATTR-CM, 44 (69%) had abnormal FLC ratio between 1.65 and 3.1 and normal IFE. In conclusion, among patients referred for technetium-99m-PYP imaging for suspected ATTR-CM, 26% exhibited abnormalities of PCD markers. An FLC ratio 1.65 to 3.1, with normal IFE was noted in 69% of those with ATTR-CM, suggesting that ATTR-CM can be diagnosed noninvasively without cardiac biopsy in patients with positive PYP scan and similar plasma cell testing results.

To determine whether personalized embryo transfer (pET) guided by endometrial receptivity array (ERA) test improves reproductive outcomes for fresh embryo transfers (fsETs) or frozen embryo transfers (FETs) during autologous and donor cycles.A retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study.University-affiliated in vitro fertilization center.The study included patients with a single previous failed transfer and yielded 3,239 autologous transfers and 2,133 donor transfers. Among autologous transfers, 255 were pET guided by ERA; among unguided autologous transfers, 1,122 and 1,862 transfers involved fresh or previously frozen embryos, respectively. Among donor transfers, 319 were ERA-guided; among unguided donor transfers, 1,175 and 639 involved fsETs or FETs, respectively.None.Primary outcomes were live birth rate per embryo transfer and cumulative live birth rate on consecutive transfers until live birth or cessation of pregnancy. Secondary outcomes were implantation, pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, and miscarriage rate per pregnancy.During both autologous or donor transfers, live birth rate and cumulative live birth rate were higher in FET and fsET than in pET groups, even with euploid transfers. Logistic regression analysis, considering possible confounders, indicated patients receiving pET had poorer outcomes than those undergoing FET and fsET in autologous and donor cycles. Implantation, pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy rates were lower in patients undergoing pET.Using ERA to guide pET during either autologous or donor cycles after a failed transfer attempt did not improve reproductive outcomes. Conversely, worse outcomes were detected when ERA was used.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common form of thyroid tumour in childhood. Different studies reported higher risk of developing a PTC in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients (HT) even in paediatric-adolescent age, although real incidence and risk factors are unknown. The paper describes the case of a girl, diagnosed with HT and hypothyroidism at the age of 11, who developed thyroid ultrasound alterations after two years. The histological examination of the satellite lymph node confirmed the diagnosis of PTC. A total thyroidectomy was performed. The follow up scintigraphy did not show disease residues, so no indication was given to radioiodine therapy. The case report underlines the importance of an accurate thyroid and lymph nodes ultrasound monitoring in children with autoimmune thyroiditis, in order to highlight possible malignancy development.

In this study, we investigated whether metabolic dysfunction in women with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) induces granulosa cell (GC) stress and activates in the endoplamatic reticulum and the mitochondria (UPRWomen who were diagnosed with PCOS (based on the Rotterdam criteria), were divided into two groups, PCOS with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR; n = 20) and PCOS with no insulin resistance (PCOS-nIR; n = 20), and compared to healthy oocyte donors (CONT; n = 20). Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed on the results of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) that determines IR using the concentration of fasting plasma glucose and fasting insuline. Expression of UPRWe found that several genes involved in UPROur findings suggest that the GCs of women with PCOS (with or without IR) are metabolically distressed and upregulate UPR

Background. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects and tolerability of etelcalcetide in HD patients with SHPT. Methods. An observational study was conducted on 16 hemodialysis patients with SHPT treated with etelcalcetide. All patients were followed up for a duration of 6 months. The primary endpoints were the reduction in mean PTH ≥ 30% and ≥40% from baseline after 6 months of etelcalcetide. All patients were divided into two groups (group A versus group B) based on baseline serum PTH level prior to etelcalcetide: above and below the median serum PTH (1300 pg/mL), respectively. Results. After 6 months, a significant decrease in PTH levels was achieved by all patients receiving etelcalcetide (p = 0.015). Both primary endpoint of reduction in PTH ≥ 40% at 6 months (p = 0.01), and the secondary endpoint of reduction in median PTH values (p = 0.0001) and median percentage reduction in PTH values (p = 0.009) were significantly achieved in group A. In contrast, a greater decline of calcium (p = 0.028) and phosphorus was reached in group B than group A. Dialysis vintage ≥ 36 months, arteriovenous fistula (AVF)-based hemodialysis, post-diluition hemodiafiltration (HDF) method, and baseline values of PTH < 1300 pg/mL can positively influence the achievement of the endpoints. Furthermore, the baseline PTH < 1300 pg/mL, among these variables, was the only one showing statistically significant relevance (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.32–3.96, p = 0.015). The history of cinacalcet use negatively correlated with the possibility to reach therapeutic targets with etelcalcetide (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26–0.85, p = 0.031). Treatment with etelcalcetide was well tolerated and no adverse effects were observed. Conclusions. In our study, patients with low baseline PTH levels showed a better response to etelcalcetide than patients with higher PTH levels. Consequently, the possibility to reach desirable therapeutic targets could depend on SHPT severity at the time of initiation of therapy.

Changes in quality of fruits and vegetables during processing and storage might impact on the nutritional and economical value of food products. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of blanching on the content of vitamin C and ellagic acid (EA) as the main bioactive compounds present in Kakadu plum (KP) fruits (Terminalia ferdinandiana) during storage at 40oC to mimic typical temperature when wild harvested. Changes in the profile of fatty acids, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, as a biomarker for lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant properties of KP fruits were evaluated. The results revealed that vitamin C decreased between 25 and 52% over the storage period. Statistically significant differences in the concentration of vitamin C were associated with temperature (p ) and blanching (p ), whereas no significant differences in EA during storage were observed. DPPH radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content of both blanched and control samples decreased by 80% and 35%, respectively, at the end of the storage period compared to day 0. In addition, the change in DPPH activity is significantly correlated (Pearson R2 = 0.829, p ˂ 0.01) with the breakdown of ellagitannins. Furthermore, KP fruit demonstrated excellent antioxidative properties by reducing MDA production. It was concluded that blanching causes significant vitamin C loss whereas neither blanching nor long-term storage at elevated temperature affect the EA content. The results also indicate that the antioxidant compounds present in the KP fruits provided considerable protection against fatty acid oxidation during storage.

Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC) and many HNC patients are active smokers at diagnosis. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to quantify the survival impact of smoking cessation at or around the time of HNC diagnosis. We searched studies published until December 31, 2021, and used random-effects meta-analysis to pool study-specific estimates into summary hazard ratio (SHR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Sixteen studies were published between 1983 and 2021, and over 2300 HNC patients were included. Studies were diverse in terms of design, patients, tumours and treatment characteristics, and criteria used to discriminate quitters from continued smokers. HNC patients who quit smoking at or around diagnosis had significantly better overall survival than continued smokers (SHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.91, n studies = 10). A beneficial effect of post-diagnosis smoking cessation was suggested for other survival endpoints as well, but the results were based on fewer studies (n = 5) and affected by publication bias. Cessation counselling should be offered to all smokers who start a diagnostic workup for HNC and should be considered standard multidisciplinary oncological care for HNC patients. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021245560.

The growing world population accompanied by urbanisation and improved economies has resulted in an increased demand for diets rich in animal proteins. The rearing of livestock by existing practices is also becoming increasingly difficult due to changing environmental conditions. The use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) grown on organic side streams (bioproducts) as feed for animals presents a sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients. The nutritional and compositional profile of BSFL reared on organic side streams and their potential to be used as animal feed has been extensively explored. However, little information is available on the chemical safety of BSFL reared on organic side streams. This review addresses the chemical safety hazards of BSFL reared on substrates spiked with different chemical contaminants, including heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. BSFL were observed to excrete mycotoxins and were able to reduce the concentration of pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds in the substrate. Certain heavy metals were found to be accumulated in BSFL when grown on spiked substrate. Initial studies have also indicated that the growth parameters and composition of BSFL are not altered by the presence of microplastics and organic pollutants in the substrate. Information about these feed-safety issues will assist in developing regulatory frameworks and appropriate processing methods to mitigate these hazards, thereby providing a framework of risks for the commercialisation of BSFL destined for animal feed.

Caseinolytic peptidase P (CLPP) plays a central role in mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) by promoting the breakdown of misfolded proteins and setting in motion a cascade of reactions to re-establish protein homeostasis. Global germline deletion of Clpp in mice results in female infertility and accelerated follicular depletion. Telomeres, on the other hand, are tandem repeats of 5’-TTAGGG-3’ sequences found at the ends of the chromosomes. Telomeres are essential for maintaining chromosome stability during somatic cell division and their shortening is associated with cellular senescence and aging. In this study, we asked whether the infertility and ovarian aging phenotype caused by global germline deletion of Clpp is associated with somatic aging, and tested telomere length in tissues of young and aging mice. We found that impaired mtUPR caused by the lack of CLPP is associated with accelerated telomere shortening in both oocytes and somatic cells of aging mice. In addition, expression of several genes that maintain telomere integrity were decreased, and double strand DNA breaks were increased in telomeric regions. Our results highlight how impaired mtUPR can affect telomere integrity and demonstrate a link between loss of mitochondrial protein hemostasis, infertility, and somatic aging.

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is the most common type of renal artery stenosis. It represents a common health clinical problem with clinical presentations relevant to many medical specialties and carries high risk for future cardiovascular and renal events, as well as overall mortality. The available evidence regarding the management of ARVD is conflicting. Randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate superiority of percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) with or without stenting in addition to standard medical therapy compared with medical therapy alone in lowering blood pressure levels or preventing adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ARVD, but they carried several limitations and met important criticism. Observational studies showed that PTRA is associated with future cardiorenal benefits in patients presenting with high-risk ARVD phenotypes (i.e. flash pulmonary oedema, resistant hypertension, or rapid loss of kidney function). This clinical practice document prepared by experts from the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) board of the European Renal Association (ERA) and from the Working Group on Hypertension and the Kidney of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) summarizes current knowledge in epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic assessment of ARVD and presents, following a systematic literature review, key evidence relevant to treatment, with an aim to support clinicians in decision-making and everyday management of patients with this condition.

Background: Professionals working with refugees are vicariously exposed to complex traumatic experiences lived by forced migrants, which can lead to the risk of developing secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and a poor compassion satisfaction. The current study aimed to explore the effects of secondary traumatic stress on burnout and compassion satisfaction in 264 Italian professionals working with refugees and forced migrants. Moreover, it examined the mediating role of emotion regulation between secondary traumatic stress and both burnout and compassion satisfaction. Methods: A structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the hypothesis. Results: The results showed that increased levels of secondary traumatic stress were associated with an increase of burnout both directly and indirectly through the mediation of emotion regulation. Emotion regulation also totally mediated the relationship between secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction. Conclusions: The results suggested that prevention or interventions programs targeting emotion regulation might be important to improve the professional quality of life of operators working with refugees and forced migrants.

Background Developing eco-friendly antioxidant and antimicrobial substances originating from biomass residues has recently attracted considerable interest. In this study, two lignosulfonates and various oxidized water-soluble lignins were investigated for their antioxidant properties, as assessed by ABTS, DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, and their antimicrobial activity against some bacterial strains responsible for human pathologies. Results The lignosulfonates showed the largest antiradical/antimicrobial capacity, whereas the other substrates were less effective. The observed antioxidant/antibacterial properties were positively correlated with lignin aromatic/phenolic content. The positive correlation between antiradical and antimicrobial activities suggests that lignin scavenging capacity was also involved in its antibacterial activity. A greater antimicrobial performance was generally observed against Gram-positive bacterial strains, and it was attributed to the intrinsic larger susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to lignin phenols. A significant though lesser inhibitory activity was also found against Escherichia coli. Conclusion Our results confirmed the dependence of lignin antioxidant/antibacterial power on its extraction method and chemical structure, as well as on the type of bacterial strains. Identifying the relationship between lignin molecular composition and its antioxidant/antibacterial features represents an advance on the potential future use of renewable and eco-compatible lignin materials in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.