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The Feline Leukemia Virus Subgroup C Receptor 1a (FLVCR1a) is a transmembrane heme exporter essential for embryonic vascular development. However, the exact role of FLVCR1a during blood vessel development remains largely undefined. Here, we show that FLVCR1a is highly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells (ECs) compared to quiescent ECs. Consistently, ECs lacking FLVCR1a give rise to structurally and functionally abnormal vascular networks in multiple models of developmental and pathologic angiogenesis. Firstly, zebrafish embryos without FLVCR1a displayed defective intersegmental vessels formation. Furthermore, endothelial-specific Flvcr1a targeting in mice led to a reduced radial expansion of the retinal vasculature associated to decreased EC proliferation. Moreover, Flvcr1a null retinas showed defective vascular organization and loose attachment of pericytes. Finally, adult neo-angiogenesis is severely affected in murine models of tumor angiogenesis. Tumor blood vessels lacking Flvcr1a were disorganized and dysfunctional. Collectively, our results demonstrate the critical role of FLVCR1a as a regulator of developmental and pathological angiogenesis identifying FLVCR1a as a potential therapeutic target in human diseases characterized by aberrant neovascularization.

Objectives Our study aims to determine the trend of the antibody titer and assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Methods It was conducted on 983 healthcare professionals between 27 February 2020 and 22 October 2021 at the Local Health Authority (ASL) of Rieti. Workers voluntarily underwent serological testing before vaccination (T1), at least 15 days after vaccination (T2), and at least 150 days after vaccination (T3). We picked individuals who had received two doses of the vaccine. As for positivity, we assessed incidence – and therefore symptomatology – in three time intervals. We used a contingency tables for the analysis and tested the relation to the chi-square test and ANOVA test. Regarding differentials in terms of antibody capacity, we considered different time intervals: the methodological approach was the same. Results The average value of the dimeric serological testing at T1 was equal to 28.80 AU/mL, which increased to 220.55 AU/mL at T2, and then decreased to 143.62 AU/mL at T3 (P = 0.000). At T2, the number of people with a protective titer was equal to 95.96% of the total; at T3, it was equal to 96.39% (P = 0.019). Before the vaccination campaign, 75 workers tested positive (25 paucisymptoms, 4 severe symptoms). After vaccination, 14 workers tested positive: almost all were asymptomatic. Conclusion Vaccination determines a statistically significant variation of the average value of antibody titer, a statistically significant reduction of positive swab tests and a better prognosis.

COVID-19 has dramatically affected working forces. We aim to report our occupational medicine service's experience in managing suspected COVID-19 cases during the pandemic through a retrospec-tive observational study. We compared the number of days employees were absent from work due to flu-like symptoms from March 2020 to February 2021 to the same period the previous year (2019-2020). Two hundred thirty-four patients (+47.2% compared to the previous year) who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 reported flu-like symp-toms; the number of days of absence from work was 2812 (+190.2% compared to the previous year). On average, employees with flu-like symptoms lost 12.07 working days compared to 6.12 in the previous year (p0.0001). In conclusion, in our sample COVID-19 has increased the number of working day loss. However, our approach proved to be important, especially during the first months of the pandemic, to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread in workplaces.

People experiencing homelessness have peculiar characteristics that make them more vulnerable to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and to more serious forms of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the homeless population assisted by the primary care services of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica, Vatican City.Persons experiencing homelessness and the volunteers assisting them were tested for COVID-19 through PCR and antigen rapid test between October 1st, 2020, and June 5th, 2021, in the clinical facilities of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica.A total of 1665 subjects from 96 different countries in five continents were included in the study; age range was 1-90 years. Overall, 2315 COVID-19 tests through nasopharyngeal swab were performed; 1052 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and 1263 antigen rapid tests. Nearly 40% of the subjects underwent both tests (n=650, 39.04%), 402 were tested with PCR test only (24.14%) and 613 with antigen test only (36.8%). PCR tests were negative in 966 cases and positive in 86 (8.17%), while antigen tests were negative in 1205 cases and positive in 58 (4.59%). The number of positive cases varied over time, with a drastic increase during the winter months of 2020 and a progressive decrease over 2021. Among positive cases, 24.41% were symptomatic; symptoms included fever, breathing difficulties, anosmia/hyposmia, cough, headache, and diarrhea.This study reported an overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our sample slightly above 8%. Additional data on viral genome through sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in positive cases are of utmost importance to help identify variants and implement specific infection control measures.

Hydrocarbon inhalation is seldom chosen as a means to commit suicide. This practice is exclusively a prerogative of the prison population; it is, however, only exceptionally found in this environment. The two cases of lethal inhalation of propane/butane gas observed by us over a very short time occurred in this context. Toxicologic analyses were performed by means of gas chromatography (head space) and revealed a propane/butane mixture in all specimens (heart blood, bile, and urine) except vitreous humor. Although fatal arrhythmia posthydrocarbon gas abuse is well known, the concentrations of the two hydrocarbons were sufficient to induce death by asphyxiation and were distributed (fairly) homogeneously in all biological fluids and organs examined, a parameter permitting one to assume that death occurred within a relatively short period of time. The absence of finding in vitreous humor and the trace amount in urine suggests that both men died very quickly.

A four-step methodology for the valorization of polysaccharide-based materials into bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts, active in the conversion of CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates, is presented. The synthesis protocol consists of (i) pyrolysis of the starting material to produce biochar; (ii) oxidation to increase the number of -OH and -COOH functionalities; (iii) anchoring of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) on the surface of the oxidized biochar; (iv) quaternarization of the amine groups into alkylammonium iodide salts. The versatility of the method was demonstrated by applying the same protocol to six different polysaccharidic materials and wastes: six catalysts with no appreciable differences in terms of chemical composition and catalytic activity were obtained. The bifunctionality given by -OH and ammonium iodide groups was confirmed by several analyses performed on the catalysts. An extensive characterization (elemental analysis composition, FTIR, Raman, SEM, XPS and porosimetry) was done on all the functionalized biochars for every synthetic step. The catalysts were widely investigated in their activity for the conversion of CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates, demonstrating to be effective under mild conditions (3 bar of CO2; 70 degrees C; 7 h). TONs and TOFs were calculated for each catalyst and condition. Yields up to 96%, with >99% selectivity, were obtained for terminal epoxides. The recyclability of the bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts was also confirmed over five cycles.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Correlating Structure and Properties of Super-concentrated Electrolyte Solutions: 17O NMR and Electrochemical Characterization, Irene Ruggeri, Andrea La Monaca, Francesca De Giorgio, Francesca Soavi, Catia Arbizzani, Vittorio Berbenni, Chiara Ferrara, Piercarlo Mustarelli, ChemElectroChem 2019, 6, 4002–4009, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201900829. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited. &nbsp

Aim: We examined evidence on infective and non-infective endocarditis obtained from a database of 50,403 clinical autopsies performed at an Italian general hospital between January 1983 and December 2006. Materials and Methods: Out of 814 endocarditis cases, 409 were of infective endocarditis (IE) and 405 non-infective (NIE). The median age at the time of death was 78 years for those with IE and 83 for those with NIE. Data were collected on gender, clinical history, comorbidities, kind of affected valve (non-prosthetic/mechanical/biological), pathological features of endocarditis, endocarditis complications and microbiological agents. Results: The diagnosis of IE was frequently missed and these conditions were often complicated by cardiovascular events. IE was more common among patients with prior valve infection or cardiovascular surgery, while malignancies were frequent comorbidities of NIE. Conclusion: In general, we found several data that differ from those generally present in the scientific literature, and this could be explained by the fact that data on IE and NIE are generally obtained from surgical and clinical databases, while we analysed only autoptic cases.

One of the main challenges in the development of lithium-ion batteries is to increase their specific energy by the use of high-voltage and high-capacity cathode materials. LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is one of the most promising materials with a theoretical specific capacity of 147 mAh/g and a Li+ deinsertion/insertion potential of 4.7-4.8 V vs Li+/Li. However, the use of LNMO raises the question of electrolyte decomposition at such a high potential with the consequent formation of a surface layer that affects the cathode and, hence, the cell performance. Interface stability issues are overcome by LiMxM1-xPO4 (LMP, with M=Fe, Mn) and Li3V2(PO4)3 (LVP) olivines, with Li+ deinsertion/insertion at potential ranging from 3.4 V to 4.5 V vs Li+/Li, that are widely investigated for their high specific capacity, near 170 mAh/g, and their intrinsic safety and environmental compatibility. However, the electronic and ionic conductivity of olivines need improvements. We explored the effect of partially reduced graphene oxide on LNMO performance in conventional electrolyte [1] and here we investigate the role of modified graphene in LNMO- and LMP/LVP-composite materials. Morphological and structural characterization of the cathode materials and electrochemical tests of the corresponding electrodes will be reported and discussed. [1] S. Monaco, F. De Giorgio, L. Da Col, M. Riché, C. Arbizzani, M. Mastragostino, J. Power Sources, submitted Acknowledgments The authors wish to thank ENEA and Italy’s Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico for financial support under the Program 2013 “Ricerca di sistema elettrico, Materiali catodici per batterie litio ione ad elevata energia”.

Acutemyocarditisisanin flammatorydisorderoftheheartmuscleinwhichtheseverityofinjurydependsbothonthenatureoftheoffendingagent(i.e.virus)andontheensuinginflammatoryresponse.Thede fini-tion excludes, however, the response to ischemic or toxic injury. Theheart, however, like other organs, may provide a stereotyped responsetoinjury.Followingischemicinjury,theformationoftheinfl ammasomein the heart promotes heart failure [1].Theinflammasome is a macro-molecular structure activated during injury that amplifies the responseby processing Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, and promotion of celldeath [2]. Viral infections may lead to either death of the virus and thecell (pyroptosis), or survival of both cell and virus with persistence ofthe infection through inhibition of the inflammasome (evasion) [3].Therearenoreportsoftheinflammasomeinacutemyocarditis.Wehy-pothesize that the viral infection or the ensuing cellular destructionleads to the formation of the inflammasome, providing an opportunityto explore inflammasome-related markers for diagnostic or prognosticpurposes. Furthermore at present day, there are no specific treatmentsfor acute myocarditis, and thus inhibitors of the inflammasome couldrepresent a new therapeutic approach.We studied samples obtainedthrough endomyocardialbiopsy in11patients with acute lymphocytic myocarditis (b4 weeks of symptomsonset) in Trieste, Italy. The diagnosis was based upon pathology exam-ination and clinical scenario (Table 1). As a comparison group westudied autopsy samples of 11 patients with acute myocarditis diag-nosed post mortem, and 5 control subjects who had died withoutacute myocarditis or other acute cardiac conditions.Weemployedimmunofluorescencestainingtodetectin flammasomeaggregatesusingantibodiesraisedagainstthescaffoldprotein,ApoptosisSpeck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruiting domain (ASC), and/or the effector protein, caspase-1, as previously described [1].Tocharac-terizethetypeofcell,weusedadoublestainingtechniquewithantibod-ies against cardiac actin to identify cardiomyocytes, S100A4 to identifyfibroblasts, andCD31 forendothelialcells. To overcomefor the auto fluo-rescence of sarcomeric proteins, we used a solution of 1% Sudan black in70% ethanol for 5 min. Images of samples were acquired with an IX70microscope and cellSens Dimension di gital imaging software (Olympus,Central Valley, PA) using a 40× objective (400× magnification). Filtersets for each separate fluorescence-conjugated antibody were layeredtorenderacompositeimage.Theinflammasome “specks” were countedby cell type (cardiomyocyte, leukocytes, fibroblasts and endothelialcells) per high power field of view (40×). Data are presented as medianand interquartile range and non-parametric Mann–Whitney test wasused.Intracellularaggregates of ASC and/ or caspase-1 indicative of the for-mation of the inflammasome were seen in leukocytes, cardiomyocytes,fibroblasts and endothelial cells in heart biopsy samples of all 11 cases(100%), and in heart samples of 10 of 11 post-mortem cases (91%), andin none of the controls (0%, P b 0.002)(Fig. 1). ASC aggregates co-localized with caspase-1 aggregates in virtually all cases. The numberof inflammasomes was variable across cases ranging between 3 and 14specks in biopsies, and between 0 and 45 specks per field in autopsies,without statistically significant differences (data not shown). Some

Tumours metastatic to the heart (cardiac metastases) are among the least known and highly debated issues in oncology, and few systematic studies are devoted to this topic. Although primary cardiac tumours are extremely uncommon (various postmortem studies report rates between 0.001% and 0.28%), secondary tumours are not, and at least in theory, the heart can be metastasised by any malignant neoplasm able to spread to distant sites. In general, cardiac metastases are considered to be rare; however, when sought for, the incidence seems to be not as low as expected, ranging from 2.3% and 18.3%. Although no malignant tumours are known that diffuse preferentially to the heart, some do involve the heart more often than others--for example, melanoma and mediastinal primary tumours. This paper attempts to review the pathophysiology of cardiac metastatic disease, epidemiology and clinical presentation of cardiac metastases, and pathological characterisation of the lesions.

This chapter discusses the evaluation of the key parameters of lithium-ion batteries for power assist and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle applications on the basis of reference tests set up by the US Advanced Battery Consortium–Department of Energy; a battery case study is used to highlight the analysis procedure. The chapter then briefly summarizes the main characteristics of lithium-ion batteries already on the market and under development, with emphasis also given to the safety of each battery-chemistry. The use of supercapacitors (ultracapacitors) in parallel with the batteries to increase both performance and battery life is also discussed, and limits and future developments of lithium-ion batteries and of supercapacitors are included. Finally, a short discussion is provided about the on-road transportation of the future.

Background: Multivessel coronary disease after myocardial infarction is a major risk factor for unfavorable cardiac remodeling and death due to pump failure, but underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are still uncompletely established. Post-infarction myocardial apoptosis has been recently implicated as a cause of ongoing cell loss leading to cardiac failure. Our aim was to assess the role of post-infarction myocardial apoptosis and pro-apoptotic factor expression in the non-infarcted remote myocardium of subjects with multivessel coronary disease. Methods: Twenty-one males dying after recent myocardial infarction with permanent occlusion of the infarct-related artery were selected at autopsy. Apoptosis was assessed at viable myocardial regions remote from infarction by co-staining for in situ end-labeling of DNA fragmentation and cleaved caspase-3. Expression of pro-apoptotic factor bax and hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Subjects with multivessel disease (N = 11) showed a significantly two-fold higher myocardial apoptosis in comparison to subjects with single vessel disease (N = 10) (0.9% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.013). Similarly, myocardial bax expression was increased in patients with multivessel disease (3.0% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.029). Stratification for the number of diseased coronary vessels confirmed the association between extent of coronary disease and apoptotic rates (p = 0.022). Even in subjects dying over 30 days after infarction multivessel disease remained predictive of enhanced myocardiocyte apoptosis at remote regions (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Post-infarction myocardial apoptosis and bax expression in remote left ventricular regions are significantly increased in male patients with multivessel coronary disease in comparison to those with isolated infarct-related artery occlusion. These findings suggest that apoptotic cell loss in the viable non-infarcted myocardium, possibly due ongoing ischemia, may play a relevant role in the unfavorable clinical course typical of multivessel disease after myocardial infarction. © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.