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Aims. We present a comprehensive analysis of the performance of noise-reduction (denoising) algorithms to determine whether they provide advantages in source detection, mitigating noise on extragalactic survey images. Methods. The methods we analyze here are representative of different algorithmic families: Perona-Malik filtering, bilateral filter, total variation denoising, structure-texture image decomposition, non-local means, wavelets, and block-matching We tested the algorithms on simulated images of extragalactic fields with resolution and depth typical of the Hubble, Spitzer, and Euclid Space Telescopes, and of ground-based instruments. After choosing their best internal parameters configuration, we assessed their performance as a function of resolution, background level, and image type, in addition to testing their ability to preserve the objects fluxes and shapes. Finally, we analyze, in terms of completeness and purity, the catalogs that were extracted after applying denoising algorithms on a simulated Euclid Wide Survey VIS image and on real H160 and K-band (HAWK-I) observations of the CANDELS GOODS-South field. Results. Denoising algorithms often outperform the standard approach of filtering with the point spread function (PSF) of the image. Applying structure-texture image decomposition, Perona-Malik filtering, the total variation method by Chambolle, and bilateral filtering on the Euclid-VIS image, we obtain catalogs that are both more pure and complete by 0.2 magnitude than those based on the standard approach. The same result is achieved with the structure-texture image decomposition algorithm applied on the H160 image. The relative advantage of denoising techniques with respect to PSF filtering rises with increasing depth. Moreover, these techniques better preserve the shape of the detected objects with respect to PSF smoothing. Conclusions. Denoising algorithms provide significant improvements in the detection of faint objects and enhance the scientific return of current and future extragalactic surveys. We identify the most promising denoising algorithms among the 20 techniques considered in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To detect marine Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) which are able to infect Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seawater of the Adriatic, Italy. To test, prey specificity and predation efficiency of our Halobacteriovorax isolate, named HBXCO1, towards 17 Vibrio and 7 non‐Vibrio strains linked to the Adriatic sea, Italy. Methods and Results: Double layer agar plating technique was used to enumerate BALOs and to evaluate their prey specificity and predation efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy and 16S rRNA analysis were used to identify them. Means of BALOs counts ranged from 5·0 PFU per ml (March 2017) to 98·6 PFU per ml (August 2016). HBXCO1 had the ability to attack all tested prey strains of V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/O139 and Vibrio vulnificus, but it did not prey on non‐Vibrio strains and V. alginolyticus under the tested conditions. Conclusions: Bdellovibrio and like organisms capable of infecting pathogenic vibrios are naturally present in seawater of the Adriatic, Italy. Isolate HBXCO1 shows prey specificity preferentially for the Vibrio genus and high predatory efficiency towards a wide range of pathogenic strains. Significance and Impact of the Study: The public impact of V. parahaemolyticus, non‐O1/O139 V. cholerae and V. vulnificus in bivalves is relevant and current decontamination processes are not always effective. We believe that the predator HBXCO1 represents a potential candidate for the development of strategies of biocontrol of pathogenic vibrios in bivalves from harvesting to trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Modelling habitat suitability of semi-aquatic vertebrates for large scale conservation purposes is a particularly challenging task, due to the fine-scale linearity of riverine habitats, and to the ecological continuum represented by the riparian and the aquatic ecosystems, on one side, and by a river and its tributaries, on the other. We advocate that habitat suitability models (HSMs) should represent the fine-scale complexity of the riparian and aquatic ecosystems at the drainage basin scale, which is the most relevant spatial unit for planning conservation strategies for semi-aquatic vertebrates. Hence, we developed a 3-step GIS-based modelling approach, and applied it to otter Lutra lutra in Italy to illustrate its potential applications for designing a nation-wide conservation strategy. First, we built a deductive HSM (resolution: 1:250,000, grain: 100m×100m) of the riparian (100m buffer around each river bank) and of the back-riparian (500m buffer) areas along rivers. After, we created a synthetic index S i summarising this information within the cells of a 5km×5km grid superimposed to the whole country, thus obtaining a nation-wide overview of habitat suitability. Both HSM and S i were validated by using data on otter distribution, by performing a sensitivity analysis. Finally, we scaled-up the information provided by S i to obtain a suitability index within each drainage basin (S b ). By overlapping a layer representing the basins occupied by otters to S b we obtained an effective tool to identify basins to be prioritised for the conservation and expansion of existing populations, for rejoining isolated sub-populations, and for habitat restoration. The methodology developed here helps filling the gap between the urgent conservation needs of semi-aquatic species, and the inadequacy of traditional modelling approaches for species inhabiting one of the world''s most endangered ecosystems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Samples of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were collected from natural beds on the Adriatic Sea in front of Ancona Province (Marches, Central Italy) officially recognized for human consumption. The mussels were analyzed to evaluate the prevalence of Aeromonas spp. pathogenic strains. Out of 144 samples, 32 Aeromonas strains were isolated and 12 showed virulence and enterophatogenicity on mice. Isolates were also examined to check their sensitivity to different antimicrobial agents. All isolates were sensitive to imepenem, neomycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycicline, chloramphenicol, polymyxin B, and colistin sulfate, but resistant to penicillin, carbenicillin, cephalotin, sulfamethoxazole, lincomycin, novobiocin, and rifampicin. Multiple resistance to antimicrobial agents with different mechanism of action was observed. Owing to the high occurrence of pathogenic Aeromonas strains, the risk of developing human infections by eating raw or undercooked mussels is envisaged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The existence of allometric relationships between home-range size and body mass was tested for 34 Italian mammals and 106 Italian birds. These allometries were investigated in relation to a carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous diet and, in the case of birds, also territoriality. Initially, non-phylogenetic comparative analyses were undertaken by fitting general linear models to data on average home-range size and average body mass obtained from the literature. Then, two phylogenetic trees for the studied species of mammals and birds were reconstructed and phylogenetic independent contrasts were applied in order to determine the influence of phylogeny on these relationships. For mammals, the type of diet proved to be a determining factor in defining the relationship between home-range size and body mass. Significant allometries were found with both conventional and phylogenetic analyses in all trophic groups. The results emphasized the importance of the spatial distribution of resources in understanding these allometries. For birds, conventional analysis showed significant relationships between home-range size and body mass, and pointed to the importance of both diet and territorial systems in understanding these allometries. After controlling for phylogeny, significant allometries were found only for those birds for which information on the size of their feeding territory was available. Regardless of the complexity of factors influencing the home-range size of a species, the outcomes of this study support the notion of the existence of an allometry between home-range size and body mass among Italian mammals and birds, suggesting that further developments of this area of investigation may prove worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Samples of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from approved coastal sites located on the Adriatic Sea (Central Italy) were examined for the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the occurrence of pathogenic strains. The isolation of the micro-organisms was performed using a standard method. A biochemical protocol was applied for the identification of the isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the identification of the strains and to detect the tdh and trh genes. The Kanagawa phenomenon was assayed as phenotypic marker of thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) toxin. The urease activity was assayed as phenotypic marker of trh gene. The protease activity and the cytotoxicity of strains were examined to identify other potential virulence factors. Thirty-five V. parahaemolyticus strains were isolated out of 144 samples. The tdh and trh genes were in one and three isolates, respectively. All strains, independent of the presence of tdh and trh genes, showed protease activity and cytotoxicity. Due to the occurrence of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus, the potential risk of eating raw or undercooked mussels is envisaged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Understanding agro-ecosystems implies acknowledging its complexity and its heterogeneity. Complexity refers to different hierarchical levels at which agriculture can be described; heterogeneity refers to the variability recorded within each hierarchical level considered. When dealing with valuation aimed at sustainability it is essential to assess multi-criteria and multi-scale descriptions and to find a way to bridge them. For this reason and to support the decision processes, it is fundamental to understand the role of households in this system. Here we suggest a multivariate statistical approach to the definition of household types with a case study of five rural villages in Hubei province, China. In each village, 50 random households were sampled and interviewed. Results show five distinct household types, differing in size and composition, economic activities, technical development, cereal productivity, food sufficiency, education and overall income. However, the analysis pointed out a recent and still on-going process of polarisation as equality seems still the main feature of Chinese society. Severe constraints existing in the socio-economic boundary conditions could provide very limited possibilities for rural farmers to emerge from poverty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Prior antibiotic therapy (pATB) is known to impair efficacy of single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), potentially through the induction of gut dysbiosis. Whether ATB also affects outcomes to chemo-immunotherapy combinations is still unknown. In this international multicentre study, we evaluated the association between pATB, concurrent ATB (cATB) and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first-line chemo-immunotherapy at eight referral institutions. Among 302 patients with stage IV NSCLC, 216 (71.5%) and 61 (20.2%) patients were former and current smokers, respectively. Programmed death-ligand 1 tumour expression in assessable patients (274, 90.7%) was ≥50% in 76 (25.2%), 1%-49% in 84 (27.9%) and <1% in 113 (37.5%). Multivariable analysis showed pATB-exposed patients to have similar OS {hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-2.22]; P = 0.1207} and PFS [HR = 1.12 (95% CI: 0.76-1.63); P = 0.5552], compared to unexposed patients, regardless of performance status. Similarly, no difference with respect to ORR was found across pATB exposure groups (42.6% versus 57.4%, P = 0.1794). No differential effect was found depending on pATB exposure duration (≥7 versus <7 days) and route of administration (intravenous versus oral). Similarly, cATB was not associated with OS [HR = 1.29 (95% CI: 0.91-1.84); P = 0.149] and PFS [HR = 1.20 (95% CI: 0.89-1.63); P = 0.222] when evaluated as time-varying covariate in multivariable analysis. In contrast to what has been reported in patients receiving single-agent ICIs, pATB does not impair clinical outcomes to first-line chemo-immunotherapy of patients with NSCLC. pATB status should integrate currently available clinico-pathologic factors for guiding first-line treatment decisions, whilst there should be no concern in offering cATB during chemo-immunotherapy when needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Globally, vibrios represent an important and well-established group of bacterial foodborne pathogens. The European Commission (EC) mandated the Comite de European Normalisation (CEN) to undertake work to provide validation data for 15 methods in microbiology to support EC legislation. As part of this mandated work programme, merging of ISO/TS 21872–1:2007, which specifies a horizontal method for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae , and ISO/TS 21872–2:2007, a similar horizontal method for the detection of potentially pathogenic vibrios other than V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus was proposed. Both parts of ISO/TS 21872 utilized classical culture-based isolation techniques coupled with biochemical confirmation steps. The work also considered simplification of the biochemical confirmation steps. In addition, because of advances in molecular based methods for identification of human pathogenic Vibrio spp. classical and real-time PCR options were also included within the scope of the validation. These considerations formed the basis of a multi-laboratory validation study with the aim of improving the precision of this ISO technical specification and providing a single ISO standard method to enable detection of these important foodborne Vibrio spp.. To achieve this aim, an international validation study involving 13 laboratories from 9 countries in Europe was conducted in 2013. The results of this validation have enabled integration of the two existing technical specifications targeting the detection of the major foodborne Vibrio spp., simplification of the suite of recommended biochemical identification tests and the introduction of molecular procedures that provide both species level identification and discrimination of putatively pathogenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus by the determination of the presence of theromostable direct and direct related haemolysins. The method performance characteristics generated in this have been included in revised international standard, ISO 21872:2017, published in July 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemic Escherichia coli clones have been recovered in marine sediment along the coast of Marche, an Adriatic region in central Italy. In the present study, E. coli strains from the clam Chamelea gallina, sampled from seven natural beds in the same area, were detected. Selected E. coli isolates from all sampling sites were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility, genetic diversity and correlation. The majority (60%) belonged to phylogroups A or B1, 31% to the other groups (B2, C, D, E, F), 8% to cryptic clades, and 1% were untypable. Moreover, 33.3% of isolates were resistant to at least one drug and 11% were multidrug resistant (MDR). The most common resistance was to tetracycline, ampicillin, and streptomycin. No clonality was detected, but the strains' high genetic heterogeneity pointed at multiple sources of microbiological contamination. MLST analysis found potentially pathogenic and even epidemic MDR strains in clams collected in class A (ST746 and ST46) and class B (ST393, ST58 and ST131) areas, indicating that strains of clinical origin are detectable in clams. These data highlight that eating raw or lightly cooked clams may pose a health risk if purification is not performed or is ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 3879 samples of foodstuffs were examined for the presence of Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157). The survey was conducted by 9 of the 10 Italian Veterinary Public Health Laboratories. Samples were collected between May 2000 and September 2001 in 14 regions and comprised 931 minced beef specimens and 2948 dairy products (DP) with less than 60 days of ripening. The DP included 657 pasteurised and 811 unpasteurised bovine DP, 477 pasteurised and 502 unpasteurised ovine DP, and 501 water-buffalo''s milk mozzarella cheese. Samples were collected at retail level, from plants processing minced beef and dairy plants and from farms directly manufacturing cheeses. All the samples were tested using a sensitive procedure based on ISO/DIS 16654:1999 (later ISO 16654:2001), which includes an immunomagnetic separation step. A preliminary inter-laboratory trial was organised with artificially contaminated samples to assess the ability of all the participating laboratories to isolate E. coli O157 by the established procedure.VTEC O157 was isolated from four (0.43%) of the minced beef samples, collected in four different regions and during different months, but was not detected in any of the dairy products. E. coli O157 VT-eae+ was isolated from one raw cow''s milk cheese. This survey provided national data on the presence of VTEC O157 in foodstuffs, demonstrating a low prevalence of the organism. The survey also encouraged updating of knowledge and procedures on VTEC O157 in laboratories with official responsibility for microbiological testing of foods of animal origin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Breast cancer brain metastasis is a rising occurrence, necessitating a better understanding of the mechanisms involved for effective management. Breast cancer brain metastases diverge notably from the primary tumor, with gains in kinase and concomitant losses of steroid signaling observed. In this study, we explored the role of the kinase receptor RET in promoting breast cancer brain metastases and provide a rationale for targeting this receptor., Methods: RET expression was characterized in a cohort of patients with primary and brain metastatic tumors. RET functionality was assessed using pharmacological inhibition and gene silencing in patient-derived brain metastatic tumor explants and in vivo models, organoid models, and brain organotypic cultures. RNA sequencing was used to uncover novel brain metastatic relevant RET mechanisms of action., Results: A statistically significant enrichment of RET in brain metastases was observed in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, where it played a role in promoting cancer cell adhesion, survival, and outgrowth in the brain. In vivo, RET overexpression enhanced brain metastatic competency in patient-derived models. At a mechanistic level, RET overexpression was found to enhance the activation of gene programs involved in cell adhesion, requiring EGFR cooperation to deliver a pro-brain metastatic phenotype., Conclusion: Our results illustrate, for the first time, the role of RET in regulating colonization and outgrowth of breast cancer brain metastasis and provide data to support the use of RET inhibitors in the management strategy for patients with breast cancer brain metastases., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Background: Family history of Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common finding in PD patients. However, a few studies have systematically examined this aspect., Objectives: We investigated the family history of PD patients, comparing demographic and clinical features between familial PD (fPD) and sporadic PD (sPD)., Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolling 2035 PD patients was conducted in 28 Italian centers. Clinical data and family history up to the third degree of kinship were collected., Results: Family history of PD was determined in 21.9% of patients. fPD patients had earlier age at onset than sporadic patients. No relevant differences in the prevalence of motor and nonmotor symptoms were detected. Family history of mood disorders resulted more prevalently in the fPD group., Conclusions: fPD was found to recur more frequently than previously reported. Family history collection beyond the core family is essential to discover disease clusters and identify novel risk factors for PD., (© 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders Clinical Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Purpose: This retropective multicentric study aims to investigate the clinical applicability of the NSE score in the elderly, to verify the role of this tool as an easy help for decision making also for this class of patients., Methods: All elderly patients (> 65 years) suffering from spinal metastases undergoing surgical or non-surgical treatment at the authors' Institutions between 2015 and 2022 were recruited. An agreement group (AG) and non-agreement group (NAG) were identified accordingly to the agreement between the NSE score indication and the performed treatment. Neurological status and axial pain were evaluated for both groups at follow-up (3 and 6 months). The same analysis was conducted specifically grouping patients older than 75 years., Results: A strong association with improvement or preservation of clinical status (p < 0.001) at follow-up was obtained in AG. The association was not statistically significant in NAG at the 3-month follow-up (p 1.00 and 0.07 respectively) and at 6 months (p 0.293 and 0.09 respectively). The group of patients over 75 years old showed similar results in terms of statistical association between the agreement group and better outcomes., Conclusion: Far from the need or the aim to build dogmatic algorithms, the goal of preserving a proper performance status plays a key role in a modern oncological management: functional outcomes of the multicentric study group showed that the NSE score represents a reliable tool to establish the need for surgery also for elderly patients., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The burden of Parkinson Disease (PD) represents a key public health issue and it is essential to develop innovative and cost-effective approaches to promote sustainable diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In this perspective the adoption of a P3 (predictive, preventive and personalized) medicine approach seems to be pivotal. The NeuroArtP3 (NET-2018-12366666) is a four-year multi-site project co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, bringing together clinical and computational centers operating in the field of neurology, including PD., Objective: The core objectives of the project are: i) to harmonize the collection of data across the participating centers, ii) to structure standardized disease-specific datasets and iii) to advance knowledge on disease's trajectories through machine learning analysis., Methods: The 4-years study combines two consecutive research components: i) a multi-center retrospective observational phase; ii) a multi-center prospective observational phase. The retrospective phase aims at collecting data of the patients admitted at the participating clinical centers. Whereas the prospective phase aims at collecting the same variables of the retrospective study in newly diagnosed patients who will be enrolled at the same centers., Results: The participating clinical centers are the Provincial Health Services (APSS) of Trento (Italy) as the center responsible for the PD study and the IRCCS San Martino Hospital of Genoa (Italy) as the promoter center of the NeuroartP3 project. The computational centers responsible for data analysis are the Bruno Kessler Foundation of Trento (Italy) with TrentinoSalute4.0 -Competence Center for Digital Health of the Province of Trento (Italy) and the LISCOMPlab University of Genoa (Italy)., Conclusions: The work behind this observational study protocol shows how it is possible and viable to systematize data collection procedures in order to feed research and to advance the implementation of a P3 approach into the clinical practice through the use of AI models., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Malaguti et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)