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Structural studies in active caldera systems are widely used in geothermal exploration to reconstruct volcanological conceptual models. Active calderas are difficult settings to perform such studies mostly because of the highly dynamic environment, dominated by fast accumulation of primary and secondary volcanic deposits, the variable and transient rheology of the shallow volcanic pile, and the continuous feedbacks between faulting, secondary porosity creation, and geothermal fluid circulation, alteration and cementation that tend to obliterate the tectonic deformation structures. In addition, deformation structures can be also caused by near- and far-field stress regimes, which include magmatic intrusions at various depths, the evolving topography and regional tectonics. A lack of consideration of all these factors may severely underpin the reliability of structural studies. By rebutting and providing a detailed discussion of all the points raised by the comment of Norini and Groppelli (2020) to the Urbani et al. (2020) paper, we take the opportunity to specify the scientific rationale of our structural fieldwork and strengthen its relevance for geothermal exploration and exploitation in active caldera geothermal systems in general and, particularly, for the Holocene history of deformation and geothermal circulation in the Los Humeros caldera. At the same time, we identify several major flaws in the approach and results presented in Norini and Groppelli (2020), such as (1) the lack of an appropriate ranking of the deformation structures considering an inventory method for structural analysis; (2) the misinterpretation and misquoting of Urbani et al. (2020) and other relevant scientific literature; and (3) irrelevant and contradictory statements within their comment.

The European Alps stretch over a range of climate zones which affect the spatial distribution of snow. Previous analyses of station observations of snow were confined to regional analyses. Here, we present an Alpine-wide analysis of snow depth from six Alpine countries – Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland – including altogether more than 2000 stations of which more than 800 were used for the trend assessment. Using a principal component analysis and k-means clustering, we identified five main modes of variability and five regions which match the climatic forcing zones: north and high Alpine, north-east, north-west, south-east, and south and high Alpine. Linear trends of monthly mean snow depth between 1971 and 2019 showed decreases in snow depth for most stations from November to May. The average trend among all stations for seasonal (November to May) mean snow depth was −8.4 % per decade, for seasonal maximum snow depth −5.6 % per decade, and for seasonal snow cover duration −5.6 % per decade. Stronger and more significant trends were observed for periods and elevations where the transition from snow to snow-free occurs, which is consistent with an enhanced albedo feedback. Additionally, regional trends differed substantially at the same elevation, which challenges the notion of generalizing results from one region to another or to the whole Alps. This study presents an analysis of station snow depth series with the most comprehensive spatial coverage in the European Alps to date.

Abstract Background Ficus carica is an edible fruit, belonging to the Moraceae family, rarely described as cause of food allergy. We describe the first case of fig allergy that occurred as a cross-reactivity between fig and Derp 1. Case presentation We present a case of a 10-years-old-girl, with a history of no-seasonal mild intermittent rhinitis, who experienced an immediate reaction after ingestion of a fresh fig. Skin prick tests (SPT) with commercial extracts of food, airborne allergens, latex and panallergens (profilin, PR-10 and lipid transfer protein) were performed. SPT revealed a sensitization only for dermatophagoides farina and dermatophagoides pteronyssinus which was then confirmed with by specific IgE assay (UniCAP, Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden). We also carried out a positive SPT with a commercial fig allergen (Lofarma, Milan, Italy) and prick-by-prick (PBP) both with skin and pulp of green raw and cooked fig. Fig specific serum IgE levels were 1.08 U/ml and specific IgE for rDer p1 was 16.20 U/ml (total serum IgE = 377 U/ml). In contrast specific IgE levels for latex, LTP, profilin, PR-10 and pollen allergens were negative. Conclusion The ficin, the major fig allergen, belongs to cysteine protease family like Der p 1. The symptoms presented by our patient could be related to a cross reactivity between these two proteins which present a structural homology.

Resurgent calderas are excellent targets for geothermal exploration, as they are associated with the shallow emplacement of magma, resulting in widespread and long-lasting hydrothermal activity. Resurgence is classically attributed to the uplift of a block or dome resulting from the inflation of the collapse-forming magma chamber due to the intrusion of new magma. The Los Humeros volcanic complex (LHVC; Mexico) consists of two nested calderas: the outer and older Los Humeros formed at 164 ka and the inner Los Potreros formed at 69 ka. The latter is resurgent and currently the site of an active and exploited geothermal field (63 MWe installed). Here we aim to better define the characteristics of the resurgence in Los Potreros by integrating fieldwork with analogue models and evaluating the spatio-temporal evolution of the deformation as well as the depth and extent of the intrusions responsible for the resurgence, which may also represent the local heat source(s). Structural field analysis and geological mapping show that the floor of the Los Potreros caldera is characterized by several lava domes and cryptodomes (with normal faulting at the top) that suggest multiple deformation sources localized in narrow areas. Analogue experiments are used to define the possible source of intrusion responsible for the observed surface deformation. We apply a tested relationship between the surface deformation structures and depth of elliptical sources to our experiments with sub-circular sources. We found that this relationship is independent of the source and surface dome eccentricity, and we suggest that the magmatic sources inducing the deformation in Los Potreros are located at very shallow depths (hundreds of metres), which is in agreement with the well data and field observations. We propose that the recent deformation at LHVC is not a classical resurgence associated with the bulk inflation of a deep magma reservoir; rather, it is related to the ascent of multiple magma bodies at shallow crustal conditions ( km depth). A similar multiple source model of the subsurface structure has also been proposed for other calderas with an active geothermal system (Usu volcano, Japan), suggesting that the model proposed may have wider applicability.

Understanding the anatomy of magma plumbing systems of active volcanoes is essential not only for unraveling magma dynamics and eruptive behaviors but also to define the geometry, depth, and temperature of the heat sources for geothermal exploration. The Pleistocene–Holocene Los Humeros volcanic complex is part of the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (central Mexico), and it constitutes one of the most important exploited geothermal fields in Mexico with ca. 90 MW of produced electricity. With the aim to decipher the anatomy (geometry and structure) of the magmatic plumbing system feeding the geothermal field at Los Humeros, we carried out a field-based petrological and thermobarometric study of the exposed Holocene lavas. Textural analysis, whole-rock major-element data, and mineral chemistry are integrated with a suite of mineral-liquid thermobarometric models. Our results support a scenario characterized by a heterogeneous multilayered system, comprising a deep (depth of ca. 30 km) basaltic reservoir feeding progressively shallower and smaller discrete magma stagnation layers and batches, up to shallow-crust conditions (depth of ca. 3 km). The evolution of melts in the feeding system is mainly controlled by differentiation processes through fractional crystallization (plagioclase + clinopyroxene + olivine + spinel). We demonstrate the inadequacy of the existing conceptual models, where a single voluminous melt-controlled magma chamber (or “Standard Model”) at shallow depths was proposed for the magmatic plumbing system at Los Humeros. We instead propose a magmatic plumbing system made of multiple, more or less interconnected, magma transport and storage layers within the crust, feeding small (ephemeral) magma chambers at shallow-crustal conditions. This revised scenario provides a new configuration of the heat source feeding the geothermal reservoir at Los Humeros, and it should be taken into account to drive future exploration and exploitation strategies.

Allergic diseases, such as respiratory, cutaneous, and food allergy, have dramatically increased in prevalence over the last few decades. Increasing use of antibiotics has been linked with dysbiosis and enhanced prevalence of allergies and asthma. Despite the clear involvement of the microbiome in atopic disease, it remains to be determined whether microbial alterations are a cause or a consequence of the disease. Human microbiota is defined as the multitude of microorganisms that live in or are associated with a variety of human tissues: the gut, respiratory tract, skin and genital tract. Recent advances in metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled detailed characterization of these vital microbial communities and their role in different diseases. In particular, the relationship of microbiota with immune responses and immunological or allergic diseases is well known. The composition of gut, respiratory and skin microbiota can influence systemic inflammatory responses that mediate food allergy, rhinitis, asthma, immunodeficiency diseases, atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria. This review discusses the role of microbiota in the major allergic Type 2 diseases evaluating the composition of the main commensal bacteria species and their relation with these pathologies.

Rheumatological systemic autoimmune diseases, such as connective tissue diseases, rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis, are characterized by the presence of joint involvement associated with extra-articular manifestations. Among them, cutaneous diseases are often the most relevant and representative clinical manifestation, as in psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus. In this context, it is useful for rheumatologists to understand better skin diseases and their histopathological features. Evaluation of skin biopsy specimens can be helpful not only to confirm the diagnosis in both classic and clinically atypical variants, but also to improve further our knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms and the close link between skin and articular diseases. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, diagnostic evaluation and the histopathological features of skin manifestation of the most relevant rheumatological autoimmune diseases.

The extensive utilization of conventional plastics has resulted in a concerning surge in waste. A potential solution lies in biodegradable polymers mostly derived from renewable sources. Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 is a microorganism capable, under stress conditions, of intracellularly accumulating Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a bio-polyester. This study aimed to identify optimal conditions to maximize the intracellular accumulation of PHB and its global production using natural media obtained by processing lignocellulosic residues of cardoon, a low-cost feedstock. An intracellular PHB accumulation was observed in all of the tested media, indicating a metabolic stress induced by the lack of macronutrients. Increasing C/N ratios led to a significant decrease in cellular biomass and PHB production. Furthermore C. necator DSM 545 was incapable of consuming more than 25 g/L of supplied monosaccharides. Surprisingly, in the samples supplied with 60 % of the pentose-rich liquid fraction, complete consumption of xylose was observed. This result was also confirmed by subsequent tests using Medium 1 growth media containing xylose as the sole carbon source. Using a diluted medium with a C/N ratio of 5, a PHB production of 5.84 g/L and intracellular PHB accumulation of 77 % w/w were respectively achieved. Finally, comparative shelf-life tests conducted against conventional pre-packaging materials in PP suggested that PHB films performed similarly in preserve ready-to-eat products., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The improvement of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) extraction process involves the proper management of endogenous enzymes of the olive fruit and all the technological conditions that can affect their activities. Coratina and Peranzana cultivars were processed to assess the influence of different technologies for fruit breaking (crushing and stoning) with and without controlled oxygen addition during this critical phase. The study of volatile compounds revealed that the enzymes that are responsible for their genesis during the technological process were significantly affected by oxygen addition in both the systems of fruit crushing. The results from the stoning technology proved that the quality improvement was a consequence of the prevention of the seed breaking and the oxidation catalyzed by the olive stone enzymes. In Peranzana EVOOs, it was possible to increase the aldehyde concentration up to 97% using stoning technology with a 0.2 L/min oxygen addition compared with traditional crushing. At the same time, non-significant reductions in phenolic compounds were detected when comparing crushing and stoning with and without the addition of oxygen, and similar trends were observed for the two studied cultivars. The sensory analyses confirmed the differences in phenolic and volatile composition detected in the EVOO samples.

Plants, including pumpkins ( Cucurbita spp.), are an interesting source of nutrients and bioactives with various health benefits. In this research, carotenoid extracts obtained from the pulp of eight pumpkin varieties, belonging to the C. moschata and C. maxima species, were tested for cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The results showed that pumpkin bioactives exert a cytotoxic action against the tested cells, in particular Butternut extract at a 100 μM (53.69 μg/mL) concentration after 24 h of treatment and Mantovana extract at 50 μM (26.84 μg/mL) after 48 h. Moreover, the carotenoid extracts also showed interesting in vitro antioxidant activity, evaluated by ABTS and ORAC assays. To fully characterize the qualitative and quantitative profile of carotenoids in the tested extracts, a high-performance chromatographic technique was performed, revealing that pumpkin pulp carotenoids were mainly represented by β-carotene, mono- and di-esterified hydroxy- and epoxy-carotenoids. Moreover, the carotenoid dataset was also useful for discriminating samples from two different species. In conclusion, the results of the present study highlight the potential anti-cancer activity of pumpkin carotenoid extracts and the possibility of using them as chemotherapeutic adjuvants.

Acrylamide (AA) is a contaminant resulting from the Maillard reaction and classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a probable carcinogen in Group 2A, with proven neurotoxic effects on humans. European Union (EU) Regulation No. 2017/2158 is currently in force, which establishes measures meant to reduce AA levels in food and sets reference values, but not legal limits, equal to 40 and 150 μg/kg AA in processed cereal-based foods intended for infants and young children and in biscuits and rusks, respectively. For this reason, sixty-two baby foods were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-Q-TOF/MS) to check whether industries were complying with these values, even though AA control is not legally mandatory. In total, 14.5% of the samples exceeded the reference values; these were homogenized chicken products (211.84 ± 16.53, 154.32 ± 12.71, 194.88 ± 7.40 μg/kg), three biscuits (276.36 ± 0.03, 242.06 ± 0.78, 234.78 ± 4.53 μg/kg), a wheat semolina (46.07 ± 0.23 μg/kg), a homogenized product with plaice and potatoes (45.52 ± 0.28 μg/kg), and a children's snack with milk and cocoa (40.95 ± 0.32 μg/kg). Subsequently, the daily intake of AA was estimated, considering the worst-case scenario, as provided by the consumption of homogenized chicken products and biscuits. The results are associated with margins of exposure ( MOE s) that are not concerning for neurotoxic effects but are alarming for the probable carcinogenic effects of AA.

Background: For the study of quantitative and qualitative muscle parameters, ultrasound and bioelectric impedance analysis are reliable, non-invasive, and reproducible. The aim of this study was to test the combined role of those techniques for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in a population of hospitalized older males and females., Methods: A total of 70 subjects were recruited, including 10 healthy adults and 60 hospitalized elderly patients with a good level of independence and cooperation, with and without sarcopenia. The rectus femoris cross-sectional area (CSA), thickness, echogenicity, and compressibility were measured with ultrasound echography. The phase angles (PhAs) and skeletal muscle mass were calculated by bioimpedence analysis. The muscle quality index (MQI) was calculated as the product of CSA and PhA., Results: Muscle compressibility was greater and PhA was lower in sarcopenic when compared with non-sarcopenic subjects. The threshold values for sarcopenia diagnosis in both sexes of CSA, of PhA, and of the MQI were identified. The obtained CSA values showed an AUC of 0.852 for women and 0.867 for men, PhA of 0.792 in women and 0.898 in men, while MQI was 0.900 for women and 0.969 for men., Conclusions: The newly calculated cut-off values of CSA, PhA, and MQI predicted the presence of sarcopenia with good sensitivity and specificity values. The use of the MQI proved to be more promising than the separate use of CSA and PhA in both male and female subjects.

Purpose of Review: To explore the groundbreaking international consensus on the DEFASE (DEfinition of Food Allergy Severity) project as a revolutionary grading system for IgE-mediated food allergy severity. Against the backdrop of the growing public health challenge posed by food allergy, this article delves into the importance of validating and implementing DEFASE in real-world clinical settings., Recent Findings: With new therapeutic options available for food allergy, including biologics alongside immunotherapy, it is urgent to properly support clinical decision-making in the management of the disease. The DEFASE score is the first international consensus-based grading system of severity associated with food allergy as a whole disease embracing multidisciplinary perspectives from different stakeholders involved. In its current version, this comprehensive scoring system has been developed to be used in research settings., Summary: The review emphasizes the potential impact of DEFASE on patient outcomes, healthcare management, and resource allocation, underscoring its significance for the allergy scientific community. Future research should focus on internal and external validation of the scoring system, targeting these models to various food allergenic sources, populations, and settings., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the perspectives regarding precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) of prepackaged foods following the consultation conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the WHO., Recent Findings: The FAO/WHO consultation provided a comprehensive assessment of the current status and practices of PAL implementation worldwide. One of the key findings highlighted by the Expert Committee was the need for improvement in existing PAL systems. It was noted that many countries lacked uniformity in PAL practices, leading to inconsistencies in labelling and potentially misleading information for consumers. Furthermore, the consultation emphasized the importance of PAL being risk-based, taking into account both the amount and frequency of unintended allergen presence (UAP) in food products., Summary: The FAO/WHO consultation shed light on various perspectives and challenges associated with PAL of prepackaged foods. Key findings emphasized the need for improvement in existing PAL systems, including the adoption of a risk-based approach, standardized regulations, and enhanced transparency. Moving forward, collaborative efforts between regulatory agencies, food manufacturers, and consumer advocacy groups will be essential in developing effective PAL strategies that prioritize consumer safety and well being., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The supply chains of food raw materials have recently been heavily influenced by geopolitical events. Products that came from, or transited through, areas currently in conflict are now preferentially supplied from alternative areas. These changes may entail risks for food safety., Methods: We review the potential allergenicity of botanical impurities, specifically vegetable contaminants, with particular attention to the contamination of vegetable oils. We delve into the diverse types of botanical impurities, their sources, and the associated allergenic potential. Our analysis encompasses an evaluation of the regulatory framework governing botanical impurities in food labeling., Results: Unintended plant-derived contaminants may manifest in raw materials during various stages of food production, processing, or storage, posing a risk of allergic reactions for individuals with established food allergies. Issues may arise from natural occurrence, cross-contamination in the supply chain, and contamination at during production. The food and food service industries are responsible for providing and preparing foods that are safe for people with food allergies: we address the challenges inherent in risk assessment of botanical impurities., Conclusions: The presence of botanical impurities emerges as a significant risk factor for food allergies in the 2020s. We advocate for regulatory authorities to fortify labeling requirements and develop robust risk assessment tools. These measures are necessary to enhance consumer awareness regarding the potential risks posed by these contaminants.

Background: Aging is associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity (SO), and increased arterial stiffening, with possible detrimental effects on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between sarcopenia, SO, and different indexes of arterial stiffness in older adults., Methods: A total of 77 hospitalized patients (mean age 78.68 ± 9.65 years) were evaluated, obtaining anthropometric variables, biochemical samples, handgrip test, and body composition assessment. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring both carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), a proxy for central stiffness, and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), as well as considering peripheral arteries. The population was sorted into four subgroups: obese, sarcopenic, SO, and controls., Results: The highest CAVI (11.31 ± 2.58) was found in sarcopenic patients. SO had the highest value of cfPWV (15.18 ± 8.44 m/s), even after adjustment for significant covariates. In multiple regressions, SO diagnosis resulted as a significant predictor of cfPWV ( p  = 0.03, R 2  = 0.20), and sarcopenia diagnosis resulted as a predictor of CAVI ( p  = 0.042, R 2  = 0.12)., Conclusions: In conclusion, a positive correlation is found between sarcopenia, SO, and arterial stiffness among older subjects. In particular, greater central arterial stiffness is associated with SO, outlining a remarkable effect on the cardiovascular risk profile., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (© 2024 Fantin, Giani, Manzato, Zampieri, Comellato, Urbani, Zoico, Mazzali and Zamboni.)

Background: Hospital readmissions among older adults are associated with progressive functional worsening, increased institutionalization and mortality., Aim: Identify the main predictors of readmission in older adults., Methods: We examined readmission predictors in 777 hospitalized subjects (mean age 84.40 ± 6.77 years) assessed with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), clinical, anthropometric and biochemical evaluations. Comorbidity burden was estimated by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Median follow-up was 365 days., Results: 358 patients (46.1%) had a second admission within 365 days of discharge. Estimated probability of having a second admission was 0.119 (95%C.I. 0.095-0.141), 0.158 (95%C.I. 0.131-0.183), and 0.496 (95%C.I. 0.458-0.532) at 21, 30 and 356 days, respectively. Main predictors of readmission at 1 year were length of stay (LOS) > 14 days (p < 0.001), albumin level < 30 g/l (p 0.018), values of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 40 ml/min (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure < 115 mmHg (p < 0.001), CCI ≥ 6 (p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diagnoses. When the joint effects of selected prognostic variables were accounted for, LOS > 14 days, worse renal function, systolic blood pressure < 115 mmHg, higher comorbidity burden remained independently associated with higher readmission risk., Discussion: Selected predictors are associated with higher readmission risk, and the relationship evolves with time., Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of performing an accurate CGA, since defined domains and variables contained in the CGA (i.e., LOS, lower albumin and systolic blood pressure, poor renal function, and greater comorbidity burden), when combined altogether, may offer a valid tool to identify the most fragile patients with clinical and functional impairment enhancing their risk of unplanned early and late readmission., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Recent advances in the olive oil sector aim to develop sustainable strategies for the valorisation of mechanical extraction co-products as a rich source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this work, we studied the effectiveness of a phenolic extract (PE) from olive vegetation water (OVW) as a new antioxidant of natural origin for improving the quality and extending the secondary shelf life (SSL) of a fresh basil pesto sold as a served loose product at the deli counter, simulating the storage conditions after packaging, opening, and serving. For that, the PE was mixed with the oily phase of fresh pesto in two different concentrations and compared to a control pesto (CTRL) made with the addition of common additives (ascorbic acid (E300) and sorbic acid (E200)). The physicochemical parameters, phenolic and volatile composition, sensory profiles, and antioxidant capacity of the experimental pesto samples were evaluated after opening. The results proved that the enrichment with the PE improved the stability of the pesto and, hence, its overall quality. The PE provided higher protection than the CTRL against primary and secondary oxidation at both concentrations tested and delayed the accumulation of the volatile compounds responsible for the 'rancid' off-flavour up to 7 days after first opening, while also preserving higher levels of the pesto phytonutrients (such as the rosmarinic, caffeic, and chicoric acids and α-tocopherol). These results show that the generation of food waste in households, catering chains, retail, and/or restaurants can be reduced, improving the sustainability of the food industry and the competitiveness of the olive oil sector.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a bilateral ocular inflammatory disease with a conjunctival and corneal involvement and typical onset during childhood. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disease characterized by eosinophilic inflammation of the mucosa (≥15 eosinophils/HPF) and symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. EoE and VKC are both immune-mediated diseases sharing a similar pathogenetic mechanism and a high association with other allergic diseases. Nevertheless, no data are currently available about their clinical association. We present 4 cases of concomitant diagnosis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and eosinophil esophagitis suggesting that these conditions may coexist in the same patient more frequently than expected. Health care providers should be aware of the possibility of co-occurrence in their daily practice., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare quantitative and qualitative ultrasound parameters between healthy young adults and post-acute hospitalized older adults with and without physical disability, as well as between normal weight and overweight/obese persons., Design: Cross-sectional observational study., Setting and Participants: A total of 120 individuals were recruited: 24 healthy young adults, 24 normal weight and 24 overweight/obese community-dwelling adults, and 48 post-acute hospitalized older adults with different degrees of functional autonomy., Methods: The rectus femoris cross-sectional area (CSA), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) thickness, echogenicity, strain elastography, and compressibility were measured with ultrasound echography., Results: Post-acute older adults with a good level of autonomy showed higher echogenicity, a higher compressibility index and elastometry strain, and lower rectus femoris thickness and CSA as compared with young persons. Post-acute individuals with physical disability showed lower echogenicity and a greater stiffness compared with their still autonomous counterparts. Normal weight individuals showed lower stiffness as evaluated with elastometry and a lower SCAT thickness, as compared with individuals with age-matched overweight or obesity. From multiple regression analyses, using CSA as an independent variable, an inverse association with female sex and age was observed, explaining 16% and 51% of variance. Echogenicity was directly associated with age (34% of variance) and with the Barthel index (6% of variance). Elastometry showed association with age and body mass index (BMI), 30% and 16% of variance, respectively. Considering compressibility as a dependent variable, a direct association with age and an inverse association with BMI were observed, with 5% and 11% of variance respectively., Conclusions and Implications: Muscle mass decreases with age and with physical disability. Echogenicity, which increases with age and disability level, seems to be associated with myofibrosis. Conversely, elastometry seems useful in the characterization of muscle quality in overweight or obese individuals and as a reliable indirect measure of myosteatosis., (Copyright © 2023 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can hamper therapeutic strategy, contribute to multiple drug resistance and serious public health burden. Diagnosis (including allergy assessment) and management of these two severe hypersensitivity reactions in clinical practice are somewhat difficult and published scientific evidence is rather weak and limited. The first step is always represented by stopping all anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs, treating reaction with systemic corticosteroids, and identifying the offending drug, even if it is often complicated by the patient's simultaneous intake of antibiotics. Patch tests and in vitro tests, such as lymphocyte transformation test, could bridge this diagnostic gap, but the available data are scarce and their sensitivity low. The re-challenge test is often necessary but places patients at risk for serious adverse reactions. The desensitization protocols are quite varied and not universally accepted. In this narrative review, we provide an update to the literature data on the management of DRESS and DILI with particular attention to the allergological work-up in the last decade.

Pumpkin ( Cucurbita sp.) represents an unquestionable source of valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds having a broad spectrum of health-promoting effects. The goal of this work was to characterize the byproducts (peels and filaments) of different pumpkin varieties belonging to C. moschata (Butternut, Lunga di Napoli, Moscata di Provenza, and Violina rugosa) and C. maxima (Delica, Delica vanity, Hokkaido, and Mantovana) species in terms of total carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, and carotenoid profiling. The research revealed that peels and filaments were a good source of β-carotene and other non-esterified carotenoids, as well as esterified carotenoids. Considering the growing market demand for safe and healthy food products, pumpkin byproducts, having also an interesting antioxidant bioactivity, could be useful in the development of novel functional products.

Literature review reveals that adherence to prescribed therapy at hospital discharge averages around 50%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to prescribed therapy assessing the relationship between re-hospitalization rate at 30 days and degree of therapeutic adherence in a sample of elderly patients discharged from an acute geriatric ward using an Electronic Medication Packaging device, MePill. The study population (n = 56) was divided in 3 groups, a counseling group (A), a counseling + MePill device group (B) and a control group (C). Group A had 98.1% adherence to therapy, Group B had 100%, and control group had 90%. Analyzing the rate of hospitalization by type of intervention for Group A and C the hospitalization rate was 21% and 27.7%, respectively, whilst for Group B no patient was hospitalized. Participants in Group A and C had the shorter hospitalization-free survival as compared with subjects in Group B., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is an invasive species causing economic crop losses. This species was recently detected attacking olive fruits. The aim of this study was to characterize feeding damage. Olive samples were initially collected from a field where H. halys was reported to cause damage to olive fruits. Hence, we conducted a field trial on the Moraiolo variety using sleeve cages to test the effect of H. halys feeding pressure on olive fruit drop and evaluated the effect of feeding on fruit quality. We tested two densities of H. halys (two or eight adults/cage) at two different stages of olive development, pre- and post-pit hardening. High pressure of H. halys before pit hardening caused a significant fruit drop compared to the control. In addition, chemical analysis of damaged and infested fruits revealed higher levels of total phenols compared to healthy fruits. These findings indicate that feeding by H. halys induced a stress response in the plants that could translate in quality variations in the olive drupes.

Aortic stenosis (AS) involves progressive valve obstruction and a remodeling response of the left ventriculum (LV) with systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The roles of interstitial fibrosis and myocardial steatosis in LV dysfunction in AS have not been completely characterized. We enrolled 31 patients (19 women and 12 men) with severe AS undergoing elective aortic valve replacement. The subjects were clinically evaluated, and transthoracic echocardiography was performed pre-surgery. LV septal biopsies were obtained to assess fibrosis and apoptosis and fat deposition in myocytes (perilipin 5 (PLIN5)), or in the form of adipocytes within the heart (perilipin 1 (PLIN1)), the presence of ceramides and myostatin were assessed via immunohistochemistry. After BMI adjustment, we found a positive association between fibrosis and apoptotic cardiomyocytes, as well as fibrosis and the area covered by PLIN5. Apoptosis and PLIN5 were also significantly interrelated. LV fibrosis increased with a higher medium gradient (MG) and peak gradient (PG). Ceramides and myostatin levels were higher in patients within the higher MG and PG tertiles. In the linear regression analysis, increased fibrosis correlated with increased apoptosis and myostatin, independent from confounding factors. After adjustment for age and BMI, we found a positive relationship between PLIN5 and E/A and a negative correlation between septal S', global longitudinal strain (GLS), and fibrosis. Myostatin was inversely correlated with GLS and ejection fraction. Fibrosis and myocardial steatosis altogether contribute to ventricular dysfunction in severe AS. The association of myostatin and fibrosis with systolic dysfunction, as well as between myocardial steatosis and diastolic dysfunction, highlights potential therapeutic targets.

Background: The frequency and severity of reactions in food-allergic consumers exposed to unintentional food allergen contamination during production is unknown. To warn allergic consumers, it has been suggested for pre-packaged foods to be precautionary labelled when the food allergen contamination may exceed the amount to which 1%-5% of the population could react (ED01-ED05). ED01 for hazelnut and milk have been estimated at 0.1 and 0.2 mg, respectively, by the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) initiative. The respective reference doses recommended by the FAO/WHO Codex consultation are 3 and 2 mg. We evaluated the reactivity to potential traces of milk and hazelnut allergens in allergen-free pre-packaged products by children affected by severe allergies to milk and hazelnuts., Methods: Oral Food Challenges with commercially available hazelnut-free wafer biscuits and milk-free chocolate pralines were administered to patients with severe food allergies to hazelnut and cow's milk, respectively. Contamination levels of milk or hazelnut allergens were measured using chromatographic separation interfaced with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry., Results: No hazelnut allergic patient showed allergic reactions to exposure to biscuits, nor any milk allergic patient displayed allergic reactions to the dark chocolate praline. While no hazelnut trace was detected in biscuits, the praline was found to be contaminated by milk at concentrations ranging between 8 and 35 mg total protein/kg food. In our dose model, these amounts exceeded 1.5-10 times the VITAL ED01 and reached the threshold suggested by the FAO/WHO Codex consultation., Conclusions: Upon the consumption of food products available on the market, many patients with severe food allergies tolerate significantly higher doses of allergen than reference doses indicated in the VITAL system used for precautionary allergen labelling. These doses support the safety of the FAO/WHO recommended reference doses., (© 2023 The Authors. Clinical and Translational Allergy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.)

The quality of commercially available extra-virgin olive oils (VOOs) of different chemical compositions was evaluated as a function of storage (12 months), simulating market storage conditions, to find reliable and early markers of the virgin olive oil (VOOs) quality status in the market. By applying a D-optimal design using the Most Descriptive Compound (MDC) algorithm, 20 virgin olive oils were selected. The initial concentrations of oleic acid, hydrophilic phenols, and α-tocopherol in the 20 VOOs ranged from 58.2 to 80.5%, 186.7 to 1003.2 mg/kg, and 170.7-300.6 mg/kg, respectively. K 270 , ∆K, ( E , E )-2.4-decadienal and ( E )-2-decenal, and the oxidative form of the oleuropein aglycon (3,4-DHPEA-EA-OX) reflected the VOO quality status well, with 3,4-DHPEA-EA-OX being the most relevant and quick index for simple monitoring of the "extra-virgin" commercial shelf-life category. Its HPLC-DAD evaluation is easy because of the different wavelength absorbances of the oxidized and non-oxidized form (3,4-DHPEA-EA), respectively, at 347 and 278 nm.

Recently, there has been a growing body of evidence showing a negative effect of the white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction on the skeletal muscle function and quality. However, little is known about the effects of senescent adipocytes on muscle cells. Therefore, to explore potential mechanisms involved in age-related loss of muscle mass and function, we performed an in vitro experiment using conditioned medium obtained from cultures of mature and aged 3 T3-L1 adipocytes, as well as from cultures of dysfunctional adipocytes exposed to oxidative stress or high insulin doses, to treat C2C12 myocytes. The results from morphological measures indicated a significant decrease in diameter and fusion index of myotubes after treatment with medium of aged or stressed adipocytes. Aged and stressed adipocytes presented different morphological characteristics as well as a different gene expression profile of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS production. In myocytes treated with different adipocytes' conditioned media, we demonstrated a significant reduction of gene expression of myogenic differentiation markers as well as a significant increase of genes involved in atrophy. Finally, a significant reduction in protein synthesis as well as a significant increase of myostatin was found in muscle cells treated with medium of aged or stressed adipocytes compared to controls. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest that aged adipocytes could influence negatively trophism, function and regenerative capacity of myocytes by a paracrine network of signaling., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Humoral immunity is sensitive to evasion by SARS-CoV-2 mutants, but CD8 T cells seem to be more resistant to mutational inactivation. By a systematic analysis of 30 spike variant peptides containing the most relevant VOC and VOI mutations that have accumulated overtime, we show that in vaccinated and convalescent subjects, mutated epitopes can have not only a neutral or inhibitory effect on CD8 T cell recognition but can also enhance or generate de novo CD8 T cell responses. The emergence of these mutated T cell function enhancing epitopes likely reflects an epiphenomenon of SARS-CoV-2 evolution driven by antibody evasion and increased virus transmissibility. In a subset of individuals with weak and narrowly focused CD8 T cell responses selection of these heteroclitic-like epitopes may bear clinical relevance by improving antiviral protection. The functional enhancing effect of these peptides is also worth of consideration for the future development of new generation, more potent COVID-19 vaccines., Competing Interests: A.T. and D.C. are employees of Vir Biotechnology Inc. and may hold shares in Vir Biotechnology Inc. C.F.: Grant: Gilead, Abbvie. Consultant: Gilead, Abbvie, Vir Biotechnology Inc, Arrowhead, Transgene, BMS. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors.)