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Aims: TOMM40 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2075650 consists of allelic variation c.275-31A > G and it has been linked to Alzheimer disease, apolipoprotein and cholesterol levels and other risk factors. However, data on its role in cardiovascular disorders are lacking. The first aim of the study is to evaluate mortality according to TOMM40 genotype in a cohort of selected patients affected by advanced atherosclerosis. Second aim was to investigate the relationship between Xg and AA alleles and the presence of conduction disorders and implantation of defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker (PM) in our cohort. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 276 patients (mean age 70.16 ± 7.96 years) affected by hemodynamic significant carotid stenosis and/or ischemia of the lower limbs of II or III stadium Fontaine. We divided the population into two groups according to the genotype (Xg and AA carriers). We evaluated several electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters, including heart rate, rhythm, presence of right and left bundle branch block (LBBB and RBBB), PR interval, QRS duration and morphology, QTc interval, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We clinically followed these patients for 82.53 ± 30.02 months and we evaluated the incidence of cardiovascular events, number of deaths and PM/ICD implantations. Results: We did not find a difference in total mortality between Xg and AA carriers (16.3 % vs. 19.4%; p = 0.62). However, we found a higher mortality for fatal cardiovascular events in Xg carriers (8.2% vs. 4.4%; HR = 4.53, 95% CI 1.179–17.367; p = 0.04) with respect to AA carriers. We noted a higher percentage of LBBB in Xg carriers (10.2% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.027), which was statistically significant. Presence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) was also higher in Xg (10.2% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.10), but without reaching statistically significant difference compared to AA patients. We did not observe significant differences in heart rate, presence of sinus rhythm, number of device implantations, PR and QTc intervals, QRS duration and LVEF between the two groups. At the time of enrolment, we observed a tendency for device implant in Xg carriers at a younger age compared to AA carriers (58.50 ± 0.71 y vs. 72.14 ± 11.11 y, p = 0.10). During the follow-up, we noted no statistical difference for new device implantations in Xg respect to AA carriers (8.2% vs. 3.5%; HR = 2.384, 95% CI 0.718–7.922; p = 0.156). The tendency to implant Xg at a younger age compared to AA patients was confirmed during follow-up, but without reaching a significant difference(69.50 ± 2.89 y vs. 75.63 ± 8.35 y, p = 0.074). Finally, we pointed out that Xg carriers underwent device implantation 7.27 ± 4.43 years before AA (65.83 ± 6.11 years vs. 73.10 ± 10.39 years) and that difference reached a statistically significant difference (p = 0.049) when we considered all patients, from enrollment to follow-up. Conclusions: In our study we observed that TOMM40 Xg patients affected by advanced atherosclerosis have a higher incidence of developing fatal cardiovascular events, higher incidence of LBBB and an earlier age of PM or ICD implantations, as compared to AA carriers. Further studies will be needed to evaluate the genomic contribution of TOMM40 SNPs to cardiovascular deaths and cardiac conduction diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces SEISMONOISY, an application designed for monitoring the spatiotemporal characteristic and variability of the seismic noise of an entire seismic network with a quasi-real-time monitoring approach. Actually, we have applied the developed system to monitor 12 seismic networks distributed throughout the Italian territory. These networks include the Rete Sismica Nazionale (RSN) as well as other regional networks with smaller coverage areas. Our noise monitoring system uses the methods of Spectral Power Density (PSD) and Probability Density Function (PDF) applied to 12 h long seismic traces in a 24 h cycle for each station, enabling the extrapolation of noise characteristics at seismic stations after a Seismic Noise Level Index (SNLI), which takes into account the global seismic noise model, is derived. The SNLI value can be used for different applications, including network performance evaluation, the identification of operational problems, site selection for new installations, and for scientific research applications (e.g., volcano monitoring, identification of active seismic sequences, etc.). Additionally, it aids in studying the main noise sources across different frequency bands and changes in the characteristics of background seismic noise over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a significant environmental challenge that affects water resources, agriculture, health, and other aspects of human life. Bivariate modeling is a statistical method used to analyze the relationship between variables such as rainfall and temperature. The Pearson correlation coefficient, Kendall's tau, or Spearman's rank correlation are some measures used for bivariate modeling. However, copula functions can describe the dependence structure between two or more variables and can be effectively used to describe the relationship between rainfall and temperature. Despite the literature on bivariate modeling of rainfalls and temperature being extensive, finding flexible and sophisticated bivariate models is sometimes difficult. In this paper, we use rotated copula functions that can arrange any type of dependence that is empirically detected, especially negative dependence. The methodology is applied to an Italian municipality's bivariate daily time series of rainfall and temperature. The estimated rotated copula is significant and, therefore, can be used for simulating the effects of extreme events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease and apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism has been associated with cardiovascular events. The APOE gene, located on chromosome 19q13.2, has an important role in lipid metabolism, in particular on circulating cholesterol levels, implying further pleiotropic effects; from its polymorphism are derived three alleles (ε2, ε3 and ε4), which induce different phenotypes, while its impact on carotid and femoral atherosclerosis is still controversial. Objectives. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between APOE genotypes and peripheral revascularization in a cohort of patients affected by advanced peripheral arterial disease (PAD) at a prolonged follow-up. Materials and methods. Some 332 patients (259 males and 73 females; mean age 70.86 ± 7.95 years) with severe PAD were enrolled in a longitudinal study, with a 90.75 ± 32.25 month follow-up, assessing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results. As compared with ε3/ε3, in ε4 patients we observed a significant higher incidence of carotid (13.2% vs. 5.6%; HR = 2.485, 95% CI 1.062–5.814; p = 0.036) and lower limb (11.8% vs. 4.3%; HR = 2.765, 95% CI 1.091–7.008; p = 0.032) revascularizations and, accordingly, a higher incidence of total peripheral revascularizations (13.5% vs. 9.5%; HR = 2.705, 95% CI 1.420–5.151; p = 0.002). HR remained statistically significant even when adjusted for classic cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions. In our observational study, we confirm that the ε4 allele is associated with higher total peripheral revascularization in patients with advanced atherosclerotic vascular disease at prolonged follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute transient respiratory distress in the first hours of life is usually defined as transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). TTN is a respiratory self-limiting disorder consequent to delayed lung fluid clearance at birth. While TTN is the most common etiology of respiratory distress near term, its pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria are not well-defined. Lung ultrasound and targeted neonatal echocardiography are increasingly being used to assess critically ill infants, although their combined use to improve diagnostic precision in neonatal intensive care units has not yet been described. This retrospective pilot analysis aimed to identify possible cardiopulmonary ultrasound (CPUS) patterns in term and late preterm infants suffering from transient respiratory distress and requiring non-invasive respiratory support. After retrospectively revising CPUS images, we found seven potential sonographic phenotypes of acute neonatal respiratory distress. Up to 50% of the patients presented with signs of increased pulmonary vascular resistance, suggesting that those patients may be diagnosed with mild forms of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Approximately 80% of the infants with a history of meconium-stained amniotic fluid displayed irregular atelectasis, indicating that they may have suffered from mild meconium aspiration syndrome. CPUS evaluation may improve accuracy in the approach to the infants presenting with transient acute respiratory distress, supporting communication with the parents and carrying important epidemiological consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent the sixth most widespread malignancy worldwide. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs represent the main clinical approaches for HNC patients. Moreover, HNCs are characterised by an elevated mutational load; however, specific genetic mutations or biomarkers have not yet been found. In this scenario, personalised medicine is showing its efficacy. To study the reliability and the effects of personalised treatments, preclinical research can take advantage of next-generation sequencing and innovative technologies that have been developed to obtain genomic and multi-omic profiles to drive personalised treatments. The crosstalk between malignant and healthy components, as well as interactions with extracellular matrices, are important features which are responsible for treatment failure. Preclinical research has constantly implemented in vitro and in vivo models to mimic the natural tumour microenvironment. Among them, 3D systems have been developed to reproduce the tumour mass architecture, such as biomimetic scaffolds and organoids. In addition, in vivo models have been changed over the last decades to overcome problems such as animal management complexity and time-consuming experiments. In this review, we will explore the new approaches aimed to improve preclinical tools to study and apply precision medicine as a therapeutic option for patients affected by HNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) represents an uncommon entity with an incidence of less than 3% of all soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Consequently, the natural history and the clinical management of this disease are infrequently reported. In order to fill this gap, we investigated the molecular biology of an adult RMS case series. The expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition-related gene and chemoresistance-related gene panels were evaluated. Moreover, taking advantage of our STS translational model combining patient-derived primary culture and 3D-scaffold, the pharmacological profile of an adult head and neck sclerosing RMS was assessed. Furthermore, NGS, microsatellite instability, and in silico analyses were carried out. RT-PCR identified the upregulation of CDH1, SLUG, MMP9, RAB22a, S100P, and LAPTM4b, representing promising biomarkers for this disease. Pharmacological profiling showed the highest sensitivity with anthracycline-based regimen in both 2D and 3D culture systems. NGS analysis detected RAB3IP-HMGA2 in frame gene rearrangement and FGFR4 mutation; microsatellite instability analysis did not detect any alteration. In silico analysis confirmed the mutation of FGFR4 as a promising marker for poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target. We report for the first time the molecular and pharmacological characterization of rare entities of adult head and neck and posterior trunk RMS. These preliminary data could shed light on this poorly understood disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether investor sentiment affects price discrepancies between preferred and common stocks, based on a sample of Korean firms that issue preferred stocks. While most research has focused on corporate finance features such as voting rights, we examine price discrepancies as a behavioral finance feature from a new perspective. Based on the investor sentiment index, as investor sentiment increases, price discrepancies between preferred and common stocks widen in the KOSPI market. These findings confirm that investor sentiment—not merely voting premiums, cash flow rights, and liquidity—is a significant factor in explaining price discrepancies between preferred and common stocks in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travel and tourism is an important economic activity in most countries around the world. In 2018, international tourist arrivals grew 5% to reach the 1.4 billion mark and at the same time export earnings generated by tourism have grown to USD 1.7 trillion. The rapid growth of the tourism industry has globally attracted the interest of researchers for a long time. The literature has tried to model tourism demand to analyze the effects of different factors and predict the future behavior of the demand. Forecasting of tourism demand is crucial not only for academia but for tourism industries too, especially in line with the principles of sustainable tourism. The hospitality branch is an important part of the tourism industry and accurate passenger flow forecasting is a key link in the governance of the resources of a destination or in revenue management systems. In this context, the paper studies the interdependence of tourism demand in one of the main Italian tourist destinations, the Campania region, using a quantile-on-quantile approach between overall and specific tourism demand. Data are represented by monthly arrivals and nights spent by residents and non-residents in hotels and complementary accommodations from January 2008 to December 2018. The results of the analysis show that the hotel-accommodation component of the tourism demand appears to be more vulnerable than extra-hotel accommodation component to the fluctuations of the overall tourism demand and this feature is more evident for the arrivals than for nights spent. Moreover, the dependence on high quantiles suggests strategy of diversification or market segmentation to avoid overtourism phenomena and/or carrying capacity problems. Conversely, dependence on low quantiles suggests the use of push strategies to stimulate tourism demand. Finally, the results suggest that it could be very useful if the stakeholders of the tourism sector in Campania focused their attention on the collaboration theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]