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Parasitoidism strongly influences the structure of the spiders' populations, and it can be affected by environmental factors such as those caused by anthropogenic actions. We studied the prevalence of parasitoids in egg sacs and the proportion of eggs parasitized in each egg sac of two synanthropic spider species, one native to the American continent (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) and another recently introduced to the Americas (Latrodectus geometricus). We conducted the study at two scales, along an urban gradient (from highly urbanized to rural sites) and in the vegetation surrounding each sampling site (microscale). We expected to find a larger prevalence of parasitoids in the most urbanized sites and around sampling sites with more vegetation. However, we saw more parasitized egg sacs at the intermediate urbanized site for both species, and the vegetation surrounding the sampling sites did not affect the number of parasitized egg sacs. Therefore, conditions in the site with intermediate urban development favored parasitoids. We also found more parasitized egg sacs in P. tepidariorum than in L. geometricus, which is likely a consequence of native parasites not being adapted to a new host. The proportion of eggs parasitized was similar for both species in all sites, which may be related to the behavior (e.g., searching behavior) and number of spider eggs a female parasitoid can parasitize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, attention to the realization and characterization of wetsuits for scuba diving and other sea sports or activities has increased. The research has aimed to establish reliable and standardized measurement methods to objectively assess wetsuit quality, particularly focusing on their mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, we describe and compare two different measurement methods for the characterization of neoprene wetsuit thermal resistivity. The first method follows the existing regulations in the field, while the second one, which we are originally proposing in this paper, offers an alternative yet accurate way based on a simplified experimental set-up and easier measurements. In both cases, the wetsuit sample under testing was shaped in the form of a cylindrical sleeve of proper dimensions and wrapped around a phantom containing water at a higher temperature and surrounded by water at a lower temperature. The wetsuit's cylindrical surface allows heat flow from the warmer water on the inside to the colder water on the outside through the wetsuit area. In the first case, a thermal steady state was achieved, with constant heat flow from the phantom to the exterior. This was obtained with a power balance between two homogenous quantities. Electrically supplied thermal heating within the phantom was used to balance the thermal energy naturally flowing through the wetsuit's surface. In this first case, a stable and fixed temperature difference was obtained between the inner and the outer surfaces of the wetsuit sample. In the second case, a thermal transient was analyzed during the cooling process of the phantom, and the thermal time constant was measured, providing the sample thermal resistance once the phantom thermal capacity was known. In both cases and methods, the heat flow and thermal resistance of other elements than the wetsuit must be evaluated and compensated for if they are not negligible. Finally, the thermal resistivity per unit area of the wetsuit material was obtained with the product of the wetsuit sample's thermal resistance and the wetsuit area. The measurements, conducted until now by immersing the phantom in a free surface tank, show that both methods—under stationary and under transient temperature conditions—were valid to assess the wetsuit's thermal resistivity. The stationary method somehow provided better accuracy while involving less well-known parameters but at the expense of a more complicated experimental set-up and additional energy consumption. The transitory method, on the other hand, is quite easy to implement and, after careful characterization of the phantom's parameters, it provided similar results to the stationary one. An uncertainty budget was evaluated for both methods, and they did provide highly compatible measurement results, with resistivity values of 0.104(9) m2·K/W (stationary method) and 0.095(9) K·m2/W (transient method) for the same wetsuit sample under testing, which is also consistent with the values in the literature. We finally propose that the novel method is a valid alternative for characterization of the thermal insulation properties of a scuba diving wetsuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective pursued in this research is the creation and thorough evaluation of an inventive cooling system designed to uphold optimal temperatures within the batteries employed in electric vehicles. Nowadays, the prevailing equipment underpinning electrical motion hinges on Lithium-Ion cells. These cells frequently necessitate the expeditious delivery of substantial power, thereby giving rise to a consequential generation of heat. Consequently, there is an emergence of elevated operational temperatures, potentially causing noteworthy declines in battery performance, or, in extreme cases, operational failures. Furthermore, deviating from the recommended temperature range (20–40 °C) significantly expedites the aging process of the battery and elevates the probability of premature malfunction. In response to these crucial challenges, the implementation of a battery thermal management system assumes a pivotal role in maximizing battery efficiency. Within the framework of this investigation, we propose the adoption of a cooling system founded on a three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe as the designated thermal management technology for a battery pack. The preliminary phase of our study involved the assessment of the suggested pulsating heat pipe's performance. Following this, the efficacy of the pulsating heat pipe is subjected to rigorous scrutiny through practical experimentation on an authentic electric battery. The empirical findings conclusively highlight the substantial cooling capacity of the proposed system, thereby presenting a robust and efficacious solution for the thermal management challenges faced by electric vehicle batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tumour cells are not independent entities but are always surrounded by different types of non-tumoural cells and other extracellular components, which together constitute a complex association known as the tumour microenvironment. Cancer cells and non-tumoural cells can influence each other in several ways that contribute to sustaining tumour growth and development. This complex crosstalk is mediated by a plethora of different molecules and pathways that, in the context of cancer, are dysregulated and altered. In this work, we reviewed the latest update regarding some of the molecules and pathways involved in the tumour microenvironment and their role in mediating tumour progression. The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a complex and constantly evolving collection of cells and extracellular components. Cancer cells and the surrounding environment influence each other through different types of processes. Characteristics of the TME include abnormal vasculature, altered extracellular matrix, cancer-associated fibroblast and macrophages, immune cells, and secreted factors. Within these components, several molecules and pathways are altered and take part in the support of the tumour. Epigenetic regulation, kinases, phosphatases, metabolic regulators, and hormones are some of the players that influence and contribute to shaping the tumour and the TME. All these characteristics contribute significantly to cancer progression, metastasis, and immune escape, and may be the target for new approaches for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the increase in patients who suffer from osteoporosis and the bone defects that occur in these patients, bone tissue regeneration is a promising option to solve this problem. To achieve a synergistic effect between the synthesis of a proper structure and bioactive/pharmaceutical activity, ions with a physiological effect can be added to silica structures, such as Ca2+, thanks to its bioactive behavior, and Ga3+ for its antibacterial and anticancer action. In this work, the synthesis of large pore mesoporous silica (LPMS), potential bioactive glasses containing Ca2+ and Ga3+, has been studied. Corresponding structures, in terms of composition, have been synthesized following the Sol-Gel EISA (Evaporation Induced Self-Assembly) process (obtaining Classical Mesoporous Silica, MS). Pore structure characterization of LPMSs and MSs has been performed using N2 adsorption/desorption and Hg-porosimetry, showing the presence of pores for LPMSs in the range of 20–60 and 200–600 nm. Nisin, a polycyclic antibacterial peptide, has been used for load tests. The load and release tests performed highlight a higher loading and releasing, doubled for LPMSs if compared to MSs. To confirm the maintenance of the structure of LPMSs and their mechanical strength and resistance, scanning electron microscopy images were acquired before and after release tests. Ca and Ga release in SBF has been studied through inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), showing a particularly high release of these ions performed with LPMSs. The bioactive behavior of Ca-containing structures has been confirmed using FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRDP). In conclusion, LPMSs showed better loading and releasing properties compared with classical MS and better release in terms of active ions. In addition, it has also been demonstrated that LPMSs have bioactive behavior (a well-known characteristic of MSs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an inverse study method applied to an experimental dataset of infrared temperature acquisitions to determine the local convective heat transfer coefficient of the turbulent flow inside a duct with corrugated surfaces. The study focuses on six tubes with different corrugation profiles: helical, transversal, and cross-helical. Previous research has shown that transversal corrugation generates the highest improvement in heat transfer performance, while helical corrugations are the easiest to manufacture. Consequently, the single helix solution is the preferred one in heat exchangers adopted in the food industry. A merger solution between them is represented by the cross-helix profile. The estimation process proposed in this study employs the external surface temperature of the tube, acquired with an infrared thermal camera, as starting data for the inverse heat conduction problem inside the pipe wall region. The calculation of its Laplacian was finally achieved by a filtering technique applied to the infrared temperature acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) are promising materials in several fields related to electronics, offering long carrier-diffusion lengths, high absorption coefficients, tunable band gaps, and long spin lifetimes. Recently, chiral perovskites have attracted huge interest thanks to the possibility of further widening the applications of HOIPs. Chiral materials, being intrinsically non-centrosymmetric, display several attractive physicochemical properties, including circular dichroism, circularly polarized photoluminescence, nonlinear optics, ferroelectricity, and spin-related effects. Recent studies have shown that chirality can be transferred from the chiral organic ligands into the inorganic perovskite framework, resulting in materials combining the advantages of both chirality and perovskite superior optoelectronic characteristics. As for HOIPs for photovoltaics, strong interest is currently devoted towards the development of lead-free chiral perovskites to overcome any toxicity issue. While considering the basic and general features of chiral HOIPs, this review mainly focuses on lead-free materials. It highlights the first attempts to understand the correlation between the crystal structure characteristics and the chirality-induced functional properties in lead and lead-free chiral perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work is to develop and test an innovative cooling system for the thermal management of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). At present, the technology most used for electric propulsion is based on lithium-ion cells. The power supply unit must often deliver a large amount of power in a short time, forcing the batteries to produce a considerable amount of heat. This leads to a high working temperature that can cause a sharp decrease in the battery performance or even a malfunction. Moreover, their working outside of the prescribed temperature range (20–40 °C) or with a significant temperature gradient across the battery meaningfully accelerates their aging or breakage. In this case, a battery thermal management system (BTMS) is necessary to allow the batteries to work as efficiently as possible. In the present work, a pulsating heat pipe with a three-dimensional structure is proposed as cooling technology for a battery pack. At first the performance of the proposed PHP is evaluated in a dedicated experimental setup under different boundary conditions and a wide spectrum of power input values. Then the PHP is tested by applying, as load at the evaporator section, heat power distribution corresponding to three different discharging processes of a battery. These tests, directly referring to an applicative case, show that the proposed 3D PHP has an optimal cooling ability and the possibility to offer a powerful solution for electrical battery thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of a scaffold that can accommodate big molecules with a pharmaceutical role is important to shield them and maintain their biological activity. In this field, silica particles with large pores (LPMS) are innovative supports. Large pores allow for the loading of bioactive molecules inside the structure and contemporarily their stabilization and protection. These purposes cannot be achieved using classical mesoporous silica (MS, pore size 2–5 nm), because their pores are not big enough and pore blocking occurs. LPMSs with different porous structures are synthesized starting from an acidic water solution of tetraethyl orthosilicate reacting with pore agents (Pluronic® F127 and mesitylene), performing hydrothermal and microwave-assisted reactions. Time and surfactant optimization were performed. Loading tests were conducted using Nisin as a reference molecule (polycyclic antibacterial peptide, with dimensions of 4–6 nm); UV-Vis analyses on loading solutions were performed. For LPMSs, a significantly higher loading efficiency (LE%) was registered. Other analyses (Elemental Analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis and UV-Vis) confirmed the presence of Nisin in all the structures and its stability when loaded on them. LPMSs showed a lower decrease in specific surface area if compared to MS; in terms of the difference in LE% between samples, it is explained considering the filling of pores for LPMSs, a phenomenon that is not allowed for MSs. Release studies in simulated body fluid highlight, only for LPMSs, a controlled release, considering the longer time scale of release. Scanning Electron Microscopy images acquired before and after release tests shows the LPMSs' maintenance of the structure, demonstrating strength and mechanical resistance of structures. In conclusion, LPMSs were synthesized, performing time and surfactant optimization. LPMSs showed better loading and releasing properties with respect to classical MS. All collected data confirm a pore blocking for MS and an in-pore loading for LPMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological changes associated with ageing contribute to the incidence of diseases, morbidity, and mortality. For modern society, it is essential to find solutions to improve elderly people's health and quality of life. Among promising strategies, the PROBIOSENIOR project proposed a daily six-month supplementation with new probiotic functional foods and nutraceuticals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the modulating effects of the probiotic diet on inflammatory markers and nutritional status. Ninety-seven elderly volunteers were randomly assigned to either a placebo-diet group or a probiotic-diet group (SYNBIO®). Faeces, urine, and blood samples were collected before and after the supplementation to determine serum cytokines, biogenic amines, and inflammation markers. Comparing the results obtained before and after the intervention, probiotic supplementations significantly decreased the TNF-α circulating levels and significantly increased those of IGF-1. Biogenic-amine levels showed high variability, with significant variation only for histamine that decreased after the probiotic supplementation. The supplementation influenced the serum concentration of some crucial cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and MIP-1α) that significantly decreased in the probiotic group. In addition, the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire revealed that the probiotic-supplemented group had a significant improvement in nutritional status. In conclusion, the PROBIOSENIOR project demonstrated how SYNBIO® supplementation may positively influence some nutritional and inflammatory parameters in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the pandemic, telemedicine and telehealth interventions have been leading in maintaining the continuity of care independently of patients' physical location. However, the evidence available about the effectiveness of the telehealth approach for advanced cancer patients with chronic disease is limited. This interventional randomized pilot study aims to evaluate the acceptability of a daily telemonitoring of five vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, blood pressure, and body temperature) using a medical device in advanced cancer patients with relevant cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities assisted at home. The purpose of the current paper is to describe the design of the telemonitoring intervention in a home palliative and supportive care setting with the objective of optimizing the management of patients, improving both their quality of life and psychological status and the caregiver's perceived care burden. This study may improve scientific knowledge regarding the impact of telemonitoring. Moreover, this intervention could foster continuous healthcare delivery and closer communication among the physician, patient and family, enabling the physician to have an updated overview of the clinical trajectory of the disease. Finally, the study may help family caregivers to maintain their habits and professional position and to limit financial consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this opinion article we explore the link between regular wine consumption and human health, starting from the teachings that Alvise Cornaro, a Scholar at the University of Padova, left us, especially on his "La Vita Sobria", a treatise published in Padova in 1558. A key role in his suggested diet is reserved for wine, an alcoholic beverage that, he advocated, should be consumed regularly, a concept that fits well with the central role that wine played in the Middle age society. Indeed, at that time, wine was consumed in large quantities, and it was generally mixed with water to make the latter safer for consumption. Monks and doctors also used wine as a medicine, as this was regularly administered to sick people of all ages to cure their illnesses. Wine maintained a similar role until the middle of the 20th Century, shifting from a source of energy to a pleasure, even if moderate wine consumption has been reported by epidemiological studies as having health benefits, particularly in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, any level of alcohol intake has recently been recognized as harmful, an occurrence that the modern wine industry is tackling by increasing the production of wines with reduced alcohol content. Nevertheless, nowadays, wine continues to be consumed for the pleasure it can provide and for its role as a social catalyzer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) may often progress towards more sustained forms of the arrhythmia, but further research is needed on the factors associated with this clinical course. Methods: We analyzed patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study of AF patients. Patients with paroxysmal AF at baseline or first-detected AF (with successful cardioversion) were included. According to rhythm status at 1 year, patients were stratified into: (i) No AF progression and (ii) AF progression. All-cause death was the primary outcome. Results: A total of 2688 patients were included (median age 67 years, interquartile range 60–75, females 44.7%). At 1-year of follow-up, 2094 (77.9%) patients showed no AF progression, while 594 (22.1%) developed persistent or permanent AF. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, no physical activity (odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.02–1.78), valvular heart disease (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23–2.15), left atrial diameter (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05), or left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–1.00) were independently associated with AF progression at 1 year. After the assessment at 1 year, the patients were followed for an extended follow-up of 371 days, and those with AF progression were independently associated with a higher risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.09–2.89) compared to no-AF-progression patients. Conclusions: In a contemporary cohort of AF patients, a substantial proportion of patients presenting with paroxysmal or first-detected AF showed progression of the AF pattern within 1 year, and clinical factors related to cardiac remodeling were associated with progression. AF progression was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterojunctions based on metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are promising systems for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, we coupled Cs3Bi2Br9 nanocrystals (NCs), obtained by wet ball milling synthesis, with g-C3N4 nanosheets (NSs), produced by thermal oxidation of bulk g-C3N4, in air. These methods are reproducible, inexpensive and easy to scale up. Heterojunctions with different loadings of Cs3Bi2Br9 NCs were fully characterised and tested for the HER. A relevant improvement of H2 production with respect to pristine carbon nitride was achieved at low NCs levels reaching values up to about 4600 µmol g−1 h−1. This work aims to provide insights into the synthesis of inexpensive and high-performing heterojunctions using MHP for photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs), in particular lead-based perovskites, have earned recognized fame in several fields for their outstanding optoelectronic properties, including direct generation of free charge carriers, optimal ambipolar charge carrier transport properties, high absorption coefficient, point-defect tolerance, and compositional versatility. Nowadays, this class of materials represents a real and promising alternative to silicon for photovoltaic technologies. This worthy success led to a growing interest in the exploration of MHPs in other hot research fields, such as solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting towards hydrogen production. Nevertheless, many of these perovskites show air and moisture instability problems that considerably hinder their practical application for photocatalytic water splitting. Moreover, if chemical instability is a problem that can be in part mitigated by the optimization of the chemical composition and crystal structure, the presence of lead represents a real problem for the practical application of MHPs in commercial devices due to environmental and healthcare issues. To successfully overcome these problems, lead-free metal halide perovskites (LFMHPs) have gained increasing interest thanks to their optoelectronic properties, comparable to lead-based materials, and their more eco-friendly nature. Among all the lead-free perovskite alternatives, this mini-review considers bismuth-based perovskites and perovskite derivatives with a specific focus on solar-driven photocatalysis application for H2 evolution. Special attention is dedicated to the structure and composition of the different materials and to the advantage of heterojunction engineering and the relative impact on the photocatalytic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, its genesis and progression are caused by homeostatic errors, and reactive oxygen species play a major role in promoting aberrant cancer homeostasis. In this scenario, curcumin could be an interesting candidate due to its versatile antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-HIV, and anti-infection properties. Nonetheless, the major problem related to its use is its poor oral bioavailability, which can be overcome by encapsulating it into small particles, such as hydrogel beads containing mesoporous silica. In this work, various systems have been synthesized: starting from mesoporous silica glasses (MGs), cerium-containing MGs have been produced; then, these systems have been loaded with 4 to 6% of curcumin. Finally, various MGs at different compositions have been included in alginate beads. In vitro studies showed that these hybrid materials enable the stabilization and effective delivery of curcumin and that a synergic effect can be achieved if Ce3+/Ce4+ and curcumin are both part of the beads. From swelling tests, it is possible to confirm a controlled curcumin release compartmentalized into the gastrointestinal tract. For all beads obtained, a curcumin release sufficient to achieve the antioxidant threshold has been reached, and a synergic effect of cerium and curcumin is observed. Moreover, from catalase mimetic activity tests, we confirm the well-known catalytic activity of the couple Ce3+/Ce4+. In addition, an extremely good radical scavenging effect of curcumin has been demonstrated. In conclusion, these systems, able to promote an enzymatic-like activity, can be used as drug delivery systems for curcumin-targeted dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telemedicine requires either the use of digital tools or a minimum technological knowledge of the patients. Digital health literacy may influence the use of telemedicine in most patients, particularly those with frailty. We aimed to explore the association between frailty, the use of digital tools, and patients' digital health literacy. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients referred to arrhythmia outpatient clinics of our cardiology department from March to September 2022. Patients were divided according to frailty status as defined by the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) into robust, pre-frail, and frail. The degree of digital health literacy was assessed through the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI), which explores seven digital skill categories measured by 21 self-report questions. Results: A total of 300 patients were enrolled (36.3% females, median age 75 (66–84)) and stratified according to frailty status as robust (EFS ≤ 5; 70.7%), pre-frail (EFS 6–7; 15.7%), and frail (EFS ≥ 8; 13.7%). Frail and pre-frail patients used digital tools less frequently and accessed the Internet less frequently compared to robust patients. In the logistic regression analysis, frail patients were significantly associated with the non-use of the Internet (adjusted odds ratio 2.58, 95% CI 1.92–5.61) compared to robust and pre-frail patients. Digital health literacy decreased as the level of frailty increased in all the digital domains examined. Conclusions: Frail patients are characterized by lower use of digital tools compared to robust patients, even though these patients would benefit the most from telemedicine. Digital skills were strongly influenced by frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of varying process parameters during bio-catalyzed leaching of metals from end-of-life printed circuit boards (PCBs) was investigated. Fragmented PCBs (under 2 mm) were subjected to an indirect bioleaching in a stirred tank reactor while pulp density, pH and initial ferric iron content were varied. An iron oxidizing Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans 61 microbial strain was used to generate the lixiviant through oxidizing Fe(II) to Fe(III). Chemically generated Fe(III) was tested as lixiviant under the same conditions as the biological one for comparative purposes. Cell enumeration during leaching and microscopic observations of the input and leached PCBs were conducted in parallel to shed light on the observed phenomena. The degree of bringing metals in solution was found to depend mainly on ferric iron concentration and pH. For the entire duration being always kept as 24 h, substantial portion of Cu (~87%) was extracted respectively at 1% pulp density (PD), 15.5 g/L Fe3+ and pH 1. For Zn and Ni, nearly 100% recovery was observed at 5% PD, 18 g/L Fe3+ and pH 1.1. The achieved results offer possibilities for further studies at higher pulp density, to ultimately render the bioleaching approach as enabling economical and environmentally friendly technology for urban mining of non-ferrous metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsating heat pipe is a promising two-phase heat transfer device that has many advantages such as a simple wickless structure and high thermal performance. Its thermal behavior is inherently time-dependent, and it can also be characterized by substantial spatial variations. However, there are few studies investigating the interaction or similarity of the local physical quantities, such as heat fluxes exchanged between the working fluid and the device wall in adjacent branches. In the present work, a new approach based on the application of cross-correlation analysis to local heat fluxes is proposed to deepen the understanding of the flow characteristics in pulsating heat pipes. The temperature distribution in the condenser of a seven-turn pulsating heat pipe was measured with an infrared camera, changing the power input. The local heat flux distributions were estimated by solving the inverse heat conduction problem in the tube wall. The cross-correlation of the heat fluxes at different positions of central and edge tubes in the condenser was analyzed. The result revealed the different trends in the cross-correlation depending on the power input: there were no clear cross-correlations in 0.5 W, while it was shown more clearly on the diagonal line with increasing power input to 2 W and 3.5 W because of the more activated flow throughout the heat pipe than that of the low power input. Moreover, the results of 3.5 W indicated a synchronized flow. It is suggested that the original approach presented in this work would lead to a deeper understanding of the chaotic fluid oscillation in pulsating heat pipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of invasive alien species on native communities can act at different levels both by affecting the ecosystem's structure (i.e., mainly in the case of vegetation) and through direct interactions (i.e., competition for food or space). Behavioral studies under controlled conditions can provide relevant information on both the invasive potential of alien species and the potential impact of the invaders on the local native species. In the laboratory, the competition for food resources between the invasive oriental shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus, Rathbun, 1902, and the Mediterranean native shrimp Palaemon elegans, Rathke, 1836, was analyzed. These species are typical residents of coastal transitional and estuarine waters, so the experiments were carried out using two salinity conditions that characterize the coastal lagoon of Venice. Although at both salinity treatments the alien species tended to be more aggressive than the native one, significant differences between the two species were mainly observed at a salinity of 30. In particular, at a salinity of 30, P. macrodactylus spent more time attending to the food source than the native species. The results are discussed in light of the potential inter-specific competition between the two species within the conditions of the Venice lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is known for its therapeutic properties; among these, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer ones stand out. Besides, curcumin metal complexes have shown widespread application in medicine and can be exploited as lead structures for developing metal-based drugs. Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly bioavailable, mainly due to its instability in physiological conditions; this weakness is tightly connected to the presence of the β-diketo moiety undergoing tautomeric equilibrium. Stability and metal-chelating ability can be tuned by modulating the electronic effects and steric hindrance close to the β-diketo moiety; in addition, formation of a metal complex shifts the tautomeric equilibrium towards the β-keto–enol form and increases stability in biological media. Among the metals used in clinical therapy, gallium nitrate has shown to have significant antitumor activity against non-Hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer, thus indicating that gallium-based drugs have potential for further development as antineoplastic agents with improved therapeutic activity. Curcuminoids have demonstrated high affinity for gallium(III), allowing the formation of stable positively charged M:L 1:2 β-diketonate complexes that benefit from the therapeutic activity of both the metal and the ligand. Seven new curcumin derivatives were synthesized and completely characterized. The new derivatives retain the solvent-dependent keto–enol tautomerism, with the prevalence of the diketo form in aqueous solution. Enhanced stability in simulated physiological conditions was observed in comparison to the lead compound curcumin. The presence of Ga3+ anticipates the dissociation of the enolic proton, allowing chelate complex formation, and simultaneously it shifts the tautomeric equilibrium towards the keto–enol form. A complete 1H/13C NMR and UV–Vis study was performed to define the metal-to-ligand stoichiometry ratio and the overall stability constants. In addition, we demonstrated that some of the derivatives have increased antiproliferative activity on colon cancer cells compared to curcumin and antioxidant properties. On the whole, the synthesized curcumin-based molecules may act as new gallium(III) chelators with improved stability with respect to curcumin and could open interesting perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosinergic signaling is an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and extracellular accumulation of adenosine (Ado) and is associated with different pathologies, such as cancer. In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a subset of CD133/CXCR4+ cancer stem cell (CSCs) has been demonstrated to initiate bone metastases. Here we investigated how NSCLC CSCs interact with osteoclasts (OCs) and osteoblasts (OBs) by modulating Ado production and OC activity. We proved that CSC-spheres, generated in vitro from NSCLC cell lines, express CD38, PC-1, and CD73, enzymes of the non-canonical adenosinergic pathway, produce high level of Ado, and down-regulate A1R and A3R inhibitory receptors, while expressing A2AR and A2BR. To address the Ado role and modulation of the in-bone pre-metastatic niche, we performed co-cultures of CSC-spheres with OCs and OBs cells. Firstly, we verified that active OCs do not activate non-canonical the adenosinergic pathway, conversely to OBs. OCs co-cultured with CSC-spheres increase Ado production that is related to the OC resorption activity and contributes to T-cell suppression. Finally, we proved the efficacy of anti-CD73 agents in blocking NSCLC cell migration. Overall, we assessed the importance of adenosinergic signaling in the interaction between CSCs and OCs at the pre-metastatic niche, with therapeutic implications related to Ado production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a universally recognised predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative treatments, whose diagnosis, nowadays, is still postponed to surgery, through histopathological specimen investigation. This retrospective study aims to exploit a radiomic approach to pre-procedural diagnosis MVI in early-stage HCC, with a diameter ≤ 3 cm. The main novelty of the study is the use of the zone of transition (ZOT), crossing tumour and peritumour, detected adaptively through a standardized procedure based on the analysis of image gradients. After generating radiomics features from ZOT and tumour core in arterial and venous computed tomography phases, a classifier is trained and validated using a signature of four features only. The achieved radiomic model enables the early diagnosis of small HCC (≤3 cm) showing MVI with high specificity (82%) and sensitivity (79%), perspectively providing an effective tool to detect the best candidates for surgical treatment and liver transplantation (negative predictive value = 87%). Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a consolidated predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after treatments. No reliable radiological imaging findings are available for preoperatively diagnosing MVI, despite some progresses of radiomic analysis. Furthermore, current MVI radiomic studies have not been designed for small HCC nodules, for which a plethora of treatments exists. This study aimed to identify radiomic MVI predictors in nodules ≤3.0 cm by analysing the zone of transition (ZOT), crossing tumour and peritumour, automatically detected to face the uncertainties of radiologist's tumour segmentation. Methods: The study considered 117 patients imaged by contrast-enhanced computed tomography; 78 patients were finally enrolled in the radiomic analysis. Radiomic features were extracted from the tumour and the ZOT, detected using an adaptive procedure based on local image contrast variations. After data oversampling, a support vector machine classifier was developed and validated. Classifier performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and related metrics. Results: The original 89 HCC nodules (32 MVI+ and 57 MVI−) became 169 (62 MVI+ and 107 MVI−) after oversampling. Of the four features within the signature, three are ZOT heterogeneity measures regarding both arterial and venous phases. On the test set (19MVI+ and 33MVI−), the classifier predicts MVI+ with area under the curve of 0.86 (95%CI (0.70–0.93), p∼10 − 5 ), sensitivity = 79% and specificity = 82%. The classifier showed negative and positive predictive values of 87% and 71%, respectively. Conclusions: The classifier showed the highest diagnostic performance in the literature, disclosing the role of ZOT heterogeneity in predicting the MVI+ status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of Modern Heritage buildings is nowadays a challenging issue as they are often degraded or abandoned and their historical value is not well acknowledged by potential buyers and their owners. Moreover, they are usually energy inefficient and obsolete, but investments for energy retrofit interventions are not always convenient, especially in socio-economic contexts characterized by weak real-estate market dynamics. This paper aims to study the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics on housing prices and, in particular, to understand whether elements of building cultural connotations or some housing green features are monetized by the real estate market. The UNESCO site "Ivrea, industrial city of the 20th century", located in the weak real-estate context of the Eporediese territorial area, was selected as an emblematic case study and two data samples of property listings were built to perform spatial regression analyses. The results showed that the green features of housing, such as the heating type and the EPC level, have a greater influence on property prices than those characteristics related to the cultural connotations of a building, such as the Olivettian context. Therefore, the current incentive-based policies for energy efficiency can represent great opportunities that can be exploited both to preserve and to improve the condition of this valuable Modern Heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may be associated with a risk of progression towards long-lasting episodes (≥24 h) and clinical atrial fibrillation (AF). Identification of this subset of patients is key to promptly starting oral anticoagulant therapy and possibly avoiding stroke and systemic thromboembolism. In the present study, we describe the clinical characteristics of 104 retrospectively enrolled patients with AHRE episodes lasting 5 min–23 h 59 min, no AF at 12-lead ECG, and no history of prior clinical AF. Moreover, we define predictors of the composite outcome of clinical AF and/or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h. Over a median follow-up of 24.3 (10.6–40.3) months, 31/104 (29.8%) patients experienced the composite outcome. Baseline CHA2DS2-VASc score and the longest AHRE episode at enrollment lasting 12 h–23 h 59 min were independently associated with the composite outcome and with incident clinical AF as well. To conclude, in patients with AHRE, the incidence of clinical AF or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h is high. Baseline patients' characteristics (CHA2DS2-VASc score) and AHRE duration may help to intensify monitoring and decision-making, being independently associated with clinical AF in a two-year follow-up. Background. Atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may be associated with a risk of progression towards long-lasting episodes (≥24 h) and clinical atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods. Consecutive CIED patients presenting AHRE (with confirmation of an arrhythmia lasting 5 min–23 h 59 min, atrial rate ≥175/min, with no AF at 12-lead ECG and no prior clinical AF) were retrospectively enrolled. The aims of this study were to describe patients' characteristics and the incidence of adverse events, and second, to identify potential predictors of the composite outcome of clinical AF and/or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h. Results. 104/107 (97.2%) patients (median age 79.7 (74.0–84.2), 33.7% female) had available follow-up data. Over a median follow-up of 24.3 (10.6–40.3) months, 31/104 (29.8%) patients experienced the composite outcome of clinical AF or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h. Baseline CHA2DS2-VASc score and the longest AHRE episode at enrollment lasting 12 h–23 h 59 min were independently associated with the composite outcome (Hazard ratio (HR); 95% CI: 1.40; 1.07–1.83 and HR: 8.15; 95% CI 2.32–28.65, respectively). Baseline CHA2DS2-VASc score and the longest AHRE episode at enrollment lasting 12 h–23 h 59 min were the only independent predictors of incident clinical AF (HR: 1.45; 95% CI 1.06–2.00 and HR: 4.25; 95% CI 1.05–17.20, respectively). Conclusions. In patients with AHRE, the incidence of clinical AF or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h is high in a two-year follow-up. Baseline patients' characteristics (CHA2DS2-VASc score) and AHRE duration may help to intensify monitoring and decision-making, being independently associated with clinical AF at follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beyond the importance of ponds for aquatic and terrestrial life, pond networks seem to be crucial to providing a vital spatial resource in response to global climate change for all migrating and spreading taxa. Additionally, ponds offer sustainable solutions to issues of concern in water management, such as nutrient retention, rainfall interception, or carbon sequestration. Although the ecological role of shallow waters seems clear, significant work must be performed to set future guidelines and actions towards their conservation. The main aims of the present study are to (i) georeference all small temporary wetlands within the Tyrrhenian central Italy coastal area, (ii) evaluate their hydroperiod, and (iii) calculate their surface size variability. We found 137 wetlands, 53 of which were temporary and contained listed habitats. Each wetland's status was assessed in relation to land use and proximity to stressors (e.g., urban centres, railways, roads) while observing the relationship between pond occurrence, lithology, and permeability. Amongst the detected wetlands, we selected and monitored 21 temporary ponds (homogeneously distributed within the study area) for 12 months using images collected by the non-professional drone Parrot Bebop 2. All images were then acquired in ArcGIS to georeference all temporary ponds. The analysis confirmed that the majority of the surveyed ponds are in close proximity to roads and tracks, which might have significant impacts on the preservation of such fragile habitats. Moreover, despite the wide variability of hydroperiod duration, the greater part of the pools fill with water in autumn and dry in summer, in alignment with the Mediterranean climate. This preliminary study allowed for the creation of the first temporary ponds' database, which is useful for monitoring their status in central Italy and planning further studies to assess eventual detrimental effects caused by human-mediated activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ball-milling of materials is a mechanical grinding method that has different effects on treated materials, and can be used for the direct synthesis of organometal halide perovskite (OHP) crystals. Herein, the effect of such a process, extended over a large temporal window, is related to the properties of referential three-dimensional (3D) MAPbI3 (MA = methylammonium) and two-dimensional (2D) PEA2PbI4 (PEA = phenylethylammonium) perovskite crystals. For both 2D and 3D systems, the ball-milling induces a reduction of the crystallite dimension, accompanied by a worsening of the overall crystallinity, but without any sign of amorphization. For MAPbI3, an intriguing room temperature structural transition, from tetragonal to cubic, is observed. The processing in both cases impacts on the morphology, with a reduction of the crystal shape quality connected to the particles' agglomeration tendency. All these effects translate to a "blue shift" of the absorption and emission features, suggesting the use of this technique to modulate the 3D and 2D OHPs' properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial effects in bone cell growth and antibacterial action are currently attributed to Ga3+ ions. Thus, they can be used to upgrade mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs), investigated for tissue engineering, whenever they released therapeutic amounts of gallium ions to the surrounding medium. Three gallium-enriched MBGs with composition (in mol %) xSiO2-yCaO-zP2O5-5Ga2O3, being x = 70, y = 15, z = 10 for Ga_1; x = 80, y = 12, z = 3 for Ga_2; and x = 80, y = 15, z = 0 for Ga_3, were investigated and compared with the gallium-free 80SiO2-15CaO-5P2O5 MBG (B). 29Si and 31P MAS NMR analyses indicated that Ga3+ acts as network modifier in the glass regions with higher polymerization degree and as network former in the zones with high concentration of classical modifiers (Ca2+ ions). Ga_1 and Ga_2 exhibited a quick in vitro bioactive response because they were coated by an apatite-like layer after 1 and 3 days in simulated body fluid. Although we have not conducted biological tests in this paper (cells or bacteria), Ga_1 released high but non-cytotoxic amounts of Ga3+ ions in Todd Hewitt Broth culture medium that were 140 times higher than the IC90 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, demonstrating its potential for tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was the development of heart patches based on gelatin (G) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) to be used as implants to improve heart recovery after corrective surgery for critical congenital heart defects (CHD). Patches were prepared by means of electrospinning to obtain nanofibrous scaffolds and they were loaded with platelet lysate (PL) as a source of growth factors to further enhance the repair process. Scaffolds were characterized for morphology and mechanical properties and for the capability to support in vitro adhesion and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts in order to assess the system's general biocompatibility. Adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells and cardiac cells (cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts from rat fetuses) onto PL-loaded patches was evaluated. Patches presented good elasticity and high stiffness suitable for in vivo adaptation to heart contraction. CS improved adhesion and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, as proof of their biocompatibility. Moreover, they enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells, a crucial mediator of cardiac repair. Cell adhesion and proliferation could be related to elastic properties, which could favor cell motility. The presence of platelet lysate and CS was crucial for the adhesion and proliferation of cardiac cells and, in particular, of cardiomyocytes: G/CS scaffold embedded with PL appeared to selectively promote proliferation in cardiomyocytes but not cardiac fibroblasts. In conclusion, G/CS scaffold seems to be a promising system to assist myocardial-repair processes in young patient, preserving cardiomyocyte viability and preventing cardiac fibroblast proliferation, likely reducing subsequent uncontrolled collagen deposition by fibroblasts following repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the study of the loading and the release of curcuminoids by bioactive glasses (BG) and mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBG). Through a detailed spectroscopic study, it was possible to determine the amount and the type of molecules released in water and in simulated body fluid (SBF). In particular, curcumin and K2T21 show a good ability to be released in di-keto and keto-enolic form, depending from the pH. However, after 24 h, the amount of pristine curcumin release is very low with a consequent increment of degradation products derived by curcuminoids. The presence of -OH groups on curcuminoids is a fundamental pre-requisite in order to obtain a high loading and release in polar solution such as water and SBF. The substrate on which we loaded the drugs does not seem to affect significantly the loading and the release of the drugs. The environment, instead, affects the release: for all the drugs, the release in SBF, buffered at pH of 7.4, is slightly worse than the release in water (basic pH values). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential co-enzyme reported to operate both intra- and extracellularly. In the extracellular space, NAD+ can elicit signals by binding purinergic P2 receptors or it can serve as the substrate for a chain of ectoenzymes. As a substrate, it is converted to adenosine (ADO) and then taken up by the cells, where it is transformed and reincorporated into the intracellular nucleotide pool. Nucleotide-nucleoside conversion is regulated by membrane-bound ectoenzymes. CD38, the main mammalian enzyme that hydrolyzes NAD+, belongs to the ectoenzymatic network generating intracellular Ca2+-active metabolites. Within this general framework, the extracellular conversion of NAD+ can vary significantly according to the tissue environment or pathological conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests that tumor cells exploit such a network for migrating and homing to protected areas and, even more importantly, for evading the immune response. We report on the experience of this lab to exploit human multiple myeloma (MM), a neoplastic expansion of plasma cells, as a model to investigate these issues. MM cells express high levels of surface CD38 and grow in an environment prevalently represented by closed niches hosted in the bone marrow (BM). An original approach of this study derives from the recent use of the clinical availability of therapeutic anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in perturbing tumor viability and enzymatic functions in conditions mimicking what happens in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]