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Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease wherein neutrophils play a key role in plaque evolution. We observed that neutrophil CD11b was associated with a higher necrotic core volume in coronary plaques. Since platelets modulate neutrophil function, we explored the influence of neutrophil–platelet conjugates on the cytokine-modulated neutrophil complex CD11b/CD18 and CCR5 receptor expression. In 55 patients [68.53 ± 7.95 years old (mean ± SD); 71% male], neutrophil positivity for CD11b, CD18 and CCR5 was expressed as Relative Fluorescence Intensity (RFI) and taken as a dependent variable. Cytokines and chemokines were assessed by ELISA. Following log-10-based logarithmic transformation, they were used as independent variables in Model 1 of multiple regression together with Body Mass Index and albumin. Model 1 was expanded with the RFI of neutrophil CD41a+ (model 2). The RFI of neutrophil CD41a+ correlated positively and significantly with CD11b, CD18, and CCR5. In Model 2, CCR5 correlated positively only with the RFI of neutrophil CD41a+. Albumin maintained its positive effect on CD11b in both models. These observations indicate the complexity of neutrophil phenotypic modulation in stable CAD. Despite limitations, these findings suggest there is a role played by neutrophil–platelet interaction on the neutrophil cytokine-modulated expression of adhesive and chemotactic receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-member CLC gene family of Cl− chloride-transporting membrane proteins is divided into plasma membrane-localized Cl− channels and endo-/lysosomal Cl−/H+ antiporters. Accessory proteins have been identified for ClC-K and ClC-2 channels and for the lysosomal ClC-7, but not the other CLCs. Here, we identified TMEM9 Domain Family Member B (TMEM9B), a single-span type I transmembrane protein of unknown function, to strongly interact with the neuronal endosomal ClC-3 and ClC-4 transporters. Co-expression of TMEM9B with ClC-3 or ClC-4 dramatically reduced transporter activity in Xenopus oocytes and transfected HEK cells. For ClC-3, TMEM9B also induced a slow component in the kinetics of the activation time course, suggesting direct interaction. Currents mediated by ClC-7 were hardly affected by TMEM9B, and ClC-1 currents were only slightly reduced, demonstrating specific interaction with ClC-3 and ClC-4. We obtained strong evidence for direct interaction by detecting significant Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), exploiting fluorescence lifetime microscopy-based (FLIM-FRET) techniques between TMEM9B and ClC-3 and ClC-4, but hardly any FRET with ClC-1 or ClC-7. The discovery of TMEM9B as a novel interaction partner of ClC-3 and ClC-4 might have important implications for the physiological role of these transporters in neuronal endosomal homeostasis and for a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms in CLCN3- and CLCN4-related pathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The therapeutic scenario of early-stage (ES) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rapidly evolving. Precision medicine, including both targeted therapy and immunotherapy, has recently entered the clinical practice of neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. However, only a few data are available about oncogene addiction of ES tumors. In this study, we determined the prevalence of the main lung cancer actionable alterations in a consecutive monocentric cohort of ES-NSCLC. We found that the prevalence of targetable alterations was similar between ES and advanced NSCLC, with a significant enrichment in MET exon 14 skipping alterations in ES-NSCLC. Our results can support the role of a biomarker testing strategy to improve the management of ES lung cancer patients. Early-stage (ES) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed in about 30% of cases. The preferred treatment is surgery, but a significant proportion of patients experience recurrence. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy has a limited clinical benefit. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy have recently opened new therapeutic scenarios. However, only a few data are available about the ES-NSCLC molecular landscape and the impact of oncogene addiction on therapy definition. Here, we determined the prevalence of the main lung cancer driver alterations in a monocentric consecutive cohort. Molecular analysis was performed on 1122 cases, including 368 ES and 754 advanced NSCLC. The prevalence of actionable alterations was similar between early and advanced stages. ES-NSCLC was significantly enriched for MET exon-14 skipping alterations and presented a lower prevalence of BRAF p.(V600E) mutation. PD-L1 expression levels, evaluated according to actionable alterations, were higher in advanced than early tumors harboring EGFR, KRAS, MET alterations and gene fusions. Taken together, these results confirm the value of biomarker testing in ES-NSCLC. Although approved targeted therapies for ES-NSCLC are still limited, the identification of actionable alterations could improve patients' selection for immunotherapy, favoring the enrollment in clinical trials and allowing a faster treatment start at disease recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies highlighted the importance of the IK channel for the proliferation and the migration of different types of cancer cells, showing how IK blockers could slow down cancer growth. Based on these data, we wanted to characterize the effects of IK blockers on melanoma metastatic cells and to understand if such effects were exclusively IK-dependent. For this purpose, we employed two different blockers, namely clotrimazole and senicapoc, and two cell lines: metastatic melanoma WM266-4 and pancreatic cancer Panc-1, which is reported to have little or no IK expression. Clotrimazole and senicapoc induced a decrease in viability and the migration of both WM266-4 and Panc-1 cells irrespective of IK expression levels. Patch-clamp experiments on WM266-4 cells revealed Ca2+-dependent, IK-like, clotrimazole- and senicapoc-sensitive currents, which could not be detected in Panc-1 cells. Neither clotrimazole nor senicapoc altered the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. These results suggest that the effects of IK blockers on cancer cells are not strictly dependent on a robust presence of the channel in the plasma membrane, but they might be due to off-target effects on other cellular targets or to the blockade of IK channels localized in intracellular organelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem services a cover crop (CC) provides depend enormously on species choice and tillage system. Here, we evaluated the impact of (a) three winter CCs—rye (Secale cereale L.) and squarrose clover (Trifolium squarrosum L.) monocultures and their mixture, and (b) two tillage systems—roller-crimping of CC residue as dead mulch for no-till (NT) systems and incorporating CC residue into the soil as green manure for conventional tillage (CT) systems—on the performance of organic processing tomato, i.e., plant growth, nutrient accumulation, fruit yield, and weed biomass. The assessments took place over two years in field experiments conducted under Mediterranean conditions. At the termination time, rye and mixture were the most productive and the best weed-suppressive CCs. During tomato growing season, squarrose clover regardless of tillage system stimulated tomato growth, Nitrogen content and uptake, and the yield relative to the other cover crops. Nevertheless, NT generally impaired the tomato nutritional status and increased weed biomass compared to CT despite some potential weed control by cover crops. These two aspects caused a significant drop in tomato yield in all NT systems. The results suggested that, despite the multiple benefits the compared CCs can offer in Mediterranean agroecosystems, legume CCs could be the key to developing feasible organic vegetable no-till systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping perennial legumes with trees can reduce Nitrogen (N) losses, due to the high amount of N accumulated in stable forms in the soil and permanent soil cover during the whole year. Although N cycling improvement in mature agroforestry systems (AFS) was well documented, there is a lack of knowledge regarding systems in transition to AF. In this work, we studied the association of two perennial forage crops, namely ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.), with 1-year old poplars, to evaluate: (i) the agronomic performance of sulla and ryegrass with vs. without intercropped poplar trees; (ii) the N-fixing ability of sulla in association with trees; (iii) the N transfer effect from sulla and growth promoting effect on poplar; and finally (iv) the nitrate leaching reduction due to the presence of poplar trees associated to forage crops. The layout was arranged in a two-factor randomized complete blocks design (RCB) with three replicates. The first factor tested (crop species) implied two different swards, namely sulla and ryegrass. The second factor (cropping system) included two different systems: PAST i.e., a pastoral system without trees, and SIPAST, i.e., a silvo-pastoral system with one poplar tree row beside the sward. Sulla resulted more productive than ryegrass when associated with trees (+35%). No clear trend was observed about the tree influence on N-fixation in sulla, but the amount of N fixed resulted higher in in sulla grown in the SIPAST near the trees (+35%). Poplar plants, even in the first year after planting, resulted effective yet in reducing the nitrate flux from the crops towards ditches. Further investigations are needed to study other swards in young AF and better understand the N dynamics; in particular, it could be worth to assess the nutrient flux in the soil solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation agriculture practices, such as reduced tillage and the incorporation of cover crops, play a crucial role in improving the sustainability of organic farming systems. The aim of this two-year field trial was to evaluate five different organic technical itineraries (ST, IN1, IN2, M1, and M2) which differed on soil management practices adopted before processing tomato transplantation and regarding weed control strategies performed. Soil management practices in comparison consisted of conventional deep tillage (ST and M1) or reduced tillage together with the use of a cover crop mixture composed of common vetch and barley (IN1, IN2, and M2). Weed control strategies involved the use of biodegradable mulch together with mechanical weeding (ST and M2), or false seedbed technique and mechanical weeding (IN1, IN2, and M1). Weed biomass at harvest, tomato yield, and the operational and economic performance of each of the technical itineraries was evaluated. No significant differences emerged in terms of weed biomass at harvest between itineraries. Best yield results were obtained tendentially by ST and M2 when biodegradable mulch was used, with values equal to 42.14 and 41.47 Mg ha−1 in 2020 and 30.68 and 31.19 Mg ha−1 in 2021, respectively. Even though the itineraries where mulch film was used (ST and M2) resulted in significantly onerous processes, they also obtained the highest gross income compared to the other itineraries, with values of 30,998 and 29,900 € ha−1 in 2020, and of 16,060 and 15,186 € ha−1 in 2021, respectively. These results revealed the importance of using mulching to help cope with critical climatic conditions, such as drought seasons. Further studies are needed to evaluate the yield and economic advantages of both the effect of shallower soil tillage over a longer period in this specific context and the creation of ground cover with cover crops managed as dead mulch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though microscopy is most often intended as a technique for providing qualitative assessment of cellular and subcellular properties, when coupled with other instruments such as wavelength selectors, lasers, photoelectric devices and computers, it can perform a wide variety of quantitative measurements, which are demanding in establishing relationships between the properties and structures of biological material in all their spatial and temporal complexities. These combinations of instruments are a powerful approach to improve non-destructive investigations of cellular and subcellular properties (both physical and chemical) at a macromolecular scale resolution. Since many subcellular compartments in living cells are characterized by structurally organized molecules, this review deals with three advanced microscopy techniques well-suited for these kind of investigations, i.e., microspectrophotometry (MSP), super-resolution localization microscopy (SRLM) and holotomographic microscopy (HTM). These techniques can achieve an insight view into the role intracellular molecular organizations such as photoreceptive and photosynthetic structures and lipid bodies play in many cellular processes as well as their biophysical properties. Microspectrophotometry uses a set-up based on the combination of a wide-field microscope and a polychromator, which allows the measurement of spectroscopic features such as absorption spectra. Super resolution localization microscopy combines dedicated optics and sophisticated software algorithms to overcome the diffraction limit of light and allow the visualization of subcellular structures and dynamics in greater detail with respect to conventional optical microscopy. Holotomographic microscopy combines holography and tomography techniques into a single microscopy set-up, and allows 3D reconstruction by means of the phase separation of biomolecule condensates. This review is organized in sections, which for each technique describe some general aspects, a peculiar theoretical aspect, a specific experimental configuration and examples of applications (fish and algae photoreceptors, single labeled proteins and endocellular aggregates of lipids). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal lagoons and brackish ponds are extremely dynamic and temporary ecosystems that follow natural changes throughout their geological history. The correct management of the lagoons ensures their integrity and proper functioning. For this reason, their ecological status should be surveyed for assessing the most appropriate strategies of use. In the present study, historical datasets collected in 2003–2004 are used to investigate the spatiotemporal variation in the species composition and community structure of the macrobenthos of the Tortolì Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy) and to assess their relationship with key environmental variables. Owing to the presence of a riverine runoff at a site and confined areas at some distance from the sea inlet, we hypothesize the marked spatiotemporal changes of the macrobenthic community consistent with the high environmental variability typical of coastal lagoons. The results show a surprisingly high benthic biodiversity for a medium-sized lagoon (250 ha), with 101 species unevenly distributed across the lagoon. The environmental variables did not explain the zonation of the macrobenthic community as that typically found along a lagoonal gradient, due to a marked marine influence. The sampling sites were in fact discriminated by the species distribution according to their ecological affinity; in particular, the most distinctive characteristics of the Tortolì Lagoon emerged from the strictly marine species that represented the most abundant group, consistently with the high marinization of the lagoon. Our results show that the Tortolì Lagoon constitutes a peculiar ecosystem within Mediterranean lagoons, departing from the classic confinement theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Infections are among the most frequent and life-threatening complications of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome and safety of a single-procedure device extraction and contralateral implantation versus the standard-of-care (SoC) two-stage replacement for infected CIEDs. (2) Methods: We retrospectively included 66 patients with CIED infections who were treated at two Italian hospitals. Of the 66 patients enrolled in the study, 27 underwent a single procedure, whereas 39 received SoC treatment. All patients were followed up for 12 months after the procedure. (3) Results: Considering those lost to follow-up, there were no differences in the mortality rates between the two cohorts, with survival rates of 81.5% in the single-procedure group and 84.6% in the SoC group (p = 0.075). (4) Conclusions: Single-procedure reimplantation associated with an active antibiofilm therapy may be a feasible and effective therapeutic option in CIED-dependent and frail patients. Further studies are warranted to define the best treatment regimen and strategies to select patients suitable for the single-procedure reimplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in the bone regeneration of critical-sized defects (CSD) filled with inorganic bovine bone associated or not with collagen membranes. The study has been conducted on 40 critical defects in the calvaria of male rats, divided into four experimental groups (n = 10): (1) DBBM (deproteinized bovine bone mineral); (2) GBR (DBBM+collagen membrane); (3) DBBM+P (DBBM+photobiomodulation); and (4) GBR+P (GBR+photobiomodulation). At 30 days postoperative, the animals were euthanized, and after the tissue had been processed, histological, histometric, and statistical analyses were performed. The analyses have taken into account newly formed bone area (NBA), linear bone extension (LBE), and residual particle area (RPA) as variables. The Kruskal-Wallis test has been performed, followed by the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner test for comparison between groups (p < 0.05). When the DBBM+P group was compared to the DBBM group, it was possible to observe significant statistical differences in all the variables analyzed (p < 0.05). The application of photobiomodulation in guided bone regeneration (GBR+P) has shown a decrease in the median value for the RPA variable (26.8) when compared to the GBR group (32.4), with a significant statistical difference; however, for NBA and LBE, the therapy has not provided significant results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of roller crimpers to terminate plants and obtain a natural mulch before cash crop establishment has been identified as a valid and sustainable approach to control weeds. Several enhancements have been evaluated to improve and speed up plant termination to avoid delays in cash crop planting and consequent yield losses, which can occur with standard roller crimpers. In the present study, a new prototype machine provided with a roller crimper and an undercutting blade, allowing it to simultaneously crimp plant stems and cut root systems, has been designed, realized, and tested. The aim of the research was therefore to evaluate the effectiveness of the prototype for plant termination and to compare it with a commercial roller crimper. The termination was performed on a spontaneous vegetation cover (weeds). A monophasic exponential decay model to evaluate the weed termination rate over time was performed. The fitted model showed that the prototype is able to achieve a greater and faster weed devitalization compared to the commercial roller crimper, with a lower plateau (0.23 vs. 5.35 % of greenness of plant material, respectively) and higher constant of decay (1.45 vs. 0.39 day−1, respectively). Further studies are needed to evaluate the prototype's effectiveness in relation to different soil textures, moisture conditions, and amounts of plant biomass to manage, to further improve the machine and extend its use in a broad range of situations, including cover crop termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Coronary atherosclerosis is a chronic non-resolving inflammatory process wherein the interaction of innate immune cells and platelets plays a major role. Circulating neutrophils, in particular, adhere to the activated endothelium and migrate into the vascular wall, promoting monocyte recruitment and influencing plaque phenotype and stability at all stages of its evolution. We aimed to evaluate, by flow cytometry, if blood neutrophil number and phenotype—including their phenotypic relationships with platelets, monocytes and lymphocytes—have an association with lipid-rich necrotic core volume (LRNCV), a generic index of coronary plaque vulnerability, in a group of stable patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Methods: In 55 patients, (68.53 ± 1.07 years of age, mean ± SEM; 71% male), the total LRNCV in each subject was assessed by a quantitative analysis of all coronary plaques detected by computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) and was normalized to the total plaque volume. The expression of CD14, CD16, CD18, CD11b, HLA-DR, CD163, CCR2, CCR5, CX3CR1, CXCR4 and CD41a cell surface markers was quantified by flow cytometry. Adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines, as well as MMP9 plasma levels, were measured by ELISA. Results: On a per-patient basis, LRNCV values were positively associated, by a multiple regression analysis, with the neutrophil count (n°/µL) (p = 0.02), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.007), neutrophil/platelet ratio (p = 0.01), neutrophil RFI CD11b expression (p = 0.02) and neutrophil–platelet adhesion index (p = 0.01). Significantly positive multiple regression associations of LRNCV values with phenotypic ratios between neutrophil RFI CD11b expression and several lymphocyte and monocyte surface markers were also observed. In the bivariate correlation analysis, a significantly positive association was found between RFI values of neutrophil–CD41a+ complexes and neutrophil RFI CD11b expression (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that a sustained increase in circulating neutrophils, together with the up-regulation of the integrin/activation membrane neutrophil marker CD11b may contribute, through the progressive intra-plaque accumulation of necrotic/apoptotic cells exceeding the efferocytosis/anti-inflammatory capacity of infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes, to the relative enlargement of the lipid-rich necrotic core volume of coronary plaques in stable CAD patients, thus increasing their individual risk of acute complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce is widely used for its healthy properties, and it is of interest to increase them with minimal environmental impact. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Salinas) cultivated in a soilless system with sub-optimal phosphorus (P) compared with non-inoculated controls at two different P concentrations. Results show that lettuce inoculation with the selected AMF can improve the growth and the nutritional quality of lettuce even at sub-optimal P. Leaf content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenols, known as important bioactive compounds for human health, was higher in mycorrhizal lettuce plants compared with non-mycorrhizal plants. The antioxidant capacity in AMF plants showed higher values compared with control plants grown at optimal P nutrition level. Moreover, leaf gas exchanges were higher in inoculated plants than in non-inoculated ones. Nitrogen, P, and magnesium leaf content was significantly higher in mycorrhizal plants compared with non-mycorrhizal plants grown with the same P level. These findings suggest that F. mosseae can stimulate plants growth, improving the nutritional quality of lettuce leaves even when grown with sub-optimal P concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the ecotoxicity of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics (MPs) in two marine zooplankton: the crustacean Artemia franciscana and the cnidarian Aurelia sp. (common jellyfish). To achieve this goal, (i) MP uptake, (ii) immobility, and (iii) behavior (swimming speed, pulsation mode) of crustacean larval stages and jellyfish ephyrae exposed to MPs concentrations (1, 10, 100 mg/L) were assessed for 24 h. Using traditional and novel techniques, i.e., epifluorescence microscopy and 3D holotomography (HT), PVDF and PLA MPs were found in the digestive systems of the crustaceans and in the gelatinous tissue of jellyfish. Immobility was not affected in either organism, while a significant behavioral alteration in terms of pulsation mode was found in jellyfish after exposure to both PVDF and PLA MPs. Moreover, PLA MPs exposure in jellyfish induced a toxic effect (EC50: 77.43 mg/L) on the behavioral response. This study provides new insights into PLA and PVDF toxicity with the potential for a large impact on the marine ecosystem, since jellyfish play a key role in the marine food chain. However, further investigations incorporating additional species belonging to other trophic levels are paramount to better understand and clarify the impact of such polymers at micro scale in the marine environment. These findings suggest that although PVDF and PLA have been recently proposed as innovative and, in the case of PLA, biodegradable polymers, their effects on marine biota should not be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide challenging and threatening pandemic. Multinational, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trials were conducted since the beginning of pandemic because safe and effective vaccines were needed urgently. In most trials of COVID-19 vaccines patients affected by malignancies or on treatment with immunosuppressive drugs were excluded. Patients and methods: A retrospective monocentric study was conducted at Medical Oncological Unit of Santa Chiara Hospital (Pisa, Italy) in this subset of population to investigate safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines; 377 patients with solid tumor on treatment were enrolled. Vaccine-related adverse events were recorded using a face-to-face questionnaire including a toxicity grading scale. Most of the patients (94%) received mRNA vaccine as indicated by Italian health ministry guidelines. Mean age was 66 years (range 27–87), 62% of the patients were older than 65 years and 68% had at least one additional comorbidity. The majority (86%) of patients were in a metastatic setting and 29% received immunotherapy-based treatment. For statistical analysis, multivariate binary logistic regression models were performed and linear regression models were applied. Results: Adverse events were mild and transient and ended in a few days without any sequelae. No severe or uncommon adverse events were recorded. In multivariate analysis, we found that the female sex was associated with a greater risk of more severe and longer lasting adverse events, and a higher risk of adverse events was found for patients treated with immunotherapy. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that COVID-19 vaccines were safe and well-tolerated in this population of patients being treated for solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, acting on the arterial wall, promotes less or more coronary plaque macro-calcification, respectively. We investigated the association between monocyte phenotypic polarization and CTCA-assessed plaque dense-calcium volume (DCV) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: In 55 patients, individual DCV component was assessed by quantitative CTCA and normalized to total plaque volume. Flow cytometry expression of CD14, CD16, CD18, CD11b, HLA-DR, CD163, CCR2, CCR5, CX3CR1 and CXCR4 was quantified. Adhesion molecules and cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: DCV values were significantly associated, by multiple regression analysis, with the expression (RFI) of CCR5 (p = 0.04), CX3CR1 (p = 0.03), CCR2 (p = 0.02), CD163 (p = 0.005) on all monocytes, and with the phenotypic M2-like polarization ratio, RFI CCR5/CD11b (p = 0.01). A positive correlation with the increased expression of chemokines receptors CCR2, CCR5 and CX3CR1 on subsets Mon1 was also present. Among cytokines, the ratio between IL-10 and IL-6 was found to be strongly associated with DCV (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The association between DCV and M2-like phenotypic polarization of circulating monocytes indicates that plaque macro-calcification in stable CAD may be partly modulated by an anti-inflammatory monocyte functional state, as evidenced by cell membrane receptor patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Chances of surviving sepsis increase markedly upon prompt diagnosis and treatment. As most sepsis cases initially show-up in the Emergency Department (ED), early recognition of a septic patient has a pivotal role in sepsis management, despite the lack of precise guidelines. The aim of this study was to identify the most accurate predictors of inhospital mortality outcome in septic patients admitted to the ED. Materials and Methods: We compared 651 patients admitted to ED for sepsis (cases) with 363 controls (non-septic patients). A Bayesian mean multivariate logistic regression model was performed in order to identify the most accurate predictors of in-hospital mortality outcomes in septic patients. Results: Septic shock and positive qSOFA were identified as risk factors for in-hospital mortality among septic patients admitted to the ED. Hyperthermia was a protective factor for in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Physicians should bear in mind that fever is not a criterium for defining sepsis; according to our results, absence of fever upon presentation might be indicative of greater severity and diagnosis of sepsis should not be delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise may affect lipid profile which in turn is related to inflammation, although changes of ceramides, diacylglycerols-DAG and sphingomyelin-SM and their relationship with inflammatory parameters following a half-marathon have never been examined. Methods: Ceramides, DAG and SM, and markers of inflammation (soluble fractalkine-CX3CL1, vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF, interleukin6-IL-6 and tumor necrosis factorα-TNFα) were evaluated in trained half-marathoners before, post-race (withdrawal within 20 min after the race end) and 24 h after. Results: IL-6 and CX3CL1 increased immediately after the race, returning to baseline after 24 h. Total ceramides and total DAG significantly decreased post-race. Several ceramide classes decreased after exercise, while only one of the DAG (36:3) changed significantly. Total SM and specific species did not significantly change. Conclusion: Some inflammatory parameters (IL-6 and CX3CL1) transiently increased after the race, and, being reversible, these changes might represent a physiological response to acute exercise rather than a damage-related response. The decrease of specific lipid classes, i.e., DAGs and ceramides, and the lack of their relationship with inflammatory parameters, suggest their involvement in beneficial training effects, opening promising research perspectives to identify additional mechanisms of aerobic exercise adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal energy is a key renewable energy for Italy, with an annual electric production of 6.18 TWh. The future of geothermal energy is concerned with clarity over the CO2 emissions from power plants and geological contexts where CO2 is produced naturally. The Mt. Amiata volcanic–geothermal area (AVGA) is a formidable natural laboratory for investigating the relative roles of natural degassing of CO2 and CO2 emissions from geothermal power plants (GPPs). This research is based on measuring the soil gas flux in the AVGA and comparing the diffuse volcanic soil gas emissions with the emissions from geothermal fields in operation. The natural flux of soil gas is high, independently from the occurrence of GPPs in the area, and the budget for natural diffuse gas flux is high with respect to power plant gas emissions. Furthermore, the CO2 emitted from power plants seems to reduce the amount of natural emissions because of the gas flow operated by power plants. During the GPPs' life cycle, CO2 emissions in the atmosphere are reduced further because of the reinjection of gas-free aqueous fluids in geothermal reservoirs. Therefore, the currently operating GPPs in the AVGA produce energy at a zero-emission level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we build a subsurface model that helps in visualizing and understanding the structural framework, geology and their interactions with the Mt. Amiata geothermal system. Modelling in 3D provides the possibility to interpolate the geometry of structures and is an effective way of understanding geological features. The 3D modelling approach appears to be crucial for further progress in the reconstruction of the assessment of the geothermal model of Mt. Amiata. Furthermore, this model is used as the basis of a 3D numerical thermo-fluid-dynamic model of the existing reservoir(s). The integration between borehole data and numerical modelling results allows reconstructing the temperature distribution in the subsoil of the Mt. Amiata area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innate immune cells such as monocytes and macrophages are activated in response to microbial and other challenges and mount an inflammatory defensive response. Exposed cells develop the so-called innate memory, which allows them to react differently to a subsequent challenge, aiming at better protection. In this study, using human primary monocytes in vitro, we have assessed the memory-inducing capacity of two antigenic molecules of Schistosoma mansoni in soluble form compared to the same molecules coupled to outer membrane vesicles of Neisseria lactamica. The results show that particulate challenges are much more efficient than soluble molecules in inducing innate memory, which is measured as the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IL-10). Controls run with LPS from Klebsiella pneumoniae compared to the whole bacteria show that while LPS alone has strong memory-inducing capacity, the entire bacteria are more efficient. These data suggest that microbial antigens that are unable to induce innate immune activation can nevertheless participate in innate activation and memory when in a particulate form, which is a notion that supports the use of nanoparticulate antigens in vaccination strategies for achieving adjuvant-like effects of innate activation as well as priming for improved reactivity to future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of food quality, traditionally based on nutritional and sensory properties, has recently acquired an additional meaning, referring to the health-promoting properties of plant products, that are ascribed to plant secondary metabolites called phytochemicals, primarily represented by polyphenolic compounds and glucosinolates. The diversity and content of phytochemicals in plant products are affected by different variables, such as plant genotype, agronomic factors, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which establish mycorrhizal symbioses with most crops, including cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruit trees, sunflower, cotton, and sugarcane. AMF and associated bacteria enhance plant growth and health, and affect the production of polyphenols and carotenoids, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The production of health-promoting phytochemicals was shown to be differentially modulated by different AMF isolates and bacterial strains, in several food plants, i.e., tomato, lettuce, strawberry, artichoke, maize, grapevine, sunflower. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies concerning the multiple roles played by AMF and associated bacteria in the modulation of the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites with health-promoting activity, and discuss the development of designed multifunctional consortia to be used in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone of treatment for prostate cancer and, in recent years, androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies (abiraterone and enzalutamide) have both been used for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In our study, we sought to investigate the association between ADT and immune disorders, considering a potential role of androgens in the immune modulation. We retrospectively evaluated CRPC patients treated with abiraterone/enzalutamide between July 2011 and December 2018. We assessed the risk of developing immune alterations and their impact on outcome. We included 844 CRPC patients receiving AR-directed therapies, of whom 36 (4.3%) had autoimmune diseases and 47 (5.6%) second tumors as comorbidities. Median age was 70 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 63–75)]. We showed higher significant incidence of autoimmune diseases during their hormone sensitive status (p = 0.021) and the presence of autoimmune comorbidities before starting treatment with abiraterone/enzalutamide was significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS) (10.1 vs. 13.7 months, HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.03–2.27, p = 0.038). In a multivariate analysis, the presence of autoimmune disorders was an independent predictor of OS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.05–2.60, p = 0.031). In conclusion, CRPC patients with autoimmune alterations before starting AR-directed therapies may have worse prognosis. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess the role of immune modulation in the management of prostate cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial soil microorganisms establishing mutualistic symbioses with the roots of the most important food crops and playing key roles in the maintenance of long-term soil fertility and health. The great inter- and intra-specific AMF diversity can be fully exploited by selecting AMF inocula on the basis of their colonization ability and efficiency, which are affected by fungal and plant genotypes and diverse environmental variables. The multiple services provided by AMF are the result of the synergistic activities of the bacterial communities living in the mycorrhizosphere, encompassing nitrogen fixation, P solubilization, and the production of phytohormones, siderophores, and antibiotics. The tripartite association among host plants, mycorrhizal symbionts, and associated bacteria show beneficial emerging properties which could be efficiently exploited in sustainable agriculture. Further in-depth studies, both in microcosms and in the field, performed on different AMF species and isolates, should evaluate their colonization ability, efficiency, and resilience. Transcriptomic studies can reveal the expression levels of nutrient transporter genes in fungal absorbing hyphae in the presence of selected bacterial strains. Eventually, newly designed multifunctional microbial consortia can be utilized as biofertilizers and biostimulants in sustainable and innovative production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farming systems are considered not compatible with conservation tillage mainly because of the reliance of conservative systems on herbicides. In this three-year field experiment, we tested the performances of an innovative vegetable organic and conservative system (ORG+) combining the use of cover crops (exploited as either living or dead mulch) and no-till techniques. This system was compared to "business-as-usual" organic farming (ORG) and integrated farming system (INT) based on the same crop sequence: savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda L. cv. Famosa), spring lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Justine), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Cv. Montebianco), and summer lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Ballerina RZ). The results of crop yield parameters and weed abundance contribute to spotlight potentialities and weaknesses of organic-conservative management of field vegetables. In particular, ORG+ caused significant yield depletion for all the crops and revealed suboptimal weed control and N availability. The agroecosystem services provided by the cover crops grown in the ORG+ as dead mulch or living mulch were affected by weather conditions and not always resulted in significant crop gain. Nevertheless, interesting results in terms of P availability and reduced N surplus encourage further development of the system targeting more sustainable organic vegetable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No-till practices reduce soil erosion, conserve soil organic carbon, and enhance soil fertility. Yet, many factors could limit their adoption in organic farming. The present study investigated the effects of tillage and cover cropping on weed biomass, plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of an organic processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L. var. Elba F1) over two seasons (2015–2017). We compared systems where processing tomato was transplanted on i) tilled soil following or not a winter cover crop (Trifolium squarrosum L.) and with/without a biodegradable plastic mulch; and ii) no-till where clover was used, after rolling and flaming, as dead mulch. Tomato in no-till suffered from high weed competition and low soil nitrogen availability leading to lower plant growth, N uptake, and yield components with respect to tilled systems. The total yield in no-till declined to 6.8 and 18.3 t ha−1 in 2016 and 2017, respectively, with at least a 65% decrease compared to tilled clover-based systems. No evidence of growth-limiting soil compaction was noticed but a slightly higher soil resistance was in the no-till topsoil. Tillage and cover crop residues did not significantly change tomato quality (pH, total soluble solids, firmness). The incorporation of clover as green manure was generally more advantageous over no-till. This was partly due to the low performance of the cover crop where improvement may limit the obstacles (i.e., N supply and weed infestation) and enable the implementation of no-till in organic vegetable systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]