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Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common arrhythmia in the postoperative setting. We aimed to investigate the incidence of postoperative AF (POAF) and determine its predictors, with a specific focus on inflammation markers. Methods: We performed a retrospective single tertiary center cohort study including consecutive adult patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between January 2016 and January 2020. Patients were divided into four subgroups according to the type of surgery. Results: Among 53,387 included patients (79.4% male, age 64.5 ± 9.5 years), POAF occurred in 570 (1.1%) with a mean latency after surgery of 3.4 ± 2.6 days. Ninety patients died (0.17%) after a mean of 13.7 ± 8.4 days. The 28‐day arrhythmia‐free survival was lower in patients undergoing lung and cardiovascular surgery (p <.001). Patients who developed POAF had higher levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) (0.70 ± 0.03 vs. 0.40 ± 0.01 log10 mg/dl; p <.001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, adjusting for confounding factors, CRP was an independent predictor of POAF [HR per 1 mg/dL increase in log‐scale = 1.81 (95% CI 1.18–2.79); p =.007]. Moreover, independent predictors of POAF were also age (HR/1 year increase = 1.06 (95% CI 1.04–1.08); I <.001), lung and cardiovascular surgery (HR 23.62; (95% CI 5.65–98.73); p <.001), and abdominal and esophageal surgery (HR 6.26; 95% CI 1.48–26.49; p =.013). Conclusions: Lung and cardiovascular surgery had the highest risk of POAF in the presented cohort. CRP was an independent predictor of POAF and postsurgery inflammation may represent a major driver in the pathophysiology of the arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ecosystem comprises all downstream products that employ a certain upstream input. In many cases, final consumers make irreversible investments to join an ecosystem before downstream prices are set. By committing to buy products that use the specific ecosystem input, they are at risk of being held‐up. Unable to observe future prices, consumers base their decisions on what they observe about the market structure within each ecosystem, including vertical contracts signed by the upstream firms. By entering into vertical agreements with multiple competing downstream firms, thus creating a credible expectation of lower prices, an upstream firm is able to mitigate consumers' hold‐up problem and, as a result, increase ecosystem demand. Our main observation is that, in contrast to conventional wisdom, an upstream monopolist merging with one of its downstream affiliates will find it profitable to continue to serve downstream competitors, even when products sold downstream are homogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a diffused neurodegenerative disorder affecting people in advanced age causing loss of memory and dementia. Nowadays, diagnosis and treatment of AD are still challenging due to the lack of diagnostic systems that allow for an early and reliable diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Moreover, conventional strategies for AD diagnosis are based on brain imaging techniques that are invasive and expensive for early and massive screening. Phage display approach, using engineered phage probe for direct amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐autoantibodies detection, overcome these limitations leading to the possibility of safe and low‐cost screening. Moreover, the combination with silicon technology further improves the easiness of diagnosis due to the portability of devices and the integration of sensitive transduction signals. In this work, an innovative silicon‐based sensing technology is reported detecting Aβ‐autoantibodies, specifically Immunoglobulin G (IgG), in human sera by engineered M13‐phage probes (ADPP). The strategy hinges on a bio‐surface that is integrated on top of a silicon biosensor. Thanks to phages probes exposing Aβ‐mimic peptides, this chip can capture and reveal Aβ‐autoantibodies, discriminating between healthy and AD conditions. The surface chemistry is morphologically and chemically characterized and the phage‐based biosensor ability to recognise Aβ‐autoantibodies is proved by transduction with enzyme‐linked anti‐M13 antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The role of dapagliflozin on erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition widely affecting patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has not yet been studied. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin alone or in combination with tadalafil on ED in patients with T2DM. Methods: This was an open‐label, non‐randomized pilot study involving 30 Caucasian male patients with T2DM and severe ED. They were equally divided into three groups, assigned to treatment with tadalafil 5 mg/day (Group 1), tadalafil 5 mg/day plus dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (Group 2) and dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (Group 3) for 3 months. The presence and the severity of ED were evaluated at enrolment and after treatment, by the International Index of Erectile Function 5‐item (IIEF‐5) questionnaire and the dynamic penile echo colour Doppler ultrasound (PCDU) examination. Results: At the end of treatment, the three groups showed a significant improvement in IIEF‐5 score, by 294%, 375% and 197%, in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. PCDU evaluation showed a significant increase in peak systolic velocity by 178.9%, 339% and 153%; acceleration time was significantly shortened in Group 2 (−26.2%) and was significantly lower than in Group 1 and 3 (−7.2% and −6.6%), while no significant difference was found in end‐diastolic velocity after treatment. The greatest rates of improvement were observed in Group 2 for all the end points. Conclusions: Dapagliflozin improves ED in patients with T2DM and enhances the efficacy of tadalafil. Further studies are needed to confirm our results explain the mechanism(s) by which dapagliflozin exerts its effects on ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by the lysosomal enzyme acid β‐glucosidase deficiency. Many patients experience a critical delay in the diagnosis of up to 8–10 years due to its rarity and variability in signs and symptoms, with the consultation of several specialists. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study analyzed the prevalence of GD in 600 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) from January 2018 until February 2022. Results: The mean age of participants was 66 years, with a mean monoclonal component of 0.58 g/dL. In 433 MGUS patients with available data, anemia (hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL) was present in 31 patients (7%), and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100.000/mm3) in 24 (5.5%). Of 600 MGUS patients tested for acid β‐glucosidase enzyme activity, 7 patients (1.2%) had activity below 2.5 nmol/h/mL. In comparison, GBA gene analysis was executed in 110 patients. It revealed 4 patients (0.7%) affected by GD (3 patients with compound heterozygous mutation and 1 with homozygous mutation), with a prevalence of 1 every 150 MGUS patients. Furthermore, 12 out of the remaining 106 evaluated patients (11%) were carriers of a single heterozygous mutation while having regular enzyme activity. Conclusions: The clinical heterogeneity of GD and frequent lack of awareness among physicians often lead to diagnostic delays and severe clinical manifestations. The role of MGUS in the presence of at least one clinical sign, such as low platelet count, organomegaly, bone pain, or bleeding tendency, could aid in initiating GD screening with DBS, thus reducing the period between symptom onset and the diagnosis of this rare disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental remediation of xenobiotic pollutants is an important issue in industrialized society. Catalyst‐mediated pollutant photodegradation using solar light shows promising results. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are a well‐known standard for mineralizing organic water pollutants. Its use as a sludge pointed out the need to support this photocatalyst to ease both its use and recovery. Polymers represent a viable solution because of their versatility, stability, and cheapness. The in situ radical bulk polymerization approach to the development of TiO2‐based thermoplastic nanocomposites for xenobiotic photodegradation enhances the photocatalytic performance of the semiconductor nanoparticles. The versatility and efficiency of these systems pave the way for their industrial applications as photocatalytic coatings for large‐scale surfaces. To shed light on the influences of the chemical nature of the polymer matrix on the photocatalytic efficiency of the nanosystems, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene are investigated as supports for TiO2 NPs. The obtained TiO2‐containing nanocomposites are characterized by thermal analyses, UV‐vis, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering, and contact angle measurements. The photocatalytic activity of the nanosystems in the form of thin films is investigated against pollutants in water solutions, and shows clear differences in the photodegradation efficiency among the nanocomposites having different chemical natures of polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular sequelae may occur in patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Recent studies have detected a considerable incidence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction—assessed with speckle‐tracking echocardiography—and of long‐COVID symptoms in these patients. This study aimed to define the long‐term prognostic role of subclinical myocardial dysfunction and long‐COVID condition in patients recovered from COVID‐19 pneumonia. Methods: We prospectively followed up 110 patients hospitalized at our institution due to COVID‐19 pneumonia in April 2020 and then recovered from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. A 7‐month clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed, followed by a 21‐month clinical follow‐up. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and all‐cause mortality. Results: A subclinical myocardial dysfunction—defined as an impairment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (≥−18%)—was identified at a 7‐month follow‐up in 37 patients (34%), was associated with an increased risk of long‐term MACE with a good discriminative power (area under the curve:.73) and resulted in a strong independent predictor of extended MACE in multivariate regression analyses. Long‐COVID condition was not associated with a worse long‐term prognosis, instead. Conclusions: In patients recovered from COVID‐19 pneumonia, a subclinical myocardial dysfunction is present in one‐third of the whole population at 7‐month follow‐up and is associated with a higher risk of MACE at long‐term follow‐up. Speckle‐tracking echocardiography is a promising tool to optimize the risk‐stratification in patients recovered from COVID‐19 pneumonia, while the definition of a long‐COVID condition has no prognostic relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) and atrial arrhythmias (AAs) are two clinical conditions that characterize the daily clinical practice of cardiologists. In this perspective review, we analyze the shared etiopathogenetic pathways of atrial arrhythmias, which are the most common cause of atrial arrhythmias‐induced cardiomyopathy (AACM) and HF. Hypothesis: The aim is to explore the pathophysiology of these two conditions considering them as a "unicum", allowing the definition of a cardiovascular continuum where it is possible to predict the factors and to identify the patient phenotype most at risk to develop HF due to atrial arrhythmias. Methods: Potentially eligible articles, identified from the Electronic database (PubMed), and related references were used for a literature search that was conducted between January 2022 and January 2023. Search strategies were designed to identify articles that reported atrial arrhythmias in association with heart failure and vice versa. For the search we used the following keywords: atrial arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, arrhythmia‐induced cardiomyopathy, tachycardiomyopathy. We identified 620 articles through the electronic database search. Out of the 620 total articles we removed 320 duplicates, thus selecting 300 eligible articles. About 150 titles/abstracts were excluded for the following reasons: no original available data, no mention of atrial arrhythmias and heart failure crosstalk, very low quality analysis or evidence. We excluded also non‐English articles. When multiple articles were published on the same topic, the articles with the most complete set of data were considered. We preferentially included all papers that could provide the best evidence in the field. As a result, the present review article is based on a final number of 104 references. Results: While the pathophysiology of AACM and Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been studied in detail over the years, the causal link between atrial arrhythmias and heart failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) has been often subject of interest. HFpEF is strictly related to AAs, which has always been considered significant risk factor. In this review we described the pathophysiological links between atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Furthermore, we illustrated and discussed the preclinical and clinical predicting factors of AF and HFpEF, and the corresponding targets of the available therapeutic agents. Finally, we outlined the patient phenotype at risk of developing AF and HFpEF (Central Illustration). Conclusions: In this review, we underline how these two clinical conditions (AF and HFpEF) represent a "unicum" and, therefore, should be considered as a single disease that can manifest itself in the same phenotype of patients but at different times. Furthermore, considering that today we have few therapeutic strategies to treat these patients, it would be good to make an early diagnosis in the initial stages of the disease or intervene even before the development of signs and symptoms of HF. This is possible only by paying greater attention to patients with predisposing factors and carrying out a targeted screening with the correct diagnostic methods. A systemic approach aimed at improving the immuno‐metabolic profile of these patients by lowering the body mass index, threatening the predisposing factors, lowering the mean heart rate and reducing the sympathetic nervous system activation is the key strategy to reduce the clinical impact of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding proper strategies to control plasma polymerization processes is a crucial aspect to produce thin films with tailored characteristics. In this work, the validity of the Yasuda parameter W/FM (W: discharge power and FM: precursor feed rate) as a controlling parameter for a polymerization process assisted by an atmospheric pressure single electrode plasma jet and the aerosolized fluorinated silane precursor trimethoxy(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)silane is demonstrated. The properties of thin films deposited under different W/FM values are discussed using attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results suggest the presence of two deposition domains as a function of W/FM (an energy‐deficient domain and a monomer‐deficient domain), each inducing coatings with different chemical and physical properties. Furthermore, coatings deposited under the same W/FM values exhibit similar characteristics regardless of the power and feed rate values adopted. Considering the potential use of the deposited coatings to increase the antiadhesive properties of implantable medical devices, preliminary results on coatings' antiadhesive activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically and dermoscopically, trichoepithelioma (TE) often mimics basal cell carcinoma (BCC).[[1], [3]] In this multicentre case-control study, we sought to determine the clinical and dermoscopic features associated with TE as compared to BCC. Dermoscopic features of trichoepithelioma: A multicentre observational case-control study conducted by the International Dermoscopy Society These criteria were significant predictors of TE over BCC on univariate logistic regression and multivariate analysis (Figure 1). 1 TABLE Frequencies of dermoscopic features among trichoepithelioma (TE) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). [Extracted from the article]

Background: Amelanotic/hypomelanotic lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma (AHLM/LMM) may be very difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Objectives: To quantify the predictive value of dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features for AHLM/LMM. Methods: Dermoscopic and RCM images of histopathologically diagnosed AHLM/LMM, amelanotic/hypomelanotic benign lesions (AHBL), and amelanotic/hypomelanotic basal and squamous cell carcinomas (AHBCC/AHSCC) of the head and neck from consecutive patients were retrospectively collected and blindly evaluated by three observers to assess presence or absence of dermoscopic and RCM criteria. Results: Overall, 224 lesions in 216 patients including LM/LMM (n = 55, 24.6%), AHBL (n = 107, 47.8%) and AHBCC/AHSCC (n = 62, 27.7%) were analysed. Multivariable analysis showed that milky‐red areas (OR = 5.46; 95% CI: 1.51–19.75), peripheral light brown structureless areas (OR = 19.10; 4.45–81.96), linear irregular vessels (OR = 5.44; 1.45–20.40), and asymmetric pigmented follicles (OR = 14.45; 2.77–75.44) at dermoscopy, and ≥3 atypical cells in five fields (OR = 10.12; 3.00–34.12) and focal follicular localization of atypical cells at dermo‐epidermal junction (DEJ) (OR = 10.48; 1.10–99.81) at RCM were significantly independent diagnostic factors for AHLM/LMM vs. AHBL. In comparison with AHBCC/AHSCC, peripheral light brown structureless area (OR = 7.11; 1.53–32.96), pseudonetwork around hair follicles (OR = 16.69; 2.73–102.07), and annular granular structures (OR = 42.36; 3.51–511.16) at dermoscopy and large dendritic (OR = 6.86; 3.15–38.28) and round pagetoid cells (OR = 26.78; 3.15–227.98) at RCM led to a significantly increased risk of diagnosing AHLM/LMM. Conclusions: Amelanotic/hypomelanotic lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma may have the same dermoscopic features of AHM on other body sites, such as milky red areas, peripheral light brown structureless areas and linear irregular vessels. These features, asymmetric pigmented follicles and at RCM ≥ 3 atypical cells in five fields and focal follicular extension of atypical cells at DEJ may help in recognizing AHLM/LMM even when LM conventional features (e.g., obliteration of hair follicles under dermoscopy and large pagetoid cells under RCM) are absent or present only in very small areas of the lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Aortic stenosis (AS) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are typical diseases of the elderly. Up to 16% of older adults with severe AS referred to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have a concomitant diagnosis of CA. CA‐AS population suffers from reduced functional capacity and worse prognosis than AS patients. As the prognostic impact of TAVR in patients with CA‐AS has been historically questioned and in light of recently published evidence, we aim to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the efficacy and safety of TAVR in CA‐AS patients. Methods and results: We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies: (i) evaluating mortality with TAVR as compared with medical therapy in CA‐AS patients and (ii) reporting complications and clinical outcomes of TAVR in CA‐AS patients as compared with patients with AS alone. A total of seven observational studies were identified: four reported mortality with TAVR, and four reported complications and clinical outcomes after TAVR of patients with CA‐AS compared with AS alone patients. In patients with CA‐AS, the risk of mortality was lower with TAVR (n = 44) as compared with medical therapy (n = 36) [odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.73, I2 = 0%, P = 0.001, number needed to treat = 3]. The safety profile of TAVR seems to be similar in patients with CA‐AS (n = 75) as compared with those with AS alone (n = 536), with comparable risks of stroke, vascular complications, life‐threatening bleeding, acute kidney injury, and 30 day mortality, although CA‐AS was associated with a trend towards an increased risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.91–4.09, I2 = 0%, P = 0.085). CA is associated with a numerically higher rate of long‐term mortality and rehospitalizations following TAVR in patients with CA‐AS as compared with those with AS alone. Conclusions: TAVR is an effective and safe procedure in CA‐AS patients, with a substantial survival benefit as compared with medical therapy, and a safety profile comparable with patients with AS alone except for a trend towards higher risk of permanent pacemaker implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confocal fluorescence microscopy is a well‐established imaging technique capable of generating thin optical sections of biological specimens. Optical sectioning in confocal microscopy is mainly determined by the size of the pinhole, a small aperture placed in front of a point detector. In principle, imaging with a closed pinhole provides the highest degree of optical sectioning. In practice, the dramatic reduction of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at smaller pinhole sizes makes challenging the use of pinhole sizes significantly smaller than 1 Airy Unit (AU). Here, we introduce a simple method to "virtually" perform confocal imaging at smaller pinhole sizes without the dramatic reduction of SNR. The method is based on the sequential acquisition of multiple confocal images acquired at different pinhole aperture sizes and image processing based on a phasor analysis. The implementation is conceptually similar to separation of photons by lifetime tuning (SPLIT), a technique that exploits the phasor analysis to achieve super‐resolution, and for this reason we call this method SPLIT‐pinhole (SPLIT‐PIN). We show with simulated data that the SPLIT‐PIN image can provide improved optical sectioning (i.e., virtually smaller pinhole size) but better SNR with respect to an image obtained with closed pinhole. For instance, two images acquired at 2 and 1 AU can be combined to obtain a SPLIT‐PIN image with a virtual pinhole size of 0.2 AU but with better SNR. As an example of application to biological imaging, we show that SPLIT‐PIN improves confocal imaging of the apical membrane in an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium. Research Highlights: We describe a method to boost the optical sectioning power of any confocal microscope. The method is based on the sequential acquisition of multiple confocal images acquired at different pinhole aperture sizes. The resulting image series is analyzed using the phasor‐based separation of photons by lifetime tuning (SPLIT) algorithm. The SPLIT‐pinhole (SPLIT‐PIN) method produces images with improved optical sectioning but preserved SNR. This is the first time that the phasor analysis and SPLIT algorithms are used to exploit the spatial information encoded in a tunable pinhole size and to improve optical sectioning of the confocal microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize equilibria of oligopolistic markets where identical firms with constant marginal cost compete à la Cournot. For given maximal willingness to pay and maximal total demand, we first identify all combinations of equilibrium consumer surplus and industry profit that can arise from arbitrary demand functions. Then, as a further restriction, we fix the average willingness to pay above marginal cost (i.e., first‐best surplus) and identify all possible triples of consumer surplus, industry profit, and deadweight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroelectric materials are very promising for thermal energy harvesting applications. To date, lead‐based systems are the foremost studied materials in this field. A facile and simple metal organic chemical vapor deposition route is applied for the fabrication of lead‐free, high quality, epitaxial Bi(1−x)DyxFeO3 (x = 0, 0.06, 0.08, 0.11) thin films deposited on conductive SrTiO3:Nb (100) single crystal substrates. The films are studied by structural, morphological, compositional, and functional characterization. The correlation between the Dy‐doping amount and the dielectric properties is thoroughly investigated. Unipolar polarization–electric field loops and permittivity measurements show the important impact of Dy on ferroelectric, dielectric, and pyroelectric properties. Dy doping increases considerably the dielectric response, but much more the pyroelectric coefficient, up to a concentration of 8% Dy. The films are self‐poled, which is an ideal situation for pyroelectric applications. The best figure of merit for pyroelectric energy harvesting, FE, is 82 J m−3 K−2, showing a factor increase of 2.6 as compared to the undoped film of the sample series. It constitutes a factor 4.5 improvement as compared to previous results obtained on BiFeO3 based thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and structural modifications occurring in homogeneous crystalline Si nanoparticles (NPs) used as anode material in Li cells are investigated. State‐of‐the‐art high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy resolved at the nanoscale is exploited. It is directly highlighted by electron spectromicroscopy that, above 0.1 V versus Li, the electrochemical activity of Si electrodes involves a complex interplay between Li incorporation, electrolyte degradation, and Si reduction/oxidation. These redox processes occur upon cycling through partially reversible reactions mediated by the solid electrolyte interphase. Overall, a SiO2 amorphous layer forms in the oxidized electrodes at the Si NPs interface with the electrolyte: this oxide shell partially dissolves upon reduction to give Li2CO3 and amorphous Si. Si NPs cores are therefore eroded upon cycling as their outer layers are directly involved in a reversible oxygen shifting mechanism at the interface, whereas unreacted SiO2 accumulates cycle‐by‐cycle. These findings extend the comprehension of the Si pulverization mechanism in Li batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructures of Cu2O/CuO hydroxide suitable for the electrochemical determination of glucose are obtained by solid‐state dewetting of CuO layers 6, 8, and 31 nm thin deposited by sputtering onto 240 μm‐thick graphene paper. Solid‐state dewetting in nitrogen produces a partial decomposition of CuO into Cu2O and Cu. X‐ray diffraction patterns reveal the presence of high‐index crystallographic facets, which are reactive and useful toward glucose oxidation to gluconolactone. Typically, morphology studied by scanning electron microscopy reveals faceted nanoparticles with an average size below 200 nm. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the nanostructure surfaces of Cu2O and metallic copper exposed to natural ambient are promptly reoxidized and hydroxidized to a mixture of CuO and Cu(OH)2. Electrochemical characterization in amperometric mode reveals linear response to glucose concentration in the range from 50 to 10 × 10−3 m, sensitivity up to 83 μA cm−2 mm−1, and limit of detection up to 3.6 × 10−6 m. Good combination of low cost and simplicity of preparation with low limit of detection, high sensitivity, and wide linear range makes the proposed electrodes suitable for a variety of applications ranging from health to food and beverage industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases is well known. The effect of SNPs on disease predisposition has been established not only for protein coding genes but also for genes encoding micro-RNAs (miRNAs). The miR-143/145 cluster is smooth muscle cellspecific and implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Whether SNPs within the genomic sequence of the miR-143/145 cluster are involved in cardiovascular disease development is not known. We thus searched annotated sequence databases for possible SNPs associated with miR-143/145. We identified one SNP, rs41291957 (G > A), located -91 bp from the mature miR-143 sequence, as the nearest genetic variation to this miRNA cluster, with a minor allele frequency > 10%. In silico and in vitro approaches determined that rs41291957 (A) upregulates miR-143 and miR-145, modulating phenotypic switching of vascular smooth cells towards a differentiated/contractile phenotype. Finally, we analysed association between rs41291957 and CAD in two cohorts of patients, finding that the SNP was a protective factor. In conclusion, our study links a genetic variation to a pathological outcome through involvement of miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) is a powerful non‐invasive technique for probing photosynthesis. Although proposed as a method for drought tolerance screening, ChlF has not yet been fully adopted in physiological breeding, mainly due to limitations in high‐throughput field phenotyping capabilities. The light‐induced fluorescence transient (LIFT) sensor has recently been shown to reliably provide active ChlF data for rapid and remote characterisation of plant photosynthetic performance. We used the LIFT sensor to quantify photosynthesis traits across time in a large panel of durum wheat genotypes subjected to a progressive drought in replicated field trials over two growing seasons. The photosynthetic performance was measured at the canopy level by means of the operating efficiency of Photosystem II (Fq′/Fm′) and the kinetics of electron transport measured by reoxidation rates (Fr1′ and Fr2′). Short‐ and long‐term changes in ChlF traits were found in response to soil water availability and due to interactions with weather fluctuations. In mild drought, Fq′/Fm′ and Fr2′ were little affected, while Fr1′ was consistently accelerated in water‐limited compared to well‐watered plants, increasingly so with rising vapour pressure deficit. This high‐throughput approach allowed assessment of the native genetic diversity in ChlF traits while considering the diurnal dynamics of photosynthesis. Photosynthetic performance of a large durum wheat panel under progressive drought in the field was quantified using the light‐induced fluorescence transient (LIFT) sensor for high‐throughput phenotyping. Photosynthesis traits showed high genetic variability, aiding physiological crop breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ultrasound (US) evaluation of the male sex accessory gland inflammation (MAGI) helps the clinicians to understand the severity of this condition, allowing them to distinguish the uncomplicated form (prostatitis) from the complicated ones (prostate‐vesiculitis and prostate‐vesiculitis‐epididymitis), as well as the unilateral from the bilateral forms, the fibrosclerotic and the hypertrophic‐congestive form. Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the US features of MAGI patients with active symptoms compared to patients without sexual, voiding, and ejaculatory dysfunction. Materials/Methods: To achieve this aim, an analysis of the prevalence of MAGI US criteria was carried out on a very large series of over 500 patients diagnosed with MAGI classified according to the different symptom profile evaluated through a dedicated questionnaire (previously conceived and published by our group) arbitrarily named "structured interview about MAGI" (SI‐MAGI) for sexual, voiding, and ejaculatory disorders reported by these patients. Results: The results of this study revealed that US criteria most frequently detected in patients with severe urinary symptoms were the presence of areas of high echogenicity (almost exclusively in the periurethral prostatic zone) together with the presence of single or multiple areas of acinar ectasia of the prostate. The presence of seminal vesicles with polycyclic areas within the glandular lumen separated by hyperechoic septa represented US criterion most frequently detected in patients with severe spontaneous or post‐ejaculate pain. Finally, US criterion most frequently detected in patients with severe sexual dysfunction was the dilation of the periprostatic venous plexus, suggesting the hypothesis of a possible alternative therapeutic approach. Conclusion: The data of the present study suggest that symptoms may associate with US signs in patients with MAGI. Also, specific US signs may associate with specific symptoms. Further studies are needed to understand whether patients with specific US signs may in turn benefit from a personalized therapeutic choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP1‐RAs) are novel anti‐hyperglycemic drugs efficacious on glucose control, weight loss, and cardiovascular prevention. These drugs may also be effective in modulating testicular function. In fact, they increase serum testosterone levels in diabetic and/or obese patients with functional hypogonadism on a dysmetabolic basis. Although part of this effect can be ascribed to weight loss, some evidence suggests that there is a direct effect at the testicular level. Indeed, human Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells express GLP1 receptors. GLP1‐RAs improve sperm metabolism, motility, and insulin secretion in vitro. Likewise, GLP1‐RAs exert positive effects on the metabolism of human Sertoli cells in vitro. Finally, GLP1 is secreted by mouse Leydig cells and this suggests the presence of a paracrine mechanism by which these cells could support the metabolism of Sertoli cells. Therefore, the widespread use of GLP1‐RAs in clinical practice may reveal an important role in the management of male infertility in obese and/or diabetic patients given the negative impact of these diseases on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. This should suggest the design of randomized controlled studies aimed at evaluating the effects of these drugs on testicular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male accessory gland infection/inflammation (MAGI) is a major cause of male infertility. The importance of ultrasound evaluation in these patients is highly controversial, although evidence of its relevance has increased in recent years. Ultrasound criteria are an important element for confirming the clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, they help to localize the anatomical site or sites of the inflammatory process and in assessing its extension which, in turn, have different consequences on the seminological and symptomatic aspects. This article summarizes the clinical interpretations related to ultrasound aspects in patients with MAGI and the possible effects on the seminological, microbiological, endocrinologic, urological, sexological, and internist aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline silicon‐based heterojunction (HJ) solar cells are becoming the best choice for manufacturing companies, because of the low temperature processes useful for very thin silicon wafers and the possibility to easily achieve cells efficiencies higher than 22% on n‐type silicon wafers. However, the maximum cell efficiency is still limited by the typical Fill Factor (FF) value of 82%. This issue is due to several factors, some of which are sometimes underestimated, like the base contact. Indeed, a potential mismatch between the work functions of the transparent conductive oxide and the base doped layer can give rise to a small barrier against electrons collection, which is not easy to recognize when the cell FF overcomes 80%. Also a low doping efficiency of the p‐type amorphous layer at the emitter side can negatively affect the FF. In this case, even if high efficiency cells are produced, their full potential is still unexploited. Thus, both selective contacts of the cell, even if apparently optimized to achieve very good results, can hide problems that limit the final cell FF and efficiency. In a previous work, an experimental method and a model to individuate hidden barriers at the base contact on n‐type crystalline silicon‐based HJs have been provided. In this paper, that model is applied to experimental data obtained from the characterization of both commercial and laboratory level HJ solar cells. Moreover, an easy method to recognize the presence of a barrier to the charge transport at the emitter side of the cell is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐l (GLP‐1) is an important regulator of post‐prandial insulin secretion, acting through a G protein‐coupled cell surface receptor (GLP‐1R). In addition to its expression in pancreatic β‐cells, several studies suggested that GLP‐1R is located in extra‐pancreatic tissues. Objectives: In this study, we examined for the first time the testicular distribution of the GLP‐1R, both in normal human and neoplastic testicular tissues as well as in rodent testis and rodent testicular cell lines. Methods and Methods: The GLP‐1R distribution in testicular section has been evaluated by immunohistochemistry, the specificity of IHC was validated by demonstrating a positive staining for GLP‐1RmRNA by RISH technology. While GLP‐1R expression in terms of protein was detected by western blot analysis, Moreover, mRNA levels were determined in human testis, in rodent Leydig, and Sertoli cell lines. Results: Using immunohistochemistrya specific staining for GLP‐1R was detected in Leydig cells. The specificity of IHC was validated by demonstrating a positive staining for GLP‐1RmRNA only in these cell types. Species differences in the GLP‐1R expression between humans and rodents were observed. Interestingly, a decreased expression of the receptor in rodent tumor Leydig cell line and an absence in human Leydig tumor samples was detected. Discussion: It may be hypothesized that GLP‐1R acts like an oncosuppressor in Leydig tumors. A role in regulation of hormone secretion by GLP‐1 has been shown in other endocrine cells, therefore we hypothesized that GLP‐1R is able to modulate somehow the Leydig cell function. Conclusion: In our findings, a careful evaluation of human testicular tissues and rodent testis revealed Leydig cells as a potential target for GLP‐1. Collectively, an effect of GLP‐1R in Leydig cell function may be presumed although future studies are needed to ascertain the GLP‐1R's role both in normal and tumor Leydig cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a skin fragility disorder typified by blister formation following minor trauma. §Patient carrying homozygous mutations in two genes (EXPH5 and COL17A1) resulting in a complex EB phenotype. As compared to EBS due to I de novo i dominant mutations in keratin genes, the recessive EBS-EXPH5 form has a 25% recurrence risk. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: A multicentre trial, ICOS‐ONE, showed increases above the upper limit of normality of cardiac troponin (cTn) in 27% of patients within 12 months after the end of cancer chemotherapy (CT) with anthracyclines, whether cardiac protection with enalapril was started at study entry in all (prevention arm) or only upon first occurrence on supra‐normal cTn (troponin‐triggered arm). The aims of the present post hoc analysis were (i) to assess whether anthracycline‐based treatment could induce cardiotoxicity over 36 month follow‐up and (ii) to describe the time course of three cardiovascular biomarkers (i.e. troponin I cTnI‐Ultra, B‐type natriuretic peptide BNP, and pentraxin 3 PTX3) and of left ventricular (LV) function up to 36 months. Methods and results: Eligible patients were those prescribed first‐in‐life CT, without evidence of cardiovascular disease, normal cTn, LV ejection fraction (EF) >50%, not on renin‐angiotensin aldosterone system antagonists. Patients underwent echocardiography and blood sampling at 24 and 36 months. No differences were observed in biomarker concentration between the two study arms, 'prevention' vs. 'troponin‐triggered'. During additional follow‐up 13 more deaths occurred, leading to a total of 23 (9.5%), all due to a non‐cardiovascular cause. No new occurrences of LV‐dysfunction were reported. Two additional patients were admitted to the hospital for cardiovascular causes, both for acute pulmonary embolism. No first onset of raised cTnI‐Ultra was reported in the extended follow‐up. BNP remained within normal range: at 36 months was 23.4 ng/L, higher (N.S.) than at baseline, 17.6 ng/L. PTX3 peaked at 5.2 ng/mL 1 month after CT and returned to baseline values thereafter. cTnI‐Ultra peaked at 26 ng/L 1 month after CT and returned to 3 ng/L until the last measurement at 36 months. All echocardiographic variables remained stable during follow‐up with a median LVEF of 63% and left atrial volume index about 24 mL/m2. Conclusions: First‐in‐life CT with median cumulative dose of anthracyclines of 180 mg/m2 does not seem to cause clinically significant cardiac injury, as assessed by circulating biomarkers and echocardiography, in patients aged 51 years (median), without pre‐existing cardiac disease. This may suggest either a 100% efficacy of enalapril (given as preventive or troponin‐triggered) or a reassuringly low absolute cardiovascular risk in this cohort of patients, which may not require intensive cardiologic follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of male idiopathic infertility is heterogeneous. Although meta‐analyses reported the effectiveness on pregnancy rate, the real clinical impact of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) was not evaluated so far. In Italy, FSH is approved by the National Medicines Agency (AIFA) for idiopathic infertile patients with FSH < 8 IU/L, independently of semen parameters. Aim: Primary endpoint was to record the therapeutic approach to the male partner of infertile couples. Secondary aim was to assess changes of semen parameters during FSH treatment. Methods: A multicentre, prospective, observational, clinical practice survey was carried out, enrolling the male partner of infertile couples attending ten Italian participating centres. Inclusion criteria were as follows: couple infertility, age >18 years and FSH serum levels <8 IU/L. Thus, all men in which AIFA allowed the FSH prescription were enrolled. Primary endpoint was the number of infertile patients treated with FSH. Secondary outcomes were semen parameters. The treating physician decided whether to offer FSH therapy and whether to re‐evaluate the male partner. Results: A total of 718 infertile couples were enrolled, and 241 patients were re‐evaluated (median follow‐up: 4.5 months). In 64.9% (466 patients), a treatment was prescribed. FSH was prescribed in 397 patients (85.2% of treated men). Sperm concentration (P =.002) and normal form percentage (P <.001) significantly improved during FSH administration. No correlation was found between these parameters and FSH duration (P =.545 and P =.627, respectively) or dosage (P =.455 and P =.533, respectively). Among patients treated with FSH, the incidence of oligozoospermia decreased from 73.0% to 56.0% (P <.001) and teratozoospermia from 43.6% to 27.7% (P <.001). Discussion: This first nation‐wide survey reveals a FSH prescription rate of 55% in patients qualifying for treatment according to AIFA. Although the study was not designed to highlight FSH efficacy in male infertility, a slight increase in semen parameters was demonstrated in about half of the treated men without adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanillin is widely used as a flavoring agent in foods, perfumes and in several other applications. Even if huge amounts of vanillin are annually employed in these manufacturing processes, its reactivity is underexplored, especially for the formation of potentially toxic substances. In this context, we observed the formation of orange to red crystalline compounds in the reaction of vanillin with secondary amines in aerobic conditions. NMR and HRMS allowed identifying the products as 2,5‐diamino‐1,4‐benzoquinones. Preliminary investigations of this reaction led to a proposed mechanism involving an oxidative fragmentation of vanillin as the key step. MTT tests did not show any toxic effect up to 0.1 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement for myometrial lesions using Morphologic Uterus Sonographic Assessment terminology. Methods: Thirteen raters with high (n = 6) or medium experience (n = 7) assessed 30 3‐dimensional ultrasound clips with (n = 20) and without (n = 10) benign myometrial lesions. Myometrial lesions were reported as poorly or well defined and then systematically evaluated for the presence of individual features. The clips were blindly assessed twice (at a 2‐month interval). Intra‐ and inter‐rater agreements were calculated with κ statistics. Results: The reporting of poorly defined lesions reached moderate intra‐rater agreement (κ = 0.49 [high experience] and 0.47 [medium experience]) and poor inter‐rater agreement (κ = 0.39 [high experience] and 0.25 [medium experience]). The reporting of well‐defined lesions reached good to very good intra‐rater agreement (κ = 0.73 [high experience] and 0.82 [medium experience]) and good inter‐rater agreement (κ = 0.75 [high experience] and 0.63 [medium experience]). Most individual features associated with ill‐defined lesions reached moderate intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement among highly experienced raters (κ = 0.41–0.60). The least reproducible features were myometrial cysts, hyperechoic islands, subendometrial lines and buds, and translesional flow (κ = 0.11–0.34). Most individual features associated with well‐defined lesions reached moderate to good intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement among all observers (κ = 0.41–0.80). The least reproducible features were a serosal contour, asymmetry, a hyperechoic rim, and fan‐shaped shadows (κ = 0.00–0.35). Conclusions: The reporting of well‐defined lesions showed excellent agreement, whereas the agreement for poorly defined lesions was low, even among highly experienced raters. The agreement on identifying individual features varied, especially for features associated with ill‐defined lesions. Guidelines on minimum requirements for features associated with ill‐defined lesions to be interpreted as poorly defined lesions may improve agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicians should provide fertility counseling to all patients receiving gonadotoxic treatment. International scientific societies have mainly focused on oncological patients, and fewer efforts have been made to apply these recommendations to women diagnosed with benign disease (eg benign hematological diseases, autoimmune diseases, and gynecological or genetic disorders). However, these indications account for 8%-13% of the demand for fertility preservation. The risk of premature ovarian failure due to treatment, or to the disease itself, can be considered fairly high for many young women. Counseling and adequate management of these women require particular attention due to the severe health conditions that are associated with some of these diseases. In this review, we address specific issues related to providing adequate fertility counseling and management for women who have been diagnosed with the major non-oncological indications, based on the literature and on our clinical experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate postmortem ultrasound (PM-US) for minimally invasive autopsy, and to demonstrate its feasibility, sensitivity and specificity, as compared with conventional autopsy, in detecting major congenital abnormalities.Methods: Over a 19-month study period from 1 March 2012 to 30 September 2013, we recruited from a referral hospital 88 consecutive fetuses, at 11-40 weeks' gestation, which had undergone termination, miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death. We performed PM-US using different transducers and compared the data with those from conventional autopsy. The latter was performed, according to the Societé Francaise de Foetopathologie (France) guidelines, by experienced perinatal pathologists who were blinded to the ultrasound data.Results: Complete virtual autopsy by ultrasound was possible in 95.5% of the cases. The sensitivity of PM-US for detecting brain abnormalities was 90.9% (95% CI, 58.7-99.8%) and the specificity was 87.3% (95% CI, 75.5-94.7%). In 20% of cases, a neuropathological examination was not possible due to severe maceration. The sensitivity for detection of thoracic abnormalities was 88.9% (95% CI, 65.3-98.6%) and the specificity was 92.8% (95% CI, 84.1-97.6%), and the sensitivity for detection of abdominal anomalies was 85.7% (95% CI, 57.2-98.2%) and the specificity was 94.6% (95% CI, 86.7-98.5%).Conclusion: This pilot study confirms the feasibility of PM-US for virtual autopsy as early as 11 weeks' gestation. This new technique shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting congenital structural abnormalities as compared with conventional autopsy. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bidirectional link between heart and brain has intrigued scientists for ages, but little is known on the underlying mechanism. In their recent study, Fischer and colleagues (Islam et al, 2021) propose a mechanism by which heart failure‐induced cognitive decline is linked to epigenetic changes that affect gene expression in neurons of hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hoarse cry and respiratory stridor are the signs of potentially life‐threatening laryngeal involvement in selected severe and frequently early lethal subtypes of inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB). We present a newborn with generalized skin blistering and onychodystrophy who developed a hoarse cry and inspiratory stridor. Ultrastructural skin examination revealed tonofilament clumping in basal keratinocytes and genetic testing identified the de novo missense mutation p.Arg125Cys in the KRT14 gene, consistent with EB simplex generalized severe, which is characterized by major morbidity in infancy but a favorable long‐term prognosis. The present case underlines the importance to consider EB simplex generalized severe in the differential diagnosis of EB infants presenting hoarseness and stridor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We endogenize intermediaries' choice to operate as agents or merchants in a market where there are frictions due to asymmetric information about consumption values. A seller has an object for sale and can reach buyers only through intermediaries. Intermediaries can either mediate the transaction by buying and reselling—the merchant mode—or refer buyers to the seller for a fee—the referral mode. When the seller has a strong bargaining position and can condition the asking price to the intermediaries' business model choice, all intermediaries specialize in agency. The seller's and intermediaries' joint profits equal the seller's profits when he has access to all buyers. When the seller does not have such bargaining power, the level of the referral fee and the degree of competition among intermediaries determine the business mode adoption. A hybrid agency–merchant mode may be adopted in equilibrium. Banning the referral mode can decrease welfare because the merchant mode is associated with additional allocative distortions due to asymmetric information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Some evidences have supported the link between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and inflammation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between prostatic inflammation (PI) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) evaluated by a non‐invasive scores in a cohort of patients affected by BPH/LUTS. Between January 2012 and January 2016, we conducted a prospective study in a single academic outpatient clinic on 132 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). A non‐invasive non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis score (NASH score) was calculated, and PI was evaluated through the Irani score. Patients with a NASH score > 1.05 had an average larger prostate volume (55 vs. 45 cc, p < 0.05), a greater waist circumference (103 vs. 93.5 cm, p < 0.01), and high values of blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin, and BMI compared to patients without NASH; 36% of patients with an Irani score ≥ 4 had NASH compared to 16.1% of patients who had a NASH score < 1.05 (p < 0.05). We found that non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH ≥ 1.05) was an independent risk factor for Irani score ≥4 (OR: 3.24; p < 0.05) and of prostate volume ≥ 40 cc (OR: 13.99; p < 0.01). LUTS/BPH and NASH can be closely related, underlying common triggers of induction. In particular, inflammation seems to be associated with both conditions and with prostate gland overgrowth. Early identification of this class of patients could play a key role in preventing complications related to disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]