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The influence of cardiac phases on cognitive and sensorimotor functions is noteworthy. Specifically, during systole, as opposed to diastole, there is an observed enhancement in tasks demanding the suppression of instructed responses. This suggests that systole contributes to inhibitory control in motor functions. However, the extent to which systolic inhibition is significant in volitional free‐choice actions, such as choosing to execute or refrain from a cue‐initiated response, remains to be clarified. To fill this gap in the current literature, the purpose of this study was to test whether during the systole phase, compared with the diastole phase, the tendency to enact volitional actions decreased due to the systolic inhibitory effect. We used a modified version of the Go/No‐Go task with an added condition for volitional free‐choice actions, where participants could decide whether to respond or not, to test whether systolic inhibition could affect the volitional decision to act. The results showed that participants' responses were less frequent in systole than in diastole in the volitional action condition. Then, to test the robustness of the cardiac effect on volitional actions, we used two established manipulations: the Straw Breathing Manipulation and the Cold Pressor Test, which were able to induce anxiety and increase the heart rate, respectively. Results showed that the systole/diastole difference in the number of volitional action trials in which participants decided to respond tended to remain the same despite all manipulations. Overall, our results provide convergent evidence for the effect of the heart on the decision to act, an effect that appears independent of manipulations of both the physiological and psychological state of the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among inherently chiral selectors of axial stereogenicity, usually resulting in very good enantiodiscrimination performances, the biindole‐based family has the additional advantage of very easy functionalization of the two nitrogen atoms with a variety of substituents with desirable properties. Aiming to evaluate the possibility of exploiting such feature to enhance the enantiodiscrimination ability of the archetype structure, a series of three inherently chiral monomers were designed and synthesized, characterised by a 2,2'‐biindole atropisomeric core conjugated to bithiophene wings enabling fast and regular electrooligomerization, and functionalised at the nitrogen atoms with an ethyl, a methoxyethyl, or a hydroxyethyl substituent. Nitrogen alkylation was also exploited to obtain for the first time the chemical resolution of the biindole selectors without employing chiral HPLC. The enantiodiscrimination ability of the selector series was comparatively evaluated in proof‐of‐concept chiral voltammetry experiments with a "benchmark" chiral ferrocenyl probe as well as with chiral non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs naproxen and ketoprofen. The large enantiomer potential differences for all probes increased in the ethyl < methoxyethyl ≪ hydroxyethyl sequence of selector substituents, supporting our assumption on the beneficial role of an additional coordination element. The powerful hydroxyethyl selector was also applied to ketoprofen in a commercial drug matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end‐Neoproterozoic transition marked a gradual but permanent shift between distinct configurations of Earth's biosphere. This interval witnessed the demise of the enigmatic Ediacaran Biota, ushering in the structured trophic webs and disparate animal body plans of Phanerozoic ecosystems. However, little consensus exists on the reality, drivers, and macroevolutionary implications of end‐Neoproterozoic extinctions. Here we evaluate potential drivers of late‐Neoproterozoic turnover by addressing recent findings on Ediacaran geochronology, the persistence of classical Ediacaran macrobionts into the Cambrian, and the existence of Ediacaran crown‐group eumetazoans. Despite renewed interest in the possibility of Phanerozoic‐style 'mass extinctions' in the latest Neoproterozoic, our synthesis of the available evidence does not support extinction models based on episodic geochemical triggers, nor does it validate simple ecological interpretations centred on direct competitive displacement. Instead, we argue that the protracted and indirect effects of early bilaterian innovations, including escalations in sediment engineering, predation, and the largely understudied impacts of reef‐building, may best account for the temporal structure and possible selectivity of late‐Neoproterozoic extinctions. We integrate these processes into a generalised model of early eumetazoan‐dominated ecologies, charting the disruption of spatial and temporal isotropy on the Ediacaran benthos as a consequence of diversifying macrofaunal interactions. Given the nature of resource distribution in Ediacaran ecologies, the continuities among Ediacaran and Cambrian faunas, and the convergent origins of ecologically disruptive innovations among bilaterians we suggest that the rise of Phanerozoic‐type biotas may have been unstoppable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper it is experimentally demonstrated that the electron‐spin/molecular‐handedness interaction plays a fundamental role in the chiral recognition process. This conclusion is inferred comparing current versus potential (I–V) curves recorded using chiral electrode surfaces, which are obtained via chemisorption of an enantiopure thiophene derivative: 3,3′‐bibenzothiophene core functionalized with 2,2′‐bithiophene wings (BT2T4). The chiral recognition capability of these chiral‐electrodes is probed via cyclic voltammetry measurements, where, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) capped with enantiopure BT2T4 (BT2T4@AgNP) are used as the chiral redox probe. Then, the interface handedness is explored by recording spin‐polarized I–V curves in spin‐dependent electrochemistry (SDE) and magnetic‐conductive atomic force microscopy (mc‐AFM) experiments. The quality of the interfaces is thoroughly cross‐checked using X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, Raman, electrodesorption measurements, which further substantiate the metal(electrode)‐sulfur(thiophene) central role in the chemisorption process. Spin‐polarization values of about 15% and 30% are obtained in the case of SDE and mc‐AFM experiments, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) improve the prognosis of many cancers but cause immune‐related adverse events (IrAEs). Limited data are available on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) IrAEs. We describe the clinical characteristics, prognosis, and efficacy of medical therapy in patients with UGI IrAEs. Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of patients with UGI symptoms and moderate to severe endoscopic UGI lesions, occurring after ICI. Efficacy of induction medical therapy and at the most recent follow‐up was assessed. Results: Forty patients were included; of these, 34 (85%) received anti‐PD(L)1, either alone (n = 24) or combined with anti CTLA‐4 (n = 10). Eighteen patients (45%) had concomitant enterocolitis. All patients had severe endoscopic lesions (erosions, ulcerations, hemorrhage, or necrotic lesions). Three patients who received an inefficient initial medical treatment had a complicated course: One patient died of enterocolitis, one had a pneumomediastinum, and one developed an ulcerated stricture of the pylorus. Thirty‐five patients (88%) were treated with corticosteroids; 28 patients (80%) responded, and 20 (57%) reached clinical remission. Eight patients were treated with infliximab, and six responded (75%). After a median follow‐up of 11 months, 36 patients (90%) were in corticosteroid‐free clinical remission for their UGI symptoms. Endoscopic lesions persisted in 68% of patients. Conclusions: ICI cause severe UGI IrAEs, which are associated with enterocolitis in approximately half of the patients. Most patients with UGI IrAEs respond to corticosteroids or infliximab. These data support the recommendation to treat these patients without delay and in the same way as those with enterocolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real‐life comparisons of dolutegravir/rilpivirine (DTG/RPV) and DTG/lamivudine (3TC) regimens in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) who switched from a standard three‐drug regimen based on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are missing. This study aimed to compare DTG/3TC and DTG/RPV in virologically suppressed patients (HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/mL) coming from any NNRTI‐based regimen in terms of discontinuation due to virologic failure (VF) discontinuation rates due to all causes, and adverse events. As a secondary outcome, we evaluated the difference in creatinine, total cholesterol, CD4, and triglycerides from baseline to weeks 48 after the switch. Of the 415 PLWHs included in the study, 278 (66.9%) switched to DTG/3TC, and 137 (33.1%) switched to DTG/RPV. Overall, 48 PLWHs (11.6%) discontinued the treatment:38 with DTG/3TC and 10 with DTG/RPV with similar discontinuation rates: 5.01 × 100 py (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.64–6.94) and 4.66 × 100 py (95% CI 2.51–8.67), respectively. The most common reason for discontinuation was toxicity (26 patients, 22/278 [7.9%] in the DTG/3TC group and 4/137 [2.9%] in the DTG/RPV group), mainly neurologic toxicity (never above grade 2). We found no differences in discontinuation rates due to treatment adverse events. Two study participants experienced virological failure in the DTG/3TC arm. We observed no significant difference in CD4 cell counts, lipid parameters, or renal function between the two groups at 48 weeks. This study demonstrated that, in clinical practice, a two‐drug regimen with DTG/3TC or DTG/RPV is characterized by a low discontinuation rate and VF in virologically suppressed PLWHs switched from an NNRTI‐based three antiretroviral drugs regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Whether the HCV test‐and‐treat strategy impacted on the rate of new HCV infections among PLWH in Italy is unknown. Methods: Prospective study of PLWH in the ICONA network. At baseline, PLWH were tested for HCV‐Ab; HCV‐RNA (if HCV‐Ab positive) and, if positive, treated with DAA. SVR12 indicated eradication. Seroconversions and re‐infections were evaluated yearly in HCV‐Ab neg and HCV‐RNA neg at first screening. We estimated the following: HCV seroconversions, incidence of HCV reinfections, and access to DAA and SVR12 rates tighter with factors associated with each outcome. Data were analysed by Cox regression, Poisson regression and logistic regression models. Results: Sixteen thousand seven hundred and forty‐three PLWH were included; 27.3% HCV‐Ab positive; of these, 39.3% HCV‐RNA positive. HCV seroconversion incidence:.48/100 PYFU (95% CI:.36–.65); re‐infections incidence: 1.40/100 PYFU (95% CI:.91–2.04). The risk factor for HCV re‐infection was young age: aIRR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.17–2.95) per 10 years younger. 86.4% of HCV viremic in follow‐up started DAA. PWID vs. heterosexuals (aHR.75, 95% CI.62–.90), HIV‐RNA >50 copies/mL (aHR.70, 95% CI.56–.87), HCV genotype other than G1, G2, G3, G4 or with multiple/missing HCV genotype and post‐COVID‐19 calendar periods were associated with lower DAA access. 922/965 (95.5%) PLWH achieved SVR12. We estimated 72% reduction of chance to achieve SVR12 in PLWH with a CD4 count <200/mm3 (vs. CD4 ≥200/mm3 aOR.18, 95% CI:.07–.46). 95.5% of DAA‐treated individuals eradicated HCV, but they represent only 53.2% of HCV viremic PLWH and 66.4% of those in follow‐up. HCV‐RNA positivity by year decreased from 41.7% in 2017 to 11.7% in 2022. Conclusions: The screening‐and‐treat campaign implemented in Italy, even if only partially effective, resulted in a dramatic drop in HCV circulation in our cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure‐property correlations in the thiahelicene family are often not trivial beacuse most of the functional groups present on the helical scaffold modify the conjugation size of the π‐system. Selecting fluorine‐containing groups to provide strong inductive effects without interacting with low‐lying orbitals of the system could be the way to overcome the issue. Here we report a study on three fluorine‐functionalized tetrathia[7]helicenes, highlighting interesting correlations between the position of the functional groups and the conjugated skeleton properties. Helicenes Heli‐F2 and Heli‐CF‐F2 were prepared by photoinduced isomerization‐electrocyclization (the Mallory photocyclization) of the corresponding fluorinated benzodithienyl‐ethenes Alk‐F2 and Alk‐CF‐F2, which were prepared in high yields through stereo‐conservative Stille reaction. Notably these helicenes were found to display green phosphorescence around 530–550 nm, and the studies suggest an efficient spin‐orbit coupling mechanism in these high‐energy triplet nonplanar conjugated molecules. Both helicenes and their precursors were thoroughly characterized by means of optical and electrochemical measurements, while DFT calculations enable a rationale on their structure‐property correlations to be defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background and Aims: Dual blockade of BRAF and MEK kinases is a standard of care for metastatic V600E/K BRAF mutant melanoma. This study reports the first systematic description of colitis due to BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Methods: We studied consecutive patients with melanoma, treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, who had colitis requiring hospitalisation. Electronic files were studied; endoscopic biopsies and colectomy specimens were read centrally. Results: Between January 2021 and March 2022, nine women and one man, aged 50–90 years, were studied. Nine patients received encorafenib and binimetinib; one patient received dabrafenib and trametinib. The main symptoms were diarrhoea, haematochezia, abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction. Blood tests showed anaemia, increased CRP and low serum albumin levels in most patients. All patients had ulcerations of the right colon with (2/10) or without (8/10) stenosis of the ileocecal valve, and 4/10 patients also had ulcerations distal to the right colon. Histopathological findings were suggestive of ischaemia and mild inflammation. Nine of the 10 patients discontinued BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Drugs were reintroduced in four patients, three of whom had a severe relapse of diarrhoea. Two patients required surgery and underwent intestinal resection. One patient died of enterocolitis. Conclusion: BRAF/MEK inhibitors can induce severe colitis characterised by ulcerations of the right colon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the progress made in addressing HIV globally, particularly in terms of treatment and prevention options such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). While there has been a significant reduction in new HIV acquisitions and increased access to treatment and prevention options, progress for key populations (KPs) such as gay and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, and people who inject drugs, remains uneven. Discriminatory and punitive legal and policy environments hinder the access and uptake of HIV-related services for KPs, leading to negative health consequences. The article emphasizes the need for legal and policy reform, increased funding for such efforts, and collaboration between healthcare providers and advocates to ensure access to services for all KPs. [Extracted from the article]

Elevated anxiety levels degrade task performance, likely because of cognitive function reduction in the frontoparietal brain network. This study aimed to test whether anxiety could impact the frontal cortex anticipatory brain functions and to investigate the possible beneficial effect of response‐related feedback on task performance. The electroencephalographic activity was recorded while participants performed two Go/No‐go tasks: one with response‐related feedback on errors (feedback task) and one task without feedback (standard task). We first tested whether anxiety levels could be associated with pre‐stimulus ERP components such as the prefrontal negativity (pN), linked with top‐down attentional control, and the Bereitschaftspotential (BP), related to motor preparation. Then, we assessed whether feedback could affect anxious people's brain preparation, reducing the state of uncertainty and improving performance. Results showed that the pN was almost absent and the BP was lower during a standard task in the high anxiety than in the low anxiety group. In the feedback task, these components increased in the high anxious, becoming comparable to the low anxious. Behavioral results showed that false alarms in the high anxiety group were larger than in the low anxiety group during the standard task but became comparable in the feedback task. Similarly, response time in the high anxiety group was slower in the standard task than in the feedback task, and high anxious people were faster in the feedback task than in the standard one. This study contributes to clarifying neural correlates of anxiety, showing brain activity reductions related to action preparation in frontal areas. In addition, response‐related feedback tasks could be used to normalize task performance in high anxious people. High levels of anxiety have been associated with degraded cognitive performance and recently with reduced task preparatory activity in the frontal cortex. Here, we tested the introduction of response‐related feedback in a sensory motor task, and we found in anxious people an immediate regularization of preparatory brain activity in the frontal cortex. Consequently, improvement in task performance was also found. Treatments based on response‐related feedback could represent a non‐pharmaceutical approach to anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Young adults with vertical transmission (VT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represent a fragile population. This study evaluates factors associated with viro‐immunological outcome of these patients. Methods: We performed a multicenter study including HIV‐infected subjects with VT ≥ 18 years old from six Italian clinics. Subjects were observed from birth to death, lost to follow‐up, or last visit until December 31, 2019. Condition of "optimal viro‐immunological status" (OS) was defined as the simultaneous presence of HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) < 50 copies/mL, CD4+ > 500 cells/mm3, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio ≥ 1. Results: A total of 126 subjects were enrolled. At 18 years of age, 52/126 (44.4%) had HIV‐RNA > 50 copies/mL, 47/126 (38.2%) had CD4+ < 500/mm3, and 78/126 (67.2%) had CD4+/CD8+ < 1; 28 subjects (23.7%) presented in the condition of OS. Having a CD4+/CD8+ ratio ≥ 1 at 18 years of age was related with an increased probability of shift from suboptimal viro‐immunological status (SOS) to OS (HR: 7.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.23–14.04), and a reduced risk of shift from the OS to the SOS (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.92). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnosis significantly reduced the probability of shift from a viro‐immunological SOS to OS (HR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03–0.30). Subjects who had not achieved an OS at 18 years of age had an increased risk of discontinuation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART, p =.019). Conclusions: Only a small proportion of subjects with VT of HIV reached the adult age with "OS". Transition to the adult care with a compromised viro‐immunological condition represents a negative driver for future optimal infection control, with a higher risk of discontinuation of cART and a reduced probability to improve the immunological status later in the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are neutral mimics of natural DNA and RNA biopolymers that have caught the attention of researchers working on the identification of specific sequences of nucleobases in DNA/RNA strands. For this purpose, specific analytical protocols need to be developed to optimize the nucleic acid recognition ability of PNAs, exploiting both the high intrinsic affinity of PNA/DNA(RNA) couples as well as suitable markers, either linked to the PNA backbone or properly interacting with it in the working medium. In this context, the paper reports on phthalimide and 4‐nitrophthalimide as two cheap, metal‐free electroactive markers covalently bound to the pseudo‐peptide backbone of a PNA decamer. After a preliminary characterization of the markers, as such and in PNA conjugates, attention has been moved toward the optimization of the detectability of the labeled PNA decamers in aqueous solutions. Exploiting the potentiometric stripping analysis on hanging mercury drop electrode it has been possible to reach satisfactory detection limits of ca. 10 nM avoiding the use of expensive transition metal complexes as labels and/or of co‐reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 2,2'‐biindole‐based inherently chiral electroactive monomers are comparatively investigated with their 3,3' analogues as an excellent study case of two equivalent redox centres interacting through a torsional barrier. The twin peak potential splitting observed in voltammetry for the first oxidation of the biheteroaromatic core accounts for the energy barrier height: the lower the barrier, the larger the peak potential splitting, with modulation by solvent and temperature. The height of the energy barrier is determining for the electrochemical and spectroscopic features of the monomers as well as for their configurational stability and applicability for enantioselection purposes. The 3,3' monomers, featuring large twin peak splittings in CV, are "trópos" systems with a low torsional barrier, so they cannot exist as stable enantiomers at room temperature. Instead their 2,2' isomers, with much smaller twin peak splittings, are "átropos" systems and can be separated by enantioselective HPLC into stable enantiomers, providing powerful "inherently chiral" selectors with outstanding enantioselection properties in chiral electroanalysis and electrochemistry as well as in chiroptical spectroscopy, with fascinating reciprocal correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the mechanisms at the basis of neutrophil functions during SARS‐CoV‐2, we studied patients with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia. They had high blood proportion of degranulated neutrophils and elevated plasma levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), elastase, and MPO‐DNA complexes, which are typical markers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). Their neutrophils display dysfunctional mitochondria, defective oxidative burst, increased glycolysis, glycogen accumulation in the cytoplasm, and increase glycogenolysis. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (ΗΙF‐1α) is stabilized in such cells, and it controls the level of glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL), a key enzyme in glycogenolysis. Inhibiting PYGL abolishes the ability of neutrophils to produce NET. Patients displayed significant increases of plasma levels of molecules involved in the regulation of neutrophils' function including CCL2, CXCL10, CCL20, IL‐18, IL‐3, IL‐6, G‐CSF, GM‐CSF, IFN‐γ. Our data suggest that metabolic remodelling is vital for the formation of NET and for boosting neutrophil inflammatory response, thus, suggesting that modulating ΗΙF‐1α or PYGL could represent a novel approach for innovative therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunological mechanisms that modulate immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection remain elusive. Little is known on the magnitude and the durability of antibody response against COVID‐19. There is consensus that patients with immune dysfunction, such as dialysis patients, may be unable to mount a robust and durable humoral immunity after infections. Recent studies showed that dialysis patients seroconverted after COVID‐19, but data on the durability of the immune response are missing. We reported the data of a durable anti‐spike protein seroconversion after natural SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in three patients on hemodialysis with a mean age of 67.2 ± 13.8 years. A mean antibody titer of 212.6 ± 174.9 UA/ml (Liaison®, DiaSorin) was found after one year (range, 366–374 days) from the diagnosis of COVID‐19. In conclusion, this case series provided evidence that patients receiving hemodialysis who recovered from severe COVID‐19 were able to mount a long‐lasting immune response against SARS‐CoV‐2. Although the protective capacity of this long‐term immunity remains to be determined, these patients did not report signs of reinfection after recovery from COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of inherently chiral electroactive selectors based on the 2,2'‐biindole atropisomeric scaffold, of easy synthesis and modulable functional properties, is studied in cascade in two enantioselection contexts. They are at first investigated as probes in enantioselective HPLC, studying molecular structure and temperature effects, and achieving very efficient semipreparative enantioseparation. The enantiomers thus obtained, of remarkable chiroptical features (optical rotation as well as circular dichroism), are successfully applied as selectors in chiral voltammetry in different media for discrimination of the enantiomers of chiral electroactive probes, either by conversion into enantiopure electroactive electrode surfaces by electrooligomerization on glassy carbon substrate (the two monomers with shorter alkyl chains), or as chiral additive in achiral ionic liquid (the monomer with longest alkyl chains). Discrimination is conveniently and reproducibly achieved in terms of significant potential differences for the two enantiomers, specularly inverting either probe or selector configuration. In one case successful discrimination is also observed with the two probe enantiomers concurrently present, either as racemate or with enantiomeric excesses, neatly accounted for by the peak current ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the rate of and the risk factors for breakthrough‐IFI (b‐IFI) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) according to the new definition proposed by Mycoses‐Study‐Group‐Education‐and‐Research‐Consortium (MSG‐ERC) and the European‐Confederation‐of‐Medical‐Mycology (ECMM). Methods: Multicenter prospective study of adult patients who underwent OLT at three Italian hospitals, from January 2015 to December 2018. Targeted antifungal prophylaxis (TAP) protocol was developed and shared among participating centers. Follow‐up was 1‐year after OLT. B‐IFI was defined as infection occurring during exposure to antifungal prophylaxis. Risk factors for b‐IFI were analyzed among patients exposed to prophylaxis by univariable analysis. Results: We enrolled 485 OLT patients. Overall compliance to TAP protocol was 64.3%, 220 patients received antifungal prophylaxis, 172 according to TAP protocol. Twenty‐nine patients were diagnosed of IFI within 1 year after OLT. Of them, 11 presented with b‐IFI within 17 (IQR 11‐33) and 16 (IQR 4‐30) days from OLT and from antifungal onset, respectively. Then out of 11 patients with b‐IFI were classified as having high risk of IFI and were receiving anti‐mould prophylaxis, nine with echinocandins and one with polyenes. Comparison of patients with and without b‐IFI showed significant differences for prior Candida colonization, need of renal replacement therapy after OLT, re‐operation, and CMV infection (whole blood CMV‐DNA >100 000 copies/mL). Although non‐significant, a higher rate of b‐IFI in patients on echinocandins was observed (8.2% vs 1.8%, P =.06). Conclusions: We observed 5% of b‐IFI among OLT patients exposed to antifungal prophylaxis. The impact of echinocandins on b‐IFI risk in this setting should be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We evaluated the virological response and resistance profile in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)‐experienced HIV‐1‐infected patients starting a dual therapy with dolutegravir (DTG) and boosted darunavir (bDRV) for the first time. Methods: Survival analyses were used to evaluate virological success (VS) and virological rebound (VR) in viraemic and virologically suppressed patients, respectively. Major resistance mutations (MRMs) and genotypic susceptibility score (GSS) were evaluated at baseline and after switch. Results: Overall, 130 patients [62 (47.7%) viraemic; 68 (52.3%) virologically suppressed] were retrospectively analysed. At the moment of switch, 81.5% accumulated one or more MRM [protease inhibitor (PI), 35.7%; nucleoside(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), 77.5%; non‐NRTI, 69.0%; integrase inhibitor (INI), 10.1%), but 77.7% harboured strains fully susceptible to DTG + bDRV. In viraemic patients, the overall probability of VS by 12 months of treatment was 91.7%. In virologically suppressed patients, the overall probability of VR was 10.5% by 24 months after therapy start. Patients with previous time under virological suppression ≤ 6 months showed a higher VR probability compared with others (37.5% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.002). Among 13 non‐responding patients for whom a genotypic resistance test result at failure was available, only two (15.4%) accumulated further resistance in integrase (Y143C/H/R; S147G and N155H) and protease (V32I, L33F, I54L). Conclusions: In highly treatment‐experienced patients, the use of dual therapy based on DTG + bDRV appears to be a very good regimen for switch therapy, with a high rate of virological control in both viraemic and virologically suppressed patients. Among non‐responding patients, the selection of further resistance is a rare event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in resource‐rich countries, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PjP) is one of the most frequent opportunistic AIDS‐defining infections. The Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) has shown that primary Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PjP) prophylaxis can be safely withdrawn in patients with CD4 counts of 100 to 200 cells/µL if plasma HIV‐RNA is suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy. Whether this holds true for secondary prophylaxis is not known, and this has proved difficult to determine due to the much lower population at risk. Methods: We estimated the incidence of secondary PjP by including patient data collected from 1998 to 2015 from the COHERE cohort collaboration according to time‐updated CD4 counts, HIV‐RNA and use of PjP prophylaxis in persons >16 years of age. We fitted a Poisson generalized additive model in which the smoothed effect of CD4 was modelled by a restricted cubic spline, and HIV‐RNA was stratified as low (<400), medium (400 to 10,000) or high (>10,000copies/mL). Results: There were 373 recurrences of PjP during 74,295 person‐years (py) in 10,476 patients. The PjP incidence in the different plasma HIV‐RNA strata differed significantly and was lowest in the low stratum. For patients off prophylaxis with CD4 counts between 100 and 200 cells/µL and HIV‐RNA below 400 copies/mL, the incidence of recurrent PjP was 3.9 (95% CI: 2.0 to 5.8) per 1000 py, not significantly different from patients on prophylaxis in the same stratum (1.9, 95% CI: 0.1 to 3.7). Conclusions: HIV viraemia importantly affects the risk of recurrent PjP. In virologically suppressed patients on ART with CD4 counts of 100 to 200/µL, the incidence of PjP off prophylaxis is below 10/1000 py. Secondary PjP prophylaxis may be safely withheld in such patients. While European guidelines recommend discontinuing secondary PjP prophylaxis only if CD4 counts rise above 200 cells/mL, the latest US Guidelines consider secondary prophylaxis discontinuation even in patients with a CD4 count above 100 cells/µL and suppressed viral load. Our results strengthen and support this US recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCV infection has been hypothesized as a contributor of poor CD4+ recovery in patients living with HIV (PLWHIV). Aim of this study was to evaluate CD4+, CD8+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio trends before and after HCV treatment with direct acting agents (DAA) in PLWHIV. HIV/HCV patients enrolled in ICONA and HepaICONA cohorts with HIV‐RNA≤50 copies/ml who achieved a sustained viral response after DAA treatment were studied. A linear regression model was used to investigate CD4+, CD8+ and CD4/CD8 changes 12 months before and after DAA treatment. A total of 939 HIV/HCV patients were included, 225 (24.0%) female, median age: 53 years (IQR 50–56). At DAA initiation, CD4+ T cell count was <350 cells/mm3 in 164 patients (17.5%), and 246 patients (26.2%) had liver stiffness>12.5 kPa. Trends of CD4+ and CD4/CD8 ratio were similar before and after DAA in all study populations (CD4+ change +17.6 cells/mm3 (95%CI −33.5; 69.4, p = 0.494); CD4/CD8 change 0.013 (95%CI −0.061; 0.036, p = 0.611). However, patients treated with ribavirin (RBV)‐free DAA showed a significant decrease in CD8+ cells (−204.3 cells/mm3, 95%CI −375.0;‐33.4, p = 0.019), while patients treated with RBV experienced CD8+ cell increase (+141.2 cells/mm3, 95%CI 40.3; 242.1, p = 0.006). In conclusion, HCV eradication following DAA treatment does not seem to have an impact on CD4+ T cell recovery in PLWHIV. However, a fast decline of CD8+T cells has been observed in patients treated without RBV, suggesting a favourable effect of HCV clearance on the general state of immune activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral ionic liquids (CILs), or ionic liquids (ILs) with chiral additives, are very attractive chiral media for enantioselective electroanalysis, on account of their high chiral structural order at the electrochemical interphase. A family of molecular salts with CIL properties is now introduced, based on the chiral steroid building block of deoxycholic acid implemented either in the anion or cation. Testing them as chiral additives in a commercial achiral IL, they enable voltammetric discrimination of the enantiomers of a model chiral probe on disposable screen-printed electrodes in terms of peak potential differences, which is the most desirable transduction mode of the enantiorecognition event. The probe enantiomer sequence is the same for all selectors, consistent with their sharing the same chiral building block configuration. This proof-of-concept widens the application fields of bile acid derivatives as chiral selectors, while also enriching the still very few CIL families so far explored for applications in chiral electroanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 who experience an exaggerated inflammation leading to pneumonia, monocytes likely play a major role but have received poor attention. Thus, we analyzed peripheral blood monocytes from patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia and found that these cells show signs of altered bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction, had a reduced basal and maximal respiration, reduced spare respiratory capacity, and decreased proton leak. Basal extracellular acidification rate was also diminished, suggesting reduced capability to perform aerobic glycolysis. Although COVID‐19 monocytes had a reduced ability to perform oxidative burst, they were still capable of producing TNF and IFN‐γ in vitro. A significantly high amount of monocytes had depolarized mitochondria and abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructure. A redistribution of monocyte subsets, with a significant expansion of intermediate/pro‐inflammatory cells, and high amounts of immature monocytes were found, along with a concomitant compression of classical monocytes, and an increased expression of inhibitory checkpoints like PD‐1/PD‐L1. High plasma levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including GM‐CSF, IL‐18, CCL2, CXCL10, and osteopontin, finally confirm the importance of monocytes in COVID‐19 immunopathogenesis. SYNOPSIS: Investigation of patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia revealed that SARS‐CoV‐2 infection affects innate immunity by reshaping peripheral blood monocyte subsets and altering their functionality, in terms of bioenergetics, membrane potential and expression of checkpoint inhibitors. A peripheral blood increase in intermediate monocytes, reduction of classical monocytes, increase of circulating immature monocytes and upregulation of PD‐1 and PD‐L1 on such cells characterize patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia.Monocytes display reduced oxidative phosphorylation, reduced extracellular acidification rate and altered mitochondrial ultrastructure.Monocytes had a reduced capability to perform the respiratory burst, although they still remain able to produce inflammatory cytokines.Several inflammatory cytokines and chemokine, including GM‐CSF, IL‐18, CCL2, IL‐6, CXCL10 and osteopontin are present at high concentration in plasma from COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous event‐related potential (ERP) studies mainly from the present research group showed a novel component, that is, the prefrontal negativity (pN), recorded in visual‐motor discriminative tasks during the pre‐stimulus phase. This component is concomitant to activity related to motor preparation, that is, the Bereitschaftspotential (BP). The pN component has been reported in experiments based on the visual modality only; for other modalities (acoustic and/or somatosensory) the presence of the pN warrants further investigation. This study represents a first step toward this direction; indeed, we aimed at describing the pN and the BP components in discriminative response tasks (DRTs) for three sensory modalities. In experiment 1 ERPs were recorded in 29 adults in visual and auditory DRT; an additional group of 15 adults participated to a somatosensory DRT (experiment 2). In line with previous results both the pN and the BP were clearly detectable in the visual modality. In the auditory modality the prefrontal pN was not detectable directly; however, the pN could be derived by subtraction of separate EEG traces recorded in a "passive" version of the same auditory task, in which motor responses were not required. In the somatosensory modality both the pN and the BP were detectable, although with lower amplitudes with respect to other two sensory modalities. Overall, regardless of the sensory modality, anticipatory task‐related pN and BP components could be detected (or derived by subtraction) over both the prefrontal and motor cortices. These results support the view that anticipatory processes share common components among sensory modalities. The novelty of this ERP study is represented by evidence of similar anticipatory brain activities supporting the decision to either act or inhibit in tasks involving target and no‐target stimuli among different sensory modalities. Findings are relevant in light of the interactions between modality‐specific and modality‐independent components of the brain's preparation to optimize upcoming performance and are consistent with Bayesian predictive models of cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Although outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials, experiences from subpopulations defined by age, CD4 count or viral load (VL) in heterogeneous real‐world settings are limited. Methods: The study design was an international multicohort collaboration. Logistic regression was used to compare virological and immunological outcomes at 12 ± 3 months after starting ART with an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), contemporary nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or boosted protease inhibitor (PI/b) with two nucleos(t)ides after 1 January 2012. The composite treatment outcome (cTO) defined success as VL < 200 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL with no regimen change and no AIDS/death events. Immunological success was defined as a CD4 count > 750 cells/μL or a 33% increase where the baseline CD4 count was ≥ 500 cells/μL. Poisson regression compared clinical failures (AIDS/death ≥ 14 days after starting ART). Interactions between ART class and age, CD4 count, and VL were determined for each endpoint. Results: Of 5198 ART‐naïve persons in the International Cohort Consortium of Infectious Diseases (RESPOND), 45.4% started INSTIs, 26.0% PI/b and 28.7% NNRTIs; 880 (17.4%) were aged > 50 years, 2539 (49.4%) had CD4 counts < 350 cells/μL and 1891 (36.8%) had VL > 100 000 copies/mL. Differences in virological and immunological success and clinical failure among ART classes were similar across age groups (≤ 40, 40–50 and > 50 years), CD4 count categories (≤ 350 vs. > 350 cells/μL) and VL categories at ART initiation (≤ 100 000 vs. > 100 000 copies/mL), with all investigated interactions being nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Differences among ART classes in virological, immunological and clinical outcomes in ART‐naïve participants were consistent irrespective of age, immune suppression or VL at ART initiation. While confounding by indication cannot be excluded, this provides reassuring evidence that such subpopulations will equally benefit from contemporary ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the interactions between SARS‐CoV‐2 and humoral immunity are fundamental to elaborate effective therapies including vaccines. We used polychromatic flow cytometry, coupled with unsupervised data analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), to interrogate B cells in untreated patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia. COVID‐19 patients displayed normal plasma levels of the main immunoglobulin classes, of antibodies against common antigens or against antigens present in common vaccines. However, we found a decreased number of total and naïve B cells, along with decreased percentages and numbers of memory switched and unswitched B cells. On the contrary, IgM+ and IgM− plasmablasts were significantly increased. In vitro cell activation revealed that B lymphocytes showed a normal proliferation index and number of dividing cells per cycle. PCA indicated that B‐cell number, naive and memory B cells but not plasmablasts clustered with patients who were discharged, while plasma IgM level, C‐reactive protein, D‐dimer, and SOFA score with those who died. In patients with pneumonia, the derangement of the B‐cell compartment could be one of the causes of the immunological failure to control SARS‐Cov2, have a relevant influence on several pathways, organs and systems, and must be considered to develop vaccine strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of planar‐stereogenicity ferrocenes, important as chiral promoters in enantioselective catalysis, is characterized in terms of relationships between structure and electronic properties. The enantiomers of six selected model cases are then successfully discriminated in voltammetry experiments on electrodes modified with electrodeposited inherently chiral oligomer films, in terms of significant potential differences, specular inverting probe or selector configuration. Small substituent changes do not alter the enantiomer peak sequence, but result in significant modulation of peak potential differences, which appear consistent with the availability of chiral/selector matching elements. The present stereogenic plane case, combined with former ones involving stereogenic centers, axes, and/or helices, shows that the inherent chirality strategy in electroanalysis can be effective with all four rigid stereogenic elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative antibiotic treatment duration in skin reconstruction with dermal substitutes is not well established. This study compares the incidence of infective complications after two different durations of perioperative antibiotic treatment in patients undergoing surgical reconstruction with skin dermal substitutes (SDS) after excision of skin cancer. Infective complications at the site of SDS were compared in subjects undergoing surgical reconstruction who received either a > 24‐hour (extended protocol) or a ≤ 24‐hour (short protocol) perioperative antibiotic treatment. Of 116 patients undergoing SDS surgical reconstruction, 62 (53.4%) received an extended schedule, and 54 (46.6%) received a short schedule. The two groups were similar for gender, age, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and type of skin cancer. Overall incidence rate of infection was 20.7% (24/116). No differences in terms of risk of infection were observed between the two groups (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.42‐2.55; P =.937). Patients undergoing SDS reconstruction in the limb/foot had a higher risk of infection in comparison with those undergoing SDS reconstruction in the chest/head (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.06‐6.86; P =.038). The short protocol was demonstrated to be beneficial to patients undergoing surgical reconstruction with SDS. A ≤ 24‐hour perioperative antibiotic schedule did not increase the infection rate, potentially allowing a reduction of antibiotic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kidney transplantation in HIV‐infected patients is characterized by a concerning high rate of allograft rejections. The etiological mechanisms leading to this increased immunoreactivity are still unknown. Maraviroc is a new antiretroviral agent that has been associated with immunomodulatory proprieties; therefore, its use may be a promising strategy to minimize the rate of rejections in HIV‐infected kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in our cohort of HIV‐KT recipients with the aim to explore the effects of maraviroc in reducing the risk of graft rejection. Results: Twenty‐two HIV‐infected KT recipients predominantly of Caucasian origin (86%) and with a median age of 49 (IQR, 51.9‐42.2) years were evaluated. Ten HIV‐infected patients were treated with maraviroc and 12 with a maraviroc‐free antiretroviral regimen. After a median follow‐up of 3.01 years, half of the maraviroc‐treated patients (n = 5) developed seven episodes of graft rejection, most of them were T cell–mediated rejections (85.7%). Five episodes were recorded in the maraviroc‐free group. The difference in the rate of graft rejections was not statistically significant (P =.23). Conclusions: The administration of maraviroc was ineffective in preventing graft rejections in our cohort of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 heavily involves all those working in a laboratory. Samples from known infected patients or donors who are considered healthy can arrive, and a colleague might be asymptomatic but able to transmit the virus. Working in a clinical laboratory is posing several safety challenges. Few years ago, International Society for Advancement of Cytometry published guidelines to safely analyze and sort human samples that were revised in these days. We describe the procedures that we have been following since the first patient appeared in Italy, which have only slightly modified our standard one, being all human samples associated with risks. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD), defined as the replacement of functional renal tissue by extracellular matrix proteins, remains the first cause of graft loss. The aim of our study was to explore the potential role of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) during CAD. We retrospectively quantified CB1 expression and correlated it with renal fibrosis in 26 kidney‐transplanted patients who underwent serial routine kidney biopsies. Whereas CB1 expression was low in normal kidney grafts, it was highly expressed during CAD, especially in tubular cells. CB1 expression significantly increased early on after transplantation, from day 0 (D0) to month 3 post‐transplant (M3) (22.5% ± 15.4% vs 33.4% ± 13.8%, P < .01), and it remained stable thereafter. CB1 expression correlated with renal fibrosis at M3 (P = .04). In an in vitro model of tacrolimus‐mediated fibrogenesis by tubular cells, we found that tacrolimus treatment significantly induced mRNA and protein expression of CB1 concomitantly to col3a1 and col4a3 up regulation. Administration of rimonabant, a CB1 antagonist, blunted collagen synthesis by tubular cells (P < .05). Overall, our study strongly suggests an involvement of the cannabinoid system in the progression of fibrosis during CAD and indicates the therapeutic potential of CB1 antagonists in this pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the impact of genotypic susceptibility score (GSS) on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) outcomes during primary HIV infection (PHI) we retrospectively enrolled patients with PHI diagnosed between 2008 and 2015 at 9/24 Italian Network ACuTe HIV InfectiON centers. One hundred‐seventy‐six patients were enrolled. Of these, 55 (32.9%) patients started with more than three drugs and 11 (7.2%) started with a GSS < 3. Regimen's GSS (per 1 point increase) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62‐14.28; P = .005) and baseline HIV‐RNA (per 1 log10 increase) (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.09‐3.73; P = .025) resulted associated with early cART initiation. In conclusion, regimen's GSS resulted to be associated to the time to cART initiation during PHI. HIGHLIGHTS: Italian Network ACuTe HIV InfectiON is an Italian network with the aim of studying primary HIV infection (PHI). Regimen's genotypic susceptibility score (GSS) resulted to be associated to the time to combined antiretroviral therapy initiation during PHI. No role of GSS was observed in the probability of virological control and first regimen discontinuation. A lower GSS score was related to a X4 tropism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐standing chiral electroactive synthetic membranes are presented, prepared by oxidative electro‐oligomerization of a thiophene‐based "inherently chiral" electroactive monomer on indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes, followed by detachment of the electrodeposited thin films in aqueous solution. The membranes, possibly mesoporous, consist of a mixture of open and cyclic "inherently chiral" oligomers, that is, in which both chirality and electroactivity originate from the same source, and this is the main conjugated backbone featuring a tailored torsion. Such a combination can afford outstanding chirality manifestations. The electrosynthesis conditions significantly modulate the oligomer distribution. Racemate films are compared to enantiopure ones. Circular dichroism confirms that (R)‐ or (S)‐ enantiopure films are obtained, starting from the corresponding (R)‐ or (S)‐ enantiopure monomers. Reliable transmembrane potential readings are obtained in preliminary tests in ion‐selective electrode (ISE)‐like setups, consistent with those predicted considering the membrane features, offering a first step towards extension of the protocol to chiral experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screening tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis infections performed in at‐risk population show a higher number of positive tests compared to those carried out in the general population. 'Test & Counselling' Ambulatory of Infectious Disease Clinic (T&C‐IDC) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Ambulatory of Dermatology Unit (STDs‐DU) of Modena began collaboration in 2010 and adopted a common diagnostic serological profile since 2013. Objectives: The main objective was to analyse the number of screening tests performed in the T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU, comparing the results obtained after the adoption of the shared protocol with the previous period. The secondary aim was to evaluate the linkage to care of newly diagnosed patients. Methods: Consecutive patients referred to the T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU from January 2010 to December 2016, with at least one performed screening test for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis were enrolled. Referral of patients with a new infection was obtained by capture‐recapture methods in hospital databases. Results: During the 7‐year observation, we collected 13 117 admittances for 9154 patients. A significant increase in the number of screening tests (P < 0.001) and ratio between tests and admissions (P = 0.002) was observed. A total of 644 (7.0%) people with at least one infection were diagnosed. Among these, the most common was syphilis (41.9%), followed by HBV (25.7%), HCV (21.4%) and HIV (10.9%). Syphilis occurred predominantly in Italians (72.5%) and males (75.7%), as like as HCV, while foreign‐born (85.5%) mainly harboured HBV infection. HIV diagnosis was detected more frequently among males (67.1%) with a similar proportion between Italians and foreign‐born. Five hundred and forty‐three out of 644 (84.3%) patients were linked to care. Conclusion: The collaboration between T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU has proven to work well increasing the diagnosis over the time and obtaining good results in linkage to care. Linked Commentary: D. Freedman. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33: 801–802. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15562 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural reliability of industrial pipes, including those in the nuclear, oil, and gas industries, has a significant impact on the safety of people and the environment. This work aims to develop a computational structural reliability model method in conjunction with the failure assessment diagram method and the user‐defined probability of detection curves of non‐destructive testing are used. The concept of "reliability factor of a repair" is proposed. Then, the effects of the pipe inspection considering different user‐defined probability of detection curves and different values of the reliability factor of a repair on probability of failure are discussed. The main results include the identification of cases where performing repairs do not guarantee an improved reliability, as well as the consequences of considering the repair as a "perfect process" which result in non‐conservative assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the components of aggregate labour productivity inequality between Italian regions from 2000 to 2013. The Gini index of inequality in aggregate labour productivity is decomposed, showing the extent to which sector productivity differentials and differences in industry‐mix contribute to regional productivity inequality. In addition, the contribution of the interaction between differences in industry‐mix and sector productivity differentials is revealed by the decomposition. Each of these contributions to inequality is measured by considering the spatial dimension of regional inequality, since the contributions of inequality between non‐neighbouring regions and inequality between neighbouring regions are separated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The management of HIV disease is complicated by the incidence of a new spectrum of comorbid noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It is important to document changes in the prevalence of NCDs over time. The aim of the study was to describe the impact of ageing on HIV markers and on the prevalence of NCDs in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the Italian Cohort of Individuals, Naïve for Antiretrovirals (ICONA) seen for care in 2004–2014. Methods: Analyses were conducted separately for a closed cohort (same people seen at both times) and an open cohort (all people under follow‐up). We used the χ2 test for categorical factors and the Wilcoxon test for quantitative factors to compare profiles over time. Results: The closed cohort included 1517 participants and the open cohort 3668 under follow‐up in 2004 and 6679 in 2014. The median age of the open cohort was 41 [interquartile range (IQR) 37–46] years in 2004 and 44 (IQR 36–52) years in 2014. Analysis of the closed cohort showed an increase in the prevalence of some NCDs [the prevalence of dyslipidaemia increased from 75% in 2004 to 91% in 2014, that of hypertension from 67 to 84%, and that of cardiovascular disease (CVD) from 18 to 32%] and a decrease in renal function (5% with eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in 2004 versus 30% in 2014); the percentage of people in the high‐risk group for the Framingham CHD score more than tripled (from 13 to 45%). Results in the open cohort were similar. Conclusions: The burden of NCDs in our PLWHIV population markedly worsened over a 10‐year time‐span, which is likely to be a result of the effects of both ageing and HIV infection as well as their interaction. Special attention must be given to the management and prevention of NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammary tuberculosis is exceptional in developed countries. It can mimic an abscess or a granulomatous mastitis. In subjects coming from endemic areas, it is necessary to suspect a tuberculosis infection in case of recurrent mastitis refractory to antibiotics. Positivity of Quantiferon‐TB Gold assay can help to confirm the clinical suspicion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two new inherently chiral oligothiophenes characterized by the atropisomeric 3,3′‐bithianaphtene scaffold functionalized with fused ring bithiophene derivatives, namely 4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b3:4b′]dithiophene (CPDT) and dithieno[3,3‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole (DTP), were synthesized. The racemates were fully characterized and resolved into antipodes by enantioselective HPLC. The enantiomers were analyzed through different chiroptical techniques: electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) were employed to attribute the absolute configuration (AC). Comparison of experimental and calculated VCD spectra confirmed the DFT calculated conformational characteristics. The compound functionalized with two CPDT units was oxidized with FeCl3, and ECD and CPL of the resulting material were measured. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) was measured to verify if inherently chiral oligothiophenes could be promising systems for chiral photonics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by clonal expansion of a B‐cell population in peripheral blood of otherwise healthy subjects. MBL is divided into CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia)‐like, atypical CLL‐like and non‐CLL MBL. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunophenotypic characteristics and clinical outcomes of MBL in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. We retrospectively evaluated 593 kidney transplant (KT) recipients in follow‐up at our center. Among them, 157 patients underwent peripheral blood flow cytometry for different clinical indications. A 6‐color panel flow cytometry was used to diagnose MBL. This condition was detected in 5 of 157 KT recipients. Immunophenotypic characterization of MBL showed four cases of non‐CLL MBL and one case of CLL‐like MBL. At presentation, median age was 65 years (range 61‐73). After a median follow‐up of 3.1 years (95%CI; 1.1‐5) from diagnosis, patients did not progress either to CLL or to lymphoma. The disorder did not increase the risk of malignancy, severe infections, graft loss and mortality among our KT recipients. Surprisingly, all cases were also affected by concomitant monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, which did not progress to multiple myeloma during follow‐up. In conclusion, our data suggest that MBL is an age‐related disorder, with non‐CLL MBL being the most common subtype among KT recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]