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Particle tracking (PT) is a popular technique in microscopy, microfluidics and colloidal transport studies, where image analysis is used to reconstruct trajectories from bright spots in a video. The performance of many PT algorithms has been rigorously tested for directed and Brownian motion in open media. However, PT is frequently used to track particles in porous media where complex geometries and viscous flows generate particles with high velocity variability over time. Here, we present an evaluation of four PT algorithms for a simulated dispersion of particles in porous media across a range of particle speeds and densities. Of special note, we introduce a new velocity-based PT linking algorithm (V-TrackMat) that achieves high accuracy relative to the other PT algorithms. Our findings underscore that traditional statistics, which revolve around detection and linking proficiency, fall short in providing a holistic comparison of PT codes because they tend to underpenalize aggressive linking techniques. We further elucidate that all codes analyzed show a decrease in performance due to high speeds, particle densities, and trajectory noise. However, linking algorithms designed to harness velocity data show superior performance, especially in the case of high-speed advective motion. Lastly, we emphasize how PT error can influence transport analysis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Supportive Care is a person-centred approach encompassing non-pharmacological interventions targeted towards persons with dementia to contain the effects of their behavioural disorders, improving their quality of life., Aims: To investigate the effects of lockdown restrictions during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on behavioural symptoms of patients involved in a Supportive Care programme in an Italian nursing home., Methods: Analysis is based on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scores and related symptoms data collected before (October/November 2019) and after (July 2020) the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions on a non-random sample of 75 patients living in two units of the facility: 38 involved in a Supportive Care programme and 37 receiving standard care (Control). Group performances were compared over time according to univariate statistics and Latent Class Analysis (LCA)., Results: NPI scores and number of reported symptoms in NPI evaluations increased over time among Supportive Care patients with dementia and decreased in the Control group. Differences are statistically significant. LCA resulted in 3-classes and 5-classes specifications in the two time-occasions., Discussion: Supportive Care patients showed a worsening in behavioural and psychological symptoms after the first pandemic wave, as opposed to the elderly not involved in the programme. LCA showed that patients in the two groups differed according to the combinations of NPI symptoms., Conclusions: The discontinuation of a Supportive Care programme due to COVID-19 restrictions had strong negative effects on nursing home persons with dementia involved in the programme: Supportive Care interventions are important in controlling the psycho-behavioural symptoms associated with dementia., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Paccagnella, Miele, Guzzon, Neresini, Rebba, Rigon and Boniolo.)

Cancer represents a major global health burden, prompting continuous research for effective therapeutic strategies. Natural compounds derived from plants have emerged as potential strategies for preventing cancer and treatment because of their inherent pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of five key natural compounds: apigenin, quercetin, piperine, curcumin, and resveratrol in cancer prevention and therapy. By examining their molecular mechanisms and preclinical evidence, this review seeks to elucidate their role as potential adjuvants or stand-alone therapies in cancer management. The exploration of natural compounds as cancer therapeutics offers several advantages, including low toxicity, wide availability, and compatibility with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. We highlighted the current understanding of their anticancer mechanisms and clinical applications for advancing personalized cancer care to improve patient outcomes. We discussed the empirical findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reporting biological activity and therapeutic efficacy in antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-carcinogenic, and chemo-sensitizing modes. Innovative delivery systems and personalized treatment approaches may further enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic utility in a synergistic approach with chemo- and radiotherapeutic disease management. This review underscores the importance of natural compounds in cancer prevention and treatment, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)

Background: Insomnia persists as a prevalent sleep disorder among middle-aged and older adults, significantly impacting quality of life and increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases. It is classified into objective insomnia (O-IN) and paradoxical insomnia (P-IN), where subjective and objective sleep assessments diverge. Current treatment regimens for both patient groups yield unsatisfactory outcomes. Consequently, investigating the neurophysiological distinctions between P-IN and O-IN is imperative for devising novel precision interventions aligned with primary prediction, targeted prevention, and personalized medicine (PPPM) principles.Working hypothesis and methodology.Given the emerging influence of gut microbiota (GM) on sleep physiology via the gut-brain axis, our study focused on characterizing the GM profiles of a well-characterized cohort of 96 Italian postmenopausal women, comprising 54 insomniac patients (18 O-IN and 36 P-IN) and 42 controls, through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Associations were explored with general and clinical history, sleep patterns, stress, hematobiochemical parameters, and nutritional patterns., Results: Distinctive GM profiles were unveiled between O-IN and P-IN patients. O-IN patients exhibited prominence in the Coriobacteriaceae family, including Collinsella and Adlercreutzia , along with Erysipelotrichaceae , Clostridium , and Pediococcus . Conversely, P-IN patients were mainly discriminated by Bacteroides , Staphylococcus , Carnobacterium , Pseudomonas , and respective families, along with Odoribacter ., Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the microbiota-mediated mechanism of O-IN versus P-IN onset. GM profiling may thus serve as a tailored stratification criterion, enabling the identification of women at risk for specific insomnia subtypes and facilitating the development of integrated microbiota-based predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and personalized therapies, ultimately enhancing clinical effectiveness., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00369-1., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Patients with COVID-19 have coagulation and platelet disorders, with platelet alterations and thrombocytopenia representing negative prognostic parameters associated with severe forms of the disease and increased lethality., Methods: The aim of this study was to study the expression of platelet glycoprotein IIIa (CD61), playing a critical role in platelet aggregation, together with TRL-2 as a marker of innate immune activation., Results: A total of 25 patients were investigated, with the majority (24/25, 96%) having co-morbidities and dying from a fatal form of SARS-CoV-2(+) infection (COVID-19+), with 13 men and 12 females ranging in age from 45 to 80 years. When compared to a control group of SARS-CoV-2 (-) negative lungs (COVID-19-), TLR-2 expression was up-regulated in a subset of patients with deadly COVID-19 fatal lung illness. The proportion of Spike-1 (+) patients found by PCR and ISH correlates to the proportion of Spike-S1-positive cases as detected by digital pathology examination. Furthermore, CD61 expression was considerably higher in the lungs of deceased patients. In conclusion, we demonstrate that innate immune prolonged hyperactivation is related to platelet/megakaryocyte over-expression in the lung., Conclusions: Microthrombosis in deadly COVID-19+ lung disease is associated with an increase in the number of CD61+ platelets and megakaryocytes in the pulmonary interstitium, as well as their functional activation; this phenomenon is associated with increased expression of innate immunity TLR2+ cells, which binds the SARS-CoV-2 E protein, and significantly with the persistence of the Spike-S1 viral sequence.

Objective: Early detection of Parkinson's Disease (PD) progression remains a challenge. As remote patient monitoring solutions (RMS) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies emerge as potential aids for PD management, there's a gap in understanding how end users view these technologies. This research explores patient and neurologist perspectives on AI-assisted RMS., Methods: Qualitative interviews and focus-groups were conducted with 27 persons with PD (PwPD) and six neurologists from Finland and Italy. The discussions covered traditional disease progression detection and the prospects of integrating AI and RMS. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and underwent thematic analysis., Results: The study involved five individual interviews (four Italian participants and one Finnish) and six focus-groups (four Finnish and two Italian) with PwPD. Additionally, six neurologists (three from each country) were interviewed. Both cohorts voiced frustration with current monitoring methods due to their limited real-time detection capabilities. However, there was enthusiasm for AI-assisted RMS, contingent upon its value addition, user-friendliness, and preservation of the doctor-patient bond. While some PwPD had privacy and trust concerns, the anticipated advantages in symptom regulation seemed to outweigh these apprehensions., Discussion: The study reveals a willingness among PwPD and neurologists to integrate RMS and AI into PD management. Widespread adoption requires these technologies to provide tangible clinical benefits, remain user-friendly, and uphold trust within the physician-patient relationship., Conclusion: This study offers insights into the potential drivers and barriers for adopting AI-assisted RMS in PD care. Recognizing these factors is pivotal for the successful integration of these digital health tools in PD management., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, with prospects indicating its potential to become the leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as neoplastic disease undergoing chemotherapy, those on immunosuppressive therapy, and individuals with rare diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF), face heightened challenges due to AMR. CF is a rare disease caused by a deficiency in the synthesis of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) channel protein, resulting in multi-organ clinical symptoms, particularly in the respiratory system. PwCF experience recurrent pulmonary exacerbations triggered by bacterial or viral infections, making them particularly vulnerable to the impact of AMR. This review delves into the complex relationship between AMR and climate dynamics, focusing on the unique challenges faced by individuals with CF. It discusses the methods employed to measure AMR, its global impact on antibiotic resistance, and the specific microbial communities present in the CF airway. The review also explores the intricacies of antimicrobial resistance within the context of cystic fibrosis, emphasizing the urgent need for research in this field.

Accurate identification of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), commonly known as the Oriental fruit fly, is a significant challenge due to the morphological convergence and taxonomic uncertainties of species belonging to the same genus. This highly polyphagous species poses a significant threat to fruit crops. With its potential establishment in Europe becoming a growing concern, there is an urgent need for rapid and efficient diagnostic methods. The study presented here introduces a diagnostic protocol based on real-time PCR using a TaqMan probe for the early and reproducible identification of B. dorsalis . Specimens representing the genetic diversity of the Italian population were collected and analyzed. Specific primers and probe were designed based on the conserved regions and an in silico analysis confirmed their specificity. The assay conditions were optimized, and analytical sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and reproducibility were evaluated. The protocol showed high sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting low DNA concentrations of B. dorsalis . This standardized method provides a reliable tool for routine diagnostics, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of identifying the Oriental fruit fly at all stages of its development, thereby facilitating effective pest management measures. The development of this diagnostic protocol is crucial for monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the passive spread of B. dorsalis in Europe, particularly in light of the recent active infestations detected in Italy.

Background: Inflammatory microenvironment is an essential component of all tumors, including thyroid cancer. Autoimmune thyroid diseases are often associated with thyroid cancer. CD25, expressed in Treg cells and B cells, has been found to be associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases and the NFkB pathway is critical to tumor formation, regulating immune-related genes, and pro-inflammatory cytokine., Methods: Protein expression of CD25 and NFkB and its phosphorylated form was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 80 patients with thyroid cancer (10 cases of cancers with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 70 cases without)., Results: CD25 was mainly detected in the nucleus of the inflammatory cells such as in the thyrocytes and neoplastic cells. Protein staining was detected in the T-lymphocytes of the outermost zone of the lymphoid follicles. Moreover, in all cancer alterations, there were a higher level of p-NFkB than in the surrounding tissues. Again, p-NFkB staining was evident in neoplastic cells but not evident in inflammatory cells., Conclusions: Strong inflammatory infiltrate in the tumor microenvironment is correlated with an invasive phenotype. CD25 and p-NFkB levels were statistically significantly overexpressed in cancer cells.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection of deep-seated lung nodules smaller than 1 cm is extremely challenging. Several methods have been proposed to overcome this limitation but with not neglectable complications. Intraoperative lung ultrasound (ILU) is the latest minimally invasive proposed technique. The aim of the current study was to analyze the accuracy and efficacy of ILU associated with VATS to visualize solitary and deep-seated pulmonary nodules smaller than 1 cm., Methods: Patients with subcentimetric solitary and deep-seated pulmonary nodules were included in this retrospective study from November 2020 to December 2022. Patients who received VATS aided with ILU were considered as group A and patients who received conventional VATS as group B (control group). The rate of nodule identification and the time for localization with VATS alone and with VATS aided with ILU in each group were analyzed., Results: A total of 43 patients received VATS aided with ILU (group A) and 31 patients received conventional VATS (group B). Mean operative time was lower in group A (p < 0.05). In group A all the nodules were correctly identified, while in group B in one case the localization failed. The time to identify the lesion was lower in group A (7.1 ± 2.2 vs. 13.8 ± 4.6; p < 0.05). During hospitalization three patients (6.5%; p < 0.05) in group B presented air leaks that were conservatively managed., Conclusion: Intracavitary VATS-US is a reliable, feasible, real-time and effective method of localization of parenchymal lung nodules during selected wedge resection procedures., (© 2023 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

To the current data, there have been 6,955,141 COVID-19-related deaths worldwide, reported to WHO. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) implicated in bacterial and virus sensing could be a crosstalk between activation of persistent innate-immune inflammation, and macrophage's sub-population alterations, implicated in cytokine storm, macrophage over-activation syndrome, unresolved Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ARDS), and death. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the association between Toll-like-receptor-4 (TLR-4)-induced inflammation and macrophage imbalance in the lung inflammatory infiltrate of lethal COVID-19 disease. Twenty-five cases of autopsy lung tissues were studied by digital pathology-based immunohistochemistry to evaluate expression levels of TLR-4 (CD 284), pan-macrophage marker CD68 (clone KP1), sub-population marker related to alveolar macrophage Galectin-3 (GAL-3) (clone 9C4), and myeloid derived CD163 (clone MRQ-26), respectively. SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence has been evaluated by in situ hybridation (ISH) method. This study showed TLR-4 up-regulation in a subgroup of patients, increased macrophage infiltration in both Spike-1 (+) and Spike-1 (-) lungs ( p < 0.0001), and a macrophage shift with important down-regulation of GAL-3 (+) alveolar macrophages associated with Spike-1 persistence ( p < 0.05), in favor of CD163 (+) myeloid derived monocyte-macrophages. Data show that TLR-4 expression induces a persistent activation of the inflammation, with inefficient resolution, and pathological macrophage shift, thus explaining one of the mechanisms of lethal COVID-19.

In 2019, in southern Italy (Campania) there was an outbreak of a sap beetle infesting stored walnut fruits. A monitoring activity started to assess the spread and impact of the pest in walnut orchards and in warehouses, and an integrative characterization led to identify the beetle as Carpophilus truncatus. This species has been in Europe for a long time, rare and harmless until recently. We show also that this species is the same recently recorded in other two continents, Latin America and Australia, where it is causing massive damage on walnut and almond fruits. The sharing of a mitochondrial haplotype among populations recorded on three continents suggests that a worldwide invasion might be ongoing. A Geographic Profiling approach has determined that the more virulent population was first introduced in Italy, and the climate conditions of areas where C. truncatus is currently widespread and harmful indicate that the entire walnuts world production is in jeopardy as this species could adapt to any of the main walnut and almond production areas., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Among European countries, Italy is the most exposed to the risk of biological invasions, principally for its numerous entry points (ports and airports) and for climatic conditions favorable for the acclimatization of several invasive species. Here it was assessed that the greatest threats to our agro-ecosystems come mainly from the passenger baggage in which a variety of fruits and vegetables are carried. From 2016 to 2021, large quantities of plant products were found in the luggage of passengers travelling from outside the EU and seized at the BCPs (border control posts) in the Campania region. Inspections and the following laboratory analyses were conducted on the plant material to assess the presence of exotic pests. Inspections led to several non-native species being recorded, and among the intercepted organisms, some should be considered "alarming", such as Bactrocera dorsalis , Anastrepha obliqua , and Leucinodes africensis . Despite a well-organized border inspection system, travelers transporting infested material unknowingly contribute to increasing the risk of the introduction of exotic species. Given the current situation, it is necessary to impose stricter controls and greater attention, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the new phytosanitary regulations by the actors involved in the transport of plant material. Finally, it is essential to improve awareness through a phytosanitary campaign on plant health risks, especially for people wishing to transport fruits and vegetables in their luggage.

Chronic insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the elderly population. From 9 to 50% of patients suffer of paradoxical insomnia, with the same symptoms and ailments, though characterized by normal sleep patterns. We have investigated the level of parameters related to stress in a group of post-menopausal female patients (age range 55-70 years) suffering by either objective or paradoxical insomnia, in particular we have measured 24-hours urinary cortisol, allostatic load index, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score, and, for the first time, mitokines (mitochondrial stress response molecules) such as FGF21, GDF15 and Humanin (HN). Results show that the two groups are different as far as sleep efficiency score, as expected, but not for stress parameters, that in some cases resulted within the normality range, although quite close to the top threshold (such as cortisol) or much higher with respect to normality ranges (such as PSS). Therefore, the consequences of paradoxical insomnia on the expression of these parameters are the same as objective insomnia. As far as the level of mitokines, we showed that FGF21 and HN in particular resulted altered (decreased and increased, respectively) with respect to control population, however with no difference between the two groups of patients.

The dispersal of organisms controls the structure and dynamics of populations and communities, and can regulate ecosystem functioning. Predicting dispersal patterns across scales is important to understand microbial life in heterogeneous porous environments such as soils and sediments. We developed a multi-scale approach, combining experiments with microfluidic devices and time-lapse microscopy to track individual bacterial trajectories and measure the overall breakthrough curves and bacterial deposition profiles: we, then, linked the two scales with a novel stochastic model. We show that motile cells of Pseudomonas putida disperse more efficiently than non-motile mutants through a designed heterogeneous porous system. Motile cells can evade flow-imposed trajectories, enabling them to explore larger pore areas than non-motile cells. While transported cells exhibited a rotation in response to hydrodynamic shear, motile cells were less susceptible to the torque, maintaining their body oriented towards the flow direction and thus changing the population velocity distribution with a significant impact on the overall transport properties. We also found, in a separate set of experiments, that if the suspension flows through a porous system already colonized by a biofilm, P. putida cells are channelled into preferential flow paths and the cell attachment rate is increased. These two effects were more pronounced for non-motile than for motile cells. Our findings suggest that motility coupled with heterogeneous flows can be beneficial to motile bacteria in confined environments as it enables them to actively explore the space for resources or evade regions with unfavourable conditions. Our study also underlines the benefit of a multi-scale approach to the study of bacterial dispersal in porous systems.

Background: The diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management has generated a debate on the ways in which ICTs can support the patient-provider relationship. Several studies have focused on text messages. Most of the literature proposes quantitative analysis of the impact of text messaging on the clinical conditions of patients and/or their satisfaction with the technology, while the qualitative studies have focused mainly on patients' perceptions about strengths and weaknesses of this technology., Objective: In contrast to past studies, we adopted a qualitative approach for the in-depth examination of patient-health care professionals' interactions in text messaging., Methods: The study focused on the use of the Trento Cartella Clinica del Cittadino Diabetes System (TreC-DS), a digital platform with a built-in messaging system, in two diabetes centers, integrating message analysis with interviews with patients and health care professionals. Each center focused on a specific patient profile: the first one focused on pregnant women with T1D and the second one focused on adult patients with poorly controlled diabetes., Results: The main results of the study were as follows: (1) Health care professionals and patients perceived the messaging system as useful for sharing information (ie, pregnant women for prescriptions and adults with poorly controlled diabetes for advice); (2) The content and communication styles of the two centers differed: in the case of pregnant women, interactions via text messaging were markedly prescriptive, while in the case of adult patients with poorly controlled diabetes, they were conceived as open dialogues; and (3) Conversations were initiated mainly by professionals; in the cases considered, it was mainly the diabetes center that decided whether a messaging conversation was needed., Conclusions: The results show how the features of interactions of text messaging changed based on the patient profiles in two different centers. In addition, in both diabetes centers that were involved, the system seems to have laid a foundation for a closer relationship between patients and health care professionals., (©Francesco Miele, Silvia Clementi, Renzo Gennaro, Ilaria Nicolao, Tiziana Romanelli, Katja Speese, Enrico Maria Piras. Originally published in JMIR Diabetes (http://diabetes.jmir.org), 10.05.2019.)

Introduction: Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors and the second largest group of neoplasms diagnosed in childhood. Treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, radiotherapy can cause complications, e.g., cognitive deficits., Case Description: We describe the case of a child diagnosed with a brain tumor evaluated before and after radiotherapy to investigate cognitive decline after treatment. The results showed a decline in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores and reversal of the predominance of verbal and nonverbal skills. After radiotherapy, the subject showed slowness, academic deficits, and difficulties learning new information., Comments: Even though the post-treatment evaluation showed scores compatible with the average, comparison between pre- and post-treatment evaluations demonstrated the impact of radiotherapy on the subject's cognitive profile. These results highlight the importance of evaluating patients who undergo radiotherapy before and after treatment and understanding neuropsychological scores associated with the subjects' complaints.