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Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising option to obtain renewable energy in the form of biogas and reduce the anthropogenic impact on the environment. In recent years there has been increasing interest in using pressurized digesters to improve the quality of biogas. However, maintaining high overpressure increases the requirements for the explosion safety of digesters. Consequently, there are natural limitations in the available technologies and facilities suitable for full-scale operation. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the possibility of using overpressure in the digester to improve the efficiency of codigestion of common municipal organic waste–sewage sludge and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Three levels of moderate excess pressure (100, 150 and 200 kPa) were used to meet requirements of existing block-modular anaerobic bioreactors based on railway tanks, which are widely utilized for AD in the Russian Federation. There was no significant change in methane content in biogas (65% ± 3%) at different values of overpressure, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR). The maximum methane and energy production rates (2.365 L/(L·day) and 94.27 kJ/(L·day), respectively) were obtained at an overpressure of 200 kPa, HRT of 5 days and OLR of 14 kg VS/(m3·day). However, the maximum methane yield (202.44 mL/g VS), energy yield (8.07 kJ/g VS) and volatile solids (VS) removal (63.21%) were recorded at an overpressure of 150 kPa, HRT of 7 days and OLR of 10.4 kg VS/(m3·day). The pressured conditions showed better performance in terms of AD stability at high OLRs.

This paper presents the results and interpretations of static and dynamic tests that were executed on a newly built cable-stayed steel-concrete composite bridge during the final proof testing. A brief description of the structure, the testing methodology, and the used instrumentation are presented. Then, the test results are widely discussed and interpreted in order to evaluate the bridge performance during the proof test and also to understand the usefulness of each performed test in a proof test framework. All the collected experimental data are also compared to the numerical ones that were obtained through a refined finite element model, in order to check the behavior of the structure. The outcomes of the present work can offer references for the proof testing and monitoring of cable-stayed bridges.

Heterostructures formed by anatase nanotitania and bidimensional semiconducting materials are expected to become the next-generation photocatalytic materials with an extended operating range and higher performances. The capability of fabricating optically transparent photocatalytic thin films is also a highly demanded technological issue, and increasing the performances of such devices would significantly impact several applications, from self-cleaning surfaces to photovoltaic systems. To improve the performances of such devices, WS2/TiO2 heterostructures obtained by incorporating two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides layers into titania mesoporous ordered thin films have been fabricated. The self-assembly process has been carefully controlled to avoid disruption of the order during film fabrication. WS2 nanosheets of different sizes have been exfoliated by sonication and incorporated in the mesoporous films via one-pot processing. The WS2 nanosheets result as well-dispersed within the titania anatase mesoporous film that retains a mesoporous ordered structure. An enhanced photocatalytic response due to an interparticle electron transfer effect has been observed. The structural characterization of the heterostructure has revealed a tight interplay between the matrix and nanosheets rather than a simple additive co-catalyst effect.

Abstract Background Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are able to store and release oxygen, conferring them scavenger activity against oxidative stress. However, their effects in reproductive systems are not yet well understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of exposure of refrigerated ram semen to CeO2 NPs for 96 h on the main structural and kinematic parameters of spermatozoa. Methods The ejaculates of 5 Sarda rams were collected, pooled and diluted in a soybean lecithin extender. Samples were exposed to increasing doses of CeO2 NPs (0, 44 and 220 μg/mL) and stored at 4 °C for 96 h. Analyses of kinematic parameters (computer assisted sperm analysis, CASA), integrity of membranes (PI/PSA staining), ROS production (H2DCFDA staining) and DNA damage (sperm chromatin structure assay with acridine orange, SCSA) were performed every 24 h (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation). The experiment was carried out in 6 replicates. Data were analysed by repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni’s as post hoc test. When the assumption of normality was not met (ROS), non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis rank test was carried out. Results Exposure of ram spermatozoa to increasing doses of CeO2 NPs had a beneficial effect on the main motility parameters from 48 h of incubation onward. Velocity of sperm cells was enhanced in the groups exposed to CeO2 NPs compared to the control. Incubation with NPs had beneficial effects on the integrity of plasma membranes of spermatozoa, with higher percentage of damaged cells in the control group compared to the exposed ones. Production of ROS was not affected by exposure to NPs and its levels rose at 96 h of incubation. The integrity of DNA remained stable throughout the 96 h of storage regardless of co-incubation with NPs. Conclusions We reported beneficial effects of CeO2 NPs on kinematic and morphologic parameters of ram semen, such as motility and membrane integrity following 96 h of exposure. Furthermore, we also proved no genotoxic effects of CeO2 NPs. These effects could not be related to an antioxidant activity of CeO2 NPs, since ROS levels in exposed cells were similar to those of unexposed ones.

To compare vacuum-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy (VAmini-PCNL) with retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of renal stones measuring 2–3 cm in diameter. This retrospective study included children receiving treatment for pyelocalyceal stones of 2–3 cm in diameter from November 2018 to September 2022. Consecutive patients undergoing VAmini-PCNL after 2020 were compared with a historically matched group undergoing RIRS. VAmini-PCNL was performed using a 12-Ch nephroscope through a 16-Ch vacuum ClearPetra access sheet. RIRS was performed using a flexible ureteroscope through a ureteral sheath. The endpoints included the need for pre-stenting, duration of surgery, complications, stone-free rate (SFR), and need for secondary procedures. The patients were grouped into two with 15 patients for each group. VAmini-PCNL group was not different from the RIRS one for age at surgery [median (range) 6.6 (1–12)years vs. 7.7 (1.5–14)years], and stone diameter [median (range) 2.4 (2.0–2.9)cm vs. 2.3 (2.1–2.8)cm] and density [median (range) 577.5 (421–1068) vs. 541.5 (462–927) Hunsfield Units]. Pre-stenting was necessary in five RIRS patients (33 %). The median duration of surgery was 85.3 (76–112)min for VAmini-PCNL vs. 150.6 (132–167)min for RIRS, p = 0.00001. No major complications were observed. The SFR was 100 % after VAmini-PCNL and 60 % after RIRS, p = 0.02. All residual fragments were removed with a second RIRS. VAmini-PCNL was feasible and safe in children aged >1 year. It allowed for a significantly higher SFR despite a significantly shorter operative time than RIRS, which also requires pre-stenting in one-third of patients and a second RIRS in 40 % of cases. III. • Both mini-PCNL and RIRS are effective methods for treating renal stones measuring 2–3 cm. • Performing mini-PCNL using a vacuum system, such as Clear Petra, allows for significantly better results than RIRS. • The Clear Petra system allows for continuous flushing of the collection system, improving visibility in the operating field while avoiding increases in intrarenal pressures, which can cause morbidity. • The Clear Perta system allows better and easier clearance of stone dust and fragments from the collection system, possibly contributing to a higher SFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Strong metasomatism in Toro Ankole, due to altered oceanic crust or carbonates. • Variation from N to S, with less pronounced metasomatism and different paragenesis. • Low degree of melting of metasomes origins carbonatitic and ultrapotassic terms. The western branch of the East African Rift hosts four main Neogene-Quaternary volcanic provinces, characterized by products with wide chemical and mineralogical variability. This study focuses on the two northernmost volcanic provinces, Toro Ankole where ∼0.2 Ma-old carbonatites, melilitites and kamafugites, erupted together with foidites, and Virunga where ∼13–9 Ma-old strongly and mildly alkaline rocks, from nephelinite up to trachytes crop out. Petrographic and whole/rock geochemical characteristics (low SiO 2 , high CaO and K 2 O, coupled with LILE enrichment) of 49 samples from Toro Ankole and 5 samples from Virunga (tephrites, trachybasalts and trachyandesites) point out enriched and heterogeneous sub-lithospheric mantle sources. The nature of the ultramafic nodules occasionally associated to the investigated samples highlights the presence of metasomatic veins variably enriched in clinopyroxene, phlogopite, carbonate, apatite, Ti-magnetite and titanite. 143Nd/144Nd ratios of Toro Ankole rocks are below ChUR (0.51249–0.51260), and all but two carbonatite lavas have 87Sr/86Sr ˃ BSE (0.7046–0.7056). Virunga lavas display less radiogenic 143Nd/144Nd (0.51235–0.51249) and more radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7058–0.7071). Lead isotopes are all above the NHRL (206Pb/204Pb mostly in the range 19.12–19.63). δ11B values cover the whole OIB range (−8.3 to −3.3 ‰), but with the exception of some Toro Ankole samples with notably heavier compositions (−1.9 to 6.6), here linked to the carbonate enrichment. The differences in the isotopic features observed between Toro Ankole and Virunga products may reflect a north to south change of the lithospheric mantle source in terms of composition, mineralogy and depth of melting. Toro Ankole phlogopite-bearing mantle is more intensely metasomatized by a 87Sr- and 11B-rich component (as altered oceanic crust or subducted carbonates) compare to that one beneath Virunga, in which the metasomes might contain amphibole rather than phlogopite. Low degree of partial melting of the metasomatized mantle produces magmas of carbonatitic and ultrabasic/ultrapotassic compositions of the western rift branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only a tiny fraction of the full potential of energy from biomass is currently exploited in the world. Biogas is a good source of energy and heat, and a clean fuel. Converting it to biomethane creates a product that combines all the benefits of natural gas with zero greenhouse gas emissions. This is important given that the methane contained in biogas is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). The total amount of CO2 emission avoided due to the installation of biogas plants is around 3380 ton/year, as 1 m3 of biogas corresponds to 0.70 kg of CO2 saved. In Russia, despite the huge potential, the development of bioenergy is rather on the periphery, due to the abundance of cheap hydrocarbons and the lack of government support. Based on the data from an agro-industrial plant located in Central Russia, the authors of the article demonstrate that biogas technologies could be successfully used in Russia, provided that the Russian Government adopted Western-type measures of financial incentives.

TMAH is quaternary ammonium salt, consists of a methylated nitrogen molecule, and is widely used in the electronics industry as a developer and silicon etching agent. This substance is toxic and fatal if ingested. It can also cause skin burns, eye damage, and organ damage. Moreover, TMAH exhibits long-lasting toxicity to aquatic systems. Despite this known toxicity, the authorities currently do not provide emission limits (i.e., discharge concentrations) for wastewater by EU regulation. The current scenario necessitates the study of the processes for industrial wastewater containing TMAH. This work aims to present a successful example of the treatment process for the degradation of TMAH waste solutions of the E&S industry. Research was conducted at the pilot scale, and the process feasibility (both technical and economic) and its environmental sustainability are demonstrated. This process, which treats three exhausted solutions with a high concentration of toxic substances, is considered to be innovative.

Strategies aimed at promoting muscle regeneration to treat muscular dystrophy have met with limited success. Here the authors show instead that delaying muscle regeneration, by ablation of the transcription factor Nfix, ameliorates muscular dystrophy in mice.

Abstract Advanced optical applications of fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) require highly integrated host-guest solid-state materials with a careful design of C-dots – matrix interface to control the optical response. We have developed a new synthesis based on the grafting of an organo-functional silane (3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, GPTMS) on amino-functionalized C-dots, which enables the fabrication of highly fluorescent organosilica-based hybrid organic-inorganic films through sol-gel process. The GPTMS grafting onto C-dots has been achieved via an epoxy–amine reaction under controlled conditions. Besides providing an efficient strategy to embed C-dots into a hybrid solid-state material, the modification of C-dots surface by GPTMS allows tuning their photoluminescence properties and gives rise to an additional, intense emission around 490 nm. Photoluminescence spectra reveal an interaction between C-dots surface and the polymeric chains which are locally formed by GPTMS polymerization. The present method is a step forward to the development of a surface modification technology aimed at controlling C-dots host-guest systems at the nanoscale.

Objectives: To evaluate oncological feasibility and oncological and functional results of retroperitoneal sutureless zero ischemia laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Patients and methods: Patients with posterior renal masses with low nephrometry score (RENAL ≤ 7) treated who underwent retroperitoneal sutureless zero ischemia.in a single center from January 2016 to November 2017. Clinical, surgical and pathological data were prospectively collected. Complications were reported according to the modified Clavien classification. Results: Retroperitoneal sutureless zero ischemia laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed on 15 patients. The indication for nephron-sparing surgery was elective in 11 (73%) patients and imperative in 4 (27%). Median RENAL score was 5 (IQR: 5-7), median tumor diameter 25 mm (IQR: 20-35). In 11 cases, the tumor was located polar (85%), and in 2 cases hilar (15%). There were no intraoperative complications. No cases were converted to radical nephrectomy, and in no case parenchyma suture was necessary. Median operative time was 90 min (IQR:40-150), in no case clamping of the renal artery was necessary, median hospital stay was 4 days, median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 310 (180-500) ml. Pathological analysis showed renal cell carcinoma in 11 patients (85%), 9 (60%) staged T1a and 2 (13%) T1b. In 4 (27%) an oncocytoma was found. There were no positive surgical margins. One patient developed a major postoperative complication (postoperative renal bleeding requiring super-selective embolization). Trifecta rate was 93%. Conclusions: Sutureless retroperitoneal zero ischemia LPN for the treatment of low-complexity posterior renal masses showed to be safe and feasible. Longer follow-up and higher numbers of patients are, however, warranted to draw definitive conclusions on functional outcomes.

Introduction: Ureterocelemay cause severe pyelo-ureteral obstruction with afebrile urinary tract infections in infants and children. Early decompressive treatment is advocated to reduce the risk of related renal and urinary tract damage. Endoscopic techniques of incision have been offered utilizing diathermic electrode. We adopted laser energy to release the obstruction of the ureterocele and reduce the need of further surgery. Our technique is described and results are presented, compared with a group of matched patients treated by diathermic energy.Materials and methods: Decompression was performed by endoscopic multiple punctures at the basis of the ureterocele. Holmium YAG Laser was utilized with 0.5–0.8 joule energy, through 8–9.8F cystoscope under general anesthesia. The control group received ureterocele incision by diathermic energy through pediatric resettoscope. Foley indwelling catheter was removed after 18–24 h. Renal ultrasound was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. Voiding cysto-urethrogram and radionuclide renal scan were done at 6–18 months in selected cases. Statistical analysis was utilized for data evaluation.Results: From January 2012 to December 2017, 64 endoscopic procedures were performed: 49 were ectopic and 15 orthotopicureteroceles. Fifty-three were in duplex systems, mostly ectopic. Mean age at endoscopy was 6.3 months (1–168). Immediate decompression of the ureterocele was obtained, but in five cases (8%) a second endoscopic puncture was necessary at 6–18 months follow-up for recurrent dilatation. Urinary tract infections and de novo refluxes occurred in 23.4 and 29.7% in the study group, compared to 38.5 and 61.5% in the 26 controls (p < 0.05). Further surgery was required in 12 patients (18%) at 1–5 years follow-up (10 in ectopic ureteroceles with duplex systems): seven ureteral reimplantation for reflux, five laparoscopic hemy-nephro-ureterectomy. Orthotopic ureteroceceles had better outcome. Secondary surgery was necessary in 13 patients (50.0%) of control group (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Early endoscopic decompression should be considered first line treatment of obstructing ureterocele in infants and children. Multiple punctures at the basis of the ureterocele, performed by low laser energy, is resulted a really minimally invasive treatment, providing immediate decompression of the upper urinary tract, and reducing the risk of further aggressive surgery.

Aerobic exercise (AE) is known to produce beneficial effects on brain health by improving plasticity, connectivity, and cognitive functions, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still limited. Neurexins (Nrxns) are a family of presynaptic cell adhesion molecules that are important in synapsis formation and maturation. In vertebrates, three-neurexin genes (NRXN1, NRXN2, and NRXN3) have been identified, each encoding for α and β neurexins, from two independent promoters. Moreover, each Nrxns gene (1–3) has several alternative exons and produces many splice variants that bind to a large variety of postsynaptic ligands, playing a role in trans-synaptic specification, strength, and plasticity. In this study, we investigated the impact of a continuous progressive (CP) AE program on alternative splicing (AS) of Nrxns on two brain regions: frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus. We showed that exercise promoted Nrxns1–3 AS at splice site 4 (SS4) both in α and β isoforms, inducing a switch from exon-excluded isoforms (SS4−) to exon-included isoforms (SS4+) in FC but not in hippocampus. Additionally, we showed that the same AE program enhanced the expression level of other genes correlated with synaptic function and plasticity only in FC. Altogether, our findings demonstrated the positive effect of CP AE on FC in inducing molecular changes underlying synaptic plasticity and suggested that FC is possibly a more sensitive structure than hippocampus to show molecular changes.

ABSTRACT Background and objective: To prospectively compare the laparoscopic versus open approach to RP in cases with high prostate volume and to evaluate a possible different impact of prostate volume. Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to March 2013 a total of 120 cases with clinically localized prostate cancer (PC) and a prostate volume>70cc identified for radical prostatectomy (RP), were prospectively analyzed in our institute. Patients were offered as surgical technique either an open retropubic or an intraperitoneal laparoscopic (LP) approach. In our population, 54 cases were submitted to LP and 66 to open RP. We analyzed the association of the surgical technique with perioperative, oncological and postoperative functional parameters. Results: In those high prostate volume cases, the surgical technique (laparoscopic versus open) does not represent a significant independent factor able to influence positive surgical margins rates and characteristics (p=0.4974). No significant differences (p>0.05) in the overall rates of positive margins was found, and also no differences following stratification according to the pathological stage and nerve sparing (NS) procedure. The surgical technique was able to significantly and independently influence the hospital stay, time of operation and blood loss (p0.05). Conclusions: In our prospective non randomized analysis on high prostate volumes, the laparoscopic approach to RP is able to guarantee the same oncological and functional results of an open approach, maintaining the advantages in terms of perioperative outcomes.

Carbon dots (CDs) are highly-emissive nanoparticles obtained through fast and cheap syntheses. The understanding of CDs’ luminescence, however, is still far from being comprehensive. The intense photoluminescence can have different origins: molecular mechanisms, oxidation of polyaromatic graphene-like layers, and core-shell interactions of carbonaceous nanoparticles. The citric acid (CA) is one of the most common precursors for CD preparation because of its high biocompatibility, and this review is mainly focused on CA-based CDs. The different parameters that control the synthesis, such as the temperature, the reaction time, and the choice of solvents, were critically described. Particular attention was devoted to the CDs’ optical properties, such as tunable emission and quantum yields, in light of functional applications. The survey of the literature allowed correlating the preparation methods with the structures and the properties of CA-based CDs. Some basic rules to fabricate highly luminescent nanoparticles were selected by the metanalysis of the current literature in the field. In some cases, these findings can be generalized to other types of CDs prepared via liquid phase.

The paper reports on a possible way to recycle fluid catalytic cracking catalysts (FCCCs), widely used in oil refining operations. This research proposes a novel approach that leads to a near zero-waste process. The spent FCCC was leached by 1.5 mol/L of HNO3, HCl and H2SO4 solutions at 80°C, for 3 h with a solid to liquid ratio of 20 %wt/vol. The leaching yields for cerium and lanthanum were in the range 69-82 %. The solid residues from the leaching stage were used as base material for the synthesis of the zeolites by means of a combined thermal-hydrothermal treatment. The characterization of the zeolites demonstrated that the Na-A phase was predominant over the Na-X phase. The zeolites were tested as sorbent material for CO2 separation from CH4, in order to simulate the upgrading of biogas to biomethane. The maximum adsorption rate of CO2 was 0.778 mol CO2/kg of zeolite at 3 bar, with a resulting CH4 recovery of 62 % and purity of 97 %vol. The zeolites synthesized from spent FCCC represent a feasible solution to recover such industrial waste.

In the present work, the degradation of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) from synthetic liquid waste of electronic industry was investigated by using hydrodynamic cavitation process. The core of the experimenal apparatus was a Venturi tube having a diameter of 12 mm and a convergent of 2 mm. The experiments were performed using synthetic solutions with an initial TMAH concentration of 2 g/L. A factorial plant with 2 factors and 2 levels was planned to prove that the hydrodinamic cavitation was an effective method to degrade TMAH. The investigated factors were: solution pH (3 – 20) and time (5 -20 min). The experiments have been carried out at a fixed temperature of 20°C and a pressure of 4 bar. The inlet pressure of 4 bar was chosen as a result of preliminary experiments that showed as at this value the degradation yields were higher than those obtained at other pressure values. The experiments showed that pH solution was significant with a negative effect. The optimal performance (around 44%) of process for degradation of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide was achieved at pH=3 after 20 minutes.

Fluid catalytic cracking is one of the major secondary conversion process in petroleum refinery. Nowadays, the spent fluid catalytic cracking catalysts (FCCCs) are disposed of in landfill or stocked for a long period. Environmental risks and lack of space suggest that the management of FCCCs needs to be reviewed. The FCC catalysts contain about 3-3.5 %wt. of rare earth (RE) oxides; rare earth elements (REEs) are important for stabilization of the matrix of FCC catalysts. The main challenge is to develop an efficient process based on recovery of REEs and reuse of the solid leaching residue for some applications. In this paper a new process is proposed to recover cerium and lanthanum from FCCCs combined with reuse of the leaching solid residue for the production of synthetic zeolites. Three different zeolites were synthesized by using the solid residues from hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acid leaching. The chemical and physical properties of zeolites were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for evaluating the surface morphology. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were used to characterize the structure of such zeolites. In addition, the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) was used to identify the chemical composition. Zeolite is a solid porous material widely used as adsorbent in different processes, particularly applied to wastewater treatments. In this paper, adsorption of heavy metals onto zeolites were investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The best results in terms of metal removal were achieved by the zeolite synthesized from the sulfuric acid leaching residue.

Infections due to enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (Escherichia coli) have a low incidence but can have severe and sometimes fatal health consequences, and thus represent some of the most serious diseases due to the contamination of water and food. New, fast and simple devices that monitor these pathogens are necessary to improve the safety of our food supply chain. In this work we report on mesoporous titania thin-film substrates as sensors to detect E. coli O157:H7. Titania films treated with APTES ((3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane) and GA (glutaraldehyde) were functionalized with specific antibodies and the absorption properties monitored. The film-based biosensors showed a detection limit for E. coli of 1 × 102 CFU/mL, constituting a simple and selective method for the effective screening of water samples.

The relationship between diet and central nervous system (CNS) tumours was almost exclusively focused on food composition. We evaluated the relationship of different degrees of food processing with risk of CNS tumours. The study sample included 44 CNS tumours cases (20 non-malignant and 24 malignant) recruited from the Neurosurgery Department at the IRCCS Neuromed (Italy), and 88 controls matched 1:2 for sex and age± 10 years, identified from the Moli-sani Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 188-item FFQ. Food items were grouped according to the NOVA classification on the basis of processing as: (1) unprocessed/minimally processed foods; (2) processed culinary ingredients; (3) processed foods; and (4) ultra-processed food (UPF). Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of dietary contributions from each NOVA group (as weight ratio on the total food eaten) and adjusting for potential confounders. Results : In a multivariable conditional to match logistic regression analysis also controlled for overall diet quality, 1% increment in UPF intake was associated with higher odds of all CNS tumours (OR = 1.06; 1.01–1.13), particularly of malignant CNS tumours (OR = 1.11; 1.02–1.22), while no association with non-malignant CNS tumours was found (OR = 1.06; 0.99–1.15). In contrast, only processed food was inversely associated with risk of both CNS tumours overall (OR = 0.94; 0.90–0.98) and of malignant CNS tumours (OR = 0.90; 0.83–0.96). Increasing UPF intake was associated with higher risk of CNS tumours, especially malignant ones, independently of the overall diet quality, while only processed food (but not UPF) was inversely related to the risk of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin SIGLEC-G is a negative regulator of B-cell receptor-mediated calcium signaling. Its deficiency leads to reduced turnover and increased proliferation and survival of murine B-1a cells. Siglecg−/− mice show a premature expansion of polyclonal CD5+ B cells in the spleen and the peritoneal cavity. Here we studied the fate of B lymphocytes in Siglecg−/− mice over time. We demonstrate that in aging animals SIGLEC-G deficiency promotes progressive accumulation of monoclonal B lymphocytes and increases the susceptibility to develop B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Lymphoid tumors arising in aged Siglecg−/− mice are monoclonal and histologically heterogeneous as they include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and medium-to-large B-cell monomorphic lymphoma but surprisingly not chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The tumors express high levels of BCL-2 and are transplantable. In keeping with these findings we have also observed a remarkable down-regulation of the human ortholog SIGLEC10 in human B-cell lymphoma and leukemia cell lines. Taken together, these observations indicate that the down-regulation of negative B-cell receptor regulators such as SIGLEC-G/SIGLEC10 may represent another mechanism relevant to the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas.