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Introduction Up to 80% of patients scheduled for surgery experience preoperative anxiety, which may implicate perioperative psychological and physical discomforts. Several studies focused on this phenomenon in neurosurgical setting, still controversial evidence exists. Objectives Our aim is to synthesize this evidence, investigating prevalence, implications and therapy of preoperative anxiety in brain surgery patients. Methods We performed a systematic review of literature by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Data were extracted using the PICO framework. PRISMA guidelines were applied, and the risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 and ROBINS tools, as was the methodological quality of the included studies, following GRADE criteria; we excluded articles with serious risk of bias and/or low quality. Results We included 27 articles, accounting for 2558 patients of twelve different countries. Prevalence of anxiety before brain surgery was up to 89%, reaching higher levels in women. Anxiety concerned mostly anesthesia and surgical outcome. No correlation emerged between level of anxiety and laterality, histological type of tumor or survival rate. Before surgery, anxious patients performed worse in cognitive tasks and had worse subjective evaluation of their cognitive abilities. After surgery, preoperative anxiety was associated with depression, longer hospitalization, increase of physical disability and lower quality of life. Effective approaches to reduce anxiety were acupuncture, music therapy, virtual reality and pharmacological support. Conclusions Preoperative anxiety in brain surgery patients is a common experience that should not be underestimated to achieve a better perioperative care through early detection and adequate pharmacological or non-pharmacological management.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247415.].

In 2015, the World Health Organization substantially revised its guidance for vaccination coverage cluster surveys (revisions were finalized in 2018) and has since developed a set of accompanying resources, including definitions for standardized coverage indicators and software (named the Vaccination Coverage Quality Indicators-VCQI) to calculate them.-The current WHO vaccination coverage survey manual was used to design and conduct two nationally representative vaccination coverage surveys in Nigeria-one to assess routine immunization and one to measure post-measles campaign coverage. The primary analysis for both surveys was conducted using VCQI. In this paper, we describe those surveys and highlight some of the analyses that are facilitated by the new resources. In addition to calculating coverage of each vaccine-dose by age group, VCQI analyses provide insight into several indicators of program quality such as crude coverage versus valid doses, vaccination timeliness, missed opportunities for simultaneous vaccination, and, where relevant, vaccination campaign coverage stratified by several parameters, including the number of previous doses received. The VCQI software furnishes several helpful ways to visualize survey results. We show that routine coverage of all vaccines is far below targets in Nigeria and especially low in northeast and northwest zones, which also have highest rates of dropout and missed opportunities for vaccination. Coverage in the 2017 measles campaign was higher and showed less geospatial variation than routine coverage. Nonetheless, substantial improvement in both routine program performance and campaign implementation will be needed to achieve disease control goals.

A methodology focused on technology evaluation is proposed to give a footprint of the development potential of energy technologies in Italy. The approach focuses on the impact on climate, the potential in terms of R&D, the competitiveness of Italian companies and their diffusion on the territory. A reference Catalogue was realised in the framework of the ‘Technical Board on Decarbonisation of the Economy’, established by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers. 36 datasheets, containing quantitative and qualitative information on Technology Readiness Level (TRL), efficiency, environmental and economic impacts and policy aspects were filled by 70 experts for each technology. Some data were extracted from the Catalogue - TRL, CO2 emissions, developers, and centres of excellence - and further analysed with other information relating to the Italian production and innovation system collected from the National Enterprise Registry (ASIA). Companies and research centres are involved in development of technologies based on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Storage (ES) with different levels of TRL and high potential for mitigating effects on climate. However, their distribution shows a rather inhomogeneous presence at territorial level. This evaluation provided useful elements to elaborate policy measures to support the diffusion of energy technologies.

Transthyretin variant amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid in many organs, mostly causing a sensory-motor neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and dysautonomia. The aim of the study was to report microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profile identified in the blood of ATTRv patients. Ten ATTRv patients, 10 asymptomatic carriers of transthyretin variant (TTRv), 10 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, and 10 healthy controls were studied. Human Schwann cells cultures were used to study the regulatory effects of miR-150-5p on the expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF). ATTRv patients had 33 miRNAs up-regulated and 48 down-regulated versus healthy controls; 9 miRNAs were up-regulated and 30 down-regulated versus CMT patients; 19 miRNAs were up-regulated and 38 down-regulated versus asymptomatic TTRv carriers. Twelve out of the 19 upregulated miRNAs had a fold increase higher than 100. The validation experiment indicated miR-150-5p as a valuable biomarker to differentiate ATTRv patients from asymptomatic TTRv carriers (AUC: 0.9728; p < 0.0001). Schwann cells culture model demonstrated that miR-150-5p is a powerful negative regulator of CREB, BDNF, and NGF genes. Identification of deregulated miRNAs can help in understanding the complex pathomechamism underlying the development of ATTRv and related multisystemic pathology. Further investigations are needed on the role of circulating miR-150-5p to predict the shift of TTRv carriers from an asymptomatic status to symptoms appearance.

Gliomas represent over 70% of all brain tumors, they are highly invasive and structurally vascular neoplasms. Despite the latest technological advance in neuro-surgery the survival of patients with high-grade glioma remains poor. The lack of robust treatment options has propelled the search for new markers that may able allow the identification of patients who can benefit from molecularly targeted therapies. The Hippo signaling pathway is considered as a key regulator of tissue homeostasis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and alterations of this pathway seem to contribute to tumorigenesis. Yes-associated protein (YAP1) is a downstream target of the Hippo pathway which acts as a transcription co-activator. In cancer, YAP1 has been reported to function either as an oncogene or tumor suppressor, depending on the cell context. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of YAP1, Survivin and LATS1 kinase activity in human astroglial tumors with different grades of malignancy. Moreover, we also investigated the expression of miR-221 and miR-10b and their relationship with core molecules of the Hippo pathway. Our results showed the overexpression of YAP1 and Survivin as well as a decreased activity of large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1) in high-grade glioblastoma versus anaplastic astrocytoma and low-grade glioma. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that miR-221 and miR-10b are specifically involved in Hippo signaling via LATS1 regulation and that their knockdown significantly decreased glioma cell proliferation. This preliminary data confirmed the crucial role of the Hippo pathway in cancer and suggested that miR-221 and miR-10b could be potential therapeutic targets for glioma treatment.

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The present study explores the relationship between the new frontiers of architectural survey and architectural restoration. The result is a project for the reassembly of the Altar of the Holy Heart of Mary in the Cathedral of Gerace, in the province of Reggio Calabria. It was dismantled in the last century with the purpose to restore the “solemn and sober aspect” of the church during the medieval age. The idea was born in the sphere of a multidisciplinary didactic experience, which involved history, conservation, digital modelling, design and enhancement of cultural heritage. The process, from analyses to project, followed four steps: realization of a systematic photogrammetrical survey of each architectural element of the 18th century altars of the cathedral, which were dismantled in the last century, with high precision photomodelling techniques; early identification of the single objects, positioning structured QR-CODE with metadata and short description directly in the shooting phase; pre-cataloguing phase, implemented by the compilation of single cards regarding each piece, using a redrafted version of the ICCD OA card (artwork 3.00 version); a proposal for the reassembly of the altar of the Holy Heart of Mary. The reassembly is conceived as an alternative to the reconstruction of the altar “as it was”, using a steel structure that is partially visible, which was studied to support and “exhibit” the marble pieces. The availability of numerical models for each piece facilitated, on one side, weight distribution analysis and, consequently, correct dimensioning of the support structure and, on the other side, interactive simulation processes for design optimisation and aesthetic evaluation.

The essay introduces the book Viollet-le-Duc and the nineteenth-century, which in part gathers together the results of the study-day on Viollet-le-Duc La Nostalgia delle origini. Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc e la percezione del Medioevo nell’Ottocento (University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, 7 May 2014). The essay also proposes some reflections on the significance of celebrations of the past – in this case, the bicentenary of Viollet-le-Duc’s birth – for the future. In the first part, starting with the analyses of the initiatives dedicated to Viollet on this occasion, the study investigates less known aspects of the complex personality of the French architect: his visionary attitude, which, in some cases, prevails on the rationalist approach to architecture. It also underlines the actuality of Viollet-le-Duc’s contribution in the definition of theoretical and practical aspects in architecture. Despite the improvement of studies dealing with his complex personality, he is still wrongly confined in the “narrow circle of restoration”. In the second part of the study, describing the contents of the book, the essay investigates the relationship between Viollet-le-Duc and 19th century culture, trying to highlight how our controversial relationship with that time, significantly influences our interpretation of Viollet-le-Duc’s theoretical and practical work.

I created this artwork for the hashtag #NoBodyIsDisposable, a hashtag that was started in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and how disabled people have been treated as though they are expendable, especially since we are some of the most compromised. Our voices matter. Our lives matter. This artwork illustrates a crowd of disabled people with their right fists raised. Above them, it reads "#NoBodyIsDisposable".

Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of a flavonoid-rich fraction of Bergamot juice (BJe) in rats subjected to experimental periodontitis induced by a single intragingival injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS).Main Methods: Periodontitis was induced by a single intragingival injection of 1 μl LPS (10 μg/μl) derived from Salmonella typhimurium in sterile saline solution. The injection was made in the mesolateral side at the interdental papilla between the first and the second molar. Fourteen days after LPS injection, we performed radiographic analyses and then we surgically removed the gingivomucosal tissue surrounding the mandibular first molar for histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis.Results: LPS significantly induced oedema, tissue damage and increased neutrophil infiltration. At molecular level, we found increased NF-κB translocation as well as raised both TNF-α and IL-1β expression, other than modulation of apoptosis-associated proteins. Moreover, the increased myeloperoxidase activity was associated with up-regulation of adhesion molecules. Immunohistochemical analysis for nitrotyrosine and poly ADP-ribose displayed an intense staining in the gingivomucosal tissue. Oral administration of BJe for 14 consecutive days reduced tissue injury and several markers of gingival inflammation including nuclear NF-κB translocation, cytokines expression, myeloperoxidase activity and the expression of some adhesion molecules such as ICAM and P-selectin. BJe also decreased both nitrosative stress and PARP positive staining. Moreover, it caused down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that BJe improves LPS-induced periodontitis in rats by reducing the typical markers of inflammation, thus suggesting its potential in the treatment of periodontal diseases.

With the aim to explore the use of A. hypochondriacus seeds for animal feeding, the agronomic traits, nutrients, and bioactive compounds of four accessions with different origin (India, Nebraska, Iowa, and Pennsylvania) grown in a Mediterranean environment were studied. Proximate composition was determined using the official methods of analyses, fatty acid profile by gas chromatography, total phenolic content (TPC) and the scavenging activity (DPPH• and ABTS•+) by colorimetric method. A one-way ANOVA model was performed to determine the differences between accessions. The four A. hypochondriacus accessions showed interesting seed yield results. No significant differences were observed for crude protein and crude fiber; the oil content showed the significant highest values in the seeds from Nebraska and Pennsylvania, but their nutritional characteristics were significantly different. The accession from Nebraska showed the highest oleic and linoleic acid levels, the highest values of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the best atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratio, and the highest TPC content. The accession from Pennsylvania showed the highest antioxidant activity and lowest peroxidation index. On the whole, A. hypochondriacus seeds can be used as pseudo-cereal to balance the animal diet and the accession should be chosen according to the different metabolic pathways of unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant and monogastric animals.