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Abstract Introduction In this work, our aim is to report the functional outcomes of cataract surgery with smaller-incision new-generation miniature telescope (SING IMT) implantation followed by rehabilitation training in patients with central visual loss due to late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods This retrospective study included patients who were monocularly implanted with SING IMT and then followed a rehabilitation program based on 6 biweekly sessions focused on visual abilities, reading, writing, visual motor integration and mobility. A total of 11 participants were included in this study. Reading acuity (RA), reading speed (RS), and fixation stability (FS) were assessed biweekly at 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-week follow-up visits after SING IMT implantation and at a final assessment at 24 weeks. Best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) was also measured at baseline and at the same postoperative timepoints. Results Mean baseline BCDVA was 12.5 ± 8.6 letter score. Both RA and RS were found to be significantly improved from the first rehabilitation session (6 weeks after surgery) to the last session (24 weeks after surgery). At the end of the rehabilitation program, mean RA was 0.45 ± 0.19 LogMAR and mean RS was 30.9 ± 17.6 words per minute. Moreover, all patients achieved a FS of 15 s or more after the last rehabilitation session. Most patients (55%) achieved an improvement of 15 letters in BCDVA at the end of the study. Conclusions This study suggests that rehabilitation training can improve visual functions of patients with late-stage AMD implanted with SING IMT in real-world tasks such as reading skills.

Abstract Following the development of modern genome sequencing technologies, the investigation of museum osteological finds is increasingly informative and popular. Viable protocols to help preserve these collections from exceedingly invasive analyses, would allow greater access to the specimens for scientific research. The main aim of this work is to survey skeletal tissues, specifically petrous bones and roots of teeth, using infrared spectroscopy as a prescreening method to assess the bone quality for molecular analyses. This approach could overcome the major problem of identifying useful genetic material in archaeological bone collections without resorting to demanding, time consuming and expensive laboratory studies. A minimally invasive sampling of archaeological bones was developed and bone structural and compositional changes were examined, linking isotopic and genetic data to infrared spectra. The predictive model based on Infrared parameters is effective in determining the occurrence of ancient DNA (aDNA); however, the quality/quantity of aDNA cannot be determined because of the influence of environmental and local factors experienced by the examined bones during the burial period.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of implanting the Smaller-Incision New-Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT) in pseudophakic patients affected by late-stage dry AMD. Subjects: Five pseudophakic patients’ eyes with stable dry AMD were suitable for SING IMT implantation. Four eyes were excluded because of previous YAG laser capsulotomy. Patients underwent preoperative assessments, including visual acuity measurements and OCT scans. Methods: Surgical procedures were performed under peribulbar anesthesia, with careful IOL removal and SING IMT implantation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted at regular intervals to monitor visual acuity, device positioning and complications. Results: Postoperative outcomes demonstrated improvements in visual acuity for most patients with an average gain in CDVA (Corrected Distance Visual Acuity) and CNVA (Corrected Near Visual Acuity) of 16,8 ± 10,2 and 13,8 ± 7,4 ETDRS letters, respectively. Limited complications have been observed. In one case, we observed dislocation of the device into the vitreous chamber, which we managed through vitrectomy and scleral fixation of the SING IMT using GoreTex suture. Conclusions: Despite being traditionally contraindicated for pseudophakic patients, SING IMT implantation in selected cases yielded favorable outcomes, indicating potential benefits for this population. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to refine patient selection criteria and optimize surgical techniques.

The flooding of agricultural land leads to hypoxia and nitrate leaching. While understanding the plant’s response to these conditions is essential for crop improvement, the effect of extended nitrate limitation on subsequent hypoxia has not been studied in an organ-specific manner. We cultivated Arabidopsis thaliana without nitrate for 1 week before inducing hypoxia by bubbling the hydroponic solution with nitrogen gas for 16 h. In the roots, the transcripts of two transcription factor genes (HRA1, HRE2) and three genes involved in fermentation (SUS4, PDC1, ADH1) were ~10- to 100-fold upregulated by simultaneous hypoxia and nitrate starvation compared to the control condition (replete nitrate and oxygen). In contrast, this hypoxic upregulation was ~5 to 10 times stronger when nitrate was available. The phytoglobin genes PGB1 and PGB2, involved in nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, were massively downregulated by nitrate starvation (~1000-fold and 105-fold, respectively), but only under ambient oxygen levels; this was reflected in a 2.5-fold increase in NO concentration. In the leaves, HRA1, SUS4, and RAP2.3 were upregulated ~20-fold by hypoxia under nitrate starvation, whereas this upregulation was virtually absent in the presence of nitrate. Our results highlight that the plant’s responses to nitrate starvation and hypoxia can influence each other.

Most undergraduate students still commute to their undergraduate institution, and previous research identified parental involvement as a factor when determining whether a student will be a commuter. It is also assumed that these students are disengaged from their co-curricular experiences. Yet, little research has explored this dynamic of parental attachment and commuter student involvement. Self-reported living arrangements, student involvement, and attachment styles were explored in a singular institutional study of commuter students (n=1,452). The findings were that there was no relationship between attachment style and involvement, but there was between attachment style and living arrangement. Most participants self-disclosed they were involved, which disrupts assumptions of commuter student disengagement. Implications for practice and future directions for research are suggested connected to the study findings to suggest ways in which institutions can facilitate increased commuter student involvement.

Findings from this descriptive psychological phenomenological study identify distinct patterns of identity expression in multiracial Native American students. Participants used selective invisibility to avoid monoracialism or feeling invisible to their institution and there were personal reservations about the authenticity of their Indigenous heritages due to the questioning of their self-identification. This study reveals implications for multiracial Native American students that can enable practitioners to increase recognition and support of this population on college campuses and in research.

Background & Aim: Dependent elderly people have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living and need help with essential life-sustaining activities such as bathing. Nursing care includes technique, organization, and care for the patient's physical and emotional well-being. This study aimed to map the scientific evidence on home bathing care for dependent elderly people. Methods & Materials: A scoping review on home bathing care for dependent elderly people according to the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Collaboration. Nine databases were searched, as well as sources of gray literature. Rayyan software was used to select the studies by two reviewers and a third for the final assessment. Results: 24 studies were selected. The most important aspects of bathing were communication, considering the elderly person's preference for bathing, considering conflict resolution, safety, comfort, and privacy, planning the necessary materials and actions, paying attention to the temperature of the water and the environment, cleaning and tidying the bed, as well as hygiene care such as trichotomy, and nail clipping. Conclusion: It was identified that care is related to specific skincare and planning to carry out the steps in body hygiene. The studies show the importance of guidance from nursing professionals in the process of bathing dependent elderly people at home from the perspective of a person-centered approach and their uniqueness.

Objective: to map the scientific literature regarding the use of the Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, ChatGPT, in academic writing in health. Method: this was a scoping review, following the JBI methodology. Conventional databases and gray literature were included. The selection of studies was applied after removing duplicates and individual and paired evaluation. Data were extracted based on an elaborate script, and presented in a descriptive, tabular and graphical format. Results: the analysis of the 49 selected articles revealed that ChatGPT is a versatile tool, contributing to scientific production, description of medical procedures and preparation of summaries aligned with the standards of scientific journals. Its application has been shown to improve the clarity of writing and benefits areas such as innovation and automation. Risks were also observed, such as the possibility of lack of originality and ethical issues. Future perspectives highlight the need for adequate regulation, agile adaptation and the search for an ethical balance in incorporating ChatGPT into academic writing. Conclusion: ChatGPT presents transformative potential in academic writing in health. However, its adoption requires rigorous human supervision, solid regulation, and transparent guidelines to ensure its responsible and beneficial use by the scientific community.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito metafilático do disseleneto de difenila no desempenho, perfil metabólico e status oxidativo de bezerras de corte submetidas ao desmame precoce. Foram utilizadas 30 bezerras taurinas de corte, filhas de vacas primíparas, entre 60 a 110 dias de vida. As bezerras foram distribuídas de forma randomizada em três grupos experimentais. Grupo controle (GC, n=10): 2 mL de solução de NaCl a 0,9%. Grupo dimetilsulfóxido (GDMSO, n=10): 2 mL de dimetilsulfóxido a 99,2%. Grupo disseleneto de difenila (GDD, n=10): 3 µmol/kg de (PhSe)2 a 98%, diluído em 2 mL de dimetilsulfóxido 99,2%. O intervalo entre dias considerado como momentos (M), foi de 14 dias, e a avaliação de peso e coleta de amostras de sangue ocorreu no M1=basal (-28 dias), M2 (-14 dias), M3 (dia 0), M4 (14 dias) e M5 (28 dias), já as administrações dos tratamentos no M1, M2, M3. Houve efeito significativo para momento: ganho médio diário (P

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare the insertion torque (IT), flexural strength (FS) and surface alterations between stainless steel (SS-MIs) and titanium alloy (Ti-MIs) orthodontic mini-implants. Methods: Twenty-four MIs (2 x 10 mm; SS-MIs, n = 12; Ti-MIs, n = 12) were inserted on artificial bone blocks of 20 lb/ft3 (20 PCF) and 40 lb/ft3 (40 PCF) density. The maximum IT was recorded using a digital torque meter. FS was evaluated at 2, 3 and 4 mm-deflection. Surface topography and chemical composition of MIs were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). General linear and mixed models were used to assess the effect of the MI type, bone density and deflection on the evaluated outcomes. Results: The IT of Ti-MIs was 1.1 Ncm greater than that obtained for the SS-MIs (p= 0.018). The IT for MIs inserted in 40 PCF test blocks was 5.4 Ncm greater than that for those inserted in 20 PCF test blocks (p < 0.001). SS-MIs inserted in higher density bone (40 PCF) had significantly higher flexural strength than the other groups, at 2 mm (98.7 ± 5.1 Ncm), 3 mm (112.0 ± 3.9 Ncm) and 4 mm (120.0 ± 3.4 Ncm) of deflection (p< 0.001). SEM evidenced fractures in the Ti-MIs. EDS revealed incorporation of 18% of C and 2.06% of O in the loaded SS-MIs, and 3.91% of C in the loaded Ti-MIs. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this in vitro study, it seems that SS-MIs offer sufficient stability and exhibit greater mechanical strength, compared to Ti-MIs when inserted into higher density bone.

BackgroundLeft bundle branch (LBB) pacing could achieve cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients who cannot be resynchronized via the placement of the left ventricle (LV) lead into the coronary sinus. LBB pacing could improve cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with LBB block who are affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Study hypothesisLBB pacing could increase the number of CRT responders and lead to the best clinical outcomes in HF patients with T2DM, inducing cardiac remodeling and improving left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) via microRNA (miR) modulation.MethodsIn a multicenter observational study, we enrolled 334 HF patients with LBB block and an indication to receive LBB pacing for CRT. In these patients, we evaluated the CRT responder rate, clinical outcomes, and miR expression at 1 year of follow-up.ResultsAt 1 year of follow-up, we had 223 responders (66.8%), 132 hospitalizations for HF (39.5%), 24 cardiac deaths (7.2%), and 37 all-cause deaths (11.1%), with a higher rate of HF hospitalizations (77 (69.4%) vs 55 (24.7%), p < 0.05), and cardiac deaths (13 (11.7% vs 11 (4.9%), p < 0.05) in non-responders vs responders. At the end of follow-up, we found the lowest expression of miR-26, miR-29, miR-30, miR-92, and miR-145 in LBB-pacing non-responders vs responders (p < 0.05), and a direct correlation between miR-30 (0.340, [0.833–1.915]; p 0.001), the 6-minute-walking test (6MWT; 0.168, [0.008–0.060]; p 0.011), angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI; 0.157, [0.183–4.877]; p 0.035), sodium-glucose-transporter-2 inhibitors (0.245, [2.242–7.283]; p 0.001), and LVEF improvements. C reactive protein (CRP) inversely correlated with LVEF improvement (−0.220, [-(0.066–0.263)]; p 0.001). ARNI (1.373, CI 95% [1.007–1.872], p 0.045), miR-30 (2.713, CI 95% [1.543–4.769], p 0.001), and 6MWT (1.288, CI 95% [1.084–1.998], p 0.001) were predictors of LBB pacing responders at 1 year of follow-up.ConclusionLBB-pacing responders evidenced miR modulation, which was linked to significant improvement of the cardiac pump. Specifically, miR-30 was linked to cardiac pump improvement and predicted responders at 1 year of follow-up in patients with T2DM.

BackgroundIn this study, we explored the accuracy of two new sepsis biomarkers, monocyte distribution width (MDW) and presepsin (PSP), compared to traditional ones, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Procalcitonin (PCT), to identify sepsis and predict intra-hospital mortality by analyzing their kinetic at different time points during hospitalization stay.MethodsWe enrolled 104 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, Palermo. Among these, 30 (29%) had a clinical diagnosis of sepsis. MDW, PCT, CRP, and PSP were evaluated at admission (T0), after 24 h (T24), 48 h (T48), 72 h (T72), at day 5 (T5), and at discharge (TD).ResultsPatients with sepsis displayed higher levels of PCT and PSP than patients without sepsis at each timepoint; differently, CRP displayed statistically significant differences only at T0, while MDW only at T0 and T24. Patients with increasing levels of PSP displayed lower median survival time than patients with decreasing levels; differences reached statistical significance only at 48 h (20 vs. 29 days, log rank test, p = 0.046). Interestingly, PSP was an independent predictor of ICU mortality at 48 and 72 h after hospital admission. Also, the kinetic of PSP had prognostic value, with increased values at 48 h after admission being associated with reduced survival.ConclusionOur findings support the role of PSP and its kinetic as a predictor of ICU mortality.

IntroductionRecently, we reported that post COVID-19 condition patients also have Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 (TRPM3) ion channel dysfunction, a potential biomarker reported in natural killer (NK) cells from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients. As there is no universal treatment for post COVID-19 condition, knowledge of ME/CFS may provide advances to investigate therapeutic targets. Naltrexone hydrochloride (NTX) has been demonstrated to be beneficial as a pharmacological intervention for ME/CFS patients and experimental investigations have shown NTX restored TRPM3 function in NK cells. This research aimed to: i) validate impaired TRPM3 ion channel function in post COVID-19 condition patients compared with ME/CFS; and ii) investigate NTX effects on TRPM3 ion channel activity in post COVID-19 condition patients.MethodsWhole-cell patch-clamp was performed to characterize TRPM3 ion channel activity in freshly isolated NK cells of post COVID-19 condition (N = 9; 40.56 ± 11.26 years), ME/CFS (N = 9; 39.33 ± 9.80 years) and healthy controls (HC) (N = 9; 45.22 ± 9.67 years). NTX effects were assessed on post COVID-19 condition (N = 9; 40.56 ± 11.26 years) and HC (N = 7; 45.43 ± 10.50 years) where NK cells were incubated for 24 hours in two protocols: treated with 200 µM NTX, or non-treated; TRPM3 channel function was assessed with patch-clamp protocol. ResultsThis investigation confirmed impaired TRPM3 ion channel function in NK cells from post COVID-19 condition and ME/CFS patients. Importantly, PregS-induced TRPM3 currents were significantly restored in NTX-treated NK cells from post COVID-19 condition compared with HC. Furthermore, the sensitivity of NK cells to ononetin was not significantly different between post COVID-19 condition and HC after treatment with NTX.DiscussionOur findings provide further evidence identifying similarities of TRPM3 ion channel dysfunction between ME/CFS and post COVID-19 condition patients. This study also reports, for the first time, TRPM3 ion channel activity was restored in NK cells isolated from post COVID-19 condition patients after in vitro treatment with NTX. The TRPM3 restoration consequently may re-establish TRPM3-dependent calcium (Ca2+) influx. This investigation proposes NTX as a potential therapeutic intervention and TRPM3 as a treatment biomarker for post COVID-19 condition.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the morpho-physiological adaptations of Araucaria angustifolia saplings under different shade conditions. Saplings were grown for 21 months under full sunlight (S0%) and three shade levels: 30%, 50%, and 80% (S-30%, S-50% and S-80%, respectively). Growth, light-harvesting pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), chlorophyll fluorescence, and anatomical leaf structure were analyzed. Plants in S-0% and S-30% showed higher stem diameter, total and root dry mass, Dickson quality index, chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio, carotenoids content, and electron transport rate. Conversely, shaded plants (S-50% e S-80%) exhibited physiological adaptations, compensating for the decreased light supply by primarily increasing the amount of chlorophyll and the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and reducing the thickness of their leaves. These results indicate that, despite the physiological plasticity to shade in Araucaria, the saplings grow better under a high-irradiance environment or low-shade condition (S-30%). In this sense, shaded cultivation of this species should be avoided in nurseries and reforestations due to the significant total dry mass reduction. This study highlights the importance of optimal light intensity to promote the growth of this endangered species.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the effects of different magnification systems on the angular deviations of the neck and trunk and the muscle activities of the upper back and neck during preclinical cavity preparation. Methods This was an experimental laboratory study, with the angular deviations from the neutral positions of the neck and trunk and the activities of the bilateral upper back (the descending and ascending trapezius) and neck (sternocleidomastoid) muscles as the dependent variables. The independent variables were the different magnification systems used (Simple, Galilean, and Keplerian loupes, with direct vision as the control) and prepared teeth (teeth 16, 26, 36, and 46). A dental mannequin phantom head with artificial resin teeth was used, and Class I cavity preparations for composite resin were performed on teeth 16, 26, 36, and 46 using a 1012 round diamond bur at low speed. To analyze the angular deviations, the postures adopted during the procedure were recorded using a tripod-mounted camera positioned to provide a lateral view of the operator. A trained researcher measured the angular deviations using the software entitled “Software for Postural Assessment”—SAPO (version 0.69). Bilateral muscle activity was assessed using surface electromyography. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and after verifying the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity, two-way analysis of variance and the Tukey and Games-Howell post-hoc tests were used to compare the data (α=0.05). Results The angular deviation from the neutral position of the neck was found to be significantly higher during cavity preparations performed with the naked eye and the Simple loupe, irrespective of the prepared tooth. With regard to tooth location, the angular deviation of the neck was significantly greater during cavity preparation on teeth 16 and 26, and the angular deviation of the trunk was significantly greater during cavity preparation on tooth 26, regardless of the magnification system used. There were significant differences in right sternocleidomastoid muscle activity between the Simple, Galilean, and Keplerian loupes, with activity being the lowest for the Galilean loupe (p = 0.008). There were no significant differences in left sternocleidomastoid muscle activity between the loupes, regardless of the prepared tooth (p = 0.077). The activities of the bilateral descending trapezius and the right ascending trapezius muscles were significantly lower when the Galilean loupe was used (p

IntroductionCannabinoids show great therapeutic potential, but their effect on anesthesia still remains unclear. Use of chronic recreational Cannabis in humans undergoing anesthetic procedures tends to require a higher dose when compared to non-users. On the other hand, studies on rodents and dogs have shown that cannabinoid agonists may potentiate certain anesthetics. This contrast of effects possibly occurs due to different time lengths of administration of different phytocannabinoids at different doses, and their distinct effects on the Endocannabinoid System, which is also affected by anesthetics such as propofol and isoflurane.MethodsTwenty-seven healthy male dogs, client-owned, ranging from 1 to 7 years, and from 5 to 35 kg were selected, mean weight 15.03±7.39 kg, with owners volunteering their animals to participate in the research performed in the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Dogs were randomized into 3 groups. The Control Group (CON, n = 9), receiving only Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the same oil-base used in the treatment groups. Group 2 (G2, n = 9) received 2 mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids, and Group 3 (G3, n = 9) received 6 mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids. All groups received their treatments transmucosally, 75 min before their induction with propofol. Heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature and sedation were evaluated prior to, and at 30, 60, and 75 min after administration of the fsCBD-rich extract or Placebo extract. Preanesthetic medication protocol was also included across all treatment groups, 15 min before induction. Parametric data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA, followed by Student–Newman–Keuls (SNK) if significant statistical differences were found. Non-parametric data was analyzed using Friedman’s test, followed by Dunn test for comparisons between all timepoints in the same group. Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn was utilized for between groups comparisons. Propofol dose necessary for induction was analyzed through One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s Multiple Comparisons Test, using Instat by Graphpad, and differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Our analysis assessed if statistical significance was present between time points in the same group, and between groups in the same time points.ResultsIn our study, 6 mg/kg of total phytocannabinoids were able to reduce the dose of propofol necessary for induction by 23% when compared to the control group. The fsCBD-rich extract did not produce significant sedation within or between groups, although statistically significant differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure were found.DiscussionOur findings indicate that phytocannabinoids could be an adjunct option in anesthesia, although further research is necessary to better confirm this data. Additionally, further research is needed to determine the best dosage, delivery method, time for administration, ideal molecular profile for desired effects, safety, drug–drug interactions, and transurgical effects.

Environmental problems due to climate change, that have been affecting our planet for years, are the main issues which prompted European Union to establish the ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This occurrence encouraged all Member States to undergo significant changes of their energy sectors, favouring the extensive use of renewable energy sources. In this scenario, the European Union introduced Renewable Energy Communities, innovative energy systems based on a new model of renewable energy production, consumption and sharing, guaranteeing environmental, economic, energy and social benefits. The objective of this paper is twofold: firstly, to examine the regulatory framework of Member States and, secondly, to present a standardized procedure for the implementation of a Renewable Energy Community, an aspect not yet covered in scientific literature. The roadmap includes four main phases: a feasibility study involving an energy analysis of end users’ consumption and a general assessment; the aggregation of members as producers, consumers or prosumers forming a legal entity, considering different funding opportunities; the operating phase, involving plant construction and project validation by national authorities; the technical and economic management phase. The dynamic structure of the roadmap allows for adjustments to accommodate different regulatory contexts, member typologies and project aim.

Abstract Different innate immune pathways converge to Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and trigger type I interferon responses after recognition of abnormal nucleic acids in the cells. This non-redundant function renders STING a major player in immunosurveillance, and an emerging target for cancer and infectious diseases therapeutics. Beyond somatic mutations that often occur in cancer, the human gene encoding STING protein, TMEM173 (STING1), holds great genetic heterogeneity; R232, HAQ (R71H-G230A-R293Q) and H232 are the most common alleles. Although some of these alleles are likely to be hypomorphic, their function is still debated, due to the available functional assessments, which have been performed in biased biological systems. Here, by using genetic background-matched models, we report on the functional evaluation of R232, HAQ and H232 variants on STING function, and on how these genotypes affect the susceptibility to clinically relevant viruses, thus supporting a potential contributing cause to differences in inter-individual responses to infections. Our findings also demonstrate a novel toll-like receptor-independent role of STING in modulating monocytic cell function and differentiation into macrophages. We further supported the interplay of STING1 variants and human biology by demonstrating how monocytes bearing the H232 allele were impaired in M1/M2 differentiation, interferon response and antigen presentation. Finally, we assessed the response to PD-1 inhibitor in a small cohort of melanoma patients stratified according to STING genotype. Given the contribution of the STING protein in sensing DNA viruses, bacterial pathogens and misplaced cancer DNA, these data may support the development of novel therapeutic options for infectious diseases and cancer.

Raffaele Galiero,1,&ast; Alfredo Caturano,1,&ast; Erica Vetrano,1 Marcellino Monda,2 Raffaele Marfella,1 Celestino Sardu,1 Teresa Salvatore,3 Luca Rinaldi,1 Ferdinando Carlo Sasso1 1Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy; 2Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy; 3Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ferdinando Carlo Sasso, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy, Tel/Fax +39 0815665010, Email ferdinandocarlo.sasso@unicampania.itAbstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most widespread diseases in Western countries, and its incidence is constantly increasing. Epidemiological studies have shown that in the next 20 years. The number of subjects affected by T2DM will double. In recent years, owing to the development and improvement in methods for studying the genome, several authors have evaluated the association between monogenic or polygenic genetic alterations and the development of metabolic diseases and complications. In addition, sedentary lifestyle and socio-economic and pandemic factors have a great impact on the habits of the population and have significantly contributed to the increase in the incidence of metabolic disorders, obesity, T2DM, metabolic syndrome, and liver steatosis. Moreover, patients with type 2 diabetes appear to respond to antihyperglycemic drugs. Only a minority of patients could be considered true non-responders. Thus, it appears clear that the main aim of precision medicine in T2DM is to identify patients who can benefit most from a specific drug class more than from the others. Precision medicine is a discipline that evaluates the applicability of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors to disease development. In particular, it evaluated whether these factors could affect the development of diseases and their complications, response to diet, lifestyle, and use of drugs. Thus, the objective is to find prevention models aimed at reducing the incidence of pathology and mortality and therapeutic personalized approaches, to obtain a greater probability of response and efficacy. This review aims to evaluate the applicability of precision medicine for T2DM, a healthcare burden in many countries.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, precision medicine, risk factors, genomic, environmental factors, drugs

In recent years Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae was identified as a major cause of bacterial etiolation and decline (BED) in turfgrasses and has become a growing economical concern for the turfgrass industry. The symptoms of BED resemble those of “bakanae,” or foolish seedling disease, of rice (Oryzae sativa), in which the gibberellins produced by the infecting fungus, Fusarium fujikuroi, contribute to the symptom development. Additionally, an operon coding for the enzymes necessary for bacterial gibberellin production was recently characterized in plant-pathogenic bacteria belonging to the γ-proteobacteria. We therefore investigated whether this gibberellin operon might be present in A. avenae subsp. avenae. A homolog of the operon has been identified in two turfgrass-infecting A. avenae subsp. avenae phylogenetic groups but not in closely related phylogenetic groups or strains infecting other plants. Moreover, even within these two phylogenetic groups, the operon presence is not uniform. For that reason, the functionality of the operon was examined in one strain of each turfgrass-infecting phylogenetic group (A. avenae subsp. avenae strains KL3 and MD5). All nine operon genes were functionally characterized through heterologous expression in Escherichia coli and enzymatic activities were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. All enzymes were functional in both investigated strains, thus demonstrating the ability of phytopathogenic β-proteobacteria to produce biologically active GA4. This additional gibberellin produced by A. avenae subsp. avenae could disrupt phytohormonal balance and be a leading factor contributing to the pathogenicity on turf grasses. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Abstract Relatively complete ontogenetic series are comparatively rare in the vertebrate fossil record. This can create biases in our understanding of morphology and evolution, since immaturity can represent a source of unrecognized intraspecific variation in both skeletal anatomy and ecology. In the extinct marine reptile clade Ichthyopterygia, ontogenetic series were widely studied only in some Jurassic genera, while the ontogeny of the oldest and most basal members of the clade is very poorly understood. Here, we investigate cranial ontogeny in Mixosaurus cornalianus, from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of the Swiss and Italian Alps. This small-bodied taxon is represented by a wealth of material from multiple size classes, including fetal material. This allows us to assess ontogenetic changes in cranial morphology, and identify stages in the ontogenetic trajectory where divergence with more derived ichthyosaurs has occurred. Early ontogenetic stages of Mixosaurus show developmental patterns that are reminiscent of the presumed ancestral (early diverging sauropsid) condition. This is prominently visible in the late fetal stage in both the basioccipital, which shows morphology akin to basal tubera, and in the postorbital, which has a triradiate head. The ontogenetic trajectory of at least some of the cranial elements of Mixosaurus is therefore likely still very akin to the ancestral condition, even though the adult cranium diverges from the standard diapsid morphology.