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Superconducting NbN nanonetworks with a very small number of interconnected nanowires, with diameter of the order of 4 nm, are fabricated combining a bottom-up (use of porous silicon nanotemplates) with a top-down technique (high-resolution electron beam lithography). The method is easy to control and allows the fabrication of devices, on a robust support, with electrical properties close to a one-dimensional superconductor that can be used fruitfully for novel applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total femoral approach for fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair has been increasingly favored to minimize risks of aortic arch manipulation. We describe a novel technique to support the advancement of endovascular devices into a target vessel. Following catheterization of the intended target artery and deployment of the diameter-reducing ties, a Coda semi-compliant balloon (Cook Medical) is advanced and inflated immediately above the target artery. It is used as a support as the wire, catheter, or sheath “bounces” on the balloon, stabilizing the support wire to advance stent grafts, balloons, or sheaths into the downward renal or mesenteric vessels.

We report on the superconducting properties of a Nb thin film deposited, with an interleaved insulating layer to avoid the proximity effect, on an array of ferromagnetic (Ni) nanowires embedded in a porous template. By investigating the Tc(H) phase boundary and by measuring V(I) characteristics and critical currents as a function of the applied magnetic field, we find that the Nb film exhibits properties similar to those of a network of one-dimensional superconducting nanowires. We attribute this behavior to the stray fields of the magnetic dipoles, which create an almost regular lattice of normal regions in the superconductor, ultimately changing its topology. Furthermore, there is evidence that the magnetic pinning of vortices is negligible in this structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetoresistance oscillations were observed on networks of superconducting ultrathin Nb nanowires presenting evidence of either thermal or quantum activated phase slips. The magnetic transport data, discussed in the framework of different scenarios, reveal that the system behaves coherently in the temperature range where the contribution of the fluctuations is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 54-year-old woman presented with an enlarging, pulsatile left neck mass and a history of Takayasu arteritis. She had seven prior cervical vascular reconstructions, including a prosthetic right-to-left carotid crossover, and left vertebral and subclavian bypasses done with saphenous vein. The skin of her neck was scarred and thin. The anastomotic pseudoaneurysms were resected, the left carotid bifurcation was reconstructed with the cryopreserved femoral artery because of the concern about wound healing, and the subclavian and vertebral vein grafts were reimplanted. Intraoperative management, clamp sites and sequence, manner of shunting, choice of conduit, and wound healing were important considerations.

Nanoparticles and nanomaterials are revolutionizing medicine by offering diverse tools for diagnosis and therapy, including devices, contrast agents, drug delivery systems, adjuvants, therapeutics, and theragnostic agents. Realizing full applied potential requires a deep understanding of the interactions of nano dimensional objects with biological cells. In this study, we investigate interaction of single-crystal diamond nanoneedles (SCDNNs) containing silicon vacancy (SiV - ) color centers with biological substances. Four batches of the diamond needles with sizes ranging between 200 nm and 1300 nm and their water suspensions were used in these studies. The human lung fibroblast cells were used for the proof-of-concept demonstration. Employing micro-photoluminescence (PL) mapping, confocal microscopy, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) viability tests, we evaluated the cellular response to the SCDNNs. Intriguingly, our investigation with PL spectroscopy revealed that the cells and SCDNNs can coexist together with approved efficient registration of SiV - centers presence. Notably, LDH release remained minimal in cells exposed to optimally sized SCDNNs, suggesting a small number of lysed cells, and indicating non-cytotoxicity in concentrations of 2-32 µ g ml -1 . The evidence obtained highlights the potential of SCDNNs for extra- or/and intracellular drug delivery when the surface of the needle is modified. In addition, fluorescent defects in the SCDNNs can be used for bioimaging as well as optical and quantum sensing., (Creative Commons Attribution license.)

Aims: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common clinical finding associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Once LVH is diagnosed, defining its cause has crucial clinical implications. Artificial intelligence (AI) may allow significant progress in the automated detection of LVH and its underlying causes from cardiovascular imaging. This systematic review aims to investigate the diagnostic performance of AI models developed to diagnose LVH and its common aetiologies., Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies on echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CT)., Results: Thirty studies were included in this review. Of them, 14 were on echocardiography, 15 on CMR, and one on cardiac CT. Regarding the AI methods applied, 79 % of studies in echocardiography utilized deep learning (DL), 64 % employed convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and 21 % applied traditional machine learning (ML) algorithms. For CMR studies, 53 % used DL, 27 % relied on CNNs, and 47 % adopted traditional ML methods. All studies showed good diagnostic performances, but those applying AI tools to determine the underlying causes of LVH demonstrated the highest accuracy metrics compared to those focused on detecting LVH itself., Conclusion: AI models designed to detect and differentiate LVH on cardiac imaging are currently under development and are demonstrating promising results. Further studies focusing on real-life validation of these models, and cost-effectiveness analyses are needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plasticity and ER-phagy are intertwined processes essential for maintaining ER dynamics. We investigated the interplay between two isoforms of the ER-phagy receptor FAM134B in regulating ER remodeling in differentiating myoblasts. During myogenesis, the canonical FAM134B1 is degraded, while its isoform FAM134B2 is transcriptionally upregulated. The switch, favoring FAM134B2, is an important regulator of ER morphology during myogenesis. FAM134B2 partial reticulon homology domain, with its rigid conformational characteristics, enables efficient ER reshaping. FAM134B2 action increases in the active phase of differentiation leading to ER restructuring via ER-phagy, which then reverts to physiological levels when myotubes are mature and the ER is reorganized. Knocking out both FAM134B isoforms in myotubes results in an aberrant proteome landscape and the formation of dilated ER structures, both of which are rescued by FAM134B2 re-expression. Our results underscore how the fine-tuning of FAM134B isoforms and ER-phagy orchestrate the ER dynamics during myogenesis providing insights into the molecular mechanisms governing ER homeostasis in muscle cells., Competing Interests: Disclosure and competing interests statement. The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Mediterranean forests are severely threatened by increasing seedling mortality due to harsh environmental conditions, especially drought. In this study, we investigate whether seedlings of Quercus ilex and Arbutus unedo , previously exposed to water deficit, acquired tolerance to summer drought. Seedlings of the two species were grown from April to September in a plastic tunnel greenhouse and exposed to two irrigation regimes (control, 100% water holding capacity; water-stressed, 50% of control). In mid-August, the irrigation of all plants was suspended for three weeks. The response of the species was analyzed to evaluate survival, growth, ecological, and anatomical traits of wood produced under stressful conditions and marked through the pinning technique. The results suggest that both species show pre-acclimation to drought, with Q. ilex demonstrating a marked increase in survival percentage. This is likely due to a reduction in vessel size in response to previous water stress. In contrast, in A. unedo , the higher frequency of narrower vessels allowed safer water transport compared to Q. ilex , thus explaining the slight increase in survival. Overall results indicated that the two species adopt different strategies to overcome drought, providing valuable insights for managing seedlings in natural ecosystems and urban green spaces.

Tissue-scale architecture and mechanical properties instruct cell behaviour under physiological and diseased conditions, but our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains fragmentary. Here we show that extracellular matrix stiffness, spatial confinements and applied forces, including stretching of mouse skin, regulate mitochondrial dynamics. Actomyosin tension promotes the phosphorylation of mitochondrial elongation factor 1 (MIEF1), limiting the recruitment of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) at mitochondria, as well as peri-mitochondrial F-actin formation and mitochondrial fission. Strikingly, mitochondrial fission is also a general mechanotransduction mechanism. Indeed, we found that DRP1- and MIEF1/2-dependent fission is required and sufficient to regulate three transcription factors of broad relevance-YAP/TAZ, SREBP1/2 and NRF2-to control cell proliferation, lipogenesis, antioxidant metabolism, chemotherapy resistance and adipocyte differentiation in response to mechanical cues. This extends to the mouse liver, where DRP1 regulates hepatocyte proliferation and identity-hallmark YAP-dependent phenotypes. We propose that mitochondria fulfil a unifying signalling function by which the mechanical tissue microenvironment coordinates complementary cell functions., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aims: To assess the presence and the extent of an "aortic remodeling" in elite athletes., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (1981-2024) reporting echocardiographic aortic diameters of elite athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls. Among the 5,494 studies retrieved, 21 (9,464 elite athletes vs. 2,637 non-athlete controls) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Data were aggregated using a random effects model for estimating the pooled risk ratio and mean difference., Results: Absolute aortic diameters at the sinus of Valsalva (AoSV) were higher in overall elite athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls (mean difference [MD] 1.69 [95% CI 1.01-2.37] mm; p <0.001) and if stratified to sex. This difference was maintained if AoSV was indexed to height (AoSV/h) (MD 0.04 [95% CI -0.00-0.08] mm/m; ES 2.18 [95% CI 1.10-3.26]; p<0.001). The analysis of AoSV/h according to sex was not performed for the paucity of studies. However, when indexed to body surface area (AoSV/BSA), no differences were found between the two groups (MD 0.04 [95% CI -0.25-0.34] mm/m2; p = 0.880), also according to sex. Above findings were not influenced by age., Conclusions: Absolute AoSV was mildly larger in athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls, even when indexed to height. However, no differences were evident when indexed by BSA, irrespective of sex, type of sport and age. Therefore, assessment of the aortic size in elite athletes should consider the proper normalization in order to avoid misdiagnosis of aortopathies., Prospero Registry Id: CRD42024561255., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is defined by an increased left ventricular wall thickness not solely explainable by abnormal loading conditions. Estimated prevalence is 1:200-500 with roughly 60% of cases showing a familiar trait. Medical treatment and surgical interventions significantly altered prognosis in HCM. Recently, new therapies have been introduced in clinical practice and a patient-centric approach is key to HCM optimal management. This review aims to summarize the current HCM therapies focusing on the importance of personalized care and delineate therapeutic approaches under investigation., Areas Covered: The review summarizes and critically evaluates the available data on currently available pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for HCM. The evidence in support of the use of beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, disopyramide, and cardiac myosin inhibitors is discussed. Furthermore, data and controversies on sudden death prevention, surgical and non-surgical septal reduction therapies are reported. Finally, future perspectives in HCM management such as new drugs and gene therapies are explored., Expert Opinion: The authors stress the need for a personalized and tailored approach to managing patients with HCM, which is not only based on phenotypes and risk stratification, but also patients' preferences, needs, and beliefs.

Introduction: The limited capacity of brain tissue to regenerate after acute injury, hampered by cell death, edema and inflammation, has led to an interest in promising and innovative approaches such as implantable regenerative scaffolds designed to improve brain plasticity. Leveraging the capabilities of bioprinting, these scaffolds can be tailored to match the intricate architecture of the brain., Methods: In this methodological study, we performed in vivo biocompatibility assessments after a brain lesion on three distinct bioeliminable or bioresorbable materials: Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and a PEGDA mixed with gelatin methacrylate (PEGDA-GelMA)., Results: A scaffold with a complex shape was printed with patterns, spatial resolution and porosity adapted to cerebral cortex reconstruction. In vivo evaluations were complemented by behavioral monitoring, affirming the safety of these materials. High-resolution T2 MRI imaging effectively captured scaffold structures and demonstrated their non-invasive utility in monitoring degradability. ASL MRI imaging quantified cerebral blood flow and was positively and significantly correlated with lectin immunofluorescent labeling. It may be used to non-invasively monitor progressive revascularization of implants.PEGDA produced an intense foreign-body response, encapsulated by a fibro-inflammatory barrier. On the other hand, PCL provoked a controlled inflammatory reaction and facilitated cell migration into the scaffold, although it induced a fibrotic response around PCL fibers. Conversely, the PEGDA-GelMA composite emerged as a promising candidate for intracerebral implantation. It facilitated the creation of a permissive glial layer, while also inducing neovascularization and attracting neuronal progenitors., Conclusion: Behavior, MRI monitoring and histology allowed a thorough following of biomaterial biocompatibility. The collective findings position PEGDA-GelMA as a convincing biomaterial option as a basis for treating severe brain lesions, offering new avenues in the search for effective treatments., Competing Interests: We have no conflict of interest to disclose., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of The Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine.)

This study presents a novel approach to the development of high-performance supercapacitors through 3D printing technology. We synthesized a composite material consisting of silver-doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA)-doped polyaniline (PANI), which was further blended with polylactic acid (PLA) for additive manufacturing. The composite was extruded into filaments and printed into circular disc electrodes using fused deposition modeling (FDM). These electrodes were assembled into symmetric supercapacitor devices with a solid-state electrolyte. Electrochemical characterization, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) tests, demonstrated considerable mass-specific capacitance values of 136.2 F/g and 133 F/g at 20 mV/s and 1 A/g, respectively. The devices showed excellent stability, retaining 91% of their initial capacitance after 5000 cycles. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles enhanced the conductivity of rGO, while PANI-DBSA improved electrochemical stability and performance. This study highlights the potential of combining advanced materials with 3D printing to optimize energy storage devices, offering a significant advancement over traditional manufacturing methods.

Biochar coupled with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to produce sulfate radicals and its application to urban wastewater disinfection has been rarely investigated and no information is available about microplastics (MPs) interference on the disinfection process. In this study, FeCl 3 -activated biochar (Fe-BC) was coupled to PMS to evaluate the inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in real secondary treated urban wastewater. Surface morphology of Fe-BC sample, characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), showed a rough texture with uniform distribution of iron particles over the entire surface area. E. coli inactivation improved (∼3.8 log units, detection limit = 1 CFU/100 mL) as Fe-BC concentration was decreased (from 1.0 g/L to 0.5 g/L), at a constant PMS dose (300 mg/L). Besides, removal efficiency of E. coli was negatively affected by the presence of small (30-50 μm) polyethylene MPs (PE MPs) (200 mg/L), which could be attributed to the adsorption of MPs on Fe-BC surface, according to SEM images of post-treated Fe-BC. The low disinfection efficiency of Fe-BC/PMS system in presence MPs could be due to blocking of Fe-BC sites for PMS activation and/or radicals scavenging during treatment. These results allowed to unveil the mechanisms of MPs interference on E. coli inactivation by Fe-BC/PMS, as well as the potential of this process to make the effluent in compliance with the stringent limit for agricultural reuse., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Against the backdrop of climate change, soil loss, and water scarcity, sustainable food production is a pivotal challenge for humanity. As the global population grows and urbanization intensifies, innovative agricultural methods are crucial to meet rising food demand, while mitigating environmental degradation. Hydroponic and aquaponic systems, has emerged as one of these solutions by minimizing land use, reducing water consumption, and enabling year-round crop production in urban areas. This study aimed at assessing the yield, ecophysiological performance, and nutritional content of Lactuca sativa L. and Cichorium endivia L. var. crispum grown in hydroponic and aquaponic floating raft systems, with Oreochromis niloticus L. integrated into the aquaponic system. Both species exhibited higher fresh biomass and canopy/root ratios in hydroponics compared to aquaponics. Additionally, hydroponics increased the leaf number in curly endive by 18%. Ecophysiological parameters, such as the leaf net photosynthesis rate, actual yield of PSII, and linear electron transport rate, were also higher in hydroponics for both species. However, the nutritional profiles varied between the two cultivation systems and between the two species. Given that standard fish feed often lacks sufficient potassium levels for optimal plant growth, potassium supplementation could be a viable strategy to enhance plant development in aquaponic systems. In conclusion, although aquaponic systems may demonstrate lower productivity compared to hydroponics, they offer a more sustainable and potentially healthier product with fewer harmful compounds due to the reduced use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and the absence of chemical residue accumulation. However, careful system management and monitoring are crucial to minimize potential contaminants.

We have previously demonstrated that the vasopressin type 2 receptor (AVPR2) antagonist tolvaptan reduces cell proliferation and invasion and triggers apoptosis in different human cancer cell lines. To study this effect in vivo, a xenograft model of small cell lung cancer was developed in Fox1 nu/nu nude mice through the subcutaneous inoculation of H69 cells, which express AVPR2. One group of mice (n = 5) was treated with tolvaptan for 60 days, whereas one group (n = 5) served as the control. A reduced growth was observed in the tolvaptan group in which the mean tumor volume was significantly smaller on day 60 compared to the control group. In the latter group, a significantly lower survival was observed. The analysis of excised tumors revealed that tolvaptan effectively inhibited the cAMP/PKA and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. The expression of the proliferative marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was significantly lower in tumors excised from tolvaptan-treated mice, whereas the expression levels of the apoptotic marker caspase-3 were higher than those in control animals. Furthermore, tumor vascularization was significantly lower in the tolvaptan group. Overall, these findings suggest that tolvaptan counteracts tumor progression in vivo and, if confirmed, might indicate a possible role of this molecule as an adjuvant in anticancer strategies.

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers in reducing the aortic growth rate in children with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)-related aortopathy and ascending phenotype., Methods: Consecutive paediatric patients (≤16 years) with BAV and ascending aorta (AsAo) dilation (z-score > 3) were enrolled in this observational retrospective cohort study. Patients receiving prophylactic treatment with either atenolol (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/daily) or losartan (0.7 to 1.4 mg/kg/daily) were compared with those who did not receive medical prophylaxis (control group). The primary outcome of interest was the annual rate of change in maximal AsAo diameter z-score in the treatment and control groups., Results: From a cohort of 1005 patients, 120 (mean age 11.3 ± 4.5 years, 82% males) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Patients in the treatment and control group had similar age, sex, family history of BAV, BAV morphology, and baseline AsAo diameter. During a median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range 3.8-10.2), no differences were observed in the annual growth rate of aortic diameter z-score between patients on treatment and controls. The prevalence of aortic diameter progression was similar in the treatment and control groups, and treatment with atenolol or losartan was not associated with a lower rate of aortic disease progression., Conclusions: The findings revealed no significant difference in the annual aortic growth rate between treated and untreated patients. Larger cohort studies or, ideally, randomized clinical controlled trials are needed to validate these findings., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction : The aim of this study was to evaluate the age at onset, clinical course, and patterns of left ventricular (LV) remodelling during follow-up in children and young patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods : We included consecutive patients with sarcomeric or non-syndromic HCM below 18 years old. Three pre-specified patterns of LV remodelling were assessed: maximal LV wall thickness (MLVWT) thickening; MLVWT thinning with preserved LV ejection fraction; and MLVWT thinning with progressive reduction in LV ejection fraction (hypokinetic end-stage evolution). Results : Fifty-three patients with sarcomeric/non-syndromic HCM (mean age 9.4 ± 5.5 years, 68% male) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In total, 32 patients (60%) showed LV remodelling: 3 patients (6%) exhibited MLVWT thinning; 16 patients (30%) showed MLVWT thickening; and 13 patients (24%) progressed to hypokinetic end-stage HCM. Twenty-one patients (40%) had no LV remodelling during follow-up. In multivariate analysis, MLVWT was a predictor of the hypokinetic end-stage remodelling pattern during follow-up (OR 1.17 [95%CI 1.01-1.36] per 1 mm increase, p -value 0.043), regardless of sarcomeric variants and New York Heart Association class. Two patients with sarcomeric HCM, showing a pattern of MLVWT regression during childhood, experienced progression during adolescence. Conclusions : Different patterns of LV remodelling were observed in a cohort of children with sarcomeric/non-syndromic HCM. Interestingly, a pattern of progressive MLVWT thinning during childhood, with new progression of MLVWT during adolescence, was noted. A better understanding of the remodelling mechanisms in children with sarcomeric HCM may be relevant to defining the timing and possible efficacy of new targeted therapies in the preclinical stage of the disease.

Herein, additive manufacturing, which is extremely promising in different sectors, has been adopted in the electrical energy storage field to fabricate efficient materials for supercapacitor applications. In particular, Al 2 O 3 -, steel-, and Cu-based microparticles have been used for the realization of 3D self-assembling materials covered with reduced graphene oxide to be processed through additive manufacturing. Functionalization of the particles with amino groups and a subsequent "self-assembly" step with graphene oxide, which was contextually partially reduced to rGO, was carried out. To further improve the electrical conductivity and AM processability, the composites were coated with a polyaniline-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid complex and further blended with PLA. Afterward, they were extruded in the form of filaments, printed through the fused deposition modeling technique, and assembled into symmetrical solid-state devices. Electrochemical tests showed a maximum mass capacitance of 163 F/g, a maximum energy density of 15 Wh/Kg at 10 A/g, as well as good durability (85% capacitance retention within 5000 cycles) proving the effectiveness of the preparation and the efficiency of the as-manufactured composites., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis (hATTR) is the most common form of familial amyloidosis. It is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a pathogenic variant in the TTR gene. More than 140 TTR gene variants have been associated with hATTR, with the Val30Met variant representing the most common worldwide. The clinical phenotype varies according to the gene variant and includes predominantly cardiac, predominantly neurologic, and mixed phenotypes. The present review aims to describe the genotype-phenotype correlations in hATTR. Understanding these correlations is crucial to facilitate the early identification of the disease, predict adverse outcomes, and guide management with approved disease-modifying therapies., Competing Interests: Disclosure G. Limongelli received an unrestricted research grant from Pfitzer. The other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)