Search

Diabolik has marked a decisive watershed in Italian culture and imagination. Confronting the way it tra- versed sixty years of Italian history allows us to examine the complex plot that links Italian comics to me- dial and socio-cultural changes. This article investigates the relationships between the comics series and the cinematic Diabolik, discussing the mechanisms of adaptation and remediation, the changes in aesthetic forms and symbolic references that have aimed to intercept a vast and heterogeneous audience over several years and different media. We will analyze the evolution that Diabolik’s storyworld has undergone, from the establishment of the comics series to the film adaptations, examining how the franchise has traversed and adapted to the changing imaginaries and spaces (physical and medial) in constant metamorphosis, and considering how it has responded to the identity needs of Italian audiences from the 1960s to the present. Finally –- and, crucially – we will focus on the trilogy recently directed by the Manetti brothers (Diabolik, 2021; Diabolik - Ginko all’attacco!, 2022; and Diabolik - Chi sei?, 2023), considering the relation it bears to the comics series, discussing the semiotic and aesthetic choices through which the filmmakers have adapted the hypotexts and remediated the original material, and highlighting its palimpsestuous character.

In April 2023, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was amended and emended. The phylum was expanded by one new family, 14 new genera, and 140 new species. Two genera and 538 species were renamed. One species was moved, and four were abolished. This article presents the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota as now accepted by the ICTV.

BackgroundNon-melanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC) is the most common malignant tumor in the population, with a steadily increasing incidence due to an aging population and sun exposure. The two main subtypes of NMSC are basal cell carcinoma(BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). Therapeutic management of NMSC includes a variety of options, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and topical or systemic treatments. High-dose fractionated contact brachytherapy (c-HDR-BRT) is a viable therapeutic option for treating NMSCs.MethodsAt our center, we treated 39 patients with BCC or SCC, with a total of 46 lesions, treated with c-HDR-BRT. The patients underwent two different radiotherapy schedules: 40 Gy in four fractions and 30 Gy in three fractions.ResultsTwo-year results showed 100% local control (LC) and 100% disease-specific survival (DSS), indicating high efficacy of c-HDR-BRT in terms of tumor control. Furthermore, the observed toxicity profile was favorable with no significant late toxicity.ConclusionsThese results suggest that c-HDR-BRT represents a viable therapeutic alternative for NMSC, combining high oncological efficacy with an acceptable safety profile, while minimizing the aesthetic and functional impact of therapy. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of personalization of treatment and careful evaluation of individual cases to optimize the treatment approach in NMSC.

Background: The BRIGhTMIND study was a double-blind RCT comparing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at a standard simulation site (the “F3” location given by the International 10–20 system, F3-rTMS) versus connectivity-guided intermittent theta burst stimulation (cgiTBS) for treatment-resistant depression. This present study reports the acceptability, safety, and tolerability of F3-rTMS versus cgiTBS. Methods: The present study used quantitative and qualitative methods. Two hundred fifty-four participants were included in the quantitative BRIGhTMIND acceptability and safety analysis (n = 126 F3-rTMS, n = 128 cgiTBS). Qualitative analysis included interviews for 15 participants (n = 7 F3-rTMS, n = 8 cgiTBS) and 582 written comments made by any participant randomised to the BRIGhTMIND trial regarding their experience of TMS and the study. Statistical analyses were used to explore differences between F3-rTMS and cgiTBS, as well as associations between acceptability, impression of change and safety. Qualitative data was analysed using an inductive thematic framework approach. Outcomes: Acceptability, TMS benefits/negative effects and impression of improvement ratings did not differ across the two treatment protocols, with ratings maintained long-term (71.4 % rated TMS acceptable, 48.8 % indicated benefits of TMS outweighed negative effects and 52.2 % feeling somewhat or much better at 26 week follow-up n = 203). Impression of improvement was positively associated with acceptability and TMS benefits. Qualitative themes included participants' TMS experience, TMS response variability, and lay theories of effectiveness. Safety profiles were comparable between F3-rTMS and cgiTBS, with 74.5 % of participants (n = 190/254) experiencing at least one adverse event possibly, probably, or definitely related to TMS. The majority of adverse events were transient and mild, with a sizeable number requiring simple treatments or small adjustments to TMS intensity and coil positioning. The F3-rTMS group had a significantly greater proportion of participants that required small adjustments to TMS to tolerate treatment compared to the cgiTBS group. Serious adverse events were rare, with one serious event in each treatment arm possibly related to TMS (F3-rTMS- psychotic episode, cgiTBS-manic episode). Conclusion: F3-rTMS and cgiTBS are comparably safe, tolerable and highly acceptable interventions for treatment-resistant depression. BRIGhTMIND systematically collected data from a large sample, providing evidence to meet the information needs of patients, clinicians and policy makers.

Wesselsbron is a neglected, mosquito-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by several species of virus-infected Aedes mosquitoes endemic to tropical regions in Africa. It affects primarily domestic livestock species with teratogenic effects, but can jump to humans. Herein, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of Wesselsbron virus in Africa using whole genome sequencing and structural analysis, and assessed its pathogenicity and tropism through in vivo experiments. A total of twenty-five isolates collected from three countries were successfully characterized. Our study is noteworthy by identifying, for the first time, inter-clade recombination events on the genome of Wesselsbron virus. However, more investigations on the precise molecular mechanisms conducting the occurrence of recombination on the genome of Wesselsbron virus, are warranted. The identification of polymorphisms on motifs of virulence and selection pressures on major proteins showed evidence of genetic evolution for Wesselsbron virus. The clade 1 was more pathogenic and neurotropic in suckling mice and the intramuscular route was found to be the best transmission mode. Our findings also provide new insights in the pathogenicity and tropism of Wesselsbron virus, which could be useful for prevention, preparedness and future outbreak response. Considering its high prevalence in mosquito populations and the increasing number of sporadic human cases, Wesselsbron virus merits more attention in terms of prevention and preparedness, as its mosquito vectors continue to globally expand and there is no vaccine.

The narrative ecosystem spawned by the manga Berusaiyu no Bara (henceforth referred to by its English title The Rose of Versailles) (Riyoko Ikeda, 1972-1973) and its renowned protagonist, Lady Oscar, presents itself as a paradigmatic case study in the sphere of digital television seriality. It offers significant insights for the analysis of production and distribution, inter/transmedia dynamics, and the intercultural processes of fandom. This ecosystem stands out for its ability to permeate various media formats, thereby creating a rich transmedia universe. A prime example of its success is the 12-episode anime series, which first aired in Japan in 1979. This series delineates a path reflecting the metamorphosis of media consumption and practices in contemporary mediascape. Furthermore, Lady Oscar (the name given to the anime in France and Italy, where it achieved considerable success) (1979-1980, Nippon Television) assumes a pivotal role in discussions on gender representation in popular culture. The series challenges the tenets of heterosexual romanticism and traditional gender roles, with the protagonist serving as an icon of resistance against gender norms. She offers an alternative model of identity and relationships, resonating with contemporary issues of gender and sexuality. This analysis encompasses the intercultural and transnational processes, focusing on how The Rose of Versailles has captivated an international fandom, particularly in France and Italy. The series becomes a medium for exploring universal themes such as gender identity, social conflicts, and political dynamics, illustrating how a narrative can transcend cultural and geographical boundaries, influencing the perception and discussion of social issues in various contexts. Lady Oscar exemplifies how a television series can act as a crucial medium in narrating social and cultural transformations. Through its transmedia evolution, challenging gender roles, and intercultural resonance, the series provides a unique glimpse into the interaction between production, distribution, consumption, and participation in the contemporary media landscape.

Corriere dei Piccoli emerged during a unique moment in Italian history characterized by the convergence of popular culture and new industrial and cultural practices that foreshadowed the future advent of mass media (Colombo, 1999). This article aims to investigate the processes of remediation that involves the communicative format of this renowned periodical, connecting it to a long tradition of oral and performative practices. Corriere dei Piccoli, in fact, effectively remediated (Bolter & Grusin, 2003) the ancient oral tradition of the “Cantastorie” (traveling entertainers who tell or sing stories in public squares with the aid of painted posters depicting key scenes from the tales), whose performances had a significant impact on the formal and meaning structures of the magazine. This process entails a collision between ancient narrative traditions and a novel media landscape characterized by the intersection of liberty, futurism, theatrical performances, and literary tradition. In this context, Corriere dei Piccoli stands as one of the privileged sites from which to observe the challenging process of modernization in Italy (Brancato, 2008).Additionally, the investigation will consider the educational practices related to orality and performance. Our main thesis posits that the magazine strikes a balance between traditional pedagogy and multimedia/multimodal entertainment. The rhymed captions used in the comics reflect the attention devoted to young readers’ literacy and emphasize the responsibility placed on parents and older siblings to “chaperone” their reading (as indicated by Sutliff Sanders, 2013). Following the same educational path, in its early years of publication, the magazine invested in a correspondence section where the mediating figure of Paola Lombroso actively promoted reading and writing through a dialogue with the readership. However, the remarkable Corrierino comic format not only educated children but also proposed a more consumerist lifestyle, which, on the one hand, tended to commodify children and, on the other hand (from a media education perspective ante litteram), provided useful tools to understand and navigate the media landscape of the time.

IntroductionGastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy marked by cellular and molecular diversity. In GC, cancer cells invade locally in the stomach at stage I and can progress to metastasis in distant organs by stage IV, where it often becomes fatal.MethodsWe analyzed gene expression profiles from 719 stage I and stage IV GC patients across seven public datasets, conducting functional enrichment analysis to identify a gene signature linked to disease progression. Additionally, we developed an in vitro model of a simplified extracellular matrix (ECM) for cell-based assays.ResultsOur analysis identified a progression-associated gene signature (APOD, COL1A2, FSTL1, GEM, LUM, and SPARC) that characterizes stage IV GC. This signature is associated with ECM organization and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), both of which influence the tumor microenvironment by promoting cell invasion and triggering EMT.DiscussionThis gene signature may help identify stage I GC patients at higher risk, offering potential utility in early-stage patient management. Furthermore, our experimental ECM model may serve as a platform for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic spread in gastric cancer.