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Abstract Background Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are essential for evaluating disease-related quality of life. The International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12) assesses various aspects of hip-related symptoms, function, sports participation, and social limitations. This study aimed to adapt and validate an Italian version of the iHOT12 according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. Materials and methods A multicenter observational cohort study was conducted to translate and validate the iHOT-12 into Italian (iHOT-12-ita) and assess its psychometric properties. Following international guidelines, we translated and culturally adapted the iHOT-12-ita. Patients with hip pain included in the study completed the iHOT-12-ita and mHHS-ita questionnaires at three timepoints: initial consultation (T0), 10–20 days later (T1), and at least 2 months after treatment (T2): hip injection, hip arthroscopy or total hip replacement. The evaluation of the iHOT-12-ita psychometric properties was conducted following the COSMIN checklist, assessing its reliability, responsiveness, interpretability, and acceptability. Results Between May 2019 to September 2022, 104 patients were included, from two tertiary hip surgery referral center clinics, they completed both questionnaires and were available for data analysis. The psychometric evaluations revealed robust test–retest reliability on 27 patients at T1, with a Lin coefficient of 0.709 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.553–0.888] and a high Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.745. At T2 after treatment, there was significant responsiveness (p

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records, confirmations or exclusions for the algal genera Chara and Tolypella, the bryophyte genera Pogonatum, Pseudephemerum, and Riella, the fungal genera Arrhenia, Arthonia, Buchwaldoboletus, Dacampia, Hebeloma, Inocybe, and Trechispora, and the lichen genera Aspicilia, Bellemerea, Cladonia, Hypotrachyna, Maronea, Parvoplaca, Polyozosia, Schismatomma, Solenopsora, Trapelia, and Zwackhia.

Abstract Atherosclerosis imposes a heavy burden on cardiovascular health due to its indispensable role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. Ample clinical and experimental evidence has corroborated the vital role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Hence, the demand for preclinical research into atherosclerotic inflammation is on the horizon. Indeed, the acquisition of an in-depth knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of inflammation in atherosclerosis should allow us to identify novel therapeutic targets with translational merits. In this review, we aimed to critically discuss and speculate on the recently identified molecular and cellular mechanisms of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Moreover, we delineated various signaling cascades and proinflammatory responses in macrophages and other leukocytes that promote plaque inflammation and atherosclerosis. In the end, we highlighted potential therapeutic targets, the pros and cons of current interventions, as well as anti-inflammatory and atheroprotective mechanisms.

Abstract Fibrinogen, a blood plasma protein with a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis, is highly susceptible to post-translational modifications (PTMs), that significantly influence clot formation, structure, and stability. These PTMs, which include acetylation, amidation, carbamylation, citrullination, dichlorination, glycation, glycosylation, guanidinylation, hydroxylation, homocysteinylation, malonylation, methylation, nitration, oxidation, phosphorylation and sulphation, can alter fibrinogen biochemical properties and affect its functional behavior in coagulation and fibrinolysis. Oxidation and nitration are notably associated with oxidative stress, impacting fibrin fiber formation and promoting the development of more compact and resistant fibrin networks. Glycosylation and glycation contribute to altered fibrinogen structural properties, often resulting in changes in fibrin clot density and susceptibility to lysis, particularly in metabolic disorders like diabetes. Acetylation and phosphorylation, influenced by medications such as aspirin, modulate clot architecture by affecting fiber thickness and clot permeability. Citrullination and homocysteinylation, although less studied, are linked to autoimmune conditions and cardiovascular diseases, respectively, affecting fibrin formation and stability. Understanding these modifications provides insights into the pathophysiology of thrombotic disorders and highlights potential therapeutic targets. This review comprehensively examines the current literature on fibrinogen PTMs, their specific sites, biochemical pathways, and their consequences on fibrin clot architecture, clot formation and clot lysis.

Abstract Background Recently, the development of advanced, noninvasive methods has allowed the study of respiratory function even in uncooperative infants. To date, there is still little data on the application of this technique in infants with suspected airway obstruction. The aims of our study were: - To evaluate the role of respiratory function testing (PFR) in the diagnosis and follow-up of infants with stridor - To evaluate the differences between patients with inspiratory stridor and expiratory stridor. - To evaluate the concordance between PFR and endoscopy. Methods We enrolled infants aged

Introduction: In the literature, video game addiction in youths is correlated with dysfunctional symptoms of anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders, and the pandemic period of 2020–2022 has favored the aggravation of this behavioral addiction. Therefore, we identified the need to analyze this phenomenon with an emphasis on the risks and correlates related to deviance and maladjustment from a prospective perspective, seeking to understand the impact of the individual variables examined. Aim: To demonstrate whether the condition of “gaming non-pathological abuse” (GNPA) promotes psychopathological features of clinical interest, in the absence of a diagnosis of “gaming disorder” (GD). Materials and methods: A search performed on PubMed and administration of an ad hoc sociological questionnaire were used to investigate individual variables of criminological interest in a representative population sample (531 males/females, 8–18 years old, M: 14.4, SD: 2.5). Results: Statistical analysis showed that after the pandemic period, digital video game addiction was reinforced, feeding psychopathological traits consistent with anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders. Variables correlated with impulsive, aggressive, and violent behavior related to age, gender, socio-environmental and economic background, and the severity of digital video game addiction. Conclusions: In the youth population (8–18 years), “gaming non-pathological abuse” (GNPA) is related to aggressive, impulsive and violent behaviors that foster phenomena of social maladjustment and deviance, especially in individuals living in disadvantaged or otherwise complex socio-economic and family contexts. Looking forward, the study of structural and functional personality profiles is essential in order to anticipate and reduce the future risk of psychopathological and criminal behavior.

Abstract Introduction The need for a standardized core curriculum in regional anesthesia has become essential, particularly with the integration of ultrasound revolutionizing and exponentially increasing clinical practice and possibilities. In fact, numerous novel techniques, often overlapping, can confuse practitioners. This study aims to establish a core curriculum for upper limb, lower limb, paraspinal and fascial plane blocks for residency training, addressing potential educational gaps caused by the multitude of techniques, through a Delphi consensus process involving recognized Italian regional anesthesia experts. Methods A steering committee was formed in order to select a panel of experts in regional anesthesia. A three-round Delphi consensus was planned: two rounds of electronic voting and a final round of mixed electronic voting and round table discussion. The consensus was defined as ≥ 75% agreement for inclusion and lower than ≤ 25% agreement for exclusion from the core curriculum list. Techniques reaching the 50% threshold were included with low consensus. Results Twenty-nine techniques were selected to be included in the ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia core curriculum. Twenty-two were included with strong consensus: Upper limb: interscalene brachial plexus block, supraclavicular brachial plexus block, infraclavicular brachial plexus block, axillary brachial plexus block, intermediate cervical plexus block Lower limb: femoral nerve block, pericapsular nerve group block, adductor canal block, sciatic nerve block (transgluteal approach, infragluteal approach, and at the popliteal fossa), ankle block Paraspinal/fascial plane blocks: erector spinae plane block, deep serratus anterior plane block, superficial pectointercostal plane block, interpectoral plane block, pectoserratus plane block, rectus sheath block, ilioinguinal iliohypogastric nerves block, transversus abdominis plane block (with subcostal and midaxillary approaches) The remaining seven techniques were included with low consensus: superficial cervical plexus block, lumbar plexus block, fascia iliaca block (suprainguinal approach), anterior quadratus lumborum block, lateral quadratus lumborum block, paravertebral block, and serratus anterior plane block. Conclusions This curriculum aims to standardize training and ensure that residents acquire the essential skills required for effective and safe practice regardless of the residents’ subsequent specialization. By incorporating these techniques, educational programs can provide a structured and consistent approach to regional anesthesia, enhancing the quality of patient care and improving outcomes.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital pulmonary anomaly where a portion of the lung parenchyma is supplied by an anomalous systemic artery, usually originating from the thoracic or abdominal aorta. Traditionally surgical resection and ligation of the aberrant feeding vessel are the gold standard treatments of this disease. Hybrid operations consisting in endovascular arterial embolization and surgical resection is a promising treatment option. We report a case of a 69-years-old man with symptomatic intralobular sequestration successfully treated by hybrid approach.

Abstract Background The term “sharenting” describes the increasingly popular habit of parents to share photos, videos, or other information regarding their children on their social profiles, through online platforms. It is highly likely that many parents are posting content about their underage children online with little knowledge of the risks associated with this practice. This study aims to investigate whether variables such as parents’ age, gender, marital status, occupation and educational level influence the practice of sharing child-related content and the degree of awareness. Methods We performed a pilot cross-sectional study, based on an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to parents of underage children attending the pediatric outpatient clinic of the Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, in Rome, Italy, by researchers, through the google forms platform; qualitative variables were generated on excel sheets and a statistical analysis was performed on SPSS Ibm-statistics using the chi-square test. Results Two hundred twenty-eight parents of children under 18 years of age completed the questionnaire (82% mothers, 18% fathers); 98% of the respondents used social media and 75% of them published their children’s related content online. Thirty-one percent of the compilers started their practice of sharenting in the first 6 months of life of their child. Our analysis showed that compared to parents who do not post online, parents who usually post online their children are significantly more likely to be partial employees or unemployed (p = 0,002), with lower educational level (p = 0,05), younger (less than 35 years of age (p = 0,01)) and have a higher number of followers (p

Capillary malformations are the most prevalent low-flow vascular abnormalities. A case of a 30-year-old woman with lateral capillary malformation was presented in this case report. Dermoscopic showed erythematous background and rare telangiectasic vessels for less than 5-10% of the entire area examined. She underwent a single treatment with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser. Excellent response at the end of the session and a clear reduction of the capillary malformation at clinical follow-up 2 months later was achieved. Dermatoscopic and 3D photographic evaluation before and after laser treatment also documented the disappearance of the erythematous background and telengectasic vessels.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of samples from urban wastewater treatment plants using anoxic/oxic processes in Slovakia and Taiwan, focusing on microbiome, resistome, mobilome, and virulome, which were analyzed using a shotgun metagenomic approach. Distinct characteristics were observed; in Taiwan, a higher abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes were found in both influent and effluent samples, while there was a higher prevalence of mobile genetic elements and virulence factor genes in Slovakia. Variations were noted in microbial community structures; influent samples in Taiwan were reflected from fecal and hospital sources, and those in Slovakia were derived from environmental elements. At the genus level, the samples from Taiwan's sewage treatment plants were dominated by Cloacibacterium and Bacteroides, while Acinetobacter was predominant in samples from Slovakia. Despite similar antibiotic usage patterns, distinct wastewater characteristics and operational disparities influenced microbiome, resistome, mobilome, and virulome compositions, with limited reduction of most resistance genes by the studied anoxic/oxic processes. These findings underscore the importance of region-specific insights into microbial communities for understanding the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity in urban wastewater treatment systems. Such insights may lay the groundwork for optimizing treatment processes and reducing the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity genes for safeguarding public health.

Abstract Background Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in many developmental processes. Recent evidence, however, has suggested that epigenetic changes may also influence the onset of puberty or the susceptibility to a wide range of diseases later in life. The present study aims to investigate changes in genomic DNA methylation profiles associated with pubertal onset analyzing human peripheral blood leukocytes from three different groups of subjects: 19 girls with central precocious puberty (CPP), 14 healthy prepubertal girls matched by age and 13 healthy pubertal girls matched by pubertal stage. For this purpose, the comparisons were performed between pre- and pubertal controls to identify changes in normal pubertal transition and CPP versus pre- and pubertal controls. Results Analysis of methylation changes associated with normal pubertal transition identified 1006 differentially methylated CpG sites, 86% of them were found to be hypermethylated in prepubertal controls. Some of these CpG sites reside in genes associated with the age of menarche or transcription factors involved in the process of pubertal development. Analysis of methylome profiles in CPP patients showed 65% and 55% hypomethylated CpG sites compared with prepubertal and pubertal controls, respectively. In addition, interestingly, our results revealed the presence of 43 differentially methylated genes coding for zinc finger (ZNF) proteins. Gene ontology and IPA analysis performed in the three groups studied revealed significant enrichment of them in some pathways related to neuronal communication (semaphorin and gustation pathways), estrogens action, some cancers (particularly breast and ovarian) or metabolism (particularly sirtuin). Conclusions The different methylation profiles of girls with normal and precocious puberty indicate that regulation of the pubertal process in humans is associated with specific epigenetic changes. Differentially methylated genes include ZNF genes that may play a role in developmental control. In addition, our data highlight changes in the methylation status of genes involved in signaling pathways that determine the migration and function of GnRH neurons and the onset of metabolic and neoplastic diseases that may be associated with CPP in later life.

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are implicated in the aetiology of non-communicable diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate associations between NAFLD and MetS with overall and cause-specific mortality. Methods We used dietary, lifestyle, anthropometric and metabolic biomarker data from a random subsample of 15,784 EPIC cohort participants. NAFLD was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI) and MetS using the revised definition. Indices for metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) were calculated. The individual associations of these indices with overall and cause-specific mortality were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). As a subobjective, risk associations with adaptations of new classifications of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) were also assessed. Results Among the 15,784 sub-cohort participants, a total of 1997 deaths occurred (835 due to cancer, 520 to CVD, 642 to other causes) over a median 15.6 (IQR, 12.3–17.1) years of follow-up. Compared to an FLI

Background The brain reserve hypothesis posits that larger maximal lifetime brain growth (MLBG) may confer protection against physical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Larger MLBG as a proxy for brain reserve, has been associated with reduced progression of physical disability in patients with early MS; however, it is unknown whether this association remains once in the secondary progressive phase of MS (SPMS). Our aim was to assess whether larger MLBG is associated with decreased physical disability progression in SPMS.Methods We conducted a post hoc analysis of participants in the MS-Secondary Progressive Multi-Arm Randomisation Trial (NCT01910259), a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial of the neuroprotective potential of three agents in SPMS. Physical disability was measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 9-hole peg test (9HPT) and 25-foot timed walk test (T25FW) at baseline, 48 and 96 weeks. MLBG was estimated by baseline intracranial volume (ICV). Multivariable time-varying Cox regression models were used to investigate the association between MLBG and physical disability progression.Results 383 participants (mean age 54.5 years, 298 female) were followed up over 96 weeks. Median baseline EDSS was 6.0 (range 4.0–6.5). Adjusted for covariates, larger MLBG was associated with a reduced risk of EDSS progression (HR 0.84,95% CI:0.72 to 0.99;p=0.04). MLBG was not independently associated with time to progression as measured by 9HPT or T25FW.Conclusion Larger MLBG is independently associated with physical disability progression over 96 weeks as measured by EDSS in SPMS. This suggests that MLBG as a proxy for brain reserve may continue to confer protection against disability when in the secondary progression phase of MS.Trail registration number NCT01910259.

Objectives, setting and participants: We aimed to examine changes in dietary habits, lifestyles (e.g., smoking, physical activity levels, and alcohol intake), anthropometry, other individual health-relevant characteristics, and overall adherence to 2018 WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, among women enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Florence cohort. Design and measurements: We fitted age- and energy intake-adjusted generalized linear models to describe (a) changes occurring over a person’s lifetime in the transition from adulthood to older age, and (b) differences between women aged 56−60 years belonging to two birth cohorts spaced apart by around 25 years (born in 1933−1941 vs. 1958−1964). Results: Dietary habits and overall adherence to cancer prevention recommendations improved among women (n = 3,309) followed from adulthood to older age (mean age 47.4 and 71.8 years, respectively), despite increases in the prevalence of adiposity and sedentary lifestyle. Women in the younger birth cohort (n = 163) showed significantly greater overall adherence to cancer prevention recommendations than in the older birth cohort (n = 355), but had more often a positive smoking history and an average larger waist circumference. Conclusion: A trend toward better adherence to cancer prevention recommendations emerged when analyzing adult-to-older-age trajectories and differences across birth cohort, yet some critical issues were also identified. Continuous monitoring is essential to detect changing prevention needs and adapt public health policies and practices.

Waveguide quantum electrodynamics represents a powerful platform to generate entanglement and tailor photonic states. We consider a pair of identical qubits coupled to a parity invariant waveguide in the microwave domain. By working in the one- and two-excitation sectors, we provide a unified view of decay processes and show the common origin of directional single-photon emission and two-photon directional bunching. Unveiling the quantum trajectories, we demonstrate that both phenomena are rooted in the selective coupling of orthogonal Bell states of the qubits with photons propagating in opposite directions. We comment on how to use this mechanism to implement optimized post-selection of Bell states, heralded by the detection of a photon on one side of the system.

Key Clinical Message Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can cause rare odontogenic brain abscesses in immunocompetent patients, highlighting the importance of considering uncommon pathogens in central nervous system infections. With only three reported cases of cerebral abscesses and one pituitary abscess caused by this microorganism, tailored diagnostic methods and individualized treatment regimens are crucial for accurate management. Abstract Brain abscesses present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections being exceptionally rare in the central nervous system. We present a case of odontogenic brain abscesses caused by S. maltophilia in an immunocompetent patient, highlighting the rarity and complexity of such infections. A 66‐year‐old male presented with spatial–temporal disorientation and left‐sided weakness. Radiological investigations revealed an expansive lesion in the right posterior frontal region. A craniotomy and drainage were performed, identifying S. maltophilia in the purulent material. The patient responded well to tailored antibiotic therapy. S. maltophilia‐related central nervous system infections are infrequent, emphasizing the need for a heightened clinical suspicion in atypical cases. This case contributes to the literature, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for successful diagnosis and management.

Abstract Given the huge impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears of paramount importance to assess the cognitive effects on the population returning to work after COVID-19 resolution. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) represent promising biomarkers of neuro-axonal damage and astrocytic activation. In this cohort study, we explored the association between sNfL and sGFAP concentrations and cognitive performance in a group of 147 adult workers with a previous asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or mild COVID-19, one week and, in 49 of them, ten months after SARS-Cov2 negativization and compared them to a group of 82 age and BMI-matched healthy controls (HCs). sNfL and sGFAP concentrations were assessed using SimoaTM assay Neurology 2-Plex B Kit. COVID-19 patients were interviewed one-on-one by trained physicians and had to complete a list of questionnaires, including the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ). At the first assessment (T0), sNfL and sGFAP levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in HCs (p

Calabria, the southernmost tip of the Italian Peninsula, is a biogeographically very interesting region for lichenologists, characterised by the abundance of oceanic and suboceanic species with subtropical affinities, but also by the presence of the southernmost outposts of several boreal species on the highest peaks. The lichen biota of Calabria, which began to be intensively studied only from the 1980s, hosts more than 1000 infrageneric taxa. The lichen herbarium of the Botanical Garden of the University of Calabria (CLU) is the most relevant lichen collection from this region. It was established in 1985 and it presently includes 16926 specimens, most of which were collected in Calabria, although there are also several specimens from other parts of Italy and from abroad.This dataset contains 16926 records of lichens for a total of 1316 species. Of the 15219 georeferenced specimens, 10254 were collected in Calabria, while 4965 in other administrative regions of Italy. The dataset is available through GBIF, as well as in ITALIC, the Information System of Italian Lichens.

As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine distribution gains traction in Europe and Italy, healthcare workers (HCWs) can strategize about vaccine promotion to increase uptake among patients at risk of RSV consequences, such cardiac patients. This cross-sectional survey investigated the knowledge about and attitude towards RSV and RSV vaccines, and the intention to recommend vaccination within a cardiological hospital in Italy. To explore factors associated with the outcomes of interest, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Of 197 invited HCWs, 78.2% returned the survey. The knowledge about market authorisation for new RSV vaccines for older adults (present in 46.9% of respondents) was significantly associated with the HCWs’ age, education, and previous update on vaccinations. HCWs with a higher educational level and those with a positive attitude towards RSV vaccines safety reported a higher attitude towards the importance of vaccinating people at risk. The willingness of recommending RSV vaccination to patients (70.5% of respondents) was more likely in HCWs who were knowledgeable about market authorisation for RSV vaccines and in physicians. This tempestive research sheds light on current factors influencing the strategies of cardiac HCWs regarding RSV vaccination. The results suggest the need for training events on the protective role of RSV vaccination in cardiac patients.

The ISP-47 TOSQAN experiment was analyzed with containmentFOAM which is an open-source CFD code based on OpenFOAM. The containment phenomena taking place during the experiment are gas mixing, stratification and wall condensation in a mixture composed of steam and non-condensable gas. The k-ω SST turbulence model was adopted with buoyancy turbulence models. The wall condensation model used is based on the diffusion layer approach. We have simulated the full TOSQAN experiment which had a duration 20000 s. Sensitivity studies were conducted for the buoyancy turbulence models with SGDH and GGDH and there were not significant differences. All the main features of the experiments namely pressure history, temperature, velocity and gas species evolution were well predicted by containemntFOAM. The simulation results confirmed the formation of two large flow stream circulations and a mixing zone resulting by the combined effects of the condensation flow and natural convection flow. It was found that the natural convection in lower region of the vessel devotes to maintain two large circulations and to be varied the height of the mixing zone as result of sensitivity analysis of non-condensing wall temperature. The computational results obtained with the 2D mesh grid approach were comparable to the experimental results.

Recent researches have demonstrated that noise, whether mechanical or electrical, can enhance somatosensation and optimize balance control in humans. However, the influence of stochastic resonance (SR) on the human motor system, particularly regarding hand motor control, remains largely unexplored. This study examines the impact of stochastic resonance on enhancing sensorimotor performance in the human motor system, specifically in the context of hand motor control when tools are held. While many of the previous studies have focused on SR in free-hand motions, few studies have examined the effects when tools are adopted. Our experimental campaign involved forty participants who were asked to track a given trajectory displayed in mixed reality while holding various tools. The experiment considered four subthreshold levels of vibratory mechanical noise, three hand stimulation sites with three different haptic interfaces, and three distinct 3D trajectories. Results indicate that wearing a device typically degrades performance in trajectory tracking. However, when SR is applied, the precision of hand motor control is restored to levels comparable to those observed without any devices. These findings suggest that SR can mitigate the negative impact of holding tools on sensorimotor precision.

The Metaverse is a three-dimensional digital space where users interact and communicate through their avatars, creating a sense of presence and immersion. The use of avatars allows to convey body language and to establish an object-based dialogue, improving the expressiveness of communication between users. However, existing metaverses are limited to digital interaction, as the avatar is not able to touch, perceive, grasp or manipulate the physical objects surrounding the remote interlocutor. In a previous work, we laid the foundation for the “Avatarm”, an avatar able to manipulate both the physical and the digital worlds. This was achieved through a robotic manipulator that remains hidden from the user’s view by means of diminished reality techniques. Building upon this groundwork, in this work we have advanced the capabilities of the Avatarm with the integration of force and vibrotactile haptic feedback, empowering the user to tangibly perceive manipulated objects, and gain a heightened sense of situational awareness. In addition, to increase the realism of the interaction, we have implemented a robot control algorithm capable of matching the position and orientation of physical objects with their digital counterparts. Furthermore, a digital avatar has been integrated into the augmented environment along with a newly designed virtual hand for more realistic manipulation of virtual objects. The enhanced version of the “Physical Metaverse” is tested in this work through an extensive experimental campaign considering both objective and subjective measures of performance.

Mission planners are one of the major classes of autonomy software and their design is especially challenging in the case cooperation autonomy is required for unmanned multi-vehicle systems. A clear example of this is given by the applications of teams of drones, such as multi-drone spatio-temporal sensing. Here, drone teams act as mobile and cooperative sensor networks to simultaneously collect sensor data in areas of interest and to allow detailed computation on the sensed data. For the design of cooperative and autonomous drone teams, mission planning shall be accomplished in the form of coordinated sensing to optimally assign the different sensing tasks and routes to each drone, employing task allocation and route planning as the basic pillars to maximize the multi-drone mission effectiveness. This work proposes a dynamic and decentralized mission planner for a drone team performing autonomous and cooperative spatio-temporal sensing. The design exploits the learning-in-games framework for the processing of optimal routes in reasonable time frames. Two ad-hoc variants of the binary log-linear learning are proposed as a coordination algorithm to manage both task allocation and route planning, by demonstrating reachability and reversibility properties. Also, the work describes an experimental analysis of the proposed solutions by means of model-in-the-loop simulations, in order to provide a preliminary tune of the main learning parameters for both solutions.

Background and Objectives: Axillary lymph node (ALN) staging is crucial for the management of invasive breast cancer (BC). Although various radiological investigations are available, ultrasound (US) is the preferred tool for evaluating ALNs. Despite its immediacy, widespread use, and good predictive value, US is limited by intra- and inter-operator variability. This study aims to evaluate US and Elastosonography Shear Wave (SW-ES) parameters for ALN staging to develop a predictive model, named the Cassandra score (CS), to improve the interpretation of findings and standardize staging. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three women diagnosed with BC and treated at two Italian hospitals were enrolled in the study. A total of 529 lymph nodes were surgically removed, underwent intraoperative US examination, and were individually sent for a final histological analysis. The study aimed to establish a direct correlation between eight US-SWES features (margins, vascularity, roundness index (RI), loss of hilum fat, cortical thickness, shear-wave elastography hardness (SWEH), peripheral infiltration (PI), and hypoechoic appearance) and the histological outcome (benign vs. malignant). Results: Several statistical models were compared. PI was strongly correlated with malignant ALNs. An ROC analysis for Model A revealed an impressive AUC of 0.978 (S.E. = 0.007, p < 0.001), while in Model B, the cut-offs of SWEH and RI were modified to minimize the risk of false negatives (AUC of 0.973, S.E. = 0.009, p < 0.001). Model C used the same cut-offs as Model B, but excluded SWEH from the formula, to make the Cassandra model usable even if the US machine does not have SW-ES capability (AUC of 0.940, S.E. = 0.015, p < 0.001). A two-tiered model was finally set up, leveraging the strong predictive capabilities of SWEH and RI. In the first tier, only SWES and RI were evaluated: a positive result was predicted if both hardness and roundness were present (SWES > 137 kPa and RI < 1.55), and conversely, a negative result was predicted if both were absent (SWES < 137 kPa and RI > 1.55). In the second tier, if there was a mix of the results (SWES > 137 kPa and RI > 1.55 or SWES < 137 kPa and RI < 1.55), the algorithm in Model B was applied. The model demonstrated an overall prediction accuracy of 90.2% in the training set, 87.5% in the validation set, and 88.9% across the entire dataset. The NPV was notably high at 99.2% in the validation set. This model was named the Cassandra score (CS) and is proposed for the clinical management of BC patients. Conclusion: CS is a simple, non-invasive, fast, and reliable method that showed a PPV of 99.1% in the malignancy prediction of ALNs, potentially being also well suited for young sonographers.

Marine macroalgae, which typically colonize coastal areas, are simple plant organisms. They live on rocks in coastal regions and are classified into red, brown, and green macroalgae. These algae are an important natural resource in agriculture due to their ability to enhance the structural, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Marine macroalgae can be used to produce various biocidal molecules that are effective in controlling plant pathogens. Much of the literature on marine macroalgae and their derivatives focuses primarily on the pharmaceutical field, while their use in agriculture is still considered secondary. However, various studies and experiments have demonstrated their potential to play a significant role in crop protection and enhancement. This review aims to highlight the various applications of macroalgae in plant production. It also emphasizes the biotechnological importance of marine macroalgae derivatives as biofertilizers, molecules for controlling insects and microorganisms, and as plant growth conditioners. Compounds from macroalgae, such as fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, and carbohydrates, are being investigated for their fungicidal, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects against various plant pathogens. Beyond enhancing crop production, macroalgae can also be considered multifunctional bioinoculants suitable for use in organic farming.

Background and Objectives: Melasma, a hypermelanotic dermatologic condition that mainly affects women, poses challenges due to its complex etiology involving environmental and genetic factors. Its pathophysiology, marked by intricate histological changes, is not fully understood. This study explored the efficacy and safety of a new 785 nm picosecond laser in treating facial melasma. Materials and Methods: An 11-participant cohort, comprising women with Fitzpatrick phototypes II-III, underwent a treatment protocol with a new 785 nm picosecond laser. The clinical evaluation used the Global Aesthetic International Score (GAIS) and the Five-Point Likert Scale Questionnaire. The aim of the study was to understand the capacity of the 785 nm wavelength laser to interact with both the pigmentary and vascular components of melasma. Results: The GAIS outcomes revealed excellent (18.2%), good (54.5%), poor (18.2%), and no results (9.1%). The Likert Scale responses varied from very satisfied (18.2%) to slightly satisfied (9.1%). Clinical images at three months demonstrated resolution of melasma with no adverse events. Conclusions: This non-invasive procedure showed positive outcomes and high patient tolerance, emphasizing its potential in melasma management. However, in order to fully understand the interactions of pigmentary and vascular components with the 785 nm wavelength laser, further research is required. The small cohort represents a limitation for this study, therefore studies that include a larger number of patients are needed to assess the effectiveness of this laser treatment for facial melasma.

Introduction Hepatic artery complications (HACs), such as a thrombosis or stenosis, are serious causes of morbidity and mortality after paediatric liver transplantation (LT). This study will investigate the incidence, current management practices and outcomes in paediatric patients with HAC after LT, including early and late complications.Methods and analysis The HEPatic Artery stenosis and Thrombosis after liver transplantation In Children (HEPATIC) Registry is an international, retrospective, multicentre, observational study. Any paediatric patient diagnosed with HAC and treated for HAC (at age

Study region: The study considers synthetic river catchments representative of Mediterranean regions, with high impervious coverage and real rainfall time series. Study focus: Stormwater studies often require rapid procedures to estimate which reservoir configuration reduces peak discharge to desired levels. Such estimates help identify and evaluate potential reservoir sites or assess the efficiency of existing ones. This paper provides simplified relationships to quantify the effects of the bottom outlet type and reservoir stage-storage curves on peak discharge reduction immediately downstream of a single reservoir. New hydrological insight for the region: The proposed relationships fit the numerical results of detailed flood-routing simulations for 36 configurations. Results showed that the reduction effect could vary by 175% more, depending on the reservoir configuration. The proposed formulae allow a rapid evaluation and comparison of the reduction effect offered by different reservoir configurations without applying the standard reservoir-routing procedure, which should then refine and verify the design.

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algal genera Acetabularia, Nitella, and Nitellopsis for the bryophyte genera Drepanocladus, Fissidens, Hookeria, and Weissia, the fungal genera Alnicola, Arthonia, Cortinarius, Inocybe, Leucoagaricus, Neohygrocybe, and Puccinia and the lichen genera Bacidina, Chaenotheca, Flavoplaca, Gyalecta, Heterodermia, Rinodina, Scytinium, and Squamarina.

Abstract Background Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP-4) is a lipid-binding adipokine upregulated in obesity, which may facilitate fatty acid supply for tumor growth and promote insulin resistance and inflammation and may thus play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We aimed to investigate the association between circulating FABP-4 and CRC and to assess potential causality using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods The association between pre-diagnostic plasma measurements of FABP-4 and CRC risk was investigated in a nested case-control study in 1324 CRC cases and the same number of matched controls within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted based on three genetic variants (1 cis, 2 trans) associated with circulating FABP-4 identified in a published genome-wide association study (discovery n = 20,436) and data from 58,131 CRC cases and 67,347 controls in the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium, Colorectal Cancer Transdisciplinary Study, and Colon Cancer Family Registry. Results In conditional logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders including body size, the estimated relative risk, RR (95% confidence interval, CI) per one standard deviation, SD (8.9 ng/mL) higher FABP-4 concentration was 1.01 (0.92, 1.12) overall, 0.95 (0.80, 1.13) in men and 1.09 (0.95, 1.25) in women. Genetically determined higher FABP-4 was not associated with colorectal cancer risk (RR per FABP-4 SD was 1.10 (0.95, 1.27) overall, 1.03 (0.84, 1.26) in men and 1.21 (0.98, 1.48) in women). However, in a cis-MR approach, a statistically significant association was observed in women (RR 1.56, 1.09, 2.23) but not overall (RR 1.23, 0.97, 1.57) or in men (0.99, 0.71, 1.37). Conclusions Taken together, these analyses provide no support for a causal role of circulating FABP-4 in the development of CRC, although the cis-MR provides some evidence for a positive association in women, which may deserve to be investigated further.

Edible ice is often produced by special machines that can represent a source of significant chemical and microbiological contamination. In this work, the presence of phthalic acid esters (phthalates, PAEs) and heavy metals in ice cubes distributed by 77 vending machines installed in two different zones in southern Italy and fed by water from the public water supply was investigated. Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) was used to evaluate contamination with four PAEs, which were selected because they are commonly used in the production of food-contact plastics, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) was used to quantify the heavy metals. It was found that ice samples, especially those from one of the two considered zones (zone 2), exceeded the dibutyl phthalate (DBP) threshold limit value; some ice cubes from the other zone (zone 1) instead showed levels of both lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) up to one order of magnitude higher than those observed in samples collected in zone 2 and higher than the maximum permitted values (European Directive n. 2184/2020). Since the water source connected to the ice vending machines was found to be free from significant levels of all considered target compounds and metals, the high levels of DBP, Ni, and Pb in ice cubes could be attributed to the components and/or to the state of repair of the ice vending machines themselves.

Due to its high short-term global warming potential (GWP) compared to carbon dioxide, methane (CH4) is a considerable agent of climate change. This research is aimed at analyzing data on methane gathered at the GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch) station of Lamezia Terme (Calabria, Southern Italy) spanning seven years of continuous measurements (2016–2022) and integrating the results with key meteorological data. Compared to previous studies on detected methane mole fractions at the same station, daily-to-yearly patterns have become more prominent thanks to the analysis of a much larger dataset. Overall, the yearly increase of methane at the Lamezia Terme station is in general agreement with global measurements by NOAA, though local peaks are present, and an increase linked to COVID-19 is identified. Seasonal changes and trends have proved to be fully cyclic, with the daily cycles being largely driven by local wind circulation patterns and synoptic features. Outbreak events have been statistically evaluated depending on their weekday of occurrence to test possible correlations with anthropogenic activities. A cross analysis between methane peaks and specific wind directions has also proved that local sources may be deemed responsible for the highest mole fractions.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, also known as Podophyllum emodi Wall, holds significant ecological, ornamental, and medicinal values. However, it has become endangered due to overexploitation, prolonged seed dormancy, slow natural regeneration, and climate change. This study developed an efficient in vitro protocol for callogenesis and micropropagation of P. hexandrum to conserve germplasm in in vitro conditions. Callus formation from various plant parts, including the leaf, stem, rhizome, radicle, and cotyledon, was induced using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. The combination of benzyladenine at 1 mg L−1 and 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid at 3 mg L−1 was optimal for biomass production, yielding 215.88 ± 0.31 mg, with growth per gram at 8.32 ± 0.32 and a growth rate of 13.62 ± 0.25 mg/day on MS medium. For shoot proliferation, benzyladenine (3.5 mg L−1) and naphthalene acetic acid (0.5 mg L−1) combined with activated charcoal showed the highest shoot induction percentage per explant. For shoot regeneration from calluses, 6-benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg L−1) and thidiazuron (2 mg L−1) were most effective, producing superior shoot length, number of regenerations, and regeneration percentage. Root induction was successful with α-naphthalene acetic acid supplementation (0.5 to 1.5 mg L−1) in MS medium, resulting in the highest number per explant (4.08 ± 0.08), length (5.45 ± 0.15 cm), and rooting rate (87.00 ± 1.66%) of roots in plantlets. Subculturing for callus culture was performed every 28 days for up to four subcultures to prevent nutrient depletion and toxic metabolite accumulation, ensuring tissue health and viability. Continuous subculturing of callus on MS medium maintained healthy P. hexandrum germplasm in vitro. Overall, this micropropagation protocol provides a rapid system for conserving P. hexandrum germplasm.

Research studies on plant secondary metabolites have increased over the last decades as a consequence of the growing consumer demand for natural products in pharmaceutics and therapeutics, as well as in perfumery and cosmetics. In this perspective, many Mediterranean plant species could be an appreciated source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological and health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor ones. Calendula officinalis and Foeniculum vulgare are commercially important plants of the Mediterranean flora, with great therapeutic use in the treatment of many disorders since ancient times, and are now listed in several world pharmacopoeias and drug agencies. The present review offers an overview of the main phytochemicals, phenols, terpenes, and alkaloids, biosynthesized in C. officinalis and F. vulgare, both species endemic to the Mediterranean region. Further, all current knowledge and scientific data on taxonomic classification, botanical description, traditional uses, pharmacological studies, and potential toxicity of both species were reported. The principal aim of this review is to point out the prospective use of C. officinalis and F. vulgare as valuable reservoirs of beneficial plant-derived products with interesting biological properties, also providing suggestions and future challenges for the full exploitation of these two Mediterranean species for human life improvement.

Cestrum parqui L’Herit. (Solanaceae family) is a species of forest shrub, self-incompatible and specialized in pollination, widespread in the subtropical area of the planet, and now widely distributed also in the Mediterranean area. The constituents of its leaves have antimicrobial, anticancer, insecticidal, antifeedant, molluscicidal, and herbicidal properties. The spread of this species represents a valuable source of compounds with high biological value. Various research groups are engaged in defining the chemical composition of the different parts of the plant and in defining its properties in view of important and promising commercial applications. To date, there are only a few incomplete reports on the potential applications of C. parqui extracts as selective natural pesticides and on their potential phytotoxic role. Scientific knowledge and the use of extraction techniques for these components are essential for commercial applications. This article summarizes the research and recent studies available on the botany, phytochemistry, functional properties, and commercial applications of C. parqui.

Cadmium (Cd) is a potentially toxic element able to interfere with cellular functions and lead to disease or even death. Cd accumulation has been demonstrated in cartilage, where it can induce damage in joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CdCl2 on primary cultures of human chondrocytes and the possible protective effect of seleno-methionine (Se-Met). Human primary articular chondrocytes were cultured and treated as follows: control groups, cells challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl2 alone, and cells pretreated with 10 and 20 μM Se-Met and then challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl2. Twenty-four hours after incubation, cell viability, histological evaluation with hematoxylin–eosin stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed. Furthermore, reverse transcription-PCR was carried out to evaluate mRNA levels of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9. After CdCl2 challenge at both doses, a reduced cell viability and an overexpression of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9 genes, as well as a high number of TUNEL-positive cells, were demonstrated, all parameters becoming higher as the dose of CdCl2 was increased. The pretreatment with Se-Met lowered the expression of all considered genes, improved cell viability and morphological changes, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. It was concluded that Se-Met plays a protective role against CdCl2-induced structural and functional changes in chondrocytes in vitro, as it improved cell viability and showed a positive role in the context of the apoptotic pathways. It is therefore suggested that a translational, multifaceted approach, with plant-based diets, bioactive functional foods, nutraceuticals, micronutrients, and drugs, is possibly advisable in situations of environmental pollution caused by potentially toxic elements.

The aim of this study was to assess the nutraceutical qualities of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples obtained from three Sicilian olive cultivars: Nocellara, Biancolilla, and Cerasuola. We also evidenced the relationship among biophenols, base parameters and panel test scores, and evaluated the stability of the biophenols in EVOO. The assessment also took into consideration variations in olive harvesting periods and the influence of four different milling methods. A statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that the cultivar and harvesting period were the primary factors influencing the bio-phenol content, while the milling methods employed did not significantly affect the levels of biophenols in the oils. The panel test results were also illuminating as they were strongly related to the cultivar and polyphenol content. Following the criteria outlined in EC Regulation 432/2012, we selected three samples, each representing one of the cultivars, which exhibited the highest bio-phenol content to evaluate the biophenol stability during a time span of 16 months.

(1) Background: Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare, low-grade, neuroendocrine-differentiated, cutaneous adnexal tumor, officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Skin Tumors Classification in 2018 as a separate entity and homologue of endocrine ductal carcinoma in situ (eDCIS)/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast. Although it is more frequent in the female sex, between 60 and 70 years old, in the peri-orbital region, EMPSGC has also been described in the male sex, in subjects under 60 and over 80, and in extra-eyelid localizations (cheek, temple, scalp), but also in extra-facial localizations (chest and scrotum). (2) Methods: We present the clinical case of a 71-year-old woman with an undated lesion of the scalp, which presented as a nodule, skin-colored, and 2.5 cm in maximum diameter. We also conduct a comprehensive literature review from 1997 to the end of 2022, consulting PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar using the following keywords: “Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma” and/or “EMPSGC” and/or “skin” and “cutaneous neoplasms”. In addition, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 253 patients were recorded; 146 were females (57.7%) and 107 were males (42.2%). The vast majority of the lesions were in the eyelids (peri-ocular region), and only a minority of cases involved the cheeks, supra-auricular, retro-auricular, and occipital region, with very rare cases in the scalp, to which the present is also added. (4) Conclusions: The morphological and immunophenotypical features are essential both for the correct diagnosis and to be able to classify this lesion among the corresponding eDCIS/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast, with neuroendocrine differentiation. Recent papers have attempted to shed light on the molecular features of EMPSGC, and much remains to be conducted in the attempt to subtype the molecular profiles of these entities. Future studies with large case series, and especially with molecular biology techniques, will be needed to further add information about EMPSGC and its relationship in the PCMC spectrum.

Computational complexity reduction is at the basis of a new formulation of many-body quantum states according to tensor network ansatz, originally framed in one-dimensional lattices. In order to include long-range entanglement characterizing phase transitions, the multiscale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA) defines a sequence of coarse-grained lattices, obtained by targeting the map of a scale-invariant system into an identical coarse-grained one. The quantum circuit associated with this hierarchical structure includes the definition of causal relations and unitary extensions, leading to the definition of ground subspaces as stabilizer codes. The emerging error correcting codes are referred to logical indices located at the highest hierarchical level and to physical indices yielded by redundancy, framed in the AdS-CFT correspondence as holographic quantum codes with bulk and boundary indices, respectively. In a use-case scenario based on errors consisting of spin erasure, the correction is implemented as the reconstruction of a bulk local operator.

Background: The aging process starts in the center of the face, in the periocular region and around the mouth, with a combination of volume loss, tissue descent, deepened wrinkles, and the loss of skin structure and quality. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of therapies based on autologous adipose tissue grafting, which leverages the properties of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) to accelerate the regenerative processes of the skin. This study aims to verify the ability of guided superficial enhanced fluid fat injection (SEFFI) in the facial area to correct volume loss and skin aging, proving that this standardized procedure has a very low rate of complications. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 2365 procedures performed in Italian centers between 2019 and 2021. Guided SEFFI was performed alone or combined with cosmetic treatments, including the use of hyaluronic acid filler, suspension threads, synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite, botulin toxin, and microneedling. Results: guided SEFFI was used alone in more than 60% of the patients and in all facial areas. In about one-tenth of the patients, guided SEFFI was combined with a botulin toxin treatment or hyaluronic acid filling. Other procedures were used more rarely. Ecchymosis in the donor or injection sites was the most frequent adverse event but was only observed in 14.2% and 38.6% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions: The guided SEFFI technique is standardized and minimally invasive, leading to very few complications. It constitutes a promising antiaging medical treatment that combines effectiveness, safety, and simplicity.

Abstract Background The Order of Physicians and Dentists of the Province of Rome aims at focusing on the satisfaction of healthcare personnel as an essential factor for the quality of medical care in the health sector. The aim of this study is to assess and prioritize the factors that can be linked to a higher or lower degree of job satisfaction in Primary Care Pediatricians (PCPs). Methods This study is a cross sectional survey. A questionnaire was administered to all primary care pediatricians registered to the Order, exploring in particular the work activity organization, the level of satisfaction in their professional life, and the level of perceived health. A pilot activity was conducted to validate the questionnaire. Fisher exact test and ordinal logistic regression (ologit) models were used for the univariate and multivariate analysis. Results The highest level of job dissatisfaction, in both men and women, was found to be in the practice type without any form of association; among women, it reached an even higher level for those who had their own practice at a distance of 20–40 km from their home. Women, compared to men, maintained a lower level of job satisfaction also while working in Pediatric Primary Care Units (PPCUs). In PPCUs, for the same distance, females showed a more similar pattern to males. Men working in PPCUs, regardless of distance, declared a higher degree of job satisfaction. Both men and women, working as a group pediatrician or in PPCUs, did not show a significant difference in the level of job satisfaction. Conclusions The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors that may influence levels of career satisfaction in female and male PCPs. Therefore, research and interventions regarding job satisfaction should foster an organizational network connection among PCPs for their job and individual well-being, from a perspective of enhancing patient care. A major effort to improve work-life balance and career satisfaction among women is important, suggesting that interventions for improving job satisfaction could benefit from a gender-specific approach.

Abstract Background The adoption of minimally invasive techniques to perform mitral valve repair surgery is increasing. This is enhanced by the compelling evidence of satisfactory short-term results and lower major morbidity. We analyzed mid-term follow-up results of our experience, and further compared two techniques: isolated leaflet resection and neochord implantation for posterior leaflet prolapse. Methods Data for all consecutive endoscopic mitral valve repairs via video-assisted right anterior mini-thoracotomy were analyzed between December 2012 and September 2021. The early and mid-term follow-up results were ascertained. The main outcome was the incidence of mortality and the recurrence of significant mitral regurgitation during follow-up which were summarized by the Kaplan-Meier estimator and compared between treatment arms using the stratified log-rank test. Secondary outcomes were the early-postoperative results including 30-days mortality and the occurrence of major complications. Results A total of 309 patients were included. Along with ring annuloplasty, 136 (44.4%) patients received posterior leaflet resection (122 isolated) whereas 97 (31.1%) underwent posterior leaflet chords implantation (88 isolated). Forty-nine patients had annuloplasty alone. In-hospital mortality was 1.0%. Mean follow-up was 28.8 ± 22.0 months (maximum 8.3 years). Kaplan–Meier survival rate at 5 years was 97.3 ± 1.0%, mitral regurgitation ( $$\ge$$ 3+) or valve reoperation free-survival at 5 years was estimated as 94.5 ± 2.3%. Subgroup time-to-event analysis for the indexed outcomes showed no statistical significance between the techniques. Conclusions Endoscopic mitral valve repair is safe and associated with excellent short- and mid-term outcomes. No differences were found between leaflet resection and gore-tex chords implantation for posterior leaflet prolapse.

Abstract Massive hemoptysis may be related to a wide spectrum of diseases whose differential diagnosis can be challenging, also due to the medical emergency condition. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman presented to our department with sudden, life-threatening hemoptysis from unknown etiology, which required a rescue pulmonary lobectomy after resuscitation maneuvers. Histology proved to be a localized Wegener granulomatosis. Our case shows that granulomatosis should always be considered among the possible, although rarer, causes of massive hemoptysis.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a profound human, social, and economic burden. Previous studies suggest that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) may be helpful in preventing cognitive decline. Here, we present a network machine learning method for identifying bioactive phytochemicals in EVOO with the highest potential to impact the protein network linked to the development and progression of the AD. A balanced classification accuracy of 70.3 ± 2.6% was achieved in fivefold cross-validation settings for predicting late-stage experimental drugs targeting AD from other clinically approved drugs. The calibrated machine learning algorithm was then used to predict the likelihood of existing drugs and known EVOO phytochemicals to be similar in action to the drugs impacting AD protein networks. These analyses identified the following ten EVOO phytochemicals with the highest likelihood of being active against AD: quercetin, genistein, luteolin, palmitoleate, stearic acid, apigenin, epicatechin, kaempferol, squalene, and daidzein (in the order from the highest to the lowest likelihood). This in silico study presents a framework that brings together artificial intelligence, analytical chemistry, and omics studies to identify unique therapeutic agents. It provides new insights into how EVOO constituents may help treat or prevent AD and potentially provide a basis for consideration in future clinical studies.

Summary:. The traumatic pathology of the lower limb represents a very complex branch of medicine, which, despite the wide presence of guidelines, aimed at regulating the various therapeutic procedures, and is still greatly influenced by random variables and by the multiple responses to treatments. In this report, we present our experience with a borderline case, where the timing of the trauma and the patient’s characteristics made it difficult to use the most recommended procedures in trauma management.

Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that SIRT1, a member of the sirtuin family of NAD + -dependent deacetylases, plays a crucial role in regulating thrombosis, modulating key pathways including endothelial activation, platelet aggregation, and coagulation. Furthermore, SIRT1 displays anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro, in vivo and in clinical studies, particularly via the reduction of oxidative stress. On these bases, several studies have investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting SIRT1 for the prevention of thrombosis. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the main preclinical and clinical studies and of the current understanding of the role of SIRT1 in thrombosis.