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Background: Chronic hypoperfusion is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the sequence of events driving ischemia-induced functional changes in a cell-specific manner is unclear. Methods: To address this gap in knowledge, we used the bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) mouse model, and evaluated progressive functional changes to neurons, arterioles, astrocytes, and microglial cells at 14 and 28 days post-BCAS surgery. To assess the neuro-glio-vascular response to an acute ischemic insult, brain slices were superfused with low O2 conditions. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we measured basic membrane properties (e.g., resting membrane potential, capacitance, input resistance) in cortical pyramidal neurons. The activity of astrocytes was evaluated by monitoring Ca2+ from Aldh1l1-CreERT2; R26-lsl-GCaMP6f mice. Vascular reactivity to low O2 from the BCAS mice was also assessed ex vivo. Results: Our data showed no changes to the basic membrane properties of cortical pyramidal neurons. On the other hand, astrocyte activity was characterized by a progressive increase in the resting Ca2+. Notably, at 14 and 28 days post-BCAS, there was an increased expression of anti-inflammatory-related markers (IL-10, S100A10, TRPA1, and Nrf2). These data suggest that, in young mice, BCAS-induced increases in resting Ca2+ were associated with the expression of neuroprotective signals. Contrary to observations in glial cells, vascular function was impaired post-BCAS surgery, as shown by a blunted vasodilatory response to low O2 and the vasodilatory signal, adenosine. Conclusions: Together, these data suggest that, in young mice, BCAS leads to vascular dysfunction (e.g., impaired vasodilation in parenchymal arterioles), and in the absence of neuronal dysfunction, mild ischemia is associated with the activation of glial-derived neuroprotective signals.

Purpose Postoperative pain is a major concern for patients undergoing ultrasound scalpel-assisted hemorrhoidectomy, potentially exacerbated by delayed wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an intimate cleansing gel containing chlorhexidine, hyaluronic acid, and other anti-inflammatory agents (Antroclean Fisioderm) on postoperative pain, itching, and wound healing in patients who had undergone this procedure. Methods This multicenter observational case-control study involved a cohort of consecutive adult patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy using an ultrasound device. The study compared 2 different postoperative wound management strategies over 1 month after surgery: washing with warm water twice per day (control group) versus a 2-minute topical application of intimate cleansing gel (Antroclean Fisioderm) followed by a warm water wash (intervention group). Results The median postoperative pain score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at each follow-up point (P

Background: Non-melanoma skin cancers represent more than 90 % of malignant skin tumors, with an incidence of 19.46 cases/100,000 people per year in Italy; however, their real incidence is underestimated. Although there are several therapeutic strategies, the only one that can guarantee a 95 % healing rate and the possibility of performing histological examination is surgical excision with subsequent reconstruction of the injured area with direct closure and with skin graft, local, regional, or free flaps in cases involving greater damage. Material and Methods: Fifty-four patients underwent post-oncological head/face reconstructive surgery with skin graft or local flap between November 2021 and February 2023. The aesthetic outcomes (and the subsequent impact on the patients’ lives) were assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale, Manchester Scar Scale, and Visual Analog Scale with scars ranked by three independent surgeon observers. Results: Patients who received reconstruction with local flaps demonstrated improved aesthetic and functional satisfaction, as well as improved aesthetic evaluation by independent surgeons. Conclusions: The use of local flaps permits a more pleasing reconstruction (functionally and aesthetically) of post-oncological tissue defects of the face.

Technological progress is increasing rapidly, and keeping up is particularly challenging for older adults. Thus, adapting technological innovations to human needs has become urgent. The first step toward this aim is to understand how people conceptualize technology. Here, we asked 54 younger and 54 older adults to perform a Go/No-Go, a rating, and a feature generation task to investigate the processing and representation of Technological concepts (e.g., “Internet”) compared to Abstract (e.g., “logic”) and Concrete concepts (e.g., “bottle”). Younger adults showed an elaboration advantage for Technological upon Abstract and Concrete concepts. Technological concepts exhibited a hybrid character, but in older adults, they had a more abstract characterization. Finally, the semantic knowledge associated with Technology was differently organized in content across generations and less structurally robust in older adults. Overall, our results highlight how concepts flexibly change across life and can help societal policies to increase awareness in technology-use across generations.

Purpose: Spot-scanning hadron arc radiation therapy (SHArc) is a novel delivery technique for ion beams with potentially improved dose conformity and dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) redistribution. The first dosimetric validation and in vitro verification of carbon ion arc delivery is presented. Methods and Materials: Intensity-modulated particle therapy (IMPT) and SHArc plans were designed to deliver homogeneous physical dose or biological dose in a cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom. Additional IMPT carbon plans were optimized for testing different LETd-boosting strategies. Verifications of planned doses were performed with an ionization chamber, and a clonogenic survival assay was conducted using A549 cancer lung cell line. Radiation-induced nuclear 53BP1 foci were assessed to evaluate the cellular response in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Results: Dosimetric measurements and clonogenic assay results showed a good agreement with planned dose and survival distributions. Measured survival fractions and foci confirmed carbon ions SHArc as a potential modality to overcome hypoxia-induced radioresistance. LETd-boosted IMPT plans reached similar LETd in the target as in SHArc plans, promising similar features against hypoxia but at the cost of an increased entrance dose. SHArc resulted, however, in a lower dose bath but in a larger volume around the target. Conclusions: The first proof-of-principle of carbon ions SHArc delivery was performed, and experimental evidence suggests this novel modality as an attractive approach for treating hypoxic tumors.

IntroductionPrevious studies examined the trajectory of self-esteem during critical developmental periods and over the life-span. However, little is known about how self-esteem changes during the school-to-work transition.MethodWe examined the effect of beginning a job for the first time on self-esteem development, using data from 368 adolescents assessed up to six times across a 14-year time span. Specifically, we analyzed the pattern of self-esteem change during the transition to work and whether the self-esteem trajectory varied as a function of several school- and job-related variables, while controlling for important covariates.ResultsResults revealed linear increases in self-esteem across the 14-year study period, with partial support that the rate of increase slowed slightly after the school-to-work transition. We found significantly greater variability in the slopes after the transition, supporting the idea that people differ in the way they cope with the developmental tasks associated with important life transitions. We also found evidence for an interaction between college graduation and educational expectations, such that the positive effect of college graduation on self-esteem change was stronger for those who graduated with low (vs. high) educational expectations.ConclusionSchool-to-work transition has an effect on self-esteem development. Developmental processes of findings were discussed.

Solitary primary extraosseous plasmacytoma is a rare disease in the gastrointestinal tract, recently classified as an “exceptional” tumor of the colon site. The real incidence (one case/population/year) is unknown but reasonably less than 1/10,000,000 cases/year with very few descriptions in the literature. The rare cases described in the literature are often diagnosed after surgery for perforation and with predominant localization of the left colon. The main endoscopic presentation mimics colon carcinoma with ulcerated mass and obstructing lumen. In this paper, we report a rare case of isolated mass mimicking a submucosal lesion of the ascending colon diagnosed in an older female patient by colonoscopy. The patient was almost asymptomatic; she reported only a history of hematochezia without anemia. This mass was successfully treated by surgery and followed by hematological investigations, including bone marrow biopsy, specific laboratory tests, and CT/PET scan, which confirmed primary isolated plasmacytoma of the colon.

Background: Nipple–areola complex reconstruction represents the final phase in the comprehensive post-mastectomy treatment regimen. Despite the diversity of approaches available, there is currently no universally accepted benchmark technique for this critical aspect of breast reconstruction. In this study, we conducted a comparative assessment of two prominent techniques, the five Flap and C-V Flap. Materials and Methods: Between November 2016 and April 2023, we recruited 100 female patients who had undergone unilateral post-oncological mastectomy and divided them into two groups: Group A comprising 50 patients who underwent the 5-Flap technique, whereas Group B comprising the remaining 50 underwent the C-V Flap technique. Over a 6-month observation period, we assessed nipple projection loss and evaluated overall satisfaction through self-reporting by patients and independent assessments by a medical observer. Results: In our study, none of the reconstructed nipples in Group A (5 Flap) experienced either total or partial necrosis, contrasting with Group B (C-V Flap) which encountered a 10% incidence of partial necrosis and 4% incidence of total necrosis. Furthermore, the average nipple projection loss in Group B was substantial, measuring a 30% reduction from the initial projection at the 1-year mark, whereas Group A demonstrated a significantly lower 13% reduction. Notably, despite these variations in outcomes, both groups reported an equal and high level of satisfaction, with patients and external observers providing an average satisfaction score of 8.0 and 9.0, respectively. Conclusion: The five-flap technique represents a safe and effective approach for patients undergoing nipple reconstruction.