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This article addresses key issues related to diverse cases of migration to complex multilingual environments within Europe. Data came from three case studies carried out within the scope of the MIME project: (ex-)Yugoslavian refugees to South Tyrol (Italy); Portuguese work migrants to Andorra; and international managers in Vasa (Finland). Data were elicited using qualitative methods (biographical narrative interviews and focus groups) and thematically analysed to identify emic causes of 'linguistic unease', the speakers' perception that their linguistic repertoire is inadequate for communicating with others and the consequent fear that their linguistic performance will be met with judgemental and negative attitudes. Our results show that in all situations, irrespective of the diverse conditions that exist prior to migration or in the destination country, the complex linguistic environment of the recipient society is puzzling for mobile people. In all cases, numerous migrants target the language that they perceive to be easier and most accessible to them, but this also exposes them to some level of linguistic unease. Crucially, migrants' learning choices rub salt in the wounds of old conflicts that have roots in the historical dynamics of multilingualism of the recipient societies. We argue that raising sociolinguistic awareness about this is crucial to mitigate unease and discrimination in the most vulnerable sections of the migrant population.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death that results from excess lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes. Within the last decade, physiological and pathological roles for ferroptosis have been uncovered in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, infection, and cancer biology. Excitingly, cancer cell metabolism may be targeted to induce death by ferroptosis in cancers that are resistant to other forms of cell death. Ferroptosis sensitivity is regulated by oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and iron metabolism, which are all influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Whereas some cancer cell types have been shown to adapt to these stressors, it is not clear how immune cells regulate their sensitivities to ferroptosis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of ferroptosis sensitivity in different immune cell subsets, how ferroptosis influences which immune cells infiltrate the TME, and how these interactions can determine epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. While much focus has been placed on inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells, these are important considerations for how ferroptosis-modulating strategies impact anti-tumor immunity. From this perspective, we also discuss some promising immunotherapies in the field of ferroptosis and the challenges associated with targeting ferroptosis in specific immune cell populations.

Migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling neurological conditions, presenting episodes of throbbing headache that limit activities of daily living. Several factors may influence migraine frequency, such as lifestyle or alcohol consumption. Among the most recognised ones, sleep plays a biunivocal role, since poor sleep quality may worsen migraine frequency, and a high migraine frequency may affect sleep quality. In this paper, the authors evaluate the relationship between migraine and insomnia by exploring a cohort of patients affected by episodic or chronic migraine. To do so, a phone interview was performed, asking patients about their migraine frequency and mean pain intensity, in addition to the questions of the Insomnia Severity Index. The last one explores several symptoms impairing sleep that focus on insomnia. Patients complaining of insomnia showed an increased migraine frequency, and a weak but significant correlation was found between headache days per month and insomnia scores. Such results were particularly evident in patients affected by chronic migraine. Such results suggest how insomnia, in the presented data, seems to be associated with migraine frequency but not with pain intensity.

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidence shows an involvement of brain plasticity mechanisms in both motor and central manifestations of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). These mechanisms could be specifically addressed with neuromodulation or rehabilitation protocols. The aim of this scoping review is to summarise the evidence on plasticity mechanisms’ involvement in NMDs to encourage future research. Methods: A scoping review was conducted searching the PubMed and Scopus electronic databases. We selected papers addressing brain plasticity and central nervous system (CNS) studies through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in myopathies, muscular dystrophies, myositis and spinal muscular atrophy. Results: A total of 49 papers were selected for full-text examination. Regardless of the variety of pathogenetic and clinical characteristics of NMDs, studies show widespread changes in intracortical inhibition mechanisms, as well as disruptions in glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission, resulting in altered brain plasticity. Therapeutic interventions with neurostimulation techniques, despite being conducted only anecdotally or on small samples, show promising results; Conclusions: despite challenges posed by the rarity and heterogeneity of NMDs, recent evidence suggests that synaptic plasticity may play a role in the pathogenesis of various muscular diseases, affecting not only central symptoms but also strength and fatigue. Key questions remain unanswered about the role of plasticity and its potential as a therapeutic target. As disease-modifying therapies advance, understanding CNS involvement in NMDs could lead to more tailored treatments.

Abstract Background The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) demands precise information on benefit/risk profile of home-based enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the treatment of patients with Pompe disease and Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). This passage is necessary to obtain the authorization for ERT home therapy, even after the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic period. This research intends to evaluate the safety, treatment satisfaction, and compliance of MPS I patients treated with laronidase (Aldurazyme®) and Pompe Disease patients treated with alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme®) in a homecare setting. Results We report herein an early interim analysis of the HomERT (Home infusions of ERT) study, a multicenter, non-interventional, double-cohort study that retrospectively analyzed 38 patients from 14 sites in Italy: cohort A (Pompe disease − 32 patients) and cohort B (MPS I − 6 patients). Among the selected patients who started home therapy before enrollment, the average number of missed home-based infusions was 0.7 (1.3) in cohort A and 3.8 (6.4) in cohort B with no return to the hospital setting. Irrespective of the treatment location, 3 prior ADRs per cohort were reported. The majority of patients preferred home-based infusions (cohort A: 96.9%; cohort B: 100%): the main reason was attributed to treatment convenience (cohort A: 81.3%; cohort B: 83.3%). Despite the underlying conditions, most patients self-evaluated their health as “good” (cohort A: 50%; cohort B: 83.3%). Conclusions Evidence of favorable safety profile, improved treatment compliance and personal satisfaction validates the use of ERT with laronidase and alglucosidase alfa as a strong candidate for home therapy.

Spray droplet diameters play a key role in the field of liquid plant protection product (PPP) application technology. However, the availability of various measurement techniques, each with its unique operating principles for evaluating droplet size spectra, can lead to different interpretations of spray characteristics. Therefore, in this study, four measurement techniques—Liquid Immersion (LI), Laser Diffraction (LD), Phase Doppler Particle Analysis (PDPA), and Shadowgraphy (SG)—were utilized to evaluate the droplet size distribution of agricultural spray nozzles. Additionally, PDPA and SG were used to assess the average velocity of spray droplets. Experiments were conducted in three different laboratories with the main aim of comparing results obtained with various types of equipment utilized under ordinary practical conditions. Spraying tests were carried out using three flat fan nozzles and an air-induction flat fan nozzle. As a general trend, the lowest values for droplet diameters were measured using the Laser Diffraction technique, followed by Shadowgraphy. The PDPA technique provided the highest values for mean diameters (D10, D20, and D30) and the numeric median diameter (Dn0.5), whereas the Liquid Immersion method yielded the highest values for the Sauter mean diameter (D32) and volumetric diameters (Dv0.1, Dv0.5, and Dv0.9). Importantly, all measurement techniques were able to discriminate the four nozzles based on their Dv0.5 diameter. Average droplet velocities showed a similar pattern across the four nozzles with the PDPA and the SG measurement techniques. The differences in diameter values observed with the four measurement techniques underline the necessity of always including reference nozzles in spray quality assessments to base classifications on relative rather than absolute values.

Stefania Chiappini,1,2 Francesco Di Carlo,1 Alessio Mosca,1 Giacomo d’Andrea,1 Mariapia Di Paolo,1 Chiara Lorenzini,1 Maria Grazia Lupica,1 Gaia Sampogna,3 Mauro Pettorruso,1 Andrea Fiorillo,3 Giovanni Martinotti1,2 1Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy; 2Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK; 3Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, ItalyCorrespondence: Stefania Chiappini, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti (CH), 66100, Italy, Tel +393331698033, Email stefaniachiappini9@gmail.comIntroduction and Aim: Psychotic and mood disorders are associated with significant functional impairment, premature mortality, physical morbidity, and great social and economic burden. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial, psychological, and rehabilitative interventions implemented in an Italian psychiatric inpatient facility, with a focus on patients with schizophrenia spectrum versus those with mood disorders.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the psychiatric hospital Villa Maria Pia in Rome, Italy, during 2022. Patients with an established diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorder (ICD-9-CM) were assessed on admission (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1), using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Interventions involved a multidisciplinary team and included individual and group activities. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare continuous variables between groups and Spearman correlation coefficient to calculate correlations between variables.Results: The study sample consisted of 141 patients, the majority of them being adults (51.3 years ± 12.4) men (F/M= 68/73). Among them, 85 patients (60.3%) actively engaged in psychosocial and rehabilitative interventions and, compared to non-participating individuals, they showed lower functioning and symptoms at discharge (delta GAF was significantly higher among patients who had taken part in the psychosocial activities, t = − 2.095; p = 0.038). Considering the index computed (n of interventions/days of hospitalization), the number of psychosocial activities was positively correlated with the improvement in patients’ functioning in the sample taking part in activities (r = 0.272, p = 0.012), especially with psychotherapy and support groups (r = 0.202, p = 0.017 and r = 0.188, p = 0.025, respectively). Splitting the total sample into schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (N = 37) and mood disorder (N = 48) groups, the positive correlations between GAF improvement and participation in psychosocial activities were confirmed only in the schizophrenia-spectrum group. These correlations were not significant for symptomatology (BPRS) either in the total or the individual group.Conclusion: Evidence from our study suggests that inpatient rehabilitation can be effective and useful for people with severe mental disorders. Further investigations are needed to better understand its effectiveness on improving quality of life and social functioning in the long term.Keywords: psychosis, schizophrenia, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychosocial intervention, mental health rehabilitation

Migraine is a burdensome neurological disorder that still lacks clear and easily accessible diagnostic biomarkers. Furthermore, a straightforward pathway is hard to find for migraineurs’ management, so the search for response predictors has become urgent. Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) has pervaded almost every aspect of our lives, and medicine has not been missed. Its applications are nearly limitless, and the ability to use machine learning approaches has given researchers a chance to give huge amounts of data new insights. When it comes to migraine, AI may play a fundamental role, helping clinicians and patients in many ways. For example, AI-based models can increase diagnostic accuracy, especially for non-headache specialists, and may help in correctly classifying the different groups of patients. Moreover, AI models analysing brain imaging studies reveal promising results in identifying disease biomarkers. Regarding migraine management, AI applications showed value in identifying outcome measures, the best treatment choices, and therapy response prediction. In the present review, the authors introduce the various and most recent clinical applications of AI regarding migraine.

Abstract Neurological vertigo is a common symptom in children and adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) and its evaluation may be challenging, requiring often the intervention of different medical specialties. When vertigo is associated with other specific symptoms or signs, a differential diagnosis may be easier. Conversely, if the patient exhibits isolated vertigo, the diagnostic approach becomes complex and only through a detailed history, a complete physical examination and specific tests the clinician can reach the correct diagnosis. Approach to vertigo in ED is considerably different in children and adults due to the differences in incidence and prevalence of the various causes. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the etiopathologies of neurological vertigo in childhood and adulthood, highlighting the characteristics and the investigations that may lead clinicians to a proper diagnosis. Finally, this review aims to develop an algorithm that could represent a valid diagnostic support for emergency physicians in approaching patients with isolated vertigo, both in pediatric and adult age.

Background and aims. Patients with Myasthenia gravis (MG) are considered vulnerable as they may present with respiratory muscle weakness and because they are on immunosuppressive treatment; thereby, COVID-19 may have a detrimental effect on these patients. Vaccines against COVID-19 are currently available and it has been shown as they can prevent severe COVID-19 in vulnerable patients. Notwithstanding their efficacy, vaccine hesitancy has not been completely dispelled in the general population. Unfortunately, there is limited data about the safety of these vaccines in MG patients. The aims of this study are to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in a MG cohort, the adherence to COVID-19 vaccination in Italy and vaccine safety in MG patients. Methods. A retrospective cohort study of MG patients attending the Neuromuscular Clinic of the University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone” of Palermo, Italy, was performed. Patients underwent telephone interviews with a dedicated questionnaire on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection. Vaccine safety was assessed though the evaluation of vaccine-related adverse events (AEs) and comparisons of MG-ADL scores before and after vaccination. Patient worsening was defined as two or more point increases in MG-ADL scores. Results. From a total of 90 participants, 75 answered the questionnaire and 70.5% of them (n = 53) received the vaccine; ten patients did not receive vaccination and 3 patients were partially vaccinated. Among the vaccinated patients, about 45% (n = 24) experienced at least one AE, with a complete resolution within one week. No serious AEs and life-threatening conditions were observed. Globally, MG-ADL scores did not worsen after vaccination. Nine unvaccinated patients experienced SARS-CoV2 infection and four of them (44%) died—one patient required respiratory support, whereas three patients were asymptomatic. Conclusions. COVID-19 significantly impacted MG patients with an increase in mortality due to respiratory sequelae. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 showed good short-term safety in MG patients, who may take advantage of vaccination to avoiding life-threatening complications such as COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidence shows an involvement of brain plasticity mechanisms in both motor and central manifestations of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). These mechanisms could be specifically addressed with neuromodulation or rehabilitation protocols. The aim of this scoping review is to summarise the evidence on plasticity mechanisms' involvement in NMDs to encourage future research. Methods: A scoping review was conducted searching the PubMed and Scopus electronic databases. We selected papers addressing brain plasticity and central nervous system (CNS) studies through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in myopathies, muscular dystrophies, myositis and spinal muscular atrophy. Results: A total of 49 papers were selected for full-text examination. Regardless of the variety of pathogenetic and clinical characteristics of NMDs, studies show widespread changes in intracortical inhibition mechanisms, as well as disruptions in glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission, resulting in altered brain plasticity. Therapeutic interventions with neurostimulation techniques, despite being conducted only anecdotally or on small samples, show promising results; Conclusions: despite challenges posed by the rarity and heterogeneity of NMDs, recent evidence suggests that synaptic plasticity may play a role in the pathogenesis of various muscular diseases, affecting not only central symptoms but also strength and fatigue. Key questions remain unanswered about the role of plasticity and its potential as a therapeutic target. As disease-modifying therapies advance, understanding CNS involvement in NMDs could lead to more tailored treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune neuromuscular diseases are a group of heterogenous pathologies secondary to the activation of the immune system that damage the structures of the peripheric nerve, the neuromuscular junction, or the skeleton muscle. The diagnosis of autoimmune neuromuscular disorders comprises a combination of data from clinical, laboratory, electromyography, imaging exam, and biopsy. Particularly, the whole-body MRI examination in the last two decades has been of great use in the assessment of neuromuscular disorders. MRI provides information about the structures involved and the status of activity of the disease. It can also be used as a biomarker, detect the pattern of specific muscle involvement, and is a useful tool for targeting the optimal muscle site for biopsy. In this work, we summarized the most used technical protocol of whole-body MRI and the role of this imaging technique in autoimmune neuromuscular disorders.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated neuromuscular disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. In most cases, autoantibodies can be detected in the sera of MG patients, thus aiding in diagnosis and allowing for early screening. However, there is a small proportion of patients who have no detectable auto-antibodies, a condition termed “seronegative MG” (SnMG). Several factors contribute to this, including laboratory test inaccuracies, decreased antibody production, immunosuppressive therapy, immunodeficiencies, antigen depletion, and immune-senescence. The diagnosis of SnMG is more challenging and is based on clinical features and neurophysiological tests. The early identification of these patients is needed in order to ensure early treatment and prevent complications. This narrative review aims to examine the latest updates on SnMG, defining the clinical characteristics of affected patients, diagnostic methods, management, and therapeutic scenarios.