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Vanessa Ferraro,1,2 Francesco Santoru,1,2 Gianmaria Barone,1,2 Pietro Rosetta3 1Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy; 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas San Pio X, Milano, Milan, ItalyCorrespondence: Vanessa Ferraro, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, 20090, Italy, Tel +393406701716, Email vanessa.ferraro@st.hunimed.euPurpose: To assess the long-term outcomes of transepithelial iontophoresis cross-linking (I-CXL) for early keratoconus with high visual acuity under the age of 25.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas San Pio X, Milan, Italy, on data collected between 2015 and 2020. Patients diagnosed with early keratoconus and under the age of 25 who underwent to I-CXL were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study if they fulfilled the following criteria: high visual acuity (LogMAR ≤ 0.2) before I-CXL and the fact that the fellow, most advanced eye, had been treated with epithelium off CXL (S-CXL). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent refraction, thinnest corneal thickness, corneal topography and tomography were assessed at baseline and at least 24 months of follow-up, using Pentacam. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA SE version 17.Results: Twenty patients with a mean age of 18.5 ± 3.75 months were included. The median follow-up time was 24 months. The statistical analysis showed no significant change over time in CDVA, maximum keratometry and A, B, C values of the Belin Progression Display. Mean baseline CDVA was 0.03 ± 0.07 logMAR, whereas at 24-month was 0.01 ± 0.04. Mean spherical equivalent was − 1.29 ± 1.38D at baseline and − 1.05 ± 1.51D after 24 months. Preoperative maximum keratometry was 48.35 ± 4.95 D and 48.56 ± 4.96 D after the 2 years of follow-up. Mean baseline A value was 7.13 ± 1.66 mm and 24-month postoperative was 7.43 ± 0.48 mm. Average B value was 5.87 ± 0.55 mm prior to surgery, while it was 5.83 ± 0.60 mm after the last follow-up. Mean baseline and 24-month thinnest point were 498.9 ± 34.29 μm and 500.10 ± 33.45 μm respectively. None of the patients showed a progression of keratoconus.Conclusion: I-CXL may be considered as a beneficial treatment option for young patients with less advanced keratoconus, although further consensus on patient selection criteria is needed.Keywords: keratoconus, ectasia progression, cross-linking treatment, iontophoresis

Reform efforts in K-12 science education have been gaining pace ever since the introduction of the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS). The new vision calls for reconsidering teacher preparation programs to prepare future teachers who are confident and competent in delivering NGSS-based instruction. This study investigated the development of 27 preservice secondary science and mathematics teachers' (PSTs') knowledge and skills as they understand, interpret, and implement the NGSS, particularly science and engineering practices (SEPs), within the context of microteaching during a STEM methods course. Primary data sources include 12 videos of 40-min-long microteaching lessons, self-reflections, semi-structured and focus-group interviews, and artifacts such as student-designed science lesson plans. This qualitative study utilizes deductive-inductive and thematic analysis approaches to analyze PSTs microteaching videos to understand how various SEPs were enacted and integrated within the science lessons. While the average duration of the occurrence of each SEP varied, SEP 1 (Asking questions) showed the least occurrence compared to other SEPs across lessons. Most PSTs reported a better understanding of the NGSS framework at the end of the semester and found it a useful tool for planning a science lesson. Implications for preservice secondary STEM teacher education programs are discussed.

Donor-centered education offers students the opportunity to not only acquire visual and tactile experiences for applying anatomical knowledge but also a chance for students to reflect upon fundamental humanistic principles. The exploration of differences in students' viewpoints on body donation and the utilization of body donors in their education remains unexplored across various healthcare professional programs, which has an impact on student learning and experience. This study aimed to qualitatively examine the similarities and differences in student perspectives regarding body donation across three healthcare professional programs. One-page reflections from nursing (n = 37), physical and occupational therapy (n = 49), and medical students (n = 66) regarding their experiences in the anatomy laboratory at McGill University were collected and analyzed using a deductive approach based on themes and sub-themes outlined by Stephens et al. in 2019. Despite differences in their curricula, there were few discrepancies across the programs' reflections suggesting that donor-based learning had similar effects on each user group. Most students across the healthcare professional programs mentioned that their positive laboratory experiences motivated them to donate their bodies, extending the privilege they had to future generations. Nursing students did not reflect upon the notion that working with body donors provided unique learning experiences in the anatomy laboratory. Likewise, physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) students did not address the importance of maintaining the privacy of body donors by covering certain body parts during lab. These findings show that prosection- and dissection-based exercises encourage reflective practices associated with these of medical ethics, highlighting an important advantage to including donor-based learning in anatomical education.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease wherein neutrophils play a key role in plaque evolution. We observed that neutrophil CD11b was associated with a higher necrotic core volume in coronary plaques. Since platelets modulate neutrophil function, we explored the influence of neutrophil–platelet conjugates on the cytokine-modulated neutrophil complex CD11b/CD18 and CCR5 receptor expression. In 55 patients [68.53 ± 7.95 years old (mean ± SD); 71% male], neutrophil positivity for CD11b, CD18 and CCR5 was expressed as Relative Fluorescence Intensity (RFI) and taken as a dependent variable. Cytokines and chemokines were assessed by ELISA. Following log-10-based logarithmic transformation, they were used as independent variables in Model 1 of multiple regression together with Body Mass Index and albumin. Model 1 was expanded with the RFI of neutrophil CD41a+ (model 2). The RFI of neutrophil CD41a+ correlated positively and significantly with CD11b, CD18, and CCR5. In Model 2, CCR5 correlated positively only with the RFI of neutrophil CD41a+. Albumin maintained its positive effect on CD11b in both models. These observations indicate the complexity of neutrophil phenotypic modulation in stable CAD. Despite limitations, these findings suggest there is a role played by neutrophil–platelet interaction on the neutrophil cytokine-modulated expression of adhesive and chemotactic receptors.

The cardiac troponin complex (cTn) is a regulatory component of sarcomere. cTn consists of three subunits: cardiac troponin C (cTnC), which confers Ca2+ sensitivity to muscle; cTnI, which inhibits the interaction of cross-bridge of myosin with thin filament during diastole; and cTnT, which has multiple roles in sarcomere, such as promoting the link between the cTnI-cTnC complex and tropomyosin within the thin filament and influencing Ca2+ sensitivity of cTn and force development during contraction. Conditions that interfere with interactions within cTn and/or other thin filament proteins can be key factors in the regulation of cardiac contraction. These conditions include alterations in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, direct changes in cTn function, and triggering downstream events that lead to adverse cardiac remodeling and impairment of heart function. This review describes gene expression and post-translational modifications of cTn as well as the conditions that can adversely affect the delicate balance among the components of cTn, thereby promoting contractile dysfunction.

We report the fabrication and characterisation of near-IR reflecting films and coatings based on shear-assembled crystalline ensembles of polymer composite microspheres, also known as “polymer opals”. Extension of the emulsion polymerisation techniques for synthesis of tractable larger core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particles, of up to half a micron diameter, facilitates the engineering and processing of thin-film synthetic opals, with a tunable photonic stopband spanning an extended spectral range of λ ≈ 700–1600 nm. Samples exhibit strong “scattering cone” interactions, with considerable angular dependence and angle tuning possible, as measured with a goniometric technique. These intense optical resonances in the near-IR, particularly within the important region around λ ~ 800 nm, combined with an appreciable translucency within the visible light spectrum, is indicative of the potential applications in coatings technologies and solar cells.

Abstract Anthropogenically forced changes in global freshwater biodiversity demand more efficient monitoring approaches. Consequently, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is enabling ecosystem-scale biodiversity assessment, yet the appropriate spatio-temporal resolution of robust biodiversity assessment remains ambiguous. Here, using intensive, spatio-temporal eDNA sampling across space (five rivers in Europe and North America, with an upper range of 20–35 km between samples), time (19 timepoints between 2017 and 2018) and environmental conditions (river flow, pH, conductivity, temperature and rainfall), we characterise the resolution at which information on diversity across the animal kingdom can be gathered from rivers using eDNA. In space, beta diversity was mainly dictated by turnover, on a scale of tens of kilometres, highlighting that diversity measures are not confounded by eDNA from upstream. Fish communities showed nested assemblages along some rivers, coinciding with habitat use. Across time, seasonal life history events, including salmon and eel migration, were detected. Finally, effects of environmental conditions were taxon-specific, reflecting habitat filtering of communities rather than effects on DNA molecules. We conclude that riverine eDNA metabarcoding can measure biodiversity at spatio-temporal scales relevant to species and community ecology, demonstrating its utility in delivering insights into river community ecology during a time of environmental change.

Rivers are biodiverse ecosystems that play an essential role in the processing of organic matter from headwaters to the lower reaches. The biodiversity within these spatially complex ecosystems is often subject to huge seasonal variation, particularly in temperate regions, for example seasonal peaks in emergence of aquatic insects or migration of fish through the river network. However, these ecosystems are also subject to strong anthropogenic pressures that affect not only the biodiversity within this system, but the functions this biodiversity provides to key ecosystem processes. Therefore, spatial and temporally dynamics must be considered to effectively assess and understand the biodiversity and functioning within an ecosystem. Here, we assessed ecosystem function at a high spatial and temporal resolution across a large river network, specifically focussing on standardised organic–matter decomposition. Our results show—even when correcting for temperature—significant effects of both season and water chemistry parameters on microbial decomposition. However, we found no effect of space (i.e., site location within the network) on ecosystem function, contrary to expectations. We also found no imprint of the microbial community richness assessed in the water column (α–diversity and Shannon Index) on the patterns of organic–matter decomposition, however, this may be due to our focus on potential colonising microbes rather than benthic communities. Our study highlights the need to include functional indicators for the assessment of ecosystems.

The current study evaluated the effect of combining mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and onion peel (OP) on ruminal in vitro total gas (GP), greenhouse gas emissions, dry matter and fiber fraction digestibility, partitioning factor (PF24; mg degradable DM per mL gas), microbial mass, and volatile fatty acids using two dietary substrates: high forage (HF) and high concentrate (HC) diets. The study was arranged as a 2 × 2 × 6 factorial design with two dietary substrates, two time points (6 and 24 h), and six treatments. The treatments included a control group with no MOS or OP administration and groups administered with 2% of a mixture containing MOS and OP in the following ratios: 1:0 (MOS), 0:1 (OP), 1:1 (MOS:OP), 1:2 (MOS:2OP), and 1:3 (MOS:3OP). No significant diet × treatment interactions were observed for any of the measured parameters. However, treatments decreased (p < 0.05) the undegraded portion of HC, and treatment × substrate interactions were significant (p < 0.05) for PF24 and microbial mass. The treatments in the HC diet produced higher GP (p < 0.001) at 6 h compared to the treatments in the HF diet. Administration of MOS:2OP to the HC diet increased GP at 24 h of incubation, while the lowest GP was observed with the OP in the HF diet. The administration of MOS, OP, and MOS:2OP to the HC diet decreased methane production at 24 h of incubation. Additionally, MOS:2OP and MOS:3OP increased (p < 0.001) degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF) in the HC diet at 6 h of incubation. Both OP and MOS:3OP decreased the degradability of acid detergent lignin in the HC diet (p < 0.001). The OP also resulted in the lowest DM disappearance (p < 0.001) at 24 h of incubation in the HF diet, while the MOS:3OP had the highest dADF. At the end of incubation, the highest productions of total volatile fatty acids and acetate were observed (p = 0.002) with the MOS:OP administration in the HC diet, whereas the lowest values were observed with MOS and OP administration to the HF diet. The inclusion of mannan oligosaccharide and onion peel combinations as additives improved substrate (HC and HF) fermentation, leading to higher GP and volatile fatty production, and modulated fiber degradability by improving the breakdown of acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin.

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are the leading cause of the failure of anti-tumor treatments. These aggressive cancer cells are preserved and sustained by adjacent cells forming a specialized microenvironment, termed niche, among which tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are critical players. The cycle of tricarboxylic acids, fatty acid oxidation path, and electron transport chain have been proven to play central roles in the development and maintenance of CSCs and TAMs. By improving their oxidative metabolism, cancer cells are able to extract more energy from nutrients, which allows them to survive in nutritionally defective environments. Because mitochondria are crucial bioenergetic hubs and sites of these metabolic pathways, major hopes are posed for drugs targeting mitochondria. A wide range of medications targeting mitochondria, electron transport chain complexes, or oxidative enzymes are currently investigated in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials against hard-to-treat tumors. This review article aims to highlight recent literature on the metabolic adaptations of CSCs and their supporting macrophages. A focus is provided on the resistance and dormancy behaviors that give CSCs a selection advantage and quiescence capacity in particularly hostile microenvironments and the role of TAMs in supporting these attitudes. The article also describes medicaments that have demonstrated a robust ability to disrupt core oxidative metabolism in preclinical cancer studies and are currently being tested in clinical trials.

Our study employed Pleurotus ostreatus, P. djamor, and Trametes versicolor (white rot fungi = WRF) in the process of solid-state fermentation (SSF) to convert sorghum grains into myceliated sorghum (MS). The MS was then used for in vitro studies to assess changes in nutrient content compared to untreated sorghum (control). The results demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of MS. Specifically, CP and ash values saw a remarkable increase from 68 to 330% and 40 to 190% in MS, respectively. Additionally, NDF and ADF degradability values increased significantly (p < 0.001) by 81.5% and 56.2% in P. djamor-treated MS at 24 h post-incubation. The treatment × time interaction was also significant (p < 0.001) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. T. versicolor MS exhibited the highest total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and propionate production. The use of WRF in the SSF process led to a significant improvement in the nutritional value of sorghum. Despite the varying effects of different WRF on the nutritional parameters in MS, they show potential for enhancing the feed value of sorghum in animal feed.

This article describes a co-taught course that mobilized a Design Thinking approach in the service of creating a prototype for an actual girls' boarding school in Kenya. The goal of the class was to allow students to engage collaboratively with faculty, with their peers, and with experts "on the ground" to develop the various parts of the school, from the mission to the curriculum to the building design. The article describes the rewards and complexities of this kind of hands-on pedagogy in a higher education context.

Introduction: Medicines related problems (MRPs) can be common in frail older people due to age-compromised body systems and a propensity to be on multiple drugs concurrently. This group of people can also succumb to a rapid deterioration in health. Thus, it is important to investigate MRPs in frail older people. The objectives of the study were to evaluate prevalence of MRPs, types of MRPs, risk factors and deterioration that can be associated with MRPs in frail older people admitted to an English teaching hospital from primary care. Methods: Included in the sample were frail older adults, aged 65 years and over, admitted from primary care. Data was retrieved from the hospital's electronic patient record system, anonymised, and reviewed for MRPs. MRPs which were retrospectively identified at admission were coded with the WHO-ICD10,2016 (World Health Organisation-International Classification of Diseases version 10, 2016). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed on the data using SPSS Version 25. Primary outcome was the prevalence of MRPs in frail older patients. Secondary outcome was the association of deterioration indicated as fall, delirium, or NEWs ≥3 with presence of MRPs. Results: Among the 507 frail older people (≥4 on Rockwood scale) that met criteria for inclusion, 262 (51.8%) were patients with MRPs and 244 (48.2%) without. The Median age of sample as a whole was 85 years (IQR = 80–89). Prevalence of MRPs was 33.28%. Types of MRPs were adverse drug reaction (ADR-20%), non-compliance (9.1%), unintentional poisoning (3.3%) and inappropriate polypharmacy (0.8%). In logistic regression, potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM), social support, number of comorbidities and winter were significant predictors of MRPs. Risk of deteriorating with delirium was two times higher in patients with MRPs than in patients without MRPs, RR 2.613 (95% CI, 1.049 to 6.510). Conclusion: MRPs and risks of deterioration associated with MRPs in frail older people can be reduced. This is because factors associated with MRPs can be modified.

Managing degraded-quality materials in a supply chain with a single-vendor and multi- buyers is prevalent and critical in modern industry. This research addresses the single-vendor multi-buyer problem by incorporating multiple raw materials and quality degradation to maximize joint total profit (JTP). The proposed model utilizes the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) for optimization, with empirical data derived from an agri-food industry case study in Indonesia. Experimental findings demonstrate the superior effectiveness of WOA compared to Chim optimization algorithm (ChOA), Genetic algorithm (GA), (GWO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and heuristic algorithm in solving the single-vendor multi-buyer problem. Sensitivity analysis reveals noteworthy insights: increased demand boosts total profit and production cycle efficiency, while elevated shipping costs for finished products negatively impact JTP by reducing production efficiency. Moreover, escalating quality degradation rates decrease JTP and production cycle time. This study significantly contributes to optimizing single-vendor and multi-buyer operations by addressing multiple raw materials and quality degradation, offering valuable insights into sensitivity analysis for critical factors in the agri-food industry.

Background: Ventricular assist device (VAD) implant represents a therapeutic option for pediatric patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). Heart unloading by VAD can modify several molecular pathways underlying cardiac function in HF. Among them, the potential role of microRNA (miRNAs) in response to VAD implant is emerging. This study was aimed at investigating in HF pediatric patients the effect of VAD-modified miRNAs on the adiponectin (ADPN) system, known to exert cardioprotective actions. Methods: ADPN was measured in plasma samples obtained from HF children, before and 1 month after VAD implant, and from healthy control children. miRNA profile and molecules belonging to ADPN system were determined in cardiac biopsies collected at the time of VAD implantation (pre-VAD) and at the moment of heart transplant (post-VAD). An in vitro study using HL-1 cell line was performed to verify the regulatory role of the VAD-modified miRNA on the ADPN system. Results: VAD implant did not affect circulating and cardiac levels of ADPN, but increased the cardiac mRNA expression of ADPN receptors, including AdipoR1, AdipoR2, and T-cad. AdipoR2 and T-cad were inversely related to the VAD-modified miRNA levels. The in vitro study confirmed the regulatory role of miR-1246 and miR-199b-5p on AdipoR2, and of miR-199b-5p on T-cad. Conclusions: These data suggest that VAD treatment could regulate the expression of the cardioprotective ADPN system by epigenetic mediators, suggesting that miRNAs have a potential role as therapeutic targets to improve cardiac function in HF pediatric patients.

Objectives: The persistence in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis drugs and particularly bDMARD is a limiting factor for their long-term use. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) may not reflect real-world contexts due to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Baricitinib, which targets both JAK1 and JAK2, has been used in Italy for several years. The aim of this multi-center study is to assess the real world persistence on therapy of baricitinib in RA patients and to identify predictive factors of baricitinib's survival rate. Methods: This is a retrospective, multicentric, Italian, longitudinal study. All patients were enrolled according to the following criteria: a) age ≥ 18 years old; b) diagnosed with RA according 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria; c) treated with baricitinib. In order to describe baricitinib clinical efficacy, the survival rate was evaluated by The Kaplan–Meier curve. Then, predictive factors of drug retention rate were assessed by performing the Cox analysis, identifying which risk factors influenced treatment persistence. Results: Overall, we included 478 patients treated with baricitinib. Among them, 380 (79.5%) were females. Baricitinib's survival rate was 94.6% at 6 months, 87.9% at 12 months, 81.7% at 24 months and 53.4% at 48 months. The Cox analysis regression showed that a higher bDMARDs/tsDMARD line of therapy seems to be a negative prognostic factor for the drug retention rate (HR 1.26 CI 95% 1.07–1.49, p = 0.006. Conclusion: Real-life study confirms baricitinib effectiveness up to 4 years, but previous treatment with bDMARDs was a negative prognostic factor for its survival rate.

Abstract The ever-increasing threats to riverine ecosystems call for novel approaches for highly resolved biodiversity assessments across taxonomic groups and spatio-temporal scales. Recent advances in the joint use of environmental DNA (eDNA) data and eDNA transport models in rivers (e.g., eDITH) allow uncovering the full structure of riverine biodiversity, hence elucidating ecosystem processes and supporting conservation measures. We applied eDITH to a metabarcoding dataset covering three taxonomic groups (fish, invertebrates, bacteria) and three seasons for a catchment sampled for eDNA at 73 sites. We upscaled eDNA-based biodiversity predictions to approximately 1900 reaches, and assessed α- and β-diversity patterns across seasons and taxonomic groups over the whole network. Genus richness predicted by eDITH was generally higher than values from direct eDNA analysis. Both predicted α- and β-diversity varied depending on season and taxonomic group. Predicted fish α-diversity increased downstream in all seasons, while invertebrate and bacteria α-diversity either decreased downstream or were unrelated to network position. Spatial β-diversity mostly decreased downstream, especially for bacteria. The eDITH model yielded a more refined assessment of freshwater biodiversity as compared to raw eDNA data, both in terms of spatial coverage, diversity patterns and effect of covariates, thus providing a more complete picture of freshwater biodiversity.

Reflective practice is an important component of preservice teacher education programs and is frequently used during field experiences; however, less is known about reflective practice in microteaching. This qualitative case study examined preservice secondary STEM teachers' reflective practices after their microteaching experience in a STEM methods course at a large Mid-Atlantic public university. Particularly, the study investigated two reflection approaches, a written reflective journal and a video-mediated reflection on the same microteaching episode. We used content analysis to identify and compare the salient features in 27 preservice secondary teachers' video-mediated and journal (nonvideo) reflections. Our analysis led to three categories representing the salient features from the two sets of reflection--teaching strategies to foster student learning, student engagement and classroom discourse, and teacher personality and nonverbal communication. Within each category, and for the two reflection approaches, we describe: (1) the content or the focus of participants' reflective thinking; (2) challenges in microteaching recognized by the participants; and (3) suggestions for future teaching practices. Our findings provide valuable insights for teacher educators to make informed decisions about selecting reflection approaches that fit the course context and the goal of reflection.

The many genres of action learning have contributed to solving business and social problems, individual development and organisational learning. Different authors have scrutinised the role of the action-learning facilitator in upholding the precepts of action learning. Whilst the responsibilities of the facilitator to the group are significant, this paper concentrates on the personal transformation of facilitators who have transitioned into the role in an application of business-driven action learning. Hence, this study explores how individuals who took on the role of action-learning facilitator experienced genuine personal development. This exploration, within a South African context, offers a perspective on facilitator growth, a subject which has not gained much traction in the action-learning literature. The findings offer insight into the internalisation of action-learning principles, critical shifts and heightened learnings for facilitators.

TNIP1/ABIN-1 is a novel inhibitor of inflammation and cell death. In our study, we elucidated the MAP1LC3/LC3 (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3)-interacting region (LIR) 1 and 2 motifs of TNIP1-dependent direct binding to LC3B-II and subsequent colocalization on phagophores. In addition, TNIP1 colocalizes with LAMP1 (lysosomal associated membrane protein 1) on autolysosomes. Autophagic stimuli induce the translocation of TNIP1 to damaged mitochondria promoting the degradation of the mitochondrial outer membrane proteins VDAC1 (voltage dependent anion channel 1), MFN2 (mitofusin 2), and TOMM20 (translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20), together with its own degradation, possibly via the autophagic pathway. Knockdown of TNIP1 partially but significantly inhibits mitophagy. Thus, identification of TNIP1 as a novel selective mitophagy regulator promoting mitophagy would play a decisive role in understanding the pathophysiological outcome associated with diverse types of mitochondria-associated cellular stress.

Focal duodenal necrosis (FDN) is an intestinal disease of egg-layer chickens characterized by multifocal necrosis of the duodenal loop and proximal jejunum. Affected flocks usually have decreased egg weights and drops in egg production. Previous studies have associated this condition with Clostridium perfringens infection. We tried to reproduce FDN by experimental infection of egg-laying chickens using different netB-positive and netB-negative C. perfringens strains, and duodenal homogenate obtained from FDN lesions. Chickens challenged with C. perfringens and/or duodenal homogenate developed duodenitis after challenge. Gross lesions included mucosal erosions, hyperemia, mucosal hemorrhages, and watery intestinal content. Microscopic lesions included mild enterocyte degeneration and necrosis, and mild-to-moderate hemorrhage and lymphoplasmacytic and heterophilic infiltration of the lamina propria. Two netB-positive C. perfringens strains closely related to necrotic enteritis pathogenic strains, by genomic composition, were re-isolated from lesions. Necrosis of intestinal crypts was observed in chickens challenged with duodenal homogenate with or without C. perfringens coinfection. Characteristic microscopic FDN lesions with significant necrosis and loss of villus enterocytes were not reproduced.

Introduction: In Italy, approximately 80.5% of the population has completed the primary anti-COVID vaccination cycle with approximately 141 million doses administered. With the introduction of new measures to counter the spread of COVID-19, including compulsory vaccination for certain categories of people, the population expressed fears about the safety and adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Several factors, such as gender and age, could have influenced the outcomes associated with the vaccine. Our single-centre work seeks to provide such evidence with respect to Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 (Comirnaty) and AstraZeneca’s AZD1222 (Vaxzevria) vaccines. Materials and Methods: Single-centre descriptive study carried out on a sample of subjects who underwent anti-COVID vaccination at the ‘San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona’ AOU vaccination centre in Salerno. Patients who reported a suspected adverse reaction after receiving a dose of vaccine were included in the study. The regional vaccine platform SORESA and the VigiFarmaco portal were used to collect the data. Results: During the period covered by the study, 126,928 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were administered. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine group comprised 124,138 administrations. The AstraZeneca vaccine group consisted of 2,790 administrations. 287 post-vaccination adverse reaction reports entered in the National Pharmacovigilance Network were considered. In most of the reactions reported, for both vaccines considered, the symptomatology was attributable to local reactions at the injection site. At the systemic level, however, we noted the prevalence of non-specific events such as fever, headache and diffuse arthromyalgia. Conclusions: Based on our results and comparison with the literature, the data collected on the vaccines considered in the study suggest a favourable safety profile for their large-scale use. The rate of minor adverse events turned out to be low, with similarly reassuring data compared to serious adverse events, such as not to justify hesitation towards vaccination for COVID-19 disease control.

Abstract Background Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a potentially severe personality disorder, characterized by difficulties in emotion regulation and control of behaviors. It is often associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Borderline personality features have also been linked to body modifications (BMs). However, the prevalence of BMs, the link between BMs and NSSI, and between BMs and several psychopathology dimensions (e.g. borderline severity, emotion regulation, impulsivity …) remains understudied in patients with BPD. This study aims to fill this gap, and to provide further evidence on the link between NSSI and BMs. Methods We used data from a psychiatric outpatient center located in Switzerland (n = 116), specialized in the assessment and treatment of BPD patients. Patients underwent several semi-structured interviews and self-report psychometric scales at the arrival, and the data were retrospectively analyzed. Results We found that 70.69% of the patients had one piercing or more, and 69.83% were tattooed. The total score of body modifications and the total number of piercings score of piercings were significantly positively associated with NSSI and the SCID BPD total score. The association with the SCID score was mainly driven by the “suicide and self-damaging behaviors” item and the “chronic feeling of emptiness” item. A significant association was found between total number of piercings and emotion dysregulation. On the other hand, the self-reported percentage of body covered by tattoos score was specifically associated with the sensation seeking subscale of the UPPS-P. Conclusion This study provides evidence on the prevalence of BMs in BPD patients, and on the link between BMs and NSSI in this population, suggesting a role of emotion regulation in the link between both constructs. These results also suggests that tattoos and piercings may be differentially linked to specific underlying psychological mechanisms. This calls for further considerations of body modifications in the assessment and care of BPD patients.

Abstract Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool for describing biodiversity, such as finding keystone species or detecting invasive species in environmental samples. Continuous improvements in the method and the advances in sequencing platforms over the last decade have meant this approach is now widely used in biodiversity sciences and biomonitoring. For its general use, the method hinges on a correct identification of taxa. However, past studies have shown how this crucially depends on important decisions during sampling, sample processing, and subsequent handling of sequencing data. With no clear consensus as to the best practice, particularly the latter has led to varied bioinformatic approaches and recommendations for data preparation and taxonomic identification. In this study, using a large freshwater fish eDNA sequence dataset, we compared the frequently used zero‐radius Operational Taxonomic Unit (zOTU) approach of our raw reads and assigned it taxonomically (i) in combination with publicly available reference sequences (open databases) or (ii) with an OSU (Operational Sequence Units) database approach, using a curated database of reference sequences generated from specimen barcoding (closed database). We show both approaches gave comparable results for common species. However, the commonalities between the approaches decreased with read abundance and were thus less reliable and not comparable for rare species. The success of the zOTU approach depended on the suitability, rather than the size, of a reference database. Contrastingly, the OSU approach used reliable DNA sequences and thus often enabled species‐level identifications, yet this resolution decreased with the recent phylogenetic age of the species. We show the need to include target group coverage, outgroups and full taxonomic annotation in reference databases to avoid misleading annotations that can occur when using short amplicon sizes as commonly used in eDNA metabarcoding studies. Finally, we make general suggestions to improve the construction and use of reference databases for metabarcoding studies in the future.

The research on the effect of seed positions within the pod on some growth indices of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) was conducted at the Western Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatments comprised the seed positions of distal position, middle position and proximal position. Results of the research showed that fluted pumpkin stands with the longest vines of 4.72 and 5.89 cm; highest number of leaves of 48.77 and 44.29 as well as highest germination percentage of 35.25 and 35.00% in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons were recorded by seeds located within the distal position of the pod. Similarly, days to 50% flowering of 75.50% and 76.00% in both cropping seasons revealed that seeds within the proximal position produced stands that gave early flowers over distal and middle positions which recorded late flowering. From the results therefore, seeds within the distal positions of fluted pumpkin pod gave stands with improved growth indices and are therefore recommended for the cultivation of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.).

As part of its administrative duty, a government agency must translate written legislation to encode it in government information systems (GovIS) that operationalize the legislation. The research problem is that the complexity of the legislation and the GovIS could be masking misalignment. A misaligned GovIS could result in incorrect decisions for service consumers who may miss out on payments or services when they need them. This paper demonstrates a method to detect potential misalignment encoded in GovIS and to identify candidates for simplification and harmonization in the legislation to make it easier for auditors, government agencies, and service consumers to detect potential misalignment. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology is applied to evaluate the GovUI-Onto method in three settings. The as-written legislative definition of an individual ‘Australian resident’ is compared to its translation in Government User Interfaces (GovUI), such as government service claim forms in the Welfare, Taxation, and Immigration settings. The research finds that GovUI-Onto is an effective method to detect encoded misalignment and identify opportunities for simpler and harmonized legislation.

BackgroundThe study of romantic relationships is based on attachment theory and the Current Relationship Interview (CRI) is a powerful tool that allows the optimal investigation of attachment representations toward romantic partners. However, evidence in this field is still unsatisfactory and further research is needed. This study aims to examine the associations between the adult attachment to partner, the style of conflict resolution, and dyadic adjustment.MethodsWe administrated the Italian version of the CRI, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory questionnaire - Section II (ROCI II) – to a sample of 100 heterosexual couples.ResultsIndividuals with preoccupied attachment reported lower levels of dyadic adjustment and men, but not women, with preoccupied attachment reported lower levels of dyadic cohesion. Levels of dyadic adjustment reported by women/men did not vary according to their attachment types. Levels of dyadic adjustment reported by couples and by women did not vary according to the matching status of attachment types between partners. However, men in romantic relationship characterized by a mismatch between attachment types reported higher levels of consensus compared to their counterparts.ConclusionThe Italian version of the CRI proves an useful tool to investigate processes underlying romantic relationships. The role of current attachment in these processes appears to be highly complex and its investigation might be impacted by methodological issues, calling for additional studies.

BACKGROUND: There is tremendous variation in both the prevalence of suicide and the factors that contribute to its occurrence across geographic locations, cultures, and time. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the various socio-demographic risk factors and psychosocial stressors using population data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The countries that were included in the study were based on data from the World Health Organization. We considered the top ten suicide countries and the ten lowest suicide nations. We searched five global databases for the most recent socio-demographic data and data on psychosocial stressors during the period of August and September 2022. We analyzed the correlation between suicide rates and various factors, and we considered a P value of less than 0.05 to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The correlation of suicide with sociodemographic factors like age (P 0.246), gender (male, P 0.357, and female, P 0.357), net enrolment rate (P 0.725), gender parity index (P 0.929), urban population percentage (P 0.571), marital status (male, P 0.345, and female, P 0.752), and literacy rate percentage (P 0.199) was not significant. The correlation of suicide with psychosocial stressors like unemployment percentage (P 0.552), alcoholism percentage (P 0.271), the prevalence of depression (P 0.523), the number of psychiatrists (P 0.605), the number of mental hospitals (r = -0.090, P 0.713), and the poverty rate percentage (P 0.538) were also not significant. CONCLUSION: Suicide is a major public health issue, yet global suicide data is scarce. Sociodemographic factors like age, urbanization, and literacy rate were negatively correlated, whereas psychosocial stressors like unemployment, alcohol misuse, and poverty were positively correlated, but none were significantly associated.

The ancient Duchy of Urbino (Marche and Emilia-Romagna Regions, Italy) is known for its spectacular landscapes linked to a unique geological history. This area owns an unexpected cultural resource, which concerns using its landscapes in art. Some great Renaissance artists, including Piero della Francesca, Raphael, and Leonardo, were so impressed by the landscapes that they reproduced them in their most famous paintings. This paper summarizes research concerned with their identification, employing a multidisciplinary method that has enabled the recognition of many morphologies. This contribution provides the scientific community with information on the methodology and regional and national projects developed in this area to enhance its cultural landscapes. Starting from the geological description of the territory, the research focuses on famous works by three great Renaissance artists, providing evidence and morphological details related to the recognition of places: “Nativity” by Piero della Francesca, “Madonna Litta” by Leonardo da Vinci, and “Knight’s Dream” by Raphael. Finally, it is proposed to make these landscapes a timeless resource through their inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural heritage. This contribution is addressed to representatives of the administration, conservation, and enhancement of artistic and landscape heritage to stimulate new perspectives for research, education, and tourism within the cultural heritage of this area.

Authors would like to correct an error in the GC conditions for VFA analysis [...]

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a clinical condition characterized by temporary regional wall motion anomalies and dysfunction that extend beyond a single epicardial vascular distribution. Various pathophysiological mechanisms, including inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, direct catecholamine toxicity, metabolic changes, sympathetic overdrive-mediated multi-vessel epicardial spasms, and transitory ischemia may cause the observed reversible myocardial stunning. Despite the fact that TTS usually has an acute coronary syndrome-like pattern of presentation, the absence of culprit atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is often reported at coronary angiography. However, the idea that coronary artery disease (CAD) and TTS conditions are mutually exclusive has been cast into doubt by numerous recent studies suggesting that CAD may coexist in many TTS patients, with significant clinical and prognostic repercussions. Whether the relationship between CAD and TTS is a mere coincidence or a bidirectional cause-and-effect is still up for debate, and misdiagnosis of the two disorders could lead to improper patient treatment with unfavourable outcomes. Therefore, this review seeks to provide a profound understanding of the relationship between CAD and TTS by analyzing potential common underlying pathways, addressing challenges in differential diagnosis, and discussing medical and procedural techniques to treat these conditions appropriately.

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder. Diagnosis can take a long time, especially in the presence of confounding factors, and it is, to some extent, a process of exclusion. AOSD has life-threating complications ranging from asymptomatic to severe, such as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), which is also referred to as hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (HLH). This condition is correlated with cytokine storm production and monocyte/macrophage overactivation and typically occurs with rash, pyrexia, pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly and systemic involvement. Exitus occurs in approximately 10% of cases. For the treatment of MAS-HLH, the Histiocyte Society currently suggests high-dose corticosteroids, with the possible addition of cyclosporine A, anti-interleukin (IL)-1, or IL-6 biological drugs; the inclusion of etoposide is recommended for the most severe conditions. In all cases, a multidisciplinary collaboration involving the resources and expertise of several specialists (e.g., rheumatologist, infectiologist, critical care medicine specialist) is advised. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the clinical case of a previously healthy young woman in which MAS developed as a dramatic onset manifestation of AOSD and whose diagnosis posed a real clinical challenge; the condition was finally resolved by applying the HLH-94 protocol (i.e., etoposide in combination with dexamethasone).

Abstract Future energy scenarios include both green and blue hydrogen, as both are needed to scale up decarbonized energy supply. A transition to renewable energy is predicted over time, but the urgency we are facing cannot be met by renewable energy alone. For blue hydrogen production, the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are primarily affected by emissions from natural gas production, processing, and transport (CO2 and methane), as well as process efficiency and carbon capture ratio. Few complete and updated analyses are available that cover the entire blue hydrogen value chain with the best available technology for process facilities, as well as the proper design, operation, and maintenance of all relevant systems and infrastructure. This paper analyses the GHG intensity of blue hydrogen, using recent data as well as input from technology providers on state‐of‐the‐art gas reforming technologies. Data are primarily based on natural gas production and transport in the North Sea Basin, with gas export from the Norwegian continental shelf to continental Europe or the United Kingdom, and with blue hydrogen production either in Norway or near pipeline landfall in the European Union or United Kingdom. Some data related to potential blue hydrogen production in the US Appalachian region are also given. The data show that the properly designed and operated value chains for blue hydrogen supply, with minimal emissions from natural gas supply and high carbon capture in hydrogen production, will give a major reduction in GHG emissions from energy end‐use. GHG footprint for end‐users based on blue hydrogen will typically be 80%–90% lower than for direct supply and use of natural gas.

This study examines the determinants of tourist arrivals at hotels and short-stay accommodations for nine EU countries from January 2010 to March 2022. We identify four driving channels of foreign and domestic tourism flows: a traditional, a sentiment, a technological and a health channel. The latter comprises two novel variables: the museum search interest and the infectious disease equity market volatility tracker. The results reveal that traditional and new drivers related to market sentiments and interest in online tourism experiences affect arrivals. Notably, there is a substitution effect between online and in-presence tourism, and the larger the uncertainty, the more substantial the reduction in tourist arrivals. COVID-19 has affected especially Spain and Italy and more foreign than domestic tourists.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) signalling affects spermatogenesis and mature sperm traits. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the distribution and the role of NGF and its receptors (p75NTR and TrKA) on the reproductive apparatus (testis and epididymis) and sperm of fertile men (F) and men with different pathologies, namely varicocele (V) and urogenital infections (UGIs). We collected semen samples from 21 individuals (31–40 years old) subdivided as follows: V (n = 7), UGIs (n = 7), and F (n = 7). We submitted the semen samples to bacteriological analysis, leucocyte identification, and analysis of sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology, and viability). We determined the seminal plasma levels of NGF, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), and the gene and protein expression of NGF receptors on sperm. We also used immunofluorescence to examine NGF receptors on ejaculated sperm, testis, and epididymis. As expected, fertile men showed better sperm parameters as well as lower levels of NGF, F2-IsoPs, and IL-1β compared with men with infertility. Notably, in normal sperm, p75NTR and TrKA were localised throughout the entire tail. TrKA was also found in the post-acrosomal sheath. This localisation appeared different in patients with infertility: in particular, there was a strong p75NTR signal in the midpiece and the cytoplasmic residue or coiled tails of altered ejaculated sperm. In line with these findings, NGF receptors were intensely expressed in the epididymis and interstitial tissue of the testis. These data suggest the distinctive involvement of NGF and its receptors in the physiology of sperm from fertile men and men with infertility, indicating a possible role for new targeted treatment strategies.

By sampling environmental DNA across a large riverine network over multiple seasons, the varied dynamics between biodiversity and food-web dynamics are revealed.