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This review article aims to present an overview regarding the volatile compounds in different scented species of Pelargonium and their biological activities, immunomodulatory activity, cytotoxic activity, high larvicidal activity and ethnopharmacological uses. Although the Pelargonium genus includes many species, we focused only on the scented ones, with the potential to be used in different domains. Pelargonium essential oil showed great properties as antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity (against K. pneumonie, S. aureus or E. coli strains) and antifungal activity (against many fungi including Candida sp.), the responsible compounds for these properties being tannins, flavones, flavonols, flavonoids, phenolic acids and coumarins. Due to the existence of bioactive constituents in the chemical composition of fresh leaves, roots, or flowers of Pelargonium sp. (such as monoterpenoid compounds–citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and flavonoids–myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol), this species is still valuable, the bio-compounds representing the base of innovative substitutes in food processing industry, nutraceuticals, or preventive human or veterinary medicine (substitute of antibiotics). Highlighting the volatile chemical composition and properties of this scented plant aims to rediscover it and to emphasize the vast spectrum of health-promoting constituents for a sustainable approach. Future research directions should point to the application of plant biotechnology with a significant role in conservation strategy and to stimulate commercial interest.

Background: This study aimed at identifying errors encountered in orthopantomography (OPG) in post-traumatic patients caused by limitations in performing a correct technique. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. Diagnosis, exposure/processing mistakes, positioning-related errors, and bimaxillary immobilization were evaluated. Results: Thirty panoramic radiographs with mandible fractures were examined. Twelve error types were encountered: errors in exposure or processing, air radiolucency in the palatoglossal space, errors in the alignment of the Frankfort horizontal plane: head in flexion, with a joyful expression or head extended, with a somber appearance, errors towards the mid-sagittal plane (lateral head inclination, deviation, or rotation), errors caused by the non-use of the bite-block or inappropriate position on the device, errors caused by positioning outside the focal plane, artifacts/shadow images produced by post-operative metal plates, and bimaxillary immobilization errors. The number of errors per radiograph ranged from two to a maximum of five. The most dominant ones were inappropriate alignment in the focal plane and lateral rotation of the head in over 70% of cases. Lateral deviation and palatoglossal air were present in more than 50% of images. Conclusions: In trauma cases, technical difficulties in obtaining a proper OPG image are common and often insurmountable, limiting the diagnosis.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) has a key role in the signaling pathways of receptors essential for the B lymphocyte response. Given its implication in B cell-related immunodeficiencies, leukemias/lymphomas and autoimmunity, Btk is studied intensely and is a target for therapy. Here, using primary B cells from distinct mouse models and the pharmacological inhibitors ibrutinib and acalabrutinib, we report distinct roles for Btk in antigen-triggered immune synapse (IS) formation. Btk recruitment to the plasma membrane regulates the B cell ability to trigger IS formation as well as its appropriate molecular assembly; Btk shuttling/scaffold activities seem more relevant than the kinase function on that. Btk-kinase activity controls antigen accumulation at the IS through the PLCγ2/Ca2+ axis. Impaired Btk membrane-recruitment or kinase function likewise alters antigen-triggered microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) polarization to the IS, B cell activation and proliferation. Data also show that, for B cell function, IS architecture is as important as the quantity of antigen that accumulates at the synapse.

Objectives(a) Assessing mental disorders, psychological distress, psychological wellbeing in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc); (b) identifying psychological features independently contributing to the status of having the diagnosis of SSc.MethodsTwo hundred SSc outpatients were compared with 100 healthy subjects. Mental disorders were assessed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Self-reported rating scales were administered: Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Psychological Well Being scales (PWB). General linear models allowed to verify which psychological feature would individually make unique contributions to overall status of having the diagnosis of SSc.ResultsMajor depressive episode/disorder, panic disorder were more prevalent among patients with SSc (p

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with 200 ppm vitamin E in a diet with different nutrient contents on the performance and health status of the IPD-D3 candidate chicken strain. This research used 160 IPB-D3 chickens that were reared for 5 to 12 weeks. This experiment used a completely randomized factorial design with 4 treatments and 4 replications. P0 = control diet, P1 = control diet minus 3% ME and 3% PK, P2 = P0 + vitamin E 200 ppm, P3 = P1+ vitamin E 200 ppm. The data were analysed using ANOVA with an interaction’s significant difference test. The results showed that there was an interaction effect between supplementation with 200 ppm vitamin E and different nutrient contents on feed consumption (P

Abstract When someone violates a social norm, others may think that some sanction would be appropriate. We examine how the experience of emotions like anger and disgust relate to the judged appropriateness of sanctions, in a pre-registered analysis of data from a large-scale study in 56 societies. Across the world, we find that individuals who experience anger and disgust over a norm violation are more likely to endorse confrontation, ostracism and, to a smaller extent, gossip. Moreover, we find that the experience of anger is consistently the strongest predictor of judgments of confrontation, compared to other emotions. Although the link between state-based emotions and judgments may seem universal, its strength varies across countries. Aligned with theoretical predictions, this link is stronger in societies, and among individuals, that place higher value on individual autonomy. Thus, autonomy values may increase the role that emotions play in guiding judgments of social sanctions.

Abstract The emergence of COVID-19 dramatically changed social behavior across societies and contexts. Here we study whether social norms also changed. Specifically, we study this question for cultural tightness (the degree to which societies generally have strong norms), specific social norms (e.g. stealing, hand washing), and norms about enforcement, using survey data from 30,431 respondents in 43 countries recorded before and in the early stages following the emergence of COVID-19. Using variation in disease intensity, we shed light on the mechanisms predicting changes in social norm measures. We find evidence that, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand washing norms increased while tightness and punishing frequency slightly decreased but observe no evidence for a robust change in most other norms. Thus, at least in the short term, our findings suggest that cultures are largely stable to pandemic threats except in those norms, hand washing in this case, that are perceived to be directly relevant to dealing with the collective threat.

The present work provides an updated and corrected list of hosts for the five European species of pinnotherid crabs, taking into consideration all recent published works as well as new data obtained in the present study. In relation to the number of hosts, there are two groups of species, one composed by Pinnotheres pisum and Afropinnotheres monodi with the highest number of hosts, and a second group, with a reduced number of hosts and more specific taxa, consisting of three other species: Nepinnotheres pinnotheres, Pinnotheres bicristatus, and P. pectunculi. When studying the relationships between host preferences, host distributions, and pea crab distributions, we could not find a clear direct relationship between these parameters. Temperature is also probably an important influence and relevant factor responsible for the distribution of pinnotherid crabs, and this may be independent from the potential distribution due to the distribution of hosts.

Thin films of lithium spinel ferrite, LiFe5O8, have attracted much scientific attention because of their potential for efficient excitation, the manipulation and propagation of spin currents due to their insulating character, high-saturation magnetization, and Curie temperature, as well as their ultra-low damping value. In addition, LiFe5O8 is currently one of the most interesting materials in terms of developing spintronic devices based on the ionic control of magnetism, for which it is crucial to control the lithium’s atomic content. In this work, we demonstrate that dual ion beam sputtering is a suitable technique to tailor the lithium content of thin films of lithium ferrite (LFO) by using the different energies of the assisting ion beam formed by Ar+ and O2+ ions during the growth process. Without assistance, a disordered rock-salt LFO phase (i.e., LiFeO2) can be identified as the principal phase. Under beam assistance, highly out-of-plane-oriented (111) thin LFO films have been obtained on (0001) Al2O3 substrates with a disordered spinel structure as the main phase and with lithium concentrations higher and lower than the stoichiometric spinel phase, i.e., LiFe5O8. After post-annealing of the films at 1025 K, a highly ordered ferromagnetic spinel LFO phase was found when the lithium concentration was higher than the stoichiometric value. With lower lithium contents, the antiferromagnetic hematite (α-Fe2O3) phase emerged and coexisted in films with the ferromagnetic LixFe6-xO8. These results open up the possibility of controlling the properties of thin lithium ferrite-based films to enable their use in advanced spintronic devices.

ABSTRACTIntegrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are widespread autonomous mobile DNA elements, containing the genes necessary for their excision, conjugative transfer, and insertion into a new host cell. ICEs can carry additional genes that are non-essential for their transfer but can confer adaptive phenotypes to the host. Our aim here was to better characterize the presence, distribution, and variation of ICEs related to the well-described ICEclc among Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates within a geographically restrained environment to understand the factors contributing to their evolution. We examined a total of 181 P. aeruginosa genome sequences obtained from patient or hospital environment isolates, most of which were obtained from a single hospital during 20 years of sampling. More than 90% of the isolates carried one or more ICEclc-like elements, with different degrees of conservation to the known ICEclc lifestyle and transfer genes. ICE clones closely matched their host clonal phylogeny, but not exclusively, indicating that both clonal evolution and ICE horizontal transfer are occurring in the hospital environment. ICEs from this singular hospital environment were mainly associated to three clone types found worldwide, suggesting an enrichment of local clones. Variable gene regions among the clinical P. aeruginosa ICEclc-type elements were notably enriched for heavy metal resistance genes, toxin-anti-toxin systems, potential efflux systems and multidrug resistance proteins, a metalloprotease and for a variety of regulatory systems, but not for specific recognizable antibiotic-resistance cassettes. Clonal persistence suggests adaptive benefits of these functional categories, and micro-patterns of gene gain and loss indicate ongoing ICE evolution within the P. aeruginosa hosts.IMPORTANCEMicrobial populations swiftly adapt to changing environments through horizontal gene transfer. While the mechanisms of gene transfer are well known, the impact of environmental conditions on the selection of transferred gene functions remains less clear. We investigated ICEs, specifically the ICEclc-type, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Our findings revealed co-evolution between ICEs and their hosts, with ICE transfers occurring within strains. Gene functions carried by ICEs are positively selected, including potential virulence factors and heavy metal resistance. Comparison to publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes unveiled widespread antibiotic-resistance determinants within ICEclc clades. Thus, the ubiquitous ICEclc family significantly contributes to P. aeruginosa’s adaptation and fitness in diverse environments.

Chronic school absenteeism is a common problem in childhood and adolescence, and it is frequently observed in patients with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs). This study aimed to determine whether and to what extent the presence of school absenteeism may be a risk factor for the diagnosis of SSRDs in hospitalised patients. This matched cohort study included children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 years, admitted to the paediatric ward of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo in Trieste from 2021 to 2023, who were divided into two groups, the first including children with at least 15 days of absence from school for medical reasons and the second including children with regular school attendance, matched to the former group by age and sex. We consecutively enrolled 70 patients, 35 in the absentee group and 35 in the control group. In the absentee group, 30/35 (85.7%) patients were diagnosed with an SSRD, while in the control group, 1/35 (2.9%) was diagnosed with an SSRD. The absentee group had a 30-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with SSRDs than the control group (RR = 30 [95% CI = 4.3–208]; p < 0.001). This study shows that in hospitalised children, a history of school absenteeism of more than two weeks is an important risk factor for the diagnosis of SSRDs.

The expression “twice-exceptionality” has been used to describe conditions in which giftedness and specific disorders coexist. Our study offers a retrospective analysis of clinical reports of gifted children evaluated for suspected specific learning disorders (SLD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The initial sample included 456 school-aged children referred to our clinic for suspected SLD and/or ADHD over a two-year interval. The inclusion criteria were: a General Ability Index score above 120 in the cognitive assessment; age 6–18 years; and not satisfying diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Forty children were selected for the study. We grouped patients according to the final diagnosis: neurodevelopmental disorder (SLD and/or ADHD) (n = 15), psychopathological disorder (n = 8), mixed neurodevelopmental and psychopathological (n = 13), no emerging disorder (n = 4). The study included 36 (90%) males. Mean age was 9.3 years (SD 1.62). Mean Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient was 121.7 (SD 7.77), mean General Ability Index was 130.2 (SD 6.79). Furthermore, the cognitive assessment of the different groups highlighted a non-homogeneous profile in all groups, with lower scores on working memory and processing speed indexes. Our results support the hypothesis that difficulties in gifted children’s adaptation to scholastic and social settings could be misinterpreted as a manifestation of a clear disease.

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), do often present in comorbidity among them and with other medical conditions, including sleep and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and somatic complaints. An anonymous online survey based on standardized questionnaires (SDSC, KL-ASD, APSI, ROME V CRITERIA, CPRS, CBCL) was completed by the parents of 46 preschoolers diagnosed with ASD. A high prevalence (47%) of ADHD symptoms in this population was found, surpassing previous estimates. Sleep disturbances, especially difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep and sleep–wake transition, are more pronounced in ASD patients with comorbid ADHD. Additionally, in patients over 4 years old, there is a high prevalence of functional GI symptoms (Rome V criteria: 38%). Parental stress is significantly associated with ADHD symptoms, sleep disorders, and GI symptoms. Comprehensive assessments considering both core symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders and associated comorbidities are crucial for more effective treatment strategies and improved wellbeing in affected individuals and their families.

Building community resilience requires centering equity in resilience planning processes. Tools and resources for strengthening community resilience need to address equity in both their content and the process for using them. This is especially so for communities living in proximity to contaminated lands that face compounding hazards (i.e., environmental, disaster, and climate-related); legacies of institutional or structural disenfranchisement; challenges with inclusion of minority populations in planning; and constraints on doing data-intensive planning and management in under-resourced and underserved jurisdictions. A research team from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing a new resource, the Equitable Resilience Builder, which will serve communities with intersecting social and environmental vulnerabilities, in pursuit of creating resilience plans and developing the intra-community connections to implement them. This article details how the team used human-centered design to develop the Equitable Resilience Builder. Our objective in doing so is to share the evolution of equity in the project and demonstrate key inflection points in the discovery, synthesis, and ideation phases of human-centered design. The team was able to expand their understanding of what it means to undertake resilience planning in an equitable way during engagements with state, local, tribal agencies, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and academia and through participatory workshops. It developed design principles for how the tool might use storytelling and other techniques to address emotions and trauma, ensure local voices are heard, and encourage relationship building. This article offers lessons learned for others seeking to address resilience and equity in climate risk management, particularly when working with communities in proximity to contaminated lands.

Abstract Background Median raphe cyst is usually benign and asymptomatic male genitalia lesions. Although uncommon, infection may be a complication. Case presentation We report the case of a 4-year-old child presented to the emergency department for a serpiginous and redness lesion extended from the basis of the penis until the perineum. An infected median raphe cyst was suspected, and the patient underwent surgical treatment and antibiotic therapy with complete resolution of symptoms. Liquid culture resulted positive for Serratia Marcescens. Conclusion Infection is a rare complication, especially in childhood. To prevent relapses and clinical symptoms, the majority of authors recommend surgical excision followed by primary closure. In case of infections caused by Serratia Marcescens, chronic granulomatous disease should always be rule out.

Abstract Background Neonatal infectious spondylodiscitis is a rare bony infection with atypical clinical presentation and non-specific systemic symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment are often delayed resulting in vertebral destruction and severe complications. We retrospectively reviewed the case of an infant with infectious spondylodiscitis resulting in T12 body destruction and marked angular kyphosis. Case-report A 4-week-old infant developed an infectious spondylodiscitis resulting in destruction of the T12 vertebral body and involvement of disc between T12 and L1. At 6 months of age, X-ray showed a marked thoracolumbar angular kyphosis above 50 Cobb degrees. Therefore, the patient underwent single time surgery with double anterior and posterior approach. At 9 years follow up, clinical and radiological findings show a stable correction with good aesthetic appearance. Conclusion Neonatal spondylodiscitis could lead to marked kyphosis similar to the congenital one. Since treatment with casts and tutors is often inefficacious, prompt surgery should be considered. The double anterior and posterior approach is the best option in this condition.

Periosteum is a highly vascularized membrane lining the surface of bones. It plays essential roles in bone repair following injury and reconstruction following invasive surgeries. To broaden the use of periosteum, including for augmenting in vitro bone engineering and/or in vivo bone repair, we have developed an ex vivo perfusion bioreactor system to maintain the cellular viability and metabolism of surgically resected periosteal flaps. Each specimen was placed in a 3D printed bioreactor connected to a peristaltic pump designed for the optimal flow rates of tissue perfusate. Nutrients and oxygen were perfused via the periosteal arteries to mimic physiological conditions. Biochemical assays and histological staining indicate component cell viability after perfusion for almost 4 weeks. Our work provides the proof-of-concept of ex vivo periosteum perfusion for long-term tissue preservation, paving the way for innovative bone engineering approaches that use autotransplanted periosteum to enhance in vivo bone repair.

Little is known about people’s preferred responses to norm violations across countries. Here, in a study of 57 countries, the authors highlight cultural similarities and differences in people’s perception of the appropriateness of norm violations.

BackgroundAlthough anxiety is highly represented in the medically ill and its occurrence has relevant clinical implications, it often remains undetected and not properly treated. This systematic review aimed to report on anxiety, either symptom or disorder, in patients who suffer from a medical illness.MethodsEnglish-language papers reporting on anxiety in medically ill adults were evaluated. PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched from inception to June 2021. Search term was “anxiety” combined using the Boolean “AND” operator with “medically ill/chronic illness/illness/disorder/disease.” Risk of bias was assessed via the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools—Checklist for Prevalence Studies. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.ResultsOf 100,848 citations reviewed, 329 studies met inclusion criteria. Moderate or severe anxious symptoms were common among patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, musculoskeletal system or connective tissue, dermatological diseases, cancer, AIDS and COVID-19 infections. The most common anxiety disorder was generalized anxiety disorder, observed among patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system, dermatologic diseases, cancer, primary aldosteronism, amenorrhea, and COVID-19 infection. Panic disorder was described for cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology diseases. Social anxiety was found for cardiovascular, respiratory, rheumatoid diseases. Specific phobias were relatively common in irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, end-stage renal disease.ConclusionAnxiety is a major challenge in medical settings. Recognition and proper assessment of anxiety in patients who suffer from a medical illness is necessary for an appropriate management. Future reviews are warranted in order also to clarify the causal and temporal relationship between anxiety and organic illness.

AimEmergency cases are uncommon events in the pediatric emergency setting. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by describing the number and type of pediatric emergency cases that arrived at the pediatric emergency department (PED) of a tertiary-level children’s hospital in Italy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study, collecting the main features of pediatric emergency patients who arrived during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–February 2021) compared to the pre-pandemic period (March 2016–February 2020).ResultsDuring the study period, 112,168 patients were visited at the PED, and 237 (0.21%) were emergency cases, median age of 4 years (IQR: 1–12). In the first year of the pandemic, 42 children were coded as emergency cases compared to 195 (49/year) during the pre-pandemic period. The proportion of emergency cases was stable (0.27% during the COVID-19 period versus 0.20% during the pre-COVID-19 period, p = 0.19). No differences were found regarding the age, gender, hour of arrival, and outcome of patients. We found a significant decrease in the proportion of emergency cases related to respiratory diseases (9/42, 21.4% during the COVID-19 period versus 83/195 during the pre-COVID-19 period (42.6%), p = 0.01).ConclusionIn conclusion, our data suggest that the pandemic had a more significant impact on respiratory emergency cases than on pediatric emergencies in general.

Calcium dynamics into astrocytes influence the activity of nearby neuronal structures. However, because previous reports show that astrocytic calcium signals largely mirror neighboring neuronal activity, current information coding models neglect astrocytes. Using simultaneous two-photon calcium imaging of astrocytes and neurons in the hippocampus of mice navigating a virtual environment, we demonstrate that astrocytic calcium signals encode (i.e., statistically reflect) spatial information that could not be explained by visual cue information. Calcium events carrying spatial information occurred in topographically organized astrocytic subregions. Importantly, astrocytes encoded spatial information that was complementary and synergistic to that carried by neurons, improving spatial position decoding when astrocytic signals were considered alongside neuronal ones. These results suggest that the complementary place dependence of localized astrocytic calcium signals may regulate clusters of nearby synapses, enabling dynamic, context-dependent variations in population coding within brain circuits. A combination of functional imaging of astrocytes and neurons in the mouse hippocampus with information theory analysis shows that calcium dynamics in topographically-organized subcellular regions of astrocytes encode information about an animal’s position that is complementary and synergistic to that encoded in the spike output of surrounding neurons.

Nuestro estudio es el primer análisis que muestra la tendencia de la distribución del bienestar en Cuba, en el periodo de las reformas económicas y sociales impulsadas por el presidente Raúl Castro. Los análisis revelan que el bienestar, premisa del desarrollo humano y medido como acceso a bienes y servicios fundamentales y no monetarios, ha aumentado, a pesar de la crisis económica; en tanto que las desigualdades en el acceso al bienestar han aumentado poco en el periodo 2006-2011 y han disminuido en el periodo siguiente, para llegar en 2014 a un nivel ligeramente inferior al de 2006.

Over the past few years, the possibility of modulating fast brain oscillatory activity in the gamma (γ) band through transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been discussed in the context of both cognitive enhancement and therapeutic scenarios. However, the effects of tACS targeting regions outside the motor cortex, as well as its spatial specificity, are still unclear. Here, we present a concurrent tACS-fMRI block design study to characterize the impact of 40 Hz tACS applied over the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in healthy subjects. Results suggest an increase in blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) activity in the targeted bilateral DLPFCs, as well as in surrounding brain areas affected by stimulation according to biophysical modeling, i.e., the premotor cortex and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, off-target effects were also observed, primarily involving the visual cortices, with further effects on the supplementary motor areas (SMA), left subgenual cingulate, and right superior temporal gyrus. The specificity of 40 Hz tACS over bilateral DLPFC and the possibility for network-level effects should be considered in future studies, especially in the context of recently promoted gamma-induction therapeutic protocols for neurodegenerative disorders.

The StimQ questionnaire is used to assess the home environment of children. The questionnaire is comprised of four subscales, and it was completed by the main caregiver. The items were different considering the band ages of the children: infants (5–12 months), toddlers (12–36 months), and preschoolers (36–72 months). The aim of the study was to translate, transculturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the StimQ. To achieve this goal, a sample of 142 children was recruited from different kindergartens. The mean age of the group was 30.63 (SD 19.56), and 112 of them were female. The main caregiver was the mother in 95% of the cases. The Cronbach’s alfa was excellent, considering the total score (0.82 for infants, 0.85 for toddlers, and 0.86 for preschoolers). Intrarater reliability was performed by administering the questionnaire after 48 h and by two different researchers. Both analyses showed an excellent reliability for the total score and all the subscales. The intrarater reliability was 0.99 for the infant, 1 for the toddler and 0.99 for the preschooler age groups. The interrater reliability was 0.95 for the infant, 0.93 for the toddler, and 0.97 for the preschooler age groups. The StimQ is a reliable questionnaire that could be helpful for clinicians and researchers who work with children in Italy.