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Lead is one of the key metals of the all-inorganic lead halide perovskites. This work tailors novel architectures of lead's coordination sphere using a β-diketone (H-hfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione) and a glyme (monoglyme, diglyme, triglyme, or tetraglyme) ligand. The coordination chemistry and thermal behaviour of these "Pb(hfa)2·glyme" adducts have been analysed through FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies provide evidence of the formation of a monomeric Pb(hfa)2·monoglyme structure. In order to validate the potentiality of these "Pb(hfa)2·glyme" precursors for the fabrication of Pb-based halide perovskites, a facile, one-step and low-temperature solution approach has been applied to prepare CsPbBr3 microcrystals with a process carried out in air under atmospheric pressure. Pure stoichiometric CsPbBr3 powders, obtained using Cs(hfa) and Br2 as cesium and bromide sources, respectively, show excellent stability under atmospheric conditions. Better results are obtained in terms of yield and stability from the diglyme and tetraglyme lead adducts. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) indicates a good uniform morphology of cubic grains, while the structure and the 1 : 1 : 3 stoichiometry of Cs : Pb : Br are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), respectively. Tauc plots derived from absorption spectroscopy point to optical energy band-gaps (Eg) in the 2.21–2.27 eV range, in agreement with literature data. The present research elucidates the potential of these novel "Pb(hfa)2·glyme" adducts as promising lead precursors for CsPbBr3 perovskite synthesis, paving the way for their implementation in various technological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women, constituting a major public health problem worldwide. Non-smallcell lung cancer accounts for 85%–90% of all lung cancers. We propose a compound that successfully fights tumor growth in vivo by targeting the enzyme GARS1. Experimental approach: We present an in-depth investigation of the mechanism through which Fraisinib [meso-(p-acetamidophenyl)-calix(4)pyrrole] affects the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. In a xenografted model of non-smallcell lung cancer, Fraisinib was found to reduce tumor mass volume without affecting the vital parameters or body weight of mice. Through a computational approach, we uncovered that glycyl-tRNA synthetase is its molecular target. Differential proteomics analysis further confirmed that pathways regulated by Fraisinib are consistent with glycyl-tRNA synthetase inhibition. Key results: Fraisinib displays a strong anti-tumoral potential coupled with limited toxicity in mice. Glycyl-tRNA synthetase has been identified and validated as a protein target of this compound. By inhibiting GARS1, Fraisinib modulates different key biological processes involved in tumoral growth, aggressiveness, and invasiveness. Conclusion and implications: The overall results indicate that Fraisinib is a powerful inhibitor of non-small-cell lung cancer growth by exerting its action on the enzyme GARS1 while displaying marginal toxicity in animal models. Together with the proven ability of this compound to cross the blood–brain barrier, we can assess that Fraisinib can kill two birds with one stone: targeting the primary tumor and its metastases “in one shot.” Taken together, we suggest that inhibiting GARS1 expression and/or GARS1 enzymatic activity may be innovative molecular targets for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy affecting men worldwide, and plant-based diets have been widely advocated for their health benefits. The aim of this study was to test the association between general, healthy, and unhealthy pro-vegetarian plant-based diets and PCa severity on 118 consecutive patients undergoing prostatectomy in a university hospital in Italy. Food frequency questionnaires were used to calculate scores for dietary patterns. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to test the associations. A general plant-based diet was not associated with cancer severity, while patients reporting a higher adherence to a healthy plant-based diet were less likely to have a more severe PCa (for medium/high vs. low-risk PCa, OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.88; for high vs. medium/low-risk PCa, OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.39). Patients resulting in higher adherence to an unhealthy plant-based diet were more likely to be diagnosed with more severe PCa (OR = 6.15, 95% CI: 1.70, 22.24). In conclusion, plant-based dietary patterns may have a different impact on PCa severity depending on the quality of the foods included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigates cancer in migrants in Southern Italy, who represent a neglected but vulnerable population. We used data from the Eastern Sicily Cancer Registry collected between 2004 and 2019 to compare the adjusted proportionate morbidity ratio for the most common cancer types in migrants and non-migrants, and we calculated the odds of migrant status for one cancer compared to all cancers. The migrants/non-migrants odds of cancer was 2.1%, with most cancers occurring in migrant women. We observed increased proportions in cervical and lung cancer, with higher odds of cervical cancer and lower odds of colorectal cancer in migrants. Measures should be implemented to enhance the access of migrants to prevention, early diagnosis and care for cancer. These interventions should account for the migrant's country of origin. Particular attention should be given to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and tobacco control to reduce the cancer burden in this population. Background: Migrants are a vulnerable and neglected population. We aimed at investigating cancer proportionate rates in migrants in Sicily, Southern Italy. Methods: We extracted data on new cancer cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2019 from the Eastern Sicily cancer registry. We compared the adjusted proportionate morbidity ratio (PMR) for the most common cancer types among migrants and non-migrants. We fitted multivariate logistic regression models comparing one cancer to all other cancers to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for migration status. The analysis was stratified by region of origin. Results: Overall, 4726 new cancer cases occurred in migrants between 2004 and 2019, 63.5% of those among women and 224,211 in non-migrants, including 54.5% among men, with odds for migrants/non-migrants of 2.1%. Migrants had an increased proportion of cervical (PMR = 2.68, 95% CI = 2.29–3.10) and lung cancer (PMR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.07–1.33). The highest OR in migrants was observed for cervical cancer (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = 2.99–4.20). Colorectal cancer was decreased among migrants (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77–0.96). Conclusions: Migrants to Sicily have higher odds of cervical cancer and a decreased risk of colorectal cancer compared to non-migrants. Increased odds were also detected for lung cancer, in particular in women. Different cancer patterns could be observed based on the region of origin. HPV-related cancers need targeted attention in migrants living in Sicily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary brain tumors (PBTs) account for approximately 2% of all cancers and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, only few epidemiological studies focus on PBTs in Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence, temporal trend, and survival rate of all PBTs in the province of Catania during the study period. Methods: All patients diagnosed with PBTs in the province of Catania during the 2003-2016 were identified through the local cancer registry. All cases were classified by histology according to 2007 WHO classification of central nervous system tumors, using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd edition codes. The incidence rate (IR) was calculated for all PBTs and by gender, histology, age-groups, and behavior. Trend analysis was performed using a piecewise log-linear model. Results: A total of 3,819 cases were identified with a female/male ratio of 1.45. The IR for all PBTs was 25.3/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 24.5–26.1). Most PBTs were nonmalignant (59.5%, IR = 15.0) with a female predominance. Conversely, malignant tumors (32.4%, IR = 8.2) were more common among men, with a female/male ratio of 0.9. The most frequently reported histology was meningioma (39.0%, IR = 9.8), followed by glioblastoma (11.6%, IR = 2.9). A peak of incidence was found in the 75–84 years age-group, with an IR of 77.6/100,000 person-years. Overall, no increase in incidence was observed along the study period. Conclusions: The IR of PBTs in the province of Catania is close to incidence reported worldwide. Further studies on risk factors are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Weight-related issues such as obesity, dieting and eating disorders in adolescents are major public health problems. Moreover, undertaking a diet tends to be common among school children and the reasons for doing so are not always related to weight status. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI), gender and self-esteem in the adoption of a diet in middle-school Sicilian children. Methods The survey included middle-school children in some Sicilian provinces. Weight status was determined by sex-specific body mass index for age according to the international BMI cut-off proposed by Cole. Classic chi-square test and linear trend chi-square were used to compare percentages. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were computed to study the risk of dieting according to weight status (with the underweight group as the reference group), gender, self-esteem adjusted for province. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) along with associated p-values were furnished. Results The survey showed that 45.2% of the children were of average-weight, 6.6% were underweight, 12.6% were overweight and 2.9% were clinically obese. The missing data were up to 32.8%. Regarding dieting, 26.3% of the children stated that they had been on a diet during the last three months, 56.4% claimed they had not, and 17.2% did not answer. Age was not associated with dieting (p = 0.76). More girls than boys had undertaken a diet (31.4% versus 21.4%, p < 0.0001). Self-esteem had an influence on the choice of following a diet; in fact, 40.8%, 28.5% and 20.9% of the children with negative, normal and positive self-esteem were following a diet (trend p < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis showed that self-esteem seemed to influence more girls than boys (p = 0.06), and stratified analysis by gender indicated that it seemed more influent in girls (p = 0.0008) than in boys (p = 0.01). Conclusions In addition to the relation between dieting and BMI, our results highlight the link between dieting, gender and self-esteem. We underline the importance of interventions within the context of health education in order to improve global self-esteem and to encourage proper eating habits to prevent weight-related health problems.

In the article, the author discusses the need to protect the job of soldiers under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) in the U.S. Other topics include the changing mission of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard under the Total Force Policy, and the case Staub v. Proctor Hospital on the Cat's Paw Doctrine.

Egg consumption has been an area of controversy regarding its impact on human health largely due to the content in cholesterol and its potential role in cardio-metabolic outcomes. This study aimed to summarise the level of evidence of egg consumption on various health outcomes. A systematic search for meta-analyses was performed: study design, dose-response relationship, heterogeneity and agreement of results over time, and identification of potential confounding factors were considered to assess the level of evidence. Results from this umbrella review showed a substantial no association between egg consumption and a number of health outcomes, including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. In contrast, evidence of possible beneficial effects toward stroke risk has been found. In conclusions, egg may be part of a healthy diet; however, additional studies exploring confounding factors are needed to ascertain the potential detrimental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence on consumption of dairy foods and human health is contradictory. This study aimed to summarize the level of evidence of dairy consumption on various health outcomes. A systematic search for meta-analyses was performed: study design, dose-response relationship, heterogeneity and agreement of results over time, and identification of potential confounding factors were considered to assess the level of evidence. Convincing and probable evidence of decreased risk of colorectal cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure and fatal stroke, respectively, was found for total dairy consumption; possible decreased risk of breast cancer, metabolic syndrome, stroke and type-2 diabetes, and increased risk of prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease was also found. Similar, yet not entirely consistent evidence for individual dairy products was reported. Among potential confounding factors, geographical localisation and fat content of dairy have been detected. In conclusions, dairy may be part of a healthy diet; however, additional studies exploring confounding factors are needed to ascertain the potential detrimental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]