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Despite the spread of novel-generation cochlear-implant (CI) magnetic systems, access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for CI recipients is still limited due to safety concerns. The aim of this study is to assess and record the experiences of Hires Ultra 3D (Advanced Bionics) recipients who underwent an MRI examination. A multicentric European survey about this topic was conducted focusing on safety issues, and the results were compared with the current literature. We collected a total of 65 MRI scans performed in 9 otologic referral centers for a total of 47 Hires Ultra 3D recipients, including, for the first time, 2 children and 3 teenagers. Preventive measures were represented by scanning time and sedation for children. Head wrapping was used in eight cases, and six of the eight cases received local anesthesia, even if both measures were not needed. Only three patients complained of pain (3/65 examinations, 4.6%) due to the tight head bandage, and one of the three cases required MRI scan interruption. No other adverse events were reported. We believe that these results should encourage MRI execution in accordance with manufacturer recommendations for Ultra 3D recipients.

Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) may experience delays in language and speech development. Reduced speech discrimination and poor sound localization abilities in young SSD patients may result in greater cognitive efforts required to focus and process auditory information, as well as increased listening-related fatigue. Consequently, these children can have a higher risk of academic failure and are often in need of extra help at school. Recently, cochlear implants (CIs) have been introduced as a rehabilitative option for these children, but their effectiveness is still a topic of debate. A literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching the Medline database from inception to October 2023. The research identified nine papers that met the inclusion criteria. Data extracted from the selected studies included 311 children affected by SSD and cochlear implants. The reported audiological outcomes were further analyzed. Overall, a high level of satisfaction was described by parents of children with SSD and CI, and those who received a CI under the age of 3 presented better results. However, a proportion of patients did not use the device daily. Our review highlights the possible, and still controversial, role of CI for the hearing rehabilitation of children with unilateral deafness, underlining the need for further research in this field. To date, careful and comprehensive counseling with the child and the family is necessary before considering this option.

Processing sustainability and the concept of zero waste discharge are of great interest for many industries. Every year, fruit and vegetable processing industries generate huge amounts of by-products, which are often intended for animal feed or discarded as waste, posing a problem to both environmental and economic points of view. However, to minimize the waste burden, the valorization of these residues received increased interest. In fact, fruit and vegetable by-products are an excellent source of valuable compounds, such as proteins, dietary fibers, lipids, minerals, vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and pigments, which can be recovered and reused, creating new business prospects from a circular economy perspective. Understanding the chemical characteristics of these materials is a key concern for their valorization and the identification of their most appropriate intended use. In this study, the phytochemical and functional properties of fruit and vegetable processing by-products (peel and pomace) were investigated. Samples of different plants (i.e., apple, black and orange carrot, cucumber, kumquat, mango, parsnip, peach, black plum) were analyzed using chemical analytical methods and characterized using Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR). The results highlighted their high nutritional composition in terms of protein, lipids, fiber, and ash, as well as bioactive and antioxidant profiles. These characteristics make these residues suitable as natural ingredients for the development of high-added-value products in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasounds used in phacoemulsification during cataract surgery on the corneal structure and morphology in patients over 65 years. We compared the outcomes of phacoemulsification techniques in terms of corneal cell morphology in 77 patients over 65 years old and 43 patients under 65 years old. Corneal cell density, central corneal thickness and hexagonality were measured preoperatively and post-surgery (at 1 and 4 weeks) by specular microscopy. The effect of gender, axial length and anterior chamber depth on the parameters of corneal endothelium were evaluated. In both groups, a progressive decrease in endothelial cells was observed, starting from the first week post-surgery until the fourth postoperative week. The central corneal thickness increased in both groups with maximum values at the first week postoperatively, while their initial values were restored in the fourth week post-surgery, with no statistical difference between groups. Statistically significant differences were noticed in terms of cell hexagonality in the group over 65, showing smaller hexagonality at all preoperative and postoperative time points compared to group under 65. Our result highlights the importance of routine specular microscopy performed before surgery, regardless the age of the patients, with caution and careful attention to the phaco power intensity, ultrasound energy consumption and intraoperative manipulation of instruments, as well as proper use of viscoelastic substances to reduce corneal endothelium damage, especially in elderly patients.

A relationship between microvascular disorders and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been widely proposed. The vascular hypothesis, theorized for the onset of sudden SNHL (SSNHL), is among the most acknowledged: a localized acute cochlear damage, of ischemic or haemorrhagic nature, could be considered a causative factor of SSNHL. The aim of this review is to assess (i) the effect on hearing in patients affected by blood coagulation disorders (prothrombotic or haemorrhagic) and (ii) the possible etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the related hearing loss. A PRISMA-compliant review was performed. Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases were searched from inception to 31 January 2023, and a total of 14 studies have been included in the review. The available data suggest that it is possible to consider clotting disorders as a potential condition at risk for sensorineural hearing loss; in particular, coagulation tests and eventually the assessment of genetic and acquired prothrombotic factors should be recommended in patients with SSNHL. Also, an audiological evaluation should be recommended for patients with blood coagulation disorders presenting cochlear symptoms, especially in those suffering from clotting diseases.

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, characterized by multiple subvariants including BA.1, XBB.1.5, EG.5, and JN.1, became the predominant strain in early 2022. Studies indicate that Omicron replicates less efficiently in lung tissue compared to the ancestral strain. However, the infectivity of Omicron in the gastrointestinal tract is not fully defined, despite the fact that 70% of COVID-19 patients experience digestive disease symptoms. Here, using primary human colonoids, we found that, regardless of individual variability, Omicron infects colon cells similarly or less effectively than the ancestral strain or the Delta variant. The variant induced limited type III interferon expression and showed no significant impact on epithelial integrity. Further experiments revealed inefficient cell-to-cell spread and spike protein cleavage in the Omicron spike protein, possibly contributing to its lower infectious particle levels. The findings highlight the variant-specific replication differences in human colonoids, providing insights into the enteric tropism of Omicron and its relevance to long COVID symptoms.

Levodopa–entacapone–carbidopa intestinal gel infusion is a relatively new treatment option for advanced Parkinson’s disease. We aimed to describe and analyze the characteristics of de novo levodopa–entacapone–carbidopa intestinal gel therapy in 20 consecutive patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. We assessed the profile of motor complications by evaluating the following: motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, and the freezing phenomenon at baseline (before the testing period) and before discharge. The treatment significantly reduced the duration of daily hours spent in off time compared with baseline pre-treatment values from a mean of 4.8 ± 0.9 h/day to a mean of 1.4 ± 0.5 h per day (p < 0.001). The duration and severity of peak-dose dyskinesia were also significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Out of the 10 patients who reported freezing, 8 did not present this complication at the pre-discharge assessment. Significant improvements were observed in Hoehn and Yahr scale scores in both the on and off states. The levodopa–entacapone–carbidopa intestinal gel therapy was well tolerated during the follow-up period immediately after initiation. Despite a relatively severe stage of the disease, all patients experienced a significant improvement in motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, and the freezing phenomenon.

The aim of this review is to investigate the state of the art among the association between Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and laryngomalacia, analyzing the epidemiology, the diagnostic tools, and the possible treatments available to affected patients. Laryngomalacia, characterized by the malacic consistency of the epiglottis with a tendency to collapse during inspiratory acts, producing a characteristic noise known as stridor, is a common condition in infants and particularly in those affected by prematurity, genetic diseases, craniofacial anomalies, and neurological problems. Congenital laryngomalacia, presenting with stridor within the first 15 days of life, is often self-limiting and tends to resolve by 24 months. OSA is not only a consequence of laryngomalacia but also exacerbates and perpetuates the condition. Currently, the treatments reported in the literature are based (i) on medical therapies (including watchful waiting) and (ii) on surgical treatments. Among the surgical techniques, the most described is supraglottoplasty, performed with the use of cold instruments, CO2 LASER, transoral robotic surgery, or the microdebrider.

Pomological traits are the major factors determining the quality and price of fresh fruits. This research was aimed to investigate the feasibility of using two hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems in the wavelength regions comprising visible to near infrared (VisNIR) (400−1000 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) (935−1720 nm) for predicting four strawberry quality attributes (firmness—FF, total soluble solid content—TSS, titratable acidity—TA, and dry matter—DM). Prediction models were developed based on artificial neural networks (ANN). The entire strawberry VisNIR reflectance spectra resulted in accurate predictions of TSS (R2 = 0.959), DM (R2 = 0.947), and TA (R2 = 0.877), whereas good prediction was observed for FF (R2 = 0.808). As for models from the SWIR system, good correlations were found between each of the physicochemical indices and the spectral information (R2 = 0.924 for DM; R2 = 0.898 for TSS; R2 = 0.953 for TA; R2 = 0.820 for FF). Finally, data fusion demonstrated a higher ability to predict fruit internal quality (R2 = 0.942 for DM; R2 = 0. 981 for TSS; R2 = 0.976 for TA; R2 = 0.951 for FF). The results confirmed the potential of these two HSI systems as a rapid and nondestructive tool for evaluating fruit quality and enhancing the product’s marketability.

The course of COVID-19 infection may be complicated by a variety of neurological manifestations. Since the inner ear is vulnerable to viruses, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been reported to occur following the SARS-CoV-2 infection, often resulting in long-term morbidity and worsening the quality of life. The interest in how the virus affects the inner ear has gradually increased since the pandemic’s spread, but little is still known about the SNHL potentially caused by SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the possible association between SNHL and COVID-19 infection, through a systematic literature review. Currently available data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may hamper cochlear function; however, available reports are still limited. Large cohort and prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of this viral infection in the inner ear.

Background: While gender differences of several diseases have been already described in the literature, studies in the area of hyperacusis are still scant. Despite the fact that hyperacusis is a condition that severely affects the patient’s quality of life, it is not well investigated; a comprehensive understanding of its features, eventually including gender differences, could be a valuable asset in developing clinical intervention strategies. Aim: To evaluate gender differences among subjects affected by hyperacusis. Methods: A literature search was conducted focused on adult patients presenting hyperacusis, using the MedLine bibliographic database. Relevant peer-reviewed studies, published in the last 20 years, were sought. A total of 259 papers have been identified, but only 4 met the inclusion criteria. The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: The four selected papers included data from 604 patients; of these, 282 subjects resulted as affected by hyperacusis (125 females and 157 males). Questionnaires for analyzing factors affecting the attentional, social and emotional variance of hyperacusis (such as VAS, THI, TSCH, MASH) were administered to all included subjects. The data suggest that there are no hyperacusis gender-specific differences in the assessed population samples. Conclusions: The literature data suggest that males and females exhibit a similar level of hyperacusis. However, in light of the subjective nature of this condition, the eventual set up of further tests to assess hyperacusis features could be very helpful in the near future.

Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital sensory disorders. It can be associated with several comorbidities, in particular developmental disabilities (DD). In Emilia-Romagna (ER), a region in Northern Italy, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide the diagnostic framework and treatment for these conditions. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss, both isolated or in association with comorbidities, in the juvenile population. The study draws its data from the ER Childhood and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Information System (SINPIAER), an Administrative Healthcare Database collecting the clinical data of all those who have attended CAMHS since 2010. The most frequent type of hearing loss was bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which was present in 69–72% of the cases, while bilateral conductive hearing loss was the second most common type, ranging from 8 to 10%. Among DD, congenital malformations, mental retardation, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy were the most common. In particular, autism spectrum disorders show increasing incidence and prevalence among CAMHS users in ER region. In-depth knowledge of hearing loss epidemiology and related conditions, such as developmental disabilities, in the juvenile population is crucial for disease prevention, health planning, and resource allocation.

Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) is an economically important aromatic herb; in Italy, approximately 1000 ha of “Genovese-type” basil are grown annually in greenhouses and open fields and are subjected to Downy Mildew (DM) disease, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, leading to huge crop losses. Mutation of the Susceptibility (S) gene DMR6 (Downy Mildew Resistant 6) has been proven to confer a broad-spectrum resistance to DM. In this work, an effective Genome Editing (GE) approach mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 in O. basilicum ‘Italiko’, the élite cultivar used to produce “Pesto Genovese D.O.P”, was developed. A highly efficient genetic transformation method mediated by A. tumefaciens has been optimized from cotyledonary nodes, obtaining 82.2% of regenerated shoots, 84.6% of which resulted in Cas9+ plants. Eleven T0 lines presented different type of mutations in ObDMR6; 60% were indel frameshift mutations with knock-out of ObDMR6 of ‘FT Italiko’. Analysis of six T1 transgene-free seedlings revealed that the mutations of T0 plants were inherited and segregated. Based on infection trials conducted on T0 plants, clone 22B showed a very low percentage of disease incidence after 14 days post infection. The aromatic profile of all in vitro edited plants was also reported; all of them showed oxygenated monoterpenes as the major fraction.

Background: The nose is a central component of the face, and it is fundamental to an individual’s recognition and attractiveness. The aim of this study is to present a review of the last twenty years literature on reconstructive techniques after oncological rhinectomy. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Google Scholar. “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA)” for scoping review was followed. Results: Seventeen articles regarding total rhinectomy reconstruction were finally identified in the English literature, with a total of 447 cases. The prostheses were the reconstructive choice in 213 (47.7%) patients, followed by local flaps in 172 (38.5%) and free flaps in 62 (13.8%). The forehead flap (FF) and the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) are the most frequently used flaps. Conclusions: This study shows that both prosthetic and surgical reconstruction are very suitable solutions in terms of surgical and aesthetic outcomes for the patient.

Background: In many countries, neonatal hearing screening programs (NHS) have been available for many years; however, because of the presence of hearing loss at late onset, early hearing detection programs (EHDP) have been implemented. The aim of this study was to evaluate all cases of infantile hearing loss under the care of two different provinces of a regional health service since the introduction of NHS. Methods: Clinical data (the presence of audiological risk factors, age at which children are placed under the care of health service, entity of hearing loss, treatment, and exposure to bilingualism) were retrospectively collected during the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2018, starting from the IT management system used in all of the regional neuropsychiatric services. Results: In total, 124 children were included—116 cases failed the screening, 1 case had an untraceable result, and 7 cases (5.6%) had hearing screening that passed. Most of the children were placed under the care of a neuropsychiatric infantile and adolescence (NPIA) service within the first year of life. The main differences across the two provinces concerned the percentages of audiological risk factors and the number of unilateral hearing loss cases. Conclusion: In order to plan and manage hearing rehabilitation programs for children in the best way, it is very important to know the local clinical-epidemiological features of the population.

This prospective pilot study aimed to evaluate whether cerebral inflow and outflow abnormalities assessed by ultrasonographic examination could be associated with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Twenty-four patients with recurrent BPPV, affected by at least two episodes, and diagnosed according to American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO–HNS) criteria, evaluated at our University Hospital, between 1 February 2020 and 30 November 2021, have been included. At the ultrasonographic examination, 22 of 24 patients (92%) reported one or more alterations of the extracranial venous circulation, among those considered for the diagnosis of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), although none of the studied patients were found to have alterations in the arterial circulation. The present study confirms the presence of alterations of the extracranial venous circulation in recurrent BPPV; these anomalies (such as stenosis, blockages or regurgitation of flow, or abnormal valves, as per the CCSVI) could cause a disruption in the venous inner ear drainage, hampering the inner ear microcirculation and then possibly causing recurrent otolith detachment.

Background and aim: Several viruses have previously been reported to be responsible for congenital hearing loss; therefore, since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 infection pandemic, various reports have investigated a possible link. The aim of this review is to assess the possible link between maternal COVID-19 infection and congenital hearing loss. Methods: This systematic review was performed using PRISMA criteria, searching Medline and Embase databases from March 2020 to February 2023. A total of 924 candidate papers were identified; however, considering the specific selection criteria, only nine were selected for additional analysis. Results: The overall number of children born from mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy identified through this review was 1687. The confirmed cases of hearing loss were 0.7% (12/1688); a description of its nature (sensorineural vs. conductive) is missing in the selected studies, and the follow-up period is variable across the analyzed papers. Surprisingly, a large proportion of false positives were recorded at the first stage of screening, which resulted normal at the re-test. Conclusions: Currently, a correlation between congenital hearing loss and SARS-CoV-2 infection cannot be definitively established. Further studies are desirable to provide additional evidence on this topic.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.; Fam. Lamiaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant with a high economic value used in folk medicine, pharmacology, and food production. In Italy, most of the varieties are used to produce the famous “pesto” sauce; however, almost all of them are susceptible to basil downy mildew (BDM) disease, strongly decreasing the growth of the fresh leaves and the survival of the whole plant. Nowadays, CRISPR/Cas9 technology is recognized to be a prominent way to enhance basil genetic breeding. In this work, we present an optimized protocol for in vitro direct regeneration of an elite cultivar, which is the major limiting factor for the transformation of O. basilicum. Regeneration has been obtained from different explants (leaves, cotyledons, cotyledonary nodes); the highest frequency has been obtained from cotyledonary nodes of seedlings germinated on MS medium containing TDZ. This protocol may be used for biotechnological applications as genome editing techniques to obtain basil-downy-mildew-disease-resistant clones.

Background. Defects of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) involved in the function of the mitochondrial electron transport chain can result in primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs). Various features can influence the phenotypes of different PMDs, with relevant consequences on clinical presentation, including the presence of hearing impairment. This paper aims to describe the hearing loss related to different PMDs, and when possible, their phenotype. Methods. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline until December 2022. A total of 485 papers were identified, and based on specified criteria, 7 were included in this study. Results. A total of 759 patients affected by PMDs and hearing loss were included. The age of patients ranged from 2 days to 78 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. The percentage of subjects affected by hearing loss was 40.8%, (310/759), and in most cases, hearing impairment was described as sensorineural, bilateral, symmetrical, and progressive, with different presentations depending on age and syndrome severity. Conclusions. PMDs are challenging conditions with different clinical phenotypes. Hearing loss, especially when bilateral and progressive, may represent a red flag; its association with other systemic disorders (particularly neuromuscular, ocular, and endocrine) should alert clinicians, and confirmation via genetic testing is mandatory nowadays.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of phacoemulsification cataract surgery on the state of the corneal endothelium in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients. We compared the corneal cell morphology in 48 diabetics with good glycemic control and 72 non-diabetic patients before and after uneventful phacoemulsification. Corneal cell density, central corneal thickness, and hexagonality were measured preoperatively and post-surgery (at 1 and 4 weeks) by specular microscopy. The effect of age, gender, axial length, and anterior chamber depth on the parameters of the corneal endothelium were evaluated. We noticed a drop in the endothelial density in both groups postoperatively: a mean endothelial cell loss of 472.7 ± 369.1 in the diabetic group was recorded versus 165.7 ± 214.6 mean loss in the non-diabetic group after the first week. A significant increase in central corneal thickness was also noticed in both groups one week after phacoemulsification, but no statistical significance after 4 weeks in the diabetic group. In terms of cell hexagonality, statistically significant differences were noticed after 4 weeks in both groups. Overall, a significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic population was noticed in terms of corneal endothelial cell loss after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Routine specular microscopy and HbA1c evaluation is recommended before cataract surgery, while intraoperative precautions and high monitorisation in terms of pacho power intensity and ultrasound energy, along with a proper application of the dispersive viscoelastic substances are essential to reduce the risk of endothelial damage.

Background. Otosclerosis can occur during childhood, resulting in the early onset of conductive hearing loss. The approach to a child with otosclerosis can present some difficulties in terms of diagnosis and treatment, and the literature on juvenile otosclerosis (JO) is still relatively limited. Aim. To explore the current approaches to JO, in order to clear the management of this condition and evaluate the outcomes and the possible complications of surgical treatment. Methods. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline and Embase from January 2002 through to 30 September 2022. A total of 759 papers were identified but based on specified criteria, nine were included in this study. Results. There were 94 children affected by JO and treated by stapes surgery. According to the available data, Male: Female ratio was 1:3–4, whilst the mean ages ranged from 10 to 16.3 years at the time of stapes surgery. After stapes surgery, the target of ABG < 10 dB was achieved in most of the patients. Overall, the 4 complications were reported (4/94= 4%): stenosis of the external ear canal, deterioration of hearing, anacusis with vertigo, tinnitus. Conclusions. The heterogeneity of the available studies does not allow us to draw straight conclusions on this topic, currently. More data about the natural history of the disease in children could help in approaching the treatment correctly, and possibly in drawing guidelines. Studies with a prolonged follow-up could be helpful for assisting clinicians and families in taking the most favorable decision about treatment.

Advanced Parkinson’s disease (APD) cannot be treated efficiently using the classical medications however, in recent decades invasive therapeutical methods were implemented and confirmed as effective. One of these methods makes it possible to continue the levodopa (LD) supplementation as a gel administered directly into the upper intestine. However, there are a number of unanswered questions regarding this method. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed a 10-year period of selected patients that were treated with levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG). We included all APD patients with motor fluctuations and dyskinesia at presentation. LCIG treatment was started in 150 patients: on average these patients received LD for 10.6 ± 4.4 years with a frequency of 5.2 ± 1.0/day until the introduction of LCIG. The estimated and the real LCIG dose differed significantly (mean: 1309 ± 321 mg vs. 1877 ± 769 mg). The mean duration of LCIG administration was 19.8 ± 3.6 h, but in a number of 62 patients we had to administer it for 24 h, to maximize the therapeutic benefit. A carefully and individually adjusted LCIG treatment improves the quality of life of APD patients, but questions remain unresolved even after treating a large number of patients. It is important to share the ideas and observations based on the real-life experience related to the optimal timing, the appropriate dose and duration of administration of the LCIG.

Nutritional and commercial value of the apricot fruits depends on the interaction among several factors, including the management strategies, the environmental conditions, and the genotype. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of orchard management and pedoclimatic conditions on apricot fruit quality traits (soluble solids, titratable acidity, dry matter and soluble solids and titratable acidity ratio) and phytochemical content (total phenolic content and antioxidant activity). Two apricot cultivars (Kioto* and Pieve*) were subjected to three different organic systems: (i) a standard management (BAU), (ii) an innovative diversified system with reduced tillage based on the natural cover conservation (INC) and (iii) an innovative diversified system with introduction of different cover crops (ICC), for two consecutive years (2019–2020). Overall, besides the effect of the climatic conditions, the multivariate analysis revealed the role of management systems, rather than genotype, on the quality of apricot fruits. In particular, INC soil management positively affected soluble solids, titratable acidity and dry matter parameters, especially in environments with low precipitation and high solar radiation (20.7 ± 1.7 g 100 g−1 FW, 19.9 ± 2.5 g MA 100 g−1 FW and 0.23 ± 0.2 g 100 g−1 FW respectively). In addition, the results indicate that ICC management showed the highest antioxidant values (1.45 ± 0.19 μg of Trolox equivalent (TE) 100 mg−1 FW), especially in the environment with high precipitation. This study was a useful tool for farmer to choose an effective organic system management in order to obtain fruits with high quality parameters.

Hydrolysis and butanolysis of lignocellulosic biomass are efficient routes to produce two valuable bio-based platform chemicals, levulinic acid and n-butyl levulinate, which find increasing applications in the field of biofuels and for the synthesis of intermediates for chemical and pharmaceutical industries, food additives, surfactants, solvents and polymers. In this research, the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the waste residue of Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon), remaining after seed removal for oil exploitation, was investigated. The cardoon residue was employed as-received and after a steam-explosion treatment which causes an enrichment in cellulose. The effects of the main reaction parameters, such as catalyst type and loading, reaction time, temperature and heating methodology, on the hydrolysis process were assessed. Levulinic acid molar yields up to about 50 mol % with levulinic acid concentrations of 62.1 g/L were reached. Moreover, the one-pot butanolysis of the steam-exploded cardoon with the bio-alcohol n-butanol was investigated, demonstrating the direct production of n-butyl levulinate with good yield, up to 42.5 mol %. These results demonstrate that such residual biomass represent a promising feedstock for the sustainable production of levulinic acid and n-butyl levulinate, opening the way to the complete exploitation of this crop.

Background: In the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease (APD), complex forms of dyskinesia may severely impair the patient’s quality of life. Objective: In the present study, we aimed to analyze the evolution under LCIG therapy of the most important motor fluctuations and complex disabling dyskinesias, including diphasic dyskinesia. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the characteristics of patients with APD who had at least 30 min of diphasic dyskinesia (DID) in 3 consecutive days, were considered responders and were treated with LCIG in our clinic. Patients were evaluated before and after PEG and at 6, 12 and 18 months, when the changes in the therapy were recorded, and they completed a 7-point Global Patient Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Results: Forty patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria—out of which, 34 performed all visits. There was a substantial difference between the calculated and real LCIG (1232 ± 337 mg vs. 1823 ± 728 mg). The motor fluctuations and most dyskinesias improved significantly after starting LCIG, but an increasing number of patients needed longer daily administrations of LCIG (24 instead of 16 h). Conclusions: Patients with APD with complex dyskinesias must be tested in dedicated hospitals, and they need a special therapeutic approach. The properly adapted LCIG treatment regarding the dose and time of administration completed with well-selected add-on medication should offer improvement for patients who want to or can only choose this DAT vs. others.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide despite recent progress in treatment strategies. Though immune checkpoint inhibition has proven effective for a number of other tumors, it offers benefits in only a small group of CRC patients with high microsatellite instability. In general, heterogenous cell groups in the tumor microenvironment are considered as the major barrier for unveiling the causes of low immune response. Therefore, deconvolution of cellular components in highly heterogeneous microenvironments is crucial for understanding the immune contexture of cancer. In this review, we assimilate current knowledge and recent studies examining anti-tumor immunity in CRC. We also discuss the utilization of novel immune contexture assessment methods that have not been used in CRC research to date.

Background. Data in the literature report that a number of studies have attempted to identify the exact location of the cortical olfaction representation, searching for evidence suggesting that sniffing odors can initiate a primary activation of the piriform cortex and the insula. Nowadays, due to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak, the functional study of the olfactory system could offer a better understanding of the physiopathology of olfactory perception, elucidating better the possible site(s) of damage induced by the COVID-19 infection. The aim of this paper was to evaluate brain maps generated from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data, collected from healthy individuals in response to the same olfactory stimulus. Methods. A total of 45 healthy volunteers, without history and/or no clinical signs of sinonasal disease and without history and/or presence of olfactory dysfunction underwent fMRI assessment. Subjects were presented with the same odorous stimuli at specific intervals. fMRI generated brain maps were used in the identification of different cortical areas, involved in the stimuli perception. Results. The fMRI brain maps showed that odorous stimuli activate primarily the left anterior insula (in 35/45 cases or 77.8%). Other activated areas include: the low temporal gyri, the middle and superior temporal gyri, the frontal and piriform cortex, the anterior cingulate gyrus, the parahippocampal gyrus, the temporopolar area, the para-insular area, the subcentral area, the supramarginal gyrus, the occipital cortex and the cerebellum. Conclusions. fMRI resulted as a safe and reliable means to study the perception of olfaction in the cortex. The data of this study suggest that the anterior insula is the main stimulated area when olfactory stimuli are present. This area is always activated, despite the hand and nostril dominance.

Background. Previous studies reported human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in middle ear tumors, whereas these viruses have been poorly investigated in chronic inflammatory middle ear diseases. We investigated HPVs in non-tumor middle ear diseases, including chronic otitis media (COM). Methods. COM specimens (n = 52), including chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (n =38) and cholesteatoma (COMC) (n = 14), as well as normal middle ear (NME) specimens (n = 56) were analyzed. HPV sequences and DNA loads were analyzed by quantitative-PCR. HPV genotyping was performed by direct sequencing. Results. HPV DNA was detected in 23% (12/52) of COM and in 30.4% (17/56) of NME (p > 0.05). Specifically, HPV DNA sequences were found in 26.3% (10/38) of CSOM and in 14.3% (2/14) of COMC (p > 0.05). Interestingly, the HPV DNA load was higher in COMC (mean 7.47 copy/cell) than in CSOM (mean 1.02 copy/cell) and NME (mean 1.18 copy/cell) (P = 0.03 and P = 0.017 versus CSOM and NME, respectively). HPV16 and HPV18 were the main genotypes detected in COMC, CSOM and NME. Conclusions. These data suggest that HPV may infect the middle ear mucosa, whereas HPV-positive COMCs are associated with higher viral DNA loads as compared to NME.