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Background: pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) affects one in 3000 pregnancies, often presenting with aggressive features. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 282 young BC patients (≤45 years old) treated between 1995 and 2019, dividing them into three groups: nulliparous women, women with PABC (diagnosed within 2 years since last pregnancy) and women with BC diagnosed > 2 years since last pregnancy. This last group was further stratified according to the time between pregnancy and BC. The analysis encompassed histological factors (tumor size, histotype, grading, nodal involvement, multifocality, lympho-vascular invasion, hormone receptor expression, Ki-67 index, and HER2 expression), type of surgery and recurrence. Results: Age at diagnosis was younger in nulliparous than in parous women (p < 0.001). No significant differences were noticed regarding histological characteristics and recurrences. At univariate analysis, nodal involvement (OR = 2.4; p < 0.0001), high tumor grade (OR = 2.6; p = 0.01), and lympho-vascular invasion (OR = 2.3; p < 0.05), but not pregnancy (OR = 0.8; p = 0.30), influenced DFS negatively. Multivariate analysis confirmed nodal involvement as the only negative independent prognostic factor for a worse DFS (OR = 2.4; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: in our experience, pregnancy is not an independent adverse prognostic factor for BC DFS.

Frailty in cirrhosis or advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) is a relevant prognostic factor. In the present study, we aimed to analyze potential biomarkers associated with frailty and its improvement in patients with ACLD. We analyzed the serum of outpatients with ACLD who participated in a previous study (Román, Hepatol Commun 2024) in which frailty was assessed using the liver frailty index (LFI), and patients who were frail or prefrail were randomized to a multifactorial intervention (home exercise, branched-chain amino acids, and probiotics) or control for 12 months. We determined a biomarker battery of inflammation, bacterial translocation, and liver damage in blood and urine and blood metabolomics by 1H-NMR. Thirty-seven patients were included. According to the LFI, 32 patients were frail or prefrail, and 5 were robust. At baseline, LFI correlated with LBP, sCD163, mtDNA, FGF-21, urinary NGAL, urinary claudin-3, and the metabolites mannose, ethanol, and isoleucine. During the study, patients in the intervention group showed an improvement in LFI and a decrease in CRP, LBP, sCD163, and ccK18 compared to the control group. Metabolomics showed a decrease in dimethyl sulfone and creatinine and an increase in malonate, ornithine, isoleucine, and valine in the intervention group. We conclude that frailty in patients with ACLD is associated with biomarkers of systemic inflammation, bacterial translocation, and liver damage, and alterations of amino acid and short-chain fatty acid metabolism.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal form of gynecologic cancer, with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Epigenetic factors, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and DNA methylation, play pivotal roles in cancer progression, yet their specific contributions to HGSOC remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we performed comprehensive high-throughput analyses to identify dysregulated miRNAs in HGSOC and investigate their epigenetic regulation. Analysis of tissue samples from advanced-stage HGSOC patients revealed 20 differentially expressed miRNAs, 11 of which were corroborated via RT-qPCR in patient samples and cancer cell lines. Among these, miR-145-3p was consistently downregulated post-neoadjuvant therapy and was able to distinguish tumoural from control tissues. Further investigation confirmed that DNA methylation controls MIR145 expression. Functional assays showed that overexpression of miR-145-3p significantly reduced cell migration and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by modulating the cyclin D1-CDK4/6 pathway. These findings suggest that miR-145-3p downregulation enhances cell proliferation and motility in HGSOC, implicating its restoration as a potential therapeutic target focused on G1/S phase regulation in the treatment of HGSOC.

In a recent contribution, we identified possible points of contact between the asymptotically safe and canonical approaches to quantum gravity. The idea is to start from the reduced phase space (often called relational) formulation of canonical quantum gravity, which provides a reduced (or physical) Hamiltonian for the true (observable) degrees of freedom. The resulting reduced phase space is then canonically quantized, and one can construct the generating functional of time-ordered Wightman (i.e., Feynman) or Schwinger distributions, respectively, from the corresponding time-translation unitary group or contraction semigroup, respectively, as a path integral. For the unitary choice, that path integral can be rewritten in terms of the Lorentzian Einstein–Hilbert action plus observable matter action and a ghost action. The ghost action depends on the Hilbert space representation chosen for the canonical quantization and a reduction term that encodes the reduction of the full phase space to the phase space of observables. This path integral can then be treated with the methods of asymptotically safe quantum gravity in its Lorentzian version. We also exemplified the procedure using a concrete, minimalistic example, namely Einstein–Klein–Gordon theory, with as many neutral and massless scalar fields as there are spacetime dimensions. However, no explicit calculations were performed. In this paper, we fill in the missing steps. Particular care is needed due to the necessary switch to Lorentzian signature, which has a strong impact on the convergence of “heat” kernel time integrals in the heat kernel expansion of the trace involved in the Wetterich equation and which requires different cut-off functions than in the Euclidian version. As usual we truncate at relatively low order and derive and solve the resulting flow equations in that approximation.

Hostelry establishments face the challenge of devising a table and chair allocation for accommodating their customers on a daily basis. This problem scales significantly with the introduction of constraints, such as scenario obstacles or the requirement of a minimum distance separation. The TLP (Table Location Problem) and the CLP (Chair Location Problem) are NP-Hard complexity problems that aim to attain the optimal table and chair distribution for certain applications. Existing approaches to this problem fail to address both the TLP and CLP simultaneously, thus resulting in suboptimal solutions achieved by imposing optimization constraints. Therefore, in this paper, a sequential optimization methodology based on a GBLS MA (Gradient-Based Local Search Memetic Algorithm) optimizations is proposed for optimizing the table and chair disposition simultaneously while also considering scenario and distancing restrictions. The proposed methodology is then implemented into a realistic establishment, where different optimization strategies within the CLP are compared. Results prove the viability and flexibility of the proposed sequential optimization for complex hostelry scenarios.

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU), also known as hydroxycarbamide, is an oral ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. In 1999, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved HU for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Since then, it has become the cornerstone in the management of SCD patients, helping to reduce vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, the need for blood transfusions, hospitalizations and mortality. There is considerable variability among individuals in HU pharmacokinetic (Pk) parameters that can influence treatment efficacy and toxicity. The objective of this work is part of a clinical study aimed at investigating HU Pk and determining the optimal sampling time to estimate the Area Under the Curve (AUC) in SCD patients. Methods: HU plasma concentration in 80 patients at various time points (2, 4, 6, 24 h) following a 48-h drug washout was quantified using High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with an ultraviolet (UV) detection method previously described in the literature and adapted to new conditions with partial modifications. Results: The mean HU administered dose was 19.5 ± 5.1 mg/kg (range: 7.7–37.5 mg/kg). The median AUC quantified in plasma patients was 101.3 mg/L/h (Interquartile Range (IQR): 72.5–355.9) and it was not influenced by the weight-based dose. However, there was a strong positive correlation between AUC and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as dose per Body Surface Area (BSA). Along with a three-point approach for AUC determination present in the literature, we show results obtained from a four-point sampling strategy, which is more useful and effective for better optimizing dose escalation to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Moreover, we observed that most patients achieved the maximum HU plasma concentration two hours after drug administration, regardless of age differences. Conclusions: HU treatment, which represents a milestone in the treatment of SCD due to its ability to reduce disease complications and improve patients’ quality of life, requires careful monitoring to optimize the individual dose for saving potential side effects and/or adverse events.

This paper presents a 3D-printed fully dielectric bi-material reflectarray with bandgap characteristics for multi-band applications. To achieve bandgap characteristics, a “1D Bragg reflector” unit cell is used. The latter is a layered structure characterized by a spatial distribution of refractive index that varies periodically along one dimension. By appropriately selecting the dimensions, the bandgap can be shifted to cover the desired frequency bands. To validate this bandgap characteristic, a (121.5 mm × 121.5 mm) with an f/D ratio of 0.5 reflectarray was fabricated. The measured gain at 27 GHz is 27.22 dBi, equivalent to an aperture efficiency of 35.05%, demonstrating good agreement between simulated and measured performances within the frequency range of 26–30 GHz. Additionally, the transparency of the reflectarray was verified by measuring the transmission coefficient, which exhibited a high level of transparency of 0.32 dB at 39 GHz. These features make the proposed reflectarray a good candidate for multi-band frequency applications.

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has become a popular technique for assessing food quality due to its advantages over complex chemical analysis methods. However, the application of NIR spectroscopy for evaluating fish quality based on urea content has not been extensively explored. This study investigates the use of NIR spectroscopy in combination with machine learning (ML) techniques to classify fish samples into two safety classes—Safe and Unsafe—based on their urea content. A comprehensive NIR dataset comprising 11,960 spectra collected from eight distinct positions within the fish body was obtained from 299 fish samples of mackerel, tuna, and pompano species. ML experiments were conducted to classify fish samples based on whether their urea content exceeded the permissible limit of 1000 ppm. To address class imbalance and optimize ML models, various data pre-processing and feature extraction techniques, as well as ML algorithms, were explored. The results demonstrated that utilizing NIR data specifically obtained from the outer skin of the stomach yielded superior models for fish safety classification. A feature extraction method employing pre-processed NIR spectra and their first derivatives, combined with an optimized convolutional neural network architecture, outperformed traditional ML classifiers, achieving an accuracy of up to 83.9%.

Fuel cell systems often utilize a hydrogen recirculation system to redirect and transport surplus hydrogen back to the anode, which enhances fuel consumption and boosts the efficiency of the fuel cell. Hydrogen recirculation pumps and ejectors are the most investigated systems. Ejectors are gaining recognition as an essential device in fuel cell systems. However, their application in hydrogen recirculation systems is often limited by a narrow operational range. Therefore, it is advantageous to compile the present condition of the study on various ejector shapes as well as configurations that can accommodate a broader operational range, along with the numerical simulations employed in these studies. This paper begins by examining the structure and operation of ejectors. It then compares and analyzes the latest advancements in research on ejector-based hydrogen recirculation systems with extended operating ranges and reviews the details of numerical simulations of ejectors, which are crucial for the development of innovative and efficient ejectors. This study provides key insights and recommendations for integrating hydrogen ejectors into the hydrogen cycle system of fuel cell engines.

Intracellular bacterial pathogens pose significant public health challenges due to their ability to evade immune defenses and conventional antibiotics. Drug repurposing has recently been explored as a strategy to discover new therapeutic uses for established drugs to combat these infections. Utilizing high-throughput screening, bioinformatics, and systems biology, several existing drugs have been identified with potential efficacy against intracellular bacteria. For instance, neuroleptic agents like thioridazine and antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine have shown effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Furthermore, anticancer drugs including tamoxifen and imatinib have been repurposed to induce autophagy and inhibit bacterial growth within host cells. Statins and anti-inflammatory drugs have also demonstrated the ability to enhance host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The review highlights the complex mechanisms these pathogens use to resist conventional treatments, showcases successful examples of drug repurposing, and discusses the methodologies used to identify and validate these drugs. Overall, drug repurposing offers a promising approach for developing new treatments for bacterial infections, addressing the urgent need for effective antimicrobial therapies.

The prediction of separated flows at low Reynolds numbers is crucial for several applications in aerospace and energy fields. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations are widely used but their accuracy is limited in the presence of transition or separation. In this work, two different strategies for improving RANS simulations by means of field inversion are discussed. Both strategies require solving an optimization problem to identify a correction field by minimizing the error on some measurable data. The obtained correction field is exploited with two alternative strategies. The first strategy aims to the identification of a relation that allows to express the local correction field as a function of some local flow features. However, this regression can be difficult or even impossible because the relation between the assumed input variables and the local correction could not be a function. For this reason, an alternative is proposed: a U-Net model is trained on the original and corrected RANS results. In this way, it is possible to perform a prediction with the original RANS model and then correct it by means of the U-Net. The methodologies are evaluated and compared on the flow around the NACA0021 and the SD7003 airfoils.

Timely forecast of atmospheric pollutants fallout due to accidental fires can provide decision-makers with useful information for effective emergency response, for planning environmental monitoring and for conveying essential alerts to the population to minimize health risks. The SAPERI project (Accelerated simulation of accidental releases in the atmosphere on heterogeneous platforms—from its Italian initials) implements a modeling chain to quickly supply evidence about the dispersion of pollutants accidentally released in the atmosphere, even in the early stages of the emergency when full knowledge of the incident details is missing. The SAPERI modeling chain relies on SPRAY-WEB, a Lagrangian particle dispersion model openly shared for research purposes, parallelized on a GPU to take advantage of local or cloud computing resources and interfaced with open meteorological forecasts made available by the Meteo Italian SupercompuTing PoRtAL (MISTRAL) consortium over Italy. The operational model provides a quantitative and qualitative estimate of the impact of the emergency event by means of a maximum ground level concentration and a footprint map. In this work, the SAPERI modeling chain is tested in a real case event that occurred in Beinasco (Torino, Italy) in December 2021, mimicking its use with limited or missing local input data as occurs when an alert message is first issued. An evaluation of the meteorology forecast is carried out by comparing the wind and temperature fields obtained from MISTRAL with observations from weather stations. The concentrations obtained from the dispersion model are then compared with the observations at three air quality monitoring stations impacted by the event.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with unknown etiology, resulting in various impairments that necessitate continuous rehabilitation to enhance functionality, quality of life, and motor function, including through Virtual Reality (VR) therapy. Comparing tasks in virtual environments and their potential skill transfer to real-world settings could aid in optimizing treatment programs to improve motor performance in individuals with MS. This study aimed to determine whether practicing acquisition and retention phases using two distinct interfaces (concrete—Touch Screen or abstract—Kinect system) affects performance in a subsequent task using a different interface (transfer phase). A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 56 volunteers with MS and 41 controls. Participants engaged in a computer game where they burst as many bubbles as possible within 10 s per attempt. After the acquisition and retention phases, all participants switched interfaces (e.g., those using Kinect switched to Touchscreen and vice versa). Significant performance improvements were observed in both groups during the acquisition phase, which were maintained in the retention phase. Although the abstract interface was more challenging for both groups, only the MS group that practiced with the abstract interface successfully transferred their improvements to the concrete interface. Thus, despite the increased difficulty of the abstract task during practice, it led to better performance transfer when required to complete a subsequent concrete task, suggesting that abstract devices may be beneficial in clinical practice for improving motor function in people with MS.

A “watch and wait” strategy, delaying treatment until active disease manifests, is adopted for most CLL cases; however, prognostic models incorporating biomarkers have shown to be useful to predict treatment requirement. In our prospective O-CLL1 study including 224 patients, we investigated the predictive role of 513 microRNAs (miRNAs) on time to first treatment (TTFT). In the context of this study, six well-established variables (i.e., Rai stage, beta-2-microglobulin levels, IGVH mutational status, del11q, del17p, and NOTCH1 mutations) maintained significant associations with TTFT in a basic multivariable model, collectively yielding a Harrell’s C-index of 75% and explaining 45.4% of the variance in the prediction of TTFT. Concerning miRNAs, 73 out of 513 were significantly associated with TTFT in a univariable model; of these, 16 retained an independent relationship with the outcome in a multivariable analysis. For 8 of these (i.e., miR-582-3p, miR-33a-3p, miR-516a-5p, miR-99a-5p, and miR-296-3p, miR-502-5p, miR-625-5p, and miR-29c-3p), a lower expression correlated with a shorter TTFT, whereas in the remaining eight (i.e., miR-150-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-28-5p, miR-144-5p, miR-671-5p, miR-1-3p, miR-193a-3p, and miR-124-3p), the higher expression was associated with shorter TTFT. Integrating these miRNAs into the basic model significantly enhanced predictive accuracy, raising the Harrell’s C-index to 81.1% and the explained variation in TTFT to 63.3%. Moreover, the inclusion of the miRNA scores enhanced the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and the net reclassification index (NRI), underscoring the potential of miRNAs to refine CLL prognostic models and providing insights for clinical decision-making. In silico analyses on the differently expressed miRNAs revealed their potential regulatory functions of several pathways, including those involved in the therapeutic responses. To add a biological context to the clinical evidence, an miRNA–mRNA correlation analysis revealed at least one significant negative correlation between 15 of the identified miRNAs and a set of 50 artificial intelligence (AI)-selected genes, previously identified by us as relevant for TTFT prediction in the same cohort of CLL patients. In conclusion, the identification of specific miRNAs as predictors of TTFT holds promise for enhancing risk stratification in CLL to predict therapeutic needs. However, further validation studies and in-depth functional analyses are required to confirm the robustness of these observations and to facilitate their translation into meaningful clinical utility.

Irradiations at Ultra-High Dose Rate (UHDR) regimes, exceeding 40 Gy/s in single fractions lasting less than 200 ms, have shown an equivalent antitumor effect compared to conventional radiotherapy with reduced harm to normal tissues. This work details the hardware and software modifications implemented to deliver 10 MeV UHDR electron beams with a linear accelerator Elekta SL 18 MV and the beam characteristics obtained. GafChromic EBT XD films and an Advanced Markus chamber were used for dosimetry characterization, while a silicon sensor assessed the machine’s beam pulses stability and repeatability. The dose per pulse, average dose rate and instantaneous dose rate in the pulse were evaluated for four experimental settings, varying the source-to-surface distance and the beam collimation, i.e., with and without the use of a cylindrical applicator. The results showed a dose per pulse from 0.6 Gy to a few tens of Gy and an average dose rate up to 300 Gy/s. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility to perform in vitro radiobiology experiments and test new technologies for beam monitoring and dosimetry at the upgraded LINAC, thus contributing to the electron UHDR research field.

Legume flours are an increasingly popular food ingredient. Thermal treatments applied prior to milling legumes and granulometry can modify flour properties, altering sensory, digestibility and functional attributes. Raw and treated (soaked and cooked) lentil flours of different granulometry were produced. The applied treatment resulted in an increase in fiber content (25.4 vs. 27.6% for raw and treated lentil flour, respectively) and water absorption capacity. It also led to a decrease in ash content (3.3 vs. 1.8% for raw and treated, respectively) and a darker flour. Treated lentil flour was mainly composed of fractions of high granulometry, which could be beneficial for products where a lower glycemic index is sought, as they demonstrated higher fiber and lower carbohydrate content than the finer fractions. Treated flour may be used as an ingredient in the development of raw products, including beverages and desserts, due to its reduced anti-nutritional compounds’ content and enhanced organoleptic aspects. The obtained results allow an in-depth characterization of raw and treated lentils flour with different particle sizes to consider a formal and complete standardization of these flours and for understanding their utility and specific food applications.

Communication and social interaction have been limited during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to check if 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children manifest alterations in oral language according to their stage of language development. To carry it out, the Induced Phonological Register developed by Monfort and Juárez was applied to analyze 150 participants (77 boys and 73 girls) with an average age of 4 years and 6 months. Children who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic for an extended period show a delay in the acquisition of some phonemes compared to children who undergo typical phonological development as specified by Laura Bosch (2003) regarding language development for Spanish children. Likewise, they present a higher number of erroneous words and phonemes than expected for their age.

Nowadays, additive manufacturing technologies have impacted different engineering sectors. Three- and four-dimensional printing techniques are increasingly used in soft and flexible electronics thanks to the possibility of working contemporarily with several materials on various substrates. The materials portfolio is wide, as well as printing processes. Shape memory polymers, together with composites, have gained great success in the electronic field and are becoming increasingly popular for fabricating pH, temperature, humidity, and stress sensors that are integrated into wearable, stretchable, and flexible devices, as well as for the fabrication of communication devices, such as antennas. Here, we report an overview of the state of the art about the application of 4D printing technologies and smart materials in electronics.

The RASopathies are a group of syndromes caused by genetic variants that affect the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, which is essential for cell response to diverse stimuli. These variants functionally converge towards the overactivation of the pathway, leading to various constitutional and mosaic conditions. These syndromes show overlapping though distinct clinical presentations and share congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and lymphatic dysplasia as major clinical features, with highly variable prevalence and severity. Available treatments have mainly been directed to target the symptoms. However, repurposing MEK inhibitors (MEKis), which were originally developed for cancer treatment, to target evolutive aspects occurring in these disorders is a promising option. Animal models have shown encouraging results in treating various RASopathy manifestations, including HCM and lymphatic abnormalities. Clinical reports have also provided first evidence supporting the effectiveness of MEKi, especially trametinib, in treating life-threatening conditions associated with these disorders. Nevertheless, despite notable improvements, there are adverse events that occur, necessitating careful monitoring. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that multiple pathways can contribute to these disorders, indicating a current need to more accurate understand of the underlying mechanism of the disease to apply an effective targeted therapy. In conclusion, while MEKi holds promise in managing life-threatening complications of RASopathies, dedicated clinical trials are required to establish standardized treatment protocols tailored to take into account the individual needs of each patient and favor a personalized treatment.

MEMS devices are more and more commonly used as sensors, actuators, and microfluidic devices in different fields like electronics, opto-electronics, and biomedical engineering. Traditional fabrication technologies cannot meet the growing demand for device miniaturisation and fabrication time reduction, especially when customised devices are required. That is why additive manufacturing technologies are increasingly applied to MEMS. In this review, attention is focused on the Italian scenario in regard to 3D-printed MEMS, studying the techniques and materials used for their fabrication. To this aim, research has been conducted as follows: first, the commonly applied 3D-printing technologies for MEMS manufacturing have been illustrated, then some examples of 3D-printed MEMS have been reported. After that, the typical materials for these technologies have been presented, and finally, some examples of their application in MEMS fabrication have been described. In conclusion, the application of 3D-printing techniques, instead of traditional processes, is a growing trend in Italy, where some exciting and promising results have already been obtained, due to these new selected technologies and the new materials involved.

Automatic control of robots with flexible links has been a pivotal subject in control engineering and robotics due to the challenges posed by vibrations during repetitive movements. These vibrations affect the system’s performance and accuracy, potentially causing errors, wear, and failures. LQR control is a common technique for vibration control, but determining the optimal weight matrices [Q] and [R] is a complex and crucial task. This paper proposes a methodology based on genetic algorithms to define the [Q] and [R] matrices according to design requirements. MATLAB and Simulink, along with data provided by Quanser, will be used to model and evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The process will include testing and iterative adjustments to optimize performance. The work aims to improve the control of robots with flexible links, offering a methodology that allows for the design of LQR control under the design requirements of controllers used in classical control through the use of genetic algorithms.

Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), a serious infection in newborns within 3 days, is challenging to diagnose. The current methods often lack accuracy, leading to unnecessary antibiotics or delayed treatment. This study investigates the role of the frozen section examination of placental membranes and umbilical cord (FSMU) to improve EONS diagnosis in the daily lab practice. This retrospective study reviewed data from 59 neonates with EONS risk factors who underwent FSMU according to our institutional protocol. Concordance between the FSMU and the Final Pathological Report (FPR) was assessed. The FSMU demonstrated a high concordance (Kappa = 0.88) for funisitis diagnosis, with excellent accuracy (98.3%). A moderate concordance was observed for chorioamnionitis stage and grade. The FSMU shows promise as a rapid and accurate tool for diagnosing EONS, particularly for funisitis. This study suggests that the FSMU could be a valuable tool for EONS diagnosis, enabling a more judicious antibiotic use and potentially improving outcomes for newborns.

The prediction and prevention of landslide hazard is a challenging topic involving the assessment and quantitative evaluation of several elements: geological and geomorphological setting, rainfalls, and ground motion. This paper presents the multi-approach investigation of the Nevissano landslide (Asti Province, Piedmont, NW Italy). It shows a continuous and slow movement, alongside few paroxysmal events, the last recorded in 2016. The geological and geomorphological models were defined through a field survey. An inventory of the landslide’s movements and rainfall records in the period 2000–2016 was performed, respectively, through archive investigations and the application of “Moving Sum of Daily Rainfall” method, allowing for the definition of rain thresholds for the landslide activation (105 mm and 193 mm, respectively, in 3 and 30 days prior to the event). The displacements over the last 8 years (2016–2023) were monitored through an innovative in-continuum monitoring inclinometric system and Earth Observation (EO) data (i.e., relying on Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, or InSAR data): it gave the opportunity to validate the rainfall thresholds previously defined. This study aims to provide information to public authorities for the appropriate management of the site. Moreover, the proposed workflow could be adopted as a guideline for investigating similar situations.

This article centers around the early translation of the term Li 礼 in the Analects of Confucius (论语). This Latin translation shows that the interpretation of the Confucian term Li 礼 mostly did not include any religious meaning. This article also centers on the personal formation of the Jesuits of that time. Taking Michele Ruggieri as reference, this article details how studies based on the Latin Classics (especially Cicero) provided them with a reference to interpret this term as unrelated to religious worship. When the Jesuits arrived in China, at the end of the Ming dynasty, strong emphasis was given to the proper etiquette towards state officials. This in turn derived from the situation in the imperial court. In this historical environment, the Confucian rites (Li 礼) were interpreted as “good manners”. This article also presents briefly the question of whether for Christians, Li 礼 as a proper social behavior inspired by a particular cultural tradition has any connection with or can be a problem for the rituals of the Christian tradition instituted by Jesus as vehicles of divine grace.

(1) Background: In intermediate–high- and high-risk endometrial cancer (EC), radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) play a basic role. However, there is controversy regarding the optimal timing of their combination. The “sandwich” schedule involves adjuvant CT followed by RT and subsequent CT. The aim of this study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the “sandwich” schedule. (2) Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in two gynecological oncology units in Torino, Italy, from 1 January 2003 until 31 December 2021. Intermediate–high- and high-risk patients with available clinical data were included. Compliance with treatment, CT and RT toxicities, disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. (3) Results: A total of 118 patients were selected: 27.1% FIGO I-II stages and 72.9% III-IV. Most of the patients (75.4%) received a carboplatin–paclitaxel combination, and as much as 94.9% of CT cycles were completed. Chemotherapy-related G3-4 toxicities were detected in 5.3% of the patients, almost half of which were hematological. Grade 2 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities were reported in 8.4% and 4.2% of cases, respectively. With a median follow-up of 46 months, DFS was 77.6%, CSS was 70% and 5-year OS was 54%. (4) Conclusions: The “sandwich” schedule for CT and RT combination is an effective adjuvant treatment with low toxicity both in intermediate–high- and high-risk EC.

Academic research is dedicating growing attention to the phenomenon known as the manosphere, where genders and (hetero)sexual relations are explained according to the so-called Red Pill philosophy and LMS theory. In this article, we critically analyze these theories and their pseudoscientific assumptions using a Bourdieusian framework, and we analyze the empirical effects they have in the Incel and Red Pill Italian communities through the example of the “Aranzulla case”. By exploring the “Redpiller” blog and two Incel forums (“Forum of the uglies” and “Forum of the Incel”), we found that, on one hand, the Red Pill and LMS theories are strongly contradictory in themselves because, even if they combine socio-economic and biological theories to explain sexual relations, they assume a fixed vision of gender based on (supposedly) natural inclinations. On the other hand, our results show that these theories promote misogynistic content blaming women for men’s unsatisfaction, but they actually unveil intragender dynamics. Indeed, they produce tensions inside the manosphere, by creating hierarchies of masculinities, and around the possibility of escaping the biological destiny linked to the Incel condition.

Histological transformation (HT) to a more aggressive disease–mostly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma–is considered one of the most dismal events in the clinical course of follicular lymphoma (FL). Current knowledge has not found a single biological event specific for HT, although different studies have highlighted common genetic alterations, such as TP53 and CDKN2A/B loss, and MYC translocations, among others. Together, they increase genomic complexity and mutational burden at HT. A better knowledge of HT pathogenesis would presumably help to find diagnostic biomarkers allowing the identification of patients at high-risk of transformation, as well as the discrimination from patients with FL recurrence, and those who remain in remission. This would also help to identify new drug targets and the design of clinical trials for the treatment of transformation. In the present review we provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic events frequently identified in transformed FL contributing to the switch towards aggressive behaviour, and we will discuss current open questions in the field of HT.

The production of tailored, on-demand drug delivery systems has gained attention in pharmaceutical development over the last few years, thanks to the application of 3D printing technology in the pharmaceutical field. Recently, direct powder extrusion (DPE) has emerged among the extrusion-based additive manufacturing techniques. It is a one-step procedure that allows the direct processing of powdered formulations. The aim of this systematic literature review is to analyze the production of drug delivery systems using DPE. A total of 27 articles have been identified through scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect). The main characteristics of the three types of 3D printers based on DPE have been discussed. The selection of polymers and auxiliary excipients, as well as the flowability of the powder mixture, the rheological properties of the molten material, and the printing temperatures have been identified as the main critical parameters for successful printing. A wide range of drug delivery systems with varied geometries and different drug release profiles intended for oral, buccal, parenteral, and transdermal routes have been produced. The ability of this technique to manufacture personalized, on-demand drug delivery systems has been proven. For all these reasons, its implementation in hospital settings in the near future seems promising.

The result of the multidisciplinary collaboration of researchers from different areas of knowledge to validate a solar radiation model is presented. The MAPsol is a 3D local-scale adaptive solar radiation model that allows us to estimate direct, diffuse, and reflected irradiance for clear sky conditions. The model includes the adaptation of the mesh to complex orography and albedo, and considers the shadows cast by the terrain and buildings. The surface mesh generation is based on surface refinement, smoothing and parameterization techniques and allows the generation of high-quality adapted meshes with a reasonable number of elements. Another key aspect of the paper is the generation of a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM). This high-resolution DEM is constructed from LiDAR data, and its resolution is two times more accurate than the publicly available DEMs. The validation process uses direct and global solar irradiance data obtained from pyranometers at the University of Salamanca located in an urban area affected by systematic shading from nearby buildings. This work provides an efficient protocol for studying solar resources, with particular emphasis on areas of complex orography and dense buildings where shadows can potentially make solar energy production facilities less efficient.

Subtle loss of functionality in healthy older adults is considered one of the most important predictors of cognitive decline. Neurocognitive interventions are increasingly being used, from a preventive maintenance approach to functional capacity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different neurocognitive approaches on the functionality of healthy older adults. In this systematic review (CRD42023473944), an extensive search was conducted for articles published in the last 10 years (2013–2023) in the following databases: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 809 trials were identified, of which 18 were considered to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The data revealed heterogeneity in sample size, measures of functional assessment, neurocognitive interventions used, number of sessions, session duration, and time. Traditional cognitive stimulation is shown to have no significant functional benefit, while other less commonly used neurocognitive interventions, such as those based on everyday cognition, are associated with more significant benefits. Moreover, it is demonstrated that although the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL) is the most used test in similar studies, it is not sensitive enough to detect changes in functionality in healthy elderly individuals, with other tests such as the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) being more advantageous. Therefore, a new guideline is proposed for its use in clinical practice and research, using homogeneous study protocols and neurocognitive interventions that allow for the transfer and generalization of results in daily life.

This study was carried out within the project “Roma Hispana. Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al estudio histórico, la musealización y la puesta en valor de Patrimonio Cultural español en Roma: la spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala” (Universitat de València Spain), which is funded by the Conselleria d’Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana (2020–2021) and authorized by the Sovrintendenza Speciale Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (Special Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape) of Rome, Italy. The spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala was the oldest apothecary in Europe managed by the order of Discalced Carmelite friars. Operating between the second half of the seventeenth century and the mid-twentieth century, over time it acquired great prestige, becoming known as the Pharmacy of the Popes. The aims of the “Roma Hispana” project are to study, musealize and disseminate the material and immaterial cultural heritage of this historical spezieria by combining physicochemical and cultural studies, new 3D technologies, and artificial intelligence. As a case study, in this paper we report the application of a laser scanner prototype for 3D color imaging of the spezieria’s sales room and use a simpler photogrammetry method to collect analogous data in the small nearby storeroom coupled to the high-power capabilities of the ENEA parallel computer facility. Digital data were collected to enable a virtual tour that provides a fully navigable, faithful, high-resolution 3D color model to render this ancient Roman apothecary accessible and usable to interested members of the public and experts in the sector (art historians, restorers, etc.). We also describe the 3D technology used to obtain three-dimensional images of the cultural assets of these spaces (mostly drug containers) and its results. The ultimate aim of this study is to achieve the virtual musealization of the heritage complex.

Infection by Brucella species in pregnant animals and humans is associated with an increased risk of abortion, preterm birth, and transmission of the infection to the offspring. The pathogen has a marked tropism for the placenta and the pregnant uterus and has the ability to invade and replicate within cells of the maternal–fetal unit, including trophoblasts and decidual cells. Placentitis is a common finding in infected pregnant animals. Several proinflammatory factors have been found to be increased in both the placenta of Brucella-infected animals and in trophoblasts or decidual cells infected in vitro. As normal pregnancies require an anti-inflammatory placental environment during most of the gestational period, Brucella-induced placentitis is thought to be associated with the obstetric complications of brucellosis. A few studies suggest that the blockade of proinflammatory factors may prevent abortion in these cases.

Light-absorbing aerosols (LAA) impact the atmosphere by heating it. Their effect in the Arctic was investigated during two summer Arctic oceanographic campaigns (2018 and 2019) around the Svalbard Archipelago in order to unravel the differences between the Arctic background and the local anthropic settlements. Therefore, the LAA heating rate (HR) was experimentally determined. Both the chemical composition and high-resolution measurements highlighted substantial differences between the Arctic Ocean background (average eBC concentration of 11.7 ± 0.1 ng/m3) and the human settlements, among which the most impacting appeared to be Tromsø and Isfjorden (mean eBC of 99.4 ± 3.1 ng/m3). Consequently, the HR in Isfjorden (8.2 × 10−3 ± 0.3 × 10−3 K/day) was one order of magnitude higher than in the pristine background conditions (0.8 × 10−3 ± 0.9 × 10−5 K/day). Therefore, we conclude that the direct climate impact of local LAA sources on the Arctic atmosphere is not negligible and may rise in the future due to ice retreat and enhanced marine traffic.

The reliability of the national power grid is a key issue in modern society. Atmospheric aerosols are the main cause of the reduction in the performance of insulators and the increase in the possibility of flashovers, resulting in power line failures. Under high ambient humidity, the water-soluble compounds of atmospheric aerosols collected on the insulators’ surface can dissociate in ions and form a conductive layer, which may lead to flashover events. With a view to investigating the processes that drive these phenomena, the chemical composition of aerosol deposits on insulators in Italy was determined by ion chromatography analysis and thermos-optical and X-ray techniques. In addition, a synthetic aerosol with the same analyzed chemical composition was generated in a laboratory and deposited on PTFE filters and glass specimens allowing us to determine the deliquescence and crystallization relative humidity and the conductive effect in an aerosol exposure chamber. The results evidenced the presence of a hazardous inorganic ion layer, which generates a sharp phase transition of the aerosol deposit as a function of the ambient relative humidity; this layer poses a dangerous threat to the reliability of the power grid, increasing the probability of flashover events where the conductive layer facilitates the flow of electrical current across the insulator surface, potentially causing power outages or damage to the power lines.

Olive tree pruning is an abundant and renewable lignocellulosic residue, which is generally burned in the fields, causing economic costs and environmental problems. This lignocellulosic residue can be considered a suitable raw material for the production of a wide range of byproducts in a biorefinery context due to its high content of potentially fermentable carbohydrates. To take advantage of its sugar content, pretreatment is necessary to enhance the accessibility of the enzymes to the cellulosic fraction. The aim of this work is to obtain sugars contained in olive tree pruning as a substrate for the production of bioethanol by fermentation. Specifically, the production of fermentable sugars by sequential pretreatment with sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide is studied. A two-factor rotatable composite central design temperature and catalyst concentration (H2SO4 and NaOH) has been generated, and response surface methodology has been used to discuss and optimize the responses. This work shows that under optimal pretreatment conditions (130 °C, 1.90% w/v H2SO4 and 130 °C, 1.49% w/v NaOH) of 1 kg of olive tree pruning, a solution rich in sugars (102 g of glucose and 61 g of xylose) and a solid residue generating 99 g of glucose by enzymatic hydrolysis is obtained. Moreover, applying the combined severity to the acid pretreatment, it has been determined that 20% of the olive tree pruning is fast solubilization, and it was also found that the apparent activation energy of the acid hydrolysis reaction is 85.07 kJ/mol.

The primary aim of this systematic analysis is to highlight opportunities to improve the environmental impact of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) manufacturing. We have compared the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions expressed in CO2eq of a classic clean room open system (AinB) Cell Factory versus a comparable closed system equipped with isolators (AinD). We have therefore outlined a theoretical situation to simulate the use of a closed system with an equivalent production output to that obtained in the Cell Factory (CF) of the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital. Open and closed systems for ATMPs have been compared as regards energy requirements, ecological footprints, and costs by analyzing a hypothetic cell production cycle of 21 days. The results demonstrate energy saving and a reduction of 52% in GHG emissions using closed systems per process cycle. Moreover, a reduction in production costs in an isolator setting is also evident. This study shows that the closed system solution has evident advantages compared with the open one.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) represents a rare cancer with an unfavorable prognosis that needs innovative treatment. The aim was to isolate a secretome from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are treated with paclitaxel (PTX)-containing microvesicles as a drug delivery system and analyze its cytotoxic effects on OS cell lines (SJSA, MG63, and HOS). Methods: Three batches of secretome (SECR-1, SECR-2, and SECR-3) were produced from three bone marrow (BM) MSCs samples treated for 24 h with 15 µg/mL of PTX or with a standard medium. The viability of the OS cell lines after 5 days of exposure to SECR-1-2-3 (pure and diluted to 1:2 and 1:4) was analyzed with an MTT assay. The same SECR batches were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and with a nanoparticle tracking assay (NTA). Results: A statistically significant decrease in the viability of all OS cell lines was observed after treatment with SECR-PTX 1-2-3 in a dose–response manner. The NTA analyses showed the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean size comparable to that of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The HPLC analyses detected the presence of PTX in minimal doses in all SECR batches. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study showed that the conditioned medium isolated from MSCs loaded with PTX had a strong cytotoxic effect on OS cell lines, due to the presence of EV and PTX.

Dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technique that allows for the simultaneous printing of two polymeric filaments and the design of complex geometries. Hence, hybrid formulations and structurally different sections can be combined into the same dosage form to achieve customized drug release kinetics. The objective of this study was to develop a novel bicompartmental device by dual-nozzle FDM for colon-specific drug delivery. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were selected as matrix-forming polymers of the outer pH-dependent and the inner water-soluble compartments, respectively. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was selected as the model drug. Drug-free HPMCAS and drug-loaded PVA filaments suitable for FDM were extruded, and their properties were assessed by thermal, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, and texture analysis techniques. 5-ASA (20% w/w) remained mostly crystalline in the PVA matrix. Filaments were successfully printed into bicompartmental devices combining an outer cylindrical compartment and an inner spiral-shaped compartment that communicates with the external media through an opening. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray tomography analysis were performed to guarantee the quality of the 3D-printed devices. In vitro drug release tests demonstrated a pH-responsive biphasic release pattern: a slow and sustained release period (pH values of 1.2 and 6.8) controlled by drug diffusion followed by a faster drug release phase (pH 7.4) governed by polymer relaxation/erosion. Overall, this research demonstrates the feasibility of the dual-nozzle FDM technique to obtain an innovative 3D-printed bicompartmental device for targeting 5-ASA to the colon.

Proximity remote sensing techniques, both land- and drone-based, allow for a significant improvement of the quality and quantity of raw data employed in the analysis of rockfall phenomena. In particular, the large amount of data these techniques can provide allows for the use of probabilistic approaches to rock mass characterization, with particular reference to block volume and shape definition. These, in return, are key parameters required for a proper rockfall hazard assessment and the optimization of countermeasures design. This study aims at providing a sort of guide, starting from the data gathering phase to the processing, up to the implementation of the outputs in a probabilistic-based scenario, which is able to associate a probability of not being exceeded with total kinetic energy values. By doing so, we were able to introduce a new approach for the choice of design parameters and the evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation techniques. For this purpose, a suitable case study located in Varaita Valley (Cuneo, Italy) has been selected. The area has been surveyed, and a model of the slope and a digital model of the rock faces have been defined. The results show that a 6.5 m3 block has a probability of not being exceeded of 75%; subsequent simulations show that the level of kinetic energy involved in such a rockfall is extremely high. Some mitigation techniques are discussed.

Gait abnormalities are common in the elderly and individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s, often leading to reduced mobility and increased fall risk. Monitoring and assessing gait patterns in these populations play a crucial role in understanding disease progression, early detection of motor impairments, and developing personalized rehabilitation strategies. In particular, by identifying gait irregularities at an early stage, healthcare professionals can implement timely interventions and personalized therapeutic approaches, potentially delaying the onset of severe motor symptoms and improving overall patient outcomes. In this paper, we studied older adults affected by chronic diseases and/or Parkinson’s disease by monitoring their gait due to wearable devices that can accurately detect a person’s movements. In our study, about 50 people were involved in the trial (20 with Parkinson’s disease and 30 people with chronic diseases) who have worn our device for at least 6 months. During the experimentation, each device collected 25 samples from the accelerometer sensor for each second. By analyzing those data, we propose a metric for the “gait quality” based on the measure of entropy obtained by applying the Fourier transform.

Background: Tofacitinib (TOFA) was the first Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) to be approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data on the retention rate of TOFA therapy are still far from definitive. Objective: The goal of this study is to add new real-world data on the TOFA retention rate in a cohort of RA patients followed for a long period of time. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study of RA subjects treated with TOFA as monotherapy or in combination with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) was conducted in 23 Italian tertiary rheumatology centers. The study considered a treatment period of up to 48 months for all included patients. The TOFA retention rate was assessed with the Kaplan–Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) for TOFA discontinuation were obtained using Cox regression analysis. Results: We enrolled a total of 213 patients. Data analysis revealed that the TOFA retention rate was 86.5% (95% CI: 81.8–91.5%) at month 12, 78.8% (95% CI: 78.8–85.2%) at month 24, 63.8% (95% CI: 55.1–73.8%) at month 36, and 59.9% (95% CI: 55.1–73.8%) at month 48 after starting treatment. None of the factors analyzed, including the number of previous treatments received, disease activity or duration, presence of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibody, and presence of comorbidities, were predictive of the TOFA retention rate. Safety data were comparable to those reported in the registration studies. Conclusions: TOFA demonstrated a long retention rate in RA in a real-world setting. This result, together with the safety data obtained, underscores that TOFA is a viable alternative for patients who have failed treatment with csDMARD and/or biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). Further large, long-term observational studies are urgently needed to confirm these results.

The neurofibromatosis-1 gene (NF1) was initially characterized because its germline mutation is responsible for an inherited syndromic disease predisposing tumor development, in particular neurofibromas but also various malignancies. Recently, large-scale tumor sequencing efforts have demonstrated NF1 as one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer, being mutated in approximately 5–10% of all tumors, especially in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and different skin tumors. NF1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene that encodes neurofibromin, a large protein that controls neoplastic transformation through several molecular mechanisms. On the other hand, neurofibromin loss due to NF1 biallelic inactivation induces tumorigenic hyperactivation of Ras and mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, neurofibromin controls actin cytoskeleton structure and the metaphase–anaphase transition. Consequently, neurofibromin deficiency favors cell mobility and proliferation as well as chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, respectively. Growing evidence supports the role of oxidative stress in NF1-related tumorigenesis. Neurofibromin loss induces oxidative stress both directly and through Ras and mTOR signaling activation. Notably, innovative therapeutic approaches explore drug combinations that further increase reactive oxygen species to boost the oxidative unbalance of NF1-altered cancer cells. In our paper, we review NF1-related tumors and their pathogenesis, highlighting the twofold contribution of oxidative stress, both tumorigenic and therapeutic.

Food safety and quality are the first steps in the food chain. This work reports a miniaturized, low-cost, and easy-to-use near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurement system for alfalfa quality control. This is a significant challenge for dairy farm technicians and producers who need rapid and reliable knowledge of the forage quality on their farms. In most cases, the instrumentation suitable for these specifications is expensive and difficult to operate. The core of the proposed NIR spectroscopy measurement system is Texas Instruments’ NIRscan Nano evaluation module (EVM) spectrometer. This module has a large sensing area and high resolution, suitable for forage samples. To evaluate the feasibility of the prototype for analyzing agrifood samples, different ways of presenting the sample, intact or ground, were tested. The final objective of the research is not just to check the efficiency of the proposed system. It is also to determine the characteristics of the measurement system, and how to improve them for alfalfa quality control.

Hole-transporting materials (HTMs) have demonstrated their crucial role in promoting charge extraction, interface recombination, and device stability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we present the synthesis of a novel dopant-free spiro-type fluorine core-based HTM with four ethoxytriisopropylsilane groups (Syl-SC) for inverted planar perovskite solar cells (iPSCs). The thickness of the Syl-SC influences the performance of iPSCs. The best-performing iPSC is achieved with a 0.8 mg/mL Syl-SC solution (ca. 15 nm thick) and exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.77%, with Jsc = 20.00 mA/cm2, Voc = 1.006 V, and FF = 80.10%. As compared to devices based on PEDOT:PSS, the iPSCs based on Syl-SC exhibit a higher Voc, leading to a higher PCE. Additionally, it has been found that Syl-SC can more effectively suppress charge interfacial recombination in comparison to PEDOT:PSS, which results in an improvement in fill factor. Therefore, Syl-SC, a facilely processed and efficient hole-transporting material, presents a promising cost-effective alternative for inverted perovskite solar cells.

An imbalance of oxy-inflammation status has been involved in axonal damage and demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetracetic acid—EDTA) chelation therapy associated with a micronutrient complex in MS patients. A total of 20 MS patients and 20 healthy subjects, enrolled as a control group (CTR), were recruited. We measured the plasma ROS production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by a direct assessment using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance; activities of the antioxidant system (thiols’ redox status and enzymes); and the urinary presence of biomarkers of oxidative stress by immunoenzymatic assays. We also evaluated the levels of inflammation by plasmatic cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6) and assessed the sICAM levels, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) catabolism and transthyretin (TTR) concentration. Comparing CTR and MS, in the latter ROS production, oxidative damage, inflammatory biomarkers, and NO metabolite concentrations results were significantly higher, while TAC was significantly lower. Treatment in MS induced significant (p < 0.05) down-regulating of pro-inflammatory sICAM1, TNF-α, IL6, as well as biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage production. The protective effect exhibited may occur by decreasing ROS production and increasing antioxidant capacity, turning into a more reduced thiols’ status.

Background: The routine use of sedoanalgesia has increased the number of potential minor surgical procedures that can be performed in the Emergency Department (ED) without requiring general anesthesia and, thus, hospital admission. Our aim is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of the use of sedoanalgesia in childhood burns treated in the ED. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in burned children in whom burn debridement was performed under sedoanalgesia in the ED between 2017 and 2021 in a tertiary referral center for burns. We collected demographic variables, burn features and the type of sedoanalgesia performed in each case, including its effectiveness and associated adverse effects. Results: A total of 227 patients (118 males, 109 females) were included, with a median age of 25 months. In total, 99.2% of the burns were thermal (69.2% scald burns), with a mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned of 4%. The most commonly used drugs were intravenous ketamine (35.7%), intravenous ketamine + midazolam (15.4%), intranasal fentanyl + midazolam (14.1%) and intranasal fentanyl (10.6%). The effectiveness of sedoanalgesia was considered satisfactory in 95.2% of the cases, with an adverse effect rate of 7.5%, without severe adverse effects reported. Conclusions: The use of sedoanalgesia in the ED in the early treatment of childhood burns achieves high effectiveness and safety. It is postulated as a quality indicator; thus, it should be known by all pediatric healthcare practitioners.

Endometrial cancer is an emerging disease with an increase in prevalence of aggressive histotypes in recent years. Background: In the present study, potential histopathological and immunohistochemical prognostic markers were investigated. Consecutive cases of high-grade non-endometrioid carcinoma (HG-NEC) of the endometrium were considered. Methods: Each surgical specimen was routinely processed; the most significant block was selected for immunohistochemistry and tested for ER, PR, ki67, p53, E-cadherin, β-catenin, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1. For each immunomarker, the percentage of positive tumor cells was evaluated (%) and dichotomized as low and high according to the distribution in the study population. Follow-up was collected for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Thirty-three cases were eligible: 19 resulted in FIGO I–II; 14 resulted in FIGO III–IV. Twelve patients suffered a recurrent disease (mean follow-up 24.6 months); 8 patients died of the disease (mean follow-up 26.6 months). Results: Women with recurrent disease demonstrated a significantly higher Bcl2% (35.84 ± 30.96% vs. 8.09 ± 11.56%; p = 0.0032) while DOD patients had higher ki67% (75 ± 13.09% vs. 58.6 ± 19.97%; p = 0.033) and Bcl2% of border significance (34.37 ± 34.99% vs. 13 ± 17.97%; p = 0.078). As expected, FIGO III–IV had a worse DFS (HR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.1–10.99; p = 0.034) and OS (HR = 5.19; 95% CI: 1.27–21.14; p = 0.0217). Bcl-2-high patients (Bcl2 > 10%) demonstrated a significantly worse DFS (HR = 9.11; 95% CI: 2.6–32.4; p = 0.0006) and OS (HR = 7.63; 95% CI: 1.7–34; p = 0.0084); moreover, PR low patients (PR ≤ 10%) had significantly worse DFS (HR = 3.74; 95% CI: 1.2–11.9; p = 0.02). Conclusions: HG-NEC represents a heterogeneous group of endometrial aggressive neoplasms with a worrisome prognosis, often at an advanced stage at presentation. Bcl-2 and PR may represent promising markers to identify a subgroup of patients having an even worse prognosis requiring a careful and close follow-up.

The population of patients with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) in biventricular circulation includes those who have undergone an atrial switch operation for destro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and those with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA). Despite the life expectancy of these patients is significantly increased, the long-term prognosis remains suboptimal due to late complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and premature death. These patients, therefore, need a close follow-up to early identify predictive factors of adverse outcomes and to implement all preventive therapeutic strategies. This review analyzes the late complications of adult patients with an sRV and TGA and clarifies which are risk factors for adverse prognosis and which are the therapeutic strategies that improve the long-term outcomes. For prognostic purposes, it is necessary to monitor sRV size and function, the tricuspid valve regurgitation, the functional class, the occurrence of syncope, the QRS duration, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and the development of arrhythmias. Furthermore, pregnancy should be discouraged in women with risk factors. Tricuspid valve replacement/repair, biventricular pacing, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator are the most important therapeutic strategies that have been shown, when used correctly, to improve long-term outcomes.

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s cause an alteration of cognitive functions, which can lead to increased daily risk-taking in older adults living at home. The assessment of decision-making abilities is primarily based on clinicians’ global analysis. Usual neuropsychological tests such as the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) cover most of the cognitive domains and include mental flexibility tasks. Specific behavioral tasks for risk-taking, such as the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) or the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), have been developed to assess risk-taking behavior, particularly in the field of addictology. Our cross-sectional study aims to determine whether the MoCA global cognitive assessment could be used as a substitute for behavioral tasks in the assessment of risky behavior. In the current study, 24 patients (age: 82.1 ± 5.9) diagnosed with mild dementia completed the cognitive assessment (MoCA and executive function assessment) and two behavioral risk-taking tasks (BART, simplified version of the IGT). Results revealed no relationship between scores obtained in the MoCA and behavioral decision-making tasks. However, the two tasks assessing risk-taking behavior resulted in concordant risk profiles. In addition, patients with a high risk-taking behavior profile on the BART had better Trail Making Test (TMT) scores and thus retained mental flexibility. These findings suggest that MoCA scores are not representative of risk-taking behavioral inclinations. Thus, additional clinical tests should be used to assess risk-taking behavior in geriatric settings. Executive function measures, such as the TMT, and behavioral laboratory measures, such as the BART, are recommended for this purpose.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic shifted socialization and information seeking to social media platforms. The armed forces of the major military powers initiated civil support operations to combat the invisible and common enemy. The aim of this study is to analyze the existence of differential behavior in the corporate profiles of the major military powers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic. The principles of social network analysis were followed, along with sentiment analysis, to study web positioning and the emotional content of the posts (N = 25,328). The principles of data mining were applied to process the KPIs (Fanpage Karma), and an artificial intelligence (meaning cloud) sentiment analysis was applied to study the emotionality of the publications. The analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 statistical software. Subsequently, a qualitative content analysis was carried out using frequency graphs or word clouds (the application “nubedepalabras” used in English). Significant differences were found between the behavior on social media and the organizational and communicative culture of the nations. It is highlighted that some nations present different preferences from the main communicative strategy developed by their armed forces. Corporate communication of the major military powers should consider the emotional nature of their posts to align with the preferences of their population.