Search

ABSTRACT Aim Materials and Methods Results Conclusion To evaluate the clinical outcomes of moderate intrabony defects treated with minimally invasive non‐surgical technique (MINST) with or without adjunctive delivery of cross‐linked hyaluronic acid (xHyA) gel.Forty‐two patients with 42 interdental intrabony defects were randomly assigned to test (MINST + xHyA) or control procedures (MINST alone). Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR) and bleeding on probing (BOP) at the treated sites were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Full‐mouth plaque score (FMPS) and full‐mouth bleeding score (FMBS) were recorded at baseline and after 6 months. Radiographic evaluation was performed at baseline and after 6 months, assessing the defect fill (DF) and radiographic defect angle (RDA). The primary outcome variable was PD change.Thirty‐eight patients completed the trial without any adverse events. At 6 months, a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) was measured in all clinical parameters except GR (p > 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control procedures (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences between the test and control sites were observed at 3 months for PD and CAL changes (p < 0.05). The DF change was statistically significant when comparing experimental and control procedures at 6 months (p < 0.05). Both procedures failed to show statistically significant differences in terms of RDA changes at 6 months (p > 0.05).Within their limitations, the present results indicate that (a) treatment of intrabony defects with MINST, with or without application of xHyA gel, resulted in statistically significant improvements in the investigated clinical parameters at 3 and 6 months after therapy, and (b) although the adjunctive use of xHyA gel to MINST improved the clinical outcomes compared with MINST alone up to 3 months, statistically significant differences were not observed at 6 months. The study protocol was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05188898). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose is a unique biomaterial produced by various species of bacteria that offers a range of potential applications in the biomedical field. To provide a cost‐effective alternative to soft‐tissue implants used in cavity infills, remodeling, and subdermal wound healing, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of native bacterial cellulose were investigated. Cytotoxicity was assessed using a metabolic assay on Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and INS‐1832/13 rat insulinoma. Results showed no cytotoxicity, whether the cells were seeded over or under the bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Biocompatibility was performed on Sprague–Dawley rats (males and females, 8 weeks old) by implanting bacterial cellulose membranes subcutaneously for 1 or 12 weeks. The explanted scaffolds were then sliced and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological characterization. The first series of results revealed acute and chronic inflammation persisting over 12 weeks. Examination of the explants indicated a high number of granulocytes within the periphery of the bacterial cellulose, suggesting the presence of endotoxins within the membrane, confirmed by a Limulus amebocyte lysate test. This discovery motivated the development of non‐pyrogenic bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Following this, a second series of animal experiments was done, in which materials were implanted for 1 or 2 weeks. The results revealed mild inflammation 1 week after implantation, which then diminished to minimal inflammation after 2 weeks. Altogether, this study highlights that unmodified, purified native bacterial cellulose membranes may be used as a cost‐effective biomedical device provided that proper endotoxin clearance is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repressing BET proteins' function using bromodomain inhibitors (BETi) has been shown to elicit antitumor effects by regulating the transcription of genes downstream of BRD4. We previously showed that BETi promoted cell death of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Here, we proved that BETi induce altered mitochondrial dynamics fitness in TNBC cells falling in cell death. We demonstrated that BETi treatment downregulated the expression of BCL‐2, and proteins involved in mitochondrial fission and increased fused mitochondria. Impaired mitochondrial fission affected oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) inducing the expression of OXPHOS‐related genes, SDHa and ATP5a, and increased cell death. Consistently, the amount of mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) increased in BETi‐treated cells compared to control cells. Lastly, BETi in combination with Metformin reduced cell growth. Our results indicate that mitochondrial dynamics and OXPHOS metabolism support breast cancer proliferation and represent novel BETi downstream targets in TNBC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoviral pVII proteins are multifunctional, highly basic, histone‐like proteins that can bind to and transport the viral genome into the host cell nucleus. Despite the identification of several nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in the pVII protein of human adenovirus (HAdV)2, the mechanistic details of nuclear transport are largely unknown. Here we provide a full characterization of the nuclear import of precursor (Pre‐) pVII protein from an ancient siadenovirus, frog siadenovirus 1 (FrAdV1), using a combination of structural, functional, and biochemical approaches. Two strong NLSs (termed NLSa and NLSd) interact with importin (IMP)β1 and IMPα, respectively, and are the main drivers of nuclear import. A weaker NLS (termed NLSb) also contributes, together with an additional signal (NLSc) which we found to be important for nucleolar targeting and intranuclear binding. Expression of wild‐type and NLS defective derivatives Pre‐pVII in the presence of selective inhibitors of different nuclear import pathways revealed that, unlike its human counterpart, FrAdV1 Pre‐pVII nuclear import is dependent on IMPα/β1 and IMPβ1, but not on transportin‐1 (IMPβ2). Clearly, AdVs evolved to maximize the nuclear import pathways for the pVII proteins, whose subcellular localization is the result of a complex process. Therefore, our results pave the way for an evolutionary comparison of the interaction of different AdVs with the host cell nuclear transport machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the sexual maturation, gluteal femoral adipose tissue is subjected to numerous modifications, not observable in other regions, in particular in women and less in men. Other authors described this region, but they used imaging techniques having lower resolution, than MRI proposed in this study. High resolution imaging techniques might provide important and more detailed information about the anatomy of gluteal femoral region. Methods: This study has been performed using 7 T‐magnetic resonance imaging and ultrastructural analysis in order to provide accurate description of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and dermis of gluteal femoral region. In this study specimens harvested from cadavers and form living patients have been analyzed. Results: The results showed the presence of three layers: superficial, middle, and deep, characterized by different organization of fat lobules. High resolution imaging showed the adipose papilla that originates from dermis and protrude in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Adipose papilla is characterized by a peculiar morphology with a basement, a neck and a head and these elements represent the functional subunits of adipose papilla. Moreover, ultrastructural study evidenced the relationship between adipocytes and sweat glands, regulated by lipid vesicles. Conclusions: This study provides important information about subcutaneous and dermal fat anatomy of gluteal femoral region, improving the past knowledge, and move toward a better understanding of the cellulite physiopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer frequency in muscle‐specific kinase myasthenia gravis (MuSK‐MG) has not yet been explored and the mechanisms leading to the formation of MuSK IgG remain elusive. We aimed to explore cancer frequency in MuSK‐MG patients and to assess MuSK expression in cancer cells from 2 tumors occurred in this cohort. Immunohistochemistry on tumor specimens revealed the expression of MuSK in the cancer cells from primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma and endometrial carcinoma. Twenty‐one males and 73 females were enrolled. Fifteen cancers occurred in 13 of 94 patients (13.8%). Patients with cancer were significantly older at time of MuSK‐MG onset. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:1020–1025 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study and conservation of a painting by Wasily Kandinsky, titled Spitz‐Rund and dated to 1925, was carried out at the Centro per la Conservazione ed il Restauro dei Beni Culturali "La Venaria Reale" 2018 and 2021. This work, owned by the Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea of Bergamo (GAMeC), was created with oil paints on cardboard, and later glued onto a wooden support. A first phase of the project entailed a thorough scientific investigation of the artist's materials and techniques by means of a multi‐analytical approach, including both non‐invasive and micro‐invasive techniques. The present contribution discusses some of the most relevant results obtained from scientific analyses on Kandinsky's masterpiece. The painting stratigraphy and colour palette were investigated using multispectral imaging, spot XRF and in situ Raman analyses. Micro‐samples were also taken and analysed with FTIR spectroscopy, Py‐GC/MS, optical microscopy and SEM–EDX. Additional investigations using MA‐XRF provided further insight into the distribution of various chemical elements, proving essential to deepen our knowledge of the painting and to integrate the information obtained from other analytical techniques. The study highlighted several similarities between Spitz‐Rund and other Kandinsky's artworks and made it possible to gain a broader understanding of the artist's technique during the Bauhaus period (1922–1933). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A painted wooden shield from the 16th century, commonly traced back to the famous Lepanto Battle (1571), was investigated by a multi‐analytical approach to identify its manufacturing process and shed light on its cultural provenance. The typology is coherent with both the Christian and Ottoman armies and does not allow for an attribution. Radiocarbon dated the shield to two time intervals (1470–1525, 1580–1625, at 68% level of probability), compatible with the date of the Battle of Lepanto. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy, Attenuated Total Reflectance, External Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared, micro‐Raman and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy, and histochemical and shrinking temperature tests were used to characterize the artefact. The shield resulted to be made of softwood panels, covered by a stratigraphy of flax fibres, cattle skin, and a painting preparation layer of hydromagnesite. Adhesion was ensured by bone glue. Oblique, red, and cinnabar stripes alternating on the white preparation are visible on the front of the shield, whereas a homogeneous dark paint covers the back. None of the raw materials was informative by themselves, but the unusual presence of the hydromagnesite could be crossed with the geographical context, resulting in a promising outcome for future isotopic and trace element studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Web‐Accessible Population–Pharmacokinetic Service–Haemophilia (WAPPS‐Hemo) data are available to study factor‐concentrate usage, defined as the required weekly dose to achieve a 3% trough (WD3T), across standard and extended half‐life (SHL/EHL) products. Aim: To provide baseline usage data including (i) differences across plasma‐derived (pdSHL) versus recombinant (rSHL) products, (ii) SHL versus EHL, and (iii) effect of age and positive inhibitor history. Methods: PK profiles (n = 14,416 patients, 0.3–85.2 years) and linear mixed effects models were used to estimate usage versus age, controlling for significant factors, using 95% confidence intervals to perform comparisons across all ages and posthoc tests to assess the differences. Results: Average usage was significantly higher for pdSHL versus rSHL in patients with a positive inhibitor history (PIH; 1.9–2.5 times higher), for SHL versus EHL (4–10 times), and was significantly associated with age. Conclusion: Baseline usage patterns from 2017 to early 2023 provide a benchmark for assessing the impact of emerging technologies in haemophilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plasminogen deficiency is an ultra rare disease whose patients may develop ligneous lesions if untreated. Prophylactic replacement therapy with plasma derived plasminogen, Ryplazim, is efficient in treating lesions and could benefit from pharmacokinetic (PK) tailoring. Aim: The objectives of this study are to develop, evaluate and integrate into the WAPPS‐Hemo platform a Population PK model supporting prophylactic replacement therapy for Plasminogen deficient patients. Methods: Population PK modelling and evaluations followed the same protocol performed for factor VIII and IX concentrates. Limited sampling analysis used dosing and sampling scenarios in accordance with recommended treatment for Ryplazim. Results: The population PK model, derived from 16 participants included in previous clinical studies, was a 2‐compartment model whose variability was best described by fat‐free mass. Evaluations showed that the model described well the data and Bayesian forecasting in limited sampling environment led to acceptable precision for PK parameters relevant to plasminogen treatment. Conclusion: The model was integrated into the WAPPS‐Hemo webservice to help individualize prophylactic treatment in plasminogen deficient patients. Prospective PK data to be collected through the WAPPS‐Hemo database will be used to better understand plasminogen PK and improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cellulite represents a common multi‐factorial condition that affects nearly all women and is now recognized as a clinical condition associated with systemic factors and negative psychological effects. Several noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments were developed during the last few years, but limited evidence supports many of them due to lack of evidence, insufficient participants, and potential adverse effects. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a seaweed mud application in improving both the structure and function of tissues affected by cellulite. Sixty women with cellulite underwent 4‐week applications of seaweed mud on the buttocks and thighs. The following assessments were performed at baseline and after the last treatment: photographic, clinical, and anthropometric evaluation; tests for elasticity and hydration; ultrasonography of cellulite nodules; and cellulite biopsies in the trochanteric region. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a 5‐point Likert‐scale questionnaire. Results: The treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the severity of cellulite severity between the initial assessment and the 4‐week follow‐up, with enhanced structure, elasticity, and hydration of the affected tissues. Microscopic analysis of the cellulite biopsies revealed a significant restoration of dermal organization with induced collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation, edema, and lipid deposition following the 4‐week seaweed mud applications. Additionally, the treatment led to a remarkable improvement in comfort and satisfaction as well as a reduction in body circumferences. Conclusions: The cosmetic application of seaweed mud has proven to be a safe, non‐invasive treatment for improving the tissue alterations characteristic of cellulite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We introduce the concept of moral beacons—individuals who are higher in moral character than their peers and prominent within their social environment—and examine the degree to which moral beacons increase the moral awareness of their peers. Background: Using data from cohorts of students in graduate business education across two universities, we applied theory and methods from organizational behavior, personality psychology, and social networks analysis to test two research questions about moral beacons. Method: We used latent profile analysis of data from personality questionnaires and social network surveys completed by graduate business students at two universities (N = 502) to identify individuals classified as moral beacons. We used peer nominations and an in‐class business case discussion exercise to assess moral influence. Results: Latent profile analysis identified a latent class of moral beacons in our sample. These individuals received more nominations from their peers in end‐of‐class surveys as guides for moral thought and action and positively impacted the moral awareness of their peers in a discussion of a difficult business case about possible lead poisoning of employees, but did not significantly change their counterparts' moral awareness in a different case. Conclusions: These results provide promising initial evidence that moral beacons can be distinguished from their peers by both moral character and social prominence and can act as guides for others, at times encouraging greater consideration of the moral aspects of situations and decisions. As these results are the first of their kind, we encourage further replication and investigations of moral beacons and moral influence in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general relativistic gravitomagnetic clock effect, in its simplest form, consists of the non‐vanishing difference in the orbital periods of two counter‐orbiting objects moving in opposite directions along circular orbits lying in the equatorial plane of a central rotating source. Both the theoretical and observational aspects of such an intriguing consequence of Einstein's theory of gravitation are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Haemophilia A negatively affects a patient's quality of life. There is a limited amount of health utility data (a measure of health‐related quality of life) available for patients with haemophilia A. This information is crucial for cost‐effectiveness analysis for haemophilia A treatment. Objectives: The goal of this project is to elicit the health utilities and factors impacting utility values for haemophilia A patients in Canada. Methods: This is a population‐based, cross‐sectional, retrospective study of health utilities in patients with haemophilia A using Patient Report Outcomes Burdens and Experiences (PROBE) components from the Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR). A review of the mean utilities for three severity states, defined by clotting factor VIII level, was completed. A multiple linear regression analysis was completed to examine the determinants of health utilities including age, treatment type, chronic pain status, number of limited joints, and bleed rate. Results: The average utility values (and standard deviations) for patients with haemophilia A in Canada are.79(.17),.76(.20), and.77(.19) for patients with severe, moderate, and mild haemophilia. The regression showed chronic pain status and the number of additional comorbidities as major significant factors (p‐value <.001) in haemophilia A utility. Haemophilia severity was shown to be a major factor with smaller p‐value (p‐value <.05). Conclusions: Haemophilia A patients have lower utility than the general population. Chronic pain was shown to be a significant, major factor in health‐related quality of life. Our study is essential for valuing health outcomes in haemophilia A‐related cost‐effectiveness analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Patient Reported Outcomes, Burdens, and Experiences (PROBE) questionnaire is a patient‐reported outcome tool that assesses quality of life and disease burden in people with haemophilia (PWH). Aim: To assesses the test–retest reliability of PROBE when completed using the mobile phone application. Methods: We recruited PWH, including carriers, and individuals with no bleeding disorders who attended haemophilia‐related workshops or via social media. Participants completed PROBE three times (twice on the app: T1 and T2, and once on the web, T3). Test–retest reliability was analysed for T1 versus T2 (app to app, time period one) and T2 versus T3 (app to web, time period two). Results: We enrolled 48 participants (median age = 56 [range 27–78] years). Eighteen participants (37.5%) were PWH and seven (14.6%) were carriers. On general health domain questions, we found almost perfect agreement, except for a question on the frequency of use of pain medication in the last 12 months [Kappa coefficient (κ).72 and.37 for time period one and two, respectively] and any use of pain medications (κ.75) for time period two. For haemophilia‐related questions, we found substantial to perfect agreement, except for the questions on the number of joint bleeds in the previous 6 months for time period one (κ.49) and the number of bleeds in the previous two weeks for time period two (κ.34). Conclusions: The results demonstrate the reliability of the PROBE app. The app can be used interchangeably with the paper and web platforms for PROBE administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Post‐stroke movement disorders (PMDs) following ischemic lesions of the basal ganglia (BG) are a known entity, but data regarding their incidence are lacking. Ischemic strokes secondary to proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion treated with thrombectomy represent a model of selective damage to the BG. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and features of movement disorders after selective BG ischemia in patients with successfully reperfused acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We enrolled 64 consecutive subjects with AIS due to proximal MCA occlusion treated with thrombectomy. Patients were clinically evaluated by a movement disorders specialist for PMDs onset at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months. Results: None of the patients showed an identifiable movement disorder in the subacute phase of the stroke. At 6 and 12 months, respectively, 7/25 (28%) and 7/13 (53.8%) evaluated patients developed PMDs. The clinical spectrum of PMDs encompassed parkinsonism, dystonia and chorea, either isolated or combined. In most patients, symptoms were contralateral to the lesion, although a subset of patients presented with bilateral involvement and prominent axial signs. Conclusion: Post‐stroke movement disorders are not uncommon in long‐term follow‐up of successfully reperfused AIS. Follow‐up conducted by a multidisciplinary team is strongly advisable in patients with selective lesions of the BG after AIS, even if asymptomatic at discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Mata Atlântica coastal rainforest suffered a dramatic reduction in size due to agricultural and mining activities since the 1500s. Most relevant fragments are in mountainous areas assigned for environmental conservation, where there is increasing market pressure to open these areas for mining operations. In this study, we created a broader framework for water basin study on mountainous regions in tropical areas of high ecological importance. Remote sensing and hydrochemical analysis were used to create a more encompassing evaluation and a prognosis of environmental changes caused by mining operations. Our results showed that land use and land cover variations affect the physical and chemical behavior of rivers, and that seasonality plays a compounding role in their levels of particulate and chemical elements. Applying these combined techniques proved to be a good strategy in the evaluation of land cover change on the physical and chemical variations found in smaller watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of chronic non‐communicable diseases such as obesity has noticeably increased in the last decade. The study of these diseases in early life is of paramount importance in determining their course in adult life and in supporting clinical interventions. Recently, attention has been drawn to approaches that study the alteration of metabolic pathways in obese children. In this work, we propose a novel joint modeling approach for the analysis of growth biomarkers and metabolite associations, to unveil metabolic pathways related to childhood obesity. Within a Bayesian framework, we flexibly model the temporal evolution of growth trajectories and metabolic associations through the specification of a joint nonparametric random effect distribution, with the main goal of clustering subjects, thus identifying risk sub‐groups. Growth profiles as well as patterns of metabolic associations determine the clustering structure. Inclusion of risk factors is straightforward through the specification of a regression term. We demonstrate the proposed approach on data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort study, based in Singapore. Posterior inference is obtained via a tailored MCMC algorithm, involving a nonparametric prior with mixed support. Our analysis has identified potential key pathways in obese children that allow for the exploration of possible molecular mechanisms associated with childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a numerical simulation to test the corrections to the radial electric field in the presence of impurities for tokamak devices whose main ions are in the plateau regime. The effects due to the presence of impurity density variation in a pedestal tokamak are known to generate conditions where conventional neoclassical theory is no longer valid. It is found that for a specific axisymmetric concentric magnetic field, the presence of steep radial gradients for both temperature and density translates in a correction to the radial electric field. We anticipate that comparisons to the Landreman–Fülöp–Guszejnov model display good agreement for both the analytic approximation and numerically solved value of the normalized density when low impurity concentration and atomic charge state cases are considered, coupled with values of the ordering parameter Δ≤2$$ \Delta \le 2 $$. Higher values of the latter reveal better agreement to the neoclassical Hazeltine–Hinton formula, suggesting a discrepancy with the validity threshold of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Damoctocog alfa pegol (BAY 94–9027, Jivi®) is an extended half‐life recombinant factor (F)VIII replacement, indicated for the treatment of haemophilia A in patients aged ≥12 years. Following introduction of damoctocog alfa pegol in Canada in 2020, there have been no reports on routine clinical effectiveness and satisfaction, when switching from a previous FVIII product in Canada. Aim: To report changes in pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, utilization and patient satisfaction when switching to damoctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis from previous standard half‐life octocog alfa (BAY 81–8973, Kovaltry®) treatment. Methods: A single‐centre, intra‐patient comparison of pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes was performed. Blood samples drawn once pre‐dose and ≥2 times post‐dose were measured by a one‐stage assay to assess pharmacokinetic parameters including area under the curve (AUC, primary endpoint). Patient‐reported outcomes data were collected using the Patient‐Reported Outcomes, Burdens and Experiences questionnaire (PROBE). Clinical outcomes included annualized bleeding rate (ABR) and factor utilization. Results: Dose‐normalized AUC was significantly increased after switch to damoctocog alfa pegol from octocog alfa. Median (quartile [Q]1; Q3) annualized bleeding rates were 0.67 (0.00; 1.33) with damoctocog alfa pegol and 1.33 (0.00; 2.67) with octocog alfa. Half of the patients receiving damoctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis experienced zero bleeds (n = 9, 50.0%) versus 38.9% (n = 7) of patients treated with octocog alfa. Patients' good quality of life was maintained. Conclusion: This study provides routine clinical evidence supporting the benefits of switching from octocog alfa to damoctocog alfa pegol for patients with severe haemophilia A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ansanto Valley's Mefite, one of the Earth's largest non‐volcanic CO2 gas emissions, is distinguished by its cold natural carbon dioxide springs. These emissions originate from the intricate tectonics and geodynamics of the southern Apennines in Italy. Known for over two millennia for its lethal concentration of CO2 and other harmful gases, the Mefite has a reputation for being toxic and dangerous. Despite its historical significance and unique geological features, there is a lack of information on the microbial diversity associated with the Mefite's gas emissions. This study presents an integrated exploration of the microbial diversity in the mud soil, using high‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA (Prokaryotes) and ITS2 (Fungi), alongside a geochemical site characterisation. Our findings reveal that the Mefite's unique environment imposes a significant bottleneck on microbial diversity, favouring a select few microbial groups such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes for Prokaryotes, and Basidiomycota for Fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2030 United Nations (UN) Agenda for Sustainable Development has posed unprecedented challenges to businesses to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerns into their core operations and strategies and improve their transparency on SDG commitment toward investors and other stakeholders. However, prior studies have questioned the significance of firms' SDG disclosure practices, evidencing their inadequacy. Nevertheless, despite the burgeoning SDG disclosure literature, the extent to which SDG disclosure effectively reflects corporate sustainability performance is still unclear. Accordingly, using data from a large panel data set comprising 635 companies from 45 world countries and 8 industry sectors over the period 2016–2020, this study investigates the relationship between corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and sustainable development goals (SDGs) disclosure. Voluntary SDG disclosure has been measured using a disclosure index based on each company's response to the uniform and well‐designed communication on progress (CoP) questionnaire drafted annually by business participants in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Several panel Tobit regressions have been estimated to examine whether the level of SDG disclosure retrieved from the CoPs reflects underlying corporate sustainability performance measured by total and individual ESG scores provided by the Refinitiv Eikon database. The study's findings provide robust empirical evidence that sustainability performance positively affects SDG disclosure, especially through environmental and social channels. Therefore, in line with the voluntary disclosure theory's arguments, this study highlights that superior sustainability performers provide more SDG disclosure to prove their high performance and distinguish themselves in the eyes of investors and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, governments had to impose social isolation measures to safeguard the citizens' health. However, this could have affected psychological problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological effects associated with social and emotional isolation during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 in Italy. To this purpose, the degree of social isolation and loneliness and the presence of psychological problems (externalising and internalising) were investigated online in a sample of 395 young adults (18–30 years; 57% women). Results confirmed the relevant association between social isolation, loneliness and psychological problems, in both internalising and externalising dimensions. Particularly, loneliness showed the strongest association. Moreover, consistently with surveys conducted during the COVID‐19‐era, data highlighted that men were more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness than women. These results underline the need for adequate interpersonal support during moments of isolation to prevent negative effects on psychological problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase processivity factor UL44 is transported into the nucleus by importin (IMP) α/β through a classical nuclear localization signal (NLS), and this region is susceptible to cdc2‐mediated phosphorylation at position T427. Whilst phosphorylation within and close to the UL44 NLS regulates nuclear transport, the details remain elusive, due to the paucity of structural information regarding the role of negatively charged cargo phosphate groups. We addressed this issue by studying the effect of UL44 T427 phosphorylation on interaction with several IMPα isoforms by biochemical and structural approaches. Phosphorylation decreased UL44/IMPα affinity 10‐fold, and a comparative structural analysis of UL44 NLS phosphorylated and non‐phosphorylated peptides complexed with mouse IMPα2 revealed the structural rearrangements responsible for phosphorylation‐dependent inhibition of UL44 nuclear import. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groupers are marine fishes particularly vulnerable to overexploitation owing to their reproduction‐related traits. The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is classified as 'Endangered' in the Mediterranean Sea, where protection measures have proven critical for allowing population recovery and persistence of the species. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding its reproductive behaviours and spawning sites. As with other grouper species, the dusky grouper is known to produce courtship‐associated sounds, which were validated in captivity, but no study has ever established a link between sound production and observed behaviours in the wild.This study aims to characterize, both visually and acoustically, the behavioural patterns of wild dusky grouper, thus specifically linking visual courtship behaviours to the associated sound production. Visual as well as passive acoustic methods were employed at two presumptive spawning sites within a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the north‐western Mediterranean Sea over two consecutive summer seasons (2017 and 2018).The temporal patterns of sound production showed site specificity over the month in which reproductive activity was most intense. Courtship calls were mostly recorded around sunset at both study sites and were significantly associated with visual reproductive behaviours. Results also indicated a temporal partitioning in the acoustic activity of the species, with different sound types being recorded at distinct times of the day, likely corresponding to the occurrence of various behaviours during those periods.These findings have important implications for identifying and monitoring dusky grouper spawning sites using passive acoustic methods, therefore providing valuable information for the development, implementation, and/or enforcement of effective conservation measures therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: N‐terminal portion of the B‐type natriuretic propeptide (NT‐proBNP) has potentially been shown to play an important role in the development of periodontitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study evaluated the efficacy of periodontal treatment on NT‐proBNP and related CVD biomarkers and explored whether subjects harboring high NT‐proBNP at baseline showed increased clinical benefits with the non‐surgical periodontal treatment performed with full‐mouth scaling and root planing (FM‐SRP) at 6‐month follow‐up. Methods: Forty‐eight patients with stage III periodontitis were randomized to receive minimal standard oral care (SOC) (n = 24) or FM‐SRP (n = 24) protocol. Clinical periodontal parameters (probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing), serum NT‐proBNP, α1‐antitrypsin, C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), endothelial cell‐specific molecule‐1 (ECM‐1), and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations were assessed at baseline and at 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐ month follow‐up. Results: At 6 months, FM‐SRP was more effective than SOC in reducing periodontal parameters and mean proportions of NT‐proBNP (p = 0.004), hs‐CRP (p = 0.003), α1‐antitrypsin (p = 0.012), ECM‐1 (p = 0.014), and NGAL (p = 0.045). At 6‐month follow‐up, the reduced NT‐proBNP, α1‐antitrypsin, hs‐CRP, ECM‐1, and NGAL levels were significantly correlated with the extent of periodontitis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the analysis of variance analysis evidenced that, at 6‐month follow‐up, FM‐SRP significantly impacted the reduction of NT‐proBNP, hs‐CRP, ECM‐1, and NGAL. Moreover, high levels of NT‐proBNP, hs‐CRP, ECM‐1, and NGAL at baseline significantly influenced the efficacy of periodontal treatment positively. Conclusion: In this study, FM‐SRP was more effective than SOC in reducing clinical variables and NT‐proBNP levels, although subjects who harbored high NT‐proBNP concentrations at baseline showed greater clinical benefits of periodontal treatment at 6‐month follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid oxide electrolysis is considered an efficient technology to produce hydrogen. To deploy electrolysers at the GW scale, an increase in the individual component size (cells and stacks in particular) is required. The integration of larger cells (200 cm2 active area) into 25‐cell stacks has been successfully performed. Performances were in the range of –0.8 to –0.9 A cm−2 at 1.3 V at 700°C. The number of cells has also been increased to 50 and 75 cells. For this latter 75‐cell stack, the assembly of three 25‐cell substacks was considered. Good gastightness and high performances were achieved, although connections between substacks add a serial resistance that affects the stack total performances. Nevertheless, a current density of more than –0.8 A cm−2 was obtained at 1.3 V and 700°C, consistent with individual substack performances. Finally, a stack made of 50 200 cm2 cells has been assembled. Although a stack deformation was visible due to individual component thickness scattering, a good gastighness was achieved and a current density of –0.9 A cm−2 at 1.3 V and 700°C was measured. The low voltage scattering highlighted a good homogeneity of the fluidic distribution and of the electrical contacts within the stack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice formation detection is important in telecommunications and aeronautics, e.g., ice on the wings of an aircraft affects its aerodynamic performance and leads to fatal accidents. While many types of sensors exist, resistive sensors for ice detection have been poorly explored. They are however attractive because of their simplicity and the possibility to install an array of sensors on large areas to map the ice formation on wings. Hygroscopic ionic conductors have been demonstrated for resistive ice sensing but their high resistance prevents the readout of sensor arrays. In this work, mixed ionic‐electronic polymer conductors (MIEC) are considered for the first time for ice detection. The polymer blend poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is solution deposited on a pair of electrodes. The sensor displays an abrupt rise in electrical resistance during the transition phase between water liquid to solid. It is proposed that the morphology and electronic transport in PEDOT are affected by the freezing event because the absorbed water in the PSS‐rich phase undergoes dilatation upon forming ice crystals. For the aeronautics application, successful tests of integration of sensing layer in pre‐preg layers of aeronautical grade and freezing detection are carried out to validate the ice detection principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the ecology, spatial distribution and conservation status of fish populations is achieved by fishery‐dependent techniques, and by more recently developed non‐invasive fishery‐independent techniques. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a fishery‐independent method that provides remote sensing of soniferous species, populations, communities and ecosystems by recording soundscapes and their components.A case study is presented to demonstrate how PAM can contribute to a dynamic understanding of fish distribution, ecological preferences and conservation status. This case study refers to the cusk‐eel Ophidion rochei (Ophidiiformes), a nocturnal, behaviourally cryptic, soniferous fish species, described as uncommon and rare in the scientific literature, and listed as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List.A systematized literature review was carried out using Ophidion+rochei as the search term, and by grouping records into two main categories: (i) traditional techniques (including all fishery‐dependent techniques and underwater visual census); and (ii) PAM.This review highlights how PAM has provided new sightings of O. rochei at a rate three times higher than all other monitoring techniques combined. In contrast with the knowledge achieved to date by fishery‐dependent techniques, the reported acoustic mass phenomena indicate that this species can be very abundant. Ophidion rochei was found to inhabit a wide range of depths and ecosystems, at least throughout the Mediterranean basin.This paper supports the urgency and the importance of relying on the integration of different fishery‐independent techniques for multidisciplinary monitoring, in line with the Goal 14 requirements of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction is a major goal of heart failure (HF) treatment. However, data on clinical characteristics, exercise performance and prognosis in HF patients who improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) are scarce. The study aimed to determine whether HFimpEF patients have a distinct clinical phenotype, biology and prognosis than HF patients with persistently reduced ejection fraction (pHFrEF). Methods and results: A total of 7948 patients enrolled in the Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score database were evaluated (median follow‐up of 1490 days). We analysed clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, exercise, and survival data from HFimpEF (n = 1504) and pHFrEF (n = 6017) patients. The primary endpoint of the study was the composite of cardiovascular death, left ventricular assist device implantation, and urgent heart transplantation. HFimpEF patients had lower HF severity: left ventricular ejection fraction 44.0 [41.0–47.0] versus 29.7 [24.1–34.5]%, B‐type natriuretic peptide 122 [65–296] versus 373 [152–888] pg/ml, haemoglobin 13.5 [12.2–14.6] versus 13.7 [12.5–14.7] g/dl, renal function by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation 72.0 [56.7–89.3] versus 70.4 [54.5–85.3] ml/min, peak oxygen uptake 62.2 [50.7–74.1] versus 52.6 [41.8–64.3]% predicted, minute ventilation‐to‐carbon dioxide output slope 30.0 [26.9–34.4] versus 32.1 [28.0–38.0] in HFimpEF and pHFrEF, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). Cardiovascular mortality rates were 26.6 and 46.9 per 1000 person‐years for HFimpEF and pHFrEF, respectively (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that HFimpEF had better a long‐term prognosis compared with pHFrEF patients. After adjustment for variables differentiating HFimpEF from pHFrEF, except echocardiographic parameters, the Kaplan–Meier curves showed the same prognosis. Conclusions: Heart failure with improved ejection fraction represents a peculiar group of HF patients whose clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and exercise characteristics parallel the recovery of systolic function. Nonetheless, these patients remain at risk for adverse outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: False memories are a possible by‐product of sleep‐related memory consolidation processes when delayed testing is performed after a retention interval spent asleep. To date, the effect of a retention period spent asleep or awake on false memories formation has been addressed only in healthy subjects, while neglecting sleep‐disordered populations. In the present study, we investigated this effect in 17 insomniacs and 15 good sleepers through the Deese–Roediger–McDermott paradigm. In both groups, the encoding phase was followed by an 8‐h retention period spent in polysomnography monitored sleep (S‐condition) or wake (WK‐condition). We observed that, at free recall, insomniacs produced more false recalls in the WK‐condition compared to the S‐condition, whereas the good sleepers showed more false recalls in S‐condition than in the WK‐condition. Moreover, false recalls were higher in good sleepers than in insomniacs in the S‐condition. Both groups produced more veridical recalls in the S‐condition than in the WK‐condition. For recognition, hits (correctly recognised words) were more numerous in the S‐condition than in the WK‐condition. Our results confirm previous data on sleep‐related false memories production in good sleepers. Additionally, they show that, in insomniacs, false memories production is reduced after a sleep relative to remaining awake. These data suggest that false memories formation, reflecting adaptive memory reshaping processes going on during sleep, could occur at awakening as long as the sleep episode is efficient enough. A notable methodological issue was also identified, in that the Deese–Roediger–McDermott paradigm can be useful to investigate sleep‐dependent memory processes for false memories only when a more cognitively demanding task is employed (i.e., free‐recall instead of recognition tasks). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) are promising neuro‐axonal damage and astrocytic activation biomarkers. Susac syndrome (SS) is an increasingly recognized neurological condition and biomarkers that can help assess and monitor disease evolution are highly needed for the adequate management of these patients. sNfL and sGFAP levels were evaluated in patients with SS and their clinical relevance in the relapse and remission phase of the disease was assessed. Methods: As part of a multicentre study that enrolled patients diagnosed with SS from six international centres, sNfL and sGFAP levels were assessed in 22 SS patients (nine during a relapse and 13 in remission) and 59 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls using SimoaTM assay Neurology 2‐Plex B Kit. Results: Serum NfL levels were higher than those of healthy controls (p < 0.001) in SS patients and in both subgroups of patients in relapse and in remission (p < 0.001 for both), with significantly higher levels in relapse than in remission (p = 0.008). sNfL levels showed a negative correlation with time from the last relapse (r = −0.663; p = 0.001). sGFAP levels were slightly higher in the whole group of patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.046) and were more pronounced in relapse than in remission (p = 0.013). Conclusion: In SS patients, both sNFL and sGFAP levels increased compared with healthy controls. Both biomarkers had higher levels during clinical relapse and much lower levels in remission. sNFL was shown to be time sensitive to clinical changes and can be useful to monitor neuro‐axonal damage in SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has retained potency and clinical efficacy against SARS‐CoV‐2 and is currently of utmost value for seronegative immunocompromised patients. Since most of the effect is due to the vaccine boost of infection‐elicited antibodies, there is a theoretical concern that the frequency of suitable donors is declining. Materials and Methods: In this single‐institution serosurvey, we screened 599 consecutive donors attending our area in two different seasons (300 in November 2022 and 299 in February 2023) using the Abbott Alinity® anti‐Spike immunoglobulin G assay. Results: More than 80% of random donors qualify according to the FDA criteria for high‐titre CCP (>4350 AU/mL), with a stable trend. Conclusion: Despite reduced anti‐Spike vaccine boost deployment in the general population, we have shown here that high‐titre CCP units are easier than ever to procure. This finding also has implications for the derivation of standard immunoglobulins, which are finally approaching the potency of hyperimmune serum and could soon represent an alternative to CCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we sought to clarify the patient traits and comorbidities that are associated with pressure injury recurrence following pressure injury reconstruction. An insurance claims database, PearlDiver, was used to conduct a retrospective cohort study. The two cohorts included patients who underwent pressure injury reconstruction without recurrence and patients who experienced recurrence with subsequent reconstruction. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for recurrence after reconstruction. Recurrence was associated with hypoalbuminemia (p < 0.05), paraplegia (p < 0.05), and osteomyelitis (p < 0.05). In patients with osteomyelitis, primary closure was associated with recurrence (p < 0.05) while flap reconstruction was not (p > 0.05). Osteomyelitis was not associated with recurrence after flap reconstruction. Prior to reconstruction, patients with osteomyelitis and hypoalbuminemia should have their nutrition and infection optimised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic reduction of carbon dioxide presents limited applicability due to denaturation and the impossibility of biocatalyst recovery; disadvantages that can be minimized by its immobilization. Here, a recyclable bio‐composed system was constructed by in‐situ encapsulation under mild conditions using formate dehydrogenase in a ZIF‐8 metalorganic framework (MOF) in the presence of magnetite. The partial dissolution of ZIF‐8 in the enzyme's operation medium can be relatively inhibited if the concentration of magnetic support used exceeds 10 mg mL−1. The bio‐friendly environment for immobilization does not harm the integrity of the biocatalyst, and the production of formic acid is improved 3.4‐fold compared to the free enzyme because the MOFs act as concentrators of the enzymatic cofactor. Furthermore, the bio‐composed system retains 86 % of its activity after a long time of five cycles, thus indicating an excellent magnetic recovery and a good reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic characterization of large nonfibrillar aggregates of amyloid polypeptides cannot be determined by experimental means. Starting from β‐rich aggregates of Y and elongated topologies predicted by coarse‐grained simulations and consisting of more than 100 Aβ16–22 peptides, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), replica exchange with solute scaling (REST2), and umbrella sampling simulations using the CHARMM36m force field in explicit solvent. Here, we explored the dynamics within 3 μs, the free energy landscape, and the potential of mean force associated with either the unbinding of one single peptide in different configurations within the aggregate or fragmentation events of a large number of peptides. Within the time scale of MD and REST2, we find that the aggregates experience slow global conformational plasticity, and remain essentially random coil though we observe slow beta‐strand structuring with a dominance of antiparallel beta‐sheets over parallel beta‐sheets. Enhanced REST2 simulation is able to capture fragmentation events, and the free energy of fragmentation of a large block of peptides is found to be similar to the free energy associated with fibril depolymerization by one chain for longer Aβ sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic identification of tumour vulnerabilities through perturbational experiments on cancer models, including genome editing and drug screens, is playing a crucial role in combating cancer. This collective effort is known as the Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap). The 1st European Cancer Dependency Map Symposium (EuroDepMap), held in Milan last May, featured talks, a roundtable discussion, and a poster session, showcasing the latest discoveries and future challenges related to the DepMap. The symposium aimed to facilitate interactions among participants across Europe, encourage idea exchange with leading experts, and present their work and future projects. Importantly, it sparked discussions on future endeavours, such as screening more complex cancer models and accounting for tumour evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) associated with aquaporin‐4 autoantibodies (AQP4‐IgG) can cause severe disability. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to prevent relapses. A novel score is described based on clinical and neuroimaging characteristics that predicts AQP4‐IgG positivity in patients with LETM. Methods: Patients were enrolled both retrospectively and prospectively from multiple Italian centers. Clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of AQP4‐IgG positive and negative patients were compared through univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Sixty‐six patients were included. Twenty‐seven (41%) were AQP4‐IgG positive and median age at onset was 45.5 years (range 19–81, interquartile range 24). Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6–381.9; p = 0.014), tonic spasms (OR 45.6, 95% CI 3.1–2197; p = 0.017) and lesion hypointensity on T1‐weighted images (OR 52.9, 95% CI 6.8–1375; p = 0.002) were independently associated with AQP4‐IgG positivity. The AQP4‐IgG positivity in myelitis (AIM) score predicted AQP4‐IgG positivity with 85% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 16.6 and 0.2 respectively. The inter‐rater and intra‐rater agreement in the score application were both excellent. Conclusions: The AIM score predicts AQP4‐IgG positivity with good sensitivity and specificity in patients with a first episode of LETM. The score may assist clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment of AQP4‐IgG positive LETM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is complex and challenging, especially when diagnostic resources are limited. This results in a lack of consistency in identifying and reporting the number of people with VWD and variations in the VWD prevalence worldwide. Aim: To analyze the reported prevalence of VWD worldwide in relation to income classification. Methods: Data on the VWD prevalence from the World Federation of Hemophilia Annual Global Survey, national registries of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the literature were analysed. The income level of each country was classified according to the World Bank. Results: The mean VWD prevalence worldwide was 25.6 per million people. The VWD prevalence for high‐income countries (HIC) of 60.3 per million people was significantly greater (p <.01) than upper middle (12.6), lower middle (2.5) and low (1.1) income countries. The type 3 VWD prevalence for HIC of 3.3 per million people was significantly greater (p <.01) than lower middle (1.3) and low income (0.7) countries. The reported VWD prevalence was greater among females than males. Conclusion: The reported VWD prevalence varied considerably across and within income classifications. The variability of type 3 VWD prevalence was less than the VWD prevalence (all types). The variability in detection and diagnosis of type 1 VWD presents a challenge in forming a consistent prevalence value across countries and income classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: In paediatrics, porto‐sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is relatively unknown and probably underdiagnosed. We aimed to describe clinical phenotypes, histology and outcome of children diagnosed with PSVD. Methods: Retrospective multicentre study of children diagnosed with PSVD. Diagnosis of PSVD was based on histopathology reports; liver specimens were re‐evaluated by two expert liver pathologists. Results: Sixty two children diagnosed with PSVD (M/F = 36/26, median age 6.6 years, range 3.3–10.6), from 7 centres, were included. Thirty‐six presented with non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension, PH, (PH‐PSVD Group = 58%) while 26 had a liver biopsy because of chronic elevation of transaminases without PH (noPH‐PSVD Group = 42%). On histology review, the two groups differed for the prevalence of obliterative portal venopathy (more prevalent in PH‐PSVD, p = 0.005), and hypervascularised portal tracts (more common in noPH‐PSVD, p = 0.039), the other histological changes were equally distributed. At multivariate analysis, platelet count ≤185 000/mm3 was the only independent determinant of PH (p < 0.001). After a median follow‐up of 7 years (range 3.0–11.2), in PH‐PSVD group 3/36 (8%) required TIPS placement, 5/36 (14%) developed pulmonary vascular complications of PH, and 7/36 (19%) required liver transplantation. In noPH‐PSVD none progressed to PH nor had complications. Conclusions: Paediatric patients with PSVD present with two different clinical phenotypes, one characterised by PH and one by chronic elevation of transaminases without PH. PSVD should be included among the conditions causing isolated hypertransaminasaemia. On histology, the differences between the two groups are subtle. Medium‐term outcome is favourable in patients without PH; progression of the disease is observed in those with PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent guidelines for von Willebrand Disease (VWD) highlighted the challenges in diagnosis and management. Identifying the number of persons with VWD (PwVWD) internationally will help target support to aid diagnosis of PwVWD. Aim: To examine international registration rates of PwVWD, the influence of income status, geographical region and the age and sex profile. Cumulatively, these data will be used to inform future strategy from the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) to address unmet clinical and research needs. Methods: Data from the 2018/2019 WFH Annual Global Survey (AGS) were analysed, providing a global perspective on VWD registration. Results: Registration rates are lowest in South Asia (0.6/million population) and highest in Europe/Central Asia (50.9/million population, 0.005%), but below the expected prevalence rate (0.1%). National economic status impacted VWD registration rates, reflecting variation in access to optimal healthcare infrastructure. Females represented the majority of PwVWD globally, however, in low‐income countries (LIC) males predominated. Age profile varied, with markedly higher rates of paediatric registrations in North America, Middle East and North Africa and South Asia. Rates of type 3 VWD registrations were significantly influenced by economic status (81% of VWD diagnoses in LIC), suggesting only the most severe VWD types are diagnosed in resource limited settings. Conclusion: Significant variation in registration rates of PwVWD exist internationally and is influenced by income status and the presence of HTC networks. Improved understanding of registration rates will enable targeting of advocacy to improve awareness, diagnosis and support for PwVWD internationally. Key points: Registration rates of People with Von Willebrand Disease (PwVWD) vary internationally and are influenced by national income statusAlthough females represent the majority of PwVWD globally, in low income countries (LIC) males predominated, possibly related to stigma surrounding gynaecological bleeding.Rates of type 3 VWD registration were significantly influenced by economic status (81% of VWD diagnoses in LIC), suggesting only the most severe VWD types are diagnosed in resource limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence on bleeding rates in people with congenital haemophilia A (PwcHA) without inhibitors on factor VIII (FVIII) replacement products is inconsistent. Aim: This systematic literature review assessed bleeding outcomes in PwcHA using FVIII‐containing products as prophylactic treatment. Methods: A search was conducted using the bibliographic databases Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on the Ovid platform. The search involved a bibliographic review of clinical trial studies, routine clinical care studies and registries and a search of ClinicalTrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register and conference abstracts. Results: The search yielded 5548 citations. A total of 58 publications were included for analysis. In 48 interventional studies, the pooled estimated mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) annualized bleeding rate (ABR), annualized joint bleeding rate (AJBR) and proportion of participants with zero bleeding events were 3.4 (3.0–3.7), 2.0 (1.6–2.5), and 38.5% (33.1–43.9), respectively. In 10 observational studies, the pooled estimated mean (95% CI) ABR, AJBR and proportion of participants with zero bleeding events were 4.8 (4.0–5.5), 2.6 (2.1–3.2), and 21.8% (19.9–47.5), respectively. A large variation in mean effect size for ABR, AJBR and zero bleeding event data across cohorts and cohort types was observed. Funnel plots indicated potential reporting bias for publications incorporating ABR and AJBR data across both interventional and observational studies. Conclusion: This meta‐analysis shows that PwcHA without inhibitors still have bleeds despite FVIII prophylaxis. Improved standardization on capturing and reporting bleeding outcomes is needed so that effective comparisons between treatments can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare resolution of inflammation of naturally occurring peri‐implant mucositis (PM) at tissue‐level (TL) and bone‐level (BL) implants after non‐surgical mechanical debridement. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐four patients with 74 Implants with PM were allocated in two groups (39 TL and 35 BL implants) and treated by means of subgingival debridement using a sonic scaler with a plastic tip without adjunctive measures. At baseline and at 1, 3, 6 months, the full‐mouth plaque score (FMPS), full‐mouth bleeding score (FMBS), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and modified plaque index (mPlI) were recorded. The primary outcome was BOP change. Results: After 6 months, the FMPS, FMBS, PD, and number of implants with plaque decreased statistically significantly in each group (p <.05); however, no statistically significant differences were found between TL and BL implants (p >.05). After 6 months, 17 (43.6%) TL and 14 (40%) BL implants showed a BOP change in (17.9%) and (11.4%), respectively. No statistical difference was recorded between groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of present study, the findings showed no statistically significant differences in terms of changes in clinical parameters following non‐surgical mechanical treatment of PM at TL and BL implants. A complete resolution of PM (i.e., no BOP at all implant sites) was not achieved in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of the circular economy has repurposed traditional consumption habits. It is expanding opportunities for consumers to preserve the ecosystem throughout the whole product lifecycle. Drawing from extant rational and moral theories in behavior change, this research extends the understanding of consumer involvement in the circular economy by investigating whether being exposed to "green" clues can trigger additional information seeking and be empowering to people to contribute to the circular economy. In contrast to some prior research that suggests that information can overload consumers, this research finds that these "green" clues can stimulate greater information seeking, which can make the consumer feel more capable of effecting change through circular economy consumption. This study draws a conceptual model for behavioral change, tested on a representative sample of 4161 individuals across the five largest European countries. Results show that external "green" clues prompt consumers' information search on product lifecycle and ultimately make them feel empowered to contribute to the circular economy. Overall the research suggests that sustainability information can stimulate heightened curiosity and encourage consumers to become willing and active participants in this burgeoning circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How temperate trees respond to drier summers strongly depends on the drought susceptibility and the starch reserve of the very‐fine roots (<0.5 mm in diameter). We performed morphological, physiological, chemical, and proteomic analyses on very‐fine roots of Fagus sylvatica seedlings grown under moderate‐ and severe drought conditions. Moreover, to reveal the role of the starch reserves, a girdling approach was adopted to interrupt the flux of photosynthates toward the downstream sinks. Results show a seasonal sigmoidal growth pattern without evident mortality under moderate drought. After the severe‐drought period, intact plants showed lower starch concentration and higher growth than those subjected to moderate drought, highlighting that very‐fine roots rely on their starch reserves to resume growth. This behavior caused them to die with the onset of autumn, which was not observed under moderate drought. These findings indicated that extreme dry soil conditions are needed for significant root death in beech seedlings and that mortality mechanisms are defined within individual compartments. The girdling treatment showed that the physiological responses of very‐fine roots to severe drought stress are critically related to the altered load or the reduced transport velocity of the phloem and that the changes in starch allocation critically alter the distribution of biomass. Proteomic evidence revealed that the phloem flux‐dependent response was characterized by the decrease of carbon enzymes and the establishment of mechanisms to avoid the reduction of the osmotic potential. The response independent from the aboveground mainly involved the alteration of primary metabolic processes and cell wall‐related enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NFIB belongs to the nuclear factor I (NFI) family of transcription factors that, by activating or repressing gene expression during embryogenesis, has a relevant role in the development of several organs including the brain. Heterozygous pathogenic variants of NFIB have recently been associated with developmental delay and mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability, macrocephaly, nonspecific facial dysmorphisms, and corpus callosum dysgenesis. We identified a heterozygous missense variant in the NFIB gene in a 15‐year‐old boy with neurodevelopmental disorder and brain malformations, who inherited the variant from his substantially healthy mother presenting only minor physical and neuroanatomical defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium channels are often dysregulated in tumours of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Among them, the voltage‐dependent channel KV11.1, also known as human ether‐à‐go‐go related gene 1 (hERG1), is frequently expressed in tumours and precancerous lesions of the GI tract. In precancerous lesions, hERG1 behaves as a progression factor, contributing to identifying those patients whose lesions can progress towards true cancers. In advanced cancers, such as colorectal and pancreatic cancer, a high hERG1 expression represents a negative prognostic factor, contributing to identifying high risk patients. The only exception is represented by neuroendocrine cancers of both the ileum and the pancreas, where hERG1 represents a positive prognostic factor for survival. In GI tumours, hERG1 can function either as a true channel, allowing outward potassium ion flux and membrane repolarisation, or in a non‐canonical, non‐conductive way. This occurs because, in cancer, hERG1 forms complexes with different plasma membrane and cytosolic proteins, instead of classical accessory subunits. In particular, hERG1 forms a complex with the β1 subunit of integrin receptors: the hERG1–β1 complex. Growth and chemokine receptors, small GTPases, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, as well as other ion transporters or channels, are also recruited in the hERG1–β1 complex. The formation of multiprotein channel complexes represents an emerging mechanism allowing functional channel networking in both excitable and non‐excitable cells. hERG1 represents a prototype of how multiprotein complexes operate in tumours, that is, giving rise to signalling hubs which can transmit and modulate signals arising from the tumour microenvironment, hence contributing to tumour progression and malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]