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This paper presents in detail a novel course introduced in the academic year 2021/2022 in the Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II. The course, called Safety of Dusts and Liquids and Lab Activities, aims to educate students on the industrial safety issues of combustible dusts and flammable liquids. The course was structured with lectures, classroom exercises and laboratory activities aimed at characterizing the ignition sensitivity and explosion severity of certain gaseous fuels, liquids and dusts. Each laboratory activity was preceded by a video tutorial, designed and prepared by the lecturers, in order to introduce the students to the activities and prepare them for all the procedures to be performed. Students’ satisfaction was assessed through the compilation of several anonymous surveys. Results showed a high level of student satisfaction with the course topics and laboratory activities and they will also be used to introduce some improvements for next year.

The development of improved methods for surface disinfection has gained renewed interest during the first waves of the SARS-COV2 Pandemic when the need to assure massive disinfection of objects and spaces goes against that of reducing the consumption of chemicals and minimize the impact of disinfectants on exposed persons. Electrohydrodynamic atomization is considered a valuable option to improve disinfection efficiency, thanks to the benefits associated with the droplets charge. This paper presents preliminary experimental and model results on the application of an induction charging electrohydrodynamic atomisation process to the spraying of water solution of a conventional disinfectant under model conditions. In particular, electrospraying under simple jet mode with a whipping breakup has been tested. Experiments are aimed to characterize the droplet size distribution, the energy requirements and the spray coverage area over a target surface, while a simplified physical mathematical model is used to estimate the amount of disinfectant lost upon evaporation and the distribution of the droplets over the target surface. The electrospray is able to disperse droplets having a charge-to-mass ratio of around 1.67 mC/kg with an energy consumption of 23.4±7.8 J/L, being more efficient than other conventional hydraulic nozzles. These preliminary findings indicate a good matching between modelled and experimental data and suggest that electrospraying under simple jet mode with a whipping breakup can be a possible option for the spraying of disinfectants over surfaces.

HUMAN, ALL TOO (LITTLE) HUMAN? The expression “Anthropocene” hit the headlines when the chemist and Nobel Prize winner Paul Jozef Crutzen on 22nd February 2000, during a meeting of the scientific committee of the International Geosphere Biosphere Program (IGBP), interrupted the interlocutors using for the first time this word, the only one capable of defining the impact that the human species is having on the environment and on the biosphere. From that moment an important debate appares and it immediately went beyond the boundaries of the hard sciences to flow into different fields, from epistemology to anthropology, from philosophy to sociology of science, passing through economics and politics. The dossier of the n. 21/2019 of S&F_ intends to examine the expression “Anthropocene” as a concept that refers both to an insufficiency of human being as we know it faced with the crisis of the Modernity and its superabundance – an excess of intervention, in the sense of expropriation, exploitation and destruction of Nature, Earth and Other.

Abstract Introduction Appropriate oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) is a challenge, as current oral treatment guidelines do not fully cover the most common skin pathogens. Both linezolid and omadacycline are available as intravenous or bioequivalent oral formulations. Materials and methods This post hoc analysis of the OASIS-1 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02378480) and OASIS-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02877927) phase 3 trials assessed safety and clinical efficacy of intravenous (IV)-start versus oral (PO)-start therapy in patients treated with omadacycline or linezolid for ABSSSI. In OASIS-1, patients were randomized to IV omadacycline or linezolid, with optional switch to oral therapy, while patients in OASIS-2 received oral omadacycline or linezolid. Treatment was provided for 7–14 days in both studies. The primary endpoint was an early clinical response (ECR) at 48 to 72 h, defined as survival and ≥ 20% reduction in lesion size, without rescue antibacterial therapy. Results A total of 645 IV-start inpatients and 735 PO-start outpatients were assessed. Median age was 47 years for the IV-start group and 44 years for the PO-start group. Most patients had solely gram-positive infections (97% in each group; ECR [85.2% IV-start and 85.0% PO-start]), and the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) was similar between the groups. The most frequent AEs observed were nausea (11.2% [IV-start] versus 18.9% [PO-start]) and subcutaneous abscess (5.6% [IV-start] versus 1.9% [PO-start]). Discontinuation due to AEs was infrequent in both groups (2% [IV-start] versus 1.2% [PO-start]). Conclusion Oral therapy is equally efficacious to IV therapy when omadacycline or linezolid is used to treat ABSSSIs. These data strengthen the evidence for oral omadacycline as a therapeutic option for ABSSSI, particularly for patients who have experienced treatment failure because of the limitations of other therapies. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02378480 and NCT02877927.

IntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniae is a prevalent and virulent global pathogen, with colonization being considered a precondition for pneumococcal disease. Understanding colonization is critical for gaining insights into transmission dynamics and developing effective interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization and serotype distribution in the Sicilian population.MethodsObservational study randomly selecting samples belonging to Sicilian individuals whose nasopharyngeal swabs were collected between February 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Pneumococcal colonization was determined using PCR for the pneumococcal autolysin (LytA) gene, and positive samples were serotyped.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 1,196 individuals, with 17.4% testing positive for the LytA gene. Pneumococcal colonization rates fell from birth to 24 years, with a peak in 0-4-year-olds (aOR=6.9; p

Chromatin organization, which is under the control of histone deacetylases (HDACs), is frequently deregulated in cancer cells. Amongst HDACs, HDAC8 plays an oncogenic role in different neoplasias by acting on both histone and non-histone substrates. Promising anti-cancer strategies have exploited dual-targeting drugs that inhibit both HDAC8 and tubulin. These drugs have shown the potential to enhance the outcome of anti-cancer treatments by simultaneously targeting multiple pathways critical to disease onset and progression. In this study, a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) of 96403 natural compounds was performed towards the four Class I HDAC isoforms and tubulin. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDs), we identified two molecules that could selectively interact with HDAC8 and tubulin. CNP0112925 (arundinin), bearing a polyphenolic structure, was confirmed to inhibit HDAC8 activity and tubulin organization, affecting breast cancer cell viability and triggering mitochondrial superoxide production and apoptosis.

The journal retracts the article, titled “Left Ventricular Non-Compaction in Children: Aetiology and Diagnostic Criteria” [...]

Abstract Background Differences in health-related quality of life perception in patients with chronic disease may depend on pre-existing differences in personality profile. The purpose of the study was to investigate in a cohort of female patients with chronic diseases the relationship between the Quality of Life perception and the potential presence of depressive symptoms. Patients and methods Female patients with chronic diseases were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were diagnosis of psychopathological condition, treatment with psychoactive substances. Methodological approach was based on administration of the following test. Short Form health survey SF-36, Symptom Check List SCL-90-R, Satisfaction Profile test (SAT-P) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and Quality of life as assessed by psychometric test. Results 57 patients, aged 52(±3,4), responded to inclusion criteria. 57% of patients had a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia or gastro-oesophageal reflux not complicated, and the remaining 43% musculoskeletal diseases. The statistical analysis showed an inverse correlation between the variable Bodily Pain of the SF-36 and the variable Depression scales of the SCL-90-R. In a second phase another sample of female patients was enrolled in the study. 64 patients, aged 49(±3,2), responded to inclusion criteria. Another significant negative correlation was found between the Somatic-Affective factor of the BDI-II and the scale Physical Functioning of the SAT-P. Discussions In female patients with chronic disease depressive symptoms resulted influenced by pain and vice versa. The treatment of depressive symptoms could improve the quality of life of patients.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous myocardial disorder characterized by prominent trabeculae protruding into the left ventricular lumen and deep intertrabecular recesses. LVNC can manifest in isolation or alongside other heart muscle diseases. Its occurrence among children is rising due to advancements in imaging techniques. The origins of LVNC are diverse, involving both genetic and acquired forms. The clinical manifestation varies greatly, with some cases presenting no symptoms, while others typically manifesting with heart failure, systemic embolism, and arrhythmias. Diagnosis mainly relies on assessing heart structure using imaging tools like echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance. However, the absence of a universally agreed-upon standard and limitations in diagnostic criteria have led to ongoing debates in the scientific community regarding the most reliable methods. Further research is crucial to enhance the diagnosis of LVNC, particularly in early life stages.

Abstract Activating G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating a variety of human diseases including cancer. Here, we show that GPER1 is significantly upregulated in tumor cells from different cohorts of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) patients compared to normal B cells. Using the clinically applicable GPER1-selective small-molecule agonist G-1 (also named Tespria), we found that pharmacological activation of GPER1 leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo in animal models, even in the context of the protective bone marrow milieu. Activation of GPER1 triggered the TP53 pathway, which remains actionable during WM progression. Thus, this study identifies a novel therapeutic target in WM and paves the way for the clinical development of the GPER1 agonist G-1.

Artificial Intelligence and new Platforms for an incoming Humanism Artificial intelligence is a research field of computer science that since 1956, when the expression was coined, has produced countless devices capable of performing complex tasks, in some cases, comparable to human performativity. In 1983, Elaine Rich defined artificial intelligence as «the branch of computer science concerned with the possibility of building computers capable of performing tasks that humans currently perform better». Rich’s definition differs from McCarthy’s more challenging definition of AI as «a science and engineering branch aimed at building intelligent machines», because it avoids the hard problem of giving a definition of “intelligence”. On the other hand, Roger Penrose, pointed out that «true intelligence cannot be presented without consciousness, and for this reason intelligence can never be produced by some algorithm implemented on a computer». This consideration draws a new idea of artificial intelligence: no longer a mere transposition of human intelligence into a machine, but «a new form of capacity to act» (Luciano Floridi). Faced with the possibilities opened up by this new form of ability to act, «it is up to each one of us to decide how to use our latest invention and choose which future we want to contribute to realizing for the Homo faber in us» (Federico Cabitza). This Dossier explores some lines of reflection raised by the developments of artificial intelligence that, more and more present in our daily lives and in a future that is just around the corner, announces unprecedented possibilities and new potential risks for sapiens. On the one hand, the moral issues raised by the possible emergence of a Superintelligence capable of self-assigning goals, not necessarily compatible with those of sapiens, on the other hand, the many applications related to social robotics that lead to a critical reconsideration of categories such as care and assistance, work, leisure, etc.. Will the digital era be dominated by robots? Is the utopia of a world freed from drudgery, built around an industry (5.0) that is able to realize the potential inherent in advanced digitization, Big data and artificial intelligence finally upon us? Are the once central distinctions between strong and weak AI still valid? What possibilities are opened up by sectors such as Agrifood, in which artificial intelligence is used in the food manufacturing process? Does the encounter between artificial intelligence and quantum mechanics open up new pathways capable of accelerating the emergence of a Superintelligence? Are we ready to govern a new model of intelligence that is not anthropocentric? What repercussions do the new lines of research of deep learning and machine learning have on the self-representation of sapiens? What new narrative and self-narrative scenarios are unfolding in front of sapiens?

What is dead may never die (?). Removal and Re-signification of death in the contemporary world What Is Dead May Never Die, the motto of the House of Greyjoy in "Game of Thrones", takes us back to a time when death did not represent the dissolution of human existence, but the fulfillment of a destiny. At least, ritualized and celebrated, it implied the promise of remembrance and allowed one’s placement within a collective narrative. The same cannot be said of today's conception of death, no longer considered within a community dimension, but increasingly individualized. Its rites of passage, whether secular or religious, are increasingly stripped of sacredness. Death, today, does not represent, in common feeling, a completion, but only the end.The purpose of this Issue is to investigate the multiple philosophical, ethical and anthropological paths within which the theme of death is addressed.

Understanding collective behaviour is an important aspect of managing the pandemic response. Here the authors show in a large global study that participants that reported identifying more strongly with their nation reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies in the context of the pandemic.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded small non-coding RNA (18–25 nucleotides) that until a few years ago were considered junk RNA. In the last twenty years, they have acquired more importance thanks to the understanding of their influence on gene expression and their role as negative regulators at post-transcriptional level, influencing the stability of messenger RNA (mRNA). Approximately 5% of the genome encodes miRNAs which are responsible for regulating numerous signaling pathways, cellular processes and cell-to-cell communication. In the cardiovascular system, miRNAs control the functions of various cells, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, playing a role in physiological and pathological processes and seeming also related to variations in contractility and hereditary cardiomyopathies. They provide a new perspective on the pathophysiology of disorders such as hypertrophy, fibrosis, arrhythmia, inflammation and atherosclerosis. MiRNAs are differentially expressed in diseased tissue and can be released into the circulation and then detected. MiRNAs have become interesting for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for various diseases, including heart disease. In this review, the concept of miRNAs and their role in cardiomyopathies will be introduced, focusing on their potential as therapeutic and diagnostic targets (as biomarkers).

Obesity represents an important public health challenge of the twenty first century reaching epidemic proportions worldwide; this is especially true for the pediatric population. In this context, bioactive compounds from foods are crucial to counteract chronic inflammation as a typical feature of obesity. In particular, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most important functional foods exerting, among others, an anti-inflammatory activity not only due to its major (monounsaturated fatty acids) but also to its minor (phenolics) components, as reported in the last years. However, only a limited number of studies were performed on pediatric population, and even fewer are those focusing on EVOO phenolics that investigate the correlation of the chemical characterization with the biological function. Thus, starting from our in vitro data identifying an EVOO chemical profile characterized by a high content of secoiridoids correlating with an anti-inflammatory effect, we studied the ability of an EVOO extract with the same chemical profile to retain this function ex vivo. Specifically, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from obese children were treated with EVOO and olive oil extracts, characterized by a low polyphenol content, to study the ability of secoiridoids to dampen the inflammatory response. A reduction of pro-inflammatory CD14+CD16+ monocytes was detected by cytofluorimetric analysis when PBMCs were treated with EVOO as compared to olive oil extracts. According to this, a down modulation of CCL2 and CCL4 chemokines involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells, was reported in the supernatants of EVOO relative to olive oil extracts treated PBMCs. Moreover, a high-throughput gene expression analysis revealed that PBMCs molecular profile from obese children is greatly modulated after the treatment with EVOO extract in terms of metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Importantly, some of the significantly modulated genes were involved in the pathways promoting the development of severe obesity. Overall, our ex vivo data demonstrated the ability of EVOO to reduce the inflammatory milieu of PBMCs from obese children both at protein and molecular levels. Of note, a good correlation between the EVOO chemical profile and the biological modulations in terms of anti-inflammatory activity was reported.

Molecular mechanisms associated with human germ cell aplasia in infertile men remain undefined. Here the authors perform single-cell transcriptome profiling to highlight differentially expressed genes and pathways in each somatic cell type in testes of men with idiopathic germ cell aplasia.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can follow primary and secondary maternal infection. Growing evidence indicate that secondary maternal infections contribute to a much greater proportion of symptomatic cCMV than was previously thought. We performed a monocentric retrospective study of babies with cCMV evaluated from August 2004 to February 2021; we compared data of symptomatic children born to mothers with primary or secondary infection, both at birth and during follow up. Among the 145 babies with available data about maternal infection, 53 were classified as having symptomatic cCMV and were included in the study: 40 babies were born to mothers with primary infection and 13 babies were born to mothers with secondary infection. Analyzing data at birth, we found no statistical differences in the rate of clinical findings in the two groups, except for unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) which was significantly more frequent in patients born to mother with secondary infection than in those born to mother with primary infection (46.2 vs. 17.5%, P = 0.037). During follow up, we found a higher rate of many sequelae (tetraparesis, epilepsy, motor and speech delay, and unilateral SNHL) in the group of children born to mothers with secondary infection, with a statistical difference for tetraparesis and unilateral SNHL. Otherwise, only children born to mothers with primary infection presented bilateral SNHL both at birth and follow up. Our data suggest that the risk of symptomatic cCMV and long-term sequelae is similar in children born to mother with primary and secondary CMV infection; it is important to pay appropriate attention to seropositive mothers in order to prevent reinfection and to detect and possibly treat infected babies.

Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B (ARPC1B) deficiency is a recently described inborn error of immunity (IEI) presenting with combined immunodeficiency and characterized by recurrent infections and thrombocytopenia. Manifestations of immune dysregulation, including colitis, vasculitis, and severe dermatitis, associated with eosinophilia, hyper-IgA, and hyper-IgE are also described in ARPC1B-deficient patients. To date, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation seems to be the only curative option for patients. ARPC1B is part of the actin-related protein 2/3 complex (Arp2/3) and cooperates with the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton remodeling and in driving double-strand break clustering for homology-directed repair. In this study, we aimed to investigate radiosensitivity (RS) in ARPC1B-deficient patients to assess whether it can be considered an additional disease trait. First, we performed trio-based next-generation-sequencing studies to obtain the ARPC1B molecular diagnosis in our index case characterized by increased RS, and then we confirmed, using three different methods, an increment of radiosensitivity in all enrolled ARPC1B-deficient patients. In particular, higher levels of chromatid-type aberrations and γH2AX foci, with an increased number of cells arrested in the G2/M-phase of the cell cycle, were found in patients’ cells after ionizing radiation exposition and radiomimetic bleomycin treatment. Overall, our data suggest increased radiosensitivity as an additional trait in ARPC1B deficiency and support the necessity to investigate this feature in ARPC1B patients as well as in other IEI with cytoskeleton defects to address specific clinical follow-up and optimize therapeutic interventions.

Background: Population estimates are of paramount importance for calculating occurrence and association measures although they can be affected by problems of accuracy and completeness. This study has performed a simulation of the impact of Italian population size variability on incidence rates. Methods: Data have been obtained by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. For each year expected cases were calculated at increasing fixed rates (up to 1,000/100,000) and were considered constant in the “following year”, calculating statistical differences (P < 0.05). Results: In Italy and in other regions, statistically significant higher RRs were found in 2012 vs. 2011 whereas statistically significant lower RRs were found in 2013 vs. 2012 and in 2014 vs. 2013. Contribution: The simulation confirms that significant differences due to population fluctuation could be found between consecutive years when investigating diseases with medium-high rates. Researchers should be encouraged to implement actions for reducing the risk of biased population denominators.

Abstract Lacking an external shell and a rigid endoskeleton, octopuses exhibit a remarkable flexibility in their movements. Bipedal locomotion is perhaps the most iconic example in this regard. Until recently, this peculiar mode of locomotion had been observed only in two species of tropical octopuses: Amphioctopus marginatus and Abdopus aculeatus. Yet, recent evidence indicates that bipedal walking is also part of the behavioral repertoire of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris. Here we report a further observation of a defense behavior that encompasses both postural and locomotory elements of bipedal locomotion in this cephalopod. By highlighting differences and similarities with the other recently published report, we provide preliminary considerations with regard to bipedal locomotion in the common octopus.

Abstract Background Fluorescence-guided visualization is a recently proposed technology in colorectal surgery. Possible uses include evaluating perfusion, navigating lymph nodes and searching for hepatic metastases and peritoneal spread. Despite the absence of high-level evidence, this technique has gained considerable popularity among colorectal surgeons due to its significant reliability, safety, ease of use and relatively low cost. However, the actual use of this technique in daily clinical practice has not been reported to date. Methods This survey was conducted on April 2020 among 44 centers dealing with colorectal diseases and participating in the Italian ColoRectal Anastomotic Leakage (iCral) study group. Surgeons were approximately equally divided based on geographical criteria from multiple Italian regions, with a large proportion based in public (89.1%) and nonacademic (75.7%) centers. They were invited to answer an online survey to snapshot their current behaviors regarding the use of fluorescence-guided visualization in colorectal surgery. Questions regarding technological availability, indications and techniques, personal approaches and feelings were collected in a 23-item questionnaire. Results Questionnaire replies were received from 37 institutions and partially answered by 8, as this latter group of centers do not implement fluorescence technology (21.6%). Out of the remaining 29 centers (78,4%), fluorescence is utilized in all laparoscopic colorectal resections by 72.4% of surgeons and only for selected cases by the remaining 27.6%, while 62.1% of respondents do not use fluorescence in open surgery (unless the perfusion is macroscopically uncertain with the naked eye, in which case 41.4% of them do). The survey also suggests that there is no agreement on dilution, dosing and timing, as many different practices are adopted based on personal judgment. Only approximately half of the surgeons reported a reduced leak rate with fluorescence perfusion assessment, but 65.5% of them strongly believe that this technique will become a minimum requirement for colorectal surgery in the future. Conclusion The survey confirms that fluorescence is becoming a widely used technique in colorectal surgery. However, both the indications and methods still vary considerably; furthermore, the surgeons' perceptions of the results are insufficient to consider this technology essential. This survey emphasizes the need for further research to reach recommendations based on solid scientific evidence.

Purpose: Ready to eat arils can be a value-added product as an alternative use for the whole pomegranate fruit by offering more convenience to the consumer. Recently, the diffusion of local cultivars with typical and unique quality characteristics will offer new opportunities for the fresh international market. Research method: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of arils from five cultivars, namely Gabsi (GB), Jebali (JB), Khalledi (KH), Tounsi (TN), and Zehri (ZH) to be used for ready to eat market, as well as to provide a form of valorization for these cultivars. Findings: Significant differences found between cultivars for most of the evaluated quality parameters. KH, GB, and JB were the cultivars with the best initial quality. PCA separated the investigated cultivars based on the storage period. Among the studied cultivars, the main changes in color and sensory quality attributes during storage have been registered for the cultivars JB and KH. TN showed slight color difference during storage. GB had right color intensity, maintained high content of anthocyanins, and the best sensory evaluation at the end of storage. Limitations: Based on their nutritional quality, cultivars GB and KH were the best cultivars for ready to eat arils processing. However, a proper selection of initial quality should be considered. Originality/Value: The richness of local Tunisian pomegranate cultivars with its typical and unique quality traits. They could be used as a ready to eat form to valorize the whole fruit thereby, will enhance marketing demand.