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Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare heart muscle disease defined by the presence of prominent left ventricular trabeculation, deep intertrabecular recesses, and a thin compact layer. Several hypotheses have been proposed regarding its pathogenesis, with the most recently accepted one being that compact layer and trabeculated layers develop independently according to an "allometric growth". The current gold-standard diagnostic criteria (in particular, the Petersen index non-compaction/compaction ratio > 2.3) reflect an excess of myocardial trabeculation, which is not a specific morpho-functional feature of LVNC cardiomyopathy but merely a "phenotypic trait", even described in association with other myocardial disease and over-loading conditions. Accordingly, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines have definitively abolished the term 'LVNC cardiomyopathy'. Recently, evolving perspectives led to the restoration of LVNC cardiomyopathy by distinguishing "hypertrabeculation phenotype" and "non-compaction phenotype". It has been proposed that the disease-specific pathophysiologic mechanism is a congenitally underdevelopment of the compact layer accounting for an impairment of the left ventricular systolic function. Future prospective research should focus on the clinical and prognostic relevance of compact layer thinning rather than excessive trabeculation, which could significantly influence the management of patients with LVNC. The review aims to update current knowledge on the pathogenesis, genetics, and diagnostic criteria of LVNC, offering modern insights for future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. The delay in treatment will induce metastasis, resulting in a poor prognosis and even death. Here, a two‐step strategy for on‐site diagnosis of MM is developed based on the extraction and direct visual quantification of S100A1, a biomarker for melanoma. First, a swellable microneedle is utilized to extract S100A1 in skin interstitial fluid (ISF) with minimal invasion. After elution, antibody‐conjugated magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) are introduced. A high expression level of S100A1 gives rise to a robust binding between MMPs and PMPs and reduces the number of free PMPs. By loading the reacted solution into the device with a microfluidic particle dam, the quantity of free PMPs after magnetic separation is displayed with their accumulation length inversely proportional to S100A1 levels. A limit of detection of 18.7 ng mL−1 for S100A1 is achieved. The animal experiment indicates that ISF‐based S100A1 quantification using the proposed strategy exhibits a significantly higher sensitivity compared with conventional serum‐based detection. In addition, the result is highly comparable with the gold standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay based on Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, suggesting the high practicality for routine monitoring of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes the relationship between the coronavirus-related pandemic and health inequities. The latter are linked to pre-existing social and economic discriminations in terms of access to healthcare for people affected by chronic diseases. We believe that we are living in a "syndemic pandemic". The term "syndemic" was originally developed by the medical anthropologist Merrill Singer in the 1990s in order to recognize the correlation between HIV/AIDS, illicit drug use, and violence in the United States. This complex interplay exacerbated the burden of the disease and the prognosis of the patient. Similarly, in COVID-19 infection, socio-economic, ethnic, and racial inequities result in higher morbidity and mortality in certain sections of society. Unfortunately, such differences are becoming too common during the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of the incidence and prevalence of the disease, as well as inequal access to new medical advances and life-saving therapeutics for those with COVID-19, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatment. Lockdown measures, imposed internationally as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are causing economic inequities, which complicate the issue even further. An appropriate syndemic anthropological approach is necessary to ensure that this pandemic does not increase health inequities in access to appropriate treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCM) is a heterogeneous myocardial disease that can finally lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and/or embolic events. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. Furthermore, genetic assessment and counseling are crucial for individual risk assessment and family planning. Echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality. However, it is hampered by interobserver variability, depends among others on the quality of the acoustic window, cannot assess reliably the right ventricle and the apex, and cannot provide tissue characterization. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides a 3D approach allowing imaging of the entire heart, including both left and right ventricle, with low operator variability or limitations due to patient's body structure. Furthermore, tissue characterization, using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), allows the detection of fibrotic areas possibly representing the substrate for potentially lethal arrhythmias, predicts the severity of LV systolic dysfunction, and differentiates apical thrombus from fibrosis. Conversely, besides being associated with high costs, CMR has long acquisition/processing times, lack of expertise among cardiologists/radiologists, and limited availability. Additionally, in cases of respiratory and/or cardiac motion artifacts or arrhythmias, the cine images may be blurred. However, CMR cannot be applied to patients with not CMR-compatible implanted devices and LGE may be not available in patients with severely reduced GFR. Nevertheless, native T1 mapping can provide detailed tissue characterization in such cases. This tremendous potential of CMR makes this modality the ideal tool for better risk stratification of NCM patient, based not only on functional but also on tissue characterization information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the dramatic coronavirus outbreak at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on 11 March 2020, a pandemic was declared by the WHO. Most countries worldwide imposed a quarantine or lockdown to their citizens, in an attempt to prevent uncontrolled infection from spreading. Historically, quarantine is the 40-day period of forced isolation to prevent the spread of an infectious disease. In this educational paper, a historical overview from the sacred temples of ancient Greece-the cradle of medicine-to modern hospitals, along with the conceive of healthcare systems, is provided. A few foods for thought as to the conflict between ethics in medicine and shortage of personnel and financial resources in the coronavirus disease 2019 era are offered as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selected Abstracts of the 14th International Workshop on Neonatology; Cagliari (Italy); October 24th-27th, 2018 • THE REVOLUTION OF MICROBIOMICS • NUTRITION, BACTERIA AND PROBIOTICS IN PERINATAL AND PEDIATRIC HEALTH ABS 1. AWARENESS ABOUT LABIA MINORA FUSION AMONG LEBANESE PEDIATRICIANS • M. Amm, M.C. Fadous Khalife, V. Modica, H. Feghali, J. Mardini, M. AlOjaimi ABS 2. SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF A GIANT UNILATERAL PNEUMATOCELE IN AN EXTREMELY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANT • F. Bissolo, C. Forcellini, R. Beghini, S. Lauriola, M. Ventola, B. Ficial, E. Bonafiglia, L. Chini, L. Pecoraro, I. Sibona, R. Frassoldati, P. Biban ABS 3. METABOLOMICS IN NEWBORNS WITH INTRA­UTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION: EFFECTS OF MATERNAL SMOKING • L. Corona, F. Cesare Marincola, S. Corbu, R. Pintus, V. Fanos, A. Dessì ABS 4. THE C.O.R.E. STUDY: IMPACT ON HOSPITAL READMISSION RATES OF A NEW PROTOCOL FOR THE ANALYSIS OF CARDIORESPIRATORY STABILITY IN PRETERM INFANTS BEFORE NICU DISCHARGE • F. Cresi, E. Cocchi, A. Pirra, F. Logrippo, C. Plazzotta, D. Enrietti, R. Bagna, E. Maggiora, V.A. Dell’Anna, E. Bertino ABS 5. FOLINIC ACID TREATMENT IN KEARNS-SAYRE SYNDROME (KSS): CURRENT APPROACH • M. Limone, M. Rossano, F. Guerra, E. Flore, M. Balzarini, L. Boccone, M. Marica, P. Moi ABS 6. SIBLING CLUSTERING OF VITAMIN D STATUS IN CHILDREN FROM NORTHERN SARDINIA • M.G. Clemente, D. Argiolas, L. Argiolas, G. Sotgiu, R. Antonucci ABS 7. COMPARISON EFFECTS OF HOLDER PAS­TEURIZATION AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE SHORT-TIME PASTEURIZATION ON ANTIVIRAL AC­TIVI­TY OF HUMAN MILK • M. Donalisio, M. Rittà, R. Francese, A. Civra, P. Tonetto, A. Coscia, M. Giribaldi, L. Cavallarin, G.E. Moro, S. Sottemano, D. Lembo, E. Bertino ABS 8. ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CEN­TRAL VEIN CANNULATION IN NEONATES • F. Piersigilli, I. Savarese, F. Campi, I. Bersani, S. Sgrò, A. Dotta ABS 9. BECKWITH WIEDEMANN SYNDROME: AN INTERESTING CASE REPORT • A. Satta, R. Murru, G. Senes, V. Fanos, G. Faa, M.L. Lai ABS 10. SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY: A NEW COM­PAS­SIONATE OR THERAPEUTIC PER­SPEC­TIVE? • S. Vendemmia, G. Parisi, N. Vendemmia, M. Vendemmia ABS 11. MOTHERS AND ADDICTION: AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY IN NEONATOLOGY • G.M. Rossi, C. Cacciatore, R. Pintus, A. Dessì ABS 12. OLFACTORY PERCEPTION AND OLFACTORY EVENT-RELATED POTENTIALS IN NEWBORNS WITH 3M SYNDROME • S. Invitto, A. Grasso, V. de Pascalis, R. Marulli, G. Trianni, A. Paladini, P. Paladini ABS 13. MYCOSIS FUNGOIDES IN A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL. A CASE REPORT • V. Aimola, G. Cerrone, E. Robustelli, C. Ferreli, F. Rongioletti, G. Faa, L. Pilloni ABS 14. EXPLORING NEW INSIGHTS INTO AUTOIM­MUNE HEPATITIS PATHOGENESIS: DESCRIP­TION OF TWO CASES • R. Frassetto, A. Cambiganu, N. Vacca, R. Antonucci, M.G. Clemente ABS 15. BREASTFEEDING AND THE USE OF LATCH SCORE: FIRST DATA FROM A GROUP OF 50 MOTHERS • G. Corongiu, R. Pintus, M. Zonza, A. Dessì ABS 16. HYPERGLYCEMIA IN A NEWBORN: BERARDI­NELLI-SEIP CONGENITAL LIPO­DYS­TRO­PHY • G. Nicolas, V. Modica, J. Sakkal, M.C. Khalife ABS 17. PLACENTA IN DOWN’S SYNDROME: DIF­FERENCES IN CYTOTROPHOBLAST AND SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLAST MATURATION • V. Vallascas, D. Fanni, G. Senes, R. Murru, F. Cau, G. Gerosa ABS 18. METABOLOMICS, IRON, AND PREVENTION OF THE ANAEMIA OF PREMATURITY • G. Ledda, M. Puddu, F. Cesare Marincola, S. Corbu, R. Pintus, E. Coni, V. Fanos, A. Dessì ABS 19. VALIDATION OF HEEL STICK MICRO­SAMPLING TO OPTIMIZE MICAFUNGIN DOSES IN NEO­NATES • I. Bersani, C. Auriti, M.P. Ronchetti, B.M. Goffredo, F. Piersigilli, S. Cairoli, A. Dotta, M.P. Pai ABS 20. HEPATOCYTES IN WILSON’S DISEASE: A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN­VESTIGATION • T. Congiu, C. Gerosa, D. Fanni, F. Cau, M. Piras, G. Faa ABS 21. FUSOBACTERIUM NUCLEATUM IN CHIL­DREN’S ORAL CAVITY. A COMMENSAL-TURNED PATHOGEN THAT INCREASED RADI­CAL­LY IN 5,000 YEARS • M.P. Contu, E. Casula, O. Fonzo, G. Paglietti, E. Usai, G. Denotti, V. Garau, R. Martorelli, F. Coghe, G. Orrù ABS 22. EFFECTS OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL FOLLOW-UP ON CARE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FURTHER TO ACCESS TO PEDIATRIC EMER­GENCY ROOM FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROB­LEMS • A. Carollo, C. Polizzi, G. Perricone ABS 23. METABOLOMIC ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH BICUSPID ARTIC VALVE DISEASE, WITH OR WITHOUT AORTIC DILATION: TOWARDS A TAILORED TREATMENT • M. Meli, A. Dessì, F. Cesare Marincola, E. Conforti, R. Pintus, S. Corbu, V. Fanos, M. Chessa ABS 24. ROLE OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN THE STUDY OF HEPATIC IRON OVERLOAD • M. Piras, T. Congiu, D. Fanni, C. Gerosa, F. Cau, G. Faa ABS 25. ATOPIC DERMATITIS: GOOD NEWS BY SKIN MICROBIOME • N. Maiello, S. Vendemmia, A.M. Basilicata ABS 26. TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF URINARY METABO­LOME IN PRETERM NEWBORNS WITH NEC­RO­TIZING ENTEROCOLITIS • F. Giardina, A. Dessì, A. De Magistris, F. Cesare Marincola, S. Corbu, R. Pintus, V. Fanos, J-C. Picaud ABS 27. AN INNOVATIVE INTEGRATED WORKING MODEL FOR THE ACCOMPANIMENT AND PSY­CHO­LOGICAL SUPPORT TO WOMEN/COU­PLES WITH AT RISK PREGNANCY OR BIRTH IN THE MATERNAL INFANT DEPARTMENT • M.V. Rizzo, S. Marotta, V. Cavarretta, G. Perricone ABS 28. HYPOTHERMIC TREATMENT IN NEONATES WITH HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY: A 5 YEARS EXPERIENCE STUDY • S. Salomè, M. Morelli, G. Mansi, A. Romano, M. Vendemmia, F. Raimondi ABS 29. AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS AND AUTOIMMUNE CHOLANGITIS WITH FULMINANT CLINICAL COURSE IN A YOUNG GIRL: A CASE REPORT • C. Rossi, D. Fanni, G. Cerrone, C. Gerosa, A. Ravarino, F. Coghe, Y. Gibo, G. Faa ABS 30. PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN A LATE PRETERM: A CASE REPORT • G. Cerrone, V. Aimola, C. Loddo, F. Cau, G. Faa, C. Gerosa ABS 31. AUDITING PEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES IN LEBANON • M. Amm, Z. Ghorayeb, V. Modica, G. Nicolas, H. Feghali, M. AlOjaimi, M.C. Fadous Khalife ABS 32. OCT-4 EXPRESSION IN THE HUMAN FETAL OVARY DURING GESTATION • F. Cau, C. Gerosa, M.L. Pinna, G. Senes, F. Ronchi, C. Botta ABS 33. VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: A 14 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE NICU OF A.O.U. FEDERICO II IN NAPLES • M. Vendemmia, G. Mansi, A. Romano, S. Salomè, A. Romano, F. Diana, F. Raimondi ABS 34. IF IT IS NOT A COMMON HEADACHE? ARACHNOID CYST WITH CRONIC SUBDURAL HEMATOMA POST MINOR HEAD TRAUMA IN CHILD • F. Mecarini, M. Tiddia, G. Cherchi, M.L. Giua Marassi, B. Biancu, P.F. Cappai, A. Medda, A. Canetto ABS 35. ADVANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PEDIATRIC MUSCLE DISEASES • M. Marras, G. Vivanet, A. Lai ABS 36. ACTION – AGGRESSION IN CHILDREN: UNRAVELING GENE-ENVIRONMENT INTER­PLAY TO INFORM TREATMENT AND INTER­VENTION STRATEGIES • M. Mauri; ACTION CONSORTIUM ABS 37. INTUSSUSCEPTION IN A PREMATURE NEO­NATE: A RARE AND OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED CLINICAL ENTITY • L. Giua Marassi, D. Panico, F. Puddu, L. Mascia, M. Puddu ABS 38. EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS IN 5 PEDIATRIC PA­TIENTS WITH HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA • J.A. Zanda, C. Gerosa, G. Senes, R. Murru, G. La Nasa, G. Faa, D. Fanni ABS 39. UBALDO DIMITA AND THE HUMANIZATION OF CURES IN NEONATOLOGY • L. Cataldi ABS 40. CAN DIFFERENT VENTILATORY APPROACH REDUCE ATELECTASIS ANESTHESIA-INDUCED IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING GENERAL ANESTHESIA DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING? • M. Marras, A. Bullegas, A. Lai ABS 41. TISSUE OXYGENATION AND SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF PERIMEMBRANOUS VENTRICU­LAR SEPTAL DEFECTS • P.P. Bassareo, R. Savage, E. Doran, C. O’Neill, K. Walsh ABS 42. WHAT CAN HIDE A PLEURAL EFFUSION IN A CHILD? THORACIC MASS IN A DRAVET SYNDROME • F. Mecarini, G. Colucci, G. Melis, V. Relli, S. Corda, M.S. Galassi, S. Marras, A. Canetto ABS 43. MATERNITY BLUES: A RISK FACTOR FOR ANHEDONIA, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION COMPONENTS OF EDINBURGH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION SCALE • V. Manghina, F. Volpe, L. Giliberti, R. Maione, G. Straface, V. Zanardo ABS 44. OXYGEN THERAPY IN INFANTS WITH EX­TREME PERIODIC BREATHING • L. Nosetti, A.C. Niespolo, M. Vergani, A. Salvatoni, M. Agosti ABS 45. A NEWBORN WITH RDS AND CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: A CASE REPORT • F. Marino, L. Bertasi, F. Rimondi, F. Rigon, G. Passarella, M. Berard, C. Lorenzetto, S. Rugolotto ABS 46. THE HYPOTHERMIC TREATMENT: A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE BRAIN. WHAT ABOUT THE HEART? • C. Loddo, D. Manus, C. Fanni, G. Palmas, P. Neroni ABS 47. CAPICE: CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: UNRAVELLING THE COMPLEX ETIOLOGY BY A LARGE INTER­DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION IN EUROPE • H.S.R. Rajula, A.G. Allegrini, E. Shahid, K. Agarwal, V. Karhunen, O. Akingbuwa, E. Haan, E. Diemer, L. Schellhas, A. Thompson, S. Doering, M. Leone, V. Fanos ABS 48. NEONATAL PARECHOVIRUS SEPSIS: A CASE REPORT • F. Marino, L. Bertasi, F. Rimondi, F. Rigon, G. Passarella, M. Berardi, C. Lorenzetto, S. Rugolotto ABS 49. JOURNEY OF FIRST YEAR OF MY Ph.D. AT UNIVERSITY OF CAGLIARI • H.S.R. Rajula, M. Mauri ABS 50. NEONATAL TRANSPORT SERVICE IN SARDINIA: STATE OF THE ART • C. Loddo, M. Puddu, G. Ottonello, C. Fanni, A. Atzei ABS 51. AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE WAARDENBURG SYNDROME TYPE IV B IN A NEWBORN WITH NEPHRO-UROLOGIC MALFORMATIONS AND INTESTINAL AGANGLIOSIS • D. Milani, C. Marchetti, A. Mussari, R. Mattei, C. Marcellino, C. Scalamogna, S. Rugolotto ABS 52. NEWBORNS IDENTIFICATION PROTOCOL IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS • A. Casanova, S. Barra, L. Barberini, M. Puddu, V. Fanos ABS 53. HE HAS PAIN, BUT IT IS A GREEN CODE, HE HAS TO WAIT! • Y. Khayamian, M. Manni, M. Mistretta, A. Canetto ABS 54. THE TRAP OF DIGITAL ERA FOR YOUNG MOTHERS • A. Ciubara, M. Burlea, M. Vendemmia, S. Vendemmia ABS 55. PLACENTAL AND FETAL MEMBRANES IN­FEC­TION IN PREGNANCY WITH RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES. A PILOT STUDY • S. Cireddu, C. Gerosa, M. Anardu, M. Russo, F. Coghe, V. Fanos, G. Faa, S. Angioni ABS 56. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON THE IMPACT OF THE CONCOMITANT USE OF CANNABINOIDS ON TREATMENT RESISTANCE TO ANTI­PSYCHOTICS: A PATHWAY TOWARD AG­GRESSION? • M. Pinna, R. Agabio, B. Carpiniello, F. Pinna, V. Fanos, E. Denovan-Wright, M. Manchia ABS 57. EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN LONG-TERM HOSPITALIZED PREGNANT WOMEN • M. Costa, I. Melis, E. Corvetto, C. Giuliani, M. Agus, S. Angioni ABS 58. AN INCESSANT… HEARTTHROB • F. Bardanzellu, I. Bo, M. Puddu, D. Manus, F. Cioglia, A. Atzei, P. Neroni ABS 59. PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MISCARRIAGE • G. Impera, F. Dessolis, D. Deiana, M.G. Orlando, C. Giuliani, M. Agus, I. Melis, S. Angioni ABS 60. HUMAN BREAST MILK-ACQUIRED CYTO­MEGALO­VIRUS INFECTION • F. Bardanzellu, A. Reali ABS 61. ECTROMELIA APPEARANCES • C. Perna, C.D. Arru, C. Porcu, G. Ledda, L. Saba ABS 62. ETIOPATHOGENIC, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PARTICULARITIES IN CORROSIVE ESOPHAGITIS IN CHILDREN IN ROMANIA • M. Burlea ABS 63. DOUBLE BLADDER IN AN INFANT? • C.D. Arru, C. Porcu, N. Pandolfo, M. Erta, F. Loi, G. Ledda, G. Ottonello, L. Saba ABS 64. NEONATAL TSH SCREENING VALUE FOR CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM RELATED TO PFASs AREAS OF VENETO REGION IN NORTH OF ITALY • S. Lauriola, M. Clemente, O. Pepaj, R. Gaudino, P. Cavarzere, F. Antoniazzi ABS 65. THE AETIOLOGY OF MOLAR INCISOR HYPO­MINERALIZATION IN PERINATAL AGE: FOCUS ON BREASTFEEDING • F. Cosimi, G. Rosati, F. Fabiano, M. Oricchio, C. Pala, M. Aprile ABS 66. NASAL SEPTAL CHONDRITIS IN AN IM­MUNOSUPPRESSED CHILD: RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT • G. Columbano, F. Carta, M. Porcu, R. Puxeddu, L. Saba ABS 67. CEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA IN A TERM BABY • C.D. Arru, C. Perna, C. Porcu, M. Puddu, L. Saba ABS 68. NEW DEVICES AND POSSIBLE REALITIES IN THE SHAPING OF THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE • A. Cuttano, B. Gigantesco, M. Del Pistoia, F. Lorenzoni, P. Ghirri, E. Sigali, S. Bardelli, A. Mattiola, S. Tognarelli, M. Ciantelli, R. Scaramuzzo ABS 69. OSTEOPENIA OF PREMATURITY: AN UNDER­ESTIMATED DIAGNOSIS • P. Abou Jaude, V. Modica, M. Samarani, G. Nicolas, M. Amm, M.C. Fadous Khalife ABS 70. URINARY METABOLOMICS IN EXTREMELY LOW GESTATIONAL AGE NEWBORN INFANTS AND NEUROLOGICAL OUTCOME AT 2 YEARS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY • C. Fanni, H. Hagberg, M. Alkmark, F. Cesare Marincola, S. Corbu, M.A. Marcialis, M. Testa, M.C. Pintus, C. Loddo, V. Fanos, K. Sävman, V. Fellman

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Purpose: Aldosterone-producing adenomas with concurrent subclinical cortisol hypersecretion are reported in an increasing number of patients. Five aldosterone-producing adenomas from patients with primary aldosteronism and subclinical hypercortisolism were examined. The aims of our study were: (1) to analyze pathological features and immunohistochemical expression of CYP11B1 (11β-hydroxylase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) in these tumors; (2) to investigate somatic mutations involved in adrenal steroid hypersecretion and/or tumor growth. Methods: Archival micro-dissected paraffin-embedded slides from tumor specimens were used for histological and molecular studies. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal anti-CYP11B1 and anti-CYP11B2 antibodies. Cellular composition was determined by examining for known features of zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa, and immunoreactivity for CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 by McCarty H-score. Spot regions for mutations in KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, CACNA1D, PRKACA, and CTNNB1 gene sequences were evaluated. Results: Four APAs showed a predominant (≥50%) zona fasciculata-like cell pattern: one tumor had CYP11B1 H-score = 150, no detectable CYP11B2 expression, and harbored a PRKACA p.Leu206Arg mutation (that we have reported previously elsewhere), one had no CYP11B1 expression, CYP11B2 H-score = 40, and no mutations; the remaining two adenomas had high CYP11B1 H-score (160 and 240, respectively) and low CYP11B2 H-score (30 and 15, respectively), with the latter harboring a CTNNB1 p.Ser45Phe activating mutation. One of five aldosterone-producing adenomas had a predominant zona glomerulosa-like pattern, CYP11B1 H-score = 15, CYP11B2 H-score = 180, and no mutations. Conclusions: The majority of aldosterone-producing adenomas with concurrent subclinical cortisol hypersecretion were composed mainly of zona fasciculata-like cells, while CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 immunostaining demonstrated clear heterogeneity. In a subset of cases, different somatic mutations may be involved in hormone excess and tumor formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text brings together the contributions of famous philosophers and theologians who gathered in Trent (in 2015) to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the death of Bishop Klaus Hemmerle of Aachen. The seminar explored and expanded upon his development of a Trinitarian ontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dwelling on the issue of MOOC’s quality the paper start presenting some reflection on preliminary questions: we have to evaluate MOOC differently from e-learning?; what about the difference between MOOC quality assurance and MOOC quality enhancement?; what are the parameters the universities shall use to certificate the acquired MOOC credits? The paper then analyzes the published scientific literature that concerns the most significant studies about the quality of MOOC and particularly those dedicated to quality enhancement. The conclusion of this analysis is that the relevant literature about MOOC’s evaluation is still uncertain between the need to adopt one of the few quality enhancement frameworks specifically created for MOOC or reuse the e-learning quality models available online. MOOC are in a transition phase in which - although it is difficult to say they are right now a disruptive innovation - the questions they rise (about pedagogy, assessment procedure, credits, technology, etc.) certainly will contribute to transform the quality of higher education for the generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of BRAF mutation in cytology specimens has been proposed as a diagnostic adjunctive tool in evaluation of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology findings. Concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), a disease characterized by thyroid lymphocytic infiltration, is a frequent occurrence. A large lymphocytic infiltrate might reduce the sensitivity of methods employed to detect BRAF mutation in thyroid cytology specimens. To determine whether testing for BRAF mutational status in fine needle aspirates (FNA) is reliable also in the presence of HT lymphocytic infiltration, we assessed the BRAF status by direct sequencing and pyrosequencing in a series of FNAs with and without concomitant HT lymphocytic infiltration. We also performed the same assessment by pyrosequencing in the corresponding tissue samples. Pyrosequencing demonstrated to be more sensitive than direct sequencing. The percentage of mutant BRAF alleles was higher in FNAs than in the corresponding tissues, probably because of the lower stromal contamination in FNA than in the sections. In the presence of lymphocytic infiltration, the percentage of mutant BRAF alleles determined by pyrosequencing was higher in FNAs than in the corresponding tissue samples ( P < 0.0001), indicating a minor lymphocytic contamination in FNA. The diagnostic value of BRAF in inconclusive FNAs was not hampered by thyroid lymphocytic infiltration. These results indicate that BRAF assessment by pyrosequencing is a reliable assay useful to refine inconclusive cytology of thyroid nodules also in the presence of concurrent HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic alterations are responsible for the altered protein expression in tumors. The knowledge of the link between the altered protein expression and genetic alterations may provide potentially important biological and clinical information. In this study, the expression of some protein markers (Gal-3, p21Kip1, CK19) known to be associated to the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was assessed in a series of surgical samples by immunohistochemistry, and the association between expression of these markers and the BRAF mutation was investigated. Gal-3 positive staining was evident in 26 % of benign nodules. The BRAF mutation and Gal-3 expression, were found in 55.5 and 87 % of PTC respectively, and were unlinked. The expression of CK19 in benign nodules was weak and limited to scattered follicular cells. Diffuse cytoplasmatic expression of CK19 was present in malignant tumors in a variable percentage of cells. A higher percentage of CK19 expressing cells was associated with BRAF ( P ≤ 0.001). All benign nodules displayed nuclear p27kip1 in more than 15 % of the cells. Twenty-nine PTC showed a cytoplasmatic staining with negative nuclei. PTC with cytoplasmatic or 0-5 % of cells with nuclear staining, 6-15 % or >15 % of cells with nuclear staining were 72 (66.7 %), 24 (22.2 %), and 12 (11.1 %) respectively. In BRAF positive tumors, the cytoplasmatic localization of p27kip1 was significantly more frequent ( P = 0.024). In conclusion, we provide evidences that BRAF is non-associated with Gal-3 expression, whereas it is associated with cytoplasmatic localization of p27kip1 and higher CK19 expression in PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non- Saccharomyces yeasts are microorganisms that play an important role in the fermentation dynamics, compositions and flavour of wine. The aromatic compounds responsible for varietal aroma in wine are mainly terpenes, of which the most important group are the monoterpenes because of their volatility and odour if present in a free form. In fact, some terpenyl-glycosides do not contribute to the aroma unless they are hydrolysed. The glycosylated form of terpenes can be converted by hydrolysis with β-glycosidases produced by yeasts during the winemaking process, into aromatic compounds. In this study we utilized a non- Saccharomyces yeast, with a high extra-cellular glycosidase activity, isolated from grapes of cultivars typical of Irpinia region. This strain, identified as a Rhodotorula mucillaginosa (strain WLR12), was used to carry out an experimental winemaking process and the results were compared with those obtained with a commercial yeast starter. Chemical and sensorial analysis demonstrated that the wines produced with WLR12 strain had a more floral aroma and some sweet and ripened fruit notes compared to those obtained with commercial yeast. The data also showed an increasing of the free terpenes fraction that, however, did not significatively modify the bouquet of the wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]