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Abstract In 2013 Colombia made an important step towards the construction and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by establishing the first Deep Corals National Park (PNNCP). Inside this MPA, the coral Madracis myriaster (Cnidaria: Pocilloporidae) was found as the main reef builder, offering habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates. In order to improve the study of deep-sea coral habitats, their connectivity and prospective management, nine new genetic markers (microsatellites) were developed for M. myriaster and tested in samples from PNNCP. We present the assessment of these markers, with a specificity for the deep coral, and its prospective use in future analysis for the PNNCP and other areas in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, where M. myriaster is reported. We also include an additional taxonomic analysis performed on samples of M. myriaster using scanning electron microscopy.

The gut microbiome composition of the coral-feeding butterflyfish across Caribbean reefs is more variable at degraded reefs. These microbiomes have a lower abundance of Endozoicomonas and a higher diversity of anaerobic fermentative bacteria.

Objective To assess the feasibility of the family paediatrician’s (FP) role in identifying the signs of postpartum depression in parents in time to guarantee child well-being.Design, setting and participants Data for this observational prospective study were collected within the NASCITA (NAscere e creSCere in ITAlia) cohort. During the first visit, paediatricians collected sociodemographic data regarding the parents and information about their health status, the pregnancy and the delivery. Whooley questions were administered during the first and second visits (scheduled 60–90 days after childbirth). Moreover, on the third visit (5–7 months after childbirth) the FP was asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question on the parental postpartum depression, based on his knowledge and on the acquired information.Results In 2203 couples who completed the assessment, 529 mothers (19.9%), 141 fathers (6.3%) and 110 (5%) couples reported any depressive symptomatology. Of these, 141 mothers (5.3% of the total sample) and 18 fathers (0.8% of the total sample) were classified as ‘likely depressed’. An association was found between maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder during pregnancy (OR 9.49, 95% CI: 3.20 to 28.17), not exclusively breastfeeding at hospital discharge (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.61) and the presence of child sleeping disorders at 3 (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.41 to 4.28) and 6 months (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.47). Another significant predictor of postpartum depression was being primiparous (OR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.02). Concerning the fathers, a significant association was reported only between likely depressed fathers and child sleeping disorders at 3 months (OR 7.64, 95% CI: 2.92 to 19.97). Moreover, having a likely depressed partner was strongly associated with depressive symptoms in fathers (OR 85.53, 95% CI 26.83 to 272.69).Conclusions The findings of this study support the feasibility of an active screening programme for parental postnatal depression during well-child visits as an integral part of postpartum care.Trial registration number NCT03894566; Pre-results.

BackgroundMigrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees (ASRs) represent a vulnerable diversified population with increased risks of developing health problems, and in the hosting countries several barriers often hamper their access to the health services. Gathering information about ASRs’ experiences and perceptions of host country health care systems may contribute to improve the quality of health care provided. The aim of this study was to explore the health needs in their bio-psycho-social meaning, and the quality of health care as perceived from the ASRs’ perspective.MethodsThe qualitative descriptive study was conducted as part of the Project “G-START – testing a governance model of receiving and taking care of the Asylum Seekers and Refugees.” Through purposeful and snowball sampling, four Focus Groups conducted in English, Italian and French were carried out between July and August 2019, involving 50 ASRs hosted by four reception centers located on the territory pertaining to an Italian Local Health Authority covering a general population of 500.000 people. The analysis of data was categorical, and was performed using N-Vivo software.ResultsThe macro-categories emerged were the ASRs’ bio-psycho-social health needs, including mental health, sexual and reproductive health, food and nutrition, knowledge of the health care system, need for inclusion; healthcare services access, including barriers before and after the access and the ability of the local health system to respond to existing and evolving demands; strengths of the healthcare and reception systems, and suggestions for improving them in the future.Discussion and conclusionsASRs present vulnerabilities and specific health needs, and the health care system is not always able to guarantee access or to respond to these needs. Several obstacles have been highlighted, such as linguistic barriers and lack of cultural mediation, bureaucratic and administrative barriers, lack of knowledge of the Italian health care system. An effective reorganization of services driven by a more detailed output analysis of the target population needs, together with the use of cultural mediation, peer to peer education and support, and the training of health professionals are recommended to ensure a more accessible, equitable and effective health care system at local level.

Abstract Multi-orbital physics in quasi-two-dimensional electron gases (q2DEGs) triggers intriguing phenomena not observed in bulk materials, such as unconventional superconductivity and magnetism. Here, we investigate the mechanism of orbital selective switching of the spin-polarization in the oxide q2DEG formed at the (001) interface between the LaAlO3, EuTiO3 and SrTiO3 band insulators. By using density functional theory calculations, transport, magnetic and x-ray spectroscopy measurements, we find that the filling of titanium-bands with 3dxz/3dyz orbital character in the EuTiO3 layer and at the interface with SrTiO3 induces an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic switching of the exchange interaction between Eu-4f7 magnetic moments. The results explain the observation of the carrier density-dependent ferromagnetic correlations and anomalous Hall effect in this q2DEG, and demonstrate how combined theoretical and experimental approaches can lead to a deeper understanding of emerging electronic phases and serve as a guide for the materials design of advanced electronic applications.

Abstract Mangroves form coastal tropical forests in the intertidal zone and are an important component of shoreline protection. In comparison to other tropical forests, mangrove stands are thought to have relatively low genetic diversity with population genetic structure gradually increasing with distance along a coastline. We conducted genetic analyses of mangrove forests across a range of spatial scales; within a 400 m2 parcel comprising 181 Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) trees, and across four sites ranging from 6–115 km apart in Honduras. In total, we successfully genotyped 269 R. mangle trees, using a panel of 677 SNPs developed with 2b-RAD methodology. Within the 400 m2 parcel, we found two distinct clusters with high levels of genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.355), corresponding to trees primarily located on the seaward fringe and trees growing deeper into the forest. In contrast, there was limited genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.027–0.105) across the sites at a larger scale, which had been predominantly sampled along the seaward fringe. Within the 400 m2 parcel, the cluster closest to the seaward fringe exhibited low genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.014–0.043) with the other Honduran sites, but the cluster further into the forest was highly differentiated from them (F ST = 0.326–0.414). These findings contradict the perception that genetic structure within mangroves forests occurs mainly along a coastline and highlights that there is greater genetic structure at fine spatial scales.

Abstract Background The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence of several new variants, and few data are available on the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 variants. We aimed to assess the association between natural (previous infection) and induced (partial or complete vaccination) exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the onset of new infection supported by the delta variant, and of comparing it with that supported by alpha. Methods We performed a test-negative case-control study, by linking population-based registries of confirmed diagnoses of infection with SARS-CoV-2, vaccinations against Covid-19 and healthcare utilization databases of the Italian Lombardy Region. Four hundred ninety-six persons who between 27 December 2020 and 16 July 2021 had an infection by the delta variant were 1:1 matched with citizens affected by alphavariant and 1:10 matched with persons who had a negative molecular test, according to gender, age and date of molecular ascertainment. We used a conditional logistic regression for estimating relative risk reduction of either variants associated with natural and/or induced immunization and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Previous infection was associated with 91% (95% CI 85% to 95%) reduced relative risk of reinfection, without evidence of significant differences between delta and alpha cases (p=0.547). Significant lower vaccinal protection against delta than alpha variant infection was observed with reduced relative risk associated with partial vaccination respectively of 29% (7% to 45%), and 62% (48% to 71%) (p=0.001), and with complete vaccination respectively of 75% (66% to 82%) and 90% (85% to 94%) (p=0.003). Conclusions Lower protection towards infections caused by the delta variant with respect to alpha variant was noticed, even after the completion of the vaccination cycle. This finding would support efforts to maximize both vaccine uptake with two doses and fulfilment with individual protection measures, especially as the delta variant is rampant worldwide presently.

Abstract Growth in the global development of cities, and increasing public interest in beekeeping, has led to increase in the numbers of urban apiaries. Towns and cities can provide an excellent diet for managed bees, with a diverse range of nectar and pollen available throughout a long flowering season, and are often more ecologically diverse than the surrounding rural environments. Accessible urban honeybee hives are a valuable research resource to gain insights into the diet and ecology of wild pollinators in urban settings. We used DNA metabarcoding of the rbcL and ITS2 gene regions to characterize the pollen community in Apis mellifera honey, inferring the floral diet, from 14 hives across an urban gradient around Greater Manchester, UK. We found that the proportion of urban land around a hive is significantly associated with an increase in the diversity of plants foraged and that invasive and non‐native plants appear to play a critical role in the sustenance of urban bees, alongside native plant species. The proportion of improved grassland, typical of suburban lawns and livestock farms, is significantly associated with decreases in the diversity of plant pollen found in honey samples. These findings are relevant to urban landscape developers motivated to encourage biodiversity and bee persistence, in line with global bio‐food security agendas.

High levels of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) were found in urines of patients with obesity and hepatic steatosis, suggesting a potential involvement of this metabolite in clinical conditions. The gut microbial origin of 2-HIBA was hypothesized, however its actual origin and role in biological processes are still not clear. We investigated how treatment with 2-HIBA affected the physiology of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, in both standard and high-glucose diet (HGD) growth conditions, by targeted transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) and two-photon fluorescence microscopy. In standard conditions, 2-HIBA resulted particularly effective to extend the lifespan, delay ageing processes and stimulate the oxidative stress resistance in wild type nematodes through the activation of insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) and p38 MAPK pathways and, consequently, through a reduction of ROS levels. Moreover, variations of lipid accumulation observed in treated worms correlated with transcriptional levels of fatty acid synthesis genes and with the involvement of peptide transporter PEP-2. In HGD conditions, the effect of 2-HIBA on C. elegans resulted in a reduction of the lipid droplets deposition, accordingly with an increase of acs-2 gene transcription, involved in β-oxidation processes. In addition, the pro-longevity effect appeared to be correlated to higher levels of tryptophan, which may play a role in restoring the decreased viability observed in the HGD untreated nematodes.

Purpose The NASCITA Study, a national-level, population-based, prospective cohort study, was set up to better understand the early health status of Italian children, comprising their physical, cognitive and psychological development, and how it is affected by social and health determinants, including nurturing care. NASCITA will also assess geographical differences and disparities in healthcare.Participants Participating family paediatricians from throughout Italy enrolled infants born during the enrolment period (April 2019–July 2020). The 5054 newborns seen by the 139 paediatricians for at least two visits, including the first well-child visit, and for whom parental consent was given, make up the baseline population.Findings to date Mothers had a mean age at delivery of 33.0 years and tended to have a high or medium level of education (42.5% university and 41.7% high school degrees) and to be employed (69.7%). One-third (36.1%) took folic acid supplementation appropriately, and 6.5% smoked or consumed alcohol (10.0%) during pregnancy. One-third (31.7%) of deliveries were caesarean deliveries. Concerning the newborns, 5.8% had a low birth weight and 6.2% were born prematurely. The majority (87.7%) slept in the supine position, and 63.6% were exclusively breast fed at 1 month, with a decreasing north to south prevalence (χ2t 52; p

The shallow coral Madracis auretenra has an important role in the rich diversity of coral reef ecosystems found in the Caribbean Sea, providing habitat and support to different marine species. Improved understanding of the genetic structure of marine species in the region is needed for the design and management of marine reserves, which are usually created as a biodiversity conservation tool. In this study, seventeen new microsatellite markers were used to examine the population structure of M. auretenra through different areas in the Caribbean Sea (Guatemala, Colombia, Curacao and Barbados), analysing 313 samples from 18 localities. A significant differentiation and a clear clustering were found (k=11), indicating structure in the Caribbean sampled populations with high levels of inbreeding. A pattern of isolation by distance was present in all the localities but not identified in the stratified Mantel test, suggesting a major role of the physical barriers (e.g. currents, upwelling and rivers) in the genetic diversity distribution. Patterns of migration were found for Curacao, Barbados and some areas of Colombia. In contrast, some localities from Colombia (Varadero and Albuquerque) and Guatemala were identified as isolated. The population structure identified here highlights the importance of careful design and monitoring of marine reserves in the region and will help to guide further ecological analysis of shallow Caribbean coral formations.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had severe consequences from the social and economic perspectives, compelling the scientific community to focus on the development of effective diagnostics that can combine a fast response and accurate sensitivity/specificity performance. Presently available commercial antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) are very fast, but still face significant criticisms, mainly related to their inability to amplify the protein signal. This translates to a limited sensitive outcome and, hence, a reduced ability to hamper the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. To answer the urgent need for novel platforms for the early, specific and highly sensitive detection of the virus, this paper deals with the use of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) as very efficient ion–electron converters and amplifiers for the detection of spike proteins and their femtomolar concentration. The electrical response of the investigated OECTs was carefully analyzed, and the changes in the parameters associated with the transconductance (i.e., the slope of the transfer curves) in the gate voltage range between 0 and 0.3 V were found to be more clearly correlated with the spike protein concentration. Moreover, the functionalization of OECT-based biosensors with anti-spike and anti-nucleocapside proteins, the major proteins involved in the disease, demonstrated the specificity of these devices, whose potentialities should also be considered in light of the recent upsurge of the so-called “long COVID” syndrome.

Abstract The present study is focused on the development and characterization of innovative cementitious-based composite sensors. In particular, multifunctional cement mortars with enhanced piezoresistive properties are realized by exploiting the concept of confinement of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) in a three-dimensional percolated network through the use of a natural-rubber latex aqueous dispersion. The manufactured cement-based composites were characterized by means of Inelastic Neutron Scattering to assess the hydration reactions and the interactions between natural rubber and the hydrated-cement phases and by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray diffraction to evaluate the morphological and mineralogical structure, respectively. Piezo-resistive properties to assess electro-mechanical behavior in strain condition are also measured. The results show that the presence of natural rubber latex allows to obtain a three-dimensional rGO/MWCNTs segregate structure which catalyzes the formation of hydrated phases of the cement and increases the piezo-resistive sensitivity of mortar composites, representing a reliable approach in developing innovative mortar-based piezoresistive strain sensors.

Background & aimsIron overload disorders such as hereditary hemochromatosis and iron loading anemias are a common cause of morbidity from liver diseases and increase risk of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment options for iron-induced damage are limited, partly because there is lack of animal models of human disease. Therefore, we investigated the effect of iron overload in liver-specific β-catenin knockout mice (KO), which are susceptible to injury, fibrosis and tumorigenesis following chemical carcinogen exposure.MethodsIron overload diet was administered to KO and littermate control (CON) mice for various times. To ameliorate an oxidant-mediated component of tissue injury, N-Acetyl-L-(+)-cysteine (NAC) was added to drinking water of mice on iron overload diet.ResultsKO on iron diet (KO +Fe) exhibited remarkable inflammation, followed by steatosis, oxidative stress, fibrosis, regenerating nodules and occurrence of occasional HCC. Increased injury in KO +Fe was associated with activated protein kinase B (AKT), ERK, and NF-κB, along with reappearance of β-catenin and target gene Cyp2e1, which promoted lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage. Addition of NAC to drinking water protected KO +Fe from hepatic steatosis, injury and fibrosis, and prevented activation of AKT, ERK, NF-κB and reappearance of β-catenin.ConclusionsThe absence of hepatic β-catenin predisposes mice to hepatic injury and fibrosis following iron overload, which was reminiscent of hemochromatosis and associated with enhanced steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Disease progression was notably alleviated by antioxidant therapy, which supports its chemopreventive role in the management of chronic iron overload disorders.Lay summaryLack of animal models for iron overload disorders makes it hard to study the disease process for improving therapies. Feeding high iron diet to mice that lack the β-catenin gene in liver cells led to increased inflammation followed by fat accumulation, cell death and wound healing that mimicked human disease. Administration of an antioxidant prevented hepatic injury in this model.

Neuroendocrine liver metastases (LM-NEN) develop in a considerable proportion of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. There is a paucity of experimental models that accurately recapitulate this complex metastatic human liver microenvironment precluding scientific and clinical advancements. Here, we describe the development of a novel personalised immunocompetent precision cut tumour slice (PCTS) model for LM-NEN using resected human liver tissue. The histological assessment throughout the culture demonstrated that slices maintain viability for at least 7 days and retain the cellular heterogeneity of the original tumour. Essential clinical features, such as patient-specific histoarchitecture, tumour grade, neuroendocrine differentiation and metabolic capacity, are preserved in the slices. The PCTS also replicate the tumor-specific immunological profile as shown by the innate and adaptive immunity markers analysis. Furthermore, the study of soluble immune checkpoint receptors in the culture supernatants proves that these immunomodulators are actively produced by LM-NEN and suggests that this process is epithelium-dependent. This model can be employed to investigate these pathways and provides a powerful platform for mechanistic, immunological and pre-clinical studies.

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is used in many pediatric subspecialties but there are currently no standard guidelines or outcome data. We aimed to assess the current status of FGS in pediatrics using the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term study (IDEAL) framework. Clinical papers on FGS in children published from January 2000 to December 2022 were systematically reviewed. The stage of research development was measured considering seven fields of application: biliary tree imaging, vascular perfusion for gastrointestinal procedures, lymphatic flow imaging, tumor resection, urogenital surgery, plastic surgery, and miscellaneous procedures. Fifty-nine articles were selected. For each field of application, the overall IDEAL stage was determined to be 2a for biliary tree imaging (10 publications, 102 cases), 1 for vascular perfusion for gastrointestinal procedures (8 publications, 28 cases), 1 for lymphatic flow imaging (12 publications, 33 cases), 2a for tumor resection (20 publications, 238 cases), 2a for urogenital surgery (9 publications, 197 cases), and 1-2a for plastic surgery (4 publications, 26 cases). One report did not belong to any categories. FGS in children is still in an early phase of adoption and development. We recommend using the IDEAL framework as a guide and suggest developing multicenter studies to define the standard guidelines, effectiveness, and outcomes.

Abstract Amongst the global decline of coral reefs, hope spots such as Cordelia Bank in Honduras, have been identified. This site contains dense, remnant thickets of the endangered species Acropora cervicornis, which local managers and conservation organizations view as a potential source population for coral restoration projects. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of colonies across three banks within the protected area. We identified low genetic diversity (F ST = 0.02) across the three banks, and genetic similarity of colonies ranged from 91.3 to 95.8% between the banks. Clonality rates were approximately 30% across the three banks, however, each genotype identified was unique to each bank. Despite the low genetic diversity, subtle genetic differences within and among banks were demonstrated, and these dense thickets were shown not to be comprised of a single or a few genotypes. The presence of multiple genotypes suggests A. cervicornis colonies from these banks could be used to maintain and enhance genetic diversity in restoration projects. Management of hope spots, such as Cordelia Bank, and the incorporation of genetic information into restoration projects to ensure genetic diversity within out-planted populations, will be critical in the ongoing challenge of conserving and preserving coral reefs.

Abstract Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a rare disease, characterised by the aplasia of vagina and uterus in women with a 46,XX karyotype. Most cases are sporadic, but familial recurrence has also been described. Herein, we investigated an Italian cohort of 36 unrelated MRKH patients to explore the presence of pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) by array-CGH and MLPA assays. On the whole, aberrations were found in 9/36 (25%) patients. Interestingly, one patient showed a novel heterozygous microduplication at Xp22.33, not yet described in MRKH patients, containing the PRKX gene. Moreover, a novel duplication of a specific SHOX enhancer was highlighted by MLPA. To predict the potential significance of CNVs in MRKH pathogenesis, we provided a network analysis for protein-coding genes found in the altered genomic regions. Although not all of these genes taken individually showed a clear clinical significance, their combination in a computational network highlighted that the most relevant biological connections are related to the anatomical structure development. In conclusion, the results described in the present study identified novel genetic alterations and interactions that may be likely involved in MRKH phenotype determination, so adding new insights into the complex puzzle of MRKH disease.

Not available [In Italian]

Extralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration (eBPS) is a congenital lung malformation characterized by non-functional lung tissue with no connection with the bronchial tree, receiving systemic blood supply and covered by its own visceral pleura. It is mostly asymptomatic, however it can rarely get complicated with infections and neoplastic degeneration. Its management is still debated: many authors suggest observation for asymptomatic cases and intervention only in case of symptoms, others advocate surgery even in asymptomatic patients. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant sarcomatous neoplasm, representing the most common primary lung malignancy in children. Typically, PPB is associated with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). eBPS is rarely associated with PPB. We report a case of a previously healthy three-year-old boy presented to our emergency room with massive hemothorax after a low-energy chest trauma. Imaging revealed active thoracic bleeding by an anomalous artery arising from the celiac tripod, and an irregular mass in the lower right hemithorax. After performing biopsy, pathologic examination revealed a PPB. The patient underwent four cycles of chemotherapy before surgery. The operative findings revealed a right supradiaphragmatic extralobar mass, with no communication with the bronchial tree, strictly adherent to the right middle lobe. After mass excision, histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of PPB type 2. The patient underwent postoperative chemotherapy. No recurrence nor metastasis were noted during the current follow-up. DICER-1 research revealed biallelic mutation on the tumor and on the surrounding normal tissue. We reviewed the literature concerning PPB and BPS. Based on these data, we would recommend intervention even in case of asymptomatic eBPS.

Abstract Over the last 20 years, ecological restoration of degraded habitats has become common in conservation practice. Mountain hares (Lepus timidus scoticus) were surveyed during 2017–2021 using 830 km of line transects in the Peak District National Park, England. Historically degraded bog areas were previously reported having low hare numbers. Following bog restoration, we found hare densities of 32.6 individuals km−2, notably higher than neighboring degraded (unrestored) bog with 24.4 hares km−2. Hare density on restored peatland was 2.7 times higher than on bogs managed for grouse shooting at 12.2 hares km−2 and 3.3 times higher than on heather moorland managed for grouse shooting at 10.0 hares km−2. Yearly estimates varied most on habitats managed for grouse, perhaps indicative of the impact of habitat management, for example, heather burning and/or possible hare culling to control potential tick‐borne louping ill virus in gamebirds. Acid grassland used for sheep farming had a similar density to grouse moorland at 11.8 hares km−2. Unmanaged dwarf shrub heath had the lowest density at 4.8 hares km−2. Hare populations are characterized by significant yearly fluctuations, those in the study area increasing by 60% between 2017 and 2018 before declining by ca. 15% by 2020 and remaining stable to 2021. During an earlier survey in 2002, total abundance throughout the Peak District National Park was estimated at 3361 (95% CI: 2431–4612) hares. The present study estimated 3562 (2291–5624) hares suggesting a stable population over the last two decades despite fluctuations likely influenced by weather and anthropogenic factors. Mountain hares in the Peak District favored bog habitats and were associated with restored peatland habitat. Wildlife management should be cognizant of hare density variation between habitats, which may have implications for local extinction risk.

Abstract Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a newly emergent tick-borne bunyavirus first discovered in 2009 in China. SFTSV is a growing public health problem that may become more prominent owing to multiple competent tick-vectors and the expansion of human populations in areas where the vectors are found. Although tick-vectors of SFTSV are found in a wide geographic area, SFTS cases have only been reported from China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Patients with SFTS often present with high fever, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and in some cases, symptoms can progress to severe outcomes, including hemorrhagic disease. Reported SFTSV case fatality rates range from ~5 to >30% depending on the region surveyed, with more severe disease reported in older individuals. Currently, treatment options for this viral infection remain mostly supportive as there are no licensed vaccines available and research is in the discovery stage. Animal models for SFTSV appear to recapitulate many facets of human disease, although none of the models mirror all clinical manifestations. There are insufficient data available on basic immunologic responses, the immune correlate(s) of protection, and the determinants of severe disease by SFTSV and related viruses. Many aspects of SFTSV virology and epidemiology are not fully understood, including a detailed understanding of the annual numbers of cases and the vertebrate host of the virus, so additional research on this disease is essential towards the development of vaccines and therapeutics.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive tumours, and better risk stratification among patients is required to provide tailored treatment. The meaning of radiomics and texture analysis as predictive techniques are not already systematically assessed. The aim of this study is to assess the role of radiomics in PC. Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was conducted to assess the role of radiomics in PC. The search strategy was ‘radiomics [All Fields] AND (“pancreas” [MeSH Terms] OR “pancreas” [All Fields] OR “pancreatic” [All Fields])’ and only original articles referred to PC in humans in the English language were considered. Results: A total of 123 studies and 183 studies were obtained using the mentioned search strategy on PubMed and Embase, respectively. After the complete selection process, a total of 56 papers were considered eligible for the analysis of the results. Radiomics methods were applied in PC for assessment technical feasibility and reproducibility aspects analysis, risk stratification, biologic or genomic status prediction and treatment response prediction. Discussion: Radiomics seems to be a promising approach to evaluate PC from diagnosis to treatment response prediction. Further and larger studies are required to confirm the role and allowed to include radiomics parameter in a comprehensive decision support system.

[This technical note follows the discussion that took place during the Roundtable on “Experiences and perspectives on groundwater contamination: from characterization to legal implications”, held during the National Conference Flowpath 2021, which was attended by experts in the field of contaminated sites from the academic, professional, and public sectors. This contribution aims at summarizing and discussing the critical points emerged during the Roundtable, starting from the description of the technical-administrative procedure currently required by the Italian legislation and the measures suggested for each phase of the environmental remediation process.] [In Italian]

PurposeDistant metastasis is the main cause of treatment failure in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients, despite the recent improvement in treatment strategies. This study aims to evaluate the “delta radiomics” approach in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) treated with 0.35-T magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), developing a logistic regression model able to predict 2-year disease-free-survival (2yDFS).MethodsPatients affected by LARC were enrolled in this multi-institutional study. A predictive model of 2yDFS was developed taking into account both clinical and radiomics variables. Gross tumour volume (GTV) was delineated on the magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired during MRgRT, and 1,067 radiomic features (RF) were extracted using the MODDICOM platform. The performance of RF in predicting 2yDFS was investigated in terms of the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).Results48 patients have been retrospectively enrolled, with 8 patients (16.7%) developing distant metastases at the 2-year follow-up. A total of 1,099 variables (1,067 RF and 32 clinical variables) were evaluated in two different models: radiomics and radiomics/clinical. The best-performing 2yDFS predictive model was a delta radiomics one, based on the variation in terms of area/surface ratio between biologically effective doses (BED) at 54 Gy and simulation (AUC of 0.92).ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest a promising role of delta radiomics analysis on 0.35-T MR images in predicting 2yDFS for LARC patients. Further analyses including larger cohorts of patients and an external validation are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Coral reefs species represent one-third of all marine species described in the ocean. They are also responsible for providing habitat and support to different species. Recently, Caribbean coral reefs ecosystems have suffered an alarming decrease in their populations as a result of overexploitation. Madracis auretenra in particular, is a widespread shallow coral in marine protected areas (MPAs) of the Caribbean. Due to the important role of MPAs as a biodiversity conservation tool, this species can be used as a model to estimate its dispersion/migration among Caribbean reefs through the use of informative genetic markers (microsatellites) specifically designed for it. Seventeen new polymorphic microsatellites markers for M. auretenra were developed and tested in 330 samples from Colombia, Guatemala, Curacao and Barbados. The gene diversity (1-D) ranged from 0.482 to 0.903, while the evenness ranged from 0.456 to 0.884 after clone removal. The expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.347 to 0.742, while the observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.078 to 0.578. The specificity of our microsatellites shows the potential use of these markers in a-posteriori analysis to detect population structure at different spatial scales, where M. auretenra is reported.

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the transglutaminase family with Ca2+-dependent protein crosslinking activity. Its subcellular localization is crucial in determining its function, and indeed, TG2 is found in the extracellular matrix, mitochondria, recycling endosomes, plasma membrane, cytosol, and nucleus because it is associated with cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. It is involved in several pathologies, such as celiac disease, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and fibrosis diseases, carrying out opposite functions of up and down regulation in the progression of the same pathology. Therefore, this fine regulation requires a very sensitive and specific method of identification of TG2, which is to be detected in very small quantities in a deregulated condition. Here, we demonstrate the possibility of detecting TG2 down to attomolar concentration by using organic electrochemical transistors driven by gold electrodes functionalized with anti-TG2 antibodies. In particular, a direct correlation between the TG2 concentration and the transistor transconductance values, as extracted from typical transfer curves, was found. Overall, our findings highlight the potentialities of this new biosensing approach for the detection of TG2 in the context of pathological diseases, offering a rapid and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

The survival of endangered felids is becoming increasingly dependent on the successful management and breeding of reserve populations in captivity. While most felid species are reported to be solitary in the wild, increasing evidence suggests that some big cats have greater social plasticity than is currently acknowledged. This social plasticity allows felids to be sometimes socially housed in environments such as zoos and rescue centers. While the effects of such shared enclosures remain in question, many reports provide evidence of several welfare benefits of maintaining these large carnivores in pairs or even groups. Since 2019, Le Parc des Félins has housed a breeding pair of Malaysian tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) alongside their offspring. The purpose of this study was to quantify the social affiliation between the male tiger and his cubs and to investigate the female’s tolerance toward him. The data were collected using video recordings in the outdoor enclosure when social interactions were observed. The data were coded and categorized in the open-source software BORIS, from which behavioral activity budgets were calculated. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test for association to determine differences in affiliative frequency, with directed and undirected sociograms created to visualize individual relationships. Overall, the male regularly engaged in affiliative behaviors with the cubs, with no significant difference found in the frequency of interactions with them compared to the female. No physical aggression was directed by the male toward the cubs. Although the female maintained a stronger bond with the cubs compared to the male, he displayed a greater range of affiliative behaviors toward them than male tigers are thought to exhibit. Both adults showed a high degree of tolerance toward their conspecifics, suggesting that maintaining breeding pairs with their offspring is a viable management strategy in zoological collections. This study could therefore improve husbandry and conservation practices by developing our understanding of felid sociality and the potential welfare benefits of social housing, allowing for evidence-based captive management decisions.

The increasing interest in stretchable conductive composite materials, that can be versatile and suitable for wide-ranging application, has sparked a growing demand for studies of scalable fabrication techniques and specifically tailored geometries. Thanks to the combination of the conductivity and robustness of carbon nanotube (CNT) materials with the viscoelastic properties of polymer films, in particular their stretchability, “surface composites” made of a CNT on polymeric films are a promising way to obtain a low-cost, conductive, elastic, moldable, and patternable material. The use of polymers selected for specific applications, however, requires targeted studies to deeply understand the interface interactions between a CNT and the surface of such polymer films, and in particular the stability and durability of a CNT grafting onto the polymer itself. Here, we present an investigation of the interface properties for a selected group of polymer film substrates with different viscoelastic properties by means of a series of different and complementary experimental techniques. Specifically, we studied the interaction of a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) deposited on two couples of different polymeric substrates, each one chosen as representative of thermoplastic polymers (i.e., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP)) and thermosetting elastomers (i.e., polyisoprene (PI) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)), respectively. Our results demonstrate that the characteristics of the interface significantly differ for the two classes of polymers with a deeper penetration (up to about 100 μm) into the polymer bulk for the thermosetting substrates. Consequently, the resistance per unit length varies in different ranges, from 1–10 kΩ/cm for typical thermoplastic composite devices (30 μm thick and 2 mm wide) to 0.5–3 MΩ/cm for typical thermosetting elastomer devices (150 μm thick and 2 mm wide). For these reasons, the composites show the different mechanical and electrical responses, therefore suggesting different areas of application of the devices based on such materials.

We provide a worked example on how to obtain the total neutron scattering cross section of organic polymers at thermal neutron energies by means of the Average Functional Group Approximation. Within this framework, a polymer is rationalised as composed of hydrogen atoms belonging to specific functional groups,therefore taking into account the material-specific incoherent inelastic scattering contributions to the thermal cross section. Such simplified model allows the calculation of thermal neutron cross sections for a broad variety of materials of interest in neutron applications, e.g., sample containers and shielding components. We discuss in detail the case of ABS, often available as a 3D-printing material, whereby three polymers (acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene) can be combined in several mass percentages depending on the final application. Results are obtained using the NCrystal module already featuring the Average Functional Group Approximation.

The purpose of this paper is to begin an exploration into high-skills lifelong learning in the field of business and management, referred to as executive and professional education (EPE). Several additional undertakings were necessary, including: discovering methods of valuing knowledge to a region, state or country, and establishing why participants in EPE programs enroll in them. To support this inquiry two research questions were developed, as follows: 1. What are the components of relevant EPE? 2. What motivates participants to take part in EPE? An exploratory case study was written exploring the intricacies of developing a successful EPE department. This exploratory case study served as a basis for developing a survey, administered to participants in EPE to determine reasons for their participation. This final survey was conducted in the classroom. The researchers believe that the findings and conclusions will be of value to practitioners involved in EPE, as well as to academics studying this area of business education. This research exercise has assisted the researchers in being more effective in managing and developing EPE within their own university. As professions and skills are made obsolete in the knowledge economy the need for continued high level lifelong learning becomes increasing important to the sustainability and viability of local, regional, state and national economies.