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Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their uses are often misunderstood. Consumers are regularly unsure what GMOs are, or if they are safe for consumption and the environment. Contradictory and sometimes inaccurate information is available from numerous sources, and challenges consumers and others to separate the facts from sensationalized stories. Agricultural producers often communicate with consumers, neighbors, and members of the general public; however, they do not have information to share about GMOs. Multimedia resources can provide agricultural producers with science- based information to share with consumers. Agricultural communicators and Extension educators can create science- based multimedia resources to bridge the communication gap.

Planar MFC prototypes were constructed and experimented to operate as sensors of the anoxic condition in a denitrification tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Italy, during different times in 2018 – 2019. Electrodes were differently enriched with carbon paint containing nanotubes and CeO2 nanoparticles. Performances of different electrodes were compared. Results underline critical anoxic conditions in the tank, that caused a very low signal and phenomena of signal reversion during some period of the year. the activity of aerobic microorganisms and protozoa growing and grazing the bacteria on the electrodes strongly influenced the signal of the MFCs. The presence of nanoceria enhanced, for some extent, the MFC signal, both in presence of reversing trends and in absence of these phenomena. In absence of reversing trends, nanoceria enhanced the MFC voltage. Such signal trends from MFCs can give, in real-time, useful information to optimize the purification process without the necessity of frequent biological and chemical analyses.

PURPOSE: This report details the characteristics of a case of bilateral optic neuropathy during treatment with oral lorlatinib for ALK-positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. OBSERVATIONS: A 57-year-old woman with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung receiving treatment with lorlatinib presented to the ophthalmology urgent care with bilateral loss of vision that had progressed to no light perception over the previous 2 weeks. She was hospitalized for an extensive autoimmune, infectious, neoplastic, and paraneoplastic workup, which revealed enhancement of both optic nerves extending up to the optic chiasm and an area of restricted diffusion in the splenium of the corpus callosum on MRI. Lorlatinib was discontinued by her oncologist and she received treatment with five days of pulse-dose intravenous solumedrol as well as five days of plasmapheresis with gradual improvement in her vision. In follow-up, her vision had improved to 20/40 and 20/30. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: There have been few reports describing vision loss associated with lorlatinib, an ALK/ROS1 targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This report details the characteristics of a case of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuropathy as well as the treatment and recovery of such a case. Further exploration is needed in order to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of this rare but potentially devastating adverse effect.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) represents a significant challenge in cattle management due to its multifactorial nature and lack of a gold standard diagnostic method. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a potential biomarker for bacterial infections in various species, including cattle. This study aimed to investigate plasma PCT concentration variations in pre-weaned dairy calves categorized as BRD-positive using clinical scores (WRSC; BRD-positive ≥5), thoracic ultrasonography with two cut-off (TUS; BRD-positive ≥1 or ≥3), or a combination of both methods (WRSC/TUS1cm or WRSC/TUS3cm). Additionally, the accuracy of PCT in diagnosing BRD was evaluated. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 226 pre-weaned Italian-Friesian female calves. Clinical scoring, TUS, and plasma PCT analysis were performed. Calves were categorized based on TUS findings, clinical scores, or a combination of both methods. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the differences in PCT concentrations among different groups and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of PCT. Results showed a significant increase in PCT levels in calves with lung consolidation detected by TUS using a 1 cm cutoff. However, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT in discriminating BRD-positive cases was poor (area under the curve 0.62). The optimal cutoff value for PCT was determined to be 86.63 pg/mL, with sensitivity of 49.7%, specificity of 71.8%, positive predictive value of 79.4% and negative predictive value of 39.5%. In conclusion, while PCT showed potential as a biomarker for BRD, its diagnostic accuracy was limited in this study. Future research should focus on integrating PCT measurements with other diagnostic methods and conducting longitudinal cohort studies to better understand its role in BRD diagnosis and management.

Abstract Systemic vasculitis is a group of rare diseases that share an essential characteristic: inflammation of blood vessel walls. This injury occurs during the disease course, but specific features vary for each entity. In this paper, we will address relevant aspects of the newest monogenic mutation vasculitis, such as deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) and VEXAS syndrome (UBA1), and other relevant vasculitis, such as Cogan syndrome and Susac syndrome that may share some similarities with them.

Background: The measurement of vitamin D is now commonplace for preventing osteoporosis and restoring an appropriate concentration that would be effective to counteract the occurrence of other human disorders. The aim of this study was to establish whether blood sampling seasonality may influence total vitamin D concentration in a general population of Italian unselected outpatients. M ethods: We performed a retrospective search in the laboratory information system of the University Hospital of Parma (Italy, temperate climate), to identify the values of total serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) measured in outpatients aged 18 years and older, who were referred for routine health checkup during the entire year 2014. Results: The study population consisted in 1 1 ,1 5 0 outpatients (median age 62 years; 8592 women and 2558 men). The concentration of vitamin D was consistently lower in samples collected in Winter than in the other three seasons. The frequency of subjects with vitamin D deficiency was approximately double in samples drawn in Winter and Spring than in Summer and Autumn. In the multi-variate analysis, the concentration of total vitamin D was found to be independently associated with sex and season of blood testing, but not with the age of the patients. C o nclu sio n s: According to these findings, blood sampling seasonality should be regarded as an important preanalytical factor in vitamin D assessment. It is also reasonable to suggest that the amount of total vitamin D synthesized during the summer should be high enough to maintain the levels > 50 nmol/L throughout the remaining part of the year.

Background: Hyponatremia and vitamin D deficiency are frequent disorders, and both have been associated with gait disturbances, falls and fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of an association between serum sodium and vitamin D serum levels. Methods: We performed a retrospective investigation to establish whether hyponatremia and vitamin D deficiency may be associated in a general population of unselected outpatients. An electronic search was performed in the laboratory information systems of the Hospital of Verona and the Hospital of Parma (Italy), to retrieve combined results for total vitamin D and sodium obtained in all outpatients referred for health check-up in the year 2013. Results: Combined results of vitamin D and sodium could be retrieved for 5097 outpatients (3859 females and 1238 males; mean age 64±17 years). Vitamin D deficient subjects displayed significantly lower levels of serum sodium (140 versus 141 mmol/L; p

Abstract Since the late twentieth century, the global fashion industry has been increasingly embracing the business model known as fast fashion. Characterised by rapid production cycles, fleeting trends, low-cost garments and large-scale production, fast fashion seems to meet consumer demand for affordable and trendy clothing. However, its environmental impact as a major polluter poses significant challenges to sustainability and circularity initiatives. This article presents the results of a systematic literature review, exploring the unsustainable consequences of fast fashion, focusing on both demand and supply side, from a geographical perspective. Using a Global North–Global South framework, it explores differences in socio-economic structures, consumption and production patterns, access to resources and environmental impacts. The analysis suggests that a fair and equitable transition towards a sustainable and circular fashion industry will require the links between business, society and nature to be reconsidered, to avoid perpetuating the inequalities associated with the global linear capitalist economy. The findings highlight the importance of both markets and institutions in sustainable growth. In the Global North, the most frequently discussed topics relate to investment and research and development with respect to new technologies or system innovations often with the support of well-structured political guidance. Conversely, in the Global sustainable initiatives tend to be scattered, country-specific and intricately tied to particular socio-economic and cultural contexts.

We briefly analyse the history of Queen Ulrika’s and of Linnaeus’ butterfly collections. We show that the type materials of some species were likely moved from Queen Ulrika’s to Linnaeus’ collection before 1803. We provide evidence that Honey and Scoble (2001) correctly designated the lectotypes of 101 of the 159 species listed in Linnaeus’ (1764) publication. We likewise conclude that, although it did not respect of the prevailing concept of the species, the lectotype of Papilio hermione was validly designated by Kudrna (1977); consequently, the neotype of P. hermione designated by Russell and Vane-Wright (2024) is invalid.

Objetivo. Evaluar la implementación de estrategias de la iniciativa HEARTS en una comunidad de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Métodos. Estudio cuasiexperimental, con la evaluación de la cascada de cuidado, factores impulsores e índices de madurez y desempeño cuatro meses después de la implementación de la iniciativa HEARTS en la comunidad La Marroquina en 52 pacientes con hipertensión (HTA). Los datos se procesaron en el programa SPSS® versión 25.0. Se aplicaron las pruebas t-Student y de ji cuadrado para determinar la significancia estadística. Resultados. Completaron los cuatro meses de seguimiento 50 pacientes, 63,5% con baja escolaridad y estrato socioeconómico bajo o muy bajo. Al inicio, 11,5% estaba controlado, y 40,4% inició con monoterapia. Al cuarto mes, 100% de las personas hipertensas recibieron el diagnóstico, 92% recibió tratamiento y 52% alcanzó la meta de control de HTA. El 72% recibía terapia combinada. De las personas hipertensas, 70% mantenía cifras de presión arterial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of plasma exchange (PLEX) for optic neuritis (ON). METHODS: We conducted an international multicenter retrospective study evaluating the outcomes of ON following PLEX. Outcomes were compared to raw data from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) using a matched subset. RESULTS: A total of 395 ON attack treated with PLEX from 317 patients were evaluated. The median age was 37 years (range 9-75), and 71% were female. Causes of ON included multiple sclerosis (108), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) (92), aquaporin-4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4+NMOSD) (75), seronegative-NMOSD (34), idiopathic (83), and other (3). Median time from onset of vision loss to PLEX was 2.6 weeks (interquartile range [IQR], 1.4-4.0). Median visual acuity (VA) at the time of PLEX was count fingers (IQR, 20/200-hand motion), and median final VA was 20/25 (IQR, 20/20-20/60) with no differences among etiologies except MOGAD-ON, which had better outcomes. In 81 (20.5%) ON attacks, the final VA was 20/200 or worse. Patients with poor outcomes were older (P = .002), had worse VA at the time of PLEX (P < .001), and longer delay to PLEX (P < .001). In comparison with the ONTT subset with severe corticosteroid-unresponsive ON, a final VA of worse than 20/40 occurred in 6 of 50 (12%) PLEX-treated ON vs 7 of 19 (37%) from the ONTT treated with intravenous methylprednisolone without PLEX (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Most ON attacks improved with PLEX, and outcomes were better than attacks with similar severity in the ONTT. The presence of severe vision loss at nadir, older age, and longer delay to PLEX predicted a worse outcome whereas MOGAD-ON had a more favorable prognosis. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

Summary: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) contribute to shaping many aspects of T cell lineage functions in anti-infective surveillance; however, their role in fungus-specific immune responses remains poorly understood. Using a T cell-specific deletion of HDAC1, we uncover its critical role in limiting polarization toward Th17 by restricting expression of the cytokine receptors gp130 and transforming growth factor β receptor 2 (TGF-βRII) in a fungus-specific manner, thus limiting Stat3 and Smad2/3 signaling. Controlled release of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is vital to minimize apoptotic processes in renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, animals harboring excess Th17-polarized HDCA1-deficient CD4+ T cells develop increased kidney pathology upon invasive Candida albicans infection. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of class I HDACs similarly increased IL-17A release by both mouse and human CD4+ T cells. Collectively, this work shows that HDAC1 controls T cell polarization, thus playing a critical role in the antifungal immune defense and infection outcomes.

Protected species require targeted studies to establish population sizes, their dispersal capacity and the possible genetic bottleneck effect that could impair the future of the remaining populations. In this study, we used the genotyping-by-sequencing technique (SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism) combined with Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) method to measure the dispersal ability and subpopulation sizes of the protected butterfly Zerynthia polyxena in 14 sites of NW Italian Alps. The study species form a metapopulation divided into several small subpopulations (ranging from 90 to 859 estimated subpopulation sizes). The species showed low mobility, likely due to habitat fragmentation, with individuals travelling an average of 80 m from their original capture site. SNPs highlighted high observed heterozygosity, low genetic substructuring at short distances, and large genetic differentiation only for individuals found in sites located at 46 km distance, suggesting high gene flow at short distances and limited gene flow between distant populations. Although CMR data did not detect movement beyond 700 m, the genetic results revealed remarkable connectivity among nearby subpopulations. The results indicate that gene flow still exists among the subpopulations despite the fragmented habitat. Considering that the species is locally threatened by habitat loss due to the planning of a European high-speed railway, our data suggest that it is not too late to adopt conservation measures. In conclusion, combining genetic and ecological studies can be utilised to design proper conservation plans for protected and threatened insect metapopulations.

Patrizia Bonelli,1 Franca M Tuccillo,1 Antonella Federico,5 Maria Napolitano,2 Antonella Borrelli,1 Daniela Melisi,6 Maria G Rimoli,6 Raffaele Palaia,3 Claudio Arra,4 Francesco Carinci71Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis; 2Department of Clinical Immunology; 3Department of Gastrointestinal-Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Cancer Oncology Surgery; 4Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute G Pascale, Naples, Italy; 5Microtech Laboratory, Naples, Italy; 6Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy; 7Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyPurpose: Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies have suggested that ibuprofen, a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the promotion and proliferation of certain tumors. Recently, we demonstrated the antiproliferative effects of ibuprofen on the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45. However, high doses of ibuprofen were required to elicit these antiproliferative effects in vitro. The present research compared the antiproliferative effects of ibuprofen delivered freely and released by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) in MKN-45 cells.Methods: MKN-45 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells were treated with ibuprofen-loaded PLGA NPs. The proliferation of MKN-45 cells was then assessed by cell counting. The uptake of NPs was imaged by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The release of ibuprofen from ibuprofen-loaded PLGA NPs in the cells was evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.Results: Dramatic inhibition of cellular proliferation was observed in cells treated with ibuprofen-loaded PLGA NPs versus those treated with free ibuprofen at the same concentration. The localization of NPs was cytoplasmic. The initiation of ibuprofen release was rapid, commencing within 2 hours, and then increased slowly over time, reaching a maximum concentration at 24 hours. The inhibition of proliferation was confirmed to be due to the intracellular release of ibuprofen from the NPs. Using PLGA NPs as carriers, ibuprofen exerted an antiproliferative activity at concentrations > 100 times less than free ibuprofen, suggesting greater efficiency and less cellular toxicity. In addition, when carried by PLGA NPs, ibuprofen more quickly induced the expression of transcripts involved in proliferation and invasiveness processes.Conclusion: Ibuprofen exerted an antiproliferative effect on MKN-45 cells at low concentrations. This effect was achieved using PLGA NPs as carriers of low doses of ibuprofen.Keywords: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), proliferation, uptake, MKN-45 cells

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a zoonotic agent with a life cycle consisting of definitive hosts (dogs and wild carnivores), and intermediate hosts (usually ungulates). Other animals and humans may accidentally ingest eggs and contract cystic echinococcosis, acting as aberrant hosts. A 3-year-old neutered female cat was brought to a veterinary practice in Sassari (Italy) with abdominal distension. Ultrasound showed multiple intraperitoneal vesicles, which on laparotomy were found to be metacestodes of E. granulosus. Videos of the extraction of cysts are provided. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial gene identified the isolate as E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G1, the most common genotype circulating in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. This is the first case report of cystic echinococcosis in domestic cats from Italy.

Despite the limited coverage of coral reefs in the world’s oceans, they play a crucial role in global marine biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services. This study explores the influence of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in the water column on the estimation of bottom reflectance (rb) in coral reefs monitored by the Allen Coral Atlas coral reef monitoring system, using satellite imagery from a Sentinel-2 MSI sensor. We conducted a comprehensive analysis, considering Chl-a global distribution and variability, and its combined effect with water column depth over rb calculation. Our results demonstrated that the impact of Chl-a on rb estimation becomes significant when the water column depth exceeds 3 m. While suggesting the optionality of using regional Chl-a values, our study highlights potential overestimations of Chl-a in optically complex environments, such as along the Brazilian coast. This research contributes to refining coral reef monitoring systems and underscores the importance of accurate Chl-a assessments for robust environmental evaluations.

Contribution: A model of tutoring program for the empowerment of engineering students in the information and communication technologies (ICT) area is proposed, as a mean to improve academic performance. Background: ICT students failing to proceed smoothly along their study path, and possibly abandoning university before graduating, is becoming a significant phenomenon in many countries. This is an important issue both from the student side and from the university side: the former is facing social and economic consequences, while the latter may be hindered in the ranking systems. Intended Outcomes: Design and application of tutoring actions that can lead students to empower themselves, develop several soft skills, and eventually improve personal and academic success. Application Design: Starting from the literature on tutoring, the approach of the "Tutorìa formativa de carrera" has been selected, because it considers students as the center of the learning model. The tutoring interventions have been then redesigned and tailored to the specific context of ICT courses. Findings: The effectiveness of the proposed program has been assessed by means of different indicators: self-perception of the participating students (based on Cawi surveys), success rate at the first mathematical exams as a short-term qualitative indicator, and long-term figures of merits of the students' career. In the latter case, proper techniques are used in order to create a quasi-experiment context. A significant impact of the proposed program is found for both students with high and low a-priori propensity to academic failure.

BackgroundAutistic traits (AT) seem to be particularly frequent among patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Moreover, the autism spectrum is considered a vulnerability factor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, increasing the vulnerability of BPD subjects toward the development of a stress-related disorder.AimThe study aimed to investigate the association between AT and trauma-related symptoms in a clinical sample of patients with BPD.MethodsA total of 48 patients with a clinical diagnosis of BPD and 52 healthy control (HC) subjects were recruited and assessed with the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum Self-Report (AdAS Spectrum) questionnaire and the Trauma and Loss Spectrum—Self-Report questionnaire (TALS-SR). The BPD group was divided into two subgroups: BPD with a symptomatological diagnosis of PTSD (pBPD = 25) and BPD not diagnosed with PTSD (No-pBPD = 23).ResultsThe clinical sample scored significantly higher in almost all AdAS domains. Moreover, pBPD groups reported higher AdAS and TALS-SR scores in the total and in various domains than the No-pBPD group, which scored higher in several domains than HC. AdAS Restricted interests and rumination domain scores were positive predictors of BPD presence independently from PTSD, while Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain was a negative predictor. Finally, AdAS Hyper/hyporeactivity to sensory stimuli domain was a positive predictor only for inclusion in the pBPD group.ConclusionOur study confirmed the existence of a statistically significant relationship between the autism spectrum and BPD, while BPD subjects diagnosed with PTSD seem to show a higher autism spectrum burden.

Objective: Abnormal changes in metabolite levels in serum or plasma have been highlighted in several studies in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Specific changes in lipid profiles are associated with an increased risk of AMD. Metabolites could thus be used to investigate AMD disease mechanisms or incorporated into AMD risk prediction models. However, whether particular metabolites causally affect the disease has yet to be established. Design: A 3-tiered analysis of blood metabolites in the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank cohort to identify metabolites that differ in AMD patients with evidence for a putatively causal role in AMD. Participants: A total of 72 376 donors from the UK Biobank cohort including participants with AMD (N = 1353) and non-AMD controls (N = 71 023). Methods: We analyzed 325 directly measured or derived blood metabolites from the UK Biobank for 72 376 donors to identify AMD-associated metabolites. Genome-wide association studies for 325 metabolites in 98 316 European participants from the UK Biobank were performed. The causal effects of these metabolites in AMD were tested using a 2-sample Mendelian randomization approach. The predictive value of these measurements together with sex and age was assessed by developing a machine learning classifier. Main Outcome Measures: Evaluating metabolic biomarkers associated with AMD susceptibility and investigating their potential causal contribution to the development of the disease. Results: This study noted age to be the prominent risk factor associated with AMD development. While accounting for age and sex, we identified 84 metabolic markers as significantly (false discovery rate-adjusted P value < 0.05) associated with AMD. Lipoprotein subclasses comprised the majority of the AMD-associated metabolites (39%) followed by several lipoprotein to lipid ratios. Nineteen metabolites showed a likely causative role in AMD etiology. Of these, 6 lipoproteins contain very small, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and phospholipids to total lipid ratio in medium VLDL. Based on this we postulate that depletion of circulating very small VLDLs is likely causal for AMD. The risk prediction model constructed from the metabolites, age and sex, identified age as the primary predictive factor with a much smaller contribution by metabolites to AMD risk prediction. Conclusions: This study underscores the pronounced role of lipids in AMD susceptibility and the likely causal contribution of particular subclasses of lipoproteins to AMD. Our study provides valuable insights into the metabopathological mechanisms of AMD disease development and progression.

ABSTRACT This study examined the diversity and persistence of Salmonella in the surface waters of agricultural regions of Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Research groups (three in 2019–2020 and five in 2021–2022) conducted a long-term survey of surface water across 5–8 months annually (n = 30 monthly). On-site, each team filtered 10-L water samples with modified Moore Swabs to capture Salmonella, which were then isolated and identified using conventional microbiological techniques. Salmonella isolates were sequenced on Illumina platforms. Salmonella was present in 1,493/3,291 water samples (45.8%), with varying isolation rates across countries and years. Newport, Infantis, and Typhimurium were the most frequent among the 128 different serovars. Notably, 22 serovars were found in all three countries, representing almost half of the 1,911 different isolates collected. The resistome comprised 72 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and six point mutations in three genes. At least one AMR determinant was observed in 33.8% (646/1,911) of the isolates, of which 47.4% (306/646) were potentially multidrug resistant. Phylogeny based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) showed that most isolates clustered according to sequence type and country of origin. Only 14 cgMLST multi-country clusters were detected among the 275 clusters. However, further analysis confirmed that close genetic relatedness occurred mostly among isolates from the same country, with three exceptions. Interestingly, isolates closely related phylogenetically were recovered over multiple years within the same country, indicating the persistence of certain Salmonella in those areas. In conclusion, surface waters in these regions are consistently contaminated with diverse Salmonella, including strains that persist over time.IMPORTANCESalmonella is a leading foodborne pathogen responsible for millions of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths annually. Although Salmonella-contaminated water has now been recognized as an important contamination source in the agrifood chain, there is a lack of knowledge on the global occurrence and diversity of Salmonella in surface water. Moreover, there has been insufficient research on Salmonella in surface waters from Latin American countries that are major producers and exporters of agricultural products. Incorporating genetic profiling of Salmonella isolates from underrepresented regions, such as Latin America, enhances our understanding of the pathogen’s ecology, evolution, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogenicity. Moreover, leveraging genomic data derived from pathogens isolated from diverse geographical areas is critical for assessing the potential public health risk posed by the pathogen and expediting investigations of foodborne outbreaks. Ultimately, global efforts contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of foodborne infections.

Il contributo approfondisce una proposta formativa dell’Università degli Studi di Padova legata all’orientamento attivo nella transizione scuola-università, sulla base di quanto previsto dal Decreto Ministeriale MUR 934/2022. In particolare, è stato progettato un percorso online, dedicato agli studenti1 dell’ultimo triennio di scuola secondaria di secondo grado del territorio, che mira allo sviluppo di alcune competenze trasversali utili in vista della transizione post-diploma. Il modulo di tre ore è fruibile in modo asincrono sulla piattaforma Moodle di Ateneo, e si compone di quattro attività principali, relative a: introduzione sulle soft skills, abilità e motivazione allo studio, abilità sociali e interpersonali, orientamento alla scelta. Le attività rappresentano una proposta inedita e innovativa per l’Ateneo, e si svolgono tramite brevi video creati ad hoc, questionari e attività di riflessione guidata iniziali e finali, sia di tipo quantitativo che qualitativo. La prima edizione si è svolta da aprile ad agosto 2023, ed è attualmente in corso la seconda edizione 2023/24. La presentazione della proposta, qui dettagliata nei suoi obiettivi e caratteristiche operative, può configurarsi come esempio di pratica e accrescere il dibattito scientifico rispetto all’importante tema dell’orientamento attivo nella transizione scuola-università, fungendo anche da confronto e riflessione per altri contesti che stanno affrontando questa importante sfida. 1 Per rendere più fluida l’esposizione, nel testo utilizzeremo il maschile ma intendiamo includere tutti i generi.

Abstract The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib has been approved for the first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. Despite its efficacy, patients develop resistance. Mechanisms of resistance are heterogeneous and not fully understood, and their characterization is essential to find new strategies to overcome resistance. Ceramides are well-known regulators of apoptosis and are converted into glucosylceramides (GlcCer) by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS). A higher content of GlcCers was observed in lung pleural effusions from NSCLC patients and their role in osimertinib-resistance has not been documented. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic potential of inhibiting GCS in NSCLC EGFR-mutant models resistant to osimertinib in vitro and in vivo. Lipidomic analysis showed a significant increase in the intracellular levels of glycosylceramides, including GlcCers in osimertinib resistant clones compared to sensitive cells. In resistant cells, the GCS inhibitor PDMP caused cell cycle arrest, inhibition of 2D and 3D cell proliferation, colony formation and migration capability, and apoptosis induction. The intratumoral injection of PDMP completely suppressed the growth of OR xenograft models. This study demonstrated that dysregulation of ceramide metabolism is involved in osimertinib-resistance and targeting GCS may be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients progressed to osimertinib.