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Davide Bimbatti,1 Eleonora Lai,1,2 Francesco Pierantoni,2,3 Marco Maruzzo,1 Aichi Msaki,1 Chiara De Toni,1 Michele Dionese,1,2 Alessandra Feltrin,4 Umberto Basso,1 Vittorina Zagonel1 1Oncology 1 Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV – IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 2Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; 3Oncology 3 Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV – IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 4Hospital Psychology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV – IRCCS, Padua, ItalyCorrespondence: Davide Bimbatti, Oncology 1 Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV - IRCCS, via Gattamelata 64, Padova, 35128, Italy, Email Davide.bimbatti@iov.veneto.itPurpose: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common solid tumor in young adults. 95% of patients are cured, but they may experience late adverse effects (anxiety, fear of recurrence, and sexual dysfunction) with an impact on daily life. We attempted to assess Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMs), long-term sexual disorders, and difficulties in achieving fatherhood in a cohort of TC survivors, as well as their possible correlation with previous cancer treatments.Methods: Different questionnaires, such as the Impact of Cancer (IOC) and the Body Image Scale (BIS), were used to investigate the distinct areas of the PROMs. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF15) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) focused on sexuality and fertility. Patients were prospectively recruited between February 2020 and February 2022.Results: 144 participants completed all the questionnaires. Results showed a good QoL, a moderate fear of TC recurrence, a good satisfaction with their personal body image, low incidence of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. 19.5% of patients who had a testicular implant reported general dissatisfaction. Only 18% of patients had unsuccessfully attempted fatherhood, while the majority had not yet tried, and 23.4% succeeded. A low percentage of patients used procedures assisted reproduction and adoption.Conclusion: This trial supports the use of various questionnaires as a multifactorial tool capable of investigating all the aspects of long-term cancer survivorship. The assessment of medical and psychosocial sequelae is an essential part of patient care and is important for the development of a comprehensive care plan for TC survivors.Keywords: testis cancer, testis cancer survivor, testis cancer PROMs, testis cancer fertility

Mario Caccese,1 Silvia Imbevaro,2 Alessandra Feltrin,3 Daniela Costardi,4 Nadia Giordano,5 Maristella Maran,1 Rosalba Martino,1 Ketti Ottolitri,6 Malihe Shams,3 Federica Vascon,7 Anna Roma,5 Antonella Galiano,1 Marco Maruzzo,1 Dario Marino,1 Giuseppe Lombardi,1 Sara Lonardi,5 Antonella Brunello,1 Vittorina Zagonel1 1Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 2General Directorate, Accreditation and Acknowledgment Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncolog IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 3Health Department, Psycho-Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 4Scientific Directorate, Patient Education and Empowerment, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 5Department of Oncology, Oncology 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 6Health Department, Clinical Risk Office, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 7Department of Imaging and Health Physics, Radiotherapy Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, ItalyCorrespondence: Mario Caccese, Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Via Gattamelata, 64, Padua, 35128, Italy, Email mario.caccese@iov.Veneto.itPurpose: The SARS-CoV-2 spread has impacted Healthcare systems. COVID-19 pandemic has had consequences for patients with cancer, being associated with delays in diagnosis, in treatment And follow-up care, increase in overall infection rates and higher mortality. A survey on COVID-19 and a vaccination-questionnaire were developed at different times of the outbreak, to evaluate cancer patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) on the policies implemented to reduce the infection from SARS-CoV-2 and on the timing and methods of COVID-19 vaccination.Patients and Methods: The survey was distributed to all patients accessing the Institute during the “first-wave” Of the pandemic, evaluating patients’ concerns about the pandemic, the pandemics’ consequences on their cancer care, and their perception Of the measures adopted to limit the infection spread. The vaccination-questionnaire was proposed to 10% of the first 5297 cancer patients vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 vaccine. This questionnaire aimed at assessing the degree Of satisfaction with the Institutional vaccination campaign and vaccination-related adverse events.Results: From May 18th 2020 to June 15th 2020 the survey was completed by 3238 patients. Most of the responders expressed concern on the pandemic yet acknowledging their oncological disease as a priority. Measures implemented were appreciated by patients. Telemedicine was positively evaluated and the absence of the caregiver during the visit did not determine discomfort for two thirds of patients. From March 6th 2021 to May 8th 2021 the vaccination-questionnaire was completed by 357 patients. The 98.8% were satisfied with the vaccination campaign. No serious vaccination-correlated adverse events were reported. No patient had to delay/discontinue chemotherapy due to vaccination.Conclusion: PREMs during COVID-19 pandemic and related vaccination can provide important information to help reorganization of the health care systems for cancer care. Patients’ feedback on the organizational changes implemented in the emergency period are essential for healthcare improvement and to help informed choices that are consistent with patients’ needs.Keywords: patients’ perspective, PREMs, COVID-19, survey, SARS-CoV-2, cancer patients

Zeolites are nanoporous alumina silicates in a framework with cations, exhibiting ion-exchange properties with metal ions making them possible antimicrobial materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of ion-exchanged zeolites and the toxic potential of these materials. Zeolite-Co2+ and Li+ exhibited the most effective inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus growth than in other microorganisms (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa) in low concentrations. Zeolite-Cu2+ presented higher zone of inhibition when tested against Candida albicans, while Zeolite-Zn2+ showed similar effectiveness among all the microorganisms. When ion-exchanged zeolites were used in effective concentrations to achieve antimicrobial activity, no alterations against bioindicators organisms as Artemia sp. and L. sativa were found and, in addition, they have non-significant result in terms of DNA cleavage activity. Zeolites have advantage of releasing slowly the metals loaded and this characteristic can to be considered promising as potential antimicrobial materials in concentrations safe for use.

BACKGROUND: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) is a relatively new disease entity in the field of demyelinating disorders. Its first diagnostic criteria have recently been published. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) for MOG-IgG testing and report the clinical and radiologic features with respect to the recently published criteria. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at three centers in Dallas, Texas. Patients with positive MOG-IgG testing on cell-based assays at any time were included. Positive cases were reviewed by at least two neuroimmunologists for fulfillment of the criteria. RESULTS: We included 235 patients. The PPV of seropositivity at any time was 78.3% overall, 52.6% for low titer, and 90.1% for high titer. Children had a higher PPV than adults (93.9% versus 67.2%). Positive predictive value was 6.3% in those without a core clinical demyelinating attack. Children more often have the typical imaging features of MOGAD in optic neuritis than adults. CONCLUSIONS: We report a PPV of 78.3% for MOG-IgG testing using the 2023 MOGAD diagnostic criteria. Children had higher PPV and frequency of supporting imaging features. Careful consideration is necessary when assigning patients with no core demyelinating event and low titers a MOGAD diagnosis.

Mountainous regions typically host a great diversity of small-ranged species, often contributing for delineating world biodiversity hotspots. Species of trichomycterine catfishes have been recorded for several high-altitude areas of tropical South America, but field inventories in top mountains of southern Brazil are still rare. Here we report four new small-ranged species collected in streams of the Rio Iguaçu at Serra do Espigão (RISE) in altitudes between about 970 and 1020 m asl, one in the eastern portion of RISE and three in the western portion. A molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that these species belong to the Cambeva beta-clade, which comprises all species endemic to the Rio Iguaçu drainage, but together not forming a monophyletic group. The analysis also indicated that species endemic to high altitudes are variably related to species from lower altitudes. The only eastern RISE species appears in a basal position of a well-supported clade (Cambeva beta1-clade), with the western RISE species appearing in a subclade of the Cambeva beta1-clade with species occurring in a vast area of southern Brazil. New species are diagnosed by combinations of morphological character states, including meristic, colouration, latero-sensory system, and osteological data.

An entropy-stabilized multicomponent ultrahigh-temperature ceramic (UHTC) coating, (Ti0.25V0.25Zr0.25Hf0.25)B2, on a graphite substrate was in-situ sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) from constituent transition metal diboride powders. The (Ti0.25V0.25Zr0.25Hf0.25)B2 coating had a hardness of 31.2±2.1 GPa and resisted 36.9 GPa of stress before delamination, as observed at the interface. The temperature-dependent thermal properties of the multicomponent diboride (Ti0.25V0.25Zr0.25Hf0.25)B2 were obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations driven by a machine learning force field (MLFF) trained on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The thermal conductivity, density, heat capacity, and coefficient of thermal expansion obtained by the MD simulations were used in time-dependent thermal stress finite element model (FEM) simulations. The low thermal conductivity (< 6.52 W∙m−1∙K−1) of the multicomponent diboride coupled with its similar coefficient of thermal expansion to that of graphite indicated that stresses of less than 10 GPa were generated at the interface at high temperatures, and therefore, the coating was mechanically resistant to the thermal stress induced during ablation. Ablation experiments at 2200 °C showed that the multicomponent diboride coating was resistant to thermal stresses with no visible cracking or delamination. The ablation mechanisms were mechanical denudation and evaporation of B2O3 and light V–Ti oxides, which caused a decrease in the mass and thickness of the coating and resulted in mass and linear ablation rates of −0.51 mg·s−1 and −1.38 µm·s−1, respectively, after 60 s. These findings demonstrated the thermal and mechanical stability of multicomponent entropy-stabilized diborides as coatings for carbon materials in engineering components under extreme environments.

The aim of this study was to verify the correlation of self-reported sleep and awake bruxism with demographic characteristics, oral behaviors, anxiety, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs and symptoms, sleep quality, and orthodontic treatment history in dental students. A total of 104 students of Dentistry located in Paraná (South Brazilian State) answered the following self-administered questionnaires: Oral Behavior Checklist, State Anxiety Inventory, TMD signs and symptoms questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Associations between possible awake bruxism (AB) and sleep bruxism (SB) with sleep quality, anxiety, and TMD were analyzed by Poisson Regression with robust variance. The significance level adopted was 5%. The frequency of AB and SB was 76% and 55.8%, respectively. A statistically higher frequency of AB was observed in students who had the following conditions: use of psychotropic medication, physical activity practitioners, moderate or high level of anxiety, more oral behaviors, sleep disorders, and sleep bruxism. Sleep bruxism was diagnosed more frequently in students who presented moderate or high levels of anxiety, oral behaviors, and sleep disorders. The frequency of TMD reported was higher in students with SB, as well as in those with AB. In conclusion, lifestyle, moderate and high anxiety levels, and sleep disorders are associated with a higher prevalence of AB and SB. Furthermore, AB and SB are associated with a higher frequency of TMD reporting.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of advanced seedlings of sour passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.) in pruning intensities at different volumes of containers. The experiment was carried out in a production nursery, in Pedras Grandes, Santa Catarina state. The experimental design was a randomized block design and the treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme of five pruning intensities (control and pruning from the emission of 2, 4, 6, and 8 defined leaves) x 3 container volumes (1.0; 1.7 and 3.6 liters), with three replications and six plants per plot. The height and number of leaves (NF) of the seedlings were evaluated throughout the experiment and, at the end, the percentage of plants with a twisted root system (PSRE), root volume (VR), root dry mass (MSR), aerial part (MSPA) and total were measured (MST). The control treatment (without pruning) showed greater height, NF, MSPA and MST, regardless of container volume. The production of advanced sour passion fruit seedlings under pruning intensities reduced height, NF, MSPA and MST. Seedlings formed in larger volume containers provided greater height, NF, VR, MSR, MSPA and MST, in addition to the lowest PSRE. Therefore, pruning at an intensity of 6 leaves in a 1.7 liter container is recommended.

BackgroundEarly palliative care (EPC) is a recommended model for improving the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. However, limited research has focused on the role of psychological evaluation within EPC. The Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV), a Comprehensive Cancer Centre, employs an interdisciplinary team to assess patients with advanced-stage disease. This study aims to assess the psychological needs of these patients, investigate any correlations between psychological symptoms (PSs) and factors such as awareness of diagnosis and prognosis, symptoms detected using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), as well as the patient’s gender, age, social issues, and survival and to clarify the psychologist’s role within the interdisciplinary team.MethodsData were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. From 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2021, 819 consecutive patients were evaluated during EPC consultations, with 753 participants enrolled in the study. The ESAS was administered to each patient before the consultation.ResultsMore than half of the patients (385, 57.1%) reported at least one PS, with an ESAS score of ≥4. Specifically, 34.9% reported depression, 28.7% reported anxiety, and 43.2% indicated feeling “not well.” Referring oncologists tended to overestimate the presence of PSs compared to patient self-reports (51.8% versus 41.3%). According to the psychologists’ assessment, 29.2% of participants were found to have depression, and 10.8% of participants had anxiety. Additionally, 31 patients (10.8%) with psychological disorders were diagnosed with an adaptation disorder related to a physical condition. The psychology service engaged 47% of patients, while 18.5% declined psychological support. Patients exhibiting other ESAS symptoms with scores of ≥4 had an increased odds ratio for reporting PSs of ≥4. However, multivariable analysis revealed no significant relationship between PSs and awareness of diagnosis and prognosis.ConclusionThe systematic use of self-assessment in EPC is essential for understanding patient’s experience, determining whether PSs stem from physical disorders, and prioritizing interventions. Awareness of prognosis does not correlate with increased anxiety and depression in patients. Therefore, EPC is an ideal opportunity to discuss prognosis and facilitate patients’ end-of-life choices early in their care journey.