Continuous Flow Chemistry and Bayesian Optimization for Polymer-Functionalized Carbon Nanotube-Based Chemiresistive Methane Sensors.

We report the preparation of poly(ionic) polymer-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotube dispersions for chemiresistive methane (CH) sensors with improved humidity tolerance. Single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) were noncovalently functionalized by poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) with varied amounts of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) moiety bearing a Br and terminal azide group (Br-R). The quaternization of P4VP with Br-R was performed using continuous flow chemistry and Bayesian optimization-guided reaction selection.

Education for fatigue management in people with multiple sclerosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). Educational interventions have shown potential to reduce fatigue. The aim was to systematically review the current best evidence on patient education programmes for MS-related fatigue.

[Ten questions about cardiopulmonary exercise testing: all that the cardiologist dares or dares not to ask].

In patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, muscular and neurological diseases, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a valuable tool providing clinically-relevant diagnostic and prognostic information by evaluation of exercise response. CPET requires to be performed in dedicated centers able to correctly carry out the examination and to carefully evaluate the results. CPET analyzes functional capacity revealing both symptomatic and asymptomatic intolerance to exercise.

Cytokines and chemokines in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy: A systematic review.

Advances in the understanding of cytokines have revolutionized mechanistic treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as exemplified by rheumatoid arthritis. We conducted a systematic literature review on the role of cytokines and chemokines in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Ovid Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched until August 31, 2022 for human studies investigating cytokines levels in CIDP or MMN.

Cross-cultural validity and reliability of the comprehensive assessment of acceptance and commitment therapy processes (CompACT) in people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (CompACT) is a 23-item questionnaire measuring psychological flexibility, a quality of life protective factor. An 18-item version was recently produced. We assessed validity and reliability of CompACT, and equivalence of paper and electronic (eCompACT) versions in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in Italy, Germany and Spain.

Ecotoxicological assessment of waste-derived organic fertilizers and long-term monitoring of fertilized soils using a multi-matrix and multi-species approach.

The present study investigates the ecotoxicity of 7 biofertilizers, including biowaste-derived organic matrices. Real-field tests were conducted to assess the impacts of soil fertilization with sewage sludge digestate from high-solid thermophilic anaerobic digestion (HSTAD) compared to those obtained on non-amended and urea-fertilized soils. The physical-chemical and ecotoxic impact of HSTAD digestate on soil was monitored for 12 months, at 5 time points and 2 soil depths, on a maize field divided in 3 portions (non-treated, fertilized with urea, amended with digestate).

User appraisal of a booklet for advance care planning in multiple sclerosis: a multicenter, qualitative Italian study.

Objectives: Implementation of advance care planning (ACP) in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (PwPMS) is limited. We aimed to involve users (PwPMS, significant others, and healthcare professionals involved in PwPMS care) in the evaluation and refinement of a booklet to be used during the ACP conversations.

Methods: This qualitative study consisted of cognitive interviews with PwPMS and significant others and a focus group with healthcare professionals from three Italian centers.

-Mediated Resistance to CMV in Melon Can Be Overcome by Mixed Infections with Potyviruses.

Resistance to cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) strain LS in melon is controlled by the gene , which restricts phloem entry. In nature, CMV is commonly found in mixed infections, particularly with potyviruses, where a synergistic effect is frequently produced. We have explored the possibility that this synergism could help CMV-LS to overcome -mediated resistance.

Regular assessment of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels to monitor POEMS syndrome.

Background: To investigate the utility of regular serum VEGF (sVEGF) levels assessment in the monitoring of POEMS syndrome.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 30 patients with POEMS syndrome whose sVEGF was tested regularly every 6 months. sVEGF levels after treatment were measured and correlated with disability (Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, ONLS), clinical impairment (measured with the modified Clinical Response Evaluation Scale, mCRES), and relapse-free survival.

Beyond the Visible: A Review of Ultraviolet Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Compositions, Morphologies, and Performance.

The first observation of ultraviolet surface-enhanced Raman scattering (UV-SERS) was 20 years ago, yet the field has seen a slower development pace than its visible and near-infrared counterparts. UV excitation for SERS offers many potential advantages. These advantages include increased scattering intensity, higher spatial resolution, resonance Raman enhancement from organic, biological, and semiconductor analytes, probing UV photoluminescence, and mitigating visible photoluminescence from analytes or substrates.

Applying multidimensional computerized adaptive testing to the MSQOL-54: a simulation study.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) is one of the most commonly-used MS-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. It is a multidimensional, MS-specific HRQOL inventory, which includes the generic SF-36 core items, supplemented with 18 MS-targeted items. Availability of an adaptive short version providing immediate item scoring may improve instrument usability and validity.

Knowledge and worries on motherhood choice in multiple sclerosis - a cross-sectional study on patient-reported outcome measures.

Background: Since multiple sclerosis (MS) is often diagnosed in young women, pregnancy is a common topic for women with MS (wwMS). The study aimed to assess the measurement properties of two patient-reported outcome measures on motherhood choice in MS, and to explore the information and support needs of wwMS concerning motherhood.

Methods: We conducted an anonymous web-based survey to validate the motherhood/pregnancy choice and worries questionnaire (MPWQ, 31 items plus up to 3 additional items) and the motherhood choice knowledge questionnaire (MCKQ, 16 items).

Rasch validation of the German version of the Prosthesis Embodiment Scale for lower limb amputees and proposal of a revised version.

Purpose: To perform a detailed psychometric Rasch analysis of the Prosthesis Embodiment Scale (PEmbS) administered in adults with lower limb amputation (LLA).

Methods: A convenience sample of German-speaking adults with LLA ( = 150), recruited from German state agencies' databases, was asked to complete the PEmbS, a 10-item patient-reported scale assessing prosthesis embodiment.

Results: The local dependency between two items was resolved by keeping for the global score only the lower score of these two items (#9 and #10).

Italian cross-cultural adaptation of the Quality of Communication questionnaire and the 4-item advance care planning engagement questionnaire.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is influenced by several factors (e.g., patient's readiness to engage, clinician's skills, and the cultural environment).

Postpartum relapse risk in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The influence of pregnancy on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been controversial. While historical evidence suggests a substantial decline in relapse rates during pregnancy followed by a rebound in the postpartum period, more recent work yielded equivocal results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on data from cohort studies to determine whether women with MS experience increased relapse rates after delivery.

Rasch validation of the German translation of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility short forms in people with lower limb amputation.

Background: Prostheses are a primary rehabilitative intervention for people after lower limb amputation. To appropriately measure the effectiveness of prosthetic interventions, valid and reliable measures of prosthetic mobility are required. The Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M) is a promising instrument for measuring prosthesis users' mobility.

Assessing individual-level measurement precision of the Short Physical Performance Battery using the test information function.

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a commonly used tool to assess lower extremity function, composed of three assessments (standing balance, gait speed, and chair stand). While its validity for group-level decisions has been positively demonstrated, the measurement precision at the individual level needs more clarification. We aimed to examine the SPPB's psychometric characteristics including its conditional measurement precision with Rasch methods in a sample of elderly patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation.

Rasch validation and refinement of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 in an Italian cohort with secondary lymphedema.

Purpose: To produce and validate an Italian version of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 (LLISv2-It), a tool measuring the impact of lymphedema on health-related quality of life, and investigate its main psychometric characteristics.

Methods: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the LLISv2, we administered it to 156 subjects with secondary lymphedema (upper or lower limb), together with (depending on the limb involved) either the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) or the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). We analyzed the performance of LLISv2-It using Classical Test Theory and Rasch methods.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Italian version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire in individuals with peripheral facial palsy.

Background: After peripheral facial palsy, the onset of facial synkinesis results in aesthetic disfigurement and local muscle tension or pain, with possible deterioration of patient's well-being and social participation. The availability of valid instruments to evaluate patient-reported severity of facial synkinesis is important to capture the subjective perception of facial impairment.

Aim: To generate and validate an Italian version of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire, a patient-reported outcome measure to assess patient-perceived severity of facial synkinesis after peripheral facial palsy.

Head-to-head Rasch comparison of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Mobility Section and the Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire 2.0 in Italian lower-limb prosthesis users.

Background: The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Mobility Section (PEQ-MS) and the Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire (PMQ 2.0) are two validated self-report questionnaires assessing mobility in people with lower-limb amputation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the psychometric properties of PEQ-MS and PMQ 2.