Publications by authors named "Bellini D"

Aims: To verify the possible association between the stomatognathic and the visual system by analyzing the effects that different mandibular postures may have on the accommodative capacity and ocular convergence and by assessing whether temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can influence visual abilities.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was performed during a 1-year period on a sample of 100 subjects (50 cases and 50 controls). The subjects underwent a gnathological examination, and two visual tests were performed in three different jaw positions: maximum intercuspation, resting position, and open mouth.

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Background: numerous epidemiological studies demonstrate the correlation between obesity and urolithiasis. Bariatric surgery is effective in significant weight loss, reducing mortality rates, and lowering the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities. However, it may be associated with long-term complications such as urolithiasis, with an estimated increase of 7.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Acute chest pain (ACP) leads to many Emergency Department visits worldwide, necessitating quick and accurate diagnoses to address various serious conditions like acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism.
  • - Misdiagnosis can either prevent crucial medical interventions or result in unnecessary hospital admissions, putting a strain on healthcare resources.
  • - Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) enhances diagnostic accuracy for ACP, helping doctors effectively assess patients, as illustrated through a clinical case showing its critical role in identifying unclear symptoms.
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Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a neoplasm of vascular origin that promotes angiogenesis and the growth of endothelial cells triggered by the Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus (KSHV). When associated with HIV, KSHV becomes more aggressive and rapidly evolves. The HIV-1 TAT protein can be essential in developing AIDS-associated KS by promoting angiogenesis and increasing KSHV replication.

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A 74-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department following minor trauma. Plain radiographs and standard computed tomography (CT) scans revealed no signs of fractures. Subsequently, virtual noncalcium (VNCa) images were reconstructed, showing a linear area of bone marrow edema (BME) resembling a femoral neck fracture.

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The accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) heavily relies on image quality, as evidenced by the evolution of the prostate imaging quality (PI-QUAL) scoring system for the evaluation of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC). This study aims to evaluate the impact of PI-QUAL scores in detecting csPC within PI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions. We retrospectively selected from our database all mpMRI performed from January 2019 to March 2022.

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Microtubule (MT) filaments, composed of α/β-tubulin dimers, are fundamental to cellular architecture, function and organismal development. They are nucleated from MT organizing centers by the evolutionarily conserved γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC). However, the molecular mechanism of nucleation remains elusive.

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Faithful chromosome segregation requires robust, load-bearing attachments of chromosomes to the mitotic spindle, a function accomplished by large macromolecular complexes termed kinetochores. In most eukaryotes, the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN) complex of the inner kinetochore recruits to centromeres the ten-subunit outer kinetochore KMN network that comprises the KNL1C, MIS12C and NDC80C complexes. The KMN network directly attaches CCAN to microtubules through MIS12C and NDC80C.

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Cell division in all domains of life requires the orchestration of many proteins, but in Archaea most of the machinery remains poorly characterized. Here we investigate the FtsZ-based cell division mechanism in Haloferax volcanii and find proteins containing photosynthetic reaction centre (PRC) barrel domains that play an essential role in archaeal cell division. We rename these proteins cell division protein B 1 (CdpB1) and CdpB2.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern. Diagnostic imaging, using different modalities, has a pivotal role in CRC, from early detection (i.e.

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The genetic code of living cells has been reprogrammed to enable the site-specific incorporation of hundreds of non-canonical amino acids into proteins, and the encoded synthesis of non-canonical polymers and macrocyclic peptides and depsipeptides. Current methods for engineering orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to acylate new monomers, as required for the expansion and reprogramming of the genetic code, rely on translational readouts and therefore require the monomers to be ribosomal substrates. Orthogonal synthetases cannot be evolved to acylate orthogonal tRNAs with non-canonical monomers (ncMs) that are poor ribosomal substrates, and ribosomes cannot be evolved to polymerize ncMs that cannot be acylated onto orthogonal tRNAs-this co-dependence creates an evolutionary deadlock that has essentially restricted the scope of translation in living cells to α-L-amino acids and closely related hydroxy acids.

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Transcription termination by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is linked to RNA 3' end processing by the cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF or CPSF). CPF contains endonuclease, poly(A) polymerase, and protein phosphatase activities, which cleave and polyadenylate pre-mRNAs and dephosphorylate RNA Pol II to control transcription. Exactly how the RNA 3' end processing machinery is coupled to transcription remains unclear.

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This work aimed to validate the use of the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) in Italy. The SDS was devised to assess distraction related to smartphone use in adult populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted among = 609 adults (females = 76.

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Purpose: To evaluate using quantitative analysis on chest CT images a possible lung volume reduction in Long COVID patients who complain mild respiratory symptoms, with chest CT negative for inflammatory findings.

Materials And Methods: CT images of patients from 18 to 40 years old who underwent chest CT scan at our institution were analyzed retrospectively, using AwServer Thoracic VCAR software for a quantitative study. Exclusion criteria were inflammatory findings at CT, previous lung surgery, lung cancer, and breath artifacts that invalidate the quality of images.

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Peri-gastric appendagitis followed associated with gastro-hepatic ligament/lesser omentum hemorrhagic infarction has not been well investigated yet. With an accurate radiological diagnosis of peri-gastric appendagitis, even in case of hemorrhagic infarction, the patient can receive supportive measures for the self-limited pain and can forgo surgery, endoscopy, and further invasive testing.

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Background: preoperative risk assessment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTS) is required for optimal and personalized treatment planning. Radiomics features are promising tools to predict risk assessment. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an artificial intelligence classification algorithm, based on CT features, to define GIST's prognosis as determined by the Miettinen classification.

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Harnessing the potential beneficial effects of kinase signalling through the generation of direct kinase activators remains an underexplored area of drug development. This also applies to the PI3K signalling pathway, which has been extensively targeted by inhibitors for conditions with PI3K overactivation, such as cancer and immune dysregulation. Here we report the discovery of UCL-TRO-1938 (referred to as 1938 hereon), a small-molecule activator of the PI3Kα isoform, a crucial effector of growth factor signalling.

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Radiological imaging is currently employed as the most effective technique for screening, diagnosis, and follow up of patients with breast cancer (BC), the most common type of tumor in women worldwide. However, the introduction of the omics sciences such as metabolomics, proteomics, and molecular genomics, have optimized the therapeutic path for patients and implementing novel information parallel to the mutational asset targetable by specific clinical treatments. Parallel to the "omics" clusters, radiological imaging has been gradually employed to generate a specific omics cluster termed "radiomics".

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In orthopedics, titanium (Ti)-alloy implants, are often considered as the first-choice candidates for bone tissue engineering. An appropriate implant coating enhances bone matrix ingrowth and biocompatibility, improving osseointegration. Collagen I (COLL) and chitosan (CS) are largely employed in several different medical applications, for their antibacterial and osteogenic properties.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to determine if effective bowel preparation for CT colonography can be achieved without dietary restrictions, using a smaller dose of laxatives and fecal tagging.
  • Out of 1,446 participants, 93.29% had adequate bowel preparation, with no differences in effectiveness based on age, gender, or the presence of diverticula, although younger patients showed better colon distension.
  • The findings suggest that not requiring patients to modify their diet may lead to higher compliance and participation rates in colorectal cancer screening programs.
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The perceived quality of the learning environment may influence both motivation and concentration. Little is known about how perceived characteristics of the learning environment, and specifically sub-dimensions of Perceived Restorativeness (being away, fascination, compatibility, and extent), can promote these positive effects in an academic context. We addressed, through a correlational study, the possibility that the characteristics of learning environments may promote concentration and involvement in activity (i.

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Occupational stress can exceed the workers' individual capacity to adapt, and cause psychopathological conditions, including adjustment disorder (AD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which medico-legal reporting is mandatory by law. Since the early 2000s, an interdisciplinary diagnostic protocol has been in use at our Institute to address patients towards an appropriate therapeutic path, in order to promote their psychological well-being and work reintegration. In 2017, the protocol was updated and expanded.

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Herein, the synthesis and characterization of a novel composite biopolymer scaffold-based on equine type I collagen and hyaluronic acid-were described by using a reaction in heterogeneous phase. The resulting biomimetic structure was characterized in terms of chemical, physical, and cytotoxicity properties using human-derived lymphocytes and chondrocytes. Firstly, FT-IR data proved a successful reticulation of hyaluronic acid within collagen structure with the appearance of a new peak at a wavenumber of 1735 cm associated with ester carbonyl stretch.

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Background: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm based on Texture Analysis (TA) parameters in the prediction of Pathological Complete Response (pCR) to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy (nChRT) in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (LARC) patients. Methods: LARC patients were prospectively enrolled to undergo pre- and post-nChRT 3T MRI for initial loco-regional staging. TA was performed on axial T2-Weighted Images (T2-WI) to extract specific parameters, including skewness, kurtosis, entropy, and mean of positive pixels.

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