Impact of structural variations and genome partitioning on bread wheat hybrid performance.

The agronomical interest of hybrid wheat has long been a matter of debate. Compared to maize where hybrids have been successfully grown for decades, the mixed results obtained in wheat have been attributed at least partially to the lack of heterotic groups. The wheat genome is known to be strongly partitioned and characterized by numerous presence/absence variations and alien introgressions which have not been thoroughly considered in hybrid breeding.

Rapid COVID-19 Testing of Symptomatic Health Care Personnel: A Strategy for Safely Maintaining the Workforce.

Determine performance characteristics and safety outcomes of two rapid COVID-19 screening methods to inform immediate return to work (RTW) decisions while (health care personnel) HCP await results of pending confirmatory laboratory test. Retrospective, occupational health quality improvement study comparing screening with rapid SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) and antigen test. 531 mildly symptomatic HCP screened over 16 months.

HBV and HCV testing outcomes among marginalized communities in Italy, 2019-2024: a prospective study.

Background: The health of the marginalized populations is crucial for public health and inequalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Hepatitis Report 2024 stated that over 304 million people were living with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in 2022. We performed HBV/HCV screenings among marginalized communities to reveal hidden infections and link-to-care positive participants.

Clinical outcomes from robotic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in patients under and over 70 years old: a single institution retrospective cohort study with a comprehensive systematic review on behalf of TROGSS - The Robotic Global Surgical Society.

Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare outcomes of robotic inguinal hernia repair (RIHR) in patients under and over 70 years old, performed by a fellowship-trained robotic surgeon at a single institution.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing robotic primary transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair between 2020 and 2022 was conducted. Patients were categorized into two age groups: those under 70 years and 70 years and older.

Impact of clean intermittent self-catheterization and indwelling catheterization on perioperative outcomes in patients with urinary retention undergoing BPH surgery: A comparative monocentric retrospective study.

Introduction And Objectives: In case of acute urinary retention (AUR) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) first trial without catheter (TWOC) may fail in about 30% of cases. In this situation most of patients have to keep an indwelling catheter (IDC) or to perform clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) until surgery. Although CISC has shown several advantages over IDC in neurologic patients, it is barely proposed in case of acute or chronic urinary retention due to BPH and comparative data on the outcomes of BPH surgery are very sparse.

Post-licensure Safety Surveillance of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20) Among US Adults in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

Background: On June 8, 2021, a new 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20, PREVNAR 20, Pfizer, Inc.) was licensed for use in adults aged ≥ 18 years by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Objective: To describe reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) after administration of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults.

Sinusitis and rhinitis among US veterans deployed to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.

Background: Post-9/11 veterans were exposed to environmental and occupational pollutants during deployment.

Objective: Our aim was to determine associations between deployment-related exposures and sinusitis and rhinitis.

Methods: Between April 2018 and March 2020, veterans with land-based deployment after 9/11 who were living within 25 miles of 6 Department of Veteran Affairs medical centers were randomly chosen by using a Defense Manpower Data Center roster.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Randomized Clinical Trials for Children With Poor-Prognosis Cancers.

Importance: In poor-prognosis children's cancers, new therapies may carry fresh hope for patients and parents. However, there is an absolute requirement for any new therapy to be properly evaluated to fulfill scientific, regulatory, and reimbursement requirements. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard, but no consensus exists on how and when they should be deployed to best meet the needs of all stakeholders.

The phenotypic spectrum of gene variants.

Introduction: Classically, Usher syndrome is characterized by the association of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and possible vestibular dysfunction. Pathogenic bi-allelic variants in cause atypical autosomal recessive Usher syndrome, which is associated with SNHL and photoreceptors dysfunction without vestibular signs. To date, only 19 scattered descriptions have been reported.

The Uprise of Human Leishmaniasis in Tuscany, Central Italy: Clinical and Epidemiological Data from a Multicenter Study.

Human leishmaniasis is facing important epidemiological changes in Southern Europe, driven by increased urbanization, climate changes, emerging of new animal reservoirs, shifts in human behavior and a growing population of immunocompromised and elderly individuals. In this evolving epidemiological landscape, we analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human leishmaniasis in the Tuscany region of Central Italy. Through a multicentric retrospective analysis, we collected clinical and demographic data about all cases of leishmaniasis recorded between 2018 and 2023.

A novel whole blood assay to quantify the release of T cell associated cytokines in response to Bordetella pertussis antigens.

Background: Bordetella pertussis continues to cause whooping cough globally even in countries with high immunisation coverage. Booster vaccinations with acellular pertussis vaccines are thus used in children, adolescents, and adults. T cell immunity is crucial for orchestrating the immune response after vaccination.

Chromatin assembly factor subunit CHAF1A as a monogenic cause for oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum.

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is characterized by abnormal development of the 1st and 2nd branchial arches. Despite arguments against a monogenic condition, a few genes have been involved in a minority of cases. We now report heterozygous, presumably loss-of function variants in the CHAF1A gene in 8 individuals, including 3 members of the same family.

Parastomal hernia after ileal conduit: Incidence, natural history and risk factors.

Introduction: Parastomal hernias are a challenging complication of digestive ostomies. Ileal-conduit parastomal hernias after cystectomy have specific aspects. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and natural history of ileal-conduit parastomal hernias in order to guide their management, as well as to identify risk factors to prevent them.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Miliary Tuberculosis in an Apparently Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a serious haematologic condition that can be related to various diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). The patient is a previously healthy 26-year-old man, originally from western Africa, admitted to hospital for fever and weight loss. Given the results of a computed tomography (CT) scan, ocular examination and microbiologic tests, miliary TB with pulmonary, lymph nodal and ocular involvement was diagnosed.

Hepatitis C epidemiology and treatment outcomes in Italy: Impact of the DAA era and the COVID-19 pandemic.

HCV infection poses a global health threat, with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examines HCV trends in a large Italian region from 2015 to 2022, considering demographic changes, evolving clinical profiles, treatment regimens and outcomes, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multicentre retrospective study analysed demographics, clinical histories and risk factors in 6882 HCV patients.

Precision cancer medicine platform trials: Concepts and design of AcSé-ESMART.

Precision cancer medicine brought the promise of improving outcomes for patients with cancer. High-throughput molecular profiling of tumors at treatment failure aims to direct a patient to a treatment matched to the tumor profile. In this way, improved outcome has been achieved in a small number of patients whose tumors exhibit unique targetable oncogenic drivers.

Silicosis initially presenting with empyema.

The current global outbreak of artificial stone silicosis is a recrudescence of a major occupational disease in the context of a novel exposure source. Respirable crystalline silica exposure, even without frank pneumoconiosis, is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infection. Empyema is a well-recognized complication of bacterial pneumonia; pneumonia among working-age adults, in turn, has been epidemiologically linked to occupational exposure to fumes and dust, including silica.

Fifty years after the first identification of Toscana virus in Italy: Genomic characterization of viral isolates within lineage A and aminoacidic markers of evolution.

Toscana Virus (TosV) was firstly isolated from phlebotomine in our Institute about fifty years ago. Later, in 1984-1985, TosV infection, although asymptomatic in most cases, was shown to cause disease in humans, mainly fever and meningitis. By means of genetic analysis of part of M segment, we describe 3 new viral isolates obtained directly from cerebrospinal fluid or sera samples of patients diagnosed with TosV infection in July 2020 in Tuscany region.

A holistic evaluation of patients with chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection enrolled in the Italian PITER-B and delta cohort.

Background And Aims: We aimed to characterize the epidemiologic and comorbidities profiles of patients with chronic Hepatitis D (CHD) followed in clinical practice in Italy and explored their interferon (IFN) eligibility.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the PITER cohort consisting of consecutive HBsAg-positive patients from 59 centers over the period 2019-2023. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression model.