A Structural Effect of the Antioxidant Curcuminoids on the Aβ(1-42) Amyloid Peptide.

Investigating amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in solution is essential during the initial stages of developing lead compounds that can influence Aβ fibrillation while the peptide is still in a soluble state. The tendency of the Aβ(1-42) peptide to misfold in solution, correlated to the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is one of the main hindrances to characterising its aggregation kinetics in a cell-mimetic environment. Moreover, the Aβ(1-42) aggregation triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to cellular dysfunction and multiple cell death modalities, exacerbated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components and trigger inflammation.

The cognitive architecture of verbal humor in schizophrenia.

Previous literature showed that people with schizophrenia have difficulties in humor comprehension and might differ from controls in the appreciation of humor, i.e., in perceived funniness.

Neuroinflammation and kynurenines in schizophrenia: Impact on cognition depending on cognitive functioning and modulatory properties in relation to cognitive remediation and aerobic exercise.

Background: In the last decade, the kynurenine pathway (KP) has gained attention in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia being at the croassroad between neuroinflammation and glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. However, clinical findings are scarse and conflicting, and the specific contributions of these two systems to the neurobiology of cognitive symptoms are far from being elucidated. Furthermore, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive improvement, including rehabilitation strategies.

Human ferritin nanocarriers for drug-delivery: A molecular view of the disassembly process.

Ferritins are natural proteins which spontaneously self-assemble forming hollow nanocages physiologically deputed to iron storage and homeostasis. Thanks to their high stability and easy production in vitro, ferritins represent an intriguing system for nanobiotechnology. Here we investigated the mechanism of disassembly and reassembly of a human recombinant ferritin constituted by the heavy chain (hHFt) exploiting a new procedure which involves the use of minimal amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and assessed its effectiveness in comparison with two commonly used protocols based on pH shift at highly acidic and alkaline values.

Multidimensional screening and intervention program for neurocognitive disorder in vascular and multimorbid outpatients: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The heightened risk of dementia resulting from multiple comorbid conditions calls for innovative strategies. Engaging in physical and cognitive activities emerges as a protective measure against cognitive decline. This protocol aims to discuss a multidomain intervention targeting individuals with dementias secondary to cerebrovascular or other medical diseases, emphasizing an often underrepresented demographic.

An Exploratory Bioinformatic Investigation of Cats' Susceptibility to Coronavirus-Deriving Epitopes.

Coronaviruses are highly transmissible and pathogenic viruses for humans and animals. The vast quantity of information collected about SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic helped to unveil details of the mechanisms behind the infection, which are still largely elusive. Recent research demonstrated that different class I/II human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles might define an individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 spreading, contributing to the differences in the distribution of the infection through different populations; additional studies suggested that the homolog of the HLA in cats, the feline leukocyte antigen (FLA), plays a pivotal role in the transmission of viruses.

Improving outcome of treatment-resistant schizophrenia: effects of cognitive remediation therapy.

Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) represents a main clinical issue, associated with worse psychopathological outcomes, a more disrupted neurobiological substrate, and poorer neurocognitive performance across several domains, especially in verbal abilities. If cognitive impairment is a major determinant of patients' functional outcomes and quality of life, targeting cognitive dysfunction becomes even more crucial in TRS patients in order to minimize cognitive and functional deterioration. However, although Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) represents the best available tool to treat cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, specific evidence of its efficacy in TRS is lacking.

The kynurenine pathway in treatment-resistant schizophrenia at the crossroads between pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy.

Two cardinal elements in the complex and multifaceted pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ) are neuroinflammation and dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, with the latter being especially involved in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Interestingly, the Kynurenine (KYN) pathway (KP) is at the crossroad between them, constituting a potential causal link and a therapeutic target. Although there is preclinical and clinical evidence indicating a dysregulation of KP associated with the clinical phenotype of SCZ, clinical studies investigating the possible relationship between changes in biomarkers of the KP and response to pharmacotherapy are still limited.

Exploiting the Features of Short Peptides to Recognize Specific Cell Surface Markers.

Antibodies are the macromolecules of choice to ensure specific recognition of biomarkers in biological assays. However, they present a range of shortfalls including a relatively high production cost and limited tissue penetration. Peptides are relatively small molecules able to reproduce sequences of highly specific paratopes and, although they have less biospecificity than antibodies, they offer advantages like ease of synthesis, modifications of their amino acid sequences and tagging with fluorophores and other molecules required for detection.

Secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation after isolated aortic valve replacement: outcomes and predictors.

Objectives: We sought to assess the evolution of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) and its impact on mortality and to identify possible clinical and echocardiographic predictors of persisting and new-onset TR (TR de novo) after isolated AVR.

Methods: Clinical and echocardiographic data of 441 patients, consecutively operated for isolated AVR between January 2017 and January 2020, were retrospectively collected. Four time points were included: preoperative, discharge, 3-6 months and last available follow-up.

Choosing Wisely in Gastroenterology: five new recommendations from the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO).

Background: 'Choosing Wisely' is an international campaign against inappropriateness in medical practices that aims to promote a rational and evidence-based use of resources. The Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO) joined the Campaign in 2017 releasing five recommendations.

Aims: To identify five new recommendations for a correct, evidence-based approach to the management of gastrointestinal diseases.

Technology Assisted Rehabilitation Patient Perception Questionnaire (TARPP-Q): development and implementation of an instrument to evaluate patients' perception during training.

Background: The introduction of technology-assisted rehabilitation (TAR) uncovers promising challenges for the treatment of motor disorders, particularly if combined with exergaming. Patients with neurological diseases have proved to benefit from TAR, improving their performance in several activities. However, the subjective perception of the device has never been fully addressed, being a conditioning factor for its use.

Monitoring the Conformational Changes of the Aβ(25-35) Peptide in SDS Micelles: A Matter of Time.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques constituted prevalently by amyloid peptides. Due to the well-known challenges related to the study in solution of these peptides, several membrane-mimicking systems such as micelle constituted by detergent-i.e.

Deconstructing heterogeneity in schizophrenia through language: a semi-automated linguistic analysis and data-driven clustering approach.

Previous works highlighted the relevance of automated language analysis for predicting diagnosis in schizophrenia, but a deeper language-based data-driven investigation of the clinical heterogeneity through the illness course has been generally neglected. Here we used a semiautomated multidimensional linguistic analysis innovatively combined with a machine-driven clustering technique to characterize the speech of 67 individuals with schizophrenia. Clusters were then compared for psychopathological, cognitive, and functional characteristics.

Cognitive reserve profiles are associated with outcome in schizophrenia.

Cognitive reserve (CR), the brain's ability to cope with brain pathology to minimize symptoms, could explain the heterogeneity of outcomes in neuropsychiatric disorders, however it is still rarely investigated in schizophrenia. Indeed, this study aims to classify CR in this disorder and evaluate its impact on neurocognitive and socio-cognitive performance and daily functioning. A group of 106 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia was enrolled and assessed in these aereas: neurocognition, Theory of Mind (ToM) and daily functioning.

Structural analysis of a simplified model reproducing SARS-CoV-2 S RBD/ACE2 binding site.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an RNA virus identified as the cause of the coronavirus outbreak in December 2019 (COVID-19). Like all the RNA viruses, SARS-CoV-2 constantly evolves through mutations in its genome, accumulating 1-2 nucleotide changes every month, giving the virus a selective advantage through enhanced transmissibility, greater pathogenicity, and the possibility of circumventing immunity previously acquired by an individual either by natural infection or by vaccination. Several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC) have been identified, among which we find Alpha (Lineage B.

CytoSorb haemoadsorption for removal of apixaban-A proof-of-concept pilot case for a randomized controlled trial.

What Is Known And Objective: Emergent cardiac surgery in patients under anticoagulant therapy is still a major point of concern. Recently approved reversal agents are often not available or not suitable in the cardiac surgery setting, and timely discontinuation of the drug is not always feasible. CytoSorb® haemoadsorption therapy has been approved in Europe for intraoperative ticagrelor and rivaroxaban removal during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but thus far the efficacy of CytoSorb® haemoadsorber on other anticoagulants (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban) has only been tested in vitro, and some signals of clinical benefits have reported in a few case reports.

Music listening for people living with dementia: a systematic review.

This review aimed at exploring how music listening-based approach can be effective on physiological, cognitive and behavioural aspects, with specific reference to the domain of dementias. Music listening can be considered one of the most common approaches in dementia care, frequently in combination with other non-pharmacological treatments. This type of intervention may allow persons with dementia to work on the organization and regulation of their emotions thanks to the mediation of the sonorous-musical element.

The Metabolomic Profile in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Changes According to the Progression of the Disease: An Exploratory Study.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative pathology of the upper or lower motor neuron. Evaluation of ALS progression is based on clinical outcomes considering the impairment of body sites. ALS has been extensively investigated in the pathogenetic mechanisms and the clinical profile; however, no molecular biomarkers are used as diagnostic criteria to establish the ALS pathological staging.

Modeling the interplay of age at onset and sex on cognition in Schizophrenia.

Cognition remains one of the most critical features of the schizophrenia. A wide range of factors has been associated to neurocognition and, among these, sex and age of onset are two of the most consistently reported to influence the functional and cognitive outcome. This work aims to evaluate the effects of sex and age of onset and their interaction on cognition in 419 subjects with schizophrenia.

Real-time determination of gastric juice pH with EndoFaster® for atrophic gastritis assessment.

Background: In patients with atrophic gastritis involving gastric body mucosa the pH value of gastric juice is distinctly increased, so that pH assessment would allow predict this precancerous lesion. We tested whether EndoFaster® - a device allowing real-time pH measure and H. pylori diagnosis - may optimize the need of taking gastric biopsies.

A Multi-modelling Approach for Assessing Sustainable Tourism.

Academics, institutions and policymakers advocate systematic assessments to design sustainable development and implement proper environmental management; however, practical measurements in tourism research based on composite indicators are still in progress. This paper aims to build and validate a composite indicator of sustainable tourism (SusTour-Index), which recognises the economic, environmental and social dimensions as the three main interrelated facets of tourism sustainability. The SusTour-Index is composed of 75 elementary indicators, adequately structured in pillars and sub-pillars within each economic (34), environmental (21) and social dimension (20).