Publications by authors named "Conte F"

Lung ultrasonography can facilitate bovine respiratory disease (BRD) detection and can potentially improve treatment outcomes. In this study, ninety-six veal calves were followed weekly with clinical and lung ultrasound examinations during the production cycle. Thirty-six calves had clinical signs and abnormal lung ultrasound scans (TRT, n = 36) and were promptly treated with florfenicol and meloxicam.

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  • The European Association of Urology (EAU) developed guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic to prioritize surgeries for patients with urological malignancies, focusing on "high-risk" cases.
  • A study compared tumor characteristics of patients treated during the pandemic (2020-2021) with those treated post-pandemic (2022-2023), finding that while surgical procedures were similar, certain surgeries like radical prostatectomies and partial nephrectomies were significantly lower during the pandemic.
  • Despite the differences in surgery rates, the study found no significant changes in tumor pathological features, indicating that effective prioritization and centralization of care can help maintain the quality of oncological treatment during health crises.
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Robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation (REVUR) was described for the first time in 2004. Since then, the surgical approach of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has changed dramatically. The benefits of this technique are great when compared to the laparoscopic or traditional open approaches.

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Video games (VGs) are one of the most common forms of entertainment and their diffusion is constantly increasing. Although largely studied in the framework of their relationship with mental and physical health, the relationship of VGs with sleep are not yet fully understood. This review provides a systematic assessment of the studies that investigated the relationships between video gaming and sleep in adults.

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Background: Reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is an early critical event in Alzheimer's disease (AD), contributing to progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Reduced levels of the nucleoporin 153 (Nup153), a key epigenetic regulator of NSC stemness, characterize the neural stem cells isolated from a mouse model of AD (3×Tg) (AD-NSCs) and determine their altered plasticity and gene expression.

Methods: Nup153-regulated mechanisms contributing to NSC function were investigated: (1) in cultured NSCs isolated from AD and wild type (WT) mice by proteomics; (2) in vivo by lentiviral-mediated delivery of Nup153 or GFP in the hippocampus of AD and control mice analyzing neurogenesis and cognitive function; (3) in human iPSC-derived brain organoids obtained from AD patients and control subjects as a model of neurodevelopment.

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This study compared long-term surgical outcomes of the scleral flap versus scleral pocket technique for sutureless intrascleral one-piece intraocular lens (IOL) fixation. : A retrospective comparative study was conducted at a single center, involving consecutive patients undergoing sutureless intrascleral one-piece IOL implantation, between January 2020 and May 2022. Eyes were divided into two groups based on the surgical technique: group 1 underwent scleral flap = 64), and group 2 received scleral pocket technique ( = 59).

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  • A study focused on malaria in the Americas highlights the need for a multi-antigen vaccine due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite.
  • Researchers developed a chimeric recombinant protein called PvRMC-1, which was found to elicit immune responses in mice when formulated with different adjuvants.
  • Results showed that while all formulations generated immune responses, Stimune and AddaVax were more effective in promoting both cellular and humoral immunity compared to aluminum hydroxide, suggesting that PvRMC-1 could be a strong candidate for further vaccine development.
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Positive symptoms of schizophrenia have been proposed to be an intrusion of dreaming in wakefulness; conversely, psychotic patients' abnormal cognitive and behavioral features could overflow into sleep, so that their dreams would differ from those of healthy people. Here we assess this hypothesis by comparing dream features of 46 patients affected by schizophrenic spectrum disorders to those of 28 healthy controls. In patients, we also investigated correlations of dream variables with symptom severity and verbal fluency.

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The presence of salt can impact the fluid phase and gelatinization process of starch granules. The variation in viscosity and rheology models including the Herschel-Bulkley, the Casson model, and the power law, were determined by adding salts before and after starch ultrasonication. Non-isothermal kinetics can be utilized for the mathematical modeling of the gelatinization process and the evolution of the reaction.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous, chronic inflammatory process of the lungs and, like other complex diseases, is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases requires the study of the interplay among different biomolecular layers, and thus the integration of different omics data types. In this study, we investigated COPD-associated molecular mechanisms through a correlation-based network integration of lung tissue RNA-seq and DNA methylation data of COPD cases (n = 446) and controls (n = 346) derived from the Lung Tissue Research Consortium.

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  • * The research involved analyzing 32 patient specimens from two institutions, evaluating TB, p53 expression, and DNA mismatch repair status, and stratifying patients based on their TB count.
  • * Results indicated that high TB (more than 4 buds) significantly correlated with a higher risk of recurrence and shorter survival compared to low TB, establishing TB as an independent prognostic factor, highlighting the need for further extensive studies to incorporate TB into clinical practice.
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The production of biomedical devices able to appropriately interact with the biological environment is still a great challenge. Synthetic materials are often employed, but they fail to replicate the biological and functional properties of native tissues, leading to a variety of adverse effects. Several commercial products are based on chemically treated xenogeneic tissues: their principal drawback is due to weak mechanical stability and low durability.

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This study aimed to report our experience in indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) in pediatric robotics. The data of 55 patients (35 boys and 20 girls), who underwent robotic surgery using ICG fluorescence in three institutions over the last 7 years, were retrospectively reviewed. The following robotic procedures were included: pyeloplasty (n = 21), complex Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation (n = 8), varicocelectomy (n = 7), adnexal pathology resection (n = 8), partial nephrectomy (n = 4), nephrectomy (n = 4), renal cyst removal (n = 2), and excision of prostatic utricle (n = 1).

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  • This study compared robotic-assisted varicocelectomy (RAV) and laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) in 40 pediatric patients over two years, focusing on techniques and outcomes.
  • Results showed that while both methods were effective, LV had a significantly shorter average operative time (20 min) compared to RAV (34.5 min), better cosmetic results, and lower total costs (€1,587.07 vs. €5,650.31).
  • The conclusion indicates that while RAV is a safe option, laparoscopic techniques are preferable for treating pediatric varicocele due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
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  • The study focused on pediatric patients with anal fistula treated using video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) and assessed the effectiveness of ozonide oil for postoperative wound dressing.
  • A total of 33 VAAFT procedures were conducted on 30 children, with a median age of 5.7 years, and the majority of cases were idiopathic in nature.
  • Results indicated that VAAFT is a safe and effective treatment, with a median healing time of 28 days and low recurrence rates, although further studies are needed for more comprehensive conclusions.
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Objectives: To explore potential alterations of the Body Schema, the implicit sensorimotor representation of one's own body, in patients with Functional Movement Disorders (FMD, Motor Conversion Disorders), characterized by neurological symptoms of altered voluntary motor function that cannot be explained by typical medical conditions. This investigation is prompted by the potential dissociation from their reportedly intact sense of ownership.

Methods: 10 FMD patients and 11 healthy controls (HC) underwent the Forearm Bisection Task, aimed at assessing perceived body metrics, which consists in asking the subject, blindfolded, to repeatedly point at the perceived middle point of their dominant forearm with the index finger of their contralateral hand, and a psychometric assessment for anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and tendency to dissociation.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a topographical assessment of macular atrophy in successfully treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes to investigate determinants of monocular reading performance.

Methods: A total of 60 participants (60 eyes) with previously treated neovascular AMD and absence of optical coherence tomography (OCT) signs of exudation were enrolled. Reading performance was assessed monocularly using Radner charts.

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The surgical management of macular holes is undergoing continuous evolution, with recent focus on the utilization of platelet concentrates as a promising adjunctive intervention. Currently, they present a valid surgical approach for achieving anatomical and functional success with a non-inferiority comparably to the alternative surgical techniques. Nonetheless, the utilization of varied platelet concentrates terminologies, coupled with the lack of standardization in their preparation methodologies, engenders both lexical confusion and challenges in comparing scientific studies published up until now.

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  • - The study evaluated the effectiveness of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) using the Rubina Lens system in pediatric patients undergoing open surgery for various conditions, showing promising initial results.
  • - A total of 25 children (median age 5.8 years) participated, receiving ICG fluorescent visualization during procedures for issues like dermoid cysts, lymphangiomas, and gynecomastia, with no adverse reactions to the dye reported.
  • - The results indicated that FGS improved surgical outcomes through better visualization of anatomical structures while maintaining a low complication rate, making it a reliable and safe technique for pediatric surgeries.
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Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder. Major interplays between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system (CNS) seem to be driven by gut microbiota (GM). Herein, we provide a GM functional characterization, based on GM metabolomics, mapping of bacterial biochemical pathways, and anamnestic, clinical, and nutritional patient metadata.

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Purpose: To assess the intersession repeatability of reading performance measures in patients with previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration and good best-corrected visual acuity (≥20/40 Snellen).

Methods: Ninety-one patients (91 eyes) with a diagnosis of previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration and good best-corrected visual acuity (≥20/40 Snellen) were prospectively enrolled. Reading performance metrics were assessed using Radner charts, and these measurements were repeated after 7 days to obtain the intersession repeatability.

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Background: Laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent lymphography (FL) is standardized technique to perform lymphatic sparing and avoid post-operative hydrocele. No data regarding the safety of intratesticular injection of ICG are currently available.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of this procedure at mid-term follow-up.

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Background: This study aimed to compare outcomes of standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy and indocyanine green fluorescent cholangiography laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 10-year period.

Methods: From 2013 to 2023, 173 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in 2 pediatric surgery units: 83 using standard technique (G1) and 90 using indocyanine green fluorescent cholangiography (G2). Patients included 96 girls and 77 boys, with a median age of 12.

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  • * This study focused on identifying circulating microRNAs, specifically miR-155-5p, in obese patients to determine their risk of developing DM2, using a network-based analysis of expression data.
  • * Findings suggest that miR-155-5p, along with levels of IL-8, Leptin, and RAGE, could serve as effective indicators for identifying obese individuals at higher risk for DM2, making it a potential biomarker for early screening.
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