New finding on a migratory bird, the fowl tick Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken, 1818), in Italy.

Migratory birds reach Europe from sub-Saharan Africa, and some avian species may harbor and transport infected ectoparasites, mainly ticks, native to the territories of departure. In 2022, a project focused on identifying the introduction of pathogens in Italy from Africa via migratory birds represented an important opportunity to investigate this particular route of tick dispersal. Among ticks collected from migratory birds on the island of Ventotene, Latium Region, we found one larva of a soft tick on a common whitethroat (Curruca communis) that was morphologically and molecularly identified to the species level as Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken 1818).

Amblyomma sparsum Neumann 1899 on migratory birds from Africa: First records in Italy.

Migratory birds play an important role in transporting ixodid ticks and tick-borne pathogens between continents. During the Boreal spring, migratory birds reach Europe, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa or from northern African countries but not much is known about the diversity and ecology of the ticks they spread. From 2017 to 2022, in the framework of two consecutive projects focused on sampling migratory birds from Africa to Europe, a total of 27 immature Amblyomma ticks were collected from migratory birds, belonging to 8 species, captured on the Island of Ventotene, an important stop-over site in the Mediterranean Sea.

The influence of finishing line and luting material selection on the seating accuracy of CAD/CAM indirect composite restorations.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the seating accuracy of resin composite CAD/CAM overlay restorations, employing various preparation designs and luting materials (pre-heated composite (HC) or resin cement (RC)).

Methods: A human molar's STL file was utilized to create 100 3D-printed resin tooth replicas, randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 20) based on finishing line preparation designs: 1) Rounded shoulder above the dental equator - DE (SA); 2) Chamfer above the DE (CA); 3) Butt joint above the DE (BJ); 4) Rounded shoulder below the DE (SB); 5) Chamfer below the DE (CB). Digital impressions were acquired for all replicas, and restorations milled using Tetric CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent).

Glucagon kinetics assessed by mathematical modelling during oral glucose administration in people spanning from normal glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes.

Background/objectives: Glucagon is important in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, with also effects on lipids. In this study, we aimed to apply a recently developed model of glucagon kinetics to determine the sensitivity of glucagon variations (especially, glucagon inhibition) to insulin levels ("alpha-cell insulin sensitivity"), during oral glucose administration.

Subjects/methods: We studied 50 participants (spanning from normal glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes) undergoing frequently sampled 5-hr oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).