Increased risk of coronary artery diseases in overweight and obese individuals is partially mediated by chronic inflammation: The EPICOR study.

Background And Aims: It is well known that being overweight or obese is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). At the same time, belonging to these categories indirectly influences other risk factors like hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia also through a chronic inflammation condition. The aim of this study was to establish to which extent the effect of body mass index (BMI) on CAD risk can be explained by the chronic inflammation degree, using a statistical mediation model.

Targeted and untargeted discovery of UV filters and emerging contaminants with environmental risk assessment on the Northwestern Mediterranean coast.

Marine ecosystems, particularly coastal areas, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to pollution from human activities. Persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are recognized as significant threats to both human and environmental health. Our study aimed to identify the molecules present in the seawater of two bathing areas in the Western Mediterranean Sea.

The influence of xeno-free culture conditions on the angiogenic and adipogenic differentiation properties of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Introduction: Before performing cell therapy clinical trials, it is important to understand how cells are influenced by different growth conditions and to find optimal xeno-free medium formulations. In this study we have investigated the properties of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) cultured under xeno-free conditions.

Methods: Human lipoaspirate samples were digested to yield the stromal vascular fraction cells which were then seeded in i) Minimum Essential Medium-α (MEM-α) supplemented with 10 % (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS), ii) MEM-α supplemented with 2 % (v/v) human platelet lysate (PLT) or iii) PRIME-XV MSC expansion XSFM xeno-free, serum free medium (XV).

Combined single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging with coronary calcium score for assessing coronary disease.

Purpose: Coronary artery disease (CAD) underestimation represents a major pitfall of single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has emerged as a sensitive tool for the assessment of suspect CAD; however, the integration of SPECT-MPI with CACS has been seldom evaluated, so far, and was therefore the aim of the present study.

Methods: Patients undergoing SPECT-MPI with CACS and subsequent coronary angiography were included.

Multimorbidity and COVID-19 Outcomes in the Emergency Department: Is the Association Mediated by the Severity of the Condition at Admission?

Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is one of the most reliable indicators to assess the impact of multimorbidity on COVID-19-related outcomes. Moreover, the patient's clinical conditions are associated with SARS-CoV-2 outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the association between multimorbidity and COVID-19-related outcomes, evaluating whether the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) mediated these associations.

Sex- and site-specific associations of circulating lipocalin 2 and incident colorectal cancer: Results from the EPIC cohort.

Experimental research has uncovered lipocalin 2 (LCN2) as a novel biomarker implicated in the modulation of intestinal inflammation, metabolic homeostasis, and colon carcinogenesis. However, evidence from human research has been scant. We, therefore, explored the association of pre-diagnostic circulating LCN2 concentrations with incident colorectal cancer (CRC) in a nested case-control study within the in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Degree of food processing and breast cancer risk: a prospective study in 9 European countries.

Unlabelled: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested a positive association between ultra-processed food consumption and breast cancer risk, although some studies also reported no association. Furthermore, the evidence regarding the associations between intake of food with lower degrees of processing and breast cancer risk is limited. Thus, we investigated the associations between dietary intake by degree of food processing and breast cancer risk, overall and by breast cancer subtypes in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

[Synchronies and asynchronies in the development of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy].

Background: the study of the possible determinants of the rise and fall of infections can be of great relevance, as was experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the methods to understand whether determinants are simultaneous or develop through contiguity between different areas is the study of the diagnostic replication index RDt among regions.

Objectives: to introduce the analysis of RDt variability and the subsequent application of a recently introduced functional clustering method as highly useful procedures for recognizing the presence of clusters with similar trends in epidemic curves.

Transcriptome analyses in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) exposed in vivo to clothianidin and chlorantraniliprole: Possible sampling bias.

The St. Lawrence River is an important North American waterway that is subject to anthropogenic pressures including intensive urbanization, and agricultural development. Pesticides are widely used for agricultural activities in fields surrounding the yellow perch (Perca flavescens) habitat in Lake St.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Therapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

This review focuses on the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a classification of heterogeneous malignant neoplasms of the lymphoid tissue. Despite various conventional and multidrug chemotherapies, the poor prognosis for NHL patients remains and has prompted the utilization of groundbreaking personalized therapies such as CAR-T cells. CAR-T cells are T cells engineered to express a CAR that enables T cells to specifically lyse tumor cells with extracellular expression of a tumor antigen of choice.

Identifying MicroRNAs Suitable for Detection of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of Discovery Phases Studies on MicroRNA Expression Profiles.

The analysis of circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived materials, such as circulating tumor DNA, circulating miRNAs (cfmiRNAs), and extracellular vehicles provides crucial information in cancer research. CfmiRNAs, a group of short noncoding regulatory RNAs, have gained attention as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review focuses on the discovery phases of cfmiRNA studies in breast cancer patients, aiming to identify altered cfmiRNA levels compared to healthy controls.

Associations between total mercury, trace minerals, and blood health markers in Northwest Atlantic white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).

The ecology and life-histories of white sharks make this species susceptible to mercury bioaccumulation; however, the health consequences of mercury exposure are understudied. We measured muscle and plasma total mercury (THg), health markers, and trace minerals in Northwest Atlantic white sharks. THg in muscle tissue averaged 10.

Acquired Demyelinating Syndromes of the Central Nervous System in Children: The Importance of Regular Follow-up in the First Year After Onset.

Aim: We reviewed the clinical features of a sample of pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes with the purpose of determining the appropriate protocol for follow-up after the first episode.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of 40 children diagnosed with a first episode of acquired demyelinating syndrome over the period 2012-2021. Patients were evaluated with clinical and neuroradiologic assessment after 3, 6, and 12 months, with a median follow-up of 4.

NK cells from COVID-19 positive patients exhibit enhanced cytotoxic activity upon NKG2A and KIR2DL1 blockade.

SARS CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic leading to significant morbidity and mortality. There is a need to elucidate and further understand the implications of COVID-19 disease on the immune system to develop improved therapeutic strategies. In particular, Natural Killer (NK) cells play an essential role in mediating the innate immune response against viral infections.

On the Fate of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) in Coral Tissue and Its Effect on Coral Metabolome.

The intensive use of sunscreen products has raised concerns regarding their environmental toxicity and the adverse impacts of ultraviolet (UV) filters on ecologically important coral communities. Prior metabolomic analyses on symbiotic coral exposed to the UV filter butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM, avobenzone) revealed unidentified ions in the holobiont metabolome. In the present study, follow-up differential metabolomic analyses in BM-exposed detected 57 ions with significantly different relative concentrations in exposed corals.

Mediating Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in the Association between Education and Cancer: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

Background: Many studies have shown that socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with the incidence of malignant tumors at different sites. This study aims to estimate the association between educational level (as proxy for SEP) and cancer incidence and to understand whether the observed associations might be partially explained by lifestyle behaviors.

Methods: The analyses were performed on data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, globally and by sex.

Dose Attenuation in Innovative Shielding Materials for Radiation Protection in Space: Measurements and Simulations.

Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are among the main deterrents to manned space exploration. Currently, the most realistic way to reduce the dangers caused by GCR to acceptable levels is passive shielding. Light materials guarantee the strongest dose attenuation per unit mass.

[The multiple perspectives of the multipurpose home care service].

The Cosi home nursing service (Ssiad), created in 2000, is committed to working in partnership, considering that cooperation and good coordination are at the origin of a sustainable and quality home care. With this in mind, the directors of Ssiad took over the management of a home assistance and support service in 2011 in order to offer personal assistance and care, and thus to provide comprehensive care. Now a multi-purpose home help and care service, Cosi continues to evolve to best meet the needs of users.

Sequential Single-Cell Transcriptional and Protein Marker Profiling Reveals TIGIT as a Marker of CD19 CAR-T Cell Dysfunction in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Unlabelled: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T cell) therapy directed at CD19 produces durable remissions in the treatment of relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Nonetheless, many patients receiving CD19 CAR-T cells fail to respond for unknown reasons. To reveal changes in 4-1BB-based CD19 CAR-T cells and identify biomarkers of response, we used single-cell RNA sequencing and protein surface marker profiling of patient CAR-T cells pre- and postinfusion into patients with NHL.

Usefulness of 99mTc-Pertechnetate SPECT-CT in Thyroid Tissue Volumetry: Phantom Studies and a Clinical Case Series.

Background: An accurate measurement of the target volume is of primary importance in theragnostics of hyperthyroidism.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of a threshold-based isocontour extraction procedure for thyroid tissue volumetry from SPECT-CT.

Methods: Cylindrical vials with a fixed volume of 99mTcO4 at different activities were inserted into a neck phantom in two different thickness settings.

[The wave train of COVID-19 infections].

The present work studies the epidemic curve of COVID-19 in Italy between September 2020 and mid-June 2021 in terms of poussées, that is successive waves. There is obviously only one pandemic, although the virus has spread in the form of several variants, but the daily incidence trend can also be read in terms of overlapping of events that are different from each other or, in any case, induced by various phenomena. It can be hypothesized that in this way a succession of various waves was generated, which are modelled here using appropriate adaptation curves used in the study of epidemic data.

Systems thinking in COVID-19 recovery is urgently needed to deliver sustainable development for women and girls.

In low-income and middle-income countries, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the COVID-19 pandemic has had substantial implications for women's wellbeing. Policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the gendered aspect of pandemics; however, addressing the gendered implications of the COVID-19 pandemic comprehensively and effectively requires a planetary health perspective that embraces systems thinking to inequalities. This Viewpoint is based on collective reflections from research done by the authors on COVID-19 responses by international and regional organisations, and national governments, in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa between June, 2020, and June, 2021.

[Monitoring the trend of occupational injuries: comparison between different indicators].

Objectives: to compare three injuries indicators to establish which are less affected by underreporting and therefore best suited for the monitoring of the occupational injuries time trend during economic crisis.

Design: open cohort.

Setting And Participants: a national sample of employees in the private sector, blue collars, males aged 15-64 years, extracted from the Work History Italian Panel-Healt archive, which combines data about firms and employee from the National Social Security Institute (Inps) and occupational injuries data from the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (Inail).

Flame retardants and their associations with thyroid hormone-related variables in northern fulmars from the Faroe Islands.

Flame retardants (FRs) are widely reported in tissues of seabirds including birds sampled from remote areas. There is evidence that FRs can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in seabirds, although information is limited on thyroid-related mechanisms and effects. This study investigated the associations between concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other FRs, and changes in the HPT axis in northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) from the Faroe Islands (North Atlantic).