Analyzing trend and heatwaves of 15 Years of Sea Surface Temperature Variations along the Italian Adriatic Coast.

Water temperature is a vital parameter impacting the growth and survival of aquatic life. Using satellite-derived infrared data, this study analysed the trend of sea surface temperature (SST) from 2008 to 2022 of the Adriatic coastal waters of Italian regions. The "Mediterranean Sea High Resolution and Ultra High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature Analysis" product collected from the Copernicus Marine Service of European Copernicus programme was used, as a good compromise among spatial accuracy, temporal frequency and coverage.

Comparing the Different Sets of Item-Level Diagnostic Criteria of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R): A Measurement-Based Approach Driven by Rasch Analysis.

Objectives: (1) To replicate the assessment of the internal construct validity of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) within the Rasch Measurement Theory framework using a larger multicenter sample size and (2) to compare the different sets of item-level diagnostic criteria against the measurement ruler constructed from Rasch analysis to understand how those criteria relate to the overall level of persons' consciousness.

Design: Multicenter retrospective study.

Setting: Seven centers.

A Spatial Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (SMCDA) to map the risk of avian influenza in Lazio and Toscana (central Italy).

Avian influenza (AI) is a global concern, affecting wild and domestic bird populations worldwide. Environmental conditions facilitating the presence of wild birds and a consistent domestic bird population contribute to the introduction and spread of AI within a territory. This study focuses on the identification of major risk areas for AI in the Lazio and Toscana Regions of central Italy using Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (SMCDA).

Pharmacist-Led Video Consultation to Identify and Mitigate Drug Interactions Among Patients Initiating Oral Anticancer Drugs.

Purpose: The past decade has seen an increase in oral anticancer drug (OACD) approvals. Polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) likely contribute to OACD toxicity. We assessed a one-time pharmacist-led video consultation to identify DDIs.

Identification and analysis of imprinted genes in wild strawberry uncover a regulatory pathway in endosperm development.

Fertilization is a fundamental process that triggers seed and fruit development, but the molecular mechanisms underlying fertilization-induced seed development are poorly understood. Previous research has established AGamous-Like62 (AGL62) activation and auxin biosynthesis in the endosperm as key events following fertilization in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). To test the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms are critical in mediating the effect of fertilization on the activation of AGL62 and auxin biosynthesis in the endosperm, we first identified and analyzed imprinted genes from the endosperm of wild strawberries.

The social and family evaluation (SAFE) scale for caregivers of individuals with disorders of consciousness: preliminary results.

Background: Caregivers' involvement in the diagnostic and monitoring processes of the level of consciousness of patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) is strongly encouraged by international guidelines, as current literature suggests a better chance to detect behavioural responses when caregivers are involved in clinical assessments. Since caregivers' involvement during clinical assessments can be difficult, the Social And Family Evaluation (SAFE) scale has been recently proposed as a standardised tool that caregivers can autonomously use to collect their opinions about the level of consciousness of patients with DoC, based on the behaviours manifested by the patients in a given time-window.

Objective: Providing preliminary results concerning SAFE adoption.

Sense of ownership influence on tactile perception: Is the predictive coding account valid for the somatic rubber hand Illusion?

According to the predictive coding account, the attenuation of tactile perception on the hand exposed to the visuo-tactile Rubber Hand Illusion (vtRHI) relies on a weight increase of visual information deriving from the fake hand and a weight decrease of tactile information deriving from the individual's hand. To explore if this diametrical modulation persists in the absence of vision when adopting the somatic RHI (sRHI), we recorded tactile acuity measures before and after both RHI paradigms in 31 healthy individuals, hypothesizing a weight decrease for somatosensory information deriving from the hand undergoing the illusion and a weight increase for those deriving from the contralateral hand in the sRHI. Our results showed a significant overall decrease in tactile acuity on the hand undergoing the illusion whilst no changes emerged on the contralateral hand during sRHI.

Minimally conscious state plus versus minus: Likelihood of emergence and long-term functional independence.

Objective: Severe brain injuries can result in disorders of consciousness, such as the Minimally Conscious State (MCS), where individuals display intermittent yet discernible signs of conscious awareness. The varied levels of responsiveness and awareness observed in this state have spurred the progressive delineation of two subgroups within MCS, termed "plus" (MCS+) and "minus" (MCS-). However, the clinical validity of these classifications remains uncertain.

Non-Functional Jaw Muscular Activity in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness Revealed by A Long-Lasting Polygraphy.

The presence of involuntary, non-functional jaw muscle activity (NFJMA) has not yet been assessed in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), although the presence of bruxism and other forms of movement disorders involving facial muscles is probably more frequent than believed. In this work, we evaluated twenty-two prolonged or chronic DOC patients with a long-lasting polygraphic recording to verify NFJMA occurrence and assess its neurophysiological patterns in this group of patients. A total of 5 out of 22 patients showed the presence of significant NFJMA with electromyographic patterns similar to what can be observed in non-DOC patients with bruxism, thus suggesting a disinhibition of masticatory motor nuclei from the cortical control.

What is the nutritional status of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness? A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Nutritional status of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) is poorly studied.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between nutritional status (body mass index, daily calories intake) and clinical variables (level of consciousness, time since injury, diagnosis, etiology and spastic muscle overactivity; SMO,) in patients with prolonged DoCor emerging. Our main hypotheses are i) patients with lower level of consciousness (UWS) have worse nutritional status compared to patients in minimally conscious state (MCS) and ii) SMO could influence nutritional status.

Two-Period Study Results from a Large Italian Hospital Laboratory Attesting SARS-CoV-2 Variant PCR Assay Evolution.

In keeping with the evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the COVID-19 causative agent, PCR assays have been developed to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have emerged since the first (Alpha) variant was identified. Based on specific assortment of SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein mutations (ΔH69/V70, E484K, N501Y, W152C, L452R, K417N, and K417T) among the major variants known to date, Seegene Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I and Variants II assays have been available since a few months before the last (Omicron) variant became predominant. Using S gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) as the SARS-CoV-2 variant identification reference method, we assessed the results of SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swab samples from two testing periods, before (= 288, using only Variants I) and after (= 77, using both Variants I and Variants II) the appearance of Omicron.

Culex pipiens distribution in Tunisia: Identification of suitable areas through Random Forest and MaxEnt approaches.

Background: Tunisia has experienced several West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks since 1997. Yet, there is limited information on the spatial distribution of the main WNV mosquito vector Culex pipiens suitability at the national level.

Objectives: In the present study, our aim was to predict and evaluate the potential and current distribution of Cx.

Rapid Detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 Variant Using a COVID-19 Diagnostic PCR Assay.

The Omicron (B.1.1.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 Using a Multiplex PCR Assay: A Large Italian Hospital's Five-Month Experience.

Bacterial pneumonia is a challenging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complication for intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. Upon its implementation, the FilmArray pneumonia plus (FA-PP) panel's practicability for both the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy management of bacterial pneumonia was assessed in ICU patients with COVID-19. Respiratory samples were collected from patients who were mechanically ventilated at the time bacterial etiology and antimicrobial resistance were determined using both standard-of-care (culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing [AST]) and FA-PP panel testing methods.

Evaluating the impact of hydrometeorological conditions on E. coli concentration in farmed mussels and clams: experience in Central Italy.

Highly populated coastal environments receive large quantities of treated and untreated wastewater from human and industrial sources. Bivalve molluscs accumulate and retain contaminants, and their analysis provides evidence of past contamination. Rivers and precipitation are major routes of bacteriological pollution from surface or sub-surface runoff flowing into coastal areas.

When, How, and to What Extent Are Individuals with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome Able to Progress? Neurobehavioral Progress.

Accurate estimation of the neurobehavioral progress of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) is essential to anticipate their most likely clinical course and guide clinical decision making. Although different studies have described this progress and possible predictors of neurobehavioral improvement in these patients, they have methodological limitations that could restrict the validity and generalization of the results. This study investigates the neurobehavioral progress of 100 patients with UWS consecutively admitted to a neurorehabilitation center using systematic weekly assessments based on standardized measures, and the prognostic factors of changes in their neurobehavioral condition.

When, How, and to What Extent Are Individuals with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome Able to Progress? Functional Independence.

Accurate estimation of the functional independence of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) is essential to adjust family and clinical expectations and plan long-term necessary resources. Although different studies have described the clinical course of these patients, they have methodological limitations that could restrict generalization of the results. This study investigates the neurobehavioral progress of 100 patients with UWS consecutively admitted to a neurorehabilitation center using systematic weekly assessments based on standardized measures, and the functional independence staging of those patients who emerged from a minimally conscious state (MCS) during the first year post-emergence.

Canine Leishmaniasis: Serological Results in Private and Kennel Dogs Tested over a Six-Year Period (2009-2014) in Abruzzo and Molise Regions, Italy.

This paper reports the results of serological tests for the detection of antibodies against spp. in Abruzzo and Molise regions from 2009 to 2014, with the aim of evaluating the presence and distribution of canine leishmaniasis. Data were extracted from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Abruzzo and Molise, and then the dog identification numbers were matched with those stored in the Canine Registries of the two regions to get information about the age of dogs at time of testing.

On the evolution of the glass ceiling in Italian academia: the case of economics.

Following an international trend, Italy has reformed its university system, especially concerning methods and tools for research evaluation, which are increasingly focused on a number of bibliometric indexes. To study the effects of these changes, we analyze the changing profiles of economists who have won competitions for full professorship in the last few decades in the country. We concentrate on individual characteristics and on scientific production.