Effective Dose Estimation in Computed Tomography by Machine Learning.

Background: Computed tomography scans are widely used in everyday medical practice due to speed, image reliability, and detectability of a wide range of pathologies. Each scan exposes the patient to a radiation dose, and performing a fast estimation of the effective dose (E) is an important step for radiological safety. The aim of this work is to estimate E from patient and CT acquisition parameters in the absence of a dose-tracking software exploiting machine learning.

A straightforward method for assessing the technical image quality of reconstructed and synthetic 2D images for Digital breast tomosynthesis systems.

Purpose: Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is an advanced mammography technique for which there are currently no internationally agreed methods and reference values for image quality assessment. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate a simple method to assess the technical image quality of reconstructed and synthetic 2D (SM) images of different models of DBT systems using commercially available phantoms.

Methods: The signal difference to noise ratio (SDNR) was chosen as an index of technical image quality and was evaluated for three commercial phantoms, Tomophan, Tormam and CIRS model 015, on 55 DBT systems (six vendors, nine models).

Multiple Tumors in a Patient with Interleukin-2-Inducible T-Cell Kinase Deficiency: A Case Report.

Immune dysregulation in Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) shows a broad phenotype, including autoimmune disorders, benign lymphoproliferation, and malignancies, driven by an increasing number of implicated genes. Recent findings suggest that childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) may exhibit immunological abnormalities potentially linked to an underlying IEI, along with a well-known increased risk of subsequent malignancies due to prior cancer treatments. We describe a patient with two composite heterozygous pathogenic variants in the interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase () gene and a history of multiple tumors, including recurrent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related nodular sclerosis and Hodgkin's lymphoma (NSHL), associated with unresponsive multiple hand warts, immune thrombocytopenia, and an impaired immunological profile (CD4+ lymphocytopenia, memory B-cell deficiency, reduction in regulatory T-cells, and B-cell- and T-cell-activated profiles).

Transfer learning classification of suspicious lesions on breast ultrasound: is there room to avoid biopsies of benign lesions?

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women and the second cause of cancer death. In recent years, there has been a strong development in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in medical imaging for several tasks. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of transfer learning with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in discriminating suspicious breast lesions on ultrasound images.

Moderate haemophilia A: Recommendations from a Spanish panel of experts.

Introduction: Diagnosing moderate haemophilia A (MHA) solely based on deficient FVIII protein levels limits its optimal management and delays the initiation of prophylaxis. Updating protocols and incorporating new variables into its diagnosis could prevent underestimating disease severity, avoiding early arthropathies and impairing patients' quality of life.

Aim: To propose recommendations to improve the comprehensive management of people with MHA.

Real-World Efficacy of Biological Therapies in Severe Asthma: A Focus on Small Airways.

: Severe asthma is a challenging condition that often resists traditional treatments and requires high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and other controllers to manage uncontrolled symptoms. Recent advances include the use of biologic agents targeting specific inflammation pathways, which have improved symptom control and quality of life, although their effects on small airways remain less understood. : This prospective observational study, conducted at Tor Vergata University Hospital in Rome from July 2021 to March 2024, aims to evaluate the efficacy of treatments in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma.

Volatilome changes during black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) ontogeny.

The aroma is critical in the reproductive biology of truffles and in their commercial quality. However, previous research has almost exclusively focused on characterizing ripe ascocarps. We characterized the volatilome of the highly-prized black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) ascocarps from July, in an early development stage, to March, in the late harvesting season, and investigated the relationships among aroma, ascocarp growth and morphogenetic development.

Chagas Disease in the Non-Endemic Area of Rome, Italy: Ten Years of Experience and a Brief Overview.

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection endemic in Latin America and also affects patients in Western countries due to migration flows. This has a significant impact on health services worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality burden. This paper aims to share our experience at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani", IRCCS, in Rome, Italy, where to date, a total of 47 patients-mainly Bolivian women-diagnosed with CD have received treatment with benznidazole, with all but one presenting with chronic disease.

Revision of antifungal strategies definitions for invasive fungal infections (proven/probable/possible) in 461 patients with haematological malignancies (REDEFI-SEIFEM).

Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with haematological neoplasms (HMs). Since 2002, a classification of IFI based on host factors, clinical and radiological features and mycological tests was published for research purpose.

Objectives: These criteria are widely used in clinical practice to identify patients at risk for IFI.

Late Relapse in Genetically Determined Infantile Myofibromatosis. A Case Report and Brief Focus on Recurrences.

Background: Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is a rare disorder characterized by benign tumors in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and occasionally viscera. IM can be hereditary due to PDGFRB or NOTCH3 variants. Treatment is mainly conservative or surgical.

Efficacy of a Multistrain Synbiotic Treatment in Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19 Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Background And Aims: Several studies reported the effect of COVID-19 on inducing gut dysbiosis, which is also correlated with disease severity. This study aims to investigate the effect of a nutraceutical formula on the shift of microbiota profiles and, secondly, on the clinical-pathological parameters of acute and post-acute COVID-19 patients.

Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at National Institute for Infectious diseases (INMI) Lazzaro Spallanzani (Italy), 52 patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a multistrain synbiotic formula (Kebirah) or placebo orally for 35 days at COVID-19 diagnosis.

Peat-based amendment of soils reduces the complexity of the volatile profile in cultivated black truffles.

Background: Truffle cultivation is evolving rapidly and new agronomic practices such as 'truffle nests' (localized peat amendments of the orchard soil) are being developed. Truffle nests improve the shape of truffles and their depth in the soil and reduce the occurrence of insect damage but have also raised concerns about their impact on the ripeness and maturity of the harvested truffles. In this study, the effect of the nests on the volatile organic compounds profile and the aromatic profile of black truffles was evaluated, as well as the existence of perceptible sensorial differences in truffles.

Elaboration and Characterization of Novel Kombucha Drinks Based on Truffles ( and ) with Interesting Aromatic and Compositional Profiles.

The organoleptic and bioactive properties of truffles place these fungi as interesting materials for use in the of design functional foods based on fruiting bodies outside commercial standards. Moreover, kombucha beverages have become more popular in the Western world, leading to novel drinks using alternative substrates instead of tea leaves. In this work, two truffle species (, TMEL; , TAES) and three different symbiotic consortia of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBYs: SC1, SC2, and SC3) were tested.

Some bats are here: Reducing the Wallacean shortfall of bats in the amazon.

The Amazon rainforest has approximately 23% of its sampled area dedicated to bats, making it one of the least sampled and most diverse regions for bats in Brazil. The lack of sampling results in a lack of knowledge regarding the accurate geographical distribution of bat species. This lack is referred to as the Wallacean shortfall, which should be addressed with primary data obtained from in situ collections.

Metformin exposure during pregnancy and lactation affects offspring's long-term body weight and adipose tissue mass independent of the maternal metabolic state.

The increasing prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes (GDM) among pregnant women has risen dramatically worldwide. The antihyperglycemic drug metformin is the most common drug for T2DM treatment in non-pregnant individuals; nevertheless, it is increasingly being used for diabetes-complicated pregnancies. Studies on the long-term metabolic effects of this drug in offspring remain scarce.

Water droplet evaporation in varied gravity and electric fields.

Sessile water droplet evaporation in varied gravity and electric fields has been experimentally studied. Specifically, the influences of gravity and electric fields are investigated in the context of the heat flux distribution beneath the droplets, as well as the droplet mechanics and resulting shapes. Experimental testing was carried out during a European Space Agency (ESA) Parabolic Flight Campaign (PFC 66).

Metabolomic kinetics investigation of kombucha using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics approaches.

Kombucha is created through the fermentation of tea leaves, along with sucrose, utilizing a symbiotic consortium of bacteria and yeast cultures. Nonetheless, there exists a dearth of comprehensive information regarding the spectrum of metabolites that constitute this beverage. To explore this intricate system, metabolomics was used to investigate fermentation kinetics of Kombucha.

Black Truffle Aroma Evaluation: SPME-GC-MS vs. Sensory Experts.

Nowadays, the truffle aroma attribute is not included as a quality parameter in the current recommendation that explains the truffle quality (UNECE standard 53 FFV3) and establishes the truffle commercial categories. However, the aroma is the main reason why truffles are worldwide appreciated. Indeed, more than 30 aromatic molecules compose it, and this is the reason why the human evaluation and identification of these odorants, without previous training, is quite subjective.

Biallelic loss-of-function variants of SLC12A9 cause lysosome dysfunction and a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.

Purpose: Pathogenic variants of FIG4 generate enlarged lysosomes and neurological and developmental disorders. To identify additional genes regulating lysosomal volume, we carried out a genome-wide activation screen to detect suppression of enlarged lysosomes in FIG4 cells.

Methods: The CRISPR-a gene activation screen utilized sgRNAs from the promoters of protein-coding genes.

Typical values of z-resolution for different Digital Breast Tomosynthesis systems evaluated in a multicenter study.

Purpose: The aim of the present study, conducted by a working group of the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM), was to define typical z-resolution values for different digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) models to be used as a reference for quality control (QC). Currently, there are no typical values published in internationally agreed QC protocols.

Methods: To characterize the z-resolution of the DBT models, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the artifact spread function (ASF), a technical parameter that quantifies the signal intensity of a detail along reconstructed planes, was analyzed.