Cole-Cole Model for the Dielectric Characterization of Healthy Skin and Basal Cell Carcinoma at THz Frequencies.

THz radiationeffectively probes biological tissue water content due to its high sensibility to polar molecules. Skin and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), both rich in water, have been extensively studied in the THz range. Typically, the Double Debye model is used to study their dielectric permittivity.

Modeling of Magnetic Scaffolds as Drug Delivery Platforms for Tissue Engineering and Cancer Therapy.

Magnetic scaffolds (MagSs) are magneto-responsive devices obtained by the combination of traditional biomaterials (e.g., polymers, bioceramics, and bioglasses) and magnetic nanoparticles.

Operative and non-operative treatment of injury to solid abdominal organs in adult patients: a single center experience.

Background: In major trauma, lesions of the parenchymatous organs are subject of a controversy as regards the choice between an operative management (OM) in the operating room and a non-operative management (NOM) associated or not with angiography/angioembolization (AG/AE).

Methods: Retrospective study of all consecutive data of patients coded as "traumatic pathology" in the period between 2011 and 2021. Were enrolled 13740 entries of adult patients with abdominal injuries, including at least: either hepatic or splenic or renal injury of AAST-OIS I.

Study abroad programmes and student outcomes: Evidence from Erasmus.

Exploiting admission thresholds for participating in Erasmus, the most popular higher education study abroad programme in Europe, we implement a regression discontinuity design and show that student mobility does not delay graduation and, in addition, has a positive and significant impact on the final graduation marks of undergraduate students. We find that Erasmus mobility improves graduation results for undergraduate students enrolled in scientific and technical fields and for those who apply in the first year of their studies, especially when enrolled in more demanding degree courses. Investigating plausible mechanisms, we find that the positive impact on performance at graduation is stronger for students who visit foreign universities of relatively lower quality compared to their home university.

On the Evaluation of the Hyperthermic Efficiency of Magnetic Scaffolds.

Deep-seated tumors (DST) can be treated using thermoseeds exposed to a radiofrequency magnetic field for performing local interstitial hyperthermia treatment (HT). Several research efforts were oriented to the manufacturing of novel biocompatible magnetic nanostructured thermo-seeds, called magnetic scaffolds (MagS). Several iron-doped bioceramics or magnetic polymers in various formulations are available.

Antibiotic Therapy for Active Crohn's Disease Targeting Pathogens: An Overview and Update.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a multifactorial chronic disorder that involves a combination of factors, including genetics, immune response, and gut microbiota. Therapy includes salicylates, immunosuppressive agents, corticosteroids, and biologic drugs. International guidelines do not recommend the use of antibiotics for CD patients, except in the case of septic complications.

Pathogens in Crohn's Disease: The Role of Adherent Invasive Escherichia coli.

In Crohn's disease (CD), gut dysbiosis is marked by the prevalence of pathogenic bacterial species. Although several microbes have been reported as risk factors or causative agents of CD, it is not yet clear which is the real trigger of the disease. Thirty years ago, a new pathovar of Escherichia coli strain was isolated in the ileal mucosa of CD patients.

Role of Regulatory T Cells and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications in Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CeD) is a T-cell-mediated immune disease, in which gluten-derived peptides activate lamina propria effector CD4+ T cells. While this effector T cell subset produces proinflammatory cytokines, which cause substantial tissue injury in vivo, additional subsets of T cells exist with regulatory functions (Treg). These subsets include CD4+ type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1) and CD4+ CD25+ T cells expressing the master transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) that may have important implications in disease pathogenesis.

Inequalities in Childhood Nutrition, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity in Italy.

Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and high body mass index (BMI) are preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases throughout a person's lifespan. The higher prevalence of these risk factors in children from lower socio-economic groups has been generally observed. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of parents' socio-economic conditions on children's consumption of fruit, vegetables and sugar-sweetened drinks, and inactivity, sedentary behaviour, overweight and obesity.

The HLA-DQ8 transgenic mouse: A model to study the immune and cytotoxic responses to wheat gliadin.

A complete understanding of celiac disease (CD) pathogenesis has been hindered to date because of the lack of adequate in vivo models. Herein, we describe two in vivo approaches in HLA-DQ8-transgenic mice to study the intrinsic cytoxicity and immune features of wheat gliadin. By adopting the first method, we explored the mucosal architecture of the small intestine following the intra-gastric administration of wheat gliadin in mice treated with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases.

Microwave Spectroscopy Investigation of Carasau Bread Doughs: Effects of Composition up to 8.5 GHz.

Carasau bread is a flat bread, typical of Sardinia (Italy). The market of this food product has a large growth potential, and its industry is experiencing a revolution, characterized by digitalization and automation. To monitor the quality of this food product at different manufacturing stages, microwave sensors and devices could be a cost-effective solution.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: A systematic review of clinical, surgical and oncological characteristics of 1384 patients underwent pancreatic surgery.

Background: Pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) are rare clinical entity, with low malignancy and still unclear pathogenesis. They account for less than 2% of exocrine pancreatic neoplasms. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the main clinical, surgical and oncological characteristics of pancreatic SPTs.

Is there a role for adjuvant therapy in radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast? A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Angiosarcoma (AS) of the breast is very rare, accounting for 1% of all soft tissue breast tumors. AS may present as primary tumors of the breast or as secondary lesions usually associated with previous radiotherapy. Commonly, secondary AS affects older women (median age 67-71 years) with a clinical history of breast cancer.

Solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. An extrapancreatic loco-regional site and a review of the literature.

Background: Solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPT) of the pancreas are rare, low malignancy and predominantly affect young women, but it may be locally aggressive. Pancreatic resection is the main treatment for SPTs. However, low malignancy SPT may give insidious extrapancreatic invasions.

Management and treatment of Fournier's gangrene. Our Emergency Department Experience and literature review.

Fournier's Gangrene (FG) is an extremely serious condition of necrotizing soft tissue infection. The treatment of this critical condition is urgent but much debated, especially as regards the management of larger defects and wound closure, with various techniques being described in the current literature. Through a case series we aimed to present our surgical management of FG treated successfully with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and performing a loop colostomy.

Can relief measures nudge compliance in a public health crisis? Evidence from a kinked fiscal policy rule.

We show that compensation measures aimed at improving the fairness of a crisis policy response can unintendedly nudge compliance with emergency rules. We combine information on the distribution of relief funds across Italian municipalities during the novel coronavirus pandemic with data tracking citizens' movements through mobile devices and navigation systems. To assess the impact of transfers on compliance, we exploit a sharp kink schedule in the allocation of funds.

Diploid Wheats: Are They Less Immunogenic for Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitive Consumers?

Non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) is a clinical entity induced by the ingestion of gluten that leads to intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms, and is diagnosed when celiac disease and wheat allergy have been ruled out. In addition to gluten, other grains' components, including amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) and fermentable short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs), may trigger symptoms in NCWS subjects. Several studies suggest that, compared with tetraploid and hexaploid modern wheats, ancient diploid wheats species could possess a lower immunogenicity for subjects suffering from NCWS.

Treatment strategies for neuroendocrine liver metastases: a systematic review.

Background: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are often diagnosed when metastatic. The liver is the main site of metastases. Unfortunately, optimal management of neuroendocrine liver metastases remains a topic of debate.

Gluten Induces Subtle Histological Changes in Duodenal Mucosa of Patients with Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity: A Multicentre Study.

Background: Histological changes induced by gluten in the duodenal mucosa of patients with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) are poorly defined. Objectives: To evaluate the structural and inflammatory features of NCGS compared to controls and coeliac disease (CeD) with milder enteropathy (Marsh I-II). Methods: Well-oriented biopsies of 262 control cases with normal gastroscopy and histologic findings, 261 CeD, and 175 NCGS biopsies from 9 contributing countries were examined.

Cell-type-specific gene expression profile by laser capture microdissection on mirror sections.

Immuno-laser capture microdissection (Immuno-LCM) has been used to analyze cell-specific gene expression profiles. However, the usefulness of such a technique is frequently limited by RNA degradation. We, therefore, developed a rapid protocol of LCM on mirror sections, which allows for preserving RNA integrity.

Perceived risk and vaccine hesitancy: Quasi-experimental evidence from Italy.

In March 2021, Italian health authorities suspended the Vaxzevria vaccine (VA) for 4 days over reports of very rare blood disorders among recipients. We exploit the quasi-experimental setting arising from this break to study the drivers of vaccine hesitancy. Before the suspension, the VA vaccination trend followed the same pattern as Pfizer-Biontech (PB).

A babel of web-searches: Googling unemployment during the pandemic.

Researchers are increasingly exploiting web-searches to study phenomena for which timely and high-frequency data are not readily available. We propose a data-driven procedure which, exploiting machine learning techniques, solves the issue of identifying the list of queries linked to the phenomenon of interest, even in a cross-country setting. Queries are then aggregated in an indicator which can be used for causal inference.

Influence of Magnetic Scaffold Loading Patterns on Their Hyperthermic Potential Against Bone Tumors.

Magnetic scaffolds have been investigated as promising tools for the interstitial hyperthermia treatment of bone cancers, to control local recurrence by enhancing radio- and chemotherapy effectiveness. The potential of magnetic scaffolds motivates the development of production strategies enabling tunability of the resulting magnetic properties. Within this framework, deposition and drop-casting of magnetic nanoparticles on suitable scaffolds offer advantages such as ease of production and high loading, although these approaches are often associated with a non-uniform final spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the biomaterial.