Changes in hematological and hematochemical parameters in lactating dairy sheep according to different pasture management and heat stress risk: A longitudinal study.

Sheep in Italy are exposed to heat stress (HS) for several months, increasing the risk of HS-related problems such as the decrease in growth, reproductive performance, milk quantity and quality and natural immunity. This study aimed to assess changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in dairy sheep from three different farms with varying pasture management: A (no water or shade), B (water but no shade), and C (both water and shade). From March to June, when HS risk is high, monthly blood samples (T1-T4) were collected from 20 sheep per farm (total n = 60).

Clinical Impact of Sarcopenia in the Decision-Making Process for Patients with Acute Diverticulitis.

Acute diverticulitis (AD), an inflammatory complication of diverticulosis, affects around 4% of individuals with diverticulosis, with increased incidence in older populations. This study aims to assess the impact of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, on the clinical decision-making and outcomes of patients with AD. A retrospective study was conducted on 237 patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) between January 2014 and February 2022.

Mind the Step: An Artificial Intelligence-Based Monitoring Platform for Animal Welfare.

We present an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced monitoring framework designed to assist personnel in evaluating and maintaining animal welfare using a modular architecture. This framework integrates multiple deep learning models to automatically compute metrics relevant to assessing animal well-being. Using deep learning for AI-based vision adapted from industrial applications and human behavioral analysis, the framework includes modules for markerless animal identification and health status assessment (e.

Assessing Quality of Life with the Novel QLQ-CAX24 Questionnaire and Body Composition Parameters in Rectal Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

Background: Patients with rectal cancer (RC) are at risk of developing cancer-related cachexia, a complex metabolic syndrome that can negatively impact quality of life (QoL), treatment tolerance, and clinical response.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the possible associations of the novel European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-Cancer Cachexia (EORTC QLQ-CAX24) scores with body composition parameters and physical performance in patients with locally advanced RC (LARC).

Methods: This prospective observational study involved RC patients evaluated at the dedicated outpatient clinic of Clinical Nutrition at the Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS.

Biomarker profiles that differentiate type-1 and type 2 myocardial infarction.

Background: It is crucial to distinguish type-1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) from type-2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) at admission and during hospitalization to avoid unnecessary invasive exams and inappropriate admissions to the acute cardiac care unit.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to define a simple profile derived from commonly used biomarkers to differentiate T1MI from T2MI.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled in an observational study 213 iconsecutive patients with a provisional diagnosis of non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) admitted to the Cardiology Department.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Pancreatic Surgery: The Surgeon's Point of View.

Pancreatic surgery is complex and associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to other abdominal surgeries. Over the past decade, the introduction of new technologies, such as minimally invasive approaches, improvements in multimodal treatments, advancements in anesthesia and perioperative care, and better management of complications, have collectively improved patient outcomes after pancreatic surgery. In particular, the adoption of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) recommendations has reduced hospital stays and improved recovery times, as well as post-operative outcomes.

Body composition derangements in lung cancer patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab: A multicentre observational study.

Background: While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly reshaping the therapeutic landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only a limited proportion of patients achieve a relevant and long-lasting benefit with these treatments, calling for the identification of clinical and, ideally modifiable, predictors of efficacy. Body composition phenotypes may reflect aspects of patients' immunology and thereby their ability to respond to ICIs. This study aims to explore the possible association between pre-treatment body composition phenotypes, tumour response, and clinical outcomes in patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for advanced NSCLC.

Growth performance, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of black soldier fly larvae reared on two grape pomace varieties.

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is attracting increasing interest for its ability to convert low-value substrates into highly nutritious feed. This study aimed at evaluating grape pomace from two varieties (Becuet - B; Moscato - M) as rearing substrates for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), focusing on the related effects on larval growth performance, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile. A total of six replicates per treatment, and 1 000 BSFL per replica, were used.

Effect of different diet composition on the fat profile of two different black soldier fly larvae populations.

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; BSFL) can transform organic wastes into nutritional biomass useful in animal feeding. The aim of this work was to study the effect of five diets (meat, fruit, vegetable substrates, a mix of them and control) on the profile of fatty acids (FAs) and sterols of BSFL. For a more exhaustive characterization of the nutritional properties, the profile of esterified FAs in the sn-2 position of the triglycerides, the most absorbed lipid component during animal digestion was evaluated.

Antibody signatures against viruses and microbiome reflect past and chronic exposures and associate with aging and inflammation.

Encounters with pathogens and other molecules can imprint long-lasting effects on our immune system, influencing future physiological outcomes. Given the wide range of microbes to which humans are exposed, their collective impact on health is not fully understood. To explore relations between exposures and biological aging and inflammation, we profiled an antibody-binding repertoire against 2,815 microbial, viral, and environmental peptides in a population cohort of 1,443 participants.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Effects on Pediatric Viral Respiratory Infections.

Introduction: Viral lower respiratory tract infections frequently cause morbidity and mortality in children. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic led to isolation and hygiene measures, resulting in decreased respiratory virus transmission and pediatric admissions. This study aimed to assess the impact of these measures and their uplifting on respiratory virus circulation in children before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (January 2017-December 2022).

Preoperative low skeletal muscle mass index assessed using L3-CT as a prognostic marker of clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Reduction in muscle mass can be routinely quantified using computed tomography (CT) of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) during a curative pancreatic cancer (PC) course. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between preoperative low skeletal muscle index (SMI) measured by L3-CT and postoperative clinical outcomes in PC resectable patients.

Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched for articles published through May 2023.

Gastric Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Nutrition: The Role of Microbiota.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of gastric cancer (GC), which still represents the third leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries. However, ICI treatment outcomes vary between individuals and need to be optimized. Recent studies have shown that gut microbiota could represent a key influencer of immunotherapy responses.

Impact of body composition parameters on radiation therapy compliance in locally advanced rectal cancer: A retrospective observational analysis.

Background: The impact of body composition and sarcopenia in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is still unclear, even several studies have been published on this issue. Our study aims to analyze the impact of sarcopenia on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) tolerance and survival outcomes.

Methods: This is a retrospective, monocentric study where LARC patients treated between 2010 and 2020 were enrolled.

Stem Cells Collection and Mobilization in Adult Autologous/Allogeneic Transplantation: Critical Points and Future Challenges.

Achieving successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) relies on two fundamental pillars: effective mobilization and efficient collection through apheresis to attain the optimal graft dose. These cornerstones pave the way for enhanced patient outcomes. The primary challenges encountered by the clinical unit and collection facility within a transplant program encompass augmenting mobilization efficiency to optimize the harvest of target cell populations, implementing robust monitoring and predictive strategies for mobilization, streamlining the apheresis procedure to minimize collection duration while ensuring adequate yield, prioritizing patient comfort by reducing the overall collection time, guaranteeing the quality and purity of stem cell products to optimize graft function and transplant success, and facilitating seamless coordination between diverse entities involved in the HSCT process.

Evaluation of ruminal methane and ammonia formation and microbiota composition as affected by supplements based on mixtures of tannins and essential oils using Rusitec.

Background: Dietary supplements based on tannin extracts or essential oil compounds (EOC) have been repeatedly reported as a promising feeding strategy to reduce the environmental impact of ruminant husbandry. A previous batch culture screening of various supplements identified selected mixtures with an enhanced potential to mitigate ruminal methane and ammonia formation. Among these, Q-2 (named after quebracho extract and EOC blend 2, composed of carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol) and C-10 (chestnut extract and EOC blend 10, consisting of oregano and thyme essential oils and limonene) have been investigated in detail in the present study with the semi-continuous rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) in three independent runs.

Grazing system and Hyalomma marginatum tick infestation in cattle with high prevalence of SFG Rickettsia spp.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) represent a significant portion of infectious diseases of global public health interest. In Italy, knowledge about the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in ticks parasitizing cattle is scarce. In this research, we focused on ticks infesting Maremmana cattle grazing in open pasture and silvopasture systems.

Functional identification of cis-regulatory long noncoding RNAs at controlled false discovery rates.

A key attribute of some long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is their ability to regulate expression of neighbouring genes in cis. However, such 'cis-lncRNAs' are presently defined using ad hoc criteria that, we show, are prone to false-positive predictions. The resulting lack of cis-lncRNA catalogues hinders our understanding of their extent, characteristics and mechanisms.

Microbiota-Gastric Cancer Interactions and the Potential Influence of Nutritional Therapies.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths, and GC treatments represent a large area of research. Although initially regarded as a sterile organ and unsuitable for microbial communities, the discovery of made us realize that some microbes can colonize the stomach. In recent years, growing interest in gastric bacteria has expanded to the gut microbiota and, more recently, to the oral microbiota.

Antibodies toward Na,HCO-cotransporter NBCn1/SLC4A7 block net acid extrusion and cause pH-dependent growth inhibition and apoptosis in breast cancer.

Background: Na,HCO-cotransporter NBCn1/Slc4a7 accelerates murine breast carcinogenesis. Lack of specific pharmacological tools previously restricted therapeutic targeting of NBCn1 and identification of NBCn1-dependent functions in human breast cancer.

Methods: We develop extracellularly-targeted anti-NBCn1 antibodies, screen for functional activity on cells, and evaluate (a) mechanisms of intracellular pH regulation in human primary breast carcinomas, (b) proliferation, cell death, and tumor growth consequences of NBCn1 in triple-negative breast cancer, and (c) association of NBCn1-mediated Na,HCO-cotransport with human breast cancer metastasis.

Dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants: assessment of growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens.

Exposure to air and light lowers the meat quality of chickens, which is mainly determined by the color alteration and accumulation of detrimental products from lipid oxidation. This study tests the effects of 2 supplements rich in polyphenols, Oxilem (OX) and OxiGem (OG), on broiler Ross 308 performance and meat quality in comparison to a control group (C). A total of 105 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were allocated to 21 pens and randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 treatments.