Explainable Artificial Intelligence to Predict the Water Status of Cotton ( L., 1763) from Sentinel-2 Images in the Mediterranean Area.

Climate change and water scarcity bring significant challenges to agricultural systems in the Mediterranean region. Novel methods are required to rapidly monitor the water stress of the crop to avoid qualitative losses of agricultural products. This study aimed to predict the stem water potential of cotton ( L.

Estimation of the reference values and decision limits for growth hormone in newborns using dried blood spots.

Objectives: Severe deficiency of growth hormone (GHD) of the newborn is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease. GH measured during the first week of life, using dried blood spots (DBS), may offer several advantages. Aim of the study was to estimate the reference values for GH in newborns by a new analytical method using DBS.

Long-term follow-up in a pediatric patient with Ligneous Conjunctivitis due to PLG gene mutation in topical plasminogen treatment after successful use of ocular prosthesis for aesthetic rehabilitation: a case report.

Background: Ligneous Conjunctivitis (LC) is the most common clinical manifestation of Type I Plasminogen deficiency (T1PD; OMIM# 217090), and it is characterized by the formation of pseudomembranes (due to deposition of fibrin) on the conjunctivae leading to progressive vision loss. In past times, patients with LC were treated with surgery, topical anti-inflammatory, cytostatic agents, and systemic immunosuppressive drugs with limited results (Blood 108:3021-3026, 2006, Ophthalmology 129:955-957, 2022, Surv Ophthalmol 48:369-388, 2003, Blood 131:1301-1310, 2018). The surgery can also trigger the development of membranes, as observed in patients needing ocular prosthesis (Surv Ophthalmol 48:369-388, 2003).

Radiomics of spinal muscles: toward a radiological biomarker for allograft rejection in lung transplant.

Purpose: To assess the role of muscle composition and radiomics in predicting allograft rejection in lung transplant.

Material And Methods: The last available HRCT before surgery of lung transplant candidates referring to our tertiary center from January 2010 to February 2020 was retrospectively examined. Only scans with B30 kernel reconstructions and 1 mm slice thickness were included.

[F]FDG PET-MR in the Evaluation and Follow-Up of Incidental Bone Ischemic Lesions in a Mono-Center Cohort of Pediatric Patients Affected by Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is one of the neoplasms with the best prognosis in children, adolescents and young adults, but sufferers are burdened by the possibility of developing adverse effects such as Bone Ischemic Lesions (BILs) which are lesions of the bone caused by the loss of/reduction in blood flow. The main goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the role of [F]FDG-PET-MR in the early detection of BILs in a single-center cohort of uniformly treated pediatric HL patients. BILs were assessed through PET-MR images as the appearance of medullary lesion surrounded by a serpiginous, tortuous border.

Cerebrospinal fluid and arterial acid-base equilibria in spontaneously breathing third-trimester pregnant women.

Background: Acid-base status in full-term pregnant women is characterised by hypocapnic alkalosis. Whether this respiratory alkalosis is primary or consequent to changes in CSF electrolytes is not clear.

Methods: We enrolled third-trimester pregnant women (pregnant group) and healthy, non-pregnant women of childbearing age (controls) undergoing spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean delivery and elective surgery, respectively.

Prognostic Value of Mid-Region Proadrenomedullin and In Vitro Interferon Gamma Production for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia and Respiratory Failure: An Observational Prospective Study.

Coagulopathy and immune dysregulation have been identified as important causes of adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Mid-region proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is associated with endothelial damage and has recently been proposed as a prognostic factor in COVID-19. In non-COVID-19 immunocompromised patients, low in vitro interferon gamma (IFNγ) production correlates with infection risk and mortality.

Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Surgically Treated for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) should be reserved only for patients who have a good performance status. Sarcopenia, a well-known predictor of poor outcomes after surgery, is still underinvestigated in MPM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of sarcopenia as a predictor of short-and long-term outcomes in patients surgically treated for MPM.

Prognostic value of copeptin and mid-regional proadrenomedullin in COVID-19-hospitalized patients.

Background: Biomarkers are used for diagnosis, risk stratification and medical decisions. Copeptin and mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are markers of stress and endothelial function, respectively, which have been studied in pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock. This study aimed to assess whether copeptin and MR-proADM could predict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in-hospital outcomes, that is multi-system complications, length of stay and mortality.

Treatment strategies and long-term outcomes in patients with congenital microphthalmia-anophthalmia with cyst.

Background/aims: Microphthalmia and anophthalmia are rare conditions, which represent ocular maldevelopment; both may be associated with orbital cysts. Current literature recommends retention to stimulate orbital growth during socket rehabilitation but does not illustrate their potential to deform the periocular tissues. This study aims to illustrate the long-term outcomes when other elements, such as forniceal and lid development, are also considered when formulating bespoke treatment plans for patients.

Computed Tomography and Spirometry Can Predict Unresectability in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Preoperative identification of unresectable pleural mesothelioma could spare unnecessary surgical intervention and accelerate the initiation of medical treatments. The aim of this study is to determine predictors of unresectability, testing our impression that the contraction of the ipsilateral hemithorax is often associated with exploratory thoracotomy. Between 1994 and 2020, 291 patients undergoing intended macroscopic complete resection for mesothelioma after chemotherapy were retrospectively investigated.

Should we care about the ocular surface in the anophthalmic patient?

Purpose: To assess clinical and biomolecular changes of the conjunctival epithelium in anophthalmic patients wearing an ocular prosthesis.

Methods: Thirty-five unilateral anophthalmic patients were enrolled. Patients with blepharitis, lid abnormalities, and topical/systemic medication affecting the ocular surface were excluded.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory effects of eye drops formulations after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of different dexamethasone eye drops formulations in controlling postoperative inflammation.

Methods: Cataract surgery was carried out in 72 patients (35 males) divided into two groups: group A (36 patients, mean age = 78.0 ± 5.

Long-term outcomes after cosmetic customized prostheses and dermis fat graft in congenital anophthalmia: a retrospective multicentre study.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term outcomes of progressively enlarging cosmetic customized prostheses (CCP) early after birth followed by dermis fat graft (DFG), as a strategy of socket rehabilitation in children with clinical congenital anophthalmia (CCA).

Methods: Twenty patients with unilateral and two patients with bilateral CCA were enrolled. All patients were treated by inserting a CCP at the time of their first assessment which was then enlarged.

SOX2, OTX2 and PAX6 analysis in subjects with anophthalmia and microphthalmia.

Anophthalmia (A) and microphthalmia (M) are rare developmental anomalies that have significant effects on visual activity. In fraction of A/M subjects, single genetic defects have been identified as causative. In this study we analysed 65 Italian A/M patients, 21 of whom are syndromic, for mutations in SOX2, OTX2 and PAX6 genes.

Congenital cystic eye associated with a low-grade cerebellar lesion that spontaneously regressed.

Background: Congenital cystic eye is an exceedingly rare ocular malformative disease, originated from the failure in the invagination of the optic vesicle during the fetal period and it can be associated with other ocular and non-ocular abnormalities. Diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological and histological features.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a congenital cystic eye associated with a cerebellar lesion accidentally detected at magnetic resonance imaging.

Ocular prostheses in the last century: a retrospective analysis of 8018 patients.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with ocular prosthesis to assess the causes of eye loss in the different genders and age groups, and their incidence over the years.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the rates of ocular prosthesis application and related causes in the period from 1927 to 2011 in a referral center in Rome, Italy, and compared them over time. We also compared the results within the population in terms of age and gender.

Tessier 3 cleft with bilateral anophthalmia: case report and surgical treatment.

Tessier clefts type 3 and 4 are rare. In this paper the authors report on the management of a wide Tessier 3 cleft. There is no standardized protocol or timing of the surgical procedures in this rare disfiguring condition.

Quality control by portal film analysis in radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison between two different institutions and treatment techniques.

Aims And Background: Accuracy and reproducibility of patient setup during radiotherapy for prostate cancer were investigated in two different Institutions (A and B), within their Quality Assurance programs. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare setup accuracy and reproducibility in Institutions A and B, which adopt different patient positioning and treatment techniques for prostate irradiation.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of portal localization films taken during the treatment course was performed: 30 and 21 patients in Institutes A and B, respectively, entered the study.

[Clinical and methodological aspects of quality assurance in external radiotherapy: optimization of radiotherapy in early cancer of the breast].

Since 1988, a specific physical and clinical quality assurance program for external whole breast irradiation has been activated in our department. Three areas of clinical investigation and related audit loops are analyzed to show our policy to improve the quality of patient care. Quality control procedures deal with (a) the evaluation of the adequacy of conventional methods of clinical target volume (CTV) localization, (b) the evaluation of the adequacy of the conventional method of determining the planning target volume (PTV) and (c) the systematic and objective assessment of acute and late side-effects.

Occurrence of hepatitis delta virus infection in hepatitis B virus-infected patients with different serum patterns of preS gene-encoded proteins.

The occurrence of delta superinfection among viremic and nonviremic HbsAg-positive carriers with different serum patterns and levels of preS1 and preS2 antigens was investigated. PreS1 and preS2 antigens in serum, as well as their levels, were found to be independent of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicative activity. Serological evidence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) superinfection was found in 34 out of 233 (14.

Beam modifying devices in the treatment of early breast cancer: 3-D stepped compensating technique.

A 3-D compensating technique utilizing stepped brass filters to ensure an adequate dose distribution in the breast after conservative surgery is described. No compensation for lung inhomogeneity is applied. These compensators are part of a procedure which also involves the use of a rotatable half-beam block (HBB) and of an individualized immobilization cast.

Prolonged viral hepatitis type A with cholestasis: case report.

We describe a clinical case of an eleven year old boy with a protracted cholestatic form of viral hepatitis type A. The role of a macrolide antibiotic in the determinism of this form of hepatitis is discussed.