SiC free-standing membrane for X-ray intensity monitoring in synchrotron radiation beamlines.

For many synchrotron radiation experiments, it is critical to perform continuous, real-time monitoring of the X-ray flux for normalization and stabilization purposes. Traditional transmission-mode monitors included metal mesh foils and ionization chambers, which suffered from low signal stability and size constraints. Solid-state detectors are now considered superior alternatives for many applications, offering appealing features like compactness and signal stability.

Polydopamine Nanoparticle-Based Combined Chemotherapy and Photothermal Therapy for the Treatment of Liver Cancer.

Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) are proposed as an anti-cancer tool against hepatocellular carcinoma through the combination of near-infrared (NIR)-mediated hyperthermia and loading with a chemotherapeutic drug, sorafenib (SRF). Cell membranes isolated from a liver cancer cell line (HepG2) have been exploited for the coating of the nanoparticles (thus obtaining CM-SRF-PDA NPs), to promote homotypic targeting toward cancer cells. The selective targeting ability and the combined photothermal and chemotherapeutic activity of the CM-SRF-PDA NPs following NIR irradiation have been evaluated on cell cultures in static and dynamic conditions, besides three-dimensional culture models.

FHIR-standardized data collection on the clinical rehabilitation pathway of trans-femoral amputation patients.

Lower limb amputation is a medical intervention which causes motor disability and may compromise quality of life. Several factors determine patients' health outcomes, including an appropriate prosthetic provision and an effective rehabilitation program, necessitating a thorough quantitative observation through different data sources. In this context, the role of interoperability becomes essential, facilitating the reuse of real-world data through the provision of structured and easily accessible databases.

Virtual Reality for advanced cancer patients assisted at home: A randomized controlled interventional study.

Objective: Virtual Reality (VR) has been demonstrated to be an effective option for integrating psychological interventions in different therapeutic settings. This randomized controlled interventional study aims to assess the effects of VR, compared to tablet controlled intervention, on anxiety, depression, pain, and short-term psychophysical symptoms in advanced cancer patients assisted at home.

Methods: Participants were provided with a VR headset or a tablet (TAB) for 4 days.

Dopamine-mediated autocrine inhibition of insulin secretion.

The aim of the present research was to explore the mechanisms underlying the role of dopamine in the regulation of insulin secretion in beta cells. The effect of dopamine on insulin secretion was investigated on INS 832/13 cell line upon glucose and other secretagogues stimulation. Results show that dopamine significantly inhibits insulin secretion stimulated by both glucose and other secretagogues, while it has no effect on the basal secretion.

Microglia Polarization and Antiglioma Effects Fostered by Dual Cell Membrane-Coated Doxorubicin-Loaded Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoflakes.

Microglial cells play a critical role in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) progression, which is considered a highly malignant brain cancer. The activation of microglia can either promote or inhibit GBM growth depending on the stage of the tumor development and on the microenvironment conditions. The current treatments for GBM have limited efficacy; therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel and efficient strategies for drug delivery and targeting: in this context, a promising strategy consists of using nanoplatforms.

Feasibility interventional study investigating PAIN in neurorehabilitation through wearabLE SensorS (PAINLESS): a study protocol.

Introduction: Millions of people survive injuries to the central or peripheral nervous system for which neurorehabilitation is required. In addition to the physical and cognitive impairments, many neurorehabilitation patients experience pain, often not widely recognised and inadequately treated. This is particularly true for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, for whom pain is one of the most common symptoms.

Effect of Combined Levothyroxine (L-T) and 3-Iodothyronamine (TAM) Supplementation on Memory and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Hypothyroidism.

Mood alterations, anxiety, and cognitive impairments associated with adult-onset hypothyroidism often persist despite replacement treatment. In rodent models of hypothyroidism, replacement does not bring 3-iodothyronamine (TAM) brain levels back to normal. TAM is a thyroid hormone derivative with cognitive effects.

Effectiveness of Therapeutical Interventions on the Scapulothoracic Complex in the Management of Patients with Subacromial Impingement and Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review.

Shoulder pain is one the most common musculoskeletal complaints. The most common pathological causes of shoulder pain in the general population are subacromial impingement syndrome and adhesive capsulitis, commonly referred to as "frozen shoulder". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the scapulo-thoracic complex, particularly in scapular kinematic functions, in rehabilitative interventions for shoulder pain in patients suffering from these two common conditions.

A Novel Patient-Personalized Nanovector Based on Homotypic Recognition and Magnetic Hyperthermia for an Efficient Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest brain tumor, characterized by an extreme genotypic and phenotypic variability, besides a high infiltrative nature in healthy tissues. Apart from very invasive surgical procedures, to date, there are no effective treatments, and life expectancy is very limited. In this work, an innovative therapeutic approach based on lipid-based magnetic nanovectors is proposed, owning a dual therapeutic function: chemotherapy, thanks to an antineoplastic drug (regorafenib) loaded in the core, and localized magnetic hyperthermia, thanks to the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles, remotely activated by an alternating magnetic field.

Empagliflozin inhibits excessive autophagy through the AMPK/GSK3β signalling pathway in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have beneficial effects on heart failure and cardiovascular mortality in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, with unclear mechanisms. Autophagy is a cardioprotective mechanism under acute stress conditions, but excessive autophagy accelerates myocardial cell death leading to autosis. We evaluated the protective role of empagliflozin (EMPA) against cardiac injury in murine diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Connexin Expression in Human Minor Salivary Glands: An Immunohistochemical Microscopy Study.

Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins involved in the formation of hemichannels and gap junctions (GJs). GJs are involved in various physiological functions, including secretion in glandular tissue. It has been demonstrated that Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 are mainly expressed in glands, but no data are available in human salivary glands to date.

Automatic pain assessment on cancer patients using physiological signals recorded in real-world contexts.

Pain assessment represents the first fundamental stage for proper pain management, but currently, methods applied in clinical practice often lack in providing a satisfying characterization of the pain experience. Automatic methods based on the analysis of physiological signals (e.g.

Dysregulated insulin secretion is associated with pancreatic β-cell hyperplasia and direct acinar-β-cell trans-differentiation in partially eNOS-deficient mice.

eNOS-deficient mice were previously shown to develop hypertension and metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance either in standard dietary conditions (eNOS-/- homozygotes) or upon high-fat diet (HFD) (eNOS+/- heterozygotes). In the latter heterozygote model, the present study investigated the pancreatic morphological changes underlying the abnormal glycometabolic phenotype. C57BL6 wild type (WT) and eNOS+/- mice were fed with either chow or HFD for 16 weeks.

Wrist Photoplethysmography Signal Quality Assessment for Reliable Heart Rate Estimate and Morphological Analysis.

Photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals are mainly employed for heart rate estimation but are also fascinating candidates in the search for cardiovascular biomarkers. However, their high susceptibility to motion artifacts can lower their morphological quality and, hence, affect the reliability of the extracted information. Low reliability is particularly relevant when signals are recorded in a real-world context, during daily life activities.

Quality Assessment and Morphological Analysis of Photoplethysmography in Daily Life.

The photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal has been applied in various research fields, with promising results for its future clinical application. However, there are several sources of variability that, if not adequately controlled, can hamper its application in pervasive monitoring contexts. This study assessed and characterized the impact of several sources of variability, such as physical activity, age, sex, and health state on PPG signal quality and PPG waveform parameters (Rise Time, Pulse Amplitude, Pulse Time, Reflection Index, Delta T, and DiastolicAmplitude).

Length of Stay Analysis of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Using a Count Regression Model and Quantile Regression: A Study in Bologna, Italy.

This study aimed to identify and explore the hospital admission risk factors associated with the length of stay (LoS) by applying a relatively novel statistical method for count data using predictors among COVID-19 patients in Bologna, Italy. The second goal of this study was to model the LoS of COVID patients to understand which covariates significantly influenced it and identify the potential risk factors associated with LoS in Bolognese hospitals from 1 February 2020 to 10 May 2021. The clinical settings we focused on were the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ordinary hospitalization, including low-intensity stays.

Physiological responses to pain in cancer patients: A systematic review.

Background And Objective: Pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms in persons with cancer. Still, its assessment is often neglected both by patients and healthcare professionals. There is increasing interest in conducting pain assessment and monitoring via physiological signals that promise to overcome the limitations of state-of-the-art pain assessment tools.

Degree of Safety Against Falls Provided by 4 Different Prosthetic Knee Types in People With Transfemoral Amputation: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective: People with transfemoral amputation have balance and mobility problems and are at high risk of falling. An adequate prosthetic prescription is essential to maximize their functional levels and enhance their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of safety against falls offered by different prosthetic knees.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors prevent ponatinib-induced endothelial senescence and disfunction: A potential rescue strategy.

Background: Ponatinib (PON), a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has proven cardiovascular toxicity, with no known preventing agents usable to limit such side effect. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of glucose-lowering agents, featuring favorable cardiac and vascular effects.

Aims: We assessed the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitors empagliflozin (EMPA) and dapagliflozin (DAPA) on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and underlying vasculo-protective mechanisms in an in vitro model of PON-induced endothelial toxicity.

Subcellular Localization of Connexin 26 in Cardiomyocytes and in Cardiomyocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Connexins (Cxs) are a family of membrane-spanning proteins, expressed in vertebrates and named according to their molecular weight. They are involved in tissue homeostasis, and they function by acting at several communication levels. Cardiac Cxs are responsible for regular heart function and, among them, Cx26 and Cx43 are widely expressed throughout the heart.

Virtual Reality in Home Palliative Care: Brief Report on the Effect on Cancer-Related Symptomatology.

Virtual reality (VR) has been used as a complementary therapy for managing psychological and physical symptoms in cancer patients. In palliative care, the evidence about the use of VR is still inadequate. This study aims to assess the effect of an immersive VR-based intervention conducted at home on anxiety, depression, and pain over 4days and to evaluate the short-term effect of VR sessions on cancer-related symptomatology.

Ezrin Is a Novel Protein Partner of Aquaporin-5 in Human Salivary Glands and Shows Altered Expression and Cellular Localization in Sjögren's Syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an exocrinopathy characterized by the hypofunction of salivary glands (SGs). Aquaporin-5 (AQP5); a water channel involved in saliva formation; is aberrantly distributed in SS SG acini and contributes to glandular dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the role of ezrin in AQP5 mislocalization in SS SGs.