Distinct pro-inflammatory/pro-angiogenetic signatures distinguish children with Long COVID from controls.

Background: Recent proteomic studies have documented that Long COVID in adults is characterized by a pro-inflammatory signature with thromboinflammation. However, if similar events happen also in children with Long COVID has never been investigated.

Methods: We performed an extensive protein analysis of blood plasma from pediatric patients younger than 19 years of age Long COVID and a control group of children with acute COVID-19, MIS-C, and healthy controls resulted similar for sex distribution and age.

Effect of dehydroleucodine (DhL) on the acrosome reaction in sperm of : signalling pathways involved.

The secondary metabolites of several plant species, particularly sesquiterpenic lactones (SLs) have been studied by different research groups for over 30 years. This group of metabolites presents numerous biological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antiulcer, cell proliferation inhibitor, and oocyte activator with participation in exocytosis processes. This study aims to assess some sperm parameters in epididymal gametes of exposed to increasing concentrations (0 to 2 mM) of DhL for various incubation times from 10 to 40 minutes.

Understanding and simulating mechanochromism in dye-dispersed polymer blends: from atomistic insights to macroscopic properties.

Context: In this work, we propose a computational protocol enabling the simulation of mechanochromic responses in dye-dispersed polymer blends. The main objective is the modeling of the molecular-level structural changes responsible for the modulation of the photophysical properties that lead to the mechanochromic phenomenon. In this demonstrative study, we focus on predicting the changes in optical absorption displayed by a model system consisting of a dimer of a tetraphenylethylene derivative dispersed in a polyethylene matrix.

Safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccines formulated to include multiple A/H3N2 strains with or without the B/Yamagata strain in US adults aged 50-75 years: a phase 1/2, open-label, randomised trial.

Background: Inclusion of additional influenza A/H3N2 strains in seasonal influenza vaccines could expand coverage against multiple, antigenically distinct, cocirculating A/H3N2 clades and potentially replace the no longer circulating B/Yamagata strain. We aimed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of three next-generation seasonal influenza mRNA vaccines with different compositions that encode for haemagglutinins of multiple A/H3N2 strains, with or without the B/Yamagata strain, in adults.

Methods: This randomised, open-label, phase 1/2 trial enrolled healthy adults aged 50-75 years across 22 sites in the USA.

Polymer-Assisted Graphite Exfoliation: Advancing Nanostructure Preparation and Multifunctional Composites.

Exfoliated graphite (ExG) embedded in a polymeric matrix represents an accessible, cost-effective, and sustainable method for generating nanosized graphite-based polymer composites with multifunctional properties. This review article analyzes diverse methods currently used to exfoliate graphite into graphite nanoplatelets, few-layer graphene, and polymer-assisted graphene. It also explores engineered methods for small-scale pilot production of polymer nanocomposites.

Lipids associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability revealed by mass spectrometry imaging of human carotid arteries.

Background And Aims: Lipids constitute one of the main components of atherosclerosis lesions and are the mediators of many mechanisms involved in plaque progression and stability. Here we tested the hypothesis that lipids known to be involved in plaque development exhibited associations with plaque vulnerability. We used spatial lipidomics to overcome plaque heterogeneity and to compare lipids from specific regions of symptomatic and asymptomatic human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

The Usefulness of Virtual Reality in Symptom Management during Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Virtual reality (VR) emerges as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing symptoms and providing distraction during chemotherapy. This study aims to assess VR's effectiveness on cancer-related symptoms, vital signs, and the patients' perception of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. : A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 patients.

Safety and Immunogenicity of mRNA-1010, an Investigational Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, in Healthy Adults: Final Results From a Phase 1/2 Randomized Trial.

Background: Seasonal influenza remains a global public health concern. A messenger RNA (mRNA)-based quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine, mRNA-1010, was investigated in a 3-part, first-in-human, phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Methods: In Parts 1-3 of this stratified, observer-blind study, adults aged ≥18 years old were randomly assigned to receive a single dose (6.

Staple Line Reinforcement during Sleeve Gastrectomy with SeamGuard: Single-Center Retrospective Case-Control Study over a 5-Year Period.

Various techniques and reinforcements have been proposed over the years in order to prevent leaks and bleeding after sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the staple line complication (SLC) rate in patients who underwent LSG with the use of bioabsorbable membrane (GORE SEAMGUARD, GoR) for staple line versus those who received no reinforcement. Data on all consecutive patients undergoing LSG between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Cryopreserved Thyroid Tissue Autotransplant in Pediatric Age Patients: A Feasibility Study and Literature Review.

Background And Aims: This paper aims to study an alternative solution to hormonal replacement therapy in specific groups of patients who underwent thyroidectomy during childhood or adulthood. After cryopreservation, thyroid autotransplantation could be an alternative solution which would allow us to use the ability of the thyroid tissue of producing hormones according to the physiological needs of the body.

Materials And Methods: A feasibility study about the effects of the most modern cryopreservation techniques on the structural and functional integrity of the follicular cells of the thyroid tissue has been carried out.

Effects of sacubitril-valsartan on remodelling, fibrosis and mitochondria in a murine model of isoproterenol-induced left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to promote left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling and improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Its molecular and tissue effects have not been fully elucidated yet, due to the paucity of preclinical studies, mostly based on ischaemic models. We aimed to evaluate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on LV remodelling, myocardial fibrosis and mitochondrial biology in a murine model of non-ischaemic LV dysfunction.

Cardiovascular pathology in vasculitis.

Vasculitides are diseases that can affect any vessel. When cardiac or aortic involvement is present, the prognosis can worsen significantly. Pathological assessment often plays a key role in reaching a definite diagnosis of cardiac or aortic vasculitis, particularly when the clinical evidence of a systemic inflammatory disease is missing.

The cardiovascular pathologist in the aortic team.

Aortic diseases require a multidisciplinary management for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up with better outcomes in referral centers using a team-based approach. The setting up of a multi-disciplinary aortic team for the discussion of complex cases has been already proposed; it is also supported by the ACC/AHA. Surgeons and radiologists, more or less other physicians such as cardiologists, geneticists, rheumatologists/internal medicine specialists and pathologists are involved into such a team.

Preparation of different conjugated polymers characterized by complementary electronic properties from an identical precursor.

The possibility of generating regions with different electronic properties within the same organic semiconductor thin film could offer novel opportunities for designing and fabricating organic electronic devices and circuits. This study introduces a new approach based on a novel type of highly processable polymer precursor that can yield two different conjugated polymers characterized by complementary electronic properties, promoting electron or hole transport, from the same starting material. In particular, these multipotent precursors comprise functionalized dihydroanthracene units that can offer several functionalization opportunities to improve the solubility or insert specific functionalities.

Effects of pirfenidone on scar size and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction: a preclinical study.

Background: An intense fibrotic response after myocardial infarction (MI) may lead to scar expansion and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. We investigated the effects of the antifibrotic drug pirfenidone in this setting.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized to: sham procedure (n = 13), reperfused MI-induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) for 45 min (n = 17), reperfused MI plus standard therapy (aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, beta blocker, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) (n = 17), reperfused MI plus pirfenidone alone (n = 17), or reperfused MI plus standard therapy and pirfenidone (n = 17).

Colchicine added to standard therapy further reduces fibrosis in pigs with myocardial infarction.

Background: The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine improves the outcome of patients with myocardial infarction (MI). As an intense inflammatory and fibrotic response after MI may lead to scar expansion and left ventricular (LV) remodeling, the clinical benefit of colchicine could be related to a positive effect on the infarct scar and LV remodeling.

Methods: Pigs underwent left anterior descending artery occlusion through an angioplasty balloon for 90 min and were then randomized into two groups: standard therapy [ACE inhibitor, beta blocker, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), aspirin] plus colchicine (n = 14) or standard therapy alone (n = 13).

Valvular heart disease in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an underdiagnosed condition caused by the deposition of misfolded proteins, namely immunoglobulin light chains and transthyretin, in the extracellular spaces of the heart. Any cardiovascular structure can be affected by amyloid infiltration, including the valves. Amyloid accumulation within the cardiac valves may lead to their structural and functional impairment, with a profound impact on patients' prognosis and quality of life.

Effect of Polymer Composition on the Optical Properties of a New Aggregation-Induced Emission Fluorophore: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach.

Nowadays, fluorophores with a tetraphenylethylene (TPE) core are considered interesting due to the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior that enables their effective use in polymer films. We propose a novel TPE fluorophore () bearing two dimethylamino push and a 4-biphenylacetonitrile pull moieties with the typical AIE characteristics in solution and in the solid state, as rationalized by DFT calculations. Five different host polymer matrices with different polarity have been selected: two homopolymers of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) and three copolymers at different compositions (P(MMA-co-CHMA) 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75 mol%).

Nursing Management in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) Cell Therapy: A Systematic Literature Review.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to describe an overview of the overall care, patient and parent education, staff training, and management of complications from a nursing perspective of pediatric patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell infusion in order to provide an updated summary of the approach to the management of these patients. CAR-T cellular therapy represents an innovation within pediatric hematology and oncology used to treat relapse and refractory leukemias, solid tumors, and lymphomas when standard therapy has not worked. However, this type of therapy could lead to the onset of some clinical complications that must be managed appropriately and promptly.

Safety and Efficacy of Liraglutide, 3.0 mg, Once Daily vs Placebo in Patients With Poor Weight Loss Following Metabolic Surgery: The BARI-OPTIMISE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Metabolic surgery leads to weight loss and improved health, but these outcomes are highly variable. Poor weight loss is associated with lower circulating levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, 3.

Calibration of the PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu Patients (PRE-DELIRIC) Score in a Cohort of Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: To predict delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, the Prediction of Delirium in ICU Patients (PRE-DELIRIC) score may be used. This model may help nurses to predict delirium in high-risk ICU patients.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to externally validate the PRE-DELIRIC model and to identify predictive factors and outcomes for ICU delirium.

Orange/Red Benzo[1,2-:4,5-']dithiophene 1,1,5,5-Tetraoxide-Based Emitters for Luminescent Solar Concentrators: Effect of Structures on Fluorescence Properties and Device Performances.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are a class of optical devices able to harvest, downshift, and concentrate sunlight, thanks to the presence of emitting materials embedded in a polymer matrix. Use of LSCs in combination with silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) devices has been proposed as a viable strategy to enhance their ability to harvest diffuse light and facilitate their integration in the built environment. LSC performances can be improved by employing organic fluorophores with strong light absorption in the center of the solar spectrum and intense, red-shifted emission.

Polyketone-Based Anion-Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Water Electrolysis.

Anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) are involved in a wide range of applications, including fuel cells and water electrolysis. A straightforward method for the preparation of efficient AEMs consists of polymer functionalization with robust anion-exchange sites. In this work, an aliphatic polyketone was functionalized with 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole through the Paal-Knorr reaction, with a carbonyl (C %) conversion of 33%.