The international Hip Outcome Tool 12 questionnaire (iHOT-12): an Italian language cross-cultural adaptation and validation.

Background: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are essential for evaluating disease-related quality of life. The International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12) assesses various aspects of hip-related symptoms, function, sports participation, and social limitations. This study aimed to adapt and validate an Italian version of the iHOT12 according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Different immunogens and prime-boost vaccination strategies affect the efficacy of recombinant candidate vaccines against pathogenic orthopoxviruses.

Although not as lethal as variola virus (VARV), the cause of smallpox, monkeypox virus (MPXV) represents a threat to public health, with important infection rates and mortality in several African countries and signs of spreading worldwide. MPXV may establish new reservoirs in non-endemic countries and can be considered a possible biological weapon. Human-to-human MPXV transmission is increasing with a growing susceptibility, coincident with the declining herd immunity against smallpox.

Nutritional aspects in autoimmune diseases undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: overview and recommendations on behalf of the EBMT ADWP and Nurses Group.

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) represent a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting 5-10% of the global population. In recent decades, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), mainly autologous, has been successfully adopted to treat patients affected by severe/refractory ADs. In this context malnutrition has a detrimental impact on relapse, mortality, infection rate, engraftment, long-term survival, and prolongation of hospitalization.

Rapid detection of vaccinia virus using biofunctionalized fiber-optic ball-tip biosensors.

In this work, we present the development and biofunctionalization of a fiber-optic ball-resonator biosensor for the real-time detection of vaccinia poxvirus. We fabricated several ball-tip resonators, functionalized through a silanization process to immobilize two bioreceptors: the monoclonal anti-L1R antibody targeting the L1R protein, and the polyclonal rabbit serum antibodies targeting the whole vaccinia virus (VV) pathogen. Experimental measurements were carried out to detect VV in concentrations from 10 to 10 plaque-forming units (PFU), with a limit of detection of around 1.

Respiratory patterns and baroreflex function in heart failure.

Little is known on the effects of respiratory patterns on baroreflex function in heart failure (HF). Patients with HF (n = 30, age 61.6 ± 10 years, mean ± SD) and healthy controls (CNT, n = 10, age 58.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) soil contamination in Lausanne, Switzerland: Combining pollution mapping and human exposure assessment for targeted risk management.

In December 2020, high soil concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were discovered across large parts of Lausanne, Switzerland. Concentrations reached up to 640 ng TEQ/kg dry weight. The most likely source was a former municipal waste incinerator.

Hyperpolarized (1-C)Alaninamide Is a Multifunctional In Vivo Sensor of Aminopeptidase N Activity, pH, and CO.

Spin hyperpolarization enables real-time metabolic imaging of carbon-13-labeled substrates. While hyperpolarized l-(1-C)alaninamide is a probe of the cell-surface tumor marker aminopeptidase-N (APN, CD13), its activity in vivo has not been described. Scanning the kidneys of rats infused with hyperpolarized alaninamide shows both conversion to [1-C]alanine and several additional spectral peaks with distinct temporal dynamics.

Preliminary Results from the ACTyourCHANGE in Teens Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents with Obesity.

The study shows preliminary results of “The ACTyourCHANGE in Teens” project, a Randomized Controlled Trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention combined with treatment as usual (ACT+TAU) compared to TAU only, for improving psychological well-being, psychological distress, experiential avoidance and fusion, emotion dysregulation, and emotional eating in a sample of 34 in-patient adolescents with obesity (Body Mass Index > 97th centile). Mixed between-within 2 × 2 repeated-measures analyses of variances (ANOVAs) were carried out to examine the changes in psychological conditions of participants over time. Moderation analyses were also conducted to test whether pre-test anxiety, depression, stress, and experiential avoidance and fusion predicted emotional eating at post-test with groups (ACT+TAU vs.

Radical-free hyperpolarized MRI using endogenously occurring pyruvate analogues and UV-induced nonpersistent radicals.

It was recently demonstrated that nonpersistent radicals can be generated in frozen solutions of metabolites such as pyruvate by irradiation with UV light, enabling radical-free dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization. Although pyruvate is endogenous, the presence of pyruvate may interfere with metabolic processes or the detection of pyruvate as a metabolic product, making it potentially unsuitable as a polarizing agent. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to characterize solutions containing endogenously occurring alternatives to pyruvate as UV-induced nonpersistent radical precursors for in vivo hyperpolarized MRI.

Computational Design and Development of Benzodioxane-Benzamides as Potent Inhibitors of FtsZ by Exploring the Hydrophobic Subpocket.

Multidrug resistant is a severe threat, responsible for most of the nosocomial infections globally. This resistant strain is associated with a 64% increase in death compared to the antibiotic-susceptible strain. The prokaryotic protein FtsZ and the cell division cycle have been validated as potential targets to exploit in the general battle against antibiotic resistance.

Construction of a recombinant avipoxvirus expressing the env gene of Zika virus as a novel putative preventive vaccine.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) has been declared a public health emergency that requires development of an effective vaccine, as it might represent an international threat.

Methods: Here, two novel DNA-based (pVAXzenv) and fowlpox-based (FPzenv) recombinant putative vaccine candidates were constructed that contained the cPrME genes of ZIKV. The env gene inserted into the fowlpox vector was verified for correct transgene expression by Western blotting and by immunofluorescence in different cell lines.

C Dynamic Nuclear Polarization using SA-BDPA at 6.7 T and 1.1 K: Coexistence of Pure Thermal Mixing and Well-Resolved Solid Effect.

SA-BDPA is a water-soluble, narrow-line width radical previously used for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) signal enhancement in solid-state magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Here, we report the first study using SA-BDPA under dissolution DNP conditions (6.7 T and 1.

Characterization of Liver Metastases During Catheter-Directed Liver Interventions: A Comparison between Dual Phase Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Conventional Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance of intra-arterial dual phase cone-beam computed tomography (DP-CBCT) with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) when characterizing tumor burden in patients with metastatic liver cancer.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 29 patients with colorectal (n =10), breast (n = 9) and neuroendocrine (n = 10) liver metastases, referred for catheter-directed treatment. Tumor type, number, maximum size, and appearance were assessed.

In vivo detection of d-amino acid oxidase with hyperpolarized d-[1- C]alanine.

d-amino acid oxidase (DAO) is a peroxisomal enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of several neutral and basic d-amino acids to their corresponding α-keto acids. In most mammalian species studied, high DAO activity is found in the kidney, liver, brain and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and its main function is to maintain low circulating d-amino acid levels. DAO expression and activity have been associated with acute and chronic kidney diseases and with several pathologies related to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypo/hyper-function; however, its precise role is not completely understood.

Benzamide Derivatives Targeting the Cell Division Protein FtsZ: Modifications of the Linker and the Benzodioxane Scaffold and Their Effects on Antimicrobial Activity.

Filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) is a prokaryotic protein with an essential role in the bacterial cell division process. It is widely conserved and expressed in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. In the last decade, several research groups have pointed out molecules able to target FtsZ in , and other Gram-positive strains, with sub-micromolar Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs).

Benzodioxane-Benzamides as Antibacterial Agents: Computational and SAR Studies to Evaluate the Influence of the 7-Substitution in FtsZ Interaction.

FtsZ is a crucial prokaryotic protein involved in bacterial cell replication. It recently arose as a promising target in the search for antimicrobial agents able to fight antimicrobial resistance. In this work, going on with our structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we developed variously 7-substituted 1,4-benzodioxane compounds, linked to the 2,6-difluorobenzamide by a methylenoxy bridge.

Feasibility of Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Dose Calculation Utilizing Intra-procedural Open Trajectory Cone Beam CT.

Purpose: Dose calculation for transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with glass yttrium-90 (Y) labeled microspheres is based on liver lobe and tumor volumes, currently measured from preprocedural MRI or CT. The variable time between MRI and radioembolization may not account for relevant tumor progression. Advances in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allow for intra-procedural assessment of these volumes that avoids this factor.

Pitch as the Main Determiner of Italian Lexical Stress Perception Across the Lifespan: Evidence From Typical Development and Dyslexia.

The study deals with the issue of lexical stress perception in both a developmental (comparing children and adults with typical development) and a clinical perspective (comparing typically developing children and children with dyslexia). The three parameters characterizing the acoustic profiles of words and non-words in a certain language are duration, pitch and intensity of its syllables. Based on (sparse) previous literature on Italian and other European languages, it was expected that syllable duration would be the parameter predominantly determining the perception of stress position.

Strain-Release Driven Cycloadditions for Rapid Construction of Functionalized Pyridines and Amino Alcohols.

This paper describes the development of a new variant of stereoselective strain-release driven reactions (formal homo [3 + 2] dipolar cycloadditions) which utilize housane (1) to construct functionalized amino alcohols and pyridine-substituted cyclopentanes in two to three steps from simple and easily available building blocks (nitrones and pyridine N-oxides respectively).

Patterns of cardiovascular variability after long-term sino-aortic denervation in unanesthetized adult rats.

Baroreflex dysfunction is a diffuse chronic condition that is expected to be followed by a profound loss of organization of BP and HR variability. Nevertheless, long-term effects of baroreflex withdrawal are still debated. Aim of our work was to study BP and HR changes long term after sino-aortic denervation (SAD).

Using the Hybrid Operating Room in Thoracic Surgery: A Paradigm Shift.

We describe the integration of the hybrid operation room cone-beam computed tomography (CT) scan technology into the practice of general thoracic surgery. The combination of the following three techniques: (1) cone-beam CT scan augmented navigational bronchoscopy, (2) cone-beam CT-guided percutaneous biopsy and/or fiducial placement, and (3) fiducial or image-guided video-assisted thoracic surgery resection, into a single-stage, single-provider procedure allows for diagnosis and treatment in one setting. Rapid on-site evaluation of cytological or pathology specimens is key to this "all-in-one" approach.

Distribution and Detection of Radiopaque Beads after Hepatic Transarterial Embolization in Swine: Cone-Beam CT versus MicroCT.

Purpose: To determine the true distribution of radiopaque beads (ROBs) after hepatic embolization in swine as imaged by micro-computed tomography (microCT) compared with in vivo cone-beam computerized tomography (CT) imaged at different kVp settings.

Materials And Methods: Swine (n = 3) underwent hepatic transarterial embolization (n = 6) with the use of 70-150-μm ROBs under fluoroscopic guidance. After stasis, in vivo cone-beam CT was performed at 120, 100, and 80 kVp.

Sensitivity and Reproducibility of Automated Feeding Artery Detection Software during Transarterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of automated feeder detection (AFD) software (EmboGuide; Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors during transarterial chemoembolization.

Materials And Methods: Forty-four first-time transarterial chemoembolization patients (37 men; mean age, 62 ± 11 years) were enrolled between May 2012 and July 2013. A total of 86 HCC lesions were treated (2.

Fowlpoxvirus recombinants coding for the CIITA gene increase the expression of endogenous MHC-II and Fowlpox Gag/Pro and Env SIV transgenes.

A complete eradication of an HIV infection has never been achieved by vaccination and the search for new immunogens that can induce long-lasting protective responses is ongoing. Avipoxvirus recombinants are host-restricted for replication to avian species and they do not have the undesired side effects induced by vaccinia recombinants. In particular, Fowlpox (FP) recombinants can express transgenes over long periods and can induce protective immunity in mammals, mainly due to CD4-dependent CD8+ T cells.