Transfer learning classification of suspicious lesions on breast ultrasound: is there room to avoid biopsies of benign lesions?

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women and the second cause of cancer death. In recent years, there has been a strong development in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in medical imaging for several tasks. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of transfer learning with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in discriminating suspicious breast lesions on ultrasound images.

Analysis of beta-cell maturity and mitochondrial morphology in juvenile non-human primates exposed to maternal Western-style diet during development.

Introduction: Using a non-human primate (NHP) model of maternal Western-style diet (mWSD) feeding during pregnancy and lactation, we previously reported altered offspring beta:alpha cell ratio and insulin hyper-secretion Mitochondria are known to maintain beta-cell function by producing ATP for insulin secretion. In response to nutrient stress, the mitochondrial network within beta cells undergoes morphological changes to maintain respiration and metabolic adaptability. Given that mitochondrial dynamics have also been associated with cellular fate transitions, we assessed whether mWSD exposure was associated with changes in markers of beta-cell maturity and/or mitochondrial morphology that might explain the offspring islet phenotype.

Bioarchaeology aids the cultural understanding of six characters in search of their agency (Tarquinia, ninth-seventh century BC, central Italy).

Etruria contained one of the great early urban civilisations in the Italian peninsula during the first millennium BC, much studied from a cultural, humanities-based, perspective, but relatively little with scientific data, and rarely in combination. We have addressed the unusual location of twenty inhumations found in the sacred heart of the Etruscan city of Tarquinia, focusing on six of these as illustrative, contrasting with the typical contemporary cremations found in cemeteries on the edge of the city. The cultural evidence suggests that the six skeletons were also distinctive in their ritualization and memorialisation.

Exploring Seaweed and Glycine Betaine Biostimulants for Enhanced Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Properties, and Gene Expression of cv. "Touriga Franca" Berries.

Climate change will pose a challenge for the winemaking sector worldwide, bringing progressively drier and warmer conditions and increasing the frequency and intensity of weather extremes. The short-term adaptation strategy of applying biostimulants through foliar application serves as a crucial measure in mitigating the detrimental effects of environmental stresses on grapevine yield and berry quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of a seaweed-based biostimulant (.

Novel loci associated with resistance to downy and powdery mildew in grapevine.

Among the main challenges in current viticulture, there is the increasing demand for sustainability in the protection from fungal diseases, such as downy mildew (DM) and powdery mildew (PM). Breeding disease-resistant grapevine varieties is a key strategy for better managing fungicide inputs. This study explores the diversity of grapevine germplasm (cultivated and wild) from Caucasus and neighboring areas to identify genotypes resistant to DM and PM, based on 13 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci and phenotypical (artificial pathogen inoculation) analysis, and to identify loci associated with DM and PM resistance, Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS) on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) profiles.

Vibrational spectroscopies for biochemical investigation of X-ray exposure effects on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Neuroblastoma is the most recurring cancer in childhood and adolescence. The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line is generally adopted for elaborating new therapeutical approaches and/or elaborating strategies for the prevention of central nervous system disturbances. In fact, it represents a valid model system for investigating in vitro the effects on the brain of X-ray exposure using vibrational spectroscopies that can detect early radiation-induced molecular alterations of potential clinical usefulness.

Physiological and Transcriptomic Evaluation of Drought Effect on Own-Rooted and Grafted Grapevine Rootstock (1103P and 101-14MGt).

Grapevines worldwide are grafted onto spp. rootstocks in order to improve their tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, the response of vines to drought is the result of the interaction between the scion variety and the rootstock genotype.

Influence of Nitrogen on Grapevine Susceptibility to Downy Mildew.

Downy mildew, caused by the obligate parasite , is one of the most important threats to viticulture. The exploitation of resistant and susceptibility traits of grapevine is one of the most promising ways to increase the sustainability of disease management. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is known for influencing disease severity in the open field, but no information is available on its effect on plant-pathogen interaction.

Differential Radiomodulating Action of L. cv. Caiazzana Leaf Extract on Human Normal and Cancer Cells: A Joint Chemical and Radiobiological Approach.

The identification of a natural compound with selectively differential radiomodulating activity would arguably represent a valuable asset in the striving quest for widening the therapeutic window in cancer radiotherapy (RT). To this end, we fully characterized the chemical profile of olive tree leaf polyphenols from the Caiazzana cultivar (OLC), autochthonous to the Campania region (Italy), by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-MS). Oleacein was the most abundant molecule in the OLC.

Pharmacological modulation of prostaglandin E (PGE ) EP receptors improves cardiomyocyte function under hyperglycemic conditions.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects >30 million Americans and nearly 70% of individuals with T2D will die from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Circulating levels of the inflammatory signaling lipid, prostaglandin E (PGE ), are elevated in the setting of obesity and T2D and are associated with decreased cardiac function. The EP3 and EP4 PGE receptors have opposing actions in several tissues, including the heart: overexpression of EP3 in cardiomyocytes impairs function, while EP4 overexpression improves function.

Climate Change Impacts on Plant Phenology: Grapevine () Bud Break in Wintertime in Southern Italy.

The effects of global warming on plants are not limited to the exacerbation of summer stresses; they could also induce dormancy dysfunctions. In January 2020, a bud break was observed in an old poly-varietal vineyard. Meteorological data elaboration of the 1951-2020 period confirmed the general climatic warming of the area and highlighted the particular high temperatures of the last winter.

Pharmacological blockade of the EP3 prostaglandin E receptor in the setting of type 2 diabetes enhances β-cell proliferation and identity and relieves oxidative damage.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and inflammation. Prostaglandin E, which signals through four G protein-coupled receptors (EP1-4), is a mediator of inflammation and is upregulated in diabetes. We have shown previously that EP3 receptor blockade promotes β-cell proliferation and survival in isolated mouse and human islets ex vivo.

The Proton-Boron Reaction Increases the Radiobiological Effectiveness of Clinical Low- and High-Energy Proton Beams: Novel Experimental Evidence and Perspectives.

Protontherapy is a rapidly expanding radiotherapy modality where accelerated proton beams are used to precisely deliver the dose to the tumor target but is generally considered ineffective against radioresistant tumors. Proton-Boron Capture Therapy (PBCT) is a novel approach aimed at enhancing proton biological effectiveness. PBCT exploits a nuclear fusion reaction between low-energy protons and B atoms, i.

Western-style diet consumption impairs maternal insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism during pregnancy in a Japanese macaque model.

The prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing in the United States. Offspring born to women with obesity or poor glycemic control have greater odds of becoming obese and developing metabolic disease later in life. Our group has utilized a macaque model to study the metabolic effects of consumption of a calorically-dense, Western-style diet (WSD; 36.

RNAi of a Putative Grapevine Susceptibility Gene as a Possible Downy Mildew Control Strategy.

Downy mildew, caused by the oomycete , is one of the diseases causing the most severe economic losses to grapevine () production. To date, the application of fungicides is the most efficient method to control the pathogen and the implementation of novel and sustainable disease control methods is a major challenge. RNA interference (RNAi) represents a novel biotechnological tool with a great potential for controlling fungal pathogens.

Georgian Grapevine Cultivars: Ancient Biodiversity for Future Viticulture.

Grapevine () is one of the most widely cultivated plant species of agricultural interest, and is extensively appreciated for its fruits and the wines made from its fruits. Considering the high socio-economic impact of the wine sector all over the world, in recent years, there has been an increase in work aiming to investigate the biodiversity of grapevine germplasm available for breeding programs. Various studies have shed light on the genetic diversity characterizing the germplasm from the cradle of domestication in Georgia (South Caucasus).

From plant resistance response to the discovery of antimicrobial compounds: The role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in grapevine downy mildew infection.

The discovery of new mechanisms of resistance and natural bioactive molecules could be two of the possible ways to reduce fungicide use in vineyard and assure an acceptable and sustainable protection against Plasmopara viticola, the grapevine downy mildew agent. Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as terpenes, norisoprenoids, alcohols and aldehydes, is frequently induced in plants in response to attack by pathogens, such as P. viticola, that is known to cause a VOCs increment in cultivars harboring American resistance traits.

Impact of transnational land acquisitions on local food security and dietary diversity.

Foreign investors have acquired approximately 90 million hectares of land for agriculture over the past two decades. The effects of these investments on local food security remain unknown. While additional cropland and intensified agriculture could potentially increase crop production, preferential targeting of prime agricultural land and transitions toward export-bound crops might affect local access to nutritious foods.

The COVID-19 Infection in Italy: A Statistical Study of an Abnormally Severe Disease.

We statistically investigate the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, which became particularly invasive in Italy in March 2020. We show that the high apparent lethality or case fatality ratio (CFR) observed in Italy, as compared with other countries, is likely biased by a strong underestimation of the number of infection cases. To give a more realistic estimate of the lethality of COVID-19, we use the actual (March 2020) estimates of the infection fatality ratio (IFR) of the pandemic based on the minimum observed CFR and analyze data obtained from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, a good representation of a "laboratory" case-study from an isolated system in which all the people have been tested.

Analysis of Non-Human Primate Pancreatic Islet Oxygen Consumption.

The measurement of oxygen consumption in spheroid clusters of cells, such as ex vivo pancreatic islets, has historically been challenging. We demonstrate the measurement of islet oxygen consumption using a 96-well microplate designed for the measurement of oxygen consumption in spheroids. In this assay, spheroid microplates are coated with a cell and tissue adhesive on the day prior to the assay.

Multivariate Analysis of Difference Raman Spectra of the Irradiated Nucleus and Cytoplasm Region of SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells.

Previous works showed that spatially resolved Raman spectra of cytoplasm and nucleus region of single cells exposed to X-rays evidence different features. The present work aims to introduce a new approach to profit from these differences to deeper investigate X-ray irradiation effects on single SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. For this aim, Raman micro-spectroscopy was performed in vitro on single cells after irradiation by graded X-ray doses (2, 4, 6, 8 Gy).

Science-graphic art partnerships to increase research impact.

Graphics are becoming increasingly important for scientists to effectively communicate their findings to broad audiences, but most researchers lack expertise in visual media. We suggest collaboration between scientists and graphic designers as a way forward and discuss the results of a pilot project to test this type of collaboration.

Clogging process and related pressure drops in wire-wound filters: laboratory evidence.

The present work is aimed at analyzing the performance of the commercial filters used for the mechanical filtration of suspended solid particles. In particular, it is intended to evaluate the head losses due to the presence of the filter in the plant and how these losses vary depending on the circulating flow rate, the nominal porosity of the filter, and its clogging degree. Filters with interstices of different sizes, from 1 to 50 μm, were compared for the performance analysis.

X-ray irradiation effects on nuclear and membrane regions of single SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells investigated by Raman micro-spectroscopy.

Raman micro-spectroscopy was performed in vitro on nuclear and membrane regions of single SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells after irradiation by graded X-ray doses (2, 4, 6, 8 Gy). The acquired spectra were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and interval-PCA (i-PCA) methods. Biochemical changes occurring in the different regions of single cells as a consequence of the radiation exposure were observed in cells fixed immediately after the irradiation.