Interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19-pandemic on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in the Lazio region, Italy.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has represented a profound upheaval in the dynamics of infectious diseases transmission worldwide. This phenomenon has been at least in part driven by the introduction of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), implemented to counteract viral transmission. Our study aimed to assess the magnitude and the features of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases (NIDs) in the Lazio region, Italy.

Adrenal gland size in fetuses with congenital heart disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the adrenal gland size of fetuses with congenital heart diseases (CHD) and normal fetuses.

Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study we measured the fetal adrenal gland size (total width, cortex width, medulla width, adrenal gland ratio of total width divided by medulla width) in 62 fetuses with CHD and 62 gestational-age-matched controls between 20 + 0 and 39 + 3 weeks of gestation. First, we clustered three CHD subgroups: CHD group_1 with a normal outflow tract (n=7), CHD group_2 with an altered outflow tract and anterograde flow in the ascending aorta (n=39) and CHD group_3 with an altered outflow tract and retrograde flow in the ascending aorta (n=16).

A novel inner-branched stent-graft to overcome narrowed lumen in branched endovascular aneurysm repair.

A narrowed patent aortic lumen (<25 mm) represents a challenging scenario frequently observed during thoraco-abdominal and abdominal aortic pathologies involving the visceral vessels. The paper aims to describe the characteristics of a novel tapered-shape inner-branched custom-made stent-graft designed to specifically address the narrowed patent aortic lumen and its applicability in a wider spectrum of aortic scenarios at the reno-visceral segment.

Dyssynchronous Fetal Heart Failure in Maternal Diabetes: Evaluation with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography and Novel M-Mode Software.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate dyssynchronous heart failure in fetuses of mothers with diabetes mellitus (FDM) and fetal controls (FC) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and novel M-mode prototype software (PS).

Methods: In this cohort study 174 fetuses were analyzed, 87 in the FDM-cohort and 87 gestational age-matched fetuses in the FC-cohort. A subgroup of 38 fetuses formed the final case group, with a high median frame rate of approximately 160 frames/s.

Prediction of fetal growth restriction and small for gestational age by ultrasound cardiac parameters.

Objective: Prediction of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small of gestational age (SGA) infants by using various ultrasound cardiac parameters in a logistic regression model.

Methods: In this retrospective study we obtained standardized ultrasound images of 357 fetuses between the 20th and 39th week of gestation, 99 of these fetuses were between the 3rd and 10th growth percentile, 61 smaller than 3rd percentile and 197- appropriate for gestational age over the 10th percentile (control group). Several cardiac parameters were studied.

Computed tomography: Diagnostic detection of complete pericardial agenesis: A case report.

Congenital complete absence of the pericardium is a rare condition, often difficult to diagnose due to its incidental discovery or nonspecific clinical manifestations. Instrumental investigations commonly used as initial approaches, such as chest radiography and electrocardiogram, are often insufficient. Echocardiography is an imaging technique that is used for the initial evaluation of pericardial diseases.

Comparing the effects of augmented virtual reality treadmill training versus conventional treadmill training in patients with stage II-III Parkinson's disease: the VIRTREAD-PD randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Intensive treadmill training (TT) has been documented to improve gait parameters and functional independence in Parkinson's Disease (PD), but the optimal intervention protocol and the criteria for tailoring the intervention to patients' performances are lacking. TT may be integrated with augmented virtual reality (AVR), however, evidence of the effectiveness of this combined treatment is still limited. Moreover, prognostic biomarkers of rehabilitation, potentially useful to customize the treatment, are currently missing.

3D ultrasound evaluation of fetal ears in prenatal syndrome diagnosis - a comparative study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess fetal ears on prenatal 3D ultrasound and compare ear surface patterns and measurements between fetuses with syndromes and healthy fetuses.

Materials And Methods: Our study is based on 3D ultrasound images of 100 fetuses between the 20th and 37th week of gestation. We compared 50 ears of fetuses with syndromes (syndrome group) to 50 gestational age-matched ears of healthy fetuses (control group).

The role of an artificial intelligence software in clinical senology: a mammography multi-reader study.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic role of a dedicated AI software in detecting anomalous breast findings on mammography and tomosynthesis images in the clinical setting, stand-alone and as aid of four readers.

Methods: A total of 210 patients with complete clinical and radiologic records were retrospectively analyzed. Pathology was used as the reference standard for patients undergoing surgery or biopsy, and a 1-year follow-up was used to confirm no change in the remaining patients.

Evidence of an upper ionospheric electric field perturbation correlated with a gamma ray burst.

Earth's atmosphere, whose ionization stability plays a fundamental role for the evolution and endurance of life, is exposed to the effect of cosmic explosions producing high energy Gamma-ray-bursts. Being able to abruptly increase the atmospheric ionization, they might deplete stratospheric ozone on a global scale. During the last decades, an average of more than one Gamma-ray-burst per day were recorded.

Exposure Assessment to Deoxynivalenol of Children over 3 Years Deriving from the Consumption of Processed Wheat-Based Products Produced from a Dedicated Flour.

Wheat-based products are largely consumed by children worldwide. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is known for its acute and chronic toxicity and is the most common contaminant of cereal grains. Since no legal limits are set for DON in wheat-based products and specific foods intended for children over 3 years on the market, a high risk of overexposure to this contaminant may emerge.

Behavioral pattern separation and cognitive flexibility are enhanced in a mouse model of increased lateral entorhinal cortex-dentate gyrus circuit activity.

Behavioral pattern separation and cognitive flexibility are essential cognitive abilities that are disrupted in many brain disorders. A better understanding of the neural circuitry involved in these abilities will open paths to treatment. In humans and mice, discrimination and adaptation rely on the integrity of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) which receives glutamatergic input from the entorhinal cortex (EC), including the lateral EC (LEC).

Potential for cardiac toxicity with methylimidazolium ionic liquids.

Methylimidazolium ionic liquids (MILs) are solvent chemicals used in industry. Recent work suggests that MILs are beginning to contaminate the environment and lead to exposure in the general population. In this study, the potential for MILs to cause cardiac toxicity has been examined.

Behavioral pattern separation and cognitive flexibility are enhanced in a mouse model of increased lateral entorhinal cortex-dentate gyrus circuit activity.

Behavioral pattern separation and cognitive flexibility are essential cognitive abilities which are disrupted in many brain disorders. Better understanding of the neural circuitry involved in these abilities will open paths to treatment. In humans and mice, discrimination and adaptation rely on integrity of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) which both receive glutamatergic input from the entorhinal cortex (EC), including the lateral EC (LEC).

Continuous prolonged prone positioning in COVID-19-related ARDS: a multicenter cohort study from Chile.

Background: Prone positioning is currently applied in time-limited daily sessions up to 24 h which determines that most patients require several sessions. Although longer prone sessions have been reported, there is scarce evidence about the feasibility and safety of such approach. We analyzed feasibility and safety of a continuous prolonged prone positioning strategy implemented nationwide, in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients in Chile.

Quantification of hand functional recovery in spinal cord injury patients.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To examine the use of a circle-tracing task in quantifying hand functional recovery in cervical spinal cord injury patients.

Methods: Ten cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and 10 healthy age-matched controls performed a circle-tracing task, using a computerized tablet at the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks.

Consequences of quantum noise control for the relaxation resonance frequency and phase noise in heterogeneous Silicon/III-V lasers.

We have recently introduced a new semiconductor laser design which is based on an extreme, 99%, reduction of the laser mode absorption losses. In previous reports, we showed that this was achieved by a laser mode design which confines the great majority of the modal energy (> 99%) in a low-loss Silicon guiding layer rather than in highly-doped, thus lossy, III-V p[Formula: see text] and n[Formula: see text] layers, which is the case with traditional III-V lasers. The resulting reduced electron-field interaction was shown to lead to a commensurate reduction of the spontaneous emission rate by the excited conduction band electrons into the laser mode and thus to a reduction of the frequency noise spectral density of the laser field often characterized by the Schawlow-Townes linewidth.

Results of the implementation of a triage system of vascular access performance in haemodialysis patients: experience of a single dialysis centre.

Background: Routine systems for monitoring vascular access (VA) performance are lacking. We developed a vascular access triage system to evaluate the monthly performance of the access, developed a specific score and assessed the association between score improvement and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Vascular access was triaged (Green, Yellow or Red) according to a score generated by dialytic and clinical parameters in all patients who, from 1/1/2014 to 31/03/2014, had been receiving haemodialysis treatment for at least 3 consecutive months in our Unit and who were then followed up for 4 years.

The Role of microRNA Let-7d in Female Malignancies and Diseases of the Female Reproductive Tract.

microRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Let-7d is a microRNA of the conserved let-7 family that is dysregulated in female malignancies including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer. Moreover, a dysregulation is observed in endometriosis and pregnancy-associated diseases such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

Motivations for Engaging in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships.

Sexual, romantic, and intimate relationships provide opportunities for individual and interpersonal fulfillment and the enhancement of well-being. Though research has identified that consensual non-monogamy (CNM) offers unique relational benefits, little work has examined why individuals pursue CNM relationships. Both self-determination theory and self-expansion theory provide frameworks for understanding the range of intra- and interpersonal motives for choosing or negotiating a multipartnered relationship.

Gait analysis may distinguish progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson disease since the earliest stages.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare and rapidly progressing atypical parkinsonism. Albeit existing clinical criteria for PSP have good specificity and sensitivity, there is a need for biomarkers able to capture early objective disease-specific abnormalities. This study aimed to identify gait patterns specifically associated with early PSP.

Dyspnoea and respiratory muscle ultrasound to predict extubation failure.

Background: This study investigated dyspnoea intensity and respiratory muscle ultrasound early after extubation to predict extubation failure.

Methods: The study was conducted prospectively in two intensive care units in France and Canada. Patients intubated for at least 48 h were studied within 2 h after an extubation following a successful spontaneous breathing trial.