Novel genomic features in entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ILB308: accessory genomic regions and putative virulence genes involved in the infection process of soybean pest Piezodorus guildinii.

Background: Biological control methods involving entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana have been shown to be a valuable approach in integrated pest management as an environmentally friendly alternative to control pests and pathogens. Identifying genetic determinants of pathogenicity in B. bassiana is instrumental for enhancing its virulence against insects like the resistant soybean pest Piezodorus guildinii.

Impact of nodal status evaluation on therapeutic strategy for clinically unifocal T1b/small T2 node negative papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: In absence of nodal metastases or aggressive features, thyroid lobectomy (TL) should be preferred over total thyroidectomy (TT) for 1-4 cm unifocal, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, occult, despite non-microscopic (≥2 mm), nodal metastases may be present in clinically node-negative (cN0) PTC.

Methods: Among 4216 thyroidectomies for malignancy (2014-2023), 110 TL plus ipsilateral central neck dissection (I-CND) were scheduled for unifocal cT1b/small cT2 (≤3 cm) cN0 PTCs.

SICOB Italian clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of obesity and associated diseases using GRADE methodology on bariatric and metabolic surgery.

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life. Pharmacotherapy can be associated with life style changes in increasing and maintaining weight loss and ameliorating obesity-related complications and comorbidities. In patients affected by obesity and uncontrolled obesity-associated complications or high degrees of BMI (> 40 Kg/m), metabolic bariatric surgery can be a valid therapeutic option.

Predictive value of transabdominal pelvic ultrasonography for the diagnosis of central precocious puberty: A single-center observational retrospective study.

This single-center, observational, retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pelvic ultrasonographic parameters for detecting central precocious puberty (CPP) in a cohort of female pediatric patients undergoing gonadotropin stimulation tests. The study population consisted of 47 female patients with a suspicion of CPP. Thirty four out of 47 patients (72.

Upcoming Italian clinical practice guidelines on endoscopic bariatric treatment of overweight and obesity: design and methodological aspects.

Obesity/overweight and its complications are a growing problem in many countries. Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell'Obesità e delle Malattie Metaboliche-SICOB) decided to develop the first Italian guidelines for the endoscopic bariatric treatment of obesity. The creation of SICOB Guidelines is based on an extended work made by a panel of 44 members and a coordinator.

Lipid Profile and Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG) Alterations in a Single-Center Cohort of Children Diagnosed with Central Precocious Puberty.

A correlation between plasma lipids and timing of pubertal development has been hypothesized, though lipid influence remains unclear in central precocious puberty (CPP). To assess any possible alterations in the lipid profile and triglyceride glucose index (TyG) in children diagnosed with CPP. Retrospective single-center study conducted on children (aged 6.

Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment in a Cohort of Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Hyperinsulinemia.

Background: Individuals with hyperinsulinemia may initially not meet any diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, though displaying a higher risk of cardiovascular complications combined with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Aim: The main objective of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of various cardiovascular risk indices in hyperinsulinemic children and adolescents; a secondary objective was to estimate the optimal cut-offs of these indices.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective single-center study was conducted on 139 patients aged 12.

Cationic Azobenzenes as Light-Responsive Crosslinkers for Alginate-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels.

Azobenzene photoswitches are fundamental components in contemporary approaches aimed at light-driven control of intelligent materials. Significant endeavors are directed towards enhancing the light-triggered reactivity of azobenzenes for such applications and obtaining water-soluble molecules able to act as crosslinkers in a hydrogel. Here, we report the rational design and the synthesis of azobenzene/alginate photoresponsive hydrogels endowed with fast reversible sol-gel transition.

Single Institution Experience in the Management of Locally Advanced (pT4) Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas.

Background: Locally infiltrating (T4) differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) represent a challenge. Surgical strategy and adjuvant therapy should be planned balancing morbidity and oncologic outcome. A series of patients with T4 DTC who underwent multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment is reported.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on thyroidectomy for malignant diseases in high-volume referral centers.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the availability of healthcare resources for non-COVID patients and decreased elective surgeries, including thyroidectomy. Despite the prioritization of surgical procedures, it has been reported that thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer (TCa) was adversely impacted. We assessed the impact of the pandemic on the surgical activities of two high-volume referral centers.

Beauveria bassiana transcriptomics reveal virulence-associated shifts during insect lipid assimilation.

Insect cuticular lipids, especially epicuticular hydrocarbons (CHC), have a significant role in insect ecology and interactions with other organisms, including fungi. The CHC composition of a specific insect species may influence the outcome of the interaction with a specific fungal strain. Some insects, such as Piezodorus guildinii, have low susceptibility towards fungal infections seemingly due to their CHC composition.

Risk factors for postoperative cervical haematoma in patients undergoing thyroidectomy: a retrospective, multicenter, international analysis (REDHOT study).

Background: Postoperative cervical haematoma represents an infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication of thyroidectomy. Since this complication is uncommon, the assessment of risk factors associated with its development is challenging. The main aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for its occurrence.

Metabolic Profile of Patients with Smith-Magenis Syndrome: An Observational Study with Literature Review.

: Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is caused by either interstitial deletions in the 17p11.2 region or pathogenic variants in the gene and is marked by a distinct set of physical, developmental, neurological, and behavioral features. Hypercholesterolemia has been described in SMS, and obesity is also commonly found.

Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Hyperinsulinemia Undergoing Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation between results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the auxological/metabolic parameters in a cohort of overweight patients assessed for suspicion of hyperinsulinism. We analyzed 206 patients, comparing those with insulin peak below (nonhyperinsulinemic) and over 100 uIU/mL (hyperinsulinemic) at the OGTT. We found a significant difference in weight ( 0.

AIEgen orthopalladated hybrid polymers for efficient inactivation of the total coliforms in urban wastewater.

Monitorable AIE polymers with a bioactive pattern are employed in advanced biomedical applications such as functional coatings, theranostic probes, and implants. After the global COVID-19 pandemic, interest in developing surfaces with superior antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities dramatically increased. Many formulations for biocide surfaces are based on hybrid organic/inorganic materials.

Theoretical investigation of hydroxylated analogues of valinomycin as potassium transporter.

Valinomycin is a potent ionophore known for its ability to transport potassium ions across biological membranes. The study focuses on the hydroxylated analogues of valinomycin (HyVLMs) and compares their energy profiles and capabilities for transporting potassium ions across phospholipid membranes. Using metadynamics, we investigated the energy profiles of wildtype valinomycin (VLM_1) and its three hydroxylated analogues (VLM_2, VLM_3, and VLM_4).

GUIDE: A GUI for automated quantum chemistry calculations.

The accuracy of quantum mechanics (QM) simulations depends heavily on the quality of initial input files. Despite the popularity of QM simulation packages, achieving precise results still heavily relies on the user's proficiency in preparing the QM simulation systems. In this work, we present an easy-to-use tool called GUIDE, a YASARA plugin to assist researchers in quantum chemistry workflow automation using ORCA and MOPAC simulation packages.

Recent Progress in Photoresponsive Biomaterials.

Photoresponsive biomaterials have garnered increasing attention recently due to their ability to dynamically regulate biological interactions and cellular behaviors in response to light. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the design, synthesis, and applications of photoresponsive biomaterials, including photochromic molecules, photocleavable linkers, and photoreactive polymers. We highlight the various approaches used to control the photoresponsive behavior of these materials, including modulation of light intensity, wavelength, and duration.

Bariatric-metabolic surgery versus lifestyle intervention plus best medical care in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (BRAVES): a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

Background: Observational studies suggest that bariatric-metabolic surgery might greatly improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the efficacy of surgery on NASH has not yet been compared with the effects of lifestyle interventions and medical therapy in a randomised trial.

Methods: We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial at three major hospitals in Rome, Italy.

Efficacy and safety of growth hormone therapy in children with Noonan syndrome.

Patients with Noonan syndrome typically have a target height <2 standard deviations compared to the general population, and half of the affected adults remain permanently below the 3rd centile for height, though their short stature might result from a multifactorial etiology, not-yet fully understood. The secretion of growth hormone (GH) following the classic GH stimulation tests is often normal, with baseline insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels at the lower normal limits, but patients with Noonan syndrome have also a possible moderate response to GH therapy, leading to a final increased height and substantial improvement in growth rate. Aim of this review was to evaluate both safety and efficacy of GH therapy in children and adolescents with Noonan syndrome, also evaluating as a secondary aim the possible correlations between the underlying genetic mutations and GH responses.

Medium-Term Nutritional and Metabolic Outcome of Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S).

Introduction: Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S), like other hypoabsorptive procedures, could be burdened by long-term nutritional deficiencies such as malnutrition, anemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives: We aimed to report our experience in terms of mid-term (2 years) bariatric, nutritional, and metabolic results in patients who underwent SADI-S both as a primary or revisional procedure.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients were scheduled for SADI-S as a primary or revisional procedure from July 2016 to February 2020 and completed at least 2 years of follow-up.

A new serotonin 2A receptor antagonist with potential benefits in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) could be a new pharmacological target for NASH, an evolution of NAFLD characterized by hepatic steatosis, cytoskeletal alterations, and hepatic inflammation that can arise with or without fibrosis. SJT4a is a synthetic β-carboline antagonist for 5-HT2AR developed by SJT molecular research to treat NASH. We performed a combined in silico/in vivo study on this potential drug to elucidate its activity and possible mechanism of action.