Tuning antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using green AgNPs in chitosan thin films as a plastic alternative.

Nanotechnology advancements have facilitated the development of eco-friendly strategies to combat bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This study promotes a green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing Eucalyptus globulus leaf extracts as an alternative to traditional colloidal AgNPs obtained through chemical synthesis, investigating their antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their impact on the expression of bacterial virulence factors (pyocyanin, pyoverdine, rhamnolipids). This work demonstrates that: i.

Changes in clinical presentation, management, and survival outcomes in patients affected by colorectal cancer following COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: As an extended analysis of the COVID-DELAY study, we aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis, staging, and survival outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis performed from 2019 to 2022.

Methods: All consecutive newly diagnosed CRC patients referred to 11 Italian Oncology Departments between March and December 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 were enrolled. Access rate, demographics, diagnostic-therapeutic temporal intervals, and first-line progression-free survival (PFS) and OS among metastatic patients were assessed.

Enhancement of human native skin fibroblast proliferation in natural salso-bromo-iodic mineral water added to in vitro culture.

Background: The favorable regenerative effects of some mineral waters on wound healing have long been empirically demonstrated.

Objectives: The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the effects of an Italian salso-bromo-iodic mineral water (Rivanazzano, Italy) on an in vitro human native fibroblast culture model to identify any potential regenerative actions.

Material And Methods: Human native fibroblasts were cultured under different experimental conditions: - Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) reconstituted with distilled water (control); - DMEM reconstituted with filtered mineral water collected from the spring; - DMEM reconstituted with filtered mineral water collected at the balneotherapy facility; - DMEM reconstituted with filtered, heated mineral water collected at the balneotherapy facility; - DMEM partially replaced with filtered mineral water collected from the spring at different concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%); - DMEM partially replaced with filtered, heated mineral water collected at the balneotherapy facility at different concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%); - DMEM partially replaced with filtered mineral water collected at the balneotherapy facility at different concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%).

species causing Glomerella leaf spot and apple bitter rot in the southeastern United States exhibit disparities in relative frequency, morphological phenotype, and QoI sensitivity.

Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), Glomerella fruit rot (GFR) and apple bitter rot (ABR), caused by Colletotrichum spp. are amongst the most devastating apple diseases in the southeastern United States. While several species have been identified as causal pathogens of GLS, GFR, and ABR, their relative frequency and fungicide sensitivity status in the southeastern U.

Integrating the Idylla™ System Alongside a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Next-Generation Sequencing for Investigating Gene Fusions in Pleural Effusions from Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) from patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been proven valuable for molecular analysis; however, simultaneous detection of driver fusions in MPE is still challenging. In this study, we investigated the Idylla™ GeneFusion Panel, a stand-alone test in tissue samples, in the evaluation of , , and ex14 skipping mutations in MPE and compared its performance with routine reference methods (Real-time-based and Next-generation Sequencing-NGS). The inclusion criteria for sample selection were as follows: advanced NSCLC harboring , , fusions or exon-skipping alterations and the availability of MPE collected at diagnosis or disease progression.

Type and duration of water stress influence host selection and colonization by exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Fungus-farming ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini tunnel into plants and trees to establish chambers for cultivating their nutritional fungal mutualists and rearing offspring. Some xyleborine ambrosia beetles preferentially infest and perform better in living but weakened trees. Flood stress predisposes horticultural tree crops to infestation, but the impact of drought stress has not been well studied.

Asbestos burden in lungs of non-occupationally exposed women from Broni (Pavia, Italy): a postmortem SEM-EDS study.

Background: In Italy the incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) among women is remarkably high, due to the several contexts in which women had been exposed to asbestos. However, very few studies in literature focus on the inorganic lung content in women. The aim of this retrospective, observational study is to investigate the asbestos lung burden, in terms of concentration, dimensions and type of asbestos, in 42 women who died from MM and had been non-occupationally exposed to asbestos during the activity of the asbestos-cement plant located in Broni (Pavia, Northern Italy) where mainly chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite were used.

A postmortem case control study of asbestos burden in lungs of malignant mesothelioma cases.

Background: Asbestos lung content is regarded as the most reliable tool for causal attribution of malignant mesothelioma (MM) to previous asbestos exposures. However, there is a lack of studies on asbestos burden in lungs of MM patients in comparison with healthy individuals. This study aims to provide such a comparison, investigating, as well, differences in asbestos lung burden with sex and time trends.

The descriptive epidemiology of melanoma in Italy has changed - for the better.

A recent research project using data from a total of 40 cancer registries has provided new epidemiologic insights into the results of efforts for melanoma control in Italy between the 1990s and the last decade. In this article, the authors present a summary and a commentary of their findings. Incidence increased significantly throughout the study period in both sexes.

Development of PVA Electrospun Nanofibers for Fabrication of Bacteriological Swabs.

In recent years, the enormous demand for swabs for clinical use has promoted their relevance and, consequently, brought the environmental issues due to their single use and lack of biodegradability to the attention of the healthcare industry. Swabs consist of a stick that facilitates their easy handling and manoeuvrability even in complex districts and an absorbent tip designed to uptake and release biological samples. In this study, we focused on the fabrication of an innovative biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber swab tip using the electrospinning technique.

Asthma incidence can be influenced by climate change in Italy: findings from the GEIRD study-a climatological and epidemiological assessment.

An association between climatic conditions and asthma incidence has been widely assumed. However, it is unclear whether climatic variations have a fingerprint on asthma dynamics over long time intervals. The aim of this study is to detect a possible correlation of the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation (S-NAO) index and the self-calibrated palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) with asthma incidence over the period from 1957 to 2006 in Italy.

Cell-Tissue Interaction: The Biomimetic Approach to Design Tissue Engineered Biomaterials.

The advancement achieved in Tissue Engineering is based on a careful and in-depth study of cell-tissue interactions. The choice of a specific biomaterial in Tissue Engineering is fundamental, as it represents an interface for adherent cells in the creation of a microenvironment suitable for cell growth and differentiation. The knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix is a useful tool for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds.

Selective inhibition of indoleamine and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenases: Comparative study on kynurenine pathway in cell lines via LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics.

In the last decade, the kynurenine pathway, which is the primary metabolic route for tryptophan (TRP) catabolism, has sparked great interest in the pharmaceutical sciences due to its role in immune regulation and cancer immunoediting. In this context, the development of cell-based assays might represent a tool to: i) characterize the cell secretome according to cell types; ii) gain more insight into the role of kynurenines in different disease scenarios; iii) screen hIDO1 (human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) inhibitors and evaluate their effect on downstream TRP-catabolizing enzymes. This paper reports a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to simultaneously quantify TRP, L-kynurenine (KYN), xanthurenic acid (XA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OHKYN), kynurenic acid (KA), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3OHAA), anthranilic acid (AA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5HT) and tryptamine (TRYP) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle and Eagle's Minimum Essential Media (DMEM and EMEM, respectively).

Impact of long-term exposure to ambient ozone on lung function over a course of 20 years (The ECRHS study): a prospective cohort study in adults.

Background: While the adverse effects of short-term ambient ozone exposure on lung function are well-documented, the impact of long-term exposure remains poorly understood, especially in adults.

Methods: We aimed to investigate the association between long-term ozone exposure and lung function decline. The 3014 participants were drawn from 17 centers across eight countries, all of which were from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).

Multisite Field Evaluation of Bacteriophages for Fire Blight Management: Incorporation of Ultraviolet Radiation Protectants and Impact on the Apple Flower Microbiome.

Fire blight, a disease of pome fruits caused by the bacterium , has become increasingly difficult to manage after the emergence of streptomycin-resistant strains. Alternative antibiotics and copper are available; however, these chemicals have use restrictions in some countries and also can carry risks of phytotoxicity. Therefore, there is growing interest in biological-based management options, with bacteriophage (phages) showing promise, as these naturally occurring pathogens of bacteria are easy to isolate and grow.

Analysing the Impact on Health and Environment from Biogas Production Process and Biomass Combustion: A Scoping Review.

The increasing demand for renewable energy production entails the development of novel green technologies, among them the use of biomass for energy generation. Industrial processes raise new issues regarding emerging risks for the health of people working in biogas plants and of nearby communities. The potential epidemiological and environmental impacts on human health related to biogas plants were assessed by means of a review of the available literature.

Asthma, COPD, Respiratory, and Allergic Health Effects in an Adult Population Living near an Italian Refinery: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aim: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, 545 million people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases with a wide geographical variability. Risk factors for asthma are both genetic and related to several environmental factors (internal and external pollutants); these also have an important role in the occurrence of COPD.

Absence of Age Verification for Online Purchases of Cannabidiol and Delta-8: Implications for Youth Access.

Purpose: This study assessed the age verification process for purchasing and shipping cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol products from online retailers.

Methods: We purchased CBD and Delta-8 products online from 20 brick-and-mortar shops located in the United States that sold products online and shipped products to consumers. We documented online age verifications at the time of purchase and whether identification or a signature was required at delivery.

Relationship of long-term air pollution exposure with asthma and rhinitis in Italy: an innovative multipollutant approach.

Background: air pollution is a complex mixture; novel multipollutant approaches could help understanding the health effects of multiple concomitant exposures to air pollutants.

Aim: to assess the relationship of long-term air pollution exposure with the prevalence of respiratory/allergic symptoms and diseases in an Italian multicenter study using single and multipollutant approaches.

Methods: 14420 adults living in 6 Italian cities (Ancona, Pavia, Pisa, Sassari, Turin, Verona) were investigated in 2005-2011 within 11 different study cohorts.

Zebrafish Tric-b is required for skeletal development and bone cells differentiation.

Introduction: Trimeric intracellular potassium channels TRIC-A and -B are endoplasmic reticulum (ER) integral membrane proteins, involved in the regulation of calcium release mediated by ryanodine (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IPRs) receptors, respectively. While TRIC-A is mainly expressed in excitable cells, TRIC-B is ubiquitously distributed at moderate level. TRIC-B deficiency causes a dysregulation of calcium flux from the ER, which impacts on multiple collagen specific chaperones and modifying enzymatic activity, leading to a rare form of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI Type XIV).