The study evaluated the application of a novel high-pressure microbial inactivation method combining dense carbon dioxide with modified atmosphere packaging on organic fresh-cut squash (Cucurbita moschata). Approximately 4 g or 32 g of squash was packed in plastic pouches filled with CO to test two different gas-to-product ratios and treated with the high-pressure method at previously optimized process conditions (45 °C, 6.0 MPa and 40 min).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Relative or absolute safety of heated tobacco products (HTP) remains unknown, while independent literature suggests that these products do not favour tobacco control. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate HTP usage patterns and the effect of HTP use on conventional tobacco smoking (use transitions).
Methods: We used Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify all articles published up to February 2022 on HTP use.
From both economic and environmental points of view, the reuse of dredged sediments in the direct onsite casting of concrete represents a promising method for replacing sand. The aim of this study was to develop a cementitious material that (i) reuses the thin particles of sediments; (ii) has a low density due to the incorporation of air foam in the material; and (iii) achieves a minimum mechanical strength of 0.5 MPa for embankment applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Unstable hemoglobins are caused by single amino acid substitutions in the HBB gene, often affecting key histidine residues, leading to protein destabilization and hemolytic crises. In contrast, long HBB variants, exceeding 20 bp, are rare and associated with a β-thalassemia phenotype due to disrupted α-β chain interactions. We describe a family wherein four of six members carry a novel 23-amino-acid in-frame duplication of HBB (c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with hypertension, and OSA treatment can reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), but with a modest mean effect size and vast heterogeneity among studies. The aim of this individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was to understand which OSA phenotypes could benefit the most in terms of BP reduction.
Methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials that compared continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with either passive or active treatment was conducted.
The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presents a challenge to current therapies because of the development of drug resistance. Genetic mutation of FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) is a target of interest for AML treatment, but the use of FLT3-targeting agents on AML patients has so far resulted in poor overall clinical outcomes. The incorporation of the boronic group in a drug scaffold could enhance the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of conventional anticancer chemotypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOphthalmol Retina
September 2024
Purpose: To investigate the myopic macular neovascularization (mMNV) features on dynamic video color OCT angiography (OCTA) and the diagnostic rate versus the static, 4-segmentations visualization mode.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Participants: Fifty-four patients with mMNV.
Aims: To compare medication adherence, lipid goal attainment, and healthcare costs between patients receiving a single-pill combination (SPC) vs. a free combination treatment (FCT) of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe (ROS/EZE) in Italy.
Methods And Results: Administrative databases of healthcare entities covering ∼7 million individuals were used to identify adults prescribed with ROS/EZE as SPC or FCT between January 2018 and June 2020.
Fibronectin (Fn) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein that acts as an ECM scaffold organizer and is essential in many biological functions, including tissue repair, differentiation or cancer dissemination. Evidence suggests that the amount of Fn changes during aging. However, how these changes influence the aging process remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDairy cows experiencing heat stress (HS) during the precalving portion of the transition period give birth to smaller calves and produce less milk and milk protein. Supplementation of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) has been shown to modulate protein, energy, and placenta metabolism, making it a potential candidate to ameliorate HS effects. We investigated the effects of supplementing RPM to transition cows under HS induced by electric heat blanket (EHB) on cow-calf performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Enhanced glutamatergic transmission leading to motor neuron death is considered the major pathophysiological mechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Motor cortex excitability can be suppressed by transcranial static magnetic stimulation (tSMS), thus tSMS can be evaluated as a potential treatment for ALS. The aim of present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of tSMS in ALS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of minimally invasive interventional procedures such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.
Methods: a literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSI) were included.
Tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amines (TPA or TPMA) are polipyrydine-based ligands extensively used in catalysis and supramolecular chemistry due their capability to form stable tetradentate complexes with a large variety of metals. The unsubstituted ligand, which is also commercially available, can be synthesised by consecutive alkylation of a picoline or by reductive amination of a pyridine aldehyde. In this article, we report a novel synthetic method which opens to the post-functionalisation of these ligands in the benzylic position.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOlder patients face increasing challenges in preserving mobility during hospitalization. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of an Occupational Therapy (OT) program on mobility at discharge in older patients admitted to an Acute Geriatric Unit (AGU). All patients aged ≥65 years consecutively admitted to the AGU in an 18-month period were included in the study if scoring <4 or ≥ 8 at the Clinical Frailty Scale.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe neutral result of the PROMINENT trial has led to questions about the future for pemafibrate. This commentary discusses possible reasons for the lack of benefit observed in the trial. There were, however, indicators suggesting therapeutic potential in microvascular ischaemic complications associated with peripheral artery disease, with subsequent analysis showing reduction in the incidence of lower extremity ischaemic ulceration or gangrene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Emerging therapies are most effective in the presymptomatic phase, and thus defining this window is critical. We hypothesize that early development delay may precede developmental plateau.
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