Vaccinating in Different Settings: Best Practices from Italian Regions.

Background: The success of vaccination programs depends on a complex interplay of logistical, social, and structural factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the different approaches to vaccine administration implemented by several Italian regions since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: After careful qualitative review of information gathered from scientific articles, official reports (grey literature), contact with regional health authorities, and local health departments, five vaccination strategies across several Italian regions focusing on alternative vaccine providers and/or settings were identified.

In Situ X-Ray Study During Thermal Cycle Treatment Combined with Complementary Ex Situ Investigation of InGaN Quantum Wells.

In situ X-ray reciprocal space mapping was performed during the interval heating and cooling of InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) grown via metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Our detailed in situ X-ray analysis enabled us to track changes in the peak intensities and radial and angular broadenings of the reflection. By simulating the radial diffraction profiles recorded during the thermal cycle treatment, we demonstrate the presence of indium concentration distributions (ICDs) in the different QWs of the heterostructure (1.

Mid-Infrared High-Power InGaAsSb/AlGaInAsSb Multiple-Quantum-Well Laser Diodes Around 2.9 μm.

Antimonide laser diodes, with their high performance above room temperature, exhibit significant potential for widespread applications in the mid-infrared spectral region. However, the laser's performance significantly degrades as the emission wavelength increases, primarily due to severe quantum-well hole leakage and significant non-radiative recombination. In this paper, we put up an active region with a high valence band offset and excellent crystalline quality with high luminescence to improve the laser's performance.

Photoluminescence and Photocurrent from InGaN/GaN Diodes with Quantum Wells of Different Widths and Polarities.

We compare the optical properties of four diode samples differing by built-in field direction and width of the InGaN quantum well in the active layer: two diodes with standard layer sequences and 2.6 and 15 nm well widths and two diodes with inverted layer ordering (due to the tunnel junction grown before the structure) also with 2.6 and 15 nm widths.

Optimization of CuO/GaO Heterojunction Diodes for High-Voltage Power Electronics.

This study optimizes the CuO/GaO heterojunction diodes (HJDs) by tailoring the structural parameters of CuO layers. The hole concentration in the sputtered CuO was precisely controlled by adjusting the Ar/O gas ratio. Experimental investigations and TCAD simulations were employed to systematically evaluate the impact of the CuO layer dimension and hole concentration on the electrical performance of HJDs.

Laboratory Comparison of Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Tests for Lymphatic Filariasis: STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) Versus Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS).

Accurate rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are needed to diagnose lymphatic filariasis (LF) in global elimination programmes. We evaluated the performance of the new STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) against the Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for detecting antigen (Ag) in laboratory conditions, using serum (n = 195) and plasma (n = 189) from LF-endemic areas (Samoa, American Samoa and Myanmar) and Australian negative controls (n = 46). The prior Ag status of endemic samples (54.

Fungal Biocontrol Agents in the Management of Postharvest Losses of Fresh Produce-A Comprehensive Review.

Postharvest decay of vegetables and fruits presents a significant threat confronting sustainable food production worldwide, and in the recent times, applying synthetic fungicides has become the most popular technique of managing postharvest losses. However, there are concerns and reported proofs of hazardous impacts on consumers' health and the environment, traceable to the application of chemical treatments as preservatives on fresh produce. Physical methods, on the other hand, cause damage to fresh produce, exposing it to even more infections.

Invasive Aspergillosis in the Intensive Care Unit.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a fungal infection, which has traditionally been associated with neutropenia and immunosuppressive therapies. Our understanding of invasive aspergillosis has been evolving and, in the past few decades, IA among ICU patients has been recognized as a common infection and has become more widely recognized. The diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis in the ICU is particularly challenging, due to the unstable clinical condition of the patients, lack of diagnostic markers, increased risk of further clinical deterioration, multiple comorbidities, and a need for early assessment and treatment.

Development of an Alternative Protocol to Study Muscle Fatigue.

When measuring real-time in vivo muscle fatigue with electromyography (), data collection can be compromised by premature sensor removal or environmental noise; therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a postmortem in vivo methodology to induce muscle fatigue and measure it using EMG. Barrows ( = 20) were stratified by weight and randomly allocated into one of two treatments. The treatments consisted of barrows being subjected to a hog electric stunner super-contraction cycle () or not () postmortem.

Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation on Postmortem Mitochondrial Functionality and Apoptotic Activation.

Background/objectives: Early postmortem mitochondrial function and apoptotic activation affect meat quality development. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation to pigs prior to harvest can improve pork color stability, but its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of NR supplementation on early postmortem mitochondrial functionality and apoptosis.

Machine Learning-Based Quantification of Lateral Flow Assay Using Smartphone-Captured Images.

Lateral flow assay has been extensively used for at-home testing and point-of-care diagnostics in rural areas. Despite its advantages as convenient and low-cost testing, it suffers from poor quantification capacity where only yes/no or positive/negative diagnostics are achieved. In this study, machine learning and deep learning models were developed to quantify the analyte load from smartphone-captured images of the lateral flow assay test.

Recent Status on Lactate Monitoring in Sweat Using Biosensors: Can This Approach Be an Alternative to Blood Detection?

Recent studies have shown that lactate is a molecule that plays an indispensable role in various physiological cellular processes, such as energy metabolism and signal transductions related to immune and inflammatory processes. For these reasons, interest in its detection using biosensors for non-invasive analyses of sweat during sports activity and in clinical reasons assessments has increased. In this minireview, an in-depth study was carried out on biosensors that exploited using electrochemical methods and innovative nanomaterials for lactate detection in sweat.

Morphology of Graphene Aerogel as the Key Factor: Mechanical Properties Under Tension and Compression.

Graphene aerogels with high surface areas, ultra-low densities, and thermal conductivities have been attracted a lot of attention in recent years. However, considerable difference in their deformation behavior and mechanical properties lead to their poor performance. The problem can be solved by preparing graphene aerogel of given morphology and by control the properties through the special structure of graphene cells.

Evaluating [Ga]-Ga PSMA PET/CT for Detecting Prostate Cancer Recurrence Post-High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Brachytherapy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Focal therapy offers a promising approach for treating localized prostate cancer (PC) with minimal invasiveness and potential cost benefits. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and brachytherapy (BT) are among these options but lack long-term efficacy data. Patient follow-ups typically use biopsies and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), which often miss recurrences.

Digital Financial Literacy and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from South Korea.

Digital financial literacy is an emerging concept that refers to the ability to effectively use digital tools, platforms, and services to manage personal finances. While previous studies have explored the behavioral effects of digital financial literacy, less is known about its broader well-being implications for financial consumers. In this study, we aim to examine the association between digital financial literacy and life satisfaction in a developed country context.

Distribution of Major HLA-A, -B, -DR, and -DQ Loci Potentially Associated with Multiple Sclerosis in a Healthy Population from Southern Morocco.

Many factors contribute to the development and the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), including Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. Some of them are considered as predisposing, like DRB1*15, DRB1*13, DRB1*03, DRB1*04, DQB1*06, DQB1*02, while HLA A2, HLA B44, DRB1*11, and DRB1*12 are rather considered as protective. Data about such associations in the Moroccan population remain unknown.

Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Generate a Pro-Healing Inflammasome When Cultured on Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium Surfaces with Microscale/Nanoscale Structural Features.

The surface topography and chemistry of titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) implants play critical roles in the osteoblast differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and the creation of an osteogenic microenvironment. To assess the effects of a microscale/nanoscale (MN) topography, this study compared the effects of MN-modified, anodized, and smooth Ti6Al4V surfaces on MSC response, and for the first time, directly contrasted MN-induced osteoblast differentiation with culture on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) in osteogenic medium (OM). Surface characterization revealed distinct differences in microroughness, composition, and topography among the Ti6Al4V substrates.

MSBKA: A Multi-Strategy Improved Black-Winged Kite Algorithm for Feature Selection of Natural Disaster Tweets Classification.

With the advancement of the Internet, social media platforms have gradually become powerful in spreading crisis-related content. Identifying informative tweets associated with natural disasters is beneficial for the rescue operation. When faced with massive text data, choosing the pivotal features, reducing the calculation expense, and increasing the model classification performance is a significant challenge.

Does Sex Matter in Obesity-Induced Periodontal Inflammation in the SS Mutant Rats?

The incidence of obesity has dramatically increased worldwide. Obesity has been shown to exacerbate the progression of periodontal disease. Studies suggest a sex difference in periodontitis, whereby males are more sensitive to periodontal inflammation compared to females.

Microlipophagy from Simple to Complex Eukaryotes.

Lipophagy is a selective degradation of lipid droplets in lysosomes or vacuoles. Apart from its role in generating energy and free fatty acids for membrane repair, growth, and the formation of new membranes, lipophagy emerges as a key player in other cellular processes and disease pathogenesis. While fungal, plant, and algal cells use microlipophagy, the most prominent form of lipophagy in animal cells is macrolipophagy.

-Rearranged Enteric Tumors: Updates on Clinicopathologic and Molecular Genetics Features.

Recent advances in molecular genetics, particularly in identifying and characterizing genetic abnormalities within mesenchymal neoplasms, have led to a more comprehensive and evolving classification system. Modern technological developments in cytogenetics and next-generation sequencing have enabled the analysis of small clinical samples, expanded our understanding of tumor biology, and improved the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive precision by identifying targeted genetic alterations, confirming the presence of fusion transcripts, and/or revealing the overexpression of specific genes and their targets. In this review, we focus specifically on the -rearranged enteric tumor, a recent clinicopathological entity that has emerged within the expanding classification of mesenchymal tumors.

Plant Coping with Cold Stress: Molecular and Physiological Adaptive Mechanisms with Future Perspectives.

Cold stress strongly hinders plant growth and development. However, the molecular and physiological adaptive mechanisms of cold stress tolerance in plants are not well understood. Plants adopt several morpho-physiological changes to withstand cold stress.

Explainable Self-Supervised Dynamic Neuroimaging Using Time Reversal.

Objective: Functional magnetic resonance imaging data pose significant challenges due to their inherently noisy and complex nature, making traditional statistical models less effective in capturing predictive features. While deep learning models offer superior performance through their non-linear capabilities, they often lack transparency, reducing trust in their predictions. This study introduces the Time Reversal (TR) pretraining method to address these challenges.

Narrative Review and Guide: State of the Art and Emerging Opportunities of Bioprinting in Tissue Regeneration and Medical Instrumentation.

Three-dimensional printing was introduced in the 1980s, though bioprinting started developing a few years later. Today, 3D bioprinting is making inroads in medical fields, including the production of biomedical supplies intended for internal use, such as biodegradable staples. Medical bioprinting enables versatility and flexibility on demand and is able to modify and individualize production using several established printing methods.

Outcomes of Suction Debulking and Surgery in Patients With Isolated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis.

Objective: Percutaneous vegetation debulking has been reported to treat tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE), but data on feasibility compared with conventional surgical strategies are limited. We aimed to compare short-term outcomes of suction debulking with partial venovenous bypass to conventional open surgery in this population.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study that included all patients with isolated TVIE who underwent suction debulking with partial venovenous bypass or tricuspid valve surgery between January 2010 and December 2022.