Sensory Characteristics and Impact of Flavanol-Rich Grape and Blueberry Extract on Blood Flow Velocity and Oxidative Stress.

Background: Several epidemiological studies and intervention trials have demonstrated that grapes and blueberries, which are rich in flavanols, can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms of action of these compounds remain unclear due to their low bioavailability.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the sensory properties, blood flow velocity, and oxidative stress of a polyphenol rich grape and blueberry extract (PEGB) containing approximately 16% flavanols (11% monomers and 4% dimers).

Variations and Opportunities in Postnatal Management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

Importance: Preventive efforts in pregnancy-related alloimmunization have considerably decreased the prevalence of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). International studies are therefore essential to obtain a deeper understanding of the postnatal management and outcomes of HDFN. Taken together with numerous treatment options, large practice variations among centers may exist.

Establishing a living biobank of pediatric high-grade glioma and ependymoma suitable for cancer pharmacology.

Background: Brain tumors are the deadliest solid tumors in children and adolescents. Most of these tumors are glial in origin and exhibit strong heterogeneity, hampering the development of effective therapeutic strategies. In the past decades, patient-derived tumor organoids (PDT-O) have emerged as powerful tools for modeling tumoral cell diversity and dynamics, and they could then help defining new therapeutic options for pediatric brain tumors.

Targeting BMP-1 enhances anti-tumoral effects of doxorubicin in metastatic mammary cancer: common and distinct features of TGF-β inhibition.

Purpose: Mammary carcinoma is comprised heterogeneous groups of cells with different metastatic potential. 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells metastasized to heart (4THM), liver (4TLM) and brain (4TBM) and demonstrate cancer-stem cell phenotype. Using these cancer cells we found thatTGF-β is the top upstream regulator of metastatic process.

Characterization of mint virus C, a new member of the genus Carlavirus.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new carlavirus causing mosaic on mint plants in Italy, which we have tentatively named "mint virus C" (MVC). Flexuous particles of around 600 nm were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and next-generation sequencing was performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of the MVC genome, which was found to be 8558 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and shows the typical organization of a carlavirus. The putative proteins encoded by MVC are 44-56% identical to the closest matches in the NCBI database, suggesting that MVC should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Carlavirus.

Comparison between unilateral and bilateral clubfoot treated with Ponseti method at walking age: static and dynamic assessment.

This study evaluated the static, postural, dynamic, and clinical outcomes among five groups of patients: a bilateral CTEV (congenital talipes equinovarus) group treated with tenotomy (n = 14), bilateral CTEV group treated conservatively (n = 6), unilateral CTEV group treated with tenotomy (n = 7), unilateral CTEV group treated conservatively (n = 3), and control group (n = 20). Data were collected through baropodometric examinations and clinical evaluations using Pirani, clubfoot assessment protocol, foot and ankle disability index (FADI), and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores. Bilateral CTEV patients treated with tenotomy showed no statistically significant differences compared to healthy controls.

Efficacy and safety of posaconazole and liposomal amphotericin B use for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in a paediatric and young adult haemato-oncological population.

Background: The prevention of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is crucial for paediatric haemato-oncological patients. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and side-effects of posaconazole and liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) as primary prophylaxis.

Materials And Methods: This cohort study included patients aged 3 months to 21 years who received posaconazole or L-AmB (5 mg/kg twice weekly) as prophylaxis from January 2017 to March 2022 at the Hemato-oncological Pediatric Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy.

Comparative Analysis of Polyethylene-Oxidizing Laccases: Redox Properties and Enzyme-Polyethylene Interaction Mechanism.

Laccases that oxidize low-density polyethylene (LDPE) represent a promising strategy for bioremediation purposes. To rationalize or optimize their PE-oxidative activity, two fundamental factors must be considered: the enzyme's redox potential and its binding affinity/mode towards LDPE. Indeed, a stable laccase-PE complex may facilitate a thermodynamically unfavorable electron transfer, even without redox mediators.

Correlation of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography and Slit-Lamp Imaging in Infectious Keratitis.

Purpose: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) is increasingly being used to complement slit-lamp biomicroscopy in the evaluation of corneal infections. Our purpose was to analyze, compare, and correlate the clinical signs elicited by these 2 methods in patients with infectious keratitis (IK).

Methods: Slit-lamp photomicrographs (diffuse and slit beam) and AS-OCT scans were obtained from 20 consecutive patients (21 eyes) with IK.

External DC Shocks of Symptomatic Supraventricular Tachycardia during Screw-In Leadless Pacemaker Implant: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 64-year-old man who, during the implantation of an active-fixation leadless pacemaker (LP, Aveir VR, Abbott, USA), underwent several external defibrillation shocks up to 240 Joules, due to symptomatic sustained supraventricular tachycardia at 160 bpm. The shocks, delivered both before and after the screwing of the device in the low interventricular septum, did not cause any technical damage to the device, and no complications were observed. The device was then deployed successfully.

Infections Management in the Lung Transplant Setting in Italy: A Web-Survey.

Introduction: Infections significantly impact morbidity and mortality in lung transplant (LuTx) recipients. This survey focused on documenting current practices regarding the prevention and management of infections in LuTx in Italy.

Methods: A 52-question survey was administered online in the period from December 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, assessing center characteristics, Tx team organization, microbiological investigations, infection prevention, and management.

(Greater Wax Moth) as a Reliable Animal Model to Study the Efficacy of Nanomaterials in Fighting Pathogens.

The spread of multidrug-resistant microbes has made it necessary and urgent to develop new strategies to deal with the infections they cause. Some of these are based on nanotechnology, which has revolutionized many fields in medicine. Evaluating the safety and efficacy of these new antimicrobial strategies requires testing in animal models before being tested in clinical trials.

Discriminating Analysis of Metal Ions via Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares Applied to Silver Nanoparticle Sensor.

Heavy metals are life-threatening pollutions because of their great toxicity, long-term persistence in nature and their bioaccumulation in living organisms. In this work, we performed multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares analysis of UV-Vis raw spectra received by a colorimetric sensor constructed on mercaptoundecanoic acid functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@11MUA) to detect Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn in water. This combined approach allowed the rapid identification and quantification of multiple heavy metals and showed adequate sensitivity and selectivity, thus representing a promising analytical and computational method for both laboratory and field applications such as environmental safety and public health monitoring.

The Impact of Carbon on Electronic Structure of N-Doped ZnO Films: Scanning Photoelectron Microscopy Study and DFT Calculations.

A Scanning Photoelectron Microscopy (SPEM) experiment has been applied to ZnO:N films deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) under O-rich conditions and post-growth annealed in oxygen at 800 °C. spatial resolution (130 nm) allows for probing the electronic structure of single column of growth. The samples were cleaved under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions to open atomically clean cross-sectional areas for SPEM experiment.

Cryo-SIMPLY: A Reliable STT-MRAM-Based Smart Material Implication Architecture for In-Memory Computing.

This paper presents Cryo-SIMPLY, a reliable smart material implication (SIMPLY) operating at cryogenic conditions (77 K). The assessment considers SIMPLY schemes based on spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) technology with single-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (SMTJ) and double-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (DMTJ). Our study relies on a temperature-aware macrospin-based Verilog-A compact model for MTJ devices and a 65 nm commercial process design kit (PDK) calibrated down to 77 K under silicon measurements.

Trehalose Ameliorates Zebrafish Emotional and Social Deficits Caused by CLN8 Dysfunction.

CLN8 and other neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) often lead to cognitive decline, emotional disturbances, and social deficits, worsening with disease progression. Disrupted lysosomal pH, impaired autophagy, and defective dendritic arborization contribute to these symptoms. Using a zebrafish model, we identified significant impairments in locomotion, anxiety, and aggression, along with subtle deficits in social interactions, positioning zebrafish as a useful model for therapeutic studies in NCL.

Potassium Current Signature of Neuronal/Glial Progenitors in Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells.

Amniotic fluid is a complex and dynamic biological matrix that surrounds the fetus during the pregnancy. From this fluid, is possible to isolate various cell types with particular interest directed towards stem cells (AF-SCs). These cells are highly appealing due to their numerous potential applications in the field of regenerative medicine for tissues and organs as well as for treating conditions such as traumatic or ischemic injuries to the nervous system, myocardial infarction, or cancer.