Potential Toxicity of Nine Rare Earth Elements (REEs) on Marine Copepod .

The present study focused, for the first time, on the adverse effects of nine REEs on the marine copepod For this purpose, copepod mortality, immobilization, and naupliar development were assessed. Overall, the results demonstrated that all REEs tested exerted significant adverse effects on , with LC50 values ranging from 0.56 to 1.

Newborn Screening for Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency: Prevalence and Genotypic Findings in Italy.

Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder with a broad clinical spectrum. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial for improving outcomes, yet the disease often goes undiagnosed due to its rarity and phenotypic heterogeneity. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and disease incidence of newborn screening (NBS) for ASMD in Italy.

Bedrock-Dependent Effects of Climate Change on Terricolous Lichens Along Elevational Gradients in the Alps.

In this study, we focused on the bedrock-dependent effects of climate change on terricolous lichen communities along elevational gradients in the Alps. In particular, we contrasted between carbonatic and siliceous bedrock, hypothesizing more favourable conditions on siliceous than on carbonatic bedrock, where dryer conditions may exacerbate the effects of climate change. To test this hypothesis, we compared terricolous lichen diversity patterns between the two bedrock types in terms of (1) species richness, (2) beta-diversity, (3) proportion of cryophilous species, and (4) functional diversity, also testing the effect of the elevational gradient as a proxy for expected climate warming.

Microbiological Aspects and Enzymatic Characterization of L7: Ascomycete with Great Biomass Degradation Potentialities.

The complex structure of the plant cell wall makes it difficult to use the biomass produced by biosynthesis. For this reason, the search for new strains of microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading fiber is a topic of interest. For these reasons, the present study aimed to evaluate both the microbiological and enzymatic characteristics of the fungus L7strain.

International Cardiovascular Development, Anatomy, and Regeneration (ICDAR) Community Meeting: Prague 2024.

The International Cardiovascular Anatomy, Development, and Regeneration meeting was held from 18-20 September 2024, in Prague, Czech Republic, supported by the European Society of Cardiology's Working Group on Development, Anatomy, and Pathology. Hosted at the Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, the event began with a hands-on workshop on normal and malformed human hearts, covering morphology, echocardiographic imaging, and rare congenital cases. The session allowed participants to examine and image both normal and malformed hearts.

Retrospective Study on Short-Term Reverse Cardiac Remodeling in Obese Patients Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Severe obesity is closely associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and alterations in cardiac structure and function. The primary objective of this study was to investigate cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and ventricular remodeling in individuals from an obese population eligible for bariatric surgery. The secondary objective was to evaluate changes in anthropometric, clinical laboratory, and echocardiographic measurements 12 weeks after surgery compared to baseline values.

The Role of Visual Information Quantity in Fine Motor Performance.

Background/objectives: Fine motor movements are essential for daily activities, such as handwriting, and rely heavily on visual information to enhance motor complexity and minimize errors. Tracing tasks provide an ecological method for studying these movements and investigating sensorimotor processes. To date, our understanding of the influence of different quantities of visual information on fine motor control remains incomplete.

Hands-On Versus Hands-Off Treatment of Hip-Related Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Systematic Review.

A manual approach combined with therapeutic exercise versus therapeutic exercise alone is a debated issue in the literature. The American College of Rheumatology guidelines "conditionally recommended against" manual therapy for the management of hip osteoarthritis. Manual therapy followed by exercise, instead, appears to lead to a faster return to sport than exercise alone for adductor groin pain.

Impact of Sled-Integrated Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint and Vertical Jump Performance in Young U-14 Male Football Players.

: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week integrated resisted sprint training (IRST) program on sprint performance and vertical jump height in a sample of U-14 male football players. This study also explored the potential benefits of incorporating variable resistive loads during pre-peak height velocity (pre-PHV) developmental stages, a period often overlooked in the training of young athletes. The IRST program alternated between heavy and light resistive sled loads to enhance sprint and jump capabilities, which are critical components of athletic performance in football.

Explainable AI-Based Skin Cancer Detection Using CNN, Particle Swarm Optimization and Machine Learning.

Skin cancer is among the most prevalent cancers globally, emphasizing the need for early detection and accurate diagnosis to improve outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods, based on visual examination, are subjective, time-intensive, and require specialized expertise. Current artificial intelligence (AI) approaches for skin cancer detection face challenges such as computational inefficiency, lack of interpretability, and reliance on standalone CNN architectures.

Point-Cloud Instance Segmentation for Spinning Laser Sensors.

In this paper, we face the point-cloud segmentation problem for spinning laser sensors from a deep-learning (DL) perspective. Since the sensors natively provide their measurements in a 2D grid, we directly use state-of-the-art models designed for visual information for the segmentation task and then exploit the range information to ensure 3D accuracy. This allows us to effectively address the main challenges of applying DL techniques to point clouds, i.

Toward Closing the Loop in Image-to-Image Conversion in Radiotherapy: A Quality Control Tool to Predict Synthetic Computed Tomography Hounsfield Unit Accuracy.

In recent years, synthetic Computed Tomography (CT) images generated from Magnetic Resonance (MR) or Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) acquisitions have been shown to be comparable to real CT images in terms of dose computation for radiotherapy simulation. However, until now, there has been no independent strategy to assess the quality of each synthetic image in the absence of ground truth. In this work, we propose a Deep Learning (DL)-based framework to predict the accuracy of synthetic CT in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) without the need for a ground truth (GT).

PAS or Not PAS? The Sonographic Assessment of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders and the Clinical Validation of a New Diagnostic and Prognostic Scoring System.

This study aimed to evaluate our center's experience in diagnosing and managing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in a high-risk population, focusing on prenatal ultrasound features associated with PAS severity and maternal outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 102 high-risk patients with confirmed placenta previa who delivered at our center between 2018 and 2023. Patients underwent transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scans, assessing typical sonographic features.

A Regularization Method for Landslide Thickness Estimation.

Accurate estimation of landslide depth is essential for practical hazard assessment and risk mitigation. This work addresses the problem of determining landslide depth from satellite-derived elevation data. Using the principle of mass conservation, this problem can be formulated as a linear inverse problem.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Template to Standardize Reporting of Evacuation Disorders.

Magnetic resonance (MR) defecography, including both static and dynamic phases, is frequently requested by gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons for planning the treatment of obstructive defecation syndrome and pelvic organ prolapse. However, reports often lack key information needed to guide treatment strategies, making management challenging and, at times, controversial. It has been hypothesized that using structured radiology reports could reduce missing information.

Towards Accurate Biocompatibility: Rethinking Cytotoxicity Evaluation for Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys in Biomedical Applications.

Magnesium and its alloys represent promising candidates for biomedical implants due to their biodegradability and mechanical properties, which are similar to natural bone. However, their rapid degradation process characterized by dynamic pH fluctuations and significant hydrogen gas evolution during biocorrosion adversely affects both in vitro and in vivo assessments. While the ISO 10993-5 and 12 standards provide guidelines for evaluating the in vitro biocompatibility of biodegradable materials, they also introduce testing variability conditions that yield inconsistent results.

Application of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) is produced by centrifuging the patient's blood in vacuum tubes for 14 min at 1500 rpm. The most important component of A-PRF is the platelets, which release growth factors from their ⍺-granules during the clotting process. This process is believed to be the main source of growth factors.

Microstructural and Surface Texture Evaluation of Orthodontic Microimplants Covered with Bioactive Layers Enriched with Silver Nanoparticles.

Bacterial infections are a common cause of clinical complications associated with the use of orthodontic microimplants. Biofilm formation on their surfaces and subsequent infection of peri-implant tissues can result in either exfoliation or surgical removal of these medical devices. In order to improve the properties of microimplants, hybrid coatings enriched with silver nanoparticles, calcium, and phosphorus were investigated.

Sequential Bone Repair in Rabbit Sinus Lifts Using Bio-Oss and Hyaluronic Acid-Polynucleotide Gel (Regenfast).

Background: A comprehensive investigation to associate the use of polynucleotides and hyaluronic acid with bovine bone in maxillary sinus lift procedures in rabbits has not been performed yet. The aim was to evaluate the influence of this novel association on the processes of bone regeneration in maxillary sinus augmentation.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, within-animal model, maxillary sinus augmentation was performed bilaterally in 12 rabbits.

Antioxidant Activity and DPP-IV Inhibitory Effect of Fish Protein Hydrolysates Obtained from High-Pressure Pretreated Mixture of Rainbow Trout () and Atlantic Salmon () Rest Raw Material.

The use of fish rest raw material for the production of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) through enzymatic hydrolysis has received significant interest in recent decades. Peptides derived from fish proteins are known for their enhanced bioactivity which is mainly influenced by their molecular weight. Studies have shown that novel technologies, such as high-pressure processing (HPP), can effectively modify protein structures leading to increased biological activity.

Cytotoxic Effects of ZnO and Ag Nanoparticles Synthesized in Microalgae Extracts on PC12 Cells.

The green synthesis of silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), as well as Ag/AgO/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs), using polar and apolar extracts of , offers a sustainable method for producing nanomaterials with tunable properties. The impact of the synthesis environment and the nanomaterials' characteristics on cytotoxicity was evaluated by examining reactive species production and their effects on mitochondrial bioenergetic functions. Cytotoxicity assays on PC12 cells, a cell line originated from a rat pheochromocytoma, an adrenal medulla tumor, demonstrated that Ag/AgO NPs synthesized with apolar (Ag/AgO NPs A) and polar (Ag/AgO NPs P) extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic effects, primarily driven by Ag ion release and the disruption of mitochondrial function.

Extraction and Analytical Methods for the Characterization of Polyphenols in Marine Microalgae: A Review.

Marine microalgae are emerging as promising sources of polyphenols, renowned for their health-promoting benefits. Recovering polyphenols from microalgae requires suitable treatment and extraction techniques to ensure their release from the biomass and analytical methodologies to assess their efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive comparison of traditional and cutting-edge extraction and analytical procedures applied for polyphenolic characterization in marine microalgae over the past 26 years, with a unique perspective on optimizing their recovery and identification.

Efficacy and Safety of Intra-Class Switching from Ixekizumab to Secukinumab in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

the present multicenter retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-class switching between interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitors, specifically from ixekizumab to secukinumab, in patients with plaque psoriasis. this study included 11 patients (6 male, 5 female) who had previously received ixekizumab and then were switched to secukinumab. Patients' PASI, DLQI, and pain VAS (in those with psoriatic arthritis) were evaluated at weeks 16, 24, 54, and 98.

Long-Term Outcome of Elderly Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing a Tailored Interventional Treatment Using Frailty-Based Management: Beyond the Five-Year Horizon.

Elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) need individualized decision-making in their management in order to benefit in terms of survival and improvement of quality of life. Frailty, a common condition in elderly patients, needs to be considered when weighing treatment options. We aimed to evaluate outcomes including survival and functional parameters according to disability criteria at six years of follow-up in an older population treated for severe AS using a frailty-based management.

Side Effects of Novel Anticancer Drugs on the Posterior Segment of the Eye: A Review of the Literature.

Currently, common treatment approaches for neoplastic diseases include surgery, radiation, and/or anticancer drugs (chemotherapy, hormone medications, and targeted therapies). In particular, anticancer medicines destroy cancerous cells by blocking certain pathways that aid in the disease's initiation and progression. These pharmaceutical drugs' capacity to inhibit malignant cells has made them indispensable in the treatment of neoplastic disorders.