Longitudinal Shear in Timber-Concrete Composites with Flexible Adhesive Connections-Experimental and Numerical Investigations.

Timber-concrete composites are established structural elements to combine the advantageous properties of both materials by connecting them. In this work, an innovative flexible adhesive connection in different configurations is investigated. Load-bearing capacity, stiffness, and the failure modes were first experimentally investigated by performing push-out tests.

Impact of Environmental Factors and Management Practices on Bee Health.

The honey bee is a symbol of , a holistic approach to animal, human and environment health, and beekeeping is an economic branch of exceptional importance for public health [...

Ecological Profile of the Flea Beetle Genus Heyden in South Africa (Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

In this work, the 25 species of the flea beetle genus Heyden recorded for South Africa are considered. Starting from the updated species distribution and the topographic, temperature, and precipitation variables, as well as the vegetation types in the occurrence sites, through an analysis of ecological niche modelling, a possible ecological profile is provided, both for each species and the entire genus, highlighting some of the factors that drive their occurrence and distribution patterns. Along with the vegetation type, some climatic variables were found to be particularly influential, such as the mean temperature of both the wettest and driest quarters and also the mean precipitation of the wettest period.

Disentangling Taxonomic Confusions in the Group Using Mitochondrial Genomic Data (Lepidoptera: Pieridae).

Pierid species of the group are among the largest Sino-Himalayan members of genus , with four conventionally recognised species, namely , , , and . Recent publications indicated that some of these species may contain more than one species despite their similar morphological characters. The present research analysed this group of butterflies using mitogenomic data, and proved that , , , and should be recognised as distinct species, while , and should be subspecies of .

sp. nov., a New Mite Species Infesting .

, or "mamey sapote", is a tropical fruit tree native to Central America and Southern Mexico, producing sweet, nutrient and vitamin-rich fruit. Several insect pests are known to infest but none have been associated with plant growth alterations. Eriophyoid mites are well known to cause plant malformations, but mites that cause this type of damage to mamey sapote have not been reported.

The Dynamics of Pheromone Release in Two Passive Dispensers Commonly Used for Mating Disruption in the Control of and in Vineyards.

Background: Mating disruption (MD) is a worthwhile technique for the control of and in central Europe and Mediterranean areas. MD efficacy is affected by the pheromone release (PR), which in turn is influenced by environmental conditions.

Methods: The effect of weather conditions on PR was evaluated under four different fields in northern Italy.

How Habitat Simplification Shapes the Morphological Characteristics of Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Different Biogeographical Contexts.

Human-driven changes in land cover and use can significantly impact species ants community structures, often leading to a decline in taxonomic diversity or species homogenization. Ant morphology, used as a proxy for ecological function, offers a valuable framework for understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on ant diversity. This study explored the morphological diversity of ant assemblages in agricultural ecosystems and secondary forests in Italy and the Brazilian Amazon, analyzing how these communities are structured and adapted to different environments.

Thousands of Years of Pastoralism Don't Count: Coprophagous Beetles Prefer Exotic Alpaca Dung to That of Cattle.

Dung beetles mostly feed on mammal dung. Throughout the European Alps, the dung produced by local domestic ungulates attracts many species of dung beetles, giving rise to rich and diversified communities that play an important role in the Alpine agricultural ecosystem. There is, therefore, understandable concern about the introduction of exotic livestock, such as alpacas ( (Linnaeus, 1758)), into the region.

Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Antigenotoxic Evaluation of L. Leaf Extract.

L. () is used in Italian folk medicine. This study was performed to determine genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of leaf extract against mitomycin C (MMC) using an in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) in the Chinese Hamster Ovarian K1 (CHO-K1) cell line.

Conjugated Human Serum Albumin/Gold-Silica Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Carrier of a Chemotherapeutic Drug.

We report the design and development of a novel multifunctional nanostructure, RB-AuSiO_HSA-DOX, where tri-modal cancer treatment strategies-photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemotherapy-luminescent properties and targeting are integrated into the same scaffold. It consists of a gold core with optical and thermo-plasmonic properties and is covered by a silica shell entrapping a well-known photosensitizer and luminophore, Rose Bengal (RB). The nanoparticle surface was decorated with Human Serum Albumin (HSA) through a covalent conjugation to confer its targeting abilities and as a carrier of Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most effective anticancer drugs in clinical chemotherapy.

The MET Oncogene Network of Interacting Cell Surface Proteins.

The MET oncogene, encoding the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, plays a key role in tumorigenesis, invasion, and resistance to therapy, yet its full biological functions and activation mechanisms remain incompletely understood. A feature of MET is its extensive interaction network, encompassing the following: (i) receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs); (ii) co-receptors (e.g.

Somatic Instability Leading to Mosaicism in Fragile X Syndrome and Associated Disorders: Complex Mechanisms, Diagnostics, and Clinical Relevance.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition caused by the inheritance of alleles with >200 CGG repeats in the 5' UTR of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 () gene. These full mutation (FM) alleles are associated with DNA methylation and gene silencing, which result in intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and social and behavioral issues. Mosaicism for both the size of the CGG repeat tract and the extent of its methylation is commonly observed in individuals with the FM.

6-Aza-2-Thiothymine as an Alternative Matrix for Spatial Proteomics with MALDI-MSI.

Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation-Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a well-established spatial omic technique which enables the untargeted mapping of various classes of biomolecules, including tryptic peptides, directly on tissue. This method relies on the use of matrices for the ionisation and volatilisation of analytes, and α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) represents the most widespread matrix for tryptic peptides analysis. However, CHCA also presents certain limitations that foster the quest for novel matrix compounds.

The Role of ctDNA in the Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the AI and NGS Era.

Liquid biopsy (LB) involves the analysis of circulating tumour-derived DNA (ctDNA), providing a minimally invasive method for gathering both quantitative and qualitative information. Genomic analysis of ctDNA through next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables comprehensive genetic profiling of tumours, including non-driver alterations that offer prognostic insights. LB can be applied in both early-stage disease settings, for the diagnosis and monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD), and advanced disease settings, for monitoring treatment response and understanding the mechanisms behind disease progression and tumour heterogeneity.

Different Cytotoxic Effects of Cisplatin on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

This study examined the response to cisplatin in BxPC-3, Mia-Paca-2, PANC-1, and YAPC pancreatic cancer lines with different genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, and the mechanisms associated with their resistance. BxPC-3 and MIA-PaCa-2 cell lines were the most sensitive to cisplatin, while YAPC and PANC-1 were more resistant. Consistently, in cisplatin-treated BxPC-3 cells, the cleavage patterns of pro-caspase-9, -7, -3, and PARP-1 demonstrated that they were more sensitive than YAPC cells.

Whole-Exome Analysis and Osteosarcoma: A Game Still Open.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in adolescents and young adults. OS cells grow in a permissive local microenvironment which modulates their behavior and facilitates all steps in tumor development (e.g.

IGF-1 Signaling Modulates Oxidative Metabolism and Stress Resistance in ARPE-19 Cells Through PKM2 Function.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contributes to retinal homeostasis, and its metabolic dysfunction is implied in the development of retinal degenerative disease. The isoform M2 of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key factor in cell metabolism, and its function may be affected by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This study aims to investigate the effect of IGF-1 on PKM2 modulation of RPE cells and whether co-treatment with klotho may preserve it.

The Emerging Role of PCSK9 in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease: A Possible Target for the Disease Treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease mainly caused by β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. Among the several factors that may concur to AD development, elevated cholesterol levels and brain cholesterol dyshomeostasis have been recognized to play a relevant role. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protein primarily known to regulate plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) rich in cholesterol and to be one of the main causes of familial hypercholesterolemia.

The Evolving Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Obesity and Related Diseases: Recent Insights and Advances.

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by persistent low-grade tissue and systemic inflammation. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) leads to stress and dysfunctional adipocytes, along with the infiltration of immune cells, which initiates and sustains inflammation. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to infiltrate AT during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

Antitumor Activity and Multi-Target Mechanism of Phenolic Schiff Bases Bearing Methanesulfonamide Fragments: Cell Cycle Analysis and a Molecular Modeling Study.

Five phenolic Schiff bases (-) incorporating a fragment of methanesulfonamide were synthesized and evaluated for their efficacy as antitumor agents. Compounds and demonstrated the most potent antitumor action, with a positive cytotoxic effect (PCE) of 54/59 and 59/59 and a mean growth percentage (MG%) of 67.3% and 19.

Exploring Potential Impact of Graphene Oxide and Graphene Oxide-Polyethylenimine on Biological Behavior of Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells.

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering aim to restore or replace impaired organs and tissues using cell transplantation supported by scaffolds. Recently scientists are focusing on developing new biomaterials that optimize cellular attachment, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Nanoparticles, such as graphene oxide (GO), have emerged as versatile materials due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and unique chemical properties, such as electrical conductivity and flexibility.

Temperature-Dependent Cytokine Neutralization Induced by Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles: An In Silico Study.

Inflammatory cytokines cooperate to maintain normal immune homeostasis, performing both a protective and a pro-inflammatory action in different body districts. However, their excessive persistence or deregulated expression may degenerate into tissue chronic inflammatory status. Advanced therapies should be designed to deploy selective cytokine neutralizers in the affected tissues.

Emerging Signatures of Hematological Malignancies from Gene Expression and Transcription Factor-Gene Regulations.

Hematological malignancies are a diverse group of cancers developing in the peripheral blood, the bone marrow or the lymphatic system. Due to their heterogeneity, the identification of novel and advanced molecular signatures is essential for enhancing their characterization and facilitate its translation to new pharmaceutical solutions and eventually to clinical applications. In this study, we collected publicly available microarray data for more than five thousand subjects, across thirteen hematological malignancies.

Proteasome Inhibitors Induce Apoptosis in Ex Vivo Cells of T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia.

Finding an effective treatment for T-PLL patients remains a significant challenge. Alemtuzumab, currently the gold standard, is insufficient in managing the aggressiveness of the disease in the long term. Consequently, numerous efforts are underway to address this unmet clinical need.

BCAT1 Associates with DNA Repair Proteins KU70 and KU80 and Contributes to Regulate DNA Repair in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL).

Increased expression of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) transaminase 1 (BCAT1) often correlates with tumor aggressiveness and drug resistance in cancer. We have recently reported that BCAT1 was overexpressed in a subgroup of T-cell acute lymphoblastic (T-ALL) samples, especially those with NOTCH1 activating mutations. Interestingly, BCAT1-depleted cells showed pronounced sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents such as etoposide; however, how BCAT1 regulates this sensitivity remains uncertain.