Polysaccharide degradation in an Antarctic bacterium: Discovery of glycoside hydrolases from remote regions of the sequence space.

Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) are enzymes involved in the degradation of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The sequence space of GHs is rapidly expanding due to the increasing number of available sequences. This expansion paves the way for the discovery of novel enzymes with peculiar structural and functional properties.

Measuring the impact of hospitalisation for infectious diseases on the quality of life of older patients in four European countries: the AEQUI longitudinal matched cohort study (2020-2023).

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of hospitalisation for infectious diseases on the Health-Related Quality of life (HRQOL), multidimensional frailty, and functioning of older patients, we conducted a longitudinal matched cohort study in four European countries.

Methods: HRQOL, frailty, and functioning were assessed using validated questionnaires at inclusion, at discharge, and up to six months later (M6) in patients aged over 65 years hospitalised for severe acute respiratory or bloodstream infections, and matched controls hospitalised for non-infectious conditions. Comparative analyses employed multilevel mixed-effect linear or logistic models to assess changes from inclusion.

Non-coding RNAs as mediators of epithelial - Mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metastatic colorectal cancers.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, necessitating the development of innovative treatment strategies. Recent research has underscored the significant role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CRC pathogenesis, offering new avenues for diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we delve into the intricate roles of various ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in CRC progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and drug resistance.

Predicting the need for step-up after EUS-guided drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections, including Quadrant Necrosis Infection score validation: a prospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: Factors predicting the need for step-up procedures after EUS-guided drainage (EUS-FCD) of peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) were explored in retrospective studies restricted to Walled-Off Necrosis (WON) and Lumen Apposing Metal Stents (LAMS).

Methods: All consecutive candidates for EUS-FCD between 2020-2024 were included in a Prospective Registry of Therapeutic EUS (PROTECT, NCT04813055), with prospective monthly follow-up evaluating clinical success, adverse events and recurrences. Prospectively assessed baseline clinical and morphological factors, including the Quadrant-Necrosis-Infection (QNI) classification, were included in a stepwise logistic regression model to predict the need for step-up.

Circadian metabolic adaptations to infections.

Circadian clocks are biological oscillators that evolved to coordinate rhythms in behaviour and physiology around the 24-hour day. In mammalian tissues, circadian rhythms and metabolism are highly intertwined. The clock machinery controls rhythmic levels of circulating hormones and metabolites, as well as rate-limiting enzymes catalysing biosynthesis or degradation of macromolecules in metabolic tissues, such control being exerted both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level.

The Implementation of a Feeding Protocol in Patients With Noninvasive Ventilation Improves Enteral Nutrition: The NIVEN Study.

Purpose: There is limited evidence to guide the treatment of enteral nutrition (EN) for children with bronchiolitis who receive biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP) support.

Methods: This quality improvement project included patients with bronchiolitis who were supported by BiPAP ventilation. An algorithm to increase EN treatment in those patients was created by stakeholders.

Toll-like receptor 4 deficiency ameliorates experimental ileitis and enteric neuropathy: Involvement of nitrergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurotransmission.

Background And Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients display genetic polymorphisms in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) genes, contributing to dysregulate enteric nervous system (ENS) circuits with increased levels of 5-HT and alteration of the neuroimmune crosstalk. In this study, we investigated the impact of TLR4 signalling on mouse ENS dysfunction caused by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ileitis.

Experimental Approach: Male C57BL/6J (wild-type [WT]) and TLR4 mice (10 ± 2 weeks old) received 2% DSS in drinking water for 5 days and then were switched to 3-day regular drinking water.

Ergothioneine improves healthspan of aged animals by enhancing cGPDH activity through CSE-dependent persulfidation.

Ergothioneine (ET), a dietary thione/thiol, is receiving growing attention for its possible benefits in healthy aging and metabolic resilience. Our study investigates ET's effects on healthspan in aged animals, revealing lifespan extension and enhanced mobility in Caenorhabditis elegans, accompanied by improved stress resistance and reduced age-associated biomarkers. In aged rats, ET administration enhances exercise endurance, muscle mass, and vascularization, concomitant with higher NAD levels in muscle.

Fatigue relief in multiple sclerosis by personalized neuromodulation: A multicenter pilot study [FaremusGE].

Background: A recent application of the GRADE guidelines indicated Faremus, a 5-day neuromodulation for 15 min per day via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as medium to highly recommendable for alleviating fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: With this pilot study we aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, safety, and effectiveness of the Faremus treatment carried out in a multicenter context. The Rome unit prepared the intervention, supplied the personalized electrodes to the San Martino Hospital in Genova, where the neurological team enrolled the population of fatigued people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and carried out the treatment.

Mood disorders in patients with motor neuron disease and frontotemporal symptoms: Validation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for use in motor neuron disease.

Background: Motor neuron disease (MND) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder, with nearly 50 % of patients exhibiting cognitive and behavioral symptoms in addition to motor decline. Anxiety and depression, though frequently observed in this population, have been understudied in relation to motor and extra-motor profiles.

Objectives: Our study addresses this gap by validating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for Motor Neuron Disease (HADS-MND) and investigating the interplay between mood, clincial, and frontotemporal symptoms in a large sample of MND patients.

A straightforward method for assessing the technical image quality of reconstructed and synthetic 2D images for Digital breast tomosynthesis systems.

Purpose: Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is an advanced mammography technique for which there are currently no internationally agreed methods and reference values for image quality assessment. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate a simple method to assess the technical image quality of reconstructed and synthetic 2D (SM) images of different models of DBT systems using commercially available phantoms.

Methods: The signal difference to noise ratio (SDNR) was chosen as an index of technical image quality and was evaluated for three commercial phantoms, Tomophan, Tormam and CIRS model 015, on 55 DBT systems (six vendors, nine models).

Validation of a Monte Carlo-based dose calculation engine including the 1.5 T magnetic field for independent dose-check in MRgRT.

Purpose: Adaptive MRgRT by 1.5 T MR-linac requires independent verification of the plan-of-the-day by the primary TPS (Monaco) (M). Here we validated a Monte Carlo-based dose-check including the magnetostatic field, SciMoCa (S).

Importance of integrin transmembrane helical interactions for antagonistic versus agonistic ligand behavior: Consequences for medical applications.

Integrins are well-characterized receptors involved in cell adhesion and signaling. With six approved drugs, they are recognized as valuable therapeutic targets. Here, we explore potential activation mechanisms that may clarify the agonist versus antagonist behavior of integrin ligands.

An update on drug repurposing in Parkinson's disease: Preclinical and clinical considerations.

The strategy of drug repositioning has historically played a significant role in the identification of new treatments for Parkinson's disease. Still today, numerous clinical and preclinical studies are investigating drug classes, already marketed for the treatment of metabolic disorders, for their potential use in Parkinson's disease patients. While drug repurposing offers a promising, fast, and cost-effective path to new treatments, these drugs still require thorough preclinical evaluation to assess their efficacy, addressing the specific neurodegenerative mechanisms of the disease.

Enniatin B alters bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes phagocytosis and extracellular reactive oxygen species production in vitro.

Enniatins (ENNs) affect human and animal health. Different ENN analogs have been identified, but Enniatin B (ENN B) is the most detected in foods and feeds. This study investigated the effect of ENN B on bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) challenged with increasing ENN B concentrations (0.

Factors associated with first-to-second-line attrition among patients with metastatic breast cancer in the real world.

Background: Estimating patient attrition across lines of treatment (i.e. the probability that upon treatment failure the patient will not be able to receive a subsequent treatment) may be a valuable tool for optimizing treatment sequencing.

Parental mathematics anxiety is related to children's mathematical development in preschool and the first school years.

Math anxiety is a well-known predictor of mathematics skills, with its effects ranging from reducing performance in high-stakes tests to interfering with learning novel mathematics contents. Although the intergenerational transmission of generalized anxiety is well-documented, research on the associations between parents' math anxiety and children's math anxiety and mathematics outcomes is still limited. In this longitudinal study (N = 126), we investigated the associations between parents' math anxiety (as measured when children were 3 years of age) and children's math anxiety and math skills at 8 years of age.

Deep Eutectic Solvents based green approach for bioactive molecules recovery from Spirulina.

Spirulina is a unicellular microalga, characterized by blue/green color, that has received significant attention for its interesting nutritional composition. Phenolic compounds and phycocyanin (PC) are responsible for the many biological activities of Spirulina. Spirulina phenolic compounds are usually extracted using organic solvents, while PC is extracted with water or phosphate buffer solution, obtaining an extract characterized by low stability and low purity.

Comparison of urinary cortisol, urinary cortisol-to-creatinine ratio, and basal serum cortisol as screening tests for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs.

Objective: This study investigates whether urinary cortisol (UC) and UC-to-creatinine ratio (UCCR) perform better than basal serum cortisol (BSC) in identifying dogs with hypoadrenocorticism (HA).

Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study with 120 client-owned dogs included: 20 with HA, 42 healthy, and 60 with diseases mimicking HA. The UC and UCCR were determined on urine samples using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

Patient Voices: Multimethod Study on the Feasibility of Implementing Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Background: "Patient Voices" is a software developed to promote the systematic collection of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) in routine oncology clinical practice.

Objective: This study aimed to assess compliance with and feasibility of the Patient Voices ePROM system and analyze patient-related barriers in an Italian comprehensive cancer center.

Methods: Consecutive patients with cancer attending 3 outpatient clinics and 3 inpatient wards were screened for eligibility (adults, native speakers, and being able to fill in the ePROMs) and enrolled in a quantitative and qualitative multimethod study.

REVEAL-CP: Selective Screening of Pediatric Patients for Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency with a Guthrie Card and Structural Modeling of One Index Case.

The main objective of this prospective, multicenter study (REVEAL-CP) was to test children with cerebral palsy-like signs and symptoms for raised 3--methyldopa (3-OMD) blood levels, a biomarker for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCd). A secondary objective was to characterize the molecular basis for the defective aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) gene product. Patients were identified in pediatric secondary and tertiary care hospitals through database searches and personal communication.