Quantifying West Nile virus circulation in the avian host population in Northern Italy.

West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most threatening mosquito-borne pathogens in Italy where hundreds of human cases were recorded during the last decade. Here, we estimated the WNV incidence in the avian population in the Emilia-Romagna region through a modelling framework which enabled us to eventually assess the fraction of birds that present anti-WNV antibodies at the end of each epidemiological season. We fitted an SIR model to ornithological data, consisting of 18,989 specimens belonging to Corvidae species collected between 2013 and 2022: every year from May to November birds are captured or shot and tested for WNV genome presence.

Multi-modal integration of MRI and global chamber charge density mapping for the evaluation of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent clinical arrhythmia, posing significant mortality and morbidity challenges. Outcomes of current catheter ablation treatment strategies are suboptimal, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. A major obstacle lies in the inability to comprehensively assess both structural and functional remodelling in AF.

Non-random mating behaviour between diverging littoral and pelagic three-spined sticklebacks in an invasive population from Upper Lake Constance.

Adaptive divergence and increased genetic differentiation among populations can lead to reproductive isolation. In Lake Constance, Germany, a population of invasive three-spined stickleback () is currently diverging into littoral and pelagic ecotypes, which both nest in the littoral zone. We hypothesized that assortative mating behaviour contributes to reproductive isolation between these ecotypes and performed a behavioural experiment in which females could choose between two nest-guarding males.

Towards carbon neutrality: mapping mass retrofit opportunities in Cambridge, UK.

This study proposes a methodology and a proof of concept to target and prioritize mass retrofitting of residential buildings in the UK using open building datasets that combine fabric energy efficiency and fuel poverty to meet the net-zero targets. The methodological framework uses a series of multi-variate statistical and geospatial methods that consider urban, socio-economic and physical attributes. In addition, thermal imaging is implemented to provide insights at the building scale.

Morphological change in an isolated population of red squirrels () in Britain.

The mechanical properties of dietary items are known to influence skull morphology, either through evolution or by phenotypic plasticity. Here, we investigated the impact of supplementary feeding of peanuts on the morphology of red squirrels () from five populations in Britain (North Scotland, Borders, Jersey and two temporally distinct populations from Formby (Merseyside)). Stable isotope analysis confirmed dietary ecology in 58 specimens.

Quantifying animal social behaviour with ecological field methods.

Field studies of social behaviour are challenging due to the need to record or infer interactions between multiple individuals, often under suboptimal environmental conditions or with potential disturbance by observers. Due to the limited field techniques available, we present a novel method to quantify social behaviours in the field by comparing the counts of individuals caught in traps across multiple locations sampled simultaneously. The distribution of individuals between traps gives the extent of aggregation, and phenotypic data allow for inference of non-random assortment.

Temporomandibular disorders: A new list of key points to summarize the standard of care.

This letter is being sent to editors of major dental journals around the world. Attached to it is an Announcement that summarizes a recently published position paper which deals with the topic of standards of care for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs). That paper, entitled "Temporomandibular disorders: INfORM/IADR key points for good clinical practice based on standard of care", was developed by a group of expert researchers and clinicians over a one-year period.

The Effect of Antisolvent Treatment on the Growth of 2D/3D Tin Perovskite Films for Solar Cells.

Antisolvent treatment is used in the fabrication of perovskite films to control grain growth during spin coating. We study widely incorporated aromatic hydrocarbons and aprotic ethers, discussing the origin of their performance differences in 2D/3D Sn perovskite (PEAFASnI) solar cells. Among the antisolvents that we screen, diisopropyl ether yields the highest power conversion efficiency in solar cells.

Sulfur Vacancies Limit the Open-Circuit Voltage of SbS Solar Cells.

Antimony sulfide (SbS) is a promising candidate as an absorber layer for single-junction solar cells and the top subcell in tandem solar cells. However, the power conversion efficiency of SbS-based solar cells has remained stagnant over the past decade, largely due to trap-assisted nonradiative recombination. Here we assess the trap-limited conversion efficiency of SbS by investigating nonradiative carrier capture rates for intrinsic point defects using first-principles calculations and Sah-Shockley statistics.

Exit interviews from two randomised placebo-controlled phase 3 studies with caregivers of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. This study aimed to improve understanding of the ASD patient experience with the treatment (bumetanide) regarding the changes in core symptoms and to assess changes considered as meaningful. To achieve this, qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers of patients in two phase 3 clinical trials (NCT03715153; NCT03715166) of a novel ASD treatment.

The need for methodological pluralism in epidemiological modelling.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the best-performing modelling groups were not always the best-resourced. This paper seeks to understand and learn from notable predictions in two reports by the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). In July 2021, SAGE reported that, after the upcoming lifting of restrictions ("Freedom Day") cases would "almost certainly remain extremely high for the rest of the summer" and that hospitalisations per day would peak between 100 and 10,000.

Construction of a prognostic survival model with tumor immune-related genes for breast cancer.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated that immune cell infiltration is a significant predictor in the prognosis of those with breast cancer. This study aimed to develop a prognostic model for undifferentiated breast cancer using immune-related markers.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and prognostic factors were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Association of branched-chain amino acids and risk of three urologic cancers: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Multiple studies suggest a plausible connection between urologic cancers and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) breakdown metabolic enzymes. Nevertheless, there is scarce exploration into the variations in circulating BCAAs. In our research, we utilize bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to predict the link between BCAAs levels and three distinct types of urological tumors.

Mental health and socio-cognitive predictors of adherence to COVID-19 social distancing rules in adolescents in England.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments worldwide to introduce social distancing measures, including school closures and restrictions on in-person socialising. However, adherence to social distancing was challenging for many - particularly adolescents, for whom social interaction is crucial for development. The current study aimed to identify individual-level influences on adherence to social distancing in a longitudinal sample of adolescents aged 11-20 years in England, who took part in a randomised controlled trial.

Metabolomic characterisation of the glioblastoma invasive margin reveals a region-specific signature.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) is characterised by a heterogeneous genetic landscape resulting from dynamic competition between tumour subclones to survive selective pressures. Improvements in metabolite identification and metabolome coverage have led to increased interest in clinically relevant applications of metabolomics. Here, we use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gene expression microarray to profile integrated intratumour metabolic heterogeneity, as a direct functional readout of adaptive responses of subclones to the tumour microenvironment.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-arylaminobenzamides as positron emission tomography imaging ligands for the sphingosine-1-phosphate-5 receptor.

The sphingosine-1-phosphate-5 (S1P) receptor is one of the five membrane G protein-coupled receptors that are activated by the lysophospholipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, resulting in regulation of many cellular processes. S1P receptors are located on oligodendrocytes and are proposed to influence oligodendrocyte physiology. Understanding S1P modulation during processes such as remyelination could have potential applications for demyelinating CNS disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Marburg variant of multiple sclerosis: A young women case report.

Marburg disease (malignant multiple sclerosis, MS) is a rare, acute MS variant, predominantly occurring among young adults. Because it is characterized by rarity, high morbidity and mortality rates, the disease needs to be further characterized, and the experience of the physicians play a role in treatment regimens. We report the case of a 15-years-old female presenting with progressive weakness over the limbs, hyperreflexia and loss of sensation by physical examination, lab tests and radiological investigations (MRI).

Kin Competition Drives the Evolution of Earlier Metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis, the discrete morphological change between postembryonic life stages, is widespread across the animal kingdom. The suggested advantages of metamorphosis have usually been framed in terms of population benefits, i.e.

The impact of a communal multidisciplinary tumour board on medical education.

Introduction: Numerous challenges hinder the development of multidisciplinary medical education in a resource-constrained environment. Communal tumour boards built through networking could be a suitable model for the effective management of diseases and enhancement of medical education. This study evaluated the impact of an integrated care pathway for patients with musculoskeletal tumours via multi-institutional networking in a metropolis.

Utility of glass slide morphology (GSM) and whole slide image (WSI) in the diagnosis of acute leukemia (AL) by types.

Acute leukemia (AL) is a diverse group of hematological malignancies characterised by the accumulation of immature blast cells in the bone marrow. Accurate classification into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is essential for treatment and prognosis. This study aimed to assess the performance of glass slide morphology (GSM) using a light microscope versus whole slide imaging (WSI) in diagnosing and classifying AL, using flow cytometry as the gold standard test.

Inspection of wind turbine bolted connections using the ultrasonic phased array system.

This study explores the inspection of bolted connections in wind turbines, specifically focusing on the application of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). The research comprises four sections: Acoustoelastic Constant calibration, high tension investigation on bolts, blind tests on larger bolts, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) verification. The methodology shows accurate results for stress while the bolt is under operative loads, and produces a clear indication of when it is above these loads and beginning to deform.

Streptococcus pyogenes M1UK Variant-Associated Sartorius Muscle Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NTSIs) represent a concept of necrotizing infections involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, and it is a potentially fatal disease. Early exploratory incision is strongly recommended for both the diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections. Treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections requires the administration of appropriate antimicrobial agents and adequate surgical debridement.

antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates from adult and paediatric patients in Jordan: Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) 2010-2021.

Objectives: To evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibilities of Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates from patients in Jordan between 2010 and 2021, through the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) programme.

Methods: Medical centres in Jordan collected bacterial isolates from hospitalised patients with defined infection sources between 2010 and 2021 (no isolates collected in 2014). Antimicrobial susceptibility was interpreted using CLSI standards.

Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of incidental prostate cancer after radical cysto-prostatectomy: a comparative study between China and the West.

Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common tumors of the urinary system, imposing a significant societal burden. BCa is categorized into muscle-invasive BCa (MIBC) and non-MIBC (NMIBC) types. Radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) is the standard treatment for MIBC and refractory NMIBC, but it can lead to serious side effects.

Complex I deficiency remains the most frequent cause of Leigh syndrome spectrum.

This scientific commentary refers to 'Biallelic variants lead to a neurodevelopmental phenotype with gradual neurological impairment', by Kaiyrzhanov . (https://doi.org/10.