Diversity and Distribution of Species Along an Elevation Gradient in Natural and Semi-Natural Forest Ecosystems in Portugal.

Globally, forests are constantly threatened by a plethora of disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origin, such as climate change, forest fires, urbanization, and pollution. Besides the most common stressors, during the last few years, Portuguese forests have been impacted by severe decline phenomena caused by invasive pathogens, many of which belong to the genus . The genus includes a large number of species that are invading forest ecosystems worldwide, chiefly as a consequence of global trade and human activities.

A Case of Dibothriocephalosis () from Iseo Lake (Northern Italy): An Update on a Persistent Sanitary Issue.

Dibothriocephalosis is a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis that is caused by tapeworms of the (syn. ) genus. This paper describes a human case of dibothriocephalosis associated with the consumption of a presumably infected fish, prepared at a restaurant near Iseo Lake (northern Italy).

Tiny Machine Learning Implementation for Guided Wave-Based Damage Localization.

This work leverages ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) to detect and localize damage in structures using lightweight Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. It investigates the use of machine learning (ML) to train the effects of the damage on UGWs to the model. To reduce the number of trainable parameters, a physical signal processing approach is applied to the raw data before passing the data to the model.

A Measurement Approach for Characterizing Temperature-Related Emissivity Variability in High-Emissivity Materials.

The effective knowledge of emissivity is pivotal to obtain reliable temperature measurements through non-contact techniques like pyrometry and thermal imaging. This is fundamental in high-temperature applications since material emissivity strongly depends on temperature conditions. Given the recent attention in high-temperature applications, especially for replacing fossil-fuel-dependent heating with greener solutions in energy-intensive processes, renewed interest in characterizing materials radiant properties rose.

Retrospective Analysis of R-COMP Therapy in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Assessing the Impact of Sample Selection Bias.

: Retrospective studies are often criticized for their susceptibility to case selection bias compared to prospective studies, which include all patients consecutively and are thus less prone to such limitations. However, the larger sample sizes typical of retrospective studies can sometimes offset this drawback. On behalf of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL), a substantial retrospective study involving 946 patients was conducted to examine the use of non-pegylated liposomal anthracycline (Myocet).

Long-Term Clinical Impact of Paravalvular Leak Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) was initially recognized as one of the most common complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and has been linked to adverse clinical outcomes, including mortality. This study aims to assess the long-term clinical effects of PVL in patients undergoing TAVI with the latest generation of transcatheter aortic valves, as part of the national observational prospective multicenter study OBSERVANT II. OBSERVANT II included all consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI across 28 Italian centers from December 2016 to September 2018.

Early Spatio-Temporal and Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease.

Mental representation of spatial information relies on egocentric (body-based) and allocentric (environment-based) frames of reference. Research showed that spatial memory deteriorates as Alzheimer's disease (AD) progresses and that allocentric spatial memory is among the earliest impaired areas. Most studies have been conducted in static situations despite the dynamic nature of real-world spatial processing.

Diagnostic Algorithm Using Multimodal Imaging for the Differential Diagnosis of Intra-Cardiac Masses.

Cardiac masses are complex clinical conditions that frequently pose diagnostic challenges in cardiology practice. These masses can form within heart chambers or near the pericardium and are generally categorized as either non-neoplastic or neoplastic. These latter are further classified into benign and malignant (primary and secondary or metastatic).

Metaverse-Aided Rehabilitation: A Perspective Review of Successes and Pitfalls.

: The evolution of technology has continuously redefined the landscape of rehabilitation medicine. Researchers have long incorporated virtual reality (VR) as a promising intervention, providing immersive therapeutic environments for patients. The emergence of the metaverse has recently further expanded the potential applications of VR to augment the possibilities in rehabilitation.

Supra-Normal Ejection Fraction at Hospital Admission Stratifies Mortality Risk in HFpEF Patients Aged ≥ 70 Years.

During the last few years, significant pathophysiological differences between heart failure (HF) patients with "normal" ejection fraction (EF) (50% to 64%) and those with supra-normal EF (≥65%) have been highlighted. However, these distinct EF phenotypes have been poorly investigated in elderly patients aged ≥70 y. Accordingly, the present study aimed at assessing the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of a retrospective cohort of elderly HFpEF patients (aged ≥ 70 y), categorized on the basis of "normal" EF (50 to 64%) or "supra-normal" EF (≥65%).

Repeated Autologous Fat Grafting Significantly Increases Mastectomy Flap Thickness in Pre-Pectoral Multi-Stage Composite Expander-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction: Exploring the Concept of a Reverse Expansion.

: Combining autologous fat grafting with implant placement is meant to improve the quality of implant-based breast reconstruction. The present study explores the concept of multi-stage composite breast reconstruction with repeated sessions of autologous fat grafting to increase mastectomy flap thickness and provide better pre-pectoral implant coverage. : Twenty-five consecutive patients underwent bilateral multi-stage composite expander-to-implant breast reconstruction and reverse expansion from August 2020 to April 2024.

Predictors of Compensatory Sweating and Satisfaction Following Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathetic Chain Clipping for Palmar/Axillary Hyperhidrosis.

: Endoscopic thoracic sympathetic chain clipping (ETSC) is a definitive treatment for primary palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis (PPAH); however, compensatory sweating (CS) remains a feared complication. The aims of this study were to investigate the factors associated with CS and satisfaction with the treatment and to evaluate the post-operative quality of life (QoL). : From January 2011 to August 2023, 180 patients who had undergone two-stage ETSC were prospectively asked to complete pre- and post-operative questionnaires on satisfaction, CS, and QoL in several daily activities.

All You Need to Know About TACE: A Comprehensive Review of Indications, Techniques, Efficacy, Limits, and Technical Advancement.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a proven and widely accepted treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma and it is recommended as first-line non-curative therapy for BCLC B/intermediate HCC (preserved liver function, multifocal, no cancer-related symptoms) in patients without vascular involvement. Different types of TACE are available nowadays, including TAE, c-TACE, DEB-TACE, and DSM-TACE, but at present there is insufficient evidence to recommend one TACE technique over another and the choice is left to the operator. This review then aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on indications, types of procedures, safety, and efficacy of different TACE treatments.

Choroidal Remodeling After Subthreshold Micropulse Laser in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Short-Term Outcomes.

: To evaluate the effects of subthreshold micropulse laser treatment (SMLT) on choroidal architecture in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and their correlations with functional outcomes. : This retrospective study included 48 eyes with chronic CSC that were treated with 577 nm SMLT. The choroidal thickness (CT); Sattler's layer and choriocapillaris complex thickness (SLCCT); Haller's layer thickness (HLT); subretinal fluid (SRF); and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were assessed at baseline and at 2 months post treatment.

Role of Copper and Zinc Ions in the Hydrolytic Degradation of Neurodegeneration-Related Peptides.

Spontaneous cleavage reactions normally occur in vivo on amino acid peptide backbones, leading to fragmentation products that can have different physiological roles and toxicity, particularly when the substrate of the hydrolytic processes are neuronal peptides and proteins highly related to neurodegeneration. We report a hydrolytic study performed with the HPLC-MS technique at different temperatures (4 °C and 37 °C) on peptide fragments of different neuronal proteins (amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein) in physiological conditions in the presence of Cu and Zn ions, two metal ions found at millimolar concentrations in amyloid plaques. The coordination of these metal ions with these peptides significantly protects their backbones toward hydrolytic degradation, preserving the entire sequences over two weeks in solution, while the free peptides in the same buffer are fully fragmented after the same or even shorter incubation period.

The Role of Ionic Liquids in Textile Processes: A Comprehensive Review.

Thanks to their unique physicochemical properties, ionic liquids (ILs) have moved from niche academic interest to critical components in various industrial applications. The textile industry, facing significant environmental and economic pressures, has begun to explore ILs as sustainable alternatives to traditional solvents and chemicals. This review summarizes research on the use of ILs in various textile processes, including dyeing, finishing, and fiber recycling, where their high thermal stability, tunable solubility, and low volatility are exploited to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.

Green Chemistry Within the Circular Bioeconomy to Harness Chestnut Burr Extract's Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity Against .

Green chemistry principles are pivotal in driving sustainable and innovative solutions to global health challenges. This study explores a hydroalcoholic extract from (chestnut) burrs, an underutilized natural resource, as a potent source of antimicrobial compounds against (). The extract demonstrated significant bactericidal activity, synergizing effectively with clarithromycin and showing additive effects with metronidazole.

Metal-Free Synthesis of α-H Chlorine Alkylaromatic Hydrocarbons Driven by Visible Light.

Chlorination is a widely used strategy at the industrial level. Chlorinated products represent indispensable building blocks in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of benzyl chlorides and α-chloro alkyl arenes, mediated by visible light, starting from variously substituted toluenes and -dichloroacetamide as a chlorinating reagent.

From Waste to Value: Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Anthocyanins and Flavonols from L. Oilcakes.

L., commonly known as the mastic tree or lentisk, is a woody Mediterranean plant revered for its ecological relevance as well as for its extensive ethnobotanical heritage. Historically, the fruits and the resin of have been widely utilized in traditional medicine, underscoring its important role in local healing practices.

Simulations of γ-Valerolactone Solvents and Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries Using Polarizable Molecular Dynamics.

In this paper, we present a molecular dynamics study of the structural and dynamical properties of γ-valerolactone (GVL) both as a standalone solvent and in electrolyte formulations for electrochemistry applications. This study involves developing a new parameterization of a polarizable forcefield and applying it to simulate pure GVL and selected salt solutions. The forcefield was validated with experimental bulk data and quantum mechanical calculations, with excellent agreement obtained in both cases.

A Novel Approach for In Vitro Testing and Hazard Evaluation of Nanoformulated RyR2-Targeting siRNA Drugs Using Human PBMCs.

Nucleic acid (NA)-based drugs are promising therapeutics agents. Beyond efficacy, addressing safety concerns-particularly those specific to this class of drugs-is crucial. Here, we propose an in vitro approach to screen for potential adverse off-target effects of NA-based drugs.

Scent of COVID-19: Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis Reveals the Role of , , and in Long-Lasting Olfactory Dysfunction.

COVID-19-related persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) presents remarkable interindividual differences, and little is known about the host genetic factors that are involved in its etiopathogenesis. The goal of this study was to explore the genetic factors underpinning COVID-19-related OD through the analysis of Whole Genome Sequencing data of 153 affected subjects, focusing on genes involved in antiviral response regulation. An innovative approach was developed, namely the assessment of the association between a "gene score", defined as the ratio of the number of homozygous alternative variants within the gene to its length, and participants' olfactory function.

Optimization of In-Situ Growth of Superconducting Al/InAs Hybrid Systems on GaAs for the Development of Quantum Electronic Circuits.

Hybrid systems consisting of highly transparent channels of low-dimensional semiconductors between superconducting elements allow the formation of quantum electronic circuits. Therefore, they are among the novel material platforms that could pave the way for scalable quantum computation. To this aim, InAs two-dimensional electron gases are among the ideal semiconductor systems due to their vanishing Schottky barrier; however, their exploitation is limited by the unavailability of commercial lattice-matched substrates.

New Record of and Confirmed Occurrence of (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as Parasitoids of (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Italy.

(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is recorded here for the first time in Italy as a parasitoid of the whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), one of the most invasive alien pests of exotic species. originating from the Oriental region, has established a global presence. Monitoring of the whitefly and its parasitoids was conducted in the southern areas of Italy, providing crucial insights into their distribution and interactions.

An Evaluation of the Effects of Delayed Parasitism on Daily and Lifetime Fecundity of Haliday.

The study of parasitoid reproductive behaviour is crucial to understanding how parasitoids influence host population dynamics, and the strategies used by parasitoids to maximize their reproductive success. Studying how the parasitoid optimizes its reproductive resources is important as it provides information to improve the efficiency of a biological control programme. Many studies have been carried out on to assess the foraging behaviour of the parasitoid, but how the age of the parasitoid affects its foraging behaviour is still poorly understood.