[Zero-fluoroscopy transcatheter ablation and CRT-D implantation: new frontiers of electroanatomical mapping systems].

In cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation procedures, contrast-induced nephropathy risk and ionizing radiation exposure can be eliminated using electroanatomical mapping system (EAMS). Under EAMS guidance, it is possible to place the left ventricular catheter in the branch of the coronary sinus that presents the latest activation. The use of EAMS allows for both arrhythmic ablation and CRT implantation to be obtained in a single, "zero fluoroscopy" procedure.

Bifunctional Paramagnetic and Luminescent Clays Obtained by Incorporation of Gd and Eu Ions in the Saponite Framework.

A novel bifunctional saponite clay incorporating gadolinium (Gd) and europium (Eu) in the inorganic framework was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. The material exhibited interesting luminescent and paramagnetic features derived from the co-presence of the lanthanide ions in equivalent structural positions. Relaxometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy shed light on the chemical environment surrounding the metal sites, the emission properties of Eu, and the dynamics of interactions between Gd and the inner-sphere water placed in the saponite gallery.

A Novel Guided Zygomatic and Pterygoid Implant Surgery System: A Human Cadaver Study on Accuracy.

The aim of this human cadaver study was to assess the accuracy of zygomatic/pterygoid implant placement using custom-made bone-supported laser sintered titanium templates. For this purpose, pre-surgical planning was done on computed tomography scans of each cadaver. Surgical guides were printed using direct metal laser sintering technology.

Glycol Chitosan Functionalized with a Gd(III) Chelate as a Redox-responsive Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probe to Label Cell Embedding Alginate Capsules.

One possibility for the non-invasive imaging of encapsulated cell grafts is to label the lumen of cell embedding capsules with a redox-responsive probe, as an increased extracellular reducing potential can be considered as a marker of hypoxia-induced necrosis. A Gd(III)-HPDO3A-like chelate has been conjugated to glycol-chitosan through a redox-responsive disulphide bond to obtain a contrast agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Such a compound can be interspersed with fibroblasts within the lumen of alginate-chitosan capsules.

Optimization of an Untargeted DART-HRMS Method Envisaging Identification of Potential Markers for Saffron Authenticity Assessment.

Saffron is one of the most expensive agricultural products in the world and as such, the most commonly adulterated spice, with undeclared plant-based surrogates or synthetic components simulating color and morphology. Currently, saffron quality is certificated in the international trade market according to specific ISO guidelines, which test aroma, flavor, and color strength. However, it has been demonstrated that specific adulterants such as safflower, marigold, or turmeric up to 20% () cannot be detected under the prescribed approach; therefore, there is still a need for advanced and sensitive screening methods to cope with this open issue.

Analysis of Cadmium Root Retention for Two Contrasting Rice Accessions Suggests an Important Role for .

Two rice accessions, Capataz and Beirao, contrasting for cadmium (Cd) tolerance and root retention, were exposed to a broad range of Cd concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM) and analyzed for their potential capacity to chelate, compartmentalize, and translocate Cd to gain information about the relative contribution of these processes in determining the different pathways of Cd distribution along the plants.

Inhibition of the Histone Methyltransferase EZH2 Enhances Protumor Monocyte Recruitment in Human Mesothelioma Spheroids.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive cancer with a long latency period and dismal prognosis. Recently, tazemetostat (EPZ-6438), an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase EZH2, has entered clinical trials due to the antiproliferative effects reported on MPM cells. However, the direct and indirect effects of epigenetic reprogramming on the tumor microenvironment are hitherto unexplored.

Scrutinising the role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in water exchange dynamics of Gd(III) complexes.

We report a series of structurally related Gd(iii) complexes designed to modulate the exchange of the coordinated water molecule, which is an important parameter to be controlled to achieve optimal performance of contrast agents for application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ligands contain a DO3A scafold functionalised with 2'-methoxyphenacyl or 4'-methoxyphenacyl groups (DO3A-oMAP and DO3A-pMAP), a 2'-aminophenacyl group (DO3A-oAnAP) or a 2',4'-dihydroxyphenacyl moiety (DO3A-DiHAP). The results are compared with those obtained previously for the analogues containing 2'- or 4'-hydroxyphenacyl groups (DO3A-oHAP and DO3A-pHAP, respectively) and the parent system with an unsubstituted acetophenone pendant arm (DO3A-AP).

Bispyrene Functionalization Drives Self-Assembly of Graphite Nanoplates into Highly Efficient Heat Spreader Foils.

Thermally conductive nanopapers fabricated from graphene and related materials are currently showing great potential in thermal management applications. However, thermal contacts between conductive plates represent the bottleneck for thermal conductivity of nanopapers prepared in the absence of a high temperature step for graphitization. In this work, the problem of ineffective thermal contacts is addressed by the use of bifunctional polyaromatic molecules designed to drive self-assembly of graphite nanoplates (GnP) and establish thermal bridges between them.

Role of health simulation centres in the COVID-19 pandemic response in Italy: a national study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the Italian health systems and drastically impacted healthcare workers' daily routine and training. Simulation is an efficient tool to provide medical education, especially in the case of incoming public health emergencies. This study investigated the role and activities of Italian simulation centres (SCs) during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revisiting paramagnetic relaxation enhancements in slowly rotating systems: how long is the long range?

Cross-relaxation terms in paramagnetic systems that reorient rigidly with slow tumbling times can increase the effective longitudinal relaxation rates of protons of more than 1 order of magnitude. This is evaluated by simulating the time evolution of the nuclear magnetization using a complete relaxation rate-matrix approach. The calculations show that the Solomon dependence of the paramagnetic relaxation rates on the metal-proton distance (as ) can be incorrect for protons farther than 15 Å from the metal and thus can cause sizable errors in -derived distance restraints used, for instance, for protein structure determination.

Halofuginone regulates keloid fibroblast fibrotic response to TGF-β induction.

Keloids are characterized by increased deposition of fibrous tissue in the skin and subcutaneous tissue following an abnormal wound healing process. Although keloid etiology is yet to be fully understood, fibroblasts are known to be key players in its development. Here we analyze the antifibrotic mechanisms of Halofuginone (HF), a drug reportedly able to inhibit the TGF-β1-Smad3 pathway and to attenuate collagen synthesis, in an in-vitro keloid model using patient-derived Keloid Fibroblasts (KFs) isolated from fibrotic tissue collected during the "Scar Wars" clinical study (NCT NCT03312166).

Bifunctional Europium(III) and Niobium(V)-Containing Saponite Clays for the Simultaneous Optical Detection and Catalytic Oxidative Abatement of Blister Chemical Warfare Agents.

For the first time, the co-presence in the saponite structure of luminescent Eu and catalytic Nb metal sites was exploited for the simultaneous detection and catalytic abatement of sulfur-containing blister chemical warfare agents. Metal centers were introduced in structural positions of the saponite (in the interlayer space or inside the inorganic framework) following two different synthetic methodologies. The functionalized saponites were able to reveal the presence of a sulfur mustard simulant (2-chloroethyl)ethyl sulfide (CEES) after few seconds of contact time and more than 80 % of the substrate was catalytically decomposed after 24 h in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

Multi-target detection of egg-white and pig gelatin fining agents in Nebbiolo-based aged red wine by means of nanoHPLC-HRMS.

The presence of residues from fining agents in wines may represent a risk for allergic consumers and a source of discomfort for others, such as vegans. Even though ELISA is the official detection method for such residues, this technique may be hindered by cross-reactivity issues, or by matrix-molecule interference due to a high polyphenol content, especially in red wines. An HRMS-based method has been developed to detect pig gelatin and egg white in experimental five-year aged Nebbiolo-based red wine.

H NMR Relaxometric Study of Chitosan-Based Nanogels Containing Mono- and Bis-Hydrated Gd(III) Chelates: Clues for MRI Probes of Improved Sensitivity.

Hydrogel nanoparticles composed of chitosan and hyaluronate and incorporating Gd-based MRI contrast agents with different hydration number (e.g., [Gd(DOTA)(HO)] and [Gd(AAZTA)(HO)]) were prepared and fully characterized.

Rational Design of High-Relaxivity Eu -Based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Low-Oxygen Environments.

Metal-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging present a promising avenue to image hypoxia. Eu -based contrast agents have a unique biologically relevant redox couple, Eu , that distinguishes this metal for use in hypoxia imaging. To that end, we investigated a strategy to enhance the contrast-enhancing capabilities of Eu -based cryptates in magnetic resonance imaging by controlling the rotational dynamics.

The Macrophages-Microbiota Interplay in Colorectal Cancer (CRC)-Related Inflammation: Prognostic and Therapeutic Significance.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the main population of myeloid cells infiltrating solid tumors and the pivotal orchestrators of cancer-promoting inflammation. However, due to their exceptional plasticity, macrophages can be also key effector cells and powerful activators of adaptive anti-tumor immunity. This functional heterogeneity is emerging in human tumors, colorectal cancer (CRC) in particular, where the dynamic co-existence of different macrophage subtypes influences tumor development, outcome, and response to therapies.

[Development of a conceptual model for interpretation of monitoring indicators of childhood obesity prevention from the Italian National Prevention Plan].

Background: the Italian National Prevention Plan (PNP) posed the standard to be achieved by Regions for the prevention of obesity in childhood and adolescence. The PNP also set up a monitoring system to assess the impact of implemented policies.

Objectives: to develop a conceptual model to facilitate interpretation of variation in outcome indicators.

Atypical Progeroid Syndrome and Partial Lipodystrophy Due to Gene p.R349W Mutation.

Atypical progeroid syndrome (APS) comprises heterogeneous disorders characterized by variable degrees of fat loss, metabolic alterations, and comorbidities that affect skeleton, muscles, and/or the heart. We describe 3 patients that were referred to our center for the suspicion of lipodystrophy. They had precocious aging traits such as short stature, mandibular hypoplasia, beaked nose, and partial alopecia manifesting around 10 to 15 years of age recurrently associated with: (1) partial lipodystrophy; (2) proteinuric nephropathy; (3) heart disease (rhythm disorders, valvular abnormalities, and cardiomyopathy); and (4) sensorineural hearing impairment.

Geographical Origin Discrimination of Monofloral Honeys by Direct Analysis in Real Time Ionization-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (DART-HRMS).

An untargeted method using direct analysis in real time and high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS) combined to multivariate statistical analysis was developed for the discrimination of two monofloral (chestnut and acacia) honeys for their geographical origins-i.e., Italy and Portugal for chestnut honey and Italy and China for acacia honey.

Multicentre clinical radiotherapy audit in rectal cancer: results of the IROCA project.

Purpose: To perform a clinical audit to assess adherence to standard clinical practice for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients undergoing radiotherapy for rectal cancer treatment in four European countries.

Materials And Methods: Multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study of 221 patients treated for rectal cancer in 2015 at six European cancer centres. Clinical indicators applicable to general radiotherapy processes were evaluated.

Lipid Metabolism and Cancer Immunotherapy: Immunosuppressive Myeloid Cells at the Crossroad.

Cancer progression generates a chronic inflammatory state that dramatically influences hematopoiesis, originating different subsets of immune cells that can exert pro- or anti-tumor roles. Commitment towards one of these opposing phenotypes is driven by inflammatory and metabolic stimuli derived from the tumor-microenvironment (TME). Current immunotherapy protocols are based on the reprogramming of both specific and innate immune responses, in order to boost the intrinsic anti-tumoral activity of both compartments.

Novel light-emitting clays with structural Tb and Eu for chromate anion detection.

Tb and Eu ions were encapsulated for the first time in the inorganic layers of a synthetic saponite clay following a one-pot synthetic approach. The co-presence of the two metal ions led to tuneable light-emitting properties, promoted by an efficient Tb → Eu energy transfer and enhanced Stokes shift character. To our knowledge, the so-prepared luminescent material was tested for the first time as an optical sensor for the detection of chromate anions in water.