Caspase Inhibition Restores Collagen I α1 and Fibronectin Release in Cigarette Smoke Extract-Exposed Human Lung Fibroblasts.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by obstructed airflow, airway remodeling, and inflammation, with cigarette smoke (CS) exposure being the main risk factor. While CS extract (CSE) has been shown to activate caspases in various cell types, the role of caspases in human lung fibroblasts (hLFs), in COPD remains poorly understood. Recent studies have linked caspases to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in skin and kidney fibrosis.

2025 Roadmap on 3D Nano-magnetism.

The transition from planar (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) magnetic nanostructures represents a significant advancement in both fundamental research and practical applications, offering vast potential for next-generation technologies like ultrahigh-density storage, memory, logic, and neuromorphic computing. Despite being a relatively new field, the emergence of 3D nanomagnetism presents numerous opportunities for innovation, prompting the creation of a comprehensive roadmap by leading international researchers. This roadmap aims to facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary dialogue to address challenges in materials science, physics, engineering, and computing.

Chronic mild cadmium exposure increases the vulnerability of tomato plants to dehydration.

Heavy metal contamination increases plant susceptibility to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the comprehensive impact of heavy metal pollution on plant hydraulics, which is crucial for plant productivity, and the interaction between heavy metal stress and environmental factors on plant health are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of cadmium exposure on plant-water relations and hydraulics of Solanum lycopersicum L.

[The ETNA-AF Europe registry: 4-year data of edoxaban use in atrial fibrillation in the Italian real world compared to the European cohort].

Background: The prospective, single-arm, observational, phase 4 ETNA-AF Europe study collected real-world data about safety, effectiveness and therapeutic adherence in European patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation newly prescribed with edoxaban and followed up for 4 years.

Methods: Overall, 13 164 patients were included in the full-analysis set, which means that they had at least one documentation after baseline at 4 years. The current paper reports about the 3329 Italian patients out of the whole European population.

[Reducing the impact of COVID-19 in immigrants: a systematic review of the efficacy of interventions].

Background: the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population has amplified the effects of health inequalities, particularly in the most vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees. An assessment of the intervention to contain the COVID-19 in these population groups was essential to define new strategies for more equitable, inclusive, and effective health policies to on health.

Objectives: to provide a systematic synopsis of the impact of interventions to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in immigrants.

Blue Laser for Production of Carbon Dots.

The synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) is gaining wide-ranging interest due to their broad applicability, owing to their small size and luminescence. CDs were prepared from charcoal via a one-step process using laser ablation in liquid without the use of reagents. The adopted method was based on the use of a commercially available continuous wave (CW) laser diode emitting a 450 nm wavelength and, for the liquid, a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, routinely used in the biological field.

Metal Complexation for the Rational Design of Gemcitabine Formulations in Cancer Therapy.

Nanoformulation of chemotherapies represents a promising strategy to enhance outcomes in cancer therapy. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of various solid tumors. Nevertheless, its therapeutic effectiveness is constrained by its poor metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic profile.

Randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin improves water - solubility, cellular protection and mucosa permeability of idebenone.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's are very common today. Idebenone (IDE) is a potent antioxidant with good potential for restoring cerebral efficiency in cases of these and other medical conditions, but a serious drawback for the clinical use of IDE in neurological disorders lies in its scarce water solubility, which greatly inhibits its bioavailability. In this work, we prepared the inclusion complex of IDE with randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), resulting in improved water solubility of the included drug; then its in vitro biological activity and ex vivo permeability was evalutated.

Profiling severe asthma: Any relevance for age? An analysis from Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI) cohort.

Background: Aging implies changes in terms of lung function, immune system, and respiratory and extra-respiratory comorbidities. Few studies have specifically addressed the relevance of age on severe asthma burden and control. We aimed to evaluate whether age acts as an independent determinant of asthma severity, in terms of clinical, functional, and inflammatory profile, and to explore potential cofactors that contribute to a more difficult disease control in different age groups.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

Background: In endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device.

Observation of Medium-Induced Yield Enhancement and Acoplanarity Broadening of Low-p_{T} Jets from Measurements in pp and Central Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV.

The ALICE Collaboration reports the measurement of semi-inclusive distributions of charged-particle jets recoiling from a high transverse momentum (high p_{T}) hadron trigger in proton-proton and central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. A data-driven statistical method is used to mitigate the large uncorrelated background in central Pb-Pb collisions.

DFT-Computational Modeling and TiberCAD Frameworks for Photovoltaic Performance Investigation of Copper-Based 2D Hybrid Perovskite Solar Absorbers.

In this work, we use a combination of dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3) and the TiberCAD framework for the first time to investigate a newly designed and synthesized class of (CHN)[CuCl] 2D-type perovskite. The inter- and intra-atomic reorganization in the crystal packing and the type of interaction forming in the active area have been discussed via Hirshfeld surface (HS) analyses. A distinct charge transfer from CuCl to [CHN] is identified by frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and density of states (DOS).

Metronidazole Interaction with Cu and Zn: Speciation Study in Aqueous Solution and Biological Activity Evaluation.

Metronidazole (2-methyl-5-nitro-1-imidazole-1-ethanol, MNZ) is a well-known and widely used drug for its excellent activity against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the ability of MNZ to form metal complexes with Cu and Zn and to demonstrate that complexation increases its bioactivity profile against different pathogenic microorganisms. The interaction of MNZ with Cu and Zn was investigated in NaCl aqueous solution under different conditions of temperature (15, 25, and 37 °C) and ionic strength (0.

From real to virtual prism adaptation therapy: a systematic review on benefits and challenges of a new potential rehabilitation approach.

Prism adaptation (PA) is a sensorimotor technique that has been shown to alleviate neglect symptoms. Due to its demonstrated functional effectiveness, PA has recently been implemented in virtual reality environments. However, research on virtual prism adaptation (VPA) is limited and it lacks a standardized methodological approach.

Photoproduction of K^{+}K^{-} Pairs in Ultraperipheral Collisions.

K^{+}K^{-} pairs may be produced in photonuclear collisions, either from the decays of photoproduced ϕ(1020) mesons or directly as nonresonant K^{+}K^{-} pairs. Measurements of K^{+}K^{-} photoproduction probe the couplings between the ϕ(1020) and charged kaons with photons and nuclear targets. The kaon-proton scattering occurs at energies far above those available elsewhere.

Experimental and computational study on morin and its complexes with Mg, Mn, Zn, and Al: Coordination and antioxidant properties.

Morin (MRN), an intriguing bioflavonol, has received increasing interest for its antioxidant properties, as have its metal complexes (M-MRN). Understanding their antioxidant behavior is critical to assess their pharmaceutical, nutraceutical potential, and therapeutic impact in the design of advanced antioxidant drugs. To this end, knowing the speciation of different H-MRN and M-MRN is pivotal to understand and compare their antioxidant ability.

Phenotypic spectrum of myelin protein zero-related neuropathies: a large cohort study from five mutation clusters across Italy.

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical features of a large cohort of patients with myelin protein zero ()-related neuropathy, focusing on the five main mutation clusters across Italy.

Methods: We retrospectively gathered a minimal data set of clinical information in a series of patients with these frequent mutations recruited among Italian Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) registry centres, including disease onset/severity (CMTES-CMT Examination Score), motor/sensory symptoms and use of orthotics/aids.

Results: We collected data from 186 patients: 60 had the p.

Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants as Potential Adjuvants in the Treatment of Mild Acne Vulgaris.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants and phytochemicals as potential treatments for acne vulgaris. This condition, characterized by chronic inflammation, predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Conventional treatment typically targets the key factors contributing to its development: the proliferation of and the associated inflammation.

A retrospective study on whelping seasonality of the Cirneco dell'Etna dog in Sicily, Italy.

Previous to this study, there is no data relating to the reproductive physiology of the Cirneco dell'Etna breed. The birth date of 141 bitches and 104 sires registered at the National Agency of the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) from all Sicilian breeders, and data related their fertile matings, which produced 266 whelps over a 14-year period, (2009-2022) were collected. Total whelping produced 1069 pups.

Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Have We Understood the Right Timing of PVR?

Despite many advances in surgical repair during the past few decades, the majority of tetralogy of Fallot patients continue to experience residual hemodynamic and electrophysiological abnormalities. The actual issue, which has yet to be solved, is understanding how this disease evolves in each individual patient and, as a result, who is truly at risk of sudden death, as well as the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Our responsibility should be to select the most appropriate time for each patient, going above and beyond imaging criteria used up to now to make such a clinically crucial decision.