How Italian radiation oncologists use ChatGPT: a survey by the young group of the Italian association of radiotherapy and clinical oncology (yAIRO).

Purpose: To investigate the awareness and the spread of ChatGPT and its possible role in both scientific research and clinical practice among the young radiation oncologists (RO).

Material And Methods: An anonymous, online survey via Google Forms (including 24 questions) was distributed among young (< 40 years old) ROs in Italy through the yAIRO network, from March 15, 2024, to 31, 2024. These ROs were officially registered with yAIRO in 2023.

Nasal High-Flow Therapy Versus Low-Flow Oxygen Therapy Post-Discharge in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT) has been the only option for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) requiring supplemental oxygen after discharge for years. Nasal high-flow therapy (NHFT) has more recently become available as a home device. We compared the impact of NHFT and LFOT on respiratory morbidity and lung function over the first 4 years in infants with BPD requiring respiratory support post-discharge.

Combined CAR-T/HSCT approach in a patient with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: The association of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and cystic fibrosis (CF) is rare. We present the case of a paediatric patient affected by CF and refractory B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL, who was treated with combined chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Case Description: Autologous-CD19 targeting CAR-T allowed to achieve molecular remission and spare chemo-related toxicity.

Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess in Children: A Systematic Review.

This review aims to analyze the treatment options for peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in children. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies regarding the treatment of PTA in children. Relevant studies were reviewed based on systematic review (PRISMA) guidelines.

Is There a Pediatric Role for the General Thoracic Surgeon in a General Hospital? A 22-Year Single-Center Experience.

: Although general thoracic surgery is usually focused on adult patients, there are some settings of pediatric diseases which can benefit from thoracic surgical procedures. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the contribution of general thoracic surgeons to pediatric patients in a high-volume hospital. : From September 2002 to August 2024, 8897 consecutive patients were operated on; among them, 202 patients (2.

The Between Lung Cancer and Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Focus on Acute Exacerbation.

Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are about five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those without ILD. The presence of ILD in lung cancer patients complicates diagnosis and management, resulting in lower survival rates. Diagnostic and treatment procedures needed for cancer can increase the risk of acute exacerbation (AE), one of the most severe complications for these patients.

The Evil Twins of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Endometriosis.

Background: Chronic pelvic pain is a debilitating condition affecting quality of life. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of CPP, but recent studies highlighted the role of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/PBS) in causing CPP. Only some studies addressed the coexistence of these two conditions, which seems more frequent than what is supposed, leading to diagnostic delays and unnecessary surgeries.

The Frequency and Main Characteristics of Obesity in Undocumented Migrants Receiving Medical Assistance from a Charitable Organisation in Italy.

Background: Obesity is continually growing not only in medium- and high-income countries but also in low-income countries, from where increasing numbers of migrants arrive in Western countries. We aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of obesity in a sample of undocumented migrants, a population for which official health data are not available.

Methods: We collected demographic and socio-economic data and information on medical diagnoses and pharmacologic treatments for 341 undocumented migrants consecutively attending the outpatient clinic of a big non-governmental organisation in Milan, Italy, from March to July 2023.

Spatially Resolved Molecular Characterization of Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTPs) Identifies a Distinct Proteomic Signature Associated with RAS-Mutant Lesions.

Follicular-patterned thyroid neoplasms comprise a diverse group of lesions that pose significant challenges in terms of differential diagnosis based solely on morphologic and genetic features. Thus, the identification of easily testable biomarkers complementing microscopic and genetic analyses is a highly anticipated advancement that could improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly for noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTPs). These tumors exhibit considerable morphological and molecular heterogeneity, which may complicate their distinction from structurally similar neoplasms, especially when genetic analyses reveal shared genomic alterations (e.

Plastic-Degrading Microbial Consortia from a Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Plastic waste pollution has become a global crisis, with millions of tons of plastic expected to accumulate in landfills and in natural environments, posing a serious threat to wildlife and human health. As current recycling methods remain inefficient, there is an urgent need for innovative enzymatic solutions to break down plastics and enable a circular economy approach. In this study, we explore the plastic-degrading potential of microorganisms enriched from activated sludge (AS) sourced from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)-a known microplastic-contaminated industrial niche.

Polymers in Physics, Chemistry and Biology: Behavior of Linear Polymers in Fractal Structures.

We start presenting an overview on recent applications of linear polymers and networks in condensed matter physics, chemistry and biology by briefly discussing selected papers (published within 2022-2024) in some detail. They are organized into three main subsections: polymers in physics (further subdivided into simulations of coarse-grained models and structural properties of materials), chemistry (quantum mechanical calculations, environmental issues and rheological properties of viscoelastic composites) and biology (macromolecules, proteins and biomedical applications). The core of the work is devoted to a review of theoretical aspects of linear polymers, with emphasis on self-avoiding walk (SAW) chains, in regular lattices and in both deterministic and random fractal structures.

Toxicological Analysis of the Arylnaphthalene Lignan Justicidin B Using a Model.

The screening of plant-derived compounds with anti-cancer properties is a promising strategy to meet the growing need for new, safe and effective anti-cancer drugs. Justicidin B is a plants secondary metabolite that displays anti-cancer properties in several tumor cells. Therefore, it represents a good candidate.

Synthesis and Physiochemical Properties of Sulphated Tamarind ( L.) Seed Polysaccharide.

Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) is a neutral water-soluble galactoxyloglucan isolated from the seed kernel of with average molecular weight (Mw) 600-800 kDa. The high viscosity of TSP slows solubilisation, and the absence of charged substituent hinders the formation of electrostatic interactions with biomolecules. TSP was sulphated in a one-step process using dimethylformamide as a solvent, and sulphur trioxide-pyridine complex as a sulphating reagent.

The Potential of a Novel Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet as a Feasible Therapeutic Strategy for Gingivitis-A Cell-Based Study.

Due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and pro-healing properties, the application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a new and promising therapeutic strategy in various fields of medicine, including general medicine and dentistry. In this light, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a homemade plasma jet on the cellular behaviour of two important cell types involved in gingivitis, namely gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cell line) and macrophages (RAW 264.7 cell line), by the direct application of CAP in different experimental conditions.

Comparing medication persistence with oral and subcutaneous semaglutide in a real-world setting.

Aims: To compare medication persistence and efficacy of oral and subcutaneous semaglutide, in a real-world setting.

Materials And Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective observational cohort study. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) starting treatment with either formulation of semaglutide between January 1 2019 and July 31 2023 and with at least one follow-up visit were included.

Modeling the Detailed Conformational Effects of the Lactosylation of Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural and biocompatible polysaccharide that is able to interact with CD44 receptors to regulate inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue reconstruction. It is a suitable chemical scaffold for drug delivery that can be functionalized with pharmacophores and/or vectorizable groups. The derivatization of HA is achieved to varying extents by reacting 1-amino-1-deoxy-lactitol via the carboxyl group to form amide linkages, giving rise to the grafted polymer, HYLACH.

The role of pain expectancy and its confidence in placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia.

Placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia, which exemplify the impact of expectations on pain, have recently been conceptualised as Bayesian inferential processes, yet empirical evidence remains limited. Here, we explore whether these phenomena can be unified within the same Bayesian framework by testing the predictive role of expectations and their level of precision (ie, expectation confidence) on pain, with both predictors measured at the metacognitive level. Sixty healthy volunteers underwent a pain test (ie, 8 noxious electrical stimuli) before (Baseline) and after (T0, T1, T2) receiving a sham treatment associated with hypoalgesic (placebo), hyperalgesic (nocebo), or neutral (control) verbal suggestions, depending on group allocation.

Lithic bacterial communities: ecological aspects focusing on communities.

communities (TCs) mainly comprise Cyanobacteria developing on rock substrates and forming physical structures that are strictly connected to the rock itself. Endolithic and epilithic bacterial communities are important because they contribute to nutrient release within run-off waters flowing on the rock surface. Despite TCs being ubiquitous, little information about their ecology and main characteristics is available.

Urinary Catheterization Management in Older Adults With Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Urinary catheterization is a common procedure in the perioperative management of patients with hip fracture. However, decisions on its insertion or removal are often variable. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on urinary catheterization management in older patients with hip fracture by thoroughly reviewing the implementation of structured programs.

Novel risk predictor of arrhythmias for patients with potassium channel related congenital Long-QT Syndrome.

Background: Congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by delayed ventricular repolarization, predisposing to potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias. The variability in disease severity among patients remains largely unexplored, underscoring the limitations of current risk stratification methods.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the potential utility of exercise stress test (EST) electrocardiographic markers in identifying high-risk LQTS patients.

Two still unanswered questions about uric acid and cardiovascular prevention: Is a specific uric acid cut-off needed? Is hypouricemic treatment able to reduce cardiovascular risk?

Aims: The most frequent consequence of elevated uric acid (UA) levels is the development of gout and urate kidney disease. Besides these effects, several studies have investigated the association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular (CV) disease. High serum UA has been identified as an important determinant of all-cause and CV mortality and CV events (acute and chronic coronary syndrome, stroke and peripheral artery disease).