Identification of Legionella by MALDI Biotyper through three preparation methods and an in-house library comparing phylogenetic and hierarchical cluster results.

The identification and typing of bacteria are very expensive and time-consuming due to their growth times, and the expertise needed. MALDI-TOF MS represents a fast technique, reproducible with molecular approaches. This technique is still poorly applied in Legionella surveillance with estimation occurring only at the genus level.

UNC119 regulates T-cell receptor signalling in primary T cells and T acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

T-cell receptor recognition of cognate peptide-MHC leads to the formation of signalling domains and the immunological synapse. Because of the close membrane apposition, there is rapid exclusion of CD45, and therefore LCK activation. Much less is known about whether spatial regulation of the intracellular face dictates LCK activity and TCR signal transduction.

Neratinib and the Role of Anti-HER2 Therapy in Salivary Duct Carcinoma.

Backgroud: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a generally dismal prognosis and no standard of care established, despite a known association with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and androgen receptor (AR) over-expression.

Case: We report the case of a 64-year-old female with extra- and intracranial metastases of SDC with evidence of AR and HER2 overexpression. After progression on first line chemotherapy, was administered neratinib, a pan-Erb2 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Metabolically activated and highly polyfunctional intratumoral VISTA regulatory B cells are associated with tumor recurrence in early-stage NSCLC.

B cells have emerged as central players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, although there is clear evidence for their involvement in cancer immunity, scanty data exist on the characterization of B cell phenotypes, bioenergetic profiles and possible interactions with T cells in the context of NSCLC. In this study, using polychromatic flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and spatial transcriptomics we explored the intricate landscape of B cell phenotypes, bioenergetics, and their interaction with T cells in NSCLC.

Preventing dementia in Italy: Estimations of modifiable risk factors and public health implications.

Background: Dementia is a major global public health challenge, with over 50 million cases in 2020, projected to reach 152 million by 2050. Effective prevention strategies are needed to reduce the impact of modifiable risk factors associated with dementia, particularly in countries with ageing populations like Italy. The Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) and Potential Impact Fraction (PIF) are key metrics for understanding and reducing dementia cases through targeted interventions.

Germanium Atoms Exceed the Tetrahedral Coordination in MFI Zeolite.

Germanium is known to occupy tetrahedral sites by substituting silicon in germanosilicate zeolites. In this study, we present pioneering findings regarding the synthesis of zeolites with an MFI structure (GeMFI) incorporating a high germanium amount (16% Ge). Remarkably, the germanium atoms feature a slight electron deficiency with respect to GeO, and the typical coordination number of 4, as usually reported for the germanosilicate zeolites, is exceeded, giving rise to Ge dimers in a double-bridge configuration.

"MINIMIZING THIGHPLASTY COMPLICATIONS: A COMBINED APPROACH OF J MEDIAL PATTERN AND HELIUM-PLASMA ASSISTED LIPOSCULPTURE".

Thighplasty is a widely performed body contouring procedure, utilizing various surgical techniques for thigh lifting, including medial scar positioning, vertical and horizontal procedures, and liposuction. Despite its popularity, thighplasty is associated with high complication rates and suboptimal postoperative outcomes.This article presents a novel technique: the J medial thighplasty combined with helium plasma radiofrequency technology (HPRF) to address moderate skin and soft-tissue laxity and ptosis in the inner thighs.

Analysis of Body Fluid Distribution, Phase Angle and Its Association With Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy: An Observational Study.

Background And Aims: Body composition parameters associated with aerobic fitness, mirrored by maximal oxygen consumption (V̇Omax), have recently gained interest as indicators of physical efficiency in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) allows a noninvasive and repeatable estimate of body composition but is based on the use of predictive equations which, if used in cohorts with different characteristics from those for which the equation was originally formulated, could give biased results. Instead, the phase angle (PhA), a BIA raw bioelectrical parameter reflecting body fluids distribution, could provide reliable data for such analysis.

Effect of a novel motion and simultaneous irrigation on the cyclic fatigue resistance of Hyflex EDM OneFile.

The aim of this study was to assess the cyclic fatigue resistance of a single-file system (i.e., Hyflex EDM OneFile), during continuous rotation and reflex dynamic motion with and without irrigation.

Current drawbacks and future perspectives in the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility, with a focus on FSH treatment: an expert opinion.

Purpose: Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affecting approximately 15-20% of couples in Western countries. It is a shared problem within the couple; when the main issue lies with one of the partners, it is preferable to refer to "male factor" or "female factor" infertility rather than simply male or female infertility. Despite male factor infertility accounting for half of all couple infertility cases, the clinical approach to the male partner is not uniformly standardized across international guidelines.

Evaluation of a content-based image retrieval system for radiologists in high-resolution CT of interstitial lung diseases.

Background: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the impact of a content-based image retrieval (CBIR) application on diagnostic accuracy and confidence in interstitial lung disease (ILD) assessment using high-resolution computed tomography CT (HRCT).

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with verified pattern-based ILD diagnoses were split into two equal datasets (1 and 2). The images were assessed by two radiology residents (3rd and 5th year) and one expert radiologist in four sessions.

The Exposome, Social Determinants, and Environmental Pollution: Comprehensive Cardiovascular Risk in Women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant global health concern for women, influenced by a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors. This article examines cardiovascular risk through the lens of the exposome, which encompasses all environmental exposures from conception onward, including pollution, diet, and chronic stress. Social determinants such as socioeconomic status (SES), education, and stress management play crucial roles in shaping women's cardiovascular health.

Decisional capacity to consent to treatment in children and adolescents: A systematic review.

Obtaining informed consent in vulnerable populations like children and adolescents, is a relevant issue and raises ethical concerns. Minors are considered unable to consent to treatment, and permission from guardians is required for them. Nevertheless, several studies have been carried out on the competence of pediatric patients, with mixed results.

Reply to Pennington, T.E.; Thompson, J.F. Sentinel Node Biopsy in Melanoma Remains a Valuable Clinical Tool. Comment on "Dixon et al. Primary Cutaneous Melanoma-Management in 2024. 2024, , 1607".

We note with interest the commentary by Pennington and Thompson (P&T) regarding our detailed update on the management of primary cutaneous melanoma in 2024 [...

Long-Term Eosinophil Depletion: A Real-World Perspective on the Safety and Durability of Benralizumab Treatment in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma.

Benralizumab is an anti-IL-5 receptor alpha monoclonal antibody that induces the near-complete depletion of eosinophils. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of benralizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) over an extended 48-month follow-up period, offering one of the longest real-world perspectives available. This was a single-arm, retrospective, observational, multicenter study involving 123 SEA patients treated with benralizumab at a dosage of 30 mg every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses and then every 8 weeks.

A Two-Step Protocol for Isolation and Maintenance of Lung Cancer Primary 3D Cultures.

Background/objectives: Despite the introduction of innovative therapeutics, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related death. For this reason, lung cancer still requires deep characterization to identify cellular and molecular targets that can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Three-dimensional cellular models, including patient-derived organoids (PDOs), represent useful tools to study lung cancer biology and may be employed in the future as predictive tools in therapeutic decisions.

The Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Disordered Eating Among Adult Athletes in Italy and Lebanon.

Background/objectives: Disordered eating (DE) is a wide-spectrum condition, represented by altered eating patterns, behaviors, and attitudes aimed at controlling food intake, body weight, and shape, which does not necessarily satisfy the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder of clinical severity. DE is frequently reported among athletes, but its prevalence and associated factors have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we intended to assess the prevalence of DE among adult athletes from different sports disciplines in Italy and Lebanon and to identify the factors associated with DE.

Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside, Part 2 Management.

The first part of this review highlighted the evolving landscape of atherosclerosis, noting emerging cardiometabolic risk factors, the growing impact of exposomes, and social determinants of health. The prominent role of atherosclerosis in the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer was also discussed. In this second part, we examine the complex interplay between multimorbid cardio-oncologic patients, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the harmful environments that lend a "syndemic" nature to these chronic diseases.

A Bioprinted Hydrogel Patch With Bioactive Glass: A New Frontier in Chronic Wound Healing.

A wound, defined as a disruption in the continuity of the skin, is among the most common issues in the population and poses a significant burden on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. Despite the countless medical devices currently available to promote wound repair and skin regeneration, there is a growing demand for new skin devices that incorporate innovative biomaterials and advanced technologies. Bioglasses are biocompatible and bioactive materials capable of interacting with biological tissues.

Deep mantle earthquakes linked to CO degassing at the mid-Atlantic ridge.

Volatiles (CO, HO) play a fundamental role in mantle melting beneath ocean spreading centers, but what role they play during the melt migration remains unknown. Using seismological data recorded by ocean-bottom seismometers, here we report the presence of deep earthquakes at 10-20 km depth in the mantle along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis, much below the brittle-ductile boundary. Syntheses of regional basaltic rock samples and their geochemical analyses indicate the presence of an abnormally high quantity of CO (~0.

Diagnostic approach in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is the most common form of vasculitis in the elderly. While initially described as involving the temporal arteries, GCA can also affect the aorta and its major branches. Despite the increased use of imaging modalities and the availability of temporal artery biopsy, diagnosing GCA remains challenging.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.