The Two-Way Route between Delirium Disorder and Dementia: Insights from COVID-19.

Delirium disorder is a frequent neurological complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated with increased disease severity and mortality. Cognitive impairment is a major risk factor for developing delirium disorder during COVID-19, which, in turn, increases the risk of subsequent neurological complications and cognitive decline. The bidirectional connection between delirium disorder and dementia likely resides at multiple levels, and its pathophysiological mechanisms during COVID-19 include endothelial damage, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and local inflammation, with activation of microglia and astrocytes. Here, we describe the putative pathogenic pathways underlying delirium disorder during COVID-19 and highlight how they cross with the ones leading to neurodegenerative dementia. The analysis of the two-sided link can offer useful insights for confronting with long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19 and framing future prevention and early treatment strategies

Efecto del peso al sacrificio sobre la calidad de la canal y de la carne de corderos Corriedale puros y cruza

The effects of slaughter weights on light lambs (n=45): 22.3 ± 2. 8 kg and 60 ± 2.4 days of age and heavy lambs (n=21): 43. 1 ± 6.3 kg and 169 ± 8.9 days of age on carcass and meat quality of 24 females, 23 cripthorchid and 19 castrated Corriedale (n=21) and Hampshire Down x Corriedale (n=23) and Southdown x Corriedale (n=22) lambs was studied. Slaughter weights affected (P=0.05) all carcass characteristics evaluated. Heavy lambs had better conformation (0.320 vs 0.190 kg / cm, 1.09 vs 1.07, 55.7 vs 51.9 carcass and leg compacticity of heavy and light lambs, respectively), better fat grade (15.7 vs 7.3 mm GR, heavy and light lambs, respectively) and more favourable tissue composition (2.9 vs 1.9 meat/bone, 2.5 vs 2.2 meat / fat, heavy and light lambs, respectively). Nevertheless, light lamb carcasses had a better commercial yield of high value cuts than those of heavy lambs. Interms of the measurable quality characteristics of meat, only the pH was affected by slaughter weight. In the sensory analysis, sex and cross only affected meat tenderness. Meat from females or castrated lambs was more tender than cripthorchid lambs, particularly if they were crossbred lambs. Slaughter weights affected all sensory characteristics, with the meat from heavy lambs receiving the best scores in terms of tenderness, flavor quality and acceptability.Se estudió el efecto del peso al sacrificio (45 corderos livianos: 22,3 ± 2,8 kg y 60 ± 2,4 días de edad y 21 corderos pesados: 43,1 ± 6,3 kg de peso vivo y 169 ± 8,9 días de edad) sobre la calidad de la canal y de la carne de 24 hembras, 23 machos criptórquidos y 19 corderos castrados Corriedale puros (n= 21), Hampshire Down x Corriedale (n= 23) y Southdown x Corriedale (n= 22). El peso al sacrificio afectó (P=0,05) todas las características de la canal evaluadas. Los corderos pesados presentaran mejor conformación (0,320 vs. 0,190 kg/cm, 1,09 vs. 1,07, 55,7 vs. 51,9 compacidad de la canal y de la pierna de corderos pesados y livianos, respectivamente), superior grado de engrasamiento (15,7 vs. 7,3 mm punto GR de canales de corderos pesados y livianos, respectivamente) y composición tisular más favorable (2,8 vs. 1,8 carne/ hueso, 2,4 vs. 2,1 carne/ grasa, corderos pesados y livianos, respectivamente). Sin embargo, las canales de corderos livianos presentaron un mejor rendimiento comercial de cortes nobles que las de los corderos pesados. De las características de calidad instrumental de la carne sólo el pH resultó modificado por efecto del peso al sacrificio. Sensorialmente el sexo del cordero y el tipo genético afectaron sólo la variable terneza, resultando más tierna la carne de corderas hembras o machos castrados versus corderos criptórquidos, particularmente si eran cruza. El peso al sacrificio afectó todas las características organolépticas, recibiendo la carne de corderos pesados mejor puntaje en terneza, calidad de sabor y aceptabilidad por los consumidores

Myostatin mediates abdominal aortic atherosclerosis progression by inducing vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction and monocyte recruitment

Myostatin (Mstn) is a skeletal muscle growth inhibitor involved in metabolic disorders and heart fibrosis. In this study we sought to verify whether Mstn is also operative in atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta. In human specimens, Mstn expression was almost absent in normal vessels, became detectable in the media of non-progressive lesions and increased with the severity of the damage. In progressive atherosclerotic lesions, Mstn was present in the media, neointima, plaque shoulder and in infiltrating macrophages. Mstn co-localized with \uce\ub1-smooth muscle actin (\uce\ub1-SMA) staining and with some CD45+ cells, indicating Mstn expression in VSMCs and bloodstream-derived leukocytes. In vitro, Mstn was tested in VSMCs and monocytes. In A7r5 VSMCs, Mstn downregulated proliferation and Smoothelin mRNA, induced cytoskeletal rearrangement, increased migratory rate and MCP-1/CCR2 expression. In monocytes (THP-1 cells and human monocytes), Mstn acted as a chemoattractant and increased the MCP-1-dependent chemotaxis, F-actin, \uce\ub1-SMA, MCP-1 and CCR2 expression; in turn, MCP-1 increased Mstn mRNA. Mstn induced JNK phosphorylation both in VSMCs and monocytes. Our results indicate that Mstn is overexpressed in abdominal aortic wall deterioration, affects VSMCs and monocyte biology and sustains a chronic inflammatory milieu. These findings propose to consider Mstn as a new playmaker in atherosclerosis progression

Sentient Spaces: Intelligent Totem Use Case in the ECSEL FRACTAL Project

The objective of the FRACTAL project is to create a novel approach to reliable edge computing. The FRACTAL computing node will be the building block of scalable Internet of Things (from Low Computing to High Computing Edge Nodes). The node will also have the capability of learning how to improve its performance against the uncertainty of the environment. In such a context, this paper presents in detail one of the key use cases: an Internet-of-Things solution, represented by intelligent totems for advertisement and wayfinding services, within advanced ICT-based shopping malls conceived as a sentient space. The paper outlines the reference scenario and provides an overview of the architecture and the functionality of the demonstrator, as well as a roadmap for its development and evaluation

Nephrological Complications in Hemoglobinopathies: SITE Good Practice

Background. Hemoglobinopathies, among which thalassemic syndromes (transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion dependent thalassemias) and sickle cell disease (SCD), are the most widespread monogenic diseases worldwide. Hemoglobinopathies are endemic and spread-out all-over Italy, as result of internal and external migration flows. Nowadays, the increase therapeutic options associated to the general aging of patients with hemoglobinopathies related to the improvement in clinical management, contribute to the abnormalities in kidney function going from blood and urine test alterations to chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. Methods. Here, we carried out a revision of the literature as panel of recognized experts in hemoglobinopathies with the consultancy and the revision of two nephrologists on kidney alteration and kidney disease in patients with TDT, NTDT and SCD. This is part of the action of the Italian society for the study of thalassemia and hemoglobinopties (SITE). The purpose of this “good practice (GP)” is to provide recommendations for follow-up and therapy for the management of kidney alterations in patients with TDT, NTDT and SCD. The literature review covers the period 1.1.2016 to 31.12.2022. In consideration of the rarity of these diseases, the analysis was extended from 5 to 7 years. Moreover, in the absence of relevant scientific papers in the identified time frame, we referred to pivotal or population studies, when available. Finally, in the absence of evidence-based data from prospective and randomized trials, the authors had to refer to expert opinion (expert consensus) for many topics. Results. We generated question and answer boxes to offer a friendly consultation, using color code strategy and focused answers. Conclusions. The present GP will help in improving the clinical management, and the quality of care of patients with hemoglobinopathies

The antimicrobial activity of annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer and most active isolated compounds against clinically important bacteria

This research was partially supported by grants from Universidad Nacional de San Luis and PIP 444-CONICET. J.D. thanks a fellowship from CONICET. E.S. and R.M. appreciate National Science Centre grant No 2013/09/B/NZ7/00423. J.K. and J.J. were supported by the grant of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Comenius University in Bratislava No. FaF UK/37/2018 and by SANOFI-AVENTIS Pharma Slovakia, s.r.o. The authors thank Luis A. Del Vitto (UNSL) for his help in the botanical classification and Marcos Maiocchi (UNNE) for the help in the collection of the plant material. B.L., G.E.F. and A.T. thank CICITCA-UNSJ.Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer, commonly known as “arachichú”, “araticú”, “aratigú”, and “yerba mora”, is a plant that grows in Argentina. Infusions and decoctions are used in folk medicine as a gargle against throat pain and for calming toothache; another way to use the plant for these purposes is chewing its leaves. Extracts from bark, flowers, leaves, and fruits from A. emarginata were subjected to antibacterial assays against a panel of Gram (+) and Gram (−) pathogenic bacteria according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. Extracts from the stem bark and leaves showed moderate activity against the bacteria tested with values between 250–1000 µg/mL. Regarding flower extracts, less polar extracts (hexane, dichloromethane) showed very strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300 with values between 16–125 µg/mL. Additionally, hexane extract showed activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 250 µg/mL). The global methanolic extract of the fruits (MeOHGEF) was also active against the three strains mentioned above, with MICs values 250–500 µg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation of MeOHGEF led to the isolation of a new main compound—(R)-2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propan-2-yl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylate (1). The structure and relative configurations have been determined by means of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 showed strong antimicrobial activity against all Gram (+) species tested (MICs = 3.12–6.25 µg/mL). In addition, the synthesis and antibacterial activity of some compounds structurally related to compound 1 (including four new compounds) are reported. A SAR study for these compounds was performed based on the results obtained by using molecular calculations.NC

Case Report: Pituitary metastasis from prostate adenocarcinoma: an integrated diagnosis via 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and methylome analysis

BackgroundPituitary metastases are rare, accounting for only 1% of all pituitary tumor resections. Prostate adenocarcinoma, a common malignancy in men, seldom metastasizes to the pituitary gland, with only a few reported cases. Given their rarity and non-specific clinical presentation, pituitary metastases are often mistaken for primary sellar lesions. Advanced imaging techniques, including Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) and molecular diagnostics, such as DNA methylation profiling, can aid in accurate diagnosis and differentiation from pituitary adenomas.Case presentationWe report the case of a 71-year-old male with a history of prostate adenocarcinoma who presented with biochemical recurrence and underwent PSMA PET/CT imaging, revealing intense tracer uptake in the pituitary gland. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings were suggestive of a pituitary macroadenoma, and the patient developed bitemporal hemianopia, necessitating transsphenoidal surgical resection. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were not compatible with a primary pituitary lesion, prompting further investigation via DNA methylation profiling. The analysis revealed a DNA-methylation signature consistent with prostate carcinoma, confirming pituitary metastasis. The patient subsequently received systemic treatment with androgen deprivation therapy, abiraterone, and docetaxel, achieving an excellent biochemical and imaging response.ConclusionThis case highlights the importance of considering metastatic prostate cancer in the differential diagnosis of pituitary lesions, particularly when PSMA PET/CT shows focal uptake in atypical locations. Integration of histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular techniques, such as DNA-methylation profiling, was essential for confirming the diagnosis. Clinicians should remain vigilant for atypical metastatic presentations and leverage advanced diagnostic tools to ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal patient management