Detailed abundances of the planet-hosting TOI-1173 A/B system: Possible evidence of planet engulfment in a very wide binary

Over the last decade, studies of large samples of binary systems identified chemical anomalies, and showed that they might be attributed to planet formation or planet engulfment. However, both scenarios have primarily been tested in pairs without known exoplanets. In this work, we explore these scenarios in the newly detected planet-hosting wide binary TOI-1173 A/B (projected separation $\sim 11,400$ AU) using high-resolution MAROON-X and ARCES spectra. We determined photospheric stellar parameters both by fitting stellar models and via the spectroscopic equilibrium approach. Both analyses agree and suggest that they are cool main sequence stars located in the thin disc. A line-by-line differential analysis between the components (B$-$A) displays an abundance pattern in the condensation temperature plane where the planet-hosting star TOI-1173 A is enhanced in refractory elements such as iron by more than 0.05 dex. This suggests the engulfment of $\sim$18 M$_{\oplus}$ of rocky material in star A. Our hypothesis is supported by the dynamics of the system detailed in our companion paper Yana Galarza et al. 2024, which suggest that the Super-Neptune TOI-1173 A $b$ might have been delivered to its current short period ($\sim7$ days) through circulatization and von Zeipel-Lidov-Kozai mechanisms, thereby triggering the engulfment of inner rocky exoplanets.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal on July 29, 202

Illustrated Abstracts of the 5th EUPLAN International Conference

These illustrated capsules have been prepared by some speakers of State-of-the-Art talks and of original investigations, presented at the 5th European Platelet Network (EUPLAN) International Conference, which was held at the Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy) on September 28-30, 2022. The programme featured various state-of-the-art lectures and a selection of oral presentations covering a broad range of topics in platelet and megakaryocyte biology, from basic science to recent advances in clinical studies. As usual, the meeting brought together senior scientists and trainees in an informal atmosphere to discuss platelet science in person

Rate and predictors of thromboprophylaxis in internal medicine wards: Results from the AURELIO study

Background: Randomized controlled trials suggest that prophylactic doses of anticoagulants effectively prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients with high thromboembolic risk. However, no prospective studies exist regarding the real-world prevalence of prophylactic anticoagulant use. This prospective study aimed to determine the rate and predictors of thromboprophylaxis in an unselected population of patients hospitalized in medical departments. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study (AURELIO – rAte of venous thrombosis in acutely iLl patIents hOspitalized) to assess the rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in unselected acutely ill patients hospitalized in medical wards using compression ultrasound (CUS) at admission and discharge. Additionally, we evaluated the rate of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis administration in this population and analyzed the thrombotic risk by assessing RAMs (Risk Assessment Models) such as the IMPROVE-VTE and PADUA scores following the clinician's decision to administer thromboprophylaxis. Patients with IMPROVE-VTE scores ≥3 and/or PADUA scores ≥4 were classified as high thrombotic risk; those with IMPROVE-VTE scores <3 and/or PADUA scores <4 were classified as low risk. Results: We recruited 2371 patients (1233 males [52 %] and 1138 females [48 %]; mean age 72 ± 16 years). The median length of hospitalization was 13 ± 12 days. Overall, 442/2371 (18.6 %) patients received prophylactic parenteral anticoagulants (subcutaneous low weight molecular heparin or fondaparinux once daily) at admission. Assessing the thrombotic risk of the population recruited 1016 (42.9 %) patients were classified as high risk and 1354 (57.1 %) were low risk. Among high-risk patients, 339/1016 (33.4 %) received anticoagulant prophylaxis compared to 103/1354 (7.6 %) low-risk patients. During hospitalization, 9 patients developed DVT, comprising 7 asymptomatic and 2 symptomatic cases of proximal DVT. Of these, 3 patients were on anticoagulant prophylaxis, while 6 were not. Among the high-risk population, 7 out of 1016 patients (0.7 %) experienced proximal DVT during hospitalization, with 2 out of these 7 (28 %) receiving anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis. In the low-risk population, 2 out of 1354 patients (0.2 %) developed DVT, with 1 out of these 2 (50 %) receiving anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis. Age, heart or respiratory failure, pneumonia, active neoplasia, previous VTE, reduced mobility, and absence of kidney failure were more frequent in patients receiving prophylaxis. Multivariable logistic regression identified age (RR 1.010; CI 95 % 1002–1019; p = 0.015), heart/respiratory failure (RR 1.609; CI 95 % 1248–2075; p < 0.0001), active neoplasia (RR 2.041; CI 95 % 1222–2141; p < 0.0001), pneumonia (RR 1.618; CI 95 % 1557–2676; p < 0.0001), previous VTE (RR 1.954; CI 95 % 1222–3125; p < 0.0001), and reduced mobility (RR 4.674; CI 95 % 3700–5905; p < 0.0001) as independent predictors of thromboprophylaxis. Conclusions: This study, conducted without pre-established thromboembolic risk scores, offers a comprehensive view of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical patients with acute conditions hospitalized in internal medicine departments. It reveals that advanced age, heart or respiratory failure, active cancer, pneumonia, previous VTE, and reduced mobility are predictors that may influence the decision to administer thromboprophylaxis in these patients

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Breast cancer metastasis to bone: From epithelial to mesenchymal transition to breast osteoblast-like cells

In this review we highlighted the newest aspects concerning the physiopathology of breast cancer metastatization into the bone including: a) in situ biomarkers of breast cancer metastatic diseases, b) biological processes related to the origin of metastatic cells (epithelial to mesenchymal transition), c) the nature and the possible role of Breast Osteoblast-Like Cells in the formation of bone lesions and d) the prognostic value of breast microcalcifications for the bone metastatic disease. In addition, the more recent data about the biology of breast cancer metastatic process and the origin and function of Breast Osteoblast-Like Cells have been analyzed to propose the use of molecular imaging investigations able to identify early neoplastic lesions with high propensity to form bone metastasis in vivo

Scompenso Cardiaco: strategie alternative a confronto

Esiste una elevata e crescente prevalenza dello scompenso cardiaco (SC) nel mondo occidentale, con l’aumento dell’età della popolazione e la rilevanza dei fattori di rischio delle malattie cardiovascolari. Lo SC è una complessa sindrome clinica sostenuta da patologie cardiache di tipo organico e/o funzionale, che compromette la funzione sistolica e diastolica Insufficienza cardiaca 307S G Ital Cardiol Vol 8 Suppl 1-12 2007 del ventricolo sinistro, ed è influenzata dall’attivazione di assi neurormonali e fattori infiammatori. Le manifestazioni cliniche dello SC comportano una crescente limitazione della capacità lavorativa e della tolleranza allo sforzo nei pazienti che ne sono affetti. Il quadro clinico può apparire ampio e multiforme e dipendente da numerose variabili quali l’età del soggetto, la severità della compromissione funzionale cardiaca e l’estensione mono o biventricolare della patologia. L’evoluzione e la progressione dell’insufficienza cardiaca sono strettamene correlate alla identificazione precoce della sindrome clinica ed agli interventi farmacologici adottati. Scopo. Effettuare una valutazione prognostica dello SC in relazione al trattamento farmacologico rispetto all’uso di defibrillatore impiantabile (ICD) o resincronizzazione cardiaca (CRT)