The role of positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose integrated with computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Positron emission tomography (PET) integrated with computed tomography (PET/CT) has been reported to be useful for screening myelomatous lesions at diagnosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and for monitoring response to autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of PET/CT in MM patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Patients who underwent upfront auto-SCT followed by allo-SCT, either as consolidation or salvage treatment, were studied with PET/CT before and/or within 6 months after allo-SCT. The number, the maximum standard uptake value (SUV), and the location (medullary or extramedullary) of focal lesions (FLs) were recorded and investigated as predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by univariate and multivariate analyses. Fifty-four patients had a PET/CT scan before allo-SCT. Of these, 22 patients (41%) had a negative PET/CT scan, 11 patients (20%) showed 1 to 3 FLs, and 21 patients (39%) had either a diffuse bone marrow involvement or more than 3 FLs. SUV was >4.2 in 21 patients (39%) and extramedullary disease (EMD) was present in 6 patients (11%). Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors before allo-SCT showed that persistence of EMD at transplantation was an independent predictor of poor PFS, whereas OS was negatively influenced by unrelated donor and SUV > 4.2. Fifty-nine patients had a PET/CT scan within 6 months after allo-SCT. Multivariate analysis of post-treatment variables showed that persistence of EMD and failure to obtain complete response or very good partial response after allo-SCT were strongly associated with shorter PFS and OS. Of the 46 patients with evaluable PET/CT scans both before and 6 months after allo-SCT, the 23 patients who maintained or reached a PET complete remission showed a significantly prolonged PFS and OS compared with the 23 patients with persistence of any PET positivity (2-year PFS: 51% versus 25%, P = .03; 2-year OS: 81% versus 47%, P = .001). This study indicates that PET/CT imaging before and after allo-SCT is significantly associated with the outcome, suggesting the utility of this technique for MM staging before allo-SCT and for response monitoring after the transplantation

Integrated valorization of fucus spiralis alga: polysaccharides and bioactives for edible films and residues as biostimulants

Fucus spp. seaweeds thrive in the cold temperate waters of the northern hemisphere, specifically in the littoral and sublittoral regions along rocky shorelines. Moreover, they are known to be a rich source of bioactive compounds. This study explored the valorization of Fucus spiralis through the extraction of bioactives and polysaccharides (PSs) for food applications and biostimulant use. The bioactives were extracted using microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG), where the condition of 300 W for 20 min resulted in the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extract. Cellular assays confirmed that the extract, at 0.5 mg/mL, was non-cytotoxic to HaCat cells. Polysaccharides (PSs) were extracted from the remaining biomass. The residue from this second extraction contained 1.5% protein and 13.35% carbohydrates. Additionally, the free amino acids and minerals profiles of both solid residues were determined. An edible film was formulated using alginate (2%), PS-rich Fucus spiralis extract (0.5%), and F. spiralis bioactive-rich extract (0.25%). The film demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, with ABTS and DPPH values of 221.460 ± 10.389 and 186.889 ± 36.062 µM TE/mg film, respectively. It also exhibited notable physical characteristics, including high water vapor permeability (11.15 ± 1.55 g.mm.m−2.day−1.kPa−1) and 100% water solubility. The residues from both extractions of Fucus spiralis exhibited biostimulant (BS) effects on seed germination and seedling growth. BSs with PSs enhanced pea germination by 48%, while BSs without PSs increased the root dry weight of rice and tomato by 53% and up to 176%, respectively, as well as the shoot dry weight by up to 38% and up to 74%, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of Fucus spiralis within the framework of a circular economy, wherein both extracted bioactives and post-extraction by-products can be used for sustainable agriculture and food applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

B-IMPACT project: eco-friendly and non-hazardous coatings for the protection of outdoor bronzes

Application of protective coatings is the most widely used conservation treatment for outdoor bronzes. Eco-friendly and non-hazardous coatings are currently needed for conservation of outdoor bronze monuments. To fulfil this need, the M-ERA.NET European research project B-IMPACT (Bronze-IMproved non-hazardous PAtina CoaTings) aimed at assessing the protectiveness of innovative coatings for historical and modern bronze monuments exposed outdoors.In this project, two bronze substrates (historical Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb and modern Cu-Si-Mn alloys) were artificially patinated, by acid rain solution using dropping test and by “liver of sulphur” procedure (K2S aqueous solution)to obtain black patina, respectively. Subsequently, the application of several newly developedprotective coatings was carried out and their performance was investigated by preliminary electrochemical tests. In the following stepsof the work, the assessment of the best-performing coatings was carried out and their performance was compared to Incralac, one of the most widely used protective coatings in conservation practice. A multi-analytical approach was adopted,considering artificial ageing (carried out in representative conditions, including exposure to rain runoff, stagnant rain and UV radiation)and metal release, as well as visual aspect (so as to include aesthetical impact among the coating selection parameters) and morphological and structural evolution of the coated surfaces due to simulated outdoor exposure. Lastly, also the health impact of selected coatings was assessed by occupational hazard tests. The removability and re-applicability of the best-performing coatings were also assessed.The best alternatives to the conventional Incralac exhibited were: (i) fluoroacrylate blended with methacryloxy-propyl-trimethoxy-silane (FA-MS) applied on patinated Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb bronze and (ii) 3-mercapto-propyl-trimethoxysilane (PropS-SH) applied on patinated Cu-Si-Mn bronz

Worldwide genetic diversity for mineral element concentrations in rice grain

With the aim of identifying rice (Oryza spp.) germplasm having enhanced grain nutritional value, the mineral nutrient and trace element concentrations (or ionome) of whole (unmilled) grains from a set of 1763 rice accessions of diverse geographic and genetic origin were evaluated. Seed for analysis of P, Mg, K, S, Ca, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was produced over 2 yr in Beaumont, TX, under both flooded and unflooded watering regimes. The distributions of all element concentrations analyzed were skewed toward higher concentration. A significant portion of this ionomic variation has a genetic basis (broad sense heritabilities 0.14–0.75), indicating an ability to breed for improved grain concentration of all elements except possibly Ni. Variation in grain elemental concentrations was not strongly associated with plant height, heading time, or grain shape, suggesting these physiological factors are not of primary importance in controlling ionomic variation in rice grain. Accessions high in specific elements were sometimes found to have similar genetic or geographic origins, suggesting they share a heritable mechanism underlying their enhanced ionomes. For example, accessions with high Ca, Mg, or K were more common in the indica than in the japonica subgroup; low As was most common among temperate japonica accessions; and several lines high in Mo originated in Malaysia or adjacent Brunei

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients