La Casa delle Arti e delle Culture: un ponte tra passato e presente. Massa

Questo lavoro affronta la tematica del vivere la città proiettando il tema dell’abitare per antonomasia dal livello architettonico al livello urbano, elevando il progetto di una casa a quello di una parte di città, proponendosi di ricreare l’identità urbana dei cittadini facendoli sentire parte della stessa comunità, coinquilini della stessa città. Esso si pone come ponte ideale tra il passato e il presente posizionandosi su un sito storico che oggi si presenta degradato mentre in passato rappresentava il fulcro culturale della vita cittadina. La Casa diventa la strada che ricuce la smagliatura tra la “Massa Vecchia” e la “Massa Nova”, due realtà urbanisticamente vicine ma oggi socialmente distanti, il progetto si allarga a “Ponte Urbano” riducendo questa distanza e trasformandosi in un percorso che invita ad “attraversare” e, allo stesso tempo, ad “abitare”

Bio-Agronomic Assessment and Quality Evaluation of Sugarcane with Optimized Juice Fermentation in View of Producing Sicilian “Rum Agricole”

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.), traditionally cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, is being explored for its agronomic viability in Mediterranean climates. This study assessed the bio-agronomic performance of seven sugarcane varieties and two accessions grown in Sicily, to enhance the fermentation process to produce rum agricole, a spirit derived from fresh cane juice. Agronomic evaluations revealed significant varietal differences, with juice yields of 5850−14,312 L ha−1 and sugar yields of 1.84–5.33 t ha−1. Microbial control was achieved through the addition of lactic acid, which effectively suppressed undesirable bacterial growth and improved fermentation quality. Furthermore, the application of two selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (MN113 and SPF21), isolated from high-sugar matrices such as manna and honey byproducts, affected the production of volatile compounds, particularly esters and higher alcohols. Sensory analysis confirmed a more complex aromatic profile in cane wines fermented with these selected yeasts, with overall acceptance scores reaching 7.5. Up to 29 aroma-active compounds were identified, including ethyl esters and higher alcohols. This research represents the first integrated approach combining lactic acid treatment and novel yeast strains for the fermentation of sugarcane juice in a Mediterranean context. The findings highlight the potential for high-quality rum agricole production in Sicily

An intestinal Th17 subset is associated with inflammation in crohn's disease and activated by adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (aiec)

IFNγ-producing ex-Th17-cells ("Th1/17") were shown to play a key pathogenic role in experimental colitis and are abundant in the intestine. Here, we identified and characterized a novel, potentially colitogenic subset of Th17-cells in the intestine of patients with Crohn's Disease (CD). Human Th17-cells expressing CCR5 ("pTh17") co-expressed T-bet and RORC/γt and produced very high levels of IL-17, together with IFN-γ. They had a gene signature of Th17 effector cells and were distinct from established Th1/17-cells. pTh17-cells, but not Th1/17-cells, were associated with intestinal inflammation in CD, and decreased upon successful anti-TNF therapy with infliximab. Conventional CCR5(-)Th17-cells differentiated to pTh17 cells with IL-23 in vitro. Moreover, anti-IL-23 therapy with risankizumab strongly reduced pTh17-cells in the intestine. Importantly, intestinal pTh17-cells were selectively activated by adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), but not by a commensal/probiotic E. coli strain. AIEC induced high levels of IL-23 and RANTES from DC. Intestinal CCR5 +Th1/17-cells responded instead to Cytomegalovirus and were reduced in UC, suggesting an unexpected protective role. In conclusion, we identified an IL-23-inducible subset of human intestinal Th17-cells. pTh17 cells produced high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, were selectively associated with intestinal inflammation in CD, and responded to CD-associated AIEC, suggesting a key colitogenic role

Covid-19 And Rheumatic Autoimmune Systemic Diseases: Role of Pre-Existing Lung Involvement and Ongoing Treatments

The Covid-19 pandemic may have a deleterious impact on patients with autoimmune systemic diseases (ASD) due to their deep immune-system alterations

Clinical utility of N-acetylcysteine in important liver toxicity following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Single center experience

Chemotherapy-induced hepatic toxicity is a frequent problem, with some patients developing liver failure. Unfortunately, therapeutic possibilities are still lacking. Here, we describe two patients that developed important liver toxicity in our center following high-dose chemotherapy and were successfully treated with high-dose N-acetylcysteine.</jats:p

Splenic rupture following lenograstim in post-autologous stem cell transplantation treated with emergency open splenectomy: a case report and literature review

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) are the cornerstone of peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and apheresis. However, splenic rupture following G-CSF treatment represents a serious and potentially fatal adverse event. Here, we report the case of a patient in their late 50s with severe pancytopenia post-autologous stem cell transplantation reinfusion suffering from splenic rupture after treatment with lenograstim. We also reviewed the literature describing cases of splenic rupture during G-CSF administration. </jats:p

C-Reactive Protein Monitoring and Clinical Presentation of Fever as Predictive Factors of Prolonged Febrile Neutropenia and Blood Culture Positivity after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation&mdash;Single-Center Real-Life Experience

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a medical emergency that requires urgent evaluation, timely administration of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics and careful monitoring in order to optimize the patient&rsquo;s outcome, especially in the setting of both allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT). Methods: In this real-life retrospective study, a total of 49 consecutive episodes of FN were evaluated in 40 adult patients affected by either multiple myeloma (thirty-eight) or lymphoma (eleven), following ASCT, with nine patients having fever in both of the tandem transplantations. Results: Febrile neutropenia occurred a median of 7 days from ASCT. Median duration of FN was 2 days, with 25% of population that had fever for at least four days. Ten patients had at least one fever spike superior to 39 &deg;C, while the median number of daily fever spikes was two. Twenty patients had positive blood cultures with XDR germs, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, present in seven cases. ROC analysis of peak C-reactive protein (CRP) values was conducted based on blood culture positivity and a value of 12 mg/dL resulted significant. Onset of prolonged fever with a duration greater than 3 days was associated with the presence of both a peak number of three or more daily fever spikes (p = 0.02) and a body temperature greater than 39 &deg;C (p = 0.04) based on odds ratio (OR). Blood culture positivity and peak CRP values greater than 12 mg/dL were also associated with prolonged fever duration, p = 0.04, and p = 0.03, respectively. The probability of blood culture positivity was also greater in association with fever greater than 39 &deg;C (p = 0.04). Furthermore, peak CRP values below the cut-off showed less probability of positive blood culture (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In our study, clinical characteristics of fever along with peak CRP levels were associated with a higher probability of both prolonged fever duration and positive blood culture, needing extended antibiotic therapy

C-Reactive Protein Monitoring and Clinical Presentation of Fever as Predictive Factors of Prolonged Febrile Neutropenia and Blood Culture Positivity after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation—Single-Center Real-Life Experience

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a medical emergency that requires urgent evaluation, timely administration of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics and careful monitoring in order to optimize the patient’s outcome, especially in the setting of both allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT). Methods: In this real-life retrospective study, a total of 49 consecutive episodes of FN were evaluated in 40 adult patients affected by either multiple myeloma (thirty-eight) or lymphoma (eleven), following ASCT, with nine patients having fever in both of the tandem transplantations. Results: Febrile neutropenia occurred a median of 7 days from ASCT. Median duration of FN was 2 days, with 25% of population that had fever for at least four days. Ten patients had at least one fever spike superior to 39 °C, while the median number of daily fever spikes was two. Twenty patients had positive blood cultures with XDR germs, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, present in seven cases. ROC analysis of peak C-reactive protein (CRP) values was conducted based on blood culture positivity and a value of 12 mg/dL resulted significant. Onset of prolonged fever with a duration greater than 3 days was associated with the presence of both a peak number of three or more daily fever spikes (p = 0.02) and a body temperature greater than 39 °C (p = 0.04) based on odds ratio (OR). Blood culture positivity and peak CRP values greater than 12 mg/dL were also associated with prolonged fever duration, p = 0.04, and p = 0.03, respectively. The probability of blood culture positivity was also greater in association with fever greater than 39 °C (p = 0.04). Furthermore, peak CRP values below the cut-off showed less probability of positive blood culture (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In our study, clinical characteristics of fever along with peak CRP levels were associated with a higher probability of both prolonged fever duration and positive blood culture, needing extended antibiotic therapy.</jats:p

sj-jpg-1-imr-10.1177_03000605221095504 - Supplemental material for Splenic rupture following lenograstim in post-autologous stem cell transplantation treated with emergency open splenectomy: a case report and literature review

Supplemental material, sj-jpg-1-imr-10.1177_03000605221095504 for Splenic rupture following lenograstim in post-autologous stem cell transplantation treated with emergency open splenectomy: a case report and literature review by Uros Markovic, Cristina Colarossi, Antonio Iuppa, Paola Scire, Ausilia Gorgone, Federica Galbo, Gabriella Amato and Gaetano Moschetti in Journal of International Medical Research</p

Combination of Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin Values as Predictive Index of Sepsis in Course of Fever Episode in Adult Haematological Patients: Observational and Statistical Study

Haematological patients represent a vulnerable population to opportunistic infections, mainly due to the disease itself and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The level of immune suppression strongly increases the importance of timely antibiotic treatment in order to prevent sepsis-related mortality. During the initial fever episode, serum biomarkers are usually used to estimate the probability of blood stream infection prior to the results of microbial diagnosis. A new serum biomarker combination study on a febrile haematological population, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL&minus;6) and procalcitonin (PCT), is proposed in order to improve their predictive accuracy. In our prospective study, CRP, IL&minus;6 and PCT were evaluated in 34 immunosuppressed haematological patients immediately after the onset of 51 fever episodes, either during the course of standard chemotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant. The fever episodes were divided into documented infections and fever alone. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) was performed for each biomarker and a combination of all three biomarkers (multiROC) to define a new predictive index. Significant differences were evidenced between the two groups (documented infection and no infection) for both PCT and IL&minus;6 (p = 0.03 and p = 0.035, respectively), but none for CRP (p = 0.1). The composite parameter is more reliable than any single biomarker alone, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 79% and with high sensitivity and specificity. IL&minus;6 gave the closest response compared to the composite index. Composite parameters of serum biomarkers could be used for an early diagnosis of infection at fever onset in haematological patients