Does social cognition change? Evidence after 4 years from the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses

Background Deficits in social cognition (SC) are significantly related to community functioning in schizophrenia (SZ). Few studies investigated longitudinal changes in SC and its impact on recovery. In the present study, we aimed: (a) to estimate the magnitude and clinical significance of SC change in outpatients with stable SZ who were assessed at baseline and after 4 years, (b) to identify predictors of reliable and clinically significant change (RCSC), and (c) to determine whether changes in SC over 4 years predicted patient recovery at follow-up. Methods The reliable change index was used to estimate the proportion of true change in SC, not attributable to measurement error. Stepwise multiple logistic regression models were used to identify the predictors of RCSC in a SC domain (The Awareness of Social Inference Test [TASIT]) and the effect of change in TASIT on recovery at follow-up. Results In 548 participants, statistically significant improvements were found for the simple and paradoxical sarcasm of TASIT scale, and for the total score of section 2. The reliable change index was 9.8. A cut-off of 45 identified patients showing clinically significant change. Reliable change was achieved by 12.6% and RCSC by 8% of participants. Lower baseline TASIT sect. 2 score predicted reliable improvement on TASIT sect. 2. Improvement in TASIT sect. 2 scores predicted functional recovery, with a 10-point change predicting 40% increase in the probability of recovery. Conclusions The RCSC index provides a conservative way to assess the improvement in the ability to grasp sarcasm in SZ, and is associated with recovery

The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit: a consolidated design for the system requirement review of the preliminary definition phase

The Athena X-ray Integral Unit (X-IFU) is the high resolution X-ray spectrometer studied since 2015 for flying in the mid-30s on the Athena space X-ray Observatory. Athena is a versatile observatory designed to address the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme, as selected in November 2013 by the Survey Science Committee. Based on a large format array of Transition Edge Sensors (TES), X-IFU aims to provide spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, with a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV (up to 7 keV) over a hexagonal field of view of 5 arc minutes (equivalent diameter). The X-IFU entered its System Requirement Review (SRR) in June 2022, at about the same time when ESA called for an overall X-IFU redesign (including the X-IFU cryostat and the cooling chain), due to an unanticipated cost overrun of Athena. In this paper, after illustrating the breakthrough capabilities of the X-IFU, we describe the instrument as presented at its SRR (i.e. in the course of its preliminary definition phase, so-called B1), browsing through all the subsystems and associated requirements. We then show the instrument budgets, with a particular emphasis on the anticipated budgets of some of its key performance parameters, such as the instrument efficiency, spectral resolution, energy scale knowledge, count rate capability, non X-ray background and target of opportunity efficiency. Finally, we briefly discuss the ongoing key technology demonstration activities, the calibration and the activities foreseen in the X-IFU Instrument Science Center, touch on communication and outreach activities, the consortium organisation and the life cycle assessment of X-IFU aiming at minimising the environmental footprint, associated with the development of the instrument. Thanks to the studies conducted so far on X-IFU, it is expected that along the design-to-cost exercise requested by ESA, the X-IFU will maintain flagship capabilities in spatially resolved high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, enabling most of the original X-IFU related scientific objectives of the Athena mission to be retained. The X-IFU will be provided by an international consortium led by France, The Netherlands and Italy, with ESA member state contributions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, with additional contributions from the United States and Japan.The French contribution to X-IFU is funded by CNES, CNRS and CEA. This work has been also supported by ASI (Italian Space Agency) through the Contract 2019-27-HH.0, and by the ESA (European Space Agency) Core Technology Program (CTP) Contract No. 4000114932/15/NL/BW and the AREMBES - ESA CTP No.4000116655/16/NL/BW. This publication is part of grant RTI2018-096686-B-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This publication is part of grant RTI2018-096686-B-C21 and PID2020-115325GB-C31 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with altered susceptibility to carbapenems not carbapenemase mediated

The spread of enterobacteria producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) is sharply increasing in Italy, while the detection of isolates resistant to carbapenems is still sporadic. Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to all cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones have been isolated in Trieste since 2008. Because of the altered profile of resistance to carbapenems, these strains were reported as ESBL-negative and possible carbapenemases producer by the expert system, leaving tigecycline as the only therapeutic choice.The purpose of this study is the characterization of the mechanisms involved in resistance to carbapenems in these strains and the evaluation of a reliable and simple test for phenotypic confirmation of ESBL and/or carbapenemase production. 25 isolates of MDR K. pneumoniae were collected between October 2008 and May 2009, mainly from urinary samples of elderly patients hospitalized in medicine wards. Identification and susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitek 2 system.The double-disc (DD) test was used to check the production of ESBLs, while imipenem and imipenem-EDTA synergy test was used to detect the production of metallo-ßlactamase (MBL). Carbapenemase activity was tested by an hydrolysis assay and the production of MBLs was also investigated by PCR. The DD synergy test highlighted the possible production of ESBLs in 18 out of 22 strains, considered as negative by Vitek. All ESBLs producers tested positive for the blaCTX-M-15 allele. Only one isolate was resistant to carbapenems and resulted positive for production of MBL by the phenotypic test.The crude extract showed carbapenemase activity inhibited by EDTA; PCR test gave positive result for a blaVIM-type allele. PCR analysis performed on representative isolates, followed by sequencing, showed that coding sequence of ompk35 was not functional. Results of this study confirmed the emergence of ESBL-positive strains of K. pneumoniae that showed altered sensitivity to carbapenems in absence of carbapenemases. For a correct identification of the resistance mechanisms of these isolates we used phenotypic tests (modified DD test and synergy test for MBL) coupled with molecular techniques.The MDR strains isolated in Trieste are particularly difficult in terms of therapeutic management, especially in case of at-risk subjects

Differences between the CPS gene clusters of strains KKBO-4 (<i>cps</i>_BO-4, 26,587 bp) or KK207-2 (<i>cps</i>_207-2, 23,994 bp) and closely related CPS gene clusters detected in other sequenced genomes.

<p>The dash indicates 100% identity. The cut-off values used for the inclusion in the analysis were ≥99% nucleotide identity and ≥99% of query coverage, based on results from a BLAST search performed at the NCBI website (<a href="http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank">http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/</a>) using either nr or wgs databases, using default values but without the low complexity filter option.</p>a<p>KPNIH21 was chosen as a representative of the outbreak clone described in reference 24.</p>b<p>strains ST258 K26BO and ST258 K28BO, both described in reference 26, were characterized by identical CPS gene clusters.</p>c<p>strains UHKPC02 and UHKPC06 were representatives of those included in the <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Genome Sequencing Center Project (<a href="http://gsc.jcvi.org/projects/gsc/klebsiella_pneumoniae/index.php" target="_blank">http://gsc.jcvi.org/projects/gsc/klebsiella_pneumoniae/index.php</a>).</p>d<p>2 out of 5 SNVs are located in intergenic regions.</p

Map showing the distribution of Italian centers from which the 46 KPC-Kp strains of ST258 or ST512 investigated for CPS typing by the modified multiplex PCR were originated, and distribution of the different types of <i>cps</i> gene clusters.

<p>Centers were as follows: 01, Milan; 02, Varese; 03, Lecco; 04, Torino; 05, Novara; 06, Genoa; 07, Sanremo; 08, Verona; 09, Bolzano; 10, Modena; 11, Modena; 15, Ancona; 16, Rome; 18, Foggia; 19, Lecce; 20, Naples; 22, Cosenza; 23, Palermo; 24, Catania.</p

Comparison of the CPS gene clusters from <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains KKBO-4 (<i>cps</i>_BO-4), HS11286 (<i>cps</i>_HS11286), KK207-2 (<i>cps</i>_207-2), and 1996/49 (K-type 22, <i>cps</i>_K22).

<p>Sequence accession numbers and STs for the respective strains are also indicated (the ST of strain 1996/49 was deduced from ref. 30). The CPS gene cluster of strain 8238 (K-type 37) (accession number AB819894), differing from <i>cps</i>_K22 by a single nucleotide deletion resulting in a frameshift mutation located in a putative acetyltransferase downstream <i>gnd</i>, is not included for simplicity. Homologous regions are connected by areas of different colors reflecting the degree of nucleotide identity (from 67% to 100%). Open reading frames encoding transposases are colored in red, while those encoding hypothetical glycosyltransferases are colored in yellow. The locations of synonymous, non-synonymous and intergenic single nucleotide variations (SNVs) occurring between the CPS gene clusters of KKBO-4 and Kp13 are indicated by green, red and black stars, respectively. The <i>cps</i>_207-2 gene cluster exhibited regions of similarity to <i>cps</i>_BO-4 including the conserved <i>galF</i>-<i>wzc</i> region (83.2% of nucleotide identity), and the conserved <i>gnd</i> and <i>ugd</i> genes (95.5% and 96.8% nucleotide identity, respectively).</p

KPC-Kp strains of clinical origin from the Italian nationwide survey investigated for the nature of the <i>cps</i> gene cluster by the modified multiplex PCR developed in this work.

<p>The first two characters of each strain ID identify the center from which the isolate was obtained. Identifiers are as reported in the legend to <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0096827#pone-0096827-g002" target="_blank">Fig. 2</a>.</p

The Pitfall of Ganglioneuroblastoma-Nodular Diagnosis: Clinical and Imaging Considerations over a Rare Bifocal Sporadic Case

Neuroblastic tumors (NTs) represent the most common extracranial neoplasm occurring in childhood. Although ganglioneuroblastoma intermixed (GNBI) and ganglioneuroma (GN) are classified as very low-risk tumors, neuroblastoma (NB) and ganglioneuroblastoma-nodular (GNBN) may represent a serious risk to survival. Unfortunately, areas of GNBI and GNBN can coexist in the same mass, leading to incorrect risk staging when only biopsy is performed. Herein, we describe a case of multifocal NT (thoracic and abdominal localization) occurring in a 4-year-old male. Different histological subtypes, namely GNBI and GNBN, were revealed in the two lesions. We focus on the difficulties of proper diagnosis and risk stratification, underlining the usefulness of several diagnostic tools for appropriate management and therapeutic choices

New Generation of Ultrasensitive Label-Free Optical Si Nanowire-Based Biosensors

We demonstrate the realization of the first label-free optical biosensor based on the room temperature luminescence of silicon nanowires (NWs) tested for the selective detection of C-reactive protein in human serum. High aspect ratio Si NW arrays used as sensing interface, are synthesized by a fast, low-cost and Si industrially compatible approach. Si NW optical biosensors are fast and offer a broad concentration dynamic range that can be tuned according to different applications. Moreover, the platform is endowed with a high selectivity towards the target analyte and a sensitivity down to the fM limit of detection, opening the route towards non-invasive analysis in bio-fluids such as saliva