Towards a Rationalization of Ultrafast Laser-Induced Crystallization in Lithium Niobium Borosilicate Glasses: The Key Role of The Scanning Speed

Femtosecond (fs)-laser direct writing is a powerful technique to enable a large variety of integrated photonic functions in glass materials. One possible way to achieve functionalization is through highly localized and controlled crystallization inside the glass volume, for example by precipitating nanocrystals with second-order susceptibility (frequency converters, optical modulators), and/or with larger refractive indices with respect to their glass matrices (graded index or diffractive lenses, waveguides, gratings). In this paper, this is achieved through fs-laser-induced crystallization of LiNbO3 nonlinear crystals inside two different glass matrices: a silicate (mol%: 33Li2O-33Nb2O5-34SiO2, labeled as LNS) and a borosilicate (mol%:33Li2O-33Nb2O5-13SiO2-21B2O3, labeled as LNSB). More specifically, we investigate the effect of laser scanning speed on the crystallization kinetics, as it is a valuable parameter for glass laser processing. The impact of scanning energy and speed on the fabrication of oriented nanocrystals and nanogratings during fs-laser irradiation is studied. Fs-laser direct writing of crystallized lines in both LNS and LNSB glass is investigated using both optical and electron microscopy techniques. Among the main findings to highlight, we observed the possibility to maintain crystallization during scanning at speeds ~ 5 times higher in LNSB relative to LNS (up to ~ 600 μm/s in our experimental conditions). We found a speed regime where lines exhibited a large polarization-controlled retardance response (up to 200 nm in LNSB), which is attributed to the texturation of the crystal/glass phase separation with a low scattering level. These characteristics are regarded as assets for future elaboration methods and designs of photonic devices involving crystallization. Finally, by using temperature and irradiation time variations along the main laser parameters (pulse energy, pulse repetition rate, scanning speed), we propose an explanation on the origin of 1) crystallization limitation upon scanning speed, 2) laser track width variation with respect to scanning speed, and 3) narrowing of the nanogratings volume but not the heat-affected volume

Switching from IFX originator to biosimilar CT-P13 does not impact effectiveness,safety and immunogenicity in a large cohort of IBD patients

Background: Switching from IFX originator to CT-P13 is safe; however, little data on immunogenicity exists. Research design and methods: Consecutive IBD patients on IFX originator were switched to CT-P13 and followed-up for 12 months. Clinical activity, infliximab trough levels (ITLs), anti-drug antibodies (ATIs), and adverse events were recorded at predefined timepoints (baseline, second CT-P13 infusion, 6 and 12 months). The outcomes investigated were immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, effectiveness and safety. Results: 119 patients were switched to CT-P13 after a median time with IFX of 5.8 years. No changes in mean ITLs were observed. ATIs were detected in 30 patients (25.2%): 14 before and 16 after switch. Mean persistent ATIs were significantly higher compared to mean transient ones (109.74 ng/mL ±84.70 vs 18.22 ng/mL ±11.37, p < 0.001), with significantly lower ITLs associated (mean 0.32 µg/mL ±0.6 vs 3.08 µg/mL ±3.22, p < 0.001). A significant decrease of patients in steroid-fee clinical remission was observed after the switch (p = 0.004), with subsequent improvement at 6 months (p = 0.005). Eighteen patients (15.1%) discontinued IFX, only 6 (5%) for loss of response. Conclusions: Switching from infliximab originator to CT-P13 seems safe and effective, without differences in immunogenicity. A temporary reduction of clinical benefit after switching could be potentially explained by a ‘nocebo-effect response’

Neurodevelopmental Outcome and Neuroimaging of Very Low Birth Weight Infants from an Italian NICU Adopting the Family-Centered Care Model

Background: Improvements in perinatal care have substantially decreased mortality rates among preterm infants, yet their neurodevelopmental outcomes and quality of life persist as a pertinent public health concern. Family-centered care has emerged as a holistic philosophy that promotes effective alliances among patients, families, and healthcare providers to improve the quality of care. Aims: This longitudinal prospective study aims to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes and brain MRI findings in a cohort of preterm newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) adopting a family-centered care model. Methods: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to the NICU of Modena between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled. Infants who underwent conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age were included. Neurodevelopmental follow-up was performed until the age of 24 months by a multidisciplinary team using the Amiel-Tison neurological assessment and the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS-R). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were classified as major sequelae (cerebral palsy, DQ ≤ 70, severe sensory impairment), minor sequelae (minor neurological signs such as clumsiness or DQ between 71 and 85), and normal outcomes (no neurological signs and DQ > 85). Risk factors for severe outcomes were assessed. Results: In total, 49 of the 356 infants (13.8%) died before hospital discharge, and 2 were excluded because of congenital disorders. Of the remaining 305 infants, 222 (72.8%) completed the 24 month follow-up and were included in the study. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were classified as normal (n = 173, 77.9%), minor (n = 34, 15.3%), and major sequelae (n = 15, 6.8%). Among 221 infants undergoing brain MRI, 76 (34.4%) had major lesions (intraventricular hemorrhage, hemorrhagic parenchymal infarction, periventricular leukomalacia, and large cerebellar hemorrhage). In the multivariate regression model, the retinopathy of prematurity (OR 1.8; p value 0.016) and periventricular–intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 5.6; p value < 0.004) were associated with major sequelae. Conclusions: We reported low rates of severe neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants born in an Italian NICU with FCC. Identifying the risk factors for severe outcomes can assist in tailoring and optimizing early interventions on an individual basis, both within the NICU and after discharge

Diagnóstico de agentes bióticos vinculados al síndrome de Amarillamiento del garbanzo (SAG) en las provincias de Salta y Santiago del Estero, campañas 2021 y 2022

La principal zona productora de legumbres de Argentina se encuentra en las regiones centro y noroeste del país, incluyendo las provincias de Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, Córdoba y Santa Fe. El complejo de legumbres posee un perfil claramente exportador ya que, aproximadamente, el 60% de su producción se comercializa en el mercado externo. Durante el primer semestre del año 2022, la exportaciones de garbanzo (Cicer arietinum) le significaron al país un ingreso de 29 millones de dólares, el doble de lo registrado en el año 2021 (BCR, 2022). Durante la campaña 2022/23, en Argentina, se sembró un 14% menos de superficie, con respecto a la campaña anterior, lo que equivale a 73.617 ha de garbanzo, de las cuales 30.117 corresponden a la provincia de Salta y 15.800 a Santiago del Estero (41% y el 21% de la superficie de garbanzo del país, respectivamente). La producción total obtenida fue de 65.934 tn, un 35% menos que la campaña 2021/22 (MAGyP, 2023). Dos de las principales causas de la disminución en la superficie sembrada y en el rendimiento del cultivo, son las condiciones ambientales adversas para su desarrollo y las problemáticas sanitarias. Entre estas últimas, las afecciones por marchitez y amarillamiento del garbanzo han tomado protagonismo durante los últimos años (BCC, 2022). Típicamente, los síntomas de marchitez y amarillamiento en garbanzo han sido asociados con la presencia del hongo Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Aguaysol et al, 2013; Alloosh et al, 2019; Jiménez-Díaz et al, 2015). Sin embargo, los altos niveles de incidencia detectados en la campaña 2018/19 condujeron a sospechar de la participación de otros agentes bióticos, o incluso abióticos, en la manifestación de esta sintomatología. Por este motivo se denominó a la problemática “síndrome de amarillamiento del garbanzo” (SAG) reconociéndola como un conjunto de síntomas en la que múltiples agentes causales, pueden estar involucrados (Pastor et al., 2019; Rodríguez Pardina et al., 2018). El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar qué agentes bióticos (principalmente hongos y virus) están asociados a la manifestación del SAG en lotes de producción de las provincias de Salta y Santiago del Estero durante las campañas 2021/22 y 2022/23.Instituto de Patología VegetalFil: Pugliese, Bruno Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Pugliese, Bruno Daniel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Edwards Molina, Juan Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Perez, A.A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Fekete, Ana Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Maggio, Maria Elisa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Riva, L.A. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Pardina, Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Pardina, Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Pastor, Silvina Estela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Pastor, Silvina Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); Argentin

Abordagem terapêutica da obesidade crônica em pacientes pediátricos / Therapeutic Approach to Chronic Obesity in Pediatric Patients

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade é uma doença multifatorial, associada a múltiplas comorbidades, e representa um grande e crescente risco para a saúde a nível global. O aumento gradual no número de pacientes pediátricos obesos no mundo tem adquirido destaque no âmbito dos estudos e pesquisas que abordam as possibilidades de assistência terapêutica. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO:  As principais terapias não-farmacológicas da obesidade infantil incluem mudança do estilo de vida, suplementação de Ômega-3, uso de prebióticos e dietas com restrição calórica, que a longo prazo apresentam baixa adesão dos pacientes pediátricos.  O uso de inulina enriquecida com oligofrutose promoveu melhoria na composição corporal além de uma diminuição de Interleucina-6 e triglicerídeos e uma alteração da microbiota. Já o uso isolado de ômega-3 apresentou resposta satisfatória na  hipertrigliceridemia sem alterações de IMC e perfis glicêmico e lipídico. Na abordagem farmacológica, a Metformina é o tratamento padrão para crianças pré-diabéticas e adolescentes obesos. Foi percebido em um ensaio clínico randomizado que esse medicamento diminui o IMC, porém não aumenta a sensibilidade insulínica. Já o Orlistate possui uma eficácia modesta, enquanto o uso da Liraglutida foi considerado seguro na população pediátrica e positivo para a redução de IMC. Em uma metanálise com significância estatística, metformina, sibutramina e orlistat demonstraram mudança no IMC dos pacientes. A abordagem familiar demonstrou grande importância no tratamento da obesidade infantil. O envolvimento assíduo dos pais contribui positivamente para o sucesso da terapêutica. Em contrapartida, o fraco envolvimento familiar foi considerado um entrave para o tratamento da obesidade. E intervenções baseadas na família mostraram-se mais efetivas do que atuações educacionais individualizadas e farmacológicas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados encontrados até então demonstram que a literatura científica atual ainda carece de ensaios e estudos clínicos adicionais acerca da aplicabilidade das abordagens terapêuticas na obesidade infantil.

Autoimmune hepatitis in 828 Brazilian children and adolescents: clinical and laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes

In this large clinical series of Brazilian children and adolescents, autoimmunehepatitis-1 was more frequent, and patients with autoimmune hepatitis-2 exhibited higherdisease remission rates with earlier response to treatment. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1 had a higher risk of death.sentation, laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes of children andadolescents with autoimmune hepatitis.Methods: The medical records of 828 children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitiswere reviewed. A questionnaire was used to collect anonymous data on clinical presentation,biochemical and histological findings, and treatments.Results: Of all patients, 89.6% had autoimmune hepatitis-1 and 10.4% had autoimmunehepatitis-2. The female sex was predominant in both groups. The median age at symptomonset was 111.5 (6; 210) and 53.5 (8; 165) months in the patients with autoimmune hepatitis1 and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively. Acute clinical onset was observed in 56.1% and58.8% and insidious symptoms in 43.9% and 41.2% of the patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively. The risk of hepatic failure was 1.6-fold higher forautoimmune hepatitis-2. Fulminant hepatic failure occurred in 3.6% and 10.6% of the patientswith autoimmune hepatitis-1 and autoimmune hepatitis-2, respectively; the risk was 3.1-foldhigher for autoimmune hepatitis-2. The gamma globulin and immunoglobulin G levels were sig-nificantly higher in autoimmune hepatitis-1, while the immunoglobulin A and C3 levels werelower in autoimmune hepatitis-2. Cirrhosis was observed in 22.4% of the patients; biochem-ical remission was achieved in 76.2%. The actuarial survival rate was 93.0%. A total of 4.6%underwent liver transplantation, and 6.9% died (autoimmune hepatitis-1: 7.5%; autoimmunehepatitis-2: 2.4%).Conclusions: In this large clinical series of Brazilian children and adolescents, autoimmunehepatitis-1 was more frequent, and patients with autoimmune hepatitis-2 exhibited higherdisease remission rates with earlier response to treatment. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis-1 had a higher risk of death.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Italian Draft Law on the \u2018Provisions Concerning the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage\u2019

Intangible cultural heritage in Italy is still in need of a unified approach, capable of providing reliable criteria for identifying its assets and for indicating timescales and means by which they should be safeguarded. In the continued absence of up-to-date, ad hoc state legislation (since the content of those laws which do implement international Conventions is too generic in nature to be sufficiently effective), the Regions have proceeded to act in a somewhat scattered manner, giving rise to an extremely fragmented and very disorderly regulatory framework. The draft law N. 4486, "Provisions Concerning the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage", presented on 12th May 2017 at the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic - as the result of the work of an interdisciplinary and inter-university research team coordinated by Marco Giampieretti, who has drafted the final text with the collaboration of Simona Pinton - seeks to fill the serious void that exists in Italian legal system by aligning it to the principles of international and European law, by redirecting the relevant State and Regional legislation, and by satisfying the fundamental requirements of the national community