Biomolecular electronic devices based on self-organized deoxyguanosine nanocrystals.

We report on a new class of hybrid electronic devices based on a DNA nucleoside (deoxyguanosine lipophilic derivative) whose assembled polymeric ribbons interconnect a submicron metallic gate. The device exhibits large conductivity at room temperature, rectifying behavior and strong current-voltage hysteresis. The transport mechanism through the molecules is investigated by comparing films with different self-assembling morphology. We found that the main transport mechanism is connected to pi-pi interactions between guanosine molecules and to the formation of a strong dipole along ribbons, consistently with the results of our first-principles calculations

A new approach in the monitoring of the phytosanitary conditions of forests: the case of oak and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks

L'obiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di esaminare lo stato fitosanitario delle quercete e faggete dei tre Parchi Regionali Siciliani (Parco dell'Etna, Parco delle Madonie, Parco dei Nebrodi). Lo studio è stato condotto individuando delle aree di saggio, popolamenti forestali omogenei sotto l'aspetto floristico, ecologico e fitosanitario. Complessivamente sono state delimitate 81 aree di saggio, di cui 54 quercete e 27 faggete. La condizione fitosanitaria di ogni essenza arborea all'interno della rispettiva area di saggio è stata espressa con un indice numerico denominato “classe fitosanitaria” (PC). I popolamenti di quercia hanno mostrato un elevato grado di sofferenza, con alberi sintomatici nell’85% delle aree di saggio. I popolamenti di faggio hanno mostrato una situazione di maggiore stabilità, ad eccezione delle faggete del parco dei Nebrodi che apparivano molto degradate. Sul genere Quercus, sono stati osservati sintomi di infezioni di patogeni fungini comuni nelle foreste delle aree temperate e Mediterranee, quali Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Polyporus sp., Fistulina hepatica, Mycrosphaera alphitoides ed Armillaria sp., mentre su faggio sono state osservate infezioni di Biscogniauxia nummularia, Fomes fomentarius e Neonectria radicicola. Sono state altresì individuate 22 aree che vengono proposte come aree di saggio permanenti dello stato fitosanitario delle foreste nei tre parchi.The objective of this study was to investigate the health conditions of oak and beech stands in the three Regional Parks of Sicily (Etna, Madonie and Nebrodi). A total of 81 sampling areas were investigated, 54 in oak stands and 27 in beech stands. The phytosanitary conditions of each tree within the respective sampling area was expressed with a synthetic index namely phytosanitary class (PC). Oak stands showed severe symptoms of decline, with 85% of the sampling areas including symptomatic trees. In general, beech stands were in better condition, with the exception of Nebrodi Park, where trees showed severe symptoms of decline. On oak trees, infections of fungal pathogens were also observed, including Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Polyporus sp., Fistulina hepatica, Mycrosphaera alphitoides and Armillaria sp. By contrast, on beech trees Biscogniauxia nummularia, Fomes fomentarius and Neonectria radicicola were recognized. Furthermore, twenty-two permanent sampling areas were delimited with the aim of monitoring regularly the health conditions of forests in these three parks

Environmental and Agro-Economic Sustainability of Olive Orchards Irrigated with Reclaimed Water under Deficit Irrigation

This study explores the effects of the adoption of reclaimed water (RW) as source of irrigation in conjunction with the application of deficit irrigation strategies in an olive orchard (different genotypes) located within the “Valle dei Margi” farmhouse (Eastern Sicily). Specifically, the RW was obtained in situ by treating the wastewater coming from the farmhouse throughout a treatment wetland system (TW). The effects of RW on crop water status (CWS) was assessed by conducting plant-based measurements (i.e., leaf water potential, Ψ, and leaves relative water content, RWC) and determining satellite-based biophysical indicators. An economical and environmental evaluation of the proposed sustainable irrigation practices was carried out by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach.The RW quality showed high variability due to fluctuations in the number of customers at the farmhouse during the Covid-19 pandemic period. However, high removal efficiency of the overall TW was reached even if the RW quality did not always accomplish with the limits of the Italian regulations. A strong impact in the variation of Ψ was observed among the olive orchard under the different water regimes, evidencing how CWS performances are greatly conditioned by the genotype. However, no differences in leaves RWC and in satellite-based biophysical indicators were detected, despite the severe water deficit imposed (i.e., 50% of irrigation water reduction). Finally, the results of the LCA analysis underlined that the use of RW may permit to obtain important gains both in economic and environmental terms, thus representing a valid strategy for the olive cultivation

Quality performance measures for small capsule endoscopy: Are the ESGE quality standards met?

Background and study aims The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recently issued a quality performance measures document for small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). The aim of this nationwide survey was to explore SBCE practice with ESGE quality measures as a benchmark. Patients and methods A dedicated per-center semiquantitative questionnaire based on ESGE performance measures for SBCE was created by a group of SBCE experts. One-hundred-eighty-one centers were invited to participate and were asked to calculate performance measures for SBCE performed in 2018. Data were compared with 10 ESGE quality standards for both key and minor performance measures. Results Ninety-one centers (50.3 %) participated in the data collection. Overall in the last 5 years (2014–2018), 26,615 SBCEs were performed, 5917 of which were done in 2018. Eighty percent or more of the participating centers reached the minimum standard established by the ESGE Small Bowel Working Group (ESBWG) for four performance measures (indications for SBCE, complete small bowel evaluation, diagnostic yield and retention rate). Conversely, compliance with six minimum standards established by ESBWG concerning adequate bowel preparation, patient selection, timing of SBCE in overt bleeding, appropriate reporting, reading protocols and referral to device-assisted enteroscopy was met by only 15.5%, 10.9%, 31.1%, 67.7%, 53.4%, and 32.2% of centers, respectively. Conclusions The present survey shows significant variability across SBCE centers; only four (4/10: 40 %) SBCE procedural minimum standards were met by a relevant proportion of the centers ( ≥ 80 %). Our data should help in identifying target areas for quality improvement programs in SBCE

Metabolomic profile of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) identifies methionine, porphyrin and tryptophan metabolism as key dysregulated pathways associated with patient survival

Objective: Metabolic profiling is a valuable tool to characterize tumor biology but remains largely unexplored in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Our aim was to comprehensively assess the metabolomic profile of NETs and identify novel prognostic biomarkers and dysregulated molecular pathways.Design and Methods: Multiplatform untargeted metabolomic profiling (GC-MS, CE-MS, and LC-MS) was performed in plasma from 77 patients with G1-2 extra-pancreatic NETs enrolled in the AXINET trial (NCT01744249) (study cohort) and from 68 non-cancer individuals (control). The prognostic value of each differential metabolite (n = 155) in NET patients (P < .05) was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses adjusted for multiple testing and other confounding factors. Related pathways were explored by Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis (MSEA) and Metabolite Pathway Analysis (MPA).Results: Thirty-four metabolites were significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (n = 16) and/or overall survival (OS) (n = 27). Thirteen metabolites remained significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis, 3 of them with a significant impact on both PFS and OS. Unsupervised clustering of these 3 metabolites stratified patients in 3 distinct prognostic groups (1-year PFS of 71.1%, 47.7%, and 15.4% (P = .012); 5-year OS of 69.7%, 32.5%, and 27.7% (P = .003), respectively). The MSEA and MPA of the 13-metablolite signature identified methionine, porphyrin, and tryptophan metabolisms as the 3 most relevant dysregulated pathways associated with the prognosis of NETs.Conclusions: We identified a metabolomic signature that improves prognostic stratification of NET patients beyond classical prognostic factors for clinical decisions. The enriched metabolic pathways identified reveal novel tumor vulnerabilities that may foster the development of new therapeutic strategies for these patients

Association of Upfront Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy With Progression-Free Survival Among Patients With Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

open57noIMPORTANCE Data about the optimal timing for the initiation of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for advanced, well-differentiated enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are lacking. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of upfront PRRT vs upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy with progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with advanced enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who experienced disease progression after treatment with somatostatin analogues (SSAs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study analyzed the clinical records from 25 Italian oncology centers for patients aged 18 years or older who had unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated, grades 1 to 3 enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and received either PRRT or chemotherapy or targeted therapy after experiencing disease progression after treatment with SSAs between January 24, 2000, and July 1, 2020. Propensity score matching was done to minimize the selection bias. EXPOSURES Upfront PRRT or upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was the difference in PFS among patients who received upfront PRRT vs among those who received upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. A secondary outcome was the difference in overall survival between these groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) were fitted in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model to adjust for relevant factors associated with PFS and were corrected for interaction with these factors. RESULTS Of 508 evaluated patients (mean ([SD] age, 55.7 [0.5] years; 278 [54.7%] were male), 329 (64.8%) received upfront PRRT and 179 (35.2%) received upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. The matched group included 222 patients (124 [55.9%] male; mean [SD] age, 56.1 [0.8] years), with 111 in each treatment group. Median PFS was longer in the PRRT group than in the chemotherapy or targeted therapy group in the unmatched (2.5 years [95%CI, 2.3-3.0 years] vs 0.7 years [95%CI, 0.5-1.0 years]; HR, 0.35 [95%CI, 0.28-0.44; P &lt; .001]) and matched (2.2 years [95% CI, 1.8-2.8 years] vs 0.6 years [95%CI, 0.4-1.0 years]; HR, 0.37 [95%CI, 0.27-0.51; P &lt; .001]) populations. No significant differences were shown in median overall survival between the PRRT and chemotherapy or targeted therapy groups in the unmatched (12.0 years [95%CI, 10.7-14.1 years] vs 11.6 years [95%CI, 9.1-13.4 years]; HR, 0.81 [95%CI, 0.62-1.06; P = .11]) and matched (12.2 years [95% CI, 9.1-14.2 years] vs 11.5 years [95%CI, 9.2-17.9 years]; HR, 0.83 [95%CI, 0.56-1.24; P = .36]) populations. The use of upfront PRRT was independently associated with improved PFS (HR, 0.37; 95%CI, 0.26-0.51; P &lt; .001) in multivariable analysis. After adjustment of values for interaction, upfront PRRT was associated with longer PFS regardless of tumor functional status (functioning: adjusted HR [aHR], 0.39 [95%CI, 0.27-0.57]; nonfunctioning: aHR, 0.29 [95%CI, 0.16-0.56]), grade of 1 to 2 (grade 1: aHR, 0.21 [95%CI, 0.12-0.34]; grade 2: aHR, 0.52 [95%CI, 0.29-0.73]), and site of tumor origin (pancreatic: aHR, 0.41 [95%CI, 0.24-0.61]; intestinal: aHR, 0.19 [95%CI, 0.11-0.43]) (P &lt; .001 for all). Conversely, the advantage was not retained in grade 3 tumors (aHR, 0.31; 95%CI, 0.12-1.37; P = .13) or in tumors with a Ki-67 proliferation index greater than 10% (aHR, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.29-1.43; P = .31). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, treatment with upfront PRRT in patients with enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who had experienced disease progression with SSA treatment was associated with significantly improved survival outcomes compared with upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Further research is needed to investigate the correct strategy, timing, and optimal specific sequence of these therapeutic options.openPusceddu, Sara; Prinzi, Natalie; Tafuto, Salvatore; Ibrahim, Toni; Filice, Angelina; Brizzi, Maria Pia; Panzuto, Francesco; Baldari, Sergio; Grana, Chiara M.; Campana, Davide; Davì, Maria Vittoria; Giuffrida, Dario; Zatelli, Maria Chiara; Partelli, Stefano; Razzore, Paola; Marconcini, Riccardo; Massironi, Sara; Gelsomino, Fabio; Faggiano, Antongiulio; Giannetta, Elisa; Bajetta, Emilio; Grimaldi, Franco; Cives, Mauro; Cirillo, Fernando; Perfetti, Vittorio; Corti, Francesca; Ricci, Claudio; Giacomelli, Luca; Porcu, Luca; Di Maio, Massimo; Seregni, Ettore; Maccauro, Marco; Lastoria, Secondo; Bongiovanni, Alberto; Versari, Annibale; Persano, Irene; Rinzivillo, Maria; Pignata, Salvatore Antonio; Rocca, Paola Anna; Lamberti, Giuseppe; Cingarlini, Sara; Puliafito, Ivana; Ambrosio, Maria Rosaria; Zanata, Isabella; Bracigliano, Alessandra; Severi, Stefano; Spada, Francesca; Andreasi, Valentina; Modica, Roberta; Scalorbi, Federica; Milione, Massimo; Sabella, Giovanna; Coppa, Jorgelina; Casadei, Riccardo; Di Bartolomeo, Maria; Falconi, Massimo; de Braud, FilippoPusceddu, Sara; Prinzi, Natalie; Tafuto, Salvatore; Ibrahim, Toni; Filice, Angelina; Brizzi, Maria Pia; Panzuto, Francesco; Baldari, Sergio; Grana, Chiara M.; Campana, Davide; Davì, Maria Vittoria; Giuffrida, Dario; Zatelli, Maria Chiara; Partelli, Stefano; Razzore, Paola; Marconcini, Riccardo; Massironi, Sara; Gelsomino, Fabio; Faggiano, Antongiulio; Giannetta, Elisa; Bajetta, Emilio; Grimaldi, Franco; Cives, Mauro; Cirillo, Fernando; Perfetti, Vittorio; Corti, Francesca; Ricci, Claudio; Giacomelli, Luca; Porcu, Luca; Di Maio, Massimo; Seregni, Ettore; Maccauro, Marco; Lastoria, Secondo; Bongiovanni, Alberto; Versari, Annibale; Persano, Irene; Rinzivillo, Maria; Pignata, Salvatore Antonio; Rocca, Paola Anna; Lamberti, Giuseppe; Cingarlini, Sara; Puliafito, Ivana; Ambrosio, Maria Rosaria; Zanata, Isabella; Bracigliano, Alessandra; Severi, Stefano; Spada, Francesca; Andreasi, Valentina; Modica, Roberta; Scalorbi, Federica; Milione, Massimo; Sabella, Giovanna; Coppa, Jorgelina; Casadei, Riccardo; Di Bartolomeo, Maria; Falconi, Massimo; de Braud, Filipp

Epidemiology of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a review and protocol presentation for bridging tumor registry data with the Italian association for neuroendocrine tumors (Itanet) national database

: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors with diverse clinical behaviors. Large databases like the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and national NEN registries have provided significant epidemiological knowledge, but they have limitations given the recent advancements in NEN diagnostics and treatments. For instance, newer imaging techniques and therapies have revolutionized NEN management, rendering older data less representative. Additionally, crucial parameters, like the Ki67 index, are missing from many databases. Acknowledging these gaps, the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet) initiated a national multicenter prospective database in 2019, aiming to gather data on newly-diagnosed gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (GEP) NENs. This observational study, coordinated by Itanet, includes patients from 37 Italian centers. The database, which is rigorously maintained and updated, focuses on diverse parameters including age, diagnostic techniques, tumor stage, treatments, and survival metrics. As of October 2023, data from 1,600 patients have been recorded, with an anticipation of reaching 3600 by the end of 2025. This study aims at understanding the epidemiology, clinical attributes, and treatment strategies for GEP-NENs in Italy, and to introduce the Itanet database project. Once comprehensive follow-up data will be acquired, the goal will be to discern predictors of treatment outcomes and disease prognosis. The Itanet database will offer an unparalleled, updated perspective on GEP-NENs, addressing the limitations of older databases and aiding in optimizing patient care. STUDY REGISTRATION: This protocol was registered in clinicaltriasl.gov (NCT04282083)