The electronics era is flourishing and morphing itself into Internet of Everything, IoE. At the same time, questions arise on the issue of electronic materials employed: especially their natural ...availability and low-cost fabrication, their functional stability in devices, and finally their desired biodegradation at the end of their life cycle. Hydrogen bonded pigments and natural dyes like indigo, anthraquinone and acridone are not only biodegradable and of bio-origin but also have functionality robustness and offer versatility in designing electronics and sensors components. With this Perspective, we intend to coalesce all the scattered reports on the above-mentioned classes of hydrogen bonded semiconductors, spanning across several disciplines and many active research groups. The article will comprise both published and unpublished results, on stability during aging, upon electrical, chemical and thermal stress, and will finish with an outlook section related to biological degradation and biological stability of selected hydrogen bonded molecules employed as semiconductors in organic electronic devices. We demonstrate that when the purity, the long-range order and the strength of chemical bonds, are considered, then the Hydrogen bonded organic semiconductors are the privileged class of materials having the potential to compete with inorganic semiconductors. As an experimental historical study of stability, we fabricated and characterized organic transistors from a material batch synthesized in 1932 and compared the results to a fresh material batch.
Four pinaceae pine resins analyzed in this study: black pine, shore pine, Baltic amber, and rosin demonstrate excellent dielectric properties, outstanding film forming, and ease of processability ...from ethyl alcohol solutions. Their trap-free nature allows fabrication of virtually hysteresis-free organic field effect transistors operating in a low voltage window with excellent stability under bias stress. Such green constituents represent an excellent choice of materials for applications targeting biocompatibility and biodegradability of electronics and sensors, within the overall effort of sustainable electronics development and environmental friendliness.
In this work, we explored industrially relevant pigments quinacridones as organic semiconductors with respect to their applicability in air-stable homojunction (single material-single layer) organic ...photovoltaic cells. We studied quinacridone and two linear transquinacridones, i.e., Pigment Red 122 (2,9′-dimethylquinacridone) and Pigment Red 202 (2,9′-dichloroquinacridone) in vacuum-processible OPV films and compared their performance to OPV films made from their solution-processed counterparts. We show that this class of materials generates photocurrent without the need of creating a donor–acceptor junction. Stable homojunctions were created both via vacuum-processible and solution-processible routes, with the latter method based on the chemical functionalization of the respective molecules with the thermolabile group,
t
-BOC, that affords solubility in various organic solvents and conversion back to the parent molecule via exposure to temperatures around 170 °C for periods not exceeding 30 min. We show that power conversion efficiencies around 0.15% are reachable without scrupulous optimization of the homojunction cells in terms of electrode surface functionalization or film deposition conditions. This class of materials holds promise for the further development of a new generation of air-stable organic photovoltaic cells based on simple fabrication technologies.
Graphical abstract
Vaccination campaign to contrast the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has raised the issue of vaccine immunogenicity in special populations such as people with ...multiple sclerosis (PwMS) on highly effective disease modifying treatments (DMTs). While humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been well characterized in the general population and in PwMS, very little is known about cell-mediated responses in conferring protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
PwMS on ocrelizumab, fingolimod or natalizumab, vaccinated with two doses of mRNABNT162b2 (Comirnaty
) vaccine were enrolled. Anti-Spike (S) and anti-Nucleoprotein (N) antibody titers, IFN-gamma production upon S and N peptide libraries stimulation, peripheral blood lymphocyte absolute counts were assessed after at least 1 month and within 4 months from vaccine second dose administration. A group of age and sex matched healthy donors (HD) were included as reference group. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8.2.1.
Thirty PwMS and 9 HDs were enrolled. All the patients were negative for anti-N antibody detection, nor reported previous symptoms of COVID-19. Peripheral blood lymphocyte counts were assessed in PwMS showing: (i) reduction of circulating B-lymphocytes in PwMS on ocrelizumab; (ii) reduction of peripheral blood B- and T-lymphocyte absolute counts in PwMS on fingolimod and (iii) normal B- and T-lymphocyte absolute counts with an increase in circulating CD16+CD56+ NK-cells in PwMS on natalizumab. Three patterns of immunological responses were identified in PwMS. In patients on ocrelizumab, anti-S antibody were lacking or reduced, while T-cell responses were normal. In patients on fingolimod both anti-S titers and T-cell mediated responses were impaired. In patients on natalizumab both anti-S titers and T-cell responses were present and comparable to those observed in HD.
The evaluation of T-cell responses, anti-S titers and peripheral blood lymphocyte absolute count in PwMS on DMTs can help to better characterize the immunological response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The evaluation of T-cell responses in longitudinal cohorts of PwMS will help to clarify their protective role in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. The correlation between DMT treatment and immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines could help to better evaluate vaccination strategies in PwMS.
Future has always been an essential dimension to fashion. However, recent practices in trend forecasting seemed to pull the future itself away from fashion, generating a tricky paradox where external ...issues – given by global challenges – and internal tensions – outlined by relentless market rhythms – clashed feeding fashion’s unsustainability. The pandemic event marked a point from which the next steps towards the future have to be thought of carefully. Thus, fashion firms need to develop new approaches to tackle global challenges, heightening their awareness of change and sharpening their visions thanks to a more reflective attitude towards distant futures. By analyzing how the fashion industry has been mastering the short-term horizons lately, the contribution aims to investigate the role and the responsibilities of forecasting practices in fashion, especially when it is intended to inform and give consistency to marketing strategies. Broadening the interpretation of forecasting through the lens of future studies, the paper aims to further the discussion on the potential paradigm shift to a fashion forecasting, where scenarios as tools to re-direct and re-tune social and environmental sustainability could offer support in the construction of new systemic strategies while building social narratives.
Background:
Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) has been recently adopted in pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study aimed to report our experience with ...ICG-guided NIRF in pediatric laparoscopy and robotics and evaluate its usefulness and technique of application in different pediatric pathologies.
Methods:
ICG technology was adopted in 76 laparoscopic and/or robotic procedures accomplished in a single division of pediatric surgery over a 24-month period (January 2018–2020): 40 (37 laparoscopic, three robotic) left varicocelectomies with intra-operative lymphography; 13 (10 laparoscopic, three robotic) renal procedures: seven partial nephrectomies, three nephrectomies, and three renal cyst deroofings; 12 laparoscopic cholecystectomies; five robotic tumor excisions; three laparoscopic abdominal lymphoma excisions; three thoracoscopic procedures: two lobectomies and one lymph node biopsy for suspected lymphoma. The ICG solution was administered into a peripheral vein in all indications except for varicocele and lymphoma in which it was, respectively, injected into the testis body or the target organ. Regarding the timing of the administration, the ICG solution was administered intra-operatively in all indications except for cholecystectomy in which the ICG injection was performed 15–18 h before surgery.
Results:
No conversions to open or laparoscopy occurred. No adverse and allergic reactions to ICG or other postoperative complications were reported.
Conclusions:
Based upon our 2 year experience, we believe that ICG-guided NIRF is a very useful tool in pediatric MIS to perform a true imaged-guided surgery, allowing an easier identification of anatomic structures and an easier surgical performance in difficult cases. The most common applications in pediatric surgery include varicocele repair, difficult cholecystectomy, partial nephrectomy, lymphoma, and tumors excision but further indications will be soon discovered. ICG-enhanced fluorescence was technically easy to apply and safe for the patient reporting no adverse reactions to the product. The main limitation is represented by the specific equipment needed to apply ICG-guided NIRF in laparoscopic procedures, that is not available in all centers whereas the ICG system Firefly® is already integrated into the robotic platform.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans worldwide. The food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe through the consumption of pork ...and wild boar meat. HEV epidemiology in wild boars has been investigated mainly in Northern and Central Italian regions, whilst information from Southern Italy is limited. We investigated the occurrence of HEV in wild boar in the Apulia and Basilicata regions (Southern Italy). Thirteen (10.4%) out of one hundred and twenty-five wild boar samples tested positive for HEV using a quantitative reverse transcription PCR. HEV prevalence was 12% in Apulia and 9.3% in Basilicata. Seven samples were genotyped, and different subtypes (c, f, m) of genotype 3 were identified. The complete genome of a 3m strain was determined, and the virus showed the highest nucleotide identity to a human HEV strain identified in France in 2017. These findings demonstrate the substantial circulation of HEV in the wild boar population in Italian Southern regions. Gathering information on the HEV strains circulating in different geographical areas is useful for tracking the origin of HEV outbreaks and assessing the epidemiological role of wild boar as a potential virus reservoir for domestic pigs.
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oxygen-enriched oil-based gel dressing on wound healing and postoperative outcome in children who underwent distal hypospadias repair.
Methods
We ...included all patients with distal hypospadias, who underwent Snodgrass urethroplasty and preputioplasty over an 18-months period. The patients were randomized in two groups according to the type of medication: oxygen-enriched oil-based gel (G1) and hyaluronic acid cream (G2). After discharge, parents changed the dressing twice a day for 2–3 weeks postoperatively. The patients were evaluated at 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 180 postoperative days and thereafter annually.
Results
One-hundred and fourteen patients (median age 18 months) were included in the study and randomized in two groups, each of 57 patients. The wound healing was significantly faster in G1 compared with G2 (
p
= 0.001). G1 reported significantly higher SWAS and modified HOPE scores compared with G2 (
p
= 0.001) at all steps of follow-up. No adverse skin reactions occurred. Foreskin dehiscence and re-operations rates were significantly lower in G1 compared with G2 (
p
= 0.001). Postoperative foreskin retractability was better in G1, with a significantly higher incidence of secondary phimosis in G2 (
p
= 0.001). The median treatment costs were significantly lower in G1 compared with G2 (
p
= 0.001).
Conclusion
Postoperative dressing using oxygen-enriched oil-based gel was highly effective, promoting a faster wound healing in patients who underwent distal hypospadias repair. It reported a lower incidence of foreskin dehiscence and better foreskin retractability compared with the control group. It was cost-effective and clinically safe without allergy or intolerance to the product.
In this study, we provided a retrospective overview in order to better define SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Italy during the first two years of the pandemic, by characterizing the spike ...mutational profiles and their association with viral load (expressed as ct values), N-glycosylation pattern, hospitalization and vaccination. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data were obtained from 607 individuals (among them, 298 vaccinated and/or 199 hospitalized). Different rates of hospitalization were observed over time and among variants of concern (VOCs), both in the overall population and in vaccinated individuals (Alpha: 40.7% and 31.3%, Beta: 0%, Gamma: 36.5% and 44.4%, Delta: 37.8% and 40.2% and Omicron: 11.2% and 7.1%, respectively, both p-values < 0.001). Approximately 32% of VOC-infected individuals showed at least one atypical major spike mutation (intra-prevalence > 90%), with a distribution differing among the strains (22.9% in Alpha, 14.3% in Beta, 41.8% in Gamma, 46.5% in Delta and 15.4% in Omicron, p-value < 0.001). Overall, significantly less atypical variability was observed in vaccinated individuals than unvaccinated individuals; nevertheless, vaccinated people who needed hospitalization showed an increase in atypical variability compared to vaccinated people that did not need hospitalization. Only 5/607 samples showed a different putative N-glycosylation pattern, four within the Delta VOC and one within the Omicron BA.2.52 sublineage. Interestingly, atypical minor mutations (intra-prevalence < 20%) were associated with higher Ct values and a longer duration of infection. Our study reports updated information on the temporal circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Central Italy and their association with hospitalization and vaccination. The results underline how SARS-CoV-2 has changed over time and how the vaccination strategy has contributed to reducing severity and hospitalization for this infection in Italy.
To date, studies assessing the relationship between sarcopenia and delirium, two of the most common geriatric syndromes, are lacking. We sought to explore this association by investigating the ...co-occurrence of these two conditions and the independent association between them in a population of hospitalized older adults.
Cross-sectional multicenter analysis of older adults consecutively admitted to 12 acute geriatric units (AGUs). Sarcopenia was assessed upon admission by evaluating the presence of low skeletal mass index (kg/m2), and either low handgrip strength or low walking speed (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, EWGSOP criteria). Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioimpedance analysis. Participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment upon admission; information concerning demographics, cognition (Short Portable Status Mental Questionnaire, SPMSQ) functional (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, IADL and Basic-Activities of Daily Living, BADL), and health status (Charlson Index and specific diseases) was evaluated. The presence of delirium upon admission was ascertained as an explicit clinical diagnosis recorded by the researcher of each centre on the data form. All association estimates were reported as Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a Cox hazard proportional regression model with robust variance and constant time.
Of the 588 analyzed patients (mean age = 80.9 ± 6.8, 53.2% females), 199 (33.8%) had sarcopenia upon admission to the AGU. According to a multivariable Cox regression, delirium upon admission (PR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.12–2.45), IADL total score (PR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87–0.98), Body Mass Index values (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 25.0 (PR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.33–2.18), BMI values >18.5 (PR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.81–3.53), previous stroke (PR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.10–2.07) and chronic heart failure (CHF) (PR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02–1.68) were significantly and independently associated with sarcopenia upon admission to the AGU.
The study, carried out in a population of hospitalized older patients, shows that a diagnosis of delirium upon admission to the AGU was more frequent in those with sarcopenia than in others. Furthermore, the study found that delirium was independently associated with the risk of being sarcopenic upon admission to the AGU. Future studies are needed to confirm this association.
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