Search Results (136)

Mushroom production is a sustainable practice but requires improvements, such as in Lentinula edodes (Berk) Pegler cultivation, which has high water and labor demands. In this context, this study proposed replacing the traditional primordia induction method by submersion with a water injection method. Two primordia induction methods (submersion and injection) and two cultivation block formats were compared: rectangular cube (2 kg) and cylindrical (3.5 kg). The substrate, composed of eucalyptus sawdust (72%), wheat bran (12.5%), rice bran (12.5%), CaCO₃ (1%), and CaSO₄ (2%), was inoculated with strain LED 19/11 and incubated for 80 days at 26 ± 5 °C and 85 ± 15% humidity. After this period, the blocks were washed and transferred to the production environment. Fruiting was induced either by submersion or water injection, and production was evaluated over four harvest flushes. The 2 kg blocks had higher yields with submersion (16.62%), while the 3.5 kg blocks responded better to injection (13.01%), showing more homogeneous production. Increasing the substrate quantity contributes to greater harvest stability across production cycles. Water injections proved to be a viable alternative, reducing handling and facilitating large-scale production. The use of this technique demonstrates great importance in reducing water use and also the need for labor in cultivation. Full article

In Italy, the law on road homicide (Law no. 41/2016) introduced specific provisions for drivers who cause severe injuries or death to a person due to the violation of the Highway Code. The use of alcohol or drugs while driving constitutes an aggravating circumstance of the offence and provides for a tightening of penalties. Our study aims to report on the analysis performed on blood samples collected between January 2018 and December 2024 from drivers convicted of road homicide and who tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs. The majority of the involved subjects were males belonging to the 18–30 and 41–50 age groups. Alcohol, cocaine and cannabinoids were the most detected substances and the most frequent polydrug combination was alcohol and cocaine. We also investigated other influencing factors in road traffic accidents as the day of the week and the time of the day in which fatal road traffic accident occurred, and the time elapsed between the road accident and the collection of biological samples. Our data, in line with the international scenario, strongly support that, in addition to the tightening of penalties, raising awareness plays a key role in preventing alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents by increasing risk perception and encouraging safer driving behaviors. Full article

Toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonosis worldwide, considered one of the most important parasitic infections that affect global public health, and usually, it is not correctly diagnosed. Serological tests for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection have limitations in differentiating acute from chronic infection, which is important to determine the appropriate clinical management and treatment, mainly in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals infected by this parasite. The present study aimed to characterize immunogenic epitopes from T. gondii immunodominant antigens, as SAG1(SRS29B), SAG2A (SRS34A), GRA1, GRA2, GRA3, GRA5, GRA6, GRA7, MAG1, BSR4, and CCp5A, by investigating if these parasite components might emerge as alternatives to improve the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. A detailed comparative in silico analysis was used for this purpose. Once the protein sequences were retrieved from the ToxoDB database, different parameters were calculated, including physicochemical characteristics, accessibility values, and antigenicity. Multiple sequence alignment, 3D structures modeling, and the validation of 3D structures were also performed among all 11 peptides. Considering the results from the combination of all parameters analyzed, it can be hypothesized that the linear epitopes from SAG1, GRA3, and BSR4 proteins were found to be stable and hydrophilic, with a significant antigenicity score, and accessibility on the protein surface. Also, these three selected peptides were able to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum samples from pigs infected by tachyzoites, when compared with control serum samples, obtained from the same naïve animals and tested by ELISA, demonstrating remarkable difference in terms of reactivity. Taken together, as our study addresses a critical challenge in the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis, particularly in gestational and congenital infections, where false-positive and false-negative results often arise from the use of native or recombinant antigens of T. gondii, our findings highlight the potential of synthetic peptides derived from novel epitopes of this parasite as alternative tools for the development of more accurate immunodiagnostic assays for toxoplasmosis. Full article

Depressive disorder during pregnancy is a common condition, affecting approximately 10–15% of pregnant women, and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as inadequate prenatal care, substance abuse, and fetal growth restriction. Beyond neurotransmitter disturbances, increasing evidence suggests that infectious agents may play a role in the pathophysiology of depression through immune system modulation. Toxoplasma gondii infection has been linked to various mental disorders in the general population, including depression and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate whether depressive disorder during pregnancy is associated with chronic T. gondii infection by analyzing cytokine levels involved in inflammatory response modulation. Serum levels of TNF, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and MIF were measured in 79 pregnant women (18–40 years old) during the third trimester of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Participants were divided into four groups: Group I—depressive disorder and T. gondii seropositive (n = 19); Group II—no depressive disorder and T. gondii seropositive (n = 20); Group III—depressive disorder and T. gondii seronegative (n = 20); and Group IV—no depressive disorder and T. gondii seronegative (n = 20). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during routine prenatal visits, and blood samples were collected during standard prenatal examinations. Significant differences in cytokine levels were observed among the study groups. Notably, the group with both depressive disorder and chronic T. gondii infection exhibited a distinct cytokine profile characterized by significantly elevated TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 levels and significantly reduced IL-8 and MIF levels compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that pregnant women with depressive disorder and chronic T. gondii infection exhibit an altered balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This is the first study to investigate the association between serum cytokine levels, depressive disorder, and chronic T. gondii infection in pregnant women. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of these immunobiomarkers as diagnostic tools or for monitoring therapeutic and prognostic strategies in this context. Full article

Toxoplasmosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasitic disease. Neonates with congenital infection can develop severe long-term sequelae, which can be mitigated or prevented through early diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. In this context, the main objective of this study was to describe the main treatments and evaluate the effectiveness of the current treatment protocols for gestational and congenital toxoplasmosis to prevent vertical transmission and to reduce clinical manifestations in neonates. This systematic review with a meta-analysis searched digital databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE) for observational cohort studies published between 1 January 2013 and 29 January 2025, evaluating treatment effectiveness in gestational and congenital toxoplasmosis. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated using random effects models to assess infection risk and clinical manifestations in neonates. The study quality was assessed following the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol and fifty-six studies from 16 countries were included, comprising 11,090 pregnant women and 4138 children. Studies were predominantly from Brazil (38%), France, and Italy. Only 9% of the studies indicated knowledge of the serological status of the pregnant woman before the gestational stage. Of 10,148 women with confirmed toxoplasmosis, 8600 received treatment, with 18% of their children infected, compared to a 58% infection rate in untreated mothers’ children. Meta-analysis showed that treatment reduced infection risk (RR = 0.34 [0.21; 0.57]) and clinical manifestations (RR = 0.30 [0.17; 0.56]). While spiramycin or triple therapy showed similar effects, triple therapy demonstrated more consistent results (RR: 0.22 [0.15; 0.32]) compared to spiramycin alone (RR: 0.54 [0.06; 4.67]). In conclusion, treatment protocols for congenital or gestational toxoplasmosis have proven to be effective in reducing the risk of infection and clinical manifestations in neonates. Regarding the type of treatment, although they have similar responses, the use of triple therapy shows more consistent responses than isolated spiramycin. It can be also concluded that prevention and mitigation of congenital toxoplasmosis require standardized treatment protocols, improved diagnostic methods, and educational programs for women of childbearing age, as treatment initiation timing and protocol choice are crucial factors in determining outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: In a recent study, we investigated anti-VEGF treatment strategies for three subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)—typical AMD (tAMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP)—among a large cohort of Japanese patients. To further explore these findings, we conducted a post hoc analysis of this cohort to identify factors associated with the discontinuation of anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD in a real-world clinical setting. Methods: We collected medical records of patients newly diagnosed with nAMD who initiated intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody injection therapy. Patients were divided into two groups: those who continued anti-VEGF therapy for one year and those who discontinued treatment. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, injection regimen, and the type of anti-VEGF antibody drug used were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 667 treatment-naïve nAMD patients initiated anti-VEGF agents and followed the therapy for 1 year. The one-year dropout rate in this study was 13%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that poor initial visual acuity and a PRN treatment regimen were significantly associated with higher odds of dropout. Age, gender, systemic factors, and the choice of intravitreal injection did not show any significant differences. Conclusions: Poor initial visual acuity and PRN treatment regimens may increase the risk of treatment dropout and should be carefully monitored. Full article

Background: Myxol, a monocyclic carotenoid with β- and ψ-end groups, has been identified in only a limited number of bacteria, such as flavobacteria and cyanobacteria. Despite its biological significance, the biosynthetic pathway of myxol is not well understood, and studies on its physiological functions and biological activities are limited because of its rarity. Methods: BLAST homology searches for carotenoid biosynthesis genes in the genome of Nonlabens were performed. The carotenogenesis-related genes in the genome of the marine flavobacteria Nonlabens spongiae were individually cloned and functionally characterized using a heterologous Escherichia coli expression system. Carotenoids from N. spongiae were identified using an LC-MS analysis. Results: We identified a gene cluster involved in carotenoid biosynthesis in the genome of N. spongiae. This cluster includes genes encoding phytoene synthase (CrtB), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), carotenoid 1,2-hydratase (CruF), carotenoid 3,4-desaturase (ψ-end group) (CrtD), carotenoid 2-hydroxylase (ψ-end group) (CrtA-OH), and carotene hydro-xylase (CrtZ). Based on the characteristics of these enzymes, the primary products were predicted to be myxol and/or zeaxanthin. A spectroscopic analysis confirmed that myxol was the primary carotenoid. Furthermore, a plasmid containing a reconstructed gene cluster and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (CrtE) located outside the cluster was introduced into E. coli. This system predominantly accumulated myxol, indicating that the reconstructed gene cluster enabled efficient myxol production in E. coli. Conclusions: This study highlighted the potential biotechnological applications of the carotenoid biosynthesis gene clusters for myxol production. Full article

Alcohol is responsible for an ever-increasing number of deaths worldwide, and many road accidents are caused by irresponsible drinking and driving. The use of biomarkers that can support a diagnosis of alcohol abuse is a very important tool that can improve the prevention of many alcohol-related diseases and serious traffic accidents. The main aim of our study was the full validation of a rapid and simple method by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to detect ethyl glucuronide in hair (hEtG). The method was successfully applied to n = 171 real hair samples collected from drivers convicted of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. A comparison of hEtG and serum Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin percentages (% CDT) was also performed to carefully evaluate the data in relation to the specific detection windows of the two different biomarkers. Most of the drivers with hEtG > 30 pg/mg were males in their thirties. None of the hEtG-positives had a serum % CDT above the cutoff (≥2%). Although some researchers suggest caution until solid data are available on the possible effects of interindividual variability that may influence EtG incorporation and metabolism, hEtG is a very useful biomarker of long-term alcohol exposure that shows greater reliability than traditional blood markers. Full article

Background: Drugged driving is associated with an increased risk of road accidents worldwide. In Italy, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs is a reason for driving disqualification or revocation of the driving license. Drivers charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs must attend a Local Medical Commission (LMC) to undergo mandatory examinations to regain the suspended license. Our study mainly aims to report on the analysis performed on hair samples collected from 7560 drivers who had their licenses suspended for drugged or drunk driving between January 2019 and June 2024. Methods: A rapid, sensitive, and selective method for the determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair by UPLC/MS-MS was developed and fully validated. Results: The most frequently detected substances were cocaine (ecgonine methyl ester, norcocaine, and benzoylecgonine) and cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol), followed by opiates (codeine, morphine, and 6-MAM), methadone (EDDP), and amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, and MDEA). To perform a more in-depth analysis, we also compared hair color with the drug classes that tested positive. The results showed a significant prevalence of dark hair that tested positive for one or more substances, followed by gray/white hair and light hair. Conclusions: Our study provides an interesting and alarming insight into drug exposure in the general population with serious public health threats, discussing the main aspects of hair matrix analysis and focusing on its advantages and reliability in the interpretation of results. Full article

Background/Objectives: The object of this study was to determine the outcomes of treatments other than anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME) before and after the approval of anti-VEGF therapy in Japan. Methods: This was a retrospective study registered in the database of the Survey of Treatment for DME (STREAT-DME). A total of 1683 patients treated from 2010 to 2017 were included. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) a pre-group, treated before the approval of anti-VEGF agents (2010–2013, n = 771), and (2) a post-group (2014–2017, n = 912). Each group was further categorized based on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA): (i) improved from poor (>0.3 logMAR units) to good (≤0.3 logMAR units) or (ii) decreased from good to poor. Results: In the pre-group, 18.5% of patients improved from poor to good BCVA out of the total patient population (p < 0.0001), along with 17.3% out of those administered anti-VEGF therapy (p = 0.139), 20.5% of those administered a sub-tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA, p = 0.02), 17.7% (p = 0.20) of those administered photocoagulation, and 14.2% of those who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV, p = 0.0001). In the post-group, 21.8% had improved BCVA out of the total patient population (p < 0.0001), along with 27.2% of those undergoing anti-VEGF therapy (p < 0.0001), 16.7% of those administered STTA (p < 0.0001), and 27.2% of those who underwent PPV (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: STTA and PPV are effective to a certain extent, even after the approval of anti-VEGF agents. Full article

Objectives: This study primarily aimed to examine the optimal amount of carbohydrates in the effects of high-isomaltulose and high-sucrose ingestion compared with low-sucrose ingestion on blood glucose levels. The secondary objective was to assess the changes in blood glucose levels that may impact golf-related performance. Methods: This study included 29 healthy male competitive golfers playing 18 holes. These participants were randomly assigned to the low-sucrose (LSUC, 30.9 g/h of carbohydrates), high-sucrose (HSUC, 44.2 g/h of carbohydrates), and high-isomaltulose (HISO, 44.5 g/h of carbohydrates) groups. They were required to continuously consume the test food during the round. Assessment items included blood glucose, golf performance, urinary urea nitrogen, subjective ratings (concentration, fatigue, and relaxation), and anxiety ratings. A main effect of the test meal of changes in interstitial glucose concentration was determined. Results: The HSUC had significantly more interstitial glucose than the HISO and LSUC, while the HISO group had a much lower decrease in urine urea nitrogen than the LSUC group. In subjective fatigue, the main effect of the test diet was observed, and the HSUC and HISO showed significantly lower values than the LSUC after 18 h. Conclusions: Compared with low-carbohydrate intake, high-carbohydrate intake during a round of golf-maintained the blood glucose levels and prevented fatigue. Therefore, this study indicates that competitive golfers need a high-carbohydrate intake of approximately 44 g/h for energy intake during a round of golf. Full article

Toxoplasmosis is a neglected disease that represents a significant public health problem. The antigenic profile of T. gondii is complex, and the immune response can lead to either susceptibility or resistance. Some antigens, such as surface antigen glycoprotein (SAG), are expressed on the surface of tachyzoite stages and interact with the host immune cells. In this study, we investigated the potential of the recombinant SAG2A protein of T. gondii to control parasitism and modulate the immune response in the peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) of both susceptible (C57BL/6) and resistant (BALB/c) mice using an in vitro infection model, gene expression, proteomic analysis, and bioinformatic tools. Our results showed that rSAG2A-treated PECs presented a lower parasitism in C57BL/6 mice but not in the PECs from BALB/c mice, and induced a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in C57BL/6 mice (iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6). rSAG2A modulated different exclusive proteins in each mouse lineage, with PECs from the C57BL/6 mice being more sensitive to modulation by rSAG2A. Additionally, biological processes crucial to parasite survival and immune response were modulated by rSAG2A in the C57BL/6 PECs, including fatty acid beta-oxidation, reactive oxygen species metabolism, interferon production, and cytokine-mediated signaling pathways. Together, our study indicates that rSAG2A controls T. gondii parasitism in susceptible C57BL/6 PECs through the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced expression of proteins involved in the cytotoxic response. Full article

Background/Objectives: Empowerment in medicine and psychiatry involves patients gaining control over health-related decisions, improving treatment adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction. This concept is especially significant in psychiatric care due to the complex challenges of mental health conditions, including stigma and impairment of emotional and cognitive functioning. We aim to investigate the correlations between patient trust, decision-making involvement, symptom severity, and perceived empowerment among individuals with Major Depression. Methods: Patients with Major Depressive Disorder were recruited in the “Policlinico G. Rodolico” psychiatry outpatient clinic from November 2022 to June 2023. Inclusion criteria: ages 18–65, ability to consent, stable condition, psychiatric medication history, and recent consultation. Exclusion criteria: psychotic features, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, high suicide risk, and severe comorbidities. Measures included the User Scale for Measuring Empowerment in Mental Health Services (SESM), Trust in Oncologist Scale (TiOS), Clinical Decision-Making Style for Patients (CDMS-P), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Analysis used Kendall’s Tau correlation and Two-One-Sided Tests procedure. Results: Seventy-three patients completed the study. No relationship was found between decision-making involvement and perceived empowerment (τ = −0.0625; p = 0.448), or between trust in psychiatrists and empowerment (τ = 0.0747; p = 0.364). An inverse correlation existed between patient involvement in therapy management and trust (τ = −0.2505; p = 0.002). Depression severity inversely correlated with empowerment (τ = −0.2762; p = <.001), but not with trust or decision-making involvement. Conclusions: The lack of significant correlations suggests that decision-making involvement and trust alone may not suffice to enhance empowerment. Trust may encourage patient passivity, while skepticism might drive active involvement. Higher empowerment is associated with less depressive symptoms, highlighting its potential connection with patient outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the first-line treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). While proactive and adequate treatment generally leads to better visual outcomes, various factors, including the disease type, ocular findings, lifestyle, and systemic status, affect the visual prognosis in clinical settings. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the visual prognosis in patients with nvAMD treated with anti-VEGF therapy. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study at eight tertiary referral centers in Japan, where we reviewed the medical records of patients newly diagnosed with nvAMD between January 2014 and December 2019. These patients had started treatment with either ranibizumab (0.5 mg) or aflibercept (2.0 mg) and were followed for at least 1 year. We evaluated the impact of the disease type, systemic factors, and initial fundus findings on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year. Results: This study included 182 patients (129 men, 53 women), with a mean age of 75.0 ± 8.6 years. The disease types were categorized as typical AMD (53%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (43%), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) (4%). Univariate analysis identified age, the baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA, intraretinal fluid (IRF), pigment epithelial detachment (PED), and subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM). Multivariate analysis identified the following significant risk factors associated with vision worsening: age, smoking history, diabetes, and the presence of IRF and PED. Conclusions: The presence of IRF, PED, and SHRM at the start of treatment and a history of smoking and diabetes may be associated with a poor visual prognosis in patients with nvAMD. Full article