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Plasma electrolytic oxidation-derived WO3 and WO3@LDH hybrid coatings as immobilized photocatalysts for solar−driven water treatment
No full textThis study presents the development of immobilized photocatalytic coatings for the degradation of diclofenac (DCF), a persistent pharmaceutical pollutant, under solar light irradiation. Two-dimensional tungsten oxide (2D-WO3) nanoflakes were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment and incorporated into plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings, together with Zn-single bondAl layered double hydroxide intercalated with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (Znsingle bondAl LDH-MBT). This study demonstrates, for the first time, the synergistic effect of incorporating 2D-WO3 nanoflakes and Znsingle bondAl LDH into PEO coatings on Al, enhancing photocatalytic performance compared to previous WO3-containing systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of WO3 nanoparticles combined with Znsingle bondAl LDH, an established PEO coating morphology modifier, within the PEO process for water remediation applications. Coatings were fabricated using silicate-, aluminate-, and tungstate-based electrolytes. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of WO3 particles and LDH-derived phases. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed a WO3 band gap of approximately 2.40 eV, suitable for solar light activation. Coatings with moderate WO3 loading (10 g/L) exhibited superior photocatalytic performance compared to those with higher loading (15 g/L), attributed to the formation of inactive metallic tungsten (W0) at increased WO3 concentrations. Photocatalytic degradation of DCF under solar light reached up to 92 % for WO3 powder and 92 %, 66 %, and 87 % for WO3-doped coatings in silicate-, aluminate-, and tungstate-based electrolytes, respectively. Incorporation of Znsingle bondAl LDH remained high activity and increased in the case of aluminum electrolyte from 66 to 87 %. The production of transformation products during the photocatalytic processes confirmed multi-step degradation. These results highlight the synergistic role of WO3 and LDH in PEO coatings, demonstrating their potential for scalable, solar-driven water treatment
De Novo Pulmonary Vein Isolation by Means of Pulsed Field Versus Conventional Thermal Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Women: Safety, Efficiency, and Efficacy
No full textBackground: Women are frequently underrepresented in studies investigating atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We evaluated the acute efficacy, safety, and mid-term outcomes of de novo paroxysmal AF ablation in female patients using a pentaspline pulsed-field ablation (PFA) versus thermal-based technologies. Methods: In a cohort of consecutive female patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing de novo pulmonary vein isolation, enrolled in the ATHENA-CHARISMA (Advanced Technologies For Successful Ablation of AF in Clinical Practice - Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmias With High-DensityMapping System in the Real WorldPractice) registries, thermal ablation systems (radiofrequency or cryoablation) were compared to the PFA by means of a propensity score matching (ratio 1:1:1). Results: One-thousand one female patients (mean age 63±10 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 60.8±6%) were included: 376 (37.6%) underwent cryoablation ablation, 342 (34.2%) radiofrequency ablation, and 283 (28.3%) PFA. Propensity score matching yielded 684 patients (228 per group). The PFA group had significantly shorter skin-to-skin time (60 [50-75] minutes) compared with both radiofrequency (120 [90-145] minutes, P<0.001) and cryoablation (75 [60-100] minutes, P<0.001), while fluoroscopy time was similar among groups (15 [11-21] minutes for PFA, 14 [10-20] minutes for cryoablation, P=0.599 versus PFA and 14 [9-20] minutes for radiofrequency, P=0.454 versus PFA). Overall complication rate was 3.4% and it was significantly higher after thermal ablation than PFA (4.6% versus 0.9%, OR, 5.5, 95% CI, 1.3-23.5, P=0.0227). During a median follow-up of 413 [277-589] days, 139 (20.3%) patients experienced AF recurrence. The Kaplan-Meier estimated freedom from AF at 1-year follow-up was 86.8% with PFA, 84.6% with cryoablation, and 83.3% with radiofrequency (log-rank P value: 0.839). Conclusions: Among this cohort of female patients, de novo paroxysmal AF using a pentaspline PFA system demonstrated significantly shorter procedural times, and a lower complication rate compared with thermal ablation systems. One-year follow-up revealed comparable rates of AF freedom across all ablation modalities. Registration: ATHENA (Advanced Technologies For Successful Ablation of AF in Clinical Practice). URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique identifier: NCT05617456. CHARISMA (Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmias With High-Density Mapping System in the Real World Practice). URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique Identifier: NCT03793998
Development and Exploratory Validation of the Clinical Research Nursing Competencies-Self-Efficacy Scale
No full textBackground/Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop and validate the Clinical Research Nursing Competencies–Self-Efficacy (Se-CRN) scale, a theory-grounded instrument to assess perceived capability in clinical research nursing practice. Methods: A two-phase validation study was conducted using an exploratory sequential mixed-method design between July 2022 and September 2025. The initial item pool was derived from an established competency taxonomy and refined through expert review for face and content validity. The final version of the Se-CRN was administered online to Clinical Research Nurses working with patients enrolled in clinical trials in Italy. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis with parallel analysis, and reliability was assessed through internal consistency and hierarchical indices. Group differences in self-efficacy were examined across clinical settings, educational levels, and research experience. Results: A total of 183 nurses participated. The data supported a five-factor solution reflecting core dimensions of clinical research nursing (Clinical Practice, Study Management, Human Subject Protection, Contributing to the Science, and Care Coordination and Continuity). Reliability was excellent at the scale level and strong across domains. No differences in perceived capability were observed between oncological and non-oncological settings. Higher self-efficacy was consistently associated with greater experience in the research setting and, to a lesser extent, with advanced education. Conclusions: The Se-CRN is the first validated self-efficacy instrument that captures the full scope of clinical research nursing practice. It provides a practical measure to support training needs assessment, curriculum development, and workforce planning. Further research should confirm the factor structure and examine responsiveness to professional development across diverse settings
Assimilation of satellite-derived rainfall estimates to improve numerical simulations of medicanes
No full textMediterranean cyclones can occasionally attain characteristics typical of tropical cyclones. Although these cyclones, known as medicanes, occur only few times per year, they have received a growing interest, especially being associated with severe impacts on the densely populated coasts of the Mediterranean. Satellite products allow to monitor the evolution and to identify key features of intense cyclones, and they also provide valuable precipitation estimates over the sea where cyclone develops and observations are usually scarce. The present study aims at investigating the potential of satellite rainfall estimates to improve numerical simulations of medicanes, through assimilation in a high-resolution, convection-permitting meteorological model. The assimilation is based on a nudging technique that progressively modifies the model specific humidity profiles according to the comparison between observed and simulated rainfall. This physically based procedure proves able to correct medicane simulation, inducing a modification in the diabatic processes (latent heat release) that represent a key factor in cyclone lifecycle. Medicane trajectory and intensity are positively modified, especially when an upscaling of the local moisture correction produces an impact on large scale dynamics. These findings are obtained adopting as testbed two recent high-impact events, Ianos and Apollo storms
Liver-directed surgical procedures during cytoreductive surgery for stage IV ovarian cancer
No full textThe incorporation of liver-directed surgical procedures into cytoreductive surgery represents a challenge in stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer. Overall, 49 patients undergoing primary or interval debulking surgery with at least one hepatobiliary procedure were retrospectively analyzed. One intraoperative complication occurred and severe postoperative morbidity (grade III or higher according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) was observed in 8 (16.4%) patients. Only one of these complications (biliary leakage requiring endoscopic stenting) was directly attributable to liver surgery. Although limited by the small sample size, these findings suggest that, in carefully selected patients and within a multidisciplinary framework, hepatobiliary surgery can be safely incorporated into cytoreductive strategies to achieve complete tumor removal
Restoring the tumour mechanophenotype of vocal fold cancer reverts its malignant properties
No full textIncreased extracellular matrix deposition and stiffness promotes solid tumour progression. Yet, the precise mechanotransduction pathways, especially in less-studied mechanically responsive cancers, remain poorly understood. Here we address this gap using patient-derived tumour cells from early (mobile, T1) and advanced (immobile, T3) stages of vocal fold cancer, the most common squamous cell carcinoma severely impacting the voice box. We reveal that vocal fold cancer progression is linked to cell surface receptor heterogeneity, a loss of laminin-binding integrins in cell-cell junctions and a flocking mode of collective cell motility. Mimicking the physiological movement of healthy vocal fold tissue with stretching or vibrations decreases oncogenic β-catenin and Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear levels in vocal fold cancer. Multiplex immunohistochemistry of vocal fold cancer tumours shows a correlation between the extracellular matrix composition, nuclear YAP and patient survival, concordant with vocal fold cancer sensitivity to oncogenic YAP-TEAD Hippo pathway inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings suggest that vocal fold cancer is a mechanically sensitive malignancy, and that the restoration of tumour mechanophenotype or YAP/TAZ targeting represents a tractable anti-oncogenic therapeutic avenue for vocal fold cancer
The role of chitosan in modulating physicochemical and biological behavior of solid lipid nanoparticles
No full textChitosan, a cationic polysaccharide known for its peculiar properties, plays a key role in enhancing biological interactions at mucosal surfaces. This study investigated the role and impact of chitosan on physicochemical and biological properties of Cyclosporine A -loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). Three types of SLN were developed: SLN devoid of chitosan, chitosan-associated SLN during hot homogenization (CH-SLN), and chitosan-coated SLN (CH-c-SLN). Physicochemical characterization revealed differences in particle shape, with chitosan presence increasing particle size and zeta potential. SAXS/WAXS and DSC studies demonstrated that Cyclosporine A and chitosan influenced lipid organization and thermal behavior. Moreover, mucoadhesion and mucin interaction were stronger in chitosan-associated SLN (CH-SLN), as evidenced by SAXS and ITC, due to chitosan cationic nature. At last, preclinical studies revealed enhanced cellular uptake in presence of chitosan. These findings demonstrated that chitosan-associated SLN enhanced mucoadhesion and cellular interaction while maintaining structural integrity, providing a promising platform for drug delivery