Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Clinical, Histopathological, Dermoscopic Features, and BRAF, NRAS, and Cell Cycle Genes’ Mutation Status in Cutaneous Melanoma
No full textBackground/Objectives: The clinical, histopathological, and dermoscopic features may be associated with melanoma mutational status. The aims of the study were to assess the clinical, histopathological, and dermoscopic features of melanoma to identify their correlation with BRAF, NRAS, and cell cycle genes’ mutational status in melanoma. Methods: The clinical, histopathological information, dermoscopic images, and genomic DNA of 55 histopathologically diagnosed primary cutaneous melanomas were retrospectively analyzed. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays were conducted on the Ion GeneStudio S5 platform (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), using the Ion AmpliSeqTM Italian Melanoma Intergroup Somatic Panel. Results: Overall, 55 melanomas, including 30 superficial spreading, 24 nodular, and 1 naevoid, were analyzed. BRAF mutation was more frequently observed in ulcerated melanoma (16/23; 69.6%), with mitotic rate ≥ 5 n/mm2 (8/11; 72.7%), while NRAS mutation was more common in amelanotic/hypomelanotic (8/17; 70.0%) and nodular melanoma (10/24; 41.7%). Dermoscopically, shiny white structures (OR = 3.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.13–10.84) were associated with BRAF-mutated melanomas, whereas a homogeneous disorganized pattern was associated with NRAS-mutated melanomas (OR = 6.96; 1.49–32.53). The risk of diagnosing cell cycle gene-mutated melanomas was significantly increased in presence of vascular patterns (OR = 4.50; 1.33–15.20), linear irregular (OR = 3.75; 1.18–11.92), polymorphous vessels (OR = 4.05; 1.27–12.97), and milky red globules/areas (OR = 3.14; 1.00–9.89). The blue-white veil was significantly associated with P53 mutation (OR = 35.84; 2.01–640.2). Conclusions: Conversely to Wild Type, BRAF, NRAS, and cell cycle gene-mutated melanomas were significantly associated with clinical and dermoscopic features underlying a more aggressive melanoma phenotype. The vascular pattern, linear irregular, polymorphous vessels, and milky-red globules/areas may be considered predictors of cell cycle mutated melanomas
Numerical Investigation of the Tribological Performance of Surface-Textured Bushings in External Gear Pumps Under Transient Lubrication Conditions
No full textThis study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) investigation of the hydrodynamic behavior of surface-textured lateral bushings in external gear pumps (EGPs), emphasizing the effects of combined sliding and squeezing motions within the lubrication gap. A comprehensive numerical model was developed to analyze how surface texturing implemented through different dimple shapes and texture densities influences pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity under transient lubrication conditions. The analysis demonstrates that the interaction between shear-driven flow and squeeze-film compression significantly amplifies pressure, particularly when optimal dimple configurations are applied. Results indicate that dimple geometry, depth, and arrangement critically influence hydrodynamic performance, while excessive texturing reduces effectiveness due to increased average gap height. Cavitation was intentionally not modeled in the early single dimple evaluations to allow clear comparison between configurations. The findings offer a design guideline for employing surface textures to enhance tribological performance and efficiency in EGP applications under realistic dynamic conditions
Melanoma in Primary Care: A Narrative Review of Training Interventions and the Role of Telemedicine in Medical Education
No full textCurrent Evidence on the Relation Between Microbiota and Oral Cancer—The Role of Fusobacterium nucleatum—A Narrative Review
No full textOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one the most prevalent head and neck cancers and represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main established risk factors for OSCC include tobacco and alcohol consumption and betel quid chewing, which may contribute alone or in combination with other environmental factors to carcinogenesis. The oral microbiota is emerging as a key player in the establishment of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that may trigger or promote carcinogenesis, including in the oral cavity. Among the bacterial species found in the oral microbiota, Fusobacterium nucleatum, an anaerobic bacterium commonly found in oral biofilms and a periodontal pathogen, has gained attention due to solid evidence implicating F. nucleatum in colorectal cancer (CRC). F. nucleatum has been shown to induce chronic inflammation, promote cell proliferation and trigger cellular invasion while deploying immune evasion mechanisms. These experimental findings were first obtained in in vitro and in vivo models of CRC and are being confirmed in studies on OSCC. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings on the role of F. nucleatum in OSCC, discuss the clinical implications in terms of prognosis and provide an overview of the key mechanisms involved. Moreover, we identify research questions and aspects that require investigations to clarify the role of F. nucleatum in OSCC. We anticipate that studies in this emerging field may have a significant clinical impact on the diagnosis, prognosis and management of OSCC
Do not let your guard down! Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in dogs entering shelters in northern Italy
No full textBackground: In Italy, the area of highest prevalence for canine heartworm disease (CHWD) has historically been along the Po River Valley in the northern area of the country, where prevalence in the mid-nineties ranged from 31% to 98%. Currently, increased awareness among practitioners and the availability of preventives have led to a dramatic decrease in prevalence in the area, although cases of CHWD continue to be diagnosed, suggesting the presence of canine reservoirs, including unowned dogs. Methods: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. in stray dogs entering shelters located in the Po River Valley of northern Italy by using the modified Knott's test and by antigenic testing. Results: Out of the 510 dogs tested, 173 (33.9%) were positive for circulating microfilariae: 15.7% (80/510) with D. immitis, 6.9% (35/510) with D. repens, and 11.4% (58/510) with a mixed infection. Conclusions: Unowned dog populations represent an important reservoir for the parasite, allowing D. immitis to remain in a given geographical area and increasing the risk of exposure to all dogs
Dietary exposure assessment to nickel through the consumption of poultry, beef, and pork meat for different age groups in the Italian population
No full textDietary risk assessment for toxic elements focuses on those listed by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. However, new toxicological evidence suggests expanding research to other elements, including nickel. Classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, nickel exposure mainly occurs through food and water. In individuals with hypersensitivity, oral exposure to this element may trigger symptoms ranging from dermatitis to systemic nickel allergy syndrome. Based on this evidence, the European Food Safety Authority set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 13 μg/kg bw/day, recommending further data collection to establish maximum levels in food. In this study, nickel occurrence was evaluated in 809 muscle meat samples (poultry, beef, and pork). Statistical analysis was conducted to identify differences in mean concentrations among the different meat types. Moreover, contamination levels of nickel were used to assess the dietary exposure of different age groups of Italian consumers through meat consumption, providing a comprehensive risk characterization. Toddlers were the most exposed age group, while the elderly were the least exposed. Across all age groups, exposure levels followed the pattern: pork > poultry > beef. Generally, meat consumption contributed less than 1% of the nickel TDI for all the age groups. In particular, the highest contribution to the TDI, equal to 0.86%, was associated with the consumption of pork by toddlers. Therefore, data from this study suggest that nickel contamination in poultry, beef, and pork has a minimal impact on human exposure, posing a negligible risk to public health
Metaverse-Based Learning for Nursing Students’ Education: Dream or Reality? A Scoping Review
No full textBackground: The metaverse can generally be defined as an interconnected virtual 3D environment where people across the world can come together to share social experiences, through the use of immersive technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. It is often described as a hypothetical platform that provides various immersive experiences with tangible interactions in an extended virtual space, allowing humans to interact through avatars. In nursing education, the metaverse allows students to effectively practice in a safe learning environment, and through avatars to enhance interactivity and immersion and maintain anonymity in space. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review on the metaverse applied to nursing education and how this experience was evaluated. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus) was conducted from their inception to March 2024. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered in this review. Conclusion: These studies encourage the use of metaverse platforms for nursing education, but further research is necessary to explore the advantages of this platforms as learning method in nursing education and to better understand their learning effectiveness and efficacy in terms of learning outcomes
Sleep disorders across the parkinsonism continuum: a typical example of geriatric complexity: Comprehensive evaluation and balanced therapeutic approach to achieve the ambitious goal of quality of life improvement
No full textUnderstanding young consumers’ motivations for purchasing plant-based burgers: insights from the means-end chain theory
No full textBy applying the means-end chains (MEC) theory, the purpose of this paper is to provide new insights related to the motivations behind consumer purchase intention of plant-based burgers (PBBs). We presented six pictures of PBBs showing the front and back of the product packages to 62 Italian burger consumers and asked them to rank their preferred product of purchase. This stage was followed by a soft laddering interviewing technique ("Why is this element important for you?") to elicit the most important attributes, consequences, and values associated with the selected product. Socio-demographic and attitudinal variables were asked to segment the sample into sub-groups. Our findings showed heterogeneity in the drivers leading consumers to purchase PBBs. Specifically, differences based on individual traits (gender and meat attachment level) and product characteristics (meat-like burgers vs. non-meat-like burgers) were identified. In addition, some similarities across consumer segments emerged, which confirm that both non-sensory attributes (e.g., nutritional information) and expected sensory characteristics (e.g., product appearance) are important elements to the market success of plant-based meat alternatives. Interestingly, environmental motives emerged only for specific consumer groups. Finally, to ensure the market success of PBBs, culinary professionals and marketing strategies should consider different consumer segments based on demographic and attitudinal variables to meet consumers' specific needs. This study contributes to the literature on consumer motivation to include plant-based products by directly asking consumers to elicit the most important product attributes, consequences, and values linked to such products. Implications for the gastronomy sector and policymakers are provided