Regione Campania

In-scanner head motion is a recognized source of bias in structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), yet it remains under-addressed in psychiatric neuroimaging, where structural differences in patient populations are considered foundational. We examined motion-related bias in grey matter volume estimates across eight independent cohorts comprising 9,664 individuals, including 8,979 neurotypical controls (NC), 497 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), and 188 patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Motion estimates were derived from multiple fMRI scans acquired within the same scanning session and summarized using principal component analysis. In NC, motion accounted for 1-6% of regional grey matter variance, a magnitude comparable to reported psychiatric case-control effect sizes. Adjusting for motion attenuated SCZ-NC group differences, reducing effect sizes in 85% of brain regions and yielding 5% fewer significant ROIs (pFDR<0.05). In BD, motion correction reduced effect sizes in 97% of regions, with a 24% reduction in significant ROIs. Cross-diagnostic spatial patterns were significantly correlated (r = 0.63), explaining a sizable portion of the commonalities between SCZ and BD. Critically, a falsification analysis in UK Biobank (N=5,123) showed that stratifying NC by motion alone produced grey matter differences accounting for 45-62% of SCZ case-control effect magnitude, underscoring how difficult it is to interpret SCZ-like morphometric differences as tissue properties rather than as motion-driven patterns. These findings urge caution in interpretations of sMRI differences in patient-control comparisons and use of systematic fMRI based motion control as standard practice in sMRI analyses.

We have studied nanobridge Josephson junctions (nJJs) and nJJ-based circuits using microstructural analysis and measurements of electron transport properties to reveal the possible origins of a spread in superconducting parameters (<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">T_c</i>, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">I_c</i>, etc.) and long-term stability. The structures were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering from Nb, Ti and TiN targets, with electron beam exposure of HSQ resist and reactive ion etching in pure SF<sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">6</sub> gas. Microstructural characterization was performed using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and elemental mapping using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The distributions of elements in nanostructures based on Ti-Nb-Ti heterostructures and TiN films were compared. Oxygen-free TiN nJJs are of interest for the realization of corrosion-resistant superconducting circuits, including qubits with operating temperatures down to 10 mK. Ti-Nb-Ti heterostructures contain oxygen that has been chemisorbed by the Ti layers and are intended primarily for operation at 4.2 K. Superconducting through-silicon vias between circuits on opposite sides of a wafer will also be realized by using direct writing of superconducting current leads with focused-ion-beam-induced deposition of superconducting films. Particular emphasis will be paid to the inhibition of oxygenation and corrosion on the nanometer scale by using new materials and methods, which promise to bring superconducting chip manufacture closer to circular-economy-related objectives. Our work helps to realize the large-scale integration of superconducting circuits that have long-term stability, including nanoSQUIDs, qubits and classical superconducting digital circuits, such as Single Flux Quantum based circuits.

BackgroundOmega-3 fatty acids (FAs) are long-chain fatty acids that have shown cardioprotective effects through lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory, and membrane-stabilizing properties. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the cardioprotective effects of icosapent ethyl (IPE), an ethyl ester of omega-3 fatty (EPA), focusing on its role on mechano-transduction, a process linking cardiac contractility to intracellular signaling, that becomes dysregulated in hyperglycaemia or disturbed blood flow, both major contributors to cardiovascular diseases.MethodsWe conducted in vivo meta-analyses to assess the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiac contractility and inflammation in patients with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. We investigated the effects of IPE on mechano-transduction, assessing the activation of the YAP/TAZ signalling pathway, in cardiomyocyte cells AC16 exposed to normal (NG) or high glucose (HG) conditions. We defined the role of IPE against hyperglycaemia-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolism, and apoptosis by evaluating key biomarkers by Western Blot and Real-time PCR. We evaluated IPE’s impact on YAP/TAZ activation and on gene expression and protein levels of primary markers related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism in a dynamic flow model of AC16 cardiomyocytes, to mimic in vivo shear stress.ResultsIn vivo meta-analyses showed a significant increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%) (mean: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9) and a significant reduction of inflammatory markers (mean: − 1.24, 95% CI: 2.05–0.44) in patients treated with omega-3. IPE treatment reduced the activation of YAP/TAZ pathway induced by HG exposure in AC16 cells. IPE partially reversed HG-induced changes in markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolism and apoptosis (p < 0.05). Similarly, in a dynamic model of shear stress, IPE treatment mitigated the turbulent flow-mediated changes in YAP/TAZ pathway, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate a cardioprotective role of IPE through modulation of hyperglycaemia-induced mechano-transduction dysregulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Additionally, our results on a shear stress model showing that IPE restores upstream regulators of YAP/TAZ and reduces disturbed flow-induced activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, suggest that IPE may exert a therapeutic effect on cardiovascular disorders associated with disturbed blood flow and hemodynamic stress.Graphical abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-025-03033-8.

EP3.2, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 14:00IntroductionIn 2024 immigrants represented 8.9% of the population residing in Italy. They have better overall health conditions compared to the native population. However, the presence of formal and informal barriers often limits their appropriate access to healthcare, which needs to be closely monitored. The objective of this study is to compare the differences in access to emergency care between Italians and immigrants.MethodsThe National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP) coordinates a monitoring system for the health status and healthcare of the resident immigrant population, which currently includes 10 regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Trento and Bolzano Autonomous Provinces, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Puglia, and Sicily), where 75% of the total residents in Italy and 83% of foreign nationals live.To date, the monitoring system covers the period 2016-2022. Data collected by the regions through different healthcare information systems are summarized in a set of 60 indicators covering hospital care, maternal-child care, and emergency care services.ResultsDuring the observation period (2016-2022), the percentage distribution of emergency department visits by triage code showed a higher proportion of white and green codes among immigrants compared to Italians, with trends remaining fairly stable over time. The 2022 data show the following proportions for foreigners and Italians: 16.3% vs 10.2% for white codes and 68.1% vs 64.2% for green codes, among men; 13.4% vs 9.7% for white codes and 70.5% vs 65.5% for green codes, among women.ConclusionsIt can be hypothesized that the failure to promptly or adequately care for immigrants leads to acute events that require emergency department visits for conditions that could be managed in different care settings, such as primary healthcare and specialist care. Furthermore, the use of emergency services by immigrants for less severe conditions suggests inappropriate use due to difficulties in accessing primary care.

BACKGROUND Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is widely used in obesity treatment, although it is associated with new onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (de novo GERD) and weight regain. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the standard revisional procedure for GERD, though it offers limited additional weight loss. Ileal-based procedures have demonstrated superior outcomes regarding weight loss but have uncertain results in GERD. This study presents preliminary findings on gastric bipartition with functional duodenal exclusion (GBp-FDE) as a revisional approach following SG in this scenario. CASE REPORT A retrospective data analysis was conducted on 10 patients who underwent GBp-FDE due to de novo GERD and obesity recurrence after SG (mean BMI: 37.2±3.2 kg/m²). Nine patients presented with hiatal hernia and 8 with sleeve dilation. GERD was assessed pre- and postoperatively using a validated questionnaire, endoscopy, and contrast radiology. The surgical technique involved a pre-pyloric antroileostomy in Roux-en-Y configuration using a 40% proportion biliopancreatic limb. One-year postoperative findings included pyloric spasm (endoscopy), very preferential contrast flow to the ileum (radiology), and endoscopic access preservation to the duodenum. GERD symptoms resolved in 90% (P=0.0059) and esophagitis healed in 80% (P=0.008), likely due to gastric decompression. Mean percent total weight loss and percent excess weight loss were 35.2±6.6 and 108.0±11.14, respectively. CONCLUSIONS GBp-FDE seems to be a promising surgery for managing de novo GERD and obesity recurrence after SG, through SG pouch decompression and ileal stimuli, promoted by the antroileostomy. Further controlled studies with extended follow-up are necessary to validate these findings.

Research suggests that adolescents often perceive parental behaviors—such as expressions of warmth and affection—differently than their parents do. These parent–adolescent discrepancies offer meaningful insight into family functioning during adolescence and adolescent mental health, though existing findings remain mixed. Grounded in interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory (IPARTheory), this study investigates longitudinal, bidirectional associations between parent–adolescent discrepancies in perceived parental warmth and adolescent internalizing symptoms. The sample included 1219 parent–adolescent dyads (both mothers and fathers) from 12 cultural groups across 9countries, followed across three time points spanning 5 years, with children's mean age being 10.72 years (SD = 0.67) at Wave 1, 13.19 years (SD = 0.90) at Wave 2, and 15.60 years (SD = 0.94) at Wave 3. The results of latent congruence models showed that mothers reported higher warmth than adolescents, whereas no significant discrepancies emerged between fathers and adolescents. The cross‐sectional analyses indicated that a higher parent–adolescent discrepancy in parental warmth perceptions was linked to increased internalizing symptoms in adolescents and lower overall warmth perceived by parents and adolescents in the dyad. However, over the long term, marginal effects were observed only between greater internalizing symptoms in adolescents and lower overall warmth experienced, and vice versa. Additionally, some cross‐cultural differences in the discrepancies between parents and adolescents were identified. These findings highlight the importance of congruence between parents' and adolescents' perceptions of parental warmth, which may play a critical role in reducing adolescent internalizing symptoms, at least in the short term. Future research should deepen these dynamics across different cultures and developmental stages to improve intervention strategies and strengthen family‐based mental health support.

The recommended duration of esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (MII-pH) monitoring to detect gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is currently 24 hours. This prolonged recording can be challenging in certain circumstances. We aimed to assess the diagnostic reliability of 12- vs 24-hour MII-pH in infants. Retrospective multicenter study assessing MII-pH tracings from infants referred for suspect gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Each MII-pH was analyzed twice as full-time recording and in the first 12 hours, and data were compared. GERD was diagnosed if one of the following occurred: number of GER episodes ≥100 in 24 hours, proximal GER episodes >44 (acid) or 57 (nonacid), reflux index (percent time with pH < 4) >7%, Bolus Exposure Index >2.4%, Bolus Clearance Time >18 seconds, Symptom index ≥50%, and Symptom Association Probability ≥95%. Univariate analysis was performed to compare MII-pH data. One hundred twenty-seven infants were studied. The median age at MII-pH was 61 days (interquartile range-IQR 27-116), and 49 were born preterm. There were no significant differences between the 12- and the 24-hour analysis regarding the number of total GER and proximal GER events/hr, reflux index, Bolus Exposure Index, Bolus Clearance Time, positive Symptom index/Symptom Association Probability. GER events lasting >5 min/hr were 1.97 ± 0.27 and 1.83 ± 0.44, respectively ( P < 0.001). The 12-hour MII-pH recording showed 87.7% sensitivity, 75.6% specificity, 89.7% positive predictive value, and 71.7% negative predictive value for GERD compared with 24-hour MII-pH. Twelve-hour MII-pH had a good diagnostic performance compared with 24-hour recording. Only GER events lasting >5 minutes were significantly different between the 2, but the clinical significance of this observation is unclear.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are vital for managing arrhythmias but carry a notable risk of infection, which increases patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. This review examines current evidence on risk factors and preventive strategies for CIEDI. Methods: A structured search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library using terms such as “CIED,” “infection,” “pacemaker,” “ICD,” “infection prevention,” “biofilm,” “antibiotic prophylaxis,” and “antibiotic-eluting envelope.” Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: For well-established topics, recommendations are based on high-quality evidence from the literature. In areas with limited CIED-specific data, evidence from related surgical fields was considered, and expert consensus was used to guide recommendations. Conclusions: This review offers practical guidance for clinicians on CIED infection prevention, addressing gaps not previously covered in existing guidelines.