Università di Camerino

The 4th UN General Assembly declaration on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, adopted on Dec 15, 2025, was notable for its explicit inclusion of dementia, bringing dementia prevention into focus as an international public policy priority.1 A central question therefore becomes how dementia prevention will be prioritised, resourced, and implemented and how it will be integrated into existing NCD policies and health-system strategies (appendix).

Abstract In this work, we present the proof of concept of a characterization of the temperature
dependence of the quality factor Q(T ) for a massive silicon substrate suspended in a
cryogenic environment using the Gentle Nodal Suspension (GeNS) method. Measurements
were conducted in a low-vibration cryostat, analyzing three distinct resonant vibrational
modes of the sample. Quality factor values and associated uncertainties were extracted
using multiple statistical approaches. The results highlight the suitability of the
experimental method and confirm crystalline silicon as a promising material for last-stage
test mass suspensions in cryogenic conditions, as required in next-generation gravitational
wave detectors. A comparison between experimental data and FEM simulations confirms
the accuracy of the setup. This study, part of the broader development of monolithic
silicon suspensions, demonstrates the effectiveness of the GeNS technique for assessing
mechanical dissipation in large-scale substrates.

Integrated frameworks that couple statistically guided formulation with nanoscale, time-resolved mapping of the protein corona (PC) remain rare for perfluoro-15-crown-5-ether-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PFCE-PLGA NPs). We apply a two-phase workflow: a single-factor screen of PLGA/surfactant molecular-weight (Mw) pairings under homogenization versus probe sonication; and a central composite design varying sonication time, surfactant concentration, and PFCE volume to model effects on size, polydispersity index), zeta (ζ)-potential, loading capacity (LC), and fluorine signal-to-noise ratio. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirm spherical morphology of the NPs. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) first resolves PFCE-dependent internal NP structure and then, in situ and time-resolved, tracks corona evolution across physiologic albumin levels (40, 20, and 2mgmL-1), quantifying shell thickness, protein volume fraction, and polydispersity while distinguishing PFCE-PLGA from blank PLGA NPs. Fibroblast assays show no significant cytotoxicity at tested doses. Overall, combining design-of-experiments with in situ SAXS links processing variables to nanoscale structure and protein-mediated transformations, guiding rational PFCE-PLGA NP design.

Abstract Background Fungi associated with mosquito larvae can contribute to host development and may influence oviposition-site selection through the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it remains unclear to what extent larval mycobiota reflects passive acquisition from breeding waters versus host-associated filtering. Here, we characterized fungal communities associated with larvae and breeding waters of Culex pipiens , Aedes albopictus , and the invasive Aedes koreicus in Italy, and assessed the behavioural activity and preliminary biosafety of larval habitat-derived yeasts. Results Using ITS metabarcoding coupled with culture-dependent isolation, we identified diverse fungal assemblages across mosquito species and sampling sites, with partial overlap between larval and aquatic communities and a set of recurrent yeast taxa shared among hosts and habitats. Culture-based methods recovered seven yeast species including Barnettozyma californica , Candida parapsilosis , Metschnikowia pulcherrima , Rhodotorula paludigena , Schwanniomyces vanrijiae , Sporobolomyces roseus , and Wickerhamomyces anomalus . In vitro screening on HaCaT keratinocytes, performed by co-culturing human cells with seven fungal isolates from breeding water (one per yeast species), demonstrated that B. californica , M. pulcherrima , R. paludigena , W. anomalus isolates did not induce detectable cytotoxic effects. The yeast volatilomes of the seven isolates were profiled by HS-SPME–GC–MS, revealing species-specific VOC blends dominated by alcohols and esters in Ascomycota and enriched in phenolic compounds and organic acids in Basidiomycota. Based on VOC profiles and absence of detectable cytotoxicity, a core of four selected yeasts were further evaluated in dual-choice oviposition assays with gravid Ae. albopictus . Yeast-treated oviposition substrates significantly altered egg-laying preferences, with all tested yeast species resulting in oviposition percentages greater than 50% in the treatment group. Among the tested species, W. anomalus and B. californica exhibited the strongest attractiveness, followed by R. paludigena , whereas M. pulcherrima showed a comparatively weaker effect. Conclusion Fungal communities associated with mosquito larvae mainly mirror breeding-site ecology but also exhibit signs of host-associated filtering. Notably, in addition to Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus , this study included Aedes koreicus , for which information on mycobiota composition has so far been limited. Importantly, yeasts isolated from larval habitats emit VOC blends that can modulate oviposition behaviour in gravid Ae. albopictus . Together, these results support further investigation of selected yeast-based cues as components of environmentally compatible, oviposition-targeted mosquito management strategies, alongside expanded safety assessment and field validation.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are spreading in clinical, industrial, and environmental ecosystems. The spreading dynamics to and from the environment are unknown, largely due to the lack of appropriate (robust, fast, low-cost) analytical assays. In this study, we developed C12a, a versatile molecular toolbox to detect genetic markers of antibiotic resistance using CRISPR/Cas12a. Biochemical characterization show that the C12a toolbox can detect less than 100 attoMolar of pure DNA fragments from the blaCTX-M15 and floR genes, conferring resistance to b-lactams and amphenicols, respectively important for human and veterinary uses. In microbiological assays, C12a detected less than 102 CFU/mL and high concordance was observed if compared to antibiotic susceptibility tests, PCR, or to whole genome sequencing. Additionally, C12a confirmed a high prevalence of the integrase/integron system in E. coli isolates containing multiple antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The C12a toolbox shows equivalent detection performance in diverse laboratory settings, results readout (Fluorescence vs. FLA) or input sample. Altogether, this work presents a comprehensive proof-of-concept, development description, and biochemical characterization of a collection of molecular tools to detect antibiotic resistance markers in a one health setup.

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with diverse aetiologies and comorbidities, including neurodevelopmental and autism spectrum disorders. Approximately 50% of paediatric-onset epilepsies are drug-resistant (DRE) including Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Dravet Syndrome is characterised by drug-resistant seizures, progressive cognitive and motor deficits and often pathogenic variants in SCN1A gene. Lennox–Gastaut syndrome typically presents with seizure between 1–7 years and has genetic or acquired aetiologies. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multisystemic disorder with drug-resistant seizures due to <i>TSC1/TSC2</i> mutations. In Italy, Cannabidiol (CBD) (Epidyolex) has been approved by AIFA since 2019¹ as add-on therapy for DS and LGS patients older than 2 years (in combination with clobazam) and for TSC patients older than 1 year. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of add-on CBD in paediatric and young adult patients with DRE <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Clinical and pharmacological data of patients treated with add-on CBD at the Regional Paediatric Epilepsy Centre, Salesi Hospital (Ancona, Italy) between September 2019 and December 2023 were analysed. Efficacy was defined as ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. Adverse events (AEs) were classified as minor or major. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed through caregiver reports. <h3>Results</h3> Thirty-six patients were included: four with DS, seven with TSC, nineteen with LGS, and six with other DRE. Mean age at add-on CBD initiation was 26 years and 4 months; at treatment onset, 50% of patients were in the paediatric age range (&lt;18 years). The mean treatment duration was 15 months, with an average of 3.25 concomitant antiseizure drugs. Overall, 53% (n=19) achieved a clinically relevant seizure reduction, most of whom (n=13) had LGS. Discontinuation occurred in 47% (n=17), due to lack of efficacy (n=12) or AEs (n=5). Adverse events were reported in 58% of patients, predominantly minor and transient. QoL improvement was reported in 53% of patients, including better sleep quality in 30.5%. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> In this real-world cohort, add-on CBD demonstrated clinically relevant efficacy with acceptable tolerability and safety in paediatric and young adult patients with DRE, particularly in LGS. These findings support its role as a valuable therapeutic option in refractory epilepsies. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> 1. www.aifa.gov.it/documents/20142/1540069/123_EPIDYOLEX_DS_pp_scheda_innovativita_GRADE.pdf <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest