University of Turin

To compare two sodium hyaluronate formulations (HYMOVIS® ONE and MONOVISC®) for single intra-articular (IA) injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis pain. This randomized, controlled study included 347 subjects allocated to two treatment arms: HYMOVIS® ONE (n = 175) and MONOVISC® (n = 172). The primary endpoint assessed non-inferiority of HYMOVIS® ONE versus MONOVISC® based on change from baseline in the WOMAC LK3.1 A1 Pain subscale. Secondary outcomes evaluated patient response using OMERACT-OARSI criteria, changes in WOMAC stiffness and function scores, health-related quality of life (SF-12), global assessments by patients and clinicians, and rescue medication use. The mean WOMAC LK3.1 A1 walking pain subscale score decreased significantly from baseline at week 12 in both groups, with reductions of 65 % for HYMOVIS® ONE and 66 % for MONOVISC®. At week 26, reductions were 73 % for HYMOVIS® ONE and 69 % for MONOVISC®. The non-inferiority test yielded a p-value of 0.0003. Clinically significant change from baseline was observed for all secondary endpoints. For the WOMAC LK3.1 Function subscale, the comparison between groups at week 26 showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0367) favoring HYMOVIS® ONE. Both treatments were well tolerated. A single injection of HYMOVIS® ONE was well tolerated and non-inferior to MONOVISC®, with improvements across all study endpoints maintained through 26 weeks, indicating sustained symptomatic relief of knee OA. NCT06528600 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Fixed spray delivery system (FSDS), an alternative to conventional pesticide technologies, is gaining interest in grapevine. Indeed, especially in steep-sloped vineyards, optimal configured FSDS layout can enhance operator safety and potentially provide adequate spray performance. This study compared the spray performance of two modern 2-tier hydraulic-based FSDS layouts (L1 and L2), tailored to a vertical shoot positioning-trained vineyard. The investigation was conducted across three vine growth stages, with two canopy densities evaluated at each stage. Spray performance was assessed in terms of canopy deposits, in-field ground losses, and the impact of the plant protection product (PPP) wash-off effect caused by water used as propellant. Results were compared with field data obtained under comparable conditions using a conventional airblast sprayer. With respect to L1 layout, L2 layout achieved across the growth stages 1.75 and 1.55 times more canopy deposit and ground losses, respectively. Moreover, the L2 layout resulted in a more uniform canop y deposit within the sampled area resulting in a more promising HSD-FSDS configuration for grapevine spray applications. The PPP wash-off effect evaluation further supported this outcome but also identified areas for refinement to enhance spray performance. Based also on the comparison with the conventional airblast sprayer, recommendations for future protection plans are proposed, providing a step-forward toward large-scale adoption and implementation of HSD-FSDS technology. • Hydraulic-based fixed spray delivery system (HSD-FSDS) was evaluated in a vertical shoot positioning trained vineyard. • Two HSD-FSDS layouts were tested across three growth stages and two canopy densities. • Spray deposit in the canopy, in-field ground losses, and wash-off effects were assessed. • Layout configuration influenced spray uniformity and spray performance. • Design modifications and tailored agricultural practices may help optimize HSD-FSDS.

Hemoptysis is a potentially life-threatening symptom that often prompts emergency department (ED) evaluation and hospitalization. Reliable prognostic tools to guide clinical decision-making and optimize resource use are currently lacking. To prospectively validate the Florence Hemoptysis Assessment Score (FLHASc) in patients presenting with hemoptysis to the ED, and to eventually derive and validate an improved version of the score (FLHASc2). We analyzed data from the POPEIHE study (NCT06067997), a multicenter prospective cohort of 546 consecutive adult patients presenting with hemoptysis to 9 Italian EDs. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, need for ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, blood transfusion, or invasive hemostatic procedures. We evaluated the prognostic performance of the original FLHASc, then derived a new model (FLHASc2) using multivariate logistic regression in a randomly selected derivation cohort (n=321) and validated it in the remaining cohort (n=225). A simplified version of the score was also tested. The original FLHASc demonstrated moderate discriminatory ability (AUC 0.71; 95% CI: 0.65-0.76) and suboptimal calibration. The FLHASc2 showed improved performance (AUC 0.79, 95% CI: 0.73-0.87 in derivation and 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73-0.88, in validation cohorts; Brier score<0.10 in both). The simplified FLHASc2 (sFLHASc2), assigning one point per variable, maintained comparable accuracy (AUC 0.80, 95% CI: 0.72-0.87) and identified 47.8% of patients as low risk (2.7% event rate). When combined with a negative chest X-ray, the observed event rate in this subgroup dropped to 0.87%, with a negative predictive value of 99.1% (CI 95%, 96.5-100%). The FLHASc2 and its simplified version are accurate prognostic tools for identifying hemoptysis patients at low risk of short-term adverse outcomes. Use of the sFLHASc2 combined with chest X-ray may allow safe ED discharge in nearly half of cases. A prospective management trial is warranted to confirm its clinical impact. NCT06067997.

• Photo-activatable SHG observed in centrosymmetric zinc porphyrinates. • Electronic origins of photo-activatable SHG explored by DFT and TD-DFT. • Different laser sources produce distinct effects on photo-activatable SHG. • DFT and TD-DFT calculations suggest an LMCT phenomenon. We investigated the Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) behavior in the solid state of zinc 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate, which crystallizes in the centrosymmetric I4/m space group, and its two new centrosymmetric derivatives. The new compounds were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and the SHG response of each powdered sample was measured using 1.907 μm and 0.930 μm pulsed laser radiation. During laser irradiation, the three compounds showed a photoactivation phenomenon that is stable over time and dependent on the laser irradiation setup. We investigated the origin of this SHG behavior through both experimental analysis and theoretical calculations. Vibrational spectroscopy in the solid state, before and after irradiation, did not show any chemical degradation. DFT calculations on small fragments of the structures appropriately simulated the structural features of the complexes and their initial experimental SHG response. TD-DFT calculations better simulated the SHG responses after irradiation, leading us to hypothesize a permanent change in the electronic state due to the high intensity of the lasers.

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting with acute bilateral paracentral scotomas in the context of a COVID-19 infection. Multimodal imaging confirmed the diagnosis of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Flood-illumination adaptive optics (FlAO) imaging was used to monitor photoreceptor structural anatomy over an 11-month period, providing high-resolution longitudinal data. FIAO analysis revealed a marked reduction in cone reflectivity in the affected areas at baseline, followed by partial restoration of the cone mosaic at follow-up, likely reflecting outer segment recovery. To date, only few reports have described the use of adaptive optics in AMN with extended follow-up. This case highlights the utility of advanced imaging techniques in characterizing the evolution of pathologies such as AMN and monitoring their progression over time. • FIAO imaging revealed reduced cone reflectivity with partial mosaic recovery at 11 months. • FIAO findings spatially corresponded to EZ and ONL damage on SD-OCT. • Cone density increased by 28%, consistent with outer segment recovery. • FIAO enables in vivo photoreceptor-level monitoring beyond conventional imaging.