University of Florence

Application of extracellular polymeric substances recovered from aerobic granular sludge as bio-based hydrogels for plant cultivation systems

Wastewater treatment plants generate large amounts of excess sludge, whose management represents an environmental and economic challenge, motivating resource recovery strategies in line with European Union Directive 2024/3019. Among these, the extraction of extracellular polymeri...

Nitric oxide and wound healing: an update.

Because of its gaseous qualities, nitric oxide (NO) may pass across membranes and has a relatively short half-life. The enzyme complex nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in humans is responsible for the production of NO. This complex is composed of three distinct homodimeric isoforms: (...

Beyond prostate-specific antigen: ctDNA as an early compass for treatment adaptation in metastatic prostate cancer

In a recent study published in Nature Cancer , Jayaram and colleagues 1 demonstrated that persistent circulating tumor DNA detection during first-line intensified therapy independently predicts poor survival in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, provid...

Characterization of Full‐Length Antibody Complexes Through HDX‐Mass Spectrometry Coupled With NMR Spectroscopy: New Insight Into Avelumab/PD‐L1 Interaction

ABSTRACT Recombinant biomacromolecules have significantly transformed pharmaceuticals, in particular monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target key areas in oncology, immunology, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Developing biotherapeutics requires a detailed understand...

A Novel Constitutional TUBB Variant Associated With Familial Malformations of Cortical Development

ABSTRACT Most pathogenic tubulin variants arise de novo in sporadic patients, causing severe brain malformations and significant neurodevelopmental impairment. The resulting reproductive disadvantage typically prevents these mutations from being transmitted to offspring. While a...

Numerosity adaptation across size transformations

Abstract Numerosity adaptation occurs across sensory modalities and formats, pointing to an abstract and amodal numerosity coding. Recent findings, however, suggest that it may also be shaped by non-numerical visual properties and perceptual categorization. Here, we examined stim...

A compilation of global bio-optical in situ data for ocean-colour satellite applications – version four

Abstract. A global in situ dataset for validation of satellite products from the ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC-CCI) is presented. This version of the compilation, with data starting in 1996, extends to 2025, which is important for the validation of recent algorit...

European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa Part 1. Epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical assessment

BACKGROUND: This first part of the S2k guidelines is an update of the 2015 S1 European guidelines based on the structured assessment of clinically relevant topics by the panel of experts. It is complemented by Part 2, which deals with treatments. OBJECTIVES: These guidelines aim...

Probing relaxed myosin states in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by second harmonic-generation microscopy

This study explores the use of polarized second-harmonic generation (pSHG) to investigate myosin conformation in the relaxed state, differentiating between the actin-available, disordered (ON) state and the energy-conserving, ordered (OFF) state. By shifting the ON/OFF equilibriu...

Exploring the potential benefits of allergen immunotherapy beyond respiratory allergy

INTRODUCTION: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for IgE-mediated allergic disorders, including allergic rhinitis and asthma, with established long-term clinical efficacy and immunological tolerance induction. AREAS COVERED: This review synthesiz...

A cross-cultural survey of Indigenous views on interspecies communication – Towards a consilience with scientific knowledge

Communication serves as a pivotal means for mutual understanding beyond species boundaries. Definitions of interspecific communication – particularly between humans and non-human organisms – vary not only across research disciplines, but also across cultures and societies driven...

Do elite soccer players meet nutritional requirements? A scoping review and meta-analysis

This scoping review and meta-analysis synthesised current evidence on energy and macronutrient intake and energy expenditure in elite male and female soccer players. Despite established nutritional guidelines, concerns persist regarding chronic low energy availability and its imp...

Measurement incompatibility in Bayesian multiparameter quantum estimation

We present a comprehensive and pedagogical formulation of Bayesian multiparameter quantum estimation. Within this framework, we analyse the role of measurement incompatibility and establish its quantitative effect on attainable precision. We achieve this by deriving upper bounds...

Up‐regulation of the kinase LRRK2, in enteric glia contributes to mucosal barrier impairment in Parkinson's disease via secretory autophagy

Background and Purpose Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) show intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) alterations, enteric gliosis and inflammation that could contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms. Moreover, changes in leucine rich‐repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) expression/activity h...

Modelling dynamic blade loads on scaled tidal turbines due to wave-induced unsteady kinematics

Accurate prediction of wave-induced unsteady loads on tidal turbines is essential for reliable fatigue assessment and load mitigation design. These loads arise from the turbine rotating through a depth-varying flow field that oscillates at the wave frequency, requiring detailed m...

Data-driven mapping of known and novel fluid biomarker progression profiles in genetic frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Abstract Introduction Recent proteomic studies have identified both established and novel proteins in genetic frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). However, it remains unclear at what point in the disease these proteins deviate from normal levels and how their trajectories re...

Prospective analysis of pre-diagnostic untargeted plasma metabolomics and risk of triple-negative breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10–15% of newly diagnosed breast cancer, and its aetiology is poorly understood compared to other breast cancer subtypes. We applied untargeted metabolomics to identify novel biological pathways associated with TNBC risk and poten...

Cooperative multi-robot routing for AUV–UAV inspection with inter-vehicle synchronization

This paper addresses an extension of the classical heterogeneous Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) tailored to cooperative missions involving Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in monitoring scenarios characterized by heterogeneous task requirem...

Occupational hazards in hip and knee adult reconstruction surgery

Aims: Adult reconstruction surgeons face unique occupational challenges during joint arthroplasty procedures, including sustained physical demands, ergonomic strain, noise exposure, and psychological pressure from high patient expectations. This systematic review aimed to synthes...

Effects of Replacing Concentrate Feed with Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Pods on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Rumen Fermentation in Assaf Lambs

This study examined the effects of replacing 25% (P25) or 50% (P50) of concentrate dry matter (DM) with sun-dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, serum biochemistry, and rumen microbiology in...