Spore-forming bacteria in plant-based milk alternatives: Isolation, identification, and molecular detection of virulence and heat resistance genes - Clara Mariana Gonçalves Lima; Jolanta Wawrzyniak; Caroline Heckler; Dionísio Pedro Amorim-Neto; Giulia Paes Strabelo; Palloma de Souza Santos; Beatriz Dal Pian Machado; Matheus Péricles Silva Láscaris; Jaqueline Sousa Correia; Ana Luísa Perini Leme Giordano; Angélica Zaninelli Schreiber; Anderson S. Sant’Ana (Food Control, 2027)

Regional place attachment and meat reduction: The role of perceived availability of traditional vegetarian meals and attachment to culinary traditions - Michela Lenzi; Davide Naddeo; Luciana Carraro; Luca Cussigh; Margherita Guidetti; Giulia Scaglioni; Andrea Scatolon; Valentina Carfora (Appetite, 2027)

Maize inter-row weed management with a living mulch system - Giulia Papandrea; Silvia Fogliatto; Alessandro Beltramo; Zineb Bennani; Francesco Vidotto (Crop Protection, 2026)

Pollinator habitat enhancement through ornamental plants, floral traits and urban green area features for planning biodiversity-friendly cities - Paolo Biella; Giulia Brambilla; Valentina Verduci; Matteo Annessi; Andrea Beltramini; Lorenzo Bianco; Daniele Calabrese; Francesca Romana Dani; Marta Depetris; Andrea Di Giulio; Andrea Ferrari; Jessica Frigerio; et al. (Landscape and Urban Planning, 2026)

Identification of acceptability limits for shelf life studies by integrating sensory and analytical data: the case study of packed almonds - Marika Valentino; Marco Lopriore; Giulia Varutti; Lara Manzocco; Maria Cristina Nicoli (Food Control, 2026)

Food safety challenges in urban food systems: Parasitological findings in vegetables sold in supermarkets in Southern Brazil - Giulia Ribeiro Meireles; Tamires Silva dos Santos; Julia Somavilla Lignon; Luíse Nunes Bonneau de Albuquerque; Camila Gonçalves da Silveira; Natália Büttenbender; Meliza Mell Ribeiro Peixe; Maiza Paixão Souza; Thuanne Correa Brancão; Vanessa Gonçalves Schimelpfeming; Felipe Geraldo Pappen; Diego Moscarelli Pinto (Food and Humanity, 2026)

The costs of social and environmental degradation in affluent economies - Giulia Slater; Francesco Sarracino (Ecological Economics, 2026)

The NeuroWES project: lessons learned from comprehensive phenotyping and genetic analysis of neurodevelopmental disorders over a decade - Simona Cardaropoli; Lisa Pavinato; Slavica Trajkova; Diana Carli; Verdiana Pullano; Flavia Palermo; Alessandro Mussa; Elisa Biamino; Vincenzo Antona; Andrea Zonta; Paola Dimartino; Mariia Zadorozhna; et al. (Human Genetics, 2026)
Exome sequencing (ES) has become a primary tool for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), yet the interpretation of genetic variants in large, heterogeneous cohorts presents significant challenges that automated pipelines often fail to resolve. This study showcases the complexities and novel findings derived from a decade-long analysis of 419 Italian NDD patient-parent trios. While ES established a molecular diagnosis in 36.5% of cases (53.8% in syndromic presentations), our investigation moves beyond diagnostic yield to highlight the critical value of manual curation integrated with deep phenotyping. We demonstrate how this rigorous approach uncovers complex disease mechanisms, revealing that variants initially misclassified as missense or stop-gain are, in fact, pathogenic splicing defects confirmed by functional analysis. Furthermore, we resolve the paradox of pathogenic truncating PPM1D variants in control databases by demonstrating their somatic mosaic nature, a crucial insight for population data interpretation. Our work also refines gene-disease correlations by challenging the established role of MID2 in NDDs, providing further evidence for DSCAM as a high-confidence risk gene, and expanding the known phenotypic spectrum of disorders, such as a novel GNAI2 -related syndrome lacking expected immune dysfunction. This study underscores that navigating the complexities of large NDD cohorts requires a detailed, expert-driven approach to not only enhance diagnostic yield but also to advance our fundamental understanding of rare disease genetics.

Outbreak of BVDV-1b associated with persistent infection, reproductive losses, and congenital malformations in beef cattle in Southern Brazil - Lucas Marian; Jéssica A. Withoeft; Eduarda V. Rocha; Giulia Bonatto; Letícia F. Baumbach; Carla R. Rodenbusch; Cláudio W. Canal; Renata A. Casagrande (Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2026)

Understanding coastal governance and climate adaptation processes through social conflicts: Theoretical and methodological approaches - Mathilde Luna Joly; Kristof Van Assche; Giulia Galluccio (Marine Policy, 2026)

Label-free proteomic profiling identifies ECM-related alterations across regeneration states in human peripheral axonal neuropathies - Marina Damato; Soulaimane Aboulouard; Velia La Pesa; Francesco Gentile; Giulia Lunghi; Michela Perrone; Beatrice Pranzo; Elena Chiricozzi; Nilo Riva; Isabelle Fournier; Alessandro Romano; Angelo Quattrini; et al. (Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2026)
Understanding the multiple mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve regeneration in humans is crucial for developing effective therapies for peripheral axonal neuropathies. Although i n vitro and in vivo studies have provided significant insights, human studies exploring the composition of proteome remain limited. The ECM plays a crucial role in nerve regeneration, influencing cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and finally differentiation. In this study, we used a high-sensitivity, label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method to investigate the global proteomic profile of human sural nerves aiming to identify molecular dynamics that promote or hinder nerve regeneration in well-characterized cohorts of patients with acute axonal injury, regenerating axonal neuropathy, and non-regenerating axonal neuropathy. Overall, 149 proteins were identified, of which 68 showed significant modulation across the groups. Proteins over-represented in regenerating nerves highlighted the multifactorial nature of regeneration, including immune modulation, debris clearance, cytoskeletal reorganization, axonal extension, and lipid transport. Conversely, structural myelin and neuronal proteins were significantly downregulated in non-regenerating nerves. Among the differentially expressed proteins, functional enrichment analysis revealed a significant overrepresentation of ECM-related components, providing compelling evidence that the ECM is not merely a passive scaffold, but an active driver of peripheral nerve regeneration.

Performance evaluation of methods for detecting enteric viruses in meat products - Lucas Zanchetta; Paula Rogovski; Henrique Borges da Silva Grisard; Beatriz Pereira Savi; Catielen Paula Pavi; Sabrina Carvalho Suominsky; Giulia Von Tönnemann Pilati; Gislaine Fongaro (Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2026)
Meat products represent important vehicles for foodborne viral transmission, yet standardized detection methodologies for these complex matrices remain limited. This study systematically compared three viral recovery methods across nine meat products representing chicken, pork, and processed deli meat matrices: polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) precipitation, glycine buffer-chloroform (GBC) phase separation, and β-mercaptoethanol (B-M) chaotropic lysis. Using Murine Norovirus 1 (MNV-1) and Murine Hepatitis Virus 3 (MHV-3) as process controls, recovery efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR. The B-M method demonstrated the most consistent performance, successfully detecting MNV-1 across all tested matrices and significantly outperforming PEG and GBC for MNV-1 in chicken and pork. Applying the B-M method to 25 commercial retail products revealed the genetic material of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in four samples and Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) in one sample, exclusively within pork products. These findings provide critical comparative performance data for method selection in viral surveillance of meat and document the occurrence of HEV and PCV-2 genetic material in commercial pork products from Santa Catarina, Brazil, highlighting a significant food and agricultural biosafety concern in this major meat-producing and exporting state.

Trichoderma shapes phytophagous and entomophagous arthropod community in common bean fields - Pierluigi Forlano; Daniele Curcio; Raffaele Cavaliere; Stefania Mirela Mang; Enrica De Falco; Antonino Modafferi; Giulia Giunti (Crop Protection, 2026)

Sediment capping causes metabolic stress and hydrogen sulfide intrusion in Posidonia australis: Implications for seagrass restoration - E. Maria U. Jung; Giulia Ferretto; Katherine A. Dafforn; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Kieryn Kilminster; Anjali Gopakumar; Michelle Whitney; Paul E. Gribben; Gary A. Kendrick (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Soil organic carbon response to no-till is conditioned by edaphoclimatic moderators in tropical agriculture: Evidence from Brazil - Altene JEAN-LOUIS; Giulia Ketlen SANCHES; Sérgio Abílio AZEVEDO; Johnny JEAN; Bruno Montoani SILVA; Ana Carolina BARBOSA; Samara Martins BARBOSA; Jessica Oliveira Notorio RIBEIRO; Renan PREVIL; Vânessa Lopes de FARIA; Rafaella Tatiane Silva de SÁ; Juliano Vilela OLIVEIRA; et al. (Soil and Tillage Research, 2026)

Response to volatiles from decaying organic matters and behavioural plasticity in male and female Hermetia illucens - Silvana Piersanti; Giulia Petroni; Giorgia Carboni Marri; Manuela Rebora; Gianandrea Salerno (Journal of Insect Physiology, 2026)

Bivalve sentinels sound the alarm: Rare earth elements patterns along the Mediterranean coast - Silvia Secco; Giulia Cesarini; Leonardo Marcello; Giovanni Libralato; Antonella Giarra; Alessandra Marano; Marco Trifuoggi; Massimiliano Scalici (Environmental Pollution, 2026)

Multi-objective optimization of seismic upgrading interventions in existing RC buildings - Giulia Angelucci; Giuseppe Quaranta (Engineering Structures, 2026)

Identifying active surfaces for C2 decomposition relevant to the FC-CVD CNT synthesis process - Audrey Dannar; Jack Peden; Shahzad Hussain; Samantha Le; Eldar Khabushev; Davide Cavuto; Giulia Bellettati; Maria Anna Murmura; Matteo Pasquali; Matteo Cargnello; Adam Boies; Christian Reece (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026)

Geomorphic changes and sediment yield dynamics in Alpine hillslopes: the role of surface temperature and rainfall intensity - Girma Berhe Adane; Enrico Marin; Chiara Marchina; Francesco Bettella; Diego Todini-Zicavo; Marco Martini; Paolo Tarolli; Giulia Zuecco (CATENA, 2026)

Trophic ecology of lizards in vineyards: Diet composition and implications for pest control - Giulia Simbula; Ana Ramos; Sara F. Nunes; Miguel A. Carretero; Ricardo J. Lopes; Catarina Rato (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2026)

Linking agroecological cropping practices to multiple ecosystem functions and economic input use intensity - Valeria Carini; Giulia Vico; Anne Dietrich; Helena Hansson; Göran Bergkvist; Ola Lundin; Riccardo Bommarco (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2026)

A dual-clam species 63 K SNP array for sustainable production and conservation of wild resources - Marialaura Gallo; Massimiliano Babbucci; Sergio Fernández Boo; Tim Bean; Giulia Dalla Rovere; Morgan Smits; Carolina Peñaloza; Ross Houston; Shernae Woolley; Francesco Cicala; Rafaella Franch; Serena Ferraresso; et al. (Aquaculture, 2026)

Antigen-blocking phenomenon in dogs affected by Dirofilaria immitis: frequency, reversion, associated immune response and co-positivity with other vector-borne pathogens - Emanuela Sturiale; Ettore Napoli; Giovanni De Benedetto; Gabriella Gaglio; Francesca Nonnis; Antonio Varcasia; Federica Arrigo; Giulia Sisia; Francesca Arfuso; Emanuele Brianti (Veterinary Parasitology, 2026)

Preliminary study on the inflammatory response of Spanish native cattle breed during transition period - Federica Arrigo; Maria Rizzo; Giulia Sisia; Giuseppe Piccione; Claudia Giannetto; Jacobo Álvarez; Renato Barrionuevo; Luis A. Quintela; Francesca Arfuso (Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 2026)

An assessment methodology for tunnelling beneath bridges considering soil–structure interaction - Eugene K.L. Wong; Andrea Franza; Peter Hewitt; Giulia M.B. Viggiani (Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2026)

Anti-inflammatory drugs disrupt granulosa cell homeostasis in vitro and impair bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development - Lange-Consiglio Anna; Gaspari Giulia; Cagnardi Petra; Draghi Susanna; Di Cesare Federica; Ucci Linda; Bosi Giampaolo; Cremonesi Fausto; Riccaboni Pietro (Theriogenology, 2026)

Heterogeneous Pd/C-catalyzed oxidative annulation of anilines toward 2-quinolinones - Fan Huang; Giulia Brufani; Alireza Nazari Khodadadi; Dario Marchionni; Ejdi Cela; Daniela Lanari; Luigi Vaccaro (Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2026)

Controlled incubation supports baseline developmental and molecular comparability in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) embryos - Giulia Chemello; Chiara Fini; Matteo Zarantoniello; Erica Trotta; Francesca Perretta; Giorgia Gioacchini (Regional Studies in Marine Science, 2026)

Taphonomy, palaeoecology and palaeobiological significance of the Cisterna quarry fossil site: An exceptional window into the marine vertebrate biodiversity of the early Late Miocene Mediterranean Sea - Giovanni Bianucci; Giulia Bosio; Giorgio Carnevale; Antonio Cascella; Francesco Nobile; Emanuele Peri; Alberto Collareta (Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2026)

Quantitative analysis of Upper Miocene Mediterranean reef carbonates: A tool for reconstructing palaeoenvironmental gradients - Giovanni Coletti; Alberto Vimercati; Francesca R. Bosellini; Luca Mariani; Adriano Guido; Alessandro Vescogni; Jesús Reolid; Gerald Auer; Daniela Basso; Alberto Collareta; Giulia Bosio; Or Mordecai Bialik (Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2026)

Progress of the palynozonation of the middle to late Permian of the Zagros Basin (SW Iran) and Central Iran - Amalia Spina; Giacomo Rettori; Simonetta Cirilli; Michael H. Stephenson; Mansour Ghorbani; Giulia Margaritelli; Roberto Rettori (Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2026)

Extending the shelf-life of Lentinula edodes: the interplay between ozone dosage, bacterial dynamics, and physicochemical stability - Beatriz Dal Pian Machado; Eugénio da Piedade Edmundo Sitoe; Émilie Lang; Dionísio Pedro Amorim-Neto; Matheus da Silva Mourão; Matheus Péricles Silva Láscaris; Jaqueline Sousa Correia; Giulia Paes Strabelo; Franciane Colares Souza Usberti; Anderson S. Sant'Ana (International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2026)

Unravelling the effect of autochthonous scotta-derived vs. commercial starter cultures in pilot-scale hard sheep milk cheese production: A multi-omics and sensory combined approach - Pier Paolo Becchi; Luigi Chessa; Paolo Bellassi; Antonio Paba; Marco Caredda; Massimo Pes; Carlo Piga; Chiara Mussio; Gabriele Rocchetti; Giulia Fappani; Lorenzo Morelli; Roberta Comunian; et al. (Food Research International, 2026)

Novel food ingredients from Cyperus rotundus L.: an ancient famine food and the world's pernicious weed coming back on the table - Giulia Giorgi; Aylin W. Sahin; Adriano Patriarca; Fabio Sciubba; Lorenzo Massimi; Emanuele Zannini; Alfredo Miccheli; Alberta Tomassini; Elisa Brasili (Food Research International, 2026)

Integrated multi-elemental and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic fingerprinting coupled with explainable artificial intelligence for geographical authentication of wheat - Giulia Puzo; Tea Zuliani; Michele Magarelli; Pierfrancesco Novielli; Emilia Pucci; Valeria Poscente; Alessandra Bernardini; Sabina Tangaro; Massimo Reverberi; Claudia Zoani (Food Chemistry, 2026)

Survival and genomic adaptation of Listeria monocytogenes in long-term culture - Sara Benetti; Lisa Carraro; Hooriyeh Mohammadpour; Giulia Weiss; Rosaria Lucchini; Barbara Cardazzo (Food Microbiology, 2026)

Microplastics and mammary carcinogenesis: A review of in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence - Gabriela R. Pinheiro; Maria Clara P. de Oliveira; Luan Mauro G. Ferreira; Guilherme A. Theodoro; Larissa de O. Araújo; Giulia L. Mascaro; Rahna G.C. da Cruz; Flávia I.V. Errera; Flavia de Paula; Lyvia N.R.A. Nolasco; Eldamária de V.W. dos Santos (Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2026)

Continuum modelling of flow-structure interaction during the 2009 Cancia debris flow (Italian Dolomites) - Marina Pirulli; Giulia La Porta; Mario Manassero (Engineering Geology, 2026)

Biomimetic organo-specific scaffolds reveal lineage-specific adaptations of breast cancer cells in bone metastasis - Chiara Spadazzi; Silvia Vanni; Alessandro De Vita; Claudia Cocchi; Sofia Gabellone; Giacomo Miserocchi; Chiara Calabrese; Sofia Dellavalle; Oneda Cani; Lucas Moron Dalla Tor; Michela Tebaldi; Ane Urigoitia-Asua; et al. (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026)

The galactoglucan from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSA_B is assembled from two phosphodiester-bound moieties with distinct antimicrobial and antioxidant profiles - Andrea Iovine; Giulia Bisson; Immacolata Speciale; Anna Notaro; Clara Comuzzi; Marilena Marino; Cristina De Castro (Carbohydrate Polymers, 2026)

Intermittent versus continuous kiln drying of hardwood boards: comparable-stage analysis of energy use, kinetics, quality, and climate impacts - Bruce Schuler Frantzen; Edgar A. Silveira; Giulia Cruz Lamas; Taygoara F. de Oliveira (Biomass and Bioenergy, 2026)

Investigation of factors controlling the mercury geochemical cycle in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard) under contrasting climatic conditions - Veronica Amoruso; Federico Scoto; Azzurra Spagnesi; Giulia Calzolai; Elena Barbaro; Roberto Salzano; David Cappelletti; Stefano Crocchianti; Andrea Spolaor (Atmospheric Environment, 2026)

Extreme Saharan dust outbreak: Air quality crisis in NW Spain (March 2022) - Cátia Gonçalves; Estela D. Vicente; Carlos Blanco-Alegre; Ana Isabel Calvo; Maria del Mar Sorribas; Fabio Giardi; Silvia Nava; Giulia Calzolai; Alberto Rodríguez-Fernández; Carla Candeias; Roberto Fraile (Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2026)

A comparative analysis of gut microbiome in dogs using short- and long-reads of 16S rRNA sequences reveals workflow-dependent biases - Giulia Polacchini; Bruno Stefanon; Paolo Mongillo; Danilo Licastro (Veterinary Research Communications, 2026)
Short-read Illumina sequencing of hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene and long-read Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing of the full-length 16S gene are increasingly used to profile microbial communities. However, differences in sequencing chemistry, read length, and taxonomic assignment methods raise concerns about the comparability of microbiome profiles and their impact on biological interpretation. Faecal samples from two groups of healthy dogs, 8 young (32 < age < 59 months) and 8 old (age > 109 months), were analysed. Taxonomic relative abundances obtained from Illumina and ONT sequencing were compared after nomenclature harmonisation. Agreement between workflows was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis on log2-transformed relative abundances. Although the mean bias at the genus level was small (0.229), limits of agreement indicated poor interchangeability between workflows. When restricted to taxa detected by both workflows, variability decreased but a larger negative bias emerged, suggesting abundance-dependent discrepancies. The effects of sequencing workflow on biologically relevant signals related to host age were evaluated by computing alpha and beta diversity metrics independently within each workflow. Alpha diversity differed between workflows, with ONT yielding higher Shannon diversity and richness values than Illumina. Beta diversity analyses indicated significant ( p < 0.05) age-related shifts in community composition only in ONT, with differences in variance explained and effect sizes. Workflow comparisons revealed taxon-specific differences at phylum, family, and genus levels, affecting both moderately and highly abundant taxa. These findings indicate that sequencing workflow choice impacts microbiome profiling and downstream interpretation, underscoring the need for care in cross-workflow comparisons.

Occurrence of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in yellow-legged seagulls (Larus michahellis) from Central Italy - Fabrizio Bertelloni; Giulia Cagnoli; Alessia Di Paolo; Valentina Virginia Ebani (Veterinary Research Communications, 2026)

Effects on mouse melanoma and immune cells of P2X7 receptor positive allosterism by clemastine - Maria Luiza Thorstenberg; Simonetta Falzoni; Rocio Edith Garcia-Jacobo; Leticia Scussel Bergamin; Mario Tarantini; Giulia Conversano; Anna Pegoraro; Francesco Di Virgilio; Elena Adinolfi; Anna Lisa Giuliani (Purinergic Signalling, 2026)
Clemastine (CLE), an H1R antagonist widely used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, has recently been investigated for its positive modulatory effects on P2X7, a receptor for extracellular ATP (eATP) involved in the regulation of inflammation, immune responses, and the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we further examined the effects of CLE on P2X7-mediated responses to clarify the pharmacological significance of P2X7 potentiation. First, in murine and human cells expressing (B16F10 WT and HEK293-hP2X7) or lacking (B16F10 P2X7 −/− and HEK293 WT) the P2X7 receptor, we measured intracellular Ca 2+ influx, ethidium bromide (EB) and daunorubicin (DN) uptake, mitochondrial morphology, and LDH and ATP release following P2X7 agonism or antagonism in the presence of CLE. We found that CLE increased Bz-ATP-induced P2X7-mediated channel opening, pore formation, mitochondrial remodeling, eATP release, and cell death, effects absent in P2X7-null cells and abolished by P2X7 antagonists. As a readout of activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, a known downstream effector of the P2X7 receptor, we also assessed the effect of CLE on IL-1β release from peritoneal macrophages from wild-type (WT) or P2X7 knockout (KO) mice, LPS-primed and treated with ATP and/or CLE. We found that the combined treatment significantly increased IL-1β release from P2X7-WT macrophages compared to the two stimuli administered separately. On the whole, our results demonstrate that CLE can effectively positively modulate P2X7 function, suggesting new opportunities for its therapeutic exploitation.

Mucoadhesive Liposome-Loaded 3,3’-Diindolylmethane Hydrogel: A Potential Formulation for Treatment of Trichomoniasis - Vanessa Neuenschwander Custódio; Vinicius Costa Prado; Giulia Bongiorni Galego; Daiane Britto de Oliveira; Tiana Tasca; Letícia Cruz (Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, 2026)
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the flagellated protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis . 3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a bioactive compound with recognized antitumor potential; however, its activity against T. vaginalis remains unexplored. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a topical hydrogel containing DIM-loaded liposomes (HG LIP-DIM) for trichomoniasis treatment. Liposomes (LIP-DIM) were prepared by the lipid film hydration method and incorporated into a 3% guar gum hydrogel. The LIP-DIM was evaluated regarding physicochemical properties, preliminary biocompatibility, in vitro release, antioxidant activity, and anti- T. vaginalis effect. LIP-DIM presented nanoscale characteristics (146 ± 2 nm; PDI 0.17 ± 0.00) and high drug content (85.58 ± 1.21%), with no hemolytic activity compared to free DIM. The system showed controlled release, with less than 50% of the drug released in 12 h, and strong antioxidant activity (92.41 ± 2.01%). Importantly, an 80% reduction in T. vaginalis viability was observed in vitro. The incorporation of LIP-DIM into the hydrogel preserved the physicochemical characteristics of the original dispersion. The HG LIP-DIM was then evaluated for vaginal application performance, demonstrating adequate spreadability, strong mucoadhesion (8218.68 ± 180.19 dyne/cm²), high vaginal retention (98.16 ± 0.33%), and absence of irritation in the HET-CAM assay. Permeation studies confirmed drug retention in the vaginal mucosa without systemic absorption. Overall, the developed liposomal hydrogel combines favorable biopharmaceutical properties with promising in vitro antiparasitic activity, suggesting its potential as a localized vaginal delivery system for DIM. However, these results are preliminary, and further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the hydrogel.

Correction to: Impact of Regulation (EU) No. 536/2014 on clinical trial approval processes in two Italian oncology centers - Daniela Bencardino; Fabiana Marchetti; Cristina Mazzi; Marianna Ferrari; Francesca Garibaldi; Giulia Ferrera; Giulia Ponti; Chiara Altavilla; Laura Rossi; Matteo Verzè; Vanda Salutari; Vincenzina Mora; et al. (Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, 2026)

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems: publication trends and overview of the special issue - Giulia Cesarini; Massimiliano Scalici; Timothy Hoellein; Paula Sobral; Verónica Ferreira (Hydrobiologia, 2026)

Deciphering phenotypic diversity within a tomato landrace: the ‘Pomodoro di Sorrento’ case study - Andrea Burato; Antonio Di Matteo; Giulia Graziani; Mario Parisi (Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2026)
‘Pomodoro di Sorrento’ – PS ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a traditional Italian tomato landrace which is highly appreciated for its large multilocular pink fruits and distinctive organoleptic quality. In this study, a collection of 10 PS accessions was characterized for morphological, agronomic, and fruit quality traits and compared with three related Italian tomato landraces (‘Cuore di Bue’, ‘Pera di Abruzzo’, and ‘Pera di Albenga’). The objectives were to (i) define the phenotypic identity of the PS landrace, (ii) assess intra-landrace variability, and (iii) identify key traits for germplasm management and valorization. Multivariate analyses revealed a clear phenotypic distinctiveness of PS compared to the reference landraces while highlighting substantial diversity within the PS collection. Fruit morphology and quality traits emerged as the main features defining the PS ideotype. PS accessions maintained distinct trait combinations and were grouped into three phenotypic clusters by hierarchical clustering. A stepwise discriminant analysis identified pH, a*/b* color ratio, soluble solids content, and glucose concentration as the most informative variables, capturing much of the phenotypic structure of the collection. These results demonstrate that a limited set of quality-related traits can effectively support the classification of newly collected materials and facilitate local germplasm management. Overall, the PS collection represents a coherent, diverse, and non-redundant reservoir of variability. The proposed phenotypic framework provides valuable tools for germplasm conservation, characterization, and valorization while offering a foundation for future breeding efforts aimed at combining varietal typicity, fruit quality, and agronomic performance.

Measurement replicates under the lens: evaluating NIR spectroscopic error quality through multivariate error analysis - Jordi Riu; Giulia Gorla; Manuel Monti; Marc Campeny; Javier Quesada; Barbara Giussani (Analytica Chimica Acta, 2026)

Assessing extreme enantiomeric purity of (+)-1-(9-Fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate by normal- and reversed-phase enantioselective chromatography: toward greener analytical strategies - Simone Manetto; Giulia Mazzoccanti; Elena Tuzi; Fabrizio Giorgi; Cristina di Giovanni; Michela Forte; Alessia Ciogli; Francesco Gasparrini (Analytica Chimica Acta, 2026)

Impact of management intensity of agricultural systems and soil intrinsic characteristics on soil organic carbon stocks - Alex Castellón Meyrat; Lilian O’Sullivan; Paul Holloway; David Wall; Giulia Bondi (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2026)

Reconstructing contaminant plume dynamics from sparse well data using Dynamic Mode Decomposition: Effects of sampling density and support scale - Giulia Libero; Alessandra Bonazzi; Felipe P.J. de Barros (Advances in Water Resources, 2026)

More than just green: the role of vegetation heterogeneity for species richness and multidiversity in urban green spaces - Giulia Casciano; Janine Bolliger; Achilleas Psomas (Urban Ecosystems, 2026)
Urban green spaces (UGS) provide important ecological, social, and climatic functions, but their effectiveness depends not only on their extent but also on their vertical vegetation structure. To this end, we present a high-resolution urban green space typology (UGST) for four Swiss cities (Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich) derived from remotely sensed thematic (NDVI) and structural (vegetation height and VCI) data, comprising 33 classes. The structural heterogeneity of the vegetation cover was consistently bimodal, with low-complexity vegetation (grass) or tall, high-complexity wooded areas dominating, while intermediate structures were underrepresented. The UGST was used to assess species richness across five taxonomic groups and a multidiversity score (mean normalized richness across all groups) using GAMs under varying thematic resolutions. Results indicated taxon-specific, generally non-linear associations between normalized recorded species richness or multidiversity and the individual component scores or percentage cover of several UGST classes. The fine-grained joint models had higher in-sample deviance and explained more variance compared to highly aggregated-class and total-green-cover formulations, although the formulations differed in complexity and were not evaluated out of sample.

Microglia-derived extracellular vesicles uncover early alterations of inflammatory signaling in Alzheimer’s disease - Chiara Bianchessi; Maria Serpente; Evelyn Ferri; Giulia Giudici; Marina Arcaro; Vittoria Borracci; Caterina Visconte; Francesca Buccellato; Luca Sacchi; Manuela Pintus; Beatrice Arosio; Andrea Arighi; et al. (GeroScience, 2026)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a neurodegenerative disorder associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and age-related immune dysregulation. Microglial-derived extracellular vesicles (MDEVs) are emerging as important mediators of neuroimmune communication and potential biomarkers reflecting pathological processes occurring within the central nervous system (CNS). However, how EV-associated inflammatory signalling changes across different stages of AD remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the inflammatory molecular profile of serum-derived MDEVs in 22 AD patients, 19 prodromal AD subjects, and 23 healthy controls (HC). Cytokine concentrations were also evaluated in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to compare vesicle-associated and soluble inflammatory signals across biological compartments. MDEVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography followed by TMEM119-based immunoenrichment. Cytokine quantification was performed using the Ella Simple Plex automated immunoassay platform. MDEVs from AD patients showed a generalized reduction in both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to HC, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-10, and IL-4. Notably, several alterations were already detectable at the prodromal stage. In contrast, soluble cytokines in serum and CSF displayed a predominantly pro-inflammatory profile in AD patients, with increased levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-12p70. No significant correlations were observed between cytokine levels measured in MDEVs and those detected in serum or CSF. Overall, these findings support the presence of a compartment-specific reorganization of inflammatory signalling during AD progression. Early alterations in MDEV inflammatory cargo may reflect disrupted EV-mediated neuroimmune communication and highlight the potential of MDEVs as accessible peripheral biomarkers of neuroinflammatory processes in AD.

High temperature emissivity measurements of sulfur mixtures for comparison with sulfides in wavelengths relevant to the MERTIS instrument of the ESA BepiColombo mission - Elise J. Merchak; Alessandro Maturilli; Giulia Alemanno; Aurélie Van den Neucker (Advances in Space Research, 2026)

Modularity limits the spatial propagation of disturbance in experimental seagrass networks - Caterina Mintrone; Giulia Proserpio; Lisandro Benedetti‐Cecchi (Ecology, 2026)
Understanding how habitat structure affects disturbance dynamics among connected patches is a central issue in ecology. Network theory predicts that a modular arrangement of habitat patches can limit the spread of local perturbations, reducing the probability of large‐scale impacts. We performed a field experiment to test whether modular networks were more resistant to the spread of algal turfs compared to random networks within meadows of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Networks were created by manipulating the canopy of P . oceanica to promote the vegetative propagation of algal turfs among network nodes from initially disturbed patches. Algal turfs spread more widely among nodes in random networks, whereas they remained confined within the nodes of the perturbed module in modular networks. Our findings support the hypothesis that modularity is a key trait of ecological networks for mitigating the spread of perturbations and emphasize the importance of considering habitat structure for conservation efforts.

Field CO2 enrichment by submarine vents unravels Zostera noltii response to ocean acidification - Arianna Pansini; Carmen Arena; Roberto Cabizza; Alessia Crobu; Ermenegilda Vitale; Giulia Ceccherelli (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Old habits die hard: pigeons maintain route fidelity but reduce flight altitude when exposed to a raptor-like robot - Giulia Cerritelli; Luca Marinoni; Lorenzo Vanni; Claudio Carere; Robert Musters; Irene Vertua; Diego Rubolini; Anna Gagliardo; Dimitri Giunchi (Animal Behaviour, 2026)

Electrochemical sensors for shellfish contaminants: from proof-of-concept to analytical relevance - Mattia Carbone; Giulia Selvolini; Giovanna Marrazza (Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2026)

Uncovering potential benefits of sustainable energy and climate action plans in small municipalities in Europe - Luigi Santopietro; Valentina Palermo; Giulia Melica; Paolo Bertoldi; Francesco Scorza (Sustainable Cities and Society, 2026)

Gadolinium induces Sertoli cell damage: cellular and molecular mechanisms - Sara Falvo; Giulia Grillo; Gabriella Chieffi Baccari; Giuseppe Petito; Massimo Venditti; Maria Maddalena Di Fiore; Tiziana Cappello; Maria Maisano; Alessandra Santillo (Reproductive Toxicology, 2026)

Postharvest yeast treatments control strawberry rots and shift the fruit microbiome - Giulia Remolif; Marco Garello; Simona Prencipe; Ilario Ferrocino; Vladimiro Guarnaccia; Samir Droby; Gianfranco Romanazzi; Davide Spadaro (Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2026)

Arrival health indicators at a collection center and mortality risk in veal calves: a prospective cohort study (CLuBS study) - Ilaria Martucci; Davide Galanti; Giulia Sala; Elisa Gazzola; Riccardo Compiani; Davide Pravettoni; Antonio Boccardo (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2026)

Exploring preliminary findings of a fixed nearshore wind farm, during operational phase, on the distribution of Tursiops truncatus and Stenella coeruleoalba in the Northern Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) - Giulia Cipriano; Carmelo Fanizza; Carla Cherubini; Angelica Catacchio; Francesca Cornelia Santacesaria; Roberto Crugliano; Claudio Fossati; Giovanni Caltavuturo; Michele Manghi; Paolo Diviacco; Roberto Carlucci (Marine Environmental Research, 2026)

From mucus barrier disruption to cellular damage: Multiscale toxic effects of Benzophenone-3 on a reef-building coral - Wilton Rodrigues de Souza Santos; Ana Beatriz Ferreira Belo Santos; Giulia Maneira de Prá; Thamiris Silva Gomes; Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek; Renata de Britto Mari; Hosana Maria Debonsi; Lorena Rigo Gaspar; Luis Felipe Barcena Albertoni; Vinicius Roveri; Luciana Lopes Guimarães; Helen Sadauskas-Henrique (Marine Environmental Research, 2026)

Microbial communities and isotopic signatures improve discrimination of pedogenetic trajectories of soil acidification in the Northern Apennines (Italy) - William Trenti; Mauro De Feudis; Veneramaria Urso; Giulia Tabanelli; Fausto Gardini; Livia Vittori Antisari (Geoderma Regional, 2026)

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) protein gels and microgels: effect of pH on structure, rheology and lubrication - Francesco Iervese; Annalaura Sabatucci; Giulia D'Alessio; Lilia Neri; Antonio Francioso; Paola Pittia; Carla Di Mattia (Food Hydrocolloids, 2026)

Combining microbiological and technological indicators into a qualitative score for optimizing raw milk refrigeration in cheesemaking - Niccolò Renoldi; Marilena Marino; Marco Lopriore; Anna Rossi; Giulia Di Filippo; Nadia Innocente (Food Control, 2026)

Species-specific profiles and implications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in edible insects - Giacomo Depau; Teresa Gazzotti; Elisa Zironi; Giulia Rampazzo; Giampiero Pagliuca (Food Control, 2026)

Phage-activated edible biopackaging for Listeria monocytogenes control in cheese: in vitro and in vivo assessment of whey protein- and tapioca starch-based solutions - Giuliana Garofalo; Chiara Pisana; Margherita Caccamo; Gabriele Busetta; Giulia Donà; Alberto Cappellaro; Barbara Marcelli; Jeroen A. Wouters; Luca Settanni; Raimondo Gaglio; Cinzia Caggia (Food Microbiology, 2026)

Contrasting effects of treated wastewater irrigation and Trichoderma inoculation on tomato soil microbiomes - Raffaella Sabatino; Andrea Di Cesare; Monica Brienza; Giulia Borgomaneiro; Roberto Rosamilia; Samia Khadhar; Farah Khezami; Paolo Fanti; Vincenzo Trotta (European Journal of Soil Biology, 2026)

Coastal hydrodynamics drive microplastic retention in filter-feeders - Giulia Papini; Esin Batir; Stefano Amalfitano; Ines Lacchetti; Riccardo Pasina; Alessandra Fianchini; Massimo Rampacci; Arnold Rakaj (Environmental Research, 2026)

Maternal exposure to air pollution and fetoplacental Doppler markers during pregnancy. - Maria Julia Zanini; Toni Galmés; Bethany Knox; Yana Luo; Laura Gómez-Herrera; Marta Cirach; Alan Domínguez; Carla Domínguez-Gallardo; Marta Muniesa; Giulia Casu; Mónica Cruz-Lemini; Yu Zhao; et al. (Environmental Pollution, 2026)

The influence of porosity on the damage induced by freeze-thaw cycles on fracture toughness - Giulia Torsello; Pooya Hamdi; Florian Amann; Marta Castelli; Corrado Fidelibus (Engineering Geology, 2026)

Water security and human development: The role of size, footprint and governance - Thomas Bolognesi; Giulia Marti; Gregory Giuliani (Ecological Economics, 2026)

A review of methods for assessing IEQ impacts on learning and teaching performance in classrooms across thermal, air, acoustic and visual domains - Giulia Lamberti; Davide Aloini; Giacomo Salvadori (Building and Environment, 2026)

National-scale analysis of extinction risk correlates in Italian flowering plants - Angelino Carta; Margherita Gioria; Elena Zappa; Mariacristina Villani; Simonetta Bagella; Sara Magrini; Annalisa Santangelo; Emmanuele Farris; Giulia Calderisi; Donatella Cogoni; Maria Silvia Pinna; Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo; et al. (Biological Conservation, 2026)

Resilience in the line: insights on post-release survival from long-term monitoring and satellite tagging of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) in the Southern Adriatic Sea - Pierluigi Carbonara; Andrea Bellodi; Giulia Prato; Simone Niedermüller; Alessandro Buzzi; Cosmidano Neglia; Lola Toomey; Massimiliano Bottaro; Maria Cristina Follesa; Walter Zupa (Biological Conservation, 2026)

Urban CO2 and CH4 pilot atmospheric measurements in the Milan city area (Northern Italy) - Paolo Cristofanelli; Nora Zannoni; Francesco Apadula; Francesca Barnaba; Alessandro Bracci; Francescopiero Calzolari; Luca Di Liberto; Diego Guizzardi; Cecilia Magnani; Giovanni Manca; Valeria Mardonez; Simonetta Montaguti; et al. (Atmospheric Environment, 2026)

Investigation of extreme CO2 concentration events at an Alpine station with Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Models - Mirsada Cravero; Silvia Ferrarese; Francesco Apadula; Giulia Zazzeri; Matteo M. Musso; Silvia Trini Castelli (Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2026)

Modulating effects of pH and dissolved organic carbon on mercury toxicity in Macrobrachium amazonicum: Biochemical and histological responses - Giulia M. De Prá; Wilton R.D.S. Santos; Gabriela P. Marinsek; Thamiris S. Gomes; Renata de Britto Mari; Bruna C.C. Batista; Ana Beatriz F.B. Santos; Susana Braz-Mota; Lucca de A.C. Savio; Adalberto Luís Val; Helen Sadauskas-Henrique (Aquatic Toxicology, 2026)

A New Arrival: First Record of the Genus Vayssierea Risbec, 1928 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia) in the Mediterranean Sea - Giulia Furfaro; Andrea Bonifazi; Joachim Langeneck; Michele Solca; Marco Marcelli; Emanuele Mancini (Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, 2026)
Exploring the Nudibranchia diversity, a specialized group of gastropods, from ports and marinas revealed a powerful way to early detect Mediterranean non-indigenous species and to uncover overlooked endemic diversity. During a survey in the Port of Civitavecchia, Rome, Italy (Tyrrhenian Sea), one specimen belonging to the neglected genus Vayssierea Risbec, 1928 was detected. Morphological and molecular analyses, based on the COI mitochondrial marker, confirmed it belongs to this Indo Pacific genus and they revealed Vayssierea sp. 1 is another case of challenging species identification. In fact, all the known species belonging to this genus share a similar external morphology and lack reliable diagnostic features, which make a comparison with the original descriptions of the species impossible, currently preventing identification at the species level. This is the first record of this genus in the entire Mediterranean Sea, and it highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of heavily human-impacted areas, such as ports and marinas, to early detect non-indigenous and/or neglected and overlooked taxa.

Knowledge-driven policies for post-disaster recovery: an investigation of dwellers’ perception - Paolo Bottero; Martina Dal Molin; Giulia Urso (Natural Hazards, 2026)
Human capital is crucial for economic development, and the academic literature has extensively studied the link between education and economic progress. While the number of studies focusing on the impact of academic institutions on local economies is increasing, attention to universities’ role as ex-post drivers of long-term development in post-shock contexts remains scant. Building on these premises, this study focuses on the case of L’Aquila following the 2009 earthquake. Specifically, building on primary data collected by an independent survey in 2019, our research aim is to evaluate how and whether the establishment of the Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) has generated a positive effect on the city’s rebirth after the 2009 shock, focusing on the perceptions of L’Aquila inhabitants. Results show a positive perception of the GSSI as beneficial to the reconstruction policy, particularly regarding the attraction of human capital and the city’s image. In contrast, social capital does not seem to play a relevant role in policy perception. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to evaluate the local success of such knowledge-driven policy based on dwellers’ perceptions. Moreover, it aims to provide a series of guidelines to evaluate similar projects ex-post and to assess the feasibility of future aftershock strategic implementations ex-ante .

Assessing oceans’ health through biopsy sampling in free-ranging marine mammals: a systematic review (2014–2024) - Suelen Goulart; Giulia Galani; Lucas Fazardo de Lima; Isadora Nicole Lara Piccinin; Felipe da Silva Valente; Aline Nunes; Eduardo Pires Renault-Braga; Marcelo Maraschin (Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2026)

A real-world workplace-based screening for Helicobacter pylori infection: the HPOS study - Giulia Collatuzzo; Giulia Fiorini; Matteo Pavoni; Maria Vittoria Costanzucci Paolino; Andrei Cosmin Siea; Maria Zafeiratou; Laura Astolfi; Luca Magni; Tommaso Renieri; Silvia Mangiaterra; Marika D’Agostini; Nataliia Danilevskaia; et al. (Cancer Causes & Control, 2026)
Objectives Helicobacter pylori ( H.pylori ) eradication contributes to gastric cancer (GC) prevention, yet many subjects are unaware of their infection status. We implemented a workplace-based H.pylori screening. Design We implemented a cross-sectional screening with short-term follow-up among hospital workers (HWs), enrolled during occupational health surveillance (OHS). A stool antigen test (SAT) was adopted for H.pylori diagnosis. H.pylori -positive HWs were referred to their general practitioner (GP) or a gastroenterologist and were followed up at three months. Participation, prevalence of infection, participants’ experience, and treatment rates were investigated through descriptive and multivariable analyses. Setting The study was carried out between 2023 and 2025 at S.Orsola University Hospital in Bologna, Italy. Participants The study targeted HWs aged 40–65 employed at S.Orsola University Hospital. Results Of 744 eligible HWs contacted, 550 were enrolled (73.9%), including 399 through OHS and 151 volunteers; the largest proportion of participants were women (74.7%) and nurses (40.2%). Dropout rate was 15.5% ( n = 115), leaving 435 HWs with a SAT result. H.pylori prevalence was 16.6%. Men were less likely to participate than women (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47–0.99). Education was negatively associated with H. pylori infection (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.18–0.93 for the highest educational level vs the lowest). No specific pattern was observed in relation to contact with a physician and treatment prescription. 58/72 H. pylori -positive HWs (80.6%) contacted a physician, 53 (73.6%) being prescribed a treatment and 13 (18.1%) undergoing upper endoscopy. Confirmatory test rate after treatment was suboptimal, while eradication rate was 97.3% when considering those with confirmatory test result (36/37 HWs). Across followed up HWs, the average quality of experience was 8.9/10; 13 had a family member tested following this intervention. Conclusions The intervention integrated into OHS was well received and extended to family members of the participants, suggesting that a workplace-based H.pylori screening might contribute to GC prevention. Replications in other workplaces are warranted.

Multifactorial drivers shape taxonomic and functional structure of soil Collembola in land uses in a Mediterranean ecosystem - Monica Zizolfi; Lucia Santorufo; Valeria Memoli; Luisa Maria Manici; Giorgia Santini; Rossella Barile; Giulia Maisto (Applied Soil Ecology, 2026)

Biodistricts as integrated territorial models for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation in the mediterranean area: evidence from lazio region (Italy) - Luigi Servadei; Giulia Pastorelli; Manal Hamam; Antonio Manzoni; Concetta Cardillo; Raffaella Pergamo (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2026)

Pyridin-3-carbohydrazide strongly impairs Mayaro and Chikungunya virus replication in vitro - Nancy Araceli Juárez Contreras; Natasha Marques Cassani; Mikaela dos Santos Marinho; Giulia Magalhães Ferreira; Maria Eduarda Trevisan Aguillar da Silva; João Victor Rodrigues Dutra; Juliana Roberta Torini; Sainan Wang; Kelyssa Vitória Rodrigues Dantas; Isabela Dolci; Mariana Ortiz de Godoy; Lavinia Cipriano; et al. (Archives of Virology, 2026)
Alphaviruses, including Mayaro virus (MAYV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), pose a growing public health threat, with increasing reports worldwide and no licensed antiviral treatments available. This study evaluated the antiviral activity of pyridine-3-carbohydrazide (P-3-C) against MAYV (strains BeAr and TRVL) and CHIKV (strain La Reunion, LR). Vero E6 or U-2OS cells were infected and treated with P-3-C for 24 h, and cell viability and replication levels were assessed. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC 50 ), 50% effective concentration (EC 50 ), and selective index (SI) were calculated. P-3-C showed concentration-dependent activity, strongly inhibiting post-entry stages of MAYV BeAr replication. Treatment reduced intracellular viral RNA levels by 2 log 10 compared with controls and effectively decreased viral RNA release. P-3-C also inhibited MAYV TRVL (SI > 29.4) and CHIKV LR (SI > 48.8) in Vero E6 cells and retained selectivity in U-2OS cells (SI = 3.9 and 6.4, respectively). In a CHIKV U-2OS subgenomic replicon, an SI of 4.1 was found. Additionally, Fluorometric FRET-Based and MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST) assays indicated that P-3-C inhibited the nsP2 protease activity (IC 50 = 12 µM ± 2) and exhibited binding affinity for nsP4 polymerase ( K d = 54 µM ± 1) from CHIKV, thereby suggesting that these non-structural proteins are potential molecular targets. Molecular docking positioned P-3-C within the catalytic pockets of nsP2 and nsP4 of both viruses. Overall, the data suggest that P-3-C exhibits a potential multitarget mechanism of action and highlight its antiviral activity against different alphavirus strains; however, this efficacy could be dependent on the cell line used.

Different hypothalamic regions in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and aging: involvement and links with cognitive and non-cognitive features - Giulia Quattrini; Martina Bocchetta; Chiara Bagattini; Silvia Saglia; Giacomo Bertazzoli; Elisabetta Ferrari; Mara Delai; Martina Bulgari; Debora Brignani; Elisa Canu; Federica Agosta; Cristina Festari; et al. (GeroScience, 2026)

Multiscale network reorganization during the multidimensional recollection of naturalistic events - Federica Procida; Maria Giulia Tullo; Matteo Frisoni; Annalisa Tosoni; Mauro Gianni Perrucci; Antonello Baldassarre; Carlo Sestieri (Brain Structure and Function, 2026)
The recollection of complex events is multidimensional. Recent work has gathered evidence for varying degrees of functional specialization for different memory dimensions across the main cortical networks involved in cued recollection. However, how functional brain network topology reorganizes to support the retrieval of different types of information remains largely unexplored. Here, we applied graph theoretical analysis to task-related fMRI functional connectivity data from 22 participants engaged in cued recollection of specific details from naturalistic movie scenes. A beta series correlation approach was used to identify the pattern of whole-brain regional co-activation for cued recollection in general, and separately for each memory dimension of interest (object and character details, spatial layouts, temporal sequences, and verbal dialogues). Subsequently, using graph theory, we investigated the association between indices of brain network topology and cued recollection performance, as well as differences in functional brain network architecture across memory dimensions at the multiscale level. Successful recollection was associated with higher global efficiency and lower modularity at the whole-network level, as well as with lower system segregation within the Frontoparietal control network. Crucially, retrieval conditions placing greater demands on relational integration (i.e., temporal order judgments), compared to those emphasizing single-item details, were associated with more integration in the Default Mode network and increased degree centrality, efficiency, and reduced path length in the right hippocampus. Together, these findings reinforce the idea that successful retrieval requires system integration, especially when accessing complex relational representations like temporal sequences.

In vivo and in vitro investigation of skin anti-inflammatory effect of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) - Marco Fumagalli; Giulia Martinelli; Silvio Sosa; Zixiong Tang; Michela Carlin; Safwa Moheb El Haddad; Nicole Maranta; Carola Pozzoli; Chiara Di Lorenzo; Giovanna Baron; Stefano Piazza; Marco Pelin; et al. (Inflammopharmacology, 2026)
Background Sumac ( Rhus coriaria L., Anacardiaceae) fruit is receiving a growing attention as potential nutraceutical and cosmetic ingredient. It is appreciated either as a spice and medicinal remedy in Middle East countries. The application of fruits preparations to skin injuries emerged from ethnopharmacological studies, sustained by few experimental studies on wound healing. The present work, based on previous evidence of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in human keratinocytes (HaCaT), is aimed at translating the in vitro effect of sumac to an in vivo model of dermatitis. Results Two polar sumac fruit extracts (acetone extract, ARC; ethanol extracts, mERC) were investigated in mice by Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model. The in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity was investigated 6 h and 24 h after dermatitis induction by means of edema, leukocyte infiltrate, and histological features; the expression of inflammatory genes was also analyzed by PCR array. Biological targets identified in vivo were validated in vitro by stimulating HaCaT cells with pro-inflammatory mediators for the same exposure time-points (6 h and 24 h). Both the extracts inhibited PMA-induced IL8 release in HaCaT cells, but mERC showed lower IC 50 (18.68 μg/mL vs. 26.34 μg/mL, respectively). According to the in vitro effect, both the extracts (300–1000 µg/mL) reduced edema and neutrophilic granulocytes infiltrate in mice auricle at 6 h and 24 h after dermatitis induction, with comparable activity. The gene expression profile in the inflamed ear tissues suggested the involvement of TNF and IL4/IL13 pathways in ARC and mERC anti-inflammatory activity. This hypothesis was confirmed by further in vitro experiments on HaCaT cells, in which both extracts impaired TNF-induced IL-8 with IC 50 below 1.5 μg/mL. Once, again mERC showed slightly lower IC 50 then ARC (1.32 μg/mL vs. 1.63 μg/mL). In analogy, the most promising extract also impaired the release of IL-4-induced CCL26, with IC 50 of 1.06 µg/mL. Conclusions This study supports the relevance of the biological properties of sumac fruit for skin inflammation. Moreover, mechanisms of action related to TNF and IL4/IL13 pathways suggest further specific investigations related to skin allergy and autoimmune diseases.

Algal species as substrates for cultivating potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae: a novel in vitro strategy - Mohamed A. Marouf; Mahmoud Gad; Rubina Vangone; Mohammed Yosri; Fagr Kh. Abdel-Gawad; Giulia Guerriero; Ahmad Z. Al-Herrawy; Dong Wu (Journal of Applied Phycology, 2026)
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protists of ecological and clinical importance whose in vitro cultivation traditionally relies on bacterial food sources, most commonly Escherichia coli on non-nutrient agar. Although this approach is widely used, bacteria-based substrates may introduce experimental and biosafety-related limitations because some bacteria can survive phagocytosis and persist within amoebae, which may act as intracellular reservoirs that protect endocytobionts from environmental stress and antimicrobial treatments and may also promote bacterial interactions associated with horizontal gene transfer and the dissemination of virulence- or resistance-related traits. To evaluate a non-bacterial alternative for laboratory cultivation, this study assessed three green algal species — Scenedesmus obliquus , Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , and Chlorella vulgaris — as trophic substrates for three potentially pathogenic FLA on non-nutrient agar, using E. coli as the conventional positive control. Among the tested amoebae, Acanthamoeba genotype T3 (accession no. OR568985) exhibited the greatest growth across all tested substrates, with the highest cell densities recorded on S. obliquus , followed by C. reinhardtii and E. coli by day 7. Naegleria clarki (accession no. OR568992) and Vermamoeba vermiformis (accession no. OR568993) also proliferated on algal substrates, although growth was generally higher on E. coli . Strong positive correlations between algal- and bacterial-based growth patterns indicated broadly similar temporal trends in amoebal proliferation. Overall, these findings demonstrate that selected green algae, particularly S. obliquus and C. reinhardtii , can support measurable growth of potentially pathogenic FLA and represent promising non-bacterial substrates for laboratory cultivation.

Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy and subsequent arthritis due to Ureaplasma urealyticum in a haematopoietic cell transplant recipient: a case report and literature review - Claudia Bartalucci; Chiara Russo; Anna Maria Raiola; Massimiliano Gambella; Riccardo Varaldo; Carmen Di Grazia; Giulia Bartalucci; Marica Laurino; Emanuele Angelucci; Matteo Bassetti; Malgorzata Mikulska (European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2026)

First Detection and Seasonal Dynamics of Proliferative Kidney Disease in Northwestern Italy - Annalisa Cotugno; Paolo Pastorino; Lucio Fariano; Sara Glorio Patrucco; Fabio Bondavalli; Giorgia Zicarelli; Giulia Milanese; Martina Alessandra Gini; Giuseppe Esposito; Cinzia Bergamino; Pier Luigi Acutis; Elena Bozzetta; et al. (Fishes, 2026)
Proliferative kidney disease (PKD), caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, represents a major threat to salmonid populations and aquaculture, particularly under warming environmental conditions. In Italy, its distribution remains poorly documented. This study aimed to update the epidemiological status of PKD by investigating its occurrence in a trout farm (Piedmont, northwestern Italy), a previously unreported area. A total of 787 individuals of Oncorhynchus mykiss were sampled between May and October 2024 across three seasonal periods. Fish were examined using necropsy, bacteriological, and molecular analyses. Water temperature ranged from 12.4 to 20.3 °C, showing a clear seasonal trend. Overall PKD prevalence was 42.3%, with significant temporal variation, increasing from 23.0% in early summer to 73.0% in late summer, and declining to 3.9% in autumn. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that PKD-positive fish had a lower probability of presenting macroscopic lesions, while sampling period was the main predictor of infection. These results revealed a temporal mismatch between pathological and molecular findings, highlighting the need for further histopathological validation of the observed seasonal patterns. This study provides the first evidence of PKD in southwestern Piedmont, extending the currently documented distribution of the disease in Italy and highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance under climate change.

Extrusion-based 3D-printed gelatin methacryloyl-hydroxyapatite scaffold as a carboplatin delivery system for bone cancer treatment after tumor resection - Felipe Barros de Andrade Silva; Bruno Bortoluzzi Bellini; Eduardo de Angelis Szikszay; Giulia Santana de Mello; Larrisa Ribeiro Lourenço; Ligia Passos Maia Obi; Juliana Marchi; Maira Smaniotto Cucielo; Roger Borges (In vitro models, 2026)

Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) leaf extract and pure castalagin reduce bacterial colonisation and the associated inflammation in gastric organoids and a mouse model of H. pylori infection - Giulia Martinelli; Mariela Artola-Borán; Marco Fumagalli; Nicole Maranta; Giovanna Nicotra; Emma De Fabiani; Stefano Piazza; Enrico Sangiovanni; Mario Dell’Agli; Anne Müller (Inflammopharmacology, 2026)
Background Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that has been identified as a causative agent in the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Current eradication therapies, based on antibiotic combination, are suffering from lack of patient compliance and primary antibiotic resistance. The traditional use and the scientific literature both report the gastroprotective role of natural extracts containing ellagitannins, suggesting an intriguing hypothesis about the potential impact on H. pylori- related gastritis. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of Castanea sativa Mill. extract standardized to contain castalagin have been previously demonstrated in human gastric epithelial cells. Aim This experimental work aimed at investigating the role of a food grade chestnut leaf extract in complex models of H. pylori infection. Methods The biological properties of chestnut leaf extract and castalagin have been validated, firstly in a novel murine gastric organoid cell model of H. pylori infection, and, secondly, in an in vivo infection model. Results Some NF-κB pathway genes, including ligands for CXCR2 and CXCR3 receptors, were found to be suppressed by both the extract and the pure compound. Furthermore, both strongly suppressed H. pylori colonisation and gastric inflammatory mediators in mice. The infiltration of immune cells, mainly neutrophils and monocytes, was also reduced. Conclusion The results of this work demonstrate the significant potential for the translation of innovative food supplements as co-adjuvants in the prevention and/or treatment of H. pylori -induced gastritis.

Pseudoconyza viscosa (Mill.) D’Arcy [syn. Blumea viscosa (Mill.) V.M.Badillo]: the essential oil chemical composition of the accession growing wild in Oman - Vincenzo Ilardi; Giulia Maria Titone; Francesco Sottile; Natale Badalamenti; Maurizio Bruno (Natural Product Research, 2026)

Occurrence and control of biogenic amines in plant-based fermented foods - Chiara Montanari; Oriol Comas-Basté; Federica Barbieri; Fausto Gardini; M. Carmen Vidal-Carou; M. Luz Latorre-Moratalla; Giulia Tabanelli (Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2026)

Effect of raw chitin from Hermetia illucens exuviae and lauric acid on growth performance and nutrient utilization, gut morphology and functionality, and gene expression in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed semi-purified diets - Roselida A. Opere; Nicole Verdile; Giulia Pascon; Enrico Daniso; Gaia S. Bosco; Deborah Marchisio; Tiziana A. L. Brevini; Simona Picchietti; Valeria Pianese; Fulvio Gandolfi; Francesca Tulli; Jorge Dias; et al. (Aquaculture International, 2026)
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) exuviae, as a chitin source (CHI), and lauric acid (LA) on the intestinal physiology of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Four isoproteic and isolipidic semi-purified diets were tested: a control diet (CTRL), a diet with 1.5% CHI (C-CHI) and two diets with 1.5% CHI and LA at 0.1% and 0.2% (C-CHI-LAU1 and C-CHI-LAU2, respectively). A total of 144 juvenile rainbow trout (91.3 ± 2.9 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks (2% body weight daily feeding rate), after which liver and digestive tract samples were collected for analysis. Our findings showed that CHI and LA inclusion did not affect growth performance and biometric indices. The C-CHI diet reduced mucosal fold length and altered goblet cell mucin composition. Moreover, the C-CHI diet decreased PepT-1 signal intensity. None of the diets affected immunohistochemical alkaline phosphatase expressions. Brush border membrane and digestive enzyme activity as well as the chitinolytic enzyme activity were modulated in digestive tract-specific manner. The expression of fabp2 was downregulated by C-CHI and C-CHI-LAU1 diets, while slc2a1 was downregulated by C-CHI-LAU1. In conclusion, 1.5% CHI and up to 0.2% LA supplementation did not impair rainbow trout growth performance, but 1.5% CHI negatively affected intestinal morphology, mucin composition, and some intestinal health markers and nutrient transporters. However, the combination of CHI with LA in the diet for rainbow trout mitigated the adverse effects of CHI.

DTT-based biofilm and conventional intraoperative cultures for the detection of prosthetic joint infections: a comparative study - Giulia Bertoli; Dora Buonfrate; Gianluca Piovan; Luca Soramel; Roberta Sangiovanni; Andrea Ragusa; Suela Lleshaj; Lorenzo Povegliano; Cristina Mazzi; Claudio Zorzi; Stefania Marocco (European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2026)

Risk-based environmental assessment of the use of ten products from bottom ash treatment plants based on leaching and ecotoxicological tests - Luigi Acampora; Giulia Costa; Iason Verginelli; Erica Tediosi; Alessia Falsetti; Silvia Messinetti; Lorenzo Maggi; Francesco Lombardi; Claudia Mensi (Waste Management, 2026)

Active whitening of human SGBS adipocytes is associated with coordinated AMPK–HIF–autophagy signalling and mitochondrial remodelling - MONICA COLITTI; Andrea Venerando; Giulia Polacchini (Tissue and Cell, 2026)

Evaluation of a vaginal and vestibular sampling technique and microbiological study of the vaginal and vestibular flora in female cats, healthy and with reproductive tract disorders - Giulia Ballotta; Marco Cunto; Silvia Piva; Raffaele Scarpellini; Elisabetta Mondo; Daniele Zambelli (Theriogenology, 2026)

Ultrasound-guided bilateral quadratus lumborum block in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery: A retrospective study - Kim Fontana; Francesco Ascione; Giulia Battaglia; Perla Cardinali; Laura Ventura; Elisa Bortolami (The Veterinary Journal, 2026)

From waste to wealth: Silicon upcycling for sustainable palladium nanoparticle catalysts in cross-coupling reaction - Maria Teresa Tiberi; Giulia Brufani; Filippo Campana; Enrico Berretti; Elena Ermini; Massimo Calamante; Emilia Paone; Francesco Mauriello; Luigi Vaccaro (Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2026)

Hyperspectral constraints reduce bias in ECOSTRESS evapotranspiration and drought indicators - Michael Marshall; Monica Pepe; Giulia Tagliabue; Vincent Odongo; Wim Timmermans; Francesco Vuolo; Agnieszka Soszynska; Kwasi Ofori-Karikari; Egor Prikaziuk; Volkan Yilmaz; Serkan Girgin; Cinzia Panigada; et al. (Remote Sensing of Environment, 2026)

Short communication: Reference intervals for serum biochemical parameters in dairy calves during the first 10 days of life - Valentina Lorenzi; Giulia Valli; Michele Tempini; Francesca Fusi; Roberta Vitali; Laura Campana; Elena Sangalli; Domenico Vecchio; Stefania Bergagna; Antonio Barberio; Luigi Bertocchi; Ivonne Archetti (Research in Veterinary Science, 2026)

Diagnostic value of digital PCR (dPCR) in the diagnosis of leishmania infantum from canine chronic dermatitis - Leonardo Brustenga; Chiara Brachelente; Giulia Morganti; Ilaria Porcellato; Stefano Gavaudan; Cristina Canonico; Fabrizia Veronesi; Stefano Capomaccio (Research in Veterinary Science, 2026)

The different networking strategies of social cooperatives in social farming: Evidence from Italy - Caterina De Benedictis; Jacopo Sforzi; Roberta Moruzzo; Leonardo Catena; Giulia Granai (Journal of Rural Studies, 2026)

Nanoplastics perturb extracellular vesicle-mediated communication in the in vitro and ex vivo bone marrow microenvironment of multiple myeloma - Alessandro Villa; Valentina Citro; Giulia Sauro; Paolo Ciana; Raffaella Chiaramonte; Domenica Giannandrea; Natalia Platonova; Elena Lesma; Clara Bernardelli; Beatrice De Felice; Mauro Turrini; Francesca Guidotti; et al. (Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2026)

Fe-functionalized sewage sludge biochar coupled with H2O2 for efficient antibiotic removal and potential pathogen reduction in wastewater - Antonio Faggiano; Raffaella Sabatino; Oriana Motta; Francesco Di Nezio; Giulia Borgomaneiro; Antonio Proto; Valeria Comite; Paola Fermo; Gianluca Corno; Andrea Di Cesare; Antonino Fiorentino (Journal of Environmental Management, 2026)

Prenatal air pollution exposure and placental biomarkers of oxidative stress and ageing: results from the BiSC cohort - Laura Gómez-Herrera; Yumjirmaa Mandakh; Dries S. Martens; Marta Cosin-Tomas; Sofía Aguilar-Lacasaña; Toni Galmés; Ioar Rivas; Alan Domínguez; Marta Cirach; María Julia Zanini; Carla Domínguez-Gallardo; Marta Muniesa; et al. (International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2026)

Robotic system for automated visual detection of physical instability in protein systems - Stefan Ilic; Johann Buczkowski; Jiahong Wang; Francesco Nonis; Cécile Gehin-Delval; Giulia Marchesini; Josie Hughes (Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 2026)

Genomic characterization of multidrug-resistant monophasic Salmonella 4,[5],12:I:- ST34 circulating along the food chain of Central Italy - Jaweria Riaz; Maria Borowiak; Maira Napoleoni; Giorgio Brandi; Jennie Fischer; Giulia Amagliani (Food Research International, 2026)

Exposure to currently used pesticides in Belgian children: Urinary biomonitoring and risk assessment of frequently detected chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid metabolites - Fatima den Ouden; Liesa Engelen; Adam Cseresznye; Elias Maris; Celine Gys; Stijn Bosschaerts; Roger Pero-Gascon; Lieselot Y. Hemeryck; Ellen De Paepe; Michelle Plusquin; Charlotte Cosemans; Esmée M. Bijnens; et al. (Environmental Research, 2026)

Assessing automatic ring detection on microscopy images of Salix glauca - Henry Marichal; Candice C. Power; Urs A. Treier; Giulia Resente; Signe Normand; Gregory Randall (Dendrochronologia, 2026)

Energy–environmental nexus in green hydrogen-assisted conversion of second-crop canola to sustainable aviation fuel: Toward low-carbon bioenergy systems - Giulia Cruz Lamas; Alexandre Nunes Cardoso; Priscila Seixas Sabaini; Sandra M. Luz; Maria dos Reis Santos Borges; Tainara da S. Costa; Thiago da Silva Gonzales; Marilia Ieda da Silveira Folegatti Matsuura; Bruno Galveas Laviola; Thiago O. Rodrigues; Patrick Rousset; Edgar A. Silveira (Biomass and Bioenergy, 2026)

Comparative growth, biodiversity and cooling effects of native and adaptive Miyawaki microforests and a constructed wetland in a urban park (Reggio Emilia, Italy) - Giulia Santunione; Federico Zanardi; Francesco Reyes; Elisabetta Sgarbi (Urban Ecosystems, 2026)
Urban greening is increasingly promoted within European and international regulations as ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ (NBS) concept, to enhance biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Within the LIFE CityAdap3 project, the city of Reggio Emilia (Italy) implemented “Climate-Friendly Parks” interventions across public green areas. This study focuses on one of these green areas, Marco Biagi Park, where multiple NBS were established between 2021 and 2022, including two Miyawaki microforests —a Native Forest (NF) and an Adaptive Forest (AF) —, a wetland system, rural hedgerows and trees rows. An environmental monitoring program was conducted to evaluate: (i) growth performance and structural development of the two microforests through mortality rate, relative growth rates (RGR H and RGR DBH ) and slenderness ratio (SR); (ii) floristic dynamics and ecological composition of the wetland area; and (iii) microclimatic regulation across different NBS sites and surrounding built-up areas. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to detect spatial and interannual patterns. Three years after planting, both microforests showed very low mortality and comparable overall growth, confirming successful establishment. However, differences in growth allocation emerged: AF species invested relatively more in diameter growth and structural stability, while NF species displayed greater variability and more height-oriented development. Both forests exhibited a decline in SR over time, a typical adjustment under high-density conditions. The wetland showed a rapid floristic enrichment (+ 69% species richness in one year), with early functional zonation and an increase in Mediterranean chorotypes, suggesting a dynamic community assembly in response to urban environmental conditions. Microclimatic results showed consistently cooler and more humid conditions within microforests compared to built-up areas, while differences between NF and AF were limited and influenced by interannual variability. Overall, the findings highlight and quantify the capacity of integrated blue–green infrastructures to enhance biodiversity, support rapid vegetation development and mitigate urban heat, supporting the combined use of native and climate-adaptive species in future urban afforestation strategies.

Ecology matters: a long-term study on population trend of feral pigeons (Columba livia) in Pisa (Italy) - Luca Marinoni; Lorenzo Vanni; Giulia Cerritelli; Sara Cioccarelli; Anno Gagliardo; Resi Mencacci; Enrica Pollonara; Dimitri Giunchi (Urban Ecosystems, 2026)

Influence of nitrogen starvation on physiology and biochemistry of red and green Beta vulgaris leaves: insights into salt stress - Costanza Ceccanti; Sara Cimini; Giulia Lauria; Anna Davini; Marco Landi; Ermes Lo Piccolo; Susanna Della Posta; Chiara Fanali; Laura De Gara; Lucia Guidi (Planta, 2026)

Detrending—a new trend in geomorphology? Unravelling erosional processes at the base of submarine landslides - Nicola Scarselli; Silvia Ceramicola; Giulia Magnarini (Landslides, 2026)
Erosion at the base of submarine landslides remains poorly understood, despite being a critical threat for the stability of valuable seabed infrastructures such as communication cables and offshore renewable energy installations. Clues about its genesis are often preserved at the basal surface of landslides in the form of elongated scours aligned in the direction of landslide transport. However, these features are commonly concealed by the overlying landslide mass, and when visible, the overprint of slope gradient often masks their structural complexity. This research applies detrending algorithms to remove slope-induced overprint from exceptionally well-imaged landslide basal surfaces mapped using high-quality 3D seismic reflection data. Detrending revealed the morphological characteristics of prominent scour fields, providing new insights into the erosional mechanisms operating at the base of submarine landslides. The results indicate that distinct basal erosion processes create morphometrically diagnostic scour features. For example, basal block tooling produces steep and symmetric scours with increased erosion depth at their downslope termination, suggesting enhanced material removal at the base of blocks as these progressively sink within a decelerating landslide. Erosion might also occur by the action of longitudinal flow vortices at the boundary layer of gravity flows, with the latter generated from the disaggregation of landslides evacuating further upslope. These scours are spatially detached from landslide headscarps and initiate where seabed irregularities ignite secondary flow vorticity. The termination of this type of scours where bathymetric breaks occur suggests changes in flow dynamics and suppression of vorticity at those locations. Recognising different scour morphologies is key to reconstructing failure dynamics and better assessing hazards posed by submarine landslides. The detrending method presented here offers a powerful tool able to unravel complex geomorphic features, with potential applications across marine, terrestrial, and planetary environments.

Impact of Regulation (EU) No. 536/2014 on clinical trial approval processes in two Italian oncology centers - Daniela Bencardino; Fabiana Marchetti; Cristina Mazzi; Marianna Ferrari; Francesca Garibaldi; Giulia Ferrera; Giulia Ponti; Chiara Altavilla; Laura Rossi; Matteo Verzè; Vanda Salutari; Vincenzina Mora; et al. (Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, 2026)

Micro-nanoplastics in Cardiovascular Disease: A Critical Update from Environmental Exposure to Clinical Implications - Zeeba Saeed; Marco Gatta; Annalisa Bruno; Melania Dovizio; Cristina Milillo; Amedeo Amedei; Giulia Renda; Patrizia Ballerini (Cardiovascular Toxicology, 2026)
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that may contribute to cardiovascular risk. Observational human studies have reported the presence of MNPs in patients with myocardial infarctions, acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease, extracranial artery stenosis, and asymptomatic extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis, where higher MNP levels have been associated with inflammatory and coagulation-related biomarkers and disease severity. Moreover, experimental in vivo and in vitro studies provide biological plausibility for these associations by showing that MNP exposure may promote endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, platelet activation, coagulation abnormalities, cardiometabolic alterations, myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and hypertension. However, major uncertainties remain regarding environmentally relevant exposure levels, long-term human effects, and the translational relevance of current experimental findings. This review critically summarizes the current evidence on the potential cardiovascular effects of MNPs, focusing mainly on endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, the coagulation cascade, inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and alterations in lipid metabolism. We also discuss emerging therapeutic perspectives, iatrogenic exposure through cardiovascular medical devices, and the major methodological and translational limitations that currently hinder definitive cardiovascular risk assessment in humans.

Small-scale farmers’ perceptions of plant-soil interactions inform sustainable ecosystem management in the Venice Lagoon, Italy - Tiziana Floridia; Giulia Mattalia; Edy Fantinato; Julia Prakofjewa; Raivo Kalle; Renata Sõukand (Plant Biosystems, 2026)
Purpose Our study investigated soil quality assessment methods, indicators, and soil management practices adopted by farmers on Sant’Erasmo and Vignole, two small islands in the Venice Lagoon, Italy. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen farmers (representing 80% of each island farming community), using purposive and snowball sampling. We assessed the convergence of local ecological knowledge (LEK) on wild plants used as soil indicators and plants used to improve soil quality, with established botanical-agronomic literature, specifically Fioravanti (2020), a comprehensive and up-to-date study of Italian spontaneous flora. Results Our findings revealed six methods of soil quality evaluation, where farmers use their senses, above all sight. The wild flora growing in the fields is indeed used as indicator of specific edaphic characteristics, notably 24 wild plant taxa (in addition to two unidentified folk taxa), belonging to 15 families. We also identified the use of 38 plant taxa belonging to 13 families to improve soil quality. Both plant categories showed limited convergence with our comparative source. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that farmers evaluate soil quality through sensory-based methods. Specific indicator plants revealing edaphic characteristics were reported, as well as plants mentioned for improving soil quality. This low-external-input agriculture, showing limited convergence with our comparative source, may suggest the uniqueness of the Venice Lagoon ecosystem and its LEK. The integration of such local expertise within universal scientific frameworks may provide the local grounding that institutional policies often lack.

Slow Fluid Leakage along Faults: A Multidisciplinary Study on the Mud Volcanoes of the Bolle della Malvizza (Southern Apennines, Italy) - Stefano Vitale; Stefano Albanese; Maurizio Ambrosino; Pietro Boni; Domenico Cicchella; Claudio De Paola; Maria Giulia Di Giuseppe; Carmela Fabozzi; Roberto Isaia; Jacopo Natale; Mubashir Mehmood; Fabio Pagliara; et al. (Journal of Earth Science, 2026)

Assessment of horse welfare during exhaled breath condensate collection using the Horse Grimace Scale - Thasla de Freitas Santi; Bianca Barbosa; Bianca Faria Cuman; Giulia Cristina Ribas Pelle; Carolina Roggenbach Leitolles; Ruan Darós; Saulo Henrique Weber; Pedro Vicente Michelotto (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2026)

Twenty years of ASCA: a systematic review of applications for ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis - Daniel Schorn-García; Giulia Gorla; Jokin Ezenarro (Analytica Chimica Acta, 2026)

Correction: Phylogenetic and histopathological characterization of putative Hepatozoon ophisauri-like lineages in rodents from Italy - Davide Sogliani; Maria Sampieri; Filippo Maria Dini; Mattia Calzolari; Deborah Torri; Valentina Carta; Patrizia Bassi; Alicia Rojas; Giulia Maioli (Acta Parasitologica, 2026)

Protocol optimization for microplastic analysis in sea turtles: Including the first blood digestion method - Giulia de Andrade Lima Bertotti; Geraldo Jorge Barbosa de Moura; Gabriela Uchôa Souza de Medeiros; Luana Rocha de Souza Paulino; Silmara Rossi; Andreia Neves Fernandes (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Evaluation of tissue-specific Bisphenol A accumulation in mussels upon acute exposure: A pilot study - Giulia Paolella; Sicong Yao; Massimiliano Fabbricino; Annamaria Locascio; Luigi Rosati; Ludovico Pontoni; Maria Sirakov (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Dietary black soldier fly meal remodels hepatic lipid metabolism and fillet fatty acids profile of flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Basilio Randazzo; Andrea Miccoli; Letteria Caccamo; Francesco Gai; Raffaella Boggia; Federica Turrini; Antonella Leone; Stefano Carboni; Danilo Concu; Giulia Maricchiolo (Frontiers in Marine Science, 2026)
The effect of dietary black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) meal on flathead grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) liver transcriptomic response and fillet quality was assessed. To this end, 360 juvenile flathead grey mullets (weight = 40.2 ± 0.5 g) were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Fish were fed a reference diet (BSF0) and three experimental diets in which graded levels of partially defatted black soldier fly meal were used as protein source (BSF10, BSF15, and BSF20). A dose-dependent transcriptional response to insect meal inclusion was evident on the modulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). While BSF10 did not result in significant transcriptomic changes, functional analyses of the hepatic transcriptome highlighted strong impacts at metabolic, endocrine, and immune levels at 20% BSF inclusion. A metabolic switch from glycolytic flux toward oxidative fatty acid catabolism, as a consequence of dietary BSF meal, was found, altogether indicating a remodeling of the hepatic circadian–metabolic axis. Moreover, the consistent upregulation of the pathways involved in the control of protein folding and oxidative phosphorylation suggested an attempt to maintain cellular homeostasis, particularly in the BSF20 group. Chemical analyses revealed a comparable protein and lipid content of the final edible product across the groups, indicating that up to 20% dietary protein replacement with BSF is nutritionally sustainable. However, lauric acid (12:0) represented the most indicative FA in fillet of fish fed BSF-based diets, and an inverse proportion of palmitic acid (16:0) content between the diet and fillet composition was observed in fish fed experimental diets. The increase in n3 FAs, including docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3, DHA) in fillets from the BSF20 group, indicates metabolic adaptations in response to a dietary decrease of such FAs. Together, the results obtained herein indicate that M. cephalus can accommodate partial replacement of dietary conventional protein sources with BSF meal, with no adverse effects on the quality of the final edible product. However, longer-term feeding trials are needed to assess a long-term use of BSF-based diets on cellular metabolic imbalances, as finely unveiled by the transcriptomic shift induced by 20% replacement.

The essential oils chemical compositions of Pulicaria arabica (L.) Cass. and P. undulata (L.) C.A.Mey. growing wild in Oman - Francesco Sottile; Natale Badalamenti; Giulia Maria Titone; Vincenzo Ilardi; Maurizio Bruno (Natural Product Research, 2026)

Quantifying representative runoff coefficients for small basins: a practical recipe for data-limited conditions - Giulia Evangelista; Pietro Bogoni; Daniele Ganora; Pierluigi Claps (Hydrological Sciences Journal, 2026)

Brief report: attitudes and barriers toward genetic testing in pleural mesothelioma: a nationwide Italian survey - Luigi Cerbone; Matteo Perrino; Federica Grosso; Monica Ganzinelli; Giuseppe Lo Russo; Giulia Pasello; Paolo Andrea Zucali; Giovanni Luca Ceresoli; Mario Occhipinti; Marika Sculco (Familial Cancer, 2026)
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a malignancy with a relevant genetic component, with germline mutations identified in up to 12% of cases. International guidelines recommend universal germline testing; however, its implementation in routine clinical practice remains inconsistent. This nationwide survey aimed to assess current clinical practice, attitudes, and barriers related to genetic testing among Italian specialists within the Mesothelioma Team Italy (MET-I) network. A 24-item questionnaire was distributed to MET-I members in 2025, exploring access to testing, clinical use, and perceived obstacles to both germline and somatic DNA sequencing. Forty-five physicians responded (53.6%). Although access to germline testing was relatively high (77.8%), only 6.7% of respondents routinely recommended it. Conversely, somatic NGS was widely available (95.6%) and primarily used for clinical trial screening (66.7%). The main barriers to germline testing included costs (62.2%), limited access to genetic counseling (51.1%), and insufficient physician awareness (48.8%). Despite the availability of genetic testing technologies, germline genetic testing in PM is underutilized in Italy.

Iron-Modified Biochar as a Carrier for Wastewater-Derived Phosphorus: Slow-Release Fertilization and Implications for Soil Carbon Persistence - Aleksandra Shulga; Elisa Boanini; Claudio Ratti; David Chiaramonti; David Casini; Giulia Lotti; Marco Grigatti (Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2026)

Somatic Embryogenesis and Embryo-to-Plant Conversion in Different Grapevine Genotypes: two Different Bottlenecks for Plant Production - Amedeo Moine; Mario Nicotera; Giorgia Sportelli; Paolo Boccacci; Giulia Giannetti; Jorge Cunha; Cristina M. Menéndez; Péter Teszlák; Irene Perrone; Chiara Pagliarani; Giorgio Gambino (Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2026)
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) represents a central regeneration system for the implementation of new breeding technologies in grapevine ( Vitis spp.). However, its practical use remains constrained by genotype dependence, prolonged developmental timelines, and variability associated with explant type and culture conditions. This study evaluated SE and embryo-to-plant conversion across fifteen recalcitrant European genotypes and hybrids from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary using anthers and ovaries cultured on three induction media, followed by embryo germination. Ovaries generally exhibited higher responsiveness to SE than anthers, the PIV medium showed the broadest effectiveness, although the genotype was the primary determinant of the SE process. Noteworthy, differences in embryogenesis competence did also emerge among clones of Nebbiolo cultivar highlighting intra-cultivar variability effects. By extending the duration of callus culture beyond the conventional evaluation windows and using a two-media induction protocol, the embryogenesis success increased in several genotypes, suggesting that premature callus elimination may underestimate SE potential. Regeneration experiments confirmed that the embryo-to-plant transition was the second critical step of the process. For instance, Kadarka was a cultivar with low aptitude to SE and high regeneration efficiency, whereas other genotypes displayed poor embryo germination. Overall, all fifteen recalcitrant grapevine genotypes produced SE although plant regeneration was not achieved in Graciano and Fernão Pires. The results support a two-bottleneck-based model of grapevine regeneration controlled by genotype. Inefficiencies in the embryo-to-plant conversion constitute a highly limiting factor for downstream plant breeding applications, underscoring the need for genotype-specific optimization strategies able to address both embryogenic induction and regeneration efficiency.

Is less always more? Ceftazidime/avibactam alone or in combination to treat infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a retrospective observational multi-centre cohort study - Pietro Valsecchi; Marta Colaneri; Andrea Lombardi; Simona Biscarini; Cecilia Azzarà; Alessandra Bandera; Nicolò Corti; Paolo Bonfanti; Leonardo Francesco Rezzonico; Giovanna Travi; Silvia Pontiggia; Stefania Piconi; et al. (European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2026)
Purpose In vitro and in vivo studies suggest adding a second agent to ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) to enhance bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). Nevertheless, evidence supporting this practice is scarce. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to 9 Italian hospitals with microbiologically confirmed PA infection and treated with CZA alone or in combination from 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2021. The primary endpoint was 14-day clinical cure. Secondary endpoints were 28-day all-cause mortality, 56-day microbiological failure, 56-day infection relapse, and emergence of CZA resistance. A generalized linear model extended to the binomial family, with identity link, weighted for IPTW (inverse probability of treatment weighting), was fitted to compare the two groups for 14-day clinical cure. Results were reported in terms of risk difference (RD) and 90% Confidence Interval (90%CI). Results Eighty-seven patients with infection due to PA were included; 17 were treated with CZA monotherapy, and 70 with combination therapy with CZA plus another anti-pseudomonal agent. Sequential organ failure assessment was significantly higher (median 6 [3–9]) in the combination group compared to monotherapy (median 3 [1–5]; p = 0.049). After weighting patients according to the IPTW, CZA monotherapy did not reach the clinical equipoise to combination therapy in terms of 14-day clinical cure (RD -0.28, 90% CI -0.41 to -0.14). No significant risk difference between groups was found for any of the secondary endpoints. Conclusion Our findings suggest that combination therapy with CZA for treating PA infections may provide some clinical benefit over monotherapy despite the absence of a definitive survival advantage.

Developmental neurotoxicity of atrazine: decreased synaptic spine density and miRNA-driven GluN2A downregulation in primary hippocampal neurons - Melania Maria Serafini; Agnese Graziosi; Miriam Midali; Luca Ghelli; Giacomo Grumelli; Giulia Sita; Emanuela Corsini; Marina Marinovich; Fabiana Morroni; Barbara Viviani (Archives of Toxicology, 2026)
Atrazine (ATZ) is a triazine herbicide and a persistent environmental contaminant. Its use is associated with effects on the nervous system in experimental models. Behavioral and molecular alterations have been reported after exposure, but the cellular mechanisms underlying atrazine-induced developmental neurotoxicity remain unclear, particularly at the synaptic level. In this study, we investigated the effects of ATZ exposure on glutamatergic synaptic maturation in rat primary hippocampal neurons. Neuronal cultures were exposed to ATZ throughout the in vitro developmental period, and structural and molecular endpoints were assessed. Dendritic spines were analyzed by confocal microscopy, and the expression of glutamatergic receptor subunits was evaluated by Western blot and RT-qPCR. In parallel, microRNA expression profiles targeting NMDA receptor subunits were examined to explore post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. ATZ exposure induced a selective reduction in dendritic spine density, without detectable changes in spine morphology. This structural effect was accompanied by a selective decrease in the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2A at both protein and mRNA levels, while GluN1, GluN2B, and AMPA receptor subunits were unaffected. Notably, GluN2A downregulation was preceded by the upregulation of microRNAs predicted to target the GRIN2A transcript, indicating a microRNA-mediated regulatory mechanism. Overall, these results demonstrate that ATZ can interfere with hippocampal synaptic maturation by selectively modulating NMDA receptor subunit composition through epigenetic mechanisms. This study identifies dendritic spine and GluN2A regulation as sensitive endpoints of ATZ-induced developmental neurotoxicity and provides mechanistic insight into how early synaptic processes may be affected by this herbicide.

Associations of IL-17 and TGF-β1 with physical frailty in older adults - Chiara Ceolin; Marina De Rui; Giulia Musso; Silvia Sturani; Adele Ravelli; Cristina Simonato; Franz Villanova; Sabrina Pigozzo; Luca Busetto; Angelo Antonini; Eleonora Fiorenzato; Martina Montagnana; et al. (GeroScience, 2026)
Background Physical frailty is a prevalent geriatric syndrome associated with reduced physiological resilience and adverse outcomes. Beyond classical inflammaging, age-related changes in immune regulation and tissue repair may contribute to frailty pathophysiology. Biomarkers involved in adaptive immune responses and remodeling pathways, such as IL-17 and TGF-β1, may help characterize the inflammatory-regenerative milieu associated with frailty. We therefore investigated the association between circulating immune biomarkers and physical frailty severity in older adults. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, 167 community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥ 65 years (mean age 75.2 ± 6.4 years; 54.5% women) were classified as robust, pre-frail, or frail according to a phenotype-based frailty score. Circulating levels of TGF-β1, IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ were measured. Associations with frailty were assessed using ordinal logistic regression, quantile regression, and component-specific logistic models. Results IL-17 concentrations progressively declined with increasing frailty severity (median 9.24 ng/L in robust vs. 4.91 ng/L in frail participants; p = 0.004). In adjusted ordinal models, higher IL-17 levels were independently associated with lower frailty severity (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.46–0.84; p = 0.002), with each doubling of IL-17 corresponding to a 28% reduction in frailty odds. Conversely, higher TGF-β1 levels were independently associated with greater frailty severity (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.05–5.13; p = 0.036). IL-17 showed consistent associations with physical frailty domains, including slowness (adjusted OR = 0.57), and low physical performance (adjusted OR = 0.68). Similar associations were observed in exploratory analyses restricted to cognitively intact participants. However, formal interaction analyses did not support significant effect modification by cognitive status. In contrast, classical inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), as well as IFN-γ and IL-10, were not significantly associated with frailty across any of the models. Conclusions Physical frailty was associated with lower IL-17 and higher TGF-β1 levels, suggesting that immune-related pathways beyond classical systemic inflammation may be associated with physical frailty. Rather than reflecting overt systemic inflammation, these findings suggest that biological pathways involved in immune regulation and tissue remodeling may be associated with physical frailty. IL-17 and TGF-β1 may therefore represent potentially informative biomarkers for future investigations of the biological mechanisms underlying resilience and functional decline in aging. Trial registration Not applicable.

Toward Waste-Minimising Biorefineries: Integrating Fermentation and Hydrothermal Fulvification of Grass - Saman Ghobadian; Roland Schneider; Giulia Ischia; Marcus Fischer; Osvaldo Romero Romero; Joachim Venus; Thomas Hoffmann; Barbara Sturm; Vera Susanne Rotter; Matthias Kraume; Nader Marzban (Waste Management, 2026)

How far from naturalness: effects of anthropogenic landforms on spontaneous woodland vegetation in an urban ecosystem (Capital City of Rome, Italy) - Alessandro Montaldi; Alessia Pica; Michele Delchiaro; Maurizio Del Monte; Francesca Reame; Eva Del Vico; Duilio Iamonico; Simone Valeri; Asja Iacopino; Camilla Frank; Emiliano Ceccarelli; Giulia Capotorti (Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2026)

Climate-driven stratigraphic evolution of the El Jable Plain (Lanzarote, Canary Islands): Late quaternary dynamics in a semi-arid island basin - Myriam Stelletti; Vincenzo Pascucci; Daniele Sechi; Giulia Cossu; Giulia Faedda; Mario De Luca; Stefano Andreucci (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2026)

National definitions and legal requirements for biosecurity on small-scale livestock farms in Europe - Evelien Biebaut; Alessandra Piccirillo; Francesco Galuppo; Bojan Milovanović; Jasna Prodanov-Radulović; Arvo Viltrop; László Ózsvári; Carla Correia-Gomes; Marco De Nardi; Giulia Graziosi; Blerta Mehmedi; Rreze Gecaj; et al. (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2026)

Behavioral features of dogs adopted in northern-central Italy from south - Alice Garegnani; Sara Boero; Simona Cannas; Giulia Motta; Greta Veronica Berteselli; Manuela Michelazzi; Clara Palestrini (Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2026)

The earliest Neogene vertebrate assemblage of the Pisco Basin, Peru - Giuseppe Marramà; Alberto Collareta; Giulia Bosio; Giovanni Bianucci; Elisa Malinverno; Claudio Di Celma; Francesco Nobile; Luca Pellegrino; Alí Altamirano-Sierra; Mario Urbina; Igor M. Villa; Jaime A. Villafaña; et al. (Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2026)

Efficacy of biological control agents against Popillia japonica: A strategy to reduce the risk of pest spread via potted plant substrates - Giulia Torrini; Gian Paolo Barzanti; Fionna Knecht; Giselher Grabenweger; Immacolata Iovinella; Francesco Paoli; Claudia Benvenuti; Giuseppe Mazza; Giuseppino Sabbatini Peverieri; Agostino Strangi; Chiara Sciandra; Stefania Simoncini; et al. (Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2026)

Fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in anaerobic digestion of tannery sludge and their removal from clarified digestate by adsorption - Marco Gottardo; Giulia Adele Tuci; Sara Danieli; Federico Battista; Paolo Pavan; Francesco Valentino (Journal of Environmental Management, 2026)

Losing connection: The decline of structurally intact forests linking protected areas in West Africa - Vladimir R. Wingate; Giulia F. Curatola Fernández; Phydias Senan Agossou; Chinwe Ifejika Speranza (Forest Ecology and Management, 2026)

Measuring what matters for carbon removal - Sara Nawaz; Madison Stevens; Terre Satterfield; Giulia Belotti (Environmental Science & Policy, 2026)

Intra-seasonal variation of particulate matter and volatile organic compound emissions during electrically driven lawn mowing - Piernicola Masella; Ferdinando Corti; Agnese Spadi; Alessandro Parenti; Alessio Cappelli; Giulia Angeloni (Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2026)

Assessing the environmental impact of European residential buildings in 2020: a comparison of two building stock models for policy support - Giulia Pristerà; Delphine Ramon; Nicolas Alaux; Piotr Wierzgala; Serenella Sala; Alexander Passer; Karen Allacker (The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2026)
Purpose This paper compares the environmental impact of the European residential stock as calculated with two LCA-based building stock models (Consumption Footprint – BoP Housing and PULSE-EU). The goal is to identify the purpose for which each model is best suited and to reflect on the need to balance modelling feasibility with accuracy, the uncertainties inherent to impact estimation at a large scale, and how they can affect policy support efforts. Methods Whole life impacts are assessed first, followed by a separate analysis of operational and embodied impacts. To allow for an accurate comparison, the models are harmonised, leading to a partial scope adjustments, the selection of the same baseline year (2020) and the calculation of impacts using the indicators of the EN15804 + A2 standard. Discrepancies and commonalities are identified and their link to the characteristics of each model (such as granularity, archetype characterisation, and the approach used to model individual life cycle stages) is investigated. Crucial differences are identified in terms of modelling choices, particularly as it concerns background and foreground data selection, use of bottom-up and top-down data, upscaling parameters and the approach to emission timing. Results and discussion The results of the two models fall within the same order of magnitude for most indicators, though the percentage variation varies significantly. Operational impacts are higher in BoP Housing, and embodied impacts in PULSE-EU. These discrepancies are linked to different methodological choices. The study highlights the challenges associated with accurately estimating the environmental impact of a complex system such as the EU residential sector. The analysis reveals that both models have their strengths and weaknesses. Their coexistence can become instrumental in recognising the uncertainties inherent to this type of analysis, and provide a more nuanced interpretation of its results. BoP Housing, with its yearly updates, can track the evolution of the building sector over time; PULSE-EU, with its higher granularity, is well-suited to scenario analysis. Conclusions In any building stock model, it is necessary to find an equilibrium between level of granularity and model flexibility. To reduce the uncertainties inherent to the models, it is important to promote data collection and accessibility within the EU. These uncertainties, however, can also be used to achieve a deeper understanding of the results obtained, leading to a more nuanced interpretation and a critical analysis of the way they are used in policy support.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Immunometabolic Regulation: A Review of Itaconate-Mediated Mechanisms - Rosana Lopes Rodrigues Amon; Giulia Toscano Giannini; Sumara de Freitas; Ricardo Ambrósio Fock (Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 2026)
Immunometabolism has emerged as a central regulator of immune responses, linking cellular metabolism to inflammatory signaling and tissue homeostasis. Among tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle–derived metabolites, itaconate has gained recognition as an important metabolic feedback regulator promoting inflammatory resolution. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells widely recognized for their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties, primarily mediated through paracrine signaling and metabolic adaptation. Increasing evidence indicates that MSC immunoregulatory function is closely associated with metabolic reprogramming involving glycolysis, mitochondrial activity, lipid metabolism, and amino acid pathways. Within this context, itaconate has emerged as a potential metabolic interface linking innate immune activation to MSC function. This narrative review summarizes current evidence supporting both direct and indirect interactions between itaconate signaling and MSC biology. Itaconate and its derivatives influence MSC viability, apoptosis resistance, differentiation potential, and redox balance, while indirectly modulating macrophage polarization and inflammatory microenvironment remodeling through extracellular vesicles and paracrine communication. Despite these advances, critical questions remain regarding endogenous itaconate production by MSCs and its effects on MSC secretome composition and immunoregulatory activity. A deeper understanding of the itaconate–MSC axis may enable metabolic preconditioning strategies aimed at enhancing MSC-based therapies for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.

Linking within- and among-population variation in early plant performance reveals the potential for persistence in novel edaphic environments in fragmented populations of the Mediterranean cliff carnation Dianthus rupicola - Lucrezia Laccetti; Giovanna Salbitani; Lucia Santorufo; Giulia Maisto; Simona Carfagna; Giovanni Scopece (Plant and Soil, 2026)
Background and aims Local adaptation to edaphic conditions might produce edaphic specialization, possibly limiting the potential for persistence in novel environments. Therefore, evaluating how different populations can cope with novel edaphic environments is crucial to forecast species survival. Methods We conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment in greenhouse conditions in five Dianthus rupicola populations. We characterized the edaphic environments and estimated, in twelve maternal seed families per population, germination performance, seedling survival and photosynthetic efficiency in home vs . foreign soils. These data were used to test for local adaptation to the edaphic environment and to estimate genotype-by-environment interactions (G $$×$$ × E). Lastly, to estimate the additive genetic variance of each population, we quantified levels of genomic inbreeding. Results In four populations, we found strong patterns of local adaptation in germination performance and seedling survival, but not in photosynthetic efficiency. Populations showed similar extents of genetic diversity. Also, four populations were characterized by a significant G $$×$$ × E in plant performance verified by an increase in the expression of variance. However, the frequency of families being able to germinate in such environments was different among the populations. Conclusion Our study shows that the edaphic environment can lead to strong natural selection in early plant life-cycle stages. However, maternal families that overcome the first critical phases show a wide tolerance to transplant soils. These families hidden within a population might have the potential to adapt to novel edaphic environments enhancing species survival in fragmented Mediterranean habitats.

Repeated aluminum ingestion alters human intestinal structure: focus on advanced 3D tissue models - Giulia De Negri Atanasio; Lorenzo Dondero; Francesca Tardanico; Giorgia Allaria; Erica Lertora; Giacomo Rosa; Chiara Barisione; Caterina Ivaldo; Francesca Rispo; Tommaso Filippini; Ilaria Demori; Sara Ferrando; et al. (Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 2026)

Uplifting resources management in conservation: mid-term studies are able to capture the dynamic patterns of site-fidelity and seasonal abundance of coastal cetacean populations - Alex Mattiussi; Maria Silvia Labriola; Alice Turchi; Sofia Rinalduzzi; Giancarlo Giacomini; Giulia Pedrazzi; Daniela Silvia Pace (Hydrobiologia, 2026)

Chlamydia trachomatis proctitis mimicking an inflammatory bowel disease and hiding human immunodeficiency virus infection - Giulia Ciccarese; Francesco Drago; Gerardo Cazzato; Maria Corina Plaz Torres; Serena Varesano; Aurora De Marco; Gaetano Serviddio; Caterina Foti; Luca Mastracci (European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2026)

Soil contamination assessment of a 19th-century abandoned Sb–Au mine in northern Portugal - Giulia Resta; Patrícia Santos; Marcus Monteiro; Rui Melo; Morgana Carvalho; Ana Carvalho; Alexandre Lima; Eric Font; José A. Ribeiro; Manuel Azenha; Thierry Adatte; Deolinda Flores (Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2026)
Abandoned mines are among the main sources of long-term soil contamination, often leaving behind persistent concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) that pose environmental and health risks. Ribeiro da Serra Sb–Au mine, in Portugal, active from 1858 to 1890, has left a significant environmental legacy. This study mapped the spatial distribution of mine processing residues, elemental characterisation distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural enrichment by determining soil sample concentrations of PTE, Hg mobility, and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) quantification. Multivariate analysis, spatial interpolation and comparison with Enrichment Factor were employed with the aim of understanding the distributions and sources of PTEs in the soils. Mercury is still present at the site, revealing high mobile (18.72 mg kg −1 ) and semi-mobile (3.58 mg kg −1 ) concentrations accumulated in waste piles, a remnant of Au amalgamation processes. High Hg concentrations (20.75 mg kg −1 ) pose significant environmental risks, even after more than a century, such as bioaccumulation potential and soil toxicity. Also, there are high concentrations of Pb (449.03 mg kg −1 ) in the waste piles from the Sb processing. This study highlights the critical importance of interpreting natural enrichment values of elements of Hg (EF = 267) and Pb (EF = 18) to discern pollution pathways resulting from mining and processing activities. Interpretation of natural enrichment values leads to a more accurate evaluation of environmental contamination and its sources. The Enrichment Factor shows that Sb (EF = 133) and Hg (EF = 267) are the elements that present extremely high enrichment (EF > 40).

Early experimental comparison of natural and assisted symbiont acquisition in Stylophora pistillata - Valerio Isa; Andrea Martino; Enrico Montalbetti; Lorenzo Massimo Toniolo; Giulia Dalla Rovere; Anita Casati; Davide Seveso; Yohan Didier Louis; Francesco Saliu; Paolo Galli; Massimo Milan; Maria Elena Martino; et al. (Symbiosis, 2026)
Acquisition of Symbiodiniaceae following a bleaching event is essential for coral recovery, yet most experimental approaches rely on cultured symbionts, which require specialized infrastructure and may exhibit laboratory-induced physiological alterations. Natural acquisition (NA), in which bleached corals acquire symbionts directly from healthy donors, represents a potentially relevant but understudied alternative. Here, we experimentally compared short-term recolonization dynamics under assisted acquisition (AA; laboratory-cultured symbiont cells) and natural acquisition (NA; passive transfer of released symbiont cells between coral nubbins) in menthol-bleached Stylophora pistillata over a three-week period. Partial symbiont recolonization was observed across all treatments, restoring approximately 10–15% of symbiont densities relative to unbleached controls. However, recolonization also occurred in the negative control, indicating that recovery was at least partly driven by residual symbionts remaining after bleaching. Accordingly, neither AA nor NA resulted in a statistically significant increase in symbiont density relative to the negative control. These findings suggest that, under the conditions tested, external symbiont supply did not clearly enhance early recolonization beyond background recovery. Instead, early recovery dynamics may be strongly influenced by residual symbiont proliferation. While NA remains a logistically simple and ecologically relevant approach, further optimization including increased replication, extended exposure time, and improved experimental conditions will be necessary to evaluate its potential in coral reinoculation studies.

Attachment ability and mating behaviour of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) - Manuela Rebora; Giulia Petroni; Valerio Saitta; Silvana Piersanti; Gianandrea Salerno; Stanislav Gorb (Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 2026)
Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), also known as black soldier fly (BSF), offers an important sustainable approach to waste management and resource recovery, since its larvae can reduce organic waste volumes, transform them into biomass, and generate protein-rich feed, biodiesel precursors, and organic fertilizers. Despite the abundance of information on its larval stage, the reproductive biology of the adult is still poorly understood. The present study, through behavioural tests, cryo-scanning electron microscopy analysis and centrifugal force tester experiments, deepens the knowledge on the mechanical interaction between male tarsi and the body of conspecifics during mating and competition, describes the sexual dimorphism in BSF tarsal attachment devices and provides information on the attachment ability of both sexes to artificial surfaces with different features in terms of roughness and wettability. Further studies comparing adult behaviour in rearing conditions and in the wild are necessary to optimise BSF mass-rearing facilities.

Biodegradable and conventional microplastics differentially affect soil nutrient availability and stress responses in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) - Giorgia Santini; Lucia Santorufo; Giulia Costanzo; Carmen Arena; Simone Landi; Sergio Esposito; Gabriella Di Natale; Marco Trifuoggi; Giulia Maisto (Applied Soil Ecology, 2026)

Identifying key demographic drivers of a protected butterfly to inform conservation in natural and anthropogenic landscapes - Leonardo Ancillotto; Martina Chiara Recchilungo; Giulia Bacco; Giacomo Bruni; Camilla Bongini; Alice Lenzi; Arianna Giannini; Sandra Rosselli; Alessandro Campanaro; Emanuela Maurizi; Emiliano Mori; Fabio Mosconi (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2026)
Butterflies are widely used as indicators of environmental change. Despite this, for many strictly protected species, demographic drivers across life stages are poorly understood, hampering an effective evaluation of their conservation status and trends, especially in anthropogenic landscapes. We investigated the environmental factors shaping the demography of the Italian festoon Zerynthia cassandra (Geyer, [1828]), a strictly protected and host-plant-specialist butterfly endemic to Italy. During spring 2024 and 2025, we monitored adult abundance, oviposition, larval occurrence, host plant availability, nectar resources, habitat structure, disturbance, and landscape context along an ecological gradient across natural, semi-natural, and anthropogenic landscapes in central Italy. We observed that adult abundance was positively associated with nectar availability and host plant abundance, whereas reproductive indicators were primarily driven by host plant availability and disturbance intensity at different scales. Rooting activity by wild boars ( Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) showed consistent positive effects on adult abundance, larval numbers, and apparent egg survival, suggesting that moderate soil disturbance may enhance habitat suitability for this species. Habitat type influenced adult abundance and host plant occupation rates, with open and margin habitats outperforming woodland interiors. In contrast, landscape class (urban vs. natural) and patch size had no significant effects on demographic indicators, indicating that small habitat patches can support viable populations even within heavily modified landscapes. We suggest that adult presence alone is an unreliable proxy for habitat quality, and we highlight the importance of integrating reproductive and early survival metrics into monitoring programmes. Resource availability, habitat structure, and intermediate disturbance jointly determined population performance in Z. cassandra , offering potential suggestions for adaptive conservation and management under the Habitats Directive also in human-dominated landscapes.

Influence of Mould Level Control Dynamics on Billet Surface Quality: a Quantitative Analysis - Cosmo Di Cecca; Federica Di Giovanni; Giulia Buratti; Gianpaolo Foglio; Mattia Tellaroli; Alessandro Milan; Andrea Landini; Lorenzo Angelini; Piero Frittella; Francesco Fredi (BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte, 2026)

Mechanistic insights into PFAS-induced effects on B lymphocyte activation and antibody secretion - Martina Iulini; Karsten Beekmann; Ron L. A. P. Hoogenboom; Valentina Galbiati; Giulia Russo; Francesco Pappalardo; Styliani Fragki; Alicia Paini; Emanuela Corsini; Aafke W. F. Janssen (Archives of Toxicology, 2026)

Ageing in Honeybees: Telomere Length Is Driven by Climate and Resource Availability Rather Than Urbanisation or Pollution - Pablo Burraco; Néstor Pérez‐Méndez; Sofía Graffigna; Lucía C. Martínez; Joana P. Haedo; Michel Sciberras; Mara A. Maldonado; Juan P. Torretta; Gabriel Pompozzi; Sofia Copperi; Francisco Miranda; Guadalupe Peralta; et al. (Global Change Biology, 2026)
Understanding how biodiversity responds to human‐caused environmental change represents a major scientific challenge. Among the biological processes underlying these responses, ageing plays a critical role by shaping individual life histories and, ultimately, demographic dynamics. Telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of linear chromosomes, are widely used biomarkers of ageing, as their length can be shaped by environmental conditions, and can predict health and lifespan. Despite this, few broad‐scale ecological studies have examined how telomere length varies in response to environmental change in wildlife. Here, we investigate whether telomeres of a globally widespread pollinator species, the honeybee Apis mellifera , are shaped by gradients of urbanisation, environmental pollution, climatic conditions, and floral resources in central Argentina. To that end, we sampled 981 individuals across 9 localities and 57 sites spanning a ~1000 km gradient of environmental variation. Urbanisation (β = 0.032, 95% CI [−0.048, 0.112]) and chemical contamination (PC1: β = 0.026, 95% CI [−0.075, 0.126]; PC2: β = 0.022, 95% CI [−0.065, 0.109]) were not associated with variation in telomere length. In contrast, climatic conditions and floral characteristics emerged as key predictors of telomere variation, with telomere length declining with increasing mean annual temperature (β = −0.085, 95% CI [−0.158, −0.012]) and increasing floral abundance (β = −0.109, 95% CI [−0.194, −0.024]). Our results indicate that climatic conditions and resource availability are stronger predictors of honeybee telomere length than urbanisation or environmental pollution. These findings suggest that telomere‐based patterns of ageing are shaped by the thermal and ecological context experienced by foragers in this key pollinator species.

Habitat Selection and Population Density of Diurnal and Nocturnal Lemurs in the Anjozorobe-Angavo Protected Area, Madagascar - Giulia Sassoli; Aurelia Sebastiani; Davide Mirante; Hanitriniaina Raharinirina; Rojotiana N. Rakotoarisoa; N. M. Koloina Rakotoarivelo; Fanomezantsoa L. Ravololoniaina; H. Domohina S. Randrianarisoa; Gabriele Ferraro; S. Jacques Rakotondranary; Timothy M. Eppley; Luca Santini (International Journal of Primatology, 2026)
Primates are among the most threatened mammals globally owing to rapid habitat loss and intense hunting pressure. Among these, lemurs are the taxon with the highest number of species at risk of extinction. Although many lemur species have been surveyed extensively across Madagascar, some taxa and protected areas remain understudied. The Anjozorobe-Angavo Protected Area, a rainforest landscape in the highlands of central-eastern Madagascar, has received relatively little ecological attention and continues to experience deforestation. This study was designed to estimate the population density and habitat selection of diurnal and nocturnal lemur species within La Mananara, a privately owned forest within Anjozorobe-Angavo. We conducted line-transect surveys over a 3-month period, between October and December 2024, and applied distance sampling to estimate species abundance. We also collected data on species detection locations and established vegetation plots to characterize habitat structure and evaluate species-specific habitat associations through resource selection functions. We recorded four diurnal and six nocturnal lemur species. Nocturnal species exhibited higher estimated densities and were more frequently encountered in areas with human activity, whereas diurnal species were less abundant and generally showed stronger associations with areas characterized by greater canopy cover and lower anthropogenic disturbance. Our findings underscore the conservation importance of primary forest protection, while also demonstrating the role of edge habitat and human-modified habitats for certain nocturnal taxa. These density estimates represent a quantitative assessment for this area, helping to inform the management of La Mananara, and contributing to broader conservation assessments of lemur populations within this under-characterized protected landscape.

Age-adjusted leukocyte telomere length predicts long-term mortality in older patients discharged from acute care hospitals - Rosanna Maniscalco; Deborah Ramini; Mirko Di Rosa; Maurizio Cardelli; Rina Recchioni; Francesca Marchegiani; Francesco Piacenza; Robertina Giacconi; Chiara Giordani; Giulia Matacchione; Matilde Sbriscia; Sonia Fantone; et al. (GeroScience, 2026)
Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a widely studied biomarker of biological aging, reflecting cumulative cellular damage beyond chronological age. However, its prognostic relevance in clinically complex populations such as hospitalized older adults remains uncertain. In this prospective observational study, 872 patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to acute care wards of IRCCS INRCA within the Report-AGE cohort were included. LTL was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and expressed as age-adjusted residuals derived from an external reference population. The primary outcome was 10-year all-cause mortality. Associations between LTL residuals and mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, both as continuous variables and using a data-driven cut-point. Multivariable models adjusted for demographic characteristics, comorbidity burden, laboratory parameters, and polypharmacy were used. Effect modification by frailty was evaluated through interaction and stratified analyses. Over a median follow-up of 126.8 months, 713 patients died. Shorter age-adjusted LTL was associated with increased mortality risk in univariable analysis (HR per 1 SD decrease = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19; p = 0.012). When dichotomized using an optimal cut-point, patients with shorter-than-expected telomeres exhibited significantly higher mortality (adjusted HR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.05–1.60; p = 0.016), regardless of clinical and laboratory covariates. A significant interaction with frailty was observed ( p for interaction = 0.031), with the association between LTL and mortality being evident among patients without frailty. Age-adjusted LTL provides independent prognostic information in hospitalized older adults and may reflect biologically meaningful heterogeneity associated with aging, particularly among individuals without frailty.

Influence of Foot Morphology on Postural Sway During Childhood - Federico Arippa; Bruno Leban; Micaela Porta; Giulia Casu; Massimiliano Pau (Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2026)
Purpose Postural control matures during childhood alongside the musculoskeletal system, though development is often asynchronous and influenced by sex. In this process, foot morphology is especially relevant, as the plantar surface provides key somatosensory input to the central nervous system. However, the role of foot-ground interaction in balance regulation remains largely unexplored. In this study, we attempted to clarify the association between foot morphology—measured via footprint-based indices—and static balance through postural sway analysis. Methods Using a pressure platform, we simultaneously collected data on center of pressure (COP) trajectories during quiet upright stance and plantar pressure distribution in a sample of 178 children aged 6–11. Raw data were processed to calculate sway area and COP path length, as well as the Arch Index, which was used to categorize foot morphology as cavus, normal, or flat. Results Among girls aged 8–9 years, statistically significant differences in postural sway parameters were observed across foot morphology groups, with individuals presenting cavus feet exhibiting greater sway area and COP path length values. A comparable tendency was also identified in those aged 10–11. In contrast, boys aged 10–11 with flat feet displayed lower sway area values under the eyes-closed condition and reduced COP path length under the eyes-open condition compared with peers presenting normal or cavus foot morphology. Conclusion Overall, these findings suggest that postural control during childhood is influenced by the mechanical and sensory characteristics of the foot–ground interface, and that sex represents a relevant moderating factor in this relationship.

Novel fenoterol derivatives as suppressors of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in melanoma - Jakub Wójcik; Sylwia Wnorowska; Weronika Miziewicz; Giulia Tassinari; Gabriela Misiurek; Robert Kostecki; Agata Małek; Anna Boguszewska-Czubara; Irving W. Wainer; Artur Wnorowski (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 2026)
Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with limited therapeutic options. In melanoma cell lines, β 2 AR activation leads to the suppression of pro-proliferatory MAPK/ERK signaling. This suggests that fenoterol, a potent β 2 AR agonist, can be useful in the treatment of melanoma. Here, we investigated the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of fenoterol derivatives for β 2 AR-depedent ERK suppression. We used the UACC-647 human-derived melanoma cell line to screen a panel of chiral compounds based on the fenoterol scaffold. The levels of phosphoactive ERK1/2 were quantified by immunoblotting. Anti-tumorigenic activity of the drugs was assessed using MTS assay and zebrafish xenograft model. ( R , R ′) stereoisomers of fenoterol derivatives exhibited the highest suppression of ERK phosphorylation, followed by ( R , S ′) and ( S , R ′) isomers, with ( S , S ′) isomers being the least active, mirroring trends observed in β 2 AR binding and cAMP accumulation. SAR analysis revealed that modifications to the α′ alkyl chain and the 4′-hydroxy moieties significantly affected ERK-inhibitory activity of fenoterol derivatives. ( R , R ′)-4′-hydroxy-1-naphthylfenoterol [( R , R ′)-HNF] was the most active inhibitor of ERK activation with an IC 50 of 0.03 nM. However, it showed minimal anti-proliferative activity in the zebrafish xenograft model. In contrast, ( R , R ′)-4′-methoxy-1-naphthylfenoterol [( R , R ′)-MNF], a weaker ERK inhibitor (IC 50 = 0.17 nM), significantly reduced cell viability in vitro (IC 50 = 14.07 µM) and tumor growth in vivo. SAR for fenoterol-mediated ERK inhibition in melanoma was defined, highlighting the importance of the ( R , R ′) stereochemistry. Crucially, potent ERK inhibition does not directly predict anti-tumorigenic activity, as shown by ( R , R ′)-HNF. The pronounced anti-proliferatory effect of ( R , R ′)-MNF, despite weaker ERK inhibition, implies additional mechanisms beyond ERK modulation.

Unveiling aquifer architecture and qualitative potential in the lower Choapa River basin, semiarid Chile - Giulia de Pasquale; Yerelin Cárcamo; Fabiola Romero; Pablo Álvarez; Sebastián Norambuena; Carlos Villalobos (Hydrogeology Journal, 2026)

Effect of Non-Microbial Biostimulants on Metabolome, Quality Traits, and Shelf-Life of Lettuce Under Field Conditions - Alejandro Castro-Cegrí; Maria Chiara Fontanella; Giulia Fappani; Manuela Delpero; Stefano Bergaglio; Tito Caffi; Luigi Lucini (Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2026)
Plant-based biostimulants are sustainable tools widely applied in agriculture to enhance plant physiology and stress resilience. Shelf-life extension has a pivotal role in postharvest as low-temperature storage of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) often results in weight loss, surface damage, and a decline in quality and nutritional value. This study investigated the metabolic responses of lettuce to three commercial biostimulants, Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (Algae), plant-derived protein hydrolysate (PHs), and humic substances (Hum), applied via foliar spray (-S) and drip irrigation (-D). All treatments improved agronomic traits, with foliar-applied PHs (PHs-S) showing the most pronounced effects. Metabolomic profiling revealed treatment-specific shifts, particularly in secondary metabolites such as alkylphenols, flavonoids, and flavonoid glucosides, along with increased levels of sugars, polyols, vitamins, and phytohormones. In parallel, biostimulants positively influenced key agronomic parameters during lettuce growth, including plant diameter, chlorophyll content, and nitrogen balance index, with PHs applied via foliar spray showing the most pronounced effects. At harvest, these metabolic changes reflected a broader metabolic reprogramming, which appeared to contribute to improved postharvest traits, including reduced weight loss, enhanced leaf firmness, increased antioxidant capacity, and higher total phenolic content, particularly under Algae-D and PHs-S treatments. These biochemical changes suggest that biostimulants, particularly via foliar application, enhance antioxidant capacity, improve nutritional quality, and may contribute to extended shelf life in lettuce.

Defining early carcinogenic markers for the prediction of the hazard potential of mineral fibres in an in vitro human 3D bronchial model - Vanessa Almonti; Serena Mirata; Mario Passalacqua; Stefania Vernazza; Sara Tirendi; Sara Ferrando; Beatrice Risso; Elena Grasselli; Giulia De Negri Atanasio; Anna Maria Bassi; Alessandro F. Gualtieri; Sonia Scarfì (Archives of Toxicology, 2026)
This study aimed to identify early carcinogenic markers to predict the hazard potential of mineral fibres using a human 3D bronchial model. Traditional 2D cell models inadequately mimic lung complexity, prompting the use of more physiologically relevant 3D systems. We investigated the effects of crocidolite (CRO) and two size fractions of chrysotile (≤ and > 5 μm length: CHR S and CHR L) to elucidate early toxicological mechanisms and relate them to the IARC key characteristics (KCs) of carcinogens. Initial analyses (MTT, TEER, and histology) at 24–48 h showed a transient acute toxicity and tissue resilience, indicating limited predictive value at this time point. However, after 12 d of exposure, fibre-treated tissues exhibited persistent alterations corresponding to established IARC KCs, suggesting the early onset of cell transformation pathways. Key findings included: sustained inflammatory signalling, characterized by prolonged overexpression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8; ii) persistent genotoxicity, marked by the prolonged nuclear positivity of γH2AX, indicating DNA double-strand breaks without significant cell death; and iii) induction of fibrotic and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signals, including the increased expression of key markers such as TGF-β, VEGF, ZEB-2, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, and Mesothelin. These alterations correspond to IARC KCs 2, 6, and 8. They were observed within a short time frame of tissue treatment and could serve as reliable, early predictive endpoints for in vitro toxicological tests. We propose that integrating these specific KC-based biosignatures in 3D lung models with physicochemical fibre characterization may provide a robust framework for predictive assessment of inhalable fibre carcinogenicity.

Promoting Research Excellence in Down Syndrome: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference of the Trisomy 21 Research Society - Fabio Di Domenico; Marzia Perluigi; Antonella Tramutola; Maria Giulia Bacalini; Daniella Balduino Victorino; Isabel Barroeta; Renata Bartesaghi; Angelo Carfi; Maria Carmona-Iragui; Ann D. Cohen; Alberto C. S. Costa; Floriana Costanzo; et al. (NeuroMolecular Medicine, 2026)
Down syndrome (DS), or trisomy 21 (T21), represents the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability worldwide and is associated with a wide range of medical, developmental, and neurodegenerative conditions, including a universal predisposition to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since its establishment in 2014, the Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) has provided a global forum for advancing DS research across disciplines and promoting translational efforts to improve health and quality of life. Every two years, T21RS hosts an international scientific meeting that brings together researchers, clinicians, self-advocates, families, and industry stakeholders. In 2024, the 5th T21RS International Conference was held in Rome, Italy, from June 5 to 8, under the theme “Promoting Research Excellence in Down Syndrome.” The meeting brought together about 500 scientists from 26 countries across five continents, and more than 900 attendees overall, including families and caregivers. The scientific program featured 5 keynote lectures, 2 satellite meetings, 17 symposia, 7 nano symposia, 2 workshops, and 1 industry-focused session, totaling more than 150 oral presentations. More than 230 abstracts were presented as posters. The conference covered research across the lifespan of individuals with DS, spanning genomic and epigenetic regulation, molecular and cellular mechanisms, preclinical and experimental models, cognition and behavior, neurodevelopment, aging and neurodegeneration, co-occurring medical conditions, and therapeutic interventions. Dedicated sessions focused on capacity-building in DS research and societal engagement were established. Significantly, T21RS promoted inclusivity by supporting 60 young investigator fellowships, providing childcare awards, and organizing a two-day program for families and caregivers in collaboration with Italian DS associations. This proceeding summarizes the main scientific highlights of the 5th T21RS International Conference, reflecting the latest advances in DS biology, clinical research, biomarker development, and therapeutic innovation.

Dietary lipid utilisation under different thermal conditions in flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) - Silvia Natale; Federico Moroni; Ricardo Domingo-Bretón; Jaume Pérez-Sánchez; Marco Berrettini; Maria Giulia Ferrari; Francesco Dondi; Danilo Concu; Dario Vallainc; Stefano Carboni; Tomaso Patarnello; Pier Paolo Gatta; et al. (Frontiers in Marine Science, 2026)
Water temperature and dietary lipid levels are key factors influencing fish growth and metabolic homeostasis in aquaculture. This study aimed to understand the interactive effects on growth performance, metabolic response, gut microbiota, and gut evacuation dynamics in flathead grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ). A 100-day feeding trial was carried out to assess the effects of two dietary lipid levels (10%, L10; 15%, L15) at 22 °C (LT) and 28 °C (HT). Specific growth rate (% day -1 ) was higher ( p < 0.05) at HT (0.90 ± 0.01 for both diets) than at LT (0.70 and 0.62 for L10 and L15, respectively). Feed intake at L15 diet was lower at both temperatures ( p < 0.05) while FCR was reduced only by HT and not by lipid levels. Serum metabolic profiling indicated that higher temperatures accelerated energy turnover, as evidenced by elevated serum glucose and lactate at HT across both dietary groups ( p < 0.05). Accordingly, fish at HT in both dietary treatments exhibited lower total protein and cholesterol ( p < 0.05), suggesting a more efficient utilisation of protein reserves and lipid processing to meet increased metabolic demands. Gut evacuation dynamics were described here for the first time in this species by sampling multiple intestinal sections at different time points (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 hours post-prandial). The intestine was almost completely empty by approximately 8 h post-prandial, with the notable exception of fish fed the HL diet at LT, where a significant delay in evacuation (18 h) was observed. This delay may be attributed to the combined effects of higher dietary lipid levels and lower temperatures, which both prolong digestion and intestinal transit times. Gut microbiota composition was primarily shaped by temperature, with a shift toward a specialised profile dominated by Cetobacterium at HT in both dietary groups. Overall, the results highlight that the combination of a 15% lipid diet and 28 °C was associated with the most positive outcomes among the tested conditions, providing further insight into how dietary composition and temperature modulate digestive physiology in flathead grey mullet.

Callinectes sapidus — coast to coast: Integrating stable isotope analysis and shotgun metagenomics to unravel trophic dynamics and microlitter ingestion across two Mediterranean sites - Laura Ciaralli; Tommaso Valente; Eleonora Monfardini; Daniela Berto; Federico Rampazzo; Giovanni Libralato; Loredana Manfra; Raffaella Piermarini; Cecilia Silvestri; Martina Radicioli; Giorgia Gioacchini; Giulia Chemello; et al. (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Anthropogenic particles ingestion by fish larvae in important nursery areas of Iberia (South Europe) - Giulia Zeri; Vânia Baptista; M. Alexandra Teodósio; Joana Cruz (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Marine heatwaves alter shell microbiomes and denitrification capacity: An oyster family-specific response - Giulia Filippini; Ana B. Bugnot; Wayne O'Connor; Paul E. Gribben; Deepa R. Varkey; Ian T. Paulsen; Katherine A. Dafforn (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Limitations of using repurposed dredged sediments and seabed capping for Posidonia australis restoration - Giulia Ferretto; E. Maria U. Jung; Paul E. Gribben; Jennifer Verduin; Adriana Vergés; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Katherine A. Dafforn; Anjali Gopakumar; Ezequiel M. Marzinelli; Renske Jongen; Gary A. Kendrick (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Effects of a simulated thermocline deepening on the biochemical composition of a Mediterranean seagrass - Patrizia Stipcich; Santina Soru; Giulia Ceccherelli; Francesco Palmas; Antonio Pusceddu (Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2026)

Title: From runoff to resilience: Exploring multifunctional nature-based solutions for sustainable urban stormwater management - Svetlana Khromova; Svea Busse; Giulia Benati; Pablo Herreros-Cantis; Ricard Segura-Barrero; Sergi Ventura; Matthew J. Eckelman; Gara Villalba Méndez; Johannes Langemeyer (Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2026)

Feed two birds with one tree? Multilayer bird-plant networks and the maintenance of biodiversity in urban environments - Pedro Amaral Anselmo; Pietro Kiyoshi Maruyama; Giulia Bagarolli D’Angelo; Ivan Sazima; Lucilene Brito; Paulo Antonio Silva; Camila Silveira Souza (Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2026)

Connecting consumers to production processes: A new pathway to sustainable behaviour - Giulia Granato; Ellis van den Hende (Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2026)

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in dogs and owners: Spa typing and antimicrobial resistance in two Italian veterinary hospitals - Patrizia Nebbia; Patrizia Robino; Giulia Iamone; Rossana Schena; Sinem Arslan; Stefano Cavalli; Annunziata Romano; Alessandro Bellato; Ilaria Prandi; Davide Mancusi; Matteo Olimpo; Gerardo Fatone; et al. (Research in Veterinary Science, 2026)

Fire regimes and their effects on ecosystems inferred from varved lake sediments of Holzmaar (Germany) for the last 2000 years - Alicja Bonk; Stella Birlo; Giulia Wienhues; Martin Grosjean; Bernd Zolitschka (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2026)

Soil state evolution during vibrojet-assisted penetration in saturated sand - Cihan Cengiz; Charlotte van Verseveld; Alba Rodríguez Piedrabuena; Hakan Kopuklu; Maria Konstantinou; Giulia Macaro (Ocean Engineering, 2026)

Balancing productivity and reliability in fire-prone boreal forests - Yuval R. Zelnik; Samuli Launiainen; Giulia Vico (Journal of Environmental Management, 2026)

Can artisanal organic inputs improve the sustainability of cacao farming? Insights from participatory field research in Ecuador - Laudine Marchive; Eva Schreck; Giulia Bongiorno; Andrés Charry; Eduardo Chavez; Nicolas Eberhart; Rémi Thinard; Mirjam Pulleman; Guillermo Zambrano; Karen Ramírez; Adriana Santos; Laurence Maurice (Geoderma Regional, 2026)

When tradition meets modern labeling: Visual attention and consumer choice for Parmigiano Reggiano PDO under different front-of-pack nutrition-and eco-labels - Rungsaran Wongprawmas; Giulia Andreani; Giovanni Sogari; Davide Menozzi; Cristina Mora (Food Research International, 2026)

Linking integrative omics-based data fusion to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion reveals ripening-driven chemical signatures in Coppa Piacentina PDO - Federico Froldi; Gabriele Rocchetti; Giulia Leni; Gianluca Giuberti; Samantha Sigolo; Aldo Prandini (Food Bioscience, 2026)

Microbiological quality and compliance with good agricultural practices in edible mushrooms from small Brazilian producers - Beatriz Dal Pian Machado; Matheus da Silva Mourão; Dionísio Pedro Amorim-Neto; Giulia Paes Strabelo; Matheus Péricles Silva Láscaris; Eugénio da Piedade Edmundo Sitoe; Bárbara Cipulo Legabão; Angelica Zaninelli Screiber; Anderson S. Sant’Ana (Food Control, 2026)

Combined effects of glyphosate and ambient temperature on the energy management of a lizard: Evidence from a controlled exposure study - Anastasios Limnios; Zbyszek Boratyński; Urtzi Enriquez-Urzelai; Panayiotis Pafilis; Sandrine Charles; Giulia Simbula; Miguel A. Carretero (Environmental Research, 2026)

Erratum to “Short-term and long-term ocean acidification effects on seagrass performance: evidence from shallow CO2 vents” [Environ. Res. 285 (2025) 122485] - Arianna Pansini; Carmen Arena; Alessia Crobu; Ermenegilda Vitale; Giulia Ceccherelli (Environmental Research, 2026)

Corrigendum to ‘The environmental neuroactive chemicals list of prioritized substances for human biomonitoring and neurotoxicity testing: A database and high-throughput toxicokinetics approach’ [Environ. Res. 2025 (266) 120537] - Julia E. Rager; Lauren E. Koval; Elise Hickman; Caroline Ring; Taylor Teitelbaum; Todd Cohen; Giulia Fragola; Mark J. Zylka; Lawrence S. Engel; Kun Lu; Stephanie M. Engel (Environmental Research, 2026)

Neurotoxic effects of binary and ternary fungicide mixtures in developing zebrafish: A multi-endpoint assessment - Annamaria Iannetta; Irene Masciola; Tommaso Silvestrini; Giulia Capacchietti; Gabriele Lori; William Gentile; Georgiana Andrei; Cristiano Bertolucci; Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato; Sabrina Tait; Monia Perugini (Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2026)

Waste heat won't make membrane distillation cool: Thermodynamic analysis of cooling and pumping burdens - Marco Malaguti; Matteo Morciano; Giulia Viano; Andrea Achilli; Aamer Ali; Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen; Alberto Tiraferri (Desalination, 2026)

Recent advances, innovation, and policy developments in circular water systems - Giulia Romano; Andrea Guerrini (Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2026)

Elusive encounters: Activity patterns of the threatened Western polecat and niche overlap with co-occurring carnivores - Emiliano Mori; Filippo Alterini; Leonardo Ancillotto; Valeria Avetta; Matteo Bianchi; Valerio Bruni; Paolo Bongi; Mattia Lombardini; Giulia Santalmasi; Giacomo Santini; Andrea Viviano; Marco Zaccaroni (Behavioural Processes, 2026)

Local conditions drive quantity-oriented reproductive strategies and pollen diet of a solitary cavity-nesting bee in a Mediterranean peri-urban environment - Martino Maggioni; Oana Catalina Moldoveanu; Massimo Martini; Felix Fornoff; Paolo Biella; Andrea Galimberti; Matilde Massetti; Giulia Guerri; Gennaro Albini; Marco Morabito; Francesca Romana Dani (Urban Ecosystems, 2026)
Green areas in urban and peri-urban landscapes are increasingly recognized as important habitats for wild bees, but the extent to which species adjust their reproductive behavior to local conditions in these environments remains poorly studied. We studied the reproductive output, offspring’s body size, sex allocation, and larval diet (assessed using pollen morphology and DNA metabarcoding) of the solitary bee Osmia caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) in a Mediterranean peri-urban environment using trap nests and local-scale environmental descriptors. Based on a total of 215 nests and 648 brood cells, females increased their reproductive output with greater floral resource availability and increasing openness of the habitat, but this was accompanied by a reduction in offspring body size (ITD) and a sex allocation skewed toward males. These findings are consistent with a trade-off between offspring number and per-offspring investment and contrary to general expectations that higher resource availability should favor larger and more female-biased offspring. Together, these responses indicate a shift toward quantity-oriented reproductive strategies, in contrast to patterns reported for this species in agricultural systems, where higher resource availability is typically associated with greater per-offspring investment and more female-biased sex ratios. Pronounced among-site variation in pollen diet, reflecting differences in local floral resource composition, further highlights how use of floral resources varies at a fine spatial scale and may shape reproductive strategies and, ultimately, population persistence. Our results show that the ecological value of urban habitats for solitary bees depends not only on the amount of floral resources available, but also on how local conditions influence species-specific reproductive responses. These findings highlight the value of species-specific reproductive analyses in abundant, functionally important solitary bees as a complementary approach to evaluating habitat quality at local scales in urban and peri-urban environments. Understanding how solitary bees adjust reproductive strategies to urban conditions is essential for supporting their conservation and long-term persistence in urban green spaces.