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We studied some exposures of the Roccacaramanico Conglomerate (RCC), a calcareous-clastic mega-bed intercalated within the Late Messinian–Early Pliocene pelitic succession of the La Queglia and Maiella tectonic units (central Apennines). The outcrops, localized in the overturned limb of a kilometric-scale syncline, show a complex array of fractures, including multiple systems of closely spaced cleavages, joints, and mesoscopic faults, which record the progressive deformation associated with the Late Pliocene thrusting. Due to the extent of the investigated sites and a large amount of data to collect, we applied a multi-methodology survey technique integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies and digital mapping in the field. We reconstructed the 3D digital outcrop model of the RCC in the type area and defined the 3D pattern of fractures and their time–space relationships. The field survey played a pivotal role in determining the various sets of structures, their kinematics, the associated displacements, and relative chronology. The results unveiled the investigated area’s tectonic evolution and provide a deformation model that could be generalized in similar tectonic contexts. Furthermore, the methodology allows for evaluating the reliability of the applied remote survey techniques (i.e., using UAV) compared to those based on the direct measurements of structures using classic devices. Our purpose was to demonstrate that our multi-methodology approach can describe the tectonic evolution of the study area, providing consistent 3D data and using a few ground control points. Finally, we propose two alternative working methods and discuss their different fields of application.

A remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a male Mammuthus meridionalis, approximately 60 years old, from the Early Pleistocene that is housed at the Castle of L’Aquila (Italy) exhibits a fractured left tusk with severe bone erosion of the alveolus and premaxillary bone, as well as marked spinal deformities. The cranial region underwent ultrasonographic, radiological, and histological examinations, while morphological and biomechanical analyses were conducted on the vertebral column. Microscopic analysis revealed intra vitam lesions, including woven bone fibers indicative of early bone remodeling and lamellar bone with expanded and remodeled Haversian systems. These findings are consistent with osteomyelitis and bone sequestration, likely resulting from chronic pulpitis following the tusk fracture, possibly due to an accident or interspecific combat. The vertebral column shows cervical scoliosis, compensatory curves, fusion between the first cervical vertebrae, and asymmetric articular facets, suggesting postural adaptations. Evidence of altered molar wear and masticatory function also support long-term survival post-trauma. Additionally, lesions compatible with spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory spinal condition not previously documented in Mammuthus meridionalis, were identified. These findings provide new insights into the pathology and adaptive responses of extinct proboscideans, demonstrating the critical role of (paleo)histological methods in reconstructing trauma, disease, and aspects of life history in fossil vertebrates.

Majella National Park is located in the central Apennines (Italy), in a vast mountainous area of about 740 km2. Owing to the complex geological history of the Majella Massif and surrounding areas, it features many different landforms. Woodlands rich in water characterize the wide tectonic depression of Caramanico, which separates the rounded gentle profile of the Majella to the east from the impervious steep slope of the Morrone Mt. to the west. Bare pitted highlands, like lunar landforms, characterize the top of the Majella (i.e., Femmina Morta Valley) shaped by flowing ice that long ago covered the higher parts of the massif. Sedimentary structures and fossil content recovered in carbonates attest to a long period of sedimentation in warm, shallow-marine environments, revealing that the Majella and the surrounding carbonate mountains looked, approximately from 140 to 7 Ma, like the present-day Bahamas and Persian Gulf. The Park hosts at least 95 geosites, some of which (22) are well-known in the international literature because of their scientific relevance. In addition, its natural and cultural wealth, deeply fused together with geoheritage, preserves several features of national and world rarity. Therefore, the Park Authority decided to put forward its territory as a candidate to become part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geoparks Network.

The remains of the largest Hoplitomeryx known to date have been retrieved from the upper Miocene limestones of Scontrone (Abruzzo, central Italy). Hoplitomerycidae derived from small-sized Oligocene Tragulina ruminants. Therefore, this is the first giant insular ruminant ever described. Insular giantism has been notoriously exhibited by other taxa, such as rodents. It is suspected for the largest Cretan deer Candiacervus , if these cervids monophyletically are derived from Dama . This large Hoplitomeryx was a lightly built animal with long, slender limbs. This case shows not only that insular giantism can be attained also on large islands, but confirms that it can be promoted by competitive release and immigrant selection.

In the last ten years the Archaeological Mission of Chieti University in Cyrenaica has investigated, through intensive field surveys and excavations, several contexts of the Cyrenaican chora. Among the many recorded settlements, Lamluda is the most interesting because of its urban organisation, productivity and location at the intersection of the main road network. Our aim is to present the preliminary data from the mapping, survey and excavation of the site, including the results of the archaeometric analysis and the epigraphic study. Among the copious ceramic finds the Roman coarse wares and amphorae are particularly numerous, dating mainly to the Imperial, Late Roman and Byzantine periods. The pottery illustrates not only the longevity of the settlement, which lasted until the eighth or ninth century AD, but also helps to trace the evolution of agricultural wealth and trade. Through archaeometrical and archaeological research it is possible to identify the main local products and their circulation, as well as the imported or exported amphorae and hypothesise on the nature of their contents.

Questo rapporto discute le metodologie ed i principali ritrovamenti delle prime due stagioni del progetto della Valle del Sangro, tuttora in corso. Il progetto, organizzato dalla Soprintendenza Archeologica dell'Abruzzo e dalle Università di Leicester e di Oxford, ha lo scopo di esaminare i dati archeologici, architettonici, etnografici ed ambientali per l'alta e la media/bassa valle, con particolare riferimento alla comprensione del ruolo svolto dalla piccola città e dal villaggio in una varietà di paesaggi in un periodo che va dall'arcaico all'alto medioevo (ca 600 a.C. – 900 d.C.). Gli scavi di siti arcaici e successivi in Val Fondillo — nell'alta valle — e dell' oppidum ellenistico e romano di Monte Pallano nella media valle sono di grande importanza per la conoscenza dell'epoca sannita e di quella romana, mentre nomi di luoghi (quale Fara) e resti di castelli (quale la Rocca Intramonti) forniscono un'iniziale guida allo studio degli schemi insediativi alto medievali e medievali. La ricognizione ha cominciato a fornire un quadro dettagliato dell'occupazione dell'area gravitante su questi siti, con l'analisi CAD e GIS come elemento centrale di questo studio. Una notevole importanza è stata anche data ad uno studio etnografico volto alla comprensione del ruolo della transumanza (un elemento tradizionale dell'economia regionale) e la sua relazione con gli antichi sistemi insediativi e di uso del territorio.

sBLISS (in-suspension breaks labeling in situ and sequencing) is a versatile and widely applicable method for identification of endogenous and induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in any cell type that can be brought into suspension. sBLISS provides genome-wide profiles of the most consequential DNA lesion implicated in a variety of pathological, but also physiological, processes. In sBLISS, after in situ labeling, DSB ends are linearly amplified, followed by next-generation sequencing and DSB landscape analysis. Here, we present a step-by-step experimental protocol for sBLISS, as well as a basic computational analysis. The main advantages of sBLISS are (i) the suspension setup, which renders the protocol user-friendly and easily scalable; (ii) the possibility of adapting it to a high-throughput or single-cell workflow; and (iii) its flexibility and its applicability to virtually every cell type, including patient-derived cells, organoids, and isolated nuclei. The wet-lab protocol can be completed in 1.5 weeks and is suitable for researchers with intermediate expertise in molecular biology and genomics. For the computational analyses, basic-to-intermediate bioinformatics expertise is required. This protocol describes experimental and computational procedures for genome-wide detection of endogenous and induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in any cell type or tissue that can be brought into suspension.

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the effectiveness of the inactivated whole virus vaccine, CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), against symptomatic covid-19 in the elderly population of São Paulo state, Brazil during widespread circulation of the gamma variant.DesignTest negative case-control study.SettingCommunity testing for covid-19 in São Paulo state, Brazil.Participants43 774 adults aged ≥70 years who were residents of São Paulo state and underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 from 17 January to 29 April 2021. 26 433 cases with symptomatic covid-19 and 17 622 test negative controls with covid-19 symptoms were formed into 13 283 matched sets, one case with to up to five controls, according to age, sex, self-reported race, municipality of residence, previous covid-19 status, and date of RT-PCR test (±3 days).InterventionVaccination with a two dose regimen of CoronaVac.Main outcome measuresRT-PCR confirmed symptomatic covid-19 and associated hospital admissions and deaths.ResultsAdjusted vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic covid-19 was 24.7% (95% confidence interval 14.7% to 33.4%) at 0-13 days and 46.8% (38.7% to 53.8%) at ≥14 days after the second dose. Adjusted vaccine effectiveness against hospital admissions was 55.5% (46.5% to 62.9%) and against deaths was 61.2% (48.9% to 70.5%) at ≥14 days after the second dose. Vaccine effectiveness ≥14 days after the second dose was highest for the youngest age group (70-74 years)—59.0% (43.7% to 70.2%) against symptomatic disease, 77.6% (62.5% to 86.7%) against hospital admissions, and 83.9% (59.2% to 93.7%) against deaths—and declined with increasing age.ConclusionsVaccination with CoronaVac was associated with a reduction in symptomatic covid-19, hospital admissions, and deaths in adults aged ≥70 years in a setting with extensive transmission of the gamma variant. Vaccine protection was, however, low until completion of the two dose regimen, and vaccine effectiveness was observe to decline with increasing age among this elderly population.

A two-dose regimen of the Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1) Covid-19 vaccine with an inter-dose interval of three months has been implemented in many countries with restricted vaccine supply. However, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of ChAdOx1 by dose in elderly populations in countries with high prevalence of the Gamma variant of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we estimate ChAdOx1 effectiveness by dose against the primary endpoint of RT-PCR-confirmed Covid-19, and secondary endpoints of Covid-19 hospitalization and Covid-19-related death, in adults aged ≥60 years during an epidemic with high Gamma variant prevalence in São Paulo state, Brazil using a matched, test-negative case-control study. Starting 28 days after the first dose, effectiveness of a single dose of ChAdOx1 is 33.4% (95% CI, 26.4–39.7) against Covid-19, 55.1% (95% CI, 46.6–62.2) against hospitalization, and 61.8% (95% CI, 48.9–71.4) against death. Starting 14 days after the second dose, effectiveness of the two-dose schedule is 77.9% (95% CI, 69.2–84.2) against Covid-19, 87.6% (95% CI, 78.2–92.9) against hospitalization, and 93.6% (95% CI, 81.9–97.7) against death. Completion of the ChAdOx1 vaccine schedule affords significantly increased protection over a single dose against mild and severe Covid-19 outcomes in elderly individuals during widespread Gamma variant circulation. Here, the authors investigate the effectiveness of the Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1) vaccine during extensive Gamma variant SARS-CoV-2 circulation in São Paulo state, Brazil, and find that a two-dose regime is more effective than one dose against mild to severe Covid-19 outcomes in older adults.

The Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI) has led the development of a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) document, engaging multiple scientific societies—including the Italian Society of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology (SIMTI), the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT), the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU), the National Association of Critical Care Nurses (ANIARTI), and the Italian National Blood Centre (Centro Nazionale Sangue-CNS). This collaborative effort aims to establish a multidisciplinary consensus on the administration of blood products in the prehospital management of patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. The increasing adoption of prehospital transfusion programs worldwide, particularly in trauma care, highlighted the need for structured recommendations that ensure safety, effectiveness, and compliance with current regulations. In prehospital settings, the early administration of packed red blood cells, fibrinogen concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma is not only considered feasible but has also shown to be potentially effective in improving hemodynamic stability and reducing mortality in patients with hemorrhagic shock. However, these benefits are strongly influenced by factors such as patient selection, timing of intervention, and the integration of transfusion protocols into advanced prehospital care systems. Implementing strict clinical governance, ensuring appropriate storage conditions, and developing standardized documentation processes are key to the success of these programs. Furthermore, close collaboration between emergency medical services and blood banks is essential to ensure compliance with national guidelines and to optimize patient outcomes. This consensus document was developed through a systematic literature review and a modified Delphi method, involving blind voting and consensus evaluation using a Likert scale. The process was conducted over two rounds of online voting. The document addresses four critical topics: the selection of blood product derivatives for prehospital use, safety requirements for their transport, documentation and traceability standards, and procedures for the return of unused components.