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Cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium concentrations in fish muscle tissue taken from various Sicilian areas were detected. Fish caught in Siracusa, nearby a petrochemical industrial area, were more contaminated by cadmium, lead and chromium (respectively 0.366, 0.32, 0.72 μg/g) than those from the other sites. In the Sicily Channel, we found the highest bioaccumulation of mercury (0.31 μg/g). Although some metals concentrations exceed the limits set by the European regulation, the estimated weekly intake was below the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake established by the European Food and Safety Authority, and the Target Hazard Quotient values indicate that there is no carcinogenic risk for humans.

Background In Italy, cure indicators of cutaneous malignant melanoma according to Breslow tumour thickness have never been assessed. Objectives To evaluate the time trend in 1‐year net survival (NS), 5|1‐year conditional NS (CNS) and cure fraction (CF). Methods Data from 10 cancer registries and 13,377 patients aged 15–74 years were used. Five|1‐year CNS was defined as the probability of surviving 5 years given that the patient has survived 1 year. CF was defined as the proportion of patients with the same life expectancy as the general population. One‐year NS and 5|1‐year CNS were contrasted between 2013–2017 and 2003–2007, and CF between 2015 and 2005. Results For lesions up to 4 mm thick, 1‐year NS reached a level > 98.0%. In 2013–2017, 5|1‐year CNS was above 90% for men and women with lesions up to 2.0 mm thick and increased markedly for men with lesions > 2.0–4.0 mm thick (65.1% to 82.4%) and > 4.0 mm thick (57.6% to 69.4%). The CF of patients with a melanoma ≤ 1.0 mm thick was approximately 100% in both sexes, and nearly doubled from 2005 to 2015 (28% to 54%) for men aged 55–74 years with a melanoma > 4.0 mm thick. Conclusions Patients with a melanoma ≤ 1 mm thick have the same life expectancy as the general population. The increase in the CF of men with thick lesions supports the hypothesis that novel therapies, approved in Italy since 2013, offer the possibility of cure.

Wine yeasts can be natural hosts for dsRNA, ssRNA viruses and retrotransposon elements. In this study, high-throughput RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analyses unveiled the virome associated to 16 Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 8 non-Saccharomyces strains of oenological interest. Results showed the presence of six viruses and two satellite dsRNAs from four different families, two of which—Partitiviridae and Mitoviridae—were not reported before in yeasts, as well as two ORFan contigs of viral origin. According to phylogenetic analysis, four new putative mycoviruses distributed in Totivirus, Cryspovirus, and Mitovirus genera were identified. The majority of commercial S. cerevisiae strains were confirmed to be the host for helper L-A type totiviruses and satellite M dsRNAs associated with the killer phenotype, both in single and mixed infections with L-BC totiviruses, and two viral sequences belonging to a new cryspovirus putative species discovered here for the first time. Moreover, single infection by a narnavirus 20S-related sequence was also found in one S. cerevisiae strain. Considering the non-Saccharomyces yeasts, Starmerella bacillaris hosted four RNAs of viral origin—two clustering in Totivirus and Mitovirus genera, and two ORFans with putative satellite behavior. This study confirmed the infection of wine yeasts by viruses associated with useful technological characteristics and demonstrated the presence of complex mixed infections with unpredictable biological effects.

Describe breast cancer in Italy by age, geographical area, stage and sites of metastases. In addition, incident and prevalent cases by region are provided. This population-based study included all female patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer diagnosed in Italy between 2013 and 2019 in the eight participating Cancer Registries. Cases were described by geographic area (north, center, south), age group (<50, 50-69 and 70+) and site of metastases. In addition, the study also provided an estimate of the cases of metastatic breast cancer per single region. Of the total 5731 cases, the number of unknown stage cases (eliminated from our analyses) was 545 (10.5% of cases); therefore, the study was conducted on 5186 cases. Overall, 333 (6.5%) of tumors were metastatic at diagnosis but the distribution by geographical area was different: 5.1% in the north, 7.4% in the center and 7.8% in the south. Related to age, 5.6% were diagnosed before the age of 50 and 5.6% within the screening target group (50-69 years), while in elderly women the percentage rose to 8.1%. As regards the site of the metastases, 27.1% developed metastasis to the bone, 12.4% to the liver, 8.6% to the lung and 2.6% to the brain; in 34.9%, multiple sites were already present at the beginning of the cancer. Overall, 3520 cases of incident mBC are estimated in Italia every year (520 in Lombardy in northern Italy, 350 in Lazio in the center, followed by 330 in Campania in the south), and finally they are out of 52,000 prevalent cases. A greater possibility of treating and living with the disease for a long time now requires careful monitoring of these tumors.

Grapevine ( ssp. ) is a perennial crop especially important for wine and fruit production. The species is highly polymorphic with thousands of different varieties selected by farmers and clonally propagated. However, it is still debated whether grapevine domestication from its wild ancestor ( ssp. ) has been a single event or rather it occurred on multiple occasions during the diffusion of its cultivation across the Mediterranean. Located in the center of the Basin, Sicily is its largest island and has served as a hotspot for all civilizations that have crossed the Mediterranean throughout history. Hundreds of unique grapevine cultivars are still cultivated in Sicily and its surrounding minor islands, though most of them are menaced by extinction. Wild grapevine is also present with isolated populations thriving along riverbanks. With the aim to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among Sicilian varieties, and to assess the possible contribution of indigenous wild populations to the genetic makeup of cultivated grapevine, we analyzed 170 domestic cultivars and 125 wild plants, collected from 10 different populations, with 23 SSR markers. We also compared our data with published dataset from Eurasia. Results show that Sicilian wild populations are related to the cultivated Sicilian and Italian germplasm, suggesting events of introgression and/or domestication of local varieties.

Biotechnology provides valuable tools to support conservation of plant species, especially in case of threatened taxa or when dealing with seed unavailability, low viability or sterility. However, plant cell culture methods have often to face problems associated with tissue recalcitrance to in vitro systems. Recalcitrance can be related to a variety of triggering factors, involving many efforts and manipulations within one or more of the micropropagation stages before obtaining successful results. An in vitro propagation protocol was developed for Zelkova sicula , a very rare and endangered relict tree, endemic to Sicily (Southern Italy). The species revealed extremely recalcitrant to in vitro culture approaches, but after many trials throughout a number of years an effective micropropagation protocol was completed. The rooting rate was about 84% of the treated explants, 8% of which were successfully acclimatized outdoor and reintroduced in the wild within a comprehensive conservation project. The technique allowed to overcome the problems of sexual sterility of this species, hence contributing concretely to contrast the problems connected with its conservation. However, additional efforts need to be carried out in order to refine the acclimatization step and further improve the whole process effectiveness. Key Message A micropropagation protocol was developed for the rare and endangered tree species Zelkova sicula . The in vitro procedure allowed to overcome seed sterility providing a plant stock successfully reintroduced in the wild.

The rise of early-onset colorectal cancer has prompted earlier screening recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Adults under age 50 commonly present with symptoms at late stages of the disease, which translates into higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Unique psychosocial considerations that influence treatment and nursing interventions in persons with early-onset disease are addressed.

Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Centralization of rare cancer in dedicated centers is recommended to ensure expertise, multidisciplinarity and access to innovation. In Italy, expert centers for MPM have not been identified in all regions. We aimed to describe the treatment patterns among MPM patients across different Italian regions and to identify factors associated with the treatment patterns across the regions. Methods We performed an observational study on a random sample of 2026 MPM patients diagnosed in 2003–2008. We included 26 population‐based registries covering 70% of the Italian population. To identify factors associated with treatment patterns, across the different regions, we fitted a multinomial logistic regression model adjusted by age, sex, stage, histology and hospital with thoracic surgical department. Results MPM patients mostly received chemotherapy alone (41%) or no cancer‐directed therapy (36%) especially the older patients. The first course of treatment for MPM patients differed across regions. Patients from Piedmont, Liguria and Campania were more likely to receive no cancer‐directed therapy; those living in Tuscany and Sicily were more likely to get surgery; patients from Marche and Lazio were more likely to receive chemotherapy. These differences were not explained by age, sex, stage, histology and availability of a thoracic surgery department. Conclusions There is limited expertise available and lack of a network able to maximize the expertise available may contribute to explaining the results of our study. Our findings support the need to ensure the appropriate care of all MPM patients in reorganizing the health care services. Key points Significant findings of the study: MPM patients mostly received chemotherapy alone or no cancer‐directed therapy especially the older patients. The first course of treatment for MPM patients differed across Italian regions. What this study adds: Differences in MPM clinical management are not explained by the age, stage, histology nor by the availability of a thoracic surgery department. Limited expertise for MPM contribute to explaining the unequal access to appropriate care for MPM patients in Italy.

Human papillomavirus is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection globally and a leading cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. In Italy, despite the availability of a free HPV vaccination program since 2007 for girls and since 2018 for boys, national coverage remains below the 95 % target, with marked territorial and gender-based disparities. This study aims to assess the relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and HPV vaccination coverage within the Siracusa province, Sicily. An ecological time-series study was conducted using aggregated, anonymized data from the regional vaccination registry. Vaccination outcomes included full-cycle completion and first-dose initiation, stratified by sex, birth cohort, and municipality. Socioeconomic deprivation was measured using a composite index based on education level, employment status, housing conditions, and family structure, derived from national census data. Multilevel Poisson regression models were applied to account for Local Health Unity and municipal variability. HPV vaccination coverage showed substantial geographic variability. Municipalities such as Augusta reported the highest rates, while more deprived areas like Priolo Gargallo had significantly lower uptake. A consistent gender gap emerged across all locations, with males displaying significantly lower coverage than females. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant inverse association between deprivation and vaccination uptake, particularly for first-dose administration. A marked decline in coverage across successive birth cohorts was also observed, and receiving the first dose at an older age was strongly associated with lower completion rates. The findings underscore persistent inequities in HPV vaccine uptake driven by socioeconomic and demographic factors. Targeted strategies are urgently needed to address these disparities—particularly in deprived areas—and should include expanded school-based programs, gender-inclusive communication, and reminder-recall systems. Enhancing early vaccination, especially among boys and in disadvantaged communities, is essential to improving HPV prevention and achieving equitable public health outcomes.

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of individuals who successfully graduated from college after being raised by a non-biological guardian. Using phenomenological methodology, this study included the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire for Adults, Q-Sort Methodology, a demographic questionnaire, and semi-structured focus group interviews. Six participants from diverse racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds contributed their stories of navigating higher education while being raised primarily by grandparents, siblings, or other relatives.The analysis uncovered seven interconnected themes: resiliency born from adversity, guardians as partial yet crucial support, challenges with communication and emotional expression, navigating identity and expectations, the emergence of mental health awareness during college, academic challenges, and the transformational role of higher education faculty and staff. Adversity was viewed by participants as an obstacle and as a great motivator, driving students to succeed but also producing lifelong challenges related to identity, emotional expression, and mental health. Guardians provided stability and unconditional love but often lacked the academic guidance needed for navigating college, leaving mentors, peers, and faculty to fill these gaps. Not only was higher education a path towards social mobility, but also a space for emotional recalibration, self-discovery, and healing.Results emphasize the importance of resilience as a dynamic, evolving process shaped by adaptability, mentorship, and cultural identity. This study highlights the importance of trauma-informed and resilience-focused support within higher education for students from non-traditional family structures. Implications and further research extend to counseling psychology, clinical practice, and academic programming, emphasizing the need to integrate mentorship opportunities, mental health resources, and culturally responsive support systems to foster persistence and belonging among students raised by non-biological caregivers in kinship care.