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Fermented foods (FFs) are part of the cultural heritage of several populations, and their production dates back 8000 years. Over the last ~150 years, the microbial consortia of many of the most widespread FFs have been characterised, leading in some instances to the standardisation of their production. Nevertheless, limited knowledge exists about the microbial communities of local and traditional FFs and their possible effects on human health. Recent findings suggest they might be a valuable source of novel probiotic strains, enriched in nutrients and highly sustainable for the environment. Despite the increasing number of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, it still remains unclear whether and how regular FF consumption is linked with health outcomes and enrichment of the gut microbiome in health‐associated species. This review aims to sum up the knowledge about traditional FFs and their associated microbiomes, outlining the role of fermentation with respect to boosting nutritional profiles and attempting to establish a link between FF consumption and health‐beneficial outcomes. Mechanism for γ‐PGA electrofermentation (left); charge output and γ‐PGA production in electrofermentation (center, top); SEM of γ‐PGA‐containing EPS on carbon fiber in electrofermentation and conventional ferementation (center, bottom); (1H)‐NMR of γ‐PGA‐enriched EPS in electrofermentation (right).

In an increasingly challenging agricultural environment, the identification of novel tools for protecting crops from stress agents while securing marketable production is a key objective. Here we investigated the effects of three previously characterized Prosystemin-derived functional peptide fragments as protective agents against salt stress and as biostimulants modulating tomato yield and quality traits. The treatments of tomato plants with femtomolar amounts of the peptides alleviated salt stress symptoms, likely due to an increase in root biomass up to 18% and the upregulation of key antioxidant genes such as APX2 and HSP90. In addition, the peptides exhibited biostimulant activity, significantly improving root area (up to 10%) and shoot growth (up to 9%). We validated such activities through two-year field trials carried out on industrial tomato crops. Peptide treatments confirmed their biostimulant effects, leading to a nearly 50% increase in marketable production compared to a commonly used commercial product and consistently enhancing fruit °Brix values.

Grana Padano (GP), Trentingrana (TG), and Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) are among the finest Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses. GP, TG, and PR undergo extensive proteolysis during ripening, where the microbiome metabolizes amino acids, producing flavour and bioactive molecules. We explored the microbiome, volatilome, and metaproteome of PDO GP ( n  = 42), TG ( n  = 18), and PR ( n  = 60). Findings revealed diverse microbial communities enriched in proteolytic microbes, associated with cheese-specific processing technology. Correlations between lactic acid bacteria strains and specific volatile compounds were identified in PR. Importantly, we identified genes involved in the production of neuroactive molecules, suggesting potential connections between cheeses consumption and mental health, along with genes related to bacteriocin biosynthesis, possibly enhancing cheese safety, shelf life, and process sustainability. This study provides novel insights into the functional attributes of long-ripened cheeses microbiome, highlighting their potential as sources of psychobiotics and bioprotective strains.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare autoimmune skin disease that is always associated with a neoplasm. Usually, oral, skin, and mucosal lesions are the earliest manifestations shown by paraneoplastic pemphigus patients. The pathogenesis of paraneoplastic pemphigus is not yet completely understood, although some immunological aspects have been recently clarified. Because of its rarity, several diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Besides, several diagnostic procedures have been used for the diagnosis, including indirect immunofluorescence, direct immunofluorescence, and ELISA. We reviewed the most recent literature, searching on PubMed “paraneoplastic pemphigus”. We included also papers in French, German, and Spanish. We found 613 papers for “paraneoplastic pemphigus”. Among them, 169 were review papers. Because of its varying clinical features, paraneoplastic pemphigus still represents a challenge for clinicians. Furthermore, diagnosis and management of paraneoplastic pemphigus requires close collaboration between physicians, including dermatologist, oncologist, and otorhinolaryngologist.

Background This paper analyses normal tissue sparing capability of radiation treatment techniques in Hodgkin's lymphoma with large treatment volume. Methods 10 patients with supradiaphragmatic Hodgkin's lymphoma and planning target volume (PTV) larger than 900 cm 3 were evaluated. Two plans were simulated for each patient using 6 MV X-rays: a conventional multi-leaf (MLC) parallel-opposed (AP-PA) plan, and the same plan with additional MLC shaped segments (forward planned intensity modulated radiation therapy, FPIMRT). In order to compare plans, dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of PTV, lungs, heart, spinal cord, breast, and thyroid were analyzed. The Inhomogeneity Coefficient (IC), the PTV receiving 95% of the prescription dose (V95), the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and dose-volume parameters for the OARs were determined. Results the PTV coverage was improved (mean V95 AP-PA = 95.9 and IC AP-PA = 0.4 vs. V95 FPIMRT = 96.8 and IC FPIMRT = 0.31, p ≤ 0.05) by the FPIMRT technique compared to the conventional one. At the same time, NTCPs of lung, spinal cord and thyroid, and the volume of lung and thyroid receiving ≥ 30 Gy resulted significantly reduced when using the FPIMRT technique. Conclusions The FPIMRT technique can represent a very useful and, at the same time, simple method for improving PTV conformity while saving critical organs when large fields are needed as in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is estimated to remain as the main cause of death in developed nations over the next 30 years, with increased prevalence in the older population. This is because the observed decline in the incidence of CVD owing to improvements in prevention has now been counterbalanced by the increased shift toward an older and thus more fragile population. Statin treatment reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in middle-aged adults. However, few studies have included older individuals, particularly those aged 80 years or over. The adverse effects associated with high doses of statins and their interactions with other drugs may give rise to more problems in the elderly population. Evidence remains limited regarding the overall benefit of starting statin therapy in adults aged 80 and over; so that clinical judgment remains necessary in making the decision to use them. In this review, we present available evidence from randomized clinical trials, as well as relative community and post-approval data directly applicable to the management of CVD in the elderly, in both primary and secondary prevention. Also discussed is the latest evidence regarding the putative protective effects of statins on senile dementia and the relationship between statin treatment and cancer.