Organic radical emitters have recently emerged as promising alternatives to conven- tional singlet emitters, as they circumvent spin-statistical limits and can, in principle, achieve unity internal quantum efficiency in OLEDs. Here, we study the photophysics of a series of nitrogen-decorated triphenylmethyl radicals using the Pariser–Parr–Pople (PPP) model within the Restricted Active Space Configuration Interaction (RASCI) framework. By exploiting the PPP particle–hole difference operator introduced by Dubbini et al. (J. Phys. Chem. C 2024, 128, 18158–18169), we quantify particle–hole symmetry breaking and relate it to the oscillator strength of the first absorption band. Systematic nitrogen substitution at the meta positions of the phenyl rings leads to in- creasingly bright doublet states. We further show that an effective difference operator value can be computed using ground-state DFT energies, enabling a fast and practical screening protocol for identifying potentially emissive radicals. Our results provide simple design rules and predictive indicators for engineering bright organic radicals through controlled particle–hole symmetry breaking.

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term effects of pharmacological options for hypotension in very preterm newborns through a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs published up to March 2025 involving newborns born at ≤ 30 weeks of gestational age or ≤ 1500 g at birth, treated with any pharmacological intervention for hypotension were included. We analysed 12 RCTs (enrolling 539 newborns). None of the drugs analysed improve survival or clinical outcome. Dopamine (p = 0.0008, I2 = 28%, p = 0.24, OR 4.53 95% CI 1.87-11.00) and hydrocortisone (p = 0.008, OR 9.31 95% CI 1.78-48.72, heterogeneity not applicable) appeared effective in resolving hypotension in very preterm newborns, compared to placebo. However, dopamine increased the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage by 3.47 times (p = 0.03, I2 = 0%, p = 0.75, 95% CI 1.10-10.93) compared with placebo. Epinephrine (p = 0.010, OR 0.16 95% CI 0.04-0.64, heterogeneity not applicable) and hydrocortisone (p = 0.03, OR 4.23 95% CI 1.11-16.17, heterogeneity not applicable) were associated with a higher risk of hyperglycemia when compared to dobutamine and placebo, respectively. Pharmacological treatment of neonatal hypotension may improve blood pressure without positive effects on mortality and neurodevelopment in very preterm newborns. However, associated adverse effects such as intraventricular haemorrhage and hyperglycemia appear relevant. PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42024619749.

The rising prevalence of cognitive disorders highlights the urgent need for effective prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions. While adherence to a balanced diet has been associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline, emerging evidence underscores the potential role of plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, with anthocyanins receiving increasing attention. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin-rich interventions on cognitive performance. A systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of anthocyanin supplementation and cognitive outcomes identified 59 eligible studies. Overall, anthocyanin intervention significantly improved global cognition (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.63, I2 = 0.0%) compared with controls. Domain-specific analyses further revealed significant benefits for visuospatial processing/reasoning and attention (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.55, I2 = 76.3%), processing and psychomotor speed (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.34, I2 = 64.0%), verbal speed and fluency (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.39, I2 = 30.5%), episodic memory (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.50, I2 = 75.9%), and working memory (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.36, I2 = 46.5%). Collectively, these findings suggest that anthocyanin supplementation may improve multiple cognitive domains. Although these results are promising, further well-designed RCTs are needed to validate these outcomes and consolidate the current evidence base.

Socio-cognitive assessment in neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) is rare in clinical practice and no consensus exists as to a uniform operationalization of socio-cognitive measures for NCDs in memory clinics. The SIGNATURE initiative aims to optimize the use of socio-cognitive measures in memory clinics, defining expert recommendations. We report consortium guidelines for the use of socio-cognitive measures in NCDs based on available evidence from the literature and the current state of practices in memory clinics. Using a Delphi consensus method supported by a literature review and the results of an international survey, 22 specialists defined recommendations for the context of use, relevance in NCD diagnosis, priorities for future research and facilitators/obstacles of socio-cognitive assessment in major and mild NCDs. Overall, panelists recommended social cognition testing in routine diagnostic assessment to evaluate both socio-cognitive and socio-behavioral alterations. A set of clinical, methodological, implementation and external factors facilitating or hampering the use of socio-cognitive tasks was identified. This is the first focused endeavor to favor the implementation of socio-cognitive assessment, which is required by DSM-5 but seldom performed despite clear evidence of its clinical relevance for diagnosis and care. Our results provide an initial set of recommendations, refinable through the future actions of the SIGNATURE initiative. Future collaborative clinical research projects should overcome current limitations and foster the use of ecological and cross-culturally validated measures in clinics.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping research methodologies across disciplines. However, its integration in qualitative research remains controversial due to epistemological, ethical, and human-centered concerns. This study explores the perspectives of 14 expert qualitative researchers from socio-anthropological and healthcare fields working in Italian academic and hospital settings, with a focus on the opportunities, challenges, and future directions of AI use in qualitative inquiry. Through semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, four main themes were developed. First, participants expressed ambivalent attitudes-balancing curiosity with technophobia and emphasizing the need for human oversight and contextual interpretation. Second, an anthropological and philosophical dimension was constructed, underscoring the importance of reflexivity, creativity, and researcher identity as essential counterbalances to AI's mechanistic tendencies. Third, researchers acknowledged AI's practical benefits in tasks such as transcription and data management, and they remained skeptical of its ability to perform complex interpretative work. Finally, ethical and sustainability concerns were raised, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the environmental impact of AI technologies. The findings reveal persistent epistemological tensions but also highlight emerging opportunities for AI to enhance research efficiency and accessibility, provided that human interpretative agency remains central. Participants stressed the importance of developing robust ethical frameworks, fostering critical reflexivity, and adopting innovative conceptual approaches to responsibly integrate AI into qualitative research and education. This study offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners navigating the evolving landscape of AI in qualitative inquiry, advocating a balanced approach that leverages AI's potential while safeguarding the human core of qualitative research.

During the first year after birth, the infant gut microbiome undergoes a rapid and profound compositional and functional transformation, impelled by an intricate network of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This process results in increased taxonomic and functional diversification, alongside greater interindividual variability. To better understand this early-life ecosystem, this study assessed the interindividual variability of the infant gut microbiome using a comprehensive infant gut microbiome database of 5288 fecal metagenomic data from healthy, full-term infants across various geographical locations. Our study identified six reference microbial communities, termed Early-Life Community State Types (ELi-CSTs), which not only capture specific compositional profiles and heterogeneity of the infant gut microbiome, but also record the extensive transformation experienced by this developing microbial community during the first year of human life. Indicative Species analysis and Random Forest modeling assisted the precise identification of unique, key taxonomic signatures that are critical to the structure of each ELi-CST, highlighting microbial taxa with pivotal roles in shaping the infant gut microbiota. To complement these findings, we established a bacterial biobank through dedicated cultivation efforts of the infant microbiota, comprising 182 genome-sequenced isolates corresponding to key taxa involved in early life gut microbiota assembly. This biobank provided the basis for co-cultivation experiments combined with transcriptome analyses, thereby enabling in vitro investigations into microbial cross-talk among key modulators, and yielding novel insights into the molecular interactions and cooperative dynamics behind early microbiome development.

Soil health is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural practices and ecosystem resilience. Using a data mining approach, this study aims to explore emerging themes related to the impact of soil improvers on soil health by analyzing results from various EU-funded agricultural projects, with the final goal of identifying the key factors driving the effectiveness of soil amendments. By integrating data mining and text analysis, the study extracts, aggregates, and visualizes insights, providing a comprehensive overview of innovative strategies to enhance soil fertility and promote ecological balance. This integrated analytical framework offers a nuanced understanding of the conceptual landscape surrounding soil health in EU projects, highlighting the multifaceted roles of organic amendments and microbial solutions. Our findings underscore the critical link between organic amendments and soil health, highlighting their potential as strategic tools for achieving more sustainable agricultural systems. These findings provide a basis for refining soil management strategies in agriculture and support the development of evidence-based policies aimed at improving soil health and fostering ecological balance across Europe.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with therapeutic efficacy often hindered by the development of multidrug resistance. Consequently, alternative strategies to slow down tumor progression warrant rigorous investigation. Bioactive molecules derived from tissues and organs have shown potential therapeutic properties for several diseases. We investigated the biological role of soluble bioactive factors derived from lyophilized porcine freeze-dried lung tissue (FDLT), as they may contain tumor-suppressing components involved in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC H1975 and PC9 cell lines were treated with FDLT at concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL. Cell cycle analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assays were performed to assess cell proliferation and cell death activation. In parallel, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were detected by qRT-PCR. Our findings showed that FDLT treatment reduced the viability of H1975 and PC9 cells in a dose-dependent manner, along with significant suppression of cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, FDLT treatment altered the cell cycle phases and determined a concomitant reduction of cyclin D1 levels as well as induction of mitochondria depolarization by suppressing MMP. Finally, qRT-PCR revealed significant downregulation of EMT-related genes vimentin and N-cadherin, along with the EMT transcription factor Twist. These findings highlight soluble FDLT-derived biomolecules as a potential tool to design alternative treatment strategies for NSCLC.