Unraveling Audiovisual Perception Across Space and Time: A Neuroinspired Computational Architecture.

Accurate perception of audiovisual stimuli depends crucially on the spatial and temporal properties of each sensory component, with multisensory enhancement only occurring if those components are presented in spatiotemporal congruency. Although spatial localization and temporal detection of audiovisual signals have each been extensively studied, the neural mechanisms underlying their joint influence, particularly in spatiotemporally misaligned contexts, remain poorly understood. Moreover, empirical dissection of their respective contributions to behavioral outcomes proves challenging when spatial and temporal disparities are introduced concurrently.

Systematic Review on Microtia: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.

Background: Microtia is a congenital outer ear deformity that causes the auricle to be absent or underdeveloped. It is frequently associated with external auditory canal atresia and causes hearing and psychosocial problems.

Objectives: We thoroughly investigate the aspects of microtia and explore both current and innovative therapies.

Decomposition frequency optimization in wavelet-based template matching algorithms to manage P300 latency jitter.

Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are modifications of the brain activity in response to external sensory stimulation. P300 is a positive ERP component that occurs 300 ms after the presentation of a rare stimulus and indicates conscious perception of an unexpected change in sensory stimulation. Since the amplitude of ERPs is comparable to that of background electroencephalography, the most widespread approach to render ERPs correctly detectable is time-domain averaging.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objectives: Distant metastasis (DM), though uncommon at initial presentation, significantly worsens the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). This review aimed to investigate the occurrence rates, patterns, and implications of HNSCC DM.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science.

Synergy of the mirror neuron system and the mentalizing system in a single brain and between brains during joint actions.

Cooperative action involves the simulation of actions and their co-representation by two or more people. This requires the involvement of two complex brain systems: the mirror neuron system (MNS) and the mentalizing system (MENT), both of critical importance for successful social interaction. However, their internal organization and the potential synergy of both systems during joint actions (JA) are yet to be determined.

Mechanical characterization of porcine ureter for the evaluation of tissue-engineering applications.

Clinics increasingly require readily deployable tubular substitutes to restore the functionality of structures like ureters and blood vessels. Despite extensive exploration of various materials, both synthetic and biological, the optimal solution remains elusive. Drawing on abundant literature experiences, there is a pressing demand for a substitute that not only emulates native tissue by providing requisite signals and growth factors but also exhibits appropriate mechanical resilience and behaviour.

Hybrid Materials for Vascular Applications: A Preliminary In Vitro Assessment.

The production of biomedical devices able to appropriately interact with the biological environment is still a great challenge. Synthetic materials are often employed, but they fail to replicate the biological and functional properties of native tissues, leading to a variety of adverse effects. Several commercial products are based on chemically treated xenogeneic tissues: their principal drawback is due to weak mechanical stability and low durability.

Tumor budding to investigate local invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of head and neck carcinoma: A systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review is to shed light on the role of tumor budding (TB) in the biology, behavior, and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A search was run in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases following PRISMA guidelines. After full-text screening and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 36 articles were included.

Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Role for Angiogenesis Markers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review.

Despite refinements to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches over the last two decades, the outcome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not shown substantial improvements, especially regarding those with advanced-stage disease. Angiogenesis is believed to be a turning point in the development of solid tumors, being a premise for mass growth and potential distant dissemination. Cancer-induced angiogenesis is a result of increased expression of angiogenic factors, decreased expression of anti-angiogenic factors, or a combination of both.

Tumor Microenvironment in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic, Narrative Review.

Although diagnosis and treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) improved in recent years, no factors have yet been identified as being capable of predicting tumor growth. Molecular rearrangements occur in neoplasms before any macroscopic morphological changes become visible, and the former are the underlying cause of disease behavior. Tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses cellular and non-cellular elements interacting together, resulting in a complex and dynamic key of tumorigenesis, drug response, and treatment outcome.

Chitin nanofibrils modulate mechanical response in tympanic membrane replacements.

The tympanic membrane (TM), is a thin tissue lying at the intersection of the outer and the middle ear. TM perforations caused by traumas and infections often result in a conductive hearing loss. Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach for reconstructing the damaged TM by replicating the native material characteristics.

Decrease of cancer diagnosis during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many health services, including cancer care, have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. This study aimed at providing a systematic review of the impact of the epidemic on cancer diagnostic tests and diagnosis worldwide. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, databases such as Pubmed, Proquest and Scopus were searched comprehensively for articles published between January 1st, 2020 and December 12th, 2021.

Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles Conjugated with Dexamethasone Prevent Cisplatin Ototoxicity In Vitro.

The conjugation of drugs with nanoparticles represents an innovative approach for controlled and targeted administration of therapeutic agents. Nanoparticle-based systems have been tested for the inner ear therapy, increasing the drug diffusion and being detected in all parts of the cochlea when locally applied near the round window. In this study, glycerol monooleate liquid crystalline NanoParticles were conjugated with Dexamethasone (NPD), a hydrophobic drug already used for inner ear treatments but defective in solubility and bioavailability.

Global Association of COVID-19 Pandemic Measures with Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has put a serious strain on health services, including cancer treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes in cancer treatment worldwide during the first phase of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Data Sources: Pubmed, Proquest, and Scopus databases were searched comprehensively for articles published between 1 January 2020 and 12 December 2021, in order to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following the PRISMA statement.

Erratum: miR-199a-3p increases the anti-tumor activity of palbociclib in liver cancer models.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.

Characterization of a decellularized rat larynx: comparison between microscopy techniques.

Background: No effective method has yet been developed to efficiently reconstruct the larynx and restore its function. Decellularization has recently been tested for this purpose with very promising results. The goal of decellularization is to remove cells leaving an intact scaffold made of an extracellular matrix (ECM).

Multi-modal and multi-subject modular organization of human brain networks.

The human brain is a complex network of anatomically interconnected brain areas. Spontaneous neural activity is constrained by this architecture, giving rise to patterns of statistical dependencies between the activity of remote neural elements. The non-trivial relationship between structural and functional connectivity poses many unsolved challenges about cognition, disease, development, learning and aging.

miR-199a-3p increases the anti-tumor activity of palbociclib in liver cancer models.

Palbociclib is in early-stage clinical testing in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated whether the anti-tumor activity of palbociclib, which prevents the CDK4/6-mediated phosphorylation of RB1 but simultaneously activates AKT signaling, could be improved by its combination with a PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor in liver cancer models. The selective pan-AKT inhibitor, MK-2206, or the microRNA-199a-3p were tested in combination with palbociclib in HCC cell lines and in the TG221 HCC transgenic mouse model.

Global Association of COVID-19 Pandemic Measures With Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Public health services, including cancer screening tests, have been affected by the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Objective: To investigate the pandemic's association with cancer screening worldwide.

Data Sources: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus were searched comprehensively for articles published between January 1, 2020, and December 12, 2021.

Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Molecular Markers Involved in Carcinogenesis, Behavior, and Prognosis: A Systematic Review.

Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is an uncommon malignancy with a poor prognosis in advanced cases. The dismal outcome of advanced TBSSC cases is largely due to the cancer's local aggressiveness and the complex anatomy of this region, as well as to persistent pitfalls in diagnosis and treatment. Molecular changes occur in malignancies before any morphological changes become visible, and are responsible for the disease's clinical behavior.

Neuron Compatibility and Antioxidant Activity of Barium Titanate and Lithium Niobate Nanoparticles.

The biocompatibility and the antioxidant activity of barium titanate (BaTiO) and lithium niobate (LiNbO) were investigated on a neuronal cell line, the PC12, to explore the possibility of using piezoelectric nanoparticles in the treatment of inner ear diseases, avoiding damage to neurons, the most delicate and sensitive human cells. The cytocompatibility of the compounds was verified by analysing cell viability, cell morphology, apoptotic markers, oxidative stress and neurite outgrowth. The results showed that BaTiO and LiNbO nanoparticles do not affect the viability, morphological features, cytochrome c distribution and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PC12 cells, and stimulate neurite branching.