Azione di estratti polifenolici naturali sul ceppo probiotico <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> ATCC 12116

La presente indagine ha lo scopo di studiare il comportamento del ceppo probiotico Lactobacillus casei ATCC 12116 in presenza di estratti naturali ricchi di polifenoli. Gli estratti sono stati preparati a partire sia da mieli sardi di diversa origine botanica che da droghe essiccate reperite attraverso i canali commerciali, e in essi sono stati determinati i polifenoli presenti. Attualmente, utilizzando tecniche microbiologiche standard, si stanno valutando la vitalità e la crescita del microrganismo in presenza di varie concentrazioni di questi estratti e in varie condizioni sperimentali. Sul poster saranno discussi in dettaglio i risultati ottenuti

Bacterial and viral investigations combined with determination of phytoplankton and algal biotoxins in mussels and water from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

Calich Lagoon is a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located along the northwestern coast of Sardinia (Italy). The connection to marine and fresh water determines the high productivity of this coastal lagoon. Despite its great potential and the presence of natural beds of bivalve mollusks (Mytilus galloprovincialis), the lagoon has not yet been classified for shellfish production. In this study, through a multidisciplinary approach, the presence of several bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio spp.) and viral pathogens (hepatitis A virus and norovirus genogroups I and II) was evaluated from March 2017 to February 2018. In addition, phytoplankton composition in lagoon waters and associated algal biotoxins (paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning) in mussels were also monitored. The aim of this study was to provide useful data to improve knowledge about their seasonal presence and to assess the potential risk for public health, as well as to provide input for future conservation and management strategies. In mussels, Salmonella spp. were found in spring, along with E. coli, but Salmonella spp. were not found in autumn or winter, even though E. coli was detected in these seasons. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was found in autumn and winter, but not in spring. Norovirus genogroups I and II were found in winter samples. None of the bacteria were found in summer. Algal biotoxins have never been detected in mussel samples. Among potentially harmful phytoplankton, only Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were present, mainly in summer. The results showed that a possible bacterial and viral contamination, together with the presence of potentially toxic microalgae, is a real problem. Therefore, the development of natural resource management strategies is necessary to ensure the good quality of waters and guarantee the protection of consumers

Bipolar disorder and Premenstrual Syndrome or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder comorbidity: a systematic review Comorbidade entre o Transtorno Bipolar e Síndrome Pré-menstrual ou Transtorno Disfórico Pré-menstrual: uma revisão sistemática

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to review the comorbidity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), identify variables requiring further investigation and to remind physicians that special care is required for diagnosis and therapy. METHOD: A systematic review of articles published from 1987 to February 2012 was conducted in the Medline database with the following terms: (premenstrual syndrome OR premenstrual dysphoric disorder OR premenstrual) AND (bipolar OR mania OR manic). Seventeen articles were analyzed. RESULTS: PMS and PMDD were most often comorbid among BD-II patients and vice versa. Moreover, patients with PMS or PMDD also have an increased risk of having BD-I. In addition, bipolar women susceptible to hormonal changes exhibit more severe symptoms, more frequent relapses and a worse therapeutic response. CONCLUSION: Future investigations should attempt to stabilize hormonal levels through the continuous use of contraceptives to target a reduction in symptom severity. In addition, psychiatrists should note menstrual period dates and compare symptom intensity between the luteal and follicular phases. Finally, PMS and PMDD patients should be studied separately.<br>OBJETIVO: Esse artigo tem como objetivo revisar a comorbidade entre a Síndrome Pré-Menstrual (SPM) ou Transtorno Disfórico Pré-Menstrual (TDPM) e o Transtorno Bipolar (TB), identificar as variáveis que exigem uma investigação mais aprofundada e lembrar os médicos que as mulheres necessitam de cuidados especiais para diagnóstico e tratamento. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de 1987 a fevereiro de 2012 através da base de dados Medline utilizando os seguintes descritores: (premenstrual syndrome OR premenstrual dysphoric disorder OR premenstrual) AND (bipolar OR mania OR manic). Dezessete artigos foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Pacientes com SPM ou TDPM possuem comorbidade com TB-II com maior frequência e vice-versa. Mulheres com SPM ou TDPM também possuem um risco aumentado apresentar TB-I. Além disso, as mulheres bipolares suscetíveis a mudanças hormonais cursam com sintomas mais graves, recaídas mais freqüentes e pior resposta terapêutica. CONCLUSÃO: Futuras investigações devem estabilizar os níveis hormonais com o uso contínuo de contraceptivos na tentativa de diminuir a gravidade dos sintomas. Além disso, psiquiatras devem observar os períodos menstruais e comparar a intensidade dos sintomas entre as fases folicular e lútea. Pacientes com SPM ou TDPM devem ser estudadas separadamente

Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of stem-like cells in human papillary thyroid carcinoma B-CPAP cell line

Several kinds of tumors and cancer cell lines may contain a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) (Setoguchi et al., 2004). In this study, we attempted to enrich CSCs from the PTC-derived B-CPAP cell line using the sphere culture system, in order to molecularly and cytogenetically characterize them. B-CPAP cell lines were able to grow as floating spheres (thyrospheres) in serum-free medium supplemented with EGF and bFGF. Thyrospheres were able to expand for more than 20 passages, with exponentiallyincreasing sphere-forming efficiency and self-renewal, up to passage 8. RT-PCR analysis showed that stem cell markers Oct 4 and Nanog were expressed at the same level in both B-CPAP adherent cells and thyrospheres, whereas ABCG2 and ALDH1A1 were expressed more in thyrospheres. Moreover, thyroid differentiation markers TTF1 and PAX8 were both expressed in B-CPAP thyrospheres and adherent cells, although TTF1 expression was reduced in thyrospheres. Expression of ALDHA1 protein was present only in thyropspheres, while CK19 protein, a differentiation epithelial marker, was expressed only in adherent cells. Spectral karyotyping imaging investigation showed a more complex karyotype, with additional chromosomal rearrangements in thyrospheres as compared to adherent cells, in keeping with possible higher genomic instability of CSCs. Stem-like cells from thyrospheres were isolated by flow cytometry cell sorting assay, using the lipophylic fluorescent dye PKH26. Two cell populations were isolated: the brightest (PKH26 High) making up putative stem cells and the dimmest (PKH26 Low) representing proliferating cells. PKH26 High retained the ability to form secondary spheres and showed increased expression of stem cell markers as compared to PKH26 Low. As expected, differentiated markers were expressed more in PKH26 Low. As a whole, our data suggest that the B-CPAP cell line contains cells with stem-like features, including genomic instability. Supported by Regione Autonoma Sardegna, POR -FSE 2007–2013