New Ostreopsis species record along Cyprus coast: toxic effect and preliminary characterization of chemical-molecular aspects

The genus Ostreopsis E.J. Schmidt includes harmful benthic species that have been reported worldwide in both tropical and temperate regions. To date, genetic studies stated that Mediterranean Sea hosts two genotypes corresponding to the morphotypes of O. cf. ovata and O. cf. siamensis; moreover, a new genotype of Ostreopsis sp. was found along Greece and Cyprus coasts. Nowadays, reliable data on harmful algal bloom and cases of poisoning associated in the eastern Mediterranean basin are still scarce. This study describes, for the first time, toxic effects and chemical-molecular aspects of the Cypriot genotype of Ostreopsis sp. (C1036-2013). Ecotoxicological bioassays were performed exposing A. salina nauplii to the following treatments of Ostreopsis sp.: untreated culture, filtered and resuspended cells in fresh medium, resuspended and sonicated cells in fresh medium, growth medium devoid of algal cells by 6 \u3bcm (mucilage remains in the treatment) and 0.22 \u3bcm mesh size filtration. Our results show higher toxic effects (mortality and immobility) with the untreated Ostreopsis sp. culture (LC 50-48h = 45 cells/ml, EC 50-48h = 7 cells/ml). As regard lethal effects, the Cypriot strain seems to be less toxic than the most widespread species O. cf. ovata (LC 50-48h < 4 cells/ml), though further studies are needed to better understand the toxicity of this new genotype. Additionally, preliminary data on its toxic profile reports presence of new palytoxin-like compounds and the lack of palytoxin and all ovatoxins so far known, confirming the possibility of being considered a different specie

A Novel Xeno-Free Method to Isolate Human Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (E-MSCs) in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Conditions

The cyclic regeneration of human endometrium is guaranteed by the proliferative capacity of endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells (E-MSCs). Due to this, the autologous infusion of E-MSCs has been proposed to support endometrial growth in a wide range of gynecological diseases. We aimed to compare two different endometrial sampling methods, surgical curettage and vacuum aspiration biopsy random assay (VABRA), and to validate a novel xeno-free method to culture human E-MSCs. Six E-MSCs cell samples were isolated after mechanical tissue homogenization and cultured using human platelet lysate. E-MSCs were characterized for the colony formation capacity, proliferative potential, and multilineage differentiation. The expression of mesenchymal and stemness markers were tested by FACS analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. Chromosomal alterations were evaluated by karyotype analysis, whereas tumorigenic capacity and invasiveness were tested by soft agar assay. Both endometrial sampling techniques allowed efficient isolation and expansion of E-MSCs using a xeno-free method, preserving their mesenchymal and stemness phenotype, proliferative potential, and limited multi-lineage differentiation ability during the culture. No chromosomal alterations and invasive/tumorigenic capacity were observed. Herein, we report the first evidence of efficient E-MSCs isolation and culture in Good Manufacturing Practice compliance conditions, suggesting VABRA endometrial sampling as alternative to surgical curettage

Comparing CT colonography and flexible sigmoidoscopy: A randomised trial within a population-based screening programme

The role of CT colonography (CTC) as a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test is uncertain. The aim of our trial was to compare participation and detection rate (DR) with sigmoidoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS)) and CTC in a screening setting

Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, -10, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 are associated with vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes: The EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study

Impaired regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) may contribute to vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes. We investigated associations between plasma MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10 and TIMP-1, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or microvascular complications in type 1 diabetic patients. We also evaluated to which extent these associations could be explained by low-grade inflammation (LGI) or endothelial dysfunction (ED). Methods: 493 type 1 diabetes patients (39.5 ± 9.9 years old, 51% men) from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study were included. Linear regression analysis was applied to investigate differences in plasma levels of MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10, and TIMP-1 between patients with and without CVD, albuminuria or retinopathy. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, duration of diabetes, Hba1c and additionally for other cardiovascular risk factors including LGI and ED. Results: Patients with CVD (n = 118) showed significantly higher levels of TIMP-1 [β = 0.32 SD (95%CI: 0.12; 0.52)], but not of MMPs, than patients without CVD (n = 375). Higher plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-10 and TIMP-1 were associated with higher levels of albuminuria (p-trends were 0.028, 0.004, 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). Severity of retinopathy was significantly associated with higher levels of MMP-2 (p-trend = 0.017). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for markers of LGI and ED. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that impaired regulation of matrix remodeling by actions of MMP-2, -3 and-10 and TIMP-1 contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular complications in type 1 diabetes

Prevalence of nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasia: an italian multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of nonpolypoid lesions (NPLs) in Italy and their risk of containing neoplasia or advanced histology.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter cross-sectional observational study on consecutive patients undergoing total colonoscopy over a 3-month period in 80 Italian centers.RESULTS: In all, 27,400 total colonoscopies were analyzed. Cancer was diagnosed in 801 patients (2.9 %). A total of 6553 precancerous lesions were detected in 5609 patients. Of these, 4154 patients (74.1 %) had polypoid lesions and 1455 patients (25.9 %) had NPLs. Therefore, the prevalence of NPLs was 5.3 % (95 %CI 5.0 - 5.6). NPLs larger than 10 mm were detected in 254 patients (17.5 %). NPLs were more predominant in the proximal colon (OR 2.92, 95 %CI 2.56 - 3.43; P &lt; 0.0001 vs. polypoid lesions). Neoplastic tissue was diagnosed in 79.0 % and advanced histology (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or more) in 20.9 % of resected lesions. The risk of advanced histology was similar for polypoid and nonpolypoid lesions when adjusted for size. Depressed lesions had the highest risk of advanced histology (OR 10.56, 95 %CI 6.02 - 18.55; P &lt; 0.0000 vs. flat-elevated). Age was an independent predictor of both neoplasia and advanced histology ( P = 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: NPLs are relatively common in the Italian population, with a prevalence similar to that in other Western series. NPLs are not more aggressive than polypoid lesions, except for those with depressed morphology