Human Illnesses Caused by Opisthorchis felineus Flukes, Italy

We report 2 outbreaks of Opisthorchis felineus infection caused by the consumption of tench filets (Tinca tinca) from a lake in Italy. Of the 22 infected persons, 10 (45.4%) were asymptomatic. When present, symptoms (fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and myalgias) were mild. Eosinophilia occurred in all infected persons

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Effect of Tributyltin on porcine endothelial cell integrity

OBJECTIVE. Many physiological imbalances are nowadays attributed to toxic compounds widespread in the environment, among these, organotins, including tributyltin (TBT), exert generic cytotoxic effect including oxidative stress but also tissue-specific effects such as endocrine disruptors. TBT was already found in human blood and accumulated in endothelial cells at mitochondrial level. A correlation between TBT and cardiovascular disease it has been hypothesized but incompletely demonstrated. To date very few studies analyzed the specific effects of TBT on endothelial cells, therefore in the present research we evaluated the effect of TBT on porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS pAECs were incubated with increasing dose of TBT (0, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000 nM) to evaluate cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and with TBT (100, 500 nM) for 1, 7, 15h to study the expression of some genes involved in endothelial integrity and in the inflammatory response. RESULTS: TBT reduced cell viability in a dose dependent manner , the flow cytometric data showed that TBT induced both apoptosis and necrosis with early apoptosis prevalent at the lowest doses and earliest times. Adhesion molecules exhibited a different response to TBT exposure, VCAM-1 was significantly reduced with both TBT concentrations starting from 7 h of exposure, ICAM-1 showed a transient decrease at early times and low dose while P-SEL significantly increased after 15 h of exposure at TBT 500 nM. TBT reduced the expression of molecules involved in cell-to-cell junctions: OCC-1 and ZO-1. IL-6 mRNA was transiently reduced at early times for both TBT doses, while after 15h of exposure at TBT 500 nM the IL-6 expression was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Overall we observed that TBT was toxic to pAECs and showed the ability to deeply interfere with expression of key genes involved in in the control of endothelial integrity

What is done when nothing special is being done: social theory e the power of the unmarked

Attività svolte: gestione e coordinamento dei partecipanti, prenotazioni alberghiere ed eventi culturali, gestione ordinativi stampe e materiali cartacei, gestione e smistamento posta elettronica, gestione richieste di fatturazione e attestati di partecipazione,collaborazione nella revisione dei contenuti e elaborazione grafica dei materiali

Deleterious effects of tributyltin on porcine vascular stem cells physiology

The vascular functional and structural integrity is essential for the maintenance of the whole organism and it has been demonstrated that different types of vascular progenitor cells resident in the vessel wall play an important role in this process. The purpose of the present research was to observe the effect of tributyltin (TBT), a risk factor for vascular disorders, on porcine Aortic Vascular Precursor Cells (pAVPCs) in term of cytotoxicity, gene expression profile, functionality and differentiation potential. We have demonstrated that pAVPCs morphology deeply changed following TBT treatment. After 48h a cytotoxic effect has been detected and Annexin binding assay demonstrated that TBT induced apoptosis. The transcriptional profile of characteristic pericyte markers has been altered: TBT 10nM substantially induced alpha-SMA, while, TBT 500nM determined a significant reduction of all pericyte markers. IL-6 protein was detected in the medium of pAVPCs treated with TBT at both doses studied and with a dose response. TBT has interfered with normal pAVPCs functionality preventing their ability to support a capillary-like network. In addition TBT has determined an increase of pAVPCs adipogenic differentiation. In conclusion in the present paper we have demonstrated that TBT alters the vascular stem cells in term of structure, functionality and differentiating capability, therefore effects of TBT in blood should be deeply explored to understand the potential vascular risk associated with the alteration of vascular stem cells physiology