Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in patients afferent to the Hospital of Desio (Monza e Brianza), Italy

From may 2008 to June 2010 we have analyzed faecal samples of 2306 subjects: in the subjects was performed the coproparassitological standard examination and in 523 of them was performed scotch test. Of the 2306 subjects examined, 101 resulted positive, 59 to the coproparasitological exam, 43 to scotch test, and 1 to both of them (Taenia spp.). In three cases we have found positivity for two different parassitological species. Pathogenic parasites were found in 77 cases, 61 autoctones and 16 immigrates. The helminths found were Enterobius vermicularis, the prevalent, and Taenia spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphillobothrium latum, Trichuris Trichiura, while the Protozoa were Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar. Non pathogenic species were found in 27 cases, 15 among autoctones and 12 among immigrates: in detail Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Blastocystis hominis. The total prevalence of parassitosis is low (4,2%), 20,0% in immigrate subjects and 3,4% in native subjects. Our results show that the 0-10 age group have an higher prevalence for Enterobius vermicularis. Some considerations are related for improving the complete or more exhaustive diagnosis concerning the intestinal parasitosis

Efficacy and safety of emapalumab in macrophage activation syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). The objective of this study was to confirm the adequacy of an emapalumab dosing regimen in relation to interferon-γ (IFNγ) activity by assessing efficacy and safety. The efficacy outcome was MAS remission by week 8, based on clinical and laboratory criteria. METHODS: We studied emapalumab, a human anti-IFNγ antibody, administered with background glucocorticoids, in a prospective single-arm trial involving patients who had MAS secondary to sJIA or AOSD and had previously failed high-dose glucocorticoids, with or without anakinra and/or ciclosporin. The study foresaw 4-week treatment that could be shortened or prolonged based on investigator's assessment of response. Patients entered a long-term (12 months) follow-up study. RESULTS: Fourteen patients received emapalumab. All patients completed the trial, entered the long-term follow-up and were alive at the end of follow-up. The investigated dosing regimen, based on an initial loading dose followed by maintenance doses, was appropriate, as shown by rapid neutralisation of IFNγ activity, demonstrated by a prompt decrease in serum C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) levels. By week 8, MAS remission was achieved in 13 of the 14 patients at a median time of 25 days. Viral infections and positive viral tests were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Neutralisation of IFNγ with emapalumab was efficacious in inducing remission of MAS secondary to sJIA or AOSD in patients who had failed high-dose glucocorticoids. Screening for viral infections should be performed, particularly for cytomegalovirus. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02069899 and NCT03311854

BACE1 RNAi restores the composition of phosphatidylethanolamine-derivates related to memory improvement in aged 3xTg-AD mice

ABSTRACT: β-amyloid (Aβ) is produced by the β-secretase 1 (BACE1)-mediated enzymatic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein through the amyloidogenic pathway, making BACE1 a therapeutic target against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alterations in lipid metabolism are a risk factor for AD by an unknown mechanism. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of RNA interference against BACE1 (shBACEmiR) on the phospholipid profile in hippocampal CA1 area in aged 3xTg-AD mice after 6 and 12 months of treatment compared to aged PS1KI mice. The shBACEmiR treatment induced cognitive function recovery and restored mainly the fatty acid composition of lysophosphatidylethanolamine and etherphosphatidylethanolamine, reduced the cPLA2’s phosphorylation, down-regulated the levels of arachidonic acid and COX2 in the hippocampi of 3xTg-AD mice. Together, our findings suggest, for the first time, that BACE1 silencing restores phospholipids composition which could favor the recovery of cellular homeostasis and cognitive function in the hippocampus of triple transgenic AD mice. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, phospholipids, BACE1, RNA interference, hippocampus, cognitive functio

European Atlas of Natural Radiation

Natural ionizing radiation is considered as the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world population. The human population is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources that can be classified into two broad categories: high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and radioactive nuclides generated during the formation of the Earth and still present in the Earth’s crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium and thorium radioactive families together with potassium. In most circumstances, radon, a noble gas produced in the radioactive decay of uranium, is the most important contributor to the total dose. This Atlas aims to present the current state of knowledge of natural radioactivity, by giving general background information, and describing its various sources. This reference material is complemented by a collection of maps of Europe displaying the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources. It is a compilation of contributions and reviews received from more than 80 experts in their field: they come from universities, research centres, national and European authorities and international organizations. This Atlas provides reference material and makes harmonized datasets available to the scientific community and national competent authorities. In parallel, this Atlas may serve as a tool for the public to: • familiarize itself with natural radioactivity; • be informed about the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources; • have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor; • and make direct comparisons between doses from natural sources of ionizing radiation and those from man-made (artificial) ones, hence to better understand the latter.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Atrial fibrillation genetic risk differentiates cardioembolic stroke from other stroke subtypes

AbstractObjectiveWe sought to assess whether genetic risk factors for atrial fibrillation can explain cardioembolic stroke risk.MethodsWe evaluated genetic correlations between a prior genetic study of AF and AF in the presence of cardioembolic stroke using genome-wide genotypes from the Stroke Genetics Network (N = 3,190 AF cases, 3,000 cardioembolic stroke cases, and 28,026 referents). We tested whether a previously-validated AF polygenic risk score (PRS) associated with cardioembolic and other stroke subtypes after accounting for AF clinical risk factors.ResultsWe observed strong correlation between previously reported genetic risk for AF, AF in the presence of stroke, and cardioembolic stroke (Pearson’s r=0.77 and 0.76, respectively, across SNPs with p &lt; 4.4 × 10−4 in the prior AF meta-analysis). An AF PRS, adjusted for clinical AF risk factors, was associated with cardioembolic stroke (odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation (sd) = 1.40, p = 1.45×10−48), explaining ∼20% of the heritable component of cardioembolic stroke risk. The AF PRS was also associated with stroke of undetermined cause (OR per sd = 1.07, p = 0.004), but no other primary stroke subtypes (all p &gt; 0.1).ConclusionsGenetic risk for AF is associated with cardioembolic stroke, independent of clinical risk factors. Studies are warranted to determine whether AF genetic risk can serve as a biomarker for strokes caused by AF.</jats:sec

Evaluation of an automated method for urinocolture screening

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are one of the most common diseases found in medical practice and are diagnosed with traditional methods of cultivation on plates. In this study we evaluated an automated instrumentation for screening of the urinocultures that can provide results quickly and guarantee traceability. The comparison of results obtained with automatic and plate methods is reported. Methods: 316 urine samples including midstream urine, urine catheter and urine bag have been analyzed by Alfred 60 (Alifax) through light scattering technology that measures the replication of the bacteria. Simultaneously, the samples were sown on agar plates CPS3,Agar Cled, Mc Conkey Agar. Results:A total of 316 samples were analyzed by the automated method, 190 resulted negative, all confirmed by culture, while 126 were found positive. 82 cases were confirmed positive in culture plate, 65 with significant isolation of bacteria and 17 with polymicrobial flora with a significant charge. 44 cases were negative in culture plate but positive for the automated method. Conclusions: The absence of false negative results at low charges can represent a starting point to introduce an automated method for urinocolture screening

Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in patients afferent to the Hospital of Desio (Monza e Brianza), Italy

From may 2008 to June 2010 we have analyzed faecal samples of 2306 subjects: in the subjects was performed the coproparassitological standard examination and in 523 of them was performed scotch test. Of the 2306 subjects examined, 101 resulted positive, 59 to the coproparasitological exam, 43 to scotch test, and 1 to both of them (Taenia spp.). In three cases we have found positivity for two different parassitological species. Pathogenic parasites were found in 77 cases, 61 autoctones and 16 immigrates. The helminths found were Enterobius vermicularis, the prevalent, and Taenia spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphillobothrium latum, Trichuris Trichiura, while the Protozoa were Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar. Non pathogenic species were found in 27 cases, 15 among autoctones and 12 among immigrates: in detail Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Blastocystis hominis. The total prevalence of parassitosis is low (4,2%), 20,0% in immigrate subjects and 3,4% in native subjects. Our results show that the 0-10 age group have an higher prevalence for Enterobius vermicularis. Some considerations are related for improving the complete or more exhaustive diagnosis concerning the intestinal parasitosis