The Gribov problem in Noncommutative QED

It is shown that in the noncommutative version of QED (NCQED) Gribov copies induced by the noncommutativity of space-time appear in the Landau gauge. This is a genuine effect of noncommutative geometry which disappears when the noncommutative parameter vanishes.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures. Published. The paper has been shortened and many references have been judged unnecessary or not suitable during the reviewing proces

LCA for a residential Italian multifamily building: a case study

The importance of the construction sector involves environmental, economic and social aspects. From an environmental point of view, the sector consumes about 60% of the mineral extraction from the lithosphere [1], and requires up to 40% of the total energy demand of an industrialized country [2]. Moreover, a huge amount of construction and demolition wastes are generated: 821 Mt/y only in Europe in 2012, i.e. 32.7% of the total amount of European waste [3-5]. An environmental friendly policy appears then necessary to improve the environmental performances of the sector. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania seropositivity in a sample population of Western Sicily (Italy)

Background: Leishmania is a vector-borne parasite responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania infantum seropositivity in a sample of Sicilian population.Methods: A total of 260 subjects were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and requested for an venous blood sample.Results: Overall, 36 subjects (13.8%) were seropositive against L. infantum with a statistically significant higher prevalence of positivity in older subjects (p=0.04). After adjustment for age, a higher risk for Leishmania seropositivity was found in subjects who had pets living outdoors and untreated with anti-pests, and in those who were current smokers (adj-OR = 2.95 and adj-OR = 3.11, respectively; p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our data confirm that Leishmania infections among Sicilian citizens can be considered relatively frequent, suggesting that a percentage of Leishmania seropositivity can be probably attributed to exposure to both old and new risk factors

Ultrasound Detection of Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms: A Case Report

The ultrasound definition of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCAs) is unclear. The threshold diameter to use for defining an extracranial carotid artery as aneurysmal is still debated. Similarly, the ultrasound method of choice for measuring the maximum diameter of ECCAs has not been agreed. In this paper we report the case of a patient with a fusiform aneurysm at the level of the carotid artery bifurcation and a large saccular aneurysm of the proximal internal carotid artery, and discuss the information essential to acquire when ECCAs are detected with ultrasound

SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL SCREENING OF LEISHMANIA INFECTION IN DOGS AND CATS: THE ROLE OF THE VETERINARIAN IN A HIGHLY ENDEMIC AREA IN SICILY

Western Sicily is an active focus for canine and feline leishmaniosis in the Mediterranean area. The results of the present study indicate a high exposure rate to Leishmania (about 33% dogs and 44% cats result positive or suspected) in a random population, suggesting that they are infected with L. infantum. Moreover, 5 dogs and 1 cat previously classified as apparently healthy were seropositive with a titer ≥1:160. In conclusion, veterinary surveillance of dogs/cats could help to control the increase of L. infantum infections, especially in areas of high endemicity

SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL SCREENING OF LEISHMANIA INFECTION IN DOGS AND CATS: THE ROLE OF THE VETERINARIAN IN A HIGHLY ENDEMIC AREA IN SICILY

BACKGROUND Leishmaniosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania spp. with a wide spectrum of clinical signs, lymphadenomegaly, skinocular lesions, weight loss, signs of renal failure [1,2]. Many subclinical cases of leishmaniasis without illness could play an important role in the maintenance of Leishmania infection in endemic areas. Veterinary surveillance of dogs/cats owners could help to update the seroprevalence status of Leishmania infantum infection in a random court of sick and apparently healthy dogs and cats from western Sicily (Bagheria and neighboring areas) using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 268 dogs and 9 cats living in western Sicily were randomly sampled during the 2020 year. Specific antibodies to L. infantum were detected using the IFAT against in-house cultured promastigotes. Leishmania strain was used as an antigen fixed on multispot microscope slides. The feline and canine sera were both prepared by serial 2-fold dilutions (1:40 to 1:5120) in phosphate buffered saline and added to the antigen-coated wells. Fluorescent anti-cat/anti-dog immunoglobulin G antibody was used for detection. CONCLUSION Western Sicily is an active focus for canine and feline leishmaniosis in the Mediterranean area. The results of the present study indicate a high exposure rate to Leishmania (about 33% dogs and 44% cats result positive or suspected) in a random population, suggesting that they are infected with L. infantum. Moreover, 5 dogs and 1 cat previously classified as apparently healthy were seropositive with a titer ≥1:160. In conclusion, veterinary surveillance of dogs/cats could help to control the increase of L. infantum infections, especially in areas of high endemicity. RESULTS 49/268 (18.3%) sampled dogs tested positive to IFAT with a titer ≥1:160 and 40/268 (15%) tested suspected (titers 1:40-1:80), for L.infantum infection (Table 1). An additional 2/9 (22.2%) cats were seropositive with a titer of 1:160 and 2/9 (22.2%) cats were seropositive with a titer of 1:80 (Table 1). Figure 1 shows geographical distribution of L. infantum seroprevalenc in dogs/cats sampled from western Sicily. CONCLUSION Western Sicily is an active focus for canine and feline leishmaniosis in the Mediterranean area. The results of the present study indicate a high exposure rate to Leishmania (about 33% dogs and 44% cats result positive or suspected) in a random population, suggesting that they are infected with L. infantum. Moreover, 5 dogs and 1 cat previously classified as apparently healthy were seropositive with a titer ≥1:160. In conclusion, veterinary surveillance of dogs/cats could help to control the increase of L. infantum infections, especially in areas of high endemicity

EVALUATION OF RPMI-PY MEDIUM FOR TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI AND DIFFERENT LEISHMANIA SPECIES

Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. are causal agents of a number of parasitic diseases. Culture media can be divided into 3 main categories: semisolid, biphasic, and liquid. While biphasic and semisolid culture media need blood, an important factor for the reproduction of parasites, most liquid media require fetal calf serum or erythrocyte lysate. A culture media RPMI-PY demonstrated a good performance in terms of time and parasitic load of L. infantum compared to other culture media. The aim of the work was to evaluate the performance of RPMI-PY medium in different Leishmania species and also to evaluate in T. cruzi culture. RPMI-PY is likely to be valuable additions to laboratory practice in light of the relatively simple recipes, general availability of the components, and in terms of suitability because rabbit breeding is not necessary and the costs are lowered and can be used for all Leishmania species and to cultivate T. cruzi

"Stilbene ST18, terfenile TR4 e carrier innovativi: effetti in cellule di Leishmania spp. ed in modelli sperimentali in vivo".

Convegno Nazionale I RISULTATI DELL’ATTIVITÁ DI RICERCA DELL’IZS SICILI

STILBENE ST18 AND TERFENYL TR4: IN VITRO ACTIVITY AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors that are found only in the Americas. Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis are life-threatening illnesses caused by the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. They are known as “neglected diseases” due to the lack of effective drug treatments and the scarcity of research work devoted to them. Therefore, the development of novel and effective drugs is an important and urgent need. Natural products are an important source of bioactive molecules for the development of new drugs. Recently, studies showed an interesting cytotoxic action of Stilbene ST18 and the Terphenyl TR4 compounds in Leishmania. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro trypanocidal activity of ST18 and TR4 and Nifurtimox, drug used for the treatment of Chagas disease. In addition, we evaluated the compounds action in infected macrophages with Trypanosoma cruzi. Results showed that three compounds exhibited significant activity against Trypanosoma compared to Nifurtimox. ST18 and TR4 compounds inhibited Trypanosoma growth with IC50 values of 4.5 and 32 μM, respectively. The treatment of infected macrophages with trypanosomes with the IC90 compounds showed a reduction of infection compared to control: ST18 reduced the infected cells to 52 %, TR4 reduced the infected cells to 63%. In conclusion, these news compounds could be considered as promising lead drugs for the development of new therapies for the treatment of Chagas disease