The contribution of TEM to solving issues in the oogenesis of lower metazoans: a comparison between Acoela and rhabditophoran Platyhelminthes

The chapter reports data on the oogenesis and eggshell formation in some Acoela obtained by our group over the years by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cytochemical techniques. In this review we show how TEM and appropriate cytochemical methods have been helpful in clarifying issues related to female germ cell differentiation and more in general to the cellular aspects of the reproductive biology in these lower metazoans. The ultrastructural findings have been compared with those from other Acoelomorpha (Acoela + Nemertodermatida) and rhabditophoran Platyhelminthe

PMS53 Association Between Teriparatide Adherence and Health Care Utilization and Costs in Real World United States Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty Patients

The Gulf of Follonica (Italy) is impacted by the chemical pollution from ancient mining activity and present industrial processes. This study was aimed to determine the bioavailability of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in coastal marine environment and to assess the genotoxic potential of waste waters entering the sea from an industrial canal. Moderately high levels of DCLs compounds ( 11 PCDDs + PCDFs 2.18\u201329.00 pg/g dry wt) were detected in Mytilus galloprovincialis transplanted near the waste waters canal and their corresponding Toxic Equivalents (TEQs) calculated. In situ exposed mussels did not show any genotoxic effect (by Comet and Micronucleus assay). Otherwise, laboratory exposure to canal waters exhibited a reduced genomic template stability (by RAPD-PCR assay) but not DNA or chromosomal damage. Our data reveal the need to focus on the levels and distribution of DLCs in edible species from the study area considering their potential transfer to humans through the consumption of sea food

Complete intraperitoneal displacement of a double J stent: a first case.

OBJECTIVES: Ureteral double-J stents are known to migrate proximally and distally within the urinary tract, while perforation and stent displacement are uncommon. Possible mechanisms of displacement are either original malpositioning with ureteral perforation or subsequent fistula and erosion of the excretory system, due to infection or long permanence of the device. We present the unique case of complete intraperitoneal stent migration in a 59-year-old caucasian male without evidence of urinary fistula at the moment of diagnosis, so far an unreported complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight months after the placement of a double-J stent for lower right ureteral stricture at a district hospital, the patient came at our observation for urosepsis and hydro-uretero-nephrosis. A CT scan demonstrated intraperitoneal migration of the stent outside the urinary tract. Cystoscopy failed to visualize the lower extremity of the stent, a percutaneous nephrostomy was placed to drain the urinary system and the stent was removed through a small abdominal incision on the right lower quadrant. RESULTS: In our case we presume that during the positioning manoeuvre the guide wire perforated simultaneously the lower ureteral wall and the pelvic peritoneum, and that once the upper end of the stent was coiled, the lower extremity was also attracted intraperitoneally. The lack of pain due to the spinal lesion concurred to this unusual complication. CONCLUSIONS: We must be aware that ureteral double J stents may be found displaced even inside the peritoneal cavity, and that the use of retrograde pyelography during placement is of paramount importance to exclude misplacement of an apparently normally coiled upper extremity of the stent

Innovative Interprofessional Collaboration: Addressing the Need for Education for Health Center Workers around Patients\u27 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)

BACKGROUND: University of Rhode Island (URI) students in a graduate-level course, Interdisciplinary Teamwork in Health and Human Services, collaborated with a local health provider, Wood River Health Services (WRHS), to create training materials for its staff on the topic of sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI). WRHS is a federally-funded, comprehensive community health center located in a rural area of Rhode Island. It provides medical, dental, and mental health services. WRHS had been advised to enhance its attention to issues related to SOGI. OBJECTIVES The aims for this project were: 1. Assess needs and priorities of WRHS staff around knowledge and attitudes about SOGI and health care; 2. Create a training tool for staf fto enable them to facilitate patient comfort in disclosing SOGI-related information that would assist them in addressing individual needs of patients; 3. Provide students an opportunity to effectively learn and practice interprofessionally. METHODS The students--representing three different health fields (Occupational Therapy, Human Development and Family Studies, and Pharmacy)--researched SOGI issues related to their fields. Students met with WRHS staff to develop a clear understanding of the center’s barriers to adequately provide care to LGBTQ+ patients. They conducted a survey to assess staff attitudes and knowledge about SOGI terminology, health disparities, and the importance of a welcoming environment that informed the development of a training presentation. Staf can complete it at their convenience, and it can be used as part of onboarding new staff. Retrospective pre/post-tests were administered to students and WRHS staff. CONCLUSION Informational presentations are a useful tool for agencies looking to build capacity and comfort among staff around SOGI. Additionally, providing students with opportunities to learn with, from, and about each other is a critical component of health professions education.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/sexandgenderhealth/1020/thumbnail.jp

Unexpected thymoma in a challenging case of hyperparathyroidism

We report the case of a woman with primary hyperparathyroidism suspected of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma revealed to be a thymoma. Our aim was to focus on some possible criticisms in distinguishing between ectopic parathyroid and thymus

Brainstem neuropathology in two cases of COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 trafficking between brain and lung

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 might spread through the nervous system, reaching respiratory centers in the brainstem. Because we recently reported neurophysiological brainstem reflex abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, we here neuropathologically assessed structural brainstem damage in two COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: We assessed neuropathological features in two patients who died of COVID-19 and in two COVID-19 negative patients as controls. Neuronal damage and corpora amylacea (CA) numbers /mm2 were histopathologically assessed. Other features studied were the immunohistochemical expression of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (NP) and the Iba-1 antigen for glial activation. Results: Autopsies showed normal gross brainstem anatomy. Histopathological examination demonstrated increased neuronal and CA damage in Covid-19 patients’ medulla oblongata. Immunohistochemistry disclosed SARS-CoV-2 NP in brainstem neurons and glial cells, and in cranial nerves. Glial elements also exhibited a widespread increase in Iba-1 expression. Sars-Co-V2 was immunohistochemically detected in the vagus nerve fibers. Discussion: Neuropathologic evidence showing SARS-CoV-2 in the brainstem and medullary damage in the area of respiratory centers strongly suggests that the pathophysiology of COVID-19-related respiratory failure includes a neurogenic component. Sars-Co-V2 detection in the vagus nerve, argues for viral trafficking between brainstem and lung

Proteomics Profiling of Neuron-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles From Human Plasma: Enabling Single-Subject Analysis

Small extracellular vesicles have been intensively studied as a source of biomarkers in neurodegenerative disorders. The possibility to isolate neuron-derived small extracellular vesicles (NDsEV) from blood represents a potential window into brain pathological processes. To date, the absence of sensitive NDsEV isolation and full proteome characterization methods has meant their protein content has been underexplored, particularly for individual patients. Here, we report a rapid method based on an immunoplate covalently coated with mouse monoclonal anti-L1CAM antibody for the isolation and the proteome characterization of plasma-NDsEV from individual Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. We isolated round-shaped vesicles with morphological characteristics consistent with exosomes. On average, 349 ± 38 protein groups were identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, 20 of which are annotated in the Human Protein Atlas as being highly expressed in the brain, and 213 were shared with a reference NDsEV dataset obtained from cultured human neurons. Moreover, this approach enabled the identification of 23 proteins belonging to the Parkinson disease KEGG pathway, as well as proteins previously reported as PD circulating biomarkers

Inflammatory role of extracellular sphingolipids in Cystic Fibrosis

Ceramide is emerging as one of the players of inflammation in lung diseases. However, data on its inflammatory role in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as part of the extracellular machinery driven by lung mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are missing. We obtained an in vitro model of CF-MSC by treating control human lung MSCs with a specific CFTR inhibitor. We characterized EVs populations derived from MSCs (ctr EVs) and CF-MSCs (CF-EVs) and analyzed their sphingolipid profile by LC-MS/MS. To evaluate their immunomodulatory function, we treated an in vitro human model of CF, with both EVs populations. Our data show that the two EVs populations differ for the average size, amount, and rate of uptake. CF-EVs display higher ceramide and dihydroceramide accumulation as compared to control EVs, suggesting the involvement of the de novo biosynthesis pathway in the parental CF-MSCs. Higher sphingomyelinase activity in CF-MSCs, driven by inflammation-induced ceramide accumulation, sustains the exocytosis of vesicles that export new formed pro-inflammatory ceramide. Our results suggest that CFTR dysfunction associates with an enhanced sphingolipid metabolism leading to the release of EVs that export the excess of pro-inflammatory Cer to the recipient cells, thus contributing to maintain the unresolved inflammatory status of CF

Connexin 26 Expression in Mammalian Cardiomyocytes

Connexins are a family of membrane-spanning proteins named according to their molecular weight. They are known to form membrane channels mediating cell-cell communication, which play an essential role in the propagation of electrical activity in the heart. Cx26 has been described in a number of tissues but not in the heart, and its mutations are frequently associated with deafness and skin diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the possible Cx26 expression in heart tissues of different mammalian species and to demonstrate its localization at level of cardiomyocytes. Samples of pig, human and rat heart and H9c2 cells were used for our research. Immunohistochemical and molecular biology techniques were employed to test the expression of Cx26. Interestingly, this connexin was found in cardiomyocytes, at level of clusters scattered over the cell cytoplasm but not at level of the intercalated discs where the other cardiac connexins are usually located. Furthermore, the expression of Cx26 in H9c2 myoblast cells increased when they were differentiated into cardiac-like phenotype. To our knowledge, the expression of Cx26 in pig, human and rat has been demonstrated for the first time in the present paper