Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements in the Muscle of the Blackmouth Catshark Galeus melastomus from Mediterranean Waters

Environmental pollution, particularly in the marine environment, has become a significant concern due to the increasing presence of pollutants and their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the bioaccumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) from different areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Trace elements are of interest due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation. This research aims to assess the distribution and accumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of G. melastomus and investigate their potential impact on the deep-sea environment of the Mediterranean. The focused areas include the Ligurian Sea, the northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea, the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Pantelleria Waters, and the Gela Waters. Samples were collected following established protocols, and trace element analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The study provides data on the concentrations of 17 trace elements, namely aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, zinc, selenium, strontium, lead, chromium, iron, barium, bismuth, and uranium. The findings contribute to a better understanding of trace element bioaccumulation patterns in elasmobranch species, specifically G. melastomus, and highlight the potential risks associated with chemical contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. This research emphasizes the importance of studying the impacts of pollutants on marine organisms, particularly those occupying key ecological roles, like sharks, to support effective conservation and management strategies

Adjuvant High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Support for High-Risk Primary Breast Cancer: Results from the Italian National Registry

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A roadmap for amphibious drilling at the Campi Flegrei caldera: insights from a MagellanPlus workshop

Large calderas are among the Earth's major volcanic features. They are associated with large magma reservoirs and elevated geothermal gradients. Caldera-forming eruptions result from the withdrawal and collapse of the magma chambers and produce large-volume pyroclastic deposits and later-stage deformation related to post-caldera resurgence and volcanism. Unrest episodes are not always followed by an eruption; however, every eruption is preceded by unrest. The Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc), located along the eastern Tyrrhenian coastline in southern Italy, is close to the densely populated area of Naples. It is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth and represents a key example of an active, resurgent caldera. It has been traditionally interpreted as a nested caldera formed by collapses during the 100–200 km3 Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) eruption at ∼39 ka and the 40 km3 eruption of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) at ∼15 ka. Recent studies have suggested that the CI may instead have been fed by a fissure eruption from the Campanian Plain, north of Campi Flegrei. A MagellanPlus workshop was held in Naples, Italy, on 25–28 February 2017 to explore the potential of the CFc as target for an amphibious drilling project within the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP). It was agreed that Campi Flegrei is an ideal site to investigate the mechanisms of caldera formation and associated post-caldera dynamics and to analyze the still poorly understood interplay between hydrothermal and magmatic processes. A coordinated onshore–offshore drilling strategy has been developed to reconstruct the structure and evolution of Campi Flegrei and to investigate volcanic precursors by examining (a) the succession of volcanic and hydrothermal products and related processes, (b) the inner structure of the caldera resurgence, (c) the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the hydrothermal system and offshore sediments, and (d) the geological expression of the phreatic and hydromagmatic eruptions, hydrothermal degassing, sedimentary structures, and other records of these phenomena. The deployment of a multiparametric in situ monitoring system at depth will enable near-real-time tracking of changes in the magma reservoir and hydrothermal system

Alcohol drinking and risk of small for gestational age birth

To assess if alcohol drinking is a risk factor for small for gestational age (SGA) birth. Case-control study. Cases were 555 women (mean age 31 years, range 16-43) who delivered SGA babies at the Clinica Luigi Mangiagalli and the Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic of the University of Verona. The controls were 1966 women (mean age 31 years, range 14-43) who gave birth at term (> or =37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants of normal weight at the hospitals where cases had been identified. No increase in the risk of SGA birth was observed in women drinking one or two drinks/day in pregnancy, but three or more per day increased the risk: odds ratios (OR) were 3.2 (1.7-6.2) for > or =3 drinks during the first trimester, 2.7 (1.4-5.3) during the second and 2.9 (1.5-5.7) during the third. The study shows an increased risk of SGA births in mothers who drink > or =3 units/day of alcohol in pregnancy. Published online 22 February 2006

Mid-term repair durability after MitraClip implantation in patients with functional mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify variables that are associated with the durability of percutaneous repair of secondary mitral regurgitation at 6-month follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with functional mitral regurgitation scheduled for MitraClip implant were enrolled. Left ventricular (LV) volumes and function and mitral valve characteristics were assessed before and immediately after MitraClip implantation using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Five patients with an unsuccessful procedure were excluded. The other patients were subdivided according to repair durability: group 1 with a durable repair (19 patients, 65%) and group 2 with significant mitral regurgitation recurrence (11 patients, 35%). At baseline, group 1 patients had smaller and more elliptical mitral valve annulus (1055 ± 241 vs. 1273 ± 359 mm, P = 0.02 and 125 ± 11 vs. 117 ± 16%, P = 0.02), a smaller left atrial volume (54.1 ± 26 vs. 71.5 ± 20 ml, P = 0.005) and lower systolic pulmonary artery pressure (38 ± 11 vs. 49 ± 12 mmHg, P = 0.03). Baseline LV end systolic volume had a linear correlation with the 3D annulus area (P = 0.048) and an inverse correlation with annulus ellipticity (P = 0.021). Group 1 patients showed an increase in annulus ellipticity after MitraClip (125 ± 17 vs. 141 ± 23%, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous mitral valve repair leads to a significant and stable mitral regurgitation reduction in a large number of patients. Annulus dimensions and remodeling as well as left atrial area and pulmonary hypertension seem to be associated with durability of the procedure

2D/3D echocardiographic determinants of left ventricular reverse remodelling after mitraclip implantation

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe incidence and determinants of left ventricular reverse remodelling (r-LVR) at 6 months follow-up after MitraClip implantation in patients with secondary severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five patients, undergoing MitralClip implantation with low ejection fraction and high surgical risk were enrolled in this study. Three of them died before the scheduled 6 months follow-up period and one patient had cardiac surgery due to MitraClip detachment. All patients underwent transthoracic 2D and 3D echocardiography before and 6 months after the procedure. A significant MR severity reduction and an improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class were detected in all patients. The study population was divided in two groups according to the presence of r-LVR (51%, n = 23 patients) or not (non-rLVR group, 18 patients). Non-significant differences in MR aetiology and number of clips implanted were found. Left ventricular reverse remodelling patients showed significant lower values of logistic EuroSCORE and STS score, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDV/i), right ventricular end systolic area, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASp) at baseline evaluation. At multivariable analysis, baseline PASp value resulted to be the only independent predictor of r-LVR [odds ratio 95% confidence interval 0.94 (0.89-0.99), P = 0.021]. In r-LVR patients, a significant improvement in LVEF and global longitudinal strain and a reduction in left atrial volume index were detected after 6 months, whereas in non-rLVR subgroup a significant increase in both LVEDV/i and left ventricular end-systolic volume index was observed at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Even if a reduction of MR was detected in all patients after MitralClip implant, our findings suggest that end-stage patients presenting with higher left ventricular volumes, logistic scores, and PASp may not benefit from the procedure at longer follow-up in terms of left ventricular function

HMGA1 and HMGA2 protein expression in mouse spermatogenesis.

The high-mobility group A (HMGA) nonhistone chromosomal proteins HMGA1 and HMGA2 play a role in determining chromatin structure and in regulating the transcription of several genes. High levels of these proteins are characteristic of rapidly dividing cells in embryonic tissue and in tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the role of HMGA1 and HMGA2 throughout mouse spermatogenesis. Northern blot analysis and immunocytochemistry showed HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression during the progression from spermatocyte to spermatid. Interestingly, Western blot analysis with antibodies against the HMGA1 gene product revealed only the HMG1c isoform (27 kDa) in the testis; HMGA1a and HMGA1b were undetectable. These three isoforms are encoded by the HMGA1 gene through alternative splicing. Finally, few spermatids and complete absence of spermatozoa were observed in the testes of HMGA2-null mice, which suggests that the HMGA2 gene plays a critical role in male fertilit

Efficacy of the Sentinox Spray in Reducing Viral Load in Mild COVID-19 and Its Virucidal Activity against Other Respiratory Viruses: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial and an In Vitro Study

Sentinox (STX) is an acid-oxidizing solution containing hypochlorous acid in spray whose virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated. In this paper, results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of STX in reducing viral load in mild COVID-19 patients (NCT04909996) and a complementary in vitro study on its activity against different respiratory viruses are reported. In the RCT, 57 patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive STX three (STX-3) or five (STX-5) times/day plus standard therapy or standard therapy only (controls). Compared with controls, the log10 load reduction in groups STX-3 and STX-5 was 1.02 (p = 0.14) and 0.18 (p = 0.80), respectively. These results were likely driven by outliers with extreme baseline viral loads. When considering subjects with baseline cycle threshold values of 20–30, STX-3 showed a significant (p = 0.016) 2.01 log10 reduction. The proportion of subjects that turned negative by the end of treatment (day 5) was significantly higher in the STX-3 group than in controls, suggesting a shorter virus clearance time. STX was safe and well-tolerated. In the in vitro study, ≥99.9% reduction in titers against common respiratory viruses was observed. STX is a safe device with large virucidal spectrum and may reduce viral loads in mild COVID-19 patients

Archetype and rearranged non-coding control regions (NCCR) in urothelial bladder carcinoma of immunocompetent individuals.

BACKGROUND: Polyomaviruses (PyVs) are potential transforming viruses. Despite their involvement in human tumours still being debated, there is evidence to suggest a role for PyVs in bladder carcinoma (BC). Therefore, a possible association between PyVs and BC was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urine, blood and fresh bladder tissue specimens were collected from 29 patients with BC. PyV prevalence, non-coding control region (NCCR) organization and genotypic analysis were assessed. RESULTS: Data showed a significant prevalence of John Cunningham (JC) PyV in BC tissues and in urine with respect to BKPyV, while simian virus 40 was not revealed. A BKPyV rearranged NCCR sequence was isolated, whereas a JCPyV archetypal structure was consistently retained. A prevalence of European genotypes was observed. CONCLUSION: Our data would suggest a JCPyV involvement in cancer progression and a BKPyV association with BC pathogenesis in immunocompetent patients. However, further work is necessary to better understand the exact role of PyVs in urothelial carcinogenesis