First report of the presence of Necrodes littoralis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) on a human corpse in Italy

The colonization of a human body by Necrodes littoralis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) is reported for the first time in Italy. This species is both necrophagous and predator of necrophagous fauna. The body colonized by the coleopteran was found indoors, in an advanced decomposition stage, in a suburban area of Cosenza (Calabria, Southern Italy) in November. Insects (adults, puparia and larvae) were collected on and around the body. Puparia and larvae were raised in the laboratory until the adult stage for morphological identification, which was carried out through taxonomical keys. Besides N. littoralis, also the presence of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Hydrotaea dentipes (Fabricius) (Diptera: Muscidae), and Creophilus maxillosus (L.) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) was detected. Necrodes littoralis is a species of forensic interest because it may colonize human and vertebrate corpses and has been reported elsewhere in Europe

Anti-Skin-Aging Effect of a Treatment with a Cosmetic Product and a Food Supplement Based on a New Hyaluronan: A Randomized Clinical Study in Healthy Women

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has long been used for its anti-age properties, as an ingredient in both topical applications and food supplements. In this study, a novel sodium hyaluronate, based on the innovative full spectrum technology, was administered as an ingredient of a cosmetic product and as the main constituent of a food supplement to evaluate its efficacy in counteracting skin ageing signs. Seventy-five female subjects were randomly assigned to the following treatments for 4 weeks: an active food supplement and a placebo cosmetic product, an active cosmetic product and a placebo food supplement, and a combination of the two products containing the active ingredient, that is, an “In&Out” treatment. The subjects used the placebo cosmetic product for another 14 days. Improvement of all the outcome measures (skin moisturization, elasticity, firmness and profilometry) was achieved by all treatments (p p < 0.001), and such effect lasted also after the follow-up period. In conclusion, such results confirmed that the concomitant administration of hyaluronans by these two different routes represents more than an interesting approach to counteract skin aging signs

Gender-Specific Impact of Sex Hormones on the Immune System

Sex hormones are key determinants of gender-related differences and regulate growth and development during puberty. They also exert a broad range modulation of immune cell functions, and a dichotomy exists in the immune response between the sexes. Both clinical and animal models have demonstrated that androgens, estrogens, and progestogens mediate many of the gender-specific differences in immune responses, from the susceptibility to infectious diseases to the prevalence of autoimmune disorders. Androgens and progestogens mainly promote immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory effects, whereas estrogens enhance humoral immunity both in men and in women. This study summarizes the available evidence regarding the physiological effects of sex hormones on human immune cell function and the underlying biological mechanisms, focusing on gender differences triggered by different amounts of androgens between males and females

Therapeutic strategies to target the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in thyroid cancer

The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed and active in various cancer types including thyroid carcinoma, and several preclinical studies suggest that targeting AXL is an effective therapeutical strategy in AXL-positive cancers. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) acts as a molecular chaperone to regulate the conformation, activation, function and stability of many cancer-related kinases. Inhibition of HSP90 by geldanamycin and its derivative 17-Allyl-Ammino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), leads to simultaneous combinatorial depletion of a wide range of HSP90 client proteins through the induction of their misfolding and proteasome-mediated degradation. The Quality control E3 ligase CHIP ubiquitinates misfolded proteins and favours their degradation. Here we show that treatment of AXL-expressing thyroid cancer cells with 17-AAG induces its proteasome-mediated degradation. Specifically, 17-AAG induces the down-regulation of the fully glycosilated, mature form of the receptor that is exposed on the plasmamembrane and responds to ligand stimulation. Degradation is preceded by AXL ubiquitination by CHIP. Endogenous and overexpressed AXL protein co-immunoprecipitated with CHIP and HSP90, and this complex is modified by 17-AAG treatment. By using different AXL mutants and AXL small molecule inhibitors, we demonstrate that AXL sensitivity to 17-AAG requires AXL kinase domain, but is not dependent on AXL kinase activity. Overall our data elucidate the biological basis of AXL downregulation by HSP 90 inhibition and suggest that Hsp90 inhibition could be effective in treating AXL expressing thyroid cancer

NCOA4 links iron bioavailability to DNA metabolism

Iron is essential for deoxyribonucleotides production and for enzymes containing an Fe-S cluster involved in DNA replication and repair. How iron bioavailability and DNA metabolism are coordinated remains poorly understood. NCOA4 protein mediates autophagic degradation of ferritin to maintain iron homeostasis and inhibits DNA replication origin activation via hindrance of the MCM2-7 DNA helicase. Here, we show that iron deficiency inhibits DNA replication, parallel to nuclear NCOA4 stabilization. In iron-depleted cells, NCOA4 knockdown leads to unscheduled DNA synthesis, with replication stress, genome instability, and cell death. In mice, NCOA4 genetic inactivation causes defective intestinal regeneration upon dextran sulfate sodium-mediated injury, with DNA damage, defective cell proliferation, and cell death; in intestinal organoids, this is fostered by iron depletion. In summary, we describe a NCOA4-dependent mechanism that coordinates iron bioavailability and DNA replication. This function prevents replication stress, maintains genome integrity, and sustains high rates of cell proliferation during tissue regeneration

Investigations on Arthropods Associated with Decay Stages of Buried Animals in Italy

Burial could be used by criminals to conceal the bodies of victims, interfering with the succession of sarcosaprophagous fauna and with the evaluation of post-mortem interval. In Italy, no experimental investigation on arthropods associated with buried remains has been conducted to date. A first experimental study on arthropods associated with buried carcasses was carried out in a rural area of Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Southern Italy, from November 2017 to May 2018. Six pig carcasses (Susscrofa Linnaeus) were used, five of which were buried in 60-cm deep pits, leaving about 25-cm of soil above each carcass, and one was left above ground. One of the buried carcasses was periodically exhumed to evaluate the effects of disturbance on decay processes and on arthropod fauna. The other four carcasses were exhumed only once, respectively after 43, 82, 133, and 171 days. As expected, the decay rate was different among carcasses. Differences in taxa and colonization of arthropod fauna were also detected in the above ground and periodically exhumed carcasses. In carcasses exhumed only once, no arthropod colonization was detected. The results showed that a burial at about 25 cm depth could be sufficient to prevent colonization by sarcosaprophagous taxa and these data could be relevant in forensic cases involving buried corpses

Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antiadhesive and Co-Aggregation Activity of a Multi-Strain Probiotic Composition against Different Urogenital Pathogens

The urogenital microbiota is dominated by Lactobacillus that, together with Bifidobacterium, creates a physiological barrier counteracting pathogen infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic formulation (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PBS067, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL050) to inhibit adhesion and growth of urogenital pathogens. The antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties of the probiotic strains and their mixture were evaluated on human vaginal epithelium infected with Candida glabrata, Neisseria gonorrheae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Escherichia coli-infected human bladder epithelium. The epithelial tissue permeability and integrity were assessed by transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Co-aggregation between probiotics and vaginal pathogens was also investigated to elucidate a possible mechanism of action. The multi-strain formulation showed a full inhibition of T. vaginalis, and a reduction in C. glabrata and N. gonorrheae growth. A relevant antimicrobial activity was observed for each single strain against E. coli. TEER results demonstrated that none of the strains have negatively impaired the integrity of the 3D tissues. All the probiotics and their mixture were able to form aggregates with the tested pathogens. The study demonstrated that the three strains and their mixture are effective to prevent urogenital infections

Pycnomerus italicus (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), an Endemic Endangered Species: A New Report on Its Presence in Southern Italy

Pycnomerus italicus (Ganglbauer, 1899) (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), a saproxylic beetle endemic to Italy, is listed as &ldquo;endangered&rdquo; in the Red List of Italian Saproxylic Beetles. In 2021, during an entomological survey, 49 adults of this species were found in the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Marchesale, Calabria, Southern Italy. The species was found in medium and high-quality habitats where a large number of fallen trunks of Abies alba Mill. 1759 (Pinales: Pinaceae) were present. On the same decaying trunks where P. italicus was found, larvae and/or adults of other three species of saproxylic beetles were detected. Although most aspects of the biology and ecology of P. italicus are still unknown, the presence of this endemic species in the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Marchesale is interesting because this reserve and other humid forest environments in Southern Italy could be relevant refuges not only for this species but also for other endangered saproxylic beetles. These areas should be protected with appropriate forest-management techniques

Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as Agent of Myiasis in a Goose in Italy and a Review of Myiasis by This Species in Birds

Myiasis is a type of parasitosis by larvae of Diptera that may affect vertebrates, including wild and domestic birds. Traumatic myiasis was discovered in a domestic goose, Anser anser domesticus L. (Anseriformes: Anatidae), in June 2020 in a rural area of the region Calabria (Southern Italy). The myiasis was caused by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). In Italy, this was the first case of myiasis by L. sericata ever described in a bird. It was also the first case of myiasis detected in a goose in Italy. The description of the case is integrated by a discussion on nonhematophagous dipteran larvae causing myiasis in birds and by an updated and detailed review of literature cases of myiasis by L. sericata in birds reported worldwide, useful for monitoring and management of dipteran species of medical and veterinary interest