Molecular characterization of a bladder pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult patient

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS) is a rare but highly aggressive soft tissue tumor, accounting for 3% of soft tissue sarcomas. PRMS is the most frequent subtype of RMS in adulthood and it is mainly located in the large muscles of the extremities, particularly the lower limbs and the trunk, more rarely in other locations especially in the bladder. At our knowledge, only six cases of adult pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder have been reported in the literature. In this study, we report a case of PRMS of bladder with a very poor prognosis. In fact, the patient died a month after surgery. The tumor was characterized by poorly differentiated, medium-sized sometimes rhabdoid cells, mixed with large-sized and pleomorphic elements with evident anisonucleosis, and with large areas of necrosis. We used an extensive immunohistochemical panel to exclude other tumors much more frequently reported at this site. The positivity for myogenic markers such as actin, desmin, myogenin and MyoD1 allowed the correct diagnosis. Furthermore, since preliminary studies highlighted a series of specific molecular alterations in PMRS cell lines, we analyzed a panel of specific mutations and gene rearrangements by RT-PCR and FISH methods. We showed a copy gains of CCND1 and MALT genes in our samples, suggesting an accurate molecular characterization of PRMS to establish a better management of patients and new therapeutic opportunities

Biodegradable mulching spray for weed control in the cultivation of containerized ornamental shrubs

Abstract Background Weed control represents a major issue in plant cultivation in containers. Manual weed control is very expensive and the use of chemical herbicide or plastic mulch films has a large environmental impact. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of an experimental biodegradable chitosan-based mulching spray in controlling weed growth in containers. This research also studied the effect of this mulch on the growth of Viburnum lucidum Mill. plants to test for possible phytotoxic effects. Results The study compared a total of six treatments derived from three types of weed control (no weed control; herbicide, oxadiazon; mulching spray) applied in containers either filled only with the sterile substrate or filled with the sterile substrate and then artificially inoculated with seeds of the weed species [Sonchus asper (L.) Hill subsp. asper and Epilobium montanum L.]. The mulch controlled the weeds effectively for more than 2 months after its application even under severe weed infestation. The mulching spray controlled the emergence of S. asper more efficiently than E. montanum plants, probably because the latter has a stronger capacity to penetrate the mulch film during emergence. Conclusions Three months after its application, the mulch started to degrade and this allowed some weeds to emerge in the containers, but, in general, the mulch performed better than the herbicide. The chitosan-based mulch did not have any negative effective on the growth of V. lucidum plants

Enhanced antioxidant effect of trans-resveratrol: potential of binary systems with polyethylene glycol and cyclodextrin.

Abstract Trans-resveratrol, a polyphenol extracted from Vitis vinifera, has different beneficial effects following its administration on the skin. Here the potential use of binary systems to enhance in vitro and in vivo activity of trans-resveratrol was investigated. Thus the aqueous solubility of trans-resveratrol was investigated in the presence of growing concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or β-cyclodextrin (βCD) as solubilizing excipients. Then, the solid dispersion of trans-resveratrol with PEG or inclusion complexes trans-resveratrol/βCD were prepared and characterised by different methods. Cytotoxicity and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following H2O2 challenge in the presence of trans-resveratrol, alone or associated to the excipients, was evaluated on human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Both the trans-resveratrol-containing binary systems induced significant reduction of H2O2-induced ROS production, especially in the case of βCD that was selected for the following phase of the study. Thus, the effect of a cream containing trans-resveratrol, alone or associated to βCD, on different skin parameters such as corneometry, colorimetry and elastometry, was evaluated on human volunteers. All patients showed a visible improvement of clinical conditions with a remarkable decrease of aging signs, but this effect was higher of the hemi face treated with the βCD-containing formulation versus formulation containing trans-resveratrol alone

Robotic rectal resection preserves anorectal function: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

AbstractBackgroundImproving survival rates in rectal cancer patients has generated a growing interest in functional outcomes after total mesorectal excision (TME). The well‐established low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score assesses postoperative anorectal impairment after TME. Our meta‐analysis is the first to compare bowel function after open, laparoscopic, transanal, and robotic TME.MethodsAll studies reporting functional outcomes after rectal cancer surgery (LARS score) were included, and were compared with a consecutive series of robotic TME (n = 48).ResultsThirty‐two publications were identified, including 5 565 patients. Anorectal function recovered significantly better within one year after robotic TME (3.8 [95%CI –9.709–17.309]) versus laparoscopic TME (26.4 [95%CI 19.524–33.286]), p = 0.006), open TME (26.0 [95%CI 24.338–29.702], p = 0.002) and transanal TME (27.9 [95%CI 22.127–33.669], p = 0.003).ConclusionsRobotic TME enables better recovery of anorectal function compared to other techniques. Further prospective, high‐quality studies are needed to confirm the benefits of robotic surgery

Postsurgery outcomes in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: a retrospective survey

A multicenter retrospective analysis was performed to estimate the frequency of thrombosis and hemorrhage after surgical procedures in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). Data from 105 patients with PV and 150 patients with ET were analyzed, for a total of 311 surgical interventions. An emergency procedure was performed in 25 (8.1%) patients; 194 surgeries were done under general anesthesia, and 21 (23%) of 91 abdominal interventions were done under laparoscopy; 155 (50.1%) were major surgeries. Subcutaneous heparin was administered in 169 (54.3%) of 311 cases and antiplatelet therapy in 48 (15.4%) of 311 case interventions. One hundred eighty-eight (74%) of 255 patients were on cytoreductive therapy before surgery. No events were observed in 259 (83.2%) of 311 procedures during 3 months of follow-up; there were 12 arterial and 12 venous thrombotic events, 23 major and 7 minor hemorrhages, and 5 deaths. Arterial thromboses were more frequent in ET (5.3% vs 1.5%; P = .08), venous events were more frequent in PV (7.7% vs 1.1%; P = .002). There was not a correlation between bleeding episodes and the type of diagnosis, use of antithrombotic prophylaxis, or type of surgery. A high proportion of PV and ET surgeries was complicated by vascular occlusion (7.7%) or by a major hemorrhage (7.3%). Prospective investigations analyzing the optimal prophylaxis in these patients are suggested

Transferrin-Conjugated SNALPs Encapsulating 2 -O-Methylated miR-34a for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Stable nucleic acid lipid vesicles (SNALPs) encapsulating miR-34a to treat multiple myeloma (MM) were developed. Wild type or completely 2 -O-methylated (OMet) MiR-34a was used in this study. Moreover, SNALPs were conjugated with transferrin (Tf) in order to target MM cells overexpressing transferrin receptors (TfRs). The type of miR-34a chemical backbone did not significantly affect the characteristics of SNALPs in terms of mean size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential, while the encapsulation of an OMet miR-34a resulted in a significant increase of miRNA encapsulation into the SNALPs. On the other hand, the chemical conjugation of SNALPs with Tf resulted in a significant decrease of the zeta potential, while size characteristics and miR-34a encapsulation into SNALPs were not significantly affected. In an experimental model of MM, all the animals treated with SNALPs encapsulating miR-34a showed a significant inhibition of the tumor growth. However, the use of SNALPs conjugated with Tf and encapsulating OMet miR-34a resulted in the highest increase of mice survival. These results may represent the proof of concept for the use of SNALPs encapsulating miR-34a for the treatment of MM

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Il ruolo dell’ergonomia nell’implementazione delle pratiche di responsabilità sociale di impresa

This paper offers a methodological framework of the application of key ergonomic principles and techniques aimed at implementing many aspects of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Outreaching needs about a) the sustainability of companies’ internal and external processes and b) the management of ethical dilemmas among revenues and stakeholders interests has generated the concept of CSR. The match between economic sustainability with human and social dimension respect in company’s processes can be supported by ergonomics, since it is aimed at both optimization of human wellbeing and overall system performances. In addition to social goals, ergonomics can foster the achievement of economic goals of any organization, improving human performances, productivity level and overall job satisfaction. Finally, this paper discusses how companies’ environmental sustainability goals can be supported, at various scales and under many perspectives, by ergonomics, as the “green ergonomics” specific field demonstrates

Meeting a Community Need: Health Education for Preadolescent Girls in Rural Guatemala

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