MRI Appearance of Focal Lesions in Liver Iron Overload

Liver iron overload is defined as an accumulation of the chemical element Fe in the hepatic parenchyma that exceeds the normal storage. When iron accumulates, it can be toxic for the liver by producing inflammation and cell damage. This can potentially lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as to other liver lesions depending on the underlying condition associated to liver iron overload. The correct assessment of liver iron storage is pivotal to drive the best treatment and prevent complication. Nowadays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best non-invasive modality to detect and quantify liver iron overload. However, due to its superparamagnetic properties, iron provides a natural source of contrast enhancement that can make challenging the differential diagnosis between different focal liver lesions (FLLs). To date, a fully comprehensive description of MRI features of liver lesions commonly found in iron-overloaded liver is lacking in the literature. Through an extensive review of the published literature, we aim to summarize the MRI signal intensity and enhancement pattern of the most common FLLs that can occur in liver iron overload

Effects of paraoxonase activity and gene polymorphism on coronary vasomotion

ABSTRACT

Recensioni e letture

Rosi Braidotti, Transpositions: On Nomadic Ethics(Nadia Manzo) – Beïda Chikhi, Assia Djébar: histoires et fantaisies (Mena Marotta) – Juan Goytisolo, Contra las sagradas formas (Paola Chiara Santoro) – Lisa Hopkins, Screen Adaptations. Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The relationship between Text and Film (Maria Izzo) – Paul Skandera (ed.), Phraseology and Culture in English (Paola Attolino) – Yoko Tawada, Sprachpolizei und Spielpolyglotte (Daniela Allocca)Rosi Braidotti, Transpositions: On Nomadic Ethics(Nadia Manzo) – Beïda Chikhi, Assia Djébar: histoires et fantaisies (Mena Marotta) – Juan Goytisolo, Contra las sagradas formas (Paola Chiara Santoro) – Lisa Hopkins, Screen Adaptations. Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The relationship between Text and Film (Maria Izzo) – Paul Skandera (ed.), Phraseology and Culture in English (Paola Attolino) – Yoko Tawada, Sprachpolizei und Spielpolyglotte (Daniela Allocca

Hereditary gastrointestinal polyposis: Diagnosis, genetic test and risk assessment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer deaths, with over 1 million new cases estimated every year. Familial adenomatous polyposis, MUTYH-associated polyposis and hamartomatous polyposis are inherited syndromes that account for 2%-5% of all colon cancer. The mutated genes responsible for the vast majority of these disorders, are now known (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, APC, MYH, LKB1, SMAD4, BMPR1A, and PTEN) and specific mutations have been identified. Molecular caracterization of inherited CRCs allows pre-symptomatic diagnosis identifying at-risk individuals and improving cancer surveillance. Adenomatous polyposis includes familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated FAP (AFAP), and MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). Hamartomatous polyposis comprises Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and "PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome" (PHTS). MAP is an autosomal recessive condition, while all other disorders are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Differential dyagnosis could be very difficult between syndromes because of their phenotypic variability. Attenuated FAP, MAP and Lynch syndrome could be all associated with fewer numbers of adenomas (3-10 polyps), nevertheless, each syndrome has distinct cancer risks, characteristic clinical features, and separate genetic etiologies. Thus, differential diagnosis is essential for correct management of the specific disease. In our laboratory we set up a methodology for genetic tests of the colorectal polyposis syndrome. In these reviews we summarize the literature data and our experience about diagnosis, genetic tests and cancer risk assesment associated with colorectal polyposis. According to literature data, in our experience, there is a portion of analyzing patients that remain without identified mutation, after molecular screening of the specific gene involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Since the sensibility of used techniques, such as DHPLC, MLPA and sequencing, is now very high, we suggest that a different approach to molecular diagnosis of polyposis syndromes is necessary. In our laboratory, we are now planning to set up analysis of a larger pannel of genes that could be involved in colorectal poliposis syndromes, using a next generation sequencing techniques. In our opinion, a better characterization of molecular basis of the polyposis syndromes will allow a more efficient cancer prevention

The Italian Helpdesk under the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP): three-year activity and experience (2009-2011)

INTRODUCTION: The Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) sets further obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors, downstream users of substances either on their own or in mixtures. According to the European mandate, each Member State has constituted its National Helpdesk to provide advice to the interested parties on their duties under this Regulation. In Italy, the contact point for questions has been established at the National Centre for Chemical Substances of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita. FUNCTIONS: The responders of the Italian CLP Helpdesk process the requests that have been submitted by the dedicated website. Applicants are asked to complete the form with all the required information. The Helpdesk staff also take part in the European network of CLP, REACH and ECHA Helpdesks together with the European Commission and other parties, that is the HelpNet. RESULTS: The present paper describes the results of the three-year activity of the Italian CLP Helpdesk (2009-2011)