Spatial and temporal variability of carbonaceous aerosol absorption in the Po Valley

Knowledge gaps in the optical properties of carbonaceous aerosols account for a significant fraction of the uncertainty of aerosol-light interactions in climate models. Both black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) can display a range of optical properties in ambient aerosol due to different sources and chemical transformation pathways. This study investigates the optical absorption properties of BC and BrC at an urban and a rural site in the Po Valley (Italy), a known European pollution hot spot. We observed spatial and seasonal variability of aerosol absorption coefficients, with the highest values measured in winter at the urban site of Milan (12 Mm–1 on average) and the lowest values in summer at the rural site of Motta Visconti (3 Mm–1 on average). The average aerosol Absorption Å ngström Exponent (AAE) measured during the two experiments across the 370–880 nm wavelength range was 1.1 and 1.2 at the urban and the rural site, respectively. The observed AAE values in winter (the average AAE during the two winter campaigns was 1.2) are consistent with the contribution of wood burning BrC, as confirmed by macro-tracer analysis. The BC mass absorption cross section (MACBC) did not show a specific seasonal or spatial variability across the two sites and maintained an average value of 10 ± 5 m2 g–1 at 880 nm. The optical properties of BrC, investigated off-line after extraction of organic aerosol (OA) indicate that wood burning was the dominant BrC source in winter, while secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from other anthropogenic emissions was the main source of BrC in summer

Protective effects of melatonin against nicotine-induced oxidative damage of kidney

Several studies demonstrated that melatonin treatment prevents tissue damage in various models of oxidative stress (1). Experiments have shown that chronic nicotine administration caused oxidant damage in various organs by increasing lipid peroxidation products and decreasing the activity of endogenous antioxidants (2). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin treatment on nicotine-induced oxidative changes in rat kidney and to explore the possible mechanisms of action. Three groups of rats were used as controls (the first without treatment, the second with melatonin alone and the third with nicotine alone). The last group of rats was orally treated with nicotine and melatonin for 28 days. Morphological changes in kidney were evaluated by histological procedures and immunohistochemical analysis using inflammation (NFkB and IL-6) and oxidative stress (SOD, CAT and iNOS) markers. Experiments performed demonstrated that nicotine administration increases inflammation and oxidative stress. Melatonin has a protective effect against nicotine kidney toxicity through an inhibition of inflammation and consequent oxidative damage. These data suggest that melatonin supplementation effectively counteracts the deleterious effect of chronic nicotine administration on kidney and attenuates oxidative damage possibly by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.This work was supported by grants from University of Brescia (EX 60%)

Simulations of organic aerosol with CAMx over the Po Valley during the summer season

A new sensitivity analysis with the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) using a traditional two-product scheme (SOAP) and the newer Volatility Basis Set (VBS) algorithm for organic aerosol (OA) calculations is presented. The sensitivity simulations include the default versions of the SOAP and VBS schemes, as well as new parametrizations for the VBS scheme to calculate emissions and volatility distributions of semi- and intermediate-volatile organic compounds. The focus of the simulations is the summer season (May to July 2013), in order to quantify the sensitivity of the model in a period with relatively large photochemical activity. In addition to the model sensitivity, we validate the results with ad hoc OA measurements obtained from aerosol mass spectrometers at two monitoring sites. Unlike winter cases previously published, the comparison with experimental data showed limited sensitivity to total OA amount, with an estimated increase in OA concentrations limited to a few tenths of µg m−3, for both the primary and secondary components. We show that the lack of pronounced sensitivity is related to the effect of the new parametrizations on different emissions sectors. Furthermore, the minor sensitivity to the new parametrizations could be related to the greater partitioning of OA towards the gaseous phase in the summer period, thus reducing the organic fraction in the aerosol phase

Platelet preparations in neuronal cell differentiation

Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) is a platelet rich preparation that has the important feature of a tight fibrin network and containing a large number of growth factors possessing great regenerative potentialities [1]. The regeneration of nervous system is one of the mail goal of regenerative medicine. The aim of this study is to test the in vitro CGF effects on both differentiated and undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells, derived from human neuroblastoma. To induce differentiation, SH-SY5Y cells have been treated with Retinoic Acid (RA) 10µM, in both basal and complete medium and in the presence and absence of CGF. After 72 hours, different parameters have been investigated: the morphological characteristics of the cells, the cell proliferation, the cellular vitality using the MTT test, the CGF and/or RA differentiation property and the immunocytochemical analysis of neuronal specific markers (NeuN, Sinaptophisine, β-III-tubulin, Nestin). Moreover the NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) and BDNF (Brain Derived Growth Factor) release have been assayed by ELISA test. Our results obtained suggest that treatment with CGF, also used alone, positively affects cell differentiation and neuronal phenotype regulating the expression of the neuronal markers and improving the outgrowth of neurites. Taken together these results seems to be promised into new approaches for neuronal regeneration using platelet preparations

Melatonin oral supplementation against fibromyalgia-related skeletal muscle alterations

Fibromyalgia is a chronic idiopathic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and a deep range of other symptoms including disordered sleep, paresthesia, depression and anxiety (1). To date, its aetiopathogenesis and pathophysiology are still not understood, but the musculoskeletal, neuroendocrine and central nervous systems appear to play major roles in the development and progression of fibromyalgia (2). Important factors involved in the pathogenic process of fibromyalgia are oxidative stress and inflammation suggesting that antioxidative supplementation might be important in the management and modulation of fibromyalgia. Recent evidences suggest that melatonin may be suitable for this purpose. Melatonin is a small, highly conserved pineal indoleamine and due to its important and well known antioxidant and antinflammatory properties, together with also its analgesic effects, our research group studied the beneficial effects of the melatonin oral supplementation against the pathogenetic process of fibromyalgia. In detail, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly treated with reserpine, to reproduce the pathogenic process of fibromyalgia (3), and/or with melatonin (MelapureTM by Flamma S.p.A.). At the end of the treatments, the animals treated with reserpine showed moderate alteration at hind limb skeletal muscle level with difficult in moving, together with a significant expression of several oxidative stress and inflammatory markers at the gastrocnemius muscle level. Interestingly, melatonin, dose and time dependently, reduced the difficulties in walking and the musculoskeletal oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. In summary, this pilot study suggested that melatonin could be an in vivo effective tool against muscoloskeletal morphofunctional damages and dysfunctions in the management of fibromyalgia-related complications.Sincere thanks to Flamma S.p.A.- Italy (www.flammagroup.com) for courteously providing the melatonin and for the precious economic support to this study

Determination of serum holotranscobalamin concentrations with the AxSYM active B12 assay: cut-off point evaluation in the clinical laboratory

Background: A reliable early marker is required for diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency. We calculated an appropriate holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) cut-off point for identifying cobalamin deficiency using an immunoenzymatic assay. Methods: Determination of the cut-off threshold and correlation between HoloTC and the other diagnostic parameters routinely used for vitamin B12 deficiency [total vitamin B12 (tB12), folate, homocysteine] were measured in 250 routine blood specimens from 107 men (mean age 59.0±18.8 years) and 143 women (mean age 54.2±23.1 years). The inclusion criterion was serum tB12 concentration ≤221 pmol/L. Results: Analytical performance results agreed with those reported by others. A weak correlation (R=0.42) was found between HoloTC and tB12. A 40 pmol/L cut-off threshold was chosen for HoloTC and the associated sensitivity and specificity was 0.86 and 0.66, respectively. Out of 250 tested samples, 126 showed tB12 concentrations 139–221 pmol/L (gray zone, GZ) and 124 had tB12 concentrations <139 pmol/L (low, L). Values less than the cut-off for HoloTC were present in 68.2% and 37.9% of cases in the GZ and L group, respectively (p<0.01), and in 53.2% of subjects. Conclusions: Our results confirmed the analytical reliability of the AxSYM HoloTC assay. The method is adequate for routine use and a cut-off threshold of 40 pmol/L is appropriate for assessing cobalamin deficiency in populations with reduced tB12 values. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:249–53.Peer Reviewe

Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 11

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1

Beta-Blocker Use in Older Hospitalized Patients Affected by Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Italian Survey From the REPOSI Register

Beta (β)-blockers (BB) are useful in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the use of BBs could induce bronchoconstriction due to β2-blockade. For this reason, both the ESC and GOLD guidelines strongly suggest the use of selective β1-BB in patients with HF and COPD. However, low adherence to guidelines was observed in multiple clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the BBs use in older patients affected by HF and COPD, recorded in the REPOSI register. Of 942 patients affected by HF, 47.1% were treated with BBs. The use of BBs was significantly lower in patients with HF and COPD than in patients affected by HF alone, both at admission and at discharge (admission, 36.9% vs. 51.3%; discharge, 38.0% vs. 51.7%). In addition, no further BB users were found at discharge. The probability to being treated with a BB was significantly lower in patients with HF also affected by COPD (adj. OR, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.37-0.67), while the diagnosis of COPD was not associated with the choice of selective β1-BB (adj. OR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.76-2.34). Despite clear recommendations by clinical guidelines, a significant underuse of BBs was also observed after hospital discharge. In COPD affected patients, physicians unreasonably reject BBs use, rather than choosing a β1-BB. The expected improvement of the BB prescriptions after hospitalization was not observed. A multidisciplinary approach among hospital physicians, general practitioners, and pharmacologists should be carried out for better drug management and adherence to guideline recommendations

Antidiabetic Drug Prescription Pattern in Hospitalized Older Patients with Diabetes

Objective: To describe the prescription pattern of antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs in a cohort of hospitalized older patients with diabetes. Methods: Patients with diabetes aged 65 years or older hospitalized in internal medicine and/or geriatric wards throughout Italy and enrolled in the REPOSI (REgistro POliterapuie SIMI—Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) registry from 2010 to 2019 and discharged alive were included. Results: Among 1703 patients with diabetes, 1433 (84.2%) were on treatment with at least one antidiabetic drug at hospital admission, mainly prescribed as monotherapy with insulin (28.3%) or metformin (19.2%). The proportion of treated patients decreased at discharge (N = 1309, 76.9%), with a significant reduction over time. Among those prescribed, the proportion of those with insulin alone increased over time (p = 0.0066), while the proportion of those prescribed sulfonylureas decreased (p < 0.0001). Among patients receiving antidiabetic therapy at discharge, 1063 (81.2%) were also prescribed cardiovascular drugs, mainly with an antihypertensive drug alone or in combination (N = 777, 73.1%). Conclusion: The management of older patients with diabetes in a hospital setting is often sub-optimal, as shown by the increasing trend in insulin at discharge, even if an overall improvement has been highlighted by the prevalent decrease in sulfonylureas prescription