Different titanium surfaces modulate the bone phenotype of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells.

Commercially pure titanium implants presenting a relatively smooth, machined surface or a roughned endosseous surface show a large percentage of clinical successes. Surface properties of dental implants seem to be important with respect to bone cells response. Implant topography appears to modulate cell growth and differentiation of osteoblasts affecting the bone healing around the titanium implant. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of three different titanium surfaces on cell morphology, adhesion and bone phenotypic expression of human osteoblast-like cells, SaOS-2. SaOS-2 cells were cultured on commercially pure titanium disks of 1 cm in diameter with three different surface roughness: smooth (S), sandblasted (SB) and titanium plasma sprayed (TPS). Differences in the cell morphology were found on the three surfaces showing an uniform monolayer of shaped cells on the S surfaces, and clusters of multilayered cells with an irregular shape on the rough surfaces. The adhesion of SaOS-2 cells, as measured after 3h of culture, was not affected by surface roughness. ECM components such as collagen I (CoI), fibronectin (FN), vitronectin (VN) and tenascin (TN) were secreted and organized only on SB and TPS surfaces while on S surfaces they remained in the cytoplasm. Osteopontin and BSP-II were largely detected on SB and TPS surfaces, while only minimal production was observed on S surfaces. These data show that titanium surface roughness affects bone differentiation of osteoblast like-cells, SaOS-2, indicating that surface properties may be able to modulate the osteoblast phenotype. These observations also suggest that the bone healing response around dental implants can be affected by surface topography

The Intrinsic Virtues of EGCG, an Extremely Good Cell Guardian, on Prevention and Treatment of Diabesity Complications

The pandemic proportion of diabesity—a combination of obesity and diabetes—sets a worldwide health issue. Experimental and clinical studies have progressively reinforced the pioneering epidemiological observation of an inverse relationship between consumption of polyphenol-rich nutraceutical agents and mortality from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. With chemical identification of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as the most abundant catechin of green tea, a number of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the activities of this unique catechin have been proposed. Favorable effects of EGCG have been initially attributed to its scavenging effects on free radicals, inhibition of ROS-generating mechanisms and upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Biologic actions of EGCG are concentration-dependent and under certain conditions EGCG may exert pro-oxidant activities, including generation of free radicals. The discovery of 67-kDa laminin as potential EGCG membrane target has broaden the likelihood that EGCG may function not only because of its highly reactive nature, but also via receptor-mediated activation of multiple signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Finally, by acting as epigenetic modulator of DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling, EGCG may alter gene expression and modify miRNA activities. Despite unceasing research providing detailed insights, ECGC composite activities are still not completely understood. This review summarizes the most recent evidence on molecular mechanisms by which EGCG may activate signal transduction pathways, regulate transcription factors or promote epigenetic changes that may contribute to prevent pathologic processes involved in diabesity and its cardiovascular complication

Case report: Persistent strongyloidiasis complicated by recurrent meningitis in an HTLV seropositive Peruvian migrant resettled in Italy

We describe a case of persistent strongyloidiasis complicated by recurrent meningitis, in a human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) seropositive Peruvian migrant adult resettled in Italy. He was admitted with signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis, reporting four other meningitis episodes in the past 6 years, with an etiological diagnosis of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium in two cases. He had been previously treated with several antihelmintic regimens not including ivermectin, without eradication of strongyloidiasis, and he had never been tested for HTLV before. During the described episode, the patient was treated for meningitis with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and 200 mg/kg/dose oral ivermectin once daily on day 1, 2, 15 and 16 with full recovery and no further episodes of meningitis. The presented case underlines several critical points concerning the management of poorly known neglected diseases such as strongyloidiasis and HTLV infection in low-endemic areas. Despite several admissions for meningitis and strongyloidiasis, the parasitic infection was not adequately treated and the patient was not previously tested for HTLV. The supply of ivermectin and the choice of treatment scheme was challenging since ivermectin is not approved in Italy and there are no standardized guidelines for the treatment of severe strongyloidiasis in HTLV seropositive subjects

Distribution of different HBV DNA forms in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of chronically infected patients with low or undetectable HBV plasma viremia

Few studies have documented hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We developed real-time PCR methods for differential amplification of covalently closed circular (cccDNA) and total HBV DNA (tDNA). The different distribution of cccDNA and tDNA in plasma and PBMCs was evaluated in 37 patients with low or undetectable viremia. Plasma tDNA measured by the Abbott reference system and the in-house assay correlated well (Spearman rho = 0.804; P<0.0001). tDNA was detected in four PBMC samples, all from patients with detectable plasma viremia (range 633-6,406 IU/ml), cccDNA was not detected in any sample. The reasons for apparently discrepant results need further investigation but possibly include the high diversification of HBV status and plasma viremia levels

Ecophysiological Responses to Rainfall Variability in Grassland and Forests Along a Latitudinal Gradient in Italy

In the Mediterranean region, ecosystems are severely affected by climate variability. The Italian Peninsula is a hot spot for biodiversity thanks to its heterogeneous landscape and the Mediterranean, Continental, and Alpine climates hosting a broad range of plant functional types along a limited latitudinal range from 40′ to 46′ N. In this study we applied a comparative approach integrating descriptive statistics, time series analysis, and multivariate techniques to answer the following questions: (i) do the climatic variables affect Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), Reco, Water Use Efficiency (WUE), and ET to a similar extent among different sites? (ii) Does a common response pattern exist among ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient in Italy? And, finally (iii) do these ecosystems respond synchronically to meteorological conditions or does a delayed response exist? Six sites along a latitudinal, altitudinal, and vegetational gradient from semi-arid (southern Italy), to a mountainous Mediterranean site (central Italy), and sub-humid wet Alpine sites (northern Italy) were considered. For each site, carbon and water fluxes, and meteorological data collected during two hydrologically-contrasting years (i.e., a dry and a wet year) were analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was adopted to identify temporal and spatial variations in GPP, Ecosystem Respiration (Reco), WUE, and Evapotranspiration (ET). The model outlined differences among Mediterranean semi-arid, Mediterranean mountainous, and Alpine sites in response to contrasting precipitation regimes. GPP, Reco, WUE, and ET increased up to 16, 19, 25, and 28%, respectively in semi-arid Mediterranean sites and up to 15, 32, 15, and 11%, respectively in Alpine sites in the wet year compared to the dry year. Air temperature was revealed to be one of the most important variables affecting GPP, Reco, WUE, and ET in all the study sites. While relative air humidity was more important in southern Mediterranean sites, global radiation was more significant in northern Italy. Our work suggests that a realistic prediction of the main responses of Italian forests under climate change should also take in account delayed responses due to acclimation to abiotic stress or changing environmental conditions

Ecophysiological Responses to Rainfall Variability in Grassland and Forests Along a Latitudinal Gradient in Italy

In the Mediterranean region, ecosystems are severely affected by climate variability. The Italian Peninsula is a hot spot for biodiversity thanks to its heterogeneous landscape and the Mediterranean, Continental, and Alpine climates hosting a broad range of plant functional types along a limited latitudinal range from 40\u2032 to 46\u2032 N. In this study we applied a comparative approach integrating descriptive statistics, time series analysis, and multivariate techniques to answer the following questions: (i) do the climatic variables affect Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), Reco, Water Use Efficiency (WUE), and ET to a similar extent among different sites? (ii) Does a common response pattern exist among ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient in Italy? And, finally (iii) do these ecosystems respond synchronically to meteorological conditions or does a delayed response exist? Six sites along a latitudinal, altitudinal, and vegetational gradient from semi-arid (southern Italy), to a mountainous Mediterranean site (central Italy), and sub-humid wet Alpine sites (northern Italy) were considered. For each site, carbon and water fluxes, and meteorological data collected during two hydrologically-contrasting years (i.e., a dry and a wet year) were analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was adopted to identify temporal and spatial variations in GPP, Ecosystem Respiration (Reco), WUE, and Evapotranspiration (ET). The model outlined differences among Mediterranean semi-arid, Mediterranean mountainous, and Alpine sites in response to contrasting precipitation regimes. GPP, Reco, WUE, and ET increased up to 16, 19, 25, and 28%, respectively in semi-arid Mediterranean sites and up to 15, 32, 15, and 11%, respectively in Alpine sites in the wet year compared to the dry year. Air temperature was revealed to be one of the most important variables affecting GPP, Reco, WUE, and ET in all the study sites. While relative air humidity was more important in southern Mediterranean sites, global radiation was more significant in northern Italy. Our work suggests that a realistic prediction of the main responses of Italian forests under climate change should also take in account delayed responses due to acclimation to abiotic stress or changing environmental conditions

Cytomegalovirus Infection Is Associated with Development of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major and most common opportunistic infection complicating lung transplant (LTX). The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological aspects of CMV infection in lung transplant patients subject to a pre-emptive anti-CMV approach and to study the impact of this infection on lung transplant outcome, in terms of onset of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD).Methods This single-centre retrospective study enrolled 87 LTX patients (median age 55.81 years; 41 females, 23 single LTX, 64 bilateral LTX). All patients were managed with a pre-emptive anti-CMV approach. The incidences of the first episode of CMV infection, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after LTX, were 12.64%, 44.26%, 50.77% and 56.14%. A median interval of 41 days elapsed between LTX and the first episode of CMV infection. The median blood load of CMV-DNA at diagnosis was 20,385 cp/ml; in 67.64% of cases, it was also the peak value. Patients who had at least one episode had shorter CLAD-free survival. Patients who had three or more episodes of CMV infection had the worst outcome.Results CMV infection was confirmed to be a common event in lung transplant patients, particularly in the first three months after transplant. It had a negative impact on transplant outcome, being a major risk factor for CLAD. The hypothesis that lower viral replication thresholds may increase the risk of CLAD is interesting and deserves further investigation. © 2022, The Author(s)

Limited diagnostic value of questionnaire-based pre-participation screening algorithms: A "risk-exposed" approach to sports activity

Background: Several pre-participation screening algorithms (PPSAs) have been proposed to assess sports eligibility in different populations. They are usually based on self-administered questionnaires, without further medical assessment if no risk factors are documented. The Med-Ex "Formula Benessere"worksite program includes a complete cardiovascular (CV) screening for all participants. The purpose of this study was to assess PPSAs accuracy in detecting medical and/or CV abnormalities in the general population, comparing the results with the date derived from Med-Ex program. Methods: The Med-Ex medical evaluation, consisting of medical history, physical examination (including body composition), resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and exercise stress test in 464 male subjects (38.4 aged) was analyzed and matched to several PPSAs - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (2002-2020), American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) (1998-2009-2014-2015), European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) (2011) - retrospectively simulated. Results: Five-hundred and 67 abnormalities were detected though Med-Ex medical evaluation, and one-fourth (24%) would have been undetected applying PPSA alone. In particular 28% of high blood pressure, 21% of impaired fasting glycaemia, 21% of high Body Mass Index (BMI) values and 19% of ECG abnormalities would have been missed, on average, by all PPSAs. Conclusions: The simulation analysis model performed in this study allowed to highlight the limits of PPSAs in granting sport eligibility, compared to a medical-guided CV screening. These findings emphasize the importance of a more balanced approach to pre-participation screening that includes a thorough evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio

Evolution of macrolide resistance in streptococcus pyogenes over 14 years in an area of central Italy

We evaluated temporal fluctuations in macrolide resistance rates, analysing genetic determinants of resistance and clonal evolution in a population of 2744 S. pyogenes isolates collected in the period 2000–2013. The total resistance rate to erythromycin of the isolates was 17.9%. A maximum of erythromycin resistance emerged in 2000 (38.6%), followed by a significant decrease to 5.2% in 2012 (P<0.0001). Molecular analysis revealed the presence and co-presence of known genetic resistance determinants mefA, mefE, ermTR and ermB, in line with phenotypes. PFGE analysis identified genetically related groups in 2000 and 2007–2008, mainly the MLS and M phenotypes, respectively. The most prevalent emm types among a representative subset of resistant isolates were emm2, emm75 and emm77. All emm2 and 88.2% of the strains harbouring the emm75 gene were only recorded in M-phenotype strains, whilst all emm77-positive strains had the inducible MLS phenotype. The analysed susceptible isolates showed several emm types partially shared with resistant ones. Our results suggest that changes in bacterial population clonality, rather than horizontal transfer of resistance determinants, plays a major epidemiological role in S. pyogenes. Continuous monitoring of microbiological epidemiology seems to be crucial for correct and effective management of streptococcal infections