Mealworms for Food: A Water Footprint Perspective

In this paper, we have explored the possibility of substituting traditional meat products with an alternative source of protein (insects) in order to reduce human pressure on water. Insects, in fact, could represent a good alternative source of quality proteins and nutrients and they are already a very popular component of the diet of one third of the world's population in approximately 80% of countries. In the study, we have taken into account only two species of edible insects (Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio mealworms), because they are already commercially produced even in Western countries, and for this reason it is possible to find specific data in literature about their diets. We have used the water footprint (WF) as a reliable indicator to calculate the volume of water required for production and to compare different products. The final aim of the work is, in fact, to evaluate the WF of the production of edible insects with a focus on water consumption associated with protein content, in order to make a comparison with other animal protein sources. We have demonstrated that, from a freshwater resource perspective, it is more efficient to obtain protein through mealworms rather than other traditional farmed animals

Photocarcinogenesis – Molecular Mechanisms

The carcinogenicity (photocarcinogenicity) of sunlight to human skin has been recognized more than a century ago. Last decades numerous experimental studies show that UV rays damage DNA, cause gene mutations leading to the development of malignant tumors such basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. The tumors occur most frequently in fair skinned people, and the mutations typically are found at dipyrimidine sites with C-T or / and CC-TT tandem double mutations. The authors briefly summarize their investigation of the p53 suppressor gene, and expose their hypothesis of hTERT involvement in cancerogenesis. Also their underline the importance of UV induced immunosuppression in photocarcinogenesis. Psoriatic patients are exposed to numerous cancerogens in their treatment. A better understanding of the mechanisms of photocarcinogenesis could provide new ways in the treatment of skin tumors

Effects of PEMFs on patients' recovery after reconstruction with use of double-looped semitendinosus and Gracilis tendon grafts: A multicenter, prospective, randomized and double-blind study

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Genetic Effects of Trabecular Titanium on MG-63 Cell Line: A Genetic Profiling Evaluation

Pure titanium and titanium alloys are materials widely used in orthopaedics because of their mechanical properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. Recently, a new highly porous titanium biomaterial named Trabecular Titanium (TT) has been developed. In this in vitro study, we tested the genetic effects of TT on osteoblast-like cells (MG63) using DNA microarrays technology: cDNA microarrays provides the ability to comparatively analyze mRNA expression of thousands of genes in parallel thus showing activated and repressed genes by the presence of the TT. Several genes that were significantly up- or downregulated have been identified. Globally, it was demonstrated that TT stimulates osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation, and reduces apoptosis. Therefore, all these effects can contribute to improve the osseointegration of this material. These results encourage the clinical application of Trabecular Titanium to prosthetic devices

Involvement of Notch signaling in the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells stimulated by pulsed electromagnetic fields

Biophysical stimulation with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs), used in clinics to promote bone repair, favour osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), however their molecular mechanisms are not clarified. Notch is a pathway regulating cell fate decisions which play a role in skeletal development. Notch signaling is initiated by binding a Notch ligand to a cell surface Notch receptor, resulting in a cleavage of receptor and releasing Notch intracellular domain which translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription of nuclear Notch target genes, such as the Hes/Hey family.The aim of this study is to establish if the known PEMF-induced osteogenic effects may occur through the modulation of Notch pathway. Bone marrow hMSCs cultured in basal condition (control) and in osteoinductive medium (OM) for 28 days were unexposed or continuously exposed to PEMFs (75 Hz, 1.5 mT) (Igea, Carpi, Italy). To block Notch pathway, the Notch inhibitor DAPT was used to treat a series of hMSCs cultured in OM. At different time points (day 1,3,7,14,21,28), osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and matrix mineralization), mRNA expression of osteogenic transcription factors (Runx2, Dlx5, Osterix) as well as of Notch receptors (Notch1-4), their ligands (Jagged1, Dll1 and Dll4) and nuclear target genes (Hey1, Hey2, Hes1, Hes5) were analysed.Our results showed that osteogenic markers and transcription factors increased in OM compared to control and they were further stimulated by PEMFs. Notably, PEMFs significantly increased the expression of Notch4, Dll4, Hey1, Hes1 and Hes5 in the middle phase of differentiation in OM compared to control. In the presence of DAPT, osteogenic markers as well Hes1 and Hes5 expression were significantly inhibited, in unexposed and PEMF-exposed hMSCs. Hey1 was not inhibited by DAPT suggesting a possible regulation by other signaling pathway.These new findings show that PEMFs favor osteogenic differentiation acting through Notch pathway, adding important knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms by which PEMFs can modulate osteogenesis. This work was supported by grants from IGEA, Carpi, Italy

Oxidative stress and menopause-related hot flashes may be independent events.

Abstract Objective At present, there is growing demand for alternative, or additional, treatments to hormone replacement therapy for menopause-related hot flashes (HF). Antioxidant supplements have been recently proposed as possible candidates for this purpose, regardless of the absence of clear evidence in support of a link between these vasomotor symptoms and oxidative stress (OxS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between HF and OxS serum markers in a large sample of middle-aged women. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 245 perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women (age 45–60 years). The variables examined were presence of self-reported HF and levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, 8-OH-deoxy-2′-guanosine, advanced oxidation protein products, total antioxidant power, uric acid, thiols, and paroxonase-1. Results Seventy-six women (31%) reported to suffer from HF (either medium or high intensity). None of the peripheral markers of OxS examined was found to be significantly associated with the presence of HF. Conclusion Taken together, our data suggest that systemic OxS might not be implicated with the onset of the climacteric vasomotor symptoms that most commonly affect women experiencing perimenopause and early postmenopause

Occupational Skin Diseases Caused by Solar Radiation

UV radiation is present in sunlight and can be emitted from numerous artificial sources. Outdoor workers are exposed to sunlight in a wide variety of occupations like sailors, fishers, construction workers, farmers, and other. Presented are the skin diseases caused by sunlight exposure. Theymay be of little medical importance such as stigmata or create problems like photoaging, skin carcinoma, melanoma, phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. Shown are briefly data on skin cancer in the Rijeka region in outdoor occupations, the legislation and necessity for prevention. Psoriatic patients need particular caution because they are exposed to UVR, tars, and immunosuppressive drugs during the treatment

Photocarcinogenesis – Molecular Mechanisms

The carcinogenicity (photocarcinogenicity) of sunlight to human skin has been recognized more than a century ago. Last decades numerous experimental studies show that UV rays damage DNA, cause gene mutations leading to the development of malignant tumors such basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. The tumors occur most frequently in fair skinned people, and the mutations typically are found at dipyrimidine sites with C-T or / and CC-TT tandem double mutations. The authors briefly summarize their investigation of the p53 suppressor gene, and expose their hypothesis of hTERT involvement in cancerogenesis. Also their underline the importance of UV induced immunosuppression in photocarcinogenesis. Psoriatic patients are exposed to numerous cancerogens in their treatment. A better understanding of the mechanisms of photocarcinogenesis could provide new ways in the treatment of skin tumors

Photocarcinogenesis – Molecular Mechanisms

The carcinogenicity (photocarcinogenicity) of sunlight to human skin has been recognized more than a century ago. Last decades numerous experimental studies show that UV rays damage DNA, cause gene mutations leading to the development of malignant tumors such basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. The tumors occur most frequently in fair skinned people, and the mutations typically are found at dipyrimidine sites with C-T or / and CC-TT tandem double mutations. The authors briefly summarize their investigation of the p53 suppressor gene, and expose their hypothesis of hTERT involvement in cancerogenesis. Also their underline the importance of UV induced immunosuppression in photocarcinogenesis. Psoriatic patients are exposed to numerous cancerogens in their treatment. A better understanding of the mechanisms of photocarcinogenesis could provide new ways in the treatment of skin tumors