Anorectal Melanoma

Anorectal melanoma (AM) is a rare malignancy, characterized by aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis. AM is more frequent in female patients aged over 50 years. AM accounts for 0.4–1.6% of all melanomas, 23.8% of all mucosal melanomas, and 1% of all anorectal malignant tumors. There are many theories regarding AM pathogenesis. Some consider that AM may be related to oxidative stress in the region and/or to immunosuppression. Others propose that AM may derive from Schwannian neuroblastic cells or cells of the amine-precursor uptake and decarboxylation system of the gut. Assessment of pigmented lesions located on hidden areas is difficult. Together with late and nonspecific signs and symptoms which usually occur only in conjunction with large masses, diagnosis of these mucosal melanomas is often delayed. Most frequently, the signs and symptoms are obstruction, rectal bleeding, pain, or rectal tenesmus. There are various histological variants of AM: epithelioid, spindle cell, lymphoma-like, and pleomorphic. Surgery (abdominoperineal resection or local excision) is the most effective treatment for AM; however, this is not associated with improved overall survival. Recurrence is more frequent in cases of anorectal and rectal involvement when compared with anal-only involvement. There is currently no consensus about the most appropriate systemic treatment. The efficacy of some protocols previously used in patients with cutaneous melanomas is currently being studied in mucosal melanoma

Nasopharyngeal Melanoma

Mucosal nasopharyngeal melanoma is a rare head and neck melanoma. Prognosis is poor (5-year overall survival rate of 10–30%) with high rates of metastases and local recurrence. Head and neck mucosal melanoma represents 0.8–3.7% of all melanomas and 0.03% of all neoplasms; the most commonly involved sites are the nose, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. A slight female predominance has been described and the median age of presentation is 64.3. Irritants and carcinogenic substances, such as tobacco smoke and formaldehyde, seem to be related to its development. A lack of specific clinical features often leads to a late diagnosis. At an early stage, clinical features can include epistaxis, obstruction, difficulty breathing, serous otitis media, and nasal discharge; subsequently, pain, facial distortion, proptosis, and diplopia predominate the clinical pictures. Masses are mostly polyploid, friable, and bloody. They can be amelanotic or surrounded by black- or brown-pigmented dots. Nasopharyngeal melanoma resembles other common polypoid lesions; therefore, histology plays a pivotal role in confirming the diagnosis. Computed tomography, facial and total body scan, as well as magnetic resonance imaging are mandatory for a correct staging. Surgical treatment remains the gold standard. External or intranasal incision depends on tumor site and size. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is not usually performed. Neck dissection is indicated in cases of clinical and/or radiological positivity. Radiotherapy is mostly palliative, as radiotherapy lacks efficacy for mucosal melanomas. The effectiveness of target therapy and/or immunotherapy is undergoing evaluation

The geometry of antisymplectic involutions, I

We study fixed loci of antisymplectic involutions on projective hyperk\"ahler manifolds. When the involution is induced by an ample class of square 2 in the Beauville-Bogomolov-Fujiki lattice, we show that the number of connected components of the fixed locus is equal to the divisibility of the class, which is either 1 or 2.Comment: 45 page

In vitro Digestion of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Cooked Beans Induces Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells

Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) contains high levels of proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, fibers, and vitamins, and for this reason, it represents an essential component of the diet. More than 40,000 varieties of beans have been recognized and are staple foods in the traditional cuisine of many countries. In addition to its high nutritional value, P. vulgaris is also characterized by its nutraceutical properties and favors environmental sustainability. In this manuscript, we studied two different varieties of P. vulgaris, Cannellino and Piattellino. We investigated the effects of traditional processing (soaking and cooking) and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of beans on their phytochemical composition and anticancer activity. Using HT29 and HCT116 colon cancer cell lines, we showed that the extract obtained after gastrointestinal digestion of cooked beans (the bioaccessible fraction, BF) induces cell death through the induction of the autophagic process. We demonstrated that the BF of Cannellino and Piattellino beans at the concentration of 100 μg/mL reduces cell vitality, measured by MMT assay, of both HT29 (88.41% ± 5.79 and 94.38% ± 0.47) and HCT116 (86.29% ± 4.3 and 91.23% ± 0.52) cell lines. Consistently, the treatment of HT29 cells with 100 μg/mL of Cannellino and Piattellino BFs reduced clonogenicity by 95% ± 2.14 and 96% ± 0.49, respectively. Moreover, the activity of extracts appeared to be selective for colon cancer cells. The data shown in this work further confirm P. vulgaris to be among foods with beneficial effects for human health. © 2023 by the authors

Marine sedimentary record of Meltwater Pulse 1a along the NW Barents Sea continental margin

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A pH-responsive crosslinker platform for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting delivery

We report a new 1-6 self-immolative, traceless crosslinker derived from the natural product gallic acid. The linker acts through a pH-dependent mechanism for drug release. This 5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrogallol orthoester derivative (HMPO) was stable for 24 hours at pH values of 7.4 and 6.6 and in plasma, releasing molecules bound to the hydroxymethyl moiety under acid-dependent stimuli at pH 5.5. The linker was non-toxic and was used for the conjugation of Doxorubicin (Doxo) or Combretastatin A4 with Cetuximab. The ADCs formed showed their pH responsivity reducing cell viability of A431 and A549 cancer cells better than Cetuximab alone. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Comparison of Local Sclerotherapy With Lauromacrogol Versus Nasal Packing in the Treatment of Anterior Epistaxis

Objectives Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngologic emergencies representing more than 12% of conditions managed at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Emergency Consulting Room of our Otorhinolaryngologic Unit each year. The elevated frequency of this pathology makes it necessary to adopt the most effective and least expensive therapeutic strategy available. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, costs and morbidity of nasal packing (NP), which is the mainstay of treatment for anterior epistaxis in our ENT Emergency Consulting Room versus submucosal infiltrations of lauromacrogol (LA). Methods A retrospective study was designed from August 2012 to April 2013 involving 53 patients suffering from anterior epistaxis. Anterior NP was used in 27 patients versus 26 patients undergoing 27 procedures performed with submucosal infiltrations of LA (or polidocanol). Outcomes for each treatment were evaluated. Patients in group 1 were treated with LA 400 injection next to the bleeding point: 0.5- to 1-mL single or multiple infiltrations with a 27-gauge needle. The whitening of the nasal mucosa around the bleeding point during infiltration was considered a marker of correct procedure in order to achieve the best results. Bilateral treatment was also performed at the same time. Patients in group 2 were treated with standard NP. Results Bleeding recurrence was higher in the NP group even if it was not statistically significant (P=0.2935). However, the LA infiltrations were better tolerated with lower morbidity and costs as compared to NP. No complications were observed in either group. Conclusion LA infiltrations were shown to be a viable alternative in anterior epistaxis treatment. They are safe, easy to use with good efficacy and have a low cost

A Biomonitoring Pilot Study in Workers from a Paints Production Plant Exposed to Pigment-Grade Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)

Among particulate matter composing paints, titanium dioxide (TiO2) forms about 20% of the final suspension. Although TiO2 is broadly used in many applications, TiO2 powders represent an established respiratory hazard for workers with long-term exposure. In 35 workers of a paints production plant (15 exposed and 20 not exposed), we assessed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17), surfactant protein D (SP-D) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 glycoprotein (KL-6) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). In urine samples, we measured 8-isoprostane (Isop) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as biomarkers of oxidative stress, and Titanium (Ti-U) as a biomarker of exposure. Health status, habits and occupational history were recorded. Airborne respirable dusts and Ti were quantified. Particle number concentration and average diameter (nm) were detected by a NanoTracer™ monitoring device. Ti was measurable in filters collected at the respiratory breathing zone (0.11–0.44 µg/m3 8-h TWA). IL-1β and IL-10 values were significantly higher in exposed workers, whereas SP-D was significantly lower (p p 2 in paint production is associated with the subtle alterations of lung pathobiology. These findings suggest the need for an integrated approach relying on both personal exposure and biomarker assessment to improve the hazard characterisation in occupational settings

Olive leachates affect germination of Colletotrichum godetiae conidia and the development of appressoria

The effects of nutrients and microorganisms from olive carpospheres on germination of conidia and the development of appressoria of Colletotrichum godetiae were investigated. The final germination ratio was the result of a dynamic equilibrium between the positive action of nutrients and the negative competition of indigenous microorganisms. In contrast, formation of appressoria was greatly increased by microorganisms and reduced by nutrients. Removal of the microbial fraction from olive leachates rich in natural nutrients amplified the vegetative phase after conidium germination, resulting in increased germtube length, and delayed and reduced production of appressoria. Three exogenous nutrients (sucrose, asparagine and glycine) increased germination of conidia and reduced the formation of appressoria. These results provide evidence that nutrients and microorganisms of the olive carposphere play important roles in the infection processes of C. godetiae. Since appressoria are necessary for successful host infection, microorganisms may favour the penetration of C. godetiae by stimulating the production of appressoria, reducing saprophyitic pre-infectional mycelial growth and reducing duration of the critical moist period required for host penetration