Lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in patients affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A dysregulation of the redox homoeostasis has been reported in various neoplastic disorders. Malondialdehyde/4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (MDA/HNE) and protein carbonyl groups represent in vivo indexes of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, respectively, suitable to investigate radical-mediated physio-pathological conditions. We evaluated MDA/HNE and protein carbonyl groups in sera of untreated Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients in advanced disease stages, in order to quantify the oxidative stress. HL patients displayed significantly higher levels of both MDA/HNE and protein carbonyl groups as compared with healthy controls. This is the first evidence that a strong increase in HL is one of the most common haematological malignancies, representing approximately 30% of all lymphomas in the circulating protein carbonyl content in HL. These findings may contribute to a better definition of the redox homoeostasis dysregulation in HL

Protein carbonyl group content in patients affected by familiar chronic nail candidiasis.

Familiar chronic nail candidiasis (FCNC) is a rare disorder characterized by early-onset infections caused by different species of Candida, restricted to the nail of the hands and feet, and associated with a low serum concentration of intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Host defense mechanisms against candidiasis require the cooperation of many immune cells through several candidacidal mechanisms, including oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms, mediated by a superoxide anion radical myeloperoxidase--H2O2--halide system, and reactive nitrogen intermediates. We analyzed protein carbonyl groups (considered a useful marker of oxidative stress) in the serum of patients belonging to a five-generation Italian family with an isolated form of FCNC. Serum protein carbonyl groups in FCNC patients were significantly lower than those measured in healthy donors. Also, if this hypothesis is merely speculative, we could suggest that the decreased circulating level of protein carbonyl groups in these patients is not a marker of a lower oxidative stress condition, but might be linked to a lower protease activity

Determinants of weight, psychological status, food contemplation and lifestyle changes in patients with obesity during the COVID-19 lockdown: a nationwide survey using multiple correspondence analysis

Introduction The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced most of the Italian population into lockdown from 11 March to 18 May 2020. A nationwide survey of Italian Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Services (Obesity Centers or OCs) was carried out to assess the impact of lockdown restrictions on the physical and mental wellbeing of patients with obesity (PWO) who had follow-up appointments postponed due to lockdown restrictions and to compare determinants of weight gain before and after the pandemic. Methods We designed a structured 77-item questionnaire covering employment status, diet, physical activity and psychological aspects, that was disseminated through follow-up calls and online between 2 May and 25 June 2020. Data were analyzed by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple linear regression. Results A total of 1,232 PWO from 26 OCs completed the questionnaires (72% female, mean age 50.2 +/- 14.2 years; mean BMI 34.7 +/- 7.6 kg/m(2); 41% obesity class II to III). During the lockdown, 48.8% gained, 27.1% lost, while the remainder (24.1%) maintained their weight. The mean weight change was +2.3 +/- 4.8 kg (in weight gainers: +4.0 +/- 2.4 kg; +4.2% +/- 5.4%). Approximately 37% of participants experienced increased emotional difficulties, mostly fear and dissatisfaction. Sixty-one percent reduced their physical activity (PA) and 55% experienced a change in sleep quality/quantity. The lack of online contact (37.5%) with the OC during lockdown strongly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.001). Using MCA, two main clusters were identified: those with unchanged or even improved lifestyles during lockdown (Cluster 1) and those with worse lifestyles during the same time (Cluster 2). The latter includes unemployed people experiencing depression, boredom, dissatisfaction and increased food contemplation and weight gain. Within Cluster 2, homemakers reported gaining weight and experiencing anger due to home confinement. Conclusions Among Italian PWO, work status, emotional dysregulation, and lack of online communication with OCs were determinants of weight gain during the lockdown period

Fatal multi-organ failure following anaphylactic shock induced by ceftriaxone

In the latest years, based on the wide use of cephalosporins for antibiotic therapy, a large interest focused on the identification of causal relationship of adverse reactions after their prescription. We report a case of fatal anaphylactic shock following the administration of ceftriaxone in a woman who had tolerated the previous exposure to the drug. This case adds a contribution to the few cases reported in literature to further suggest the possibility of severe anaphylaxis after the administration of ceftriaxone even in patients without any previous reaction to this drug

Pertinence of requested allergy consultations for suspected food allergy/intolerance. A Junior Members working group of Italian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SIAIC) multicenter study

Background. Up to 20% of population perceives their symptoms as caused by food allergy/intolerance, but only in 1-4% of cases a causal role of food allergy can be demonstrated. Therefore there is a huge discrepancy between perception of food allergy and results of the allergological work-up, leading to financial, nutritional, and health consequences. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pertinent requested allergy consultations for suspected food allergy. Methods. A multicenter study conducted by Junior Members of Italian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SIAIC). All patients referred to the investigators for suspected food allergy between February-June 2009 were included. Clinical histories have been recorded, and patients underwent to an appropriate allergological work-up. Allergists expressed an opinion about the pertinence of each requested consultation. Results. 145/272 (53.3%) allergy consultations were considered as "pertinent", 67 (46.2%) of which were concluded with a proved diagnosis of food allergy. 64/127 (50.4%) non-pertinent visits may have been avoided because symptoms were consistent with already known diseases of patients. The pertinence of allergy consultations were more frequently due to cutaneous (urticaria, angioedema, p < 0.001), laryngeal (p = 0.002), oral-allergy-syndrome (p < 0.001) and anaphylaxis (p = 0.042) symptoms; non-pertinent visits were preferentially associated to abdominal bloating (p = 0.002), gastritis symptoms (p = 0.026) and diarrhea (p = 0.017). Discussion. About 45% of food-allergy consultations were considered "non-pertinent"; most of them may have been avoided because symptoms were consistent with already and untreated known diseases. Gastroenteric symptoms were the most frequent reason of non-pertinent consultations, while cutaneous symptoms were often considered as "pertinent"