Assessment, control, and prevention of microbiological and chemical hazards in seasonal swimming pools of the Versilia district (Tuscany, central Italy).

Abstract Although in Europe the quality of swimming pools (SPs) is dictated by regulations, microbiological and chemical hazards are described in the literature. Environmental bacteria or toxic disinfection by-product (DBP) compounds may indeed be recovered in waters even after disinfection. We evaluated the water quality from 26 outdoor seasonal SPs of the Versilia district, according to requirements of Regional Decree 54R/2015. In spring 2017, supply and reinstatement waters were collected after shock hyperchlorination (10 mg/L) while in summertime, a second sampling of waters before entering the pools, as well as in the pools, was performed after SPs were open to the public. In all samples, microbiological and chemical parameters were determined as defined by Directive 98/83/EC and the Italian Health Ministry. Microbiological data were within suggested limits. The first chemical analyses showed that in 35% of the feeding-pool seawater samples, the halogenated organic compounds were higher than the maximum permissible concentrations (30 μg/L). Pool waters were then dechlorinated and re-treated with hydrogen peroxide (10 mg/L) to ensure the abatement of DBPs (from 164 ± 107 to 0.9 ± 0.8 μg/L; p = 0.002). Results highlighted the need of self-controlled procedures for the SPs waters to prevent waterborne diseases and suggested hydrogen peroxide as the most appropriate disinfection method

Metabolic Consequences and Vulnerability to Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice under Chronic Social Stress

Social and psychological factors interact with genetic predisposition and dietary habit in determining obesity. However, relatively few pre-clinical studies address the role of psychosocial factors in metabolic disorders. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated in male mice: 1) opposite status-dependent effect on body weight gain under chronic psychosocial stress; 2) a reduction in body weight in individually housed (Ind) male mice. In the present study these observations were extended to provide a comprehensive characterization of the metabolic consequences of chronic psychosocial stress and individual housing in adult CD-1 male mice. Results confirmed that in mice fed standard diet, dominant (Dom) and Ind had a negative energy balance while subordinate (Sub) had a positive energy balance. Locomotor activity was depressed in Sub and enhanced in Dom. Hyperphagia emerged for Dom and Sub and hypophagia for Ind. Dom also showed a consistent decrease of visceral fat pads weight as well as increased norepinephrine concentration and smaller adipocytes diameter in the perigonadal fat pad. On the contrary, under high fat diet Sub and, surprisingly, Ind showed higher while Dom showed lower vulnerability to obesity associated with hyperphagia. In conclusion, we demonstrated that social status under chronic stress and individual housing deeply affect mice metabolic functions in different, sometime opposite, directions. Food intake, the hedonic response to palatable food as well as the locomotor activity and the sympathetic activation within the adipose fat pads all represent causal factors explaining the different metabolic alterations observed. Overall this study demonstrates that pre-clinical animal models offer a suitable tool for the investigation of the metabolic consequences of chronic stress exposure and associated psychopathologies

Assessment, control, and prevention of microbiological and chemical hazards in seasonal swimming pools of the Versilia district (Tuscany, central Italy)

Although in Europe the quality of swimming pools (SPs) is dictated by regulations, microbiological and chemical hazards are described in the literature. Environmental bacteria or toxic disinfection byproduct (DBP) compounds may indeed be recovered in waters even after disinfection. We evaluated the water quality from 26 outdoor seasonal SPs of the Versilia district, according to requirements of Regional Decree 54R/2015. In spring 2017, supply and reinstatement waters were collected after shock hyperchlorination (10 mg/L) while in summertime, a second sampling of waters before entering the pools, as well as in the pools, was performed after SPs were open to the public. In all samples, microbiological and chemical parameters were determined as defined by Directive 98/83/EC and the Italian Health Ministry. Microbiological data were within suggested limits. The first chemical analyses showed that in 35% of the feeding-pool seawater samples, the halogenated organic compounds were higher than the maximum permissible concentrations (30 μg/L). Pool waters were then dechlorinated and re-treated with hydrogen peroxide (10 mg/L) to ensure the abatement of DBPs (from 164 ± 107 to 0.9 ± 0.8 μg/L; p ¼ 0.002). Results highlighted the need of self-controlled procedures for the SPs waters to prevent waterborne diseases and suggested hydrogen peroxide as the most appropriate disinfection method

Enhanced magnetization and anisotropy in Mn-Ga thin films grown on LSAT

Epitaxial thin films of MnxGa1?x (x?=?0.70, 0.74) grown on single crystal (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 [LSAT] substrates exhibit an enhanced magnetic moment and magnetic anisotropy in comparison to films of the same composition grown epitaxially on SrTiO3 [STO] single crystal substrates. Atomic and magnetic force microscopy revealed films exhibiting uniform grains and magnetic domain structures, with only minor differences between the films grown on different substrates. High resolution transmission electron microscopy on the x?=?0.74 sample grown on LSAT showed a well-ordered, faceted film structure with the tetragonal c-axis oriented out of the film plane. Further, misfit dislocations, accommodating the lattice mismatch, were evidenced at the film/substrate interface. The out of plane c lattice parameter is larger for all x in the films grown on LSAT, due to the smaller substrate lattice parameter compared to STO. The increase in c generates a larger distortion of the tetragonal lattice which promotes the enhanced magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. These results indicate that LSAT is a promising substrate for realizing highly tailored magnetic properties for future spintronic applications not only in MnxGa1?x but also in the broader class of tetragonal Mn-Z-Ga (Z?=?transition metal) materials

Low Serum Ferroxidase I Activity Is Associated With Mortality in Heart Failure and Related to Both Peroxynitrite-Induced Cysteine Oxidation and Tyrosine Nitration of Ceruloplasmin

RATIONALE: Ceruloplasmin antioxidant function is mainly related to its ferroxidase I (FeOxI) activity, which influences iron-dependent oxidative and nitrosative radical species generation. Peroxynitrite, whose production is increased in heart failure (HF), can affect ceruloplasmin antioxidant function through amino acid modification. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between FeOxI and ceruloplasmin tyrosine and cysteine modification and explored in a cohort of patients with HF the potential clinical relevance of serum FeOxI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In patients with chronic HF (n=96, 76 ± 9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.9 ± 0.8) and age-matched controls (n=35), serum FeOxI, FeOxII, ceruloplasmin, nitrotyrosine-bound ceruloplasmin, B-type natriuretic peptide, norepinephrine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured, and the patients were followed up for 24 months. Ceruloplasmin, B-type natriuretic peptide, norepinephrine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were increased in HF versus controls. FeOxI was decreased in HF (-20%) and inversely related to nitrotyrosine-bound ceruloplasmin (r, -0.305; P=0.003). In HF, FeOxI lower tertile had a mortality rate doubled compared with middle-higher tertiles. FeOxI emerged as a mortality predictor (hazard ratio, 2.95; 95% confidence intervals [1.29-6.75]; P=0.011) after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, sodium level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In experimental settings, peroxynitrite incubation of serum samples and isolated purified ceruloplasmin reduced FeOxI activity while increasing ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration and cysteine thiol oxidation. Reduced glutathione prevented peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI drop, tyrosine nitration, and cysteine oxidation; flavonoid(-)-epicatechin, which prevented ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration but not cysteine oxidation, partially impeded peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI drop. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced activity of serum FeOxI is associated with ceruloplasmin nitration and reduced survival in patients with HF. Both ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration and cysteine thiol oxidation may be operant in vivo in peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI activity inhibition

Psychosocial stress induces hyperphagia and exacerbates diet-induced insulin resistance and the manifestations of the Metabolic Syndrome.

Stress and hypercaloric food are recognized risk factors for obesity, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Given the complexity of these metabolic processes and the unavailability of animal models, there is poor understanding of their underlying mechanisms. We established a model of chronic psychosocial stress in which subordinate mice are vulnerable to weight gain while dominant mice are resilient. Subordinate mice fed a standard diet showed marked hyperphagia, high leptin, low adiponectin, and dyslipidemia. Despite these molecular signatures of MetS and T2D, subordinate mice fed a standard diet were still euglycemic. We hypothesized that stress predisposes subordinate mice to develop T2D when synergizing with other risk factors. High fat diet aggravated dyslipidemia and the MetS thus causing a pre-diabetes-like state in subordinate mice. Contrary to subordinates, dominant mice were fully protected from stress-induced metabolic disorders when fed both a standard- and a high fat-diet. Dominant mice showed a hyperphagic response that was similar to subordinate but, unlike subordinates, showed a significant increase in VO2, VCO2, and respiratory exchange ratio when compared to control mice. Overall, we demonstrated a robust stress- and social status-dependent effect on the development of MetS and T2D and provided insights on the physiological mechanisms. Our results are reminiscent of the effect of the individual socioeconomic status on human health and provide an animal model to study the underlying molecular mechanisms

Prealbumin improves death risk prediction of BNP-added Seattle Heart Failure Model: results from a pilot study in elderly chronic heart failure patients.

Background: An accurate prognosis prediction represents a key element in chronic heart failure (CHF) management. Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) prognostic power, a validated risk score for predicting mortality in CHF, is improved by adding B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). We evaluated in a prospective study the incremental value of several biomarkers, linked to different biological domains, on death risk prediction of BNP-added SHFM. Methods: Troponin I (cTnI), norepinephrine, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α :(TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 2 soluble receptor, leptin, prealbumin, free malondialdehyde, and 15-F2t-isoprostane were measured in plasma from 142 consecutive ambulatory, non-diabetic stable CHF (mean NYHA-class 2.6) patients (mean age 75 ± 8 years). Calibration, discrimination, and risk reclassification of BNP-added SHFM were evaluated after individual biomarker addition. Results: Individual addition of biomarkers to BNP-added SHFM did not improve death prediction, except for prealbumin (HR 0.49 CI: (0.31-0.76) p = 0.002) and cTnI (HR 2.03 CI: (1.20-3.45) p = 0.009). In fact, with respect to BNP-added SHFM (Harrell's C-statistic 0.702), prealbumin emerged as a stronger predictor of death showing the highest improvement in model discrimination (+ 0.021, p = 0.033) and only a trend was observed for cTn I (+ 0.023, p = 0.063). These biomarkers showed also the best reclassification statistic (Integrated Discrimination Improvement-IDI) at 1-year (IDI: cTnI, p = 0.002; prealbumin, p = 0.020), 2-years (IDI: cTnI, p = 0.018; prealbumin: p = 0.006) and 3-years of follow-up (IDI: cTnI p = 0.024; prealbumin: p = 0.012). Conclusions: Individual addition of prealbumin allows a more accurate prediction of mortality of BNP enriched SHFM in ambulatory elderly CHF suggesting its potential use in identifying those at high-risk that need nutritional surveillance

Characterization of a novel peripheral pro-lipolytic mechanism in mice: role of VGF-derived peptide TLQP-21.

The peptides encoded by the VGF gene are gaining biomedical interest and are increasingly being scrutinized as biomarkers for human disease. An endocrine/neuromodulatory role for VGF peptides has been suggested but never demonstrated. Furthermore, no study has demonstrated so far the existence of a receptor-mediated mechanism for any VGF peptide. In the present study, we provide a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo identification of a novel pro-lipolytic pathway mediated by the TLQP-21 peptide. We show for the first time that VGF-immunoreactivity is present within sympathetic fibres in the WAT (white adipose tissue) but not in the adipocytes. Furthermore, we identified a saturable receptor-binding activity for the TLQP-21 peptide. The maximum binding capacity for TLQP-21 was higher in the WAT as compared with other tissues, and selectively up-regulated in the adipose tissue of obese mice. TLQP-21 increases lipolysis in murine adipocytes via a mechanism encompassing the activation of noradrenaline/β-adrenergic receptors pathways and dose-dependently decreases adipocytes diameters in two models of obesity. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel and previously uncharacterized peripheral lipolytic pathway encompassing the VGF peptide TLQP-21. Targeting the sympathetic nerve-adipocytes interaction might prove to be a novel approach for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic complications

Angiotensin II: a hormone that affects lipid metabolism in adipose tissue.

Background:Alterations in adipose tissue lipolysis may contribute to the pathophysiology of obesity and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis in humans.Methods and results:First, adipocytes obtained from nine normal weight and seven obese subjects were stimulated with Ang II (10(-14)-10(-6) M). Glycerol concentration in the medium, used as an indicator of adipocyte lipolysis, was significantly reduced ( approximately 20%) after Ang II stimulation in adipocytes from normal weight (P=0.04) and obese subjects (P<0.001). Based on these observations, adipocytes of seven additional obese subjects were stimulated with lower doses of Ang II (10(-17)-10(-6) M) in the presence and absence of Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blockade. Lipolysis was dose dependently inhibited by approximately 20 to 25% after Ang II stimulation (P=0.001). AT(1) receptor blockade completely abolished the Ang II-induced effects (P=0.35).Conclusion:Ang II directly inhibits abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis in normal weight and obese subjects via the AT(1) receptor.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 16 May 2006; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.080338

Lo screening istologico nella prevenzione dell\u2019uso di anabolizzanti nel bovino.

Al fine di fornire maggiori garanzie al consumatore sull\u2019assenza di residui di farmaci ad attivit\ue0 ormonale non consentiti nelle carni e nei prodotti derivati, gli autori pro- pongono l\u2019adozione dell\u2019esame istologico nello screening per il rilievo di trattamenti ormonali illeciti dei bovini da carne. Esso si caratterizza per l\u2019elevata sensibilit\ue0 e ripetibilit\ue0 e si presta facilmente ai controlli di qualit\ue0. Lo scopo \ue8 quello di assicurare il massimo rispetto della normativa Nazionale e Comunitaria relativa all\u2019impiego di anabolizzanti nell\u2019allevamento del bovino da carne. Pertanto l\u2019esame istologico pu\uf2 essere impiegato sia dai produttori o dagli operatori della distribuzione come forma di autocontrollo sia dal Sistema Sanitario Pubblico nell\u2019attivit\ue0 di prevenzione e controllo. Il documento che segue illustra in sintesi dapprima le caratteristiche degli anabolizzanti pi\uf9 utilizzati nell\u2019allevamento bovino, il loro significato e le indicazioni dello screening, le modalit\ue0 con cui pu\uf2 essere condotto, le tecniche di laboratorio impiegate, gli standards morfologici normali e patologici degli organi sottoposti a indagine istologica, i criteri per esprimere il giudizio diagnostico ed il sistema di controllo della qualit\ue0