The passive drinking effect: Evidence from Italy

This paper investigates whether consumption of alcoholic beverages affects distribution of resources among household members. We refer to this effect, highlighting the negative impact that alcohol addicted individuals can have on other household members wellbeing. To investigate this issue we rely on the collective framework and estimate a structural collective demand system. Our results show that for Italian households a high level of alcohol consumption influences the allocation of resources in favour of the husband, with a larger effect in poor households. This evidence implies that alcohol consumption is not only an individual problem. Public costs that are transferred to the other household members should be taken into account when designing social policies.collective model ; demand system ; sharing rule ; alcohol consumption ; intra-household resources distribution ; policy implications

The passive drinking effect: Evidence from Italy

This paper investigates whether consumption of alcoholic beverages affects distribution of resources among household members. We refer to this effect, highlighting the negative impact that alcohol addicted individuals can have on other household members wellbeing. To investigate this issue we rely on the collective framework and estimate a structural collective demand system. Our results show that for Italian households a high level of alcohol consumption influences the allocation of resources in favour of the husband, with a larger effect in poor households. This evidence implies that alcohol consumption is not only an individual problem. Public costs that are transferred to the other household members should be taken into account when designing social policies.Cet article étudie si la consommation de boissons alcoolisées affecte la distribution des ressources entre les membres du ménage. Nous nous référons à cet effet comme le Passive Drinking Effect, en mettant en évidence l'impact négatif que des individus dépendant de l'alcool peuvent avoir sur le bien-être des autres membres de la famille. Pour répondre à cette question nous nous appuyons sur le modèle collectif et on estime un système structurelle de demande de consommation. Nos résultats montrent que, pour les foyers italiens un niveau élevé de consommation d'alcool influe sur la répartition des ressources en faveur du mari, avec un effet plus grand pour les ménages pauvres. Cette évidence implique que la consommation d'alcool n'est pas seulement un problème individuel: les coûts publics qui sont transférés aux autres membres du ménage doivent être pris en compte dans le cadre des politiques sociales

Mouse amniotic fluid stem cells are able to differentiate into satellite cells replenishing the depauperated muscle stem cell niche

Introduction: Stem cell biology has received much interest because of its potential in both therapeutic application and in vitro modeling of diseases. In particular embryonic stem cells have good proliferative and differentiative abilities, but their use is still associated to ethical concerns and problems related to their teratogenic potential. Adult stem cells have also been described to be pluripotent both in vitro and in vivo. However, their use is limited because they are difficult to isolate and expand, particularly in a clinical setting. In this scenario, it would be advantageous to obtain a cell population with high selfrenewal and differentiation capacities, without ethical problems. In 2007 our group described that amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells could be derived selecting amniocytes using c-Kit antibody. AFS cells have clonogenic capability and can be directed into a wide range of cell types representing the three primary embryonic lineages. Aim: This work aiming at characterize the myogenic potential of mouse AFS cells using a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy and in particular at analyzing their ability to differentiate into satellite cells and colonize the muscle stem cell niche. Materials and Methods: Mouse AFS cells were obtained by amniocentesis and selected for the marker c-Kit with immunomagnetic beads. Freshly isolated AFS cells were analyzed for the expression of different markers (CD90, CD45, CD44, CD34, CD31, Flk1, SCA1, CD105) by flow cytometry and the expression of Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, Klf4 and Sca-1 by qRT-PCR at different embryonic stages. For the treatment of HSA-Cre, SmnF7/F7 mutant mice, GFP+ AFS cells were injected via the tail vein and animals were sacrificed one and fifteen months after transplantation. Clinical aspects were observed and analyzed after transplantation to evaluate AFS cells’ effects. Several muscles were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome and analyzed by immunofluorescence with anti-GFP and anti-dystrophin antibodies. To demonstrate the ability of AFS cells to replenish the muscle niche, staining for satellite cell markers and secondary transplantation were performed. The myogenic potential of AFS cells was also evaluated with transplantation after in vitro expansion. Results: Mouse AFS cell number changes during the course of gestation. At E12.5 these cells express hematopoietic markers (CD45, CD34, SCA1), mesenchymal markers (CD90, CD105) together with Flk1, CD31 and CD44. Gene expression analysis showed that mouse AFS cells express at low levels Oct4 and Sox2 and at high levels c-Myc and Klf4, whereas they are negative for the expression of myogenic genes. Mild muscular mutant HSA-Cre, SmnF7/F7 mice die at the age of 10 months and show evident clinical complications such as kyphosis and muscle shrinkage. After transplantation with GFP+ AFS or bone marrow (BM) cells mice survival rate increased by 75% and 50% respectively. Animals treated with AFS cells recovered more than 75% of force compared to the untreated. One month after transplantation, muscles obtained from AFS-treated mice displayed 37% of GFP+ fibers, with very low number of regenerating myofibers (<1%) and normal dystrophin expression. Fifteen months after transplantation BM-treated mice displayed a high number of central nucleated fibers and consistent infiltration of interstitial tissue and no GFP+ myofibers, while AFS-treated mice had a normalized phenotype, close to the same age WT mice, and 58% of the myofibers were GFP+. Similar results were obtained with transplantation of mouse AFS cells expanded in culture. Discussion: Mouse AFS cells are a heterogeneous population, and their phenotype changes during the course of gestation. At E12.5 they express mesenchymal, hematopoietic and endothelial markers, but most importantly don not express myogenic factors, indicating that no myogenic progenitor cells are present in this stem cell population. When injected in a muscular mutant mouse model, AFS cells showed a myogenic potential, even after long-term transplantation, suggesting an interesting therapeutic potential. They indeed were able to differentiate into satellite cells localizing in the muscle stem cell niche and expressing Pax7, a7integrin and SM/c-2.6, exclusively markers of satellite cell population. Moreover, AFS cells could contribute to the formation of new myofibers even after in vitro expansion

First steps to define murine amniotic fluid stem cell microenvironment

Stem cell niche refers to the microenvironment where stem cells reside in living organisms. Several elements define the niche and regulate stem cell characteristics, such as stromal support cells, gap junctions, soluble factors, extracellular matrix proteins, blood vessels and neural inputs. In the last years, different studies demonstrated the presence of cKit+ cells in human and murine amniotic fluid, which have been defined as amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells. Firstly, we characterized the murine cKit+ cells present both in the amniotic fluid and in the amnion. Secondly, to analyze the AFS cell microenvironment, we injected murine YFP+ embryonic stem cells (ESC) into the amniotic fluid of E13.5 wild type embryos. Four days after transplantation we found that YFP+ sorted cells maintained the expression of pluripotency markers and that ESC adherent to the amnion were more similar to original ESC in respect to those isolated from the amniotic fluid. Moreover, cytokines evaluation and oxygen concentration analysis revealed in this microenvironment the presence of factors that are considered key regulators in stem cell niches. This is the first indication that AFS cells reside in a microenvironment that possess specific characteristics able to maintain stemness of resident and exogenous stem cells

Decellularized diaphragmatic muscle drives a constructive angiogenic response in vivo

Skeletal muscle tissue engineering (TE) aims to efficiently repair large congenital and acquired defects. Biological acellular scaffolds are considered a good tool for TE, as decellularization allows structural preservation of tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) and conservation of its unique cytokine reservoir and the ability to support angiogenesis, cell viability, and proliferation. This represents a major advantage compared to synthetic scaffolds, which can acquire these features only after modification and show limited biocompatibility. In this work, we describe the ability of a skeletal muscle acellular scaffold to promote vascularization both ex vivo and in vivo. Specifically, chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay and protein array confirmed the presence of pro-angiogenic molecules in the decellularized tissue such as HGF, VEGF, and SDF-1\u3b1. The acellular muscle was implanted in BL6/J mice both subcutaneously and ortotopically. In the first condition, the ECM-derived scaffold appeared vascularized 7 days post-implantation. When the decellularized diaphragm was ortotopically applied, newly formed blood vessels containing CD31+, \u3b1SMA+, and vWF+ cells were visible inside the scaffold. Systemic injection of Evans Blue proved function and perfusion of the new vessels, underlying a tissue-regenerative activation. On the contrary, the implantation of a synthetic matrix made of polytetrafluoroethylene used as control was only surrounded by vWF+ cells, with no cell migration inside the scaffold and clear foreign body reaction (giant cells were visible). The molecular profile and the analysis of macrophages confirmed the tendency of the synthetic scaffold to enhance inflammation instead of regeneration. In conclusion, we identified the angiogenic potential of a skeletal muscle-derived acellular scaffold and the pro-regenerative environment activated in vivo, showing clear evidence that the decellularized diaphragm is a suitable candidate for skeletal muscle tissue engineering and regeneration

A Systematic Review on Materno-Foetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with IgA Nephropathy: A Case of &quot;Late-Maternal&quot; Preeclampsia?

Background: IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis in pregnancy and shares with other immunologic diseases and kidney diseases a relationship with adverse maternal outcomes, whose entity and pattern is only partially quantified. Recent studies provide new information and a systematic review regarded progression of kidney disease. The discussion of the outcomes with respect to low-risk pregnancies may help to perfect the estimation of the risks, and to identify specific research needs. Methods: A search strategy was built on Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane review for the period January 2000&ndash;April 2017, aimed at retrieving both case series (defined as with at least 6 pregnancies in women with IgA nephropathy) and case reports, to look into rare occurrences. All papers, with or without control groups, were selected if they reported on at least one pregnancy outcome, or on long-term kidney function. Search strategy, paper selection and data extraction were done in duplicate (PROSPERO N 42016042623). Meta-analysis of case series was performed with Metanalyst Beta 3.13. Case reports were analysed narratively. Results: The search retrieved 556 papers, of which 27 were included (13 series and 14 case-reports). The case series report on 581 women with 729 pregnancies. The analysis was performed in comparison to the available control groups: 562 non-pregnant controls were available for the analysis of progression of kidney disease. As for pregnancy related outcomes (preeclampsia (PE), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), preterm birth, small babies), we meta-analyzed the data with respect to the only series of low-risk pregnancies (1418 pregnancies). When compared with women who never got pregnant after diagnosis of IgA nephropathy, in the present meta-analysis pregnancy in women with IgA nephropathy was not associated with a higher risk of progression of kidney disease, possibly due to the overall preserved kidney function at baseline: end-stage kidney disease (OR 0.68; CI 0.28&ndash;1.65). Conversely, the incidence of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes was increased compared to low-risk controls: PE and PIH were more than ten-fold increased (OR 11.80; CI 7.53&ndash;18.48 and OR 10.39; CI 5.45&ndash;19.80), while the increase in risk of preterm birth and &ldquo;low birth weight babies&rdquo; was less marked (OR 3.37; CI 1.91&ndash;5.95 and OR 2.36; CI 1.52&ndash;3.66), a discrepancy suggesting the occurrence of &ldquo;late&rdquo; or &ldquo;maternal&rdquo; PE, that may affect less severely foetal growth or shorten gestation. In conclusion, in the present meta-analysis IgA nephropathy was not associated with an increased progression of kidney disease. The more than ten-fold increased risk of PIH and PE, in combination with a doubled risk of small babies, suggests the occurrence of &ldquo;late&rdquo; or &ldquo;maternal&rdquo; PE, usually less affecting early foetal growth. This finding may be of help in defining control policies, while further research is needed to guide clinical management

Evolution Strategies in Transaxillary Robotic Thyroidectomy: Considerations on the First 449 Cases Performed.

BACKGROUND: In the past 20 years, the fast spread of new surgical technologies has reached an important peak with the advent of the robotic surgery. Many studies have been run about a cosmetic desire to avoid neck scars after thyroid surgery and this has led to the development of remote access robotic thyroidectomy (RT). Among the various RT approaches, unilateral transaxillary access is one of the most widely used, reporting excellent results in terms of feasibility and patient's compliance. The mini-invasive technique demonstrated many potential shortcoming overcomes with the robotic approach. At our institution a team of 3 skilled endocrine surgeons with experience in laparoscopic and robotic procedures performed RT. Our aim is to report our 8-year single-centre robot-assisted thyroidectomy experience, by applying a gasless unilateral transaxillary approach with the so-called hybrid technique, and to demonstrate its safety and feasibility. METHODS: In the period between September 2010 and June 2018 at our institution, a total of 472 patients underwent thyroid and parathyroid transaxillary surgery. The hybrid technique was applied for all the robotic procedures. A total of 412 procedures were performed with the use of external "Modena Retractor" (CEATEC® Medizintechnik) and with 3 surgeons. According to international guidelines, our indications for robotic surgery were benign lesions with a diameter <5 cm, Graves' disease, well-differentiated thyroid cancers, and parathyroid adenomas. RESULTS: In this series, a total of 449 cases were registered. General data of patients were analyzed: gender, age, body mass index, tumor size, preoperative fine-needle aspiration examination, definitive histological examination, operative time, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the application of robotic approach in thyroid surgery as a feasible technique in terms of safety and complications risk. The hybrid technique, together with a dedicated surgical team, can lead to obtaining the same outcomes of traditional anterior cervicotomic surgery, adding a scarless thyroidectomy

Endothelial properties of third-trimester amniotic fluid stem cells cultured in hypoxia

open12siopenSchiavo, Andrea Alex; Franzin, Chiara; Albiero, Mattia; Piccoli, Martina; Spiro, Giovanna; Bertin, Enrica; Urbani, Luca; Visentin, Silvia; Cosmi, Erich; Fadini, Gian Paolo; De Coppi, Paolo; Pozzobon, MichelaSchiavo, ANDREA ALEX; Franzin, Chiara; Albiero, Mattia; Piccoli, Martina; Spiro, Giovanna; Bertin, Enrica; Urbani, Luca; Visentin, Silvia; Cosmi, Erich; Fadini, GIAN PAOLO; DE COPPI, Paolo; Pozzobon, Michel