Effect of Magnetic Fields on Drug Induced Contractility and Mortality in Spirostomum

The influence of homogeneous magnetic fields up to 5.5 T on contractile frequency and mortality in the ciliate protozoan spirostomum ambiguum stimulated by 2,2′ PDS is reported. Magnetic fields are observed to decrease contractile frequency and to significantly increase mortality

Spine Fragility Fracture Prediction Using TBS and BMD in Postmenopausal Women: A Bayesian Approach

The trabecular bone score (TBS) estimates bone microarchitecture and can be used to evaluate the risk of osteoporotic fractures independently of bone mineral density (BMD). In this retrospective case-control study, we tested and compared the ability of TBS and lumbar spine BMD (LS-BMD) to predict vertebral fragility fractures. The inclusion criteria were female sex, age range 50–90 years, menopause, and clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. Patients with secondary osteoporosis were excluded. LS-BMD and TBS were measured at the L1–L4 vertebral level. The ability of the two diagnostic systems in predicting vertebral fragility fractures was assessed by combining LS-BMD and TBS according to the Bayesian “OR rule” (the diagnosis is negative only for those negative for both tests, and it is positive for those who were positive for at least one test) or to the “AND rule” (the diagnosis is positive only for those positive to both tests and is negative for those negative for at least one test). Of the 992 postmenopausal women included, 86 had a documented vertebral fragility fracture. At the cutoff value used in the present study, the TBS and LS-BMD showed a similar diagnostic ability to predict vertebral fragility fractures, having positive predictive values (PPV) of, respectively, 13.19% and 13.24%. Negative predictive values (NPV) were, respectively, 95.40% and 94.95%. Compared to that of each single diagnostic system, the “OR-rule” significantly increased the NPV to 97.89%, while no statistically significant differences were found by using the “AND-rule”. In conclusion, the present study highlights the possibility that combining LS-BMD and TBS could improve their predictive ability in diagnosing vertebral fragility fractures, and that there is a significant probability of absence of fractures in women who test negative to both diagnostic systems

Structure/function studies on two type 1 ribosome inactivating proteins: Bouganin and lychnin

The three-dimensional structures of two type 1 RIPs, bouganin and lychnin, has been solved. Their adenine polynucleotide glycosylase activity was also determined together with other known RIPs: dianthin 30, PAP-R, momordin I, ricin A chain and saporin-S6. Saporin-S6 releases the highest number of adenine molecules from rat ribosomes, and poly(A), while its efficiency is similar to dianthin 30, bouganin and PAP-R on herring sperm DNA. Measures of the protein synthesis inhibitory activity confirmed that saporin-S6 is the most active. The overall structure of bouganin and lychnin is similar to the other considered RIPs and the typical RIP fold is conserved. The superimpositioning of their Cα atoms highlights some differences in the N-terminal and C-terminal domains. A detailed structural analysis indicates that the efficiency of saporin-S6 on various polynucleotides can be ascribed to a negative electrostatic surface potential at the active site and several exposed positively charged residues in the region around that site. These two conditions, not present at the same time in other examined RIPs, could guarantee an efficient interaction with the substrate and an efficient catalysis. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Working reinstatement and mental health

Mental illness, as anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anorexia, have a huge impact on any working population. These disorders are a medical and social reality in strong increasing and they represent a great public interest. People suffering from a mental illness experience many inconveniences: a reduced possibility in choosing of the type of job, the necessity of a support, the difficulty in changing job, a reduction of the working hours, discriminations and abuse. This study explored the role of work in enhancing the economic and social integration of people with mental disorders. The importance of addressing specific issues (supported employment, vocational rehabilitation) related to the employment of persons with mental health problems has also been recognized

Biological and genetic evolution of HIV type 1 in two siblings with different patterns of disease progression

To investigate the immunological and virological factors that may lead to different patterns of disease progression characteristic of HIV-1-infected children, two HIV-1-infected siblings, a slow and a fast progressor, were followed prospectively before the onset of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Viral coreceptor usage, including the use of CCR5/CXCR4 chimeric receptors, macrophage tropism, and sensitivity to the CC-chemokine RANTES, has been studied. An autologous and heterologous neutralizing antibody response has been documented using peripheral blood mononuclear cells- and GHOST(3) cell line-based assays. Viral evolution was investigated by env C2-V3 region sequence analysis. Although both siblings were infected with HIV-1 of the R5 phenotype, their viruses showed important biological differences. In the fast progressor there was a higher RANTES sensitivity of the early virus, an increased trend to change the mode of CCR5 receptor use, and a larger genetic evolution. Both children developed an autologous neutralizing antibody response starting from the second year with evidence of the continuous emergence of resistant variants. A marked viral genetic and phenotypic evolution was documented in the fast progressor sibling, which is accompanied by a high viral RANTES sensitivity and persistent neutralizing antibodies

Highly Variable Clinical Pictures in Dogs Naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum

Canine angiostrongylosis by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly reported in both enzootic and previously free areas. The complex pathogenesis of the disease makes the clinical workup challenging. Infected dogs show highly variable clinical pictures, characterized by subclinical to life-threatening general, cardio-respiratory, neurological and/or gastrointestinal signs. The present study reports the high variability of clinical pictures from 36 dogs across central and southern Italy that were naturally infected by A. vasorum. Of them, 23 (63.9%) presented at least one clinical sign, while 13 (36.1%) were subclinically infected and apparently healthy. Overall, 19 dogs (52.8%) showed cardiorespiratory signs, 14 (38.9%) had non-specific abnormalities, 2 (5.6%) presented coagulation disorders and 1 (2.8%) had a severe neurological condition. Importantly, four dogs presenting with clinical signs had neither cough nor dyspnea. These results underline that angiostrongylosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, even when dogs display only non-specific clinical signs. The proportion of apparently healthy dogs highlights the relevance of routine copromicroscopic and/or antigenic tests in enzootic areas to avoid the sudden onset of potentially life-threatening signs

Cognitive impairment and chemotherapy: a brief overview

Patients with cancer are experiencing long-term survivalfollowing chemotherapy, butthe treatment may also be associated with short and long-term toxicity, including the possibility of cognitive dysfunction. A literature overview indicated a significant association between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment but prospective longitudinal research is warranted to examine the degree and persisting nature of this decline. Although chemotherapeutic agents are unlikely to cross the blood-brain barrier, it has been alleged that the occurrence of neurotoxicity is linked to the pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways. Moreover in most cases many other factors could play an ancillary and concomitant role. The contribution of hormone therapy as well as emotional, social, behavioural and genetic factors should always be considered. Especially physical activity and cognitive training appear promising in the management of cognitive impairment but additional studies are required to establish their efficacy

Patologie e malattie professionali nel caso di radiazioni ionizzanti e di radiazioni non ionizzanti

Supplemento Speciale al Tomo n.