Illicit drugs in Emergency Department patients injured in road traffic accidents

Urine and blood samples from 1730 drivers involved in road accidents (July 2012- December 2015) were analyzed for the evaluation of driving under influence of drug of abuse according to the Lombardia Region guideline. The 22.5 % of urine screenings tested positive for at least one class of drugs. 10.6% of the 1730 drivers were under the influence of drug, being blood concentration above the cut-off limit for at least one active substance; the prevalence of illicit drugs in blood was cocaine (5.7 %), cannabinoids (3.7 %), opiates (1.4 %), methadone (1.4 %), amphetamines (0.2 %). Trend in prevalence showed similar percentage (about 5 %) of cocaine and cannabinoids consumption in the last two years. Poly-drug of abuse consumption emerged in the 10.4 % of the positive blood and alcohol was above the legal limit in 47 % of the subjects driving under the influence of drugs

chemical composition antioxidant antimicrobial and anti inflammatory activity of prunus spinosa l fruit ethanol extract

n/

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammaging Ability of Prune (Prunus Spinosa L.) Extract Result in Improved Wound Healing Efficacy

none12sìPrunus spinosa L. fruit (PSF) ethanol extract, showing a peculiar content of biologically active molecules (polyphenols), was investigated for its wound healing capacity, a typical feature that declines during aging and is negatively affected by the persistence of inflammation and oxidative stress. To this aim, first, PSF anti-inflammatory properties were tested on young and senescent LPS-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). As a result, PSF treatment increased miR-146a and decreased IRAK-1 and IL-6 expression levels. In addition, the PSF antioxidant effect was validated in vitro with DPPH assay and confirmed by in vivo treatments in C. elegans. Our findings showed beneficial effects on worms’ lifespan and healthspan with positive outcomes on longevity markers (i.e., miR-124 upregulation and miR-39 downregulation) as well. The PSF effect on wound healing was tested using the same cells and experimental conditions employed to investigate PSF antioxidant and anti-inflammaging ability. PSF treatment resulted in a significant improvement of wound healing closure (ca. 70%), through cell migration, both in young and older cells, associated to a downregulation of inflammation markers. In conclusion, PSF extract antioxidant and antiinflammaging abilities result in improved wound healing capacity, thus suggesting that PSF might be helpful to improve the quality of life for its beneficial health effects.openSofia Coppari, Mariastella Colomba, Daniele Fraternale, Vanessa Brinkmann, Margherita Romeo, Marco Bruno Luigi Rocchi, Barbara Di Giacomo, Michele Mari, Loretta Guidi, Seeram Ramakrishna, Natascia Ventura, Maria Cristina AlbertiniCoppari, Sofia; Colomba, Mariastella; Fraternale, Daniele; Brinkmann, Vanessa; Romeo, Margherita; Rocchi, MARCO BRUNO LUIGI; DI GIACOMO, Barbara; Mari, Michele; Guidi, Loretta; Ramakrishna, Seeram; Ventura, Natascia; Albertini, MARIA CRISTIN

Buflomedil Interference with the Monoclonal EMIT d. a. u. Amphetamine/ Methamphetamine Immunoassay

Peer Reviewe

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for in vitro and ex vitro performance enhancement of Apennines’ Genepì (Artemisia umbelliformis subsp. eriantha), an endangered phytotherapeutic plant

Apennines genepì ( Artemisia umbelliformis Lam. subsp. eriantha ), is a highaltitude plant endangered by illegal and indiscriminate harvesting to produce the homonymous liqueur. Even if synthetic seeds represented a valid propagation technique to respond to this threat, this technology still requires methods to improve the low germination and plantlet development rates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of the bacterial consortium formed by Azospirillum brasilense , Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus , Burkholderia ambifaria , and Herbaspirillum seropedicae , as an enrichment agent of Apennines Genepì synthetic seeds. To evaluate the effectiveness as an improving agent, the consortium was incorporated in the synthetic seeds, compared to a control, and followed until ex vitro cultivations. Plants were evaluated for their growth and development parameters, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant properties, polyphenolic compounds concentrations, and volatile fractions. The results demonstrated that the investigated consortium is a good candidate as an enrichment agent in synthetic seed technology. The rhizobacterial presence induced an improved response in plant propagation and the acclimatization process. Plant quality was also enhanced, with an increased accumulation of plant secondary metabolites and higher antioxidant capacity. The investigated bacterial consortium is a good candidate as an enrichment agent in synthetic seed technology. Plant clones can be translocated for species conservation and also commercialized to reduce the illegal and undiscerning collections

Metformin accumulation: lactic acidosis and high plasmatic metformin levels in a retrospective case series of 66 patients on chronic therapy

Objective. The relationship between metformin accumulation and lactate increase is still debated. This observational case series aims to evaluate the correlation of metformin plasma levels with the pH, lactate and creatinine levels, and with the mortality rate in selected patients with metformin accumulation confirmed through metformin plasma concentration detection at hospital admission. Material and methods. All cases of lactic acidosis (pH, = 5 mmol/L) related to metformin accumulation (plasma level >= 4 mcg/mL) from 2007 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Erroneous ingestion and voluntary overdoses were excluded. Epidemiological, medical history, clinical and laboratory data were evaluated in all cases. Results. Sixty-six patients were included. Thirty-one patients (47%) had contraindication to therapy with metformin. All patients showed severe lactic acidosis (pH, 6.91 +/- 0.18; lactate, 14.36 +/- 4.90 mmol/L) and acute renal failure (creatinine, 7.24 +/- 3.29 mg/dL). The mean metformin plasma concentration was 40.68 +/- 27.70 mcg/mL. Metformin plasma concentrations showed a correlation, statistically significant even if not strong, with creatinine (p = 0.002, R = 0.37), pH (p < 0.0001, R = -0.43) and plasma lactate levels (p = 0.001, R = 0.41). Sixty-two (94%) underwent dialysis. Early mortality (before discharge from ICU) was 26% (17 cases). Lactate and metformin concentrations had mean levels not statistically different in surviving and deceased patients. Conclusions. Patients on chronic therapy with metformin may develop a mitochondrial-related toxicity that should be considered when patients present with lactic acidosis, renal failure, and frequently, a medical history of gastrointestinal manifestations during the days preceding the hospital admission. The correlation between metformin plasma concentrations and creatinine, pH, and lactate levels seems to be related to the mechanism of action (inhibition of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) and to the kinetic properties (high distribution volume and low protein binding) of the drug. The relevant early mortality seems not correlated with the levels of metformin or lactates: this could be due to the possible role of concurrent illness even if, such as for the relationships with lactate and creatinine, a more proper toxicological evaluation could be obtained by assessing metformin erythrocyte concentrations instead of the plasmatic ones