The interplay of reactive oxygen species, hypoxia, inflammation, and sirtuins in cancer initiation and progression

The presence of ROS is a constant feature in living cells metabolizing O2. ROS concentration and compartmentation determine their physiological or pathological effects. ROS overproduction is a feature of cancer cells and plays several roles during the natural history of malignant tumor. ROS continuously contribute to each step of cancerogenesis, from the initiation to the malignant progression, acting directly or indirectly. In this review, we will (a) underline the role of ROS in the pathway leading a normal cell to tumor transformation and progression, (b) define the multiple roles of ROS during the natural history of a tumor, (c) conciliate many conflicting data about harmful or beneficial effects of ROS, (d) rethink the importance of oncogene and tumor suppressor gene mutations in relation to the malignant progression, and (e) collocate all the cancer hallmarks in a mechanistic sequence which could represent a "physiological" response to the initial growth of a transformed stem/pluripotent cell, defining also the role of ROS in each hallmark. We will provide a simplified sketch about the relationships between ROS and cancer. The attention will be focused on the contribution of ROS to the signaling of HIF, NFκB, and Sirtuins as a leitmotif of cancer initiation and progressi

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Outcome materno-fetale in gravide affette da epilessia

Obiettivo: in Italia l’epilessia è la patologia neurologica più frequente. La frequenza dell’epilessia in gravidanza è del 3-6‰ . L’effetto della gravidanza sulla malattia è imprecisabile. Nelle gravide epilettiche verrebbe registrato un aumento di preeclampsia, sanguinamento vaginale, distacco di placenta, parto pretermine. Sono descritti, inoltre, aumenti di IUGR, mortalità perinatale ed emorragie feto-neonatali. Scopo dello studio è quello di determinare l’entità dell’influenza della sindrome epilettica sulla gravidanza. Metodi: sono state esaminate 9.000 pazienti di cui 65 presentavano diagnosi di epilessia. Lo studio include informazioni relative all’andamento della gravidanza, alla modalità del parto e allo stato clinico del bambino. Per la valutazione dell’andamento della gravidanza, abbiamo rilevato la comparsa di complicanze della stessa. Per la valutazione clinica del neonato abbiamo segnalato il punteggio Apgar attribuitogli, il peso alla nascita, presenza e tipo di malformazioni congenite. Risultati: per le complicazioni ostetriche, su 65 gravide epilettiche, il 7,7% ha avuto un parto prematuro; altra complicanza è l’ipertensione materna, riscontrata nell’11% dei casi. Per le complicanze fetoneonatali, il 6% dei neonati alla nascita era moderatamente depresso, il 10,8% di peso inferiore ai 2.500g, il ritardo di crescita intrauterina si è evidenziato nel 5% dei casi e le malformazioni congenite nel 7%. Il 58% delle gravide epilettiche è stato sottoposto a taglio cesareo. Conclusioni: si è riscontrato un tasso di complicazioni maternofetali del 15%. Per gli exitus materno-neonatali abbiamo dimostrato come, in un campione attentamente monitorato ed assistito, tale rischio sia praticamente azzerato. Possiamo concludere che le problematiche dell’epilessia in gravidanza non si discostano da quelle di altre patologie ostetriche

Recycle of coal oil ashes for the manufacture of building materials

In this paper coal fuel ashes have been characterized in terms of leaching behaviour and reactivity against lime and gypsum in hydratory systems for the manufacture of building materials. Their behaviour was also compared to that of coal ashes. Metal release was measured in a dynamic leaching test with duration up to 16 days. The results have shown that coal-fuel oil ashes behave very similarly to coal ashes. The reactivity of coal-fuel oil ashes against lime and gypsum was measured in mixtures containing only lime and in mixtures containing both lime and gypsum. These systems were hydrated at 25 and 40°C under 100% R.H. The results have shown that the main hydration products are the same as those that are usually formed in similar coal ashes-based systems. That is, calcium silicate hydrate in coal-fuel oil/lime systems and calcium silicate hydrate plus calcium trisulfoaluminate hydrate in coal-fuel oil/lime/gypsum systems. From the quantitative point of view, hydration runs showed that both chemically combined water and reacted lime are significantly higher in the case under investigation. Finally the measurement of unconfined compressive strength proved that the systems have potentiality for the manufacture of pre-formed building blocks

“Potential application of coal-fuel oil ash for the manufacture of building materials”

In this paper coal–fuel oil ash has been characterized in terms of leaching behaviour and reactivity against lime and gypsum in hydratory systems for the manufacture of building materials. Its behaviour was also compared to that of coal ash. Metal release was measured in a dynamic leaching test with duration up to 16 days. The results have shown that coal–fuel oil ash behaves very similarly to coal ash. The reactivity of coal–fuel oil ash against lime and gypsum was measured in mixtures containing only lime and in mixtures containing both lime and gypsum. These systems were hydrated at 25 and 40 ◦C under 100% R.H. The results have shown that the main hydration products are the same as those that are usually formed in similar coal ash-based systems. That is, calcium silicate hydrate in coal–fuel oil ash/lime systems and calcium silicate hydrate plus calcium trisulphoaluminate hydrate in coal–fuel oil ash/lime/gypsum systems. From the quantitative point of view, hydration runs showed that the amounts of both chemically combined water and reacted lime measured in the case under investigation are very similar to those found in similar coal ash-based systems. Finally, the measurement of unconfined compressive strength proved that the systems have potentiality for the manufacture of pre-formed building blocks

Effectiveness of tension-free vaginal tape compared with transobturator tape in women with stress urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency: A randomized controlled trial

[No abstract available

Long-term cervical cancer survivors suffer from pelvic floor symptoms

[No abstract available

Where should bulking agents for female urodynamic stress incontinence be injected?

[No abstract available