Macro-moths as possible assessment endpoints for non-target effects of Bt-maize pollen: a faunistic study in three Italian protected areas

Lepidoptera are the phytophagous group most at risk of impact by insect-resistant genetically modified (GM) plants since most of these crops have been developed to express toxins to specifically target lepidopteran pests. In the case of Bt-maize cultivation, pollen grains released by GM plants could dust larval host plants growing inside or nearby maize fields, thus leading to the exposure of caterpillars to the Cry toxins. This way of exposure has been studied mainly for butterflies, whereas moths, in spite of their great diversity and abundance, were rarely considered. To evaluate the potential exposure of moth species to maize pollen in absence of Cry-expressing plants, macro-moths were sampled by means of light traps in three protected areas of Northern, Central and Southern Italy where conventional maize is among the main crops. Light traps were activated in two consecutive years (2010- 11) from the beginning of June to the end of July, a period that encompasses the anthesis of most maize cultivars grown in Italy. Overall, 11446 individuals belonging to 201 species and nine families were collected. Given that larvae of several sampled species are likely to match the criteria of potential exposure to maize pollen and susceptibility to Cry toxins, macro-moths might be considered among the potential assessment endpoints for environmental risk assessment of GM plants, especially in the vicinity of protected areas

MR imaging of atlantoaxial joint in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose. This study was done to assess the involvement of the atlantoaxial joint in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in depicting this early joint involvement. Materials and methods. Twenty patients (16 women and four men, mean age 55.0\ub112.9 years) with clinical and laboratory evidence of early rheumatoid arthritis (mean disease duration <12 months) were included in our study. MR imaging of the atlantoaxial joint was performed in all patients within 3 months from diagnosis. The MR features were correlated with clinical and biochemical variables. Results. Five (25.0%) of the 20 patients exhibited enhancement of the periodontoid synovial spaces after gadolinium administration due to inflammatory synovitis. Compared with patients without cervical involvement, these five patients showed significantly higher values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate [median 77.0 mm/h (range 25th and 75th percentile 69.0\u201386.0) vs median 33.0 mm/h (range 25th and 75th percentile: 9.2\u201352) (p=0.007)]; significantly higher C-reactive protein values [median 53.6 mg/l (range 25th and 75th percentile 21.9\u201381.9) vs median 14.0 mg/l (range 25th and 75th percentile 0.8\u201320) (p=0.03)]; higher disease activity score [median 4.2 (range 25th and 75th percentile 3.9\u20135.4) vs median 3.2 (range 25th and 75th percentile 2.8\u20133.8) (p=0.03)]. Four (80%) of these five patients presented anti-citrulline antibodies (anti- CCP) and rheumatoid factor at laboratory testing. The latter was positive in 12 of the 20 patients (66%), and anti- CCP were positive in 15 (83%). Conclusions. MR imaging showed an atlantoaxial inflammatory synovitis in 25% of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Our results indicate that patients with higher disease activity are likely to be at higher risk of presenting early involvement of the atlantoaxial joint. MR imaging of the cervical spine is an excellent tool for assessing the early manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis before any destructive changes occur. Therefore, MR imaging should be included in the diagnostic workup in order to provide reliable guidance for treatment choices

The Impact of COVID-19 Quarantine on Patients With Dementia and Family Caregivers: A Nation-Wide Survey

Introduction: Previous studies showed that quarantine for pandemic diseases is associated with several psychological and medical effects. The consequences of quarantine for COVID-19 pandemic in patients with dementia are unknown. We investigated the clinical changes in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and evaluated caregivers’ distress during COVID-19 quarantine. Methods: The study involved 87 Italian Dementia Centers. Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Vascular Dementia (VD) were eligible for the study. Family caregivers of patients with dementia were interviewed by phone in April 2020, 45 days after quarantine declaration. Main outcomes were patients’ changes in cognitive, behavioral, and motor symptoms. Secondary outcomes were effects on caregivers’ psychological features. Results: 4913 patients (2934 females, 1979 males) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Caregivers reported a worsening in cognitive functions in 55.1% of patients, mainly in subjects with DLB and AD. Aggravation of behavioral symptoms was observed in 51.9% of patients. In logistic regression analysis, previous physical independence was associated with both cognitive and behavioral worsening (odds ratio 1.85 [95% CI 1.42–2.39], 1.84 [95% CI 1.43–2.38], respectively). On the contrary, pandemic awareness was a protective factor for the worsening of cognitive and behavioral symptoms (odds ratio 0.74 [95% CI 0.65–0.85]; and 0.72 [95% CI 0.63–0.82], respectively). Approximately 25.9% of patients showed the onset of new behavioral symptoms. A worsening in motor function was reported by 36.7% of patients. Finally, caregivers reported a high increase in anxiety, depression, and distress. Conclusion: Our study shows that quarantine for COVID-19 is associated with an acute worsening of clinical symptoms in patients with dementia as well as increase of caregivers’ burden. Our findings emphasize the importance to implement new strategies to mitigate the effects of quarantine in patients with dementia