Koagulacija krvi i lipidi u serumu (Studija stanovništva)

Two population groups differing in dietary habits and physical activity were examined on blood lipids and blood coagulability. The results showed a higher lipid concentration and shorter clotting time in the physically less active group, having a higher fat and caloric intake.Dvije populacione grupe, koje se razlikuju po svojoj prehrani, a osobito po povećanoj potrošnji masnoća i smanjenom fizičkom aktivitetu, ispitivane su s obzirom na nivo krvnih lipida i na koagulabilitet krvi. Rezultati pokazuju, da prehrana, osobito povećana potrošnja animalnih masnoća, te smanjena psihička aktivnost utječu na povećanje nivoa krvnih lipida i bržeg koagulabiliteta krvi mjerenog kao vrijeme zgrušavanja i protrombinsko vrijeme. Ti rezultati potvrđuju već ranija zapažanja autora o povećanom koagulabilitetu krvi u populacionim grupama, koje se istovremeno razlikuju i u koncentraciji krvnih lipida i u učestalosti koronarnih bolesti

Siagona europaea Dejean and Poecilus (Metapedius) pantanellii A. Fiori (Coleoptera: Carabidae): two clay-soil dwelling species with different uses of the space

Siagona europaea and Poecilus pantanellii are two carabid beetles strictly bound to clay soils typical of the Italian Apennines. The first exhibits a very flat body whereas the other has more "normal" proportions, suggesting a very different use of space. We tested the use of space of both species using three sets of live pitfall traps put in place at different depths in the clay soil of a Mediterranean Hedysarum pasture. Poecilus pantanellii is a very early spring breeder and more than 90% of its individuals show epigean locomotory activity. Siagona europaea's activity begins later, when the clay fissures become larger and deeper, and in the months of June and July about 80% of its population lives in the subterranean soil crevices. Morphometric measurements support these space use strategies: P. pantanellii has a wider antenna/eye angle and shorter antennae, indicating a possible visual component in prey recognition, as well as a thicker body and robust trochanters linked to "wedge pushing"; whereas S. europaea has longer antennae and a smaller antenna/eye angle suitable for olfactory-tactile prey recognition, and also has an extremely flat body and small trochanters. In the summer individuals climb up and down in the crevice system of clays searching for their specialised prey (worker ants exploring the space around their ant nests)

A Comprehensive Anatomical Characterization and Radiographic Study of Stage III Testicular Cancer in a 31-Year-Old Male Patient

Presented as a poster at 2020 IUSM Education Day.The purpose of this investigation was to characterize an unusual case of stage III testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) in a 31-year-old male with metastases to nodes, bone, viscera and brain, and to understand all possible routes of metastatic disease. Testicular cancer (TC) has an increasing incidence worldwide, and its etiology, risk factors and pathogenesis are not completely understood. Medical records were reviewed, and the cadaveric specimen evaluated by physical examination and gross dissection. Paraffin embedded tissue sections of the primary tumor were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for histological study. To examine metastatic spread, pre- and post-mortem digital radiologic image acquisition was done using x-ray films, and high-resolution CT Scans and MRI Scans. Image analysis, multi-planar reformatting, and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction were done on radiographic series. Dissection showed masses bilaterally from the apex through the lung base; masses on the internal thoracic wall, and hepatomegaly and splenomegaly with multiple tumor masses. Testicular parenchyma was composed of primitive germ cells that formed glomeruloid or embryonal-like structures, as well as areas with a micro-cystic histologic pattern and areas of fibrous dysplasia. Medical imaging 3-D video radiographic dissection was notable for a 38.45 mm diameter, mid-brain tumor; extreme hepatomegaly with numerous tumors, a large penetrating tumor of the left ilium, and multiple tumors throughout both lungs and the thoracolumbar spine (T5-S1). This study provides insight into the histology and metastatic spread of TGCT that is essential for clinicians to understand in the evaluation and treatment of TC patients

M.Somma-Vesuvio: attività sismica

In the tex

A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey over the Cape Roberts Rift Basin: Correlations with seismic reflection and magnetic susceptibility log data

A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey (altitude 125 m asl, spacing 500 m , area 800 km2) was carried out in 1994 offshore of Cape Roberts by the GITARA (German ITalian Aeromagnetic Research in Antarctica) Group. The availability from drilling of whole-core physical properties logs for magnetic susceptibility, P-wave velocity and density/porosity data allows new insights to be inferred from reprocessed and reviewed HRAM aeromagnetic data. Aeromagnetic data have been reprocessed to image with greater detail the structural framework along the western flank of the Victoria Land Basin. New processing includes 2D Werner and 3D Euler deconvolution, the production of maps of the maximum horizontal gradient of pseudo-gravity, and 2D, 3D modelling. Magnetic trends and anomalies are discussed in conjunction with now available drilling results from the CRP, existing bathymetric data and recently published interpretations of a multichannel seismic reflection survey

SPARC is a new myeloid-derived suppressor cell marker licensing suppressive activities

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are well-known key negative regulators of the immune response during tumor growth, however scattered is the knowledge of their capacity to influence and adapt to the different tumor microenvironments and of the markers that identify those capacities. Here we show that the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) identifies in both human and mouse MDSC with immune suppressive capacity and pro-tumoral activities including the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis. In mice the genetic deletion of SPARC reduced MDSC immune suppression and reverted EMT. Sparc−/− MDSC were less suppressive overall and the granulocytic fraction was more prone to extrude neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). Surprisingly, arginase-I and NOS2, whose expression can be controlled by STAT3, were not down-regulated in Sparc−/− MDSC, although less suppressive than wild type (WT) counterpart. Flow cytometry analysis showed equal phosphorylation of STAT3 but reduced ROS production that was associated with reduced nuclear translocation of the NF-kB p50 subunit in Sparc−/− than WT MDSC. The limited p50 in nuclei reduce the formation of the immunosuppressive p50:p50 homodimers in favor of the p65:p50 inflammatory heterodimers. Supporting this hypothesis, the production of TNF by Sparc−/− MDSC was significantly higher than by WT MDSC. Although associated with tumor-induced chronic inflammation, TNF, if produced at high doses, becomes a key factor in mediating tumor rejection. Therefore, it is foreseeable that an unbalance in TNF production could skew MDSC toward an inflammatory, anti-tumor phenotype. Notably, TNF is also required for inflammation-driven NETosis. The high level of TNF in Sparc−/− MDSC might explain their increased spontaneous NET formation as that we detected both in vitro and in vivo, in association with signs of endothelial damage. We propose SPARC as a new potential marker of MDSC, in both human and mouse, with the additional feature of controlling MDSC suppressive activity while preventing an excessive inflammatory state through the control of NF-kB signaling pathway