Lettere da Stoccolma

open1embargoed_20171231Gallo, ValentinaGallo, Valentin

Tackling structural inequalities to reduce concussion-related dementia in sportspeople

In contrast with the neuropathological evidence accumulating on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) [1] and its relation to concussion and the severe clinical consequences, the evidence coming from the sport research is not always consistent. For example, a recent study conducted among former elite English rugby players, the BRAIN study, found no overall evidence of an association between number of concussions suffered when playing and cognitive function at an older age [2]. The study, featuring an in depth evaluation of cognitive function, found an increased risk of poorer cognition in those who suffered three or more concussions compared to none, but only after age 70-75 years. This suggests the presence of an association which is delayed compared to that found in previous studies conducted among French, Scottish, and New Zealand rugby players [3].</p

Sull'epistola latina a Sperone Speroni attribuita a Giovan Battista Giraldi Cinthio

Attraverso una lettura testuale e contestuale dell\u2019epistola latina sulla Canace di Sperone Speroni, datata 1558, la studiosa impugna la presunta paternit\ue0 giraldiana e prova a ricostruire l\u2019identikit culturale e psicologico dell\u2019anonimo mittente, avanzando l\u2019ipotesi che il testo tradito dai manoscritti superstiti possa presentare elementi di falsificazione volti ad accreditare la paternit\ue0 giraldiana

Phagocytosis of haemozoin (malarial pigment) enhances metalloproteinase-9 activity in human adherent monocytes: Role of IL-1beta and 15-HETE

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been shown previously that human monocytes fed with haemozoin (HZ) or trophozoite-parasitized RBCs displayed increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzyme activity and protein/mRNA expression and increased TNF production, and showed higher matrix invasion ability. The present study utilized the same experimental model to analyse the effect of phagocytosis of: HZ, delipidized HZ, beta-haematin (lipid-free synthetic HZ) and trophozoites on production of IL-1beta and MMP-9 activity and expression. The second aim was to find out which component of HZ was responsible for the effects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Native HZ freshly isolated from <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>(Palo Alto strain, Mycoplasma-free), delipidized HZ, beta-haematin (lipid-free synthetic HZ), trophozoites and control meals such as opsonized non-parasitized RBCs and inert latex particles, were fed to human monocytes. The production of IL-1beta by differently fed monocytes, in presence or absence of specific MMP-9 inhibitor or anti-hIL-1beta antibodies, was quantified in supernatants by ELISA. Expression of IL-1beta was analysed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. MMP-9 activity and protein expression were quantified by gelatin zymography and Western blotting.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Monocytes fed with HZ or trophozoite-parasitized RBCs generated increased amounts of IL-1beta and enhanced enzyme activity (in cell supernatants) and protein/mRNA expression (in cell lysates) of monocyte MMP-9. The latter appears to be causally related to enhanced IL-1beta production, as enhancement of both expression and enzyme activity were abrogated by anti-hIL-1beta Abs. Upregulation of IL-1beta and MMP-9 were absent in monocytes fed with beta-haematin or delipidized HZ, indicating a role for HZ-attached or HZ-generated lipid components. 15-HETE (15(S,R)-hydroxy-6,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid) a potent lipoperoxidation derivative generated by HZ from arachidonic acid via haem-catalysis was identified as one mediator possibly responsible for increase of both IL-1beta production and MMP-9 activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results indicate that specific lipoperoxide derivatives generated by HZ may play a role in modulating production of IL-1beta and MMP-9 expression and activity in HZ/trophozoite-fed human monocytes. Results may clarify aspects of cerebral malaria pathogenesis, since MMP-9, a metalloproteinase able to disrupt the basal lamina is possibly involved in generation of hallmarks of cerebral malaria, such as blood-brain barrier endothelium dysfunction, localized haemorrhages and extravasation of phagocytic cells and parasitized RBCs into brain tissues.</p

Implication of Sodium Hypochlorite as a Sanitizer in Ready-to-Eat Salad Processing and Advantages of the Use of Alternative Rapid Bacterial Detection Methods

The use of disinfection agents in the washing processing of ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables, especially sodium hypochlorite, is a common industrial practice performed to enhance microbiological quality. However, some studies have reported a restart of bacterial growth and a substantial increase in bacterial load during early storage associated with the use of disinfection agents, which might represent a risk for consumers. We evaluated the effect of sodium hypochlorite on bacterial growth trends during the shelf-life in Lactuca sativa, simulating the industrial procedures for RTE vegetable packaging. Immediately after sodium hypochlorite treatment, an effective abatement of the bacterial load was observed, followed by a restart of growth throughout storage. After 5 days, the bacterial load was close to that reached by the control samples, indicating that the net increase in bacterial load was significantly higher in the treated samples. This might be ascribed to the reduction in competitive microflora and/or to the induction of adaptive responses by resting bacteria, which might select disinfectant-resistant bacteria. These findings elicit some concerns about the actual duration of the shelf-life; products might decrease their microbiological quality earlier during storage, pointing out the need to better clarify the impact of sodium hypochlorite as a sanitizer to closer consider its use in RTE vegetable processing. Furthermore, due to the importance of the rapid estimation of bacterial load and the early detection of foodborne pathogens throughout the food chain, the accuracy of the rapid bacteria detection method, the Micro Biological Survey (MBS), and its effectiveness for microbiological analyses of RTE vegetables were evaluated