1,068 research outputs found
Effect of Lupinus albus as protein supplement on yield, constituents, clotting properties and fatty acid composition in ewes' milk
The effect of feeding lupin seeds (Lupinus albus L.) as an alternative protein source in ewe diets was investigated. Two groups of 18 Sarda ewes were fed two different isonitrogenous diets: with lupin (L) seed, given after 12 h soaking, or soybean meal (SBM) as the main protein source. DMI, variations of body weight and milk production were unaffected by the treatment. Although not statistically significant, in the group fed L diet the production of milk fat and protein was higher. Clotting properties of milk were similar for the two treatments, probably due to the small differences in the milk protein contents. The fatty acid profile of milk was affected by treatment with a larger content of short (14.19 wt% versus 12.26 wt%)- and medium (49.37 wt% versus 47.76 wt%)-chain fatty acids in milk from ewes fed the L diet. CLA content was unaffected by treatment. Triglyceride content of fat from the two diets reflects the milk fatty acid composition. Indeed, milk from L diet showed a higher level of medium-chain triglycerides, which are of particular interest to consumers with concerns over health and heart disease. The inclusion of lupin seed in the diet of lactation ewes can be a means of achieving a more desirable triglyceride profile in milk fat. Milk with enhanced nutritive quality may promote wider market penetration of sheep dairy products
Timescale of a magmatic-hydrothermal system revealed by 40Ar-39Ar geochronology: the Mio-Pliocene Campiglia Marittima system (Tuscany, Italy)
Petrology and timing of magmatic-hydrothermal systems and the linkage between plutonic and volcanic domains are central topics in geosciences, because of broad implications for natural hazards and exploitation of natural resources. We investigated by the 40Ar-39Ar method the timescale of a well-characterized natural example, the Mio-Pliocene Campiglia Marittima magmatic-hydrothermal system (Tuscany, Italy). 40Ar-39Ar data from pristine and homogeneous trioctahedral micas and sanidine from the plutonic-hydrothermal-subvolcanic-volcanic sequence (from the Botro ai Marmi Granite to the San Vincenzo Rhyolite) record crystallization ages and define a temporal sequence lasting 973 ± 43 ka, starting from 5.409 ± 0.043 Ma. K-feldspar from mafic and felsic porphyries, unlike micas, are affected by submillimetre, micropore laden, alteration domains consisting of secondary K-feldspar and albite, and yielded staircase-shaped age spectra, compatible with a ternary mixing. Results document that the San Vincenzo Rhyolite consists of two diachronous batches, the first emplaced at 5.0024 ± 0.0062 Ma, closely following emplacement of mafic porphyries, the second at 4.4359 ± 0.0045 Ma. Bulk of hydrothermal deposits, consisting of skarns and associated Zn-Pb(-Ag) mineralization predating Fe-Cu ore, formed within the first ~ 400-ka lifetime of the whole sequence and was closely followed by the first eruption which should have run out most of the ore-forming potential of the system
The Employment of Leukotriene Antagonists in Cutaneous Diseases Belonging to Allergological Field
Leukotrienes (LTs) are potent biological proinflammatory mediators. LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 are more frequently involved in chronic inflammatory responses and exert their actions binding to a cysteinyl-LT 1 (CysLT1) receptor and a cysteinyl-LT 2 (CysLT2) receptor. LTs receptor antagonists available for clinical use demonstrate high-affinity binding to the CysLT1 receptor. In this paper the employment of anti-LTs in allergic cutaneous diseases is analyzed showing that several studies have recently reported a beneficial effects of these agents (montelukast and zafirlukast as well as zileuton) for the treatment of some allergic cutaneous related diseases-like chronic urticaria and atopic eczema although their proper application remains to be established
Acquired angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency associated with anticardiolipin antibodies.
Acquired angioedema (AAE) with C1 inhibitor deficiency is often associated to B cell lymphoproliferative disorders or autoimmune diseases. We report a case of AAE associated with IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies, with frequent edematous attacks, that disappeared completely after a slight immunosuppression and danazol therapy
Bioaccumulation of dioxin-like substances and selected brominated flame retardant congeners in the fat and livers of black pigs farmed within the Nebrodi Regional Park of Sicily.
An observational study was designed to assess the bioaccumulation of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCB), and 13 selected polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in autochthonous pigs reared in the Nebrodi Park of Sicily (Italy). Perirenal fat and liver samples were drawn from animals representative of three different outdoor farming systems and from wild pigs and then analyzed for the chemicals mentioned previously. The highest concentrations of PCDD + PCDF and DL-PCB were detected in the fat (0.45 and 0.35 pg World Health Organization toxicity equivalents [WHO-TE] per g of fat base [FB], respectively) and livers (12.7 and 3.28 pg WHO-TE per g FB) of the wild group, whereas the free-ranging group showed the lowest levels (0.05 and 0.03 pg WHO-TE per g FB in fat and 0.78 and 0.27 pg WHO-TE per g FB in livers). The sum of PBDE congeners was highest in wild pigs (0.52 ng/g FB in fat and 5.64 ng/g FB in livers) and lowest in the farmed group (0.14 ng/g FB in fat and 0.28 ng/g FB in livers). The contamination levels in fat and livers of outdoor pigs had mean concentration values lower than those levels reported for intensively indoor-farmed animals. In wild pigs, bioaccumulation was associated with their free grazing in areas characterized by bush fires. The results of this study aid to emphasize the quality of the environment as a factor to guarantee food safety in typical processed pig meat products, specifically from outdoor and extensive Nebrodi farming systems
Severe acute lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia due to isolate tramadol poisoning
The article describes a case of severe acute lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia after intentional ingestion of tramadol overdose
resveratrol treatment reduces the vulnerability of sh sy5y cells and cortical neurons overexpressing sod1 g93a to thimerosal toxicity through sirt1 dream pdyn pathway
Abstract In humans, mutation of glycine 93 to alanine of Cu++/Zn++ superoxide dismutase type-1 (SOD1-G93 A) has been associated to some familial cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Several evidence proposed the involvement of environmental pollutants that like mercury could accelerate ALS symptoms. SH-SY5Y cells stably transfected with SOD1 and G93 A mutant of SOD1 constructs were exposed to non-toxic concentrations (0.01 μM) of ethylmercury thiosalicylate (thimerosal) for 24 h. Interestingly, we found that thimerosal, in SOD1-G93 A cells, but not in SOD1 cells, reduced cell survival. Furthermore, thimerosal-induced cell death occurred in a concentration dependent-manner and was prevented by the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activator Resveratrol (RSV). Moreover, thimerosal decreased the protein expression of transcription factor Downstream Regulatory Element Antagonist Modulator (DREAM), but not DREAM gene. Interestingly, DREAM reduction was blocked by co-treatment with RSV, suggesting the participation of SIRT1 in determining this effect. Immunoprecipitation experiments in SOD1-G93 A cells exposed to thimerosal demonstrated that RSV increased DREAM deacetylation and reduced its polyubiquitination. In addition, RSV counteracted thimerosal-enhanced prodynorphin (PDYN) mRNA, a DREAM target gene. Furthermore, cortical neurons transiently transfected with SOD1-G93 A construct and exposed to thimerosal (0.5 μM/24 h) showed a reduction of DREAM and an up-regulation of the prodynorphin gene. Importantly, both the treatment with RSV or the transfection of siRNA against prodynorphin significantly reduced thimerosal-induced neurotoxicity, while DREAM knocking-down potentiated thimerosal-reduced cell survival. These results demonstrate the particular vulnerability of SOD1-G93 A neuronal cells to thimerosal and that RSV via SIRT1 counteracts the neurodetrimental effect of this toxicant by preventing DREAM reduction and prodynorphin up-regulation
A rare case of omental extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor showing two coexisting mutations on exon 14 of the PDGFRA gene
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are neoplasms arising
from mesenchymal cells localized into the muscularis propria
of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [1]; 5% of GISTs are extra-GISTs
(EGISTs), as they differently originate from adipose tissue adjacent
to the GI tract (omentum and mesentery) or from the pancreas
[2]. So far, both GISTs and EGISTs have been managed
indistinctively by combining surgery, histopathological distinctive
features, imaging, and molecular analysis. Moreover, despite
the contribution of defined genetic backgrounds whose
influence is acknowledged in this type of tumor (i.e. Carney’s
triad or familiar form of GIST), the pathobiology of both GISTs
and EGISTs is not yet fully understood. We describe an interesting
case of an extensively diffuse EGIST involving only omentum
and mesocolon with multinodular growth and peculiar
histological features, and for which a deeper histopathological/
molecular analysis is reported.
Case presentation
A 74-year-old female with a historical diagnosis of multiple myeloma
was referred for anemia, alvus disorders (diarrhea and
constipation), weight loss (15 kg in 6 months), and palpable
mass of the right flank that had appeared 8 weeks before. On
medication for multiple myeloma since 2016 (melphalan combined
with prednisone and bortezomib9; carfilzomib/lenalidomide/
desametasone6 until complete remission), she also
had type II diabetes, treated with oral medications and open
cholecystectomy in the 1980s. Physical examination revealed
the presence of a large mobile non-painful mass in the right
flank apparently from the right colon, without signs of occlusion
or intestinal bleeding. Blood analysis showed: hemoglobin
7.9 g/dL, white blood cells 2.3103/lL, glycemia 191 mg/dL, and
a low potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
We first treated the glycemia by insulin infusion and, second,
we investigated the signs of anemia. By lower GI
Submitted: 14 May 2020; Revised: 20 July 2020; Accepted: 28 July 202
Bismuth-based quadruple therapy following H. Pylori eradication failures: A multicenter study in clinical practice
Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in patients who failed one or more therapeutic
attempts remains challenging. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of three-in-one capsules bismuth-based
quadruple therapy (Pylera®) in these patients managed in clinical practice.
Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter study enrolling consecutive, adult patients with
persistent H. pylori infection following at least one standard therapy. All patients received a rescue quadruple
therapy with Pylera (3 capsules four times daily) and esomeprazole 20 mg (1 tablet twice daily) for 10 days.
H. pylori eradication was assessed by using Urea Breath Test 4-6 weeks following therapy ending. H. pylori
eradication rates, compliance, and side-effects were calculated.
Results: A total of 208 patients in the 9 participating centres were enrolled. Overall, 180 patients were
successfully cured from the infection, accounting for 86.5% (95% CI 81.9-91.2) and 92.3% (95% CI 88.6-96.1)
eradication rates at intention-to-treat analysis and at per protocol analysis, respectively. Cure rates were similar
across patients who failed one to three previous therapy attempts, but the success rate fell to 67% after 4 or
more therapy failures. Compliance to therapy was good in 198 (95.2%) patients, whilst in 7 (5.3%) cases the
therapy was interrupted within 5 days due to side effects. A total of 97 (46.6%) patients complained of at least
one side effect; nausea, diarrhea and vomiting were the most frequently reported.
Conclusions: Our study found that this bismuth-based quadruple therapy is highly effective as second-line
and rescue therapy for H. pylori eradication in clinical practic
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