Human serum albumin increases the stability of green tea catechins in aqueous physiological conditions

Epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechingallate (ECG) and epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) are antioxidants present in the green tea, a widely used beverage whose health benefits are largely recognized. Nevertheless, major physicochemical limitations, such as the high instability of catechins, pose important questions concerning their potential pharmacological use. Recent studies indicate that binding of catechins with plasmatic proteins may modulate their plasma concentration, tissue delivery and biological activity. After 5 minutes of incubation with HSA both ECG and EGCG were fully bound to HSA, while after 48h incubation only 41% of EC and 70% of EGC resulted linked. HSA had a strong stabilizing effect on all catechins, which could be found in solution between 29 and 85% even after 48h of incubation. In the absence of HSA, EGC and EGCG disappeared in less than 24h, while ECG and EC were found after 48h at 5 and 50%, respectively. The stabilizing effect of HSA toward EGCG, obtained in aqueous physiological conditions, resulted stronger in comparison to cysteine and HCl, previously reported to stabilize this polyphenol. Because of the multitude of contradictory data concerning in vivo and in vitro antioxidant-based experimentations, we believe our work may shed some light on this debated field of research

Performance of two potentiometric fluoride determination methods in hard dental tissue

A comparison between two ion selective electrode (ISE) potentiometric methods is reported for determining the amount of fluoride in hard dental tissue after placement of fluoride-releasing dental restorations. The two methods are: (1) the direct method involving linear calibration (LC), and (2) a spiking method involving multiple standard additions (MA). Results showed that measurements performed by the LC method underestimate the amount of fluoride released by up to 30%. Recovery tests demonstrated that the use of MA and blank correction procedures is useful for an accurate and sensitive ISE determination of fluoride in hard dental tissues

Polimeri conduttori e metallopolimeri redox

Il nostro gruppo di ricerca è da anni attivo nella sintesi e caratterizzazione elettrochimica di polimeri conduttori a base tiofenica. In particolare la nostra attenzione è rivolta verso materiali costituiti da un backbone di tipo tertiofenico, che consente la polimerizzazione nelle posizioni 2 e 5, e da unità chelanti all’azoto, (terpiridine o fenantroline), che possono consentire la coordinazione con metalli di transizione all’interno del polimero ed incrementarne ulteriormente le proprietà conduttive

Chapter Verso un glossario unico per la statistica ufficiale italiana

The paper presents Istat activity with the institutional glossary. Methods and implementation of the glossary are described, given the peculiarity of official statistics terminology, which is actually official and binding given the link and interrelations with regulations and international official guidelines. The work of a specific structure called “Metadata harmonization group” set at Istat to meet the requirements of terms producers (surveys experts) and terms users (methodologists, communication and dissemination experts). Space is then given to the terminological procedures adopted to set new terms and validate existing (mostly the results of surveys, sometimes the variables). A proposal aimed at the glossary translation is then presented, as a complementary aspect of the terminological work; a short analysis of the problems related with the institutional translation is given in the last paraghraphs

Polimeri conduttori e metallopolimeri redox

Il nostro gruppo di ricerca è da anni attivo nella sintesi e caratterizzazione elettrochimica di polimeri conduttori a base tiofenica. In particolare la nostra attenzione è rivolta verso materiali costituiti da un backbone di tipo tertiofenico, che consente la polimerizzazione nelle posizioni 2 e 5, e da unità chelanti all’azoto, (terpiridine o fenantroline), che possono consentire la coordinazione con metalli di transizione all’interno del polimero ed incrementarne ulteriormente le proprietà conduttive

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Chapter Verso un glossario unico per la statistica ufficiale italiana

The paper presents Istat activity with the institutional glossary. Methods and implementation of the glossary are described, given the peculiarity of official statistics terminology, which is actually official and binding given the link and interrelations with regulations and international official guidelines. The work of a specific structure called “Metadata harmonization group” set at Istat to meet the requirements of terms producers (surveys experts) and terms users (methodologists, communication and dissemination experts). Space is then given to the terminological procedures adopted to set new terms and validate existing (mostly the results of surveys, sometimes the variables). A proposal aimed at the glossary translation is then presented, as a complementary aspect of the terminological work; a short analysis of the problems related with the institutional translation is given in the last paraghraphs

Gout: one year in review 2023

: Gout is a chronic joint disease caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals into and around the articular tissues. In the last two years, new insights regarding diagnosis, genetic involvement, pathogenesis, comorbidities, and clinical data, have allowed the identification of new strategies to improve the control of the disease and its flares. In keeping, the discover of new mechanisms concerning crystal-induced inflammation have suggested new ways for the management not only of gout, but also other systemic diseases, mainly including renal and cardiovascular disorders. In this context it is very representative the case of colchicine which, given the surprising results obtained both in laboratory and clinical experiments, has recently received by FDA the approval for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders