Retraction Note: Autoantibodies detection in patients affected by autoimmune retinopathies

The article "Autoantibodies detection in patients affected by autoimmune retinopathies", by M.R. Ceccarini, M.C. Medori, K. Dhuli, S. Tezzele, G. Bonetti, C. Micheletti, P.E. Maltese, S. Cecchin, K. Donato, L. Colombo, L. Rossetti, G. Staurenghi, A.P. Salvetti, M. Oldani, L. Ziccardi, D. Marangoni, G. Iarossi, B. Falsini, G. Placidi, F. D'Esposito, F. Viola, M. Nassisi, G. Leone, L. Cimino, L. De Simone, V. Mastrofilippo, T. Beccari, M. Bertelli, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (6 Suppl): 57-63-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202312_34690-PMID: 38112948 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer, the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results. The outcome of the investigation revealed that the manuscript presented major flaws in the following: -       Issues with ethical approval -       Undeclared conflict of interest In light of concerns regarding the potential manipulation of Supplementary Figure 2, the journal's inquiry has been unable to conclusively determine whether the alterations noted on PubPeer constitute figure manipulation. The investigation yielded divergent evaluations. However, given the aforementioned concerns, the Editor in Chief doubts the integrity of the findings presented and thus, has opted to retract the article. The authors disagree with this retraction. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/34690.

Autoantibodies detection in patients affected by autoimmune retinopathies

OBJECTIVE

Autoimmune retinopathies (ARs) encompass a spectrum of immune diseases that are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against retinal proteins in the bloodstream. These autoantibodies (AAbs) lead to a progressive and sometimes rapid loss of vision. ARs commonly affect subjects over 50 years of age, but also rare cases of kids under 3 years of age have been reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, 47 unrelated Caucasian patients were enrolled. All subjects showed negative cancer diagnoses and negative results in their genetic screenings. We studied 8 confirmed retinal antigens using Western blotting analysis, with α-enolase followed by carbonic anhydrase II being the two most frequently found in the patients' sera.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were positive (40.4%), thirteen uncertain (27.7%), and fifteen were negative (31.9%). Their gender did not correlate with the presence of AAbs (p=0.409).

CONCLUSIONS

AAbs are responsible for retinal degeneration in some cases, while in others, they contribute to exacerbating the progression of the disease; however, their detection is crucial to reaching a better diagnosis and developing more effective treatments for these conditions. Moreover, finding good biomarkers is important not only for AR monitoring and prognosis, but also for helping with early cancer diagnosis.

The Pacman Flap and Its Modifications for Reconstruction of Skin Cancer Surgical Wounds on the Scalp and Other Body Areas: A Review of 23 Cases

BACKGROUND

The Pacman flap is a modified V-Y advancement flap that showed to be versatile in repairing surgical and non-surgical wounds. Indeed, this flap has been used in any anatomical localization, except for the scalp, where its use has not been reported. Moreover, the versatility of the Pacman flap can be enhanced by applying simple modifications to its original design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-series of 23 patients whose surgical breaches were repaired using standard or modified Pacman flap were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (65.2%) with a median age of 75.7 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the tumor most commonly removed (60.9%), while scalp and face were the most frequent localizations (30.4%). Although 18 flaps were sculpted in the traditional Pacman shape, 5 were modified to fit the defect and localization. Complications occurred in 30% of flaps, but all of them were minor except for 1 extended necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pacman flap can be used to repair surgical wounds localized in any body area, including the scalp. Three modifications can enhance the versatility of the flap and offer new repair options to dermatologic surgeons.

The Pacman Flap and Its Modifications for Reconstruction of Skin Cancer Surgical Wounds on the Scalp and Other Body Areas: A Review of 23 Cases

BACKGROUND

The Pacman flap is a modified V-Y advancement flap that showed to be versatile in repairing surgical and non-surgical wounds. Indeed, this flap has been used in any anatomical localization, except for the scalp, where its use has not been reported. Moreover, the versatility of the Pacman flap can be enhanced by applying simple modifications to its original design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-series of 23 patients whose surgical breaches were repaired using standard or modified Pacman flap were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (65.2%) with a median age of 75.7 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the tumor most commonly removed (60.9%), while scalp and face were the most frequent localizations (30.4%). Although 18 flaps were sculpted in the traditional Pacman shape, 5 were modified to fit the defect and localization. Complications occurred in 30% of flaps, but all of them were minor except for 1 extended necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pacman flap can be used to repair surgical wounds localized in any body area, including the scalp. Three modifications can enhance the versatility of the flap and offer new repair options to dermatologic surgeons.

Cluster and multivariate analysis to study the diffuse contamination of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Veneto Region plain (North-eastern Italy)

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as major pollutants of concern. This study considered a real case of superficial and groundwater contamination caused by a set of 15 persistent, carcinogenic, and bioaccumulative compounds. The study area is the Veneto Region floodplain in Italy, where a huge contamination mainly caused by a persistent spill-over from a former chemical factory was discovered in 2013. The contamination path studied in 2013 followed mainly two directions: the first towards east, to the city of Vicenza, and the second following the course of Chiampo and Agno streams, southwards. To identify the major patterns of contamination, a Factor Analysis (PCA) in conjunction with a Cluster Analysis (CA) was performed. The reviewed dataset is composed by PFAS concentration values collected from 2013 to 2021 in groundwater, superficial waters, in natural sources, and in proximity to three industrial discharges, throughout a 3600 km² area. The CA results were cross-referenced with the water table interpolation, yielding a match between the groundwater flow directions and the observed patterns of the two main plumes. The persistence of pollutants was finally investigated by analyzing distances between the former chemical factory, an industrial wastewater collector which lies along Chiampo and Agno valleys that host residential and industrial areas, and the other sampling points collected in the dataset. The findings confirmed the importance of assessing anthropic background levels of contamination and highlighted the necessity to include the PFAS issue in a national health-based drinking water quality guideline.

Breathing patterns recognition: A functional data analysis approach

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The ongoing pandemic proved fundamental is to assess a subject's respiratory functionality and breathing pattern measurement during quiet breathing is feasible in almost all patients, even those uncooperative. Breathing pattern consists of tidal volume and respiratory rate in an individual assessed by data tracks of lung or chest wall volume over time. State-of-art analysis of these data requires operator-dependent choices such as individuation of local minima in the track, elimination of anomalous breaths and individuation of breath clusters corresponding to different breathing patterns.

METHODS

A semi-automatic, robust and reproducible procedure was proposed to pre-process and analyse respiratory tracks, based on Functional Data Analysis (FDA) techniques, to identify representative breath curve and the corresponding breathing patterns. This was achieved through three steps: 1) breath separation through precise localization of the minima of the volume trace; 2) functional outlier breaths detection according to time-duration, magnitude and shape; 3) breath clustering to identify different pattern of interest, through K-medoids with Alignment. The method was firstly validated on simulated tracks and then applied to real data in conditions of clinical interest: operational volume change, exercise, mechanical ventilation, paradoxical breathing and age.

RESULTS

The total error in the accuracy of minima detection and in was less than 5%; with the artificial outliers being almost completely removed with an accuracy of 99%. During incremental exercise and independently on the bike resistance level, five clusters were identified (quiet breathing; recovery phase; onset of exercise; maximal and intermediate levels of exercise). During mechanical ventilation, the procedure was able to separate the non-ventilated from the ventilatory-supported breathing and to identify the worsening of paradoxical breathing due to the disease progression and the breathing pattern changes in healthy subjects due to age.

CONCLUSIONS

We proposed a robust validated automatic breathing patterns identification algorithm that extracted representative curves that could be implemented in clinical practice for objective comparison of the breathing patterns within and between subjects. In all case studies the identified patterns proved to be coherent with the clinical conditions and the physiopathology of the subjects, therefore enforcing the potential clinical translational value of the method.

Stochastic modelling of solute mass discharge to identify potential source zones of groundwater diffuse pollution

In heavily urbanised areas, groundwater diffuse pollution is recognised as one of the most insidious threats to groundwater quality. Diffuse pollution originates from multiple small sources releasing a low contaminant mass over a relatively large area; the lack of a defined plume in groundwater, the limited leaked mass, and the fact that leakage may have occurred in the past and be now ceased, make these sources difficult to locate and characterise. In addressing this environmental issue, an inverse approach based on the Null space Monte Carlo stochastic method has been applied in the framework of an innovative methodology with the aim to locate potential source areas distributed in a large (120 km²) urban area. To simplify the problem and better understand the limitations and effectiveness of the proposed methodology, the analysis has been performed using a groundwater model with fixed (i.e., determined by a previous calibration) hydraulic conductivity and flow boundary conditions. The only source of uncertainty considered in the study is the PCE mass discharge from all model cells of the topmost layer. After implementing and calibrating a deterministic solute transport model, multiple random realisations of mass discharge fields were generated, all of which are history-match constrained and hydrogeologically plausible. The obtained stochastic parameter sets were used to investigate the statistical distribution of the solute mass discharge and map the areas that are more likely to host unknown sources of PCE. Although the application of the NSMC stochastic method on the synthetic case study has provided promising results, it has also highlighted that multiple sources of uncertainty (e.g., continuity and duration of each source, attenuation processes) could adversely affect the reliability of the results in a real-world context, in which the effect of other uncertain parameters (hydraulic conductivity amongst all) would need to be considered in addition. This study offers new insights to the problem of aquifer diffuse pollution by providing key information on the potential source zones and on the areas that urgently need to be prioritised for further investigations.

Peripheral inflammation exacerbates α-synuclein toxicity and neuropathology in Parkinson's models

AIMS

Parkinson's disease and related disorders are devastating neurodegenerative pathologies. Since α-synuclein was identified as a main component of Lewy bodies and neurites, efforts have been made to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms of α-synuclein's detrimental effects. α-synuclein oligomers are the most harmful species and may recruit and activate glial cells. Inflammation is emerging as a bridge between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors co-fostering Parkinson's disease. However, direct evidence linking inflammation to the harmful activities of α-synuclein oligomers or to the Parkinson's disease behavioural phenotype is lacking.

METHODS

To clarify whether neuroinflammation influences Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, we developed: (i) a 'double-hit' approach in C57BL/6 naive mice where peripherally administered lipopolysaccharides were followed by intracerebroventricular injection of an inactive oligomer dose; (ii) a transgenic 'double-hit' model where lipopolysaccharides were given to A53T α-synuclein transgenic Parkinson's disease mice.

RESULTS

Lipopolysaccharides induced a long-lasting neuroinflammatory response which facilitated the detrimental cognitive activities of oligomers. LPS-activated microglia and astrocytes responded differently to the oligomers with microglia activating further and acquiring a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, while astrocytes atrophied. In the transgenic 'double-hit' A53T mouse model, lipopolysaccharides aggravated cognitive deficits and increased microgliosis. Again, astrocytes responded differently to the double challenge. These findings indicate that peripherally induced neuroinflammation potentiates the α-synuclein oligomer's actions and aggravates cognitive deficits in A53T mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The fine management of both peripheral and central inflammation may offer a promising therapeutic approach to prevent or slow down some behavioural aspects in α-synucleinopathies.

PCE point source apportionment using a GIS-based statistical technique combined with stochastic modelling

To meet the continuous growth of urbanised areas with the ever-increasing demand for safe water supplies, the implementation of new scientifically based methodologies can represent a key support for preventing groundwater quality deterioration. In this study, a new combined approach based on the application of the Weights of Evidence and the Null-Space Monte Carlo particle back-tracking methods was set up to assess tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination due to Point Sources in the densely urbanised north-eastern sector of the Milano FUA (Functional Urban Area). This combined approach offers the advantage of further enhancing the power of each individual technique by integrating both the advective transport mechanism, neglected by the Weights of Evidence, and the influence of specific factors, such as the land use variation, not considered by the Null-Space Monte Carlo particle tracking. To accurately test and explore the performance of this new approach, the analysis was carried out based on the simulation of synthetic PCE plumes using a groundwater numerical model already implemented in a previous study. The Weights of Evidence method revealed that the areas characterised by a groundwater depth lower than 17 m, a groundwater velocity higher than 2.6 × 10^-6 m/s, a recharge higher than 0.26 m/y and a significant variation of the industrial activities extent are the most susceptible to groundwater pollution. The Null-Space Monte Carlo particle back-tracking has proved to be effective in delineating the potential source zones and contaminant travel path. The proposed approach can offer additional insights for the protection of groundwater resource. The end-product provides crucial information on the zones that require to be prioritised for investigations and can be easily understood by non-expert decision-makers constituting an advanced tool for enhancing groundwater protection strategies.

Structural brain anomalies in Cri-du-Chat syndrome: MRI findings in 14 patients and possible genotype-phenotype correlations

INTRODUCTION

Cri-du-Chat Syndrome (CdCS) is a genetic condition due to deletions showing different breakpoints encompassing a critical region on the short arm of chromosome 5, located between p15.2 and p15.3, first defined by Niebuhr in 1978. The classic phenotype includes a characteristic cry, peculiar facies, microcephaly, growth retardation, hypotonia, speech and psychomotor delay and intellectual disability. A wide spectrum of clinical manifestations can be attributed to differences in size and localization of the 5p deletion. Several critical regions related to some of the main features (such as cry, peculiar facies, developmental delay) have been identified. The aim of this study is to further define the genotype-phenotype correlations in CdCS with particular regards to the specific neuroradiological findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with 5p deletions have been included in the present study. Neuroimaging studies were conducted using brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Genetic testing was performed by means of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array at 130 kb resolution.

RESULTS

MRI analyses showed that isolated pontine hypoplasia is the most common finding, followed by vermian hypoplasia, ventricular anomalies, abnormal basal angle, widening of cavum sellae, increased signal of white matter, corpus callosum anomalies, and anomalies of cortical development. Chromosomal microarray analysis identified deletions ranging in size from 11,6 to 33,8 Mb on the short arm of chromosome 5. Then, we took into consideration the overlapping and non-overlapping deleted regions. The goal was to establish a correlation between the deleted segments and the neuroradiological features of our patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing MRI on all the patients in our cohort, allowed us to expand the neuroradiological phenotype in CdCS. Moreover, possible critical regions associated to characteristic MRI findings have been identified.

How to manage thromboembolic risk in patient with SARS-CoV-2-related disease in the Emergency Department: A case report of cardiogenic shock due to massive pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Although the most known feature of SARS-CoV-2 associated infection is a mild to severe pneumonia, increasing evidence suggests the existence of an infection-associated risk of both arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the exact magnitude of this phenomenon is still unknown.Given that, it is important for the Emergency Physician to remember that a SARS-CoV-2 associated respiratory failure can be caused not only by the pulmonary parenchymal inflammation that characterizes the pneumonia, but also by an associated pulmonary thromboembolism.

CASE REPORT

A healthy 73-years old woman admitted to the ED for dyspnea, fever and thoracic pain. Cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiogram and clinical findings suggested a diagnosis of cardiogenic obstructive shock due to acute pulmonary embolism, successfully treated with thrombolysis. A CT angiography confirmed the pulmonary embolism (EP) diagnosis and showed bilateral pneumonia, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

CONCLUSION

Considering the high prevalence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients it is mandatory for the emergency physician to systematically evaluate signs of pulmonary thromboembolism, in order to perform the most patient-tailored therapy as soon as possible.

In vivo time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy above the water absorption peak

Time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy (TD-DCS) is a newly emerging optical technique that exploits pulsed, yet coherent light to non-invasively resolve the blood flow in depth. In this work, we have explored TD-DCS at longer wavelengths compared to those previously used in literature (i.e., 750-850 nm). The measurements were performed using a custom-made titanium-sapphire mode-locked laser, operating at 1000 nm, and an InGaAs photomultiplier as a detector. Tissue-mimicking phantoms and in vivo measurements during arterial arm cuff occlusion in n=4 adult volunteers were performed to demonstrate the proof of concept. We obtained a good signal-to-noise ratio, following the hemodynamics continuously with a relatively fast (1 Hz) sampling rate. In all the experiments, the auto-correlation functions show a decay rate approximately five-fold slower compared to shorter wavelengths. This work demonstrates the feasibility of in vivo TD-DCS in this spectral region and its potentiality for biomedical applications.

Impact of COVID-19 epidemic on maxillofacial surgery in Italy

Maxillofacial departments in 23 surgical units in Italy have been increasingly involved in facing the COVID-19 emergency. Elective surgeries have been progressively postponed to free up beds and offer human and material resources to those infected. We compiled an inventory of 32 questions to evaluate the impact of the SARS-COV2 epidemic on maxillofacial surgery in 23 selected Italian maxillofacial departments. The questionnaire focused on three different aspects: the variation of the workload, showing both a reduction of the number of team members (-16% among specialists, -11% among residents) due to reallocation or contamination and a consistent reduction of elective activities (the number of outpatient visits cancelled during the first month of the COVID-19 epidemic was about 10 000 all over Italy), while only tumour surgery and trauma surgery has been widely guaranteed; the screening procedures on patients and physicians (22% of maxillofacial units found infected surgeons, which is 4% of all maxillofacial surgeons); and the availability of Personal Protective Equipment, is only considered to be partial in 48% of Maxillofacial departments.

This emergency has forced those of us in the Italian health system to change the way we work, but only time will prove if these changes have been effective.

Pitch angle control of a wind turbine operating above the rated wind speed: A sliding mode control approach

The paper focuses on variable-rotor-speed/variable-blade-pitch wind turbines operating in the region of high wind speeds, where control is aimed at limiting the turbine energy capture to the rated power value. A robust sliding mode approach is proposed, using the blade pitch as control input, in order to regulate the rotor speed to a fixed rated value, in the presence of uncertainties characterizing the wind turbine model. Closed loop convergence of the overall control system is proved. The proposed control solution has been validated on a 5-MW three-blade wind turbine using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) wind turbine simulator FAST (Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence) code. A comparison with the standard FAST baseline controller (NWTC 2012 and Jonkman et al. 2009) has been also included.

Lumican is upregulated in osteoarthritis and contributes to TLR4-induced pro-inflammatory activation of cartilage degradation and macrophage polarization

OBJECTIVE

Lumican (LUM) is a major extracellular matrix glycoprotein in adult articular cartilage and its expression is known to be upregulated upon cartilage degeneration. LUM is associated with the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) activation of the TLR4 signalling cascade, with TLR4 being highly associated with inflammation in rheumatic diseases. However, the main role of the LUM structural molecule in osteoarthritis (OA) remains elusive. The aim of this study was, therefore, to understand the role of LUM during TLR4-mediated activation in OA.

METHODS

After measuring LUM levels in synovial fluid (SF) of OA patients and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TLR4 activation, the role of LUM in the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules and cartilage degradation was assessed in vitro and ex vivo in a cartilage explant model. Primary macrophage activation and polarization were studied upon LUM co-stimulation with LPS.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that LUM is not only significantly upregulated in SF from OA patients compared to healthy controls, but also that LUM increases lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TLR4 activation. Furthermore, we show that a pathophysiological level of LUM augments the LPS-induced TLR4 activation and expression of downstream pro-inflammatory molecules, resulting in extensive cartilage degradation. LUM co-stimulation with LPS also provided a pro-inflammatory stimulus, upregulating primary macrophage activation and polarization towards the M1-like phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings strongly support the role of LUM as a mediator of PAMP-induced TLR4 activation of inflammation, cartilage degradation, and macrophage polarization in the OA joint and potentially other rheumatic diseases.

Non-ohmic behavior and resistive switching of Au cluster-assembled films beyond the percolation threshold

Networks based on nanoscale resistive switching junctions are considered promising for the fabrication of neuromorphic computing architectures. To date random networks of nanowires, nanoparticles, and metal clusters embedded in a polymeric matrix or passivated by shell of ligands or oxide layers have been used to produce resistive switching systems. The strategies applied to tailor resistive switching behavior are currently based on the careful control of the volume fraction of the nanoscale conducting phase that must be fixed close to the electrical percolation threshold. Here, by blending laboratory and computer experiments, we demonstrate that metallic nanostructured Au films fabricated by bare gold nanoparticles produced in the gas phase and with thickness well beyond the electrical percolation threshold, show a non-ohmic electrical behavior and complex and reproducible resistive switching. We observe that the nanogranular structure of the Au films does not evolve with thickness: this introduces a huge number of defects and junctions affecting the electrical transport and causing a dynamic evolution of the nanoscale electrical contacts under the current flow. To uncover the origin of the resistive switching behavior in Au cluster-assembled films, we developed a simple computational model for determining the evolution of a model granular film under bias conditions. The model exploits the information provided by experimental investigation about the nanoscale granular morphology of real films. Our results show that metallic nanogranular materials have functional properties radically different from their bulk counterparts, in particular nanostructured Au films can be fabricated by assembling bare gold clusters which retain their individuality to produce an all-metal resistive switching system.

Groundwater diffuse pollution in functional urban areas: The need to define anthropogenic diffuse pollution background levels

Groundwater status in highly urbanized areas is particularly affected by anthropogenic influence due to diffuse pollution deriving from many sources. This makes very often challenging to determine whether the observed groundwater conditions are the result of localized pollutant sources (PS-Point Sources). In the EU legislative framework it is accepted that, when Natural Background Levels (NBLs) of undesirable elements are proven to be higher than specific Groundwater Quality Standards (GQSs), NBLs should be assumed as GQSs. No procedure is instead defined when anthropogenic Diffuse Pollution Background levels (DBPLs) are higher than GQSs and make unfeasible any remediation strategy. Among the many contaminants affecting groundwater, the chlorinated solvents, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE) and trichloromethane (TCM) among the organics and hexavalent chromium, among the inorganics, having been widely used in several industries all over Europe, are very often the most prevalent contaminants in soil and groundwater. Aim of this paper is to discuss a multivariate statistical approach to address the issue of identification of anthropogenic Diffuse Pollution Background Levels. With such aim, an area of about 1600 km², including the Functional Urban Area of Milan, was considered and 10 independent geochemical datasets, provided by local and regional agencies, and covering the period 2003-2014 were merged into a single database after homogenization and multiple quality checks. A total of 618,258 chemical analyses from 3477 sampling wells were considered, being all samples collected and analyzed through internally consistent protocols. The analysis enabled to identify five main clusters, having specific hydrogeological characteristics, different temporal profiles and pollutant background concentration levels, which were also found to respond differently to meteo-climatic changes. This study offers a robust knowledge basis for drafting a diffuse pollution management plan of the area.

In vivo time-gated diffuse correlation spectroscopy at quasi-null source-detector separation

We demonstrate time domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy at quasi-null source-detector separation by using a fast time-gated single-photon avalanche diode without the need of time-tagging electronics. This approach allows for increased photon collection, simplified real-time instrumentation, and reduced probe dimensions. Depth discriminating, quasi-null distance measurement of blood flow in a human subject is presented. We envision the miniaturization and integration of matrices of optical sensors of increased spatial resolution and the enhancement of the contrast of local blood flow changes.

Therapeutic Possibilities of 131I-Mibg in Metastatic Carcinoid Tumors - Preliminary Report

The poor results of traditional therapy in advanced carcinoid tumors and the well-proven uptake of 131I-MIBG shown by some of these tumors induced us to attempt a radiometabolic approach. We selected for the treatment 5 patients (3 men and 2 women) who showed progression of disease, a fairly good uptake of 131l-MIBG with severe related symptoms, and a poor response to traditional therapy. A cumulative radioactivity of 5.5-29.6 GBq was given. Acute side effects after 131l-MIBG ad ministration or late radiation-induced damages were not observed. Symptoms increased during the first 2-4 weeks in 2 patients: in one of these relief was achieved with drugs. Results concerning objective remission of the disease were unsatisfactory. In contrast, definite improvement of symptoms was shown in 2 of 5 patients, resulting in a better quality of life.

Null-space Monte Carlo particle tracking to assess groundwater PCE (Tetrachloroethene) diffuse pollution in north-eastern Milan functional urban area

The Lombardy Region in Italy is one of the most urbanized and industrialized areas in Europe. The presence of countless sources of groundwater pollution is therefore a matter of environmental concern. The sources of groundwater contamination can be classified into two different categories: 1) Point Sources (PS), which correspond to areas releasing plumes of high concentrations (i.e. hot-spots) and 2) Multiple-Point Sources (MPS) consisting in a series of unidentifiable small sources clustered within large areas, generating an anthropogenic diffuse contamination. The latter category frequently predominates in European Functional Urban Areas (FUA) and cannot be managed through standard remediation techniques, mainly because detecting the many different source areas releasing small contaminant mass in groundwater is unfeasible. A specific legislative action has been recently enacted at Regional level (DGR IX/3510-2012), in order to identify areas prone to anthropogenic diffuse pollution and their level of contamination. With a view to defining a management plan, it is necessary to find where MPS are most likely positioned. This paper describes a methodology devised to identify the areas with the highest likelihood to host potential MPS. A groundwater flow model was implemented for a pilot area located in the Milan FUA and through the PEST code, a Null-Space Monte Carlo method was applied in order to generate a suite of several hundred hydraulic conductivity field realizations, each maintaining the model in a calibrated state and each consistent with the modelers' expert-knowledge. Thereafter, the MODPATH code was applied to generate back-traced advective flowpaths for each of the models built using the conductivity field realizations. Maps were then created displaying the number of backtracked particles that crossed each model cell in each stochastic calibrated model. The result is considered to be representative of the FUAs areas with the highest likelihood to host MPS responsible for diffuse contamination.

Evaluation of Chromogranin a Expression in Serum and Tissues of Breast Cancer Patients

Human chromogranin A (CgA) is a member of the granin family and is widely distributed in large dense core granules of endocrine and neuroendocrine cells. A variety of non-neuroendocrine carcinomas arising in various tissues show patterns of neuroendocrine differentiation. Expression of CgA has been documented in epithelial cells of normal mammary gland as well as in breast cancers, and elevation of serum CgA has been detected in patients with breast cancer. Our study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between serum CgA levels and neuroendocrine features in breast cancer. In addition, we evaluated the expression of serum CgA in patients affected by breast cancer compared to controls and the relationship between serum CgA and tumor histology, extent of disease, lymph node status, tumor stage and serum CA 15.3 levels. We enrolled 266 patients with infiltrating ductal or lobular breast carcinoma and a group of 100 age-matched healthy women serving as controls. Serum CgA and CA 15.3 were assayed by specific immunoradiometric methods. The overall sensitivity of CgA and CA 15.3 was 0.06 and 0.34, respectively (χ219.1, p<0.0005). No relationship was found between serum levels of CgA and tumor histology, extent of disease, lymph node status or tumor stage while serum levels of CA 15.3 were strongly correlated with all these variables but tumor histology. No relationship was found between serum levels of CgA and CA 15.3. Immunostaining against CgA, CgB, NSE and synaptophysin was performed on primary tumor tissue of 14 serum CgA-positive and 24 serum CgA-negative patients and was negative in all cases. We also evaluated eight cases of pathologically-proven neuroendocrine breast cancer: only four and two of these showed positive CgA immunostaining and increased serum CgA concentration, respectively. In conclusion, serum CgA assay offers no additional information regarding the presence, the extent and the histology of breast cancer compared to the CA 15.3 assay. Moreover, serum CgA was not an accurate marker to identify or exclude the rare neuroendocrine differentiation of breast cancer. We therefore conclude that CgA is not useful as a serum marker in breast cancer.

In Situ Tissue Labeling of Cerebral Amyloid Using HIV-Related Tat Peptide

Delivering peptide-based drugs to the brain is a major challenge because of the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this problem, cell-penetrating peptides derived from proteins that are able to cross biological membranes have been used as cell-permeable and brain-penetrant compounds. An example is the transactivator of transcription protein transduction domain (Tat) of the human immunodeficiency virus. The basic domain of Tat is formed of arginine and lysine amino acid residues. Tat has been used as brain-penetrant carrier also in therapies for Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common form of dementia characterized by extracellular cerebral deposits of amyloid made up of Aβ peptide. The aim of our study was to assess whether Tat bind to amyloid deposits of AD and other amyloidoses. An in situ labeling using biotinylated Tat 48-57 peptide was employed in the brain tissue with amyloid deposits made up of Aβ (patients with AD and transgenic AD mice), of prion protein (patients with Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease), and other amyloidosis, processed by different fixations and pretreatments of histological sections. Our results showed that Tat peptide binds amyloid deposits made up of Aβ, PrP, and immunoglobulin lambda chains in the brain and other tissues processed by alcoholic fixatives but not in formalin-fixed tissue. The fact that biotinylated Tat peptide stains amyloid of different biochemical composition and the specific charge characteristics of the molecules suggests that Tat may bind to heparan sulfate glicosaminoglicans, that are present in amyloid deposits. Inhibition of the binding by Tat pre-incubation with protamine reinforces this hypothesis. Binding of Tat to amyloid deposits should be kept in mind in interpreting the results of studies employing this molecule as brain-penetrating compound for the treatment of cerebral amyloidoses. Our results also suggest that Tat may be helpful for the analysis of the mechanisms of amyloidogenesis, and in particular, the interactions between specific amyloid peptides and glicosaminoglicans.

Time domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy with a high coherence pulsed source: in vivo and phantom results

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), combined with time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) or frequency domain spectroscopy, aims at path length (i.e. depth) resolved, non-invasive and simultaneous assessment of tissue composition and blood flow. However, while TRS provides a path length resolved data, the standard DCS does not. Recently, a time domain DCS experiment showed path length resolved measurements for improved quantification with respect to classical DCS, but was limited to phantoms and small animal studies. Here, we demonstrate time domain DCS for in vivo studies on the adult forehead and the arm. We achieve path length resolved DCS by means of an actively mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser that allows high coherence pulses, thus enabling adequate signal-to-noise ratio in relatively fast (~1 s) temporal resolution. This work paves the way to the translation of this approach to practical in vivo use.

Iron excess in rice: from phenotypic changes to functional genomics of WRKY transcription factors

Iron (Fe) is an essential microelement for all living organisms playing important roles in several metabolic reactions. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is commonly cultivated in paddy fields, where Fe goes through a reduction reaction from Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺. Since Fe²⁺ is more soluble, it can reach toxic levels inside plant cells, constituting an important target for studies. Here we aimed to verify morphological changes of different rice genotypes focusing on deciphering the underlying molecular network induced upon Fe excess treatments with special emphasis on the role of four WRKY transcription factors. The transcriptional response peak of these WRKY transcription factors in rice seedlings occurs at 4 days of exposition to iron excess. OsWRKY55-like, OsWRKY46, OsWRKY64, and OsWRKY113 are up-regulated in BR IRGA 409, an iron-sensitive genotype, while in cultivars Nipponbare (moderately resistant) and EPAGRI 108 (resistant) the expression profiles of these transcription factors show similar behaviors. Here is also shown that some cis-regulatory elements known to be involved in other different stress responses can be linked to conditions of iron excess. Overall, here we support the role of WRKY transcription factors in iron stress tolerance with other important steps toward finding why some rice genotypes are more tolerant than others.

Visual function improvement using photocromic and selective blue-violet light filtering spectacle lenses in patients affected by retinal diseases

Background

To evaluate functional visual parameters using photocromic and selective blue-violet light filtering spectacle lenses in patients affected by central or peripheral scotoma due to retinal diseases.

Sixty patients were enrolled in this study: 30 patients affected by central scotoma, group 1, and 30 affected by peripheral scotoma, group 2.

Black on White Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BW-BCVA), White on Black Best Corrected Visual Acuity (WB-BCVA), Mars Contrast Sensitivity (CS) and a Glare Test (GT) were performed to all patients.

Test results with blue-violet filter, a short-pass yellow filter and with no filters were compared.

Results

All scores from test results increased significantly with blue-violet filters for all patients.

The mean BW-BCVA increased from 0.30 ± 0.20 to 0.36 ± 0.21 decimals in group 1 and from 0.44 ± 0.22 to 0.51 ± 0.23 decimals in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001 in both cases).

The mean WB-BCVA increased from 0.31 ± 0.19 to 0.38 ± 0.23 decimals in group 1 and from 0.46 ± 0.20 to 0.56 ± 0.22 decimals in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001 in both cases).

The letter count for the CS test increased from 26.7 ± 7.9 to 30.06 ± 7.8 in group 1 (Mean ± SD, p = 0.0005) and from 31.5 ± 7.6 to 33.72 ± 7.3 in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p = 0.031).

GT was significantly reduced: the letter count increased from 20.93 ± 5.42 to 22.82 ± 4.93 in group 1 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001) and from 24.15 ± 5.5 to 25.97 ± 4.7 in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001).

Higher scores were recorded with the Blue filter compared to Yellow filter in all tests (p < 0.05).

No significant differences in any test results could be detected between the Yellow filter and the No filter condition.

Conclusions

The use of a combination of photocromic lens with a selective blue-violet light filter showed functional benefit in all evaluated patients.

The thyroid status reprograms T cell lymphoma growth and modulates immune cell frequencies

In spite of considerable evidence on the regulation of immunity by thyroid hormones, the impact of the thyroid status in tumor immunity is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the antitumor immune responses evoked in mice with different thyroid status (euthyroid, hyperthyroid, and hypothyroid) that developed solid tumors or metastases after inoculation of syngeneic T lymphoma cells. Hyperthyroid mice showed increased tumor growth along with increased expression of cell cycle regulators compared to hypothyroid and control tumor-bearing mice. However, hypothyroid mice showed a higher frequency of metastases than the other groups. Hyperthyroid mice bearing tumors displayed a lower number of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes, lower percentage of functional IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T cells, and higher percentage of CD19(+) B cells than euthyroid tumor-bearing mice. However, no differences were found in the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) or spleens among different experimental groups. Interestingly, hypothyroid TDLN showed an increased percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells, while hyperthyroid mice displayed increased number and activity of splenic NK cells, which frequency declined in spleens from hypothyroid mice. Moreover, a decreased number of splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were found in tumor-bearing hyperthyroid mice as compared to hypothyroid or euthyroid mice. Additionally, hyperthyroid mice showed increased cytotoxic activity, which declined in hypothyroid mice. Thus, low levels of intratumoral cytotoxic activity would favor tumor local growth in hyperthyroid mice, while regional and systemic antitumor response may contribute to tumor dissemination in hypothyroid animals. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring the thyroid status in patients with T cell lymphomas.

KEY MESSAGES

T cell lymphoma phenotype is paradoxically influenced by thyroid status. Hyperthyroidism favors tumor growth and hypothyroidism rises tumor dissemination. Thyroid status affects the distribution of immune cell types in the tumor milieu. Thyroid status also modifies the nature of local and systemic immune responses.

Short communication: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus in bulk tank milk from dairy goat farms in Northern Italy

Staphylococcus aureus is regarded as a leading cause of mastitis in goats. However, few data are available on the presence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in bulk tank milk samples from dairy goat farms in Northern Italy. Eighty-five out of 197 samples (43.1%) tested positive for S. aureus with counts ranging from 10 to more than 1.5 × 10(4) cfu/mL. The MRSA was screened by both direct plating followed by a disk diffusion test to evaluate methicillin resistance and a selective enrichment method. Methicillin-resistance was confirmed by mecA-specific PCR. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was identified in 4 samples (2.0%) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) showed the presence of livestock-associated MRSA belonging to lineages ST398 (n = 3) and ST1 (n = 1). In one case we demonstrated that the same MRSA strain was able to persist over time on the farm, being isolated from both bulk tank milk and the udder of 3 goats 1 yr after the first isolation. The high prevalence of S. aureus-positive herds detected in this study and the presence of MRSA strains belonging to livestock-associated genotypes is of concern, and represents a novel finding in the Italian dairy goat production system. The application of stringent measures for the control of S. aureus mastitis at the farm level seems appropriate to reduce the economic losses, and to minimize the risk of foodborne illness and the transmission of MRSA to humans by occupational exposure.

Thyroid status modulates T lymphoma growth via cell cycle regulatory proteins and angiogenesis

We have shown in vitro that thyroid hormones (THs) regulate the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of T lymphoma cells. The effects of THs on tumor development have been studied, but the results are still controversial. Herein, we show the modulatory action of thyroid status on the in vivo growth of T lymphoma cells. For this purpose, euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid mice received inoculations of EL4 cells to allow the development of solid tumors. Tumors in the hyperthyroid animals exhibited a higher growth rate, as evidenced by the early appearance of palpable solid tumors and the increased tumor volume. These results are consistent with the rate of cell division determined by staining tumor cells with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester. Additionally, hyperthyroid mice exhibited reduced survival. Hypothyroid mice did not differ significantly from the euthyroid controls with respect to these parameters. Additionally, only tumors from hyperthyroid animals had increased expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and active caspase 3. Differential expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins was also observed. The levels of cyclins D1 and D3 were augmented in the tumors of the hyperthyroid animals, whereas the cell cycle inhibitors p16/INK4A (CDKN2A) and p27/Kip1 (CDKN1B) and the tumor suppressor p53 (TRP53) were increased in hypothyroid mice. Intratumoral and peritumoral vasculogenesis was increased only in hyperthyroid mice. Therefore, we propose that the thyroid status modulates the in vivo growth of EL4 T lymphoma through the regulation of cyclin, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and tumor suppressor gene expression, as well as the stimulation of angiogenesis.

In vitro and in vivo experiments with iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with DEXTRAN or polyethylene glycol for medical applications: magnetic targeting

In this research work, DEXTRAN- and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated iron-oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles were synthetized and their cytotoxicity and biodistribution assessed. Well-crystalline hydrophobic Fe3 O4 SPIONs were formed by a thermal decomposition process with d = 18 nm and σ = 2 nm; finally, the character of SPIONs was changed to hydrophilic by a post-synthesis procedure with the functionalization of the SPIONs with PEG or DEXTRAN. The nanoparticles present high saturation magnetization and superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, and the hydrodynamic diameters of DEXTRAN- and PEG-coated SPIONs were measured as 170 and 120 nm, respectively. PEG- and DEXTRAN-coated SPIONs have a Specific Power Absorption SPA of 320 and 400 W/g, respectively, in an ac magnetic field with amplitude of 13 kA/m and frequency of 256 kHz. In vitro studies using VERO and MDCK cell lineages were performed to study the cytotoxicity and cell uptake of the SPIONs. For both cell lineages, PEG- and DEXTRAN-coated nanoparticles presented high cell viability for concentrations as high as 200 μg/mL. In vivo studies were conducted using BALB/c mice inoculating the SPIONs intravenously and exposing them to the presence of an external magnet located over the tumour. It was observed that the amount of PEG-coated SPIONs in the tumor increased by up to 160% when using the external permanent magnetic as opposed to those animals that were not exposed to the external magnetic field.

3D printing of rat salivary glands: The submandibular-sublingual complex

The morphology and the functionality of the murid glandular complex, composed of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands (SSC), were the object of several studies conducted mainly using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using a 4.7 T scanner and a manganese-based contrast agent, we improved the signal-to-noise ratio of the SSC relating to the surrounding anatomical structures allowing to obtain high-contrast 3D images of the SSC. In the last few years, the large development in resin melting techniques opened the way for printing 3D objects starting from a 3D stack of images. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of the 3D printing technique of soft tissues such as the SSC in the rat with the aim to improve the visualization of the organs. This approach is useful to preserve the real in vivo morphology of the SCC in living animals avoiding the anatomical shape changes due to the lack of relationships with the surrounding organs in case of extraction. It is also harmless, repeatable and can be applied to explore volumetric changes occurring during body growth, excretory duct obstruction, tumorigenesis and regeneration processes. 3D printing allows to obtain a solid object with the same shape of the organ of interest, which can be observed, freely rotated and manipulated. To increase the visibility of the details, it is possible to print the organs with a selected zoom factor, useful as in case of tiny organs in small mammalia. An immediate application of this technique is represented by educational classes.

A new quantitative method to determine the uptake of SPIONs in animal tissue and its application to determine the quantity of nanoparticles in the liver and lung of Balb-c mice exposed to the SPIONs

We propose a new method for determining the quantity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4, SPIONs) embedded in animal tissue using magnetization measurements. With this method, the smallest detectable quantity of magnetite nanoparticles in a tissue sample is -1 microg. We showed that this method has proved being efficient. In this study, we focused in determining the quantity of SPION confined in lung and liver tissue of mice injected with -13 nm magnetite superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Furthermore, the method allowed us to detect the magnetite nanoparticles present in animal tissues without letting the natural iron ions present in the tissue or blood interfere with the measurements.

Unmasking of a Recessive SCARF2 Mutation by a 22q11.12 de novo Deletion in a Patient with Van den Ende-Gupta Syndrome

Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome (VDEGS) is a congenital condition characterized by craniofacial and skeletal manifestations, specifically blepharophimosis, malar and maxillary hypoplasia, distinctive nose, arachnocamptodactyly, and long slender bones of the hands and feet. To date, only 24 patients have been described. It is generally thought that the syndrome is transmitted by an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, although evidence for genetic heterogeneity has recently been presented. We report on a girl followed from birth up to 3 years of life with a set of peculiar minor anomalies, arachnocamptodactyly of hands and feet, characteristic of VDEGS in association with a 22q11.12 deletion. Recently, the VDEGS gene was mapped to the DiGeorge syndrome region on 22q11.2, and homozygous mutations in the SCARF2 gene were identified. We now report the first patient with VDEGS due to compound heterozygosity for the common 22q11.2 microdeletion and a hemizygous SCARF2 splice site mutation.

The knockdown of maternal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA alters embryo development in zebrafish

In zebrafish, ovulated oocytes contain both maternal cortisol and the mRNA for the glucocorticoid receptor (gr), which is spread as granular structures throughout the ooplasm. At 0.2 hpf, this transcript is relocated in the blastodisc area and partitioned among blastomeres. At 6-8 hpf, it is replaced by zygotic transcript. We used morpholinos to block translation of both maternal and zygotic gr transcripts, and a missplicing morpholino to block post-transcriptionally the zygotic transcript alone. Only knockdown of translation produced an increase of apoptosis and subsequent craniofacial and caudal deformities with severe malformations of neural, vascular, and visceral organs in embryos and 5-dpf larvae. Such defects were rescued with trout gr2 mRNA. Microarray analysis revealed that 114 and 37 highly expressed transcripts were up- and down-regulated, respectively, by maternal Gr protein deficiency in 5-hpf embryos. These results indicate that the maternal gr transcript and protein participate in the maternal programming of zebrafish development.

Effectiveness of maxillo-mandibular advancement in obstructive sleep apnea patients with and without skeletal anomalies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of maxillo-mandibular advancement (MMA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), even those without skeletal anomalies, indicating the possibility of extending this procedure to more patients. Two groups with different skeletal patterns were studied pre- and post-surgery. Group 1 (11 patients) had severe or moderate OSAS and maxillo-mandibular hypoplasia and/or mandibular deformities (SNA angle 78 degrees or less or SNA angle>78 degrees but with SNB<65 degrees and severe skeletal class II malocclusion). Group 2 (11 patients) had severe or moderate OSAS without maxillo-mandibular hypoplasia or deformity (SNA angle>80 degrees , dental class I occlusion). Analysis comprised: apnea hypopnea index (AHI), posterior airway space (PAS), SNA and SNB angles, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), body mass index (BMI), and a subjective standardized questionnaire about aesthetic appearance. All patients had increased PAS width and complete remission of objective and subjective OSAS symptoms evaluated by AHI and ESS. Results in both groups are comparable. Data were analysed using t-test; p<0.005 was statistically significant. All patients were satisfied with the functional and aesthetic results. MMA is effective in patients with severe or moderate OSAS, even in those without skeletal and/or occlusal anomalies and can be considered in more patients.

Quantum confinement by an order-disorder boundary in nanocrystalline silicon

We predict theoretically and show experimentally the occurrence of quantum confinement in hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon. We prove that only valence states (positively charged carriers) are confined effectively within the nanograins. The emission associated to confined states is verified by photoluminescence experiments on nanocrystalline samples with controlled grain size. According to the present study, we propose nanocrystalline silicon as a promising material for oxygen-free optoelectronics, silicon-based memories and photovoltaics.

Expression analysis of steroid hormone receptor mRNAs during zebrafish embryogenesis

We have analyzed by qRT-PCR and/or RT-PCR the abundance and degradation rate of maternal mRNAs for nine steroid hormone receptors and their possible replacement by corresponding embryonic transcripts in both ovulated oocytes and embryos of zebrafish collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post-fertilization (hpf). The mRNAs encoded the nuclear receptors for progesterone (pr), androgen (ar), estrogen (er alpha, er beta 1 and er beta 2), glucocorticoids (gr), mineralocorticoids (mr) and the membrane progestin receptor-alpha and beta (mpr alpha and beta). gr mRNA was the most abundant maternal transcript in oocytes and early embryos followed by er beta 2 and ar mRNAs. They declined during the first 8 hpf, being replaced, thereafter, by the embryonic messengers. er beta 1 and mr transcript levels were low until 8 hpf, but increased steadily during embryonic transcription from 24 to 48 hpf. pr transcripts were detectable only in ovulated oocytes and at 24 and 48 hpf. At these stages, there was a slight increase of er alpha mRNA that initially was very low. mPr alpha and beta mRNAs were expressed in ovulated oocytes and faintly persisted during the first 4 hpf. There was no subsequent embryonic expression of these transcripts. The possible involvement of maternal mRNAs for glucocorticoid and sex hormone receptors in the programming of early zebrafish development is intriguing, since they mainly occur at stages in which gene replication predominates over transcription.

An unusual bilateral areolar dermatitis

This article describes an uncommon clinical manifestation of contact dermatitis due to dyed tissues, showing bilateral plaque lesions on the mammary areolas. The clinical history, histological and patch testing examinations confirmed the diagnosis. The possible triggering factors related with this kind of contact dermatitis and possible differential diagnosis are briefly discussed.