A comparison of genetic and genomic breeding values in Saanen and Alpine goats

Nowadays, several countries are developing or adopting genomic selection in the dairy goat sector. The most used method to estimate breeding values is Single-Step Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (ssGBLUP) which offers several advantages in terms of computational process and accuracy of the estimated breeding values (EBVs). Saanen and Alpine are the predominant dairy goat breeds in Italy, and both have similar breeding programs where EBVs for productive traits are currently calculated using BLUP. This work describes the implementation of genomic selection for these two breeds in Italy, aligning with the selection practices already carried out in the international landscape. The available dataset included 3 611 genotyped animals, 11 470 lactation records, five traits (milk, protein and fat yields, and fat and protein percentages), and three-generation pedigrees. EBVs were estimated using BLUP, GBLUP, and ssGBLUP both with single and multiple trait approaches. The methods were compared in terms of correlation between EBVs and genetic trends. Results were also validated with the linear regression method excluding part of the phenotypic data. In both breeds, EBVs and GEBVs were strongly correlated and the trend of each trait was similar comparing the three methods. The average increase in accuracy across traits and methods amounted to +13 and +10% from BLUP to ssGBLUP for Alpine and Saanen breeds, respectively. Results indicated higher prediction accuracy and correlation for GBLUP and ssGBLUP compared to BLUP, implying that the use of genotypes increases the accuracy of EBVs, particularly in the absence of phenotypic data. Therefore, ssGBLUP is likely to be the most effective method to enhance genetic gain in Italian Saanen and Alpine goats.

National survey to update the diagnostic reference levels in interventional radiology procedures in Italy: working methodology

Interventional Radiology (IR) deals with the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases through medically guided imaging. It provides unquestionable benefits to patients, but requires, in many cases, the use of high doses of ionizing radiation with a high impact on radiation risks to patients and to overall dose to the population. The International Commission on Radiological Protection introduced Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) as an effective tool to facilitate dose verification and optimize protection for patients undergoing radiological procedures. In addition, EURATOM Council Directive 2013/59 and its Italian transposition (Legislative Decree 101/2020) have reiterated that DRLs must be established for many common radiological diagnostic procedures to compare the radiation dose delivered for the same diagnostic examination. Within this framework, Istituto Superiore di Sanità-Italian National Institute of Health (ISS)-, in collaboration with relevant Italian Scientific Societies, has provided documents on DRLs in radiological practices such as diagnostic and IR and diagnostic nuclear medicine. These reference documents enable National Hospitals to comply national regulation. The implementation of DRLs in IR is a difficult task because of the wide distribution of doses to patients even within the same procedure. Some studies have revealed that the amount of radiation in IR procedures is influenced more by the complexity of the procedure than by the weight of the patient, so complexity should be included in the definition of DRLs. For this reason, ISS promoted a survey among a sample of Italian Centers update national DRL in IR procedures with related complexity factors than can be useful for other radiological centers and to standardize the DRLs values. In the present paper the procedural methodology developed by ISS and used for the survey will be illustrated.

Acute appendicitis in elderly during Covid-19 pandemic

PURPOSE

During the past months, the Italian Government has reduced the restrictions and access to hospitals. Since then, up to 40% of non-traumatic abdominal emergencies have had unusual delayed treatment. Given the rapidly evolving situation and the absence of evidence to support recommendations during the pandemic, it is useful to assess how the current situation is influencing the management of elderly with acute appendicitis.

METHODS

Between February 2020 and December 2020, all patients older than 68 years old undergone appendectomy were included. Surgical approach, hospital stay, post-operative complications, radiology reports, and histologic examination were included in the retrospective analysis and compared with a same sample of the same period before the pandemic.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis during the pandemic and 34 patients in the pre-outbreak period. Laparoscopic approach was completed in 51.8% of the cases, while conversion to laparotomy in 22.3% of patients and open procedure in the 25.9%, before the pandemic 73.6%, 14.7%, and 11.7%, respectively. During the pandemic, complicated appendicitis occurred in 59.3% of the cases (26.5% before the outbreak). One patient was treated for a pelvic abscess, while no minor complications were detected. No mortality rate was reported, with a mean hospital stay of 5.64 days during the outbreak and 4.21 days before the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Our data highlighted a partial delay in diagnosis in the elderly group, and an increase in complicated appendicitis also demonstrated by the need for conversion to laparotomy.

Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam for third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids as "bridge treatment" during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

PURPOSE

In Italy, colorectal surgery has been strongly affected with the vast majority (90%) of operations treating benign diseases, with an estimated overall 12-week cancellation rate of 72%. Little is known on how to best manage patients with benign diseases and the consequences this interruption of care will have in post-pandemic times. Proctologic diseases have social, psychological, and healthcare repercussions for their high incidence and great impact on the quality of life.

METHODS

We decided to treated 10 urgent cases affected from III- and IV-degree hemorrhoids with 3% polidocanol foam in attempt to reduce hemorrhoidal symptoms while waiting for surgery so called "bridge treatment".

RESULTS

During the follow-up no complications were occurred, and all patients had resolution of bleeding and pruritus with a mean VAS of 1 (range, 0-1).

CONCLUSIONS

This treatment could reduce the bleeding that is the main symptom from which patients suffer and for which they underwent proctological evaluation and surgery. According to our preliminary experience in the impossibility of accessing the surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, ST could be considered as the treatment of choice in those patients who are suffering from grade III- and IV-degree hemorrhoids while waiting for surgery.

Metabolic/Proteomic Signature Defines Two Glioblastoma Subtypes With Different Clinical Outcome

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest human cancers. Because of the extremely unfavorable prognosis of GBM, it is important to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on biologically and clinically relevant subclassification systems. Analyzing a collection of seventeen patient-derived glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) by gene expression profiling, NMR spectroscopy and signal transduction pathway activation, we identified two GSC clusters, one characterized by a pro-neural-like phenotype and the other showing a mesenchymal-like phenotype. Evaluating the levels of proteins differentially expressed by the two GSC clusters in the TCGA GBM sample collection, we found that SRC activation is associated with a GBM subgroup showing better prognosis whereas activation of RPS6, an effector of mTOR pathway, identifies a subgroup with a worse prognosis. The two clusters are also differentiated by NMR spectroscopy profiles suggesting a potential prognostic stratification based on metabolic evaluation. Our data show that the metabolic/proteomic profile of GSCs is informative of the genomic/proteomic GBM landscape, which differs among tumor subtypes and is associated with clinical outcome.

In vivo corneal confocal microscopy as a novel non-invasive tool to investigate cardiac autonomic neuropathy in Type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To investigate whether small nerve fibre degeneration detected using corneal confocal microscopy is associated with cardiac autonomic neuropathy in people with Type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Thirty-six people with Type 1 diabetes and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled. Tests to determine heart rate response to deep-breathing (expiratory-to-inspiratory ratio), heart rate response to lying-to-stand test (30:15 ratio) and blood pressure response to standing were performed to detect cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Corneal confocal microscopy was performed to assess: corneal nerve density and corneal nerve beadings; branching pattern; and nerve fibre tortuosity.

RESULTS

Compared with control participants, participants with Type 1 diabetes had fewer (mean ± SD 45.4 ± 20.2 vs 92.0 ± 22.7 fibres/mm²; P < 0.001) and more tortuous corneal nerve fibres (20 participants with Type 1 diabetes vs four control participants had nerve tortuosity grade 2/3; P = 0.022) and fewer beadings (mean ± SD 15.1 ± 3.5 vs 20.6 ± 5.0; P < 0.001). Of the participants with Type 1 diabetes, 11 met the criteria for the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Corneal nerve density was significantly lower in participants with cardiac autonomic neuropathy than in those without (mean ± SD 32.8 ± 16.4 vs 51.7 ± 18.9 fibres/mm²; P = 0.008). This difference remained significant after adjustment for age (P = 0.02), gender (P = 0.04), disease duration (P = 0.005), insulin requirement (P = 0.02) and neuropathy disability score (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that corneal confocal microscopy could represent a new and non-invasive tool to investigate cardiac autonomic neuropathy in people with Type 1 diabetes. Larger studies are required to define the role of corneal confocal microscopy in the assessment of cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Living donor liver transplantation: usefulness of hemostatic and prothrombotic screening in potential donors

Bleeding and thrombosis are serious complications of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this paper was to describe the results of a screening for coagulation disorders, including for thrombophilic factors, in potential living liver graft donors and to evaluate thrombotic and bleeding events in donors and recipients, during and after the procedure. From January 2001 to January 2007, 41 LDLTs were performed at our institution. We performed systematic screening for bleeding or prothrombotic states among 188 potential donors, 38 (20.2%) of whom showed at least one abnormality. We rejected potential donors with factor V Leiden, prothrombin mutation G20210A, and deficiencies in anticoagulant proteins (protein C, protein S, and antithrombin) or coagulation factors. Bleeding and thrombotic events in donors and recipients of the 41 LDLTs were evaluated during 7 days to 70 months follow-up. No major bleeding events were detected in the donors. Neither donor nor recipient experienced venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Among all recipients, six suffered hepatic artery thrombosis including five in the first month probably related to surgery. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are well-known complications of hepatic surgery; Prothrombotic abnormalities in the donor can be transmitted to the recipient, leading to increased risk of serious postoperative events. Although the cost-effectiveness is not definitely established, we recommend systematic screening for hemostatic and prothrombotic disorders to prevent more morbidity of a procedure that already has high risks of bleeding and thrombosis.

Metabolism of glutathione in tumour cells as evidenced by 1H MRS

1H MRS signals of glutathione and of free glutamate were examined in samples from cultured tumour cells, namely MCF-7 from mammary carcinoma and TG98 from malignant glioma, with the aim of relating signal intensities to aspects of GSH metabolism. Spectra of cells harvested at different cell densities suggest that GSH and glu signal intensities are related to cell density and proliferation and their ratio is dependent on the activity of the gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase. The hypothesis is confirmed by experiments performed on cells treated with buthionine sulfoximine that inhibits the enzyme activity.

Field-induced phase transitions and reversible field-induced inversion of chirality in tilted smectic phases of bent-core mesogens

Three homologous achiral five-ring bent-core mesogens are presented where 4-chlororesorcinol is the central core and the aromatic rings are linked by ester groups. These compounds form smectic phases with a tilted arrangement of the molecules (tilt angle approximately 45 degrees). On cooling the isotropic liquid this phase adopts a fan-like texture which shows for two homologues at relatively high electric fields ( 25-35 V microm(-1)) an antiferroelectric electro-optical response based on the collective rotation of the molecules around their long axes. At lower temperature the application of a sufficiently high electric field leads to a continuous transition into a non-birefringent texture which exhibits randomly distributed domains of opposite handedness. These domains can be reversibly switched into a state of opposite chirality by reversal of the field polarity. This switching is bistable and shows a current response typical for a ferroelectric ground state. The possible mechanism of the field-induced phase transition, of the ferroelectric switching and of the field-induced inversion of the chirality is discussed on the base of XRD, 13C- and 1H-NMR investigations, dielectric and electro-optical measurements.

Syndrome d’hypersensibilité médicamenteuse associé à une primo-infection HHV6

INTRODUCTION

Drug hypersensitivity syndrome is a severe life-threatening drug reaction. An association between this syndrome and HHV6 reactivation has been hypothesized.

CASE-REPORT

A 45 year-old women was treated with sulfasalazine for polyarthralgia. One month after beginning the treatment, she developed a drug hypersensitivity syndrome with severe acute hepatic failure. HHV6 serology and serum PCR revealed a primary HHV6 infection.

DISCUSSION

We report the second case of drug hypersensitivity syndrome associated with a primary HHV6 infection. An immunological disorder may explain such an association by increasing viral replication. Detection and titration of anti-HHV6 antibodies in each case of drug hypersensitivity syndrome should help to confirm this association and possibly modify treatment strategy.

1H MRS signals from glutathione may act as predictive markers of apoptosis in irradiated tumour cells

Inhibition of apoptosis in tumour cells may depend on intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level. In this work, GSH levels were studied by (1)H MRS in MCF-7 and HeLa cells, characterised by a different radiosensitivity. Annexin-V test showed that the fraction of apoptotic HeLa cells after irradiation is much higher than in control, although MCF-7 cells did not show a significant apoptosis. MRS signals from GSH (G) show lower intensity in HeLa with respect to MCF-7 cells; the opposite is true for free glutamic acid [glu (g)]. After irradiation, the G/g ratio decreases in MCF-7, although remaining approximately constant in HeLa cells. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) treated MCF-7 cells show an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells; in parallel, G/g ratio behaves as in HeLa. This study indicates that GSH level may act as predictive marker of apoptosis by irradiation.

Use of commercial alanine and TL dosemeters for dosimetry intercomparisons among Italian radiotherapy centres

In the implementation of a large-scale dosimetry intercomparison one of the main constraints is the availability of large number of dosemeters of the highest quality. Therefore, ISS tested the possibility of using commercially available dosemeters, alanine pellets and thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry chips, for transfer dosimetry within the Italian intercomparison programme. In this work the characterisation of commercial alanine and TL dosemeters along with the ISS dose assessment procedure used in the Italian intercomparison are reported. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the ISS approach to transfer dosimetry since it is possible to measure 10 Gy with a combined uncertainty of 1% (1sigma) and 1 Gy with a combined uncertainty of 1.7% (1sigma) with alanine and TL dosemeters, respectively.

Is it possible to predict postnatal depression? Research into the origin of blues and depression. The role of the gynaecologist

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

the authors investigated the role of the gynaecologist in trying to predict postnatal depression. Women suffering from postnatal depression (PND) are the expression of a failure to adapt to the unjust demands that society makes on them. Isolation and the lack of social support during and after the pregnancy are very strong factors of risk for postpartum depression. The problem is serious and it develops rapidly, within two weeks of childbirth. It requires immediate and continuous treatment. There is also some risk of infanticide or suicide.

METHODS

submission of a questionnaire based on the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) to 222 pregnant women between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

28.4% of the patients resulted positive to the test (score > 12 points) and the hypothesis would seem to be that there is a continuum between depression suffered pre- and postpartum, and that the depression begins during pregnancy and then becomes more acute or less latent at the time of confinement.

CONCLUSIONS

the gynaecologist must have a role in helping to achieve an early diagnosis of the depression, because the earlier the problem is recognised the greater are the possibilities of therapy and preventing any consequences for the entire family group.

Non-immune foetal hydrops: a case report

Foetal hydrops occurs when a certain amount of interstitial fluid, produced by capillary ultrafiltration, overcomes the amount of interstitial fluid that returns to the blood circulation through the lymphatic system. Hydrops is classified as immune (IH) due to the presence of circulating maternal antibodies against the foetal red blood cell's antigens, and non-immune (NIH) that includes all the other causes of hydrops. This classification is still valid, but only under a clinical point of view because they differ in aetiology and management. In this article the management of a case of non-immune foetal hydrops is described, in which, unlike most other cases of non-immune foetal hydrops, the foetus survived.

Optical imaging of dose distributions in Fricke gels

Ferrous-sulphate infused gels, or 'Fricke gels', encounter great interest in the field of radiation dosimetry, due to their potential for 3D radiation dose mapping. Typically, magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation rates are determined in these systems in order to derive the absorbed dose. However, when large concentration gradients are present, diffusion effects before and during the MR imaging may not be negligible. In these cases, optical techniques may represent a viable alternative. This paper describes research aimed at measuring 3D dose distributions in a Fricke-xylenol orange gel by measuring optical density with a CCD camera. This method is inexpensive and fast. A series of early experiments is described, in which optical density profiles were measured with a commercial microdensitometer for film dosimetry. The light box of the device was modified to work at 567 nm, close to the maximum absorbance of the ferric ion-xylenol orange complex. Under these conditions, the gel shows linearity with dose and high sensitivity.

Radiation effects in cultured tumour cells examined by 1H MRS: mobile lipids modulation and proliferative arrest

Much attention has been devoted in the past to monitor changes of mobile lipid (ML) (1)H MRS signals in spectra of tumour cells. The purpose of this work is to exploit ML signals to provide information on cell metabolism after irradiation, comparing tumour cells characterised by different radiosensitivity and relating MRS findings to changes in cell proliferation and delays in cell cycle phases. Irradiated HeLa cells present less intense ML signals with respect to controls. The opposite is true for MCF-7 cells. A G(2) arrest is observed for both cell lines after irradiation. In HeLa cells, G(1) decreases and S phase is maintained; a sub G(1) peak is also visible. In MCF-7 cells, G(1) is decreased and S phase is strongly reduced, while no sub G(1) is present. The observed changes in ML are tentatively associated to cell cycle regulation of phospholipid synthesis. Mathematical modelling of ML variations is in progress.

Antioxidant activity of wild plants collected in valsesia, an alpine region of Northern Italy

A selection of wild plants collected in Valsesia (Northwest Italy) was screened for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Aerial parts of selected plants were dried at room temperature and powdered. Then, four sequential extractions were performed with increasing polarity solvents, i.e. n-hexane, chloroform, chloroform-methanol (9:1, v/v) and methanol. By employing different assays, it was shown that all the methanol extracts of the samples collected were endowed with antioxidant activity, though, as expected, their potency varied according to the different tests. In particular, plants of the Thymus and Achillea genus displayed the highest activity. Given that a diet rich in wild plants is associated with a reduced incidence of degenerative diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cancer, this study suggests that some Valsesia plants could be pharmaceutically exploited.

Optical images of dose distributions in Gel-Fricke: dosimetric performances of the gel

The purpose of this work was to examine the dosimetric performances of the radiochromic Fricke-Agarose-Xylenol Orange gel by optical measurements in order to perform dose reconstructions, in view of a future development for 3-D maps. Optical images and dose-response curves of the gel were obtained by a CCD-based device, originally designed for reading radiochromic films, that was modified to meet the optical properties of the dosemeter. With a resolution of 0.18 x 0.18 mm the optimum range of doses in which per cent uncertainty is lower than 2% was 3-10 Gy. The minimum detectable dose, estimated as the absorbed dose corresponding to 3 SD above background, was 0.1 Gy. With a resolution of 1.98 x 1.98 mm the optimum range of doses in which per cent uncertainty is lower than 2% was 0.3-10 Gy. The minimum detectable dose, estimated as the absorbed dose corresponding to 3 SD above background, was 0.015 Gy. The comparison with alanine dosemeters in the dose range 7-10 Gy showed agreement within a few per cent and the same agreement was observed for the comparison with TLD in the range 1-3 Gy.

Mediterranean food and health: building human evidence

Adherence to a Mediterranean style diet affords protection from degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Identification of the active constituents of the Mediterranean diet is crucial to the formulation of appropriate dietary guidelines. Also, research on the pharmacological properties of the "minor components" of this diet, eg vitamins and polyphenols, is very active and might lead to the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Even though in vitro data are plentiful, human studies are difficult to perform due to ethical and practical reasons. Yet, intervention trials represent the best approach to validate claims of healthful activities. This article reviews human evidence of the biological properties of olive oil and tomato constituents and illustrates a research approach by which the bioactive elements of a wild plant (Cynara cardunculus) are first studied in vitro to build biochemical evidence, then in vivo to obtain proof of their vasomodularoty activity.

The role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diets: focus on cancer

The incidence of certain cancers in the Mediterranean area is lower than in other areas of the world (e.g. in northern Europe and the USA). As nutrition and dietary factors comprise one of the three major factors for human carcinogenesis, the hypothesis was formulated that the dietary profile of the Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants, might exert preventive actions. Alas, the vast majority of experiments to prove this hypothesis have been obtained in vitro, and most of the necessary information on the absorption, distribution and metabolism of oligonutrients is currently lacking. Yet, even though the exact role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet is yet to be fully established, data from observational studies are strong enough to reinforce the notion that a diet low in saturated fat and alcohol and rich in plant food and whole grain, such as the traditional Mediterranean diet, is associated with lower risk of cancer and should be actively promoted.

[Photo-induced sarcoidosis]

INTRODUCTION

Among the multiple forms of clinically atypical cutaneous sarcoidosis, lesions limited to light-exposed areas are rare. We describe a fourth observation.

CASE REPORT

A phototype V 51-year-old woman, born in Tunisia presented with papular erythema on the face. Treatment with topical steroids did not result in any improvement. Biopsy specimen revealed a non caseating granuloma according with sarcoidosis. Assessment for systemic sarcoidosis was negative. Phototesting showed no abnormalities. The patient was successfully treated with chloroquine.

DISCUSSION

Only three similar observations are reported in the literature. The role of light exposure despite the negative phototesting seems to be real. The tallying of these four observations permits one to isolate photo-induced sarcoidosis as a single entity.

MRS study of the interaction of dihydropyridines with lipid molecules in phosphatidylcholine vesicles

Dihydropyridines (DHPs), synthetic molecules used as antihypertensive agents, bind to plasma membrane receptors following diffusion through the hydrophobic phase. In this study, MRS technique has been used to clarify the interactions of the dihydrophyridines Nifedipine and Lacidipine within the lipid bilayer. 1D and 2D 1H MRS at high field have been employed to examine the behavior of unilamellar dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine liposomes when the two drugs have been inserted in the bilayer. In particular, the study represents an innovative application of 2D 1H NOESY technique to clarify different mechanisms of interactions of small molecules inside model membranes. On the other hand, 31P measurements have been performed in multilamellar dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine lipsomes to detect alterations of lipid polymorphic phases. The experiments show that the two dihydropyridines interact with the lipids by different modalities. Lacidipine undergoes a very strong interaction with lipids, possibly inducing a phase segregation of lipid molecules into the bilayer, while self-association seems to be the prevalent interaction of Nifedipine inside the bilayer.

Radiation effects on soluble metabolites in cultured HeLa cells examined by 1H MRS: changes in concentration of glutathione and of lipid catabolites induced by gamma rays and proton beams

Cultured HeLa cells were irradiated with a single acute dose of either gamma rays (40 Gy) or low-energy proton beams (20 Gy). (1)H magnetic resonance spectra of intact cells harvested at different times after irradiation and of the correspondent perchloric acid (PCA) extracts prepared at different times after irradiation were run. Selected signals from glutathione and lactate were examined with the aim of investigating effects of irradiation on antioxidative stores and on mitochondrial activity. An increase of signal intensity of glutathione (GSH) takes place at 15 and 24 hr after irradiation, while a decrease of its signal intensity, accompanied by an increase of that of free glutamate, starts appearing 48 hr after irradiation. Lactate signal increases 48 hr after irradiation. Signals from lipid catabolites were also examined to explore their sensitivity in predicting the response to radiotherapy. Intensity ratios of signals of glycerophosphorylcholine and choline to that of phosphorylcholine increase with time after irradiation. Irradiating cells with gamma rays or proton beams at half a dose produces effects comparable to the metabolic variations presented here. The present experiments allow more insight into the complex pattern of the changes of GSH by irradiation and indicate that magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals from GSH, glutamate, lactate, and lipid catabolites are affected by irradiation. Finally, these data represent a first indication that the relative biological efficiency for some metabolic damage of low-energy proton beams with respect to gamma rays can reach a value of 2.

Changes in soluble metabolites induced in tumour cells by gamma rays and proton beams: a 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Cultured HeLa cells have been irradiated with a single acute dose of either gamma rays (40 Gy) or low energy proton beams (20 Gy). 1H magnetic resonance spectra of perchloric acid extracts (PCA) prepared at different times after irradiation show an intensity decrease of signal from glutathione and a parallel increase of lactate signal. Intensity ratios of signals of glycerophosphorylcholine to that of phosphorylcholine increase with time after irradiation. Irradiating cells with gamma rays or proton beams at half a dose obtain effects of comparable extent. The present experiments indicate that relevant metabolic alterations take place in cells damaged by irradiation. Finally, these data represent a first indication that the relative biological efficiency of low energy proton beams with respect to gamma rays can reach a value of 2 as evidenced by cell metabolic impairment.

Effect of iprodione, a dicarboximide fungicide, on primary cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes

As is known from literature, iprodione, a dicarboximide fungicide, has a highly specific action, with a capacity to cause oxidative damage through production of free oxygen radicals (ROS), but it does not appear to be species selective. Since this substance is able to diffuse in water, evaluation of its capacity to induce oxidative damage in an aquatic organism such as the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was considered of particular interest. A study was, therefore, undertaken to investigate the effect of iprodione on free radicals (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, reduced glutathione (GSH) content and catalase activity (CAT), in primary cultured trout hepatocytes, following treatment with 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mM concentrations for a 24-h period. The iprodione 0.3 and 0.4 mM concentrations increased both ROS and MDA production and decreased GSH content and CAT activity. These results suggest that iprodione is able to produce oxidative damage in primary cultured fish hepatocytes, thus confirming that its action is specific, but not species selective. It is also well known that ROS production in fungi is due to interaction with the flavin enzyme NADPH cytochrome c reductase to the extent that the normal electron flow from NADPH to cytochrome c is blocked. In contrast, we observed that, in primary cultured trout hepatocytes, iprodione appears to have no effect on NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity. It is, therefore, possible to presume that the mechanism of oxidative damage in trout hepatocytes differs from that observed in fungi. Moreover, our experiments also demonstrate that iprodione is able to induce "in vitro" CYP1A1, leading to the conclusion that the production of ROS is due to this phenomenon.

Association between polycystic ovary and fibrocystic breast disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess whether or not there was an association between a polycystic ovary (PCO) and fibrocystic breast disease based on ultrasound findings, both pelvic and mammographic.

DESIGN

Prospective case-control study.

POPULATION

Women aged between 18 and 30 years not using oral contraceptives attending the outpatient ultrasound clinic from January 1996 to December 1998.

MAIN OUTCOME

Confirm the association between PCO and fibrocystic breast disease.

RESULTS

According to the ultrasound findings, women were allocated to three groups: 351 out of 456 showed normal-appearing ovaries (group A), 93 had polycystic-appearing ovaries/PCO (group B) and 12 had PCO syndrome (group C). In group A, 24 (6.83%) women showed breast pathology. In group B, there was an association between PCO and breast pathology in 53 (56.98%) women, while in group C it was noted in 11 out of 12 (91%).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a significant association between PCO and benign pathology. This should encourage the performance of a screening breast sonography on women with PCO.

[Incidence of fibrocystic disease of the breast in women with polycystic ovary. Clinico-instrumental study]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess whether or not there was an association between polycystic ovaries (PCO) and fibrocystic breast disease. It is known that hyperestrogenism and anovulation are involved in the etiology of the fibrocystic breast disease; we evaluated the incidence of this disorder in women with PCO or Polycystic Ovary Sindrome (PCOS) based on ultrasound findings both pelvic and mammographic.

METHODS

From January 1995 to December 1997 we performed in our outpatient ultrasound service (I Divisione I Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza") pelvic standard scan on 980 women. Patients between 18 and 30 years of age, not using oral contraceptives, both with Normal Appearing Ovariest (NAO) or with PCO Polycystic Appearing Ovaries (PAO) enrolled in the study, informed and agreed to undergo ultrasound mammography. All the subject were examined using an Aloka SSD ZOOO and Esaote AU3 ultrasound equipment with 3.5 MHz and 10 MHz probes for pelvic and mammographic scan respectively. The relationship between pelvic and mammographic scan findings were studied and the chi 2 analysis was used to examine them.

RESULTS

Women by the US findings were allocated into three groups: 203 over 264 showed NAO (group A); 54 had PAO/PCO (group B) and 7 had PCOS (group C). In group A (6.83%) women showed breast pathology. In group B there was association between PCO and breast pathology in 30 (56.98%) women, while in group C on 6 over 7 (91.66%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a significant association between PCO and benign pathology. This should encourage the performance of a screening breast sonography in women with PCO.

[Hormone substitution therapy. Side-effects and compliance of various therapeutic regimens]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and long-term compliance of four Estrogen Progestin treatments (HRT) for menopause.

METHODS

One hundred and ten symptomatic menopausal women were divided into four groups according to therapeutic regimens: A) Estradiol (E2) transdermal treatment 50 micrograms (TTS 50) continuously administered (cont.) plus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) 10 mg/die for twelve days a month: 35 women. B) Conjugated Equine Estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg/die cont. plus MPA for twelve days a month: 25 women. C) Estradiol transdermal 50 micrograms (cont.) plus MPA 2.5 mg/die cont.: 26 women. D) CEE 0.625 mg/die cont. plus MPA 2.5 mg/die cont.: 24 women.

RESULTS

Menopausal symptoms were significantly reduced with all treatments. During the first year group C and D patients showed irregular bleeding (group C: 46%, group D: 61%). After 24 months the bleeding frequency was reduced (group C: 11%, group D: 13%). Mastodynia was the more frequent side-effect in particular among women who were utilizing cont.comb. regimens. The total percentage of drop out (D.O.) after 2 years was more than 30% (Group A: 31%, Group B: 33%, Group C: 39%, Group D: 35%). The most frequent reasons for abandoning HRT (79% of all DO) were not linked to therapy side-effects. 19% of DO switched to other hormonal regimens.