Speciation within the Anopheles gambiae complex: high-throughput whole genome sequencing reveals evidence of a putative new cryptic taxon in 'far-west' Africa.

The two main Afrotropical malaria vectors - Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae - are genetically distinct and reproductively isolated across West Africa. However, populations at the western extreme of their range are assigned as "intermediate" between the two species by whole genome sequence (WGS) data, and as hybrid forms by conventional molecular diagnostics. By exploiting WGS data from 1,190 specimens collected across west Africa via the Anopheles gambiae 1000 Genomes network, we identify a novel putative taxon in the far-west (provisionally named Bissau molecular form), which did not arise by admixture but rather originated at the same time as the split between An. coluzzii and An. gambiae. Intriguingly, these populations lack insecticide resistance mechanisms commonly observed in the two main species. These findings lead to a change of perspective on malaria vector species in the far-west region with potential for epidemiological implications, and a new challenge for genetic-based mosquito control approaches.

A global association between Covid-19 cases and airborne particulate matter at regional level.

Evidences of an association between air pollution and Covid-19 infections are mixed and inconclusive. We conducted an ecological analysis at regional scale of long-term exposure to air-borne particle matter and spread of Covid-19 cases during the first wave of epidemics. Global air pollution and climate data were calculated from satellite earth observation data assimilated into numerical models at 10 km resolution. Main outcome was defined as the cumulative number of cases of Covid-19 in the 14 days following the date when > 10 cumulative cases were reported. Negative binomial mixed effect models were applied to estimate the associations between the outcome and long-term exposure to air pollution at the regional level (PM10, PM2.5), after adjusting for relevant regional and country level covariates and spatial correlation. In total we collected 237,749 Covid-19 cases from 730 regions, 63 countries and 5 continents at May 30, 2020. A 10 µg/m3 increase of pollution level was associated with 8.1% (95% CI 5.4%, 10.5%) and 11.5% (95% CI 7.8%, 14.9%) increases in the number of cases in a 14 days window, for PM2.5 and PM10 respectively. We found an association between Covid-19 cases and air pollution suggestive of a possible causal link among particulate matter levels and incidence of COVID-19.

[Acute abdomen in renal transplant recipients. Epidemiology and treatment in not referral transplantation centers]. / L'addome acuto nel paziente trapiantato renale. Considerazioni epidemiologiche, diagnostiche e terapeutiche in DEA non dedicati.

The incidence of gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients is relatively high while about 10% is related to acute abdomen. Data concerning gastrointestinal (GI) complications were reported in literature mainly from referral center studies. A multicenter retrospectively survey was performed in Lazio, Italy, in order to evaluate the incidence of acute abdomen in renal transplant recipients observed to the emergency departments of not referral transplantation centers. Clinical and demographic findings regarding 14 patients who experienced acute abdomen between February 2005 and Dicember 2008 have been collected. The following data was investigated: etiology, diagnostic workup, duration of symptoms, elapsed time between admission and emergency operation if performed, morbility and mortality. The severity of disease at presentation was assessed by mean of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score (APACHE II). Acute abdomen was due to pancreatitis in three patients (23.1%); to cholecystitis in three (23.1%); to acute diverticolitis with colon perforation in two patients (15.4%); to acute appendicitis in two (15.4%) and to intestinal obstruction in 2 patients (15.4%). Small bowel perforation was observed in two patients (15.4%) which one case, upon pathological examination, showed malignant lymphoma. The mean APACHE II score was 14.0 ± 5.9. Ten patients (71.4%) were submitted to surgery. Overall mortality and morbidity were 35% and 42% respectively. Statistical analysis showed admission APACHE II score (p<0.01), duration of symptoms (p<0.05), and total time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and treatment (p<0.04) as factors significantly related to mortality.

[Holter monitoring of the arterial pressure in the follow up of a group of aged patients with chronic uremia]. / Follow-up della pressione arteriosa in un gruppo di uremici anziani cronici mediante monitoraggio Holter.

The cardiovascular complication represents the principal effect of death in patients uraemics cronics. The hypertension is one of most cause; for this, the control of hypertension is one important objective in this patients. The introduction of dynamic monitoring permit to estimate the adeguatesse of hypertension control or the appearance of extradialitic hypotension. The dynamic monitoring permit to value the difference in two groups, young and elderly and to conform the hypertension therapy.

[Plasmapheresis and mushroom poisoning:report of a case of Amanita phalloides poisoning]. / Plasmaferesi e avvelenamento da funghi: presentazione di un caso di intossicazione da Amanita phalloides.

A case of amanita phalloides which presented a typical picture of phalloides intossication has been treated at our Centre. The patient was submitted to four treatments of plasmaexchange (Plasmafiltration), exchanging from 70 to 80% of the plasmatic volume and using substitutive liquids 4% albumine and frozen plasma, using as filter Plasmaflo Asahi OP-O5 (1) and Plasmapheresis equipment SIFRA mod. 914. Already after the first treatment there was an improvement of the general condition with a stabilization of the renal and hepatic parameters at the end of the cycle.

[Comparative study of the modification of arterial pressure in adult and aged subjects treated with hemofiltration. Preliminary results]. / Studio comparativo delle modificazioni della pressione arteriosa in soggetti adulti ed anziani in trattamento dialitico con tecnica di emofiltrazione. Risultati preliminari.

Haemodynamics modifications in 49 patients divided in two groups consisting of 21 young people (average age 43 +/- 12 yrs.) and 28 elderly people (average age 72 +/- 7 yrs.) who have undergone at least three treatments with haemofiltration for congestive cardiac decompensation and chronic renal failure have been evaluated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate have been monitored for each patient in a length of time of iT, T30 min., T60 min., fT. The results show a statistically significant reduction of the systolic pressure during the time interval iT-T30 min. in subjects over 65, contrary to the control group. Such preliminary results can be justified by the haemodynamic modifications correlated to the elderly process. In any case the hypothesis cited by the authors need further testing even if confirming the indication of the dialytic treatment on patients over 65 through haemofiltration techniques.

[Efficacy of recombinant erythropoietin on the quality of life in patients over 60 years of age undergoing hemodialysis]. / Efficacia dell'eritropoietina ricombinante sulla qualità di vita in pazienti emodializzati ultrasessantenni.

We followed for a period of six months, 54 patients of over 60 years old, submitted to hemodialitic treatment. We gave human recombinant erythropoietin, average dosage 50 UI/Kg subcutaneously on alternative days, folic acid and iron supplements together with a proteic supply of 1.2 g/Kg/die (35 Kcal/Kg). The medullary response has been monitored with hematochemical tests; blood pressure and nutritional conditions have been evaluated. Furthermore, the patients were given a questionnaire to evaluate their quality of life. At the end of the follow up, 50 patients responded positively to therapy. These patients showed an increase of RBC (from 2,789,780 +/- 259,310 to 3,313,110 +/- 472,780 p < 0.001) of HCT (from 21.86% +/- 2.16% to 27.18 +/- 2.74% p < 0.0001) and of Hb (from 7.72 +/- 1.12 g/dl to 9.28 +/- 0.98 g/dl p < 0.006). Total protein and albumin increased too. Furthermore they showed a progressive increase of "performance status". Our results confirm efficacy of erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia in elderly hemodialized patients.

Haemorheological changes in mixed cryoglobulinaemia during apheresis treatment.

Thirty-four patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinaemia have been submitted to treatment by apheresis (plasma exchange or double cascade filtration). The authors have monitored clinical, laboratory and, above all, haemorheological changes following therapy. The final results have shown mainly a reduction of plasma viscosity and consequently an improvement of the haemorheology of the affected organs. In conclusion, apheresis may be considered a successful therapy in patients with severe renal or neurological diseases due to mixed cryoglobulinaemia.