Body CT examinations in oncologic patients: the impact of subspecialty radiology on radiation exposure in the clinical practice. A quality care study.

PURPOSES: The primary objective of this retrospective study was to assess whether the CT dose delivered to oncologic patients was different in a subspecialty radiology department, compared to a general radiology department. The secondary explorative objective was to assess whether the objective image quality of CT examinations was different in the two settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest and abdomen CT scans performed for oncologic indications were selected from a general radiology department and a subspecialty radiology department. By using a radiation dose management platform, we extracted and compared CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) both for each phase and for the entire CT exams. For objective image quality evaluation, we calculated the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at the level of the liver and of the aorta. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 7098 CT examinations were included. CTDIvol was evaluated in 12,804 phases; DLP in 10,713 phases and in 6714 examinations. The CTDIvol and DLP overall were significantly lower in the subspecialty radiology department compared to the general radiology department CTDI median (IQR) 5.19 (3.91-7.00) and 5.51 (4.17-7.72), DLP median and IQR of 490.0 (342.4-710.6) and 503.4 (359.9-728.8), p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively. The objective image quality showed no significant difference in the general and subspecialty radiology departments, with median and IQR of 4.03 (2.82-5.51) and 3.84 (3.09-4.94) for SNRLiv (p = 0.58); 4.81 (2.70-7.62) and 4.34 (3.05-6.25) for SNRAo (p = 0.30); 0.83 (0.20-1.89) and 1.00 (0.35-1.57) for CNRLiv (p = 0.99); 2.23 (0.09-3.83) and 1.01 (0.15-2.84) for CNRAo (p = 0.24) with SNRLiv (p = 0.58), SNRAo (p = 0.30), CNRLiv (p = 0.99) and CNRAo (p = 0.24). CONCLUSION: In a subspecialty radiology department, CT protocols are optimized compared to a general radiology department leading to lower doses to oncologic patients without significant objective image quality degradation.

Altered glial expression of the cannabinoid 1 receptor in the subiculum of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

The alteration of the endocannabinoid tone usually associates with changes in the expression and/or function of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid beta (Aß)-containing aggregates induce a chronic inflammatory response leading to reactivity of both microglia and astrocytes. However, how this glial response impacts on the glial CB1 receptor expression in the subiculum of a mouse model of AD, a brain region particularly affected by large accumulation of plaques and concomitant subcellular changes in microglia and astrocytes, is unknown. The CB1 receptor localization in both glial cells was investigated in the subiculum of male 5xFAD/CB2 EGFP/f/f (AD model) and CB2 EGFP/f/f mice by immuno-electron microscopy. The findings revealed that glial CB1 receptors suffer remarkable changes in the AD mouse. Thus, CB1 receptor expression increases in reactive microglia in 5xFAD/CB2 EGFP/f/f , but remains constant in astrocytes with CB1 receptor labeling rising proportionally to the perimeter of the reactive astrocytes. Not least, the CB1 receptor localization in microglial processes in the subiculum of controls and closely surrounding amyloid plaques and dystrophic neurites of the AD model, supports previous suggestions of the presence of the CB1 receptor in microglia. These findings on the correlation between glial reactivity and the CB1 receptor expression in microglial cells and astrocytes, contribute to the understanding of the role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Spiritual Experiences of Portuguese Women Who had a Water Birth.

This study aimed to understand the significance of spirituality to Portuguese women who had a water birth. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire, were conducted with 24 women who experienced water birth at the hospital or home. Results were analyzed from a narrative interpretation perspective. Three spirituality-related categories emerged: (1) Beliefs and connections with the body; (2) Spirituality: integration of being a woman and transformation during birth; and (3) Spirituality as wisdom, intuition, or the sixth sense. Spirituality was perceived in women's faith and beliefs in a superior being that helped them manage the unpredictability and uncontrollability of giving birth.

A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect.

We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project (k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result (d = 0.06). Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect (d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses. Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.

Complement split product C3c in saliva as biomarker for periodontitis and response to periodontal treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The complement system is engaged in inflammatory reactions both in the periodontal pockets and in the periodontium itself, where it can mediate tissue destruction. The aim of this study was, first, to compare salivary levels of the total complement system protein C3 and its split product, fluid-phase C3c in patients with periodontitis and periodontally healthy controls. Next, to determine if C3 and C3c levels had biomarker potential in diagnosing and monitoring periodontitis and its treatment. We hypothesized that salivary levels of total C3 and the split product C3c associated with the severity of periodontitis and reflected decreased inflammatory activity after periodontal treatment. METHODS: At baseline, stimulated saliva samples were collected from patients with periodontitis (n = 18) and periodontally healthy controls (n = 15). Subsequently, non-surgical periodontal treatment was performed in the patients, and saliva sampling from patients was repeated two-, six-, and twelve weeks post-treatment (NCT02913248 at clinicaltrials.gov). The patients were grouped as good and poor responders to treatment according to the achieved reduction in bleeding on probing (BOP). Salivary levels of C3 and C3c were quantified using sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Patients with periodontitis had higher baseline levels of both total C3 and the split product C3c in saliva than did periodontally healthy controls (P < .0001). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses discriminated patients with periodontitis from controls based on both C3 (AUC (area under curve) = 0.91, P < .001) and C3c levels (AUC = 0.84, P < .001) in saliva. Periodontal treatment improved all clinical parameters (P < .01). Good responders (n = 10) had lower baseline levels of C3c than poor responders (n = 8), (P < .05), and baseline levels of C3c discriminated between good and poor responders (AUC = 0.80, P < .05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, patients with periodontitis had higher salivary levels of C3c, and the C3c levels were predictive of reductions in BOP, that is, the poor responders. This suggests that salivary C3c levels possess potential to serve as a biomarker predicting the clinical response to non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Sexuality and childbirth: a qualitative analysis of women who had a waterbirth.

Waterbirth is associated with a less painful childbirth, enhanced couples' intimacy, and positive feelings toward women's bodies and sexuality. In a qualitative, descriptive case study involving 21 participants, we examined the sexual experiences-during childbirth and postpartum-of women who had a waterbirth in a hospital environment. Women discussed their sexuality in the intrapartum and postpartum period after having a waterbirth in public or private hospitals. Two main themes were developed from the data analysis: 'women's sexual pleasure during waterbirth' and 'sexuality after childbirth'. Experiences included transcendence during waterbirth, a feeling that it represented a unique experience, and couples' more positive feelings about intimacy. The shared representations of women suggest that waterbirth can be a calming, joyful event for couples. During this process, they felt that it was a loving, shared event. In addition, after childbirth women experienced positive feelings toward their bodies and sexuality (including orgasm), as well as closer intimacy with their partners.

Imaging before cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer patients.

Appropriate and accurate pre-operative imaging in epithelial ovarian cancer patients may allow selection of patients that may mostly benefit either from primary cytoreductive surgery or from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. If the patient is considered suitable for upfront surgery, pre-operative imaging may help in planning the surgical approach, to forecast the operating time, and to estimate the need for other consulting specialists. Currently, computed tomography (CT) imaging is the standard of care for pre-operative evaluation of ovarian cancer patients; however, advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emerging as a technique that may overcome the limitations of CT imaging, especially for small peritoneal deposits in difficult-to-resect sites. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT imaging in the pre-operative setting is currently limited, whereas the use of the new hybrid technique PET-MRI is still under evaluation. Since criteria that may preclude optimal cytoreductive surgery may vary, depending on the aggressiveness of the surgical procedure and surgeon skill, multidisciplinary consensus conferences are the ideal platform to evaluate extent of the disease and surgical strategy.

Evaluation of specific quality metrics to assess the performance of a specialised newborn transport programme.

There is a lack of consensus on quality indicators suitable for neonatal transport. The aim of this study is to make a proposal for specific quality indicators for newborn transport. A retrospective descriptive study was performed (2009 to 2015) where twenty-four indicators were selected, evaluated and classified according to the 6 dimensions of quality of the Institute of Medicine. Among the 24 evaluated quality metrics, there were 3 of them which needed a correction when evaluating neonatal transport performance, because they were significantly correlated with gestational age. They were (a) stabilisation time, (b) prevalence of newborn arterial hypotension (defined by gestational age) and (c) unnoticed hypothermia at referral hospital.Conclusion: Quality evaluation through the definition of specific metrics in newborn transport is feasible. These indicators should be defined or adjusted for newborn population to measure the actual performance of the transport service.What is Known:• Quality indicators may help in defining metrics for clinical practice, promoting benchmarking and defining areas of improvement.• Newborn characteristics call for a specialised care, and quality measure during newborn transport require specific metrics. Quality metrics for paediatric transport have been defined using Delphi method. Some of these measures need to be specific for newborn, due to their intrinsic characteristics.What is New:• Using evidence-based literature and our newborn transport experience, specific quality indicators for newborn transport are suggested.• Data analysis shows how some indicators need to be adjusted for gestational age.

Salivary microbiota and inflammation-related proteins in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to characterize the composition of the salivary microbiota and quantify salivary levels of inflammation-related proteins (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] and transferrin) in patients with psoriasis and compare data to those obtained in patients with periodontitis and orally healthy controls, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stimulated saliva samples from patients with psoriasis (n = 27), patients with periodontitis (n = 58), and orally healthy controls (n = 52) were characterized by means of next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Salivary levels of NGAL and transferrin were quantified using immunoassays. RESULTS: Linear discriminant effect size analysis showed that 52 (22 psoriasis-associated and 30 periodontitis-associated) and 21 (8 psoriasis-associated and 13 orally healthy control-associated) bacterial taxa differentiated the salivary microbiota in patients with psoriasis from that of patients with periodontitis and orally healthy controls, respectively. Significantly lower mean salivary levels of NGAL (psoriasis: 996 [std. error 320], periodontitis: 2,072 [295], orally healthy controls: 2,551 [345] ng/ml, p < .0001) and transferrin (psoriasis: 4.37 [0.92], periodontitis: 7.25 [0.88], orally healthy controls: 10.02 [0.94] ng/ml, p < .0001) were identified in patients with psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis associates with characteristics of the salivary microbiota and salivary levels of inflammation-related proteins, which are different from characteristics in patients with periodontitis and orally healthy controls, respectively.

Assessment of urban air pollution related to potential nanoparticle emission from photocatalytic pavements.

The main objective was to evaluate whether wearing and weathering of nanofunctionalized photocatalytic pavement in real urban environment can lead to undesirable emission of potentially toxic nanoparticle aerosols in urban air. The photocatalytic material was thoroughly tested before its application for conformity criteria in terms of photocatalytic effectiveness, intrinsic performance and undesired secondary effects, and then applied on a pilot scale in downtown Madrid. The aerosol monitoring on the pilot street before the coating applications as well as on the neighbouring streets during 10 months was used as a benchmark for evaluation of spatial and temporal variations. Analysis of the experimental data did not reveal any statistically significant variations in the aerosol concentrations on the pilot street in comparison with the benchmark. The concentration of Ti-containing particles was assessed by aerosol sampling and yielded values below 10 cm-3 that is more than three orders of magnitude below the toxicological limits. A theoretical model was developed to assess the upper bound of nanoparticle aerosol concentration in air. These findings indicated that photocatalytic pavement materials, which comply with conformity criteria under laboratory tests, can have low impact on the particulate contamination of urban air.

Anti-inflammatory agents for smoking cessation? Focus on cognitive deficits associated with nicotine withdrawal in male mice.

Nicotine withdrawal is associated with cognitive deficits including attention, working memory, and episodic memory impairments. These cognitive deficits are a hallmark of nicotine abstinence which could be targeted in order to prevent smoking relapse. The underlying mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. In this study, memory impairment was observed in mice 4 days after the precipitation of nicotine withdrawal by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine. The presence of cognitive deficits correlated with microglial activation in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, an increased expression of neuroinflammatory markers including IL1ß, TNFα and IFNγ was found in both memory-related brain regions. Notably, flow cytometric analysis also revealed an enhancement of TNFα and IFNγ plasmatic levels at the same time point during nicotine withdrawal. Impaired neurogenesis, as shown by reduction in the expression of the endogenous cell proliferation marker Ki67 and the early neuron marker doublecortin, was also associated with nicotine abstinence. Treatment with the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol abolished memory impairment of nicotine withdrawal and microglia reactivity, reduced the expression of IL1ß and IFNγ in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, respectively, and normalized Ki67 levels. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin also prevented cognitive deficits and microglial reactivity during withdrawal. These data underline the usefulness of anti-inflammatory agents to improve cognitive performance during early nicotine abstinence.

Radiomics of high-grade serous ovarian cancer: association between quantitative CT features, residual tumour and disease progression within 12 months.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if radiomic features, alone or combined with clinical data, are associated with residual tumour (RT) at surgery, and predict the risk of disease progression within 12 months (PD12) in ovarian cancer (OC) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 101 patients according to the following inclusion parameters: cytoreductive surgery performed at our institution (9 May 2007-23 February 2016), assessment of BRCA mutational status, preoperative CT available. Radiomic features of the ovarian masses were extracted from 3D structures drawn on CT images. A phantom experiment was performed to assess the reproducibility of radiomic features. The final radiomic features included in the analysis (n = 516) were grouped into clusters using a hierarchical clustering procedure. The association of each cluster's representative radiomic feature with RT and PD12 was assessed by chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression models. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Patients with values of F2-Shape/Compactness1 below the median, of F1- GrayLevelCooccurenceMatrix25/0-1InformationMeasureCorr2 below the median and of F1-GrayLevelCooccurenceMatrix25/-333-1InverseVariance above the median showed higher risk of RT (36%, 36% and 35%, respectively, as opposed to 18%, 18% and 18%). Patients with values of F4-GrayLevelRunLengthMatrix25/-333RunPercentage above the median, of F2 shape/Max3DDiameter below the median and F1-GrayLevelCooccurenceMatrix25/45-1InverseVariance above the median showed higher risk of PD12 (22%, 24% and 23%, respectively, as opposed to 6%, 5% and 6%). At multivariate analysis F2-Shape/Max3DDiameter remained significant (odds ratio (95% CI) = 11.86 (1.41-99.88)). To predict PD12, a clinical radiomics model performed better than a base clinical model. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated significant associations between radiomic features and prognostic factors such as RT and PD12. KEY POINTS: • No residual tumour (RT) at surgery is the most important prognostic factor in OC. • Radiomic features related to mass size, randomness and homogeneity were associated with RT. • Progression of disease within 12 months (PD12) indicates worse prognosis in OC. • A model including clinical and radiomic features performed better than only-clinical model to predict PD12.

Evaluation of deep myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients: is dual-energy CT an option?

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of deep (>50%) myometrial invasion by dual-energy CT (DECT) and Trans-Vaginal US (TVUS) in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with endometrial cancer who underwent DECT and TVUS for pre-surgical staging. Three sets of images were evaluated: 70 keV (routine CT images), 50 keV, and iodine-water reconstructions. The gold standard was pathology after surgery. The agreement between the different imaging modalities and the gold standard was estimated. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for each imaging modality were evaluated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included. Median time from CT and TVUS to surgery was 23 and 18 days, respectively. The best agreement between evaluation of myometrial infiltration and the gold standard was 0.88 (0.72, 1.00) for the 50 keV images; the worst agreement was 0.43 (0.00, 0.88) for the 70 keV images. CT iodine reconstructions and US agreement were comparable. Specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 0.91, 1.00, 0.94; 0.57, 0.86, 0.71; 0.82, 1.00, 0.87; 0.91, 0.77, 0.86 for 50 keV, 70 keV, iodine reconstructions and ultrasound, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DECT is a promising tool for assessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients, with a special focus on 50 keV images.

Tyrosine hydroxylase haploinsufficiency prevents age-associated arterial pressure elevation and increases half-life in mice.

Catecholamines are essential for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis under basal and stress conditions. We aim to determine the impact of deletion of a single allele of the tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) gene might have on aging arterial pressure and life-span. We found that Th haploinsufficiency prevents age-associated increase of arterial pressure (AP) in mature adult mice, and it results in the extension of the half-life of Th-heterozygous (TH-HET) mice respect to their wild-type (WT) littermates. Heart performance was similar in both genotypes. To further investigate the lack of increase in AP with age in TH-HET mice, we measured the AP response to intra-peritoneal administration of substances involved in AP regulation. The response to acetylcholine and the basal sympathetic tone were similar in both genotypes, while norepinephrine had a greater pressor effect in TH-HET mice, which correlated with altered adrenoreceptor expression in blood vessels and the heart. Furthermore, sympatho-adrenomedular response to stress was attenuated in TH-HET mice. Plasma catecholamine levels and urine glucose increased markedly in WT but not in TH-HET mice after stress. Our results showed that TH-HET mice are resistant to age-associated hypertension, present a reduction in the sympathetic response to stress and display an extended half-life.

A two-hour antibiotic susceptibility test by ATP-bioluminescence.

The antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) in Clinical Microbiology laboratories is still time-consuming, and most procedures take 24h to yield results. In this study, a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test using ATP-bioluminescence has been developed. The design of method was performed using five ATCC collection strains of known susceptibility. This procedure was then validated against standard commercial methods on 10 strains of enterococci, 10 staphylococci, 10 non-fermenting gram negative bacilli, and 13 Enterobacteriaceae from patients. The agreement obtained in the sensitivity between the ATP-bioluminescence method and commercial methods (E-test, MicroScan and VITEK2) was 100%. In summary, the preliminary results obtained in this work show that the ATP-bioluminescence method could provide a fast and reliable AST in two hours.

Aragonite crystallization in a sulfate-rich hypersaline wetland under dry Mediterranean climate (Laguna Honda, eastern Guadalquivir basin, S Spain).

This research investigates the influence of water composition, the presence of seasonal algal mats, detrital inputs and the activity of microorganisms on the crystallization of aragonite in the sediments deposited in the hypersaline Laguna Honda wetland (S of Spain). The high alkaline and hypersaline waters (pH > 9.2 and C.E. > 70 mS/cm) of the wetland lake are rich in SO42- (>24,000 mg/l), Cl- (>21,000 mg/l), Na+ (>11,000 mg/l) Mg2+ (>8400 mg/l) and Ca2+ (>1000 mg/l), and are supersaturated for dolomite, calcite and aragonite. Sediments have lower pH values than column waters, oscillating from 8.54 in the low Eh (up to -80.9 mV) central deep sediments and 6.33 in the shallower higher Eh (around -13.6 mV) shore sediments. Erosion of the surrounding olive groves soils produced detrital silicates rich sediments with concretions of carbonate or sulfate. Aragonite (up to 19 %) and pyrite (up to 13 %) are mainly concentrated in the organic matter rich samples from the upper part of the sediment cores, whereas gypsum is preferably concentrated in low organic matter content samples. Mineral crusts containing a MgAl silicate phase, epsomite, halite and gypsum are precipitated on the floating algal mats covering the wetland waters. Floating algal mats deposit increased the organic matter content of the upper sediments which promoted the presence of fermentative microorganisms, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) communities and variations of Eh that influence the authigenesis of carbonate and S-bearing minerals. Replacement of poorly crystalline MgSi phases infilling algal cells by aragonite was favored in the organic matter rich sediments with low Eh values and important SRB communities that promoted sulfate bioreduction processes to form pyrite. Aragonite precipitation was favored by the increase of carbonate and bicarbonate concentration produced by the SRB oxidation of organic matter, the CO2 degassing by high summer temperatures and the CO2 uptake by photosynthesis of the algal mats.

The clinical challenges of homologous recombination proficiency in ovarian cancer: from intrinsic resistance to new treatment opportunities.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Optimal cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab is the conventional therapeutic strategy. Since 2016, the pharmacological treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer has significantly changed following the introduction of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). BRCA1/2 mutations and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) have been established as predictive biomarkers of the benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPi. While in the absence of HRD (the so-called homologous recombination proficiency, HRp), patients derive minimal benefit from PARPi, the use of the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab in first line did not result in different efficacy according to the presence of homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes mutations. No clinical trials have currently compared PARPi and bevacizumab as maintenance therapy in the HRp population. Different strategies are under investigation to overcome primary and acquired resistance to PARPi and to increase the sensitivity of HRp tumors to these agents. These tumors are characterized by frequent amplifications of Cyclin E and MYC, resulting in high replication stress. Different agents targeting DNA replication stress, such as ATR, WEE1 and CHK1 inhibitors, are currently being explored in preclinical models and clinical trials and have shown promising preliminary signs of activity. In this review, we will summarize the available evidence on the activity of PARPi in HRp tumors and the ongoing research to develop new treatment options in this hard-to-treat population.

Preliminary Study of the Bactericide Properties of Biodegradable Polymers (PLA) with Metal Additives for 3D Printing Applications.

Plastic is a highly used material in various sectors. Due to its plentiful availability in the environment, microorganism surface contamination is a risk. The aim of this work is to achieve bactericidal capacity in plastics that reduces the microorganism's colonization risk and, consequently, reduces the chances of having an infection with E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Using polylactic acid (PLA) as the polymeric matrix, mixtures in concentrations of metal additive of ions of silver (Ag) R148 and S254 in 1% and 2% have been studied and manufactured. The materials are developed on an industrial scale through a process that proceeds as follows: (I) a mixture of polymer and additive in a double-screw compounder to obtain the compound in different concentrations, (II) the manufacture of filaments with a single-screw extruder, (III) 3D printing parts. Therefore, materials are evaluated in the form of powder, pellets and printed pieces to ensure their antibacterial effectiveness throughout the manufacturing process. The results of the research show antibacterial effectiveness for E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes of metal additives and polymeric compounds for all manufacturing phases on an industrial scale, with the effectiveness for additive R148 predominating at a concentration of 2%, demonstrating its microbial efficacy on surfaces with potential application in medicine.

Effects of Chronic, Low-Dose Cannabinoids, Cannabidiol, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and a Combination of Both, on Amyloid Pathology in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: There is an urgent need for novel therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease. Among others, the use of cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as a putative approach based on their anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: The present work was designed to explore the effects of chronic (28 days) treatment with low doses of cannabinoids: CBD (0.273 mg/kg), THC (0.205 mg/kg) or a combination of both (CBD:THC; 0.273 mg/kg:0.205 mg/kg) in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Results: Our data revealed that THC-treated 5xFAD mice (but not other treatment groups) exhibited anxiogenic and depressant-like behavior. A significant improvement in spatial memory was observed only in the CBD:THC-treated group. Interestingly, all cannabinoid-treated groups showed significantly increased cortical levels of the insoluble form of beta amyloid 1-42. These effects were not accompanied by changes in molecular parameters of inflammation at the mRNA or protein level. Conclusions: These data reveal differential effects of chronic, low-dose cannabinoids and point to a role of these cannabinoids in the processing of amyloid peptides in the brains of 5xFAD mice.

Whole-Body Composition Features by Computed Tomography in Ovarian Cancer: Pilot Data on Survival Correlations.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to assess the associations of computed tomography (CT)-based whole-body composition values with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. The secondary objective was the association of body composition with chemotherapy-related toxicity. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (median age 64.9 years; interquartile range 55.4-75.4) with EOC and thorax and abdomen CT scans were included. Clinical data recorded: age; weight; height; stage; chemotherapy-related toxicity; and date of last contact, progression and death. Automatic extraction of body composition values was performed by dedicated software. Sarcopenia was defined according to predefined cutoffs. Statistical analysis included univariate tests to investigate associations of sarcopenia and body composition with chemotoxicity. Association of body composition parameters and OS/PFS was evaluated by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model. Multivariate models were adjusted for FIGO stage and/or age at diagnosis. RESULTS: We found significant associations of skeletal muscle volume with OS (p = 0.04) and PFS (p = 0.04); intramuscular fat volume with PFS (p = 0.03); and visceral adipose tissue, epicardial and paracardial fat with PFS (p = 0.04, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). We found no significant associations between body composition parameters and chemotherapy-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, we found significant associations of whole-body composition parameters with OS and PFS. These results open a window to the possibility to perform body composition profiling without approximate estimations.