Selective action of human sera differing in fatty acids and cholesterol content on in vitro gene expression.

Serum constituents might directly affect metabolic diseases pathogenesis and are commonly used as diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate the human serum effect on in vitro gene expression, related to nutrients action and involved in lipid metabolism. In detail, 40 human sera were firstly analyzed in fatty acids profile by gas-chromatography. Then samples were tested through direct addition within culture medium on Hep G2 human hepatoma cells, comparing samples from hypercholesterolemic (average 273 mg/dl) versus normocholesterolemic male subjects (average 155 mg/dl), since this condition is a relevant disease risk factor and is typically consequent to nutritional style. Hypercholesterolemic sera produced a 0.4-fold reduction of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA (P < 0.05) and a 1.5-fold increase of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) mRNA (P < 0.01). Samples with higher concentrations of n-6 fatty acids produced a higher expression of UGT1A1 mRNA. Total fatty acids [docosahexaenoic, eicosopentanoic, arachidonic, linolenic, and linoleic acid (DHA, EPA, AA, LNA, and LA, respectively)] in each serum resulted roughly inverse with trend of SREBP-1c mRNA expression. Serum AA, LA, and trans fatty acids were more abundant in hypercholesterolemic subjects (P < 0.01) while DHA as quota of detected fatty acids was significantly higher in normocholesterolemic subjects (P < 0.05). While it is not possible to indicate which component was responsible for the observed gene modulations, our data indicate that sera differing in lipid profiles, mainly associated with dietary behavior, differentially affect gene expression known to be involved in metabolic and nutritional related conditions.

Nontoxigenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains causing acute gastroenteritis.

We investigated the virulence properties of four Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains causing acute gastroenteritis following consumption of indigenous mussels in Italy. The isolated strains were cytotoxic and adhesive but, surprisingly, lacked tdh, trh, and type three secretion system 2 (T3SS2) genes. We emphasize that nontoxigenic V. parahaemolyticus can induce acute gastroenteritis, highlighting the need for more investigation of the pathogenicity of this microorganism.

MGUard versus bAre-metal stents plus manual thRombectomy in ST-elevation myocarDial infarction pAtieNts-(GUARDIAN) trial: study design and rationale.

BACKGROUND: Distal embolization may decrease coronary and myocardial reperfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this setting, manual thrombectomy (MT) resulted in better perfusion and clinical outcomes when compared with "conventional" PCI (direct stenting or stenting after predilation). MGuard net protective stent (MGS, Inspire-MD, Tel-Aviv, Israel) is a new bare-metal stent (BMS) with a polyethylene theraphthalate mesh coverage anchored to the external surface of the struts aiming to minimize distal embolization during PCI. PURPOSE: We intend to determine whether MGS implantation is comparable with a strategy of MT pretreatment followed by BMS deployment. STUDY DESIGN: The MGUard versus bAre-metal stents plus manual thRombectomy in ST-elevation myocarDial Infarction pAtieNts (GUARDIAN) is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, noninferiority, open-label trial with a planned inclusion of 556 STEMI patients. Patients are assigned to treatment with MGS or MT pretreatment followed by BMS implantation in the infarct-related artery. All patients are treated medically according to current international guidelines. Randomization is performed before coronary angiography. The primary endpoint is complete (≥ 70%) ST-segment resolution at 60 min after PCI. Secondary endpoints are thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) coronary flow grade ≥ 2, corrected TIMI frame count <23, myocardial blush grade of the infarct related area ≥ 2, and major adverse cardiac events rate at 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging substudy is planned to investigate microvascular obstruction and infarct size area reduction, at prespecified time-points, among 80 consecutive patients enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: If MGS implantation is noninferior to a strategy of MT pretreatment followed by BMS deployment, it will lend support to the use of this treatment as another possible option for STEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Parvovirus B19 infection and severe anemia in renal transplant recipients.

Kidney transplant (KT) recipients can develop symptomatic Parvovirus (PV) B19 infections, frequently associated with persistent anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of PV B19 infection in anemic and non-anemic KT patients. Overall, out of 64 patients monitored for the presence of PV B19 by real-time PCR, 2 (3.12%) had an active PV B19 infection, in absence of other viral coinfections. The 2 cases occurred in nonanemic kidney transplant patients group (2/50, 4%), while none of the anemic transplant patients (0/14) was found to suffer from this infection. Moreover, patients affected by active PV B19 infection showed viral loads not exceeding 1 × 10(5) genome copies/reaction. In conclusion, in this study, PV B19 infection was not common in renal transplant population and wasn't associated with severe anemia.

Unusual case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio cholerae O137.

We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio cholerae O137 in an immunocompromised 49-year-old man. The infection was acquired following a minor traumatic injury and exposure to seawater during the summer of 2009 in Italy. Although highly immunocompromised, the patient survived. The strain was cytotoxic, invasive, and adhesive and contained a fragment of the El Tor-like hemolysin (El Tor hlyA) gene.

Chromane derivatives of small aromatic molecules: Chemoenzymatic synthesis and growth inhibitory activity on human tumor cell line LoVo WT.

Aromatic substrates tyrosol (p-hydroxyphenylethanol) and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene (2,6-DHN) were converted into chromane derivatives by means of chemoenzymatic reactions catalyzed by the aromatic prenyltransferase of bacterial origin NovQ, using dimethylallyl bromide as allylic substrate instead of the natural isoprenyl pyrophosphate substrate. Stereoselective prenylation occurred in o-position with respect to the phenol hydroxyl in both compounds. Prenylated derivatives were readily converted into chromane products via a selective 6-endo-trig cyclization involving the oxygen atom from the phenol moiety and the double bond of the prenyl substituent, a process catalyzed by FeCl(3). These findings set up the basis of a most convenient two-step, one-pot process which allows for easy recovery of the chromane products in high yields. The chromane derivatives thus obtained were tested for cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic activity using LoVo WT cells, a line of human colon adenocarcinoma.

Microbiological and epidemiological aspects of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus infections in hospitalized children in Italy.

Rotaviruses and enteric adenoviruses are the most important causative agents of acute infantile gastroenteritis worldwide. From July 2005 to June 2007, 445 stool specimens from pediatric patients hospitalized with acute diarrhea were collected and tested for the presence of rotaviruses and enteric adenoviruses using an immunochromatographic assay. Rotavirus infection was detected in 123 cases (27.6%, ranging from 31.7% in 2005-2006 to 24.2% in 2006-2007); adenovirus infection occurred in 17 cases (3.8%, 13 cases in 2005-2006 (6.3%) and 4 cases in 2006-2007 (1.7%). The highest prevalence was seen in children from 13 to 24 months for rotaviruses, and in children from 25 to 36 months for adenoviruses. Rotavirus infection was detected with significantly higher frequency in children up to 36 months old (32.0%) compared to the older children (19.9%) (P < 0.01). Mixed infections were observed in 10 cases (6 rotavirus-adenovirus, and 4 rotavirus-Salmonella spp.). Rotavirus infection was found predominantly in winter and spring with respect to autumn (P < 0.001) or summer (P < 0.05), with a peak in February. Adenovirus infection had a major epidemic period in spring 2006, peaking in March. Finally, this study indicates that many patients acquired rotavirus infection (37.4%), and enteric adenovirus infection (41.2%) during hospitalization for other underlying diseases.

A severe case of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria travellers' diarrhoea characterized by Vibrio parahaemolyticus co-isolation.

We report a severe case of travellers' diarrhoea in a patient returning from Ecuador to Italy with the concomitant presence of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in their faeces. Based on diagnostic results, epidemiological information and the clinical outcome, we conclude that the real aetiological agent was A. veronii biovar sobria, while V. parahaemolyticus was only transient in the intestine of the patient.

Prevalence, serotyping and molecular characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in mussels from Italian growing areas, Adriatic Sea.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains in Italian mussels from different geographical areas of the Adriatic Sea and to determine their serotypes, toxigenic profiles and pandemic potential. Out of 559 samples analysed during 2007, 65 (11.6%) were positive for V. parahaemolyticus. None of the isolates had the genes for thermostable direct haemolysin (tdh) and pandemic marker (toxRS), while five strains (7.7%) had that for TDH-related haemolysin (trh). Regarding geographical location of the toxigenic strains, three were from the Adriatic coast of Puglia, one from Veneto, and one from the Marches. The trh-positive V. parahaemolyticus isolates from Puglia belonged to O1:KUT (2/3) and O1:K37(1/3) serotypes, the trh-positive isolate from the Marches to OUT(O untypeable):KUT serotype, and that from Veneto to O3:KUT. The prevalence of trh-positive V. parahaemolyticus obtained from mussels in this study was higher respect to that reported in previous studies from other European and Extraeuropean countries. The Health Authorities should be more aware of the epidemiological role of environmental V. parahaemolyticus in local food-borne diseases, and increase the microbial surveillance on these microorganisms isolated from shellfish.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus-associated gastroenteritis in Italy: persistent occurrence of O3:K6 pandemic clone and emergence of O1:KUT serotype.

We report 2 cases of O3:K6 and O1:KUT Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis associated with consumption of local mussels in Italy in 2008. Serotypic, antibiogram, toxigenic, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of these strains were compared to those of other isolates collected from local clinical and seafood samples in 2007 to 2008. We underline the recurrent presence of O3:K6 pandemic clone and the emergence of trh-positive O1:KUT serotype in Italy.

Prevalence and virulence properties of non-O1 non-O139 Vibrio cholerae strains from seafood and clinical samples collected in Italy.

Seafood and clinical samples collected in Italy during 2006 were analyzed to evaluate prevalence, serological and virulence properties of non-O1 non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NCV) isolates. Biochemical and serological characterization of the strains was performed by standardized procedures while virulence properties of NCVs were assayed by molecular, in vivo and in vitro toxicological methods. Of the 300 seafood samples examined, including mussel, cod, mackerel, anchovy, clam, prawn and cuttlefish, 5.6% were positive for NCVs: 4.7% and 8.5% from local and imported seafood, respectively. The prevalence of NCVs was highest in prawn (16.6%) and mussel (7.7%). Of 58 hospitalized patients that presented acute diarrhea, 3.4% eliminated NCVs in stools 24-48 h after consumption of seafood. All NCVs had ToxR and hlyAET genes but lacked ctxA, zot, and tcpA genes. One isolate from prawn had stn/sto gene. All strains were hemolytic, cytotoxic, and able to induce intestinal and extraintestinal effects on the suckling mouse model. Our results confirm that non-toxigenic NCVs that express the gene encoding El Tor-like hemolysin can be isolated from patients suffering a cholera-like syndrome after consumption of seafood. This evidence along with the virulence and enteropathogenicity of all the ctxA(-) tcpA(-) zot(-) stn/sto(-) hlyAET(+) NCV isolates in the experimental model, suggest that El Tor-like hemolysin may play an important role in human pathogenesis. Moreover, the isolates from seafood showed molecular, biological and enzymatic patterns similar to those isolated from clinical samples, underlining that environmental NCVs are potentially able to induce human infections and confirming the important role of seafood as a vehicle of V. cholerae diseases.