Author Correction: Achievement of sustainable development goals through the Mediterranean diet.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (6 Suppl): 89-99-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202312_34693 After publication and following some post-publication concerns, the authors have applied the following corrections to the galley proof. -       The conflict of interest section has been amended as follows: M.C. Medori and D. Malacarne are employees at MAGI'S LAB. K. Donato is employee at MAGI EUREGIO and MAGISNAT. M. Bertelli is president of MAGI EUREGIO, MAGISNAT, and MAGI's LAB. E. Borghetti is president at AERSAFE srl. C. Zuccato is researcher at AERSAFE srl. E. Borghetti is patent inventor (IT202100021344A1, IT202100020330A1, WO2021260537A1, WO2022259165A1). M. Bertelli is patent inventor (US20220362260A1, US20230173003A1, WO2022079498A1). D. Malacarne is patent inventor (WO2022079498A1; US20230173003A1). S. Michelini is patent inventor (US20220362260A1). M. Bertelli, S. Michelini, and K. Donato are patent applicants (Application Number: 18/516,241). M. Bertelli and K. Donato are patent applicants (Application Number: 18/466.879). M. Bertelli, K. Donato, and S. Michelini are patent applicants (Application Number: 63/495,155). The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/34693.

Achievement of sustainable development goals through the Mediterranean diet.

The prosperity of our planet relies on the cardinal concept of sustainable development. The dietary choices of humans play a pivotal role in creating a peaceful and contented world. In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has emerged as a valuable approach to accomplishing such progress, wherein the rights of all living beings are equally honored. This review aims to analyze the significance of a plant-based diet, particularly the Mediterranean diet, in attaining sustainable development goals. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted to gather the most reliable and published scientific evidence from books and papers. Within this research endeavor, specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are individually addressed in relation to the adoption of the Mediterranean diet as a foundational nutritional paradigm. Our research findings underscore the immense importance of the MD and advocate for its worldwide implementation to accomplish sustainable development objectives. The MD emerges as the most suitable dietary option for fostering sustainability and tranquility in our world. It is crucial to prioritize the global implementation of the MD to genuinely achieve sustainable development.

Unleashing the potential of biotechnology for sustainable development.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) strive to eliminate poverty, preserve the planet, and promote shared prosperity through sustainable and inclusive means by 2030. This requires the implementation of a diverse set of strategies to overcome challenges and foster synergies among different SDG targets, facilitating the achievement of these ambitious goals. The aim of this review is to highlight the world's progress toward SDGs with the utilization of biotechnological advancements, including targets, strategies, synergies, and challenges. We scrutinized published research articles in peer-reviewed journals, UN reports, and scientific books that were relevant to the current topic. We identified some major challenges faced by the countries, especially developing ones, in the way of sustainable progress. These include inadequate governance, fragile states, armed conflicts, rising inequality, limited economic progress, climate change, environmental degradation, and food insecurity. Biotechnological advancements contribute to sustainable resource management, environmental conservation, and ecosystem restoration. Collaboration among countries and organizations is crucial for sharing knowledge and providing technical and financial assistance to developing nations.

Chromoplectic TPM3-ALK rearrangement in a patient with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor who responded to ceritinib after progression on crizotinib.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare sarcomas that can occur at any age. Surgical resection is the primary treatment for patients with localized disease; however, these tumors frequently recur. Less commonly, patients with IMTs develop or present with metastatic disease. There is no standard of care for these patients and traditional cytotoxic therapy is largely ineffective. Most IMTs are associated with oncogenic ALK, ROS1 or PDGFRß fusions and may benefit from targeted therapy. PATIENT AND METHODS: We sought to understand the genomic abnormalities of a patient who presented for management of metastatic IMT after progression of disease on crizotinib and a significant and durable partial response to the more potent ALK inhibitor ceritinib. RESULTS: The residual IMT was resected based on the recommendations of a multidisciplinary tumor sarcoma tumor board and analyzed by whole-genome mate pair sequencing. Analysis of the residual, resected tumor identified a chromoplectic TPM3-ALK rearrangement that involved many other known oncogenes and was confirmed by rtPCR. CONCLUSIONS: In our analysis of the treatment-resistant, residual IMT, we identified a complex pattern of genetic rearrangements consistent with chromoplexy. Although it is difficult to know for certain if these chromoplectic rearrangements preceded treatment, their presence suggests that chromoplexy has a role in the oncogenesis of IMTs. Furthermore, this patient's remarkable response suggests that ceritinib should be considered as an option after progression on crizotinib for patients with metastatic or unresectable IMT and ALK mutations.

Wnt signaling pathway pharmacogenetics in non-small cell lung cancer.

Wingless-type protein (Wnt)/ß-catenin pathway alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with poor prognosis and resistance. In 598 stage III-IV NSCLC patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), we correlated survival with 441 host single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 50 Wnt pathway genes. We then assessed the most significant SNPs in 240 Mayo Clinic patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC, 127 MDACC patients receiving platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy and 340 early stage MDACC patients undergoing surgery alone (cohorts 2-4). In multivariate analysis, survival correlates with SNPs for AXIN2 (rs11868547 and rs4541111, of which rs11868547 was assessed in cohorts 2-4), Wnt-5B (rs12819505), CXXC4 (rs4413407) and WIF-1 (rs10878232). Median survival was 19.7, 15.6 and 10.7 months for patients with 1, 2 and 3-5 unfavorable genotypes, respectively (P=3.8 × 10(-9)). Survival tree analysis classified patients into two groups (median survival time 11.3 vs 17.3 months, P=4.7 × 10(-8)). None of the SNPs achieved significance in cohorts 2-4; however, there was a trend in the same direction as cohort 1 for 3 of the SNPs. Using online databases, we found rs10878232 displayed expression quantitative trait loci correlation with the expression of LEMD3, a neighboring gene previously associated with NSCLC survival. In conclusion, results from cohort 1 provide further evidence for an important role for Wnt in NSCLC. Investigation of Wnt inhibitors in advanced NSCLC would be reasonable. Lack of an SNP association with outcome in cohorts 2-4 could be due to low statistical power, impact of patient heterogeneity or false-positive observations in cohort 1.

Genetic variation in glutathione metabolism and DNA repair genes predicts survival of small-cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) carries the worst prognosis among lung cancer diagnoses. Combined radiation and chemotherapy is the standard of care; however, treatment outcomes vary. Variability in the rate at which chemotherapy agents are metabolized and in the capacity of repairing DNA damage has been hypothesized to be partly responsible for the treatment response variation. Genes in the glutathione metabolism and DNA repair pathways were tested through tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess their association with survival in SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood DNA from 248 patients with primary SCLC was genotyped for 419 tag SNPs from 49 genes in the glutathione and DNA repair pathways. Association analyses with patient survival were carried out at single-SNP, whole-gene, and haplotype levels after adjusting for age, gender, tumor stage, treatment modalities, and smoking history. RESULTS: Among the 375 SNPs successfully genotyped, 21 SNPs, located on 11 genes, showed significant association with survival. Whole-gene analyses confirmed 3 of the 11 genes: GSS, ABCC2, and XRCC1. Haplotype analyses of these three genes identified haplotype combinations and genomic locations underlying the observed SNP associations. CONCLUSION: Genetic variations in genes involved in the glutathione and DNA repair pathways are associated with SCLC survival.

Highly sensitive amperometric immunosensor for the detection of Escherichia coli.

With the aim of detecting rapidly the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a disposable amperometric immunosensor was developed based on a double layered configuration at the transducer surface, consisting first of a polypyrrole-NH(2)-anti-E. coli antibody (PAE) inner layer followed by an alginate-polypyrrole (Alg-Ppy) outer packing layer. In the presence of the substrate p-aminophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside (PAPG), the bacterial enzyme, beta-D-galactosidase produces the p-aminophenol (PAP) product, also generating an amperometric signal due to PAP electrooxidation by potentiostating the glassy carbon (GC) electrode at 0.22V. The operational procedure consists in first adding the test sample containing the bacteria, then coating it with Alg-Ppy to ensure the confinement of the released enzyme and the analyte (being generated by the enzymatic catalysis) to the electrode active surface. This procedure facilitates the diffusion of the substrate within the complex and thus creates a higher oxidation level of the PAP enabling a detection limit of 10 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. The immunosensor setup demonstrates an improved detection limit of more than 10 times less bacteria detected than other immunosensing techniques without the need for multi step pretreatments of the test sample and/or incubation as found in some of the existing methods.

The detection and treatment of cancer-related functional problems in an outpatient setting.

GOALS OF WORK: Cancer causes functional problems that are often neither detected nor treated in the outpatient setting. Patient-physician communication regarding functional issues may contribute. This study was conducted to quantify the degree of concordance between patient-identified functional problems and their documentation in the oncology-generated medical record. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a 27-item questionnaire addressing cancer-related symptoms, signs, and functional problems to a consecutive sample of 244 patients undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Oncology clinician-generated notation in the electronic medical record (EMR) was systematically reviewed for documentation of the instrument items. EMR review began the day of instrument completion and extended retrospectively for 6 months. MAIN RESULTS: Eighty-three percent (202) completed the survey with at least one cancer-related symptom, sign, or functional problem identified by 71.8%, 33.2% and 65.8% of patients, respectively. Difficulty with ambulation (23.9%) and balance (19.4%) were the most frequent functional problems. Clinician notes referred to 49% of patients' symptoms, but only 37% of their signs and 6% of their functional problems. Pain, weight loss, and nausea (ORs > 4.9, p < 0.004) were most likely to be documented while functional problems (OR 0.2, p < 0.0001) were the least likely to be noted. Two rehabilitation physician referrals were generated for pain and limb swelling, but no functional problems were formally addressed. CONCLUSION: Functional problems are prevalent among outpatients with cancer and are rarely documented by oncology clinicians. A more aggressive search for, and treatment of, these problems may be beneficial for outpatients with cancer.

Electrochemistry and chemiluminescence techniques compared in the detection of NADPH oxidase activity in phagocyte cells.

Several methodologies have been used in clinical chemistry for real-time assessment of NADPH oxidase primary product superoxide anion which dismutases to hydrogen peroxide. Among these methodologies, isoluminol chemiluminescence (CL) is considered to be one of the more sensitive and reliable techniques for the assessment of NADPH oxidase activity in neutrophils. The electrochemical technique was recently designed and also applied for real-time detection of NADPH oxidase activity in neutrophils but its reliability and sensitivity has not been investigated so far. In this study, isoluminol CL and electrochemical techniques were investigated and compared by monitoring the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in both PLB 985 cell line differentiated into neutrophil-like cells and human neutrophils. The electrochemical technique was shown to be as sensitive as that of CL and able to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) release of as low as 500 cells. Thus, the electrochemical technique could be used as an alternative to optical techniques for the evaluation of extracellular ROS in phagocyte cells.

ITO pattern fabrication of glass platforms for electropolymerization of light sensitive polymer for its conjugation to bioreceptors on a micro-array.

We present herein an effective and versatile method to fabricate a micro-patterned structure of conductive polymer, poly(pyrrole-benzophenone), on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass chips for the subsequent photo-immobilization of various bioreceptor, antigens. Such methodologies are based on photolithography of ITO pattern fabrication on non-conductive surfaces, glass slides, and on a photo-active electrogenerated polymer films. The photo-active polymer serves as a substrate platform for the photo-immobilization of the bioreceptor reagents used for subsequent immunoreactions. We were able to show the resolution of electropolymerization on an ITO pattern as well as immobilization of more than one bioreceptor for the simultaneous detection of several analytes. The antigen micro-arrays were tested for sensitivity, specificity, and overall practicality for the simultaneous detection of analyte anti-Cholera Toxin B, anti-Hepatitis B virus surface and core protein antibodies. In addition we used our pattern ITO-poly(pyrrole-benzophenone) micro-array for the detection of serum samples of Hepatitis B virus patients previously screened by a standard hospital detection method.

Optical fiber immunosensor for the detection of IgG antibody to Rift Valley fever virus in humans.

This paper describes the development and evaluation of an optical fiber immunosensor (OFIS) for the detection of IgG antibody to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in humans. The OFIS was based on a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) format, whereby gamma-irradiated RVFV and control antigens were immobilized on the optical fiber surface coated with a mouse anti-RVFV antibody. Data sets derived from field-collected sera in Africa (n=242) were dichotomized according to the results of a virus neutralization test. Compared to standard colorimetric S-ELISA, the OFIS technique was more sensitive in detecting smaller quantity of specific IgG to RVFV in human sera. At cut-off value selected at a 95% accuracy level by the two-graph receiver operating characteristic analysis, the OFIS diagnostic sensitivity was 97.22% and diagnostic specificity 98.86%. Our results demonstrate that the OFIS technology reported here is highly accurate, simple to perform and has the potential to be used in a portable format.

Development of a highly sensitive, field operable biosensor for serological studies of Ebola virus in central Africa.

We describe herein a newly developed optical immunosensor for detection of antibodies directed against antigens of the Ebola virus strains Zaire and Sudan. We employed a photo immobilization methodology based on a photoactivatable electrogenerated poly(pyrrole-benzophenone) film deposited upon an indium tin oxide (ITO) modified conductive surface fiber-optic. It was then linked to a biological receptor, Ebola virus antigen in this case, on the fiber tip through a light driven reaction. The photochemically modified optical fibers were tested as an immunosensor for detection of antibodies against Ebola virus, in animal and human sera, by use of a coupled chemiluminescent reaction. The immunosensor was tested for sensitivity, specificity, and compared to standard chemiluminescent ELISA under the same conditions. The analyte, anti-Ebola IgG, was detected at a low titer of 1:960,000 and 1:1,000,000 for subtypes Zaire and Sudan, respectively. While the same serum tested by ELISA was one order (24 times) less sensitive.

Luminescent yeast cells entrapped in hydrogels for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical biodetection.

In the construction of luminescent yeast cell based fibre-optic biosensors, we demonstrate a novel approach for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) biodetection by entrapping genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, containing the estrogen receptor alpha-mediated expression of the luc reporter gene, in hydrogel matrices based on calcium alginate or PVA. In order to insure a significant signal, an optimal immobilization ratio of 1:2 alginate 3% (w/v): 5 x 10(6) [cells/ml], respectively, was used with the highest 17-beta-estradiol (beta-E2) induction factor after 2.5 h of incubation with 10[nM] beta-E2. It was shown that biocompatible alginate beads, 4.27-4.55 x 10(5) [CFU/bead], which were characterized by a detection limit of 0.08[microg l(-1)] and an EC50 of 0.64[microg l(-1)] for beta-E2, retained their viability for luminescence measurements after 1 month of storage at -80 degrees C slow freeze condition, and thus repeated cell cultivations were not required. The assay reproducibility for each tested EDC, represented by the coefficients of variation (CV), ranged from 4.35 to 18.47%. An alternative immobilization method, based on a room temperature partial drying of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution (LentiKat Liquid) and cell suspension mix, was investigated with only a slightly lower detection limit for beta-E2 than that reported with alginate beads. Alginate yeast based hydrogels may also be applicable to the analysis of environmental water samples since the trend of detected estrogenic activities with alginate beads roughly correlated with LC-MS-MS analytical results.

Optical fiber immunosensor based on a poly(pyrrole-benzophenone) film for the detection of antibodies to viral antigen.

We describe herein a newly developed optical microbiosensor for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by using a novel photoimmobilization methodology based on a photoactivable electrogenerated polymer film deposited upon surface-conductive fiber optics, which are then used to link a biological receptor to the fiber tip through light mediation. This fiber-optic electroconductive surface modification is done by the deposition of a thin layer of indium tin oxide on the silica surface of the fiber optics. Monomers are then electropolymerized onto the conductive metal oxide surface; thereafter, the fibers are immersed in a solution containing HCV-E2 envelope protein antigen and illuminated with UV light (wavelength approximately 345 nm). As a result of the photochemical reaction, a thin layer of the antigen becomes covalently bound to the benzophenone-modified surface. The photochemically modified fiber optics were tested as immunosensors for the detection of anti-E2 protein antibody analyte that was measured through chemiluminescence reaction. The biosensor was tested for sensitivity, specificity, and overall practicality. Our results suggest that the detection of anti-E2 antibodies with this microbiosensor may enhance significantly HCV serological standard testing especially among patients during dialysis, which were diagnosed as HCV negative, by standard immunological tests, but were known to carry the virus. If transformed into an easy to use procedure, this assay might be used in the future as an important clinical tool for HCV screening in blood banks.

Monitoring genotoxicity during the photocatalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol.

p-Nitrophenol is a common structural unit of many pesticides and was chosen as a model compound to monitor genotoxicity during photocatalytic degradation. The genotoxicity of p-nitrophenol (PNP) and its breakdown products was measured using a bioluminescent bacterial bioassay, Vitotox. The genotoxic potential decreased with the concomitant photocatalytic degradation of the parent PNP concentration. The rate of genotoxicity reduction was slower than the rate of removal of the parent PNP, due to the formation of genotoxic by-products. After 6 h of photocatalytic treatment the total genotoxicity was removed. These results indicate that bioassays can be used as a simple and highly sensitive method for monitoring the general toxicity of chemical pollutants before, during and after photocatalytic treatment or other destructive processes.

Water toxicity detection by a panel of stress-responsive luminescent bacteria.

A panel of Escherichia coli strains harbouring different stress-responsive promoters fused to a lux reporter system was used to assess the potential toxicity of 17 unknown model water samples. Using liquid cultures, nine out of 14 toxic samples were properly identified as toxic, whereas five were false negatives. All three non-toxic controls were identified correctly (no false positives). Two strains containing promoter-lux fusions were also tested when immobilized onto fibre-optic tips. One genotoxic sample and six toxic samples were correctly identified in this manner. The potential advantages and limitations in the use of genetically engineered bacteria as biosensors for water toxicity are discussed in view of these results.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in women with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Investigations on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure that include source intensity, childhood exposure, and association with histologic subtypes among never smoking lung cancer cases are limited. We report the patterns of ETS exposure history in a clinical cohort of women with newly diagnosed lung cancer. METHODS: From 1997 to 2001, 810 women with lung cancer were interviewed to obtain data including the source, intensity, and duration of ETS exposure. In this descriptive study, relationships between smoking history, ETS exposure, and lung cancer histologic subtypes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 810 patients, 773 (95.4%) reported personal smoking or ETS exposure including 170 of 207 (82%) never smokers. Among the never smokers with a history of ETS exposure, the mean years of exposure were 27 from a smoking spouse, 19 from parents, and 15 from co-workers. For each major subtype of lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell, unclassified non-small cell lung cancer, small cell, or carcinoids) among never smokers, 75-100% of patients had ETS exposure. Trends for adenocarcinoma, squamous, and small cell carcinoma are statistically significant using the Cochran-Armitage Test for Trend (P<0.001) among never smokers without ETS exposure, never smokers with ETS exposure, former smokers, and current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Over 95% of women with lung cancer in our study were exposed to tobacco smoke through a personal smoking history or ETS. The cumulative amount of tobacco smoke exposure may be significantly underestimated if only personal smoking history is considered. Our results add to the public health implications of exposure to tobacco smoke and highlight the importance of eliminating tobacco smoking in public and private settings.

The influence of gender on survival and tumor recurrence following adjuvant therapy of completely resected stages II and IIIa non-small cell lung cancer.

This study evaluates the influence of gender on survival and tumor recurrence following adjuvant therapy of completely resected stages II and IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group conducted a randomized prospective trial of adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected stages II and IIIa NSCLC. A laboratory correlative study assessed the prevalence and prognostic significance of p53 and K-ras mutations. Patients were randomized to receive either radiotherapy (RT) alone or four cycles of cisplatin and VP-16 administered concurrently with radiotherapy (CRT). Median survival was 35 months for the 285 men and 41 months for the 203 women enrolled in the study (P = 0.12). The relative risk (RR) of death for men vs women was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.49). Median survival of the 147 men and 95 women randomized to the RT arm was 39 months each (P = 0.35). Median survival of the 138 men and 108 women randomized to the CRT arm was 30 and 42 months, respectively (P = 0.18). Disease recurrence patterns were similar between the genders. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated improved survival for women with tumors of non-squamous histology (P < 0.01). The distribution of p53 and K-ras mutations was similar between the genders and had no influence on survival. Gender does not influence survival following adjuvant RT or CRT administered to patients with completely resected stages II and IIIa NSCLC. However, women with non-squamous histology have increased survival when compared to men.

Mediated electrochemical detection of catechol by tyrosinase-based poly(dicarbazole) electrodes.

A new dicarbazole derivative functionalised by an N-hydroxysuccinimide group has been synthesised and electrochemically characterised. Upon oxidative electropolymerisation of this monomer in organic electrolytes, electroactive poly(dicarbazole) films were formed on platinum electrodes. The subsequent chemical grafting of tyrosinase on the poly(dicarbazole) film was easily performed by immersion in an enzymatic aqueous solution. The amperometric response of the resulting biosensors to catechol has been studied at -0.2 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Since the reduction of quinone generates radicals which may induce electrode fouling, thionine, a phenothiazine dye, was covalently bound to the poly(dicarbazole) backbone as it mediates the reduction of quinoid products and therefore induces an enhancement of the performance of the tyrosinase-based biosensor.