Effects of the Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Extract (Klamin®) on a Neurodegeneration Cellular Model.

Cyanobacteria have been recognized as a source of bioactive molecules to be employed in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods. An extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), commercialized as Klamin®, was subjected to chemical analysis to determine its compounds. The AFA extract Klamin® resulted to be nontoxic, also at high doses, when administered onto LAN5 neuronal cells. Its scavenging properties against ROS generation were evaluated by using DCFH-DA assay, and its mitochondrial protective role was determined by JC-1 and MitoSOX assays. Klamin® exerts a protective role against beta amyloid- (Aß-) induced toxicity and against oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory properties were demonstrated by NFßB nuclear localization and activation of IL-6 and IL-1ß inflammatory cytokines through ELISA. Finally, by using thioflavin T (ThT) and fluorimetric measures, we found that Klamin® interferes with Aß aggregation kinetics, supporting the formation of smaller and nontoxic structures compared to toxic Aß aggregates alone. Altogether, these data indicate that the AFA extract may play a protective role against mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration.

Bioactive compounds from extra virgin olive oils: Correlation between phenolic content and oxidative stress cell protection.

When compared with other edible vegetable oils, the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) exhibits excellent nutritional properties due to the presence of biophenolic compounds. Although they constitute only a very small amount of the unsaponifiable fraction of EVOO, biophenols strongly contribute to the sensorial properties of this precious food conferring it, for example, the bitter or pungent taste. Furthermore, it has been found that biophenols possess beneficial effects against many human pathologies such as oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and aging-related illness. In the present work, the biophenolic content of 51 Italian and Spanish EVOOs was qualitatively and quantitatively identified and their antioxidant ability analyzed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Results indicated that the maximum relationship can be found if the ORAC value is correlated with the concentration of the large family composed by ligstroside and oleuropein derivatives together with their degradation products, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol. Then, selected biophenolic extracts were tested in NIH-3T3 cell line to verify their ability in the recovery of the oxidative stress revealed by DCFH-DA assay. Results were linearly correlated with the concentration of ligstroside aglycone (aldehyde and hydroxyl form).

Quality of life evaluation in a randomised trial of chemotherapy versus bio-chemotherapy in advanced melanoma patients.

This study analyses the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of advanced melanoma patients, in a randomised trial comparing bio-chemotherapy (bio-CT) versus chemotherapy (CT). The trial enrolled 178 patients and the median survival was not statistically different between the two arms. HRQOL was assessed at baseline and before each cycle of therapy, using the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) questionnaire completed with 140 patients. At baseline, overall quality of life and psychological distress scores were the most impaired, compared with the normal population. During treatment, the difference between the two arms in the changes from baseline was statistically significant (P=0.03) only in the overall quality of life score, with a decrease of 6.28 points in the bio-CT arm. The mean values decreased significantly in all domains in bio-CT arm, but only in activity level and physical symptom distress scores in the CT arm. Testing HRQOL variables and prognostic clinical factors in a Cox model, only the serum level of lactic dehydrogenase, baseline overall quality of life and the physical symptom distress scores remained significant independent prognostic factors for survival. A score of less than 75 points in the overall quality of life and in the physical symptom distress domains was associated with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 2.31 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.09-4.90) and 1.92 (95% CI: 1.10-3.36), respectively.

[Magnetic resonance study of patellofemoral cartilage with a fat-suppressed T1-3D gradient-echo sequence: a comparison with other acquisition technics at medium field strength]. / Studio della cartilagine femoro-rotulea con Risonanza Magnetica mediante sequenza Gradient Echo-T1-3D con soppressione del segnale del tessuto adiposo: confronto con le altre tecniche di acquisizione con media intensità del campo.

PURPOSE: We compared GRE T1 3D FS sequence with other acquisition techniques available on medium field strength MR units (.5 T) in patellofemoral cartilage studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The imaging protocol scheduled Spin Echo (SE), Inversion Recovery (STIR), Gradient Echo (GRE), Turbo Spin Echo (TSE), Turbo-Inversion Recovery (Turbo-STIR), Gradient Spin Echo (GRASE) and Echo Planar (EPI) sequences, in some cases combined with Fat Suppression (FS) or Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC) sequences when suitable. In vitro studies were carried out for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) evaluation, and in vivo on 10 healthy volunteers for contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) evaluation between cartilage, bone marrow and fluid. The exams were carried out on MR equipment operating at .5 T, with 15 mT/m power gradients. RESULTS: In both in vitro and in vivo studies, GRE T1 3D FS sequences yielded better results in SNR and CNR than other sequences. The GRE T1 3D FS technique combines the advantages of the increased resolution of 3D images with the increased dynamic range of fat suppressed images, for better CNR between cartilage, fluid and bone marrow. CONCLUSION: GRE T1 3D FS sequences are the MR acquisition technique of choice in the assessment of the hyaline cartilage of the knee, even at medium field strength.

Determination of copper and zinc levels in human hair: influence of sex, age, and hair pigmentation.

The Cu and Zn levels of both 607 men (1-85 y old) and 649 women (1-92 y old) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Sex does not influence Cu (14.89 + or - 0.89 mu g/g and 15.26 + or - 0.79 mu g/g hair for males and females, respectively) and Zn contents (200.97 + or - 9.68 mu g/g for men and 209.81 + or - 9.49 mu g/g hair for women). Age influences Cu and Zn concentrations, but only significantly in females: Cu levels decrease over 60 y of age; whereas Zn levels increase significantly from age groups 2-5 to 20-40 years. Hair color influences Cu concentrations in both males and females. In males, white hair contains less Cu than black hair; in females, white hair's Cu levels are significantly lower than those of dark blond, red, light brown, and brown hair. There are no significant differences in Zn concentrations with respect to different hair colors, in either males or females.

[Brain stem auditory evoked potentials in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / I potenziali evocati uditivi del tronco cerebrale nella sindrome dell'apnea ostruttiva nel sonno.

To evaluate a possible brainstem role in pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, a study on brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), has been conducted. 15 OSAS patients, medium and severe form, with organic pathologies of the upper respiratory tract have been evaluated. 15 normal subjects were compared as control. All the patients were subjected to audiometry, including total liminal audiometry, timpanometry, acustic reflex, and BAEP study. BAEP evoked with trains of cliks at 11 and 51 periods/sec., showed morphological alterations and a longer central conductance of time interval (I-V interval) in only four patients. BAEP alterations noted in the OSAS-affected patients are neither constant nor specific. Therefore, the observed BAEP alterations might be due to apneas, as a consequence of the chronic hypoxic- hypercapnic status occurring in the brain-stem.

Myocardial bridging involving more than one site of the left anterior descending coronary artery: an uncommon cause of acute ischemic syndrome.

An infrequent angiographic finding is reported of myocardial bridging involving more than one site of the left anterior descending coronary artery in a symptomatic patient with ischemia exacerbated by nitroglycerin administration. Beta-blocker therapy alone was followed by a favorable long-term outcome.

[Angiography with magnetic resonance in the study of portal hypertension. Clinical applications]. / Angiografia con risonanza magnetica nello studio della ipertensione portale. Applicazioni cliniche.

The role of MR angiography (MRA) was investigated in 31 patients with portal hypertension. The 2D time-of-flight (TOF) technique was used. All patients underwent CT first. MR angiograms were compared with DSA images in 15 cases and to duplex or color Doppler US scans in 16 cases. In 5 low-grade portal hypertension cases MRA showed splenoportal trunk enlargement and portal vein verticalization. In 26 patients with high-grade portal hypertension MRA allowed portosystemic shunts extent to be evaluated. Portal flow reduction or inversion and left gastric vein enlargement were always demonstrated by MRA in the patients with esophageal varices and azygos vein enlargement. MRA always correctly visualized cavernoma (5 cases) and portal vein thrombosis (9 cases). The diagnostic yield of MRA was greater than that of CT and SE MR sequences in 91% of cases. MRA provided the same information as (or more than) DSA and duplex US in 66% of cases.

[Role of MR in characterizing expansive lesions of the adrenal gland]. / Ruolo della RM nella caratterizzazione delle lesioni espansive del surrene.

Five patients with adrenal tumors (20 metastases, 12 adenomas, 8 myelolipomas, 6 primary tumors, 4 pheochromocytomas, and 1 hyperplasia) were studied by means of MRI with SE sequences. Twenty of them underwent dynamic study with GE sequences after i.v. injection of paramagnetic contrast media. Sixteen of 20 metastases exhibited low signal intensity on T1 and high signal on T2. One patient had low signal on both T1 and T2. Two lesions in patients with melanoma showed high signal in T1; in 1 case, the lesion exhibited a hemorrhagic area. Signal from adenomas was low in T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences in 10/12 patients, while in the extant 2 cases signal was higher in T2. Myelolipomas had hyperintense signal on T1-weighted images in 5 cases and isointense signal with the renal cortex in the extant 3 cases. Pheochromocytomas and primary tumors appeared hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2. In 3 CT questionable cases, MRI showed the adrenal origin of the lesion. Dynamic study with GE sequences after Gd-DTPA injection showed low enhancement and fast washout in adenomas, while malignant lesions had higher enhancement and slower washout. In our study, MRI allowed to correctly characterize 11/12 adenomas, with only 1 false negative in a metastatic lesion.

[Magnetic resonance angiography in the study of abdominal neoplasms. Preliminary experience]. / L'angiografia con risonanza magnetica nello studio delle neoplasie addominali. Esperienza preliminare.

This study was designed to evaluate MRA imaging as a potential non-invasive method to study vascular infiltration in patients with abdominal neoplasms. Forty-three patients with abdominal tumors proven by CT and/or MRI were examined with MRA and subsequently with angiography. Of 15 cases of liver tumor, MRA allowed poor intratumoral vascularization to be demonstrated in 1 patient only, but it always provided a characteristic sign--i.e., the complete absence of flow in the hepatic segments infiltrated by the tumor and the evidence of pericapsular neovascularization. In 8 cases portal vein involvement was observed (4 cases of compression/dislocation, 2 cases of infiltration and 2 of thrombosis). In all cases MRA allowed the relationship between tumor and venous structures to be evaluated. It also demonstrated collateral vessel formations in 8 patients with cancrocirrhosis. Two cases of thrombosis and 3 infiltrations of the vena cava were demonstrated. Neither hepatic artery nor intrahepatic arterial vascularization could be correctly evaluated. Of 10 cases of renal tumors and in 3 of adrenal tumors, renal vein infiltration was seen in 4 cases and compression in 3, with only 1 false-positive finding. In these patients and in those with retroperitoneal masses, MRA provided valuable information on the relationship between tumor and vascular structures and was useful in detecting collateral vessels. In our experience, MRA is to be considered as a complementary technique to be performed after CT or MRI when additional information is needed as to the relationship between tumor and vascular structures. In the preoperative evaluation of abdominal neoplasm, angiography remains the gold standard, in spite of its invasiveness.

[Leiomyosarcomas of the small intestine]. / I leiomiosarcomi del tenue.

The main clinical and anatomico-pathological aspects of small bowel leiomyosarcomas are stressed. These are rarely observed malignant tumours, which sometimes prove difficult to diagnose and have a poor prognosis. Also characteristic is the substantial difficulty often encountered in defining the malignancy grade histologically.

[The ileocecal valve as a prognostic factor in extensive resection of the small intestine]. / La valvola ileociecale quale fattore prognostico nelle resezioni estese dell'intestino tenue.

The aim of the study was to examine the role of the ileocaecal valve in relation to the nature and extent of symptoms following extensive bowel resection (EBR) in 13 patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) referred to our department over the period 1962-1988. The results obtained do not allow us to assess the effective role of the ileocaecal valve in determining the severity of SBS. The factors conditioning the extent of the aftermath of EBR and effectively affecting prognosis are, in fact, multiple and act in various interrelated ways, thus making it difficult to define the precise role of any one of them. The ileocaecal valve, however, does play a substantial role, in that, on the one hand, it performs sphincter and barrier functions against ileocolic reflux of bacteria, while, on the other, its removal involves excision of the right colon (reserve area for reabsorption of water and ions) and of the terminal ileum (a site specialized in absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts).

[A case of small-cell carcinoma of the rectum]. / Su un caso di carcinoma a piccole cellule del retto.

A case of oat-cell carcinoma of the rectum prompted the authors to undertake a review of the literature. The main histological aspects allowing an accurate diagnosis are stressed. This is a rare form of highly malignant neoplasm of uncertain origin (probably similar to that of carcinoids) with a very marked tendency to metastasize, even to distant organs; it is characterized by substantial cellular polymorphism with small-sized elements, very little cytoplasm, a large hyperchromic nucleus, barely visible nucleoli and histochemical reactions typical of neuroendocrine cells.

[Observational research on the dental compliance of growing children. A behavioral analysis]. / Ricerca osservativa della compliance odontoiatrica su soggetti in età evolutiva. Analisi comportamentale.

Epidemiology has always focused attention on analysis of environmental variables, in addition to biological or physico-chemical elements, that affect the onset and development of dental pathologies. However, other environmental events, such as behavioural repertoires, that may interfere with medical treatment, reducing the chances of recovery, have never been analysed. This study, which was performed in two groups of children aged between six and ten who were examined either inside or outside to school setting, aimed to identify, in addition to the incidence of dental pathologies, the frequency of occurrence of those patterns that risk developing into non-compliant behaviour repertoires to the dentist setting. Results show a generalised response of fear and anxiety in both groups, particularly in older children. It is suggested that the prevention of biological as wall as maladaptive behavioural patterns might lead to a reduction of the social burden determined by the cost of medical care.