Effects of aerators, filters and chlorination on contamination of water samples: a nine years study in a Southern University Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the microbiological contamination by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the water system of the University Hospital "G. Martino" in Messina over a period of nine years, in order to a) clarify possible relationship between the presence of aerators and contamination, b) to highlight the presence of a yearly variation and c) to verify the statistical difference between microbiological contamination of taps with and without filters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out our study between January 2010 and December 2018 through the collection of water samples that were analysed for total bacteria count and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The differences between the results recorded over the nine-year study period were evaluated using variance analysis. P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Software R was used for statistical assessment. RESULTS: We analysed a total of 6168 samples with a positive rate of 9.31% and a decreasing trend over the years to a value of 2.44% (p<0.001), due to the elimination of the aerators of taps without filters and also to the introduction of filters in taps of high-risk wards and surgical rooms. We found statistical difference between taps with or without filter (p<0.001) and a higher positive rate during the summer season compared to the other months. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal a high level of contamination of taps by opportunistic bacteria with severe implications especially for high-risk settings and therefore, the need to improve the management of these devices.

Superhydrophobic lab-on-chip measures secretome protonation state and provides a personalized risk assessment of sporadic tumour.

Secretome of primary cultures is an accessible source of biological markers compared to more complex and less decipherable mixtures such as serum or plasma. The protonation state (PS) of secretome reflects the metabolism of cells and can be used for cancer early detection. Here, we demonstrate a superhydrophobic organic electrochemical device that measures PS in a drop of secretome derived from liquid biopsies. Using data from the sensor and principal component analysis (PCA), we developed algorithms able to efficiently discriminate tumour patients from non-tumour patients. We then validated the results using mass spectrometry and biochemical analysis of samples. For the 36 patients across three independent cohorts, the method identified tumour patients with high sensitivity and identification as high as 100% (no false positives) with declared subjects at-risk, for sporadic cancer onset, by intermediate values of PS. This assay could impact on cancer risk management, individual's diagnosis and/or help clarify risk in healthy populations.

Aquaporin-9 immunohistochemistry in varicocele testes as a consequence of hypoxia in the sperm production site.

Aquaporin-9 (AQP-9) regulates tissue hydration by promoting transmembrane exchanges of both water and solutes, such as lactate. The latter is a key metabolite of primary spermatocytes and of maturing haploid germ cells (h-GCs). The present investigation was aimed at immunolocalising human AQP-9 in both normal and varicocele testes. Histology and immmunocytochemistry were investigated in archival biopsies from 20 varicocele testes and in eight unaffected ones. AQP-9 immunostaining was performed using a rabbit antibody, and either focal or diffuse cell membrane labelling was recorded. Varicocele testes showed disarranged tubular compartments, with sloughing h-GCs, tissue hyperhydration, spermiogenesis failure and fibrosis. AQP-9 immunohistology of the control testes showed a diffuse cell membrane staining of the primary spermatocytes and h-GCs, without any positive reaction of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. AQP-9 cell expression in the varicocele testes was focal or lacking in both adluminal and sloughing GCs. AQP-9 expression occurs in normal human testis, at cell membrane of primary spermatocytes and h-GCs, suggesting a possible role of AQP-9 in the water and lactate transport from Sertoli cells to GCs. AQP-9 is focal or lacking in adolescent varicocele testes, and this suggests AQP-9 to be downregulated in such testicular disorder, leading to lactate deprivation with subsequent hypospermatogenesis.

Immunoexpression of aquaporin-1 in adolescent varicocele testes: possible significance for fluid reabsorption.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immunoexpression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1), a major transmembrane water channel, in high-grade varicocele testes, which are known to imply an unbalanced transmembrane water flow, in both tubular and extratubular compartments. METHODS: Light microscopy and AQP-1 immunohistologic examination were carried out on incisional testicular biopsies from 20 adolescent boys, aged 13 to 18 years, with grade 2 or 3 idiopathic varicocele. Testicular tissue from 4 autopsied subjects of matched age were also investigated as parallel controls. RESULTS: At microscopic examination, the tubular lumina and extracellular matrix were expanded and venular profiles dilated. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were frequent in the Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes, together with premature sloughing of germ cells and residual cytoplasmic droplets inside the spermatozoa, if present. Diffuse AQP-1 positivity occurred at venular endothelial cell membranes and, unexpectedly, at the cell membranes of the Sertoli cells, diploid germ cells, and haploid cells. In the control testes, focal AQP-1 immunolabeling was confined to the microvessel endothelial cells, without any positive reaction in the tubular or extratubular compartments. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report showing AQP-1 cell expression in adolescent varicocele testes in both tubular and extratubular compartments. It was associated with the main histologic features of unbalanced water flow in the tubular and interstitial compartments of the testis. Immunocytochemical patterns revealed AQP-1 as a possible critical reabsorption factor, acting to reduce abnormal fluid retention in endotubular cells and the extracellular matrix and, to a lesser extent, in Leydig cells.