Safety of leucodepleted salvaged blood in oncological surgery: an in vitro model.

Intra-operative blood cell salvage (IOCS) is mainly avoided in onco surgery due to the suspicion that it could increase metastasis' risk. We simulated IOCS followed by leucodepletion: HCT116 (human colorectal cancer) cells were inoculated into packed red blood cells units, and their distribution was evaluated, step-by-step, by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Most of HCT116 cells were lost during washing, and almost completely removed after filtration. IOCS plus leucodepletion could be of great advantage for oncological patients, where allogenic blood transfusion could influence tumour progression.

Are the new phthalates safe? Evaluation of Diisononilphtalate (DINP) effects in porcine ovarian cell cultures.

Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals, widely used in packaging materials and consumer products for several decades. These molecules have raised concerns because of their toxicity and their use have been restricted in several countries. Therefore, novel phthalates have been introduced. Among these, diisononilphtalate (DINP) is widely employed. However, its safety has not been properly addressed. Therefore, using a well validated granulosa cell model, collected from swine ovaries with a translational value, we studied potential DINP effects on important cellular functional parameters. In particular, we studied cell growth, steroidogenesis and redox status. Collected data showed that DINP stimulates (p < 0.05) cell growth, increases estrogen and inhibits progesterone production (p < 0.05), disrupts redox balance stimulating free radicals (p < 0.05) while reducing scavenger activities (p< 0.05). Taken together, DINP's impact on cultured swine granulosa cells provides cause for concern regarding its potential adverse effects on reproductive and endocrine functions.

Nanoplastics impair in vitro swine granulosa cell functions.

Soil, water, and air pollution by plastic represents an issue of great concern since the particles produced by degradation of plastic materials can be ingested by animals and humans, with still uncertain health consequences. As a contribution on this crucial subject, the present work reports an investigation on the in vitro effects of different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (5, 25, and 75 µg/mL) on swine granulosa cells, a model of endocrine reproductive cells. In particular, cell growth (BrDU incorporation and ATP production), steroidogenesis (17-ß estradiol and progesterone secretion) and redox status (superoxide and nitric oxide production, enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity) were studied. Nanoplastics, at the highest concentration, stimulated cell proliferation (P < 0.05), while cell viability resulted unaffected. Steroidogenesis was disrupted (P < 0.05). Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity were increased after exposure at the highest nanoplastic dose (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). Nitric oxide secretion was increased by 25 and 75 µg/mL (P < 0.05) while superoxide generation was stimulated (P < 0.001) only by the highest concentration tested. Taken together, main features of cultured swine granulosa cells resulted affected by exposure to nanoplastics. These results raise concerns since environment nanoplastic contamination can represents a serious threat to animal and human health.

A study on the distribution of Bothriocephalus andresi (Cestoda, Pseudophyllidea) in Citharus linguatula.

The distribution of Bothriocephalus andresi (Porta, 1911) in a population of Citharus linguatula (L.) caught off the Tuscan coasts was studied for one year. The negative binomial model proved useful for analysing the distribution of the parasite (B. andresi) in the host population. The ability of the parasite to adjust not only to its own environment but also to that of its host was clear, as it may be evinced from the greater amount of eggs and, hence, of larvae noticed in the period when there was abundance of plankton (high number of intermediate hosts). The balance achieved between host and parasite populations was also evident, and the modulation of the intensity of the infestation was such that it may be imputed to a greater immune response in the host.

[Clinical aspects of hyperthyroidism in aged patients]. / Aspetti clinici dell'ipertiroidismo nel soggetto anziano.

Hyperthyroidism is difficult to diagnose in the elderly because at this age thyroid disorders are often insidious and atypical with non-specific symptoms. The diagnosis of thyroid disease may be particularly difficult in the presence of a multiple age-associated pathology which may mask the signs or symptoms of thyroid disease. The paper presents the clinical findings in 18 patients in whom the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis was established at the age of 65 or later.

[Hypoglycemia caused by partial deficiency of growth hormone. Description of a clinical case]. / Ipoglicemia da deficit parziale di GH. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

A clinical case of a female patient suffering from recurrent, especially nighttime, attacks of hypoglycaemia is reported. Clinical tests found these to be the consequence of partial hypophyseal deficiency of growth hormone.

[Preliminary experience in health education in a group of 52 diabetic patients]. / Esperienze preliminari di educazione sanitaria ad un gruppo di 52 pazienti diabetici.

The results of a study carried out in a random sample of patients who had filled out a questionnaire of selected questions are reported. The questionnaire was re-presented after a cycle of health education and the replies compared so as to assess specific learning.

[Changes in feeding behavior in anorexic individuals. Description of 2 clinical cases]. / Alterazione del comportamento alimentare in individui anoressici. Descrizione di due casi clinici.

The change in the eating behaviour of anorexic individuals has been studied with particular attention to the case of two biovular heterozygotic twins. It is observed that dietetic treatment backed by careful psychiatric therapy is a decisive factor in the resolution of the pathology.

[Type I diabetes mellitus and autoimmunity. Description of 9 clinical cases]. / Diabete I ed autoimmunità. Descrizione di 9 casi clinici.

Diabetes mellitus type I can ben divided into two forms, IA and IB, with partially different clinical and pathogenetic characteristics. The present paper looks at type I diabetic patients presenting associated pathologies of autoimmune type, largely involving the endocrine system.