Introduction. We analyzed the expression of several genes implicated in the pathogenicity of Escherichia coli O157:H7, treating bacteria with Esc(1-21), a derivative of peptide esculentin-1 in ...combination with three essential oils obtained from plants from the Cympopogon genus. Methods. We used the checkerboard assay to determine the antimicrobial activity of the combinations. We analyzed the expression of some genes implicated in the pathogenicity and quorum sensing system of E. coli O157:H7 by real-time RT-PCR technique. Results. Treatment of the bacteria with the peptide combined with oils had an efficacious antimicrobial activity. The analysis of gene expression showed that all used combinations regulate positively the espAD and ler genes, located in the pathogenicity island, named the locus of enterocyte effacement. None of the combinations affects the quorum sensing genes: lsrABCFKR and qseBC. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that the use of essential oil/peptide combinations can be effective in fighting microbial infections.
Cannabis light preparations are products derived or containing dried female inflorescences of Cannabis sativa belonging to Chemotype III (THC/CBD ratio <<1); the total THC (THC+THCA) content in the ...crop must not exceed 0.2 % in accordance with the EU regulation.
In Italy the most recent law for industrial hemp (242/2016) states that only for farmers this limit is extended to 0.6 %. On the other hand, the Ministry of the Interior published a note stating that the sale or the presence in the markets of products (inflorescences, concentrates, essences and resins) or plants with concentrations higher than 0.5 % constitutes a crime. In this confusing legislation framework, it is very important to assess the legality of hemp, determining the total amount of THC. To this end a reliable LC-UV analytical method was developed and validated taking into account parameters such as precision, accuracy, linearity, repeatability of peak area and retention time, limit of detection (LOD= 0.002 % for all cannabinoids) and limit of quantification (LOQ= 0.005 % for all cannabinoids). Accuracy was expressed as the relative error (Er%), while precision was measured as the coefficient of variation (CV%). A CV% below 3 % and Er% between ± 6 % were obtained. The linearity was proven in the concentration range 0.005–1 % for THC, THCA and CBN and 0.005 %–50 % for CBD and CBDA.
The analytical method was applied to more than nine hundred cannabis light samples.
Based on the law 242/2016, only 18 % of the crops are to be considered legal for the market (total THC<0.2 %). If the circular of the Ministry of the Interior should be converted as a proper law, a substantial amount of cannabis light preparations (24 %) would be considered illegal (total THC>0.5 %). On the other hand, the most of the inflorescences (58 %) have a total THC content comprised between 0.2 % and 0.5 %, and it is not clear whether these products could be sold or not. Moreover, Cannabis light products are not authorized for human consumption, even if everybody knows that this is their primary use. In conclusion, the cannabis light panorama in Italy is quite confused and more specific and clear legislation should be proposed.
Thyroid nodules are frequent in adult population and thyroid cancer incidence has increased dramatically over the past three decades. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to ...evaluate the US-Elastosonography (USE) diagnostic performance in assessing the thyroid nodules malignancy risk.
PubMed and Embase databases were searched from January 2011 to July 2021. We extracted data from selected studies and calculated the overall diagnostic accuracy of qualitative USE, semi-quantitative USE and quantitative USE. Summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was elaborated to show the results. All statistical tests were performed using Metadisc and Medcal software package.
Finally 72 studies with 13,505 patients and 14,015 thyroid nodules (33% malignant) undergoing elastography were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 84%, 81%, and 0.89 respectively for qualitative USE; 83%, 80%, and 0.93 for semi-quantitative USE and 78%, 81% and 0.87, for quantitative USE. The qualitative and semiquantitative USE present very similar diagnostic accuracy values and both better than the quantitative USE.
USE is a useful imaging tool for thyroid nodule characterization. In accordance with recent guidelines and meta-analyses, the USE could be used daily in thyroid nodule malignancy risk stratification.
PROSPERO: CRD42021279257.
Background
Data on the interplay between sexual hormones balance, platelet function and clinical outcomes of adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are still lacking.
Objective
To assess the ...association between the Testosterone (T)-to-Estradiol (E2) Ratio (T/E2) and platelet activation biomarkers in IHD and its predictive value on adverse outcomes.
Methods
The EVA study is a prospective observational study of consecutive hospitalized adults with IHD undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary interventions. Serum T/E2 ratios E2, levels of thromboxane B
2
(TxB
2
) and nitrates (NO), were measured at admission and major adverse events, including all-cause mortality, were collected during a long-term follow-up.
Results
Among 509 adults with IHD (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 30% females), males were older with a more adverse cluster of cardiovascular risk factors than females. Acute coronary syndrome and non-obstructive coronary artery disease were more prevalent in females versus males. The lower sex-specific T/E2 ratios identified adults with the highest level of serum TxB
2
and the lowest NO levels. During a median follow-up of 23.7 months, the lower sex-specific T/E2 was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 3.49; 95% CI 1.24–9.80;
p
= 0.018). In in vitro, platelets incubated with T/E2 ratios comparable to those measured in vivo in the lowest quartile showed increased platelet activation as indicated by higher levels of aggregation and TxB
2
production.
Conclusion
Among adults with IHD, higher T/E2 ratio was associated with a lower long-term risk of fatal events. The effect of sex hormones on the platelet thromboxane release may partially explain such finding.
Clinical features and natural history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) differ widely among different countries and during different phases of the pandemia. Here, we aimed to evaluate the case ...fatality rate (CFR) and to identify predictors of mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to three hospitals of Northern Italy between March 1 and April 28, 2020. All these patients had a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection by molecular methods. During the study period 504/1697 patients died; thus, overall CFR was 29.7%. We looked for predictors of mortality in a subgroup of 486 patients (239 males, 59%; median age 71 years) for whom sufficient clinical data were available at data cut-off. Among the demographic and clinical variables considered, age, a diagnosis of cancer, obesity and current smoking independently predicted mortality. When laboratory data were added to the model in a further subgroup of patients, age, the diagnosis of cancer, and the baseline PaO
/FiO
ratio were identified as independent predictors of mortality. In conclusion, the CFR of hospitalized patients in Northern Italy during the ascending phase of the COVID-19 pandemic approached 30%. The identification of mortality predictors might contribute to better stratification of individual patient risk.
As suicide rates increase with age, it is mandatory to carefully assess old age suicidal behaviors. Our aim was to describe the main socio-demographic and clinical features of a sample of suicide ...attempters aged 65 years and older, and to assess differences within the sample (men vs. women; patients with vs. without a previous history of suicide attempt; patients with vs. without a previous psychiatric history).
Retrospective study conducted at the Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy.
A higher percentage of female patients in our sample were treated by or referred to mental health services, while a greater percentage of male patients required a prolonged clinical observation in the Emergency Room (ER) or in non-psychiatric wards before psychiatric admission. The percentage of patients without previous psychiatric history taking anxiolytic and sedative medications was 25%.
It is likely that different clusters and types of suicide attempters exist. Women in our sample appeared more proactive in asking for help, and more likely to be already treated by or referred to a psychiatric service, suggesting the need to facilitate the access to psychiatric services for the male population aged 65 years and older, or to offer support and care for the non-psychiatric reasons (comorbidities, pain, and loss of autonomy) possibly underlying suicidal behavior in this specific group. The use of medications deserves more attention considering the possible critical diagnostic issues in this age group.
PDF
