Unidentified soluble factors secreted by E. coli, a frequently isolated microorganism in genitourinary infections, have been reported to inhibit mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), motility and ...vitality of human spermatozoa. Here we explore the mechanisms involved in the adverse impact of E. coli on sperm motility, focusing mainly on sperm mitochondrial function and possible membrane damage induced by mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, as lactobacilli, which dominate the vaginal ecosystem of healthy women, have been shown to exert anti-oxidant protective effects on spermatozoa, we also evaluated whether soluble products from these microorganisms could protect spermatozoa against the effects of E. coli. We assessed motility (by computer-aided semen analysis), ΔΨm (with JC-1 dye by flow cytometry), mitochondrial ROS generation (with MitoSOX red dye by flow cytometry) and membrane lipid-peroxidation (with the fluorophore BODIPY C11 by flow cytometry) of sperm suspensions exposed to E. coli in the presence and in the absence of a combination of 3 selected strains of lactobacilli (L. brevis, L. salivarius, L. plantarum). A Transwell system was used to avoid direct contact between spermatozoa and microorganisms. Soluble products of E. coli induced ΔΨm loss, mitochondrial generation of ROS and membrane lipid-peroxidation, resulting in motility loss. Soluble factors of lactobacilli prevented membrane lipid-peroxidation of E. coli-exposed spermatozoa, thus preserving their motility. In conclusion, sperm motility loss by soluble products of E. coli reflects a mitochondrial dysfunction-related membrane lipid-peroxidation. Lactobacilli could protect spermatozoa in the presence of vaginal disorders, by preventing ROS-induced membrane damage.
Le forme familiari di adenoma ipofisario D’Andrea, Settimio; Auriemma, Renata S.; Rostomyan, Liliya ...
L'Endocrinologo,
2017/2, Letnik:
18, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Sommario
Gli adenomi ipofisari insorgono nel 5–6% dei casi in un contesto familiare, nell’ambito di sindromi come le Neoplasia Endocrine Multiple (MEN1, MEN4) o in forma isolata (
Familial Isolated ...Pituitary Adenomas
, FIPA). Negli ultimi anni sono state riconosciute nuove entità e nuovi geni di predisposizione tra cui, in particolare, il gene
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor Interacting Protein
(AIP). Il riconoscere una predisposizione genetica, anche in forme apparentemente sporadiche, è essenziale non solo per il caso indice ma anche per la sua famiglia.
Unidentified soluble factors secreted by E. coli, a frequently isolated microorganism in genitourinary infections, have been reported to inhibit mitochondrial membrane potential ( Delta psi m), ...motility and vitality of human spermatozoa. Here we explore the mechanisms involved in the adverse impact of E. coli on sperm motility, focusing mainly on sperm mitochondrial function and possible membrane damage induced by mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, as lactobacilli, which dominate the vaginal ecosystem of healthy women, have been shown to exert anti-oxidant protective effects on spermatozoa, we also evaluated whether soluble products from these microorganisms could protect spermatozoa against the effects of E. coli. We assessed motility (by computer-aided semen analysis), Delta psi m (with JC-1 dye by flow cytometry), mitochondrial ROS generation (with MitoSOX red dye by flow cytometry) and membrane lipid-peroxidation (with the fluorophore BODIPY C11 by flow cytometry) of sperm suspensions exposed to E. coli in the presence and in the absence of a combination of 3 selected strains of lactobacilli (L. brevis, L. salivarius, L. plantarum). A Transwell system was used to avoid direct contact between spermatozoa and microorganisms. Soluble products of E. coli induced Delta psi m loss, mitochondrial generation of ROS and membrane lipid-peroxidation, resulting in motility loss. Soluble factors of lactobacilli prevented membrane lipid-peroxidation of E. coli-exposed spermatozoa, thus preserving their motility. In conclusion, sperm motility loss by soluble products of E. coli reflects a mitochondrial dysfunction-related membrane lipid-peroxidation. Lactobacilli could protect spermatozoa in the presence of vaginal disorders, by preventing ROS-induced membrane damage.
To investigate the feasibility, safety and results of laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomies performed with the patient supine, in patients affected by secreting and silent adrenal lesions.
...Exclusion criteria were suspected adrenal primary malignancies. Fifty patients (33 women and 17 men; mean age 49.6 years, range 19-75 years) underwent 51 laparoscopic adrenalectomies (one bilateral). After complete endocrinological evaluation, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, or a combination thereof, 14 non-secreting adenomas, 13 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 13 cortisol-producing adenomas, eight phaeochromocytomas (one bilateral), one androgen-secreting adenoma, and two metastases were considered eligible for adrenalectomy. In five patients, associated procedures were performed during surgery.
The lesions ranged in size from 1.5 to 10 cm. There were no intraoperative complications and no blood transfusions were required. The postoperative course was uneventful and painless in all patients. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.5 days. In all hypertensive patients, significant improvement or cure of hypertension was observed at follow-up (mean 18 months). In patients with secreting adenomas, normalization of hormone concentrations was obtained after removal of the tumour. In six patients with incidentaloma, the exaggerated 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to ACTH disappeared after surgery.
Secreting and non-secreting adrenal lesions were treated safely by laparoscopy. Relatively small incidentalomas and subclinical hormonally active tumours can be removed by laparoscopy. Early diagnosis enhances prevention and treatment.
•Methylcellulose hydrogels are promising substrates for cells sheet engineering.•Effect of salt ions on the LCST of highly concentrated hydrogels.•Innovative rheological test to determine LCST for ...hydrogels with G′>G″.•LCST measured by rheology and UV-spectroscopy.•Higher salt concentration lowered LCST and made it suitable for cell sheet engineering.
Methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels change their affinity to water depending on their temperature and can thus be used as substrates for cell sheet engineering. In this work, we characterize the thermo-responsive properties of 8% w/v MC hydrogels, produced in two saline solutions (i.e., Na2SO4 and phosphate buffered saline) at different concentrations, by investigating the rheological properties and the UV-absorbance in function of temperature. Both rheological and UV-spectroscopy tests showed that the addition of salts to MC hydrogels allowed lowering the LCST of the MC hydrogel; moreover, hydrogels produced in 0.1M Na2SO4 or PBS 20g/L were proved to be particularly promising for cell sheet engineering application, showing a LCST below 37°C.
Cancer-related chronic pain (CP) represents a critical clinical issue through the disease, severely compromising the quality of life (QoL) of patients and the family environment. The current review ...employed a narrative method to synthesize the main results about the impact of cancer-related CP on QoL, adopting a multidimensional and threefold vision: patients, caregivers, and patientcaregiver perspective. Evidence emphasizes the importance of considering a bidirectional perspective (patient-caregiver) to understand better the pain experience throughout the cancer continuum and its consequences on QoL of patients and caregivers. Moreover, a holistic and multidimensional approach to cancer-related CP and its impact on QoL of patients and caregivers is still needed, in which the interconnection between physical, psychological, and social factors should be analyzed. Theoretical and methodological issues for orienting future social and family research initiatives were discussed. Keywords: chronic pain, cancer, quality of life, personality, social support, decision-making
Background: Compassion fatigue (CF) represents a relevant issue for healthcare professionals. Currently, it is still unclear which psychological mechanism might lead to CF and which might protect ...workers from that. Decision-making styles, as well as emotional intelligence, might partially account for the presence of CF. Specifically, we hypothesized that a satisficing decision-making style would mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and CF.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on physicians and nurses from Italian Medical Departments. Three self-reported questionnaires were administered to collect data in accordance with our aims. A mediation model with Structural Equation Modeling on the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and CF through the maximizing decision-making style was performed.
Results: We found a significant relationship between TEI and CF (β = −0.28, SE = 0.04, p < .001). The maximizing style partially mediated this relationship (β = −0.04, SE = 0.01, p < .001). Moreover, negative relationships were found between sex (male), working hours, sleep quality, and CF. Conversely, a positive relationship between age and CF was demonstrated.
Conclusions: Being emotionally intelligent resulted as a protective factor for developing CF, while the decision-making styles shaped the risk of developing CF.
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