The distribution and composition of zooplankton assemblages was investigated along the Apulian marine–coastal area (Mediterranean Sea) in the time period between January 2008 and February 2010. ...Zooplankton samples were collected monthly from 15 monitoring stations located in two sub-basins, namely, the southern Adriatic (11 stations) and the northern Ionian (4 stations). Results indicated a strong influence of river runoffs on zooplankton assemblages in terms of an increase in the abundance of tolerant species and a reduction of overall richness and diversity of species. Compared with the Ionian, in the Adriatic stations, zooplankton standing stocks showed higher abundances. Results also suggest that the zooplankton can be considered a useful biological indicator of water quality for the Apulian coastal waters and could be used in environmental monitoring programs.
Phytoplankton is recognised as a biological quality element and a biological descriptor in European Directives (WFD, MSFD) and several national laws. To determine the biodiversity and abundance of ...phytoplankton assemblages, the Utermöhl method, using an inverted light microscope, is the most widely used. Nevertheless, the Utermöhl method, standardised as UNI EN 15204 (2006), is time-consuming and labour intensive. We developed and tested PhytoNumb3rs, a tool for supporting microscope-based analysis of phytoplankton. PhytoNumb3rs is designed to make cell density calculation easier and to take account of qualitative and quantitative aspects regarding data precision, bias and method sensitivity. Specifically, it makes it possible to assess the performance characteristics of single analyses. PhytoNumb3rs is a user-friendly computing system based on a combination of Excel® spreadsheets. It allows the user to count phytoplankton cells, at various magnifications using various counting strategies, and to obtain the relative cell density, uncertainty and detection limit for each taxon. PhytoNumb3rs enables analysts to adopt a suitable counting strategy, run the analyses and easily perform all the steps associated with conventional microscope-based phytoplankton procedures (counting, data entry, computation, and data storage in a structured database). It allows the user to calculate the performance characteristics associated with the analytical results in accordance with UNI EN 15204 (2006) quality control procedures. Finally, it represents a useful tool for data harmonisation and data standardisation which in turn, are needed in order to increase the quality, comparability and accessibility of intra- and inter-laboratory data over time.
•PhytoNumb3rs is a tool supporting analysis of phytoplankton with Utermöhl method•PhytoNumb3rs represents a useful tool for data harmonisation and standardisation•It calculates both cell density uncertainty (for total and single taxa) and the LOD•Your use reduces significantly the time request for laboratory analysis
Everolimus is a valid therapeutic option for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); however, data in a real‐world setting outside regulatory trials are sparse. The aim of this study was to determine ...everolimus tolerability and efficacy, in relation to previous treatments, in a compassionate use program. A total of 169 patients with advanced progressive NETs treated with everolimus were enrolled, including 85 with pancreatic NETs (pNETs) and 84 with nonpancreatic NETs (non‐pNETs). Previous treatments included somatostatin analogs (92.9%), peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT; 50.3%), chemotherapy (49.7%), and PRRT and chemotherapy (22.8%). Overall, 85.2% of patients experienced adverse events (AEs), which were severe (grade 3–4) in 46.1%. The most frequent severe AEs were pneumonitis (8.3%), thrombocytopenia (7.7%), anemia (5.3%), and renal failure (3.5%). In patients previously treated with PRRT and chemotherapy, a 12‐fold increased risk for severe toxicity was observed, with grade 3–4 AEs reported in 86.8% (vs. 34.3% in other patients). In addition, 63.3% of patients required temporarily everolimus discontinuation due to toxicity. Overall, 27.8% of patients died during a median follow‐up of 12 months. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 12 months and 32 months, respectively. Similar disease control rates, PFS, and OS were reported in pNETs and non‐pNETs. In the real‐world setting, everolimus is safe and effective for the treatment of NETs of different origins. Higher severe toxicity occurred in patients previously treated with systemic chemotherapy and PRRT. This finding prompts caution when using this drug in pretreated patients and raises the issue of planning for everolimus before PRRT and chemotherapy in the therapeutic algorithm for advanced NETs.
The aim of this study was to determine everolimus tolerability and efficacy, in relation to previous treatments, in a compassionate use program for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Results showed that everolimus is safe and effective for the treatment of NETs of different origins. Higher severe toxicity occurred in patients previously treated with systemic chemotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.
Background
Assessing the safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines and the effect of immunotherapies on the seroconversion rate in patients with autoimmune neurological conditions (ANC) is relevant to ...clinical practice. Our aim was to assess the antibody response to and safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in ANC.
Methods
This longitudinal study included ANC patients vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 between March and August 2021. Side effects were assessed 2–10 days after each dose. Neurological status and anti-spike receptor binding domain antibody levels were evaluated before vaccination and 4 weeks after the second dose. Healthcare-workers served as controls for antibody levels.
Results
We included 300 ANC patients (median age 52, IQR 40–65), and 347 healthcare-workers (median age 45, IQR 34–54). mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with an increased risk of both local (OR 2.52 95% CI 1.45–4.39,
p
= 0.001) and systemic reactions (OR 2.51% CI 1.49–4.23,
p
= 0.001). The incidence of relapse was not different before and after vaccine (Incidence rate ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.29–1.83). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were detected in 268 (89.9%) patients and in all controls (
p
< 0.0001). BNT162b2 vaccine (OR 8.84 95% CI 2.32–33.65,
p
= 0.001), anti-CD20 mAb (OR 0.004 95% CI 0.0007–0.026,
p
< 0.0001) and fingolimod (OR 0.036 95% CI 0.002–0.628,
p
= 0·023) were associated with an increased risk of not developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG.
Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines were safe in a large group of ANC patients. Anti-CD20 and fingolimod treatment, as well as vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine, led to a reduced humoral response. These findings could inform vaccine policies in ANC patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started in Italy with clusters identified in Northern Italy. The Veneto Oncology Network (Rete Oncologica Veneta) licenced dedicated guidelines to ensure ...proper care minimising the risk of infection in patients with cancer. Rete Oncologica Veneta covID19 (ROVID) is a regional registry aimed at describing epidemiology and clinical course of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with cancer.
Patients with cancer diagnosis and documented SARS-CoV-2 infection are eligible. Data on cancer diagnosis, comorbidities, anticancer treatments, as well as details on SARS-CoV-2 infection (hospitalisation, treatments, fate of the infection), have been recorded. Logistic regression analysis was applied to calculate the association between clinical/laboratory variables and death from any cause.
One hundred seventy patients have been enrolled. The median age at time of the SARS-CoV infection was 70 years (25–92). The most common cancer type was breast cancer (n = 40). The majority of the patients had stage IV disease. Half of the patients had two or more comorbidities. The majority of the patients (78%) presented with COVID-19 symptoms. More than 77% of the patients were hospitalized and 6% were admitted to intensive care units. Overall, 104 patients have documented resolution of the infection. Fifty-seven patients (33%) have died. In 29 cases (17%), the cause of death was directly correlated to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Factors significantly correlated with the risk of death were the following: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS), age, presence of two or more comorbidities, presence of dyspnoea, COVID-19 phenotype ≥ 3, hospitalisation, intensive care unit admission, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and thrombocytopenia.
The mortality rate reported in this confirms the frailty of this population. These data reinforce the need to protect patients with cancer from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
•Patients with cancer represent a vulnerable population, with risk of severe complications.•Active anticancer therapy does not increase the risk of death.•The risk of death can be stratified according to clinical and laboratory parameters.•Cancer services must adopt all preventive measures to protect patients from infection.
The regulatory sequences of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 nifH gene were fused with the cam reporter gene and used for studying the factors controlling nifH transcription. A DNA sequence, downstream ...the ATG codon of nifH, that could be involved in the negative regulation of nifH transcription, was identified. The effect of 1 and 2 mM of ammonium on the transcription of the A. brasilense nifH gene and on the nitrogenase activity, in the presence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae NifA protein, was examined.
PDF
