Background: The population at risk, the clinical and microbiological features of infective endocarditis (IE) have changed. Aim of our study was to evaluate the contemporary epidemiological trends, ...over a 17-year period in a definite region of Tuscany, Italy, to analyze the clinical outcomes and associated prognostic factors.Methods: From 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2014, all patients with a definite diagnosis of IE were prospectively entered in a data-base. The Health-Care system data-base was interrogated to capture patients who could have been missed. The final dataset derived by the merging of the two data-bases.Results: Incidence rate of IE was 4.6/100,000/y with a significant linear incidence increase. In hospitalized patients the incidence was 1.27/1,000 admissions. Over age 65 incidence rate was 11.7/100,000/y. Male/female ratio was 1.54: 1. A temporal trend towards an increase in the mean population age was found (P=0.033). There was an increase in the incidence of Health-care associated IE, P=0.016. The most common microorganisms were staphylococcus aureus (25%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (22%). In-hospital mortality was 24%. A trend towards an increase in mortality rate was found (P=0.055). Independent predictors of mortality were older age, S. aureus infection, heart failure, septic shock and persistent bacteremia.Conclusions: Our study confirms an increasing mortality trend in IE, although with a borderline significance. Elderly forms are associated with poor prognosis and higher than 1-year mortality rate even in the multivariate analysis. Ageing population, increase in healthcare-associated and staphylococcal infections, may explain the rise of IE incidence and of the mortality trend.
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is thought to be atheroprotective yet some patients with elevated HDL-C levels develop cardiovascular disease, possibly due to the presence of ...dysfunctional HDL. We aimed to assess the metabolic fate of circulating HDL particles in patients with high HDL-C with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) using in vivo dual labeling of its cholesterol and protein moieties. We measured HDL apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apoA-II, free cholesterol (FC), and cholesteryl ester (CE) kinetics using stable isotope-labeled tracers (D3-leucine and 13C2-acetate) as well as ex vivo cholesterol efflux to HDL in subjects with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) CAD that had HDL-C levels >90th percentile. Healthy controls with HDL-C within the normal range (n = 6) who underwent the same procedures were used as the reference. Subjects with high HDL-C with and without CAD had similar plasma lipid levels and similar apoA-I, apoA-II, HDL FC, and CE pool sizes with no significant differences in fractional clearance rates (FCRs) or production rates (PRs) of these components between groups. Subjects with high HDL-C with and without CAD also had similar basal and cAMP-stimulated ex vivo cholesterol efflux to HDL. When all subjects were considered (n = 18), unstimulated non-ABCA1-mediated efflux (but not ABCA1-specific efflux) was correlated positively with apoA-I production (r = 0.552, p = 0.017) and HDL FC and CE pool sizes, and negatively with the fractional clearance rate of FC (r = −0.759, p = 4.1 × 10−4) and CE (r = −0.652, p = 4.57 × 10−3). Our data are consistent with the concept that ex vivo non-ABCA1 efflux capacity may correlate with slower in vivo turnover of HDL cholesterol moieties. The use of a dual labeling protocol provided for the first time the opportunity to assess the association of ex vivo cholesterol efflux capacity with in vivo HDL cholesterol metabolic parameters.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an unicellular green alga used for functional genomics studies and heterologous protein expression. A major hindrance in these studies is the low level and instability of ...expression of nuclear transgenes, due to their rearrangement and/or silencing over time.
We constructed dedicated vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation carrying, within the T-DNA borders, the Paromomycin (Paro) selectable marker and an expression cassette containing the Luciferase (Luc) reporter gene. These vectors and newly developed co-cultivation methods were used to compare the efficiency, stability and insertion sites of Agrobacterium- versus electroporation-mediated transformation. The influence of different transformation methods, of the cell wall, of the virulence of different Agrobacterium strains, and of transgene orientation with respect to T-DNA borders were assessed. False positive transformants were more frequent in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation compared to electroporation, compensating for the slightly lower proportion of silenced transformants observed in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation than in electroporation. The proportion of silenced transformants remained stable after 20 cycles of subculture in selective medium. Next generation sequencing confirmed the nuclear insertion points, which occurred in exons or untraslated regions (UTRs) for 10 out of 10 Agrobacterium-mediated and 9 out of 13 of electroporation-mediated insertions. Electroporation also resulted in higher numbers of insertions at multiple loci.
Due to its labor-intensive nature, Agrobacterium transformation of Chlamydomonas does not present significant advantages over electroporation, with the possible exception of its use in insertional mutagenesis, due to the higher proportion of within-gene, single-locus insertions. Our data indirectly support the hypothesis that rearrangement of transforming DNA occurs in the Chlamydomonas cell, rather than in the extracellular space as previously proposed.
•Largest human biomonitoring study in women of reproductive age in Italy.•No differences in PFOS concentrations between urban/industrial and rural areas.•Levels of PFOA higher in women residing in ...urban/industrial areas.•A downward temporal trend in exposure is observed for both compounds.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations were determined in serum samples collected in 2011–2012 from 549 nulliparous Italian women of reproductive age who resided in six different Italian Regions. Assessment of exposure to perfluorinated compounds was part of a large human biomonitoring study (Project Life Plus “Womenbiopop”) that aimed at examining the exposure of women of reproductive age to priority organic pollutants.
The median concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were 2.43, and 1.55ngg−1, respectively.
Significant differences in the concentrations of both compounds were observed among the six Regions. Women from central Italy had the highest levels of both compounds, followed by women from northern Italy, and southern Italy. No differences in the PFOS concentrations were found between women from urban/industrial areas and women from rural areas, whereas the levels of PFOA were significantly higher in women residing in urban/industrial areas than in women residing in rural areas.
Taken together, the observed concentrations confirm that the overall exposure of the Italian population is among the lowest observed in industrialized countries.
A downward temporal trend in exposure was observed for both compounds when comparing the results from the present study with those assessed in a study conducted in 2008.
The aim of this study was to characterize the placental transfer of some environmental pollutants, and to explore the possibility of quantitatively predicting in utero exposure to these contaminants ...from concentrations assessed in maternal blood. Levels of toxic substances such as pesticides (p,p'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were determined in serum samples of 38 pregnant women living in Rome and in samples of cord blood from their respective newborns. The study was carried out in the years 2008-2009. PCB mean concentrations in maternal serum and cord serum ranged from 0.058 to 0.30, and from 0.018 to 0.064 ng/g · fw respectively. Arithmetic means of PFOS and PFOA concentrations in mothers and newborns were 3.2 and 1.4 ng/g · fw, and 2.9 and 1.6 ng/g · fw. A strong correlation was observed between concentrations in the maternal and the foetal compartment for PFOS (Spearman r = 0.74, p < 0.001), PFOA (Spearman r = 0.70, p < 0.001), PCB 153 (Spearman r = 0.60, p < 0.001), HCB (Spearman r = 0.68, p < 0.001), PCB 180 (Spearman r = 0.55, p = 0.0012), and p,p'-DDE (Spearman r = 0.53, p = 0.0099). A weak correlation (p < 0.1) was observed for PCBs 118 and 138.
Stimulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol concentrations in fetal plasma are associated with foal maturity, viability and adaptation to independent life. ...However, non-invasive measurement of cortisol in hair samples has not yet been validated in horses. The current study developed a radioimmunoassay to analyse cortisol in horse hair and was used to measure cortisol hair concentration at birth and at 30 and 60days of age as a retrospective study of HPA axis activity. Cortisol was detectable in the hair of foals from birth until 2months, but decreased with time and varied greatly between individuals. Analysis of hair cortisol could be useful for non-invasive retrospective studies of HPA axis activity in perinatal horse.
•HCB, β-HCH and DDE levels increased with increasing age.•Residing in the rural areas were associated with higher levels of organochlorinated pesticides, compared to the urban and the industrial ...areas.•A different organochlorinated pesticides distribution between the Italian regions were observed.
HCB, β-HCH, DDE are the organochlorinated pesticides most frequently detected for their extreme persistence and their effects on the reproductive system.
The aim of the present study was to acquire information on the exposure of young Italian women to the most widespread organochlorinated pesticides.
549 women (20–40 years) were enrolled in six Italian regions from 2011-2013. Areas at different (presumed) exposure to persistent organic pollutants were included in all regions, such as rural, urban and industrial areas at possible incremental exposure.
Median concentration values were 18.2 ng/g lipid base (lb) for HCB, 6.6 ng/g lb for β-HCH and 112.9 ng/g lb for DDE. Results showed higher HCB, β-HCH and DDE levels in older women compared to the 20–29 age group. Higher levels of all the three pollutants were observed in the rural areas with respect to the urban and the industrial areas. For all of the compounds, we observed a different distribution between the Italian regions. This variability is difficult to fully understand, differences in diet and lifestyle may play a role, as well as a local use of these chemicals in the past.
This study produces a large dataset of pesticide concentrations in Italian women.
Display omitted
ABSTRACT Nitric oxide application has been seen as a promising technique to extend the postharvest life of various fresh fruits and vegetables. This is the first work involving the spray application ...of nitric oxide donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on Golden papaya. Considering that results are very distinct depending on the type of the nitric oxide donor, the form of application, the concentration used and the species studied, the application must be adapted to each necessity. The aim of this study was to relate the application of GSNO, spray applied at 10, 100, 1,000 ?M, with the physiological, physical-chemical, and biochemical changes of Golden papaya, in the first 72 h of ripening. Control fruit was sprayed with distilled water. GSNO application did not interfere on color and chlorophyll fluorescence of the peel, on soluble solids, titratable acidity, lipid peroxidation, and in the level of S-nitrosothiols. Control fruit and 10-?M GSNO sprayed showed lower respiration. After 72 h of ripening at 25°C, all fruits showed an increase in ethylene biosynthesis, except for those treated with 10 ?M GSNO. Papaya sprayed with 10-?M GSNO showed the highest pulp firmness and 52% less weight loss when compared to control fruit. GSNO was also responsible for increasing the ascorbic acid in papayas, besides showing an increase in total antioxidant activity production. The results indicated that the application of 10 ?M of GSNO by spray can potentially preserve the quality characteristics of Golden papaya, mainly due to the lower ethylene production, the delay in the firmness loss, and the less weight loss.
Despite the fact that cold storage and modified atmosphere techniques have already been studied for fresh cut Star fruit, little has been done considering the whole fruit. Besides that, each cultivar ...has its peculiarities, so the efficiency of combined postharvest treatments should be studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 8.5 µm thick and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), 33 µm thick associated with cold storage (10 ± 1 °C and 5 ± 1 °C / 85 ± 5% RH) on the conservation of ‘Malasia’ Star fruit. Storage at 25 oC maintained Star fruit overall quality, regardless of the film type, up to four days. The weight loss was higher in fruit packed with PVC, but this fact was not noticed by the sensory analysis. The storage in 5 and 10 oC did not caused chilling injury but fruit presented retention of yellow color development and firmness reduction; these aspects were positively assessed by the sensory analysis. The film type did not influence the conservation of the fruit. The storage at 5 and 10 °C, regardless of the package film, prolonged ‘Malasia’ star fruit shelf life up to 16 days, followed by two days at 25 °C.
RESUMO: Apesar das técnicas de armazenamento refrigerado e atmosfera modificada já terem sido estudadas para carambolas processadas, pouco foi feito considerando a fruta inteira. Além disso, cada cultivar possui peculiaridades, dessa forma a eficiência dos tratamentos pós-colheita combinados deve ser estudada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do cloreto de polivinila (PVC), 8,5 µm de espessura e polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD), 33 µm de espessura associados ao armazenamento refrigerado (10 ± 1 °C e 5 ± 1 °C / 85 ± 5% de UR) na conservação da carambola Malasia. O armazenamento a 25 °C manteve a qualidade da carambola, independentemente do tipo de filme, até quatro dias. A perda de massa foi maior nos frutos embalados em PVC, mas esta não foi percebida pela análise sensorial. As temperaturas de armazenamento de 5 e 10 °C não causaram dano de frio, mas os frutos apresentaram retenção no desenvolvimento da coloração amarela e na redução da firmeza; esses aspectos foram avaliados positivamente na análise sensorial. O tipo de filme não influenciou a conservação do fruto. O armazenamento a 5 e 10 °C, independente do filme da embalagem, prolongou a vida útil da carambola ‘Malasia’ até 16 dias, seguido por dois dias a 25 °C.
•Largest human biomonitoring study in women of reproductive age in Italy.•Age and residential area were the variables that most affected contaminant levels.•PCDDs+PCDFs levels were significantly ...higher in women residing in industrial areas.•A downward temporal trend in exposure was observed for PCDDs+PCDFs and PCBs.
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that represent a major concern for women of reproductive age because of the neurodevelopmental effects associated to perinatal exposure.
This study was aimed at characterizing exposure of women of reproductive age to PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs as a function of residence in different Italian Regions, in areas at presumable different environmental contamination and human exposure to these pollutants.
Study participants were enrolled in 2011–2012 in 6 Italian Regions representative of Northern, Central and Southern Italy; in each region, areas at presumed different exposure (rural, urban and industrial) were selected for enrolment. Each participant provided a serum sample for the analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs.
Median concentrations of PCDDs+PCDFs, DL-PCBs, NDL6-PCBs and NDL9-PCBs in serum samples were respectively 6.0 and 3.5 pgWHO-TE05/g fat, and 75 and 93ng/g fat.
Age was the variable that most affected median serum concentrations.
Age adjusted concentrations were found significantly different between geographical zones: women from Northern Italy showed the highest values, followed by Central and Southern Italy.
PCDDs+PCDFs concentrations were significantly higher in the group of women residing in industrial areas compared to the group residing in rural areas.
A clear diminishing temporal trend was observed compared to levels reported in previous studies.
This study produced the largest dataset on serum concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in women of childbearing age in Italy.
confirmed that environmental and lifestyle factors may influence exposure to these contaminants and thereby the body burden.
The observed marked temporal decline in body burden during three decades is in agreement with the general trend observed worldwide.
PDF
