Diets in which fat is significantly provided by olive oil and are relatively rich in vegetables, have been associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases, mostly due to the presence of ...several phenolic compounds which have anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory properties. 1. In this work, we describe the anti-inflammatory effect of 3,4-DHPEA-EDA in a cell model that we developed to mimic inflammatory injury of endothelium. This was based on the production of the proinflammatory chemokine CCL2, following in vitro stimulation of primary human endothelial cells. Pre-treatment of cells with 3,4-DHPEA-EDA resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of CCL2 secretion. The effect of 3,4-DHPEA-EDA on CCL2 expression was observed at the transcriptional level. Functional data have shown that 3,4-DHPEA-EDA diminished monocyte adhesion to HUVECs. These results point on the use of 3,4- DHPEA-EDA as a novel drug aimed to prevent or reduce inflammation of endothelium.
In order to properly respond to an emergency caused by an accident in a nuclear power plant with a spread of radionuclides in the atmosphere, we propose a field procedure to perform a large-scale ...individual thyroid monitoring of internal contamination due to inhalation of
I, by means of non-spectrometric equipment, in particular dose rate meters. Specific attention is paid to the individual monitoring of children, because of the very high radiosensitivity of the child's thyroid to the carcinogenic effects of ionising radiation. The device performance was evaluated by measuring mock iodine sources provided in the Child and Adult Thyroid Monitoring After Reactor Accident (CAThyMARA) intercomparison and, just for a scintillator dose rate meter, by means of 60 s acquisitions of healthy volunteers' thyroids. All the devices showed a remarkable accuracy in quantification of equivalent
I activity in the thyroids of persons of all ages. The selected scintillator dose rate meter showed detection limit values resulting in a maximum committed equivalent dose to thyroid H
, assuming an acute
I inhalation occurred five days before the measurement, equal to 10 mSv (related to five-year-old children). Considering the level of H
values associated with the calculated detection limit activities, the proposed procedure has a significant sensitivity to be used for fast internally thyroid monitoring in nuclear or radiological emergencies, allowing daily monitoring a large amount of individuals.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is typically very mild and often asymptomatic in children. A complication is the rare multisystem inflammatory syndrome in ...children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, presenting 4–6 weeks after infection as high fever, organ dysfunction, and strongly elevated markers of inflammation. The pathogenesis is unclear but has overlapping features with Kawasaki disease suggestive of vasculitis and a likely autoimmune etiology. We apply systems-level analyses of blood immune cells, cytokines, and autoantibodies in healthy children, children with Kawasaki disease enrolled prior to COVID-19, children infected with SARS-CoV-2, and children presenting with MIS-C. We find that the inflammatory response in MIS-C differs from the cytokine storm of severe acute COVID-19, shares several features with Kawasaki disease, but also differs from this condition with respect to T cell subsets, interleukin (IL)-17A, and biomarkers associated with arterial damage. Finally, autoantibody profiling suggests multiple autoantibodies that could be involved in the pathogenesis of MIS-C.
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•Hyperinflammation in MIS-C differs from that of acute COVID-19•T cell subsets discriminate Kawasaki disease patients from MIS-C•IL-17A drives Kawasaki but not MIS-C hyperinflammation•Global profiling reveals candidate autoantibodies with pathogenic potential
A systems immunology approach describes how multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is distinct from Kawasaki disease as well as the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19 in terms of its molecular and immune profiles.
Following the Fukushima power plants accident on the 11th March 2011, the radioactivity monitoring programme at the Italian ENEA research centres was activated in order to detect the possible new ...input of radionuclides through atmospheric transport and precipitation. Measurements of 131I and 134,137Cs were carried out on atmospheric particulate, atmospheric deposition, seawater and mussels and sheep milk. In the daily samples of air particulate, 131I was detectable between March 28 and April 12, with extremely low concentrations (<1 mBq m−3; the detection limit for 131I was ∼0.2 mBq m−3) while Cs isotopes were always below the detection limit (<0.2 mBq m−3). The two main episodes of 131I atmospheric deposition were registered in La Spezia research centre, around March 28 and April 15, reaching values of 17.8 ± 1.1 and 8.0 ± 2.5 Bq m−2 respectively; maximum values of 134Cs and 137Cs were 0.11 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.02 Bq m−2, respectively, detected in Brasimone research centre in April (reference date April 15). Mussels and seawater were collected in the Gulf of La Spezia: only mussels after the main 131I deposition, on March 28, contained a measurable, although very small, amount of 131I (0.18 ± 0.05 Bq kg−1, detection limit 131I = 0.03 Bq kg−1 wet weight – soft parts). The 131I was also detected in sheep milk in Rome (Casaccia research centre) until May 5, showing a maximum concentration of 4.9 ± 0.4 Bq L−1. As for other European Countries for which data are available, activity levels remain of no concern for public health.
► The Fukushima fallout in Italy showed the 131I maximum value of 17.8 ± 1.1 Bq m−2. ► The 134,137Cs maximum deposition was 0.11 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.02 Bq m−2, respectively. ► Radionuclide levels were 3 orders of magnitude lower than the Chernobyl fallout. ► 131I levels in sheep milk and mussels were of no concern for public health.
Several 5-aminouracil derivatives that have previously been shown to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth at concentrations of 5-40 μg/mL are demonstrated to act also as noncompetitive ...non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase without causing toxicity in vitro (MT-4 cells) and ex vivo (human tonsillar tissue).
As the global COVID-19 pandemic progresses, it is paramount to gain knowledge on adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in children to define immune correlates of protection upon immunization or infection. ...We analyzed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and their neutralizing activity (PRNT) in 66 COVID-19-infected children at 7 (±2) days after symptom onset. Individuals with specific humoral responses presented faster virus clearance and lower viral load associated with a reduced in vitro infectivity. We demonstrated that the frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+CD40L+ T cells and Spike-specific B cells were associated with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the magnitude of neutralizing activity. The plasma proteome confirmed the association between cellular and humoral SARS-CoV-2 immunity, and PRNT+ patients show higher viral signal transduction molecules (SLAMF1, CD244, CLEC4G). This work sheds lights on cellular and humoral anti-SARS-CoV-2 responses in children, which may drive future vaccination trial endpoints and quarantine measures policies.
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•Antibody neutralization is inversely associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs•Antigen-specific B cells positively associate with anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity•SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies are present in patients with higher specific T cells•Antigen-specific B and T cells are features of SARS-CoV-2 immunity in children
Cotugno et al. show that neutralizing antibodies affect SARS-CoV-2 viral load in infected children. Antigen-specific B and T cells are positively associated with virus neutralization. This information provides a basis for defining SARS-CoV-2 adaptive responses in children.
Goal of this work is to promote via on-line applications the knowledge of the Italian Weekly Pyramid, which is based on the concept of WI (Well Being Index) as a unit for a correct lifestyle. On the ...website www.piramideitaliana.it the user can verify his/her weekly lifestyle by participating in a "game" based on the introduction, for seven consecutive days, of food and beverages consumption and time assigned to physical activity. At the end of the seven days it is possible to access the page with an evaluation of dietary habits together with the possible suggestions for a correct lifestyle. On the basis of the data collected through this web game, a statistical analysis has been developed to evaluate the food habits and the level of physical activity. In the period between September 2005-January 2010 16,546 participants have completed the game. The data collected compare actual WI consumption for each food group with the one suggested by the Pyramid. The sample eating pattern appears almost varied; all the food groups were consumed daily, albeit in much lower quantities with regard to the suggested portions. It is pointed out that some differences in the nutritional habits are related to differences in age groups and in the school degree of the sample analyzed. This work highlights the importance of web-based tailored interventions on population food habits: many people can be reached to promote the knowledge of the guidelines leading to a healthy lifestyle.
Background. Atrophy of the posterior maxilla as a consequence of tooth loss and sinus pneumatization is a frequent condition encountered in the clinical practice. Prosthetic rehabilitation with ...implants in these patients often requires some kind of bone regeneration procedure to increase the bone volume. Aim. The aim of the present retrospective study is to analyze the survival and success rates of a series of implants placed in the atrophic posterior maxilla with a transcrestal osteotome procedure, without placing a bone grafting material. Materials and Methods. From 2006 to 2014, 36 dental implants (Neoss Ltd., Harrogate, UK) were inserted in 36 patients with at least 4 mm of bone below the maxillary sinus using transcrestal osteotome sinus floor elevation and placement of collagen sponge below the sinus membrane. ISQ measurements were made after implant placement and at abutment surgery after 4 to 6 months. The vertical bone height (VBH) was evaluated in intraoral radiographs taken prior to surgery and in radiographs from annual check-up appointments 5 to 13 years after implant placement. In addition, marginal bone loss (MBL) was evaluated. Results. One implant was lost after four years of prosthetic loading. The remaining 35 implants showed no complications and were loaded with single crowns after 4–6 months of healing. All 35 implants showed clinical success after 8.5 ± 2.8 years of prosthetic loading (from 5 to 13 years). The vertical bone height was 5.9 ± 1.4 mm at surgery, 9.7 ± 1.1 mm at second surgery after 4–6 months, and 8.3 ± 1.8 at the follow-up at 8.5 ± 2.8 years (from 5 to 13 years). The implant stability registered was 73.2 ± 6.2 ISQ at the surgery and 75.8 ± 3.9 at the second surgery after 4–6 months. Conclusions. The present long-term follow-up study showed that the crestal approach for sinus floor bone augmentation without additional bone grafting results in predicable bone formation and high implant survival. The osteotome technique is a valid alternative to the more invasive lateral window technique in single cases with a minimum of 4 mm of VBH below the maxillary sinus.
To evaluate the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in a population of Italian pregnant women and to study its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm delivery.
After giving ...informed consent, 598 women were consecutively enrolled at their first prenatal visit (13-18 weeks of gestation). The presence of bacterial vaginosis was assessed by Gram's method at 13-18 weeks of gestation (early bacterial vaginosis) and at 28-32 weeks of gestation (late bacterial vaginosis). Univariate and multiple logistic regression models of analysis were used to assess the statistical significance of the data.
Preterm delivery occurred in 14.7% of pregnant women positivefor bacterial vaginosis at theirfirst prenatal visit and in 6.9% of healthy women (OR 1.6, CI 1.07-2.51). In patients with bacterial vaginosis, preterm delivery occurred more often in the 36th week of gestation (78.6%).
The presence of bacterial vaginosis at an early gestational age is associated with preterm delivery, although in the study population the condition did not seem to be related to great prematurity.
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