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Ceolin C, Scala A, Dall'Agnol M, Ziliotto C, Delbarba A, Facondo P, Citron A, Vescovi B, Pasqualini S, Giannini S, Camozzi V, Cappelli C, Bertocco A, De Rui M, Coin A, Sergi G, Ferlin A, Garolla A. Bone health and body composition in transgender adults before gender-affirming hormonal therapy: data from the COMET study. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:401-410. [PMID: 37450195 PMCID: PMC10859333 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preliminary data suggested that bone mineral density (BMD) in transgender adults before initiating gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is lower when compared to cisgender controls. In this study, we analyzed bone metabolism in a sample of transgender adults before GAHT, and its possible correlation with biochemical profile, body composition and lifestyle habits (i.e., tobacco smoke and physical activity). METHODS Medical data, smoking habits, phospho-calcic and hormonal blood tests and densitometric parameters were collected in a sample of 125 transgender adults, 78 Assigned Females At Birth (AFAB) and 47 Assigned Males At Birth (AMAB) before GAHT initiation and 146 cisgender controls (57 females and 89 males) matched by sex assigned at birth and age. 55 transgender and 46 cisgender controls also underwent a complete body composition evaluation and assessment of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS 14.3% of transgender and 6.2% of cisgender sample, respectively, had z-score values < -2 (p = 0.04). We observed only lower vitamin D values in transgender sample regarding biochemical/hormonal profile. AFAB transgender people had more total fat mass, while AMAB transgender individuals had reduced total lean mass as compared to cisgender people (53.94 ± 7.74 vs 58.38 ± 6.91, p < 0.05). AFAB transgender adults were more likely to be active smokers and tend to spend more time indoor. Fat Mass Index (FMI) was correlated with lumbar and femur BMD both in transgender individuals, while no correlations were found between lean mass parameters and BMD in AMAB transgender people. CONCLUSIONS Body composition and lifestyle factors could contribute to low BMD in transgender adults before GAHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ceolin
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy.
| | - A Scala
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
| | - M Dall'Agnol
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - C Ziliotto
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - A Delbarba
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - P Facondo
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Citron
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - B Vescovi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - S Pasqualini
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - S Giannini
- Clinica Medica 1, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
| | - V Camozzi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
| | - C Cappelli
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Bertocco
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - M De Rui
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - A Coin
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - G Sergi
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
| | - A Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
| | - A Garolla
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Padua, Veneto Region, Italy
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Singh R, White D, Romano G, Osenda E, Allen S, Dunstan M, Elangovan R, Jourdan I, Rockall T, Scala A. Factors affecting quality of life in rectal cancer survivors who have undergone laparoscopic surgery: patient-reported outcomes over 10 years at a single institution. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2024; 106:13-18. [PMID: 36748787 PMCID: PMC10757878 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer survivors have many problems affecting their quality of life (QOL). Traditional follow-up focuses on the detection of recurrence rather than QOL. Efforts are being made to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROMS) more formally. Such changes may enable patients to consider QOL factors when deciding on treatment. METHODS Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution were identified and sent European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 QOL questionnaires. QOL and the impact of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and formation of end colostomy were assessed. RESULTS Some 141 patients were identified: 12 died and 118 (83.7%) responded, of whom 101 completed the questionnaires and 17 declined to participate; 11 were lost to follow-up. Mean age was 67 years, median follow-up was 58 months. Median QOL score was 6 (maximum 7) and 4.5% of patients reported a poor QOL score (<4). Significant rectal/perianal pain, sexual dysfunction and urinary symptoms were reported in 3.6%, 10.9% and 2.7% of respondents, respectively. Significant differences between treatment groups were uncommon. All cohorts reported similar QOL, functional and symptom scores. CONCLUSIONS These results compare favourably with the published data. Future studies may benefit from baseline assessment to better assess treatment impact, prescient in an increasingly elderly and comorbid population. This paper establishes that good PROMs are achievable with laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. It identifies limited differences in QOL between treatment modalities. Restoration of intestinal continuity and end colostomy result in similar QOL. This may address common concerns regarding stomata, sexual function and low anterior resection syndrome in this cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Singh
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - D White
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - G Romano
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - E Osenda
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - S Allen
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - M Dunstan
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | | | - I Jourdan
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - T Rockall
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - A Scala
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Legarrea S, Janssen A, Dong L, Glas JJ, van Houten YM, Scala A, Kant MR. Enhanced top-down control of herbivore population growth on plants with impaired defences. Funct Ecol 2022; 36:2859-2872. [PMID: 36632134 PMCID: PMC9826462 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Herbivore densities can be regulated by bottom-up and top-down forces such as plant defences and natural enemies, respectively. These forces can interact with each other to increase plant protection against herbivores; however, how much complementarity exists between bottom-up and top-down forces still remains to be fully elucidated. Particularly, because plant defences can hinder natural enemies, how these interactions affect herbivore performance and dynamics remains elusive.To address this topic, we performed laboratory and greenhouse bioassays with herbivorous mite pests and predatory mites on mutant tomato plants that lack defensive hairs on stems and leaves. Particularly, we investigated the behaviour and population dynamics of different phytophagous mite species in the absence and presence of predatory mites.We show that predatory mites do not only perform better on tomatoes lacking defensive hairs but also that they can suppress herbivore densities better and faster on these hairless plants. Hence, top-down control of herbivores by natural enemies more than compensated the reduced bottom-up herbivore control by plant defences.Our results lead to the counter-intuitive insight that removing, instead of introducing, plant defence traits can result in superior protection against important pests through biological control. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saioa Legarrea
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Departamento de Agricultura y AlimentaciónUniversidad de la RiojaLogroñoSpain
| | - Arne Janssen
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Department of EntomologyFederal University of ViçosaViçosaBrazil
| | - Lin Dong
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alessandra Scala
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Merijn R. Kant
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Scala A, Campo G, Erriquez A, Tebaldi M, Tumscitz C, Penzo C, Talevi L, Biscaglia S. P74 NEURAL INTERFACES TO MONITOR INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGISTS’ MENTAL WORKLOAD: GAME–ON SAGA. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Interventional cardiologists’ mental workload may impact on their performance as well as on patients’ outcome. Nevertheless, little attention is paid to the monitoring and optimization of their mental status. Electroencephalogram (EEG)–based neural–interfaces can estimate mental fatigue and sleepiness through spectral analysis techniques and the amplitude of alpha waves is a widely validated indicator of mental engagement’s level. No data regarding neural interfaces are available for interventional disciplines. The present preliminary report is the first step of a project aimed at analysing and monitoring mental fatigue and sleepiness through variation of psychometrics and neurometrics in interventional cardiologists (NCT05041218). We prospectively recorded and analysed EEG signals from 7 interventional cardiologists in 129 consecutive procedures. Neurometrics have been acquired at the beginning of the shift, before and after each procedure performed during 127 valid Alpha Attenuation Protocols (AAP), a practical test to quantify sleepiness measuring alpha power during 2 cycle of eye opening/closing protocol. We collected alpha waves’ power measures obtained during resting condition (AA Coefficient–eyes open (AAC–eo), AAC–eyes closed (AAC–ec) and AAC–mean), related to fatigue, and AAC–ec/AAC–eo (AAC–ratio), related to sleepiness. From a two–months observation, the first interesting preliminary results emerged: i) AAC–mean, AAC–eo and AAC–ec showed an upward trend during the working day, reflecting an increase in mental fatigue (p < 0.01 for all of them); ii) population–level psychometrics trend confirms the same tendency described by neurometrics, possibly reflecting a reduced awareness of the operator of his/her actual mental status (Figure 1, Figure 2). Developing a low cost and high feasibility device to monitor and analyse operator’s mental engagement level could be extremely appealing, considering the lack of data in literature and recent technology developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Scala
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - G Campo
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - A Erriquez
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - M Tebaldi
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - C Tumscitz
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - C Penzo
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - L Talevi
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
| | - S Biscaglia
- AZIENDA OSPEDALIERO–UNIVERSITARIA S. ANNA, FERRARA; VIBRE SRL, CESENA
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Del Giudice E, Simio C, Scala A, Di Coste A, La Torre G, Spadea L, Lubrano R, Duse M, Paroli MP. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis in the era of biological therapy: how the disease changed in more than 20 years of observation in a tertiary referral center in Rome (Italy). Int Ophthalmol 2021; 42:775-784. [PMID: 34669094 PMCID: PMC8917035 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-02043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To describe the ophthalmological characteristics in a Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cohort and to evaluate how therapeutic advances have changed the course of the uveitis. Methods Analysis of a retrospective cohort study of consecutive JIA pediatric patients including JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U) and comparison with a previous study in the same uveitis center assessed before the wide-spread of biological therapy. Results The total of 49 JIA patients were analyzed, of whom 18 JIA-U, compared with a JIA-U past cohort of 66 patients. Systemic corticosteroids were used significantly less in the current JIA-U group (p = 0.008) than in the past one. JIA-U present cohort was on therapy more frequently with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) than the past group (p = 0.039), mostly treated with methotrexate (93.3%). Furthermore, a larger use of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) was described in the current JIA-U group (p = 0.005) also associated with csDMARDs (p = 0.003). Adalimumab was used more (72.7%) in the present JIA-U cohort compared to a larger treatment with infliximab (61.5%) in the past (p = 0.005). Higher number of uveitis recurrences was observed in the previous cohort compared to the current one (p = 0.005). Fewer complications were described in this study than in the previous: posterior synechiae (p = 0.007), cataract (p < 0.001), band keratopathy (p < 0.001), and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) (p = 0.047). Conclusion Current therapies reduced the uveitis recurrences and ocular complications including cataract due also to the lower use of corticosteroids. The new close collaboration with the pediatric rheumatologic center in the same University has contributed to the care improvement and decrease of uveitis complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Del Giudice
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy
| | - C Simio
- Department of Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, Uveitis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, V.le del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Department of Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, Uveitis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, V.le del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Coste
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G La Torre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Spadea
- Department of Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, Uveitis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, V.le del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Lubrano
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy
| | - M Duse
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M P Paroli
- Department of Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, Uveitis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, V.le del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Selva J, Lorito S, Volpe M, Romano F, Tonini R, Perfetti P, Bernardi F, Taroni M, Scala A, Babeyko A, Løvholt F, Gibbons SJ, Macías J, Castro MJ, González-Vida JM, Sánchez-Linares C, Bayraktar HB, Basili R, Maesano FE, Tiberti MM, Mele F, Piatanesi A, Amato A. Probabilistic tsunami forecasting for early warning. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5677. [PMID: 34584083 PMCID: PMC8479076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25815-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tsunami warning centres face the challenging task of rapidly forecasting tsunami threat immediately after an earthquake, when there is high uncertainty due to data deficiency. Here we introduce Probabilistic Tsunami Forecasting (PTF) for tsunami early warning. PTF explicitly treats data- and forecast-uncertainties, enabling alert level definitions according to any predefined level of conservatism, which is connected to the average balance of missed-vs-false-alarms. Impact forecasts and resulting recommendations become progressively less uncertain as new data become available. Here we report an implementation for near-source early warning and test it systematically by hindcasting the great 2010 M8.8 Maule (Chile) and the well-studied 2003 M6.8 Zemmouri-Boumerdes (Algeria) tsunamis, as well as all the Mediterranean earthquakes that triggered alert messages at the Italian Tsunami Warning Centre since its inception in 2015, demonstrating forecasting accuracy over a wide range of magnitudes and earthquake types.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Selva
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - S Lorito
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M Volpe
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F Romano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - R Tonini
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - P Perfetti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Bernardi
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M Taroni
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - A Babeyko
- German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany
| | - F Løvholt
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
| | - S J Gibbons
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Norway
| | - J Macías
- Grupo EDANYA, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - M J Castro
- Grupo EDANYA, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | - H B Bayraktar
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - R Basili
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F E Maesano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - M M Tiberti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - F Mele
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Piatanesi
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Amato
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
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Loffredo F, Scala A, Serra M, Quarto M. Radon risk mapping: A new geostatistical method based on Lorenz Curve and Gini index. J Environ Radioact 2021; 233:106612. [PMID: 33862422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In confined spaces such as living environments and workplaces, the concentration levels of radon (Rn222) can be very high as compared to the external environment. Since Rn has been classified as the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking, to apply efficient locally based risk reduction actions, dense maps of indoor radon concentration are needed. These maps would provide information about the areas prone to high radon concentrations and therefore more dangerous to human health. The soil is the primary source of the Rn, hence the risk assessment and reduction for the radon exposure cannot disregard the identification of the local geology. In this regard, we propose an innovative method, based on the Gini index computation, for the realization of interpolated maps (kriging) to describe the distribution of concentration of Rn. To validate the method, a tool that simulates sets of radon concentrations is used, whose variability is, to the first order, controlled by a priori imposed different lithologies. A systematic comparison is made between the results achieved by means of a classically used geostatistical method and the proposed Gini-based tool. We show how, by using this latter tool, the kriging solutions appear to be more robust to resolve the different geogenic radon sources independently from the number of the available measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Loffredo
- Advanced Biomedical Science Department, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - A Scala
- Department of Physics, "E. Pancini", University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M Serra
- Advanced Biomedical Science Department, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M Quarto
- Advanced Biomedical Science Department, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Brini C, Nguon B, Miglietta E, Sala L, Acutis PL, Riina MV, Rossi L, Serusi E, Gervasio CF, Tamponi C, Scala A, Varcasia A. Rhinomyiasis by Oestrus ovis in a tourist returning from Corsica. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:10.1007/s00436-019-06508-2. [PMID: 31712894 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06508-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean basin, one of the most important agents of myiasis is Oestrus ovis Linnaeus 1758 (Diptera, Oestridae). Herein, we report a rare case of nasal myiasis with a secondary infection complication in a patient from northern Italy who had been visiting Corsica. A healthy, 39-year-old Italian woman spent 2 weeks of vacation in Corsica in June 2018. During her stay, she suddenly felt a foreign body inside her nose, followed by cough, pain, burning at the pharyngeal level, cephalalgia, and nasal congestion with secretions from the nostrils. The clinical examination showed a hyperemic and irritated mucosa and endoscopic examination of the patient's nose and right maxillary sinus revealed three tiny mobile larvae, morphologically and molecular identified as L1 instar larvae of Oestrus ovis. The patient's infestation was probably imported from Corsica, as Mediterranean islands are ideal geographical areas for the development of O. ovis, and the timing of infestation match with the period of O. ovis larviposition. Although rhinomyiasis is rare, it should be considered in people returning from abroad presenting with an acute-onset and foreign body sensation in the nose.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Brini
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione ASLBI, Biella, Italy
| | - B Nguon
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione ASLBI, Biella, Italy
| | - E Miglietta
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione ASLBI, Biella, Italy
| | - L Sala
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione ASLBI, Biella, Italy
| | - P L Acutis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - M V Riina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - L Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - E Serusi
- Reparto di Otorino-laringoiatria, ASLBI, Biella, Ponderano, BI, Italy
| | - C F Gervasio
- Reparto di Otorino-laringoiatria, ASLBI, Biella, Ponderano, BI, Italy
| | - C Tamponi
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Parassitologia Veterinaria, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Parassitologia Veterinaria, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Parassitologia Veterinaria, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Pecchioni E, Ricci M, Vaselli O, Lofrumento C, Levchenko V, Giamello M, Scala A, Williams A, Turchetta B. Chemical and mineralogical characterization and 14C dating of white and red pigments in the rock paintings from Nyero (Uganda). Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Abstract
Increased parasympathetic tone achieved with endurance training may provide cardioprotection after menopause. To compare heart rate variability (HRV) from rest through maximal exercise and recovery in trained postmenopausal women. Thirty-six postmenopausal women who self-reported training at either moderate (MOD; 3-5.9 METS; 58.9+/-4.4 year) or vigorous (VIG; >6 METS; 59.7+/-5.2 year) intensities participated. HRV was measured for 5 min in the supine position, in the last minute of the VO2max test and after 2 min of active recovery. HRV in MOD and VIG was compared using a factorial ANOVA with repeated measures on time. MOD and VIG responded similarly over the three time periods for root mean square of sequential deviations (rMSSD), and high (HF) and low frequency (LF) power (p>0.05). Maximal exercise lowered rMSSD (3.3+/-0.08 vs. 1.2+/-0.06) and lnLF (4.1+/-0.05 vs. 3.3+/-0.13) and increased lnHF (3.3+/-0.14 vs. 4.0+/-0.10; p<0.01) from resting. However, active recovery restored lnHF (3.3+/-0.11) and lnLF (4.1+/-0.08) from maximal values (p<0.01). Our findings suggest that moderate and vigorous exercise training may enhance HRV recovery following one bout of maximal exercise in older women.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Orri
- Department of Kinesiology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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11
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Díaz P, Varcasia A, Pipia AP, Tamponi C, Sanna G, Prieto A, Ruiu A, Spissu P, Díez-Baños P, Morrondo P, Scala A. Molecular characterisation and risk factor analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from Italy. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3081-3090. [PMID: 30008134 PMCID: PMC7088234 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6000-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To provide up-to-date information on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in pre-weaned calves from Sardinia (Italy), the species implicated and their zoonotic potential, 147 faecal samples from 22 cattle herds were microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts; positive isolates were molecularly characterised. A questionnaire was developed to identify risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection. Overall, the percentage of positive calves and farms was 38.8 and 68.2%, respectively. The SSU rRNA-based PCR identified two Cryptosporidium species, Cryptosporidium parvum (95.8%) and C. bovis (4.2%). Sequence analyses of the glycoprotein (gp60) gene revealed that all C. parvum isolates belonged to the subtype family IIa (IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1), with the exception of three isolates that belonged to the subtype family IId (IIdA20G1b and IIdA20). Mixed logistic regression results indicated that calves aged 15-21 days were more likely to be Cryptosporidium-positive. The risk of being positive was also significantly higher in herds from Central Sardinia and in farms using non-slatted flooring. In addition, the application of disinfectants and milk replacers was significantly associated with higher Cryptosporidium prevalence. In contrast, the risk of being positive was significantly reduced in halofuginone-treated calves. Our results reveal that a significant percentage of suckling calves are carriers of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum. Thus, both healthy and diarrhoeic calves younger than 1 month may represent a risk for the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Díaz
- Investigation in Animal Health: Galicia (INVESAGA Group), School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
| | - A Varcasia
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A P Pipia
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - C Tamponi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Sanna
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Prieto
- Investigation in Animal Health: Galicia (INVESAGA Group), School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - A Ruiu
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia, Oristano, Italy
| | - P Spissu
- Regional Association of Sardinian Farmers, Cagliari, Italy
| | - P Díez-Baños
- Investigation in Animal Health: Galicia (INVESAGA Group), School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Morrondo
- Investigation in Animal Health: Galicia (INVESAGA Group), School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - A Scala
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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12
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Dedola C, Zobba R, Varcasia A, Visco S, Alberti A, Pipia AP, Scala A, Pinna Parpaglia ML. Serological and molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in cats of Northern Sardinia, Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2018; 13:120-123. [PMID: 31014858 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infections are endemic in dogs in central and southern regions of Italy while feline leishmaniosis has only been sporadically described in these areas and few studies have been reported on serological and molecular investigation of infections in domestic cats. The purpose of this study is to assess the presence of Leishmania infantum infection in cats from Sardinia, a typical endemic area of leishmaniasis in Italy. Ninety cats attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Sassari, Italy, were tested for L. infantum using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test and PCR. Serological (10%) and molecular (5.5%) detection in this population was low, with antibody titres ranging from 1/40 to 1/80. Only one cat was simultaneously positive by IFAT and PCR. This study shows the presence of L. infantum infection in cats living in Sardinia, with a prevalence that falls within the ranges described in other endemic areas and confirms the need of further research to better characterize the epidemiologic role of cats in the transmission of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dedola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy
| | - R Zobba
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
| | - A Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
| | - S Visco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
| | - A Alberti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
| | - A P Pipia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
| | - M L Pinna Parpaglia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Italy.
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13
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Pipia AP, Varcasia A, Dessì G, Panzalis R, Gai C, Nonnis F, Veronesi F, Tamponi C, Scala A. Seroepidemiological and biomolecular survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection on organic pig farms. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1637-1641. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5823-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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14
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Scala A, Mirabella R, Goedhart J, de Vries M, Haring MA, Schuurink RC. Forward genetic screens identify a role for the mitochondrial HER2 in E-2-hexenal responsiveness. Plant Mol Biol 2017; 95:399-409. [PMID: 28918565 PMCID: PMC5688203 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-017-0659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
This work adds a new player, HER2, downstream of the perception of E-2-hexenal, a green leaf volatile, and shows that E-2-hexenal specifically changes the redox status of the mitochondria. It is widely accepted that plants produce and respond to green leaf volatiles (GLVs), but the molecular components involved in transducing their perception are largely unknown. The GLV E-2-hexenal inhibits root elongation in seedlings and, using this phenotype, we isolated E-2-hexenal response (her) Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. Using map-based cloning we positioned the her2 mutation to the At5g63620 locus, resulting in a phenylalanine instead of serine on position 223. Knockdown and overexpression lines of HER2 confirmed the role of HER2, which encodes an oxidoreductase, in the responsiveness to E-2-hexenal. Since E-2-hexenal is a reactive electrophile species, which are known to influence the redox status of cells, we utilized redox sensitive GFP2 (roGFP2) to determine the redox status of E-2-hexenal-treated root cells. Since the signal peptide of HER2 directed mCherry to the mitochondria, we targeted the expression of roGFP2 to this organelle besides the cytosol. E-2-hexenal specifically induced a change in the redox status in the mitochondria. We did not see a difference in the redox status in her2 compared to wild-type Arabidopsis. Still, the mitochondrial redox status did not change with Z-3-hexenol, another abundant GLV. These results indicate that HER2 is involved in transducing the perception of E-2-hexenal, which changes the redox status of the mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Scala
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rossana Mirabella
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Department of Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michel de Vries
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michel A Haring
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert C Schuurink
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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15
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Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Pinna S, Melis E, Melosu V, Zidda A, Sanna G, Pipia AP, Zedda MT, Pau S, Brianti E, Scala A. Endoparasites detected in faecal samples from dogs and cats referred for routine clinical visit in Sardinia, Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2017; 10:13-17. [PMID: 31014584 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to update data on the prevalence of intestinal and lung parasitic infections in owned dogs and cats in Sardinia, Italy. Examinations on faecal samples from 619 dogs and 343 cats routinely referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Sassari were performed between the years of 2011 and 2015. Individual faecal samples were analysed using the Wisconsin technique for copro-microscopic examination and the Baermann technique for the presence of lungworm larvae. Endoparasites were found in 34.9% and 43.4% of examined dogs and cats, respectively. Helminthic infections (21.2% in dogs and 32.6% in cats) occurred more frequently than protozoan infections (17.9% in dogs and 17.8% in cats). In both dogs and cats, the most common parasites were ascarids (12.1% and 15.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (10.2% and 10.8%), Giardia duodenalis (9.4% and 8.5%), and hookworms (7.9% and 5.5%). Evidence of bronchopulmonary nematode infections were found in 0.8% of examined dogs and in 15.8% of examined cats. Age was identified as a risk factor, with animals younger than 6months more frequently infected than older animals, while no significant association was observed for gender. This study demonstrated that endoparasites in owned dogs and cats of Sardinia have considerably high prevalence. Veterinary practitioners and pet owners should be more aware of these infections and should adopt more effective and standardized control practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tamponi
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
| | - S Pinna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Melis
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - V Melosu
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Zidda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - G Sanna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A P Pipia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - M T Zedda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - S Pau
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
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16
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Pezzi M, Leis M, Chicca M, Falabella P, Salvia R, Scala A, Whitmore D. Morphology of the Antenna of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): An Ultrastructural Investigation. J Med Entomol 2017; 54:925-933. [PMID: 28399222 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a relevant species in waste and pest management, but is also of forensic and medical importance. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of the antennae of both sexes of H. illucens is presented here for the first time. The antenna is composed of three regions: the scape, the pedicel, and the flagellum. The first two regions are single segments, whereas the third region, the longest one, is composed of eight flagellomeres. The scape and pedicel have microtrichia, chaetic sensilla, and rounded perforations. The flagellum is covered by different microtrichia, the morphology of which is described in detail. Two types of sensory pit are found on flagellomeres 1 to 6. An oval depression with trichoid sensilla extends from flagellomeres 4 to 6. On both sides of flagellomere 8 is a lanceolate depression covered by hair-like microtrichia. Morphometric and morphological analyses revealed some sex-related differences. The results of the SEM investigations are compared with those obtained on other species of the family Stratiomyidae and other brachyceran Diptera. The possible role of sensilla in sensory perception is also discussed in comparison with nondipteran species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pezzi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
- Laboratory TekneHub, Technopole of University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, Ferrara, 44122, Italy
| | - M Leis
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
- Laboratory TekneHub, Technopole of University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, Ferrara, 44122, Italy
| | - M Chicca
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - P Falabella
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - R Salvia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - D Whitmore
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd., London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
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17
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Murphy S, Scala A, Herrero A, Lorito S, Festa G, Trasatti E, Tonini R, Romano F, Molinari I, Nielsen S. Shallow slip amplification and enhanced tsunami hazard unravelled by dynamic simulations of mega-thrust earthquakes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35007. [PMID: 27725733 PMCID: PMC5057117 DOI: 10.1038/srep35007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake produced an unexpected large amount of shallow slip greatly contributing to the ensuing tsunami. How frequent are such events? How can they be efficiently modelled for tsunami hazard? Stochastic slip models, which can be computed rapidly, are used to explore the natural slip variability; however, they generally do not deal specifically with shallow slip features. We study the systematic depth-dependence of slip along a thrust fault with a number of 2D dynamic simulations using stochastic shear stress distributions and a geometry based on the cross section of the Tohoku fault. We obtain a probability density for the slip distribution, which varies both with depth, earthquake size and whether the rupture breaks the surface. We propose a method to modify stochastic slip distributions according to this dynamically-derived probability distribution. This method may be efficiently applied to produce large numbers of heterogeneous slip distributions for probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis. Using numerous M9 earthquake scenarios, we demonstrate that incorporating the dynamically-derived probability distribution does enhance the conditional probability of exceedance of maximum estimated tsunami wave heights along the Japanese coast. This technique for integrating dynamic features in stochastic models can be extended to any subduction zone and faulting style.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Murphy
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Italy.,Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, France
| | - A Herrero
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - S Lorito
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - G Festa
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Italy
| | - E Trasatti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - R Tonini
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - F Romano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 00143 Rome, Italy
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Sanna G, Pipia A, Tamponi C, Manca R, Varcasia A, Traversa D, Scala A. Anthelmintics efficacy against intestinal strongyles in horses of Sardinia, Italy. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2016; 1:15-19. [PMID: 29988184 PMCID: PMC5991823 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal strongyles (IS) are the most important parasites of equids, due to their high prevalence worldwide, pathogenicity and the spread of drug-resistant populations. Despite the large number of horses bred in Sardinia Island, Italy, no data are available on the efficacy of anthelmintic compounds in the control of horse strongylosis. Therefore the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of five commercial anthelmintic formulations containing fenbendazole (FBZ), pyrantel (PYR), moxidectin (MOX) and two ivermectin formulations (IVM1 and IVM2) against IS in Sardinia by performing a fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and investigating the egg reappearance period (ERP) after treatment. In total, 74 horses from 7 farms were examined. Coprocultures performed for individual fecal samples collected at the day of the treatment revealed that cyathostomins were the predominant parasitic species (98.6%). The FECR for all horses belonging to the treatment groups after two weeks was ≥ 95% with a 95% C.I. > 90%. The expected ERP did not decrease in any of the treatment group as FECR values < 90% were found at D60 for FBZ, at D90 for PYR and IVM1, at D150 for IVM2. All horses treated with MOX showed FECRT > 90% for the entire duration of the trial until D150. The results of the present survey indicate that drug-resistant cyathostomin populations are not present in the examined horse population, contrariwise to what observed in other Italian and European regions. The reasons and implications of these results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Sanna
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Settore di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - A.P. Pipia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Settore di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - C. Tamponi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Settore di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - R. Manca
- Veterinary practitioner, Sassari, Italy
| | - A. Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Settore di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - D. Traversa
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - A. Scala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Settore di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Sanna G, Varcasia A, Serra S, Salis F, Sanabria R, Pipia AP, Dore F, Scala A. Calicophoron daubneyi in sheep and cattle of Sardinia, Italy. Helminthologia 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/helmin-2015-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of paramphistomosis and confirm the species identity of rumen flukes from sheep and cattle of Sardinia (Italy), by molecular methods. From 2011 to 2014, 381 sheep and 59 cattle farms were selected and individual faecal samples were run on 15 sheep and 5 cattle for each farm, respectively. The prevalence at the slaughterhouse was calculated by examination of 356 sheep and 505 cattle. 13adult flukes collected from sheep and cattle and 5 belonging to the historical collection of Laboratory of Parasitology at the Department of Veterinary Medicine of Sassari, previously classified as Paramphistomum spp., were used for PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS2+ rDNA. Previously classified Paramphistomum leydeni from South America were used as controls.
The EPG prevalence was 13.9 % and 55.9 % for sheep and cattle farms respectively. At slaughterhouses, paramphistomes were found in 2 % of the sheep and 10.9 % of the examined cows. Conversely to the latest reports, the sequences comparison showed that all the Sardinian rumen flukes belong to Calicophoron daubneyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Sanna
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - A. Varcasia
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - S. Serra
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - F. Salis
- Veterinary Practitioner, Martini Zootecnica, Italy
| | - R. Sanabria
- Veterinary Faculty, National University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentine. National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentine
| | - A. P. Pipia
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - F. Dore
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Sassari, Italy
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Piperno A, Cordaro M, Scala A, Iannazzo D. Recent highlights in the synthesis of anti-HCV ribonucleosides. Curr Med Chem 2016; 21:1843-60. [PMID: 24372207 DOI: 10.2174/0929867321666131228205935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Research on Hepatitis C Virus inhibitors has dramatically increased during the past few years. Actually, several classes of anti-HCV drugs, including NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5B polymerase inhibitors, NS4B protein to RNA binding inhibitors, and multifunctional viral protein NS5A inhibitors, are in different stages of development. The RNA dependent HCV polymerase is considered an irreplaceable target for future HCV therapy on account of a high degree of conservation across the six HCV genotypes, and agents targeting the active site, such as ribonucleoside analogs, may be particularly advantageous having a high barrier to resistance. The purpose of this review is to present highlights of recent developments in the synthesis of anti-HCV ribonucleosides and to discuss the limitations posed by resistance and drug toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piperno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita' degli Studi di Messina, viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italia.
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Scala A, Micale N, Piperno A, Rescifina A, Schirmeister T, Kesselring J, Grassi G. Targeting of the Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease CPB2.8ΔCTE by decorated fused benzo[b]thiophene scaffold. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05557e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A potent and highly selective anhydride-based inhibitor ofLeishmania mexicanacysteine protease CPB2.8 (IC50= 3.7 μM) was investigated by inhibition assays, NMR biomimetic experiments and docking studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Scala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
| | - N. Micale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
| | - A. Piperno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
| | - A. Rescifina
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco
- Università degli Studi di Catania
- 95125 Catania
- Italy
| | - T. Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
- University of Mainz
- D 55099 Mainz
- Germany
| | - J. Kesselring
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
- University of Mainz
- D 55099 Mainz
- Germany
| | - G. Grassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
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Fazio E, Scala A, Grimato S, Ridolfo A, Grassi G, Neri F. Laser light triggered smart release of silibinin from a PEGylated-PLGA gold nanocomposite. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:9023-9032. [PMID: 32263033 DOI: 10.1039/c5tb01076d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this work a new remotely-triggered drug delivery system based on PEG-PLGA_Au nanocomposite is proposed. Due to the optical properties of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), the nanovector allows on-demand control of the dose, the timing and the duration of the drug release, upon irradiation with red laser light. The Au NPs are synthesized by laser ablation and subsequently embedded into the PEG-PLGA copolymer via a modified emulsion-diffusion method, devised in such a way that both Au NPs and silibinin (SLB), a flavonolignan with promising anti-neoplastic effects, can be co-loaded into the polymeric system in a single step procedure. A combination of analytical techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS, DLS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning/transmission electron microscopies (SEM/STEM/TEM), have been used to study the structural and morphological properties of the nanocomposite. The loading efficiency and the drug content, evaluated by UV-vis absorption optical spectroscopy, are 89% and 8.8%, respectively. Upon laser irradiation the system releases the encapsulated drug with a higher efficiency (∼10%) than that without irradiation. This behaviour indicates that our nanoplatform is responsive to light and it could be considered a promising new type of light-activated drug delivery carrier applicable to the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fazio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina, V.le F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy.
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Mirabella R, Rauwerda H, Allmann S, Scala A, Spyropoulou EA, de Vries M, Boersma MR, Breit TM, Haring MA, Schuurink RC. WRKY40 and WRKY6 act downstream of the green leaf volatile E-2-hexenal in Arabidopsis. Plant J 2015; 83:1082-96. [PMID: 26243404 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Plants are known to be responsive to volatiles, but knowledge about the molecular players involved in transducing their perception remains scarce. We study the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to E-2-hexenal, one of the green leaf volatiles (GLV) that is produced upon wounding, herbivory or infection with pathogens. We have taken a transcriptomics approach to identify genes that are induced by E-2-hexenal, but not by defence hormones or other GLVs. Furthermore, by studying the promoters of early E-2-hexenal-induced genes we determined that the only statistically enriched cis-element was the W-box motif. Since members of the plant-specific family of WRKY transcription factors act in trans on this cis-element, we focused on WRKY6, 40 and 53 that were most strongly induced by E-2-hexenal. Root elongation of Arabidopsis seedlings of the wrky40 wrky6 double mutant was much less inhibited than in wt plants, similar to the E-2-hexenal-responsive mutant her1, which is perturbed in γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) metabolism. The induction of several of the E-2-hexenal-specific genes was much higher in the wrky40, wrky6 or wrky40 wrky6 mutants, including GAD4, a glutamate decarboxylase that catalyzes the formation of GABA from glutamate. In conclusion, WRKY6 and 40 seem to act as important players transducing E-2-hexenal perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Mirabella
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Han Rauwerda
- MAD, Dutch Genomics Service & Support Provider, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Silke Allmann
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Scala
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Eleni A Spyropoulou
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Michel de Vries
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike R Boersma
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Timo M Breit
- MAD, Dutch Genomics Service & Support Provider, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Michel A Haring
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Robert C Schuurink
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
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Scala A, Pipia AP, Dore F, Sanna G, Tamponi C, Marrosu R, Bandino E, Carmona C, Boufana B, Varcasia A. Epidemiological updates and economic losses due to Taenia hydatigena in sheep from Sardinia, Italy. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3137-43. [PMID: 25968992 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and transmission of Taenia hydatigena in sheep and dogs from Sardinia and the economic estimation of losses due to this metacestodosis in lambs. A total of 7781 Sarda breed lambs were examined at abattoirs for the detection of Cysticercus tenuicollis or necrotic-haemorrhagic tracks of their migration. Morphological and molecular identification of parasites was carried out. Individual faecal samples from 300 dogs were examined for copromicroscopic investigations and coproELISA assay. An overall prevalence of 14.6% for T. hydatigena cysticercosis was found in the examined lambs. In total, 10,807 parasitary tracks were found, with an abundance of 1.39 and an average intensity of 9.52. The molecular analysis of the isolates showed an overall pairwise nucleotide divergence for the CO1 and ND1 was of 0-3.1 and 0-3.3%, respectively. Low intra- and interspecific variation was recorded for C. tenuicollis isolates used in this study which suggested the absence of differentiation. Microscopic examination of dog faeces showed a total prevalence of 31.3% for endoparasites in the examined samples (94/300). Taeniid eggs were found in 8.3% of the dogs. The results of the monoclonal antibody ATH4 ELISA test showed a prevalence of 11% (33/300) for T. hydatigena coproantigens. The total economic costs related to cysticercosis amounted to almost € 330,000. The prevalence of C. tenuicollis in 14.6% of 30-40-day-old lambs highlights the high parasitic pressure by T. hydatigena in the territory of Sardinia, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Scala
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Neri G, Scala A, Barreca F, Fazio E, Mineo PG, Mazzaglia A, Grassi G, Piperno A. Engineering of carbon based nanomaterials by ring-opening reactions of a reactive azlactone graphene platform. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:4846-9. [PMID: 25695678 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc00518c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A reactive azlactone-based graphene nanoplatform was successfully synthesized by the ligation of azido-azlactone with alkyne-terminated graphene via Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition. The reactive azlactone rings, grafted on graphene sheets, were subjected to highly efficient ring-opening reactions with functionalized primary amine derivatives incorporating an aminosilane coupling agent or a biological fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Neri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Messina, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy.
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26
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Micale N, Piperno A, Mahfoudh N, Schurigt U, Schultheis M, Mineo PG, Schirmeister T, Scala A, Grassi G. A hyaluronic acid–pentamidine bioconjugate as a macrophage mediated drug targeting delivery system for the treatment of leishmaniasis. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra18019h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A new HA–Pent bioconjugate was synthetized and proposed as drug targeting delivery system for the treatment of leishmaniasis, exploiting the specific biological recognition of HA by the macrophage.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Micale
- Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products
- University of Messina
- 98168 Messina
- Italy
| | - A. Piperno
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - N. Mahfoudh
- Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry
- University of Granada
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- 18071 Granada
- Spain
| | - U. Schurigt
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology
- University of Würzburg
- Würzburg 97074
- Germany
| | - M. Schultheis
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology
- University of Würzburg
- Würzburg 97074
- Germany
| | - P. G. Mineo
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Catania
- 95125 Catania
- Italy
| | - T. Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
- University of Mainz
- D-55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - A. Scala
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - G. Grassi
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
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Varcasia A, Brianti E, Tamponi C, Pipia AP, Cabras PA, Mereu M, Dantas-Torres F, Scala A, Otranto D. Simultaneous infection by four feline lungworm species and implications for the diagnosis. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:317-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4207-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rufa M, Antonitsis P, Winkler B, Kiessling AH, Ulrich C, Bennett MJ, Kehara H, Asopa S, Alexopoulos C, Zavaropoulos P, Alexopoulos C, Ganushchak YM, McLean LA, Borrelli U, Antonitsis P, Gifford D, Reineke D, Antonitsis P, Bennett M, Schubel J, Schubel J, Ulrich C, Schaarschmidt J, Tiliscan C, Bauer A, Hausmann H, Asteriou C, Argiriadou H, Deliopoulos A, Gatzos S, Anastasiadis K, Zenklusen U, Döbele T, Kohler B, Grapow M, Eckstein F, May M, Keller H, Diefenbach M, Reyher C, Moritz A, Bauer A, Eberle T, Schaarschmidt J, Lucy J, Hausmann H, Larsen M, Asopa S, Webb G, Wright A, Lloyd C, Takano T, Fujii T, Gomibuchi T, Nakahara K, Ohhashi N, Komatsu K, Ohtsu Y, Terasaki T, Wada Y, Seto T, Fukui D, Amano J, Bennett M, Webb G, Lloyd C, Hakim N, Zografos P, Protopapas E, Zavaropoulos P, Kirvassilis G, Sarris G, Alexopoulos C, Hakim N, Zografos P, Protopapas E, Kirvassilis G, Sarris G, Hakim N, Zografos P, Protopapas E, Zavaropoulos P, Kirvassilis G, Sarris G, Körver E, Yamamoto Y, Weerwind P, Medlam W, Bell J, Bennett R, Bennett R, Turner E, Jagannadham K, Westwood E, Silvestri A, Detroux M, Nottin R, Al-Attar N, Pappalardo A, Gabrielli M, Gripari C, Scala A, Mercurio S, Gustin G, Fasolo D, Deliopoulos A, Gatzos S, Mimikos S, Kleontas A, Grosomanidis V, Kyparissa M, Tossios P, Anastasiadis K, Colah S, Farid S, Irons J, Gilhouly M, Moorjani N, König T, Meszaros K, Sodeck G, Erdoes G, Englberger L, Czerny M, Carrel T, Mimikos S, Kostarelou G, Kleontas A, Deliopoulos A, Gatzos S, Foroulis C, Tossios P, Anastasiadis K, Asopa S, Webb G, Gomez-Cano M, Lloyd C, Xhymshiti A, Ulrich C, Schaarschmidt J, Eberle T, Rufa M, Bauer A, Hausmann H. 1st International Symposium on Minimal Invasive Extracorporeal Circulation Technologies, Thessaloniki, Greece, 13–14 June 2014001EMERGENCY CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION USING THE MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION002IS THERE A LEARNING CURVE WHEN USING MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION IN CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION PROCEDURES?003MINIMAL EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION ASSURES PERFORMANCE OUTCOME004CORONARY ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION WITH A MINIMAL EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION TECHNIQUE: SHOTGUN ANALYSIS IN A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED TRIAL WITH THREE DIFFERENT PERFUSION TECHNIQUES005EFFECTS OF CELL SALVAGED AND DIRECTLY RETRANSFUSED MEDIASTINAL SHED BLOOD ON THE POSTOPERATIVE COMPETENCY OF THE COAGULATION SYSTEM AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY006THE RELATIVE INFLUENCE OF MINIATURIZED CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS AND OTHER PERIOPERATIVE FACTORS ON BLOOD TRANSFUSION REQUIREMENT AFTER HEART SURGERY007LOWER PLATELET AGGREGATION MIGHT REDUCE PERIOPERATIVE BLEEDING IN MINI-CIRCUIT CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS0085-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION IN CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY PATIENTS USING MINIATURIZED EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION009PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION SUPPORT: IMPROVED OUTCOME WITH EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICE REFINEMENTS OVER 16 YEARS010THE USE OF ARTERIOVENOUS PCO 2DIFFERENCE (Delta PCO 2) AS AN INDEX OF THE DENSITY OF CAPILLARY PERFUSION DURING PAEDIATRIC CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS AND EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION011‘ETERNAL ECMO’: THE CHALLENGE OF PROLONGED POST-CARDIOTOMY EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION012A VERSATILE MINIMIZED SYSTEM: THE STEP TOWARDS SAFE PERFUSION013HOW WE DEVELOPED A SAFER MINI BYPASS SYSTEM WITH THE USE OF A STOCKERT HEART LUNG BYPASS MACHINE AND MEDTRONIC FUSION OXYGENATOR014MINIMALIZING THE CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS CIRCUIT AND THE CONSOLE015IS THREE-STAGE VENOUS CANNULA SUPERIOR TO DUAL-STAGE DURING SURGERY WITH MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION?016BENEFITS OF CLOSED MINIATURIZED CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS017COGNITIVE BRAIN FUNCTION AFTER CORONARY BYPASS GRAFTING WITH MINIMIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION018MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION REDUCES GASEOUS MICROEMBOLI AND PRESERVES NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTION: A SINGLE-CENTRE PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY019THE INFLUENCE OF PERIOPERATIVE FACTORS TO GENERATE ‘OUTLIERS’ IN CARDIAC SURGERY ASSOCIATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INCLUDING DIABETES AND METHOD OF CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS020MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION IN 64 COMPLEX CARDIAC PROCEDURES: IS IT FEASIBLE AND SAFE? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivu292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Scala A, Varcasia A, Dore F, Solinas C, Mula P, Carta A, Mura M, Pipia A, Sanna G. Evaluation of efficacy of toltrazuril and diclazuril in the control of subclinical eimeriosis in weaned lambs. Small Rumin Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Brianti E, Pipia AP, Frau V, Pinna Parpaglia ML, Sanna G, Garippa G, Otranto D, Scala A. New insights on metastrongyloid lungworms infecting cats of Sardinia, Italy. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203:222-6. [PMID: 24780162 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 03/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the well-known Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida: Angiostrongylidae), Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) has recently been diagnosed as a causative agent of bronco-pulmonary infections of cats in Spain and Italy. However, information concerning the impact of this species of lungworm on feline population is limited to a few case reports. From July 2011 to May 2013 an epidemiological survey was carried out on Sardinia island (Italy), where 107 individual faecal samples were examined by Baermann technique, and first-stage larvae were identified based on their morphology and characterization of molecular markers. The 29.9% (32/107) of cats examined were infested by broncho-pulmonary nematodes and, although A. abstrusus was the most frequently detected (n=27; 25.2%), larvae of T. brevior were also found (n=7; 6.5%). In addition, two cats (1.9%) were co-infested by both species. Overall metastrongyloid infection was higher in female cats (n=22; 38.6%) than in males (n=10; 20%) (χ(2)=4.39; p=0.036). The mean age of positive animals was 21.1 (±29.8) months, being infected animals from 2 months to 10 years of age. Of the 32 animals that scored positive for lungworms only 6 (18.8%) displayed a respiratory condition associated with lungworm infestations. Biomolecular characterization confirmed the morphological diagnosis of A. abstrusus. Positive samples that were identified at genus level as Troglostrongylus spp. were molecularly characterized as T. brevior. This study represents the first epidemiological survey on metastrongyloid lungworms of domestic cats in Sardinia and the first report of T. brevior on this island.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tamponi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A P Pipia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - V Frau
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - M L Pinna Parpaglia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Sanna
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Garippa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Pipia AP, Varcasia A, Tosciri G, Seu S, Manunta ML, Mura MC, Sanna G, Tamponi C, Brianti E, Scala A. New insights onto cardiopulmonary nematodes of dogs in Sardinia, Italy. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1505-9. [PMID: 24525757 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3794-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Dog heartworms Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis cause severe parasitological diseases; the importance of these parasitosis is growing due to their health impact on animals, the possible zoonotic implications and the recent spreading across several European countries and previously non-endemic areas. The aim of this study is to update the epidemiological scenario of cardiopulmonary nematodes A. vasorum and D. immitis in dogs of Sardinia island and to perform a morphological identification of larvae by the use of the Baermann and Knott techniques respectively and the molecular characterization of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and the second ribosomal transcribed spacer region (ITS-2) of larvae L1 of A. vasorum. In the present study, 3.4% (5/146) of dogs resulted positive at Baermann technique for A. vasorum while 8.9% (61/684) to D. immitis. If on one side A. vasorum can be considered an emerging parasite in Sardinia, the parasitic pressure and the risk of infection for D. immitis in the island seems to be increased compared with the recent past.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Pipia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Scala A, Nazzani R, Villa A, Sedda A, Abati S. A case series of 42 non-complaining bad breath patients and the neuropsychology of their disease. Ann Stomatol (Roma) 2013; 4:39. [PMID: 24353812 PMCID: PMC3860227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Scala
- Unit of Oral Diagnosis, Dental Clinic, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - R Nazzani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, San Paolo University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - A Villa
- Boston University - Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Center for Clinical Research, Boston, USA
| | - A Sedda
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Centre of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - S Abati
- Unit of Oral Diagnosis, Dental Clinic, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
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Scala A, Allmann S, Mirabella R, Haring MA, Schuurink RC. Green leaf volatiles: a plant's multifunctional weapon against herbivores and pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:17781-811. [PMID: 23999587 PMCID: PMC3794753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140917781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants cannot avoid being attacked by an almost infinite number of microorganisms and insects. Consequently, they arm themselves with molecular weapons against their attackers. Plant defense responses are the result of a complex signaling network, in which the hormones jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) are the usual suspects under the magnifying glass when researchers investigate host-pest interactions. However, Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs), C6 molecules, which are very quickly produced and/or emitted upon herbivory or pathogen infection by almost every green plant, also play an important role in plant defenses. GLVs are semiochemicals used by insects to find their food or their conspecifics. They have also been reported to be fundamental in indirect defenses and to have a direct effect on pests, but these are not the only roles of GLVs. These volatiles, being probably one of the fastest weapons exploited, are also able to directly elicit or prime plant defense responses. Moreover, GLVs, via crosstalk with phytohormones, mostly JA, can influence the outcome of the plant’s defense response against pathogens. For all these reasons GLVs should be considered as co-protagonists in the play between plants and their attackers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert C. Schuurink
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +31-20-5257-933; Fax: +31-20-5257-934
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Esposito S, Daleno C, Scala A, Castellazzi L, Terranova L, Sferrazza Papa S, Longo MR, Pelucchi C, Principi N. Impact of rhinovirus nasopharyngeal viral load and viremia on severity of respiratory infections in children. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 33:41-8. [PMID: 23893065 PMCID: PMC7088146 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-013-1926-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There are few and partially discordant data regarding nasopharyngeal rhinovirus (RV) load and viremia, and none of the published studies evaluated the two variables together. The aim of this study was to provide new information concerning the clinical relevance of determining nasopharyngeal viral load and viremia when characterising RV infection. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 251 children upon their admission to hospital because of fever and signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infection in order to identify the virus and determine its nasopharyngeal load, and a venous blood sample was taken in order to evaluate viremia. Fifty children (19.9 %) had RV-positive nasopharyngeal swabs, six (12 %) of whom also had RV viremia: RV-C in four cases (66.6 %), and RV-A and RV-B in one case each. The RV nasopharyngeal load was significantly higher in the children with RV viremia (p < 0.001), who also had a higher respiratory rate (p = 0.02), white blood cell counts (p = 0.008) and C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.006), lower blood O2 saturation levels (P = 0.005), and more often required O2 therapy (p = 0.009). The presence of RV viremia is associated with a significantly higher nasopharyngeal viral load and more severe disease, which suggests that a high nasopharyngeal viral load is a prerequisite for viremia, and that viremia is associated with considerable clinical involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic 1, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milano, Italy,
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Scala A, Mirabella R, Mugo C, Matsui K, Haring MA, Schuurink RC. E-2-hexenal promotes susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae by activating jasmonic acid pathways in Arabidopsis. Front Plant Sci 2013; 4:74. [PMID: 23630530 PMCID: PMC3624080 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are C6-molecules - alcohols, aldehydes, and esters - produced by plants upon herbivory or during pathogen infection. Exposure to this blend of volatiles induces defense-related responses in neighboring undamaged plants, thus assigning a role to GLVs in regulating plant defenses. Here we compared Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Landsberg erecta (Ler) with a hydroperoxide lyase line, hpl1, unable to synthesize GLVs, for susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (DC3000). We found that the growth of DC3000 was significantly reduced in the hpl1 mutant. This phenomenon correlated with lower jasmonic acid (JA) levels and higher salicylic acid levels in the hpl1 mutant. Furthermore, upon infection, the JA-responsive genes VSP2 and LEC were only slightly or not induced, respectively, in hpl1. This suggests that the reduced growth of DC3000 in hpl1 plants is due to the constraint of JA-dependent responses. Treatment of hpl1 plants with E-2-hexenal, one of the more reactive GLVs, prior to infection with DC3000, resulted in increased growth of DC3000 in hpl1, thus complementing this mutant. Interestingly, the growth of DC3000 also increased in Ler plants treated with E-2-hexenal. This stronger growth was not dependent on the JA-signaling component MYC2, but on ORA59, an integrator of JA and ethylene signaling pathways, and on the production of coronatine by DC3000. GLVs may have multiple effects on plant-pathogen interactions, in this case reducing resistance to Pseudomonas syringae via JA and ORA59.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Scala
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rossana Mirabella
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cynthia Mugo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi UniversityYamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi UniversityYamaguchi, Japan
| | - Michel A. Haring
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robert C. Schuurink
- Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Robert C. Schuurink, Department of Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands. e-mail:
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Varcasia A, Pipia AP, Arru D, Pes AM, Tamponi C, Dore F, Garippa G, Scala A. Morphological and molecular characterization of bovine coenurosis in Sardinia, Italy. Parasitol Res 2012; 112:2079-82. [PMID: 23274489 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3257-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Coenurosis is a central nervous system disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by Coenurus cerebralis, a bladder worm stage of Taenia multiceps). Even in Sardinia island, this metacestode seems to be widespread in sheep (Scala et al. Vet Parasitol 143(3-4):294-298, 2007) where coenurosis is an important health problem (Varcasia et al. Parasitol Res 99(5):622-626, 2006) the last and unique report of coenurosis in cattle was in 1990 (Cubeddu et al. 1990). In the present paper, a case of bovine coenurosis in Sardinia was described 22 years after the first report with a morphological a biomolecular characterization. A 2-year-old Limousine bull was euthanized in the Bolotana (NU) municipality (Central Sardinia). The remote anamnesis achieved from the farmer reporting that the bull showed neurological symptoms from 1 year of age previously classified as nutritional problems by the farm's veterinary. The breeder also says that the bull have by self-produced the skull fracture by hitting a gaff in the farm. The skull was opened and the brain removed and carefully examined showing two coenurus cysts containing clear fluid with numerous scoleces both in the right hemisphere. Morphological features of the cysts and mt-DNA sequencing confirm that the parasites were T. multiceps Coenuri.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Varcasia A, Jia W, Yan H, Manunta M, Pipia A, Garippa G, Scala A, Schuster R. Molecular characterization of subcutaneous and muscular coenurosis of goats in United Arab Emirates. Vet Parasitol 2012; 190:604-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Astarita A, Scala A, Paradiso V, Squillace A, Iodice M, Indolfi M, Monetta T, Bellucci F. Structural health monitoring of metal components: A new approach based on electrochemical measurements. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.5195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Astarita
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
| | - A. Scala
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
| | - V. Paradiso
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
| | - A. Squillace
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
| | - M. Iodice
- National Research Council; Microelectronic and Microsystems Institute; Naples Section, Via P. Castellino 111; 80131; Naples; Italy
| | - M. Indolfi
- National Research Council; Microelectronic and Microsystems Institute; Naples Section, Via P. Castellino 111; 80131; Naples; Italy
| | - T. Monetta
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
| | - F. Bellucci
- Department of Materials and Production Engineering; University of Naples Federico II; le Tecchio 80; 80125; Naples; Italy
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Mula P, Pilo C, Solinas C, Pipia AP, Varcasia A, Francisco I, Arias MS, Paz Silva A, Sánchez-Andrade R, Morrondo P, Díez-Baños P, Scala A. Epidemiology, chronobiology and taxonomic updates of Rhinoestrus spp. infestation in horses of Sardinia Isle, Western Mediterranean (Italy). Vet Parasitol 2012. [PMID: 23182302 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
From January to December 2008, 265 horses slaughtered in Sardinia (Italy) were examined for the presence of Rhinoestrus spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) through the examination of the nasal cavities and pharynges. Larvae were detected in 49% of the horses, with a mean intensity of infestation of 16.09 and abundance of 7.95. A total of 2108 larvae were collected, 66% of which were classified in first instar (L1), 22% in second instar (L2) and 12% in third instar (L3). The most frequent localization of larvae was the ethmoid, while the less one the larynx. According to the dynamics of Rhinoestrus larval stages, three periods in the chronobiology can be considered, the diapause (September-February) characterized by an absolute prevalence of first larval stage; the active phase of the endogenous phase (February-September) with an increase in the percentages of L2 and L3, and the exit phase (May-September), pointed by a further increase of L1. Morphological examination of L3 larvae revealed the presence of the Rhinoestrus purpureus features in 8% of the examined larvae, of 8% of the Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus features, while in 84% of the larvae were evidenced intermediate features. Contrastingly biomolecular analysis of the COI gene of the larvae evidenced uniformity at genetic level, confirming the presence of a unique species in the Mediterranean area. The results of the present paper, reveal the wide diffusion of rhinoestrosis among Sardinian horses, and suggest the need for applying appropriate control measures. Chemotherapy should be very useful if administered during the diapause period, for reducing the presence of L1 stages and interrupting thus the life cycle of this myiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mula
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy
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Abstract
The blossoming of interest in colloids and nanoparticles has given renewed impulse to the study of hard-body systems. In particular, hard spheres have become a real test system for theories and experiments. It is therefore necessary to study the complex dynamics of such systems in presence of a solvent; disregarding hydrodynamic interactions, the simplest model is the Langevin equation. Unfortunately, standard algorithms for the numerical integration of the Langevin equation require that interactions are slowly varying during an integration time step. This is not the case for hard-body systems, where there is no clear-cut distinction between the correlation time of the noise and the time scale of the interactions. Starting first from a splitting of the Fokker-Plank operator associated with the Langevin dynamics, and then from an approximation of the two-body Green's function, we introduce and test two algorithms for the simulation of the Langevin dynamics of hard spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Scala
- ISC-CNR Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
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Esposito S, Daleno C, Baggi E, Ciarmoli E, Lavizzari A, Pierro M, Semino M, Groppo M, Scala A, Terranova L, Galeone C, Principi N. Circulation of different rhinovirus groups among children with lower respiratory tract infection in Kiremba, Burundi. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 31:3251-6. [PMID: 22790539 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-012-1692-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to collect information regarding rhinovirus (RV) circulation in children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in Burundi, Central Africa. We enrolled all of the children aged between 1 month and 14 years who were admitted to the hospital of Kiremba, North Burundi, with fever and signs and symptoms of LRTI (i.e., cough, tachypnea, dyspnea or respiratory distress, and breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds with rales) between 1 November 2010 and 31 October 2011, and obtained nasopharyngeal swabs for RV detection by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The VP4/VP2 region of the positive samples was sequenced to determine the species of RV (A, B, or C). Four hundred and sixty-two children were enrolled: 160 (34.6 %) with bronchitis, 35 (7.6 %) with infectious wheezing, and 267 (57.8 %) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). RV infection was demonstrated in 186 patients [40.3 %; mean age ± standard deviation (SD) 1.77 ± 2.14 years]. RV infection was detected in 78 patients aged <12 months (40.0 %), 102 aged 12-48 months (44.3 %), and six aged >48 months (16.7 %; p < 0.01 vs. the other age groups). The most frequently identified RV was RV-A (81 cases, 43.5 %), followed by RV-C (47, 25.3 %) and RV-B (18, 9.7 %); subtyping was not possible in 40 cases (21.5 %). RV-A was significantly associated with bronchitis and CAP (p < 0.01) and RV-C with wheezing (p < 0.05). In Burundi, RVs are frequently detected in children with LRTIs. RV-A seems to be the most important species and is identified mainly in patients with bronchitis and CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic 1, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Network analysis, a recent advancement in complexity science, enables understanding of the properties of complex biological processes characterized by the interaction, adaptive regulation, and coordination of a large number of participating components. OBJECTIVE We applied network analysis to orthodontics to detect and visualize the most interconnected clinical, radiographic, and functional data pertaining to the orofacial system. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 104 individuals from 7 to 13 years of age in the mixed dentition phase without previous orthodontic intervention. The subjects were divided according to skeletal class; their clinical, radiographic, and functional features were represented as vertices (nodes) and links (edges) connecting them. RESULTS Class II subjects exhibited few highly connected orthodontic features (hubs), while Class III patients showed a more compact network structure characterized by strong co-occurrence of normal and abnormal clinical, functional, and radiological features. Restricting our analysis to the highest correlations, we identified critical peculiarities of Class II and Class III malocclusions. CONCLUSIONS The topology of the dentofacial system obtained by network analysis could allow orthodontists to visually evaluate and anticipate the co-occurrence of auxological anomalies during individual craniofacial growth and possibly localize reactive sites for a therapeutic approach to malocclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Auconi
- CNR Centre for Statistical Mechanics and Complexity, Physics Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Pilo C, Altea A, Pirino S, Nicolussi P, Varcasia A, Genchi M, Scala A. Strongylus vulgaris (Looss, 1900) in horses in Italy: is it still a problem? Vet Parasitol 2011; 184:161-7. [PMID: 21962966 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Revised: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A post-mortem survey was carried out on 46 Sardinian horses to evaluate the presence of Strongylus vulgaris and associated pathology. Horses were from local farms and had been treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintics at least 3 times a year. Examination of the cranial mesenteric arterial system (CMAS) showed parasite-induced lesions in all horses. S. vulgaris larvae were found in 39% of examined arteries, while their detection rate in coprocultures was 4%. Histology, carried out on 26 horses, showed mainly chronic and chronic-active lesions. Histometry showed a significant increase in thickness of the arterial wall, in particular of the intima tunic and adventitia tunic of the ileocolic artery and its colic branch. MCV, MCHC and alpha2, beta and gamma globulins were increased in horses with S. vulgaris larvae in the arteries, while the albumin/globulin ratio was decreased. Horses that were positive on faecal examination showed decreased values for RBC, PCV and the albumin/globulin ratio. Although several studies have shown a dramatic decrease of S. vulgaris infection worldwide, our data show that this parasite continues to exert its pathogenic role, even when its detection rate is quite low within the strongyle population infecting horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pilo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Sezione di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2-07100 Sassari, Italy
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Varcasia A, Tanda B, Giobbe M, Solinas C, Pipia A, Malgor R, Carmona C, Garippa G, Scala A. Cystic Echinococcosis in Sardinia: Farmers’ knowledge and dog infection in sheep farms. Vet Parasitol 2011; 181:335-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Romero JA, Arias MS, Suárez JL, Paz-Silva A, Francisco I, Alonso F, Cortiñas FJ, Dacal V, Romasanta A, Morrondo P, Díez-Baños P, Scala A, Sánchez-Andrade R. Application of the analysis of serum antibodies (immunoglobulins M and G) to estimate the seroprevalence of ovine oestrosis and to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy. J Med Entomol 2010; 47:477-481. [PMID: 20496597 DOI: 10.1603/me09228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG serum isotypes as indicators of the presence of Oestrus ovis developmental stages was carried out. A serological survey to discover the seasonal variations in the prevalence of oestrosis in sheep from an oceanic climate area was developed. Six hundred and sixty-nine blood samples were analyzed for the presence of IgM and IgG using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and O. ovis second-stage larvae excretory/secretory antigens. In addition, the effect of an ivermectin-based treatment on the humoral immune response was measured. The percentage of positive animals was 54% for IgM and 55% for IgG. The highest percentages of sheep positive to IgM were recorded in the winter and to IgG in the summer. No animals positive to IgM were detected in the ivermectin-treated sheep. These results seem to underline that oestrosis is a parasitic disease to keep watch for in regions with an oceanic climate. A noninvasive evaluation of the success of chemotherapy seems possible by analyzing the serum IgM response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Romero
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
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Sánchez-Andrade R, Cortiñas FJ, Francisco I, Sánchez JA, Mula P, Cazapal C, Vázquez L, Suárez JL, Francisco R, Arias MS, Díez-Baños P, Scala A, Paz-Silva A. A novel second instar Gasterophilus excretory/secretory antigen-based ELISA for the diagnosis of gasterophilosis in grazing horses. Vet Parasitol 2010; 171:314-20. [PMID: 20430529 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on excretory/secretory antigens of second instar Gasterophilus for the diagnosis of gasterophilosis in grazing horses. Between January 2007 and January 2009, two experiments were carried out on free-ranging horses in northwest Spain. During the first year, monthly blood samples were collected from a herd of 25 horses. In the second year, a monthly serological survey was conducted for a total of 398 different horses. All the sera were analyzed by ELISA using excretory/secretory antigens from Gasterophilus intestinalis (GphiL2ES) and Gasterophilus nasalis second-stage larvae (GphnL2ES). Climatic data were collected between January 2007 and January 2009 from local meteorological automated stations to establish the weather pattern in the study area. Observations of Gasterophilus eggs on the horses' hair and third instars passed in the faeces were also done. The kinetics of IgG response decreased against GphiL2ES from January to July, increased slowly from August and rose up to January. After a slight decrease in January, the absorbances against GphnL2ES reduced from April to August, when the lowest values were observed. The IgG values rose until the end of the study in January. Third instars were observed in the faeces in March to May, and Gasterophilus eggs were seen on the horses' hair from June to September. The highest IgG seroprevalences were achieved in winter (January-February; 100%) against both antigens. The lowest percentages of seropositivity were observed in June (3%) to the GphiL2ES, and in July (9%) to the GphnL2ES. The use of antigens from G. intestinalis second-stage larvae was shown to be suitable for diagnosing infestation by G. intestinalis or G. nasalis. We concluded that under oceanic climate conditions, the egg-laying period occurs from late spring, and eggs and first instars are found in the mouth in early summer. During summer the second instars move into the stomach and intestine, where the third-stage larvae remain until the end of winter, when pupation takes place. The adult horse bot fly emerges in the spring. Two treatments for the control of gasterophilosis are suggested: a curative in the summer to eliminate the first instars and a preventive in the autumn to suppress the second instars.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sánchez-Andrade
- Epidemiology, Parasitology and Zoonoses, Animal Pathology Department, College of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
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Scala A, Squillace A, Monetta T, Mitton DB, Larson D, Bellucci F. Corrosion fatigue on 2024T3 and 6056T4 aluminum alloys. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.3190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Scala
- a Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materià and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza” , I-00185 Roma, italy
| | - L. Angelani
- a Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materià and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza” , I-00185 Roma, italy
| | - R. Di Leonardo
- b Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di ĽAquila , I-67100 ĽAquila, Italy
| | - G. Ruocco
- a Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materià and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza” , I-00185 Roma, italy
| | - F. Sciortino
- a Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materià and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza” , I-00185 Roma, italy
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Di Leonardo R, Angelani L, Parisi G, Ruocco G, Scala A, Sciortino F. Off-equilibrium dynamics in the energy landscape of a simple model glass. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/13642810208208539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Di Leonardo
- a Università di ĽAquila and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , 1-67100 ĽAquila, Italy
| | - L. Angelani
- b Università di Trento and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , 1-38050 Povo, Trenton , Italy
| | - G. Parisi
- c Università di Roma “La Sapienza” and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - G. Ruocco
- c Università di Roma “La Sapienza” and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - A. Scala
- c Università di Roma “La Sapienza” and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - F. Sciortino
- c Università di Roma “La Sapienza” and Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia , I-00185 Roma, Italy
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