A metabolic map of the DNA damage response identifies PRDX1 in the control of nuclear ROS scavenging and aspartate availability

While cellular metabolism impacts the DNA damage response, a systematic understanding of the metabolic requirements that are crucial for DNA damage repair has yet to be achieved. Here, we investigate the metabolic enzymes and processes that are essential for the resolution of DNA damage. By integrating functional genomics with chromatin proteomics and metabolomics, we provide a detailed description of the interplay between cellular metabolism and the DNA damage response. Further analysis identified that Peroxiredoxin 1, PRDX1, contributes to the DNA damage repair. During the DNA damage response, PRDX1 translocates to the nucleus where it reduces DNA damage-induced nuclear reactive oxygen species. Moreover, PRDX1 loss lowers aspartate availability, which is required for the DNA damage-induced upregulation of de novo nucleotide synthesis. In the absence of PRDX1, cells accumulate replication stress and DNA damage, leading to proliferation defects that are exacerbated in the presence of etoposide, thus revealing a role for PRDX1 as a DNA damage surveillance factor.

Predictive value of the number of adverse reaction episodes for the IgE-mediated food allergy diagnosis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The reproducibility of the adverse reaction increases the suggestiveness of a history of food allergy. However, the positive predictive value (PPV) of multiple adverse reaction episodes for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy is not known. This evaluation was the objective of our study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 180 children with a history of non-anaphylactic adverse reactions after the ingestion of a food. All children had the prick test positive for the offending food and performed the oral food challenge (OFC) within 12 months after the last adverse reaction episode (ARE). We have evaluated whether increasing the number of ARE increased the probability that the OFC would be positive (failed).

RESULTS

93 patients (52%) presented one ARE, 49 (27%) presented two ARE, 24 (13%) presented three ARE, 14 (8%) patients presented≥four ARE. The OFC was positive in 94/180 (52%). The outcome of the OFC was found to be positively correlated with the number of ARE (OR=1.56; 95% CI=1.16-2.09; p=0.003). A PPV=100% was observed with a number of ARE≥five.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of ARE is an important predictor of the diagnosis of food allergy, although less than we would have imagined. The number of ARE could be used to increase the predictability of the diagnostic tests currently in use, to define clinical prediction rules alternative to OFC and easy to use in clinical practice.

Experimental exposure of blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to high levels of benzo[a]pyrene and possible implications for human health

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are lipophilic compounds able to accumulate in the food chain. Mussels showed to bioaccumulate contaminants, such as PAHs, so that recurrent consumption of such contaminated food represents a risk for human health. This study was aimed to elucidate if acute exposure of Mediterranean blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), a bivalve of great economic importance in several countries, to a PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), at doses able to induce cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and pathological changes in mussel gills, can produce accumulation in soft tissue. We explored the cytotoxic effects (cell viability, DNA laddering, and glutathione levels) of in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to organic extracts obtained from blue mussels previously exposed for 12 and 72h via water to B[a]P (0.5-1mg/L). In our experimental conditions, B[a]P induced CYP1A induction and morphological changes in mussel gills and a significant B[a]P accumulation in soft tissue. Conversely, exposing PBMCs to organic extracts obtained from contaminated mussels, resulted in a significant reduction of cell viability and cell glutathione content, and in an increase in DNA laddering. This confirms that consumption of mussels from B[a]P polluted waters might affect human health. Our data lead us to suggest that CYP1A activity in mussel gills may be useful (more than the amount of detected PAHs in the mussel edible tissue) as a marker in assessment of risk for health of consumers exposed to PAHs through ingestion of shellfish.

Hymenoptera Venom Allergy. A closer collaboration is needed between allergists and emergency physicians

Background. Hymenoptera stings are sometimes fatal in venom-allergic patients. Fatalities mostly occur in previously stung subjects, especially those with a history of systemic reactions, and could be avoided if patients were properly informed of the existence of a prevention strategy for insect stings, referred to an allergy follow-up and prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine and/or venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT). We sought to assess knowledge and awareness of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy (HVA) in a small sample of Emergency Physicians in our geographic area. Methods. An eight-point questionnaire on HVA was administered to Emergency Department physicians working in the six largest ED in Naples. Results. Twenty-seven physicians completed the questionnaire. Twenty/27 (74%) were unaware of the classification of Hymenoptera sting reactions, 11/27 (41%) were unaware of the existence of prevention strategies such as VIT, 18/27 (67%) did not refer HVA patients to a specialist follow up. One/27 (4%) prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine and 100% wish better information on the topic. Conclusions. In our survey we found a number of ED physicians whose knowledge of HVA, beyond the emergency treatment, is not satisfactory. A closer collaboration among ED physicians and allergists is urgently needed.

Exposure of sea bream (Sparus aurata) to toxic concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene: possible human health effect

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can accumulate in the food chain, due to their lipophilic properties. Fish can accumulate contaminants including PAHs and frequent consumption of such contaminated fish can pose risk to human health. The aim of this study was to clarify if acute exposure of sea bream (Sparus aurata, a fish species of great economic importance in the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas) to a PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), at a dose that can induce CYP1A and pathological changes in fish gills, liver and muscle, can induce accumulation in muscle. We investigated the cytotoxic effects (as changes in cell viability, DNA laddering and glutathione content) of in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to organic extracts obtained from muscle of sea breams previously exposed via water to B[a]P (2mg/l, for 12, 24 and 72 h). At this level of exposure, B[a]P caused morphological changes, inflammatory response and CYP1A induction not only in sea bream gills and liver but also in muscle; furthermore, in fish muscle we observed a substantial B[a]P accumulation, which may be associated with the increased CYP1A activity in liver and especially in muscle. However, when PBMCs were exposed to organic extracts obtained from sea bream muscle contaminated with B[a]P, a toxic, although modest effect was revealed, consisting in a significant decrease in cell glutathione levels without alterations in cell viability and DNA laddering. This suggests that consumption of sea breams from B[a]P contaminated waters might represent a risk for human health.

Adverse reaction to sublingual Parietaria vaccine following an ultra-rush induction

In the treatment of respiratory allergies Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) represents a valid alternative to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) for its better safety profile. We describe a case of acute severe asthma following the first maintenance dose of SLIT in a boy allergic to Parietaria pollen. At the initiation of therapy, the patient was in healthy condition and his asthma appeared to be under control. An ultra-rush induction had given no reaction. Despite the good safety profile of SLIT, clinicians should be aware of the risk of adverse effects when prescribing SLIT for respiratory allergies.

On-site screening and GC-MS analysis of cocaine and heroin metabolites in body-packers urine

The illicit transportation of cocaine and heroin either swallowed or inserted into the rectum and/or vagina of individuals, defined as "body-packers", is becoming increasingly common. Assessment of smuggling by urinalysis from body-packers has been sparsely reported and on-site rapid screening methods are essentially lacking. We screened the presence of cocaine and heroin metabolites in urine from suspected body-packers by an on-site immunochromatographic test and confirmed the obtained results by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and X-ray examination. Samples were collected from 64 individuals (45 men, 19 women) stopped at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports of Rome (Italy) for suspicion of internal concealment of cocaine and heroin between October 2006 and July 2007. Urine was immediately screened on-site by Cozart rapid urine test. Irrespective of test results, individuals underwent X-ray examination and urine samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In 48 out of 64 cases (24 positives and 24 negatives) screening results were confirmed by GC-MS assay and X-ray examination. In 5 cases, positive to the on-site test and GC-MS analysis, abdominal radiography was negative and individuals resulted to be drug users. In 11 cases, negative to the on-site test and radiological investigation, GC-MS analysis found benzoylecgonine in 10 cases and morphine in one case. Concentration of both substances was in all cases lower than 50ng/ml and compatible with personal drug use. From obtained results, on-site detection of cocaine and heroin metabolites in the urine of suspected body-packers appears to be a reliable screening test to disclose internally concealed drugs and justify subsequent radiological investigations.

Varicocele in Paediatric Age: Comparison between Testicular Size Measured by Ultrasound, Prader Orchimeter and Sliding Calibre

Varicocele in paediatric age requires a different clinical management from that in adults. Because of the lack of seminal data, the accurate evaluation of the testicular size is of great value in the clinical approach and in the follow-up of varicocele in the child. The Authors present their experience, refering to 57 children with left idiopathic varicocele, in which the testicular size was measured by three different means: Prader's orchimeter, sliding calibre and scrotal ultrasound. The measurements were carried out by the same surgeons and radiologists. No significant differences were observed between the measurements obtained by the use of the different means. The data were compared by Fisher's statistical test. In conclusion the sliding calibre and the orchimeter are accurate enough methods, and very cheap. The ultrasound is more accurate in the evaluation of testicular size and is the method employed in the presence of other testicular and scrotal diseases.

Spermatic and peripheral venous plasma concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin in prepubertal boys with undescended testis and in pubertal boys with varicocele

To obtain more information about testicular inhibin secretion in the prepubertal and pubertal human male, we measured the concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin with a heterologous radioimmunoassay in the spermatic and peripheral venous plasma of 5 prepubertal boys with unilateral undescended testis (Group I, PI), 3 prepubertal boys with inguinal hernia (Group II, P1), and 12 pubertal boys with left idiopathic varicocele. The latter subjects were divided, according to the degree of their pubertal development, in early pubertal (Group III, N = 5, P2) and mid-pubertal groups (Group IV, N=7, P3–4). In Group I, the mean (±sd) spermatic venous concentrations of inhibin (289.4±120.4 ml eq/l) were significantly higher than the corresponding mean peripheral venous concentrations (162.6±47.2; p<0.02) suggesting active testicular secretion of inhibin. In Group II, the spermaticperipheral inhibin gradient was not significant. In pubertal boys with idiopathic varicocele, the mean concentrations of spermatic inhibin were 1076.6±532.0 and 1023.4±274.5 in Groups III and IV, respectively. These levels were about five times higher than the corresponding peripheral concentrations (204.8±41.9 and 238.9±38.9; p<0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). When the data of all the boys were considered together the spermatic venous concentrations of inhibin were significantly correlated with those of peripheral venous FSH (r=0.4749, p<0.05). The spermatic venous inhibin concentrations and the spermatic/peripheral inhibin ratios were significantly correlated also with peripheral LH (r=0.5700 and 0.4766, p<0.01 and <0.05 respectively), spermatic testosterone (r = 0.6237 and 0.5893; p<0.05, respectively), and spermatic/peripheral testosterone ratios (r=0.7529 and 0.7313; p<0.01, respectively). Our results suggest: (a) the undescended testis of prepubertal boys secretes small but significant amounts of inhibin; (b) in pubertal boys with idiopathic varicocele the inhibin secretion of the testis of the affected side is more evident; (c) a contribution of Leydig cells to the testicular secretion of inhibin is likely.