Olfactory Impairment and Recovery in Zebrafish () Following Cadmium Exposure.

Anthropic activities have significantly elevated cadmium levels, making it a significant stressor in aquatic ecosystems. Present in high concentrations across water bodies, cadmium is known to bioaccumulate and biomagnify throughout the food chain. While the toxic effects of cadmium on the organs and tissues of aquatic species are well-documented, little is known about its impact on sensory systems crucial for survival.

COVID-19 and Female Fertility: An Observational Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study: Upholding Reproductive Rights in Emergency Circumstances.

Objectives: Currently available research data points to COVID-19-related multi-organ system damage. This study aims to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the reproductive health, that is, plasma levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, AMH, and antral follicular count, of women undergoing level II ART techniques.

Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, and observational study by the reproductive medicine centers of Palermo's Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital and Vanvitelli University.

Thyroid dysfunction in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a pilot study on the putative role of miR-29a and TGFβ1.

Purpose: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common causes of thyroid dysfunction in iodine sufficient worldwide areas, but its molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. To this regard, this study aimed to assess serum levels of miRNA-29a (miR-29a) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) in HT patients with different patterns of thyroid function.

Methods: A total of 29 HT patients, with a median age of 52 years (21-68) were included.

The Satellite DNA PcH-Sat, Isolated and Characterized in the Limpet (Mollusca, Gastropoda), Suggests the Origin from a Nin-SINE Transposable Element.

Satellite DNA (sat-DNA) was previously described as junk and selfish DNA in the cellular economy, without a clear functional role. However, during the last two decades, evidence has been accumulated about the roles of sat-DNA in different cellular functions and its probable involvement in tumorigenesis and adaptation to environmental changes. In molluscs, studies on sat-DNAs have been performed mainly on bivalve species, especially those of economic interest.

A Method for Correcting Signal Aberrations in Ultrasonic Indoor Positioning.

The increasing focus on the development of positioning techniques reflects the growing interest in applications and services based on indoor positioning. Many applications necessitate precise indoor positioning or tracking of individuals and assets, leading to rapid growth in products based on these technologies in certain market sectors. Ultrasonic systems have already proven effective in achieving the desired positioning accuracy and refresh rates.

Benzodiazepine Interference with Fertility and Embryo Development: A Preliminary Survey in the Sea Urchin .

Psychotropic drugs and benzodiazepines are nowadays among the primary substances of abuse. This results in a large and constant release into aquatic environments where they have potentially harmful effects on non-target organisms and, eventually, human health. In the last decades, evidence has been collected on the possible interference of benzodiazepines with reproductive processes, but data are few and incomplete.

Polystyrene Microplastics Exacerbate Infection Ability In Vitro and In Vivo.

Plastic pollution is an important environmental problem, and microplastics have been shown to have harmful effects on human and animal health, affecting immune and metabolic physiological functions. Further, microplastics can interfere with commensal microorganisms and exert deleterious effects on exposure to pathogens. Here, we compared the effects of 1 µm diameter polystyrene microplastic (PSMPs) on infection in both in vitro and in vivo models by using HT29 cells and larvae, respectively.

Benzodiazepine Delorazepam Induces Locomotory Hyperactivity and Alterations in Pedal Mucus Texture in the Freshwater Gastropod .

Benzodiazepines, psychotropic drugs, are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment due to over-consumption and inefficient removal by sewage treatment plants. Bioaccumulation with consequent behavioral and physiological effects has been reported in many aquatic species. However, the responses are species-specific and still poorly understood.

Obstetric and Gynecological Admissions and Hospitalizations in an Italian Tertiary-Care Hospital during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis According to Restrictive Measures.

Background: The national lockdown and the different restrictions applied in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic brought several changes to hospitalization procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns in access to emergency services and hospitalization in a tertiary-care obstetric and gynecological emergency department (OG-ED) throughout the restrictions applied during 2020.

Methods: A single-center retrospective comparative study on data from January to December 2020 was carried out on the following timeframes: January to February 2020 (before COVID-19 pandemic), March to June 2020 (nationwide lockdown period), July to September 2020 (removal of restrictive measures), October to December 2020 (regional lockdown) and compared to the same periods of 2019.

Adverse Effect of Metallic Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on Embryogenesis.

Exposure to metal nanoparticles is potentially harmful, particularly when occurring during embryogenesis. In this study, we tested the effects of commercial AuNPs and AgNPs, widely used in many fields for their features, on the early development of , an anuran amphibian key model species in toxicity testing. Through the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay- test (FETAX), we ascertained that both nanoparticles did not influence the survival rate but induced morphological anomalies like modifications of head and branchial arch cartilages, depigmentation of the dorsal area, damage to the intestinal brush border, and heart rate alteration.

Structural and functional damage to the retina and skeletal muscle in Xenopus laevis embryos exposed to the commonly used psychotropic benzodiazepine delorazepam.

Benzodiazepines, psychotropic drugs, are among the most frequently found pharmaceuticals in aquatic matrices. An increasing number of studies are reporting their harmful effects on adults' behaviour and physiology, while little information is available regarding developing organisms exposed since early stages. Improper activation of GABA receptors during embryonic development is likely to induce relevant consequences on the morphogenesis and, at later stages, on behaviour.

Water contamination by delorazepam induces epigenetic defects in the embryos of the clawed frog Xenopus laevis.

Delorazepam, a derivative of diazepam, is a psychotropic drug belonging to the benzodiazepine class. Used as a nervous-system inhibitor, it treats anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy, but is also associated with misuse and abuse. Nowadays benzodiazepines are considered emerging pollutants: conventional wastewater treatment plants indeed are unable to eliminate these compounds.

(Daudin, 1802) as a Model Organism for Bioscience: A Historic Review and Perspective.

In vitro systems have been mainly promoted by authorities to sustain research by following the 3Rs principle, but continuously increasing amounts of evidence point out that in vivo experimentation is also of extreme relevance. , an anuran amphibian, is a significant model organism in the study of evolutionary developmental biology, toxicology, ethology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology and tumor biology; thanks to the recent development of genome editing, it has also acquired a relevant position in the field of genetics. For these reasons, appears to be a powerful and alternative model to the zebrafish for environmental and biomedical studies.

Behavioral alterations and gills damage in Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to an environmental concentration of delorazepam.

Psychoactive compounds, and benzodiazepines (BZPs) in particular, represent an important class of emerging pollutants due to their large (ab)use and high resistance to degradation. Nowadays it is known that sewage treatment does not completely eliminate these substances and, therefore, BZPs and their metabolites reach concern levels in most aquatic environments all over Europe, ranging from µg/L to ng/L. In this study, we investigated the effects of delorazepam on Mytilus galloprovincialis, a model organism in toxicity testing and a key species in coastal marine ecosystems.

Temperature Incubation Influences Gonadal Gene Expression during Leopard Gecko Development.

During development, sexual differentiation results in physiological, anatomical and metabolic differences that implicate not only the gonads but also other body structures. Sex in Leopard geckos is determined by egg incubation temperature. Based on the premise that the developmental decision of gender does not depend on a single gene, we performed an analysis on to gain insights into the genes that may be involved in gonads' sexual differentiation during the thermosensitive period.

An Overview of Indoor Localization System for Human Activity Recognition (HAR) in Healthcare.

The number of older people needing healthcare is a growing global phenomenon. The assistance in long-term care comprises a complex of medical, nursing, rehabilitation, and social assistance services. The cost is substantial, but technology can help reduce spending by ensuring efficient health services and improving the quality of life.

The Oncological Implication of Sentinel Lymph Node in Early Cervical Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Oncological Outcomes and Type of Recurrences.

: Pelvic lymphadenectomy has been associated with radical hysterectomy for the treatment of early Cervical Cancer (ECC) since 1905. However, some complications are related to this technique, such as lymphedema and nerve damage. In addition, its clinical role is controversial.

Rare PHEX intron variant causes complete and severe phenotype in a family with hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report.

Objectives: Lower limb deformities in children need careful orthopedic evaluation to distinguish physiological forms from pathological ones. X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare hereditary condition caused by PHEX gene mutations where tibial varum can be the first sign.

Case Presentation: We report a family presenting with severe tibial varum, harbouring a rare intron mutation, c.

Varicocele: An Endocrinological Perspective.

Varicocele affects 15% of male population but it is more frequently identified in patients searching medical care for infertility. The impact of varicocele on semen production and fertility is known, but the relationship between clinical varicocele and impaired hormonal production is not clear. In published literature there are some studies regarding hormonal alterations in patients with varicocele but no review in which all the hormonal findings are explained.

Mediterranean Diet and Thyroid: An Interesting Alliance.

The Mediterranean diet, recognized as being cultural heritage by UNESCO, is mostly plant-based and includes a high consumption of whole-grain, fruit, and vegetables with a moderate consumption of alcohol during meals. Thus, it provides a small amount of saturated fatty acids and a high quantity of antioxidants and fiber. For this reason, it has been considered to have an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer, but its relationship with thyroid function and diseases is still under debate.

Oncological outcomes in fertility-sparing treatment in stage IA-G2 endometrial cancer.

Background: The gold standard treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) is hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) with lymphadenectomy. In selected patients desiring pregnancy, fertility-sparing treatment (FST) can be adopted. Our review aims to collect the most incisive studies about the possibility of conservative management for patients with grade 2, stage IA EC.

Environmental concentrations of a delorazepam-based drug impact on embryonic development of non-target Xenopus laevis.

Benzodiazepines, psychotropics drugs used for treating sleep disorders, anxiety and epilepsy, represent a major class of emerging water pollutants. As occurs for other pharmaceutical residues, they are not efficiently degraded during sewage treatment and persist in effluent waters. Bioaccumulation is already reported in fish and small crustaceans, but the impact and consequences on other "non-target" aquatic species are still unclear and nowadays of great interest.