25-Hydroxyvitamin D Plasma Levels in Natural Populations of Pigmented and Partially Pigmented Land Iguanas from Galápagos ( spp.).

We report the first data on 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma levels in natural populations of three species of land iguana endemic to the Galápagos Islands (, , and ). The pigment is present throughout the whole body in the skin of and . On the contrary, pigment is not present in the skin of an extended part of the body in .

Vitamin C Deficiency in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Vitamin C has been shown to play a significant role in suppressing progression of leukemia through epigenetic mechanisms. We aimed to study the role of vitamin C in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) biology and clinical course. To this purpose, the plasma levels of vitamin C at diagnosis in 62 patients with AML (including 5 cases with acute promyelocytic leukemia, APL),7 with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and in 15 healthy donors (HDs) were studied.

Increased Noradrenaline as an Additional Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker in PSP-Like Parkinsonism.

Academic centers utilize sequential clinical and neuroimaging assessments, including morphometric ratios, to obtain an unequivocal diagnosis of the non-synucleinopathic forms of Parkinsonism, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), however, a 1-2 year follow-up is required. The on-going long-lasting trials using anti-tau antibodies for PSP patients might therefore be biased by the incorrect enrollment of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients manifesting early axial signs. This perspective study aimed at achieving two major goals: first, to summarize the established biomarker candidates found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in probable PSP patients, including low p-tau and altered neurofilaments.

Chemical and organoleptic characteristics of tomato purée enriched with lyophilized tomato pomace.

Background: Epidemiological studies have proved that tomato consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing several diseases (for example, certain types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, macular degeneration, age-related eye disease). Many micronutrients and bioactive compounds are mainly present in peel and seeds and are lost during the processing into sauce, purée, paste and juice.

Results: The addition of lyophilized and powdered tomato pomace enhances the properties of purée.

Biocompatibility assessment of haemodialysis membrane materials by proteomic investigations.

The exposure of blood to an artificial surface such as the haemodialysis membrane results in the nearly instantaneous deposition of a layer of plasma proteins. The composition of the protein layer profoundly influences all subsequent events, and to a large extent determines the biocompatibility of the biomaterial. In the present study, we examine the protein adsorption capacity and coagulation profiles of the polysulfone-based helixone material in comparison to cellulose triacetate.

A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services.

Methods/design: The Psychosis early Intervention and Assessment of Needs and Outcome (PIANO) trial is part of a larger research program (Genetics, Endophenotypes and Treatment: Understanding early Psychosis - GET UP) which aims to compare, at 9 months, the effectiveness of a multi-component psychosocial intervention versus treatment as usual (TAU) in a large epidemiologically based cohort of patients with FEP and their family members recruited from all public community mental health centers (CMHCs) located in two entire regions of Italy (Veneto and Emilia Romagna), and in the cities of Florence, Milan and Bolzano. The GET UP PIANO trial has a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled design.

Erythrocyte glutathione transferase: a potential new biomarker in chronic kidney diseases which correlates with plasma homocysteine.

The erythrocyte glutathione S-transferase (e-GST) is a member of a superfamily of inducible enzymes involved in cell detoxification that shows an increased expression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We propose a new automated analysis procedure for e-GST activity that has been validated in 72 CKD patients and 62 maintenance hemodialysis patients (MHD). Regression analysis was carried out to assess association between e-GST activity data, main clinical variables, and plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a modified sulfur amino acid known as potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease that is increased above normal levels in more than 90% of the uremic patients.

A multiplex PCR-based DNA assay for the detection of paraoxonase gene cluster polymorphisms.

Paraoxonase (PON) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated protein which is supposed to protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation and to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Interindividual variability in serum PON activity is attributable to common variants in components of the PON gene cluster on chromosome 7. We describe experimental conditions that permit the simultaneous determination of three common PON polymorphisms (PON1-192, PON1-55 and PON2-311) that are tightly associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Extraction and determination of oxybutynin in human bladder samples by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method is described for the determination of oxybutynin (OXB) in human bladder samples. Following homogenization, tissue samples underwent double extraction with hexane and eventually were concentrated by freeze-drying before analysis. Chromatographic separation was performed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-1 M ammonium acetate, pH 7.

Fully automated assay for total homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione, cysteamine, and 2-mercaptopropionylglycine in plasma and urine.

We describe a 6-min HPLC method to measure the total concentrations of the most important thiols in plasma and urine--cysteine, homocysteine, cysteinylglycine, and glutathione--as well as the concentrations in plasma and urine, respectively, of cysteamine and 2-mercaptopropionylglycine, two compounds used to treat disorders of cysteine metabolism. Precolumn derivatization with bromobimane and reversed-phase HPLC were performed automatically by a sample processor. Throughput was up to 100 samples in 24 h.

Multiple CT imaging in pressure sores.

In patients affected by pressure sores, bones can be reached easily by the infection. This suggested a new way for a more precise diagnostic evaluation, looking at the most recent technological knowledge, which can offer a better evaluation of single lesions for a better planning of surgical operations. The possibility of performing multiple imaging under a CT guide, as well as a simple technique for contrast permanence within the sore, led the authors to demonstrate the validity of modern CT scanning as a main diagnostic method.

Correlation between hyperglycemia and cerebral infarct size in patients with stroke. A clinical and X-ray computed tomography study in 104 patients.

Infarct area size on CT scan in 104 patients with ischemic stroke was compared with blood glucose levels and with other biological parameters (arterial pressure, hematocrit, consciousness impairment, clinical picture) during the acute stage. Infarct size was also compared with the presence and severity of diabetes mellitus and other risk factors. Infarct size was significantly correlated with hyperglycemia in the acute stage (p = 0.

[New imaging with computed tomography in dental implantology].

The authors report on a new image processing technique, for the imaging of both mandible and maxilla, which is very useful for oral specialists, especially in pre- and postoperative protocols for dental implants. After performing very thin axial scans (1-2 mm) with overlapping and without gantry tilt, of the mandible and/or maxilla, the data are reconstructed with a Elscint DentaCT software. With this program, multiple panoramic alveolar views can be obtained in a very short time (about 5 minutes), with a focal plane which can be easily modified by the operator; these planes are parallel to the curved axis of maxilla or mandible.

[The spinal vacuum phenomenon. Radiographic and tomodensitometry aspects].

The spinal vacuum phenomenon is readily recognized by computed tomography: there fore its observation has become frequent enough. The side of the gaseous collection (intervertebral disk, vertebral body, apophyseal joint) depends on the disease inducing the phenomenon. Radiological and CT aspects of this findings are discussed.

[Iatrogenic changes in the dural sac. Radiologic semeiology].

The authors have studied the pathological appearances of follow-up and post-operative radiculography. It has been possible to distinguish between lesions due to arachnoiditis and periduritis.

[Fogging effect in the ischemic cerebral infarction to computerized tomography (author's transl)].

We have examined, with systematic serial computerized tomography (CT) studies, 6 patients with persistent ischemic cerebral infarction. The CT of the ischemic cerebral infarction shows, during the third week, an isodense area. We have called this phenomenon "fogging effect" because at this effect and the CT report could be negative.