Artemia salina: A microcrustacean to assess engineered nanoparticles toxicity.

The focus of this work was to investigate the toxicity of different metal nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles [AuNPs], silver nanoparticles [AgNPs], titanium dioxide nanoparticles [TiO NPs]) on brine shrimp Artemia salina. We investigated if nanoparticles could have an influence on hatching of cysts and on mortality of larvae. Larvae (also called nauplii) and cysts were exposed to NPs for 24 hr in artificial seawater on microplates.

Evaluation of dimethoate toxicity on fertilization and on embryonic development of (Lamarck, 1816).

Organophosphates are a large class of chemicals with anticholinesterase action insecticides. Dimethoate belongs to the class of organophosphates and it is used for agriculture purpose. Its main toxicological role in animals and humans is the inhibition of the activity of acetylcholinesterase.

Morphological analysis reveals the presence of Hepatoxylon trichiuri (Holten, 1802) Bosc, 1811 (Cestoda: Sphyriocephalidae) in Lepidopus caudatus (Euphrasen, 1788) (Pisces: Trichiuridae) from the Mediterranean Sea.

In this article, we report for the first time the presence of the parasite Hepatoxylon trichiuri in specimens of Lepidopus caudatus from the Mediterranean Sea. A total of four plerocercoids were studied using microscopy techniques for both morphological and histological analysis. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We report for the first time for the Mediterranean Sea the presence of the parasite Hepatoxylon trichiuri in specimens of the commercial fish species Lepidopus caudatus.

Morphostructural and immunohistochemical study for evaluation of nano-TiO toxicity in Armadillo officinalis Duméril, 1816 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea).

Invertebrates are precious organisms in order to study environmental pollution. In particular, they appear to be suitable as a bioindicator species for pioneer ecotoxicity studies on new xenobiotics such as nanoparticles. In fact, they are able to absorb nanomaterials scattered in the environment in different ways and it's known the compartmentalization of nano-sized contaminants in selected tissues and intracellular organelles.

Biomarkers of Exposure to Chemical Contamination in the Commercial Fish Species (Euphrasen, 1788): A Particular Focus on Plastic Additives.

In recent years, the Mediterranean Sea has become an accumulation zone for waste generated by the 22 countries bordering its shores. Although the effects of plastic litter on the marine environment and on organisms have recently been studied in other areas, further information is needed for the Mediterranean Sea and, in particular, about plastics additives inputs and interactions with the biota and the trophic network, such as phthalates and bisphenol A. Plastic material production, use and disposal contribute also to the release of heavy metals into the environment, such as mercury (Hg), often used during the production of chlorine, the primary ingredient in PVC, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which are used as stabilizers in PVC and leach out of products during use and disposal.

Trace elements bioaccumulation in Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) and related biomarkers of exposure.

In the last years, the increase of anthropogenic activities has led to a progressive pollution of ecosystems. Oniscidean isopods are a group of terrestrial animals known as excellent bio-indicators and bio-accumulators, because of their capacity to accumulate contaminants and to implement appropriate strategies of detoxification. For this study, we collected Porcellionides pruinosus from two different sites in the Corinth region (Greece), a polluted site and a control site, to assess the heavy metal pollution status.

Metallic Nano-Composite Toxicity Evaluation by Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity Test with Identification of Specific Exposure Biomarkers.

Nanomaterials (NM) have different shapes and can be composed of different materials such as carbon, silicon, and some metals like gold, silver, and titanium. They are used as fillers, catalysts, semiconductors, cosmetics, drug carriers in medicine, energy storage systems, and antifriction coatings. NM are the parent compounds of nanoparticles (NPs), which may be divided into two groups: fullerenes and engineered nanoparticles (ENPs).

The quality of nursing in intensive care: a development of a rating scale.

Background And Aim: The evaluation of nursing care is a topic of great interest and especially crucial in intensive care contexts. However, inside the Italian scientific scenario it is still difficult to measure NSO, or Nursing Sensitive Outcomes, due to the lack of indicators or scales shared by the nursing community. The aim of the present study was therefore to develop a Quality Nursing Care Scale for the Intensive Care (ICU-I-QNCS).

A sampling optimization analysis of soil-bugs diversity (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea).

Biological diversity analysis is among the most informative approaches to describe communities and regional species compositions. Soil ecosystems include large numbers of invertebrates, among which soil bugs (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) play significant ecological roles. The aim of this study was to provide advices to optimize the sampling effort, to efficiently monitor the diversity of this taxon, to analyze its seasonal patterns of species composition, and ultimately to understand better the coexistence of so many species over a relatively small area.

Cancer as the main aging factor for humans: the fundamental role of 5-methoxy-tryptamine in reversal of cancer-induced aging processes in metabolic and immune reactions by non-melatonin pineal hormones.

Aging and advanced cancer are characterized by similar neuroendocrine and immune deficiencies; the most important of them consist of diminished nocturnal production of the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) and decreased production of IL-2. At present, however, it is known that the pineal gland may produce indole hormones other than MLT. The most investigated of them is represented by 5-methoxy-tryptamine (5-MTT), which may exert antitumor, anticachectic, and immunomodulating effects under experimental conditions, in addition to those effects produced by MLT itself.

Psychoimmunological analysis of cancer patients: correlation with the prognosis.

Thanks to the discoveries of psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology, we now know that every psychological state is mediated by a specific neurochemical condition and every neurochemical change in turn influences psychological status. We can now identify three different levels of neurochemical mediation of the psychological states: neurotransmission, neuromodulation, and the psychoneuromodulation. Neurotransmission is composed of five main neural pathways, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine; neuromodulation; and the psychoneuromodulation.

The diversity of terrestrial isopods in the natural reserve "Saline di Trapani e Paceco" (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) in northwestern Sicily.

Ecosystems comprising coastal lakes and ponds are important areas for preserving biodiversity. The natural reserve "Saline di Trapani e Paceco" is an interesting natural area in Sicily, formed by the remaining strips of land among salt pans near the coastline. From January 2008 to January 2010, pitfall trapping was conducted in five sampling sites inside the study area.

The importance of spirituality in supportive care.

Background: It has been shown that the pineal gland plays a fundamental role in mediating either the spiritual perception or the anticancer immunity by stimulating the endogenous production of anticancer cytokine interleukin (IL)-2.

Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the impact of a spiritual approach consisting of Kriya Yoga program alone or in association with melatonin (MLT) or low-dose IL-2 plus MLT on the survival time in a group of metastatic cancer patients with life expectancy less than 1 year.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was carried out in 240 patients (M/F: 146/94; median age: 62 years, range: 34-71, suffering from non-small-cell lung cancer or gastrointestinal tumors) who were subdivided into 6 groups of 40 patients, treated with supportive care alone as a control group, supportive care plus Yoga, MLT alone, MLT plus Yoga, inteleukin-2 plus MLT, or IL-2 plus MLT plus Yoga.

Enhancement of the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy by the pineal hormone melatonin and its relation with the psychospiritual status of cancer patients.

Background: The anti-oxidant and immunomodulating natural agents may enhance the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. One of the most important agents is the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) which may exert both anti-oxidant and antiproliferative immunostimulating anticancer effects. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a biochemotherapeutic regimen in metastatic cancer patients, and its therapeutic activity in relation to the psychospiritual status of patients.

Pregnant women affected by thalassemia major: a controlled study of traits and personality.

Background: The reproductive and sexual health issues concerning persons affected by thalassemia major are complex. The study was planned to investigate the psychological attitudes and expectations in a group of thalassemic pregnant women attending hospital for regular blood transfusion.

Methods: This is a preliminary cross-sectional study involving 20 consecutive thalassemic patients and a control group of 42 healthy pregnant volunteers.

Relationship between psychoncology and psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI): enhanced T-regulatory lymphocyte activity in cancer patients with self-punishement, evaluated by Rorschach test.

Background: Psychological studies have documented the presence of a self-punishment profile in cancer patients. Recent immuno-oncological studies have shown that within the group of CD4(+) cells, which play a fundamental role in the generation of anticancer immunity, there is a subtype of cells that in contrast mediates the suppression of the anticancer immunity, the so-called T-regulatory cells (T-reg), which may be identified as CD4(+)CD25(+) cells.

Patients And Methods: On this basis, we performed a psychoncological study to evaluate CD4(+)CD25(+) cell numbers in relation to the response to Rorschach's test in a group of 30 cancer patients suffering from the most frequent tumor histotypes.

HER2 expression in breast cancer: correlation with endocrine function and psychological status in operable and metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Node involvement, negative estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 expression are the main negative prognostic factors for breast cancer. Prolactin (PRL) is involved in the control of breast cancer growth and differentiation. Surgery-induced hyperprolactinemia seems to be a positive prognostic factor for operable breast cancer, whereas high PRL levels may predict a poor prognosis in women with metastatic breast cancer.

A randomized study of chemotherapy versus biochemotherapy with chemotherapy plus Aloe arborescens in patients with metastatic cancer.

Background: The recent advances in the analysis of tumor immunobiology suggest the possibility of biologically manipulating the efficacy and toxicity of cancer chemotherapy by endogenous or exogenous immunomodulating substances. Aloe is one of the of the most important plants exhibiting anticancer activity and its antineoplastic property is due to at least three different mechanisms, based on antiproliferative, immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects. The antiproliferative action is determined by anthracenic and antraquinonic molecules, while the immunostimulating activity is mainly due to acemannan.

The endocannabinoid anandamide neither impairs in vitro T-cell function nor induces regulatory T-cell generation.

Background: The cannabinoids have been proposed in the treatment of cancer. Generally, the cannabinoids are believed to be useful only in the palliative therapy of cancer-related symptoms, namely pain, anorexia and cachexia. However, preliminary experiments would also suggest an inhibitory effect of cannabinoids on cancer growth, whereas their influence on anticancer immunity is still controversial.

Psychosocial aspects and psychiatric disorders in young adult with thalassemia major.

Beta-thalassemia major (TM), a chronic, genetically determined hematological disorder, has received little investigation on the psychological aspects of the disease and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with this anemia. Unfortunately, the few psychological studies referred on the literature are generally limited to the investigation of the only children with thalassemia major. The study was planned to assess the self-image, the quality of life, the way of coping and to investigate the existence of psychiatric disorders in young adults with thalassemia major.