Publications by authors named "M A Bella"

This study examines the aging of industrial crude oil to simulate the chemical transformations that occur when it is exposed to environmental conditions over time. It was triggered by the finding of plastitar - a mixture of tar and plastic waste - on the coast of Milazzo, Sicily. Research began with a chemical characterization of the tar component of plastitar, followed by aging experiments designed to simulate environmental conditions such as seawater, UV light and sunlight.

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Article Synopsis
  • Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) poses serious health risks for solid organ transplant recipients, with higher seroprevalence noted in recipients (8.4%) compared to donors (3.3%).
  • Among transplant patients, a specific group of donors (D+) and recipients (R-) showed notable rates of HHV-8-related diseases, like Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS), emphasizing the importance of careful monitoring.
  • Effective management of HHV-8 diseases, such as KICS, suggests that treatment options like rituximab can significantly impact patient outcomes, highlighting the need for serologic screening and timely interventions.
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Background And Objectives: Few preclinical models of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) have been developed, probably due to the tumor's low incidence and its peculiar characteristics of slow growth. Therefore, there is a need to develop more refined PMP models that better reflect its characteristics. The aim of the study is to develop a culture strategy to generate organoid models derived from PMP patient samples.

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In recent years, knowledge of cell-released extracellular vesicle (EV) functions has undergone rapid growth. EVs are membrane vesicles loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and bioactive molecules. Once released into the extracellular space, EVs are delivered to target cells that may go through modifications in physiological or pathological conditions.

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The archipelago of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea is a globally important natural laboratory. The archipelago, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique geology and biodiversity, offers a unique opportunity to study plastic pollution. This study presents an initiative to assess the occurrence of plastic pellets on the beaches of five Aeolian Islands.

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