Multidisciplinary long-term survey of Manila clam grown in farming sites subjected to different environmental conditions.

In recent years recurrent bivalve mass mortalities considerably increased around the world, causing the collapse of natural and farmed populations. Venice Lagoon has historically represented one of the major production areas of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Europe. However, in the last 20 years a 75 % decrease in the annual production has been experienced.

Long-lasting effects of chronic exposure to chemical pollution on the hologenome of the Manila clam.

Chronic exposure to pollutants affects natural populations, creating specific molecular and biochemical signatures. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to pollutants might have substantial effects on the Manila clam hologenome long after removal from contaminated sites. To reach this goal, a highly integrative approach was implemented, combining transcriptome, genetic and microbiota analyses with the evaluation of biochemical and histological profiles of the edible Manila clam , as it was transplanted for 6 months from the polluted area of Porto Marghera (PM) to the clean area of Chioggia (Venice lagoon, Italy).

Free light chains and heavy/light chains in monitoring POEMS patients.

Background: POEMS syndrome is defined by Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome, and its concentrations are deemed to correlate to disease activity. The aim of the present study was to verify whether other biochemical markers including serum free light chains (FLC) and heavy/light chains (HLC) would be of value in monitoring POEMS patients.

An IgE multiple myeloma: contradictory findings in clinical laboratory testing.

Background: IgE multiple myeloma is a rare kind of plasma cell disorder, characterized by an aggressive clinical course, where laboratory testing plays a fundamental role for the correct diagnosis in order to start a targeted therapy. In the present paper it is described a case of IgE myeloma where contradictory findings between immunometric and separative techniques were found.

Materials And Methods: Serum and 24h urine samples were tested using electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis employing IgE antiserum and IgE were quantified using an immunometric method.

Serum free light chain reference values: a critical approach.

Objectives: The clinical usefulness of serum free light chain (FLC) measurement in the management of patients with plasma cell proliferative disorders has been reported in several papers, and most clinical studies use the reference ranges declared by the manufacturer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of FLCs immunoassay and to validate the reference range, before introducing it in routine setting.

Design And Methods: Internal quality control materials and a pool of fresh serum samples were used to evaluate imprecision; 162 fresh sera from healthy blood donors were analyzed to evaluate the reference range for FLCs.