Increased Adhesiveness of Blood Cells Induced by Mercury Chloride: Protective Effect of Hydroxytyrosol.

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic environmental contaminant that can harm human health, ultimately leading to endothelial dysfunction. Hg toxicity is partially mediated by the exposure of the cell membrane's surface of erythrocytes (RBCs) to phosphatidylserine (PS). In the context of these challenges, hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound of olive oil, has the ability to mitigate the toxic effects of Hg.

Protective effects of olive oil antioxidant phenols on mercury-induced phosphatidylserine externalization in erythrocyte membrane: Insights into scramblase and flippase activity.

In several physiopathological processes, phosphatidylserine (PS), normally sequestered to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, becomes exposed to the cell surface. In erythrocytes (RBC), PS externalization is a crucial event for the removal of aged/damaged cells but can also be associated with increased prothrombotic activity. Structurally related olive oil antioxidants, including hydroxytyrosol (HT), are able to significantly reduce the percentage of PS-exposing RBC, when cells are exposed to toxic compounds such as the heavy metal mercury (Hg).

Sperm epigenetics and sperm RNAs as drivers of male infertility: truth or myth?

Male infertility represents a complex clinical condition that often challenges the ability of reproductive specialists to find its etiology and then propose an adequate treatment. The unexplained decline in sperm count, as well as the association between male infertility and mortality, morbidity, and cancer, has prompted researchers toward an urgent need to better understand the causes of male infertility. Therefore, molecular biologists are increasingly trying to study whether sperm epigenetic alterations may be involved in male infertility and embryo developmental abnormalities.

Effect of vortioxetine versus venlafaxine on cognitive functions in adults with major depressive disorder: A randomized-controlled trial.

Background: Vortioxetine and venlafaxine are antidepressants which have shown established efficacy to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). There are no studies that compared them for their efficacy in cognitive symptoms of depression. The study aimed to compare the effect of vortioxetine and venlafaxine on the change in cognitive scores in adults with MDD.

Can Cryopreservation in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Induce Epigenetic Changes to Gametes and Embryos?

Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978, more than nine million children have been conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). While the great majority of children are healthy, there are concerns about the potential epigenetic consequences of gametes and embryo manipulation. In fact, during the preimplantation period, major waves of epigenetic reprogramming occur.

Varicocele: To Treat or Not to Treat?

Varicocele treatment in infertility still remains controversial. It is clear, in fact, that in many patients, varicocele has no impact on fertility. Recent scientific evidence demonstrated that varicocele treatment is beneficial in improving semen parameters and pregnancy rate when an appropriate selection of patients is made.

Canine umbilical cord tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells naturally express mRNAs of some antimicrobial peptides.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally produced by all living organisms at a constitutive rate. They represent the first line of active defence systems against invading microorganisms, helping in innate immunity. Besides their therapeutic applications, great attention has also been given to the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their antimicrobial activities.

The Impact of a Very Short Abstinence Period on Assisted Reproductive Technique Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Previous studies supported the beneficial effects of a very short abstinence period on sperm quality. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of a very short abstinence period (within 4 h) on assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcomes.

Methods: A literature search was performed using the Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases.

Corrigendum: The effects of an acceptance and commitment-informed interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for chronic airway diseases on health status and psychological symptoms.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.

Mercury Chloride Affects Band 3 Protein-Mediated Anionic Transport in Red Blood Cells: Role of Oxidative Stress and Protective Effect of Olive Oil Polyphenols.

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal widely dispersed in the natural environment. Mercury exposure induces an increase in oxidative stress in red blood cells (RBCs) through the production of reactive species and alteration of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Recently, among various natural antioxidants, the polyphenols from extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), an important element of the Mediterranean diet, have generated growing interest.

Assisted Reproductive Technology without Embryo Discarding or Freezing in Women ≥40 Years: A 5-Year Retrospective Study at a Single Center in Italy.

The protocols commonly used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) consist of long-term embryo culture up to the blastocyst stage after the insemination of all mature oocytes, the freezing of all the embryos produced, and their subsequent transfer one by one. These practices, along with preimplantation genetic testing, although developed to improve the live birth rate (LBR) and reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies, are drawing attention to the possible increase in obstetric and perinatal risks, and adverse epigenetic consequences in offspring. Furthermore, ethical-legal concerns are growing regarding the increase in cryopreservation and storage of frozen embryos.

The Impact of a Very Short Abstinence Period on Conventional Sperm Parameters and Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: In recent years, a growing number of studies have supported the beneficial effects of a very short abstinence period on sperm parameters, especially in patients with oligoasthenozoospermia. However, the results are controversial and no consensus exists regarding whether to request a second semen collection in clinical practice. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the influence of a very short abstinence period (within 4 h) on conventional sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) rate.

MR-based simplified extraprostatic extension evaluation: comparison of performances of different predictive models.

Objectives: To test reproducibility and predictive value of a simplified score for assessment of extraprostatic tumor extension (sEPE grade).

Methods: Sixty-five patients (mean age ± SD, 67 years ± 6.3) treated with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer who underwent 1.

Risk Management Activities in a Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: Results of a Prospective Analysis.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to highlight sources of harm that could negatively affect the lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) activities to reduce the level of risk of each factor.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used by a board of multi-health care professionals of the lung cancer MDT to identify the main processes, subprocesses, and risk factors of the multidisciplinary pathway of patients with lung cancer. A semiquantitative matrix was built with a five-point scale for probability of harm (likelihood) and severity of harm (consequences) according to the international risk management standards (ISO 31000-2018).

Early experience with uniportal robotic thoracic surgery lobectomy.

Background: Invasiveness is considered one of the cornerstones of every field of surgery, and video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) approaches are now routinely used worldwide to perform pulmonary resections. Recently, robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) has become the preferred technique in many centers; it is routinely performed using three or four ports with at least one service incision, contrasting with the real concept of invasiveness, especially when compared to uniportal VATS (U-VATS). Hereby, we present our early experience with uniportal RATS (U-RATS) pulmonary resections for early-stage lung cancer.

Effect of Mercury on Membrane Proteins, Anionic Transport and Cell Morphology in Human Erythrocytes.

Background/aims: Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal widespread in all environmental compartments as one of the most hazardous pollutants. Human exposure to this natural element is detrimental for several cellular types including erythrocytes (RBC) that accumulate Hg mainly bound to the SH groups of different cellular components, including protein cysteine residues. The cellular membrane represents a major target of Hg-induced damage in RBC with loss of physiological phospholipid asymmetry, due to phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure to the external membrane leaflet.

Lurbinectedin in small cell lung cancer.

Few treatment options are available for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in progression after a first-line therapy. A novel therapeutic approach is represented by lurbinectedin, a synthetic derivative of trabectedin that works by inhibiting oncogenic transcription and promoting apoptosis in tumor cells. A phase II basket trial demonstrated the activity of lurbinectedin at the dose of 3.

Risk of genetic and epigenetic alteration in children conceived following ART: Is it time to return to nature whenever possible?

Assisted reproductive technology may influence epigenetic signature as the procedures coincide with the extensive epigenetic modification occurring from fertilization to embryo implantation. However, it is still unclear to what extent ART alters the embryo epigenome. In vivo fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube, where a specific and natural environment enables the embryo's healthy development.

Olive Oil Phenols Prevent Mercury-Induced Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Morphological Changes in Human Erythrocytes Regardless of Their Different Scavenging Activity.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation to the external membrane leaflet represents a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of human erythrocytes (RBC) acting as an "eat me" signal for the removal of aged/stressed cells. Loss of physiological membrane asymmetry, however, can lead to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, activating a prothrombotic activity. The data presented indicate that structurally related olive oil phenols prevent cell alterations induced in intact human RBC exposed to HgCl (5-40 µM) or Ca ionophore (5 µM), as measured by hallmarks including PS exposure, reactive oxygen species generation, glutathione depletion and microvesicles formation.

Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders as risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the role of sleep disturbances and sleep disorders in influencing presence and intensity of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). We included cohort studies which enrolled adults, assessed sleep disturbances or disorders before surgery, measured pain intensity, presence of pain, or opioid use at least three months after surgery. Eighteen studies were included in a narrative synthesis and 12 in a meta-analysis.

Micro(nano)plastics pollution and human health: How plastics can induce carcinogenesis to humans?

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are key indicators of the plasticine era, widely spread across different ecosystems. MPs and NPs become global stressors due to their inherent physicochemical characteristics and potential impact on ecosystems and humans. MPs and NPs have been exposed to humans via various pathways, such as tap water, bottled water, seafood, beverages, milk, fish, salts, fruits, and vegetables.

The Effects of an Acceptance and Commitment-Informed Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Program for Chronic Airway Diseases on Health Status and Psychological Symptoms.

Background: Chronic airway diseases are prevalent and costly conditions. Interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs that include Acceptance and Commitment-based (ACT) components could be important to tackle the vicious circle linking progression of the disease, inactivity, and psychopathological symptoms.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of routinely collected data of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program was performed.