In Search of Relevant Urinary Biomarkers for Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma and Benign Thyroid Nodule Differentiation, Targeting Metabolic Profiles and Pathways via UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS Analysis.

Background: Identification of specific urine metabolic profiles for patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (TC) vs. benign nodules (B) to identify specific biomarkers and altered pathways compared to those of healthy controls (C).

Methods: Patient urine samples were collected, before surgery and after a histological confirmation of TC ( = 30) and B ( = 30), in parallel with sample collection from healthy controls ( = 20).

MAPLE-Deposited Perylene Diimide Derivative Based Layers for Optoelectronic Applications.

Nowadays, the development of devices based on organic materials is an interesting research challenge. The performance of such devices is strongly influenced by material selection, material properties, design, and the manufacturing process. Usually, buckminsterfullerene (C60) is employed as electron transport material in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices due to its high mobility.

The Usefulness of Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Carcinoma.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplasms in developed countries, with increasing incidence and mortality, even in young people. A variety of serum markers have been associated with CRC (CEA, CA 19-9), but neither should be used as a screening tool for the diagnosis or evolution staging of CRC. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers are not as good as is required, so new ones need to be found.

Metabolic Profiles and Blood Biomarkers to Discriminate between Benign Thyroid Nodules and Papillary Carcinoma, Based on UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS Analysis.

In this study, serum metabolic profiling of patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and benign thyroid pathologies (BT) aimed to identify specific biomarkers and altered pathways when compared with healthy controls (C). The blood was collected after a histological confirmation from PTC (n = 24) and BT patients (n = 31) in parallel with healthy controls (n = 81). The untargeted metabolomics protocol was applied by UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS analysis and the statistical analysis was performed using the MetaboAnalyst 5.

Observational Cross-Sectional Study on Mediterranean Diet and Sperm Parameters.

Infertility, affecting 15 to 25% of couples in the most developed countries, is recognized by the World Health Organization as a public health issue at a global level. Different causes are acknowledged to reduce fertility in both sexes. In particular, about 40-50% of cases recognize a male factor.

Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use.

The use of nutraceutical products to enhance male sexual performance has a long history, especially with regard to the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Alternative treatments for ED are becoming increasingly popular, with growing interest from consumers, as well as increased revenue for manufacturers. Dietary supplements (DSs), which are a mixture of active ingredients, are mainly sold online.

Macrocyclic Compounds: Metal Oxide Particles Nanocomposite Thin Films Deposited by MAPLE.

Nanocomposite films based on macrocyclic compounds (zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl) 21H,23H-porphyrin (TPyP)) and metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO or CuO) were deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). 1,4-dioxane was used as a solvent in the preparation of MAPLE targets that favor the deposition of films with a low roughness, which is a key feature for their integration in structures for optoelectronic applications. The influence of the addition of ZnO nanoparticles (~20 nm in size) or CuO nanoparticles (~5 nm in size) in the ZnPc:TPyP mixture and the impact of the added metal oxide amount on the properties of the obtained composite films were evaluated in comparison to a reference layer based only on an organic blend.

Effects of Solvent Additive and Micro-Patterned Substrate on the Properties of Thin Films Based on P3HT:PC70BM Blends Deposited by MAPLE.

Lately, there is a growing interest in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells due to the organic materials' properties and compatibility with various types of substrates. However, their efficiencies are low relative to the silicon ones; therefore, other ways (i.e.

Thyroid Cancer Diagnostics Related to Occupational and Environmental Risk Factors: An Integrated Risk Assessment Approach.

There are still many questions remaining about the etiopathogenesis of thyroid cancer, the most common type of endocrine neoplasia. Numerous occupational and environmental exposures have been shown to represent important risk factors that increase its incidence. Updated information about thyroid cancer diagnostics related to occupational and environmental risk factors is reviewed here, considering an integrated risk assessment approach; new data concerning thyroid cancer etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers and methodologies, and risk factors involved in its pathogenesis are presented.

Systematic Review and Critical Analysis on Dietary Supplements for Male Infertility: From a Blend of Ingredients to a Rationale Strategy.

Content: Dietary supplements (DS) for male infertility marketed in Italy were evaluated for composition, concentration of ingredients, and recommended daily dose. A systematic review of literature identified ingredients potentially effective on sperm parameters and their minimal effective daily dose (mED).

Objective: This study was conducted in order to critically evaluate the composition and efficacy of DS marketed in Italy.

Dietary Supplements for Female Infertility: A Critical Review of Their Composition.

Infertility is the condition of about 15% of couples that cannot get a conception after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. In females, the reduced reproductive capacity underlies the most varied causes. Dietary supplements (DS) might be used to improve the pregnancy rate and a wide range of DS are proposed today to support female fertility.

Nucleobases thin films deposited on nanostructured transparent conductive electrodes for optoelectronic applications.

Environmentally-friendly bio-organic materials have become the centre of recent developments in organic electronics, while a suitable interfacial modification is a prerequisite for future applications. In the context of researches on low cost and biodegradable resource for optoelectronics applications, the influence of a 2D nanostructured transparent conductive electrode on the morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of nucleobases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil) thin films obtained by thermal evaporation was analysed. The 2D array of nanostructures has been developed in a polymeric layer on glass substrate using a high throughput and low cost technique, UV-Nanoimprint Lithography.

Organic Thin Films Based on DPP-DTT:C60 Blends Deposited by MAPLE.

The matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique was used for depositing thin films based on a recently developed conjugated polymer, poly[2,5-(2-octyldodecyl)-3,6-diketopyrrolopyrrole-alt-5,5-(2,5-di(thien-2-yl)thieno [3,2-b]thiophene)] (DPP-DTT) and fullerene C60 blends. The targets used in the MAPLE process were obtained by freezing chloroform solutions with different DPP-DTT:C60 weight ratios, with the MAPLE deposition being carried at a low laser fluence, varying the number of laser pulses. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the DPP-DTT:C60 blend layers deposited by MAPLE were investigated in order to emphasize the influence of the DPP-DTT:C60 weight ratio and the number of laser pulses on these features.

Cystic malignant peritoneal mesothelioma of the abdominal wall. Case report.

We present the clinical observation of a female patient with cystic peritoneal malignant mesothelioma developed in the thickness of the abdominal wall. The diagnosis included several steps: tumor classification as mesothelioma, tumor differentiation from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, establishment of the malignant nature and differentiation from other malignant peritoneal tumors. Relapse in about one year after surgery and about six months after the end of chemotherapy also claim malignancy of the tumor.

Bisphenols and Male Reproductive Health: From Toxicological Models to Therapeutic Hypotheses.

Bisphenols, and in particular bisphenol A (BPA), have been widely used for the production of plastic manufacts in the last 50 years. Currently, BPA is present in a variety of daily use polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and dietary ingestion is considered the main route of human exposure. Accordingly, BPA is the chemical pollutant with the widest exposure in humans, involving nearly 90% of general population, according to recent studies.

Dietary Supplements for Male Infertility: A Critical Evaluation of Their Composition.

Dietary supplements (DS) represent a possible approach to improve sperm parameters and male fertility. A wide range of DS containing different nutrients is now available. Although many authors demonstrated benefits from some nutrients in the improvement of sperm parameters, their real effectiveness is still under debate.

Prognostic Value of Ultrasound Stratigraphy in Long-Term Weight Loss: Results from a Nutritional Counseling Program.

Background: Weight control through lifestyle interventions represents a suitable strategy to avoid the metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity. Reduced testosterone (T) levels are a worsening factor in overweight males. However, prognostic parameters of long-term weight loss are not readily available.