is a diverse and widespread genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic associations with various trees and shrubs, playing a significant role in forest ecosystems. Approximately 85 species are formally recognised, but recent studies indicate this number may be an underestimation, highlighting the need for further taxonomic studies to improve our understanding of species boundaries. This manuscript focuses on , originally described by Singer in 1967 as var.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiota, composed of micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, and non-pathogenic fungi, plays a crucial role in digestion, vitamin production, and protection against dangerous microbes. Several factors, including age, diet, alcohol consumption, stress, environmental microorganisms, and therapies (particularly antibiotics), as well as birth and nursing, could modify the microbiota. Recent research has highlighted its alteration and involvement in a various disease, including metabolic syndrome and acne.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeavy metals (HMs) are natural elements present in the Earth's crust, characterised by a high atomic mass and a density more than five times higher than water. Despite their origin from natural sources, extensive usage and processing of raw materials and their presence as silent poisons in our daily products and diets have drastically altered their biochemical balance, making them a threat to the environment and human health. Particularly, the food chain polluted with toxic metals represents a crucial route of human exposure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the developed world, pediatric obesity (PO) has been a major health concern since the last century, and this condition may lead to detrimental life-long physical and mental comorbidities. Currently, its prevalence has increased in low- and middle-income countries and in many high-income countries. Thus, the provision of effective and tailored care for children and their families has become vital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (OFI) is a plant with numerous beneficial properties known in traditional medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThese days, most of our attention has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have often neglected what is happening in the environment. For instance, the bacterium re-emerged as a plant pathogen of global importance in 2013 when it was first associated with an olive tree disease epidemic in Italy, called Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), specifically caused by subspecies ST53, which affects the Salento olive trees (Apulia, South-East Italy). This bacterium, transmitted by the insect is negatively reshaping the Salento landscape and has had a very high impact in the production of olives, leading to an increase of olive oil prices, thus new studies to curb this bacterium are urgently needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by erythematous plaques that can extend along the entire skin surface. In the latest years, it has been shown that serum calprotectin correlated strongly with several inflammatory biomarkers. Since high levels of calprotectin have been found in psoriatic lesions, it is of paramount importance to investigate the role of serum calprotectin as a possible novel diagnostic marker of psoriasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the late 1930s and early 1940s, it was discovered that the substitution on aromatic rings of hydrogen atoms with chlorine yielded a novel chemistry of antimicrobials. However, within a few years, many of these compounds and formulations showed adverse effects, including human toxicity, ecotoxicity, and unwanted environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, quickly leading to regulatory bans and phase-outs. Among these, the triclocarban, a polychlorinated aromatic antimicrobial agent, was employed as a major ingredient of toys, clothing, food packaging materials, food industry floors, medical supplies, and especially of personal care products, such as soaps, toothpaste, and shampoo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhotobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg
September 2020
This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new 675 nm laser source system on melasma. Melasma is an acquired circumscribed hyperpigmented disorder that has a negative impact on patients' life quality. Different treatments are currently available.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMycosis fungoides (MF) is a cutaneous malignant lymphoma with an extended clinical course. MF presents in series of dermatological manifestations, beginning with patches and plaques of the skin, and eventually evolving into tumours. Often MF can occur for extended periods without worsening of external symptoms, while the disease advances internally in organs such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and kidney.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: Skin is the main defense organ of the human body against external insults (ultraviolet radiations, infections by pathogenic microorganisms, and mechanical and chemical stress). The integrity and functions of the skin barrier are supported by an adequate supply of micronutrients, such as several vitamins. The purpose of this review was to analyze all vitamin-related skin problems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Acne scarring represents a common problem that negatively impacts patients' quality of life. Different types of treatments are currently available for this dermatological condition. This study evaluates the efficacy of a new 675-nm laser source system on acne scars with the use of established parameters that guarantee minimum pain and the absence of side effects such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and blistering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy has been for years the major port of entry from Africa to Europe. However, information on the early effects of permanence in Italy on cardiovascular risk factors is limited. Therefore, the association between length of stay in Italy and blood pressure or blood glucose was explored in young asylum seekers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterpretation of increasingly complex imaging studies involves multiple intricate tasks requiring visual evaluation, cognitive processing, and decision-making. At each stage of this process, there are opportunities for error due to human factors including perceptual and ergonomic conditions. Investigation into the root causes of interpretive error in radiology first began over a century ago.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent studies have clarified many still unknown aspects related to innate immunity and the blood-brain barrier relationship. They have also confirmed the close links between effector immune system cells, such as granulocytes, macrophages, microglia, natural killer cells and mast cells, and barrier functionality. The latter, in turn, is able to influence not only the entry of the cells of the immune system into the nervous tissue, but also their own activation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSecretome of primary cultures is an accessible source of biological markers compared to more complex and less decipherable mixtures such as serum or plasma. The protonation state (PS) of secretome reflects the metabolism of cells and can be used for cancer early detection. Here, we demonstrate a superhydrophobic organic electrochemical device that measures PS in a drop of secretome derived from liquid biopsies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDermatol Pract Concept
October 2018
Can Assoc Radiol J
November 2018
Peer review for radiologists plays an important role in identifying contributing factors that can lead to diagnostic errors and patient harm. It is essential that all radiologists be aware of the multifactorial causes of diagnostic error in radiology and the methods available to reduce it. This pictorial review provides readers with an overview of common errors that occur in abdominal radiology and strategies to reduce them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Dermatovenerol Croat
December 2017
Hand eczema is a chronic disease (1), commonly considered the expression of a contact allergic or irritative dermatitis. However, when the prick/patch tests and laboratory investigations are negative, important diagnostic challenges may arise. Peripheral nerve fibers are in fact capable of releasing neuromediators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Senior medical students represent future physicians who commonly refer patients for diagnostic imaging studies that may involve ionizing radiation. The radiology curriculum at the University of British Columbia provides students with broad-based knowledge about common imaging examinations. The purpose of this study was to investigate students' awareness of radiation exposures and risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a well-established role as a highly specific and accurate modality for characterizing benign and malignant focal liver lesions. In particular, contrast-enhanced MRI using hepatocyte-specific contrast agents (HSCAs) improves lesion detection and characterization compared to other imaging modalities and MRI techniques. In this pictorial review, the mechanism of action of gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, with a focus on HSCAs, is described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF