Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and forensic investigations: Searching for the cause of death.

Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs) are a group of structural abnormalities or defects of the heart that are present at birth. CHDs could be connected to sudden death (SD), defined by the WHO (World Health Organization) as "death occurring within 24 h after the onset of the symptoms" in an apparently "healthy" subject. These conditions can range from relatively mild defects to severe, life-threatening anomalies.

Advances in Technologies in Crime Scene Investigation.

Crime scene investigation (CSI) is the complex act of reconstructing the dynamics that led to a crime and the circumstances of its perpetration. Crystallizing the CSI is a difficult task for the forensic pathologist; however, it is often requested by the public prosecutor and many judicial cases remain unsolved precisely for this reason. Recent years have seen an improvement in the ability of 3D scanning technology to obtain dense surface scans of large-scale spaces, for surveying, engineering, archaeology, and medical purposes such as forensics.

Systematic Review of Penetrating Cardiac Injury by a Firearm: Forensic Implications.

Penetrating injuries of the heart, named penetrating cardiac injury (PCI), may cause hemorrhagic shock as well as cardiac tamponade, leading to death if not treated immediately. This systematic review aims to highlight the main aspects of penetrating cardiac injuries after firearm wounds. The cases of 39 subjects (age 37.

Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS method for analysis of vortioxetine in postmortem specimens. First data from an authentic case.

Vortioxetine is an antidepressant recently licensed in USA and EU for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Neither fatal case due to overdose nor data about postmortem concentrations on blood or other specimens have been reported. The aims of this study were the development and validation of a method for vortioxetine analysis by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in postmortem samples and its application in an authentic case.

Comparative assessment of electronic nicotine delivery systems aerosol and cigarette smoke on endothelial cell migration: The Replica Project.

Cigarette smoking is associated with impairment of repair mechanisms necessary for vascular endothelium homeostasis. Reducing the exposure to smoke toxicants may result in the mitigation of the harmful effect on the endothelium and cardiovascular disease development. Previous investigations evaluated in vitro the effect of electronic cigarette (EC) compared with cigarette smoke demonstrating a significant reduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) migration inhibition following EC aerosol exposure.

Heart rupture as an acute complication of cocaine abuse: A case report.

The purpose of this study is to show a very rare complication of acute cocaine poisoning, namely heart rupture. In the present case report, acute cocaine intoxication caused massive myocardial infarction, resulting in heart rupture and cardiac tamponade. A crime scene investigation found a dead body on the street in a drug dealing district.

In vitro cytoxicity profile of e-cigarette liquid samples on primary human bronchial epithelial cells.

Cigarette smoke is associated to severe chronic diseases. The most harmful components of cigarette smoke derive from the combustion process, which are significantly reduced in the electronic cigarette aerosol, thus providing a valid option in harm reduction strategies. To develop safer products, it is therefore necessary to screen electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) to meet high safety standards defined by government regulations.

The effect of laboratory-verified smoking on SARS-CoV-2 infection: results from the Troina sero-epidemiological survey.

Previous research yielded conflicting results on the association between cigarette smoking and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since the prevalence of smoking is high globally, the study of its impact on COVID-19 pandemic may have considerable implications for public health. This study is the first to investigate the association between the SARS-CoV-2 antibody sero-positivity and biochemically verified smoking status, to refine current estimates on this association.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: the Replica Project.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may reduce health risks associated with chronic exposure to smoke and their potential benefits have been the matter of intense scientific debate. We aimed to replicate three published studies on cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of cigarette smoke and ENDS aerosol in an independent multi-center ring study. We aimed to establish the reliability of results and the robustness of conclusions by replicating the authors' experimental protocols and further validating them with different techniques.

Seroepidemiological Survey on the Impact of Smoking on SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Outcomes: Protocol for the Troina Study.

Background: After the global spread of SARS-CoV-2, research has highlighted several aspects of the pandemic, focusing on clinical features and risk factors associated with infection and disease severity. However, emerging results on the role of smoking in SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility or COVID-19 outcomes are conflicting, and their robustness remains uncertain.

Objective: In this context, this study aims at quantifying the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence, studying the changes in antibody levels over time, and analyzing the association between the biochemically verified smoking status and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Microplastics in fillets of Mediterranean seafood. A risk assessment study.

Microplastics (MPs) are considered as emergent threat to human health. No complete data still exists on MPs presence in fish tissue and their transmission to humans. The present study aims to detect and quantify the presence of MPs (<3 μm) in several edible seafood (Sardina pilchardus, wild and farmed Sparus aurata, Mullus surmuletus, Solea solea and musselMytilus galloprovincialis) from the south coast of Mediterranean Sea.

Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Dissolved Ag in Seafood by Single Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure.

This study provides a first insight on the chemical characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and dissolved Ag in processed canned seafood products, where food-grade edible silver (E174) is not intentionally added nor is the nanoparticle contained in the food contact material. The aim was to evaluate the bioaccumulation potential of AgNPs and to contribute to the assessment of AgNPs and ionic Ag human dietary intake from processed seafood. It is known how seafood, and in particular pelagic fish, is a precious nutritional source of unsaturated fatty acids, protein, and different micronutrients.

Role of Cigarette Smoke on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 Protein Membrane Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Air-Liquid Interface Model.

Prevalence studies of current smoking, among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, demonstrated an unexpectedly low prevalence among patients with COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of smoke from cigarettes on ACE-2 in bronchial epithelial cells. Normal bronchial epithelial cells (H292) were exposed to smoke by an air-liquid-interface (ALI) system and ACE-2 membrane protein expression was evaluated after 24 h from exposure.

Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions.

Despite the growing numbers of studies on cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDs), no standard assessment of nicotine stability in various matrix post exposure is currently available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimal standard condition to store Cambridge Filter Pads (CFPs) before chemical analysis in order to guarantee the titer of nicotine.We further performed data normalization according to different smoking or vaping runs.

Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) in Seafood by Single-Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure.

The significant increase in the production and variety of nanoparticles (NPs) has led to their release into the environment, especially into the marine environment. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) are used in different industrial sectors, from the food industry to several consumer and household products. Since the aquatic environment is highly sensitive to contamination by TiO-NPs, this work aimed to give a preliminary assessment of the contamination of packaged seafood, where the food additive TiO (E171) is not to be intentionally added.

Inter-Relationship between Platelet-Derived Microparticles and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Hypercoagulative conditions play a key role in venous thromboembolism (VTE). Inflammation is currently linked to VTE, but the potential role of circulating microparticles and oxidative stress (OxS) must be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate platelet-derived microparticles and surrogate OxS biomarkers in patients diagnosed with VTE through a case-control study.

Platelet-Derived Microparticles (MPs) and Thrombin Generation Velocity in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Results of a Case-Control Study.

Introduction: The role of platelets (Ps) and platelet-derived microparticles (MPs) in venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still being debated.

Methods: We measured MPs, velocity of thrombin formation (PiCT) and phospholipid generation (PLPs) in 40 patients with unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT), who were compared with 40 healthy controls.

Results: MPs were higher in DVT (7.

Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Microplastic Removal: A Systematic Review.

Plastic is widely used for human activities (food packaging, medical, technological devices, etc.) and there is a growing concern regarding the risks for environmental and human health because they have still not been fully evaluated. Particularly, microplastics (primary and secondary) are present in all environmental compartments and this poses a potential threat because of their entry into the food chain.

Development and Validation of a Method for the Detection and Quantification of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics in Bone Samples by GC-MS.

Bone marrow is the tissue contained inside the bones and can be considered one of the potential alternative tissues in forensic toxicology. This matrix could be particularly useful in those cases where the routine sample is not available due to an advanced state of decomposition or skeletonization of the corpse. The aim of this study was to develop, validate and apply an analytical method of extraction and analysis of different antidepressants and antipsychotics, commonly used in therapy, from spiked pig ribs.

Dietary habits and thyroid cancer risk: A hospital-based case-control study in Sicily (South Italy).

Several studies have investigated the role of diet as a risk and/or protective factor against thyroid cancer, both considering individual foods, groups of foods and dietary patterns, but the results are not consistent. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and thyroid cancer. Cases and controls were recruited at the University Hospital "G.

Reply to Comment on "Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study".

We much appreciate the positive comments and interest concerning our study on the environmental and occupational risk factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [...

The role of air pollution (PM and NO) in COVID-19 spread and lethality: A systematic review.

A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has determined a pneumonia outbreak in China (Wuhan, Hubei Province) in December 2019, called COVID-19 disease. In addition to the person-to person transmission dynamic of the novel respiratory virus, it has been recently studied the role of environmental factors in accelerate SARS-CoV-2 spread and its lethality. The time being, air pollution has been identified as the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world.

Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks.

The formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosamines, associated with monochloramine, requires further research due to the growing interest in using this biocide for the secondary disinfection of water in public and private buildings. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible formation of N-nitrosamines and other toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) in hospital hot water networks treated with monochloramine. The effectiveness of this biocide in controlling spp.

Micro- and nano-plastics in edible fruit and vegetables. The first diet risks assessment for the general population.

Microplastics (MPs) represent a current public health concern since toxicity has not yet fully investigated. They were found in several foods, but to the best of our knowledge, at this time no data was reported for the edible vegetables and fruits. We focused on diet exposure aiming to evaluate the number and the size (<10 μm) of MPs in the most commonly consumed vegetables and fruits, in relation to their recommended daily intake too.