Low-copper diet as a preventive strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Copper is an essential element, and either a copper deficiency or excess can be life threatening. Recent studies have indicated that alteration of copper metabolism is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In light of these findings, many researchers have proposed preventive strategies to reduce AD risk.

Deletion polymorphism of GSTT1 gene as protective marker for allergic rhinitis.

Background And Aims: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common respiratory diseases among human populations. Strong evidence suggests that genetic predisposition and environmental factors could contribute to the development of this complex disease. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes in Tsachilas Indians from Ecuador: new insights in population analysis by Human Leukocyte Antigens.

Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) loci are widely known for their role in the generation of immune responses and are often considered to be effective in reconstructing human relationships. This is due to the high degree of polymorphism and the rarity of recombination observed at HLA loci. In this study, we have made an attempt to support the potential of HLA class II loci by analysing DQA1 and DQB1 in 52 Ecuadorians with ties to the Tsachilas community.

Functional variability of glutathione S-transferases in Basque populations.

Objectives: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in Phase II reactions. They play a key role in cellular detoxification. Various studies have shown that genes coding for the GST are highly polymorphic and some of these variants are directly associated with a decrease of enzyme activity making individuals more susceptible to different clinical phenotypes.

Haplotype differences for copy number variants in the 22q11.23 region among human populations: a pigmentation-based model for selective pressure.

Two gene clusters are tightly linked in a narrow region of chromosome 22q11.23: the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene family and the glutathione S-transferase theta class. Within 120 kb in this region, two 30-kb deletions reach high frequencies in human populations.

Inter-hemispheric functional connectivity changes with corpus callosum morphology in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects myelin sheaths within the central nervous system, concurring to cause brain atrophy and neurodegeneration as well as gradual functional disconnections. To explore early signs of altered connectivity in MS from a structural and functional perspective, the morphology of corpus callosum (CC) was correlated with a dynamic inter-hemispheric connectivity index. Twenty mildly disabled patients affected by a relapsing-remitting (RR) form of MS (EDSS⩽3.

Meta-analysis of serum non-ceruloplasmin copper in Alzheimer's disease.

The fraction of copper not bound to ceruloplasmin seems altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have addressed this notion evaluating all the studies carried out from 1996 until March 2013 by means of meta-analysis. We performed our analysis on diverse indices evaluating the relationship between copper and ceruloplasmin in general circulation, namely 'Non-Cp copper', '% Non-Cp copper', and 'Adjusted copper'.

Intronic rs2147363 variant in ATP7B transcription factor-binding site associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Copper homeostasis abnormalities have been shown to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), possibly by accelerating amyloid-β toxicity and plaque formation. The ATP7B gene plays a key role in controlling body copper balance. Our previous studies showed an association between ATP7B variants and AD risk.

Copper phenotype in Alzheimer's disease: dissecting the pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the basis of disease onset and progression. Unfortunately, none of these seems to clarify the complexity of the pathogenesis.

Institutional authorisation and accreditation of Transfusion Services and Blood Donation Sites: results of a national survey.

Introduction: The aim of the survey described in this article was to determine decisional and strategic factors useful for redefining minimum structural, technological and organisational requisites for transfusion structures, as well as for the production of guidelines for accreditation of transfusion structures by the National Blood Centre.

Materials And Methods: A structured questionnaire containing 65 questions was sent to all Transfusion Services in Italy. The questions covered: management of the quality system, accreditation, conformity with professional standards, structural and technological requisites, as well as potential to supply transfusion medicine-related health care services.

The introduction of intra-operative cell salvage in obstetric clinical practice: a review of the available evidence.

Intra-operative blood salvage is common practice in many surgical specialties but its safety is questioned with concerns about the risks of contamination of recovered blood with amniotic fluid and of maternal-foetal alloimmunization. However, the role of cell salvage as a blood-saving measure in this clinical setting is progressively acquiring relevance thanks to the growing body of evidence regarding its quality and safety. Modern cell savers remove most particulate contaminants and leukodepletion filtering of salvaged blood prior to transfusion adds further safety to this technique.

Intraoperative cell salvage in obstetrics: is it a real therapeutic option?

Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. Intraoperative blood salvage is common practice in many surgical specialties but its safety in obstetrics is questioned for concerns on the risks of contamination of recovered blood with amniotic fluid (AF) and of maternal-fetal alloimmunization. However, the role of cell salvage as a blood-saving measure in obstetrics is progressively acquiring relevance thanks to the growing body of evidence regarding its quality and safety coming from over 800 documented procedures and more than 400 patients transfused with saved blood.

Androgens and body composition in the aging male.

The relevant age-related changes in male body composition are mainly related to the progressive decrease in the level of circulating anabolic hormones, among which testosterone (T) is rather important. Its decline, between the ages of 35 and 75, is associated to a loss of muscle mass and fibers number, a doubling of fat mass and a decrease in bone mineral density by 0.3% per yr after age 35; thus the relationship between age-related changes in body composition and T bioactivity reflects an important endocrine aspect of the aging male.