0000000001011645
AUTHOR
S. Mirto
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease-report of two further cases with an immunohistochemical analysis
Summary Transfusion-associated graft-vs.-host disease (tGVHD) is a severe disease usually affecting immunocompromised hosts with haematological neoplasia. Two patients with acute leukaemia are reported, who developed fatal tGVHD after blood transfusions. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) expression and the CD4/CD8 ratio were assessed in lesional skin. ICAM-1 was strongly expressed on epidermal keratinocytes and endothelial cells (EC) and correlated with HLA-DR staining. VCAM-1 was strongly expressed on EC in the superficial dermal vessels. ELAM-1 stained weakly on EC in some of the su…
Cytogenetic findings in secondary acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
Abstract We here report the results of cytogenetic studies carried out in eight patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia developed after primary neoplasias. In seven of the reported cases, clonal chromosome aberrations were found, some being specific of de novo acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Numerical abnormalities were detected, such as the total monosomy of chromosomes 5, 7, 21, trisomy of chromosomes 8, 11, 15, and duplication of chromosome Y. Structural changes were also observed: a del(12)(p12), a del(16)(q22), the translocations t(3;5)(p21;q35),t(3;7)(p21;q35), and t(12;14)(p12;q32) and other changes involving chromosome 8. The finding of a hypertetraploid karyotype with com…
A new pericentric inv(8) in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
Abstract Chromosome studies were carried out on unstimulated bone marrow cells from a patient with a diagnosis of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (FAB M6 ANLL). Cytogenetic analysis revealed a mosaic chromosome pattern 46,XX46,XX,inv(8)(p21q24). This pericentric inversion has not been previously described in ANLL. Because, fragile sites, zinc finger gene loci, and the MYC protooncogene have been localized to band 8q24, a putative role for these sites and genes could be considered.
Impatto di Caulerpa Taxifolia var. Distichophylla su macro- e meiofauna associate a Posidonia oceanica
Macro- and meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows colonized by the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla (Caulerpales) in southern Sicily were analyzed and compared with assemblages of control meadows from the same area. Independently from the degree of invasion (severe or partial), the affected macrofaunal assemblages significantly differed from the controls with the former ones characterized by an increase of molluscs and polychaetes and the decrease of crustaceans. Meiofaunal assemblages showed contrasting results being affected by severe algal invasion but not significantly differing from control assemblages under partial invasion conditions, suggesting some…
The Synergistic Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors and COVID-19 on Aquaculture: A Current Global Perspective
The rapid, global spread of COVID-19, and the measures intended to limit or slow its propagation, are having major impacts on diverse sectors of society. Notably, these impacts are occurring in the context of other anthropogenic-driven threats including global climate change. Both anthropogenic stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic represent significant economic challenges to aquaculture systems across the globe, threatening the supply chain of one of the most important sources of animal protein, with potential disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. A web survey was conducted in 47 countries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess how aquaculture activities have been affe…
Structure and biodiversity of a Maltese maerl bed : new insight into the associated assemblage 24 years after the first investigation
Maerl beds are biogenic benthic habitats distributed worldwide and known to sustain high productivity and biodiversity levels. In the Mediterranean, the number of studies that have been carried out is limited, and little is known on its real distribution, mostly due to the difficulties of exploring such habitats — Due to the high transparency of Mediterranean waters, maerl can be found at depths of over 50 m making mandatory the use of benthic grabs and ROVs. The last published data from Maltese waters were taken two decades ago. In this present study, we provide new insights on this poorly known habitat, in particular regarding the north western bank, designated as a NATURA 2000 protected …
Amplification of ETS2 oncogene in acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia with t(6;21;18).
Cytogenetic and molecular studies in a case of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) are reported in this paper. Bone marrow blasts carried a hypodiploid karyotype with a complex t(6;18;21)(6qter----6p21::21q22----21qter;18qter ----18p11::6p22----6pter; 21pter----21q22::6p21----6p22::18p11----18pte r) and other numerical and structural changes. We studied the organization and the expression of the ETS2 gene which is located on chromosome 21 in order to investigate its possible involvement in the disease. DNA analysis showed a 20-fold amplification of ETS2 sequences; an increase of 3- to 4-fold in the mRNAs level compared to normal was shown by Northern hybridization.
The stakeholder's perception of socio-economic impacts generated by COVID-19 pandemic within the Italian aquaculture systems.
From the beginning of March 2020 and for the following two and half months, many European countries comprising Italy have been forced into an unprecedented lockdown, allowing only the opening of essential economic activities needed to address the problems created by the pandemic (e.g. sanitary, food provision). Like many sectors of the Italian economy, aquaculture has also slowed down due to the ongoing emergency and the consequent closure of business. In our study we provided a ‘snapshot’ of the socio-economic effects of the lockdown on the aquaculture sector in Italy, immediately following the adoption of the COVID-19 restrictions as they were perceived by the workers. Although it was sur…
The Synergistic Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors and COVID-19 on Aquaculture: A Current Global Perspective
The rapid, global spread of COVID-19, and the measures intended to limit or slow its propagation, are having major impacts on diverse sectors of society. Notably, these impacts are occurring in the context of other anthropogenic-driven threats including global climate change. Both anthropogenic stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic represent significant economic challenges to aquaculture systems across the globe, threatening the supply chain of one of the most important sources of animal protein, with potential disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. A web survey was conducted in 47 countries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess how aquaculture activities have been affe…