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Prof. Margherita Ferrante
Environmental and food laboratory, University of Catania.

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0 Environment and Health
0 Epidemiological Methods
0 Risk Analysis And Evaluation
0 hospital hygiene
0 Public Health

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Journal article
Published: 15 July 2021 in Journal of Personalized Medicine
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MicroRNA and DNA adduct biomarkers may be used to identify the contribution of environmental pollution to some types of cancers. The aim of this study was to use integrated DNA adducts and microRNAs analyses to study retrospectively the contribution of exposures to environmental carcinogens to lung cancer in 64 non-smokers living in Sicily and Catania city near to the Etna volcano. MicroRNAs were extracted from cancer lung biopsies, and from the surrounding lung normal tissue. The expression of 2549 human microRNAs was analyzed by microarray. Benzo(a)Pyrene-DNA adducts levels were analyzed in the patients’ blood by HPLC−fluorescence detection. Correlations between tetrols and environmental exposures were calculated using Pearson coefficients and regression variable plots. Compared with the healthy tissue, 273 microRNAs were downregulated in lung cancer. Tetrols levels were inversely related both with the distance from Etna and years since smoking cessation, but they were not significantly correlated to environmental exposures. The analysis of the microRNA environmental signatures indicates the contribution of environmental factors to the analyzed lung cancers in the following decreasing rank: (a) car traffic, (b) passive smoke, (c) radon, and (d) volcano ashes. These results provide evidence that microRNA analysis can be used to retrospectively investigate the contribution of environmental factors in human lung cancer occurring in non-smokers.

ACS Style

Alberto Izzotti; Gabriela Coronel Vargas; Alessandra Pulliero; Simona Coco; Cristina Colarossi; Giuseppina Blanco; Antonella Agodi; Martina Barchitta; Andrea Maugeri; Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers; Gea Oliveri Conti; Margherita Ferrante; Salvatore Sciacca. Identification by MicroRNA Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors Bearing Pathogenic Relevance in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer. Journal of Personalized Medicine 2021, 11, 666 .

AMA Style

Alberto Izzotti, Gabriela Coronel Vargas, Alessandra Pulliero, Simona Coco, Cristina Colarossi, Giuseppina Blanco, Antonella Agodi, Martina Barchitta, Andrea Maugeri, Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers, Gea Oliveri Conti, Margherita Ferrante, Salvatore Sciacca. Identification by MicroRNA Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors Bearing Pathogenic Relevance in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021; 11 (7):666.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alberto Izzotti; Gabriela Coronel Vargas; Alessandra Pulliero; Simona Coco; Cristina Colarossi; Giuseppina Blanco; Antonella Agodi; Martina Barchitta; Andrea Maugeri; Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers; Gea Oliveri Conti; Margherita Ferrante; Salvatore Sciacca. 2021. "Identification by MicroRNA Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors Bearing Pathogenic Relevance in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer." Journal of Personalized Medicine 11, no. 7: 666.

Review
Published: 02 June 2021 in Journal of Personalized Medicine
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The daily environmental exposure of humans to plasticizers may adversely affect human health, representing a global issue. The altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important pathogenic role in exposure to plasticizers. This systematic review summarizes recent findings showing the modified expression of miRNAs in cancer due to exposure to plasticizers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in the past 10 years, focusing on the relationship between plasticizer exposure and the expression of miRNAs related to cancer. Starting with 535 records, 17 articles were included. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to plasticizers causes changes in or the deregulation of a number of oncogenic miRNAs and show that the interaction of plasticizers with several redundant miRNAs, such as let-7f, let-7g, miR-125b, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-22, miR-192, miR-222, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-296, miR-324, miR-335, miR-122, miR-23b, miR-200, miR-29a, and miR-21, might induce deep alterations. These genotoxic and oncogenic responses can eventually lead to abnormal cell signaling pathways and metabolic changes that participate in many overlapping cellular processes, and the evaluation of miRNA-level changes can be a useful target for the toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants, including plastic additives and plasticizers.

ACS Style

Margherita Ferrante; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti. Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review. Journal of Personalized Medicine 2021, 11, 500 .

AMA Style

Margherita Ferrante, Antonio Cristaldi, Gea Oliveri Conti. Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021; 11 (6):500.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Margherita Ferrante; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti. 2021. "Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review." Journal of Personalized Medicine 11, no. 6: 500.

Journal article
Published: 07 May 2021 in Environmental Research
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Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors, followed by glioblastomas. Nevertheless, no previous studies have been conducted to evaluate the epidemiology of meningiomas and glioblastomas in the southern region of Italy. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate incidence, temporal trend and survival rate of meningiomas and glioblastomas in the province of Catania during the study period. Moreover, a geoepidemiological analysis was performed in order to identify possible geographical and temporal clusters. All subjects with meningiomas and glioblastomas diagnosed from 2003 to 2016 in the province of Catania were collected, using the local cancer registry. Incidence rate (IR) was calculated by gender, age-groups and tumor behaviour. Temporal changes in incidence trend were assessed using a Joinpoint regression analysis while survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. Cluster analysis was performed using Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic. In the province of Catania, a total of 1488 cases of meningiomas and 443 cases of glioblastomas were identified from 2003 to 2016, with an IR of 9.8/100,000 person-years (95%CI 9.3-10.3) and 2.9/100,000 person-years (95%CI 2.7-3.2), respectively. Meningiomas were more common among women (p-value<0.0001), while glioblastomas among men (p-value<0.0001). IR progressively increased over the ages, reaching a peak in the 75-84 and 65-74 years-old group in, respectively, meningiomas and glioblastomas. Mean survival was higher in subjects diagnosed with meningiomas as compared to those with glioblastomas (10.7 years and 15.8 months, respectively), with age as the strongest risk factor for death. Spatial and space-time cluster of high incidence of meningiomas was detected in a small community on the eastern flank of the Mt. Etna volcano. Epidemiology of meningioma and glioblastoma in the province of Catania is close to that reported worldwide. Spatial and space-time cluster of meningiomas were found in Pedara. Further studies on risks factor are necessary.

ACS Style

Chaima Chebil; Farid Boumediene; Calogero Edoardo Cicero; Cristina Rascunà; Alessia Di Prima; Antonietta Alfia Maria Torrisi; Antonina Torrisi; Salvatore Sciacca; Mario Zappia; Pierre-Marie Preux; Margherita Ferrante; Alessandra Nicoletti. Incidence, survival and geoepidemiological analysis of meningiomas and glioblastomas in the province of Catania during the 2003–2016 period. Environmental Research 2021, 200, 111286 .

AMA Style

Chaima Chebil, Farid Boumediene, Calogero Edoardo Cicero, Cristina Rascunà, Alessia Di Prima, Antonietta Alfia Maria Torrisi, Antonina Torrisi, Salvatore Sciacca, Mario Zappia, Pierre-Marie Preux, Margherita Ferrante, Alessandra Nicoletti. Incidence, survival and geoepidemiological analysis of meningiomas and glioblastomas in the province of Catania during the 2003–2016 period. Environmental Research. 2021; 200 ():111286.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chaima Chebil; Farid Boumediene; Calogero Edoardo Cicero; Cristina Rascunà; Alessia Di Prima; Antonietta Alfia Maria Torrisi; Antonina Torrisi; Salvatore Sciacca; Mario Zappia; Pierre-Marie Preux; Margherita Ferrante; Alessandra Nicoletti. 2021. "Incidence, survival and geoepidemiological analysis of meningiomas and glioblastomas in the province of Catania during the 2003–2016 period." Environmental Research 200, no. : 111286.

Preprint content
Published: 05 May 2021
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Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. 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. Here we replicated three key published studies from the Tobacco Industry on cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of cigarette smoke and ENDS aerosol in an independent multicentric 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. We exposed human bronchial epithelial cell (NCI-H292) to cigarette smoke and to aerosol from ENDS. All the exposure were conducted at air-liquid interface to assess cytotoxicity effects of smoke and aerosol. Moreover, we aimed to assess different inflammatory mediators release (IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-1) from cells exposed to whole smoke and to smoke without particulate matter (vapor phase). We were able to replicate the results obtained in the original studies on cytotoxicity confirming that almost 80% of the cytotoxic effect of smoke is due to the vapor phase of smoke. Moreover, our results substantiated the reduced cytotoxic effects of ENDS aerosol in respect to cigarette smoke. However, our data are significantly different from the original ones in terms of inflammatory and remodeling activity triggered by smoke. Taken all together, the data obtained independently in different laboratories clearly demonstrate the reduced toxicity of ENDS products compared to cigarettes and thus providing a valuable tool to the harm reduction strategies in smokers.

ACS Style

Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Alfio Distefano; Sonja Rust; Konstantinos Poulas; Fahad Zadjali; Silvia Boffo; Vladislav Volarevic; Konstantinos Mesiakaris; Mohammed Al Tobi; Antonio Giordano; Aleksandar Arsenijevic; Pietro Zuccarello; Margherita Ferrante; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; the Replica Project Group. Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: The Replica Project. 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Massimo Caruso, Rosalia Emma, Alfio Distefano, Sonja Rust, Konstantinos Poulas, Fahad Zadjali, Silvia Boffo, Vladislav Volarevic, Konstantinos Mesiakaris, Mohammed Al Tobi, Antonio Giordano, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, Pietro Zuccarello, Margherita Ferrante, Riccardo Polosa, Giovanni Li Volti, the Replica Project Group. Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: The Replica Project. . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Alfio Distefano; Sonja Rust; Konstantinos Poulas; Fahad Zadjali; Silvia Boffo; Vladislav Volarevic; Konstantinos Mesiakaris; Mohammed Al Tobi; Antonio Giordano; Aleksandar Arsenijevic; Pietro Zuccarello; Margherita Ferrante; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; the Replica Project Group. 2021. "Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: The Replica Project." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 13 April 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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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. Nevertheless, it may cause possible health problems due to the intake of toxic compounds coming from environmental pollution. Among emerging contaminants, AgNPs are widely applied in several fields such as biomedicine, pharmaceutical, food industry, health care, drug-gene delivery, environmental study, water treatments, and many others, although its primary application is in accordance with its antimicrobial property. As a consequence, AgNPs are discharged into the aquatic environment, where the colloidal stability of these NPs is altered by chemical and physical environmental parameters. Its toxicity was demonstrated in in-vitro and in-vivo studies, although some findings are controversial because toxicity depends by several factors such as size, concentration, chemical composition, surface charge, Ag+ ions released, and hydrophobicity. The new emerging technique called single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was applied, which allows the determination of nanoparticle number-based concentration and size distribution, as well as the dissolved element. Our findings highlighted comparable mean sizes across all species analysed, although AgNPs concentrations partly follow a trophic level-dependent trend. The low mean size detected could be of human health concern, since, smaller is the diameter higher is the toxicity. Dietary intake from a meal calculated for adults and children seems to be very low. Although seafood consumption represents only a small part of the human total diet, our findings represent a first important step to understand the AgNPs dietary exposure of the human population. Further studies are needed to characterize and quantify AgNPs in a large number of food items, both processing and not, and where AgNPs are added at the industrial level. They will provide a realistic exposure assessment, useful to understand if AgNPs toxicity levels observed in literature are close to those estimable through food consumption and implement data useful for risk assessors in developing AgNPs provisional tolerable daily intake.

ACS Style

Alfina Grasso; Margherita Ferrante; Giovanni Arena; Rossella Salemi; Pietro Zuccarello; Maria Fiore; Chiara Copat. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Dissolved Ag in Seafood by Single Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 4076 .

AMA Style

Alfina Grasso, Margherita Ferrante, Giovanni Arena, Rossella Salemi, Pietro Zuccarello, Maria Fiore, Chiara Copat. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Dissolved Ag in Seafood by Single Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (8):4076.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alfina Grasso; Margherita Ferrante; Giovanni Arena; Rossella Salemi; Pietro Zuccarello; Maria Fiore; Chiara Copat. 2021. "Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Dissolved Ag in Seafood by Single Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 8: 4076.

Review
Published: 05 April 2021
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The environmental exposure of human in the daily and occupational activities to plasticizers may adversely affect human health, and thus represents a global issue. The altered expression of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exerts an important pathogenic role linked also to the exposure to plasticizers. This systematic review summarizes the recent findings showing modified ex-pression of miRNAs in cancer due to plasticizers exposures. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we performed a systematic review of the past ten years, focusing on the relationship between plasticizer exposures and expression of miRNAs cancer. Starting by 535 records, 17 articles were included. Results support the hypothesis that exposure to plasticizers cause changes or deregulation of a number of oncogenic miRNAs and showed that plasticizers interaction with several redundant miRNAs, such as let-7f, let-7g, miR-125b, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-22; miR-192, miR-222, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-296, miR-324, miR-335, miR-122, miR-23b, miR-200, miR-29a and miR-21, might induce deep alterations. These genotoxic and oncogenic responses can eventually lead to abnormal cell signaling pathways and metabolisms that participate in many overlapped cellular processes, and miRNA level changes can be a useful tool for the toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants, including plastic additives and plasticizers

ACS Style

Margherita Ferrante; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti. Oncogenic Role of miRNA by Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review. 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Margherita Ferrante, Antonio Cristaldi, Gea Oliveri Conti. Oncogenic Role of miRNA by Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review. . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Margherita Ferrante; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti. 2021. "Oncogenic Role of miRNA by Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 23 March 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The awareness of citizens concerning the health risks caused by environmental pollution is growing, but studies on determinants of pro-environmental behaviors have rarely examined health-related aspects. In this study, we investigated these determinants using data from a large survey among Italian university students (15 Universities: 4778 filled questionnaires). Besides the health-related aspects, represented by environmental health risk perception and functional health literacy, we considered social and demographic characteristics (gender, area of residence, sources of information, trust in institutional and non-institutional subjects, and students’ capacity of positive actions, indicated as internal locus of control). The attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors were positive for more than 70% of students and positively related with health risk perception, internal locus of control, and health literacy. The correspondence between the positive attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors and the real adoption of such behaviors was approximately 20% for most behaviors, except for the separate collection of waste (60%). Such a discrepancy can be attributable to external obstacles (i.e., lack of time, costs, lack of support). The health-related aspects were linked to the pro-environmental attitudes, but to a lesser extent to pro-environmental behaviors, owing to the complexity of their determinants. However, they should be taken in account in planning education interventions.

ACS Style

Annalaura Carducci; Maria Fiore; Antonio Azara; Guglielmo Bonaccorsi; Martina Bortoletto; Giuseppina Caggiano; Andrea Calamusa; Antonella De Donno; Osvalda De Giglio; Marco Dettori; Pamela Di Giovanni; Angela Di Pietro; Alessio Facciolà; Ileana Federigi; Iolanda Grappasonni; Alberto Izzotti; Giovanni Libralato; Chiara Lorini; Maria Montagna; Liberata Nicolosi; Grazia Paladino; Giacomo Palomba; Fabio Petrelli; Tiziana Schilirò; Stefania Scuri; Francesca Serio; Marina Tesauro; Marco Verani; Marco Vinceti; Federica Violi; Margherita Ferrante. Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 3306 .

AMA Style

Annalaura Carducci, Maria Fiore, Antonio Azara, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Martina Bortoletto, Giuseppina Caggiano, Andrea Calamusa, Antonella De Donno, Osvalda De Giglio, Marco Dettori, Pamela Di Giovanni, Angela Di Pietro, Alessio Facciolà, Ileana Federigi, Iolanda Grappasonni, Alberto Izzotti, Giovanni Libralato, Chiara Lorini, Maria Montagna, Liberata Nicolosi, Grazia Paladino, Giacomo Palomba, Fabio Petrelli, Tiziana Schilirò, Stefania Scuri, Francesca Serio, Marina Tesauro, Marco Verani, Marco Vinceti, Federica Violi, Margherita Ferrante. Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (6):3306.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Annalaura Carducci; Maria Fiore; Antonio Azara; Guglielmo Bonaccorsi; Martina Bortoletto; Giuseppina Caggiano; Andrea Calamusa; Antonella De Donno; Osvalda De Giglio; Marco Dettori; Pamela Di Giovanni; Angela Di Pietro; Alessio Facciolà; Ileana Federigi; Iolanda Grappasonni; Alberto Izzotti; Giovanni Libralato; Chiara Lorini; Maria Montagna; Liberata Nicolosi; Grazia Paladino; Giacomo Palomba; Fabio Petrelli; Tiziana Schilirò; Stefania Scuri; Francesca Serio; Marina Tesauro; Marco Verani; Marco Vinceti; Federica Violi; Margherita Ferrante. 2021. "Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 6: 3306.

Journal article
Published: 18 March 2021 in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology
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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. Smoke and vapor generated respectively by a reference tobacco cigarette (1R6F) and ENDs under different exposure regimes (ISO, HCI and CRM81) were collected on CFPs as total particulate matter (TPM) and subsequently analyzed for nicotine content. For each exposure, some CFPs were analyzed at time zero, whereas the others were stored under different conditions for nicotine assessment after 30 days. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed the best correlation between nicotine on CFPs and TPM for normalization. This study suggests that different exposure regimes and products can affect the preservation of nicotine titer on CFPs while samples storage at −80 °C may prevent the loss of nicotine. Finally, normalization of nicotine with TPM is strongly recommended for regulatory purpose.

ACS Style

Pietro Zuccarello; Sonja Rust; Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Roberta Pulvirenti; Claudia Favara; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; Margherita Ferrante. Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 2021, 122, 104917 .

AMA Style

Pietro Zuccarello, Sonja Rust, Massimo Caruso, Rosalia Emma, Roberta Pulvirenti, Claudia Favara, Riccardo Polosa, Giovanni Li Volti, Margherita Ferrante. Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2021; 122 ():104917.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Zuccarello; Sonja Rust; Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Roberta Pulvirenti; Claudia Favara; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; Margherita Ferrante. 2021. "Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions." Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 122, no. : 104917.

Journal article
Published: 16 March 2021 in Environmental Research
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Several cardiovascular conditions exhibit seasonality in frequency and mortality, but little is known about the seasonality of Venous ThromboEmbolism (VTE), a very relevant medical condition, and seasonal influences are still conflicting. Patients having co-morbidities, individual suffered from dyspnea, swelling, edema of lower limb, pain (chest, lower limbs) are admitted frequently to the hospital emergency room (HER), particularly. Both mark a potential risk for VTE, that can be increased also by seasonality. A four years retrospective analysis (2016–2019) was carried out in individuals and patients admitted to the HER of the Hospital of Catania (a Mediterranean city of Sicily, Italy) to evaluate the VTE frequency and its seasonal differences, common symptoms, potential usage of some common laboratory tests. Dyspnea, swelling, edema of lower limb and pain (chest, lower limbs) were considered to suspect pulmonary embolism (PE) or for deep vein thrombosis of lower limb (DVT). Platelet count, platelet volume, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer were considered. VTE frequency per year was 2.9/10,000 (2016), 4.9/10,000 (2017) 3.6/10,000 (2018), and 5.1/10,000 (2019) respectively. Dyspnea was highly frequent for PE, edema and lower limb pain were frequent in DVT patients. Fibrinogen, C reactive protein, and D-dimer values were found raised in all the VTE patients. Platelet volume was found higher in DVT than PE VTE events that occurred in warm periods were modestly greater (57 VTE: 38 DVT, 19 PE) compared to cold months (52 VTE: 34 DVT, 18 PE). Our results could be explained by the increased sweating due to the high temperatures, which in turn, can affect both on plasma concentration and on hematocrit value coupled to the reduction in atmospheric pressure determining both a hyper-coagulative condition. Climate seasonal characteristics, and environmental conditions in Catania city (Sicily) may be as reasonable items in expecting on different VTE rates in warm period compared to cold. This study highlights no specific symptoms, and confirms the common lab tests for individuals and patients admitted to HER as simple and helpful tools in initiating none or mini-invasive diagnostic strategy for the VTE. Finally, the climate/seasonality coupled with latitude can have a direct influence on the incidence of DVT.

ACS Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Giuseppe Carpinteri; Giovanni Lumera; Maria Fiore; Giuseppe Dattilo; Agostino Gaudio; Margherita Ferrante. Venous thromboembolism in hospital emergency room. A retrospective study on climatic effect. Environmental Research 2021, 197, 110950 .

AMA Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli, Gea Oliveri Conti, Giuseppe Carpinteri, Giovanni Lumera, Maria Fiore, Giuseppe Dattilo, Agostino Gaudio, Margherita Ferrante. Venous thromboembolism in hospital emergency room. A retrospective study on climatic effect. Environmental Research. 2021; 197 ():110950.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Giuseppe Carpinteri; Giovanni Lumera; Maria Fiore; Giuseppe Dattilo; Agostino Gaudio; Margherita Ferrante. 2021. "Venous thromboembolism in hospital emergency room. A retrospective study on climatic effect." Environmental Research 197, no. : 110950.

Journal article
Published: 06 March 2021 in Diagnostics
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To date, there is poor evidence on the transmission of infection in individuals handling the bodies of deceased persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 and in particular, during autopsies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that when appropriate strategies are adopted autopsy is a safe procedure with a minimal infection risk for all subjects involved (pathologists, technical personnel, and others) when proper strategies are adopted. We performed 16 autopsies on cadavers of persons who had died with confirmed COVID-19 with different post-mortem intervals (PMI). To confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, for each autopsy, 2 swabs were sampled from lungs, while to evaluate environmental contamination, 11 swabs were taken at three different times: T0 (before autopsy), T1 (at the end of the autopsy, without removing the corpse), and T2 (after cleaning and disinfecting the autopsy room). Specifically, 2 swabs were sampled on face shields used by each pathologist, and 4 swabs were collected on the autopsy table; 4 swabs were also collected from walls and 1 from floor. Lung swabs confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in all cases. Environmental swabs, collected at T0 and T2 were all negative, while swabs sampled at T1 were shown to be positive. Interestingly, no association was shown between PMI length and environmental contamination. Infection control strategies for safe management of clinical forensic autopsies of bodies with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are also described.

ACS Style

Cristoforo Pomara; Monica Salerno; Francesco Sessa; Massimiliano Esposito; Martina Barchitta; Caterina Ledda; Patrizia Grassi; Aldo Liberto; Anna Mattaliano; Venerando Rapisarda; Margherita Ferrante; Antonella Agodi. Safe Management Strategies in Clinical Forensic Autopsies of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 457 .

AMA Style

Cristoforo Pomara, Monica Salerno, Francesco Sessa, Massimiliano Esposito, Martina Barchitta, Caterina Ledda, Patrizia Grassi, Aldo Liberto, Anna Mattaliano, Venerando Rapisarda, Margherita Ferrante, Antonella Agodi. Safe Management Strategies in Clinical Forensic Autopsies of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases. Diagnostics. 2021; 11 (3):457.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristoforo Pomara; Monica Salerno; Francesco Sessa; Massimiliano Esposito; Martina Barchitta; Caterina Ledda; Patrizia Grassi; Aldo Liberto; Anna Mattaliano; Venerando Rapisarda; Margherita Ferrante; Antonella Agodi. 2021. "Safe Management Strategies in Clinical Forensic Autopsies of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases." Diagnostics 11, no. 3: 457.

Journal article
Published: 05 March 2021 in Journal of Personalized Medicine
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Oncogene mutations may be drivers of the carcinogenesis process. MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations may be adaptive or pathogenic and can have consequences only when mutation in the controlled oncogenes occurs. The aim of this research was to analyze the interplay between miRNA expression and oncogene mutation. A total of 2549 miRNAs were analyzed in cancer tissue—in surrounding normal lung tissue collected from 64 non-smoking patients and in blood plasma. Mutations in 92 hotspots of 22 oncogenes were tested in the lung cancer tissue. MicroRNA alterations were related to the mutations occurring in cancer patients. Conversely, the frequency of mutation occurrence was variable and spanned from the k-ras and p53 mutation detected in 30% of patients to 20% of patients in which no mutation was detected. The prediction of survival at a 3-year follow up did not occur for mutation analysis but was, conversely, well evident for miRNA analysis highlighting a pattern of miRNA distinguishing between survivors and death in patients 3 years before this clinical onset. A signature of six lung cancer specific miRNAs occurring both in the lungs and blood was identified. The obtained results provide evidence that the analysis of both miRNA and oncogene mutations was more informative than the oncogene mutation analysis currently performed in clinical practice.

ACS Style

Alberto Izzotti; Gabriela Coronel Vargas; Alessandra Pulliero; Simona Coco; Irene Vanni; Cristina Colarossi; Giuseppina Blanco; Antonella Agodi; Martina Barchitta; Andrea Maugeri; Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers; Gea Oliveri Conti; Margherita Ferrante; Salvatore Sciacca. Relationship between the miRNA Profiles and Oncogene Mutations in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer. Relevance for Lung Cancer Personalized Screenings and Treatments. Journal of Personalized Medicine 2021, 11, 182 .

AMA Style

Alberto Izzotti, Gabriela Coronel Vargas, Alessandra Pulliero, Simona Coco, Irene Vanni, Cristina Colarossi, Giuseppina Blanco, Antonella Agodi, Martina Barchitta, Andrea Maugeri, Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers, Gea Oliveri Conti, Margherita Ferrante, Salvatore Sciacca. Relationship between the miRNA Profiles and Oncogene Mutations in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer. Relevance for Lung Cancer Personalized Screenings and Treatments. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021; 11 (3):182.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alberto Izzotti; Gabriela Coronel Vargas; Alessandra Pulliero; Simona Coco; Irene Vanni; Cristina Colarossi; Giuseppina Blanco; Antonella Agodi; Martina Barchitta; Andrea Maugeri; Ct-Me-En Cancer Registry Workers; Gea Oliveri Conti; Margherita Ferrante; Salvatore Sciacca. 2021. "Relationship between the miRNA Profiles and Oncogene Mutations in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer. Relevance for Lung Cancer Personalized Screenings and Treatments." Journal of Personalized Medicine 11, no. 3: 182.

Journal article
Published: 21 February 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study aimed to assess the awareness and performance of Qom citizens towards using disinfectants and compared its relationship with geographical distribution of COVID-19 outbreak in Qom, Iran. The study was conducted by a researcher-made questionnaire during April and May, 2020. COVID-19 incidence data for each district of city was obtained from health department of Qom province. Data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS and ArcView (GIS) softwares. It was found that the highest level of citizens’ awareness (52%) was in the weak range while their performance (56%) was in the good range. According to Spearman’s correlation analysis, there was a strong correlation (rho 0.95) between the total mean of awareness and performance (p < 0.01). The highest incidence rate of COVID-19 was in district 7 which had the lowest mean score in both awareness and performance. In addition, the results of ANOVA (LSD—least significant difference) showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between district 7—with lower mean scores in awareness and performance—and other districts. Overall, it is concluded that citizens’ awareness level was lower than that of their performance. This conclusion not only calls for more training programs to be implemented in public places, schools, universities and governmental offices, but it also necessitates maintaining a proper and timely training about using disinfectants.

ACS Style

Zahra Safari; Reza Fouladi-Fard; Razieh Vahidmoghadam; Mohammad Hosseini; Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi; Alireza Omidi Oskouei; Mostafa Rezaali; Margherita Ferrante; Maria Fiore. Awareness and Performance towards Proper Use of Disinfectants to Prevent COVID-19: The Case of Iran. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 2099 .

AMA Style

Zahra Safari, Reza Fouladi-Fard, Razieh Vahidmoghadam, Mohammad Hosseini, Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi, Alireza Omidi Oskouei, Mostafa Rezaali, Margherita Ferrante, Maria Fiore. Awareness and Performance towards Proper Use of Disinfectants to Prevent COVID-19: The Case of Iran. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (4):2099.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zahra Safari; Reza Fouladi-Fard; Razieh Vahidmoghadam; Mohammad Hosseini; Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi; Alireza Omidi Oskouei; Mostafa Rezaali; Margherita Ferrante; Maria Fiore. 2021. "Awareness and Performance towards Proper Use of Disinfectants to Prevent COVID-19: The Case of Iran." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 2099.

Journal article
Published: 20 December 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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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 (TiO2-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 TiO2-NPs, this work aimed to give a preliminary assessment of the contamination of packaged seafood, where the food additive TiO2 (E171) is not to be intentionally added. This allowed providing a chemical characterization and quantification of TiO2-NPs in processed canned fish products belonging to different trophic positions of the pelagic compartment and in canned clam. The new emerging technique called single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was applied, which allows the determination of nanoparticle number-based concentration, as well as the dissolved titanium. This study highlights how processed food, where the pigment E171 was not intentionally added, contains TiO2 in its nanoparticle form, as well as dissolved titanium. Processed clam represented the seafood with the highest content of TiO2-NPs. In pelagic fish species, we found progressively higher levels and smaller sizes of TiO2-NPs from smaller to larger fish. Our results highlight the importance of planning the characterization and quantification of TiO2-NPs in food both processed and not, as well as where the pigment E171 is intentionally added and not, as it is not the only source of TiO2-NPs. This result represents a solid step toward being able to estimate the real level of dietary exposure to TiO2-NPs for the general population and the related health risks.

ACS Style

Alfina Grasso; Margherita Ferrante; Pietro Zuccarello; Tommaso Filippini; Giovanni Arena; Maria Fiore; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti; Chiara Copat. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) in Seafood by Single-Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 9547 .

AMA Style

Alfina Grasso, Margherita Ferrante, Pietro Zuccarello, Tommaso Filippini, Giovanni Arena, Maria Fiore, Antonio Cristaldi, Gea Oliveri Conti, Chiara Copat. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) in Seafood by Single-Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (24):9547.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alfina Grasso; Margherita Ferrante; Pietro Zuccarello; Tommaso Filippini; Giovanni Arena; Maria Fiore; Antonio Cristaldi; Gea Oliveri Conti; Chiara Copat. 2020. "Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) in Seafood by Single-Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 24: 9547.

Journal article
Published: 02 December 2020 in Antioxidants
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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. Methods: Platelet-derived microparticles (MPs), pro-thrombinase-induced clotting time assay (PiCT), phospholipids (PLPs), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenale (4-HNE), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and galectin-3 (Gal-3) were measured in VTE patients and in healthy controls. Results: PLPs, 4-HNE, TBARs, and Gal-3 were higher in VTE patients compared to controls; conversely, SOD was lower. A significant non-linear regression between OxS biomarkers and the markers of platelet degranulation was found. Conclusion: Our results suggest that OxS and platelet degranulation are concomitant pathophysiological mechanisms in VTE.

ACS Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Maria Fiore; Maria Grazia Elfio; Antonio Cristaldi; Ilenia Nicolosi; Pietro Zuccarello; Luca Zanoli; Agostino Gaudio; Domenico Di Raimondo; Margherita Ferrante. Inter-Relationship between Platelet-Derived Microparticles and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 1217 .

AMA Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli, Gea Oliveri Conti, Maria Fiore, Maria Grazia Elfio, Antonio Cristaldi, Ilenia Nicolosi, Pietro Zuccarello, Luca Zanoli, Agostino Gaudio, Domenico Di Raimondo, Margherita Ferrante. Inter-Relationship between Platelet-Derived Microparticles and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism. Antioxidants. 2020; 9 (12):1217.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Maria Fiore; Maria Grazia Elfio; Antonio Cristaldi; Ilenia Nicolosi; Pietro Zuccarello; Luca Zanoli; Agostino Gaudio; Domenico Di Raimondo; Margherita Ferrante. 2020. "Inter-Relationship between Platelet-Derived Microparticles and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism." Antioxidants 9, no. 12: 1217.

Review
Published: 04 November 2020 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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Cryptosporidium spp., as a genus of protozoan intestinal parasites, is recognized as responsible for cryptosporidiosis. The present study was conducted to provide an overview of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium based on water. In this regard, some databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were screened in order to retrieve the related citations from 1 January 1983 to 10 September 2019. The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was calculated by using a random effect model (REM) based on defined subgroups, including countries, water type, treatment conditions (treated and untreated), economic condition, World Health Organization (WHO) regions, and method of detection. In contrast, this index for treated and untreated water was 25.7% and 40.1%, respectively. Also, the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. among all water types was defined as 36 (95% CI: 31.4–40.7). The rank order of prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. based on water type was wastewater (46.9%) > surface water (45.3%) > raw water (31.6%) > drinking water (25.5%) > reservoirs water (24.5%) > groundwater (18.8%) > swimming pool water (7.5%) > marine water (0.20%). Identifying the key contributing factors to Cryptosporidium spp. survival can help provide solutions at both local and global scales.

ACS Style

Hasti Daraei; Gea Oliveri Conti; Fatemeh Sahlabadi; Van Nam Thai; Sahar Gholipour; Habibollah Turki; Yadolah Fakhri; Margherita Ferrante; Ali Moradi; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in water: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2020, 28, 9498 -9507.

AMA Style

Hasti Daraei, Gea Oliveri Conti, Fatemeh Sahlabadi, Van Nam Thai, Sahar Gholipour, Habibollah Turki, Yadolah Fakhri, Margherita Ferrante, Ali Moradi, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in water: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020; 28 (8):9498-9507.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hasti Daraei; Gea Oliveri Conti; Fatemeh Sahlabadi; Van Nam Thai; Sahar Gholipour; Habibollah Turki; Yadolah Fakhri; Margherita Ferrante; Ali Moradi; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah. 2020. "Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in water: a global systematic review and meta-analysis." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28, no. 8: 9498-9507.

Original research
Published: 01 November 2020 in Vascular Health and Risk Management
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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 (7.12 nM; 25th– 75th percentile 5.26– 9.12) than in controls (5.45 nM; 25th– 75th percentile 1.67– 8.96) (p = 0.19). PiCT velocity was lower in DVT (1.87 sec; 25th– 75th percentile 1.75– 1.93 sec) compared with controls (1.95 sec; 25th– 75th percentile 1.84– 2.24 sec) (p = 0.04). PLPs were higher in DVT (77.03 μg/mL; 25th– 75th percentile 72.12– 103.59 μg/mL) compared with controls (68.65 μg/mL, 25th– 75th percentile 55.31– 78.20 μg/mL) (p = 0.02). Discussion: We hypothesize that MPs could be integrated with the lab network assay in evaluating Ps’ role as an activated procoagulative condition. We encourage research on Ps and P-derived microvesicle pathways in patients with unprovoked DVT and not only in patients with cancer-induced DVT.

ACS Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Maria Fiore; Federica Cangiano; Pietro Zuccarello; Agostino Gaudio; Margherita Ferrante. Platelet-Derived Microparticles (MPs) and Thrombin Generation Velocity in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Results of a Case–Control Study. Vascular Health and Risk Management 2020, ume 16, 489 -495.

AMA Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli, Gea Oliveri Conti, Maria Fiore, Federica Cangiano, Pietro Zuccarello, Agostino Gaudio, Margherita Ferrante. Platelet-Derived Microparticles (MPs) and Thrombin Generation Velocity in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Results of a Case–Control Study. Vascular Health and Risk Management. 2020; ume 16 ():489-495.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore Santo Signorelli; Gea Oliveri Conti; Maria Fiore; Federica Cangiano; Pietro Zuccarello; Agostino Gaudio; Margherita Ferrante. 2020. "Platelet-Derived Microparticles (MPs) and Thrombin Generation Velocity in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Results of a Case–Control Study." Vascular Health and Risk Management ume 16, no. : 489-495.

Review
Published: 30 October 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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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. Furthermore, microplastics can absorb numerous pollutants that can be accumulated in the human body through bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes. We carried out a systematic review using a PRISMA approach to verify the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for microplastic removal. The international databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus) were used to find published studies on efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for microplastic removal. The search period was between January 2010 and June 2020. Over 1000 full research papers were initially selected through the use of keywords. After that, the papers were further selected by English language, title, and abstract, and duplicate papers and non-relevant papers were eliminated according to eligibility criteria. Finally, we included 15 full research papers. In each of the 15 full research papers selected, the microplastics identified were categorized by the authors for shape, size, and type of polymers identified. The characterization of the various types of microplastics was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) or Raman spectroscopy. We have observed how wastewater treatments plants located in different continents (Europe, Asia, North America) mostly use a primary and secondary type of treatment that allows one to reach a high percentage of microplastics removal from wastewater. Most of the wastewater treatments plants investigated reported a microplastics removal efficiency greater than 90%, but despite this, millions of microplastics continue to be released every day into the aquatic environment. Then, in the near future, efficient and common standardized protocols for monitoring MPs should be drawn up, as well as increasing the knowledge of sources and strategies to further reduce microplastics contamination of treated wastewater.

ACS Style

Antonio Cristaldi; Maria Fiore; Pietro Zuccarello; Gea Oliveri Conti; Alfina Grasso; Ilenia Nicolosi; Chiara Copat; Margherita Ferrante. Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Microplastic Removal: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 8014 .

AMA Style

Antonio Cristaldi, Maria Fiore, Pietro Zuccarello, Gea Oliveri Conti, Alfina Grasso, Ilenia Nicolosi, Chiara Copat, Margherita Ferrante. Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Microplastic Removal: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (21):8014.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Cristaldi; Maria Fiore; Pietro Zuccarello; Gea Oliveri Conti; Alfina Grasso; Ilenia Nicolosi; Chiara Copat; Margherita Ferrante. 2020. "Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Microplastic Removal: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 21: 8014.

Preprint
Published: 06 October 2020
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Prevalence studies of current smoking among hospitalized COVID-19 patients demonstrated an unexpectedly low prevalence of current smoking among patients with COVID-19. The aim of the present proposal 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 hours from exposure. Our transcriptomics data analysis showed a significant selective reduction of membrane ACE-2 expression (about 25%) following smoking exposure. Interestingly, we observed a positive direct correlation between ACE-2 reduction and nicotine delivery. Furthermore, by stratifying GSE52237 as a function of ACE-2 gene expression levels, we highlighted 1012 genes related to ACE-2 in smokers and 855 in non-smokers. Furthermore, we showed that 161 genes involved in the endocytosis process were highlighted using the online pathway tool KEGG. Finally, 11 genes were in common between the ACE-2 pathway in smokers and the genes regulated during endocytosis, while 12 genes with non-smokers. Interestingly, six in non-smokers and four genes in smokers were closely involved during the viral internalization process. Our data may offer a pharmaceutical role of nicotine as potential treatment option in COVID-19.

ACS Style

Massimo Caruso; Alfio Distefano; Rosalia Emma; Michelino Di Rosa; Giuseppe Carota; Sonja Rust; Riccardo Polosa; Pietro Zuccarello; Margherita Ferrante; Giuseppina Raciti; Giovanni Li Volti. Role of Cigarette Smoke on ACE-2 Protein Membrane Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Air-Liquid Interface Model. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Massimo Caruso, Alfio Distefano, Rosalia Emma, Michelino Di Rosa, Giuseppe Carota, Sonja Rust, Riccardo Polosa, Pietro Zuccarello, Margherita Ferrante, Giuseppina Raciti, Giovanni Li Volti. Role of Cigarette Smoke on ACE-2 Protein Membrane Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Air-Liquid Interface Model. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Massimo Caruso; Alfio Distefano; Rosalia Emma; Michelino Di Rosa; Giuseppe Carota; Sonja Rust; Riccardo Polosa; Pietro Zuccarello; Margherita Ferrante; Giuseppina Raciti; Giovanni Li Volti. 2020. "Role of Cigarette Smoke on ACE-2 Protein Membrane Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Air-Liquid Interface Model." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 15 September 2020 in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
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Pollution and other types of environmental stress do not spare marine environments, especially those affected by high industrial pressure. Fish, especially coastal species, are used for monitoring the marine environment because they are particularly efficient as bioindicators thanks to their ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify along the trophic chain. The aim of this research is to evaluate the bioaccumulation and the indirect bioindication ability of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), one of the most important commercial fish species of the Mediterranean Sea. Morphological and histological alterations of the main target organs, such as liver and gills, have been investigated and the results showed a steatosis in the hepatic tissue. The accumulation of heavy metals has been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and for several metals it was showed a different concentration in the two sexes. Moreover, the expression of metallothioneins 1 and Heat Shock Protein 70 has been assessed by immunohistochemistry and did not show high level of expression. We underline the importance of contamination evaluation in commercial fish species and the utilization of the ichthyofauna as bioindicator of environmental quality.

ACS Style

Antonio Salvaggio; Roberta Pecoraro; Chiara Copat; Margherita Ferrante; Alfina Grasso; Elena Maria Scalisi; Sara Ignoto; Vincenza Serena Bonaccorsi; Giuseppina Messina; Bianca Maria Lombardo; Francesco Tiralongo; Maria Violetta Brundo. Bioaccumulation of Metals/Metalloids and Histological and Immunohistochemical Changes in the Tissue of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Gadiformes: Merlucciidae), for Environmental Pollution Assessment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2020, 8, 712 .

AMA Style

Antonio Salvaggio, Roberta Pecoraro, Chiara Copat, Margherita Ferrante, Alfina Grasso, Elena Maria Scalisi, Sara Ignoto, Vincenza Serena Bonaccorsi, Giuseppina Messina, Bianca Maria Lombardo, Francesco Tiralongo, Maria Violetta Brundo. Bioaccumulation of Metals/Metalloids and Histological and Immunohistochemical Changes in the Tissue of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Gadiformes: Merlucciidae), for Environmental Pollution Assessment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2020; 8 (9):712.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Salvaggio; Roberta Pecoraro; Chiara Copat; Margherita Ferrante; Alfina Grasso; Elena Maria Scalisi; Sara Ignoto; Vincenza Serena Bonaccorsi; Giuseppina Messina; Bianca Maria Lombardo; Francesco Tiralongo; Maria Violetta Brundo. 2020. "Bioaccumulation of Metals/Metalloids and Histological and Immunohistochemical Changes in the Tissue of the European Hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Gadiformes: Merlucciidae), for Environmental Pollution Assessment." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8, no. 9: 712.

Preprint content
Published: 10 September 2020
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Despite the growing numbers of studies with cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDs), there is no standard covering nicotine dosimetry and its stability in various matrix. The aim of the present study was to provide a protocol to normalize nicotine concentration adsorbed in Cambridge Filter PADs (CFPs) and their storage method. Smoke/vapor generated by a reference tobacco cigarette (1R6F) and ENDs with different exposure regimes (ISO, HCI and CRM81) was collected in CFPs. For each exposure, some CFPs were analyzed at time zero, whereas the others were stored under different conditions for nicotine assessment after 30 days. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was also performed to establish the best parameter for nicotine normalization. PCA showed the best correlation between nicotine in CFPs and TPM. Our results showed differences between products and puffing regimes, but storage of CFPs at −80°C was always effective in maintaining the nicotine content. In conclusion, this study highlights that different exposure regimens and products can affect the preservation of nicotine titer in CFPs and samples storage at −80°C may prevent the loss of nicotine. These conditions are recommended and should be adopted for Inter-laboratory comparison studies on ENDs to ensure harmonization between participating laboratories.

ACS Style

Pietro Zuccarello; Sonja Rust; Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Roberta Pulvirenti; Claudia Favara; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; Margherita Ferrante. Nicotine dosimetry and stability in Cambridge Filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regimen protocols and condition storage. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Pietro Zuccarello, Sonja Rust, Massimo Caruso, Rosalia Emma, Roberta Pulvirenti, Claudia Favara, Riccardo Polosa, Giovanni Li Volti, Margherita Ferrante. Nicotine dosimetry and stability in Cambridge Filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regimen protocols and condition storage. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Zuccarello; Sonja Rust; Massimo Caruso; Rosalia Emma; Roberta Pulvirenti; Claudia Favara; Riccardo Polosa; Giovanni Li Volti; Margherita Ferrante. 2020. "Nicotine dosimetry and stability in Cambridge Filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regimen protocols and condition storage." , no. : 1.