Liver transplant (LT) recipients are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2-infection (COVID-19), due to immunosuppression and comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on LT recipients compared to general population in the Campania region. In this prospective double-centre study, we enrolled all consecutive adult LT recipients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection. Data were collected at diagnosis of COVID-19 and during follow-up and compared with the regional population. Thirty LT recipients (3.28%) developed SARS-CoV-2-infection (76.66% male, median age 62.61 years). Sixteen (53.33%) were symptomatic. Common symptoms were fever, cough, fatigue, and anosmia. Twenty-five (83.33%) were outpatients, 5 (16.66%) required hospitalization (6.66% admitted to Intensive Care Unit, 6.62% developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and 6.66% died). Immunosuppressors were in 3 (10%) patients. Incidence rate of COVID-19 was similar between LT patients and general population (3.28% vs 4.37%, p = 0.142) with higher rate of symptoms in LT patients (53.33% vs 15.87%, p < 0.000). At univariate analysis, hospitalization and case fatality rates were higher in LT patients compared to general population (16.66% vs 4.54%, p = 0.001; and 6.66% vs 1.76%, p = 0.041, respectively). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, LT patients with COVID-19 were more frequently symptomatic (OR 5.447 [95% CI 2.437–12.177], p < 0.000), whereas hospitalization and death for COVID-19 were not significatively associated with LT condition (p = 0.724 and p = 0.462, respectively) and were comparable with general population. LT is not a risk factor for acquiring COVID-19. Nonetheless, LT patients are more frequently symptomatic, although comparable to the general population for hospitalization rate and mortality.

Conclusions: Some patients showed persistent jaundice even after transaminase levels returned to normal following HEV infection.This clinical course is self-limited.The prognosis is good the jaundice generally resolves spontaneously after 2-6 months. AF.

Background and Aims: Liver transplant (LT) recipients are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2-infection (COVID-19), due to immunosuppression and comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on LT recipients compared to general population in the Campania region. Methods: In this case-control double-centre study, we enrolled all consecutive adult LT recipients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection. Data were collected at diagnosis of COVID-19 and during follow-up and compared with the regional population. Results: Thirty LT recipients (3.28%) developed SARS-CoV-2-infection (76.6% male, median age 62.6 years). Sixteen (53.3%) were symptomatic. Common symptoms were fever, cough, fatigue, and anosmia. Twenty-five (83.4%) were outpatients, 5 (16.6%) required hospitalization (6.6% admitted to Intensive Care Unit, 6.6% developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and 6.6% died). Immunosuppressors were in 3 (10%) patients. Incidence rate of COVID-19 was similar between LT patients and general population (3.28% vs 4.37%, p=0.1) with higher rate of symptoms in LT patients (46.67% vs 15.87%, p<0.00). At univariate analysis, hospitalization and case fatality rates were higher in LT patients compared to general population (16.67% vs 4.54%, p=0.001; and 6.67% vs 1.76%, p=0.04, respectively). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, LT patients with COVID-19 were more frequently symptomatic (OR 5.44 [95%CI 2.44-12.17], p<0.00), whereas hospitalization and death for COVID-19 were not significatively associated with LT condition (p=0.72 and p=0.46, respectively) and were comparable with general population. Conclusions: LT is not a risk factor for acquiring COVID-19. Nonetheless, LT patients are more frequently symptomatic, although comparable to the general population for hospitalization rate and mortality.

In this paper, multivalued data or multiple values variables are defined. They are typical when there is some intrinsic uncertainty in data production, as the result of imprecise measuring instruments, such as in image recognition, in human judgments and so on. So far, contributions in symbolic data analysis literature provide data preprocessing criteria allowing for the use of standard methods such as factorial analysis, clustering, discriminant analysis, tree-based methods. As an alternative, this paper introduces a methodology for supervised classification, the so-called Dynamic CLASSification TREE (D-CLASS TREE), dealing simultaneously with both standard and multivalued data as well. For that, an innovative partitioning criterion with a tree-growing algorithm will be defined. Main result is a dynamic tree structure characterized by the simultaneous presence of binary and ternary partitions. A real world case study will be considered to show the advantages of the proposed methodology and main issues of the interpretation of the final results. A comparative study with other approaches dealing with the same types of data will be also shown. The comparison highlights that, even if the results are quite similar in terms of error rates, the proposed D-CLASS tree returns a more interpretable tree-based structure.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that exhibits three main features: lymphocytic infiltration into the dermis and epidermis, uncontrolled proliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. In this study we have evaluated the effect of treatment with WHITE Holographic Bioresonance Method and a resonance-based isotherapeutic remedy on patients affected by chronic psoriasis vulgaris. The WHITE Holographic Bioresonance Method is based on the principles of electrodynamic coherence. By exploiting the phenomenon of bio-resonance, it uses a transfer plate to produce resonance- and light-based isotherapeutic coherent acqueous remedies and gels that emit coherent oscillations which "imprint" the area of psoriasis-affected skin. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been evaluated in the plasma of psoriatic patients treated with isotherapeutic remedies. The obtained results demonstrate a positive effect on the natural course of the disease and matched the results obtained by psoriatic patients treated with narrow band UVB. A significant reduction in plasma levels of cytokines involved in pathogenesis of psoriasis has been observed. Our findings may suggest that WHITE Holographic Bioresonance method used in combination with resonance-based isotherapeutic remedy could well be a new useful treatment option for patients with limited psoriatic plaques.

Lymphedematous areas are sites of regional immune destabilization depicting a typical example of an immunocompromised cutaneous district (ICD). This study evaluates the expression of some components of the skin innate immunity on lymphedematous limbs with the aim to clarify some facets of the ICD. Patients selected underwent two skin biopsies: One was obtained from the limb affected by lymphedema, another from the contralateral healthy limb. Expression of some components of the skin innate immunity was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Stronger gene expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2), desmoglein 1, desmoglein 3, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) was found in keratinocytes derived from the affected limb compared with that of keratinocytes derived from contralateral healthy limb. Downregulation of survivin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) gene expression was found in the affected limbs. No induction of IL-1α and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was detectable in keratinocyte cultures obtained from both lymphedematous and normal limbs. Different phases and components of skin innate immunity turned out to be altered in the lymphedematous sites. Molecular alterations were similar in all patients recruited in the study. These changes might favor the local appearance or progression of opportunistic diseases such as tumors, infections, and immune-mediated skin disorders.

Background. An epidemic of asbestos-related disease is ongoing in most industrialized countries, mainly attributable to past occupational exposure but partly due to environmental exposure. In this perspective, the incidence of pleural mesothelioma close to a former asbestos-cement plant in a national contaminated site was estimated.Methods. The census-tracts interested by atmospheric dispersion of facilities in the contaminated site were identified. Two subareas with different estimated environmental asbestos impact were distinguished. An ecological study at micro-geographic level was performed. The standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for study area and the two subareas, in comparison with region and municipality were computed. The standardized incidence rate ratio (IRR) between the two subareas was computed.Results. Mesothelioma incidence in the study area was increased: 46 cases were observed with respect to 22.23 expected (SIR: 2.02). The increase was confirmed in analysis considering only the subjects without an occupationally exposure to asbestos: 19 cases among men (SIR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.49-3.88); 11 case among women (SIR = 1.34; 95% CI: 0.67-2.40). The IRR between the two subareas is less than one in overall population considering all age-classes and of 3 fold (IRR = 3.14, 95% CI: 0.65-9.17) in the age-classes below 55 years.Conclusions. The findings indicate an increased incidence of pleural mesothelioma in the neighbourhood of asbestos-cement plant, and a possible etiological contribution of asbestos environmental exposure in detected risks.

Interaction of pathogenic bacteria with human cells is usually an essential step in the infection process. The bacterial invasion is stimulated by microbial binding to mammalian extracellular matrix proteins such as vitronectin, fibronectin or integrins. We have recently shown that some strains isolated from a clinical environment are able to grow at/or above 37°C. In particular, we demonstrated that P. fluorescens AF181 binds specifically to the surface of A549 human respiratory epithelial cells and that adhesiveness modulates the inflammatory response. In this study, the involvement of Alpha(v)Beta5 integrins and its respective natural ligand vitronectin (VN) in P. fluorescens AF181 adherence and invasion was examined. The host cell cytoskeleton and cellular tyrosine kinases seem to be solicited during the P. fluorescens-respiratory cell interaction; consequently, cytochalasin D and genistein decreased the bacterial adherence and internalization. Gene silencing of α(v), β5 integrins and vitronectin reduced P. fluorescens adherence and internalization to A549 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that Alpha(v)Beta5 integrins and their natural ligand VN are involved in P. fluorescens adherence and invasion in human epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND. The industrial area of "Bagnoli Coroglio" in Naples municipality was defined as a "polluted site of national concern for remediation" in 2000. A steel and a cement plants and an asbestos-cement (Eternit) and a chemical industries operated in the area. AIMS. To estimate pleural mesothelioma incidence in the districts of Naples around the industrial area. METHODS. The area potentially affected by the industrial emissions was identified by modelling; environmental asbestos exposure was categorized in two levels: higher in subarea 2 and lower in subarea 1. Cases of pleural mesothelioma (2001-2007) were mapped according to residence at diagnosis; those included in the occupational cohorts of the asbestos-cement and steel plants and those with ascertained occupational exposure in the Mesothelioma Registry were excluded. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were computed for overall area and subareas with respect to municipal rates. RESULTS. At 2001 census 157,495 subjects lived in the study area; 12 women and 34 men of them had a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma (2001-2007). A significant increase was observed among men in the overall study area (SIR=1.89) and in subarea 1 (SIR=2.04). Among women in both subareas the increases were not significant. A not significant Risk Rate of 1.15 was observed in women of subarea 2 with respect to subarea 1. CONCLUSIONS. In the territory close to the industrial area increased pleural mesothelioma incidence (statistically significant among men and not significant in women) was found. In the subarea with a higher estimated asbestos exposure, SIR was not significantly increased, but a risk ratio higher than 1, based on 3 observed cases, was found in women with respect to the other subarea. Two of these 3 women were less than 50 years old. Despite the low power, the study indicates a possible impact of environmental asbestos exposure in the population resident close to an asbestos-cement industry.

It is well known that human keratinocytes produce the anti-microbial peptide β-defensin 2. Its production is enhanced by pathogenic microorganisms or other environmental stressors. In this study, we evaluated the effect of resveratrol, a polyphenol found in several dietary source as grape seed, and its natural precursor, polydatin on heat-stressed human keratinocytes. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, we demonstrated that resveratrol used in combination with polydatin was able to modulate interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression. In addition, our data show that resveratrol and polydatin increased the heat shock protein (Hsp)70B′ gene expression, a Hsp that plays an important role in the cytoprotection and repair of cells and tissues. Worthy of note, polydatin used alone or in combination with resveratrol, increased the release of human β-defensin 2. These results highlighted the ability of polydatin and resveratrol to reinforce cytoprotective response in stress conditions and suggest their use in cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations.

Some species of Candida are opportunistic pathogens that can cause disease in a host immunocompromised by underlying local or systemic pathological processes. C. albicans is the species most often associated with oral lesions, but other species of Candida, including C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, have also been isolated in the saliva of subjects with and without candidiasis. In the present study we evaluated the host defence mechanisms induced by Candida albicans and other Candida species in monocytes and oral epithelial cells in order to establish the existence of a species-specific cellular response. Our results indicated that, during Candida species infection, the epithelial cells actively participate in the host defence by producing antimicrobial peptides and proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, in infections caused by Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata, the host defence may be strengthened by the release of perforin and granzyme by polymorphonuclear leukocytes recruited at the site of infection.

The resting energy expenditure and the adaptation of the autonomic nervous system induced by sport activities in sedentary women and in female professional basketball players have been studied. Resting energy expenditure, body composition and the level of activity of the autonomic nervous system were measured before and after a period of six months. The physical activity induced an increase in resting energy expenditure and free fat mass without variations in body weight. Basketball players showed a significant increase in the parasympathetic activity, measured by the power spectral analysis of the heart rate variability. These findings demonstrate that resting energy expenditure is higher in the athletes than in sedentary women, despite the augmented parasympathetic activity that is usually related to lower energy expenditure.

This paper provides a supervised classification tree-based methodology todeal withMultivalued data, specifically predictors measurements can be provided bya functional distribution or an interval of values. Main literature refers to symbolicdata analysis, aiming to extend standard methods such as factorial analysis, clustering,discriminant analysis, etc., to deal with symbolic data tables. One approach is todefine a suitable data pre-processing enabling the application of standard methods.A more correct approach is to define suitable methods to deal specifically with unstandarddata. In the framework of supervised classification, there are no proposalin literature for supervised classification methods to deal with both standard andmultivalued data as well. There are only proposals based on data pre-processing.This paper provides a methodology to grow the so-called Dynamic CLASSificationTREE (D-CLASSTREE), upon suitable definition of both a specific splittingcriterion and a tree-growing algorithm. A real world case study will be consideredto show the advantages of the final output and main issues of the interpretation. Acomparative study with older proposals will be also described such to demonstratethe stability and the better accuracy of the D-CLASSTREE.

The EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) a member of the family of transmembrane protein kinase receptors known as the erbB family shows a significant correlation with the presence of metastases and poorly differentiated oral cancer. Aim of the present work is to define the key-role of EGFR in oral cancer prognosis. We have analyzed the EGFR expression on 149 cases of oral squamous cell cancers (OSCC) and we have found that it was poorly expressed in normal oral epithelium, but its expression was significantly increased in OSCCs. Moreover, we have recorded that both pEGFR-Tyr 845 and pEGFR-Tyr 1068 were mainly distributed in high histological grading and in advanced stages. Western blotting has confirmed the total absence of EGFR phosphorylation in normal oral epithelium and the higher level of protein phosphorylation in representative cases of OSCCs. The EGF-R amplification was found by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 14% of OSCC; interestingly, EGF-R amplification was mainly observed in OSCC with higher histological grading (G2 and G3) and advanced stage (pT4) sub-groups. Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis suggested that patients with positive pEGFR-Tyr 845 tumors had a worse prognosis and were bad responders to chemotherapy. These results confirm the central role of EGF-R activation status as a prognostic biomarker in OSCC.

In this paper we propose an extended version of a model-based strategy for clustering spatial functional data. The strategy, we refer, aims simultaneously to classify spatially dependent curves and to obtain a spatial functional model prototype for each cluster. The fit of these models implies to estimate a variogram function, the trace variogram function. Our proposal is to introduce an alternative estimator for the trace-variogram function: a kernel variogram estimator. This works better to adapt spatial varying features of the functional data pattern. Experimental comparisons show this approach has some advantages over the previous one.

Human keratinocytes synthesize and secrete non-neuronal acetylcholine, which acts as a local cell signaling molecule, regulating functions like proliferation, cell adhesion, motility, desmosomal cell contact, and glandular activity. The keratinocyte acetylcholine axis is composed of the enzymes mediating acetylcholine synthesis (acetyltransferase) and degradation (acetylcholinesterase), and two classes of acetylcholine receptors. In this study we investigated the effect of captopril, an ACE-inhibitor, on acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine secretion in human keratinocytes. We analyzed the level of acetylcholinesterase in HaCat and NHEK cells by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. In addition, the effect of captopril on AChE activity was evaluated. We found that captopril induces a strong AChE up-regulation leading to ACh degradation and reduced secretion. Our results suggest that acantholysis induced by ACE-inhibitors might be linked to altered level of Ach.

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by severe and chronic course, histopathologically characterized by infiltration of a large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and activated Th1 and Th2 cells around the blister. Polarization of Th cells to Th1 or Th2 phenotypes, a critical aspect of cell-mediated immunity, is influenced by production of early cytokines, including osteopontin. To determine the involvement of osteopontin in pemphigus vulgaris patients in active stage of the disease, auto-antibodies to desmoglein-1 and desmoglein-3 and plasmatic osteopontin levels were examined by ELISA tests. In this work, significant plasmatic level of osteopontin in PV patients with active stage of disease were found particularly in those patients with both skin and oral pemphigus. OPN might drive the immune responses playing an important role in pemphigus onset.