n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids regulate chemerin in cultured adipocytes: role of GPR120 and derived lipid mediators.

Chemerin is a pro-inflammatory adipokine that is increased in obesity and associated with obesity-related comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA), on basal and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced chemerin production in 3T3-L1 and human subcutaneous cultured adipocytes. The potential involvement of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), as well as the actions of DHA-derived specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs), resolvin D1 and D2 (RvD1 and RvD2) and maresin 1 (MaR1), were also evaluated. DHA significantly lowered both basal and TNF-α-stimulated chemerin production in 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes. EPA did not modify basal chemerin production, while it attenuated the induction of chemerin by TNF-α. Silencing of GPR120 using siRNA blocked the ability of DHA and EPA to reduce TNF-α-induced chemerin secretion. Interestingly, treatment with the DHA-derived SPMs RvD1, RvD2 and MaR1 also reversed the stimulatory effect of TNF-α on chemerin production in human adipocytes.

Effects of kaolin on Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in laboratory and nursery experiments.

Although recent research has demonstrated that clays provide satisfactory control of some agricultural insect pests, the effect of clays on gall wasps that damage forest trees has not been previously reported. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the clay kaolin in the laboratory and in the field in reducing the damage caused by the eulophid Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) on seedlings of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus L'Hér.) species. In the laboratory, kaolin + wetting agent significantly reduced the percentage of infested leaves and the number of galls per leaf. In the nursery, gall number per leaf was not correlated with leaf area with kaolin + wetting agent but was related to leaf area for all other treatments (wetting agent alone, imidacloprid, and untreated control). In the nursery, gall number per leaf was lower with kaolin + wetting agent and with imidacloprid than with the other two treatments. Overall, kaolin effectively reduced eulophid infestations, and its effect was more persistent than that of imidacloprid. Although application of kaolin might not be feasible on large forested areas, kaolin could represent a valuable control method in nurseries, where the repeated application with more toxic chemicals can result in high concentrations of residual pesticides in the soil.

Neurosedation in dentistry of the disabled patient: the use of midazolam, propofol, and remifentanil.

AIM: This prospective randomized study, deals with neurosedation in dental treatment of 200 disabled patients and unable to cooperate, subdivided in 4 groups of 50 male only patients, with age ranging from 28 to 59 (39+/-11), ASA I-III. METHODS: The pharmaceuticals used were Midazolam (group MID) Propofol (group Prop) and Remifentanil. Midazolam and Propofol were used following a bolus-infusion sequence, both separately and in combination among themselves (MID\PROP group), or with an opioid, Remifentanil (MID\PROP\REMI group). ECG, heart rate , non invasive blood pressure (NIBP), SaO(2), EtCO(2) during the procedure were monitored. Induction time, duration of the sedation, recovery time and discharge were reported. RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated the superiority of the PROP group for induction time in minute (3.1+/-0.5) in comparison with the MID group (10.6+/-2.1), the MID\PROP group (4.3+/-1.3) and MID\PROP\REMI (3.7+/-1.2). The recovery and discharge times have confirmed the superiority of the MID\PROP\REMI group in comparison with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSION: This combination proved best at leveraging the synergistic characteristics of each single pharmaceutical and minimizing the collateral effects of each individually.

[Topical infiltration of diclofenac sodium during extraction of impacted lower 3rd molars]. / Infiltrazione topica di diclofenac sodico durante l'estrazione di III molari inf. inclusi.

Somministrations with topical infiltration of a FANS (Diclofenac sodium) based on a new therapeutic scheme, were carried on by the Authors. Reduction of postoperative compliances and no side or general effects were noted.

[Periodontal disease in children]. / Le parodontopatie in età pediatrica.

The authors analyze the most common periodontal diseases in pediatric age. They demonstrate that the control of the bacterial plaque is the determinant element to resolve these diseases.