ZnT8 Arg325Trp polymorphism influences zinc transporter expression and cytokine production in PBMCs from patients with diabetes.

AIMS: ZnT8 Arg325Trp polymorphism has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) susceptibility. The Arg-325 risk variant shows accelerated zinc (Zn) transport kinetic and reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic cells. However, it remains unexplored the role of Znt8 polymorphism in the regulation of Zn homeostasis and inflammatory response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from T2DM patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 556 healthy controls and 413 T2DM patients were genotyped for ZnT8 Arg325Trp polymorphism confirming the association of Arg-325 variant with an increased T2DM risk (OR = 1.35 95% C.I: 1.10-1.66; p = 0.0044). Moreover, PBMCs from Arg/Arg T2DM subjects showed increased intracellular free Zn, higher gene expression of Metallothioneins, Znt1, Znt8, Zip2 genes, and reduced Znt4 and Znt7. Higher release of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, IL-12p70 and TNF-α and a reduced IL-10 secretion after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were observed in PBMCs from Arg/Arg T2DM carriers as compared to subjects with the Trp variant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence of a substantial different Zn homeostasis regulation between Znt8 Arg-325 and Trp-325 carriers in PBMCs from T2DM patients. Moreover, Znt8 Arg-325 risk variant shows an enhanced inflammatory response upon LPS stimulation that might aggravate insulin resistance and the progression of diabetes cardiovascular complications.

Preliminary Assessment of Legacy and Current-Use Pesticides in Franciscana Dolphins from Argentina.

The change towards intensive agriculture has led to an increase in the use of pesticides. In addition, legacy pesticides, such as organochlorines are still present in the environment. Ten Franciscana dolphins were accidentally killed by netting in a coastal area of Argentina in Buenos Aires province. From these animals, organochlorine, organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides were analyzed in liver, bubbler and melon tissues. The concentrations of Σendosulfan ranged from not detectable values (nd) to 3539 ng g-1 lw, with the maximum level in melon tissue. DDE was present in 60% of all samples at concentrations from nd to 6672 ng g-1 lw, indicating historical DDT contamination. The presence of endosulfan and heptachlor in a nursling calf indicated a transfer of these pesticides through lactational and placental transport. The concentrations of organophosphates and pyrethroids were below the limit of detection, reflecting the low persistence of these compounds.

Metals as chemical tracers to discriminate ecological populations of threatened Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina.

Franciscana dolphins are the most impacted small cetacean in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, classified as Vulnerable A3d by IUCN. Essential (Fe, Mo, Mn, Cr, Ni, Co) and non-essential (Ag, Pb, Sn) trace elements (TEs) were measured in liver, kidney, and brain samples of by-catch Franciscana dolphins that were living in estuarine (n = 21) and marine (n = 21) habitats (1) to assess whether TEs posed a threat and (2) to evaluate the suitability of TEs for discriminating ecological populations of this species in Argentinean waters. Essential TEs showed little variation in tissues from both groups in agreement with levels reported for other cetaceans and suggesting that these concentrations correspond to normal physiological levels. Non-essential TEs were higher in estuarine juveniles and adults dolphins than in marine specimens. These results suggest anthropogenic sources associated with estuarine area and that Franciscana dolphins are good sentinels of the impact of the environment. The difference in the concentrations of TEs beetwen ecological populations appeared to be related to distinct exposures in both geographical areas, and it is suggested that Ag and Sn concentrations in adults are good chemical tracers of anthropogenic input of TEs. These results provide additional information for improved management and regulatory policy.

The role of metallothioneins, selenium and transfer to offspring in mercury detoxification in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei).

The concentrations of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and metallothioneins (MT) were evaluated in fetuses, calves, juveniles and adults of the endangered coastal Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina. Mercury concentrations varied among analyzed tissues (liver, kidney, muscle and brain), with liver showing the higher concentrations in all specimens. An age-dependent accumulation was found in liver, kidney and brain. No significant relationship between Hg and MT concentrations was found for all tissues analyzed. Hepatic Hg molar concentrations were positively correlated with those of Se, indicating a great affinity between these two elements. Furthermore, dark granules of HgSe were observed in Kupffer cells in the liver by electron microscopy, suggesting the role of this macrophage in the detoxification of Hg. A transfer of Hg through placenta was proved. The presence of Hg in brain in all age classes did not show concentrations associated with neurotoxicity.

[Reflex syncope as a preliminary symptom of a rhinopharyngeal lymphoma. A case report]. / Sincope riflessa come sintomo d'esordio di un tumore del rinofaringe. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

The authors report a 57 year old patient affected by rhinopharyngeal NH lymphoma that appeared as a parapharyngeal space lesions-syncope syndrome. The activation of a cardioinhybitory reflex by the stimulation of the glossopharyngeal nerve seems to be the pathogenetic basis for his syndrome.

[Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources]. / Alterazioni nei pacemaker e nei portatori dei pacemaker in conseguenza dell'uso di varie sorgenti di energia elettromagnetica.

Over the past decade there have been considerable advances in cardiac electrostimulation technologies. However, there are still reports of electromagnetic interference with pacemakers and pacemaker patients. We have studied the effects of various electromagnetic sources (short-wave diathermy, electrosurgical knives, electrotherapy and radiofrequencies) on both humans and animals. The results of the studies were completely negative and, therefore, we are convinced that today's pacemakers are much more reliable and hence less subject to interference from external electromagnetic sources. We performed the following tests: (a) Short-wave diathermy: various electrode positions in pigs and 8 patients with pacemakers. (b) Electrosurgical knives: several tests on pigs with unipolar electrosurgical knife; 6 tests on humans during automatic defibrillator implantation using two-pole electrosurgical knives; 23 pacemaker patients underwent abdominal surgery (3 inguinal hernias, 12 gastric resections; 6 cholecystotomies, 2 aortic aneurysms-with two-pole electrosurgical knives). (c) Electrotherapy (TENS): on pigs. (d) Radiofrequency (RF) for transcatheter ablation-several tests on pigs.

[Circadian and ultradian rhythms of the heart rate in the neonate]. / Ritmi circadiani ed ultradiani della frequenza cardiaca nel neonato.

Few papers deal with the chronobiologic characteristics of heart rate in neonates. A better knowledge of this topic could be useful under both clinical and therapeutical point of view. We studied the circadian and ultradian rhythms of heart rate in 10 healthy neonates (5 males and 5 females). Six of them (60%) show a well defined circadian rhythm of heart rate such as adult subjects even if with an obviously higher mesor and with acrophases dispersed throughout the 24 hours. We also demonstrated one or more ultradian rhythms of heart rate for each neonate. The most frequent have a period between 4 hours and 6 minutes and 4 hours and 36 minutes. These rhythms are out of phase with the world outside which is the best evidence that they are not imposed by some undetected external factors.

Heart rate and premature beats: a chronobiologic study.

Sixteen subjects, mean age 59 +/- 18, 11 normal and 5 with coronary artery disease, all having premature ventricular and/or atrial beats in the standard resting electrocardiogram (ECG), were studied to analyse the chronobiologic parameters of these arrhythmias. Single cosinor analysis of the data obtained by 96-hour ECG performed according to the Holter system, demonstrated: A) significant circadian rhythm in heart rate for all the subjects, with acrophases occurring between 12.56 and 17.36; B) significant circadian rhythms of premature ventricular beats for the majority of the subjects, with acrophases distributed along the 24 hours; C) significant circadian rhythms in premature atrial beats for 8 subjects, with acrophases occurring between 04.24 and 18.12; D) a spectrum of significant ultradian rhythms in heart rate with various periodicities, both in normal and in coronary patients; E) significant ultradian rhythms in premature ventricular beats for 8 subjects with periods ranging from 5h 15' to 17h. Population mean cosinor analysis demonstrated: A) significant circadian group rhythm in heart rate for all the 16 subjects and for the group of 11 normal subjects; B) no significant circadian group rhythm for premature ventricular and atrial beats. These findings suggest that the study of the individual chronobiologic pattern of premature beats may help to optimize antiarrhythmic therapy.