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In a cohort of subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (ACA), we have evaluated the neutrophil and lymphocyte count and their ratio (NLR), the gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). At baseline, no difference was observed between ACA subjects and subject control group regarding neutrophil and lymphocyte count while was evident in ACA subjects a significant increase in MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 associated to a significant decrease in TIMP-1. Dividing the ACA according to the number of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) we have observed an increase in lymphocyte count in the subgroup with 3–5 CRFs. Evaluating the leukocyte subtypes according to all the surrogate markers of insulin resistance has been noted, in the subgroups that exceed the medians of these markers, a significant increase in neutrophil and lymphocyte count without any variation of the NLR. Effecting the same evaluation for the MMP/TIMP pattern we observed, instead, that the same subgroups tend to show a decrease in MMP-2 and an increase in MMP-9. No difference instead for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. The abnormality of the MMP/TIMP pattern, bearing in mind the cardiometabolic clustering present in this cohort of ACA subjects, would induce to use drugs able not only to cure the cardiometabolic risk factors but also to influence the MMP/TIMP profile.

Objective: An early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) improves outcome. Therefore, PE should be diagnosed in Emergency Care Units (ECU) at admission. Clinical algorithms support the clinician in this task, although performance is biased by differences in risk factors prevalent in different populations. The clinical conditions predictive of PE were evaluated in subjects from Southern Italy accessing ECU for dyspnea/chest pain.Methods: Retrospective clinical data were obtained by electronic retrieving from a hospital database. Data from 8177 patients (age 18-90 years, 54 with PE) were collected from years 2007-2013.Results: Previous history of PE, thrombosis and/or phlebitis, rheumatic diseases, respiratory failure, low blood pressure, pulse oxymetry rate (SpO2) and high heart rate were associated with PE diagnosis. High white blood count with neutrophilia, C reactive protein, D-dimer, NT-pro-BNP determinations, but not troponin T, were associated with PE. Recalibration of the GENEVA score and its modification, by inclusion of novel risk factors, improved the algorithm performance (GENEVA AROC=0.730, modified GENEVA AROC = 0.792, DeLong's test p=

Il termine "disfunzione endoteliale" identifica una condizione patologica caratterizzata da ridotta vasodilatazione e da attività procoagulante e pro-infiammatoria, correlata ad una ridotta biodisponibilità di ossido nitrico (NO), ad un eccesso ossidativo e ad un'aumentata azione dell'endotelian 1 (ET-1).

Scalp/neck melanomas have a poor prognosis, possibly because of a rich vascular supply that prompts tumor cells' dissemination. METHODS: We compared the accuracy of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with morphology for the identification of lymphovascular invasion in 156 scalp/neck melanomas. We then analyzed the association of vessel invasion and density with pathological features and survival. RESULTS: IHC-detected lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI) were identified in 34.6% and 13.5% of cases, respectively. IHC increased the LVI/BVI detection compared to morphology (40.4% vs 16.6%; p

The Calera river basin is located at the north of Tucumán Province, northwest of Argentina. In this region, there is a population dedicated almost exclusively to cattle and agricultural exploitations. The aim of the present work is to carry out the hydrochemical study of the Calera river basin evaluating their physical-chemical parameters, in order to determine water quality for human supply and its aptitude for irrigation. The obtained results were plotted in hydrochemical diagrams and maps to classify the type of water and to know its evolutionary state. Different types of waters were detected. Sulphated calcic waters prevail over sodium sulphated and bicarbonated ones in all superficial waters, phreatic and semi-confined aquifers. The chemical parameters obtained in the water samples are inside the potability range established by the World Health Organization.La cuenca del río Calera se ubica al norte de la provincia de Tucumán, en el noroeste de Argentina. En esta región existe un asentamiento poblacional dedicado casi exclusivamente a la explotación agrícola- ganadera. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar el estudio hidroquímico de la cuenca del río Calera, mediante la evaluación de sus parámetros físico-químicos, con el fin de determinar la calidad del agua para el abastecimiento humano y su aptitud para riego. Los resultados obtenidos fueron volcados en diagramas y mapas hidroquímicos para clasificar el tipo de agua y conocer su estado evolutivo. De esta manera, se detectaron diferentes tipos de aguas, donde las sulfatadas-cálcicas predominan sobre las sulfatadas-sódicas y bicarbonatadas, tanto en las aguas superficiales, como en los acuíferos libres y semiconfinados. Los valores de los parámetros químicos obtenidos se encuentran dentro del rango de potabilidad establecido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

We report a case of a 45 year old Caucasian malnourished male with an history of eating disorder who developed severe liver and pancreatic damage and multiorgan disfunction. At admission to our department, his body mass index (BMI) was 11.1. Biochemical evaluation showed elevated serum levels of transaminases (AST= 2291 U/L, ALT= 1792 U/L), amylase (3620 U/L), lipase (4102 U/L), CPK= 1370 U/L, LDH= 2082 U/L. No other cause of acute liver and pancreatic damage was evidenced. Haematological disorders (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) found on admission seem related to bone marrow hypoplasia and to gelatinous marrow transformation described in severe state of malnutrition. Although a moderate increase in liver and pancreatic enzymes are a common finding in malnourished patients, only a small number of reports describes severe liver injury and multiorgan dysfunction. After a few days of treatment (hydration and nutritional support) a marked decrease of serum transaminases, lipase, amylase, CPK, LDH occurred, despite a transient increase in these levels secondary to refeeding syndrome. The association of chronic malnutrition and a decrease in systemic perfusion may be responsible for multiorgan dysfunction. In our patient the high levels of transaminases and pancreatic enzymes were the most important biochemical abnormalities normalized after refeeding.

The study area is located in the center west of the county of Tucumán, in the NW of Argentina. It extends from the oriental border of San Javier’s mountain between the towns of Yerba Buena and Manantial. In the piedmont zone and plain, have settled down diverse urban, agricultural centers and an important industrial complex that are supplied by underground water. The objective of this paper is to define the different geologic factors that impact in the behavior of the underground water and to define areas with appropriate hydrogeological characteristics for its use. The investigation determined that the water contained in the aquifers is of good quality and due to the high permeability, important flows can be obtained, that guarantee the supply to the population, agriculture and industry.La zona de estudio está ubicada en el centro oeste de la provincia de Tucumán, en el noroeste de Argentina. Se extiende desde el borde oriental de la sierra de San Javier entre las localidades de Yerba Buena y el Manantial. En el piedemonte y llanura se han establecido diversos centros urbanos, agrícolas y un importante complejo industrial que se abastecen de agua subterránea. El objetivo del trabajo es delimitar los distintos factores geológicos que inciden en el comportamiento del agua subterránea y tratar de definir zonas con características hidrogeológicas apropiadas para su aprovechamiento. De esta investigación se determinó que el agua que contienen los acuíferos es de buena calidad y debido a la elevada permeabilidad de los mismos, se pueden obtener importantes caudales, con lo que se garantiza el abastecimiento a la población, agricultura e industria.