MDMA alone affects sensorimotor and prepulse inhibition responses in mice and rats: tips in the debate on potential MDMA unsafety in human activity

Forensic Toxicology - MDMA is a psychoactive drug that has been increasingly abused worldwide, due to its entactogenic properties. However, concerns on its safety exist, particularly regarding its...     

Complete sequencing of the HLA-A*68020102 novel allele identified in two Caucasoid families

We describe here the isolation and the full-length sequence of the coding region of the HLA new variant at the HLA-A locus officially named A*68020102. This variant shows an 11 base pairs deletion within the 5' UTR region. The exon sequence is identical to that of A*6802 and the commercially available anti-A68 typing sera react with the antigen coded by the allele A*68020102. This variant was originally identified in two unrelated Caucasoid families because of discrepant HLA typing results between serology, Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probe (SSOP), and SBT. In fact, the A68 assigned by serology was undetectable with the molecular techniques. This has occurred because the deletion present in A*68020102 prevents specific amplification of HLA-A locus by some commercially available typing kits.     

Multi-level policies for air quality: implications of national and sub-national emission reductions on population exposure

Poor air quality and related health impacts are still an issue in many cities and regions worldwide. Integrated assessment models (IAMs) can support the design of measures to reduce the emissions of precursors affecting air pollution. In this study, we apply the SHERPA (screening for high emission reduction potentials for air quality) model to compare spatial and sectoral emission reductions, given country-scale emission targets. Different approaches are tested: (a) country ”uniform” emission reductions, (b) emission reductions targeting urban areas, (c) emission reductions targeting preferential sectors. As a case study, we apply the approaches to the implementation of the National Emission Ceiling Directive. Results are evaluated in terms of the reduction in average population exposure to PM_2.5 overall in a country and in its main cities. Results indicate that the reduction of population exposure to PM_2.5 highly depends on the way emission reductions are implemented. This work also shows the usefulness of the SHERPA model to support national authorities implementing national emission reduction targets while, at the same time, addressing their local air quality issues.     

Selective induction of apoptosis in MCF7 cancer-cell by targeted liposomes functionalised with mannose-6-phosphate

Liposomes are versatile platforms to carry anticancer drugs in targeted drug delivery; they can be surface modified by different strategies and, when coupled with targeting ligands, are able to increase cellular internalisation and organelle-specific drug delivery. An interesting strategy of antitumoral therapy could involve the use of lysosomotropic ligand-targeted liposomes loaded with molecules, which can induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), leakage of cathepsins into the cytoplasm and subsequent apoptosis. We have previously demonstrated the ability of liposomes functionalised with a mannose-6-phosphate to reach lysosomes; in this research we compare the behaviour of M6P-modified and non-functionalised liposomes in MCF7 tumour cell and in HDF normal cells. With this aim, we first demonstrated by Western blotting the overexpression of mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor (M6P/IGF-II) receptor in MCF7. Then, we prepared calcein-loaded liposomes and we revealed the increased uptake of M6P-functionalised liposomes in MCF7 cells respect to HDF cells by flow cytometry analysis. Finally, we loaded functionalised and not functionalised liposomes with N-hexanoyl-d-erythro-sphingosine (C6Cer), able to initiate LMP-induced apoptosis; after having studied the stability of both vesicles in the presence of serum by Dynamic Light Scattering and Spectrophotometric turbidity measurements, we showed that ceramide-loaded M6P-liposomes significantly increased apoptosis in MCF7 with respect to HDF cells.     

Primitive reflexes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: prevalence and correlates

Identifying frontal impairment in ALS is an important goal albeit disease-dedicated tools are still scarce. For this reason, we decided to consider primitive reflexes (PRs), variably regarded as correlates of frontal release and/or of upper motor neuron (UMN) impairment, often in the setting of dementias. Specifically, the aims of this work consisted in assessing the exact prevalence of the combination of seven PRs in ALS, trying to clarify their role as putative proxies of cognitive impairment or of UMN dysfunction. In this cross-sectional study, 50 consecutive ALS outpatients were evaluated for the presence of: palmomental (PM), corneomandibular (CM), glabella tap (MY), rooting, sucking, snout, and grasping reflexes. Cognitive screening was performed by the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Weigl’s Sorting test (WST); UMN dysfunction was concomitantly evaluated. PM, CM and MY were more frequently detected (62, 52, and 44 % of the ALS sample, respectively), while the other reflexes were under-represented. Patients displaying three or more PRs had significantly lower FAB and WST scores. On the other hand, UMN dysfunction was only moderately associated to PRs. In conclusion, PRs’ assessment is a promising complementary tool for screening cognitive impairment in ALS; however, further work will be necessary to establish its added value with respect to already existing ALS-dedicated screening tools for cognition.     

Approaches and considerations for the assessment of immunotoxicity for environmental chemicals: A workshop summary

As experience is gained with toxicology testing and as new assays and technologies are developed, it is critical for stakeholders to discuss opportunities to advance our overall testing strategies. To facilitate these discussions, a workshop on practices for assessing immunotoxicity for environmental chemicals was held with the goal of sharing perspectives on immunotoxicity testing strategies and experiences, developmental immunotoxicity (DIT), and integrated and alternative approaches to immunotoxicity testing. Experiences across the chemical and pharmaceutical industries suggested that standard toxicity studies, combined with triggered-based testing approaches, represent an effective and efficient approach to evaluate immunotoxic potential. Additionally, discussions on study design, critical windows, and new guideline approaches and experiences identified important factors to consider before initiating DIT evaluations including assay choice and timing and the impact of existing adult data. Participants agreed that integrating endpoints into standard repeat-dose studies should be considered for fulfilling any immunotoxicity testing requirements, while also maximizing information and reducing animal use. Participants also acknowledged that in vitro evaluation of immunosuppression is complex and may require the use of multiple assays that are still being developed. These workshop discussions should contribute to developing an effective but more resource and animal efficient approach for evaluating chemical immunotoxicity.