Galectin-1 sensitizes resting human T lymphocytes to Fas (CD95)-mediated cell death via mitochondrial hyperpolarization, budding, and fission.

Galectins have emerged as a novel family of immunoregulatory proteins implicated in T cell homeostasis. Recent studies showed that galectin-1 (Gal-1) plays a key role in tumor-immune escape by killing antitumor effector T cells. Here we found that Gal-1 sensitizes human resting T cells to Fas (CD95)/caspase-8-mediated cell death. Furthermore, this protein triggers an apoptotic program involving an increase of mitochondrial membrane potential and participation of the ceramide pathway. In addition, Gal-1 induces mitochondrial coalescence, budding, and fission accompanied by an increase and/or redistribution of fission-associated molecules h-Fis and DRP-1. Importantly, these changes are detected in both resting and activated human T cells, suggesting that Gal-1-induced cell death might become an excellent model to analyze the morphogenetic changes of mitochondria during the execution of cell death. This is the first association among Gal-1, Fas/Fas ligand-mediated cell death, and the mitochondrial pathway, providing a rational basis for the immunoregulatory properties of Gal-1 in experimental models of chronic inflammation and cancer.Fil: Matarrese, Paola. Istituto Superiore di Sanità; ItaliaFil: Tinari, Antonella. Istituto Superiore di Sanità; ItaliaFil: Mormone, Elisabetta. Istituto Superiore di Sanità; ItaliaFil: Bianco, German Ariel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Toscano, Marta Alicia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Ascione, Barbara. Istituto Superiore di Sanità; ItaliaFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Malorni, Walter. Istituto Superiore di Sanità; Itali

Effects of training on plasmatic cortisol and testosterone in football female referees

none6Antonella Muscella; Giulia My; Selmi Okba; Daniele Zangla; Antonino Bianco; Santo MarsiglianteMuscella, Antonella; My, Giulia; Okba, Selmi; Zangla, Daniele; Bianco, Antonino; Marsigliante, Sant

Chromosome studies in North-Western Sicily males of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), known as red palm weevil (RPW) was accidentally introduced and established in Sicily (Italy) since 2005. As like in other Mediterranean sites, RPW has been causing extensive damage to palm trees and on its new host Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Canary Island palms), acquired concomitantly with the colonization of the area. RPW shows a good ecological plasticity and slightly but significant morphological polymorphism (colour patterns and length of the rostrum in male individuals) that can be appreciated within different geographical populations. The aim of the present work was to investigate if this ecological plasticity and phenotypic variability can be accompanied by features in chromosomes like changes in diploid number or chromosome morphology, when compared to other RPW populations. Literature data on karyotype analysis reveals a diploid number (2n = 22). In this paper, the karyotypes of different morphotypes of RPW Sicilian populations, collected from P. canariensis, were analysed using conventional staining, C-banding and sequential staining with the fluorochromes chromomycin-A3/4-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (CMA3/DAPI). The analyses of metaphases obtained from the testes of adults showed that the species has 2n = 22 chromosomes, with 10 autosomal pairs and a sex chromosome pair. The eu-heterochromatic composition investigated with CTG banding, DAPI, CMA3, and NOR do not indicate any peculiarity in the populations investigated. R. ferrugineus has a Coleoptera Curculionoidea chromosomal asset and functional compartimentalization. RPW presents a karyotype with intermediate characteristics between Dryophthorinae and Curculioninae such as micro Y chromosome and the typical “sphere-shape” of the sexual bivalent in prophase-I or after C-banding

Tours in Argentina. Potenciales destinos turísticos de Argentina

This interdisciplinary, collaborative project falls within the Research project carried out by the language area, “Teaching foreign languages for tourism students”. It was first put into action in 2019, with the aim of framing future scenarios that would motivate our students to learn and perform in meaningful and effective ways. In geography which is a subject applied to tourism, it wasadopted a systemic approach and the complexity theory, as we claim that tourism is part of a complex system. Students worked in teams to find a solution to a problem by empowering and promoting an unknown or forgotten touristic destination in Argentina. In doing so, they applied the concepts learnt and they developed diverse transdisciplinary skills they will utilize in their professional lives. The results showed motivated students, improved academic performances in both subjects: English II and Geography and tourist destinations in Argentina, and consequently, a higher number of students passing both subjects.Este proyecto colaborativo interdisciplinar se enmarca en el Proyecto de investigación del área de idiomas (SIIP Res. N° 2107/2020): “La enseñanza de las lenguas extranjeras para estudiantes de turismo”. Se implementó por primera vez en el año 2019, con el fin de presentar futuros escenarios laborales reales y comunicativos, y motivar a los alumnos a aprender a desempeñarse en ellos de manera significativa y comprometida. Desde la geografía aplicada al turismo se trabajó con el enfoque sistémico y la teoría de la complejidad, entendiendo que el turismo es un espacio de sistemas complejos. Los estudiantes trabajaron en equipo para poder brindar una solución a una problemática: potenciar y promocionar un destino turístico en Argentina, desconocido, olvidado o no considerado como tal. En el proceso, aplicaron los conocimientos aprendidos, además de poner en juego diversas habilidades transdisciplinares que adquirirán para toda la vida. Los resultados se traducen en estudiantes motivados por aprender, alto nivel de asistencia y trabajo en las actividades propuestas, mejoras en el rendimiento académico en ambas asignaturas, Inglés II- Geografía y destinos turísticos de Argentina, y consecuentemente, un alto número de alumnos que aprueba los espacios curriculares involucrados

Tours in Argentina: potential tourist destinations in Argentina

Este proyecto colaborativo interdisciplinar se enmarca en el Proyecto de Investigación del Área de Idiomas (SIIP Res. N° 2107/2020): “La Enseñanza de las Lenguas Extranjeras para Estudiantes de Turismo”. Se implementó por primera vez en el año 2019, con el fin de presentar futuros escenarios laborales reales y comunicativos, y motivar a los alumnos a aprender a desempeñarse en ellos de manera significativa y comprometida. Desde la Geografía aplicada al Turismo se trabajó con el enfoque sistémico y la teoría de la complejidad, entendiendo que el turismo es un espacio de sistemas complejos. Los estudiantes trabajaron en equipo para poder brindar una solución a una problemática: potenciar y promocionar un destino turístico en Argentina, desconocido, olvidado o no considerado como tal. En el proceso, aplicaron los conocimientos aprendidos, además de poner en juego diversas habilidades transdisciplinares que adquirirán para toda la vida. Los resultados se traducen en estudiantes motivados por aprender, alto nivel de asistencia y trabajo en las actividades propuestas, mejoras en el rendimiento académico en ambas asignaturas, Inglés IIGeografía y Destinos Turísticos de Argentina, y consecuentemente, un alto número de alumnos que aprueba los espacios curriculares involucrados.This interdisciplinary, collaborative project falls within the Research Project carried out by the Language Area, “Teaching Foreign Languages for Tourism Students”. It was first put into action in 2019, with the aim of framing future scenarios, which motivate our students to learn and perform in meaningful, compromised ways. The subject Geography, applied to tourism, adopts a systemic approach and the complexity theory, with the assumption that tourism is part of complex systems. The students worked in teams to find a solution to a problem: empower and promote an unknown or forgotten tourist destination in Argentina. In doing so, they applied the concepts learnt and used diverse transdisciplinary skills which will be acquired for life. The results show motivated students, improved academic performance in both subjects: English II and Geography and Tourist Destinations in Argentina, and consequently, a high number of students passing both subjects.Fil: Diblasi, María Antonella. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; ArgentinaFil: Bianco, Franco Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; Argentin

Ghrelin induces proliferation in human aortic endothelial cells via ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt activation

The direct ghrelin (Ghr) involvement in cardiovascular (CV) system homeostasis has been suggested by the expression of its receptor in CV tissues and by evidence that ghrelin mediates CV activities in animals and in humans. Moreover, low Ghr plasma levels have been reported in pathological conditions characterized by high cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we investigated Ghr effect on proliferation of human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) and involved transduction pathways. Our results indicate that ghrelin elicited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50) about of 5 nmol/L) in cultured HAEC, and that this effect was inhibited by the receptor antagonist (D-Lys3)-GHRP-6. Western blot experiments documented an activation of external receptor activated kinases (ERK1/2) and Akt in a dose-dependent fashion, as well as involvement of the cAMP pathway in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Experiments conducted with appropriate pharmacological inhibitors to investigate Ghr-induced HAEC proliferation confirmed the involvement of ERK1/2 and 13P/Akt pathways, as well as the role of AMP cyclase/PKA pathway in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Our results indicate that Ghr promotes HAEC proliferation, and thus may be a protective factor against vascular damage. The low ghrelin serum levels reported in insulin-resistant states may not be able to effectively counteract endothelial cell injury. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Lotus Birth Associated With Idiopathic Neonatal Hepatitis

In the present case, the infant presented with a complication of LB. There was a close temporal relationship between LB and the onset of clinical symptoms. The baby had persistent jaundice associated with a severe increase in aspartate and alanine aminotransferases without evidence of cholestasis. Recovery occurred spontaneously after the first months of life. Hepatobiliary, hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and genetic disorders were ruled out

Functioning issues in inpatients affected by COVID-19-related moderate pulmonary impairment: a real-practice observational study

Objective To investigate the correlations between clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes in inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods In this observational study, we recruited inpatients affected by moderate COVID-19 disease. The clinical evaluation comprised the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), numerical rating scale (NRS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), and the modified Borg dyspnea scale (mBDS). Respiratory involvement was assessed with computed tomography (CT) and graded with a CT-severity score (CT-SS). We retrospectively assessed functioning using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) codes of the Clinical Functioning Information Tool (ClinFIT) COVID-19 in the acute phase. Correlation analysis was performed 1) between clinical, instrumental, and functional parameters and 2) between ICF categories. Results The data showed statistically significant moderate correlations between CT-SS and the following categories: b152 “emotional functions” and b440 “respiratory functions”. Conclusion This is the first study to use the ICF framework in people with a moderate form of COVID-19 in the acute phase. Considering the correlations between some ICF categories and radiological findings, our results support the use of the ClinFIT COVID-19 for a comprehensive assessment of COVID-19 patients

Role of adiponectin and leptin on body development in infants during the first year of life

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The control of growth and nutritional status in the foetus and neonate is a complex mechanism, in which also hormones produced by adipose tissue, such as adiponectin and leptin are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin in appropriate (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) children during the 1^styear of life and to correlate these with auxological parameters.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 33 AGA and 29 SGA infants, weight, length, head circumference, glucose, insulin, adiponectin and leptin levels were evaluated at the second day of life, and at one, six and twelve months, during which a portion of SGA could show catch-up growth (rapid growth in infants born small for their gestational age).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both total and isoform adiponectin levels were comparable between AGA and SGA infants at birth and until age one year. These levels significantly increased from birth to the first month of life and then decreased to lower values at 1 year of age in all subjects. Circulating leptin concentrations were higher in AGA (2.1 ± 4.1 ng/ml) than in SGA neonates (0.88 ± 1.03 ng/ml, p < 0.05) at birth, then similar at the 1^stand the 6^thmonth of age, but they increased in SGA from six months to one year, when they showed catch-up growth. Circulating insulin levels were not statistically different in AGA and SGA neonates at any study time point. Insulin levels in both AGA and SGA infants increased over the study period, and were significantly lower at birth compared to one, six and 12 months of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>During the first year of life, in both AGA and SGA infants a progressive decrease in adiponectin levels was observed, while a difference in leptin values was correlated with the nutritional status.</p