The nutraceuticals : a new therapeutic strategy in the management of digestive and respiratory disorders

Nutraceuticals represents an intriguing challenge in clinical practice. They are currently used worldwide in all fields of Medicine. The present Supplement reports two Italian surveys concerning a probiotic mixture employed in patients with chronic intestinal disorders and a Medical Device used in patients with upper respiratory diseases. These surveys were conducted on a group of Italian gastroenterologists and on a group of Italian otolaryngologists respectively. Both surveys demonstrated that these compounds may represent a useful therapeutic option in clinical practice

Topological properties of regular generalized function algebras

We investigate density of various subalgebras of regular generalized functions in the special Colombeau algebra of generalized functions.Comment: 6 page

Distributional energy momentum tensor of the extended Kerr geometry

We generalize previous work on the energy-momentum tensor-distribution of the Kerr geometry by extending the manifold structure into the negative mass region. Since the extension of the flat part of the Kerr-Schild decomposition from one sheet to the double cover develops a singularity at the branch surface we have to take its non-smoothness into account. It is however possible to find a geometry within the generalized Kerr-Schild class that is in the Colombeau-sense associated to the maximally analytic Kerr-metric.Comment: 12 pages, latex2e, amslatex and epsf macro

The use of D-chiro-inositol in clinical practice

OBJECTIVE: D-chiro-Inositol has been widely used in clinical practice to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Only recent evidence established that this molecule acts through two different mechanisms, with potentially different outcomes. On the one hand, under a metabolic perspective, D-chiro-Inositol improves insulin signaling, thus restoring physiological insulin levels in resistant subjects. On the other hand, at a cellular level, it downregulates the expression of steroidogenic enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the conversion of androgens to estrogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed current literature in different databases, searching for D-chiro-Inositol in relation with one of the following keywords: myo-inositol, PCOS, infertility, insulin resistance, aromatase, androgen and inositol, testosterone, estrogen and inositol, estradiol, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, fat tissue, estrogens and cancer, anovulation, uterine myoma, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia. RESULTS: D-Chiro-Inositol treatment may be helpful in restoring physiological hormonal levels in various clinical disorders. However, D-Chiro-Inositol intervention should be carefully designed to avoid possible undesired side effects stemming from its multiple mechanisms of action. CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated the optimal D Chiro-Inositol administration for different pathologies, defining dosages and timing. Even though further studies are required to validate our preliminary results, this paper is primarily intended to guide researchers through some of the pathways of D-Chiro-Inositol

Isomorphisms of algebras of Colombeau generalized functions

We show that for smooth manifolds X and Y, any isomorphism between the special algebra of Colombeau generalized functions on X, resp. Y is given by composition with a unique Colombeau generalized function from Y to X. We also identify the multiplicative linear functionals from the special algebra of Colombeau generalized functions on X to the ring of Colombeau generalized numbers. Up to multiplication with an idempotent generalized number, they are given by an evaluation map at a compactly supported generalized point on X.Comment: 10 page

RENAL DENERVATION RAPIDLY RESTORES CIRCULATING PROGENITOR CELLS IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

Objective: To investigate whether blood pressure (BP) lowering after renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) affects CD34+ cell number in drug-resistant hypertension (R-HTN). Design and method: We enrolled 11 patients with R-HTN, already treated with at least 6 antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, at full dosages; patients with offi ce BP of > 160 mmHg (>150 mmHg for type 2 diabetes) were considered eligible for the procedure. Adherence to drug treatment was accurately checked by patient’s general practitioners. Mean age was 61 ± 7.9 years; M: F 8:5. We measured clinic (sphygmomanometer) and ambulatory (Tonoport V GEHealthcare) BP, and heart rate (HR; electrocardiogram), at baseline and 30 days after RSD procedure (Symplicity; Medtronic). 24 h BP recordings and home BP protocols were consulted in addition to offi ce BP measurements at the hospital before enrollment. Results: At T0: SBP: 179.1 ± 9.3mmHg; DBP: 101.2 ± 5.5 mmHg; HR 79.9 ± 9.4; CD34+ cells: 1.66 ± 0.51. At T1 SBP values were reduced on the average of 40.2 mmHg (138.9 ± 7.3; –22.5%, p < 0.001) DBP of 18 mmHg (83.2 ± 3.2; –17.7%, p < 0.001), and HR of 10.4 bpm (67.3 ± 6.0; -17.7%, p < 0.005), and CD34+cell number increased on an average of 0.34 cells /microL (2.0 ± 0.51; +21.2%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: RSD rapidly restores CD34+cell number in patients affected by true R-HTN; if these results will be confi rmed on a larger scale, they could provide new insights about CD34+ cells and pathophysiological aspects of arterial hypertension

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: a retrospective analysis from a centre of South Italy

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Subcutaneous administration of tocilizumab is effective in myointimal hyperplasia remodelling in refractory Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin that involves large and mediumsized arteries, primarily the aorta and its major branches. TA is a therapeutic challenge because corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive agents are not always effective or safe. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has emerged as a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of TA and its serum levels have been shown to well correlate with disease activity. We report a 19 years old female patient with TA refractory to conventional immunosuppressive agents, successfully treated with subcutaneous tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor, in which ultrasonography (US) was used as imaging tool to follow up the patient. Currently, clinical indices of disease activity, inflammatory markers, carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as well as carotid pulse wave velocity (cPWV) normalised, while the prednisone dosage has been tapered. Tocilizumab appears to be a good option in refractory TA, with a remarkable steroid-sparing effect. In addition, it seems to have a favourable effect on endothelial function, as it improved cIMT and PWV