Homeobox genes in normal and abnormal vasculogenesis

Homeobox containing genes are a family of transcription factors regulating normal development and controlling primary cellular processes (cell identity, cell division and differentiation) recently enriched by the discovery of their interaction with miRNAs and ncRNAs. Class I human homeobox genes (HOX genes) are characterized by a unique genomic network organization: four compact chromosomal loci where 39 sequence corresponding genes can be aligned with each other in 13 antero-posterior paralogous groups. The cardiovascular system is the first mesoderm organ-system to be generated during embryonic development; subsequently it generates the blood and lymphatic vascular systems. Cardiovascular remodelling is involved through homeobox gene regulation and deregulation in adult physiology (menstrual cycle and wound healing) and pathology (atherosclerosis, arterial restenosis, tumour angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis). Understanding the role played by homeobox genes in endothelial and smooth muscle cell phenotype determination will be crucial in identifying the molecular processes involved in vascular cell differentiation, as well as to support future therapeutic strategies. We report here on the current knowledge of the role played by homeobox genes in normal and abnormal vasculogenesis and postulate a common molecular mechanism accounting for the involvement of homeobox genes in the regulation of the nuclear export of specific transcripts potentially capable of generating endothelial phenotype modification involved in new vessel formation

Modelling of hydrostatic bearings for servo-cylinders

Hydraulic servo cylinders are widely used in versatile industrial applications such as machine tools, industrial robots, autonomous manufacturing systems and special applications in laboratories. To reduce friction and allow smooth and controllable displacement of the actuator, hydrostatic journal bearings are used at the ends of the rod. The design and manufacturing of this elements is challenging since the good operation relays on the very small tolerances required to bear the load on the cylinder and to reduce leakages. In this work, a virtual design and test tool for hydrostatic journal bearing with pockets, developed in OpenModelica environment, is presented. The influence of eccentricity and manufacturing tolerances is then studied and discussed. The model proposed has the aim to explore the extreme and critical operating conditions of the servo-cylinder and to help and/or improve the design phase

First record of Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera Ptinidae) from Sardinia, Italy.

Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) is recorded on the invasive alien tree Robinia pseudocacia L. (Fabaceae) in an urban area in Italy. The species has already been reported in two other Italian regions, but this is the first record for the Sardinian fauna. Due to the great adaptability of this alien species and the increasingly cosmopolitan trend, we suggest monitoring it with caution for early detection and to plan an appropriate rapid management response

Molecular Refinement of Clinical Staging in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Evaluated for Potentially Curative Therapies

Abstract: Aim: VEGF and AFP mRNA determinations in the blood are promising prognostic factors for patients with HCC. This study explores their potential prognostic synergy in a cohort of HCC patients evaluated for potentially curative therapies. Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients with a diagnosis of HCC were prospectively enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were: (a) histological diagnosis of HCC and assessment of tumour grade and (b) determination of AFP mRNA status and VEGF levels in the blood before therapy. Results: At baseline evaluation, 40% of the study group had AFP mRNA in the blood (AFP mRNA positive), and 35% had VEGF > 23 pg ml(-1) (VEGF positive). Surgery was performed in 58 patients (47%), 54 (43%) had tumour ablation, and 12 had chemoembolisation (10%). Median follow-up and survival of the study group were 19 and 26 months (range, 1 to 60), respectively. The association of AFP mRNA and VEGF proved to be prognostically more accurate than their single use in discriminating the risk of death (ROC curve analysis) and survival probability (Cox analysis). In particular, we identified 3 main molecular stages (p < 0,0001): both negative (3-year survival = 63%), one positive (3-year survival = 40%), both positive (3-year survival = 16%). Multivariate analysis identified BCLC staging, surgery, and molecular staging as the most significant survival variables. Conclusions: The preoperative determination of AFP mRNA status and VEGF may potentially refine the prognostic evaluation of HCC patients and improve the selection process for potentially curative therapies

The Hemodynamics of Aneurysms Treated with Flow-Diverting Stents Considering both Stent and Aneurysm/Artery Geometries

Flow diverting stents are deployed to reduce the blood flow into the aneurysm, which would thereby induce thrombosis in the aneurysm sac; the stents prevent its rupture. The present study aimed to examine and quantify the impacts of different flow stents on idealized configurations of the cerebral artery. In our study, we considered a spherical sidewall aneurysm located on curved and tortuous idealized artery vessels and three stents with different porosities (70, 80 and 90%) for deployment. Using computational fluid dynamics, the local hemodynamics in the presence and absence of the stents were simulated, respectively, under the assumption that the blood flow was unsteady and non-Newtonian. The hemodynamic parameters, such as the intra-aneurysmal flow, velocity field and wall shear stress and its related indices, were examined and compared among the 12 cases simulated. The results illustrated that with the stent deployment, the intra-aneurysmal flow and the wall shear stress and its related indices were considerably modified depending on both stent and aneurysm/artery geometries, and that the intra-aneurysmal relative residence time increased rapidly with decreasing stent porosity in all the vessel configurations. These results also inform the rationale for selecting stents for treating aneurysms of different configurations

Drop-out rate from the liver transplant waiting list due to HCC progression in HCV-infected patients treated with direct acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND & AIM: concerns about an increased hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rate following directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in cirrhotic patients with a prior complete oncological response have been raised. Data regarding the impact of HCV-treatment with DAAs on waiting list drop-out rates in patients with active HCC and HCV-related cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCV-HCC patients listed for LT between January 2015 and May 2016 at Padua Liver Transplant Centre were considered eligible for the study. After enrollment patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they underwent DAAs treatment while awaiting LT or not. For each patient clinical, serological and virological data were collected. HCC characteristics were radiologically evaluated at baseline and during follow-up (FU). For transplanted patients, pathological assessment of the explants was performed and recurrence-rates were calculated. RESULTS: twenty-three patients treated with DAAs and 23 controls were enrolled. HCC characteristics at time of LT-listing were comparable between the 2 groups. Median FU was 10 and 7 months, respectively, during which 2/23 (8.7%) and 1/23 (4.3%) drop-out events due to HCC-progression were registered (p = 0.9). No significant differences in terms of radiological progression were highlighted (p = 0.16). Nine out of 23 cases (39%) and 14/23 (61%) controls underwent LT, and histopathological analysis showed no differences in terms of median number and total tumor volume of HCC nodules, tumor differentiation or microvascular invasion. During post-LT FU, 1/8 DAAs treated patient (12,5%) and 1/12 control (8,3%) experienced HCC recurrence (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Viral eradication does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of drop-out due to neoplastic progression in HCV-HCC patients awaiting LT