Pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of anderson–fabry disease and possible new molecular addressed therapeutic strategies

Anderson–Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare disease with an incidenceof approxi-mately 1:117,000 male births. Lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) is the element characterizing Fabry disease due to a hereditary deficiency α-galactosidase A (GLA) enzyme. The accumulation of Gb3 causes lysosomal dysfunction that compromises cell signaling pathways. Deposition of sphingolipids occurs in the autonomic nervous system, dorsal root ganglia, kidney epithelial cells, vascular system cells, and myocardial cells, resulting in organ failure. This manuscript will review the molecular pathogenetic pathways involved in Anderson–Fabry disease and in its organ damage. Some studies reported that inhibition of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism plays a signif-icant role in AFD cardiomyopathy and in kidney disease of AFD patients. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported as linked to the dysregulation of the au-tophagy–lysosomal pathway which inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) mediated control of mitochondrial metabolism in AFD cells. Cerebrovascular complications due to AFD are caused by cerebral micro vessel stenosis. These are caused by wall thickening resulting from the intramural accumulation of glycolipids, luminal oc-clusion or thrombosis. Other pathogenetic mechanisms involved in organ damage linked to Gb3 accumulation are endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of endothelial calcium-activated intermediate-conductance potassium ion channel 3.1 (KCa3.1) via a clathrin-de-pendent process. This process represents a crucial event in endothelial dysfunction. Several studies have identified the deacylated form of Gb3, globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3), as the main catabolite that increases in plasma and urine in patients with AFD. The mean concentrations of Gb3 in all organs and plasma of Galactosidase A knockout mice were significantly higher than those of wild-type mice. The distributions of Gb3 isoforms vary from organ to organ. Various Gb3 isoforms were observed mainly in the kidneys, and kidney-specific Gb3 isoforms were hydroxylated. Furthermore, the action of Gb3 on the KCa3.1 channel suggests a possible contribution of this interaction to the Fabry disease process, as this channel is expressed in various cells, including endothelial cells, fibro-blasts, smooth muscle cells in proliferation, microglia, and lymphocytes. These molecular pathways could be considered a potential therapeutic target to correct the enzyme in ad-dition to the traditional enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) or drug chaperone therapy

Histone acetyltransferase inhibitor CPTH6 preferentially targets lung cancer stem-like cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in tumor initiation, progression, therapeutic failure and tumor relapse. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the thiazole derivative 3-methylcyclopentylidene-[4-(4’-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl] hydrazone (CPTH6), a novel pCAF and Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, as a small molecule that preferentially targets lung cancer stem-like cells (LCSCs) derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Notably, although CPTH6 inhibits the growth of both LCSC and NSCLC cell lines, LCSCs exhibit greater growth inhibition than established NSCLC cells. Growth inhibitory effect of CPTH6 in LCSC lines is primarily due to apoptosis induction. Of note, differentiated progeny of LCSC lines is more resistant to CPTH6 in terms of loss of cell viability and reduction of protein acetylation, when compared to their undifferentiated counterparts. Interestingly, in LCSC lines CPTH6 treatment is also associated with a reduction of stemness markers. By using different HAT inhibitors we provide clear evidence that inhibition of HAT confers a strong preferential inhibitory effect on cell viability of undifferentiated LCSC lines when compared to their differentiated progeny. In vivo, CPTH6 is able to inhibit the growth of LCSC-derived xenografts and to reduce cancer stem cell content in treated tumors, as evidenced by marked reduction of tumor-initiating capacity in limiting dilution assays. Strikingly, the ability of CPTH6 to inhibit tubulin acetylation is also confirmed in vivo. Overall, our studies propose histone acetyltransferase inhibition as an attractive target for cancer therapy of NSCLC

BCL-XL overexpression promotes tumor progression-associated properties article

By using human melanoma and glioblastoma cell lines and their derivative BCL-XL overexpressing clones, we investigated the role of BCL-XL in aggressive features of these two tumor histotypes. We found that in both models, BCL-XL overexpression increased in vitro cell migration and invasion and facilitated tumor cells to form de novo vasculogenic structures. Furthermore, BCL-XL overexpressing cells exhibited higher tumors sphere formation capacity and expressed higher levels of some stem cell markers, supporting the concept that BCL-XL plays essential roles in the maintenance of cancer stem cell phenotype. BCL-XL expression reduction by siRNA, the exposure to a BCL-XL-specific inhibitor and the use of a panel of human melanoma cell lines corroborated the evidence that BCL-XL regulates tumor progression-associated properties. Finally, the vascular markers and the vasculogenic mimicry were up-regulated in the BCL-XL overexpressing xenografts derived from both tumor histotypes. In conclusion, our work brings further support to the understanding of the malignant actions of BCL-XL and, in particular, to the concept that BCL-XL promotes stemness and contributes to the aggressiveness of both melanoma and glioblastoma

#InstaMind: teachers’ beliefs on educational technology to promote seamless technology integration in early education

BackgroundThe digital revolution has deeply affected every aspect of our daily lives, including education, transforming how we learn and teach. In Italy, this transformation has occurred naturally for the alpha generation, born in the era in which technology is an integral part of their education. Conversely, for teachers who are not digital natives, adapting to this technological era is a considerable challenge. This challenge is increasing for Italian teachers working with preschoolers. Indeed, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such technologies were sparsely utilized within early education. This study aims to explore Italian teachers’ beliefs through internal factors—i.e., self- efficacy, outcome expectations, and interest, toward the integration of educational technology in teaching.MethodsTo this end, the standardized Intrapersonal Technology Integration Scale was selected to measure the Italian teachers’ beliefs. The study includes 180 teachers working with the alpha generation, which encompasses children currently attending pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary education.ResultsThe results obtained from the comparison among the three groups of teachers (pre- kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary education) on the internal factors are manifold. Mainly, although all teachers are interested in educational technologies, there is a reluctance and low self-efficacy perception to use them with preschoolers. Specifically, pre-kindergarten teachers perceive themselves as less effective and satisfied using such technologies than kindergarten and primary teachers. Moreover, greater teachers’ age and greater teaching experience predict a lower level of perceived self-efficacy and outcome expectations, highlighting resistance toward technological change. All results and their implications are detailed in this text.DiscussionThis study suggests focusing on perceived self-efficacy, offering customized training to enhance it, exploiting the teachers’ interest, enriching teachers’ knowledge through scientific dissemination seminars, and using an effective method. To conclude, understanding teachers’ beliefs is a challenge to better meet the needs of the digital-native generation and harness the potential of educational technologies in childhood education

Inter-familial and intra-familial phenotypic variability in three Sicilian families with Anderson-Fabry disease.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an inborn lysosomal enzymopathy resulting from the deficient or absent activity of the lysosomal exogalactohydrolase, α-galactosidase A. This deficiency, results in the altered metabolism of glycosphingolipids which leads to their accumulation in lysosomes, thus to cellular and vascular dysfunction. To date, numerous mutations (according to recent data more than 1000 mutations) have been reported in the GLA intronic and exonic mutations. Traditionally, clinical manifestations are more severe in affected hemizygous males than in females. Nevertheless, recent studies have described severe organ dysfunction in women. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: This study reports clinical, biochemical, and molecular findings of the members of three Sicilian families. The clinical history of these patients highlights a remarkable interfamilial and intrafamilial phenotypic variability which characterizes Fabry disease relative to target organs and severity of clinical manifestations. DISCUSSION: Our findings, in agreement with previous data, report a little genotype-phenotype correlation for the disease, suggesting that the wide phenotypic variability of Anderson-Fabry disease is not completely ascribable to different gene mutations but other factors and mechanisms seem to be involved in the pathogenesis and clinical expression of the disease. Moreover, this study emphasies the importance of pedigree analysis in the family of each proband for identifying other possibly affected relatives

Water Extract from Inflorescences of Industrial Hemp Futura 75 Variety as a Source of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Proliferative and Antimycotic Agents: Results from In Silico, In Vitro and Ex Vivo Studies

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is traditionally cultivated as a valuable source of fibers and nutrients. Multiple studies also demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-proliferative, phytotoxic and insecticide effects of the essential oil from hemp female inflorescences. On the other side, only a few studies explored the potential pharmacological application of polar extracts from inflorescences. In the present study, we investigated the water extract from inflorescences of industrial hemp Futura 75 variety, from phytochemical and pharmacological point of view. The water extract was assayed for phenolic compound content, radical scavenger/reducing, chelating and anti-tyrosinase effects. Through an ex vivo model of toxicity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on isolated rat colon and liver, we explored the extract effects on serotonin, dopamine and kynurenine pathways and the production of prostaglandin (PG)E2. Anti-proliferative effects were also evaluated against human colon cancer HCT116 cell line. Additionally, antimycotic effects were investigated against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Microsporum gypseum. Finally, in silico studies, including bioinformatics, network pharmacology and docking approaches were conducted in order to predict the putative targets underlying the observed pharmacological and microbiological effects. Futura 75 water extract was able to blunt LPS-induced reduction of serotonin and increase of dopamine and kynurenine turnover, in rat colon. Additionally, the reduction of PGE2 levels was observed in both colon and liver specimens, as well. The extract inhibited the HCT116 cell viability, the growth of T. rubrum and T. interdigitale and the activity of tyrosinase, in vitro, whereas in silico studies highlighting the inhibitions of cyclooxygenase-1 (induced by carvacrol), carbonic anhydrase IX (induced by chlorogenic acid and gallic acid) and lanosterol 14-α-demethylase (induced by rutin) further support the observed pharmacological and antimycotic effects. The present findings suggest female inflorescences from industrial hemp as high quality by-products, thus representing promising sources of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals against inflammatory and infectious diseases.Fil: Orlando, Giustino. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Recinella, Lucia. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Chiavaroli, Annalisa. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Brunetti, Luigi. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Leone, Sheila. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Carradori, Simone. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Di Simone, Simonetta. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Ciferri, Maria Chiara. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Zengin, Gokhan. Universidad de Selcuk; TurquíaFil: Ak, Gunes. Universidad de Selcuk; TurquíaFil: Abdullah, Hassan H.. Salahaddin University-Erbil; Iraq. Universiti Sains Malaysia; MalasiaFil: Cordisco, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Politi, Matteo. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Angelini, Paola. Università di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Covino, Stefano. Università di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Venanzoni, Roberto. Università di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Cesa, Stefania. Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza"; ItaliaFil: Menghini, Luigi. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Ferrante, Claudio. University “G. d’Annunzio”. Department of Pharmacy; Itali

The Third Dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not “Boost” Disease Flares and Adverse Events in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Data on the risk of adverse events (AEs) and disease flares in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) after the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine are scarce. The aim of this multicenter, prospective study is to analyze the clinical and immunological safety of BNT162b2 vaccine in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed-up from the first vaccine cycle to the third dose. The vaccine showed an overall good safety profile with no patient reporting serious AEs, and a low percentage of total AEs at both doses (40/78 (51.3%) and 13/47 (27.7%) patients after the second and third dose, respectively (p < 0.002). Flares were observed in 10.3% of patients after the end of the vaccination cycle and 12.8% after the third dose. Being vaccinated for influenza was inversely associated with the onset of AEs after the second dose, at both univariable (p = 0.013) and multivariable analysis (p = 0.027). This result could allow identification of a predictive factor of vaccine tolerance, if confirmed in larger patient populations. A higher disease activity at baseline was not associated with a higher incidence of AEs or disease flares. Effectiveness was excellent after the second dose, with only 1/78 (1.3%) mild breakthrough infection (BI) and worsened after the third dose, with 9/47 (19.2%) BI (p < 0.002), as a probable expression of the higher capacity of the Omicron variants to escape vaccine recognition

SCN5A Nonsense Mutation and NF1 Frameshift Mutation in a Family With Brugada Syndrome and Neurofibromatosis

In this case series, we report for the first time a family in which the inherited nonsense mutation [c. 3946C > T (p.Arg1316*)] in the SCN5A gene segregates in association with Brugada syndrome (BrS). Moreover, we also report, for the first time, the frameshift mutation [c.7686delG (p.Ile2563fsX40)] in the NF1 gene, as well as its association with type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), characterized by pigmentary lesions (café au lait spots, Lisch nodules, freckling) and cutaneous neurofibromas. Both of these mutations and associated phenotypes were discovered in the same family. This genetic association may identify a subset of patients at higher risk of sudden cardiac death who require the appropriate electrophysiological evaluation. This case series highlights the importance of genetic testing not only to molecularly confirm the pathology but also to identify asymptomatic family members who need clinical examinations and preventive interventions, as well as to advise about the possibility of avoiding recurrence risk with medically assisted reproduction

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the presence of large nodal mass are independent predictors of early response: A subanalysis of the prospective phase II PET-2-adapted HD0607 trial

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) can reflect both the myeloid dysfunction and T-cell immune suppression and have prognostic significance

Sardinians genetic background explained by runs of homozygosity and genomic regions under positive selection

The peculiar position of Sardinia in the Mediterranean sea has rendered its population an interesting biogeographical isolate. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic population structure, as well as to estimate Runs of Homozygosity and regions under positive selection, using about 1.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped in 1077 Sardinian individuals. Using four different methods - fixation index, inflation factor, principal component analysis and ancestry estimation - we were able to highlight, as expected for a genetic isolate, the high internal homogeneity of the island. Sardinians showed a higher percentage of genome covered by RoHs>0.5 Mb (FRoH%0.5) when compared to peninsular Italians, with the only exception of the area surrounding Alghero. We furthermore identified 9 genomic regions showing signs of positive selection and, we re-captured many previously inferred signals. Other regions harbor novel candidate genes for positive selection, like TMEM252, or regions containing long non coding RNA. With the present study we confirmed the high genetic homogeneity of Sardinia that may be explained by the shared ancestry combined with the action of evolutionary forces