L’identikit: come si aiuta un testimone a ricordare

The identification of the author of a crime is a major objective of the Criminal Police. Amongst tools and procedures to achieve this result, identikit has entered the collective imagination as the police practice that allows a designer to draw the facial features of an offender basing on a witness’s memories. The purpose of this paper is to describe the psychological processes involved in collecting testimony during the construction of an identikit, in order to suggest an interview procedure that allows operators to put at ease the witness (or victim) and to facilitate the memories, avoiding interrogative suggestion. The functioning of some processes such as memory, attention, perception, face perception, indeed, affect the formation and recollection of memory, in every phase of face composition, from the moment when the track is formed during the crime, till this trace needs to be recovered from the memory, during the identikit realization. The procedure to be proposed is based on Karen Taylor’s interview protocol for faces composition, elaborated by the authors in order to adapt it to the reality of Italian culture. The interview, applicable if dedicated software is utilized as well as if images are realized by the freehand drawing, was constructed by linking the practice with scientific data, which are the foundation of procedural suggestions.L’identificazione dell’autore di un reato è uno dei principali obiettivi della Polizia Giudiziaria. Nel panorama degli strumenti e delle procedure per giungere a tale risultato, l’identikit è entrato nell’immaginario collettivo come quella pratica di Polizia che, sulla base del ricordo di un testimone, consente a un disegnatore di tracciare le caratteristiche del volto dell’autore di un reato. Scopo di questo lavoro è descrivere i processi psicologici implicati nella raccolta testimoniale durante la realizzazione di un identikit, al fine di suggerire una procedura d’intervista che consenta agli operatori di mettere a proprio agio il testimone o la vittima e facilitarne il ricordo senza introdurre elementi suggestivi.Il funzionamento di alcuni processi quali memoria, attenzione, percezione, percezione dei volti, infatti, influisce sulla formazione e rievocazione del ricordo, nei vari momenti del percorso di composizione del volto, dall’attimo in cui si forma la traccia, durante il crimine, a quando questa traccia deve essere recuperata dalla memoria, durante la realizzazione dell’identikit. La procedura che si intende proporre si basa sul protocollo di intervista per la composizione dei volti di Karen Taylor, artista forense che ha collaborato con diverse Polizie Statunitensi, rielaborata dagli Autori al fine di adattarla alla realtà culturale italiana. L’intervista, applicabile sia qualora ci si avvalga di software dedicati, sia che si realizzi l’immagine con il disegno a mano libera, è stata costruita mettendo in relazione la prassi operativa con i dati scientifici, che rappresentano il fondamento dei suggerimenti procedurali

Abnormal P-selectin localization during megakaryocyte development determines thrombosis in the gata1low model of myelofibrosis.

Abstract Patients with primary myelofibrosis have increased risk for bleeding and thrombosis. It is debated whether propensity to thrombosis is due to increased numbers of platelet microparticles and/or to pathological platelet-neutrophil interactions. Platelet neutrophil interactions are mediated by P-selectin and even though the megakaryocytes of myelofibrosis patients express normal levels of P-selectin, it remains abnormally localized to the demarcation membrane system rather than being assembled into the α-granules in platelets. Mice carrying the hypomorphic Gata1(low) mutation express the same megakaryocyte abnormalities presented by primary myelofibrosis patients, including abnormal P-selectin localization to the DMS and develop with age myelofibrosis, a disease that closely resembles human primary myelofibrosis. Whether these mice would also develop thrombosis has not been investigated as yet. The aim of this study was to determine whether Gata1(low) mice would develop thrombosis with age and, in this case, the role played by P-selectin in the development of the trait. To this aim, Gata1(low) mice were crossed with P-sel(null) mice according to standard genetic protocols and Gata1(low)P-sel(wt), Gata1(low)P-sel(null) and Gata1(WT)P-sel(null) or Gata1(wt)P-sel(wt) (as controls) littermates obtained. It was shown that platelet counts, but not hematocrit, are reduced in Gata1(low) mice. Moreover, platelet microparticles are reduced in Gata1(low) mice and P-selectin positive platelet microparticles were not found. To determine the phenotypic implications of the different mutations, bleeding time was estimated by a tail cut procedure. Mutant mice were sacrificed and presence of thrombosis was determined by immunohistological staining of organs. Gata1(low) mice with or without the P-selectin null trait had a prolonged bleeding time compared to wild type mice. However, in Gata1(low) mice significantly higher frequency of thrombotic events was seen in adult and old Gata1(low) mice compared to Gata1(low)P-sel(null) mice. Thus, presence of the P-selectin null trait rescued Gata1(low) mice from the thrombotic phenotype, but did not change the level of platelet microparticles. Taken together these data indicate that abnormal localization of P-selectin, induced by the Gata1(low) mutation, and thus, increased pathological interactions with leucocytes, is responsible for the increased presence of thrombosis seen in these mice

Buckypaper as absorbable adhesive for surgical applications

FONANZIAMENTO pROGETTO DI RICERCA INTERFACOLTA' dIP pARIDE sTEFANINI Chirurgia Generale e Dip di Chimica Anno 2010 prot C26A10HCNR per 5333€ di 35000€TOPICS: Biotecnologia ed innovazioni tecnologiche. Le proposte italiane nella ricerca. BUCKYPAPER AS ABSORBABLE ADHESIVE FOR SURGICAL APPLICATIONS Massimo Chiaretti(1), Andrea Martinelli(2), Giovanna Angela Carru(3), Fabio Procacciante(1), Lucio D’Ilario(2), Emanuela D’Amore(4), Alessandra Maria Chiaretti(5), Fabio Faiola(6) and Paola Consentino(7). (1)Department of General Surgery “Paride Stefanini”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome, 00161 (Italy) (2)Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185 (Italy) (3)Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 - Rome (Italy) (4)National Health Institute, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 - Rome (Italy) (5)Biologic Sciences Faculty, University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185 (Italy) (6)Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, 00161 (Italy) (7)Appialab Srl V. Latina, 286 00179 Rome (+39) 067825111www.appialab.it E-mail: [email protected] Keywords: buckypaper, carbon nanotubes, medical application, abdominal surgery, wet adhesion absorbable adhesive device. Introduction: The adhesion of a surface on a biological tissue represents an important scientific and technological issue which excites the interest of many researchers. One of the main problems related to the abdominal prosthetic surgery is the mesh fixation. On the one hand suture line tension, mesh separation or displacement, improper and blind application of metal tacks and staples in laparoscopy surgery are the main causes of complications, including seroma, postoperative pain and recurrence[6-9]. On the other hand, the use of human fibrin as glue between the prosthesis and the damaged tissue, although it has become a well-established surgical procedure, presents possible risks associated to the transmission of unknown diseases related to the use of human blood-derived materials [9]. Moreover, it was observed that an increased incidence of postoperative seroma is associated to the use of fibrin glue for mesh fixation[10]. Surfaces able to adhere promptly and strongly on wet biological tissue may represent an effective alternative to the conventional prosthesis fixation methods. This study proposes the application of the nature inspired micro- or nano-patterned adhesive surfaces, by exploiting the scaling effect, according to which the adhesion strength can be enhanced through the reduction of interface adhesive contact size. We experimented evidences on the potential applicability on wet biological tissue of the Buckypaper (BP) as an adhesive tape: BP is a self-standing felt composed of entangled multi-walled carbon nanotubes. In vitro bench surgery mechanical peeling and shear adhesion tests and In vivo tests If compared to other commercial tested prosthesis meshes, BP shows a stronger adhesion, only on wet tissues. much better than both self-gripping commercial mesh and fibrin-glue non-gripping meshes and fabrics. Prompted by these results, we implanted BP in rabbits, to assess its effectiveness as adhesive absorbable prosthetic device and its biocompatibility. After 35 days from the operation we observed that no rabbit behavioral alteration occurred; the BP samples preserved their position in the implantation site and mechanical adhesion was enhanced. This is indicative of no toxicity, good integration and slow reabsorption of the synthetic material into the surrounding tissue without eliciting adverse reactions. Materials and Methods. Operated New Zeeland 3000g female rabbits (R1-R4) did not show mortality or morbidity, no significant neurovegetative or behavioral differences in comparison with the no operated control R5. Results and Discussion. Body weight monitoring graph do not showed any significant difference. The Hematoxilin and Eeosin (H&E) stained implant section reported BP surface fragmentation, shows the formation of a capsule of loose fibrous tissue, consisting of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, indicative of a weak inflammation reaction., the necroscopy examination of R2 showed that the implanted PP favors a cicatrisation process, the mesh appearing wrapped in the inflammatory reaction. In R4, the no sutured incision, tighten by the BP strep, was normally closed and healed. On the smooth BP surface facing the abdominal cavity, explanted from R3, a scarcely adherent neo-formed protein fibrous carpet, about 5 mm thick, may be observed in scansion electronic microscope (SEM). Conclusions: by peeling and shear mechanical tests, a strong BP adhesion on wet biological tissue was measured. In view of a possible application as adhesive absorbable tape in surgery, preliminary in vivo experiments were carried out on rabbit model. Necroscopical and histological investigations enlighten that 35 days after the implantation, the BP elicits minimal adverse tissue response, and when exposed to the peritoneal cavity, no adhesion of omentum or intestinal loops was observed. Nanometric carbon nanotube aggregates, deriving from the surface BP fragmentation, were phagocytised by macrophages and observed in Bowman's urinary space. The assessment of the BP debris, possible toxicity or confinement or metabolism and accumulation or excretion mechanism needs further studies. However, we believe that the results here reported can be used to propose the BP as a new wet absorbable adhesive tape to fix prosthetic materials. References 1. L. Liu, W. Ma, Z. Zhang,Small 2011, 7, 1504 2. M. Chiaretti, G. Mazzanti, S. Bosco, S. Bellucci, A. Cucina, F. Le Foche, G. A. Carru, S. Mastrangelo, A. Di Sotto, R. Masciangelo, A. M. Chiaretti, C. Balasubramanian, G. De Bellis, F. Micciulla, N. Porta, G. Deriu, A. Tiberia, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 2008,20, 474203 3. A. Di Sotto, M. Chiaretti, G. A. Carru, S. Bellucci, G. Mazzanti, Toxicol. Lett. 2009, 184, 192 4. S. Bellucci, M. Chiaretti, A. Cucina, G.A. Carru,A.I. Chiaretti, Nanomedicine 2009, 4, 531 5. a) The mean equivalent radius was evaluated by wicking tests carried out in water, assuming a water contact angle of about 80°; b) G. Callegari, I. Tyomkin, K. G. Kornev, A.V. Neimark, Y-L. Hsieh, J. Colloid Interface Sci.2011, 353, 290 6. B. P. Jacob, N. J. Hogle, E. Durak, T. Kim, D. L. Fowler, Surg. Endosc. 2007, 21, 629 7. J. R. Eriksen, J. I. Bech, D. Linnemann, J. Rosemberg, Hernia 2008, 12, 483 8. W. B. Gaertner, M. E. Bonsack, J. P. Delaney, Hernia 2010, 14, 375 9. S. Olmi, A. Addis, C. Domeneghini, A. Scaini, E. Croce, Hernia. 2007, 11, 211 10. S. Bellucci, M. Chiaretti, P. Onorato,F. Rossella, M. S. Grandi, P. Galinetto, I. Sacco,F. Micciulla, Nanomedicine 2010, 5, 209 11. massimochiaretti.wordpress.co

Novel Hydroxycinnamoyl-Coenzyme A Quinate Transferase Genes from Artichoke Are Involved in the Synthesis of Chlorogenic Acid1[W]

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus) extracts have high antioxidant capacity, due primarily to flavonoids and phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid [CGA]), dicaffeoylquinic acids, and caffeic acid, which are abundant in flower bracts and bioavailable to humans in the diet. The synthesis of CGA can occur following different routes in plant species, and hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A transferases are important enzymes in these pathways. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of two novel genes both encoding hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferases (HQT) from artichoke. The recombinant proteins (HQT1 and HQT2) were assayed after expression in Escherichia coli, and both showed higher affinity for quinate over shikimate. Their preferences for acyl donors, caffeoyl-coenzyme A or p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A, were examined. Modeling and docking analyses were used to propose possible pockets and residues involved in determining substrate specificities in the HQT enzyme family. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene expression indicated that HQT1 might be more directly associated with CGA content. Transient and stable expression of HQT1 in Nicotiana resulted in a higher production of CGA and cynarin (1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid). These findings suggest that several isoforms of HQT contribute to the synthesis of CGA in artichoke according to physiological needs and possibly following various metabolic routes

Platelets from patients with visceral obesity promote colon cancer growth.

Several studies highlighted the importance of platelets in the tumor microenvironment due to their ability to interact with other cell types such as leukocytes, endothelial, stromal and cancer cells. Platelets can influence tumor development and metastasis formation through several processes consisting of the secretion of growth factors and cytokines and/or via direct interaction with cancer cells and endothelium. Patients with visceral obesity (VO) are susceptible to pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory states and to development of cancer, especially colon cancer. These findings provide us with the impetus to analyze the role of platelets isolated from VO patients in tumor growth and progression with the aim to explore a possible link between platelet activation, obesity and colon cancer. Here, using xenograft colon cancer models, we prove that platelets from patients with visceral obesity are able to strongly promote colon cancer growth. Then, sequencing platelet miRNome, we identify miR-19a as the highest expressed miRNA in obese subjects and prove that miR-19a is induced in colon cancer. Last, administration of miR-19a per se in the xenograft colon cancer model is able to promote colon cancer growth. We thus elect platelets with their specific miRNA abundance as important factors in the tumor promoting microenvironment of patients with visceral obesity

Trop-2 induces tumor growth through AKT and determines sensitivity to AKT inhibitors

Purpose: Inhibition of AKT is a key target area for personalized cancer medicine. However, predictive markers of response to AKT inhibitors are lacking. Correspondingly, the AKT-dependent chain of command for tumor growth, which will mediate Akt-dependent therapeutic responses, remains unclear. Experimental Design: Proteomic profiling was utilized to identify nodal hubs of the Trop-2 cancer growth–driving network. Kinase-specific inhibitors were used to dissect Trop-2–dependent from Trop-2–independent pathways. In vitro assays, in vivo preclinical models, and case series of primary human breast cancers were utilized to define the mechanisms of Trop-2–driven growth and the mode of action of Trop-2–predicted AKT inhibitors. Results: Trop-2 and AKT expression was shown to be tightly coordinated in human breast cancers, with virtual overlap with AKT activation profiles at T308 and S473, consistent with functional interaction in vivo. AKT allosteric inhibitors were shown to only block the growth of Trop-2– expressing tumor cells, both in vitro and in preclinical models, being ineffective on Trop-2–null cells. Consistently, AKTtargeted siRNA only impacted on Trop-2–expressing cells. Lentiviral downregulation of endogenous Trop-2 abolished tumor response to AKT blockade, indicating Trop-2 as a mandatory activator of AKT. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the expression of Trop- 2 is a stringent predictor of tumor response toAKT inhibitors. They also support the identification of target-activatory pathways, as efficient predictors of response in precision cancer therapy

Pheochromocytoma: role of preoperative diagnosis in the assessment of malignancy risk and in the choice of surgical approach

Pheochromocytomas are malignant in 5-26% of the cases. Differential diagnosis with benign lesions can be difficult even on a pathological basis. Local invasion and distant metastasis are the only well established indicators of malignancy. It has been reported that the risk of malignancy increases with the lesion size. Despite safe laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has been reported for lesions up to 10 cm, it is considered hazardous for pheochromocytoma larger than 6 cm, because of the risk of malignancy and iatrogenic pheochromocytomatosis. We evaluated the possibility to pre-operatively recognize pheochromocytomas at risk of being malignant that should not be selected for LA. The medical records of all the patients who underwent adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma were reviewed. All the preoperatively available data (demographic, clinical, biochemical and radiological) were recorded as well as final pathological diagnosis. Comparative analysis of patients with benign and malignant pheochromocytomas was performed. Sixty-three adrenalectomies for pheochromocytoma were performed in 60 patients. Fifty-seven benign and 6 malignant pheochromocytomas were identified. No significant difference was found between patients with malignant and benign lesions concerning age, gender, family history, symptoms, laboratory and radiological findings. In particular, no significant difference was found for lesion size between the benign (63.3 +/- 30.6 mm, range, 20-150) and the malignant group (48.6 +/- 16.5 mm; range, 30-70). The largest diameter recorded for a malignant lesion was 70 mm. No preoperatively available data can reliably differentiate between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. All malignant lesions in this series were smaller than 7 cm. Thus, pheochromocytoma size does not seem a reliable predictor of malignancy. In absence of the evidence of gross local invasion or metastatic disease, LA can be safely proposed also for large lesions. Conversion is mandatory in presence of local invasion or difficult dissection that could involve inadequate resection