Changes in cortical oscillations linked to multisensory modulation of nociception

n/

Estudio de la respuesta inmunomoduladora en el cáncer de mama

El cáncer de mama es considerado una entidad heterogénea que presenta diferencias moleculares que se relacionan con el pronóstico de las pacientes. El cáncer de mama se clasifica según la expresión de los receptores de estrógeno (RE), receptor de progesterona (RP), Her2-neu, citoqueratinas, entre otros marcadores; la mutación de p53 y el porcentaje de expresión ki67 se consideran también indicadores de pronóstico. Por otra parte, la capacidad de invasión y metástasis tumoral depende de las características propias del tumor así como de la respuesta inmune de cada paciente. Uno de los mecanismos de evasión tumoral involucra a la Indolamino-2,3- dioxigenasa (IDO), una enzima de 42-45 kD que cataliza el paso limitante de la degradación del triptofano en la vía de la quinureína. Hay evidencias que sugieren que IDO tiene un rol en la supervivencia de los tumores ya que restringe la vigilancia inmunológica del hospedador. Este efecto estaría mediado por la inhibición de las células T activadas para ejercer su efecto citotóxico sobre las células tumorales. Asimismo, IDO actúa incrementando la actividad supresora de los linfocitos T regulatorios CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ (Treg) ya que está implicada en su inducción.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Retrospective multicenter study on ‘real life’ experience on the use of two different hexavalent vaccines in 5 local health authorities of the sicilian region from 2016 to 2019

Background and Objective: Hexavalent vaccination (HV) is a priority for protecting infants against six potentially deadly infectious diseases. In Italy, Europe and recently in the U.S. there are three commercially authorised vaccines. HV is currently used in a primary immunisation regimen with three doses (3-5-11 months). A retrospective clinical study was conducted in Sicily, Italys fourth-most populated region (10% of national population and 9% of all newborns), in order to evaluate real life data on HV during 2016-2019. Methods: Data on the completion of the administration of HV, on interchangeability between the two vaccines that alternated between 2016 and 2019 (Infarix Hexa ®- Vaxelis ®), on use above the established age and on co-administration with Rotavirus and Pneumococcus vaccines were investiganted in five Local Health Unit of the Sicilian Region. Scientific coordination was in charge to the Clinical Epidemiology Unit of the University Hospital (UH) of Palermo, through a questionnaire approved by the ethics committee of the same UH. Results: Data collected from the LHUs of Agrigento, Catania, Palermo, Ragusa and Trapani, constituting 72.5% of the Sicilian population, showed an average of 91.5% completion of the HV cycle at 24 months of age. The average age of administration gradually increased in children who switched between the two vaccines compared to those who completed the vaccination cycle with the same product. Interchangeability with one or two doses of hexavalent was documented in 17.8% (2018) and 16% (2019) of infants. Co-administration was 93% with the 13-valent conjugate anti-pneumococcal vaccine and 70% with the anti-rotavirus vaccine. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis could contribute to demonstrate safety and sustainability of the interchangeability between different types of the same HV, helping Public Health Authorities to manage potential disruptions due to missed routine immunization opportunities pandemic-related or change of vaccines due to National or Regional tender

Estudio de la respuesta inmunomoduladora en el cáncer de mama

El cáncer de mama es considerado una entidad heterogénea que presenta diferencias moleculares que se relacionan con el pronóstico de las pacientes. El cáncer de mama se clasifica según la expresión de los receptores de estrógeno (RE), receptor de progesterona (RP), Her2-neu, citoqueratinas, entre otros marcadores; la mutación de p53 y el porcentaje de expresión ki67 se consideran también indicadores de pronóstico. Por otra parte, la capacidad de invasión y metástasis tumoral depende de las características propias del tumor así como de la respuesta inmune de cada paciente. Uno de los mecanismos de evasión tumoral involucra a la Indolamino-2,3- dioxigenasa (IDO), una enzima de 42-45 kD que cataliza el paso limitante de la degradación del triptofano en la vía de la quinureína. Hay evidencias que sugieren que IDO tiene un rol en la supervivencia de los tumores ya que restringe la vigilancia inmunológica del hospedador. Este efecto estaría mediado por la inhibición de las células T activadas para ejercer su efecto citotóxico sobre las células tumorales. Asimismo, IDO actúa incrementando la actividad supresora de los linfocitos T regulatorios CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ (Treg) ya que está implicada en su inducción.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Listening to a conversation with aggressive content expands the interpersonal space

The distance individuals maintain between themselves and others can be defined as ‘interpersonal space’. This distance can be modulated both by situational factors and individual characteristics. Here we investigated the influence that the interpretation of other people interaction, in which one is not directly involved, may have on a person’s interpersonal space. In the current study we measured, for the first time, whether the size of interpersonal space changes after listening to other people conversations with neutral or aggressive content. The results showed that the interpersonal space expands after listening to a conversation with aggressive content relative to a conversation with a neutral content. This finding suggests that participants tend to distance themselves from an aggressive confrontation even if they are not involved in it. These results are in line with the view of the interpersonal space as a safety zone surrounding one’s body

Demographic transition and the real exchange rate in Australia: An empirical investigation

This article utilizes the empirical findings that age structure of the population affects saving, investment and capital flow and hypothesizes that age structure influences the real exchange rate. Based on this link, an empirical model is specified for Australia and estimated with annual data for the period 1970–2011. An autoregressive distributed lag model of cointegration indicates that Australia's real exchange rate is cointegrated with its productivity differential and the relative share of young dependents (0–14 years) in the population. Long-run estimates show that young cohort has an appreciating influence on the real exchange rate. Also, the short-run adjustment is substantial, with more than 65% of the disequilibrium corrected in a year

The preterm cervix reveals a transcriptomic signature in the presence of premature pre-labor rupture of membranes

BACKGROUND: Premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes accounts for 30% of all premature births and is associated with detrimental long-term infant outcomes. Premature cervical remodeling, facilitated by matrix metalloproteinases, may trigger rupture at the zone of the fetal membranes overlying the cervix. The similarities and differences underlying cervical remodeling in premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes are unexplored. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to perform the first transcriptomic assessment of the preterm human cervix to identify differences between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes and to compare the enzymatic activities of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical biopsies were collected following preterm labor with intact membranes (n = 6) and premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes (n = 5). Biopsies were also collected from reference groups at term labor (n = 12) or term not labor (n = 5). The Illumina HT-12 version 4.0 BeadChips microarray was utilized, and a novel network graph approach determined the specificity of changes between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting confirmed the microarray findings. Immunofluorescence was used for localization studies and gelatin zymography to assess matrix metalloproteinase activity. RESULTS: PML-RARA-regulated adapter molecule 1, FYVE-RhoGEF and PH domain-containing protein 3 and carcinoembryonic antigen-ralated cell adhesion molecule 3 were significantly higher, whereas N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 was lower in the premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes cervix when compared with the cervix in preterm labor with intact membranes, term labor, and term not labor. PRAM1 and CEACAM3 were localized to immune cells at the cervical stroma and NDRG2 and FGD3 were localized to cervical myofibroblasts. The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was higher (1.22 ± 4.403-fold, P < .05) in the cervix in premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes compared with preterm labor with intact membranes. CONCLUSION: We identified 4 novel proteins with a potential role in the regulation of cervical remodeling leading to premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes. Our findings contribute to the studies dissecting the mechanisms underlying premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and inspire further investigations toward the development of premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes therapeutics