The medico-legal assessment of asylum seeker victims in Italy

Introduction: Changing patterns of migration hasrequired states andgovernments to respond to the specific medical and legal needs of asylum seekers. Based on medical assessments undertaken at the University Institute of Legal Medicine, the present study aims to describe the cases of asylum applicants who have suffered from physical violence, including torture, and the variables involved. Methods: Over a 10-year period, 225 survivors were examined by clinical forensic professionals from the University Institute of Legal Medicine. Results:85% of asylum applicants came from Africa, 87% were male, and the most common age group was 26-40 years old. 46% of applicants fled their country for political reasons. Blunt force injuries were reported in 45% of cases, the trunk was the most affected area of the body (40%), and applicants presented with an average of two different mechanisms of lesions and an average of four lesions each. Discussion/conclusion:Assessment of physical violence on asylum seekers requires the cooperation of professionals with different skillsets and training

Adipocytes WNT5a mediated dedifferentiation: a possible target in pancreatic cancer microenvironment

A significant epidemiological association between obesity and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has previously been described, as well as a correlation between the degree of pancreatic steatosis, PDAC risk and prognosis. The underlying mechanisms are still not completely known.After co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and MiaPaCa2 with an in vitro transwell system we observed the appearance of fibroblast-like cells, along with a decrease in number and size of remaining adipocytes. RT-PCR analyses of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in co-culture showed a decrease in gene expression of typical markers of mature adipocytes, in parallel with an increased expression of fibroblast-specific and reprogramming genes. We found an increased WNT5a gene and protein expression early in MiaPaCa2 cells in co-culture. Additionally, EMSA of c-Jun and AP1 in 3T3-L1 demonstrated an increased activation in adipocytes after co-culture. Treatment with WNT5a neutralizing antibody completely reverted the activation of c-Jun and AP1 observed in co-cultured adipocytes.Increasing doses of recombinant SFRP-5, a competitive inhibitor for WNT5a receptor, added to the co-culture medium, were able to block the dedifferentiation of adipocytes in co-culture.These data support a WNT5a-mediated dedifferentiation process with adipocytes reprogramming toward fibroblast-like cells that might profoundly influence cancer microenvironment

GEN-O-MA project: an Italian network studying clinical course and pathogenic pathways of moyamoya disease—study protocol and preliminary results

Background: GENetics of mOyaMoyA (GEN-O-MA) project is a multicenter observational study implemented in Italy aimed at creating a network of centers involved in moyamoya angiopathy (MA) care and research and at collecting a large series and bio-repository of MA patients, finally aimed at describing the disease phenotype and clinical course as well as at identifying biological or cellular markers for disease progression. The present paper resumes the most important study methodological issues and preliminary results. Methods: Nineteen centers are participating to the study. Patients with both bilateral and unilateral radiologically defined MA are included in the study. For each patient, detailed demographic and clinical as well as neuroimaging data are being collected. When available, biological samples (blood, DNA, CSF, middle cerebral artery samples) are being also collected for biological and cellular studies. Results: Ninety-eight patients (age of onset mean ± SD 35.5 ± 19.6 years; 68.4% females) have been collected so far. 65.3% of patients presented ischemic (50%) and haemorrhagic (15.3%) stroke. A higher female predominance concomitantly with a similar age of onset and clinical features to what was reported in previous studies on Western patients has been confirmed. Conclusion: An accurate and detailed clinical and neuroimaging classification represents the best strategy to provide the characterization of the disease phenotype and clinical course. The collection of a large number of biological samples will permit the identification of biological markers and genetic factors associated with the disease susceptibility in Italy

GWAS meta-analysis of over 29,000 people with epilepsy identifies 26 risk loci and subtype-specific genetic architecture

Epilepsy is a highly heritable disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide, of which about one-third are resistant to current treatments. Here we report a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study including 29,944 cases, stratified into three broad categories and seven subtypes of epilepsy, and 52,538 controls. We identify 26 genome-wide significant loci, 19 of which are specific to genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). We implicate 29 likely causal genes underlying these 26 loci. SNP-based heritability analyses show that common variants explain between 39.6% and 90% of genetic risk for GGE and its subtypes. Subtype analysis revealed markedly different genetic architectures between focal and generalized epilepsies. Gene-set analyses of GGE signals implicate synaptic processes in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the brain. Prioritized candidate genes overlap with monogenic epilepsy genes and with targets of current antiseizure medications. Finally, we leverage our results to identify alternate drugs with predicted efficacy if repurposed for epilepsy treatment

Colour dataset from the hemipelagic lower Ypresian Arnakatxa section (Basque-Cantabrian basin, western Pyrenees)

Here we present calcareus nannofossil and colour datasets from the hemipelagic lower Ypresian Arnakatxa section (Basque-Cantabrian basin, western Pyrenees). The Arnakatxa coastal cliffs, which constitute the present study area, are located approximately 15 km northwest of Bilbao (43°23'34.4N, 2°59'24.2W, altitude 0 m). The expanded hemiplegic succession offered a potentially valuable orbitally paced geological record. Sampling was carried out in 2015. For the study of calcareous nannofossils 65 hand samples were collected (average spacing of about 50 cm). For colour analysis, 635 rock-powder samples were collected (average resolution of ~5 cm) using a standard cordless drill with an 8 mm bit. Slides for nannofloral analysis were prepared according to Flores and Sierro (1997), avoiding any mechanical or physical disturbance of the samples that could modify the original fossil assemblages. A Zeiss Axioplan2 petrographic microscope at 1250× magnification was used to analyze the samples. Quantitative analysis was performed by counting at least 300 specimens per sample. Additionally, three random traverses (~9 mm2) were analyzed on each slide in order to detect rare but biostratigraphically significant species. The rock powder samples were stored in transparent antiglare prismatic plastic vials (3 ml) and scanned at high-resolution (600 dpi) using a desktop office scanner in a dark room. The average colour value of a homogeneous rectangular area covering 10-20% of the scanned image of each vial was measured using ImageJ software version 1.50i. Average colour value represents to the mean pixel RGB value of the selected area, which is equivalent to the brightness value. In order to perform a cyclostratigraphic analysis, the colour data series was linearly interpolated and the LOESS regression trend subtracted. The Astrochron code commands used to perform that spectral analysis are herein available

Calcareous nannofossil from the hemipelagic lower Ypresian Arnakatxa section (Basque-Cantabrian basin, western Pyrenees)

Here we present calcareus nannofossil and colour datasets from the hemipelagic lower Ypresian Arnakatxa section (Basque-Cantabrian basin, western Pyrenees). The Arnakatxa coastal cliffs, which constitute the present study area, are located approximately 15 km northwest of Bilbao (43°23'34.4N, 2°59'24.2W, altitude 0 m). The expanded hemiplegic succession offered a potentially valuable orbitally paced geological record. Sampling was carried out in 2015. For the study of calcareous nannofossils 65 hand samples were collected (average spacing of about 50 cm). For colour analysis, 635 rock-powder samples were collected (average resolution of ~5 cm) using a standard cordless drill with an 8 mm bit. Slides for nannofloral analysis were prepared according to Flores and Sierro (1997), avoiding any mechanical or physical disturbance of the samples that could modify the original fossil assemblages. A Zeiss Axioplan2 petrographic microscope at 1250× magnification was used to analyze the samples. Quantitative analysis was performed by counting at least 300 specimens per sample. Additionally, three random traverses (~9 mm2) were analyzed on each slide in order to detect rare but biostratigraphically significant species. The rock powder samples were stored in transparent antiglare prismatic plastic vials (3 ml) and scanned at high-resolution (600 dpi) using a desktop office scanner in a dark room. The average colour value of a homogeneous rectangular area covering 10-20% of the scanned image of each vial was measured using ImageJ software version 1.50i. Average colour value represents to the mean pixel RGB value of the selected area, which is equivalent to the brightness value. In order to perform a cyclostratigraphic analysis, the colour data series was linearly interpolated and the LOESS regression trend subtracted. The Astrochron code commands used to perform that spectral analysis are herein available

Phenotypic Shift of Adipocytes by Cholecalciferol and 1\u3b1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol in Relation to Inflammatory Status and Calcium Content

Recent experimental data seem to suggest a relevant role for 1,25[OH]2cholecalciferol (1,25[OH]2D3) in adipocyte physiology and pathophysiology, with some studies showing adipogenic and pro-inflammatory properties, and others lipolytic and anti-inflammatory functions. Moreover, to our knowledge, the role of cholecalciferol (D3) in adipocytes function is still not known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effects of 1,25[OH]2D3, as well as of D3, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in basal and inflammatory conditions, testing the effects of different calcium concentrations in adipocytes culture medium. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, CYP27A1 and CYP27B1 mRNA were detected in basal conditions and induced after D3 treatment. Pre-treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes not only with 1,25[OH]2D3, but also with D3 before inflammatory stimulation, significantly prevented the increase in gene expression and protein secretion of IL-6 and TNF-\u3b1, and significantly increased IL-10 mRNA and protein production compared with adipocytes treated only with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Biological effects of D3 were still present after inhibition of P450 activity with ketokonazole. LPS determined a decrease in cell area compared with controls, paralleled by a significant increase in optical density (OD) of lipid droplets, whereas 1,25[OH]2D3 and D3 alone significantly increased adipocytes area and decreased OD. Pretreatment with both forms of vitamin D preserved cells from the reduction in their area observed after LPS treatment. LPS decreased more the area of cells grown in a high calcium medium than of adipocytes grown in a low calcium medium. In the presence of a high calcium medium, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment preserved cell area, maintaining its anti-inflammatory and adipogenic properties. In conclusion our results show that D3, besides 1,25[OH]2D3, presents anti-inflammatory effects on 3T3-L1, as well as that adipocytes have the enzymatic pathways necessary to locally regulate the production of active forms of vitamin D, capable of influencing adipocyte phenotype and function