Comparative study of imiquimod 3.75% vs. photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis of the scalp

Background/purpose: To assess efficacy, tolerability, adverse effects, recurrence, and aesthetic results of imiquimod 3.75% vs. photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (MAL-PDT) for actinic keratosis (AK). Methods: A small randomized, intraindividual right-left pilot study for AK treatment of multiple scalp lesions was performed. Patients were treated with imiquimod and subsequently MAL-PDT (on opposite sides of the scalp) 14 days apart. Study end points were evaluated with clinical and dermoscopic examinations at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Nine male bald patients were enrolled. Imiquimod achieved a slightly higher overall clearance rate than MAP-PDT (68.1% vs 56.5%). According to AK degree of severity, clearance rates were greater for degree I and III with imiquimod (68.8%, 64.5% and 75% with imiquimod vs. 48%, 69.8%, and 66.7% for MAL-PDT, respectively). At 12 months, a slightly higher total recurrence rate was noted for imiquimod compared with MAL-PDT (9.9% vs. 8.6%); new lesions were 2 degree I for imiquimod and 4 degree I for MAL-PDT. For both treatments, pain was moderate/strong (even if MAL-PDT seems to be less tolerable) adverse effects are common and transient; aesthetic results excellent. Conclusion: Both imiquimod and MAL-PDT were effective in the reduction in the number of AK. In the long-term, both present a good effectiveness maintained over time with excellent aesthetic results. A combination or sequential therapy could optimize the management of the cancerization field

KAOS: A new automated computational method for the identification of overexpressed genes

Background: Kinase over-expression and activation as a consequence of gene amplification or gene fusion events is a well-known mechanism of tumorigenesis. The search for novel rearrangements of kinases or other druggable genes may contribute to understanding the biology of cancerogenesis, as well as lead to the identification of new candidate targets for drug discovery. However this requires the ability to query large datasets to identify rare events occurring in very small fractions (1-3 %) of different tumor subtypes. This task is different from what is normally done by conventional tools that are able to find genes differentially expressed between two experimental conditions. Results: We propose a computational method aimed at the automatic identification of genes which are selectively over-expressed in a very small fraction of samples within a specific tissue. The method does not require a healthy counterpart or a reference sample for the analysis and can be therefore applied also to transcriptional data generated from cell lines. In our implementation the tool can use gene-expression data from microarray experiments, as well as data generated by RNASeq technologies. Conclusions: The method was implemented as a publicly available, user-friendly tool called KAOS (Kinase Automatic Outliers Search). The tool enables the automatic execution of iterative searches for the identification of extreme outliers and for the graphical visualization of the results. Filters can be applied to select the most significant outliers. The performance of the tool was evaluated using a synthetic dataset and compared to state-of-the-art tools. KAOS performs particularly well in detecting genes that are overexpressed in few samples or when an extreme outlier stands out on a high variable expression background. To validate the method on real case studies, we used publicly available tumor cell line microarray data, and we were able to identify genes which are known to be overexpressed in specific samples, as well as novel ones

Neurobiology of performance anxiety:A new approach

The aim of this study is to investigate the neurobiology of stress/emotionality, creating a multidisciplinary assessment model, which can help to provide psychological and physiological responses depending on the genetic background related to sport performances, social closeness and performance anxiety management in team sports. We enrolled 20 female volleyball players aged 13 \ub1 1 years old played in two different teams during a regional championship final. Saliva collection was carried out before and after the match. In order to evaluate the neuroendocrine effectors involved in stress and performance, we analyzed cortisol and progesterone levels through Elisa standard kit as well as HSP70 and amylase activity as stress-induced markers. As concern the psychometric assesment, we administrated he CSAI-2 test, Closeness Generating Procedure and STAI test. Genomic DNA was isolated from saliva cells using a QIAamp saliva kit according to the manufacturer\u2019s protocols. The SNP of the 5-HTTLPR, BDNF, DRD4 were analyzed. The results of the T-test performed on the total results showed a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) in cortisol levels pre and post match, as well between amylase and HP70 according to the genetic background. The analysis performed using just post match samples show a negative correlation between social closeness, cortisol and progesterone levels, with p < 0.010 for progesterone vs social closeness and p < 0.012 for cortisol vs social closeness. About the winner teams and the looser teams, there is a negative correlation between pre match cortisol levels and performance anxiety (p < 0.042)

Transforming growth factor β1 T29C gene polymorphism and hypertension: Relationship with cardiovascular and renal damage

Distribution of T29C TGFβ1 gene polymorphism was analysed in 260 hypertensive and 134 normotensive subjects. Circulating TGFβ1 and procollagen type III levels, microalbuminuria, left ventricular geometry and function were evaluated in all the hypertensives subgrouped according to T29C TGFβ1 gene polymorphism. Circulating TGFβ1 by ELISA technique, procollagen type III by a specific radioimmunoassay, microalbuminuria by radioimmunoassay, left ventricular geometry and function by echocardiography were determined. All groups were comparable for gender, age and sex. Regarding T29C TGFβ1 gene polymorphism, prevalence of TC or CC genotypes was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in hypertensives than normotensives. TC and CC hypertensives were characterized by a higher prevalence of subjects with microalbuminuria (p &lt; 0.001 TC vs TT; p &lt; 0.05 CC vs TT), left ventricular hypertrophy (p &lt; 0.01 TC and CC vs TT), and by increased levels of procollagen type III (p &lt; 0.05 TC and CC vs TT). TC hypertensives were also characterized by a significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) of LVM and LVM/h2.7 and of urinary albumin excretion (p &lt; 0.05) values than those detectable in TT hypertensives. Our data suggest that T29C TGFβ1 gene polymorphism was associated to clinical characteristics suitable to recognize hypertensives with a higher severity of hypertension

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation in the rat hippocampus

Recently we found that acute treatment with Oxotremorine (Oxo), a non-selective mAChRs agonist, up-regulates heat shock proteins and activates their transcription factor heat shock factor 1 in the rat hippocampus. Here we aimed to investigate: a) if acute treatment with Oxo may regulate pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus; b) if chronic restraint stress (CRS) induces inflammatory or oxidative alterations in the hippocampus and whether such alterations may be affected by chronic treatment with Oxo. In the acute experiment, rats were injected with single dose of Oxo (0.4 mg/kg) and sacrificed at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. In the CRS experiment, the rats were exposed for 21 days to the CRS and then were treated with Oxo (0.2 mg/kg) for further 10 days. The acute Oxo treatment showed an ability to significantly reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), singlet oxygen (1O2), pro-inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-1β and IL-6) and phosphorylated NF-κB-p65. Acute Oxo treatment also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2 protein levels and stimulated SOD activity. No differences were detected in the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-10 and TGF-β1. In the group of rats exposed to the CRS were found increased hippocampal IL-1β and IL-6 levels, together with a reduction of SOD activity level. These changes produced by CRS were counteracted by chronic Oxo treatment. In contrast, the upregulation of ROS and 1O2 levels in the CRS group was not counteracted by chronic Oxo treatment. The results revealed a hippocampal anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of Oxo treatment in both basal conditions and anti-inflammatory in the CRS rat model

How to improve educational behaviors for caregivers and patients having Central Venous Access Device (CVAD). a scoping review

Objective: Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential to the modern management of patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Educational programs play a crucial role in promoting appropriate patient actions to support patient safety during hospitalization and homecare. This review aimed to identify literature concerning educational interventions to promote patients’ actions to overcome CVAD-related problems and improve self-monitoring and self-management. Materials and Methods: Documentary evaluation of international databases, such as PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane. Searching for data on population, context and concept regarding CVAD self-management. The extracted data was subject to thematic analysis. The following scoping reviews were developed using the five-stage framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, and advanced by Levac and colleagues. Results: Of the 2802 articles identified, 19 research articles were selected in this review. Educational programs have been shown to improve CVAD self management, to decrease stress and anxiety related to their use, and to reduce the onset of complications. In addition, nurses have proven to be the professional reference figure for educational interventions. Conclusions: The results of the study lead to the conclusion that programs aimed at improving selfcare and reducing the onset of complications in patients living with chronic and debilitating diseases should be made available to a larger portion of individuals. Both generic and specific programs are needed, in the different contexts of home and hospital, for the short and long term, in order to ameliorate participants’ abilities. The results of this study should, therefore, encourage health professionals to plan, carry out, and evaluate the establishment of educational programs with patient participation

(Perylene)3-(TCNQF1)2: Yet Another Member in the Series of Perylene–TCNQFx Polymorphic Charge Transfer Crystals

The 3:2 Charge Transfer (CT) co-crystal (Perylene)3(TCNQF1)2 is grown by the Physical Vapor Transport (PVT) method, and characterized structurally and spectroscopically. Infrared analysis of the charge sensitive modes reveals a low degree of charge transfer (less than 0.1) between donor and acceptor molecules. The crystal is isostructural to the other 3:2 CT crystals formed by Perylene with TCNQF2 and TCNQF4, whereas such stoichiometry and packing is not known for the CT crystals with non-fluorinated TCNQ. The analysis of the isostructural family of 3:2 Perylene–TCNQFx (x = 1,2,4) co-crystal put in evidence the role of weak F…HC bonding in stabilizing this type of structure</jats:p

Studia Lichenologica in Italy. I. New records of red-listed species

We present new data concerning lichen species of the Italian flora and confirm 36 national redlisted species

AB0578 SUBCLINICAL ENTHESITIS IN PSORIASIS patiEntS AS prediCtor OF ARTHRITIS (EPESCA STUDY): PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Background:Enthesitis is one of the typical pathological signs of spondyloarthritis such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and it seems to be the Primum movens of the disease. Clinical assessment of enthesitis showed to be less sensitive, compared to ultrasound (US) evaluation, in identifying enthesitis in patients with PsA [1].OMERACT defined US enthesitis as: "hypoechoic and/or thickened insertion of the tendon close to the bone (within 2 mm from the bony cortex), which exhibits Doppler signal if active and that may show erosions, enthesophytes/calcifications as a sign of structural damage" [3]The reported prevalence of subclinical enthesitis in psoriasis (PsO) patients in different countries ranges between 7% and 20% [2].Objectives:The main objective of this study was to estimate, by US evaluation, the prevalence of subclinical enthesitis in PsO patients without any clinical signs of enthesitis. Secondary objectives were to analyze differences, in terms of age, sex, BMI, PsO onset and diagnosis, among patients with enthesitis (active or not active), enthesopathy and without any alteration of enthesis.According to the OMERACT definition of ultrasound enthesitis, patients were divided into 4 groups: patients with active enthesitis (AE) defined as the presence of power-Doppler signal in a hypoechoic and/or thickened insertion of the tendon close to the bone; patient with enthesitis (En) defined as hypoechoic and/or thickened insertion of the tendon close to the bone without PD signal; patients with enthesopathy (Ep) defined as the presence of structural damage (erosions, enthesophytes/calcifications); patients without any alteration of enthesis (WE).Methods:Patients with at least 18 years and a diagnosis of PsO made by a Dermatologist were included. Exclusion criteria were the presence of clinical symptoms or signs of articular or entheseal involvement, diagnosis of arthritis and therapy with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs.All patients underwent US examination on grey scale and Power Doppler (PD) ultrasonography of 6 sites (Achilles, quadriceps, distal and proximal patellar, plantar fascia and triceps enthesis) bilaterally. Ultrasound was performed by an experienced sonographer, using a Logiq P9 equipped with 6-12 MHz broad band linear transducer. Data were reported as frequencies and median with interquartile range. To check differences among these four groups, we used chi-square test or Kruskall-Wallis test. P-value ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant.Results:We enrolled 124 consecutive psoriasis patients (47 [37.9%] female) with median age 57.7 (45.3-66.5) years, median disease duration 20.4 (10.1-30.8) years, median BMI 27 [24-29]. Patients with AE, En, Ep were 20.2% (25/124), 49.2% (61/124) and 18.5% (23/124), respectively.Patients WE (12.1%, 15/124) showed significantly lower BMI, younger age and shorter diagnostic delay compared to the other patients.All signs of enthesopathy/enthesitis were more frequently observed at Achilles (33.1%, 41/124), triceps (23.4%, 29/124), quadriceps (20.2%, 25/124), distal patellar (18.5%, 23/124) and proximal patellar (4.8%, 6/124) enthesis.Conclusion:Subclinical enthesitis is quite common in PsO patients, and about 20% showed active enthesitis. The enthesopathy seems to be more frequent in patients with increased delay in PsO diagnosis, older age and higher BMI.References:[1]Bandinelli F. et al. Ultrasound detects occult entheseal involvement in early psoriatic arthritis independently of clinical features and psoriasis severity. Clin Exp Rheumatology. Mar-Apr 2013;31(2):219-24.[2]Zuliani F. et al. Ultrasonographic detection of subclinical enthesitis and synovitis: a possible stratification of psoriatic patients without clinical musculoskeletal involvement. Clin Exp Rheumatol Jul-Aug 2019;37(4):593-599.[3]Balint P. V. et al. Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: an OMERACT US initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2018 Dec;77(12):1730-1735.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Microclimatic Alteration after Logging Affects the Growth of the Endangered Lichen Lobaria pulmonaria

Microclimatic conditions are important in determining lichen distribution at small scale, and may determine whether the species persist when the surrounding environmental conditions have drastically changed. This is the case with forest management, since a sudden variation of microclimatic conditions (increase of solar radiation, temperature, wind and a reduction of humidity) may occur after logging. In this study, the combined effect of forest logging and microclimatic conditions on the growth probabilities and growth rates of the model species Lobaria pulmonaria was assessed in mixed oak stands. To this purpose, 800 fragments of L. pulmonaria (<1 cm) were transplanted in logged and unlogged stands for two years. Young and adult fragments were positioned on Turkey oak boles according to distance from the ground (100 and 50 cm) and aspect (north and south). The results, evaluated by generalized linear mixed models on a yearly basis, highlighted differences in growth—particularly on isolated trees in the logged stand. South-exposed samples in the logged stand showed a low probability of growth, while samples transplanted north in the unlogged stand showed higher growth probabilities. However, the highest annual growth coefficients corresponded to south-exposed samples 50 cm from the ground in the unlogged stand. In general, higher growth rates were observed in young thallus fragments when compared with adult ones. Beyond confirming the importance of microclimate for lichen ecology, these results could be implemented in conservation actions to preserve L. pulmonaria populations in logged forests