LEPIDOPTERA TORTRICIDAE FROM CALABRIA(SOUTHERN ITALY)

A list of 181 species of Lepidoptera Tortricidae recorded during several expeditions realized in Calabria(southern Italy) is reported. Fifty-nine species are mentioned for the first time in Calabria. Of particular interest are 23species that have as a southern limit of their distribution area the Calabria territory

Comparative actions of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, drospirenone and nestorone on breast cancer cell migration and invasion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Limited information is available on the effects of progestins on breast cancer progression and metastasis. Cell migration and invasion are central for these processes, and require dynamic cytoskeletal and cell membrane rearrangements for cell motility to be enacted.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the effects of progesterone (P), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), drospirenone (DRSP) and nestorone (NES) alone or with 17β-estradiol (E2) on T47-D breast cancer cell migration and invasion and we linked some of these actions to the regulation of the actin-regulatory protein, moesin and to cytoskeletal remodeling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Breast cancer cell horizontal migration and invasion of three-dimensional matrices are enhanced by all the progestins, but differences are found in terms of potency, with MPA being the most effective and DRSP being the least. This is related to the differential ability of the progestins to activate the actin-binding protein moesin, leading to distinct effects on actin cytoskeleton remodeling and on the formation of cell membrane structures that mediate cell movement. E2 also induces actin remodeling through moesin activation. However, the addition of some progestins partially offsets the action of estradiol on cell migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results imply that P, MPA, DRSP and NES alone or in combination with E2 enhance the ability of breast cancer cells to move in the surrounding environment. However, these progestins show different potencies and to some extent use distinct intracellular intermediates to drive moesin activation and actin remodeling. These findings support the concept that each progestin acts differently on breast cancer cells, which may have relevant clinical implications.</p

Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management

chirurgia laparotomica verso chirurgia laparoscopica robot-assistita nel trattamento chirurgico del carcinoma endometriale

Il carcinoma dell'endometrio è il tumore maligno più comune in ambito ginecologico. In Italia si registrano circa 7.756 nuovi casi anno che corrisponde ad una incidenza del 6% dei tumori femminili con un tasso di mortalità del 3,3% fra i decessi per neoplasia. Nella maggior parte dei casi è possibile diagnosticare precocemente la malattia che si manifesta attraverso perdite di sangue atipiche, ne consegue che l’80% circa delle neoplasie si presentano al I stadio. In questi casi la sola chirurgia in accordo con le linee guida dell’International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) rappresenta il gold standard di trattamento con una sopravvivenza a 5 anni che raggiunge circa il 90%. La chirurgia laparotomica rappresenta il trattamento di scelta tale neoplasia tuttavia negli ultimi 20 anni l’approccio mini-invasivo laparoscopico si è conquistato un ruolo sempre più importante in termini di fattibilità tecnica e outcome postoperatori. Purtroppo la lunga curva di apprendimento e l’elevato tasso di conversione in pazienti obese non ha permesso una grande diffusione della tecnica laparoscopica. Nel 2005 la U.S. Food and Drug Administration approva l’uso del Robot da Vinci in chirurgia ginecologica con una rapida diffusione anche in Europa. Una recente revisione Cochrane conclude che sebbene la tecnica sia oggi largamente utilizzata in ginecologia oncologica non vi sono dati sufficienti né studi randomizzati privi di bias che consentano di giungere a conclusioni definitive che supportino l’utilizzo della chirurgia robotica nelle neoplasie ginecologiche. Questo studio confronta in maniera retrospettiva un gruppo di 75 pazienti affette da carcinoma endometriale early stage sottoposte a staging chirurgico laparoscopico robot-assistito con un gruppo di controllo di 60 pazienti trattate con approccio tradizionale. I parametri valutati sono: la fattibilità, gli outcome chirurgici e la prognosi a lungo termine della tecnica chirurgica. L’analisi dei dati ottenuti mostra un significativo vantaggio delle chirurgia robotica in termini di perdite ematiche, riduzione giorni di degenza, tempi operatori, basso tasso di complicanze dimostrando la fattibilità della tecnica chirurgica. Analizzando il sottogruppo di pazienti con BMI maggiore di 30 (kg/m2) si mantengono gli stessi vantaggi, associati ad una riduzione significativa delle complicanze postoperatorie, soprattutto alle infezioni della ferita chirurgica, in presenza di un tasso di conversione pari a zero, con una riduzione del tasso di conversione rispetto all’approccio laparoscopico riportato in Letteratura. Questi risultati supportano l’efficacia e la sicurezza della chirurgia robotica nel trattamento del carcinoma endometriale early stage con migliori outcome chirurgici rispetto all’approccio laparotomico soprattutto nelle pazienti obese, una ridotta learnig curve, a discapito di elevati costi. Sono comunque necessari studi randomizzati ben disegnati con adeguato follow-up che supportino tali evidenze

Progesterone receptor enhances breast cancer cell motility and invasion via extranuclear activation of focal adhesion kinase

While progesterone plays multiple roles in the process of breast development and differentiation, its role in breast cancer is less understood. We have shown previously that progestins stimulate breast cancer cell migration and invasion because of the activation of rapid signaling cascades leading to modifications in the actin cytoskeleton and cell membrane that are required for cell movement. In this study, we have investigated the effects of progesterone on the formation of focal adhesion (FA) complexes, which provide anchoring sites for cell attachment to the extracellular matrix during cell movement and invasion. In T47-D breast cancer cells, progesterone rapidly enhances FA kinase (FAK) phosphorylation at Tyr397 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. As a result, exposure to progesterone leads to increased formation of FA complexes within specialized cell membrane protrusions. The cascade of events required for this phenomenon involves progesterone receptor interaction with the tyrosine kinase c-Src, which activates the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway and the small GTPase RhoA/Rho-associated kinase complex. In the presence of progesterone, T47-D breast cancer cells display enhanced horizontal migration and invasion of three-dimensional matrices, which is reversed by small interfering RNAs abrogating FAK. In conclusion, progesterone promotes breast cancer cell movement and invasion by facilitating the formation of FA complexes via the rapid regulation of FAK. These results provide novel mechanistic views on the effects of progesterone on breast cancer progression, and may in the future be helpful to develop new strategies for the treatment of endocrine-sensitive breast cancers

Impact of COVID-19 Quarantine on Advanced Hemorrhoidal Disease and the Role of Telemedicine in Patient Management

Abstract: The aims of this population study were to assess the lockdown impact on patients waiting for hemorrhoidal surgery, and the role of telemedicine in patient management. All patients on our waiting list for hemorrhoidal surgery were considered. Eligible patients were contacted by phone. Rørvik score was evaluated and compared to the baseline score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A numeric rating scale was used to estimate patient satisfaction regarding telemedicine. One-hundred and ten patients were found to be eligible. Finally, 103 patients were included in the study of whom 16 (15.3%) were already considered for priority surgery. Patients waiting for a longer time showed significantly worse scores (p &lt; 0.001). After telemedicine evaluation the priority waiting list increased by 43.8% (plus 23 patients). Weight loss of at least 3 kg and physical activity were found to be protective factors (p = 0.02 and p = 0.002 respectively). A high grade of satisfaction (almost 80%) towards telemedicine was registered. COVID-19-related delays are linked to a deterioration of hemorrhoidal symptoms and patients’ well-being. Weight and lifestyle changes were deemed key factors in determining disease severity. Telemedicine was a valuable tool to evaluate and re-evaluate patients waiting for hemorrhoidal surgery and was considered satisfactory by patients

Yellow arrows indicate longitudinal actin fibers, green arrows show pseudopodia, light blue arrows indicate ruffles

Nuclei are counterstained in blue.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparative actions of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, drospirenone and nestorone on breast cancer cell migration and invasion"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/8/166</p><p>BMC Cancer 2008;8():166-166.</p><p>Published online 9 Jun 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2443160.</p><p></p

(A-H) show total cell amount of wild-type moesin or Thr-phosphorylated moesin (P-Moesin) in cells treated with the indicated progestins at different time points or concentrations

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparative actions of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, drospirenone and nestorone on breast cancer cell migration and invasion"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/8/166</p><p>BMC Cancer 2008;8():166-166.</p><p>Published online 9 Jun 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2443160.</p><p></p