MKRN3 and KISS1R mutations in precocious and early puberty

Background Pubertal timing is known to be influenced by interactions among various genetic, nutritional, environmental and socio-economic factors, although the ultimate mechanisms underlying the increase in pulsatile GnRH secretion at puberty have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of our research was to verify the role of KISSR1 (previously named GPR54) and MKRN3 genes on pubertal timing. Methods We analyzed the DNA sequence of these genes in 13 girls affected by central precocious puberty (CPP) who showed onset of puberty before 8 years of age, and in 6 girls affected by early puberty (EP) between 8 and 10 years of age. Results Direct sequencing of the KISS1R (GPR54) gene revealed two SNPs. One SNP is a missense variant (rs 350,132) that has been previously reported in connection to CPP in Korean girls. The other variant that we found in the GPR54 gene (rs764046557) was a missense SNP located in exon 5 at position 209 of the aminoacid. We identified this variant in only one CPP patient. Automatic sequencing of MKRN3 in all patients revealed three variants in eight subjects. In 6 out of 19 (31.5%) patients (3/13 CPP patients and 3/6 EP patients) we found the synonymous variant c.663C > T (rs2239669). Another synonymous variant (rs140467331) was found in one of our CPP patients, as well as one missense variant (rs760981395) in another CPP patient. Conclusion In conclusion, we identified sequence variations of the KISS1R and MKRN3 genes, two of the most frequent genetic causes of ICPP. Our results suggest that these variants might be inducible factors in the pathogenesis of CPP

The role of glutamine in the complex interaction between gut microbiota and health: A narrative review

The scientific literature has demonstrated that glutamine is one of the main beneficial amino acids. It plays an important role in gut microbiota and immunity. This paper provides a critical overview of experimental studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical) investigating the efficacy of glutamine and its effect on gut microbiota. As a result of this review, we have summarized that glutamine could affect gut microbiota via different mechanisms including the reduction in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, with the activation of NF-κB and PI3K-Akt pathways, reducing the intestinal colonization (Eimeria lesions) and bacterial overgrowth or bacterial translocation, increasing the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and immunoglobulin A+ (IgA+) cells in the intestinal lumen, and decreasing asparagine levels. The potential applications of glutamine on gut microbiota include, but are not limited to, the management of obesity, bacterial translocation and community, cytokines profiles, and the management of side effects during post-chemotherapy and constipation periods. Further studies and reviews are needed regarding the effects of glutamine supplementation on other conditions in humans

Tokenizzazione di azioni e azioni tokens

Il lavoro analizza il fenomeno della rappresentazione delle partecipazioni azionarie in tokens e delle azioni tokens native. Dopo una breve illustrazione della circolazione della ric- chezza nella tecnologia a registro distribuito (distributed ledger technology, c.d. DLT), lo studio esamina la nozione di cripto-attività e la relativa tassonomia, come elaborate dalla proposta di Regolamento (UE) MiCA (Market in Crypto-Asset), evidenziando le criticità di inquadramento. L’attenzione si sofferma altresì sulle verosimili ripercussioni dell’approvazione del Regolamento (UE) 2022/858 relativo a un regime pilota. Successivamente il contributo approfondisce le cripto-attività nella prospettiva societaria mediante una valutazione di assimilabilità dei security tokens ai tradizionali strumenti finanziari e svolge una distinzione tra security tokens e utility tokens e tra utility tokens e NFT (non-fungible tokens). Muovendo da una ricostruzione delle tecniche di legittimazione e circolazione delle partecipazioni sociali previste dal Codice civile, il testo delinea la possibilità di rappresentare, de iure condito, azioni, quote o altri strumenti so- cietari su DLT e ne valuta la compatibilità con il quadro giuridico vigente. In conclusione, il lavoro formula alcune proposte de iure condendo per l’applicazione della tecnologia DLT nelle infra- strutture di mercato

Effectiveness of non-animal chondroitin sulfate supplementation in the treatment of moderate knee osteoarthritis in a group of overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the world and is characterized by pain, various disabilities and loss of quality of life. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is recommended as first-line therapy. CS of non-animal origin is of great interest for safety and sustainability reasons. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects, anti-pain and ability-enhancement of a short-term supplementation with non-animal CS in overweight subjects with OA. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 60 overweight adults with symptomatic OA were allocated to consume 600 mg of non-animal CS (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 30) daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The assessment of knee-pain, quality of life, related inflammation markers and body composition was performed at 0, 4 and 12 weeks. The Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring (TLKS) scale of the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase (+10.64 points; confidence interval (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.57; 15.70; p < 0.01), while the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score decreased (−12.24 points; CI 95% −16.01; −8.38; p < 0.01). The results also showed a decrease in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (−0.14 mg/dL, CI 95% −0.26; −0.04; p < 0.01) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level (−5.01 mm/h, CI 95% −9.18; −0.84, p < 0.01) as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) score in both knees. In conclusion, this pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of non-animal CS supplementation in overweight subjects with knee OA in improving knee function, pain and inflammation markers

The use of a new food-grade lecithin formulation of highly standardized ginger (Zingiber officinale) and acmella oleracea extracts for the treatment of pain and inflammation in a group of subjects with moderate knee osteoarthritis

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a new food-grade lecithin formulation of standardized extracts of Zingiber officinale and Acmella oleracea on pain and inflammation. Patients and Methods: Pilot study with one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design in which 50 subjects with moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) (mean age: 62.46±8.45) were supplied for four weeks with two tablets/day. Results: Primary outcomes were 1) the evaluation of pain intensity, by a 30-day visual analogue scale (VAS) and 2) the assessment of knee function by WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis) Index and by Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring collected at baseline, at 15 and 30 days after treatment. Secondary outcomes were 3) health-related quality of life, by the ShortForm36 (SF-36); 4) inflammation grade by C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); and 5) body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured at baseline and 30 days after treatment. Data showed significant effects of supplement intake for WOMAC (β=−3.27, p<0.0001), Lysholm (β=1.06, p=0.0003), CRP (β=−0.13, p=0.006), ESR (β=−3.09, p=0.004), physical activity (β=4.3, p=0.009) and fat-free mass (β=376.7, p=0.046). A significant VAS’s decrease over time was observed in both knees (left: β=−0.08, p<0.0001; right: β=−0.07, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The tested formulation seems to be effective and also free of side effects

Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

In this chapter, we present a literature survey of an emerging, cutting-edge, and multi-disciplinary field of research at the intersection of Robotics and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) which we refer to as Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks (RWSN). We define a RWSN as an autonomous networked multi-robot system that aims to achieve certain sensing goals while meeting and maintaining certain communication performance requirements, through cooperative control, learning and adaptation. While both of the component areas, i.e., Robotics and WSN, are very well-known and well-explored, there exist a whole set of new opportunities and research directions at the intersection of these two fields which are relatively or even completely unexplored. One such example would be the use of a set of robotic routers to set up a temporary communication path between a sender and a receiver that uses the controlled mobility to the advantage of packet routing. We find that there exist only a limited number of articles to be directly categorized as RWSN related works whereas there exist a range of articles in the robotics and the WSN literature that are also relevant to this new field of research. To connect the dots, we first identify the core problems and research trends related to RWSN such as connectivity, localization, routing, and robust flow of information. Next, we classify the existing research on RWSN as well as the relevant state-of-the-arts from robotics and WSN community according to the problems and trends identified in the first step. Lastly, we analyze what is missing in the existing literature, and identify topics that require more research attention in the future

preoperative c reactive protein and thrombocyte count as potential markers for longterm survival in ovarian cancer

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Acmella oleracea for pain management

Despite advances in medicine and numerous agents that counteract pain, millions of patients continue to suffer. Attention has been given to identify novel botanical interventions that produce analgesia by interacting with nociceptive-transducing channels. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the actual knowledge of Acmella oleracea (L.) and its activities, particularly those that are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller. These activities are attributed to numerous bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds and N-alkylamides (spilanthol, responsible for many activities, primarily anesthetic). This review includes 99 eligible studies to consider the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller of Acmella. Studies reported in this review confirmed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of Acmella, postulating that transcription factors of the nuclear factor-κB family (NF-κB) trigger the transcription iNOS and COX-2 and several other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The antinociceptive effects has been demonstrated and have been related to different processes, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, activation of opioidergic, serotoninergic and GABAergic systems, and anesthetic activity through blockage of voltage-gated Na Channels. acmella oleracea represents a promise for pain management, particularly in chronic degenerative diseases, where pain is a significant critical issue