Self-esteem and mood in obese children and their mothers: A pilot study

Objective: A test-retest pilot study was conducted to examine the relationship between overweight/obesity, self-esteem and mood in a group of school-age children, and the degree to which they changed after a tailored psycho-educational intervention. Before and after administering the psycho-educational training, the following aspects were assessed: the child's weight (BMI); the child's and mother's levels of self-esteem and mood; the mother's perception of their child; and the child's general quality of life. Method: Subject to their prior informed consent, 12 overweight/obese children aged between 8 and 13 years, and their mothers were involved in a psycho-educational intervention, which consisted in four meetings with both the children and their mothers. The study consisted in measuring anthropometric parameters and administering specific psychological tests (the CDI, TMA, BDI, B-SE, and CBCL) to both the children and their mothers before and after the psycho-educational intervention. Results: The results showed that a high BMI was associated with depressive symptoms (anhedonia, negative mood) and low self-esteem (family life, body experience). Low levels of self-esteem were also found in 50% of the mothers, with no correlations between the mother's and child's self-esteem. On analyzing the mothers' clinically significant depressive symptoms (cognitive-affective sphere), it emerged that they included the perception of more problems in their child. After the psycho-educational intervention, there were improvements in: the children's BMI; the children's depressive symptoms and self-esteem; the mothers' depressive symptoms and self-esteem; and the mothers' perceptions of their child's problems. Conclusions: Our case series confirmed the association between overweight/obesity and psychological issues. Overweight/obese children need to be also addressed regarding the psychological fallout of their physical condition. Any intervention must also include the parents, to make them more aware, more committed, and better able to help their child change

Use of the MLPA Assay in the Molecular Diagnosis of Gene Copy Number Alterations in Human Genetic Diseases

Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) assay is a recently developed technique able to evidence variations in the copy number of several human genes. Due to this ability, MLPA can be used in the molecular diagnosis of several genetic diseases whose pathogenesis is related to the presence of deletions or duplications of specific genes. Moreover, MLPA assay can also be used in the molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases characterized by the presence of abnormal DNA methylation. Due to the large number of genes that can be analyzed by a single technique, MLPA assay represents the gold standard for molecular analysis of all pathologies derived from the presence of gene copy number variation. In this review, the main applications of the MLPA technique for the molecular diagnosis of human diseases are described

Possible Correlation between Cholinergic System Alterations and Neuro/Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Although the etiology of MS is still unknown, both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. Acetylcholine participates in the modulation of central and peripheral inflammation. The cells of the immune system, as well as microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes express cholinergic markers and receptors of muscarinic and nicotinic type. The role played by acetylcholine in MS has been recently investigated. In the present review, we summarize the evidence indicating the cholinergic dysfunction in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of relapsing–remitting (RR)‐MS patients and in the brains of the MS animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The correlation between the increased activity of the cholinergic hydrolyzing enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, the reduced levels of acetylcholine and the increase of pro‐inflammatory cytokines production were recently described in immune cells of MS patients. Moreover, the genetic polymorphisms for both hydrolyzing enzymes and the possible correlation with the altered levels of their enzymatic activity have been also reported. Finally, the changes in cholinergic markers expression in the central nervous system of EAE mice in peak and chronic phases suggest the involvement of the acetylcholine also in neuro‐inflammatory processes

Neurotrophins in Zebrafish Taste Buds

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Zebrafish is a powerful vertebrate model organism, whose similarities with mammals are fundamental to validate its use for experimental purposes. In this study, the authors demonstrate the presence of neurotrophic factors, namely neurotrophins, in numerous taste bud cells of this fish. The reported results suggest an essential role of these factors in taste bud function. Interestingly, the results described in this study are in accordance with those reported in some mammalian species. Therefore, despite the different anatomical characteristics of the anterior digestive tract in mammals and fish, the taste buds maintain similarities in both shape and functional mechanisms in the two classes. ABSTRACT: The neurotrophin family is composed of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and NT4. These neurotrophins regulate several crucial functions through the activation of two types of transmembrane receptors, namely p75, which binds all neurotrophins with a similar affinity, and tyrosine kinase (Trk) receptors. Neurotrophins, besides their well-known pivotal role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, also display the ability to regulate the development of taste buds in mammals. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate if NGF, BDNF, NT3 and NT4 are also present in the taste buds of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a powerful vertebrate model organism. Morphological analyses carried out on adult zebrafish showed the presence of neurotrophins in taste bud cells of the oropharyngeal cavity, also suggesting that BDNF positive cells are the prevalent cell population in the posterior part of the oropharyngeal region. In conclusion, by suggesting that all tested neurotrophins are present in zebrafish sensory cells, our results lead to the assumption that taste bud cells in this fish species contain the same homologous neurotrophins reported in mammals, further confirming the high impact of the zebrafish model in translational research

The simultaneous insertion of two ligands in gD for the cultivation of oncolytic HSVs in non-cancer cells and the retargeting to cancer receptors

Insertion of a single chain antibody (scFv) to HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) in gD, gH, or gB gives rise to herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) specifically retargeted to HER2-positive cancer cells, hence in highly specific non-attenuated oncolytic agents. Clinical grade virus production can not rely on cancer cells. Recently, we developed a double retargeting strategy whereby gH carries the GCN4 peptide for retargeting to the non-cancer producer Vero-GCN4R cell line, and gD carries the scFv to HER2 for cancer retargeting. Here, we engineered double retargeted recombinants, which carry both the GCN4 peptide and the scFv to HER2 in gD. Novel, more advantageous detargeting strategies were devised, so as to optimize the cultivation of the double-retargeted recombinants. Nectin1 detargeting was achieved by deletion of aa 35-39, 214-223, or 219-223, and replacement of the deleted sequences with one of the two ligands. The latter two deletions were not attempted before. All recombinants exhibited the double retargeting to HER2 and to the Vero-GCN4R cells, as well as detargeting from the natural receptors HVEM and nectin1. Of note, some recombinants grew to higher yields than others. The best performing recombinants carried a gD deletion as small as 5 amino acids, and grew to titers similar to those exhibited by the singly retargeted R-LM113, and by the non-retargeted R-LM5. This study shows that double retargeting through insertion of two ligands in gD is feasible and, when combined with appropriate detargeting modifications, can result in recombinants highly effectivein vitroandin vivo.IMPORTANCEThere is increasing interest in oncolytic viruses, following FDA and EMA approval of the oncolytic HSV OncovexGM-CSF, and, mainly, because they greatly boost the immune response to the tumor and can be combined with immunotherapeutic agents, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. A strategy to gain high cancer specificity and avoid virus attenuation is to retarget the virus tropism to cancer-specific receptors of choice. However, cultivation of retargeted oncolytics in cells expressing the cancer receptor may not be approvable by regulatory agencies. We devised a strategy for their cultivation in non-cancer cells. Here, we describe a double retargeting strategy, based on the simultaneous insertion of two ligands in gD, one for retargeting to a producer, universal Vero cell derivative, one for retargeting to the HER2 cancer receptor. These insertions were combined with novel, minimally-disadvantageous detargeting modifications. The current and accompanying studies teach how to best achieve the clinical-grade cultivation of retargeted oncolytics

Integrated Methodologies for the 3D Survey and the Structural Monitoring of Industrial Archaeology: The Case of the Casalecchio di Reno Sluice, Italy

The paper presents an example of integrated surveying and monitoring activities for the control of an ancient structure, the Casalecchio di Reno sluice, located near Bologna, Italy. Several geomatic techniques were applied (classical topography, high-precision spirit levelling, terrestrial laser scanning, digital close-range photogrammetry, and thermal imagery). All these measurements were put together in a unique reference system and used in order to study the stability and the movements of the structure over the period of time observed. Moreover, the metrical investigations allowed the creation of a 3D model of the structure, and the comparison between two situations, before and after the serious damages suffered by the sluice during the winter season 2008-2009. Along with the detailed investigations performed on individual portions of the structure, an analysis of the whole sluice, carried out at a regional scale, was done via the use of aerial photogrammetry, using both recently acquired images and historical photogrammetric coverage. The measurements were carried out as part of a major consolidation and restoration activity, carried out by the "Consorzio della Chiusa di Casalecchio e del Canale di Reno"

Implication of Cellular Senescence in Osteoarthritis: A Study on Equine Synovial Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

: Osteoarthritis (OA) is described as a chronic degenerative disease characterized by the loss of articular cartilage. Senescence is a natural cellular response to stressors. Beneficial in certain conditions, the accumulation of senescent cells has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases associated with aging. Recently, it has been demonstrated that mesenchymal stem/stromal cells isolated from OA patients contain many senescent cells that inhibit cartilage regeneration. However, the link between cellular senescence in MSCs and OA progression is still debated. In this study, we aim to characterize and compare synovial fluid MSCs (sf-MSCs), isolated from OA joints, with healthy sf-MSCs, investigating the senescence hallmarks and how this state could affect cartilage repair. Sf-MSCs were isolated from tibiotarsal joints of healthy and diseased horses with an established diagnosis of OA with an age ranging from 8 to 14 years. Cells were cultured in vitro and characterized for cell proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis, ROS detection assay, ultrastructure analysis, and the expression of senescent markers. To evaluate the influence of senescence on chondrogenic differentiation, OA sf-MSCs were stimulated in vitro for up to 21 days with chondrogenic factors, and the expression of chondrogenic markers was compared with healthy sf-MSCs. Our findings demonstrated the presence of senescent sf-MSCs in OA joints with impaired chondrogenic differentiation abilities, which could have a potential influence on OA progression

A Systematic Review of the Effects of High-Fat Diet Exposure on Oocyte and Follicular Quality: A Molecular Point of View

Worldwide, infertility affects between 10 and 15% of reproductive-aged couples. Female infertility represents an increasing health issue, principally in developing countries, as the current inclinations of delaying pregnancy beyond 35 years of age significantly decrease fertility rates. Female infertility, commonly imputable to ovulation disorders, can be influenced by several factors, including congenital malformations, hormonal dysfunction, and individual lifestyle choices, such as smoking cigarettes, stress, drug use and physical activity. Moreover, diet-related elements play an important role in the regulation of ovulation. Modern types of diet that encourage a high fat intake exert a particularly negative effect on ovulation, affecting the safety of gametes and the implantation of a healthy embryo. Identifying and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for diet-associated infertility might help clarify the confounding multifaceted elements of infertility and uncover novel, potentially curative treatments. In this view, this systematic revision of literature will summarize the current body of knowledge of the potential effect of high-fat diet (HFD) exposure on oocyte and follicular quality and consequent female reproductive function, with particular reference to molecular mechanisms and pathways. Inflammation, oxidative stress, gene expression and epigenetics represent the main mechanisms associated with mammal folliculogenesis and oogenesis

Newer agents for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Helicobacter pylori infection remains widespread internationally, with a definite morbidity and mortality. The efficacy of standard 7–14 day triple therapies is decreasing, mainly due to increasing primary bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Currently, the most effective treatments are either the sequential regimen or the concomitant therapy. Different patents have been registered showing high bactericidal effects in vitro, some of which are active against clarithromycin- and metronidazole-resistant strains, even at low pH values. Among these novel molecules, benzimidazole-derivatives, polycyclic compounds, pyloricidin, and arylthiazole analogues seem to be the more promising. The identification of essential genes for either bacterial colonization or growth represents a route for potential target therapies in the near future

A comprehensive in vitro characterization of non-crosslinked, diverse tissue-derived collagen-based membranes intended for assisting bone regeneration

Collagen-based membranes are class III-medical devices widely used in dental surgical procedures to favour bone regeneration. Here, we aimed to provide biophysical and biochemical data on this type of devices to support their optimal use and design/manufacturing. To the purpose, four commercial, non-crosslinked collagen-based-membranes, obtained from various sources (equine tendon, pericardium or cortical bone tissues, and porcine skin), were characterized in vitro. The main chemical, biophysical and biochemical properties, that have significant clinical implications, were evaluated. Membranes showed similar chemical features. They greatly differed in morphology as well as in porosity and density and showed a diverse ranking in relation to these latter two parameters. Samples highly hydrated in physiological medium (swelling-ratio values in the 2.5–6.0 range) and, for some membranes, an anisotropic expansion during hydration was, for the first time, highlighted. Rheological analyses revealed great differences in deformability (150-1500kPa G’) also alerting about the marked variation in membrane mechanical behaviour upon hydration. Samples proved diverse sensitivity to collagenase, with the cortical-derived membrane showing the highest stability. Biological studies, using human-bone-derived cells, supported sample ability to allow cell proliferation and to prompt bone regeneration, while no relevant differences among membranes were recorded. Prediction of relative performance based on the findings was discussed. Overall, results represent a first wide panel of chemical/biophysical/biochemical data on collagen-based-membranes that 1) enhances our knowledge of these products, 2) aids their optimal use by providing clinicians with scientific basis for selecting products based on the specific clinical situation and 3) represents a valuable reference for optimizing their manufacturing