Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) a promising novel target for cancer diagnosis in seminoma and embryonal carcinoma

Adult testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most frequent malignant tumors in male patients aged 15–45 years, their incidence is increasing in recent years. There are two main subclasses of TGCTs: seminomas (SE) and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). SE have histological features of primordial germ cells, whereas NSGCTs have varying degrees of differentiation (i.e. embryonal carcinoma, EC), they present distinctive clinical features and differ for therapy and prognosis. NSGCTs tend to be metastatic at presentation, and have a worse prognosis than seminomas at an equivalent stage of disease. Despite general advances in the management of TGCTs, the molecular bases underlying their progression remain almost unknown. The effects of the Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), central hormone in mammalian reproductive biology, are mediated by FSHR, which was believed to be expressed primarily in ovary and testis. Recently, FSHR expression has been shown in the blood vessels of different solid tumors, including prostate, urothelial and breast carcinomas, suggesting a role in neoangiogenesis. The expression of FSHR at the periphery of tumors, also suggests that FSHR may be of relevance to the metastatic process. In normal human testis, estrogen physiological actions are mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) β and highly variable ERβ expression has been reported in the different TGCTs. ERβ loss is associated with advanced tumor stage in several cancers and previously, we showed a higher expression of ERβ1 in SE with respect EC. In this study, we evaluated the expression of FSHR in normal and neoplastic human testis tissues. Further, we compared FSHR expression with that of ERβ1 in the same samples. In normal testes, immunohistochemical studies showed the presence of FSHR prevalently in somatic testicular cells, while ERβ1 is expressed both in somatic and germinal testicular cells. Intriguingly, we discovered that FSHR was strongly expressed in EC and absent in SE. Conversely, immunostaining for ERβ1 revealed higher intensity in SE as compared to EC. These data suggest distinct physiopathological roles for the two receptors in TGCTs progression, being ERβ1 protective and FSHR harmful. Our data report for the first time the expression of FSHR in TGCTs, suggesting its possible involvement in testicular carcinogenesis. FSHR may be considered an useful molecular marker to distinguish seminoma from embryonal carcinoma, the most common TGCTs subtypes, and this could be informative in clinical decision making and patient counseling

Muscle and Systemic Molecular Responses to a Single Flywheel Based Iso-Inertial Training Session in Resistance-Trained Men

Growing evidence points to the effectiveness of flywheel (FW) based iso-inertial resistance training in improving physical performance capacities. However, molecular adaptations induced by FW exercises are largely unknown. Eight resistance-trained men performed 5 sets of 10 maximal squats on a FW device. Muscle biopsies (fine needle aspiration technique) and blood samples were collected before (t0), and 2 h (t1) after FW exercise. Blood samples were additionally drawn after 24 h (t2) and 48 h (t3). Paired samples t-tests revealed significant increases, at t1, of mRNA expression of the genes involved in inflammation, in both muscle (MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (IkB-α, MCP-1). Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV-encapsulated miRNA levels (miR-206, miR-146a) significantly increased at t1 as well. Conversely, muscle mRNA level of genes associated with muscle growth/remodeling (IGF-1Ea, cyclin D1, myogenin) decreased at t1. One-way repeated measure ANOVAs, with Bonferroni corrected post-hoc pairwise comparisons, revealed significant increases in plasma concentrations of IL-6 (t1; t2; t3) and muscle creatine kinase (t1; t2), while IGF-1 significantly increased at t2 only. Our findings show that, even in experienced resistance trained individuals, a single FW training session modifies local and systemic markers involved in late structural remodeling and functional adaptation of skeletal muscle

Downregulation of Interleukin- (IL-) 17 through Enhanced Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO) Induction by Curcumin: A Potential Mechanism of Tolerance towards Helicobacter pylori

The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of curcumin suggest its use as an anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) agent, but mechanisms underlying its helpful activity are still not clear. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) promotes the effector T cell apoptosis by catalyzing the rate-limiting first step in tryptophan catabolism, and its high expression in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa attenuates Th1 and Th17 immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of curcumin in modulating the expression of IL-17 and IDO in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa. In an organ culture chamber, gastric biopsies from 35 patients were treated with and without 200 μM curcumin. In H. pylori-infected patients (n=21), IL-17 was significantly lower, both in gastric biopsies (p=0.0003) and culture supernatant (p=0.0001) while IDO significantly increased (p<0.00001) in curcumin-treated sample compared with untreated samples. In a subgroup of H. pylori-infected patients (n=15), samples treated with curcumin in addition to IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-L-tryptophan (1-MT) showed a higher expression of IL-17 compared with untreated samples and curcumin-treated alone (p<0.00001). Curcumin downregulates IL-17 production through the induction of IDO in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa, suggesting its role in dampening H. pylori-induced immune-mediated inflammatory changes

Otolith Analyses Highlight Morpho-Functional Differences of Three Species of Mullet (Mugilidae) from Transitional Water

Otoliths are used in taxonomy and ichthyology as they can provide a wide range of information about specimens. They are an essential tool to monitor the most sensitive species for a sustainable exploitation level. Despite the increasing use of sagittae in research, their inter- and intra-specific variability and eco-functionality are still poorly explored. This paper aims to investigate the inter- and intra-specific variability of Mugilidae sagittae using morphological and morphometrical analysis, as well as scanning electron microscopy and shape analysis. The sagittae of 74 specimens belonging to three different Mugilidae species, collected from a coastal lagoon, were analyzed to give an accurate description of their morphology, morphometry, shape and crystalline habits. The results highlighted the intra- and inter-specific variability of sagittae, showing morphometrical differences among species and slight differences between left and right sagittae in C. labrosus individuals. Moreover, SEM images showed a peculiar crystal organization, with several different crystal habits and polymorphs. This study provides an accurate description of sagittae in the studied species, deepening the knowledge on inter- and intra-specific variations and crystal habits and providing data which will be useful for future studies on otoliths. With this data, it will be possible to improve conservation and exploitation sustainability in sensitive habitats

Otolith Analyses Highlight Morpho-Functional Differences of Three Species of Mullet (Mugilidae) from Transitional Water

Otoliths are used in taxonomy and ichthyology as they can provide a wide range of information about specimens. They are an essential tool to monitor the most sensitive species for a sustainable exploitation level. Despite the increasing use of sagittae in research, their inter- and intra-specific variability and eco-functionality are still poorly explored. This paper aims to investigate the inter- and intra-specific variability of Mugilidae sagittae using morphological and morphometrical analysis, as well as scanning electron microscopy and shape analysis. The sagittae of 74 specimens belonging to three different Mugilidae species, collected from a coastal lagoon, were analyzed to give an accurate description of their morphology, morphometry, shape and crystalline habits. The results highlighted the intra- and inter-specific variability of sagittae, showing morphometrical differences among species and slight differences between left and right sagittae in C. labrosus individuals. Moreover, SEM images showed a peculiar crystal organization, with several different crystal habits and polymorphs. This study provides an accurate description of sagittae in the studied species, deepening the knowledge on inter- and intra-specific variations and crystal habits and providing data which will be useful for future studies on otoliths. With this data, it will be possible to improve conservation and exploitation sustainability in sensitive habitats

Low-Dose of Rocuronium During Thyroid Surgery: Effects on Intraoperative Nerve-Monitoring and Intubation

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) reduces the incidence of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) injuries during thyroid surgery. To preserve nerve function, long acting neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) should be avoided. However, NMBA are necessary for laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. We designed this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess if a low-dose of rocuronium given at intubation would affect the IONM data recorded before the thyroid dissection

A Multi-screening Evaluation of the Nutritional and Nutraceutical Potential of the Mediterranean Jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca

The phylum Cnidaria is one of the most important contributors in providing abundance of bio- and chemodiversity. In this study, a comprehensive chemical investigation on the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of Mediterranean jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca was carried out. Also, compositional differences between male and female organisms, as well as between their main anatomical parts, namely bell and oral arms, were explored in an attempt to select the best potential sources of nutrients and/or nutraceuticals from jellyfish. With the exception of higher energy densities and total phenolic contents observed in females than males, no statistically significant differences related to the specimen&rsquo;s sex were highlighted for the other compound classes. Rather, the distribution of the investigated chemical classes varied depending on the jellyfish&rsquo;s body parts. In fact, crude proteins were more abundant in oral arms than bells; saturated fatty acids were more concentrated in bells than oral arms, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids were distributed in the exact opposite way. On the other hand, major elements and trace elements demonstrated an opposite behavior, being the latter most accumulated in oral arms than bells. Additionally, important nutraceuticals, such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, and antioxidant minerals, were determined. Overall, obtained data suggest the potential employment of the Mediterranean P. noctiluca for the development of natural aquafeed and food supplements