18 research outputs found
Glycosaminoglycans in the human cornea: age-related changes
Abstract
AIM:
To investigate possible age-related changes in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the human cornea. The substances today called GAGs were previously referred to as mucopolysaccharides.
METHODS:
Samples of human cornea were taken from 12 younger (age 21 ± 1.2) and 12 older (age 72 ± 1.6) male subjects. Samples were weighed, homogenized, and used for biochemical and molecular analyses. All the quantitative results were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS:
The human cornea appears to undergo age-related changes, as evidenced by our biochemical and molecular results. The total GAG and hyaluronic acid counts were significantly higher in the younger subjects than in the older subjects. The sulfated heavy GAGs, such as chondroitin, dermatan, keratan, and heparan sulfate, were lower in the younger subjects than in the older subjects.
DISCUSSION:
GAGs of the human cornea undergo numerous age-related changes. Their quantity is significantly altered in the elderly in comparison with younger subjects. GAGs play an important role in age-related diseases of the human cornea
Plant Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology: Following Mariotti's Steps
This review is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Domenico Mariotti, who significantly contributed to establishing the Italian research community in Agricultural Genetics and carried out the first experiments of Agrobacterium-mediated plant genetic transformation and regeneration in Italy during the 1980s. Following his scientific interests as guiding principles, this review summarizes the recent advances obtained in plant biotechnology and fundamental research aiming to: (i) Exploit in vitro plant cell and tissue cultures to induce genetic variability and to produce useful metabolites; (ii) gain new insights into the biochemical function of Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol genes and their application to metabolite production, fruit tree transformation, and reverse genetics; (iii) improve genetic transformation in legume species, most of them recalcitrant to regeneration; (iv) untangle the potential of KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) transcription factors in plant morphogenesis as key regulators of hormonal homeostasis; and (v) elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the transition from juvenility to the adult phase in Prunus tree species
Direct CD32 T-cell cytotoxicity: implications for breast cancer prognosis and treatment
The FcγRII (CD32) ligands are IgFc fragments and pentraxins. The existence of additional ligands is unknown. We engineered T cells with human chimeric receptors resulting from the fusion between CD32 extracellular portion and transmembrane CD8α linked toCD28/ζ chain intracellular moiety (CD32-CR). Transduced T cells
recognized three breast cancer (BC) and one colon cancer cell line
among 15 tested in the absence of targeting antibodies. Sensitive
BC cell conjugation with CD32-CR T cells induced CD32 polarization
and down-regulation, CD107a release, mutual elimination,
and proinflammatory cytokine production unaffected by human
IgGs but enhanced by cetuximab. CD32-CR T cells protected immunodeficient
mice from subcutaneous growth of MDA-MB-468
BC cells. RNAseq analysis identified a 42 gene fingerprint predicting
BC cell sensitivity and favorable outcomes in advanced BC.
ICAM1 was a major regulator of CD32-CR T cell–mediated cytotoxicity.
CD32-CR T cells may help identify cell surface CD32 ligand(s)
and novel prognostically relevant transcriptomic signatures and
develop innovative BC treatments
Microscopic details of age related changes in rat optic nerve
Background: Age-related changes in the number and density of optic nerve fibres were studied in 12-month-old (adult) and 24-month-old (aged) male Wistar rats.
Methods: Two-micrometer-thick resin-embedded optic nerve cross-sections obtained from two different age groups were stained with toluidine blue and examined under a light microscope at low (5x) and high (500x) magnification. The optic nerve cross-sectional area, and the number of nerve fibres with diameters less or higher than 1 ÎĽm were evaluated by means of computerized image analysis and statistical analysis of results.
Results: Retrobulbar optic nerve cross-sectional area decreased in relation to ageing. The number of optic nerve fibres with a diameter of less than 1 ÎĽm decreased by about 39% in 24-month-old rats versus 12 month-old animals (P 0.05).
Conclusions: Data suggest that age-related impairment of nerve cell population also occurs at the optic nerve level. Our data allow us to hypothesize that all major components of the rat optic paths are sensitive to the aging process
Association between smoking and uveal melanoma: a systematic review
Background: The aim of this study is systematically review the scientific literature on the relationship between tobacco smoking exposure and UM.
Methods: The search was performed on Medline and Scopus databases. For each database, we used the following query: “smok* AND (eye OR uveal) melanoma”.
Results: 3 observational studies were considered suitable, two case-control studies and one cohort study. There is no significant evidence in the scientific literature about the association between smoking and UM.
Conclusions: More complete and multi-center studies are desirable, giving the importance of smoking as a risk factor in the development of cancers
Microscopic details of age related changes in rat optic nerve
Age-related changes in the number and density of optic nerve fibres were studied in 12-month-old (adult) and 24-
month-old (aged) male Wistar rats.
Methods: Two-micrometer-thick resin-embedded optic nerve cross-sections obtained from two different age groups were stained with
toluidine blue and examined under a light microscope at low (5x) and high (500x) magnification. The optic nerve cross-sectional
area, and the number of nerve fibres with diameters less or higher than 1 ÎĽm were evaluated by means of computerized image
analysis and statistical analysis of results.
Results: Retrobulbar optic nerve cross-sectional area decreased in relation to ageing. The number of optic nerve fibres with a
diameter of less than 1 ÎĽm decreased by about 39% in 24-month-old rats versus 12 month-old animals (P < 0.05) while only a
swelling was observed in nerve fibres with diameters higher than 1 ÎĽm ( P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Data suggest that age-related impairment of nerve cell population also occurs at the optic nerve level. Our data allow
us to hypothesize that all major components of the rat optic paths are sensitive to the aging process
Genetics and Sport Injuries: New Perspectives for Athletic Excellence in an Italian Court of Rugby Union Players
Several genes are involved in sport performance, especially in injuries incidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of ACE, ACTN3, COL1A1, and MCT1 genotypes and injuries in rugby players in order to find a genotype/phenotype correlation and provide useful information improving athletic performance. One-hundred male professional and semiprofessional rugby players were selected. Analysis was performed genotyping the genes ACE, ACTN3, COL1A1, and MCT1 as candidate gene of interest involved in athletic performance. A control group of non-athletic Italian male participants was analyzed to compare the results. We found statistical significance of MCT1 rs1049434 AA for total injuries (χ2 = 0.115; p = 0.003) and bone injuries (χ2 = 0.603; p = 0.007) in the rugby athlete population. No statistical significance was found between injury incidence and ACE, ACTN3, COL1A1 genotypes. The MCT1 AA genotype is associated with the incidence of total and bone injuries in the rugby player population. Although environmental factors such as lifestyle, diet, training, and stress can influence athletic performance, our data demonstrated the importance of genetic study in sport aimed at developing personalized training and achieving the best possible athletic excellence
Efficacy and safety of the intravitreal treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema with Pegaptanib: a 12-month follow-up
This observational study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-vitreal injections of pegaptanib during a 12-month follow-up period. Forty eyes (20 patients) affected by diabetic macular edema were monitored. Twenty were subjected to treatment, and 20 were controls. The treatment involved a cycle of three intravitreal injections of pegaptanib (0.3 mg every 6 weeks), at the end of which treated patients were submitted to a monthly follow-up for a period of 12 months. The aim was to evaluate the clinical condition of the eye after therapy and gauge the efficacy of the long-term use of this drug. Specific criteria were used to measure the efficacy and safety of pegaptanib. Regarding efficacy, we considered the following: an average improvement in the power of vision, or visual acuity, of →10 letters (2 lines), equivalent to an average logMAR score of →0.2, and a reduction in the central macular thickness of →250 μm. Regarding safety, we considered the occurrence of undesired eye and systemic side effects correlated to either the drug itself or the injection procedure. The logMAR score for the measurement of visual acuity at T3 (third intra-vitreal injection at week 13) with respect to T0 decreased from 0.7 ± 0.277 to 0.445 ± 0.216, suggesting an improvement, while the mean Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) score increased from 25.75 ± 13.046 to 34.300 ± 11.770 letters. The central macular thickness was reduced from the initial value of 746.95 ± 293.601 to 334.050 ± 93.997 μm. In seven controls, we registered a worsening both in terms of visual acuity and macular thickness in some eyes, justifying a continuation of therapy in eight eyes of the control group. Pegaptanib proved to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of diabetic macular edema throughout the 12-month followup. To evaluate its long-term efficacy, further studies are required with larger numbers of patients and longer observational follow-up periods
Medial artery calcification of uremic patients: a histological, histochemical and ultrastructural study
Recent findings suggest that vascular
calcification (VC) is an active process similar to bone
mineralization, the vascular smooth muscle cells
(VSMCs) undergoing phenotypic differentiation into
osteoblastic cells and synthesizing calcificationregulating
proteins found in bone. This study has
investigated the VC process of uremic patients, with a
morphologic approach. Epigastric artery samples from
49 uremic, non-diabetic patients were taken during
kidney transplantation. Sections from paraffin-embedded
samples were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and von
Kossa. CD68 was immunohistochemically detected, and
sections from frozen samples were stained with Oil Red
O. Deeply calcified samples were stained with
Picrosirius Red, PAS, and Alcian blue. Specimens from
one patient with moderate and one with severe VC were
examined under the electron microscope. None of the
samples had atherosclerosis. Calcifications were found
in the media of 38 patients. In 23, dot-like calcifications
were irregularly scattered near the adventitia (light VC);
in 11, granular calcifications formed concentric rings
near the adventitia (moderate-advanced VC); in 4, zones
of consolidated calcifications were found (severe VC).
These zones were poor in collagen, glycoproteins and
proteoglycans. In cases with moderate or severe VC,
VSCMs showed necrotic changes. Matrix vesicles could
be recognized in the extracellular spaces. In cases with
severe VC, uncalcified or partially calcified
membranous bodies were found, together with
Liesegang rings. Patches of fibrin were also found.
These findings point to a mainly degenerative
mechanism of VC, which proceeds from the outer
portion of the media. An active mechanism, however,
cannot be excluded. A unifying hypothesis is suggested
The synergistic effect of exposure to alcohol, tobacco smoke and other risk factors for age-related macular degeneration
[No abstract available