Venous insufficiency and foot dysmorphism: effectiveness of visco-elastic rehabilitation systems on veno-muscle system of the foot and of the calf.

Chronic venous disease is very common and widespread. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a condition characterized by hypertension of the venous system of the lower limbs which manifests itself through a large range of symptoms. The main cause of (CVI) is hypertension of the venous system of lower limbs, which in most cases is due to reflux for the incontinence of the valvar system of veins. Other causes are related to obstruction of the venous outflow, or at a reduced venous emptying due to inefficiency of the system of the veno-muscular pumps of the calf and of the foot. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the use of a non-invasive rehabilitative model, which is characterized by two different visco-elastic insoles, is effective both to reduce postural imbalances and to improve the efficiency of the veno-muscular pumps of the foot and of the calf using photoplethysmography in reflected light. Fifty (50) patients suffering from flatfoot and ped cavus, were studied doing a stabilometric and baropodometric test to evaluate the angle of the foot and the podalic angle. Patients were evaluated by examining vascular examination and venous reography in basal condition, using corrective visco-elastic insoles for the correction of dysmorphisms that we were studying. An improvement of the angle of the Right and Left axis (p<0.05) and the podalic angle (p<0.001), using the right insole both in the flatfoot and cavus foot, was shown by the podobarographic examination. A not important tendency to improvement was also shown by the use of non-specific insole in both pathologies. The vascular examination showed an improvement of 38% in venous emptying capacity of the foot/calf veno-muscular pump in cavus foot with the specific "B" insole (p<0.002). An important improvement of 24%, using the specific "A" insole (p<0.05), was documented in flatfoot. The photoplethysmography examination documented a significant improvement of the venous emptying capacity of foot-calf veno-muscular system due to the use of specific insoles for the studied dysmorphism, with an improving tendency even with the use of non-specific insoles. The hemodynamic improvement is correlated with the improvement of the analyzed biomechanical parameters: contact time, lenght of the halfstep, podalic angle and angle of the foot. The partial normalization of biomechanical parameters allows a reorganization of relationships of forces between ground and foot, as well as the improvement of the function of the subtalar joint, causing a partial recovery of the complex physiological mechanism of activation of the veno-muscular pumps of the foot and of the calf

Cyclic dipeptides produced by marine sponge-associated bacteria as quorum sensing signals.

Four bacterial strains belonging to the genera Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas and Photobacterium were isolated from the marine sponges Dysidea avara and Geodia cynodium. A Bacillus strain was isolated from Ircinia variabilis. A screening of molecules involved in quorum sensing (QS) was carried out by TLC-overlay and a new "plate T-streak" test. To analyze quorum quenching (QQ), a plate T-streak was performed with Chromobacterium violaceum. Strains of Vibrio isolated from both marine sponges and a strain of Photobacterium isolated from G. cynodium, activated QS bioreporters. A strain of Pseudoalteromonas isolated from D. avara showed QQ activity. Finally, it is reported that cyclic dipeptides isolated from strains of Vibrio sp. and Bacillus sp. (isolated from D. avara and I. variabilis, respectively) were involved in the QS mechanism. The simultaneous presence of bacteria that showed contrasting responses in bioassays for QS signal molecule synthesis in marine sponges could add an interesting dimension to the signalling interactions which may be happening in sponges

Further in vitro biological activity evaluation of amino-, thio- and ester-derivatives of avarol

The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and/or antitumour activities of amino-, thio-and ester-derivatives of avarol selected were evaluated for the first time at in vitro conditions. Avarol-3',4'-dithioglycol (1) and avarol-4'-(3) mercaptopropionic acid (3) were shown to be the best inhibitors of the enzyme tested (0.50 mu g and IC50 0.05mM and 0.50 mg and IC50 0.12 mM, respectively), while 4'-tryptamine-avarone (9) and avarol-3'-(3) mercaptopropionic acid (2) exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against the human breast T-47D cancer cell line (IC50 0.66 mu g/mL and 1.25 mu g/mL, respectively). According to experimental data obtained, the sesquiterpenoid hydroquinone structure of bioactive avarol derivatives may inspire development of new pharmacologically useful substances to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and/or human breast tumour

A New Lichen Depsidone from L Obaria Pulmonaria

The continuation of our phytochemical survey of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. (Lobariaceae), has led to the isolation and identification of a new lichen depsidone (1) characterised by the normal analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Unlike previously isolated depsidone (2) from the same species, the compound 1 has not showed activity in the acetylcholinesterase inhibition test on Thin-layer chromatography plate

Correction of multiple canine impactions by mixed straightwire and cantilever mechanics: a case report.

Background. This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of a woman, aged 17 years, with a permanent dentition, brachyfacial typology, Angle Class I, with full impaction of two canines (13,33), and a severe ectopy of the maxillary left canine. Her main compliant was the position of the ectopic teeth. Methods. Straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to correct the impaired occlusion and to obtain an ideal torque control. Results and Conclusion. The treatment objectives were achieved in 26 months of treatment. The impactions were fully corrected with an optimal torque. The cantilever mechanics succeeded in obtaining tooth repositioning in a short lapse of time. After treatment, the dental alignment was stable

Methylation of the suppressor gene p16INK4a: Mechanism and consequences

Tumor suppressor genes in the CDKN2A/B locus (p15INK4b, p16INK4a, and p14ARF) function as biological barriers to transformation and are the most frequently silenced or deleted genes in human cancers. This gene silencing frequently occurs due to DNA methylation of the promoter regions, although the underlying mechanism is currently unknown. We present evidence that methylation of p16INK4a promoter is associated with DNA damage caused by interference between transcription and replication processes. Inhibition of replication or transcription significantly reduces the DNA damage and CpGs methylation of the p16INK4a promoter. We conclude that de novo methylation of the promoter regions is dependent on local DNA damage. DNA methylation reduces the expression of p16INK4a and ultimately removes this barrier to oncogene-induced senescence

Superoxide Dismutase-1 intracellular content in T lymphocytes associates with increased Regulatory T Cell level in Multiple Sclerosis subjects undergoing immune-modulating treatment.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in the T-cell activation processes. ROS-dependent regulatory networks are usually mediated by peroxides, which are more stable and able to freely migrate inside cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 represents the major physiological intracellular source of peroxides. We found that antigen-dependent activation represents a triggering element for SOD-1 production and secretion by human T lymphocytes. A deranged T-cell proinflammatory response characterizes the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We previously observed a decreased SOD-1 intracellular content in leukocytes of MS individuals at diagnosis, with increasing amounts of such enzyme after interferon (IFN)-b 1b treatment. Here, we analyzed in depth SOD-1 intracellular content in T cells in a cohort of MS individuals undergoing immune-modulating treatment. Higher amounts of the enzyme were associated with increased availability of regulatory T cells (Treg) preferentially expressing Foxp3-exon 2 (Foxp3-E2), as described for effective Treg. In vitro administration of recombinant human SOD-1 to activated T cells, significantly increased their IL-17 production, while SOD-1 molecules lacking dismutase activity were unable to interfere with cytokine production by activated T cells in vitro. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide addition was observed to mimic, in vitro, the SOD-1 effect on IL-17 production. These data add SOD-1 to the molecules involved in the molecular pathways contributing to re-shaping the T-cell cytokine profile and Treg differentiation

Superoxide dismutase-1 intracellular content in T lymphocytes associates with increased regulatory T cell level in multiple sclerosis subjects undergoing immune-modulating treatment

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in the T-cell activation processes. ROS-dependent regulatory networks are usually mediated by peroxides, which are more stable and able to freely migrate inside cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 represents the major physiological intracellular source of peroxides. We found that antigen-dependent activation represents a triggering element for SOD-1 production and secretion by human T lymphocytes. A deranged T-cell proinflammatory response characterizes the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We previously observed a decreased SOD-1 intracellular content in leukocytes of MS individuals at diagnosis, with increasing amounts of such enzyme after interferon (IFN)-b 1b treatment. Here, we analyzed in depth SOD-1 intracellular content in T cells in a cohort of MS individuals undergoing immune-modulating treatment. Higher amounts of the enzyme were associated with increased availability of regulatory T cells (Treg) prefer-entially expressing Foxp3-exon 2 (Foxp3-E2), as described for effective Treg. In vitro administration of recombinant human SOD-1 to activated T cells, significantly increased their IL-17 production, while SOD-1 molecules lacking dismutase activity were unable to interfere with cytokine production by activated T cells in vitro. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide addition was observed to mimic, in vitro, the SOD-1 effect on IL-17 production. These data add SOD-1 to the molecules involved in the molecular pathways contributing to re-shaping the T-cell cytokine profile and Treg differentiation

Towards operationalizing UNESCO Recommendations on “Historic Urban Landscape”: a position paper

<p>This position paper critically analyses the process to implement the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011), exploring evaluation tools, innovative business / management models and financing tools for the conservation and regeneration of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL), to make it operational in the perspective of a circular economy model of sustainable development for city / territory system regeneration. Through evaluation tools, it is possible to pass from general principles to operational practices; to produce empirical evidence of the economic, social and environmental benefits of HUL integrated conservation and regeneration. The challenge of generating a symbiosis between conservation and transformation issues requires adequate evaluation methods, business, management and financing tools, engaging civil society and local stakeholders, capturing both HUL tangible and intangible values to turn the historic urban landscape into a driver of sustainable growth. The analysis carried out in this paper shows that through the suggested tools it is possible to make operational the UNESCO Recommendations, transforming conflicts into opportunities, producing economic attractiveness and strengthen social awareness and cohesion.</p