Effects of the ruthenium-based drug NAMI-A on the roles played by TGF-\u3b21 in the metastatic process

The ruthenium-based drug NAMI-A, characterized by its selectivity against solid tumour metastases, promotes TGF-\u3b21-dependent fibrosis and the reduction of the release of MMPs in the primary tumour. The aim of the study was to examine the interaction of NAMI-A with TGF-\u3b21 in the process of metastasis formation. NAMI-A i) affects the secretion of TGF-\u3b21 in metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells rather than in non-tumorigenic HBL-100 cells, ii) prevails over TGF-\u3b21 with regard to the invasive capacity of the treated cells, and iii) contrasts integrin-dependent migration stimulated by TGF-\u3b21. It thus appears that the effects of NAMI-A on cell invasion and migration are best summarized as an interference with TGF-\u3b21 and a reduction of its activity in these events. At a molecular level, the similar activity of NAMI-A and TGF-\u3b21 on RhoA GTPase supports its interaction with cell surface integrins while TGF-\u3b21 can activate it by interaction with its TGF\u3b2R receptor. The inhibition of TGF-\u3b21-induced migration of MDA-MB-231 cells by NAMI-A cannot simply be attributed to a modulation of the Smad2 and p38MAPK pathways. In conclusion, the effects of NAMI-A on the biological role of TGF-\u3b21 in cancer metastasis are insufficient to attribute the responsibility for the anti-metastatic activity of the ruthenium-based drug to this target alone

Why WAIT? Preliminary evaluation of the weight assistance and intervention techniques (WAIT) group

Individuals who attempt to lose weight may struggle because they lack skills to address problematic eating behaviors. There are multiple programs that have taught patients some of these behavioral strategies; however, it is not clear which strategies patients find to be the most useful. The purpose of this study was to examine preliminary outcomes after completion of a six-week integrative group for weight management. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted of 51 patients who completed an integrative, psychological weight management group. Patients were mailed surveys 1-2 years after completion of the group assessing for current problematic eating behaviors (i.e. emotional eating and food addiction), satisfaction with treatment, and skills they continue to use. The majority of patients lost weight, were satisfied with the group, found the group to be helpful, and felt confident they could maintain behavior changes. The strategies patients most commonly continued to use post-group included mindful eating, keeping a food diary, carrying out an exercise plan, regular weigh-ins, and planning for social eating. The number of food addiction symptoms decreased from pre- to post-group. An integrative psychological weight management group may provide patients with skills and confidence to assist with managing problematic eating behaviors and weight loss

Why WAIT? Preliminary evaluation of the weight assistance and intervention techniques (WAIT) group

Individuals who attempt to lose weight may struggle because they lack skills to address problematic eating behaviors. There are multiple programs that have taught patients some of these behavioral strategies; however, it is not clear which strategies patients find to be the most useful. The purpose of this study was to examine preliminary outcomes after completion of a six-week integrative group for weight management. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted of 51 patients who completed an integrative, psychological weight management group. Patients were mailed surveys 1-2 years after completion of the group assessing for current problematic eating behaviors (i.e. emotional eating and food addiction), satisfaction with treatment, and skills they continue to use. The majority of patients lost weight, were satisfied with the group, found the group to be helpful, and felt confident they could maintain behavior changes. The strategies patients most commonly continued to use post-group included mindful eating, keeping a food diary, carrying out an exercise plan, regular weigh-ins, and planning for social eating. The number of food addiction symptoms decreased from pre- to post-group. An integrative psychological weight management group may provide patients with skills and confidence to assist with managing problematic eating behaviors and weight loss

Paesaggi del lavoro nel Veneto. Le modalità di intervento nei luoghi della produzione e del lavoro

Tra gli obiettivi di questo lavoro vi è quello, una volta individuati e catalogati in maniera esaustiva i sistemi insediativi dedicati alla produzione ed al lavoro più significativi del territorio veneto, di individuare e mettere a fuoco le tipologie urbane e territoriali legate alle diverse realtà produttive e del lavoro al fine di comprenderne e definirne le problematiche urbanistiche, le dinamiche di sviluppo ed il rapporto con il territorio nel quale si inseriscono. Dal momento che i sistemi insediativi dedicati alla produzione ed al lavoro ed i paesaggi che li rappresentano costituiscono un patrimonio imprescindibile nel paesaggio veneto sia dal punto di vista meramente paesaggistico che testimonianza del sistema produttivo veneto il presente lavoro si propone di mettere in atto azioni appropriate per la salvaguardia attiva, recupero e rigenerazione di tali sistemi. Azioni che non si esauriscono in una mera salvaguardia ma propongono linee guida per un ripristino ove possibile e comunque tali da conservarne e tramandarne la memoria

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ruthenium(II)-arene PTA complexes

The antitumor activity of the organometallic ruthenium(II)-arene complexes, RuCl2(\ue86-arene)- (PTA), (arene ) p-cymene, toluene, benzene, benzo-15-crown-5, 1-ethylbenzene-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, ethyl benzoate, hexamethylbenzene; PTA ) 1,3,5-triaza-7- phosphaadamantane), abbreviated RAPTA, has been evaluated. In vitro biological experiments demonstrate that these compounds are active toward the TS/A mouse adenocarcinoma cancer cell line whereas cytotoxicity on the HBL-100 human mammary (nontumor) cell line was not observed at concentrations up to 0.3 mM, which indicates selectivity of these ruthenium(II)- arene complexes to cancer cells. Analogues of the RAPTA compounds, in which the PTA ligand is methylated, have also been prepared, and these prove to be cytotoxic toward both cell lines. RAPTA-C and the benzene analogue RAPTA-B were selected for in vivo experiments to evaluate their anticancer and antimetastatic activity. The results show that these complexes can reduce the growth of lung metastases in CBA mice bearing the MCa mammary carcinoma in the absence of a corresponding action at the site of primary tumor growth. Pharmacokinetic studies of RAPTA-C indicate that ruthenium is rapidly lost from the organs and the bloodstream