The role of bone morphogenetic proteins and their signalling in human cancers

Both endogenous and exogenous GDF-9 led to a promotion in prostate cancer cell adhesion, invasion, motility, and growth. GDF-9 mediated growth promotion was shown to correlate with an increase in cell cycle progression via up-regulation of Cyclin D1, and protection from apoptosis in a Smad-independent manner. Furthermore, GDF-9 associated cell adhesion, motility, and invasion was shown to involve FAK, paxillin, and Rho-ROCK signalling, as well as EMT and its associated inducers. These effects promote the aggressiveness of PC-3 cells, aiding in their progression and possibly metastasis. These results suggest that GDF-9 is involved in prostate cancer progression by activation of a complex network of signalling pathways and molecules. This provides further proof of the importance of BMP signalling, and suggests that perhaps novel treatments for prostate cancer based on BMPs should be investigated. In addition, it sheds some light on the use of BMPs as prognostic indicators of disease, aiding in diagnosis, and perhaps future forms of treatment.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Association of Type 1 Diabetes vs Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed During Childhood and Adolescence With Complications During Teenage Years and Young Adulthood

The burden and determinants of complications and comorbidities in contemporary youth-onset diabetes are unknown

CT and MR findings in synovial chondromatosis of the temporo-mandibular joint: Our experience and review of literature.

Objective: To compare Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) features and their diagnostic potential in the assessment of Synovial Chondromatosis (SC) of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ). Materials and methods: Eight patients with symptoms and signs compatible with dysfunctional disorders of the TMJ underwent CT and MR scan. We considered the following parameters: soft tissue involvement (disk included), osteostructural alterations of the joints, loose bodies and intra-articular ?uid. These parameters were evaluated separately by two radiologists with a “double blinded method” and then, after agreement, de?nitive assessment of the parameters was given. CT and MR ?ndings were compared. Results: Histopathological results showed metaplastic synovia in all patients and therefore con?rmed diagnosis of SC. MR resulted better than CT in the evaluation of all parameters except the osteostructural alterations of the joints, estimated with more accuracy by CT scan. Conclusions: CT scan is excellent to de?ne bony surfaces of the articular joints and ?ogistic tissue but it fails in the detection of loose bodies when these are not yet calci?ed. MR scan therefore is the gold standard when SC is suspected since it can visualize loose bodies at early stage and also evaluate disk condition and eventual extra-articular tissues involvement. The use of T2-weighted images and contrast medium allows identifying intra-articular ?uid, estimating its entity and discriminating from sinovial tissue

L'arte giapponese tra Biopop e "Universo liquido"

Analisi della pruduzione recente dell'arte giapponese, con focus sulle origini, in particolare su Yayoi Kusama, fino al ritorno alla figurazione promosso dalle ultime generazion