The Bias toward the Right Side of Others Is Stronger for Hands than for Feet

As shown by a series of previous studies, ambiguous human bodies performing unimanual or unipedal actions tend to be perceived more frequently as right-handed or right-footed rather than left-handed or left-footed, which indicates a perceptual and attentional bias toward the right side of others' body. However, none of such studies assessed whether the relative strength of such a bias differs between the upper and lower limbs. Indeed, given that the prevalence of right-handedness is slightly larger than that of right-footedness, and given that hands provide more information than feet as regards both communicative and aggressive acts, it is plausible that the bias toward the right side of human bodies should be stronger for the hand than for the foot. We performed three experiments in each of which participants had to indicate the rotating direction (revealing the perceived handedness/footedness) of ambiguous human figures with either one limb (arm or leg) or two limbs (one arm and the contralateral leg) extended. The hypothesized advantage of the right hand over the right foot was found in both the second and the third experiment

A Cationic [60] Fullerene Derivative Reduces Invasion and Migration of HT-29 CRC Cells in Vitro at Dose Free of Significant Effects on Cell Survival

Nanomaterials with unique characteristics exhibit favorable therapeutic and diagnostic properties, implying their enormous potential as biomedical candidates. C60 has been used in gene- and drug-delivery, as imaging agents, and as photosensitizers in cancer therapy. In this study, the influences of a cationic functionalized fullerene on cellular behavior of human colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) were investigated. Results indicated that HT-29 treated with the studied compound showed a lower sensitivity but a significant impairment in migration and invasion by interfering with the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9). The presence of fullerene also altered the capacity of adhesion-related proteins to perform their activity, thereby inducing dramatically adverse effects on the cell physiological functions such as cell adhesion. Thus, our study suggests that this compound is a new potential anti-metastatic effector and a therapeutic component for malignant colorectal cancer

Atomic Force Microscopy Application for the Measurement of Infliximab Concentration in Healthy Donors and Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The use of infliximab has completely changed the therapeutic landscape in inflammatory bowel disease. However, despite its proven efficacy to induce and maintain clinical remission, increasing evidence suggests that treatment failure may be associated with inadequate drug blood concentrations. The introduction of biosensors based on different nanostructured materials for the rapid quantification of drugs has been proposed for therapeutic drug monitoring. This study aimed to apply atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoassay for the measurement of infliximab concentration in serum samples of healthy donors and pediatric IBD patients. This assay measured the height signal variation of a nanostructured gold surface covered with a self-assembled monolayer of alkanethiols. Inside this monolayer, we embedded the DNA conjugated with a tumor necrosis factor able to recognize the drug. The system was initially fine-tuned by testing known infliximab concentrations (0, 20, 30, 40, and 50 nM) in buffer and then spiking the same concentrations of influximab into the sera of healthy donors, followed by testing pediatric IBD patients. A good correlation between height variation and drug concentration was found in the buffer in both healthy donors and pediatric IBD patients (p-value < 0.05), demonstrating the promising use of AFM nanoassay in TDM

PACSIN2 as a modulator of autophagy and mercaptopurine cytotoxicity: mechanisms in lymphoid and intestinal cells

PACSIN2 variants are associated with gastrointestinal effects of thiopurines and thiopurine methyltransferase activity through an uncharacterized mechanism that is postulated to involve auto-phagy. This study aims to clarify the role of PACSIN2 in autophagy and in thiopurine cytotoxicity in leukemic and intestinal models. Higher autophagy and lower PACSIN2 levels were observed in inflamed compared with non-inflamed colon biopsies of in-flammatory bowel disease pediatric patients at diagnosis. PAC-SIN2 was identified as an inhibitor of autophagy, putatively through inhibition of autophagosome formation by a protein- protein interaction with LC3-II, mediated by a LIR motif. Moreover, PACSIN2 resulted a modulator of mercaptopurine-induced cyto-toxicity in intestinal cells, suggesting that PACSIN2-regulated autophagy levels might influence thiopurine sensitivity. However, PACSIN2 modulates cellular thiopurine methyltransferase activity via mechanisms distinct from its modulation of autophagy

Expression pattern of long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 in the remission induction therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Uvod: Ekspresija duge nekodirajuće RNK G AS5 je izme - njena u mnogim kancerima zbog njene uloge u apoptozi i inhibiciji rasta ćelije. G AS5 interaguje sa glukokortikoidnim receptorom, što je čini potencijalnim farmakotranskripcionim markerom značajnim za glukokortikoidnu terapiju. Naš cilj u ovoj studiji je bio da analiziramo ekspresiju GAS5 tokom indukcione terapije kod dečje akutne limfoblastne leukemije (ALL), u kojoj se koriste glukokortikoidni lekovi, i da te rezultate povežemo sa odgovorom na terapiju. Metode: Nivo ekspresije G AS5 u mononuklearnim ćelijama periferne krvi izolovanih od 29 dece obolelih od ALL, određen je metodologijom RT-qPCR, i to u momentu dijagnoze, 15. i 33. dana indukcione terapije. Rezultati: Naši rezultati su pokazali da postoje interindivi - dualne razlike u ekspresiji GAS5 kod pacijenata, i to u svim analiziranim tačkama. Kod svakog ALL pacijenta GAS5 ekspresija je 15. dana bila visa u odnosu na ekspresiju u momentu dijagnoze (p lt 0,0005). Nivo ekspresije GAS5 je 33. dana bio niži u poređenju sa 15. danom (p lt 0,0005), ali je i dalje bio značajno visi u odnosu na momenat dijagnoze kod većine pacijenata (p = 0,001). Pacijenti čiji je broj blasta u perifernoj krvi 8. dana bio ispod 100 po mikrolitru periferne krvi, imali su viši nivo ekspresije GAS5 (p = 0,016) i niži odnos ekspresija merenih 15. dana i u momentu dijagnoze (p = 0,009). Zaključak: Nasi rezultati ukazuju da bi nivo ekspresije GAS5 mogao da bude marker terapijskog odgovora u indukcionoj terapiji kod dece obolele od ALL.Background: Long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is deregulated in many cancers because of its role in cell growth arrest and apoptosis. Additionally, GAS5 interacts with glucocorticoid receptor, making it a potential pharmacotranscription marker of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. In this study, we aimed at analysing G AS5 expression in the remission induction therapy phase of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in which GCs are mandatorily used, and to correlate it with therapy response. Methods: G AS5 expression was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from 29 childhood ALL patients at diagnosis, on day 15 and day 33 of remission induction therapy using RT-qPCR methodology. Results: Our results have shown interindividual differences in G AS5 expression at all time points. For each ALL patient, G A S5 expression was higher on day 15 in comparison to its level at diagnosis (p lt 0.0005). On day 33, the level of G A S5 expression decreased in comparison with day 15 (p lt 0.0005), but it was still significantly higher than at diagnosis for the majority of patients (p=0.001). Patients whose number of blasts on day 8 was below 100 per mL of peripheral blood had a higher GAS5 expression at diagnosis (p=0.016), and lower ratio day 15/diagnosis (p=0.009). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the expression level of GAS5 could be a potential marker of therapy response in remission induction therapy of childhood ALL

PACSIN2 modifies miRNAs in extracellular vesicles, modulating thiopurine response

Thiopurines, such as mercaptopurine, are antimetabolites, used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PACSIN2 rs2413739 is associated with gastrointestinal toxicity in children with ALL and with drug-efficacy in IBD pediatric patients. PACSIN2 is involved in vesicular trafficking and may affect the release and content of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which mediate cell communication and whose cargo modifies phenotypes of target cells. This study evaluates mechanisms associating PACSIN2 polymorphism with interindividual variability in efficacy of thiopurines, by considering the role of PACSIN2 in sorting specific miRNA in EVs. Effects of stable PACSIN2 knock-down (KD) were evaluated in intestinal LS180 cells. MTT cytotoxicity assay was used to verify mercaptopurine-sensitivity. EVs, released by LS180 KD and MOCK control cells were isolated by ultracentrifuge and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). EVs miRNA-sequencing was performed by Illumina Hi-seq 2000. EVs may alter drug cytotoxicity, therefore LS180 MOCK and KD cells were co-treated with mercaptopurine and EVs. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and ANOVA. Mercaptopurine was more cytotoxicity in LS180 KD cells (IC50 MOCK 3.23; IC50 KD 2.18 μM). No differences were observed by NTA in release of EVs between MOCK and KD cells (t-test, p = 0.13). PACSIN2 KD altered intracellular and EVs expression of 6 and 24 miRNAs respectively. EVs released by reduced mercaptopurine cytotoxicity (about 10%) and Rac1 protein expression in KD cells (ANOVA, p < 0.001), probably because they transport different miRNAs. In conclusion, PACSIN2 KD increase mercaptopurine cytotoxicity, probably, by deregulation of miRNA expression in cells and EVs. These results will be further investigated to better explain the link between PACSIN2 and EVs, whose miRNAs could provide a new scenario in personalizing thiopurine treatment.Book of abstract: 4th Belgrade Bioinformatics Conference, June 19-23, 202

Glucocorticoid pharmacogenetics in pediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome represents the most common type of primary glomerular disease in children: glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first-line therapy, even if considerable interindividual differences in thepir efficacy and side effects have been reported. Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs are mainly due to the GC-mediated transcription regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes. This mechanism of action is the result of a complex multistep pathway that involves the glucocorticoid receptor and several other proteins, encoded by polymorphic genes. Aim of this review is to highlight the current knowledge on genetic variants that could affect GC response, particularly focusing on children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Transcriptomic profiling of white blood cells reveals new insights into the molecular mechanisms of thalidomide in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Thalidomide has emerged as an effective immunomodulator in the treatment of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refractory to standard therapies. Cereblon, a component of E3 protein ligase complex that mediates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins, has been identified as the primary target of thalidomide. Cereblon plays a crucial role in thalidomide teratogenicity, however it is unclear whether it is also involved in the therapeutic effects in IBD patients. This study aimed at identifying the mechanisms underpinning thalidomide action in pediatric IBD. Ten IBD pediatric patients clinically responsive to thalidomide were prospectively enrolled. RNA-sequencing and functional enrichment analysis was carried out on peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained before and after treatment with thalidomide. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed 378 differentially expressed genes after treatment with thalidomide. The most deregulated pathways were cytosolic calcium ion concentration, cAMP-mediated signaling, eicosanoid signaling and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. Neuronal signaling mechanisms such as CREB signaling in neurons and axonal guidance signaling also emerged. Connectivity Map analysis revealed that thalidomide gene expression changes were similar to those induced by MLN4924, an inhibitor of NEDD8 activating enzyme, suggesting that thalidomide exerts its immunomodulatory effects by acting on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In vitro experiments on cell lines confirmed the effect of thalidomide on altered candidate pathways observed in patients. These results represent a unique resource for enhanced understanding of thalidomide mechanism in patients with IBD, providing novel potential targets associated with drug response.Book of abstract: 4th Belgrade Bioinformatics Conference, June 19-23, 202

Pharmacogenomics of Antibiotics

Although the introduction of antibiotics in medicine has resulted in one of the most successful events and in a major breakthrough to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious disease, response to these agents is not always predictable, leading to differences in their efficacy, and sometimes to the occurrence of adverse effects. Genetic variability, resulting in differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibiotics, is often involved in the variable response, of particular importance are polymorphisms in genes encoding for drug metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters. In addition, variations in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II genes have been associated with different immune mediated reactions induced by antibiotics. In recent years, the importance of pharmacogenetics in the personalization of therapies has been recognized in various clinical fields, although not clearly in the context of antibiotic therapy. In this review, we make an overview of antibiotic pharmacogenomics and of its potential role in optimizing drug therapy and reducing adverse reactions

Interplay of OpdP Porin and Chromosomal Carbapenemases in the Determination of Carbapenem Resistance/Susceptibility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

8noCarbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains responsible for chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is mainly due to loss of the OprD protein and, limited to meropenem and doripenem, to overexpression of efflux pumps. However, recent reports of isolates showing inconsistent genotype-phenotype combinations (e.g., susceptibility in the presence of resistance determinants and vice versa) suggest the involvement of additional factors whose role is not yet fully elucidated. Among them, the OpdP porin as an alternative route of entry for carbapenems other than OprD and the overexpression of two chromosomal carbapenemases, the Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase (PDC) and the PoxB oxacillinase, have recently been reconsidered and studied in specific model strains. Here, the contribution of these factors was investigated by comparing different phenotypic variants of three strains collected from the sputum of colonized CF patients. Carbapenem uptake through OpdP was investigated both at the functional level, by assessing the competition exerted by glycine-glutamate, the OpdP's natural substrate, against imipenem uptake, and at the molecular level, by comparing the expression levels of opdP genes by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Moreover, overexpression of the chromosomal carbapenemases in some of the isolates was also investigated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that, even if OprD inactivation remains the most important determinant of carbapenem resistance in strains infecting the CF lung, the interplay of other determinants might have a nonnegligible impact on bacterial susceptibility, being able to modify the phenotype of part of the population and consequently complicating the choice of an appropriate therapy. IMPORTANCE This study examines the interplay of multiple factors in determining a pattern of resistance or susceptibility to carbapenems in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, focusing on the role of previously poorly understood determinants. In particular, the impact of carbapenem permeability through OprD and OpdP porins was analyzed, as well as the activity of the chromosomal carbapenemases AmpC and PoxB, going beyond the simple identification of resistance determinants encoded by each isolate. Indeed, analysis of the expression levels of these determinants provides a new approach to determine the contribution of each factor, both individually and in coexistence with the other factors. The study contributes to understanding some phenotype-genotype discordances closely related to the heteroresistance frequently detected in P. aeruginosa isolates responsible for pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients, which complicates the choice of an appropriate patient-specific therapy.openopenAtrissi, Jad; Milan, Annalisa; Bressan, Raffaela; Lucafò, Marianna; Petix, Vincenzo; Busetti, Marina; Dolzani, Lucilla; Lagatolla, CristinaAtrissi, Jad; Milan, Annalisa; Bressan, Raffaela; Lucafò, Marianna; Petix, Vincenzo; Busetti, Marina; Dolzani, Lucilla; Lagatolla, Cristin