Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the thyroid gland: a case report and literature review = MALT linfoma della tiroide: caso clinico e revisione della letteratura

Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are low-grade, non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphomas, mainly occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in other tissues. We describe the management of a patient with hypothyroidism, tracheoesophageal compressive symptoms and chest tightness affected by a thyroid MALT lymphoma. The patient underwent debulking thyroidectomy and temporary tracheostomy in order to reduce dysphonia and dysphagia, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and subsequently radiation therapy. A CT scan performed at the end of radiotherapy 6 months after surgery revealed remnants of residual tissue from the thyroidectomy without any pathological findings. I linfomi MALT sono dei linfomi non-Hodgkin a cellule B a basso grado che in genere insorgono a livello del tratto gastrointestinale, ma anche in altri tessuti. Descriviamo in questo articolo il management clinico-chirurgico di un paziente con ipotiroidismo, sintomi da compressione tracheo-esofagea e senso di oppressione toracica, affetto da linfoma MALT della tiroide. Il paziente è stato sottoposto a parziale asportazione della massa tiroidea e tracheostomia allo scopo di ridurre i sintomi compressivi ed in seguito a trattamento chemioterapico e radioterapico. L’esame TC effettuato una volta conclusa la radioterapia, circa 6 mesi dopo l’intervento, ha evidenziato gli esiti della tiroidectomia parziale in assenza di altri reperti patologici

Gender differences in cardiac hypertrophic remodeling

Cardiac remodeling is a complex process that occurs in response to different types of cardiac injury such as ischemia and hypertension, and that involves cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, vascular endothelial cells, and inflammatory cells. The end result is cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, vascular, and electrophysiological remodeling. This paper reviews a large number of studies on the influence of gender on pathological cardiac remodeling and shows how sex differences result in different clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses, with males which generally develop greater cardiac remodeling responses than females. Although estrogens appear to have an important role in attenuating adverse cardiac remodeling, the mechanisms through which gender modulates myocardial remodeling remain to be identified

A microfluidic device that separates cells

è un dispositivo e metodo che attraverso un sistema microfuidico munito di membrana separa le cellule in funzione delle loro dimension

Low expression of estrogen receptor β in T lymphocytes and high serum levels of anti-estrogen receptor α antibodies impact disease activity in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND: Current evidence indicates that estrogens, in particular 17β-estradiol (E2), play a crucial role in the gender bias of autoimmune diseases although the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Immune cells have estrogen receptors (ERs), i.e., ERα and ERβ, that play pro- and anti-inflammatory functions, respectively, and the presence of one estrogen receptor (ER) subtype over the other might change estrogen effects, promoting or dampening inflammation. In this study, we contributed to define the influences of E2 on T cells from female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a representative autoimmune disease characterized by a higher prevalence in women than in men (female/male ratio 9:1). Particularly, our aim was to evaluate whether alterations of ERα and ERβ expression in T cells from female SLE patients may impact lymphocyte sensitivity to E2 and anti-ERα antibody (anti-ERα Ab) stimulation interfering with cell signaling and display a direct clinical effect. METHODS: Sixty-one premenopausal female patients with SLE and 40 age-matched healthy donors were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups based on the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (i.e., <6 and ≥6). ER expression was evaluated in T lymphocytes by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses. Serum anti-ERα Ab levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ER-dependent signaling pathways were measured by a phosphoprotein detection kit. RESULTS: Intracellular ERβ expression was significantly lower in T cells from patients with SLEDAI-2K ≥6 as compared with healthy donors and patients with SLEDAI-2K <6 and negatively correlated with disease activity. The expression of intracellular and membrane-associated-ERα was similar in SLE and control T cells. ER-dependent signaling pathways were activated in T cells from SLE patients with SLEDAI-2K ≥6, but not with SLEDAI-2K <6, when both membrane and intracellular ERs were stimulated by co-treatment with E2 and anti-ERα Abs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate an altered ER profile in SLE patients, possibly contributing to SLE pathogenesis and interfering with clinical activity, and highlight the potential exploitation of T cell-associated ERβ as a biomarker of disease activity

Endograft repair for pseudoaneurysms and penetrating ulcers of the ascending aorta

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to report midterm results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms (AAPs) and penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) of the ascending aorta. METHODS: This study was retrospective and performed at tertiary centers. Eight patients with AAPs (n = 5) and PAUs (n = 3) received total endovascular repair of the ascending aorta. Patients with a history of type A aortic dissection or fusiform aneurysm were excluded. All patients analyzed were considered to be at high risk for open repair at the time of presentation. RESULTS: Urgent intervention was performed in 6 (75%) cases. Primary clinical success was achieved in 7 (87.5%) cases. A low-flow type 3 endoleak remained asymptomatic and was managed conservatively. No TEVAR-related in-hospital mortality, primary conversion, cerebrovascular accidents, valve impairment, or myocardial infarction occurred. All patients were discharged home, alive and independent, after a median length of stay of 6 (range: 5-24) days. No patient was lost at a mean follow-up of 40 \ub1 33 (range: 4-93) months. Ongoing primary clinical success was maintained in all but 1 patient (type 3 endoleak): aortically related reintervention was never required. No endograft breakage or migration was observed. At 1-year follow-up, 7 (87.5%) aortic lesions had significant reduction in diameter ( 655 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Ascending TEVAR was feasible, safe, and effective for AAPs and PAUs. In a very select subset of lesions, midterm results were favorable, with both standard and custom-designed endografts

The role of municipalities in promoting cooperatives. The case of the cooperative promotion program in the commune of Recoleta, Santiago de Chile

En los últimos 15 años la economía social y cooperativa en Chile ha vuelto a cobrar mayor visibilidad, especialmente entre las nuevas generaciones, creando nuevas respuestas para problemas históricos como también para nuevos desafíos a los actores de este sector. En este contexto un tema emergente y del cual es importante tomar nota por las proyecciones de futuro es la relación entre los actores de la economía social y cooperativa, y las administraciones públicas subnacionales, Gobiernos Regionales y Municipios, que han tomado un protagonismo en cuanto las prácticas de fomento y desarrollo del sector, en el marco de los procesos de fortalecimiento de la descentralización. En este contexto el presente trabajo se focaliza, luego de un marco general de análisis del tema, en el desarrollo de un estudio de caso centrado en la experiencia de la Ilustre Municipalidad de Recoleta, y su programa de apoyo y fomento del cooperativismo.In the last 15 years, the social and cooperative economy in Chile has once again gained greater visibility. In this context, an emerging issue and one of which it is important to take note of the future projections is the relationship between the actors of the social and cooperative economy, and the subnational public administrations, Regional Governments and Municipalities, which have taken a leading role in the promotion and development practices of the sector, within the framework of the processes of strengthening decentralization. In this context, the present work focuses, after a general framework of analysis of the subject, on the development of a case study focused on the experience of the I. Municipality of Recoleta, and its program of support and promotion of cooperativism

Problems Associated With the Assessment of Local Site Effects Through a Multidisciplinary Integrated Study: The Case of Fivizzano’s Town (Italy)

The evaluation of local site effects, by means of ground response analyses, is a very complex and difficult task, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. This is operative philosophy expressed by VEL Project (Valutazione degli Effetti Locali), sponsored by Tuscany Region, to the aim to seismic risk characterization in the main seismic areas (i.e. Garfagnana, Lunigiana, Amiata, Valtiberina and Mugello). One of the most important urban centres, involved in the multidisciplinary activity of the VEL project, is certainly the town of Fivizzano located nearby the city of Massa, which was strongly damaged during the earthquake of September 1920 (the strongest seismic event occurred in Northern Apennines in the latest centuries). Remarkably good macroseismic information is available about the destructive impact yielded at Fivizzano by this earthquake (e.g. number of casualties, level of damage of buildings, etc). The main objective of this paper is to identify the occurrence of possible local site effects in the Fivizzano’s area following the 1920 earthquake and to quantify them by means of one and two-dimensional site response analysis. The input data required for study were obtained through a comprehensive geological survey and a multi disciplinary underground exploration of the area

pH-Responsive Polyketone/5,10,15,20-Tetrakis-(Sulfonatophenyl)Porphyrin Supramolecular Submicron Colloidal Structures

In this work, we prepared color-changing colloids by using the electrostatic self-assembly approach. The supramolecular structures are composed of a pH-responsive polymeric surfactant and the water-soluble porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS). The pH-responsive surfactant polymer was achieved by the chemical modification of an alternating aliphatic polyketone (PK) via the Paal-Knorr reaction with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (HEDA). The resulting polymer/dye supramolecular systems form colloids at the submicron level displaying negative zeta potential at neutral and basic pH, and, at acidic pH, flocculation is observed. Remarkably, the colloids showed a gradual color change from green to pinky-red due to the protonation/deprotonation process of TPPS from pH 2 to pH 12, revealing different aggregation behavior

The structure of DNA by direct imaging

The structure of DNA was determined in 1953 by x-ray fiber diffraction. Several attempts have been made to obtain a direct image of DNA with alternative techniques. The direct image is intended to allow a quantitative evaluation of all relevant characteristic lengths present in a molecule. A direct image of DNA, which is different from diffraction in the reciprocal space, is difficult to obtain for two main reasons: the intrinsic very low contrast of the elements that form the molecule and the difficulty of preparing the sample while preserving its pristine shape and size. We show that through a preparation procedure compatible with the DNA physiological conditions, a direct image of a single suspended DNA molecule can be obtained. In the image, all relevant lengths of A-form DNA are measurable. A high-resolution transmission electron microscope that operates at 80 keV with an ultimate resolution of 1.5 Å was used for this experiment. Direct imaging of a single molecule can be used as a method to address biological problems that require knowledge at the single-molecule level, given that the average information obtained by x-ray diffraction of crystals or fibers is not sufficient for detailed structure determination, or when crystals cannot be obtained from biological molecules or are not sufficient in understanding multiple protein configurations

Nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase regulates cancer cell metabolism, susceptibility to NAMPT inhibitors and DNA repair.

In the last decade, substantial efforts have been made to identify NAD(+) biosynthesis inhibitors, specifically against nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), as preclinical studies indicate their potential efficacy as cancer drugs. However, the clinical activity of NAMPT inhibitors has proven limited, suggesting that alternative NAD(+) production routes exploited by tumors confer resistance. Here, we show the gene encoding nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), a second NAD(+)-producing enzyme, is amplified and overexpressed in a subset of common types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, where NAPRT expression correlates with a BRCAness gene expression signature. Both NAPRT and NAMPT increased intracellular NAD(+) levels. NAPRT silencing reduced energy status, protein synthesis, and cell size in ovarian and pancreatic cancer cells. NAPRT silencing sensitized cells to NAMPT inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo; similar results were obtained with the NAPRT inhibitor 2-hydroxynicotinic acid. Reducing NAPRT levels in a BRCA2-deficient cancer cell line exacerbated DNA damage in response to chemotherapeutics. In conclusion, NAPRT-dependent NAD(+) biosynthesis contributes to cell metabolism and to the DNA repair process in a subset of tumors. This knowledge could be used to increase the efficacy of NAMPT inhibitors and chemotherapy. Cancer Res; 77(14); 3857-69. ©2017 AACR