Sex steroids, carcinogenesis, and cancer progression

The relationship between sex steroids and cancer has been studied for more than a century. Using an original intact cell analysis, we investigated sex steroid metabolism in a panel of human cancer cell lines, either hormone responsive or unresponsive, originating from human breast, endometrium, and prostate. We found that highly divergent patterns of steroid metabolism exist and that the catalytic preference (predominantly reductive or oxidative) is strictly associated with the steroid receptor status of cells. We explored intra-tissue concentrations and profiles of estrogens in a set of human breast tumors as compared to normal mammary tissues, also in relation to their estrogen receptor status. In particular, we showed that, with hydroxyestrogens representing the majority of all tissue estrogens, concentrations of individual metabolites, as well as their ratios, significantly differ when comparing normal tissue with cancer tissues or when they are related to the overall survival of cancer patients. © 2004 New York Academy of Sciences

Up-regulated membrane and nuclear leukotriene B4 receptors in COPD

Study objectives: We investigated the role. of two leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptors, BLT1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPA-R)-alpha, in conferring the susceptibility to develop COPD in smokers. Proinflammatory LTB4 activities are mediated by BLT1, while the inactivation of LTB4 is promoted by PPAR alpha. Patients and methods: BLT1 and PPAR alpha proteins were quantified by immunohistochemistry in specimens obtained during lung surgery from 19 smokers with or without COPD and from 7 nonsmoking subjects. Results: We have shown that the percentages of PPAR alpha-positive alveolar macrophages and PPARa-positive cells in the alveolar wall were increased in COPD patients compared with control subjects. Moreover, the patients with COPD exhibited a significant increase of BLT1-positive alveolar macrophages compared with nonsmokers and an increased number of BLT1-positive cells in the alveolar walls compared with non-COPD smokers. In contrast, BLT1 and PPAR alpha-immunoreactivity did not differ significantly between nonsmokers and non-COPD smokers. Most of BLT1-positive cells in the alveolar,walls were neutrophils and CD8 cells. While the number of neutrophils infiltrating the lung parenchyma was similar among the three groups, the number of CD8 T cells was increased in COPD patients, but there was no evidence that BLT1 was up-regulated specifically on these cells in COPD patients. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that BLT1 and PPAR alpha are detectable in alveolar macrophages and CD8 T cells in human lung tissue, and suggest that the dual LTB4 receptor system is up-regulated in the peripheral lungs of smokers who are susceptible to the development of COPD. This system might represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention in COPD patients

Techniques for Structural Assessment Based on MT-DInSAR Data, Applied to the San Michele Complex in Rome

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a field of increasing interest and worthy of new approaches and innovative applications. As well known, Italy boasts a unique cultural-historical heritage of monuments and archeological sites that need to be managed, particularly in a multi-hazard prone area like our country. A really appealing technique is represented by the advanced multi-temporal differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar (MT-DInSAR), which has been developed and applied in different fields in the last twenty years. The exploitation of such techniques in the monitoring and structural assessment of cultural heritage is still an open issue even if the first applications available in literature show promising potentialities. In this paper the general framework for structural monitoring and assessment previously proposed by the authors, is applied to the complex building San Michele in Rome (Italy). In particular, COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) ascending and descending datasets are collected and processed applying the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) method obtaining deformation time series and mean velocity maps of the persistent scatterers located in the investigated area, for both geometry acquisitions. Finally, different techniques useful for assessing the structural behavior and monitoring of constructions are applied and critically discussed

The Use of MT-DInSAR Data for the Safety Assessment and Monitoring of Structures and Infrastructures: The Case Study of "Torri Stellari" in Rome

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) field gained increasing interest during the last years, also due to the huge amount of civil structures and infrastructures near or beyond their design life, and needs to be managed, particularly in a multi-hazard prone area like Italy. In this context, the advanced multi-temporal differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar (MT-DInSAR) techniques represent a great potential for the SHM applications and future development. The exploitation of such techniques in the monitoring and structural assessment of the built environment is still an open issue even if some first applications are available in literature showing promising potentialities. In this work, after a brief description of the general framework for structural monitoring and assessment, previously proposed by the authors, the case study of the Torri Stellari buildings in Rome (Italy) is presented and critically discussed. In particular, starting from COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) ascending and descending SAR datasets and applying the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) DInSAR processing technique, the measurement points of the investigated area are obtained for both acquisition geometries. Different techniques are applied to both the displacement time series and mean deformation velocity for assessing the structural behavior or monitoring of constructions

Prevalence of diaphragm dysfunction in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD): The role of diaphragmatic ultrasound

Background: Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) has been extensively used in critically ill patients while data on outpatients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are limited. We hypothesized that diaphragm function, assessed by ultrasound, could be impaired in patients with ILD, considering both Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Connective Tissue Disease (CTD-ILD), compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, this impairment could impact clinical and functional parameters. Methods: All consecutive CTD-ILD and IPF patients followed in our center (March-October 2020) were screened. Diaphragm displacement (DD), inspiratory thickness (Ti), expiratory thickness (Te), thickening fraction (TF), and respiratory functional parameters were collected. The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (TF <30%) was then recorded. Results: Eighty-two consecutive patients (41 CTD-ILD, 41 IPF) and 15 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. In the overall population, 24 out of 82 (29%) presented diaphragmatic dysfunction. In CTD-ILD, DD and Ti were lower as compared to IPF (p = 0.021 and p = 0.036, respectively); while diaphragmatic dysfunction was more prevalent compared to controls (37% vs 7%, p = 0.043). TF positively correlated to patients' functional parameters in the CTD-ILD group (FVC%pred: p = 0.003; r = 0.45), while not in the IPF group. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was associated with moderate/severe dyspnea in both CTD-ILD and IPF (p = 0.021). Conclusion: The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction was 29% in patients with ILD and was associated with moderate/severe dyspnea. CTD-ILD presented lower DD compared with IPF and a higher prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (TF<30%) compared with controls. TF was associated with lung function only in CTD-ILD patients, suggesting its potential role in the comprehensive patient assessment

Satellite radar interferometry: Potential and limitations for structural assessment and monitoring

The present paper analyzes potential and limitations of multi-temporal Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) techniques applied for the structural monitoring and assessment of constructions affected by different external actions. A comprehensive approach for the processing, interpretation and proper use of satellite radar interferometry data for structural analyses at urban and single-construction scales is proposed. Following a brief literature review, highlighting the most relevant applications in this field, some aspects concerning DInSAR techniques are shortly summarized, particularly focusing on the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) approach applied to perform advanced analyses at structural level. Then, the main issues of the DInSAR measurements exploitation for structural applications are discussed, focusing on the use of both one or two datasets relevant to ascending and descending satellite passes. Analysis at the scale of single construction (i.e., building, bridge, etc.) of displacements time series and mean deformation velocities is discussed, in order to identify scenarios that may become potentially critical for the structures. Some application examples are provided, employing COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) datasets relative to the urban area of Rome (Italy), acquired during the 2011–2019 time interval and processed through the SBAS algorithm. Specific considerations related to the use of DInSAR measurements for structural monitoring and assessment are then proposed, also discussing possible approaches for preliminary and detailed evaluation of structural damages