(Epi)genetic profiling of extraembryonic and postnatal tissues from female monozygotic twins discordant for Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome

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Anti-senescence efficacy of radio-electric asymmetric conveyer technology

Recent evidence suggests that ageing-related diseases could result in an accelerated loss of self-renewal capability of adult stem cells, normally involved in replacing damaged cellular elements. In previous works, we highlighted that a specific treatment, named tissue optimization-regenerative (TO-RGN), of radio-electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, influenced gene expression profiles controlling stem cell differentiation and pluripotency of human skin-derived fibroblasts in vitro. The purpose of the present work was to verify whether TO-RGN may also be effective in counteracting the expression of the senescence marker beta-galactosidase and of senescence-associated gene expression patterning, engaged during prolonged culture of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). Following TO-RGN exposure, we observed a significant downregulation in beta-galactosidase staining and in the expression of the senescence mediator genes p16INK4, ARF, p53, and p21CIP1. Moreover, differently formed untreated cells, TO-RGN-exposed hADSCs maintained their typical fibroblast-like morphology and exhibited a multilineage potential even at late passages, as shown by the remarkable preservation of commitment to osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and vasculogenic fates, both at morphologic and gene expression levels. In conclusion, our study highlights a positive effect of TO-RGN in counteracting degenerative senescence processes in vitro

A stakeholder engagement case for rusting away the university-territory link: engineering local sustainable Car Body Shops

Nothing could seem more at odds than to think of a connection between a prestigious university institution, what was once critically labelled as an ivory tower and a car body shop. What could have in common an institution of high culture, and, those places, which, according to the collective imagination are associated with rust, burnt oil, and perhaps, a little spreading level of ignorance? This is undoubtedly the case of rethinking stakeholder engagement of a public university (Politecnico di Torino) at its margin through a project intensively tighten with the local territory. Conducted by the Research Group “Competitiveness and Business Value”, the case herein explored involves a multi-stakeholder network of local actors operating in the business sector of car body shops. The exogenous variables affecting the local area are crucial, especially for the historical background of the local economy grounded in the automotive sector. In this research, the multistakeholder network is composed by ten local Car Body Shops, a few dozen of their suppliers as well as, two Regional Chapter of Italian associations of handcrafts and Small and Medium Enterprises. The research project aims to drive the sector of car body shops towards the adoption of a sustainable business model among a real competitive leap with new keys to accessing the competitive-strategic, social and environmental, and economic-financial balance. Recurring to a case study (Yazan, 2015; Yin, 2003), the dialogue between the Politecnico and the car body shops is investigated using the lens of their sustainable business model. Key performance indicators are identified. Therefore it allows to apply the most appropriate statistical analysis models and to identify the market trends, the areas of managerial tension, the structure of investments and loans, the level of professional skills, the employment dynamics, the best practices, etc. and to disseminate, also through managerial and technical-professional training courses, information and knowledge to the entire national system of car body shops

Regenerative treatment using a radioelectric asymmetric conveyor as a novel tool in antiaging medicine: an in vitro beta-galactosidase study.

Background: Beta-galactosidase is the most widely used biomarker for highlighting the processes of cellular aging, including neurodegeneration. On this basis, we decided to test in vitro whether a set of rescuing/reparative events previously observed by us in subjects treated with radioelectric asymmetric conveyor (REAC) technology may also involve antagonism of a marker of aging-related degenerative processes, as assessed by a reduction in beta-galactosidase at the cellular level. Methods: Human adipose-derived stem cells were cultured at different passages, ranging from 5 to 20, with or without REAC exposure for 12 hours. The cells were then processed for biochemical beta-galactosidase staining and morphological microscopy analysis. Results: We observed a significant reduction in expression of senescence associated-beta-galactosidase, and a persistence of fibroblast-like morphology typical of human adipose-derived stem cells, even at late passages. Conclusion: Our results indicate the ability of REAC technology to counteract in vitro senescence of human adipose-derived stem cells, and prompt the hypothesis that such technology may be exploited to antagonize in vivo senescence of tissue-resident or transplanted stem cells playing an important role in clinical treatment of age-related processes

Consensus Statement on Animals’ Relationship with Pediatric Oncohematological Patients, on Behalf of Infectious Diseases and Nurse Working Groups of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Contact with animals in pediatric oncohematologic patients is associated with many benefits, but the risk of contracting zoonoses, even if low, must be considered by clinicians. In order to assess the awareness about this topic, we surveyed the Italian pediatric oncohematology centers, which resulted in heterogeneous responses. The Infectious Diseases Working Group and the Nurse Working Group of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, together with veterinarians from the National Federation of Italian Veterinarians, drew up a consensus document to unify the indications to be given to families with the aim of guaranteeing a safe interaction between patients and animals and improving the collaboration of clinicians with veterinarians and families

A national mandatory-split liver policy: A report from the Italian experience

To implement split liver transplantation(SLT) a mandatory-split policy has been adopted in Italy since August 2015: donors aged 18-50 years at standard-risk are offered for SLT, resulting in a left-lateral segment(LLS) graft for children and an extended-right graft(ERG) for adults. We aim to analyse the impact of the new mandatory-split policy on liver transplantation(LT)-waiting list and SLT outcomes, compared to old allocation policy. Between August 2015-December 2016 out of 413 potentially "splittable" donors, 252(61%) were proposed for SLT, of whom 53(21%) donors were accepted for SLT while 101(40.1%) were excluded because of donor characteristics and 98(38.9%) for absence of suitable paediatric recipients. The SLT rate augmented from 6% to 8.4%. Children undergoing SLT increased from 49.3% to 65.8%(p=0.009) and the paediatric LT-waiting list time dropped [229(10-2121) vs. 80(12-2503) days(p=0.045)]. The paediatric [4.5% vs. 2.5%(p=0.398)] and adult [9.7% to 5.2%(p20kg(HR=5.113, p=0.048) in LLS, and ischemic time >8hours(HR=2.475,p=0.048) in ERG were identified as predictors of graft failure. A national mandatory-split policy maximizes the SLT donor resources, whose selection criteria can be safely expanded, providing favourable impact on the paediatric LT-waiting list and priority for adult sick LT candidates. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Balancing donor and recipient risk factors in liver transplantation: The value of D-MELD with particular reference to HCV recipients

Donor-recipient match is a matter of debate in liver transplantation. D-MELD (donor age × recipient biochemical model for end-stage liver disease [MELD]) and other factors were analyzed on a national Italian database recording 5946 liver transplants. Primary endpoint was to determine factors predictive of 3-year patient survival. D-MELD cutoff predictive of 5-year patient survival <50% (5yrsPS<50%) was investigated. A prognosis calculator was implemented (http://www.D-MELD.com). Differences among D-MELD deciles allowed their regrouping into three D-MELD classes (A < 338, B 338-1628, C >1628). At 3 years, the odds ratio (OR) for death was 2.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-2.85) in D-MELD class C versus B. The OR was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.24-0.66) in class A versus class B. Other predictors were hepatitis C virus (HCV; OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.11-1.81), hepatitis B virus (HBV; OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.93), retransplant (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.16-2.87) and low-volume center (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11-1.99). Cox regressions up to 90 months confirmed results. The hazard ratio was 1.97 (95% CI, 1.59-2.43) for D-MELD class C versus class B and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.29-0.60) for D-MELD class A versus class B. Recipient age, HCV, HBV and retransplant were also significant. The 5yrsPS<50% cutoff was identified only in HCV patients (D-MELD ≥ 1750). The innovative approach offered by D-MELD and covariates is helpful in predicting outcome after liver transplantation, especially in HCV recipients