Molecular and functional characterization of the human RNASET2 oncosuppressor gene.

The RNASET2 gene maps to human chromosome 6q27, a region that has been consistently found rearranged in many solid and hematological tumors. This gene encodes for the only human secreted acid ribonuclease of the T2 family. Our research group\u2019s studies have demonstrated a remarkable RNASET2-mediated tumor suppressive activity. Indeed, we recently reported that the oncosuppressive activity of RNASET2 in vivo involves the recruitment toward the tumor mass of cancer-suppressive innate immune cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, particularly M1 macrophages, which are known to carry out a cancer antagonizing role. Given these premises, the aim of my PhD thesis work was to further characterize this gene from a functional point of view. Firstly, we analyzed the effect of RNASET2 protein in the recruitment and polarization pattern of macrophages in in vitro systems. Furthermore, since all previous in vivo experiments were performed using nude mice, we started developing a syngeneic mouse model in order to study the role of this gene in an immunocompetent model. Finally, we recently demonstrated that RNASET2 also behaves as a stress response gene and strongly affects the actin cytoskeleton. To shed more lights on its pleiotropic functions, we also started to investigate the role of this gene in the context of mammary tumorigenesis and morphogenesis

The therapeutic management of gut barrier leaking: the emerging role for mucosal barrier protectors

OBJECTIVE: Gut barrier is a functional unit organized as a multi-layer system and its multiple functions are crucial for maintaining gut homeostasis. Numerous scientific evidences showed a significant association between gut barrier leaking and gastro-intestinal/extra-intestinal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this review we focus on the relationship between gut barrier leaking and human health. At the same time we speculate on the possible new role of gut barrier protectors in enhancing and restoring gut barrier physiology with the final goal of promoting gut health. RESULTS: The alteration of the equilibrium in gut barrier leads to the passage of the luminal contents to the underlying tissues and thus into the bloodstream, resulting in the activation of the immune response and in the induction of gut inflammation. This permeability alteration is the basis for the pathogenesis of many diseases, including infectious enterocolitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, hepatic fibrosis, food intolerances and also atopic manifestations. Many drugs or compounds used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease are able to alter the permeability of the intestinal barrier. Recent data highlighted and introduced the possibility of using gelatin tannate, a mucosal barrier protector, for an innovative approach in the management of intestinal diseases, allowing an original therapeutic orientation with the aim of enhancing mucus barrier activity and restoring gut barrier. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest how the mucus layer recovering, beside the gut microbiota modulation, exerted by gut barrier protectors could be a useful weapon to re-establish the physiological intestinal homeostasis after an acute and chronic injury

Identification of side population cells in mouse primordial germ cells and prenatal testis

In mammals, the stem cells of spermatogenesis are derived from an embryonic cell population called primordial germ cells (PGCs). Spermatogonial stem cells displaying the "side population" (SP) phenotype have been identified in the immature and adult mouse testis, but noting is known about the expression of the SP phenotype during prenatal development of germ cells. The SP phenotype, defined as the ability of cells to efflux fluorescent dyes such as Hoechst, is common to several stem/progenitor cell types. In the present study, we analyzed and characterized the Hoechst SP via cytofluorimetric analysis of disaggregated gonads at different time points during embryonic development in mice. To directly test the hypothesis that the SP phenotype is a feature of germ cell lineage, experiments were performed on transgenic animals expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the Oct4 promoter, to identify early germ cells up to PGCs. We found that prenatal gonads contain a fraction of SP cells at each stage analyzed, and the percentage of cells in the SP fraction decreases as development proceeds. Surprisingly, more than 50% of the PGCs displayed the SP phenotype at 11.5 dpc (days post coitum). The percentage of germ cells with the SP phenotype decreased steadily with development, to less than 1% at 18.5 dpc. Cytofluorimetric analysis along with immunocytochemistry performed on sorted cells indicated that the SP fraction of prenatal gonads, as in the adult testis, was heterogeneous, being composed of both somatic and germ cells. Both cell types expressed the ABC transporters Abcg2, Abcb1a, Abcb1b and Abcc1. These findings provide evidence that the SP phenotype is a common feature of PGCs and identifies a subpopulation of fetal testis cells including prospermatogonia whose differentiation fate remains to be investigated. © 2011 UBC Press

Albania 1997-2010. Una ricerca sul campo tra musica e fotografia

The end of the Balkan wars and the fall of communism in Albania opened up a fertile field of inquiry for scholars. The author reconstructs the moments of his ethno-musical research conducted in Albania and neighboring countries (Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro) in the years subsequent to that very complex phase, in collaboration with experts from the audiovisual fieldwork, particularly with the photographer Stefano Vaja. He stresses the importance and usefulness of a complex approach in the representation of contextual dynamics involving also the issue of identity

The Aladin2 experiment: status and perspectives

Aladin2 is an experiment devoted to the first measurement of variations of Casimir energy in a rigid cavity. The main scientific motivation relies on the possibility of the first demonstration of a phase transition influenced by vacuum fluctuations. The guiding principle of the measurement, based on the behaviour of the critical field for an in-cavity superconducting film, will be only briefly recalled. In this paper, after an introduction to the long term motivations, the experimental apparatus and the results of the first measurement of sensitivity will be presented in detail, particularly in comparison with the expected signal. Last, the most important steps towards the final measurement will be discussed.Comment: Talk given by Calloni at QFEXT05 Conference in Barcelona: Quantum Field Theory Under the Influence of External Condition

PT e governo Lula: um discurso repetido

Este trabalho analisa ações de marketing político do PT (Partido dos Trabalhadores) e do governo Lula, tendo em vista a articulação do seu discurso, nas eleições de 2002, em seu governo, e nas eleições deste ano (2006). Nossa hipótese, entre outros elementos, é a de que o PT e o governo Lula, nesse período de quatro anos, estão utilizando, de forma profissional e intensa, técnicas de marketing político articuladas estrategicamente através de um discurso repetido, que teve inicio no marketing eleitoral de 2002, entrou direta ou indiretamente, após a eleição de Lula, no marketing governamental, e, continua sendo repetido no marketing eleitoral deste ano (2006), para viabilizar sua reeleição. Esse discurso repetido utilizado pelo PT pode em determinados momentos, reforçar uma representação social da política de tipo liberal; estimular uma visão de paciência e acomodação social e política, desestimular ações populares coletivas e estimular as saídas baseadas no auto-esforço individual