La dimensione relazionale del sé in adolescenza: rappresentazione del sé e confronto con i coetanei

La ricerca mette a fuoco la relazione fra le variabili latenti del confronto sé-altro in adolescenza ed il loro impatto sul valore globale del sé: in particolare intende analizzare il ruolo che variabili diverse ma concorrenti quali il supporto percepito, in termini di “sguardo valorizzante” dei coetanei, e la rappresentazione di sé, in termini di indipendenza o interdipendenza, svolgano nel processo di definizione del valore globale del sé. L’ipotesi specifica è che in questa relazione tra variabili latenti entri in gioco, con funzione di variabile intermedia, l’accettazione sociale, che costituisce uno dei differenti domini del sé, all’interno di un approccio domino-specifico (Harter, 1985). Summary. We explore the relational dimension of the self in adolescence , assuming that comparison with others, particularly peers, is an important predictor of the self. The central issue concerns the relational structure between latent variables of the self -other relationship and their impact on the global self-worth. The different domains of the self-perceptions , particularly social acceptance, and the global self-worth were collected by Self Perception Profile (Harter, 1985); the support perceived from classmates and close-friends, by the Social Support Scale (Harter, 1985); independet/interdependent perspective of self-representation by Independence/Interdependence Scale (IIS, Kato and Marcus, 1993, 1994). Participants were 170 students aged from 13 to 18 , by three different school grades, of both genders (54% boys, 46% girls). The results (structural equation and path model) confirm the significant role of the self-other comparison in defining the global self-worth. The relational capacities in terms of social acceptance are a powerful mediator between internal and external factors. The model underlines the complex dynamic inter-relationship between personal and interpersonal factors in adolescent self-evaluating

Rappresentazione di sé e creatività nella prima adolescenza: uno studio sulle differenze di genere

La ricerca fornisce un contributo agli studi inerenti la relazione tra rappresentazione di sé e creatività nella prima adolescenza. Hanno partecipato alla ricerca 160 soggetti (età media =13 anni) frequentanti l’ultimo anno di scuole medie inferiori della Campania. Sono stati utilizzati due strumenti self-report per la valutazione delle dimensioni della rappresentazione di sé (SPP, Harter 1998) e della creatività (TPC, Williams, 1993). I risultati emersi forniscono un tassello interessante alla comprensione delle relazioni tra le dimensioni considerate. Da un punto di vista generale, sembra che il valore personale globale, cui corrisponde una valutazione positiva della propria persona, oltre che al sentirsi accettati e apprezzati dagli altri, sia legato a caratteristiche personali inerenti le dimensioni della creatività prese in esame

Nuclear β-arrestin1 is a critical cofactor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling in endothelin-1-induced ovarian tumor progression

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mediates the response to hypoxia or other stimuli, such as growth factors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), to promote malignant progression in numerous tumors. The importance of cofactors that regulate HIF-1α signalling within tumor is not well understood. Here we elucidate that ET-1/ET(A) receptor (ET(A)R)-induced pathway physically and functionally couples the scaffold protein β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) to HIF-1α signalling. In epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells, ET-1/ET(A)R axis induced vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression through HIF-1α nuclear accumulation. In these cells, activation of ET(A)R by ET-1, by mimicking hypoxia, promoted the nuclear interaction between β-arr1 and HIF-1α and the recruitment of p300 acetyltransferase to hypoxia response elements on the target gene promoters, resulting in enhanced histone acetylation, and HIF-1α target gene transcription. Indeed, β-arr1-HIF-1α interaction regulated the enhanced expression and release of downstream targets, such as ET-1 and VEGF, required for tumor cell invasion and pro-angiogenic effects in endothelial cells. These effects were abrogated by β-arr1 or HIF-1α silencing or by pharmacological treatment with the dual ET-1 receptor antagonist macitentan. Interestingly, ET(A)R/β-arr1 promoted the self-amplifying HIF-1α-mediated transcription of ET-1 that sustained a regulatory circuit involved in invasive and angiogenic behaviors. In a murine orthotopic model of metastatic human EOC, treatment with macitentan, or silencing of β-arr1, inhibits intravasation and metastasis formation. Collectively, these findings reveal the interplay of β-arr1 with HIF-1α in the complexity of ET-1/ET(A)R signalling, mediating epigenetic modifications directly involved in the metastatic process, and suggest that targeting ET-1-dependent β-arr1/HIF-1α pathway by using macitentan may impair EOC progression

Нові тенденції розвитку термінознавства : здобутки міжнародної наукової групи Р. Теммерман

Комплексно проаналізовано здобутки міжнародної наукової групи під керівництвом Р. Теммерман: розглянуто основні положення соціокогнітивного термінознавства, питання сутності терміна, фахової мови, фахової комунікації, динаміки терміна, розуміння терміна людиною за різних умов фахового спілкування, оперування великими масивами термінологічних даних, терміноонтографії й терміноонтології, інженерії знань та галузевих онтологій.The paper comprehensively analyses the achievements of the international research group led by R. Temmerman: it examines the main thesis of sociocognitive terminology, questions of the essence of a term, professional language, professional communication, dynamics of a term, understanding of a term by person under various conditions of professional communication, handling large corpora of terminological data, terminoontography and terminoontology, knowledge engineering and specialized ontologies

Contributo alla validazione della versione italiana della scala del Social Support di Susan Harter

Scopo del presente lavoro è proporre una versione italiana della Social Support Scale for adolescents di Susan Harter (1985) e di testarne le proprietà psicometriche. La scala permette di valutare il grado di supporto sociale percepito dal soggetto e la considerazione che sente di riceve da parte di altri significativi. La versione italiana è stata somministrata, in fase di pre-test, a 80 soggetti. I rilievi emersi hanno condotto ad alcuni adattamenti; la versione così ottenuta è stata somministrata ad un campione di 1203 soggetti (11-18 anni). Le analisi statistiche hanno consentito di verificare la consistenza interna e la struttura fattoriale della scala. Tali analisi hanno confermato l’attendibilità e la validità della versione italiana rispetto allo strumento originario. È stato inoltre realizzato un modello di Equazioni Strutturali, al fine di verificare la presenza di una struttura fattoriale sovrapponibile a quella originaria proposta dalla Harter. I rilievi emersi sembrano indicare che anche la versione italiana della scala proposta rappresenta un utile strumento per la comprensione e lo studio del supporto che l’adolescente percepisce di ricevere da parte di altri significativi. SUMMARY. In this paper we aim to propose an Italian version of the Social Support Scale for adolescents of Susan Harter (1985) and to explore its psychometric properties. The Social Support Scale allows to estimate the subject degree of perceived social support and the consideration from significant others. The Italian version was administered, in pre-test phase to 80 subjects. The results lead to some adaptations and this version was administered to a sample of 1203 subjects (11-18 years). The statistical analyses verified the internal consistency and the factorial structure of the Italian version with respect to the structure of the original scale. It was performed a Structural Equations modelling, to assess the properties of factorial structure. These results seem to indicate proposed Italian version of Social Support Scale can be a useful instrument to study the support that the adolescent perceives to receive from significant others

Regulation of extracellular matrix degradation and metastatic spread by IQGAP1 through endothelin-1 receptor signalling in ovarian cancer.

Abstract The invasive phenotype of serous ovarian cancer (SOC) cells is linked to the formation of actin-based protrusions, invadopodia, operating extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and metastatic spread. Growth factor receptors might cause engagement of integrin-related proteins, like the polarity protein IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), to F-actin core needed for invadopodia functions. Here, we investigated whether IQGAP1 forms a signalosome with endothelin-1 (ET-1)/β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) network, as signal-integrating module for adhesion components, cytoskeletal remodelling and ECM degradation. In SOC cells, ET-1 receptor (ET-1R) activation, besides altering IQGAP1 expression and localization, coordinates the binding of IQGAP1 with β-arr1, representing a "hotspot" for ET-1R-induced invasive signalling. We demonstrated that the molecular interaction of IQGAP1 with β-arr1 affects relocalization of focal adhesion components, as vinculin, and cytoskeleton dynamics, through the regulation of invadopodia-related pathways. In particular, ET-1R deactivates Rac1 thereby promoting RhoA/C activation for the correct functions of invasive structures. Silencing of either IQGAP1 or β-arr1, or blocking ET-1R activation with a dual antagonist macitentan, prevents matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, invadopodial function, transendothelial migration and cell invasion. In vivo, targeting ET-1R/β-arr1 signalling controls the process of SOC metastasis, associated with reduced levels of IQGAP1, as well as other invadopodia effectors, such as vinculin, phospho-cortactin and membrane type 1-MMP. High expression of ET A R/β-arr1/IQGAP1 positively correlates with poor prognosis, validating the clinical implication of this signature in early prognosis of SOC. These data establish the ET-1R-driven β-arr1/IQGAP1 interaction as a prerequisite for the dynamic integration of pathways in fostering invadopodia and metastatic process in human SOC

Evolution of congenital hypothyroidism in a cohort of preterm born children

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is reported to be more common in preterm infants than in term infants, especially in sick preterm infants. Though a frequent possibility of transitory thyroidal alterations in this category of neonates, the evolution of CH to transient or permanent forms is unpredictable. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 28 preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) who had exhibited a positive screening for CH at birth during the period 2000–2015 followed in our Center. Children were divided into three groups: permanent CH (PCH) with thyroid dysgenesis, PCH with eutopic normal-sized thyroid gland, and transient CH (TCH) with eutopic normal-sized thyroid gland. In all groups we described clinical and biochemical characteristics. Secondly, we analyzed the differences between patients with thyroid dysgenesis and patients with eutopic normal-sized gland and we compared PCH and TCH groups with normal-sized thyroid gland in order to identify clinical or biochemical data for early detection of transient forms. Results: Of all patients, 21.4% showed thyroid dysgenesis while 78.6% presented eutopic normal-sized gland. Infants with thyroid dysgenesis had higher median (IQR) baseline s-TSH and levothyroxine (L-T4) dose per weight at 12 months (12 m-dose) than patients with eutopic normal-sized gland. At re-evaluation of the patients with eutopic normal-sized gland, 36% showed PCH and 64% had TCH. The age of the patients at the beginning of L-T4 treatment, gestational age (GA), birth weight, blood thyroid stimulating hormone levels (b-TSH) at first newborn screening (NBS), baseline serum thyroid stimulating hormone (s-TSH), and L-T4 12 m-dose were statistically different between the two groups. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that factors as GA, birth weight, b-TSH levels at first NBS, baseline s-TSH, L-T4 12 m-dose and age at the start of the treatment may be considered useful predictive elements for the evolution of CH

Endothelin-1 axis fosters YAP-induced chemotherapy escape in ovarian cancer

The majority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients recur with a platinum-resistant disease. OC cells activate adaptive resistance mechanisms that are only partially described. Here we show that OC cells can adapt to chemotherapy through a positive-feedback loop that favors chemoresistance. In platinum-resistant OC cells we document that the endothelin-1 (ET-1)/endothelin A receptor axis intercepts the YAP pathway. This cross-talk occurs through the LATS/RhoA/actin-dependent pathway and contributes to prevent the chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) and YAP form a complex shaping TEAD-dependent transcriptional activity on the promoters of YAP target genes, including EDN1, which fuels a feed-forward signaling circuit that sustains a platinum-tolerant state. The FDA approved dual ET-1 receptor antagonist macitentan in co-therapy with cisplatin sensitizes resistant cells to the platinum-based therapy, reducing their metastatic potential. Furthermore, high ETAR/YAP gene expression signature is associated with a poor platinum-response in OC patients. Collectively, our findings identify in the networking between ET-1 and YAP pathways an escape strategy from chemotherapy. ET-1 receptor blockade interferes with such adaptive network and enhances platinum-induced apoptosis, representing a promising therapeutic opportunity to restore drug sensitivity in OC patients

Relation Between Platelet Response to Exercise and Coronary Angiographic Findings in Patients With Effort Angina

Background— Platelet reactivity is increased by exercise in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) but not in patients with syndrome X. In this study, we prospectively investigated whether the platelet response to exercise might help distinguish, among patients with angina, those with obstructive CAD from those with normal coronary arteries (NCAs). Methods and Results— Venous blood samples were collected before and 5 minutes after exercise from 194 consecutive patients with stable angina. Platelet reactivity was measured by the platelet function analyzer (PFA)-100 system as the time for flowing whole blood to occlude a collagen-adenosine diphosphate ring (closure time). Coronary angiography showed CAD in 163 patients (84%) and NCA in 31 patients (16%). Baseline closure time was shorter in NCA patients (78.0±16 versus 95.5±23 seconds, P <0.0001). With exercise, closure time decreased in CAD patients (−15.5 seconds; 95% confidence limits [CL], −13.0 to −18.0 seconds; P <0.0001), but increased in NCA patients (12.5 seconds; 95% CL, 7.4 to 17.7 seconds; P =0.0004). An increase in closure time with exercise ≥10 seconds had 100% specificity and positive predictive value for NCAs. Similarly, a decrease ≥10 seconds had 100% specificity and positive predictive value for CAD. A closure time change (increase or decrease) ≥10 seconds allowed a correct classification of 55% of all patients. Conclusions— Among patients with stable angina, the response of platelet reactivity to exercise was predictive of normal or stenosed coronary arteries at angiography. Specifically, an increase in closure time with exercise ≥10 seconds was invariably associated with the presence of NCA

Endothelin-1 drives invadopodia and interaction with mesothelial cells through ILK

Summary Cancer cells use actin-based membrane protrusions, invadopodia, to degrade stroma and invade. In serous ovarian cancer (SOC), the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) drives invadopodia by a not fully explored coordinated function of β-arrestin1 (β-arr1). Here, we report that β-arr1 links the integrin-linked kinase (ILK)/βPIX complex to activate Rac3 GTPase, acting as a central node in the adhesion-based extracellular matrix (ECM) sensing and degradation. Downstream, Rac3 phosphorylates PAK1 and cofilin and promotes invadopodium-dependent ECM proteolysis and invasion. Furthermore, ETAR/ILK/Rac3 signaling supports the communication between cancer and mesothelial cells, favoring SOC cell adhesion and transmigration. In vivo, ambrisentan, an ETAR antagonist, inhibits the adhesion and spreading of tumor cells to intraperitoneal organs, and invadopodium marker expression. As prognostic factors, high EDNRA/ILK expression correlates with poor SOC clinical outcome. These findings provide a framework for the ET-1R/β-arr1 pathway as an integrator of ILK/Rac3-dependent adhesive and proteolytic signaling to invadopodia, favoring cancer/stroma interactions and metastatic behavior