The bright side of psychoactive substances: cannabinoid-based drugs in motor diseases

Introduction: psychoactive substances are associated with the idea of drugs with high addictive liability, affecting mental states, cognition, emotion and motor behavior. However these substances can modify synaptic transmission and help to disclose some mechanisms underlying alterations in brain processing and pathophysiology of motor disease. Hence, the “bright side” of e cannabinoid-based drugs must be thoroughly examined to be identified within the latter framework. Areas covered: we will analyze the preclinical and clinical evidence of cannabinoid-based drugs, discussing their therapeutic value in basal ganglia motor disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington disease. Expert commentary: despite the knowledge acquired in the last years, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid-based drugs should be further tested by novel routes of investigation. This should be focused on the role of cannabinoid signaling system in mitochondrial function as well as on the physical and functional interaction with other key receptorial targets belonging to this network

Quantitative Measurable Concepts to Visualize Business Process Improvement

Business process improvement evaluation enables performance indicators to be used alongside process improvement techniques in order to quantitatively compare measurement information between the as-is and to-be processes. Limitations of the present methods of business process improvement indicate there is scope for looking at the problem in a different way. Business processes are commonly modelled as diagrams which at their fundamental level are complex networks. This suggests the question as to whether complex network analysis (CNA) has anything to contribute to business process improvement. We develop a technique of projecting a business process model onto the sub-space of a complex network and identify the measurable concepts that can be useful in business process improvement. The measurable concepts from CNA are combined with Time and Cost metrics from the simulation technique to visualize and track improvement efforts and satisfy improvement requirements

An adaptogenic role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress; a randomised placebo controlled double blind intervention study (pilot) [ISRCTN22569553]

BACKGROUND: There is evidence for an adaptive role of the omega -3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during stress. Mechanisms of action may involve regulation of stress mediators, such as the catecholamines and proinflammatory cytokines. Prevention of stress-induced aggression and hostility were demonstrated in a series of clinical trials. This study investigates whether perceived stress is ameliorated by DHA in stressed university staff. METHODS: Subjects that scored ≥ 17 on the Perceived Stress Scale were randomised into a 6-week pilot intervention study. The diet reactive group was supplemented with 6 g of fish oil containing 1.5 g per day DHA, while the placebo group was supplemented with 6 g a day of olive oil. The groups were compared with each other and a wider cross sectional study population that did not receive either active or placebo intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in perceived stress in both the fish oil and the placebo group from baseline. There was also a significant between-group difference between the fish oil group and the no-treatment controls in the rate of stress reduction (p < 0.05). However, there was not a significant between-group difference between the fish oil and the placebo group, nor the placebo group and the control group. These results are discussed in the context of several methodological limitations. The significant stress reductions in both the fish oil and the placebo group are considered in view of statistical regression, an effect likely to have been exaggerated by the time course of the study, a large placebo effect and the possibility of an active effect from the placebo. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the fish oil group compared with no-treatment controls. This effect was not demonstrated in the placebo group. As a pilot study, it was not sufficiently powered to find the difference between the fish oil group and the placebo group significant. Further work needs to be undertaken to conclusively demonstrate these data trends. However, the findings from this research support the literature in finding a protective or 'adaptogenic' role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress

Age-related biological differences in children's and adolescents' very rare tumors

Very rare tumors (VRTs) in pediatric age represent many different diseases. They present an annual incidence < 2/1000,000 and correspond to about 11% of all cancers in patients aged 0–14 years. They can be roughly divided into two groups: one including tumors that are also rare in adults, and the other group includes adult-type tumors rarely encountered in children and adolescents. Although there is an obvious gap in knowledge regarding oncogenesis in pediatric cancers, there is some evidence of the involvement of various signalling pathways in the development of tumors in children and adolescents and sometimes in young adults. In addition, despite the rarity of these neoplasms, several attempts have been made to disclose the underlying mechanisms. More effort and resources have urgently to be devoted to deepening current knowledge and integrating new findings into the therapeutic approach, which nowadays relies on the treatment modalities used in adult oncology. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the main solid VRTs occurring in both the pediatric and the adult age groups, highlighting the variability between groups in their biological and clinical course

Shedding a Light on the Challenges of Adolescents and Young Adults with Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a typical tumour of childhood but can occur at any age. Several studies have reported that adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with RMS have poorer survival than do younger patients. This review discusses the specific challenges in AYA patients with pediatric-type RMS, exploring possible underlying factors which may influence different outcomes. Reasons for AYA survival gap are likely multifactorial, and might be related to differences in tumor biology and intrinsic aggressiveness, or differences in clinical management (that could include patient referral patterns, time to diagnosis, enrolment into clinical trials, the adequacy and intensity of treatment), as well as patient factors (including physiology and comorbidity that may influence treatment tolerability, drug pharmacokinetics and efficacy). However, improved survival has been reported in the most recent studies for AYA patients treated on pediatric RMS protocols. Different strategies may help to further improve outcome, such as supporting trans-age academic societies and national/international collaborations; developing specific clinical trials without upper age limit; defining integrated and comprehensive approach to AYA patients, including the genomic aspects; establishing multidisciplinary tumor boards with involvement of both pediatric and adult oncologists to discuss all pediatric-type RMS patients; developing dedicated projects with specific treatment recommendations and registry/database

Adrenocortical tumours in children and adolescents: The EXPeRT/PARTNER diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations

Adrenocortical tumours (ACTs) are rare during childhood. A complete surgical resection provides the best chance of cure, but the role and efficacy of the adjuvant therapy are still controversial. Various histologic criteria of malignancy for ACTs adopted in children do not facilitate comparative studies and are not completely shared. Therefore, a sharp demarcation between benign and malignant lesions has not been recognised, making it difficult to identify who potentially needs perioperative therapy. This manuscript presents the internationally harmonised recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ACTs in children and adolescents, established by the European Cooperative Study Group for Paediatric Rare Tumours (EXPeRT) group within the EU-funded project PARTNER (Paediatric Rare Tumours Network - European Registry)

The role of cancer predisposition syndrome in children and adolescents with very rare tumours

Germline predisposing pathogenic variants (GPVs) are present in approximately 8 to 10% of children with all cancer types. Very rare tumours (VRTs) represent many different diseases, defined with an annual incidence < 2 / 1,000,000, and correspond to 11% of all cancers in patients aged 0-14 years. Some of these VRTs, including cancer typical for adults, develop in children with a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). Classically, three situations lead to consider this association: Some patients develop a VRT for which histology itself strongly suggests a GPV related to a CPS; others are referred for germline genetic testing because of a family or personal history and finally, a systematic molecular genomic tumour analysis, reveals a PV typical to a CPS. Depending on the samples tested and type of analysis performed, information can be directly available about the germline status of such a PV. Depicting the association between CPS and VRT is clinically important as some of these tumour types require adapted therapy, sometimes in the frontline setting, and the proposal of a specific surveillance programme to detect other malignancies. The diagnosis of CPS necessitates a careful familial evaluation and genetic counselling regarding the risks faced by the child or other family members. The aim of this paper is to propose a literature review of solid VRTs occurring in paediatric and young adult patients associated with CPSs