Conjugated polymers mediate intracellular Ca2+ signals in circulating endothelial colony forming cells through the reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)

Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) represent the most suitable cellular substrate to induce revascularization of ischemic tissues. Recently, optical excitation of the light-sensitive conjugated polymer, regioregular Poly (3-hexyl-thiophene), rr-P3HT, was found to stimulate ECFC proliferation and tube formation by activating the non-selective cation channel, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Herein, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from intracellular Ca2+ imaging to pharmacological manipulation and genetic suppression of TRPV1 expression, to investigate the effects of photoexcitation on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) in circulating ECFCs plated on rr-P3HT thin films. Polymer-mediated optical excitation induced a long-lasting increase in [Ca2+](i) that could display an oscillatory pattern at shorter light stimuli. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation revealed that the Ca2+ response to light was triggered by extracellular Ca2+ entry through TRPV1, whose activation required the production of reactive oxygen species at the interface between rr-P3HT and the cell membrane. Light-induced TRPV1-mediated Ca2+ entry was able to evoke intracellular Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum through inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, followed by store-operated Ca2+ entry on the plasma membrane. These data show that TRPV1 may serve as a decoder at the interface between rr-P3HT thin films and ECFCs to translate optical excitation in pro-angiogenic Ca2+ signals

Internet Use and Access, Behavior, Cyberbullying and Grooming. Revised questionnaire

The way children use the Internet and mobile technologies has changed in the last few years according to the Digital Agenda for Europe. The growing phenomenon of cyberbullying is among the risks associated with the increasing Internet use. Methods of access and use by teenagers are highly important factors in assessing those risks.In order to fight cyberbullying we expanded our previous study adding to our questionnaire a new cluster of 5 more items, specifically developed to investigate cyberbullying and cyber-grooming among the teenage population. This new cluster, proposed by the “Cyber Expert” program created by the Spanish Policia Nacional, is structured to gauge the students’ awareness and knowledge of what cyberbullying is through multiple choice questions. We submitted this updated survey to students of the Liceo Scientifico “G. Keplero” in Rome, while also inviting them to provide their feedback on the study itself. On the methodological side, since the data we gathered strongly hinted at the need to spread surveys and informational material using language and concepts adolescents can relate to more easily, we verified the need to review and update the questionnaire as often as required by the constant evolution of browsing habits in daily life. Here we present our revised questionnair

Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the natural history of ocular manifestations in HIV-infected children

Purpose: To determine the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the natural history of ocular manifestations in HIV-infected children. Methods: All of the HIV-infected children attending the Institute of Pediatrics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, between 1982 and 2004 were studied. Every 3 months, they were physically examined and underwent indirect fundoscopy conducted by an experienced ophthalmologist; if diagnosed as having eye disease, they were evaluated by the ophthalmologist every week while on specific therapy and monthly thereafter. The clinical and laboratory findings before and after the introduction of HAART were compared. Results: The cohort consisted of 117 HIV-infected children (61 males), with a follow-up ranging from 0.09 to 22.31 years (median, 16.33 years). A total of nine cases of ocular involvement (7.7%) were diagnosed between 1983 and 1994, before the introduction of HAART. All nine children died 4-24 months (median, 15 months) after the diagnosis of ophthalmic disease. No case of ocular involvement was observed after the introduction of HAART (P=0.011 vsbefore HAART). Conclusion: The introduction of HAART has had a significant impact on the natural history of ocular manifestations in HIV-infected children, thus suggesting that a reduction in the frequency of ophthalmologic follow-up should be considered for HAART-treated HIV-infected children with immune reconstitution and no visual symptom

Functional task limitations in obese adults

Obesity is characterized by increased dimensions and mass. Functional task limitations and changes in the mechanical strategies used to complete functional tasks may be related independently to increased mass or increased dimensions. Increased mass may not always be detrimental. The mechanical strategies may vary with the class of obesity or mass distribution to the trunk or lower limbs. Much of the literature is equivocal and it is possible that methodological approaches and class of obesity of participants result in different or conflicting outcomes