Poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma: A case report

Poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor. We studied a case arising in the pleural cavity of a young subject, characterised by the presence of spindle cell, small cell, and large epithelioid cell areas. We performed stains for mucosubstances and analysed the expression of cytokeratins 5/6, 7, 8, 18, 19, CEA, CD34, Ber-Ep4 and calretinin to characterize the phenotype of this neoplasm. We furthermore assessed immunohistochemically the presence of p53, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 3, four apoptotic markers, to evaluate a relationship between apoptotic activity and the behaviour of this tumor. Our findings showed a strong presence of calretinin, p53 and Bcl-2 in all three areas. The possibility that poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma could be calretinin-positive was a new data, to our knowledge, and it could be of some importance in diagnostic pathology. Moreover, the negligible positivity for Bax and caspase 3 suggested that the minor role of programmed cell death could be one of the causes of the aggressive behaviour of this tumor. These data also suggest that the reduction of apoptotic phenomena in poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma could be considered one of the major mechanisms of tumoral growth

“Golden” Tomato Consumption Ameliorates Metabolic Syndrome: A Focus on the Redox Balance in the High-Fat-Diet-Fed Rat

Tomato fruits defined as “golden” refer to a food product harvested at an incomplete ripening stage with respect to red tomatoes at full maturation. The aim of this study is to explore the putative influence of “golden tomato” (GT) on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), especially focusing on the effects on redox homeostasis. Firstly, the differential chemical properties of the GT food matrix were characterized in terms of phytonutrient composition and antioxidant capacities with respect to red tomato (RT). Later, we assessed the biochemical, nutraceutical and eventually disease-modifying potential of GT in vivo in the high-fat-diet rat model of MetS. Our data revealed that GT oral supplementation is able to counterbalance MetS-induced biometric and metabolic modifications. Noteworthy is that this nutritional supplementation proved to reduce plasma oxidant status and improve the endogenous antioxidant barriers, assessed by strong systemic biomarkers. Furthermore, consistently with the reduction of hepatic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, treatment with GT markedly reduced the HFD-induced increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and hepatic steatosis. This research elucidates the importance of food supplementation with GT in the prevention and management of MetS

Ebollizione in convezione forzata in condizioni di microgravità

L’ebollizione in convezione forzata, utilizzata nella produzione di energia e nell’industria di processo, viene ritenuta interessante anche per i satelliti per telecomunicazione e le piattaforme spaziali, dove occorrono sistemi di raffreddamento più sofisticati e in grado di rimuovere elevate quantità di calore. ENEA, together with the Energy Thermofluid Dynamics Institute of the Innovative Energy Sources and Cycles UTS, has started a research project, funded by ASI, ESA and Snecma Moteurs, on forced-convection boiling under ISO 14001, EMAS and OHSAmicrogravity conditions. The project, funded by the Italian and European Space Agencies and Snecma Moteurs, aims to characterize the thermofluid dynamics of forced-convection boiling in pipes under microgravity conditions, in order to determine the project conditions for tow-phase-cooled space equipment. As a rule, microgravity conditions produce an increase in bubble size, and this change in bubble geometry goes together with a deterioration in heat-exchange conditions. The influence of gravity on heat exchange lessens as coolant speed and the quantity of steam in the outflow channel increase. The analysis of the effect of gravity on bubble geometry square with the findings on heat exchange. The rebathing of walls at high temperature is strongly influenced by the level of gravity. Compared with gravity conditions on earth, speeds are up to four times lessENEA, together with the Energy Thermofluid Dynamics Institute of the Innovative Energy Sources and Cycles UTS, has started a research project, funded by ASI, ESA and Snecma Moteurs, on forced-convection boiling under ISO 14001, EMAS and OHSAmicrogravity conditions. The project, funded by the Italian and European Space Agencies and Snecma Moteurs, aims to characterize the thermofluid dynamics of forced-convection boiling in pipes under microgravity conditions, in order to determine the project conditions for tow-phase-cooled space equipment. As a rule, microgravity conditions produce an increase in bubble size, and this change in bubble geometry goes together with a deterioration in heat-exchange conditions. The influence of gravity on heat exchange lessens as coolant speed and the quantity of steam in the outflow channel increase. The analysis of the effect of gravity on bubble geometry square with the findings on heat exchange. The rebathing of walls at high temperature is strongly influenced by the level of gravity. Compared with gravity conditions on earth, speeds are up to four times les

Heat-shock protein 60 kDa and atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with untreated mild periodontitis: a pilot study.

Identification of predictors of cardiovascular risk can help in the prevention of pathologic episodes and the management of patients at all stages of illness. Here, we investigated the relationships between serum levels of Hsp60 and dyslipidemia in patients with periodontitis by performing a cross-sectional study of 22 patients with mild periodontitis without any prior treatment for it (i.e., drug naïve) and 22 healthy controls, matched for age and body mass index (BMI). All subjects were evaluated for periodontal status, gingival inflammation, and oral hygiene. Levels of circulating Hsp60, C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma lipids were measured, and small, dense low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were indirectly assessed by determining the triglycerides/high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol ratio. We also assessed by immunohistochemistry Hsp60 levels in oral mucosa of patients and controls. No difference was found in CRP levels or plasma lipids between the two groups, but subjects with periodontitis showed, in comparison to controls, higher levels of small, dense LDL (p  = 0.0355) and circulating Hsp60 concentrations (p < 0.0001). However, levels of mucosal Hsp60 did not change significantly between groups. Correlation analysis revealed that circulating Hsp60 inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r  = -0.589, p  = 0.0039), and positively with triglycerides (r  = +0.877, p < 0.0001), and small, dense LDL (r  = +0.925, p < 0.0001). Serum Hsp60 significantly correlated with the degree of periodontal disease (r  = +0.403, p  = 0.0434). In brief, untreated patients with mild periodontitis had increased small, dense LDL and serum Hsp60 concentrations, in comparison to age- and BMI-matched controls and both parameters showed a strong positive correlation. Our data indicate that atherogenic dyslipidemia and elevated circulating Hsp60 tend to be linked and associated to periodontal pathology. Thus, the road is open to investigate the potential value of elevated levels of circulating Hsp60 as predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease when associated to dyslipidemia in periodontitis patients

Medium-Term Culture of Primary Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Three-Dimensional Model: Effects on Cell Survival Following Topical 5-Fluororacile Delivery by Drug-Loaded Matrix Tablets

Since the activity of several conventional anticancer drugs is restricted by resistance mechanisms and dose-limiting side-effects, the design of formulations for local application on malignant lesions seems to be an efficient and promising drug delivery approach. In this study, the effect of locally applied 5-FU on cell death was evaluated both in a SCC4/HEK001 model and in a newly proposed 3D outgrowth model of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Initially, the optimal drug dose was established by delivery of solutions containing different amounts of 5-FU. The solution containing 1% (w/v) of 5-FU resulted effective in inducing cell death with complete eradication of cell colonies. Buccal tablets were designed to deliver 5-FU locoregionally to the cancer lesions of the oral cavity. Tablets were prepared using a drug loaded matrix of acrylic/methacrylic acid copolymer containing 1% (w/w) of 5-FU and applied on 3D outgrowths. The drug release from tablets appeared to be sufficient to induce cell death as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and enzymatic assay (TUNEL). After 120 h of treatment, when about 90% of the drug had been discharged from the tablets into the culture environment, 5-FU caused loss of cell-cell communications and apoptotic cell death. After 192 h, a complete disaggregation of the 3D oral outgrowths and the death of all the cells was observed. Buccal matrix tablets could be considered a promising new approach to the locoregional treatment of OSCC. Risks of systemic toxicity are avoided since very low drug doses are delivered

RISC-V-Based Platforms for HPC: Analyzing Non-functional Properties for Future HPC and Big-Data Clusters

High-Performance Computing (HPC) have evolved to be used to perform simulations of systems where physical experimentation is prohibitively impractical, expensive, or dangerous. This paper provides a general overview and showcases the analysis of non-functional properties in RISC-V-based platforms for HPCs. In particular, our analyses target the evaluation of power and energy control, thermal management, and reliability assessment of promising systems, structures, and technologies devised for current and future generation of HPC machines. The main set of design methodologies and technologies developed within the activities of the Future and HPC &amp; Big Data spoke of the National Centre of HPC, Big Data and Quantum Computing project are described along with the description of the testbed for experimenting two-phase cooling approaches

Hsp60 response in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy

The mitochondrial chaperonin Hsp60 is a ubiquitous molecule with multiple roles, constitutively expressed and inducible by oxidative stress. In the brain, Hsp60 is widely distributed and has been implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy. A role for mitochondria and oxidative stress has been proposed in epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we investigated the involvement of Hsp60 in TLE using animal and human samples. Hsp60 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus, measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, was increased in a rat model of TLE. Hsp60 was also increased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons somata and neuropil and hippocampus proper (CA3, CA1) of the epileptic rats. We also determined the circulating levels of Hsp60 in epileptic animals and TLE patients using ELISA. The epileptic rats showed circulating levels of Hsp60 higher than controls. Likewise, plasma post-seizure Hsp60 levels in patients were higher than before the seizure and those of controls. These results demonstrate that Hsp60 is increased in both animals and patients with TLE in affected tissues, and in plasma in response to epileptic seizures, and point to it as biomarker of hippocampal stress potentially useful for diagnosis and patient management.peer-reviewe

Hsp60 response in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy

The mitochondrial chaperonin Hsp60 is a ubiquitous molecule with multiple roles, constitutively expressed and inducible by oxidative stress. In the brain, Hsp60 is widely distributed and has been implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy. A role for mitochondria and oxidative stress has been proposed in epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we investigated the involvement of Hsp60 in TLE using animal and human samples. Hsp60 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus, measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, was increased in a rat model of TLE. Hsp60 was also increased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons somata and neuropil and hippocampus proper (CA3, CA1) of the epileptic rats. We also determined the circulating levels of Hsp60 in epileptic animals and TLE patients using ELISA. The epileptic rats showed circulating levels of Hsp60 higher than controls. Likewise, plasma post-seizure Hsp60 levels in patients were higher than before the seizure and those of controls. These results demonstrate that Hsp60 is increased in both animals and patients with TLE in affected tissues, and in plasma in response to epileptic seizures, and point to it as biomarker of hippocampal stress potentially useful for diagnosis and patient management.peer-reviewe

Hsp60 Response in Experimental and Human Temporal Lobe Epilepsy due to hyppocampal sclerosis

Hsp60 is widely distributed in the brain, and its alteration has been involved in different neurological disorders. Epilepsy is considered one of the most common neurological disorders and typically involves the hippocampal formation. Compelling evidence describes a role of mitochondria, oxidative stress and both innate and adaptive immunity during epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy due to hyppocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). Here, we investigate the Hsp60 involvement in experimental and human epilepsy. Firstly, expression and distribution of Hsp60 in epileptic hippocampi of a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), based on the phenomenon of maximal dentate gyrus activation (MDA), using western blotting and immunohistochemistry was evaluated. Moreover, the circulating levels of Hsp60 in the plasma derived from the blood of TLE-HS patients before and after epileptic seizure and agematched controls, using ELISA were investigated. Protein level and immunostaining of Hsp60 were increased in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampi of the epileptic rats. The Hsp60 up-regulation was observed on neurons somata and neuropil of the dentate gyrus (DG) and in hippocampus proper (CA3, CA1). Moreover, Hsp60 plasmatic levels in patients after epilepitic seizure, compared to levels of the same subjects before seizure was significantly higher. These results demonstrate that Hsp60 synthesis is increased in response to epileptic seizures and could be used as a biomarker for hippocampal stress response in TLE-HS. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Hsp60 could play an importanty role in TLE-HS and support the possible involvement of immunological factors in epileptogenesis