Social capital components and social support of persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2018

Purpose: To identify experiences of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) in terms of social capital and its components (i.e., social networks, trust, and interpersonal relationships) and social support based on the current scientific knowledge. Methods: Systematic literature review was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and PsycINFO. Included articles were published from 2000 to 2018 and met specific selection criteria. Screening of records determined eligible studies for inclusion to data extraction and synthesis process. Results: A total of 551 abstracts were screened, of which 34 studies met all selection criteria. The themes that emerged referred to the impact of physical and cognitive impairments on social functioning, stigma, psychosocial, emotional and mental challenges, association of quality of life with social capital components and social support, and contribution of social support to improvement of social functioning and health of persons with MS. Persons with MS face a series of issues regarding social support and social capital-related components, primarily facing psychological difficulties, difficulties with making and maintaining interpersonal relationships, and limitations for participating in social and daily activities due to the symptoms of MS, particularly fatigue. Conclusion: It appears that the ability to seek and maintain social relationships and to participate in social and daily activities is important for persons with MS. This has an impact on their quality of life, as well as on their health functioning, however issues around mobility and stigmatization of their condition hinder their social functioning

A20 is a negative regulator of BCL10- and CARMA3-mediated activation of NF-κB

The molecular complex containing CARMA proteins, BCL10 and TRAF6 has been identified recently as a key component in the signal transduction pathways that regulate activation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factor. Here, we report that the inducible protein A20 negatively regulates these signaling cascades by means of its deubiquitylation activity. We show that A20 perturbs assembly of the complex containing CARMA3, BCL10 and IKKγ/NEMO, thereby suppressing activation of NF-κB. Together, our results further define the molecular mechanisms that control activation of NF-κB and reveal a function for A20 in the regulation of CARMA and BCL10 activity in lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells

¿Es exportable la flexiguridad? Un estudio comparado de Italia y España

Background of INCASI Project H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015 GA 691004. WP1: CompilationEste artículo es el resultado de un estudio comparado entre Italia y España, realizado en el marco del Programa de Acción Integrada financiado por los Ministerios de Educación de ambos países (Ref. HI2007-0104).En este artículo analizamos el concepto de flexiguridad y su implementación en el Sur de Europa. Interesa mostrar los diferentes significados y variedades de flexiguridad, a través de comparar España e Italia. A partir de ahí, cuestionamos la idea de la transposición del modelo danés/holandés de flexiguridad al resto de países europeos, en particular a los del "modelo mediterráneo". Es decir, cuestionamos la viabilidad de transponer modelos mediante métodos de gobernanza multinivel que aspiren a una cierta convergencia inducida desde la UE. La variedad de modelos sociolaborales europeos hace que la flexiguridad tenga significados y manifestaciones distintas, incluso en casos similares como España e Italia, donde los distintos contextos pautan divergencias significativas a corto plazo en sus patrones de flexiguridad, aunque ello pueda matizarse si adoptamos un arco temporal más amplio. Así, el artículo muestra, para esos dos países, cómo el efecto societal limita la influencia del efecto inducido.This paper approaches the issue of flexicurity and its implementation in Southern Europe. The comparison between Italy and Spain shows the existence of different meanings and varieties of flexicurity. Hence we question the transposition of the Dutch / Danish flexicurity model to other European countries, and more specifically to those belonging to the Mediterranean cluster. In other words, we wonder about the viability of transposing employment models through multi-level governance mechanisms that aim at some convergence across countries. The variety of socio-economic models explains the existence of different meaning and manifestations of flexicurity even between the most-similar cases of Italy and Spain where short-term developments have pointed towards divergence in their flexicurity equilibriums, though the picture changes if we adopt a long-term perspective. The article shows how the societal effect limits the influence of the induced EU effec

Lo spazio sociale europeo

For the last few years a group of European historians, under the direction of Professor Robert Frank of the Sorbonne University of Paris, has been conducting an extensive research aimed at identifying the characteristics of an European "space" in the context of the integration process. As part of the group's activities the conference, whose the proceedings are collected here, was held in October 2003 in Florence. The meeting had as its objective a reflection on the emergence and development of a "European social space" beginning from the origins of the integration process, in which historians, sociologists, political scientists and some lead actors of this important community dynamic had the opportunity to meet

Effects of Th2 cytokines on expression of collagen, MMP-1, and TIMP-1 in conjunctival fibroblasts.

PURPOSE. To determine whether cytokines involved in chronic allergic conjunctival disorders may affect formation of giant papillae and tissue remodeling. METHODS. Conjunctival fibroblast cultures were challenged with different concentrations of human recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-. Procollagens I (PIP) and III (PIIIP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were measured in supernatants, and their respective mRNAs were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS. IL-4 and -13 (10 ng/mL) significantly increased production and expression of PIP compared with nonstimulated cells, whereas IFN- elicited the opposite effect, at both the protein and mRNA levels. Both IL-4 and -13 significantly decreased production of MMP-1 and increased that of TIMP-1, whereas TNF- increased production of MMP-1 and -9. Expression of MMP-1 was reduced by IL-4 and increased by the other tested cytokines, whereas expression of TIMP-1 was increased by all tested cytokines. CONCLUSIONS. IL-4 and -13 increased production of collagen and modified the equilibrium between MMP-1 and its inhibitor, TIMP-1. These effects were partially opposed by IFN- and TNF- .( Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:183‐189) DOI

The role of Cucurbita pepo in the management of patients affected by lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A narrative review.

Objective: Phytotherapeutic compounds are largely used in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due to low side-effect profiles and costs, high level of acceptance by patients and a low rate of dropout. Here, we aimed to analyze all available evidence on the role of Cucurbita pepo in the treatment of LUTS-BPH. Material and methods: In May 2016 a systematic search was carried out thorough National Library of Medicine Pubmed, Scopus database and the ISI Web of Knowledge official website in order to identify all published studies on Cucurbita pepo and BPH. The following search strings were used: "Cucurbita pepo" OR "pumpkin seed" AND "prostate"; "Cucurbita pepo" AND "antiandrogen" OR "antiproliferative" OR "anti-inflammatory" OR "antioxidant activities"; "cucurbita pepo" OR "pumpkin seed" AND "LUTS" AND "symptoms improvement" OR "quality of life". We consider for the present analysis only studies related to LUTS-BPH. Results: Among all 670 screened, 16 were related to LUTSBPH and finally analyzed. Among all, ten of them were performed in "in vitro setting" showing anti-inflammatory and antiandrogen effect, and a reduction in prostate growth and detrusor activity, while six were clinical studies. In all studies an improvement in International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry parameters has been reported. In 4 studies, an improvement in quality of life has been reported. Conclusion: On the basis of our narrative review, the use of Cucurbita pepo in the management of patients affected by LUTS-BPH seems to be useful for improving symptoms and quality of life. However, future clinical trials are requested to confirm these promising results

Specific Inhibition of the Redox Activity of Ape1/Ref-1 by E3330 Blocks Tnf-A-Induced Activation of Il-8 Production in Liver Cancer Cell Lines

APE1/Ref-1 is a main regulator of cellular response to oxidative stress via DNA-repair function and co-activating activity on the NF-κB transcription factor. APE1 is central in controlling the oxidative stress-based inflammatory processes through modulation of cytokines expression and its overexpression is responsible for the onset of chemoresistance in different tumors including hepatic cancer. We examined the functional role of APE1 overexpression during hepatic cell damage related to fatty acid accumulation and the role of the redox function of APE1 in the inflammatory process. HepG2 cells were stably transfected with functional and non-functional APE1 encoding plasmids and the protective effect of APE1 overexpression toward genotoxic compounds or FAs accumulation, was tested. JHH6 cells were stimulated with TNF-α in the presence or absence of E3330, an APE1 redox inhibitor. IL-8 promoter activity was assessed by a luciferase reporter assay, gene expression by Real-Time PCR and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-12) levels measured by ELISA. APE1 over-expression did not prevent cytotoxicity induced by lipid accumulation. E3330 treatment prevented the functional activation of NF-κB via the alteration of APE1 subcellular trafficking and reduced IL-6 and IL-8 expression induced by TNF-α and FAs accumulation through blockage of the redox-mediated activation of NF-κB. APE1 overexpression observed in hepatic cancer cells may reflect an adaptive response to cell damage and may be responsible for further cell resistance to chemotherapy and for the onset of inflammatory response. The efficacy of the inhibition of APE1 redox activity in blocking TNF-α and FAs induced inflammatory response opens new perspectives for treatment of inflammatory-based liver diseases