Profili evolutivi della comunicazione bancaria negli attuali scenari di mercato

La tesi tratta della funzione comunicativa, del suo ruolo strategico all'interno delle imprese bancarie

Orthorexia Nervosa: over concern or obsession about healthy food?

Purpose Orthorexia Nervosa is characterized by specific behaviors frequently related to other psychopathological conditions, such as Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Eating Disorders (EDs). Whereas ON can mainly be described as an excessive concern regarding healthy food, the study’s principal aim was to investigate if ON could be considered a condition related and differentiated from worry, other than OCD, EDs, perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. Method To achieve these aims, 302 individuals from the general population were enrolled and were divided into two groups named “High EHQ” and “Low EHQ”, based on their Eating Habits Questionnaire’s score (EHQ-21). Results Correlations of ON with EDs and non-adaptive perfectionism constructs emerged independently from Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) symptoms, and the same pattern was observed when comparing the High and the Low EHQ groups. The two groups also differ in the worry anxiety and depression constructs and are not affected by OC symptoms removal. Discussion Our results confirm a relationship between ON with the typical ED, perfectionistic, anxious, and depressive symptomatology, mainly when the OC features are controlled; moreover, worry constructs could be considered characteristic of the ON phenomenology. This study does not entirely exclude the relationship with obsessive and compulsive characteristics, which could be associated with or serve as a mediator of the orthorexic behavior. Future research could explore the potential mediating or collateral role of OC symptoms. Level of evidence Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies

ED-B-Containing Isoform of Fibronectin in Tumor Microenvironment of Thymomas:A Target for a Theragnostic Approach

Simple Summary The extra-domain B fibronectin (ED-B FN) is highly expressed in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), as demonstrated by in vivo targeting using 131I-labeled L19 small immunoprotein (131I-L19-SIP) and immunohistochemistry with a predominant expression by stromal cells of a thymoma microenvironment rather than epithelial cells. Such high expression derived from the induction of stromal cells shifts FN production to the ED-B subtype. Our results suggest that Radretumab radioimmunotherapy (R-RIT) inefficacy is not related to low TET ED-B expression but to multifactorial aspects including patients' inherent characteristics, the pattern expression of the target, the biological characteristics of the tumor, and the format of the target agent, which contribute to the resistance of tumor cells to treatment. Aim: to exploit tissue-specific interactions among thymic epithelial tumor (TETs) cells and extra-domain B fibronectin (ED-B FN). Material and methods: The stromal pattern of ED-B FN expression was investigated through tumor specimen collection and molecular profiling in 11 patients with recurrent TETs enrolled in prospective theragnostic phase I/II trials with Radretumab, an ED-B FN specific recombinant human antibody. Radretumab radioimmunotherapy (R-RIT) was offered to patients who exhibited the target expression. Experiments included immunochemical analysis (ICH), cell cultures, immunophenotypic analysis, Western blot, slot-blot assay, and quantitative RT-PCR of two primary thymoma cultures we obtained from patients' samples and in the Ty82 cell line. Results: The in vivo scintigraphic demonstration of ED-B FN expression resulted in R-RIT eligibility in 8/11 patients, of which seven were treated. The best observed response was disease stabilization (n = 5/7) with a duration of 4.3 months (range 3-5 months). IHC data confirmed high ED-B FN expression in the peripherical microenvironment rather than in the center of the tumor, which was more abundant in B3 thymomas. Further, there was a predominant expression of ED-B FN by the stromal cells of the thymoma microenvironment rather than the epithelial cells. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that thymomas induce stromal cells to shift FN production to the ED-B subtype, likely representing a favorable hallmark for tumor progression and metastasis. Collectively, results derived from clinical experience and molecular insights of the in vitro experiments suggested that R-RIT inefficacy is unlikely related to low target expression in TET, being the mechanism of R-RIT resistance eventually related to patients' susceptibility (i.e., inherent characteristics), the pattern expression of the target (i.e., at periphery), the biological characteristics of the tumor (i.e., aggressive and resistant phenotypes), and/or to format of the target agent (i.e., 131I-L19-SIP)

Longitudinal Bottom-Up Proteomics of Serum, Serum Extracellular Vesicles, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Reveals Candidate Biomarkers for Early Detection of Glioblastoma in a Murine Model

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with a poor prognosis and low survival rates. GBM is diagnosed at an advanced stage, so little information is available on the early stage of the disease and few improvements have been made for earlier diagnosis. Longitudinal murine models are a promising platform for biomarker discovery as they allow access to the early stages of the disease. Nevertheless, their use in proteomics has been limited owing to the low sample amount that can be collected at each longitudinal time point. Here we used optimized microproteomics workflows to investigate longitudinal changes in the protein profile of serum, serum small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a GBM murine model. Baseline, pre-symptomatic, and symptomatic tumor stages were determined using non-invasive motor tests. Forty-four proteins displayed significant differences in signal intensities during GBM progression. Dysregulated proteins are involved in cell motility, cell growth, and angiogenesis. Most of the dysregulated proteins already exhibited a difference from baseline at the pre-symptomatic stage of the disease, suggesting that early effects of GBM might be detectable before symptom onset

Gene-network analysis predicts clinical response to immunotherapy in patients affected by NSCLC

Objectives: Predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been extensively studied in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with controversial results. Recently, gene-network analysis emerged as a new tool to address tumor biology and behavior, representing a potential tool to evaluate response to therapies. Methods: Clinical data and genetic profiles of 644 advanced NSCLCs were retrieved from cBioPortal and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA); 243 ICI-treated NSCLCs were used to identify an immunotherapy response signatures via mutated gene network analysis and K-means unsupervised clustering. Signatures predictive values were tested in an external dataset of 242 cases and assessed versus a control group of 159 NSCLCs treated with standard chemotherapy. Results: At least two mutations in the coding sequence of genes belonging to the chromatin remodelling pathway (A signature), and/or at least two mutations of genes involved in cell-to-cell signalling pathways (B signature), showed positive prediction in ICI-treated advanced NSCLC. Signatures performed best when combined for patients undergoing first-line immunotherapy, and for those receiving combined ICIs. Conclusions: Alterations in genes related to chromatin remodelling complexes and cell-to-cell crosstalk may force dysfunctional immune evasion, explaining susceptibility to immunotherapy. Therefore, exploring mutated gene networks could be valuable for determining essential biological interactions, contributing to treatment personalization

Somatic mutations of thymic epithelial tumors with myasthenia gravis

BackgroundThymic epithelial tumors are rare malignant neoplasms that are frequently associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, especially myasthenia gravis. GTF2I is an oncogene mutated in a subgroup of thymomas that is reputed to drive their growth. However, for GTF2I wild-type tumors, the relevant mutations remain to be identified.MethodsWe performed a meta-analysis and identified 4,208 mutations in 339 patients. We defined a panel of 63 genes frequently mutated in thymic epithelial tumors, which we used to design a custom assay for next-generation sequencing. We sequenced tumor DNA from 67 thymomas of patients with myasthenia gravis who underwent resection in our institution.ResultsAmong the 67 thymomas, there were 238 mutations, 83 of which were in coding sequences. There were 14 GTF2I mutations in 6 A, 5 AB, 2 B2 thymomas, and one in a thymoma with unspecified histology. No other oncogenes showed recurrent mutations, while sixteen tumor suppressor genes were predicted to be inactivated. Even with a dedicated assay for the identification of specific somatic mutations in thymic epithelial tumors, only GTF2I mutations were found to be significantly recurrent.ConclusionOur evaluation provides insights into the mutational landscape of thymic epithelial tumors, identifies recurrent mutations in different histotypes, and describes the design and implementation of a custom panel for targeted resequencing. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of thymic epithelial tumors and may have implications for future research and treatment strategies

Ovine Abortion by Neospora caninum: First Case Reported in Argentina

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe for the first time a natural case of ovine abortion associated with Neospora caninum in a flock with reproductive losses in Argentina. Materials and Methods: The analyzed flock consisted of 256 Texel sheep, of which 134 had been mated. A single blood sample was obtained by jugular vein puncture from 220 ewes (116 adult ewes, 104 yearling ewes) and 93 lambs. Serum samples and fetal fluid were tested using the indirect fluorescence antibody test to detect antibodies against N. caninum and T. gondii. Fetal and placental tissues from aborted fetus were examined by standard gross pathology procedures and were tested using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, DNA from fetal and placental tissues was isolated and a PCR assay to detect N. caninum, T. gondii and Chlamydia spp. was used. Results and Discussion: The pregnancy rate was 89% (119/134), the abortion rate was 8.4% (10/119) whereas the perinatal mortality rate was 15% (16/109). Out of 116 adult ewes sampled, 34.48% presented anti-N. caninum antibodies. Ten ewes had aborted, and one fetus was directly submitted to the diagnostic laboratory for further processing. Antibodies against N. caninum were detected in fetal fluid and in the aborted dam. Histopathological analysis in fetal tissues showed multifocal lymphohistiocytic glossitis, diffuse mild lymphohistiocytic endocarditis, pericarditis and focally extensive myocarditis. Severe multifocal necrotizing placentitis and diffuse mild lymphohistiocytic placentitis with the presence of lymphohistiocytic vasculitis were observed in placenta. N. caninum was immunolabeled in the placenta and fetal tongue. In addition, N. caninum DNA was detected in placenta, central neural system, lung and heart of the aborted fetus. There was no evidence of other infectious abortifacients in the aborted fetus. Conclusion: The present study described for the first time an ovine abortion caused by N. caninum in Argentina. Further investigations at a larger scale are required to establish the role of N. caninum as an important cause of reproductive losses in sheep flocks from the region.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Il ruolo degli anticorpi nella IgG4-Related Disease

Il ruolo degli anticorpi nella IgG4-Related Disease IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) è una rara patologia fibro-infiammatoria caratterizzata da tumefazioni a carico di diversi organi e, spesso, da elevate concentrazioni di IgG4 nel siero. La diagnosi della IgG4-RD è basata su una serie di criteri clinici, sierologici e patologici, e sull’accurata analisi istologica dei tessuti colpiti. Infatti, i caratteri distintivi sono: fibrosi dei tessuti con particolare disposizione “storiforme”, infiltrato linfoplasmocitoide diffuso, flebiti obliteranti, ed elevato contenuto di plasmacellule IgG4+. La presenza nel sangue di plasmablasti che producono IgG4 oligoclonali suggerisce l’importanza della risposta umorale nella malattia, ma nonostante questo, la specificità antigenica delle IgG4 non è ancora stata completamente chiarita e connessa ai meccanismi patogenetici della malattia. Questa popolazione di cellule B è stata proposta come biomarcatore specifico della malattia; i plasmablasti infatti si riducono a seguito del trattamento immuno-soppressivo, mentre si può notare un nuovo aumento in caso di ripresa di malattia, dimostrando quindi il loro ruolo di marcatori di attività di malattia. Le cellule B sono probabilmente implicate nella patogenesi della IgG4-RD, in quanto cellule presentanti l’antigene e quindi implicate nell’espansione clonale patologica delle cellule T, e in quanto produttrici di autoanticorpi. Al momento le informazioni che abbiamo sulla specificità degli autoanticorpi nel siero di pazienti con IgG4-RD sono limitate. Sono stati rilevati mediante studi di immunofluorescenza ed immunoblotting anticorpi diretti contro la galectina-3 espressa da cellule di pancreas, ma altri antigeni al momento sono sconosciuti. Inoltre non è noto se autoanticorpi presenti nel siero di pazienti con IgG4-RD hanno effetto pro fibrotico. Lo scopo di questa tesi è quello di analizzare il ruolo degli anticorpi da pazienti con IgG4-RD nella induzione di fibrosi. In particolare ci proponiamo di analizzare la specificità degli anticorpi presenti nel siero dei pazienti con IgG4-RD e l’effetto degli anticorpi sul fenotipo e sulle funzioni fisiologiche e non dei fibroblasti

Perfectionism or Perfectionisms in Orthorexia Nervosa

Purpose: Perfectionism is considered a transdiagnostic construct that characterises eating disorders (EDs) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and that could also depict orthorexia nervosa (ON). The principal aim of this study was to investigate what dimensions of perfectionism mostly represent ON. Moreover, it was evaluated if dieting impacted the presence of orthorexic features and perfectionistic behaviour. Methods: The sample consisted of two groups-the "Diet" (n = 93), and the "No Diet" (n = 94) groups-composed of people with high and low orthorexic tendencies, respectively. Participants filled out self-report questionnaires to investigate orthorexic tendencies and different facets of perfectionism. Results: Analyses highlighted that people with high orthorexic tendencies showed higher perfectionistic features and that ON had a significant relationship with different facets of perfectionism. No interactions with diet were found. Therefore, no other differences were highlighted when the group type (Diet/No Diet) was considered. Conclusions: Regardless of diet, different facets of perfectionism characterise ON: perfectionism as a personality trait and perfectionism related to EDs and to obsessive-compulsive features. Our results evidenced that perfectionism could also be considered a useful construct in the conceptualization of orthorexia nervosa