Su alcune discrepanze biocronologiche del metodo di Demirjian ai fini dell’imputabilità nei “grandi minori”

In questo studio abbiamo analizzato da un punto di vista matematico il metodo per la valutazione dell’età dentaria proposto da Demirjian et al. evidenziandone alcune significative ed importanti incongruenze. Come rilevato dalla nostra discussione, le principali contraddizioni nell’uso di questo sistema sono rappresentate dall'evoluzione temporale paradossale di alcuni elementi dentari per quanto riguarda le epoche della loro maturazione, nonché l'eccessiva discretizzazione degli stadi maturativi (causando notevoli differenze medie) e la scarsa affidabilità dei punteggi medi proposti. Pertanto, a causa dell'imprecisione risultante dall'applicazione del metodo di DEM, l'errore condotto dal valutatore, anche se esperto nella stima dell'età, conduce a una significativa sovrastima o sottostima se confrontato con l'età reale. Inoltre, poiché i metodi basati sugli esami radiologici della crescita scheletrica adottano intervalli di classe di età che non sono coerenti con le età determinate con il metodo di Demirjian per la maturazione dentale, dovrebbe essere considerato con attenzione l'adozione congiunta di tali metodiche sia nelle procedure di asilo che in quelle forensi. In conclusione, i nostri risultati suggeriscono che la metodologia proposta da Demirjian non è raccomandabile in particolare nel contesto forense, anche quando integrato con altri metodi come raggi X del polso e della clavicola. Data l'emergenza correlata agli arrivi massivi di migranti, vi è un urgente bisogno di definire standard internazionali nonché protocolli di valutazione condivisi nel modo più accurato possibile al fine di rispettare le soglie per la determinazione dell'età. Tenendo presente come prima regola il rispetto della dignità della persona e la tutela del minore; un obiettivo primario è l'istituzione di protocolli standardizzati su una rigorosa e affidabile base scientifica tale da ridurre il margine di variazione in tutti quei i casi in cui l'età riguarda i minori

Cancer-associated CD43 glycoforms as target of immunotherapy

CD43 is a sialoglycosylated membrane protein that is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. CD43 glycoforms that are recognized by the UN1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) were expressed in lymphoblastoid T-cell lines and solid tumors, such as breast, colon, gastric, and squamous cell lung carcinomas, while unexpressed in the normal counterparts. The cancer association of UN1/CD43 epitope suggested the possibility to use the UN1 mAb for tumor diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we show that the UN1 mAb was endowed with antitumor activity in vivo because its passive transfer inhibited the growth of UN1-positive HPB-ALL lymphoblastoid T cells in mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate that tumor inhibition was due to UN1 mAb-dependent natural killer-mediated cytotoxicity. By screening a phage-displayed random peptide library, we identified the phagotope 2/165 as a mimotope of the UN1 antigen, as it harbored a peptide sequence that was specifically recognized by the UN1 mAb and inhibited the binding of the UN1 mAb to UN1-positive tumor cells. On the basis of sequence homology with the extracellular region of CD43 (amino acids 64 to 83), the 2/165 peptide sequence was likely mimicking the protein core of the UN1/CD43 epitope. When used as vaccine in mice, the 2/165 phagotope raised antibodies against the UN1/CD43 antigen, indicating that the 2/165 phagotope mimicked the UN1 antigen structure, and could represent a novel immunogen for cancer immunotherapy. These findings support the feasibility of using monoclonal antibodies to identify cancer-associated mimotopes for immunotherapy

Impairment of T cell development and acute inflammatory response in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice

Immune activation and chronic inflammation are hallmark features of HIV infection causing T-cell depletion and cellular immune dysfunction in AIDS. Here, we addressed the issue whether HIV-1 Tat could affect T cell development and acute inflammatory response by generating a transgenic mouse expressing Tat in lymphoid tissue. Tat-Tg mice showed thymus atrophy and the maturation block from DN4 to DP thymic subpopulations, resulting in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells depletion in peripheral blood. In Tat-positive thymus, we observed the increased p65/NF-κB activity and deregulated expression of cytokines/chemokines and microRNA-181a-1, which are involved in T-lymphopoiesis. Upon LPS intraperitoneal injection, Tat-Tg mice developed an abnormal acute inflammatory response, which was characterized by enhanced lethality and production of inflammatory cytokines. Based on these findings, Tat-Tg mouse could represent an animal model for testing adjunctive therapies of HIV-1-associated inflammation and immune deregulation

Increased COX-2, but not COX-1, mRNA expression in Helicobacter Pylori gastritis

This study was designed to evaluate COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA expression in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected and noninfected subjects. We confirmed and extended our previous observation that H. pylori up-regulated COX-2 mRNA expression and activity in gastric mucosal cells in vitro. Based on our studies, we postulate that activation of COX-2-related events during H. pylori infection may play a role in the multistep process leading to gastric cancer. Novel NSAIDs have recently been designed that selectively inhibit COX-2 at the site of inflammation without affecting COX-1–dependent generation of gastroprotective PGs. Therefore, one may envision the chemopreventive use of selective COX-2 inhibitors in those H. pylori-infected subjects who are resistant to conventional eradication regimens and potentially at risk for developing gastric cancer

La fusione nucleare controllata e il cambiamento climatico

L'energia prodotta dalla fusione nucleare nelle stelle ha reso possibile la vita così come oggi la conosciamo. Probabilmente, sui tempi lunghi, la sopravvivenza delle condizioni ambientali che permettono la vita sul nostro pianeta potrà essere garantita dalla realizzazione di una fonte di energia basata sulla fusione. La sfida è molto complessa e richiede uno sforzo interdisciplinare al limite delle conoscenze attuali. Il nostro paese ha raccolto questa sfida fin dalla declassificazione della ricerca sulla fusione alla fine degli anni '50 del secolo scorso. In questi decenni si è costruita una rete di eccellenze che lega enti di ricerca, università ed industrie ponendo il nostro paese in prima linea nella ricerca sulla fusione per capacità teoriche, sperimentali e realizzative

Coeliac disease and C virus-related chronic hepatitis: a non association

BACKGROUND: A higher prevalence of coeliac disease has recently been reported among patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis. Moreover, development of clinically overt coeliac disease has been described in a number of HCV-related chronic hepatitis patients during α-interferon therapy. This prospective study was designed to evaluate 1) the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis; 2) the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with coeliac disease; 3) whether PEG interferon-α treatment might favour the development of coeliac disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred-ten consecutive patients (M/F = 140/70, range of age 35-58 years, median age 46.5 years) with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C underwent serological screening for antiendomysial and tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies. One hundred ninety-four coeliac patients (M/F = 52/142, range of age 18-74 years, median age 34 years) were screened for HCV antibodies. Positivity for HCV antibodies in coeliac disease patients was confirmed by detection of serum HCV-RNA by RT-PCR. This work was carried out in accordance to ethical guidelines of Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of the Second University of Naples. All patients gave informed written consent. RESULTS: 1) none of the 210 HCV-related chronic hepatitis patients were positive for coeliac disease serologic screening; 2) prevalence of HCV infection among coeliac patients was 1.54% (3/194) which is comparable to that reported in the Southern Italy population; 3) PEG interferon-α treatment was not associated with development of coeliac disease either clinical or serological. CONCLUSIONS: 1) coeliac disease is not associated with HCV infection; 2) PEG interferon-α does not trigger celiac disease