Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (pma) induces neuroendocrine-like differentiation and reverses Doxorubicin-resistance of human colon-carcinoma cells in-vitro

Human colon carcinoma LoVo/DX cells, which have been selected from parental LoVo for resistance to doxorubicin, express a typical multidrug resistant (MDR-1) phenotype. We have investigated whether phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) which often induces phenotypical changes in human tumor cells could, at the same time, modulate differentiation and sensitivity of LoVo/DX cells to doxorubicin. After 48 h exposure to 100 nM PMA, morphological changes became evident on LoVo/DX cells which showed elongated cytoplasm and dendritic-like structures: moreover immunocytochemical findings were suggestive of neuroendocrine-like differentiation. Under the same experimental conditions, LoVo/DX became sensitive to doxorubicin and showed enhanced intracellular drug-accumulation and reduced membrane expression of the 170 kD glycoprotein GP-170, which is the cellular product of the mdr1 gene. We conclude that pharmacological induction of tumor cell differentiation by PMA is paralleled by abrogation of drug resistance in a colon carcinoma MDR-1 cell line.

Overexpression of wild-type p53 overrides the mitogenic effect of ri-alpha subunit of protein-kinase-a in human breast cells

Protein kinase A type I (PKAI) and its regulatory subunit RI alpha are overexpressed in cancer cells and are induced by mitogenic hormones and growth factors in nontransformed cells. RI alpha/PKAI are directly involved in the G1>S transition and cell proliferation of non-transformed human breast MCF-10A cells. Retroviral vector-mediated overexpression of RI alpha in these cells (MCF-10A RI alpha) confers the ability to grow in serum-free medium. p53 controls a G1 check point before transition to the S phase, playing a key role in the regulation of cell proliferation and in the preservation of DNA integrity. In this study we evaluated the interaction of p53 and RI alpha on cell cycle progression and cell proliferation of MCF-10A cells. Retroviral vector-mediated overexpression of wild-type p53 in the MCF-10A neo and MCF-10A RI alpha cells determined a marked inhibition of RI alpha protein expression in MCF-10A-p53 cells and induced G0/G1 accumulation, cell gowth arrest and changes in cell morphology not due to apoptosis in both MCF-10A-p53 and MCF-10A RI alpha-p53 cells. On the other hand, in the MCF-10A RI alpha cells we observed an increased expression of the endogenous p53, although these cells were still able to proliferate. These results suggest that overexpression of wildtype p53 acts in a dominant fashion to abrogate the RI alpha induction of G1>S transition and cell proliferation. Moreover, overexpression of RI alpha leads to increased synthesis of endogenous p53 which, however, is unable to interfere with the RI alpha-dependent mitogenic signalling.

90k is a serum marker of poor-prognosis in non-hodgkins-lymphoma patients

Monoclonal antibody SP-2, which binds to a 90,000 daltons tumor-associated antigen termed 90K, was generated by mouse immunization with proteins released by human breast cancer cells into the culture medium (Iacobelli et al: Cancer Res 46: 3005-3010, 1986). Elevated 90K levels have been previously reported in the serum of patients with various malignancies. We investigated whether the circulating levels of 90K antigen might be related to prognosis of patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL). Serum samples were obtained from 50 apparently healthy blood donors and 81 patients with NHL. Circulating serum 90K concentrations (U/ml) were determined by a solid-phase immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) by a two-step procedure. Serum 90K levels were significantly higher in patients with NHL than in healthy controls (p=0.004). The Kaplan-Meier analysis of overall survival showed that patients with 90K-negative (serum 90K levels less than or equal to 16 U/ml) survived longer than patients with 90K-positive sera (less than or equal to 16 U/ml) (p=0.004). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that serum levels of LDH and 90K were the two independent prognostic variables for predicting overall survival. We propose that an elevated 90K antigen level in sera is a predictor of poor prognosis in NHL.

Could thymostimulin prevent hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in patients with liver cirrhosis?

On the basis of a possible pathogenetic role of immunodepression in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B/C viral infection and liver cirrhosis, we treated 34 liver cirrhosis patients (M/F 24/10; age: 14 pts less than or equal to 60 years, 20>60; Performance status: 22 0-1, 12 2-3; Childs' grade: 21 A, 13 B; ascites yes/not: 4/30) employing thymostimulin (TST), at the dosage of 50 mg/m(2) i.m. 3 times a week, until death or severe toxicity occurrence. Etiology of cirrhosis was viral in all cases. The patients were followed up every 3 months by means of clinical examination and biochemical analyses; every 6 months by checking viral serum markers, alpha-fetoprotein and by means of ultrasounds. To date, 34 patients have been treated, with a median follow-up of 6 (1-8) years. No occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma has been observed, with a statistically significant difference between observed and expected HCC (p<0.05). Thymostimulin treatment was well tolerated. Our data seem to suggest that the immunomodulating treatment could significantly reduce the risk of HCC occurrence in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Nutrition and acne: therapeutic potential of ketogenic diets

The influence of nutrition on skin health is a growing research area but the findings of various studies on the effect of diet on the development of acne have often been contradictory. The general opinion among researchers has oscillated between two different, opposing positions: that diet either is or is not a key factor for acne development. This review examines the evidence supporting an influence of various dietary components on the development of acne particularly focusing on the role played by carbohydrates. The physiological and biochemical effects of the ketogenic diet are examined from this perspective and mechanisms will be proposed via which this type of diet could have a role in the treatment of acne.

Inflammatory effects on human lung epithelial cells after exposure to diesel exhaust micron sub particles (PM₁.₀) and pollen allergens

Asthma is currently defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway. Several evidence indicate that vehicle emissions in cities is correlated with the allergic respiratory diseases. In the present study, we evaluated in the A549 cells the production and release of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 after treatment with sub-micron PM(1.0) particles (PM(1.0)), Parietaria officinalis (ALL), and PM(1.0) + ALL together. Our data demonstrated that PM(1.0) + ALL together exhibited the greatest capacity to induce A549 cells to enhance the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 compared with the only PM(1.0) or ALL treatment. Interestingly, IL-13 that is necessary for allergen-induced airway hyper responsiveness, is increased in cells treated with PM(1.0) + ALL together, but is higher expressed when the cells are treated only with the allergen. Our data support the hypothesis that the urban environment damage the acinar lung units and activates cells of the immune system.

The effects of a 3-week training on basal biomarkers in professional soccer players during the preseason preparation period

AIM

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of a 3-week training on biomarkers in professional soccer players during the preseason preparation-period.

METHODS

Eight participants (age 22.5±2.2 yrs) were enrolled in the study. During the physical preparation period players have attended a training program (51.9 hours) formulated by coaches of "Equipe-Sicilia-2009".

RESULTS

At rest, the lipid profile, the creatine kinase (CK), the lactic-acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and the expression of nuclear receptors peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR α/γ) were analyzed before starting and after 3 weeks of training. The plasma level of CK in our samples showed great variability already in the baseline: value was on average nearly 500 IU/l showed that a large amount of these athletes were a high responders. This biomarker showed a reduction (P<0.01) after 3 weeks of training. No modifications were found in the LDH plasma level, in the lipid profile and in the expression of mRNA of PPAR α/γ and also no significant person's correlations were found among variables.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we retain that those basal biomarkers, except CK, are not able to assist coaches to better understand training adaptations and overreaching mechanisms during a 3-week of preseason preparation-period. More studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Toxicity of Pb and of Pb/Cd combination on the springtail Folsomia candida in natural soils: reproduction, growth and bioaccumulation as indicators

The toxicity of Pb and Cd+Pb was assessed on the Collembola F. candida in two cultivated soils (SV and AU) with low organic matter (OM) content and circumneutral to basic pH, and an acid forested soil (EPC) with high OM content. Collembola reproduction and growth as well as metal content in Collembola body, in soil, exchangeable fraction and soil solutions, pH and DOC were investigated. Pb and Cd+Pb were the highest in exchangeable fraction and soil solution of the acidic soils. Soil solution pH decreased after metal spiking in every soil due to metal adsorption, which was similar for Cd and the highest in AU for Pb. With increasing Pb and Cd+Pb, the most important reproduction decrease was in EPC soil. The LOEC for reproduction after metal addition was 2400 (Pb) and 200/2400 (Cd/Pb), 1200 and 100/1200, 300 and 100/1200 μg g(-1) for AU, SV and EPC, respectively. The highest and the lowest Pb toxicity was observed for EPC and AU bulk soil, respectively. The metal in Collembola increased with increasing soil concentration, except in AU, but the decreasing BF(solution) with increasing concentrations indicates a limited metal transfer to Collembola or an increased metal removal. Loading high Pb concentrations decreases Cd absorption by the Collembola, but the reverse was not true. The highest Pb toxicity in EPC can be explained by pH and OM content. Because of metal complexation, OM might have a protective role but its ingestion by Collembola lead to higher toxicity. Metal bioavailability in Collembola differs from soil solution indicating that soil solution is not sufficient to evaluate toxicity in soil organisms. The toxicity as a whole decreased when metals were combined, except for Pb in AU, due to adsorption competition between Cd and Pb on clay particles and OM sites in AU and EPC soils, respectively.

Relationship between individual quality of life and family quality of life for people with intellectual disability living in Italy

BACKGROUND

There is substantial literature investigating quality of life (QoL) of individuals with intellectual disability (ID). QoL of families of people with ID is emerging as an important field of research. Despite this, there is a lack of studies regarding their relationship.

AIM

The present paper aimed to study the relationship between QoL scores of individuals with ID and members of their families.

METHODS

Twenty-seven parents or relatives of 27 adults with ID were recruited by four different research centres across Tuscany (Italy) to be interviewed through the Italian adaptation of the Family Quality of Life Survey - 2006 (FQoLS-2006), a tool developed for use in a multiple-country study on family QoL. The FQoLS-2006 was translated and adapted to Italian through three revisions. The last was submitted to the authors of the original version, who also maintain an electronic data file and data archive for statistical evaluations in various countries. QoL of persons with ID was assessed through the administration of the Quality of Life - Instrument Package. QoL scores were analysed to describe population characteristics and to examine the relationships among measures of individual and family QoL using correlations (Pearson and Spearman).

RESULTS

Findings showed that family ratings of QoL were generally low. Families interviewed reported a low level of QoL in 'Support from Others' and 'Community Interaction', while 'Family Relationships' and 'Health of the Family' rated higher. For individual QoL, individuals had the lowest scores in the area of 'Spiritual being' and higher scores in the area of 'Physical being'. Correlations examining possible relationships among Importance, Satisfaction and Opportunities found some statistically significant correlation coefficients between some aspects of the three main areas of individual QoL (Being, Belonging and Becoming) and the nine family domains. Most of these correlations regarded family 'Financial Well-Being', 'Family Relationships, 'Support from Service' and 'Support from Others' areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that QoL is perceived somewhat differently by individuals with ID and by members of their families. This difference could negatively impact QoL of people with ID, if their views are not taken into account when planning for family support. The relationships between individual and family QoL appear to be quite complex, and such complexity needs to be clarified in future research.

Influence of family history of NIDDM on basal metabolic rate in sedentary and active women

AIM AND METHODS

The influence of family history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) on basal metabolic rate (BMR) has been investigated in 116 voluntarily women: 25 sedentary and 34 athletes without a family predisposition to type 2 diabetes (FH-); 21 sedentary and 15 athletes with a second degree predisposition to NIDDM (FH+); 10 sedentary and 11 athletes with a first degree predisposition to NIDDM (FH++).

RESULTS

The results showed that family history on type 2 diabetes is strongly related to sedentary in women with significant high body weight values and an increased fat mass. There was no significant difference in the body parameters among the athletes groups, confirming the protective role of regular physical activity on these parameters. Analysing basal energy expenditure showed that sedentary FH++ women had a significant increase in BMR in absolute values; however there were no differences in BMR when reported to body weight and body fat-free mass. In contrast, the FH++ athletes group had lower BMR (absolute values) than the sedentary group. No differences were found in the relative BMR either. By comparing the recorded BMR of the groups with the theoretical values, it has been shown that the FH++ athletes had a reduced increase in BMR with respect to the other groups. The FH- athletes showed a higher energy turnover compared to the other women and relative to predicted values.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that family history of type 2 diabetes has an important influence on the phenotype of women and it can be associated with significant metabolic and anthropometric modifications in young healthy subjects. It may also account for changes in the body composition and basal metabolic rate alterations in subjects with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, by reducing the metabolic basal output expected in active subjects.

Disease management of type 2 diabetes: a follow-up analysis in a sanitary district of Sicily

AIM

The aim of this paper was to analyze the Disease management of type 2 diabetes in a sanitary district of the Sicily Region (Italy).

METHODS

In a population of 9 698 subjects, we selected patients with known type 2 diabetes: a cohort of 385 subjects, (206 women and 179 men) following up for one year. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the analyzed population was 3.97%. A great lot of cohort was on a diet.

RESULTS

After one year, a per cent reduction of obese and overweight subjects was observed. No differences were observed for Body Mass Index (BMI) at the beginning and at the end of the study. After one year, through educational meetings with the doctor, a significant increase of knowledge on the patient's conditions and on the diabetes complications was verified, but our data showed persistent poor attention by doctors. The poor knowledge of patients led to a difficult disease management. After one year, a great lot of cohort used antistroke and cardiovascular disease therapy, reducing significantly the cardiovascular disease risk. However, our study also highlights a gap between the therapeutic guidelines and the actual treatment, with wide variability in the delivery of secondary prevention. CONCLUSION. Our study showed that a persevering warning and a constant adjournment of doctors improves the disease management, reducing complications risk in type 2 diabetes patients.

Visuospatial attention lateralization in volleyball players and in rowers

In the present study, differences in visuospatial attention lateralization were evaluated in athletes engaged in open-compared to closed-skill sports and sedentary nonathletes. 23 volleyball players (open skill; Italian national level and regional level), 10 rowers (closed skill, Italian national level), and 23 sedentary participants responded to a computerized line-length judgment task. Five lines, differing in the length of their right and left segments, were randomly presented; the respondent made a forced-choice decision about the respective length of the two segments. Volleyball players responded significantly faster; those at the higher competitive level were also more accurate, making a statistically significantly lower number of leftward errors as compared with rowers and controls. If such responses are due to training rather than self-selection of ability, then the results may suggest the possibility of changing the distribution of visuospatial attention by training in open-skill sports.

Laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated acute appendicitis

The role of laparoscopic appendectomy in complicated appendicitis is still not widely accepted. The authors report their retrospective study performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the laparoscopic approach in the management of complicated appendicitis. From January 2003 to October 2008, 552 patients underwent appendectomy in our surgical department. Among these, 358 were not complicated appendicitis while 194 were complicated. Of the 194 cases of complicated appendicitis, 121 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy while the remaining 73 cases were treated by conventional open surgery. The average length of hospital stay was 5.7 days, with a range from 4 to 13 days. Post-operative complications were observed in a total 11 patients (9.1%), including 3 cases of intra abdominal abscess (2.5%), 2 cases of umbilical wound infection (1.6%) and 6 cases of prolonged ileus (4.9%). Our experience suggests that the laparoscopic procedure is a valid, safe and feasible option to manage acute complicated appendicitis.

[The ketogenic diet: an underappreciated therapeutic option?]

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in Western countries and is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite the constant recommendations of health care organizations regarding the importance of weight control, this goal often fails. Although there is a common agreement about the concept that exercise and diet are two key factors for the control of body weight, the ideal amount and type of exercise and also the ideal diet for weight control are still under debate. A widely accepted nutritional regime is the Mediterranean diet that has evident health benefits although less attention has been paid to see if the effects are due to other lifestyle factors which may contribute to the health benefits perhaps as much as specific food choices. There are several other options available to the physician that may produce good weight loss results in the short/medium term and also for maintenance of the goal achieved. One of these strategies is the ketogenic diet or VLCKD (very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet) that has been widely studied in recent years. Most studies show that this diet has a solid physiological and biochemical basis which is able to induce effective weight loss and improvement of several parameters of cardiovascular risk. This review discusses the physiological basis of VLCKD and the main applications together with its strengths and weaknesses compared to common dietary recommendations.

Bicaudal-D regulates fragile X mental retardation protein levels, motility, and function during neuronal morphogenesis

The expression of the RNA-binding factor Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is disrupted in the most common inherited form of cognitive deficiency in humans. FMRP controls neuronal morphogenesis by mediating the translational regulation and localization of a large number of mRNA targets, and these functions are closely associated with transport of FMRP complexes within neurites by microtubule-based motors. However, the mechanisms that link FMRP to motors and regulate its transport are poorly understood. Here we show that FMRP is complexed with Bicaudal-D (BicD) through a domain in the latter protein that mediates linkage of cargoes with the minus-end-directed motor dynein. We demonstrate in Drosophila that the motility and, surprisingly, levels of FMRP protein are dramatically reduced in BicD mutant neurons, leading to a paucity of FMRP within processes. We also provide functional evidence that BicD and FMRP cooperate to control dendritic morphogenesis in the larval nervous system. Our findings open new perspectives for understanding localized mRNA functions in neurons.

Polar and antioxidant fraction of Plumbago europaea L., a spontaneous plant of Sardinia

Secondary metabolite isolation and analysis of Plumbago europaea L. (Plumbaginaceae) is the aim of this work, which is included in a project of our groups on spontaneous and endemic Sardinian species. Plumbago europaea is the only specie of the genera that grows wild in Italy. Metabolites from leaves and roots of this specie were compared. Moreover, at present, literature on the phytochemical characterisation of P. europaea is poor. Plumbagin was isolated in both of the samples analysed, confirming its nature in the Plumbaginaceae family as chemotaxonomic marker of the Plumbaginae tribe. In this work, hydroplumbagin-4-O-glucoside and myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside are isolated for the first time in the genus.

The effects of indoor cycling training in sedentary overweight women

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition and physiological effects in young sedentary overweight women after an indoor cycle training period.

METHODS

Fourteen subjects (22.6+/-2.1 yrs; 25-29.9 BMI) were trained for 12 weeks in a specific indoor cycling protocol (ICP) consisting of three sessions/week carried out in a fitness room. Body composition and physiological parameters were taken before the beginning of the study and after 12, 24 and 36 sessions.

RESULTS

We observed a reduction of 2.6% and 3.2% in body weight and of 4.3% and 5% in fat mass after 24 and 36 sessions respectively (P<0.05). Lean mass increased by 2.3% and 2.6% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. Body circumferences diminished in response to ICP. Resting heart rate decreased by 6.5% and 9% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. After the tenth week, we found a reduction of 11 beats.min-1 in average training heart rate, an increase of 0.5 mL/kg-1.min-1 in average training oxygen uptake and an increase of 8.6 Watts in average power output. Moreover, an increase in cardio-respiratory fitness was observed (37.1+/-4.3 vs. 40.2+/-4.6 mL/kg-1.min-1) after 36 sessions.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in body weight, without any restriction on food consumption, and the improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness suggests that ICP may be efficient for losing weight and preventing the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young overweight women. Indoor cycling can be performed by young sedentary overweight women; however, it is fundamental to formulate training protocols which are intensity and length specific to the fitness level of the participants.

Determining cadmium critical concentrations in natural soils by assessing Collembola mortality, reproduction and growth

The toxicity of cadmium for the Collembola Folsomia candida was studied by determining the effects of increasing Cd concentrations on growth, survival and reproduction in three cultivated and forested soils with different pH (4.5-8.2) and organic matter content (1.6-16.5%). The Cd concentration in soil CaCl(2) exchangeable fraction, in soil solution and in Collembola body was determined. At similar total soil concentrations, the Cd concentration in soil solutions strongly decreased with increasing pH. Reproduction was the most sensitive parameter. Low organic matter content was a limiting factor for reproduction. Effect of Cd on reproduction was better described by soil or body concentrations than by soil solution concentration. Values of EC(50-Repro) expressed on the basis of nominal soil concentration were 182, 111 and 107 microg g(-1), respectively, for a carbonated cultivated soil (AU), an acid forested soil with high organic matter (EPC) and a circumneutral cultivated soil with low organic content (SV). Sensitivity to Cd was enhanced for low OM content and acidic pH. The effect of Cd on reproduction is not directly related to Cd concentration in soil solution for carbonated soil: a very low value is found for EC(50-Repro) (0.17) based on soil solution for the soil with the highest pH (AU; pH=8.2). Chronic toxicity cannot be predicted on the basis of soluble fractions. Critical concentrations were 8 x 10(-5), 1.1, 0.3 microg mL(-1), respectively, for AU, EPC and SV soils.