Novel path to IL-6 trans-signaling through thrombin-induced soluble IL-6 receptor release by platelets

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a multifunctional cytokine with a critical role in inflammatory, immunoregulatory and haemopoietic responses. Its receptor consists of an ubiquitously expressed membrane transducing element (gp130) and of the specific element IL-6R-alpha (gp80), present only on hepatocytes and some leukocyte subsets. IL-6R-alpha also exists as soluble protein (sIL-6R) that, in the presence of IL-6, forms a complex able to bind gp130 and, thanks to the mechanism called trans-signaling, transduces IL-6 effect through tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the signal transducer and transcription activator (STAT)-3. The aim of this study was to analyze the bidirectional relationships between platelet aggregation and IL-6-dependent effects. While platelets do not produce IL-6, we found that resting platelets express gp130, but not gp80, on their membranes. Upon activation by thrombin or calcium ionophore A23187, but not by ADP, the IL-6R-alpha is released in soluble form, while cangrelor, the specific inhibitor of P2Y12 receptor, can partially inhibit sIL-6R release. This sIL-6R is biologically active and, in the presence of IL-6, can trigger IL-6 trans-signaling, inducing an autocrine activation loop (as measured by an increase in gp80 and gp130 content) and STAT3 phosphorylation. On the other hand, IL-6 trans-signaling has no effect on platelet degranulation or aggregation by itself, nor on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Our data add an important piece to the puzzle of thrombosis and inflammation: in the presence of IL-6, which can be produced by stressed endothelial cells, the platelet-derived IL-6 trans-signaling could be crucial for the evolution of inflammation within a damaged vessel.

Factors influencing quality of life for disabled and nondisabled elderly population: the results of a multiple correspondence analysis

Objectives. The aim of our study is to examine the role of some factors (sociodemographic patterns, social relationship support, and trust in healthcare actors) on structure of quality of life among the Italian elderly population, by stratifying according to presence or absence of disability. Methods. Using data of the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) survey, we obtained a sample of 25,183 Italian people aged 65+ years. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to test such a relationship. Results. By applying the MCA between disabled and nondisabled elderly population, we identified three dimensions: "demographic structure and social contacts," "social relationships," "trust in the Italian National Health Services (INHS)." Furthermore, the difference in trust on the INHS and its actors was seen among disabled and non-disabled elderly population. Conclusions. Knowledge on the concept of quality of life and its application to the elderly population either with or without disability should make a difference in both people's life and policies and practices affecting life. New domains, such as information and trusting relationships both within and towards the care network's nodes, are likely to play an important role in this relationship.

17β-Oestradiol anti-inflammatory effects in primary astrocytes require oestrogen receptor β-mediated neuroglobin up-regulation

Neuroglobin (Ngb), so named after its initial discovery in brain neurones, has received great attention as a result of its neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, we demonstrated that, in neurones, Ngb is a 17β-oestradiol (E(2) ) inducible protein that is pivotal for hormone-induced anti-apoptotic effects against H(2) O(2) toxicity. The involvement of Ngb in other brain cell populations, as well as in other neuroprotective effects of E(2) , is completely unknown at present. We demonstrate Ngb immunoreactivity in reactive astrocytes located in the proximity of a penetrating cortical injury in vivo and the involvement of Ngb in the E(2) -mediated anti-inflammatory effect in primary cortical astrocytes. Upon binding to oestrogen receptor (ER)β, E(2) enhances Ngb levels in a dose-dependent manner. Although with a lesser degree than E(2) , the pro-inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also induces the increase of Ngb protein levels via nuclear factor-(NF)κB signal(s). Moreover, a negative cross-talk between ER subtypes and NFκB signal(s) has been demonstrated. In particular, ERα-activated signals prevent the NFκB-mediated Ngb increase, whereas LPS impairs the ERβ-induced up-regulation of Ngb. Therefore, the co-expression of both ERα and ERβ is pivotal for mediating E(2) -induced Ngb expression in the presence of NFκB-activated signals. Interestingly, Ngb silencing prevents the effect of E(2) on the expression of inflammatory markers (i.e. interleukin 6 and interferon γ-inducible protein 10). Ngb can be regarded as a key mediator of the different protective effects of E(2) in the brain, including protection against oxidative stress and the control of inflammation, both of which are at the root of several neurodegenerative diseases.

Transition from order to chaos, and density limit, in magnetized plasmas

It is known that a plasma in a magnetic field, conceived microscopically as a system of point charges, can exist in a magnetized state, and thus remain confined, inasmuch as it is in an ordered state of motion, with the charged particles performing gyrational motions transverse to the field. Here, we give an estimate of a threshold, beyond which transverse motions become chaotic, the electrons being unable to perform even one gyration, so that a breakdown should occur, with complete loss of confinement. The estimate is obtained by the methods of perturbation theory, taking as perturbing force acting on each electron that due to the so-called microfield, i.e., the electric field produced by all the other charges. We first obtain a general relation for the threshold, which involves the fluctuations of the microfield. Then, taking for such fluctuations, the formula given by Iglesias, Lebowitz, and MacGowan for the model of a one component plasma with neutralizing background, we obtain a definite formula for the threshold, which corresponds to a density limit increasing as the square of the imposed magnetic field. Such a theoretical density limit is found to fit pretty well the empirical data for collapses of fusion machines.

Search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in 136Xe with EXO-200

We report on a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 136Xe with EXO-200. No signal is observed for an exposure of 32.5 kg yr, with a background of ∼1.5×10(-3)  kg(-1) yr(-1)  keV(-1) in the ±1σ region of interest. This sets a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay T(1/2)(0νββ)(136Xe)>1.6×10(25)  yr (90% C.L.), corresponding to effective Majorana masses of less than 140-380 meV, depending on the matrix element calculation.

H1N1 pneumonia: our experience in 50 patients with a severe clinical course of novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV)

PURPOSE

The authors reviewed chest radiographs (CXR) and thin-section computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary complications in a selected population of 50 consecutive patients with severe novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) pneumonia who were seen at the Subintensive Respiratory Unit (UTSIR) and at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CXR and CT findings of 50 patients who fulfilled the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for S-OIV infection were reviewed by four radiologists. The final study group of 50 patients was divided into two subgroups on the basis of clinical course: group 1 consisted of 42 patients requiring noninvasive mechanical ventilation and admitted to the UTSIR; group 2 consisted of eight patients who required ICU admission and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or advanced mechanical ventilation from October 2009 to December 2009. All patients underwent CXR and thin-section multidetector CT (MDCT) scan; the initial and follow-up radiographs and CT scans were evaluated for the presentation and follow-up pattern (consolidation, ground-glass opacities, nodules, reticulation), distribution and extent of abnormality.

RESULTS

All patients had radiological signs of pulmonary involvement. Ground-glass opacity and consolidation, which was mainly peripheral, was the most frequent finding. In three patients, we report for the first time in viral pneumonia the reversed halo sign. Lesion extent was related to aggressiveness of the illness. More often, both lungs were involved (82%). Thoracic comorbidity was present in 18% of patients; 22% of patients was obese, and in this group, the clinical course was more aggressive than in the others with the same lesion extent at imaging. Furthermore, superinfection led to worsening of the clinical conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common CXR and CT findings in patients with S-OIV infection were unilateral or bilateral ground-glass opacities with or without associated focal or multifocal areas of consolidation. On MDCT, ground-glass opacities and areas of consolidation had a predominant peribronchovascular and subpleural distribution, resembling organising pneumonia; they progressed to bilateral extensive airspace disease in severely ill patients.

Developmental evolution in a patient with multiple acyl-coenzymeA dehydrogenase deficiency under pharmacological treatment

PURPOSE

evaluate the psychomotor evolution of a child with Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency after treatment with L-carnitine, ubiquinone and riboflavin.

METHODS

an assessment of psychomotor development was performed before the start of farmacological treatment using the Assessment Scale of Mental Development Griffiths (GMDS-R, 0-2 years). The same assessment was performed after a month and after six months of treatment to evaluate the possible benefits of treatment.

RESULTS

we noticed a quick and dramatic improvement in muscular tone and motor performances after pharmacological treatment. We also observed a substantial improvement in the personal/social and hearing/language areas, suggesting the presence of intellectual/cognitive improvement. The clinical improvement correlated with the biochemical response.

CONCLUSION

In our patient early therapy resulted in a optimal response in psychomotor development, motor function and muscole hypotonia. Evaluation with GMDS-R, a simple, non-invasive and multidimensional tool, represents a useful instrument to monitor the clinical response to treatment.

[Implementation of the stewardship model in public health: proposal of an assessment tool for the Italian national prevention plan]

The stewardship model has been adopted as a system of governance in several countries. In Italy, the Ministry of Health has proposed the use of the stewardship model for implementing the activities of the National Prevention Plan 2010-2012. The authors present the conceptual foundations and methodology used in the development of an assessment tool (audit tool) for evaluating the level of implementation of the stewardship model with regards to the activities of the national prevention plan in all Italian regions.

Unusual complications of endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta: MDCT findings

With the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, endovascular stent-graft placement has become an accepted and widely used alternative to the traditional surgical repair of aortic disease and is gaining acceptance as the treatment of choice. Many studies show that endovascular stent-graft therapy is safe and effective, although complications related to this treatment are also recognised. Although the incidence of major complication is low, neurological sequelae remain the major concern of endovascular repair. With growing experience, however, the spectrum of mid- and long-term complications has broadened to include potentially disastrous events, other than paraplegia or stroke, that require diligent surveillance. Three-dimensional data sets acquired quickly by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allow multiplanar reformations and 3D viewing, as well as quantitative assessment of vessel lumens, walls and surroundings. Although a large portion of radiologists will not be involved in the actual endograft deployment, many will be involved in the interpretation of postprocedural surveillance studies. Accordingly, the goal of this report is to summarise our experience with the presentation, diagnostic approach, management and outcomes of these unusual, but potentially catastrophic, postendovascular aortic repair complications to highlight their significance and increase familiarity with them among the imaging community. Increasing awareness of these complications may facilitate rapid diagnosis and/or triage and treatment.

Differential accumulation of BPA in some tissues of offspring of Balb-C mice exposed to different BPA doses

Pregnant adult Balb-C mice were exposed daily to two different doses of Bisphenol A (BPA) by subcutaneous injection beginning on gestational day 1 through the seventh day after delivery. The mothers were sacrificed on postpartum day 21, and the offspring were sacrificed at 3 months of age. Control mice were subjected to the same experimental protocol but received saline injections. The liver, muscles, hindbrain and forebrain of the offspring were dissected and processed using HPLC to assess the level of BPA in the tissues and to determine its dependence on the exposure dose and gender. For comparison, the same tissues were dissected from the mothers and analysed. We report the following results: (1) the level of BPA that accumulated in a given tissue was dependent on the exposure dose; (2) the rank order of BPA accumulation in the various tissues was dependent on the gender of the offspring; (3) the average BPA concentrations in the liver and muscle of the female offspring were higher than in the males; and (4) the average BPA concentration in the central nervous system (i.e., the hindbrain and forebrain) of the male offspring was higher than in the females.

P2-07-03: Collective Evidence Suggests Neutrality for BRCA1 V1687I, a Novel Sequence Variant in the Conserved THV Motif of the First BRCT Repeat

Background: Unequivocal classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance (VUS) with respect to their effect on protein function is a challenge with consequent implications for clinical decision-making. Currently, integration of different types of evidence derived from independent sources appears to be the most reliable approach to help define disease relevance for each single VUS. During a routine screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations carried out by the Modena study group for familial breast and ovarian cancer we identified a novel BRCA1 sequence change (c.5178G>A) that causes a valine to isoleucine (V to I) substitution at position 1687. The sequence alteration was found in a patient diagnosed with early onset breast cancer and it was present neither in other breast/ovarian cancer families screened nor in unaffected control individuals. No co-occurrence of the variant with any known clinically relevant BRCA1 mutations was observed.

The C-terminally located BRCA1 V1687I lies in the conserved THV motif of the first BRCT repeat. Disease-causality has previously been suggested for two neighbouring sequence alterations, BRCA1 V1688del, whose repercussions on protein stability and function were also reported (De Nicolo et al., 2009), and BRCA1 H1686Q (Giannini et al, 2008). We aimed at garnering evidence that, together with family and genetic data, could help assess the clinical significance of the V1687I variant.

Methods: We employed a multimodal approach that included immunohistochemistry on tumor sections, in silico analyses, comparative structural modeling, and ascertainment of BRCT-mediated functional associations.

Results: Whereas tumor histology, receptor and HER2/neu status were compatible with a BRCA1-deficient phenotype, most algorithms we used to assess sequence and structure variation based on evolutionary conservation predicted the BRCA1 V1687I variant to be benign. In line with this prediction, analysis of the modeled BRCA1 V1687I BRCT domain did not reveal any major structural changes relative to the wild type counterpart and suggested that BRCA1 V1687I leaves the local architecture and overall stability of the protein largely unaltered. Consistently, the BRCA1 V1687I protein was properly expressed and localized to the nucleus, and it was still capable of binding BRIP1/FANCJ, CtIP and Abraxas, three BRCT-interacting, DNA damage response and repair partner proteins.

Conclusions: Based on our collected evidence, the BRCA1 V1687I amino acid change, although occurring in an evolutionary conserved region, does not seem to affect the function of the correspondingly encoded protein, and hence it is a likely benign sequence alteration.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-07-03.

Observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in 136Xe with the EXO-200 detector

We report the observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in (136)Xe with T(1/2) = 2.11 ± 0.04(stat) ± 0.21(syst) × 10(21) yr. This second-order process, predicted by the standard model, has been observed for several nuclei but not for (136)Xe. The observed decay rate provides new input to matrix element calculations and to the search for the more interesting neutrinoless double-beta decay, the most sensitive probe for the existence of Majorana particles and the measurement of the neutrino mass scale.

MDCT in diagnosing acute aortic syndromes: reviewing common and less common CT findings

Nontraumatic acute thoracic aortic syndromes (AAS) describe a spectrum of life-threatening aortic pathologies with significant implications on diagnosis, therapy and management. In this context, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the gold standard due to its intrinsic diagnostic value; its performance approaches 100% sensitivity and specificity, and it is accepted as a first-line modality for suspected acute aortic disease. MDCT allows early recognition and characterisation of acute aortic syndromes as well as the presence of any associated complications - findings that are essential for optimising treatment and improving clinical outcomes. Although classic CT findings have long been known, other unusual signs are continually reported in the medical literature. We reviewed the classic and less common CT findings, correlating them with pathophysiology, timing and management options, to achieve a definite and timely diagnostic and therapeutic definition.

A magnetically driven piston pump for ultra-clean applications

A magnetically driven piston pump for xenon gas recirculation is presented. The pump is designed to satisfy extreme purity and containment requirements, as is appropriate for the recirculation of isotopically enriched xenon through the purification system and large liquid xenon time projection chamber of EXO-200. The pump, using sprung polymer gaskets, is capable of pumping more than 16 standard liters per minute of xenon gas with 750 Torr differential pressure.

ASH and NASH

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) have a similar pathogenesis and histopathology but a different etiology and epidemiology. NASH and ASH are advanced stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). NAFLD is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis), without any other evident causes of chronic liver diseases (viral, autoimmune, genetic, etc.), and with an alcohol consumption ≤20-30 g/day. On the contrary, AFLD is defined as the presence of steatosis and alcohol consumption >20-30 g/day. The most common phenotypic manifestations of primary NAFLD/NASH are overweight/obesity, visceral adiposity, type 2 diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension. The prevalence of NAFLD in the general population in Western countries is estimated to be 25-30%. The prevalence and incidence of NASH and ASH are not known because of the impossibility of performing liver biopsy in the general population. Up to 90% of alcoholics have fatty liver, and 5-15% of these subjects will develop cirrhosis over 20 years. The risk of cirrhosis increases to 30-40% in those who continue to drink alcohol. About 10-35% of alcoholics exhibit changes on liver biopsy consistent with alcoholic hepatitis. Natural histories of NASH and ASH are not completely defined, even if patients with NASH have a reduced life expectancy due to liver-related death and cardiovascular diseases. The best treatment of AFLD/ASH is to stop drinking, and the most effective first-line therapeutic option for NAFLD/NASH is non-pharmacologic lifestyle interventions through a multidisciplinary approach including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise, and cognitive-behavior therapy.

Influence of hydroponic and soil cultivation on quality and shelf life of ready-to-eat lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr)

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the hydroponic floating system to cultivate leafy vegetables for ready-to-eat salads. It is reasonable that different growing systems could affect the quality and shelf life of these salads.

RESULTS

The quality and shelf life of ready-to-eat lamb's lettuce grown in protected environment in soil plot or in soil-less system over hydroponic solution with or without the addition of 30 µmol L⁻¹ silicon were evaluated. Minimum effects were observed on colour, firmness and microbial counts. Hydroponic cultivation largely affected plant tissue hydration, leading to weight loss and structural modifications during refrigerated storage. The shelf life of lamb's lettuce was limited by the development of visually detectable unpleasant sensory properties. Shelf life, calculated by survival analysis of consumer acceptability data, resulted about 7 days for soil-cultivated salad and 2 days for the hydroponically grown ones. The addition of silicon to the hydroponic solution resulted in an interesting strategy to increase plant tissue yield and reduce nitrate accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although hydroponic cultivation may have critical consequences on product quality and shelf life, these disadvantages could be largely counterbalance by increased yield and a reduction of nitrate accumulation when cultivation is performed on nutritive solutions with supplemental addition of silicon.