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Ferrero S, Rossi D, Bruscaggin A, Evangelista A, Di Rocco A, Spina V, Stefoni V, Ghione P, Barbero D, Monitillo L, Gomes Da Silva M, Santoro A, Molinari A, Ferreri A, Piccin A, Cortelazzo S, Ladetto M, Gaidano G. KMT2D AND TP53 MUTATIONS PREDICT POOR PFS AND OS IN MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA RECEIVING HIGH-DOSE THERAPY AND ASCT: THE FONDAZIONE ITALIANA LINFOMI (FIL) MCL0208 PHASE III TRIAL. Hematol Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/hon.2437_83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ferrero
- Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences - Hematology Division; Università di Torino; Torino Italy
| | - D. Rossi
- Hematology, Oncology; Institute of Southern Switzerland and Institute of Oncology Research; Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - A. Bruscaggin
- Hematology; Institute of Oncology Research; Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - A. Evangelista
- Clinical Epidemiology; Città della Salute e della Scienza and CPO Piemonte; Torino Italy
| | - A. Di Rocco
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Policlinico Umberto I; "Sapienza" University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - V. Spina
- Hematology; Institute of Oncology Research; Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - V. Stefoni
- University of Bologna; Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli; Bologna Italy
| | - P. Ghione
- Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences - Hematology Division; Università di Torino; Torino Italy
| | - D. Barbero
- Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences - Hematology Division; Università di Torino; Torino Italy
| | - L. Monitillo
- Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences - Hematology Division; Università di Torino; Torino Italy
| | - M. Gomes Da Silva
- Department of Hematology; Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa; Lisbona Portugal
| | - A. Santoro
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center; Humanitas Cancer Center; Rozzano Italy
| | - A. Molinari
- Hematology; Ospedale degli Infermi; Rimini Italy
| | - A. Ferreri
- Unit of Lymphoid Malignancies, Department of Onco-Haematology; IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Milan Italy
| | - A. Piccin
- Department of Hematology; Ospedale Generale; Bolzano Italy
| | | | - M. Ladetto
- Azienda Ospedaliera Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, SC Ematologia; Alessandria Italy
| | - G. Gaidano
- Department of Translational Medicine; University of Eastern Piedmont, Division of Hematology; Novara Italy
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Tortorella G, Calzolari M, Tieghi A, Muià N, Piccin A, Gugliotta L. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with essential thrombocytemia (ET). What is the best treatment? Int J Cardiol 2015; 203:225-7. [PMID: 26512843 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Tortorella
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - M Calzolari
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - A Tieghi
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - N Muià
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - A Piccin
- Hematology Unit, San MaurizioRregional Hospital, Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy
| | - L Gugliotta
- Hematology Institute L.e A. Serignoli S.Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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Rao U, Piccin A, Malone A, O'Hanlon K, Breatnach F, O'Meara A, McDermott M, Butler K, O'Sullivan N, Russell J, O'Marcaigh A, Smith OP. Utility of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of pulmonary infection in children with haematological malignancies. Ir J Med Sci 2012; 182:177-83. [PMID: 22983868 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-012-0852-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibre-optic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a safe procedure and is associated with low morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. Although many studies have highlighted the advantages of positive BAL results in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections, there have been few reports examining the impact of a negative BAL result on clinical management in immunocompromised children on empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate BAL in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections in children with haematological malignancies who develop pneumonia unresponsive to empiric antimicrobial therapy, and also to determine whether a negative BAL result contributed to the clinical management of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 44 BAL procedures performed in 33 children with haematological malignancy diagnosed and treated at Our Lady's Children Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland, over a 10-year period was carried out. RESULTS We identified a pathogen causing pneumonia in 24 of 44 BAL procedures (54.5 %). The BAL procedure resulted in modification of antimicrobial treatment after 20 of 24 procedures with positive results (83.3 %) in 16 of 20 patients (80 %). Management was changed after 8 of 20 procedures with negative results (40 %) in 8 of 18 patients (44.4 %). The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the use of bronchoscopy with BAL as a diagnostic intervention in this patient population. We consider BAL a safe procedure from which both positive and negative results contribute to the patient's clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Rao
- Department of Haematology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
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Pagano L, Caira M, Rossi G, Tumbarello M, Fanci R, Garzia MG, Vianelli N, Filardi N, De Fabritiis P, Beltrame A, Musso M, Piccin A, Cuneo A, Cattaneo C, Aloisi T, Riva M, Rossi G, Salvadori U, Brugiatelli M, Sannicolò S, Morselli M, Bonini A, Viale P, Nosari A, Aversa F. A prospective survey of febrile events in hematological malignancies. Ann Hematol 2011; 91:767-774. [PMID: 22124621 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-011-1373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 11/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Hema e-Chart prospectively collected data on febrile events (FEs) in hematological malignancy patients (HMs). The aim of the study was to assess the number, causes and outcome of HM-related FEs. Data were collected in a computerized registry that systematically approached the study and the evolution of FEs developing in a cohort of adult HMs who were admitted to 19 hematology departments in Italy from March 2007 to December 2008. A total of 869 FEs in 3,197 patients with newly diagnosed HMs were recorded. Fever of unidentified origin (FUO) was observed in 386 cases (44.4%). The other causes of FE were identified as noninfectious in 48 cases (5.5%) and infectious in 435 cases (50.1%). Bacteria were the most common cause of infectious FEs (301 cases), followed by fungi (95 cases), and viruses (7 cases). Mixed agents were isolated in 32 episodes. The attributable mortality rate was 6.7% (58 FEs). No deaths were observed in viral infection or in the noninfectious groups, while 25 deaths were due to FUO, 16 to bacterial infections, 14 to fungal infections, and three to mixed infections. The Hema e-Chart provided a complete system for the epidemiological study of infectious complications in HMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pagano
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, I-00168, Roma, Italy.
| | - M Caira
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, I-00168, Roma, Italy
| | - G Rossi
- U.O. Ematologia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Tumbarello
- Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - R Fanci
- Azienda Osp. Univ. Careggi, Ematologia, Firenze, Italy
| | - M G Garzia
- Divisione di Ematologia Az. Osp. S. Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy
| | - N Vianelli
- Istituto Seragnoli, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - N Filardi
- Ematologia, Azienda Osp. Osp. S. Carlo, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - A Beltrame
- U.O. Ematologia Pol. Univ. Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - M Musso
- Dipartimento di Ematoncologia ed Unità Trap. Mid. Osseo, La Maddalena, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Piccin
- Divione di Ematologia, Ospedale Generale di Bolzano, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Cuneo
- Istituto di Ematologia, Az. Osp. Univ. Arcispedale S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C Cattaneo
- U.O. Ematologia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - T Aloisi
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - M Riva
- Divisione di Ematologia e Centro Trapianti Midollo, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - G Rossi
- Unità di Ematologia, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - U Salvadori
- Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedale Civile "Ca Foncello", Treviso, Italy
| | | | - S Sannicolò
- Divisione di Ematologia, Umberto I, Mestre, Italy
| | - M Morselli
- Divisione di Ematologia, Policlinico Universitario di Modena e Reggio, Modena, Italy
| | - A Bonini
- Divisione di Ematologia, Arciospedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - P Viale
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Nosari
- Divisione di Ematologia e Centro Trapianti Midollo, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - F Aversa
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Di Sotto A, Vitalone A, Nicoletti M, Piccin A, Mazzanti G. Pharmacological and phytochemical study on a Sisymbrium officinale Scop. extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2010; 127:731-736. [PMID: 19969059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2009] [Revised: 11/26/2009] [Accepted: 12/01/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The aerial parts of Sisymbrium officinale Scop. are commonly used to treat airway ailments, moreover in antiquity the herbal drug was reputed to possess anticancer properties. The results obtained in present work support the traditional use and the properties ascribed to Sisymbrium officinale. AIM OF THE STUDY In order to give a scientific basis to the traditional uses of Sisymbrium officinale, this study was aimed to evaluate in vitro the myorelaxant activity, the antimicrobial properties and the antimutagenic effect of an aqueous dry extract of the aerial parts of the plant. A phytochemical characterization of the extract was also performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS The myorelaxant activity was studied against the contractions induced by carbachol, histamine and leukotriene C(4), in isolated guinea-pig trachea. The antimicrobial activity was tested against six bacteria and one yeast. The Ames test, performed by the preincubation method, was used to study the antimutagenic activity of the extract by its capability to inhibit the mutagenic effect of 2-nitrofluorene, sodium azide, methyl methanesulfonate and 2-aminoanthracene, in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA strains. The chemical composition of the extract was analyzed by TLC and HPLC. RESULTS Sisymbrium officinale showed to reduce the chemically-induced contractions of isolated guinea-pig trachea with major potency against leukotriene C(4) and histamine. The extract did not show any antibacterial activity. The Ames test showed a strong antimutagenic activity against 2-aminoanthracene, in Escherichia coli WP2uvrA and in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strains. The phytochemical study highlighted the presence of putranjivine, the glucosinolate marker of Sisymbrium officinale, and of proline. CONCLUSIONS The myorelaxant activity of Sisymbrium officinale offers a scientific basis to its use in traditional medicine. The strong antimutagenic effect suggests further studies to evaluate its possible chemopreventive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. Erspamer, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Piccin A, McCann S, Socié G, Oneto R, Bacigalupo A, Locasciulli A, Marsh J, Schrezenmeier H, Tichelli A, Hand E, Lawler M, Passweg J. Survival of patients with documented autologous recovery after SCT for severe aplastic anemia: a study by the WPSAA of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2009; 45:1008-13. [DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2009.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Piccin A, O'Marcaigh A, Deiratany S, Mc Mahon C, Smith OP. Severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage, first manifestation of neonatal haemophilia A. Haemophilia 2009; 15:817-819. [PMID: 19298377 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2009.01988.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
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Sandrelli F, Cappellozza S, Benna C, Saviane A, Mastella A, Mazzotta GM, Moreau S, Pegoraro M, Piccin A, Zordan MA, Cappellozza L, Kyriacou CP, Costa R. Phenotypic effects induced by knock-down of the period clock gene in Bombyx mori. Genet Res (Camb) 2007; 89:73-84. [PMID: 17669228 DOI: 10.1017/s0016672307008713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The lepidopteran Bombyx mori is an insect of considerable scientific and economic importance. Recently, the B. mori circadian clock gene period has been molecularly characterized. We have transformed a B. mori strain with a construct encoding a period double-strand RNA in order to knock-down period gene expression. We observe that this post-transcriptional silencing produces a small but detectable disruption in the egg-hatching rhythm, as well as a reduction in egg-to-adult developmental time, without altering silk production parameters. Thus we show that both circadian and non-circadian phenotypes can be altered by changing per expression, and, at a practical level, these results suggest that per knock-down may provide a suitable strategy for improving the efficiency of rearing, without affecting silk productivity.
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Piccin A, Raimondi R, Laspina S, Marchi M, Rodeghiero F, Rovigatti U. Erythroleukaemia, diabetes insipidus and hypophyseal damage: Two case reports. Leuk Res 2007; 31:1135-9. [PMID: 17197021 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2006.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Revised: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 11/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We report on two cases of patients who developed diabetes insipidus (DI) before acute erythroleukaemia (EL). A brain MRI showed an empty sella turcica in one case and hypothalamo-hypophyseal peduncle damage in the second case. Reduced levels of TGF-beta1 and Vitamin D3, with associated EVI-1 over-expression and karyotypic abnormalities were documented. These two cases show specific chromosomal/molecular alterations in EL with DI. The hypothesis of pituitary involvement in erythroleukemogenesis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piccin
- Department of Haematology, S Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
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Sandrelli F, Tauber E, Pegoraro M, Mazzotta G, Cisotto P, Landskron J, Stanewsky R, Piccin A, Rosato E, Zordan M, Costa R, Kyriacou CP. A molecular basis for natural selection at the timeless locus in Drosophila melanogaster. Science 2007; 316:1898-900. [PMID: 17600216 DOI: 10.1126/science.1138426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Diapause is a protective response to unfavorable environments that results in a suspension of insect development and is most often associated with the onset of winter. The ls-tim mutation in the Drosophila melanogaster clock gene timeless has spread in Europe over the past 10,000 years, possibly because it enhances diapause. We show that the mutant allele attenuates the photosensitivity of the circadian clock and causes decreased dimerization of the mutant TIMELESS protein isoform to CRYPTOCHROME, the circadian photoreceptor. This interaction results in a more stable TIMELESS product. These findings reveal a molecular link between diapause and circadian photoreception.
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Piccin A, O'Marcaigh A, Smith O, O'Riordan J, Crowley M, Vandenberg E, Gardiner N, McCann S. Outcome of bone marrow transplantation in acquired and inherited aplastic anaemia in the Republic of Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 2005; 174:13-9. [PMID: 16285332 DOI: 10.1007/bf03169141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe Aplastic Anaemia (SAA) and Fanconi Anaemia (FA) are rare haematological disorders characterised by pancytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia. AIMS We performed a retrospective study of all patients who underwent BMT for SAA and FA at St James's Hospital, Dublin, and at OLHSC, Crumlin, between 1985 and 2002. METHODS The medical records of 63 patients, 50 with acquired SAA and 13 with FA, were reviewed. RESULTS The median age at the time of transplant was 14 years (range 3-43 years). The actuarial survival (OS) (n = 63) was 76% at 17 years. The transplant related mortality (TRM) was 22% (n = 14). The most common cause of death was infection (46%). The survival was significantly better in patients receiving their transplant after 1995 (p = 0.002). Outcome was superior in those receiving less than 20 red cell transfusions prior to transplant: OS 91% (< 20 Units) versus 62% (> or = 20 Units). CONCLUSIONS These national results are comparable to those of published international series and support the use of BMT in the treatment of SAA and FA. The known adverse effect of prior transfusion was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piccin
- Trinity Centre, St James's Hospital, Dublin.
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12
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Zordan MA, Cisotto P, Benna C, Agostino A, Rizzo G, Piccin A, Pegoraro M, Sandrelli F, Perini G, Tognon G, De Caro R, Peron S, Kronniè TT, Megighian A, Reggiani C, Zeviani M, Costa R. Post-transcriptional silencing and functional characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of human Surf1. Genetics 2005; 172:229-41. [PMID: 16172499 PMCID: PMC1456150 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.105.049072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Surf1, a human gene involved in the assembly of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), cause Leigh syndrome, the most common infantile mitochondrial encephalopathy, characterized by a specific COX deficiency. We report the generation and characterization of functional knockdown (KD) lines for Surf1 in Drosophila. KD was produced by post-transcriptional silencing employing a transgene encoding a dsRNA fragment of the Drosophila homolog of human Surf1, activated by the UAS transcriptional activator. Two alternative drivers, Actin5C-GAL4 or elav-GAL4, were used to induce silencing ubiquitously or in the CNS, respectively. Actin5C-GAL4 KD produced 100% egg-to-adult lethality. Most individuals died as larvae, which were sluggish and small. The few larvae reaching the pupal stage died as early imagos. Electron microscopy of larval muscles showed severely altered mitochondria. elav-GAL4-driven KD individuals developed to adulthood, although cephalic sections revealed low COX-specific activity. Behavioral and electrophysiological abnormalities were detected, including reduced photoresponsiveness in KD larvae using either driver, reduced locomotor speed in Actin5C-GAL4 KD larvae, and impaired optomotor response as well as abnormal electroretinograms in elav-GAL4 KD flies. These results indicate important functions for SURF1 specifically related to COX activity and suggest a crucial role of mitochondrial energy pathways in organogenesis and CNS development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro A Zordan
- CNR Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Abstract
We studied the occurrence of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PhG) in five species of the genus Orobanche L., collected in the Latium region of Italy. The presence of orobanchoside and verbascoside in all four species confirms that these PhGs are taxonomic markers of the genus. The results suggest that O. gracilis form. citrina could be a diverse entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Serafini
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Calò L, Giacon B, Davis PA, Pagnin E, Piccin A, Riegler P, Huber W, Antonello A, Semplicini A. Oxidative stress and TGFbeta in kidney-transplanted patients with cyclosporin-induced hypertension. Effect of carvedilol and nifedipine. Clin Nephrol 2002; 58:103-10. [PMID: 12227681 DOI: 10.5414/cnp58103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclosporin is a powerful stimulator of oxidative stress signaling, leading to TGFbeta production, NO degradation, endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and post-transplant nephropathy. Carvedilol, alpha1-beta-blocker with strong antioxidant activity, may interfere with this chain of events. Therefore, we measured monocyte ecNOS, TGFbeta and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA level and plasma nitrite/nitrate, 3-nitrotyrosine, an estimate of peroxynitrite, and total plasma antioxidant power in kidney-transplanted patients with post-transplant hypertension, before and after treatment with carvedilol, 25 - 50 mg o.d. orally for 4 months (n = 15). The dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nifedipine (n = 10) was used as comparator antihypertensive drug. Blood pressure fell to a similar extent with both drugs. Carvedilol increased plasma antioxidant power and HO-1 mRNA and reduced 3-nitrotyrosine and TGFbeta mRNA levels, while the same was not observed with nifedipine. Monocyte ec NOS mRNA levels and plasma nitrite/nitrate were higher in the patients than in a normotensive healthy control group and were unaffected by either treatment. In conclusion, carvedilol reduces the oxidative stress and corrects the altered cellular signaling mediated by oxidative stress in CsA-induced post-transplant hypertension. Therefore, it may prevent long-term complications, such as endothelial dysfunction, fibrogenesis and post-transplant nephropathy by decreasing NO degradation and production of TGFbeta, a key fibrogenic cytokine, and by activating HO-1 production.
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Abstract
Entrainment is as fundamental to an organism's circadian timing as are the molecular mechanisms involved in the functioning of the intracellular clock oscillator. In nature, one of the principle, although not the only, circadian entraining stimulus (Zeitgeber) is provided by the daily light--dark cycles. In animals, the visual processing apparatus alone is inadequate to accomplish the task of transducing circadian photic signals to the clockwork machinery. In fact, it is ever more appreciated by circadian biologists that organisms as divergent as plants and mammals have evolved a wonderfully complex array of partly redundant specializations which can guarantee the precise alignment of biological and environmental time. Research in circadian biology is cruising at such a rate that attempts to review the state of the art can only hope, at best, to provide a snapshot of the speeding cruiser from its wake. This paper will hopefully provide a reasonably sharp portrayal of what is at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Zordan
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy.
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Calò L, Milani M, Pagnin E, Davis P, Piccin A, Costa R, Plebani M, Semplicini A. Analysis of Gq protein alpha subunit mRNA expression in human monocytes: relevance of the purification step. Clin Chim Acta 2001; 309:13-8. [PMID: 11408001 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-8981(01)00497-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galphaq is a member of the Gq family of G proteins, which by stimulating the phospholipase Cbeta (PLCbeta)-IP(3)-Ca(++) mediated intracellular signaling systems controls some of the most fundamental cardiovascular cellular processes. The study of Galphaq is complicated by the presence of a pseudogene in human DNA, with signficant homology to the mRNA encoding the alpha subunit of Gq protein. The presence of this pseudogene will cause problems when the analysis of the Galphaq gene expression is based solely on RT-PCR. In this study, we report a simple method for avoiding unwanted amplification of the Galphaq pseudogene and the use of human monocytes as a readily available source for examining Galphaq. METHODS RT-PCR was carried out on RNA extracted from peripheral blood monocytes of 10 normal subjects using specific primers for Galphaq. RESULTS When several subjects' Galphaq was examined, the authentic Galphaq mRNA amplification product levels, as a ratio to unpurified pseudogene containing amplification products, declined by up to approximately 70%. CONCLUSION Given the importance of Gq protein in cardiovascular signal transduction, it is fundamental to provide a reliable assessment of G alpha q gene expression. In addition to accurately assessing Galphaq levels, the use of circulating human monocytes as a useful source of Galphaq for investigating mechanisms involved in the regulation of vascular tone is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Calò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinica Medica 4, University of Padova-Azienda Ospedaliera, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy.
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Rosato E, Codd V, Mazzotta G, Piccin A, Zordan M, Costa R, Kyriacou CP. Light-dependent interaction between Drosophila CRY and the clock protein PER mediated by the carboxy terminus of CRY. Curr Biol 2001; 11:909-17. [PMID: 11448767 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00259-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The biological clock synchronizes the organism with the environment, responding to changes in light and temperature. Drosophila CRYPTOCHROME (CRY), a putative circadian photoreceptor, has previously been reported to interact with the clock protein TIMELESS (TIM) in a light-dependent manner. Although TIM dimerizes with PERIOD (PER), no association between CRY and PER has previously been revealed, and aspects of the light dependence of the TIM/CRY interaction are still unclear. RESULTS Behavioral analysis of double mutants of per and cry suggested a genetic interaction between the two loci. To investigate whether this was reflected in a physical interaction, we employed a yeast-two-hybrid system that revealed a dimerization between PER and CRY. This was further supported by a coimmunoprecipitation assay in tissue culture cells. We also show that the light-dependent nuclear interactions of PER and TIM with CRY require the C terminus of CRY and may involve a trans-acting repressor. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that, as in mammals, Drosophila CRY interacts with PER, and, as in plants, the C terminus of CRY is involved in mediating light responses. A model for the light dependence of CRY is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rosato
- Department of Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, LE1 7RH, Leicester, United Kingdom.
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Piccin A, Salameh A, Benna C, Sandrelli F, Mazzotta G, Zordan M, Rosato E, Kyriacou CP, Costa R. Efficient and heritable functional knock-out of an adult phenotype in Drosophila using a GAL4-driven hairpin RNA incorporating a heterologous spacer. Nucleic Acids Res 2001; 29:E55-5. [PMID: 11410678 PMCID: PMC55754 DOI: 10.1093/nar/29.12.e55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a modified RNA interference (RNAi) method for generating gene knock-outs in Drosophila melanogaster. We used the sequence of the yellow (y) locus to construct an inverted repeat that will form a double-stranded hairpin structure (y-IR) that is under the control of the upstream activating sequence (UAS) of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4. Hairpins are extremely difficult to manipulate in Escherichia coli, so our method makes use of a heterologous 330 bp spacer encoding sequences from green fluorescent protein to facilitate the cloning steps. When the UAS-y-IR hairpin is expressed under the control of different promoter-GAL4 fusions, a high frequency of y pigment phenocopies is obtained in adults. Consequently this method for producing gene knock-outs has several advantages over previous methods in that it is applicable to any gene within the fly genome, greatly facilitates cloning of the hairpin, can be used if required with GAL4 drivers to avoid lethality or to induce RNAi in a specific developmental stage and/or tissue, is useful for generating knock-outs of adult phenotypes as reported here and, finally, the system can be manipulated to investigate the trans-acting factors that are involved in the RNAi mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piccin
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Benna C, Scannapieco P, Piccin A, Sandrelli F, Zordan M, Rosato E, Kyriacou CP, Valle G, Costa R. A second timeless gene in Drosophila shares greater sequence similarity with mammalian tim. Curr Biol 2000; 10:R512-3. [PMID: 10899011 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00594-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Benna
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Padova, 35131, Italy
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Piccin A, Couchman M, Clayton JD, Chalmers D, Costa R, Kyriacou CP. The clock gene period of the housefly, Musca domestica, rescues behavioral rhythmicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Evidence for intermolecular coevolution? Genetics 2000; 154:747-58. [PMID: 10655226 PMCID: PMC1460960 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/154.2.747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In Drosophila, the clock gene period (per), is an integral component of the circadian clock and acts via a negative autoregulatory feedback loop. Comparative analyses of per genes in insects and mammals have revealed that they may function in similar ways. However in the giant silkmoth, Antheraea pernyi, per expression and that of the partner gene, tim, is not consistent with the negative feedback role. As an initial step in developing an alternative dipteran model to Drosophila, we have identified the per orthologue in the housefly, Musca domestica. The Musca per sequence highlights a pattern of conservation and divergence similar to other insect per genes. The PAS dimerization domain shows an unexpected phylogenetic relationship in comparison with the corresponding region of other Drosophila species, and this appears to correlate with a functional assay of the Musca per transgene in Drosophila melanogaster per-mutant hosts. A simple hypothesis based on the coevolution of the PERIOD and TIMELESS proteins with respect to the PER PAS domain can explain the behavioral data gathered from transformants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piccin
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
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Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, circadian behaviour patterns have been dissected at the molecular level in Drosophila and, more recently, in the mouse. Considerable progress has been made in identifying some of the molecular components of the clock in the fly, where two genes, period (per) and timeless (tim), are essential for behavioural rhythmicity. The PER and TIM proteins show circadian cycles in abundance, and are part of a negative feedback loop with their own mRNAs. Within the pacemaker neurons, the PER and TIM products are believed to form a complex which allows them to translocate to the nucleus, but how they repress their own transcription is unclear. TIM is rapidly degraded by light, a feature which permits a compelling molecular description of both behavioural light entrainment and phase responses to light pulses. The regulation of per and tim is altered in different Drosophila tissues, however, and comparative analyses of the two genes outside the Diptera reveals further unusual patterns of tissue-specific regulation. Evolution appears to have modified the way in which the two genes are utilised to generate circadian phenotypes. More recently, the cloning of mouse clock genes, including putative per homologues, opens up exciting possibilities for mammalian molecular chronobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rosato
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, UK
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Abstract
The region of the clock gene period (per) that encodes a repetitive tract of threonine-glycine (Thr-Gly) pairs has been compared between Dipteran species both within and outside the Drosophilidae. All the non-Drosophilidae sequences in this region are short and present a remarkably stable picture compared to the Drosophilidae, in which the region is much larger and extremely variable, both in size and composition. The accelerated evolution in the repetitive region of the Drosophilidae appears to be mainly due to an expansion of two ancestral repeats, one encoding a Thr-Gly dipeptide and the other a pentapeptide rich in serine, glycine, and asparagine or threonine. In some drosophilids the expansion involves a duplication of the pentapeptide sequence, but in Drosophila pseudoobscura both the dipeptide and the pentapeptide repeats are present in larger numbers. In the nondrosophilids, however, the pentapeptide sequence is represented by one copy and the dipeptide by two copies. These observations fulfill some of the predictions of recent theoretical models that have simulated the evolution of repetitive sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nielsen
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
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