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Tierno D, Grassi G, Zanconati F, Dapas B, Scaggiante B. Plasma Circular RNAs as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:875. [PMID: 38672229 PMCID: PMC11048241 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is currently the most common neoplasm, the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, and is a major health problem. The discovery of new biomarkers is crucial to improve our knowledge of breast cancer and strengthen our clinical approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up. In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in circulating RNA (circRNA) as modulators of gene expression involved in tumor development and progression. The study of circulating circRNAs (ccircRNAs) in plasma may provide new non-invasive diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for BC. This review describes the latest findings on BC-associated ccircRNAs in plasma and their clinical utility. Several ccircRNAs in plasma have shown great potential as BC biomarkers, especially from a diagnostic point of view. Mechanistically, most of the reported BC-associated ccircRNAs are involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, and invasion, mainly via MAPK/AKT signaling pathways. However, the study of circRNAs is a relatively new area of research, and a larger number of studies will be crucial to confirm their potential as plasma biomarkers and to understand their involvement in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Tierno
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.); (F.Z.)
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
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Abrami M, Biasin A, Tescione F, Tierno D, Dapas B, Carbone A, Grassi G, Conese M, Di Gioia S, Larobina D, Grassi M. Mucus Structure, Viscoelastic Properties, and Composition in Chronic Respiratory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1933. [PMID: 38339210 PMCID: PMC10856136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The respiratory mucus, a viscoelastic gel, effectuates a primary line of the airway defense when operated by the mucociliary clearance. In chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF), the mucus is overproduced and its solid content augments, changing its structure and viscoelastic properties and determining a derangement of essential defense mechanisms against opportunistic microbial (virus and bacteria) pathogens. This ensues in damaging of the airways, leading to a vicious cycle of obstruction and infection responsible for the harsh clinical evolution of these CRDs. Here, we review the essential features of normal and pathological mucus (i.e., sputum in CF, COPD, and asthma), i.e., mucin content, structure (mesh size), micro/macro-rheology, pH, and osmotic pressure, ending with the awareness that sputum biomarkers (mucins, inflammatory proteins and peptides, and metabolites) might serve to indicate acute exacerbation and response to therapies. There are some indications that old and novel treatments may change the structure, viscoelastic properties, and biomarker content of sputum; however, a wealth of work is still needed to embrace these measures as correlates of disease severity in association with (or even as substitutes of) pulmonary functional tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Fabiana Tescione
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, P.le E. Fermi 1, I-80055 Portici, Italy; (F.T.); (D.L.)
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Annalucia Carbone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Domenico Larobina
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, P.le E. Fermi 1, I-80055 Portici, Italy; (F.T.); (D.L.)
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
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Mancino R, Caccavo D, Barba AA, Lamberti G, Biasin A, Cortesi A, Grassi G, Grassi M, Abrami M. Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization. Gels 2023; 9:765. [PMID: 37754447 PMCID: PMC10530842 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A cryogel is a cross-linked polymer network with different properties that are determined by its manufacturing technique. The formation of a cryogel occurs at low temperatures and results in a porous structure whose pore size is affected by thermal conditions. The adjustable pore sizes of cryogels make them attractive for diverse applications. In this study, the influence of the external operational temperature, which affects the cooling and freezing rates, on the production of cryogels with 2% w/w agarose is investigated. Moreover, a mathematical model is developed to simulate the cryogel production process and provide an initial estimate of the pore size within the structure. The predictions of the model, supported by qualitative light microscopy images, demonstrate that cryogels produced at higher process temperatures exhibit larger pore sizes. Moreover, the existence of pore size distribution within the gel structure is confirmed. Finally, stress relaxation tests, coupled with an image analysis, validates that cryogels produced at lower temperatures possess a higher stiffness and slower water release rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Mancino
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
- Eng4Life Srl, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
| | - Diego Caccavo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
- Eng4Life Srl, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
- EST Srl, Academic Spin-Off, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
| | - Anna Angela Barba
- Eng4Life Srl, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
- EST Srl, Academic Spin-Off, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Gaetano Lamberti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
- Eng4Life Srl, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
- EST Srl, Academic Spin-Off, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, Italy
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Angelo Cortesi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, Italy
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Claps F, Pavan N, Ongaro L, Tierno D, Grassi G, Trombetta C, Tulone G, Simonato A, Bartoletti R, Mertens LS, van Rhijn BWG, Mir MC, Scaggiante B. BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Current Treatment Landscape and Novel Emerging Molecular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12596. [PMID: 37628785 PMCID: PMC10454200 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma (UC), the sixth most common cancer in Western countries, includes upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and bladder carcinoma (BC) as the most common cancers among UCs (90-95%). BC is the most common cancer and can be a highly heterogeneous disease, including both non-muscle-invasive (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive (MIBC) forms with different oncologic outcomes. Approximately 80% of new BC diagnoses are classified as NMIBC after the initial transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBt). In this setting, intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the current standard treatment for intermediate- and high-risk patients. Unfortunately, recurrence occurs in 30% to 40% of patients despite adequate BCG treatment. Radical cystectomy (RC) is currently considered the standard treatment for NMIBC that does not respond to BCG. However, RC is a complex surgical procedure with a recognized high perioperative morbidity that is dependent on the patient, disease behaviors, and surgical factors and is associated with a significant impact on quality of life. Therefore, there is an unmet clinical need for alternative bladder-preserving treatments for patients who desire a bladder-sparing approach or are too frail for major surgery. In this review, we aim to present the strategies in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC, focusing on novel molecular therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Claps
- Urological Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.C.); (L.O.); (C.T.)
- Department of Surgical Oncology (Urology), Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.M.); (B.W.G.v.R.)
| | - Nicola Pavan
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Luca Ongaro
- Urological Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.C.); (L.O.); (C.T.)
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Carlo Trombetta
- Urological Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.C.); (L.O.); (C.T.)
| | - Gabriele Tulone
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Alchiede Simonato
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Riccardo Bartoletti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Laura S. Mertens
- Department of Surgical Oncology (Urology), Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.M.); (B.W.G.v.R.)
| | - Bas W. G. van Rhijn
- Department of Surgical Oncology (Urology), Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.S.M.); (B.W.G.v.R.)
| | - Maria Carmen Mir
- Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Ribera, 46600 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
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Tierno D, Grassi G, Scomersi S, Bortul M, Generali D, Zanconati F, Scaggiante B. Next-Generation Sequencing and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Insights and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119688. [PMID: 37298642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor survival of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is due to its aggressive behavior, large heterogeneity, and high risk of recurrence. A comprehensive molecular investigation of this type of breast cancer using high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods may help to elucidate its potential progression and discover biomarkers related to patient survival. In this review, the NGS applications in TNBC research are described. Many NGS studies point to TP53 mutations, immunocheckpoint response genes, and aberrations in the PIK3CA and DNA repair pathways as recurrent pathogenic alterations in TNBC. Beyond their diagnostic and predictive/prognostic value, these findings suggest potential personalized treatments in PD -L1-positive TNBC or in TNBC with a homologous recombination deficit. Moreover, the comprehensive sequencing of large genomes with NGS has enabled the identification of novel markers with clinical value in TNBC, such as AURKA, MYC, and JARID2 mutations. In addition, NGS investigations to explore ethnicity-specific alterations have pointed to EZH2 overexpression, BRCA1 alterations, and a BRCA2-delaAAGA mutation as possible molecular signatures of African and African American TNBC. Finally, the development of long-read sequencing methods and their combination with optimized short-read techniques promise to improve the efficiency of NGS approaches for future massive clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Scomersi
- Breast Unit-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marina Bortul
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniele Generali
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona-ASST, Breast Cancer Unit and Translational Research Unit, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Tonon F, Grassi G. Zebrafish as an Experimental Model for Human Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108771. [PMID: 37240116 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Belonging to the family of Cyprinidae, the zebrafish is a small freshwater fish present in the rivers of Bangladesh, Northern India and Southern Nepal [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Tonon
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
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Bortul M, Giudici F, Tierno D, Generali D, Scomersi S, Grassi G, Bottin C, Cappelletti MR, Zanconati F, Scaggiante B. A Case-Control Study by ddPCR of ALU 260/111 and LINE-1 266/97 Copy Number Ratio in Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Plasma Revealed LINE-1 266/97 as a Potential Biomarker for Early Breast Cancer Detection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108520. [PMID: 37239866 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Western countries, breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. Early detection has a positive impact on survival, quality of life, and public health costs. Mammography screening programs have increased early detection rates, but new approaches to more personalized surveillance could further improve diagnosis. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood could provide a potential tool for early diagnosis by analyzing cfDNA quantity, circulating tumor DNA mutations, or cfDNA integrity (cfDI). METHODS Plasma was obtained from the blood of 106 breast cancer patients (cases) and 103 healthy women (controls). Digital droplet PCR was used for the determination of ALU 260/111 bp and LINE-1 266/97 bp copy number ratio and cfDI. cfDNA abundance was calculated using copies of the EEF1A2 gene. The accuracy of biomarker discrimination was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for age as a potential confounder. RESULTS Cases had significantly lower ALU 260/111 or LINE-1 266/97 copy number ratios (median; ALU 260/111 = 0.08, LINE-1 266/97 = 0.20), compared with control (median; ALU 260/111 = 0.10, LINE-1 266/97 = 0.28) (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that copy number ratio discriminated cases from controls (area under the curve, AUC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.62-0.76 for ALU and 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73-0.86 for LINE-1). ROC from cfDI confirmed the better diagnostic performance of LINE-1 compared with ALU. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of LINE-1 266/97 copy number ratio or cfDI by ddPCR appears to be a useful noninvasive test that could aid in early BC detection. Further studies in a large cohort are needed to validate the biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Bortul
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Breast Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabiola Giudici
- Cancer Epidemiologic Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniele Generali
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Breast Cancer Unit and Translational Research Unit, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona-ASST, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Serena Scomersi
- Breast Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Cappelletti
- Breast Cancer Unit and Translational Research Unit, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona-ASST, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Breast Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Jesenko T, Brezar SK, Cemazar M, Biasin A, Tierno D, Scaggiante B, Grassi M, Grassi C, Dapas B, Truong NH, Abrami M, Zanconati F, Bonazza D, Rizzolio F, Parisi S, Pastorin G, Grassi G. Targeting Non-Coding RNAs for the Development of Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapeutic Approaches. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041249. [PMID: 37111734 PMCID: PMC10145575 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge, representing the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although therapeutic advances have been made in the few last years, the prognosis remains poor. Thus, there is a dire need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this regard, two approaches can be considered: (1) the identification of tumor-targeted delivery systems and (2) the targeting of molecule(s) whose aberrant expression is confined to tumor cells. In this work, we focused on the second approach. Among the different kinds of possible target molecules, we discuss the potential therapeutic value of targeting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which include micro interfering RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These molecules represent the most significant RNA transcripts in cells and can regulate many HCC features, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. In the first part of the review, the main characteristics of HCC and ncRNAs are described. The involvement of ncRNAs in HCC is then presented over five sections: (a) miRNAs, (b) lncRNAs, (c) circRNAs, (d) ncRNAs and drug resistance and (e) ncRNAs and liver fibrosis. Overall, this work provides the reader with the most recent state-of-the-art approaches in this field, highlighting key trends and opportunities for more advanced and efficacious HCC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc Brezar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, via Valerio 6, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, via Valerio 6, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Grassi
- Degree Course in Medicine, University of Trieste, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nhung Hai Truong
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNUHCM-University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, via Valerio 6, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, I-30172 Venezia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Parisi
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, I-30172 Venezia, Italy
- Doctoral School in Molecular Biomedicine, University of Trieste, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giorgia Pastorin
- Pharmacy Department, National University of Singapore, Block S9, Level 15, 4 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117544, Singapore
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
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Tierno D, Azzalini E, Farra R, Drioli S, Felluga F, Lazzarino M, Grassi G, Dapas B, Bonin S. Nanomechanical Characterization of Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines as a Marker of Response to 2c Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087230. [PMID: 37108391 PMCID: PMC10139025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with different molecular and clinical features. In past decades, few improvements have been achieved in terms of EOC management and treatment efficacy, such that the 5-year survival rate of patients remained almost unchanged. A better characterization of EOCs' heterogeneity is needed to identify cancer vulnerabilities, stratify patients and adopt proper therapies. The mechanical features of malignant cells are emerging as new biomarkers of cancer invasiveness and drug resistance that can further improve our knowledge of EOC biology and allow the identification of new molecular targets. In this study, we determined the inter and intra-mechanical heterogeneity of eight ovarian cancer cell lines and their association with tumor invasiveness and resistance to an anti-tumoral drug with cytoskeleton depolymerization activity (2c).
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Tierno
- Department of Medical Sciences (DSM), University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Eros Azzalini
- Department of Medical Sciences (DSM), University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Drioli
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DSCF), University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Felluga
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DSCF), University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Bonin
- Department of Medical Sciences (DSM), University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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10
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Le TV, Phan-Thi HT, Huynh-Thi MX, Dang TM, Holterman AXL, Grassi G, Nguyen-Luu TU, Truong NH. Autophagy Inhibitor Chloroquine Downmodulates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Damage in Bile-Duct-Ligated Mice. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071025. [PMID: 37048098 PMCID: PMC10092998 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071025] [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] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation via the autophagy pathway is a critical factor in liver fibrogenesis. This study tests the hypothesis that chloroquine (CQ) treatment can prevent autophagy and HSC activation in vitro and in vivo in bile-duct-ligated (BDL) mice. Sham-operated and BDL mice were treated with either PBS or CQ in two 60 mg/kg doses the day (D) before and after surgery. On day 2 (2D), HSCs were isolated, and their biological activities were evaluated by measuring intracellular lipid content, α-sma/collagen, and expression of autophagy lc3, sqstm1/p62 markers. The treatment efficacy on liver function was evaluated with serum albumin, transaminases (AST/ALT), and hepatic histology. Primary HSCs were treated in vitro for 24 h with CQ at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 30, and 50 µM. Autophagy and HSC activation were assessed after 2D of treatment. CQ treatment improved serum AST/ALT, albumin, and bile duct proliferation in 2D BDL mice. This is associated with a suppression of HSC activation, shown by higher HSC lipid content and collagen I staining, along with the blockage of HSC autophagy indicated by an increase in p62 level and reduction in lc3 staining. CQ 5 µM inhibited autophagy in primary HSCs in vitro by increasing p62 and lc3 accumulation, thereby suppressing their in vitro activation. The autophagy inhibitor CQ reduced HSC activation in vitro and in vivo. CQ improved liver function and reduced liver injury in BDL mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh Van Le
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.V.L.)
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Hong-Thuy Phan-Thi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.V.L.)
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - My-Xuan Huynh-Thi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.V.L.)
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Minh Dang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.V.L.)
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Ai Xuan Le Holterman
- Department of Pediatrics and Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Thao-Uyen Nguyen-Luu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.V.L.)
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Hai Truong
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +84-907-974-904
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11
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Abrami M, Bignotti F, Baldi F, Spagnoli G, Biasin A, Grassi L, Grassi G, Grassi M. Rheological and low field NMR characterization of hydrophobically-modified PEG hydrogels for drug delivery. Int J Pharm 2023; 637:122882. [PMID: 36958613 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The focus of this work is on the characterization of hydrophobically-modified polyethylene glycol hydrogels, to be used as drug delivery systems, by means of the combined used of rheology and low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Indeed, these two techniques allowed understanding how the transient physical bonds deriving from hydrophobic association superimpose to the pre-existing covalent bonds. We found that the improvement of physical bonds can be achieved not only by increasing the content of hydrophobic segments but also by using thermal treatments after hydrogel preparation. Moreover, we proved the reliability of an overall interpretative model linking the dependence of the shear modulus and the average magnetic relaxation time. Finally, we proposed a new mathematical approach for the determination of the magnetic relaxation spectrum. This approach reduced the computational heaviness of the procedure and allowed to easily discern the different contributes nested in the overall magnetic relaxation spectrum, an aspect that the traditional approach cannot provide directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Bignotti
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Baldi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gloria Spagnoli
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucia Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
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12
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Staltari G, Biasin A, Grassi L, Gerin F, Maschio M, Confalonieri M, Grassi G, Grassi M, Abrami M. Rheological and Low Field NMR Characterisation of Cystic Fibrosis Patient’s Sputum. CHEM BIOCHEM ENG Q 2023. [DOI: 10.15255/cabeq.2022.2119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Staltari
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucia Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Gerin
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Maschio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via Dell’Istria, 65, I-34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Cattinara University Hospital, Pulmonology Department, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
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13
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Grassi M, Colombo I, Manca D, Biasin A, Grassi L, Grassi G, Abrami M. Multiscale mathematical modelling of drug activation by co-grinding. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.118073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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14
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Losurdo P, de Manzini N, Palmisano S, Grassi M, Parisi S, Rizzolio F, Tierno D, Biasin A, Grassi C, Truong NH, Grassi G. Potential Application of Small Interfering RNA in Gastro-Intestinal Tumors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1295. [PMID: 36297407 PMCID: PMC9612316 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress made in the diagnoses and therapy of gastrointestinal cancers, these diseases are still plagued by a high mortality. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, small interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA molecules able to specifically target the mRNA of pathological genes, have the potential to be of therapeutic value. To be effective in the human body, siRNAs need to be protected against degradation. Additionally, they need to target the tumor, leaving the normal tissue untouched in an effort to preserve organ function. To accomplish these tasks, siRNAs have been formulated with smart delivery systems such has polymers and lipids. While siRNA protection is not particularly difficult to achieve, their targeting of tumor cells remains problematic. Here, after introducing the general features of gastrointestinal cancers, we describe siRNA characteristics together with representative delivery systems developed for gastrointestinal cancers. Afterward, we present a selection of research papers employing siRNAs against upper- and lower- gastrointestinal cancers. For the liver, we also consider papers using siRNAs to combat liver cirrhosis, a relevant risk factor for liver cancer development. Finally, we present a brief description of clinical trials employing siRNAs for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Losurdo
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolò de Manzini
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Palmisano
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Salvatore Parisi
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Pordenone, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Doctoral School in Molecular Biomedicine, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Pordenone, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30123 Venezia, Italy
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Grassi
- Degree Course in Medicine, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nhung Hai Truong
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNUHCM—University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, VNUHCM—University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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15
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Grassi G, Simonetti A, Gambacorta E, Perna A. Decrease of activity of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme content, and protein degradation in milk contaminated with heavy metals (cadmium and lead). JDS Commun 2022; 3:312-316. [PMID: 36340905 PMCID: PMC9623711 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of added Cd and Pb to milk on its stability by determining antioxidant enzymatic activities, lysozyme content, and protein degradation. Antioxidant enzymatic activities were spectrophotometrically determined by superoxide dismutase, catalase, xanthine oxidase, and glutathione peroxidase assays; lysozyme was identified and quantified by HPLC-UV analysis, and protein degradation was investigated by spectrophotometric analysis of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and dityrosine content. In this study, contaminated milk samples showed a significant reduction in activity of all studied enzymes compared with control milk. The contamination of milk also led to a significant reduction in the lysozyme content; lysozyme content was decreased about 22% and 18% in Pb milk and Cd milk, respectively, compared with control milk. The presence of the contaminants in the milk resulted in a significant increase of both dityrosine concentration and AOPP compared with the control milk. Moreover, between types of contaminated milk, dityrosine and AOPP values were significantly higher in the Pb milk than in the Cd milk. Therefore, it is important to monitor the presence of these toxic elements in milk for the damage they cause to consumer health both directly due to their ingestion and indirectly due to loss of milk stability.
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16
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Tzanova MM, Moretti F, Grassi G, Stein PC, Hiorth M, Abrami M, Grassi M, Pio di Cagno M. Modelling drug diffusion through unstirred water layers allows real-time quantification of free/loaded drug fractions and release kinetics from colloidal-based formulations. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 178:168-178. [PMID: 36029937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The correlation between in vivo and in vitro data is yet not sufficiently optimized to allow a significant reduction and replacement of animal testing in pharmaceutical development. One of the main reasons for this lies in the poor mechanistic understanding and interpretation of the physical mechanisms enabling formulation rely on for deploying the drug. One mechanism that still lacks a proper interpretation is the kinetics of drug release from nanocarriers. In this work, we investigate two different types of classical enabling formulations - i) cyclodextrin solutions and ii) liposomal dispersions - by a combination of an experimental method (i.e. UV-Vis localized spectroscopy) and mathematical modelling/numerical data fitting. With this approach, we are able to discriminate precisely between the amount of drug bound to nanocarriers or freely dissolved at any time point; in addition, we can precisely estimate the binding and diffusivity constants of all chemical species (free drug/bound drug). The results obtained should serve as the first milestone for the further development of reliable in vitro/in silico models for the prediction of in vivo drug bioavailability when enabling formulations are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina M Tzanova
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Sem Saelands vei 3, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Federica Moretti
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paul C Stein
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne Hiorth
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Sem Saelands vei 3, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Pio di Cagno
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Sem Saelands vei 3, 0371 Oslo, Norway.
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17
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Perna A, Gambacorta E, Simonetti A, Grassi G, Scopa A. Effect of Ozone Treatment Exposure Time on Oxidative Stability of Cream Milk. EUR J LIPID SCI TECH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.202100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Perna
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10‐85100 Potenza Italy
| | - E. Gambacorta
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10‐85100 Potenza Italy
| | - A. Simonetti
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10‐85100 Potenza Italy
| | - G. Grassi
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10‐85100 Potenza Italy
| | - A. Scopa
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences University of Basilicata Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10‐85100 Potenza Italy
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18
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Vio R, China P, Marras E, Cutolo A, Valle R, Grassi G, Sacca’ S, Chinellato A, Themistoclakis S. Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation on concomitant treatment with dronedarone. Europace 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac053.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Introduction
The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with bleedings. Interactions with dronedarone may increase this risk, but data on concomitant treatment of DOACs with dronedarone are limited.
Purpose
The primary endpoint was to compare the survival free from the composite endpoint of clinically relevant bleeding, thromboembolic event and all-cause death, between AF patients on treatment with dronedarone and different DOACs. The secondary endpoints were to compare the survival free from i) clinically relevant bleeding and ii) clinically relevant major bleeding.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted at our Local Health Unit, from January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2020. The population included AF patients with concomitant prescriptions of DOACs and dronedarone. Patients were divided into 4 groups (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran). Clinically relevant major bleedings were defined as fatal bleeding or bleeding leading to transfusion of ≥2 units of blood. Clinically relevant non-major bleedings were defined as any sign of hemorrhage that does not fit the criteria for major bleeding but does lead to hospitalization or emergency room admission. Thromboembolic events were defined as ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and systemic embolism.
Results
165 patients were included: 46/165 (28%) on rivaroxaban, 66/165 (40%) on apixaban, 45/165 (27%) on edoxaban, and 8/165 (5%) on dabigatran (Fig.1). Over a median follow-up of 339 days, 14/165 (8%) met the primary composite endpoint: 8/165 (5%) had clinically relevant bleedings, of which 1/165 (0.6%) was a clinically relevant major bleeding (i.e., fatal spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage), 2/165 (1%) had TIAs, and 5/165 (3%) died. We found no difference in survival free from the primary composite endpoint and from clinically relevant bleeding between groups (p=0.19 and p=0.69, respectively) (Fig. 2A-B). However, survival free from clinically relevant major bleeding was significantly lower in dabigatran users (p=0.003) (Fig. 2C). At a secondary analysis, DOACs contraindicated by 2015 EHRA guide (dabigatran, edoxaban 60 mg), and not by 2018/2021 EHRA guides (rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban 60 mg), were associated with lower survival from either clinically relevant bleeding or clinically relevant major bleeding (p=0.03 and p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
In our study on patients on concomitant treatment with DOACs and dronedarone, there was no difference in survival free from the primary composite endpoint and from clinically relevant bleeding between groups of coadministration. However, survival free from clinically relevant major bleeding was significantly lower in dabigatran users. DOACs contraindicated by 2015 EHRA guide (and not by the latest 2018/2021 EHRA guides) are associated with lower survival from either clinically relevant bleeding or clinically relevant major bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vio
- Hospital dell’Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - P China
- Hospital dell’Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - E Marras
- Hospital dell’Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - A Cutolo
- Hospital dell’Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - R Valle
- Madonna della Navicella Civil Hospital, Chioggia, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Hospital S.Giovanni e Paolo, Venezia, Italy
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19
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Vio R, China P, Marras E, Cutolo A, Valle R, Grassi G, Saccà S, Chinellato A, Themistoclakis S. C51 SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF DIRECT ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ON CONCOMITANT TREATMENT WITH DRONEDARONE. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac011.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with bleedings. Interactions with dronedarone may increase this risk, but data on concomitant treatment of DOACs with dronedarone are limited.
Aim
The primary endpoint was to compare the survival free from the composite endpoint of clinically relevant bleeding, thromboembolic event and death, between AF patients on treatment with dronedarone and different DOACs. The secondary endpoints were to compare the survival free from i) clinically relevant bleeding and ii) clinically relevant major bleeding.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted at the Local Health Unit “Ulss3 Serenissima” of Venice, Italy, from January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2020. The eligible population included AF patients with concomitant prescriptions of DOACs and dronedarone. Patients were divided in 4 groups (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran).
Results
165 patients were included: 46/165 (28%) on rivaroxaban, 66/165 (40%) on apixaban, 45/165 (27%) on edoxaban, and 8/165 (5%) on dabigatran (Fig.1). Over a median follow–up of 339 days, 14/165 (8%) met the primary composite endpoint: 8/165 (5%) had clinically relevant bleedings, of which 1/165 (0.6%) was a clinically relevant major bleeding, 2/165 (1%) had TIAs, and 5/165 (3%) died. We found no difference in survival free from the primary composite endpoint and from clinically relevant bleeding between groups (log–rank test p = 0.19 and p = 0.69, respectively) (Fig. 2A–B). However, survival free from clinically relevant major bleeding was significantly lower in dabigatran users (p = 0.003) (Fig. 2C). At a secondary analysis, DOACs contraindicated by 2015 EHRA guide (dabigatran, edoxaban 60 mg), and not by 2018/2021 EHRA guides (rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban 60 mg), were associated with lower survival from either clinically relevant bleeding or clinically relevant major bleeding (log–rank test p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively) (Fig. 3).
Conclusions
In our study, there was no difference in survival free from the primary composite endpoint and from clinically relevant bleeding between groups of coadministration. However, survival free from clinically relevant major bleeding was significantly lower in dabigatran users. DOACs contraindicated by 2015 EHRA guide (and not by the latest 2018/2021 EHRA guides) are associated with lower survival from either clinically relevant bleeding or clinically relevant major bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vio
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - P China
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - E Marras
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - A Cutolo
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - R Valle
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - G Grassi
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - S Saccà
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - A Chinellato
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
| | - S Themistoclakis
- OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; UNITÀ OPERATIVA COMPLESSA DI CARDIOLOGIA, MESTRE; OSPEDALE MADONNA DELLA NAVICELLA; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, CHIOGGIA; OSPEDALE CIVILE; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, VENEZIA; OSPEDALE DI MIRANO; UNITÀ DI CARDIOLOGIA, MIRANO; OSPEDALE DELL‘ANGELO; FARMACIA OSPEDALIERA, MESTRE
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20
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Gottardelli B, Masciocchi C, Martino A, Boldrini L, Mazzarella C, Grassi G, Massaccesi M, Valentini V, Damiani A. PO-1768 Regularized distributed Cox regression: a model for federated feature selection in survival analysis. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)03732-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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21
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Van Ameringen M, Patterson B, Turna J, Lethbridge G, Goldman Bergmann C, Lamberti N, Rahat M, Sideris B, Francisco A, Fineberg N, Pallanti S, Grassi G, Vismara M, Albert U, Gedanke Shavitt R, Hollander E, Feusner J, Rodriguez C, Morgado P, Dell’Osso B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 149:114-123. [PMID: 35272208 PMCID: PMC8872360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada,MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada,Corresponding author. Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University. MacAnxiety Research Centre, 1057 Main St. W, #L02, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1B7, Canada
| | - B. Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada,MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - J. Turna
- MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - G. Lethbridge
- MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - C. Goldman Bergmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada,MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - N. Lamberti
- MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - M. Rahat
- MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | - B. Sideris
- MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
| | | | - N. Fineberg
- National Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Treatment Service, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, University of Hertfordshire, Postgraduate Medical School, UK
| | - S. Pallanti
- Institute of Neuroscience, Università di Firenze, Italy
| | | | - M. Vismara
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Italy
| | - U. Albert
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Italy
| | - R. Gedanke Shavitt
- OCD Spectrum Disorders Program, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - E. Hollander
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, USA
| | - J. Feusner
- Department of Psychiatry University of Toronto, Canada
| | - C.I. Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, USA
| | - P. Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
| | - B. Dell’Osso
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Italy,“Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Italy
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22
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Bosutti A, Dapas B, Grassi G, Bussani R, Zanconati F, Giudici F, Bottin C, Pavan N, Trombetta C, Scaggiante B. High eEF1A1 Protein Levels Mark Aggressive Prostate Cancers and the In Vitro Targeting of eEF1A1 Reveals the eEF1A1-actin Complex as a New Potential Target for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084143. [PMID: 35456960 PMCID: PMC9027132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the eukaryotic elongation factor eEF1A1 plays a role in various tumours, there is little information on its prognosis/therapeutic value in prostate carcinoma. In high-grade and castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (CRPC), the identification of novel therapeutic markers/targets remains a priority. The expression of eEF1A1 protein was determined in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostate cancer and hyperplasia tissue by IHC. The role of eEF1A1 was investigated in a cellular model using a DNA aptamer (GT75) we previously developed. We used the aggressive CRPC cancer PC-3 and non-tumourigenic PZHPV-7 lines. Cytotoxicity was measured by the MTS assay and eEF1A1 protein levels by in-cell Western assays. The mRNA levels of eEF1A1 were measured by qPCR and ddPCR. Higher expression of eEF1A1 was found in Gleason 7-8 compared with 4-6 tissues (Gleason ≥ 7, 87% versus Gleason ≤ 6, 54%; p = 0.033). Patients with a high expression of eEF1A1 had a worse clinical outcome. In PC-3, but not in PZHPV-7, GT75 decreased cell viability and increased autophagy and cell detachment. In PC-3 cells, but not in PZHPV-7, GT75 mainly co-localised with the fraction of eEF1A1 bound to actin. Overexpression of the eEF1A1 protein can identify aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The targeting of eEF1A1 by GT75 impaired cell viability in PC-3 cancer cells but not in PZHPV-7 non-tumourigenic cells, indicating a specific role for the protein in cancer survival. The eEF1A1-actin complexes appear to be critical for the viability of PC-3 cancer cells, suggesting that eEF1A1 may be an attractive target for therapeutic strategies in advanced forms of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bosutti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28 and Via Weiss 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (B.D.)
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28 and Via Weiss 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (B.D.)
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28 and Via Weiss 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (B.D.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (B.S.); Tel.: +39-040-558-3686 (B.S.)
| | - Rossana Bussani
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Fabiola Giudici
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Nicola Pavan
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Carlo Trombetta
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (R.B.); (F.Z.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28 and Via Weiss 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (B.D.)
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (B.S.); Tel.: +39-040-558-3686 (B.S.)
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23
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Halib N, Pavan N, Trombetta C, Dapas B, Farra R, Scaggiante B, Grassi M, Grassi G. An Overview of siRNA Delivery Strategies for Urological Cancers. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040718. [PMID: 35456552 PMCID: PMC9030829 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of urological cancers has been significantly improved in recent years. However, for the advanced stages of these cancers and/or for those developing resistance, novel therapeutic options need to be developed. Among the innovative strategies, the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) seems to be of great therapeutic interest. siRNAs are double-stranded RNA molecules which can specifically target virtually any mRNA of pathological genes. For this reason, siRNAs have a great therapeutic potential for human diseases including urological cancers. However, the fragile nature of siRNAs in the biological environment imposes the development of appropriate delivery systems to protect them. Thus, ensuring siRNA reaches its deep tissue target while maintaining structural and functional integrity represents one of the major challenges. To reach this goal, siRNA-based therapies require the development of fine, tailor-made delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanobubbles and magnetic nanoparticles are among nano-delivery systems studied recently to meet this demand. In this review, after an introduction about the main features of urological tumors, we describe siRNA characteristics together with representative delivery systems developed for urology applications; the examples reported are subdivided on the basis of the different delivery materials and on the different urological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Halib
- Department of Basic Sciences & Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 55100, Malaysia;
| | - Nicola Pavan
- Urology Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Carlo Trombetta
- Urology Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.P.); (C.T.)
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.D.); (R.F.); (B.S.)
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.D.); (R.F.); (B.S.)
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.D.); (R.F.); (B.S.)
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Valerio 6, I-34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.D.); (R.F.); (B.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-399-3227
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24
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Le TV, Dinh NBT, Dang MT, Phan NCL, Dang LTT, Grassi G, Holterman AXL, Le HM, Truong NH. Effects of autophagy inhibition by chloroquine on hepatic stellate cell activation in CCl4-induced acute liver injury mouse model. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:216-224. [PMID: 34713488 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, a critical event in liver fibrosis, has been recently shown to be related to autophagy. Determine whether chloroquine (CQ) could affect (i) the activation of HSC in vivo and (ii) the hepatic damage in a mice acute liver injury model. METHODS The acute liver injury was induced in BALB/c mice by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 group); 24 h before and after CCl4 administration animals were treated by CQ (CCl4 + CQ group). As control, mice treated by olive oil were considered. After 48 h from CCl4 /olive oil administration, blood samples, liver tissues, and HSCs were harvested for analysis. RESULTS In vivo, CQ attenuates CCl4 -induced acute liver damage as evidenced by (i) the reduction of liver enlargement, (ii) the reduction of liver swelling and necrosis also supported by a certain decrease of circulating transaminases level, and (iii) the reduction of liver fibrosis evaluated by collagen deposition and α-sma protein expression. In HSCs isolated from CQ treated group, we observed the inhibition of autophagy proved by the increase in p62 protein and the decrease of lc3 protein. In addition, CQ reduced the expression of the HSCs activation markers α-sma/collagen-I and down-regulated the expression of the proliferative marker ki67. CONCLUSION The autophagy attenuation exerted by CQ together with the reduction of the expression of the proliferation marker in HSCs can lessen the acute liver damage potentially opening the way to novel therapeutic approaches for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh Van Le
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Bao Thi Dinh
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,International University, VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Minh Thanh Dang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nhan Chinh Lu Phan
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Stem cell Institute, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Loan Tung Thi Dang
- Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ai Xuan Le Holterman
- Department of Pediatrics and Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huy Minh Le
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Hai Truong
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science-VNUHCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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25
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Porrelli D, Abrami M, Pelizzo P, Formentin C, Ratti C, Turco G, Grassi M, Canton G, Grassi G, Murena L. Trabecular bone porosity and pore size distribution in osteoporotic patients - A low field nuclear magnetic resonance and microcomputed tomography investigation. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 125:104933. [PMID: 34837800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The study of bone morphology is of great importance as bone morphology is influenced by factors such as age and underlying comorbidities and is associated with bone mechanical properties and fracture risk. Standard diagnostic techniques used in bone disease, such as Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasonography do not provide qualitative and quantitative morphological information. In recent years, techniques such as High Resolution Computed Tomography (HR-CT), micro- CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) have been developed for the study of bone structure and porosity. Data obtained from these techniques have been used to construct models to predict bone mechanical properties thanks to finite element analysis. Cortical porosity has been extensively studied and successfully correlated with disease progression and mechanical properties. Trabecular porosity and pore size distribution, however, have increasingly been taken into consideration to obtain a comprehensive analysis of bone pathology and mechanic. Therefore, we have decided to evaluate the ability of micro- CT (chosen for its high spatial resolving power) and LF-NMR (chosen to analyze the behavior of water molecules within trabecular bone pores) to characterize the morphology of trabecular bone in osteoporosis. Trabecular bone samples from human femoral heads collected during hip replacement surgery were from osteoporosis (test group) and osteoarthritis (control group) patients. Our data show that both micro- CT and LF-NMR can detect qualitative changes in trabecular bone (i.e., transition from plate-like to rod-like morphology). Micro- CT failed to detect significant differences in trabecular bone morphology parameters between osteoporotic and osteoarthritic specimens, with the exception of Trabecular Number and Connectivity Density, which are markers of osteoporosis progression. In contrast, LF-NMR was able to detect significant differences in porosity and pore size of trabecular bone from osteoporotic versus osteoarthritic (control) samples. However, only the combination of these two techniques allowed the detection of structural morphometric changes (increase in the larger pore fraction and enlargement of the larger pores) in the trabecular bone of osteoporotic specimens compared to osteoarthritic ones. In conclusion, the combined use of LF-NMR and micro- CT provides a valuable tool for characterizing the morphology of trabecular bone and may offer the possibility for a new approach to the study and modeling of bone mechanics in the context of aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Porrelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Maggiore Ospital, Trieste University, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, I-34125, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pelizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Formentin
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Ratti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianluca Turco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Maggiore Ospital, Trieste University, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, I-34125, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Canton
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Murena
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
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26
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Leidi F, Maloberti A, Bombelli M, Monticelli M, Ruzzenenti G, Biolcati M, Giani V, De Chiara B, Grassi G, Giannattasio C. Metabolic syndrome is related to vascular structural alterations but not to functional one both in hypertensives and healthy subjects. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.2640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Metabolic Syndrome (MS) has been related to an impairment in arterial structural and functional properties with heterogeneous results.
Purpose
In this study we focused on the effects of MS on arterial carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and common carotid Intima Media Thickness (IMT) in two different populations, one of hypertensive patients and one of healthy controls.
Methods
We enrolled 816 consecutive hypertensive (HT) and 536 healthy controls. Vascular structural (IMT) and functional (PWV) properties were evaluated. NCEP-ATP-III criteria were used for diagnosis of MS.
Results
MS was diagnosed in 26.9% and 6.9% in hypertensive and control subjects, respectively. PWV was similar in controls with and without MS (7.7±1.9 vs 7.6±1.1 m/s, p=0.69), while IMT was higher in controls with than those without MS (0.64±0.18 vs 0.57±0.13 mm, p=0.02). Hypertensives with MS were older (57.9±12.2 vs 52.7±14.1 years, p<0.001) and showed higher PWV (9.0±2.3 vs 8.4±2.1 m/s, p=0.001) and IMT (0.72±0.22 vs 0.65±0.17 mm, p<0.001) than those without MS, however at the age-adjusted analysis only the difference in IMT was confirmed (p=0.007). Regression models showed that MS was an independent determinant of IMT in both controls (β=0.08, p=0.03) and hypertensives (β=0.08, p=0.01), but not of PWV either in controls (β=0.006, p=0.886 and β=0.04, p=0.19, respectively).
Conclusions
The main finding of our work is that MS is a significant determinant of IMT while this is not the case for PWV. This result has been confirmed both in hypertensive subjects and in healthy controls.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda
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Affiliation(s)
- F Leidi
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - A Maloberti
- University of Milan-Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan, Italy
| | - M Bombelli
- University of Milan-Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan, Italy
| | - M Monticelli
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - G Ruzzenenti
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - M Biolcati
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - V Giani
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - B De Chiara
- ASST Great Metropolitan Niguarda, A. De Gasperis Department, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- University of Milan-Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan, Italy
| | - C Giannattasio
- University of Milan-Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan, Italy
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27
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Ferrante E, Cremaschi A, Serban AL, Indirli R, Grassi G, Locatelli M, Arosio M, Mantovani G. Usefulness of non-stimulated copeptin in the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus after pituitary surgery. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2315-2317. [PMID: 33609279 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01530-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Ferrante
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Cremaschi
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A L Serban
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R Indirli
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Locatelli
- Neurosurgery Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Arosio
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mantovani
- Department: Endocrinology Unit, Institute: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20143, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Abrami M, Maschio M, Conese M, Confalonieri M, Gerin F, Dapas B, Farra R, Adrover A, Torelli L, Ruaro B, Grassi G, Grassi M. Combined use of rheology and portable low-field NMR in cystic fibrosis patients. Respir Med 2021; 189:106623. [PMID: 34624628 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients progress to respiratory failure, lung functionality assessment is pivotal. We previously developed a test that indirectly monitors airways (inflammation/functional test) by measuring the spin-spin relaxation time (T2m) of the water hydrogens present in CF sputum. Here the T2m significance in the monitoring of CF lung disease was further investigated by studying the correlation of T2m with: 1) sputum viscoelasticity, 2) mucociliary clearability index (MCI)/cough clearability index (CCI) and 3) sputum average mesh-size. METHODS Sputum samples from 25 consenting CF subjects were analyzed by rheology tests (elastic modulus G and zero shear viscosity η0) and Low Field Nuclear Magnetic (LF-NMR) resonance (T2m). MCI/CCI were calculated from the rheological parameters. The average mesh-size (ξ) of the sputum structure was then evaluated by rheology/LF-NMR, together with FEV1 for each patient. RESULTS There was an inverse correlation between G and η0 versus T2m, indicating that a worsening of the lung condition (T2m-FEV1 drop) is paralleled by an increase in sputum viscoelasticity (G and η0) favoring mucus stasis/inflammation. A direct correlation was also observed between T2m and MCI/CCI, showing that T2m provides information as to airway mucus clearing. Moreover, there was a direct correlation between T2m and the average sputum mesh size (ξ). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a correlation between T2m (measured in CF patient's sputum) and the sputum viscoelasticity/average mesh-size and with MCI/CCI, parameters related to airway mucus clearing. Thus, the present data strengthen the potential of our test to provide indirect monitoring of airway disease course in CF patients as T2m depends on mucus solid concentration and nanostructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Maschio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via Dell'Istria, 65, I-34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Foggia University, Ospedali Riuniti, Via L. Pinto, 1, I-71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Cattinara University Hospital, Pulmonology Department, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Gerin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossella Farra
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Adrover
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucio Torelli
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Cattinara University Hospital, Pulmonology Department, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
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Tonon F, Farra R, Zennaro C, Pozzato G, Truong N, Parisi S, Rizzolio F, Grassi M, Scaggiante B, Zanconati F, Bonazza D, Grassi G, Dapas B. Xenograft Zebrafish Models for the Development of Novel Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080803. [PMID: 34451900 PMCID: PMC8400454 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common type of tumor and the second leading cause of tumor-related death worldwide. Liver cirrhosis is the most important predisposing factor for HCC. Available therapeutic approaches are not very effective, especially for advanced HCC, which is the most common form of the disease at diagnosis. New therapeutic strategies are therefore urgently needed. The use of animal models represents a relevant tool for preclinical screening of new molecules/strategies against HCC. However, several issues, including animal husbandry, limit the use of current models (rodent/pig). One animal model that has attracted the attention of the scientific community in the last 15 years is the zebrafish. This freshwater fish has several attractive features, such as short reproductive time, limited space and cost requirements for husbandry, body transparency and the fact that embryos do not show immune response to transplanted cells. To date, two different types of zebrafish models for HCC have been developed: the transgenic zebrafish and the zebrafish xenograft models. Since transgenic zebrafish models for HCC have been described elsewhere, in this review, we focus on the description of zebrafish xenograft models that have been used in the last five years to test new molecules/strategies against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Tonon
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Cristina Zennaro
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Gabriele Pozzato
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Nhung Truong
- Stem Cell Research and Application Laboratory, VNUHCM, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 72711, Vietnam;
| | - Salvatore Parisi
- Pathology Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, I 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (F.R.)
- Doctoral School in Molecular Biomedicine, University of Trieste, I 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, I 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (F.R.)
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, I 30170 Mestre, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.S.); (B.D.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (F.T.); (R.F.); (C.Z.); (G.P.); (F.Z.); (D.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.S.); (B.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I 34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.S.); (B.D.)
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Giovanelli L, Aresta C, Favero V, Bonomi M, Cangiano B, Eller-Vainicher C, Grassi G, Morelli V, Pugliese F, Falchetti A, Gennari L, Scillitani A, Persani L, Chiodini I. Hidden hypercortisolism: a too frequently neglected clinical condition. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:1581-1596. [PMID: 33394454 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Classic Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a severe disease characterized by central obesity, hypertension, easy bruising, striae rubrae, buffalo hump, proximal myopathy and hypertricosis. However, several CS cases have also been reported with unusual or camouflaged manifestations. In recent years, several authors investigated the prevalence of "hidden hypercortisolism" (HidHyCo) among subjects affected with bone fragility, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The prevalence of the HidHyCo is estimated to be much higher than that of classic CS. However, similarly to classic CS, HidHyCo is known to increase the risk of fractures, cardiovascular disease and mortality. METHODS We reviewed all published cases of unusual presentations of hypercortisolism and studies specifically assessing the HidHyCo prevalence in diabetic, osteoporotic and hypertensive patients. RESULTS We found 49 HidHyCo cases, in whom bone fragility, hypertension and diabetes were the presenting manifestations of an otherwise silent hypercortisolism. Amongst these cases, 34.7%, 32.7%, 6.1% and 19.0%, respectively, had bone fragility, hypertension, DM2 or hypertension plus DM2 as the sole clinical manifestations of HidHyCo. Overall, 25% of HidHyCo cases were of pituitary origin, and bone fragility was the very prevalent first manifestation among them. In population studies, it is possible to estimate that 1-4% of patients with apparent primary osteoporosis has a HidHyCo and the prevalence of this condition among diabetics ranges between 3.4 and 10%. CONCLUSION These data indicate that patients with resistant or suddenly worsening hypertension or DM2 or unexplainable bone fragility should be screened for HidHyCo using the most recently approved sensitive cut-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Giovanelli
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Aresta
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Favero
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Bonomi
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - B Cangiano
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Eller-Vainicher
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - V Morelli
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - F Pugliese
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - A Falchetti
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - L Gennari
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Scillitani
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - L Persani
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - I Chiodini
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Magnasco 2, 20149, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences Cattinara University Hospital University of Trieste Strada di Fiume 447 I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste Via Valerio 6/A I 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Perrone F, Craparo EF, Cemazar M, Kamensek U, Drago SE, Dapas B, Scaggiante B, Zanconati F, Bonazza D, Grassi M, Truong N, Pozzato G, Farra R, Cavallaro G, Grassi G. Targeted delivery of siRNAs against hepatocellular carcinoma-related genes by a galactosylated polyaspartamide copolymer. J Control Release 2021; 330:1132-1151. [PMID: 33212117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Given the lack of effective treatments for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the development of novel therapeutic approaches is very urgent. Here, siRNAs were delivered to HCC cells by a synthetic polymer containing α,β-poly-(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-D,L-aspartamide-(PHEA) derivatized with diethylene triamine (DETA) and bearing in the side chain galactose (GAL) linked via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) to obtain (PHEA-DETA-PEG-GAL, PDPG). The GAL residue allows the targeting to the asialo-glycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), overexpressed in HCC cells compared to normal hepatocytes. Uptake studies performed using a model siRNA or a siRNA targeted against the enhanced green fluorescence protein, demonstrated the PDPG specific delivery of siRNA to HuH7 cells, a human cellular model of HCC. GAL-free copolymer (PHEA-DETA-PEG-NH2, PDP) or the chemical block of ASGPR, impaired PDPG targeting effectiveness in vitro. The specificity of PDPG delivery was confirmed in vivo in a mouse dorsal skinfold window chamber assay. Functional studies using siRNAs targeting the mRNAs of HCC-related genes (eEF1A1, eEF1A2 and E2F1) delivered by PDPG, significantly decreased HuH7 vitality/number and down regulated the expression of the target genes. Only minor effectiveness was in contrast observed for PDP. In IHH, a human model of normal hepatocytes with reduced ASGPR expression, PDPG barely reduced cell vitality. In a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model of HCC, PDPG-siRNAs reduced HCC tumor growth compared to controls without significant toxic effects. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the valuable potentials of PDPG for the specific delivery of siRNAs targeting HCC-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Perrone
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - Emanuela Fabiola Craparo
- Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche, Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Lab of Biocompatible Polymers, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 32, Palermo 90123, Italy
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-, Izola 6310, Slovenia
| | - Urska Kamensek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Salvatore Emanuele Drago
- Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche, Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Lab of Biocompatible Polymers, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 32, Palermo 90123, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste 447, Italy
| | - Debora Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste 447, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, Trieste I 34127, Italy
| | - Nhung Truong
- Stem Cell Research and Application Laboratory - VNUHCM - University of Science, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam
| | - Gabriele Pozzato
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste 447, Italy
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy.
| | - Gennara Cavallaro
- Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche, Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Lab of Biocompatible Polymers, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 32, Palermo 90123, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, Trieste 447, Italy
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Torralba M, Farra R, Maddaloni M, Grassi M, Dapas B, Grassi G. Drugs Repurposing in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:7222-7233. [PMID: 32660396 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200713190520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovary Carcinoma (OC) is the most lethal gynecological neoplasm due to the late diagnoses and to the common development of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, the strategy of drug repurposing is becoming attractive. By this approach, the effectiveness of a drug originally developed for another indication is tested in a different pathology. The advantage is that data about pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity are already available. Thus, in principle, it is possible to reduce research costs and to speed up drug usage/marketing. RESULTS Here, some noticeable examples of repurposed drugs for OC, such as amiodarone, ruxolitinib, statins, disulfiram, ormeloxifenem, and Quinacrine, are reported. Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, has shown promising anti-OC activity, although the systemic toxicity should not be neglected. The JAK inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, may be employed particularly in coadministration with standard OC therapy as it synergistically interacts with platinum-based drugs. Particularly interesting is the use of statin which represent one of the most commonly administered drugs in aged population to treat hypercholesterolemia. Disulfiram, employed in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, has shown anti-OC properties. Ormeloxifene, commonly used for contraception, seems to be promising, especially due to the negligible side effects. Finally, Quinacrine used as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug, is able to downregulate OC cell growth and promote cell death. CONCLUSION Whereas further testing in patients are necessary to better clarify the therapeutic potential of repurposed drugs for OC, it is believed that their use, better if combined with OC targeted delivery systems, can significantly contribute to the development of novel and effective anti-OC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Torralba
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447,
34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Maddaloni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio
6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447,
34149 Trieste, Italy
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Pavan N, Grassi G, Scaggiante B. An update of aberrant methylation detection on circulating cell-free DNA as a tool to improve prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. jtgg 2021. [DOI: 10.20517/jtgg.2021.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Grassi G, Morelli V, Ceriotti F, Polledri E, Fustinoni S, D'Agostino S, Mantovani G, Chiodini I, Arosio M. Minding the gap between cortisol levels measured with second-generation assays and current diagnostic thresholds for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency: a single-center experience. Hormones (Athens) 2020; 19:425-431. [PMID: 32222957 PMCID: PMC7426310 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-020-00185-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current cut-offs for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI) have been established using outdated immunoassays. We compared the cortisol concentrations measured with Roche Cortisol I (R1), the newly available Roche Cortisol II (R2), and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the gold standard procedure to measure steroids in patients undergoing the corticotropin (ACTH) test. METHODS We enrolled 30 patients (age 47 ± 21 years) referred to undergo the ACTH test (1 or 250 μg). Cortisol was measured at 0, 30, and 60 min after stimulation with R1, R2, and LC-MS/MS. AI was diagnosed for R1-stimulated peak cortisol concentrations < 500 nmol/L. RESULTS Mean cortisol concentrations measured with R2 and LC-MS/MS were comparable, while mean cortisol concentrations measured by R1 were higher than those of both R2 and LC-MS/MS (respectively, basal 411 ± 177, 287 ± 119, and 295 ± 119 nmol/L; at 30 min, 704 ± 204, 480 ± 132, and 500 ± 132 nmol/L; at 60 min, 737 ± 301, 502 ± 196, and 519 ± 201 nmol/L, p ≤ 0.01 for R1 vs. both R2 and LC-MS/MS at each point). Considering the 500 nmol/L cortisol peak cut-off, AI was diagnosed in 5/30 patients using R1 and in 12/30 using R2 (+ 140%). Based on the correlation between R1 and R2, the threshold of 500 nmol/L became 351 nmol/L (12.7 μg/dL) when cortisol was measured with R2, and 368 nmol/L (13.3 μg/dL) with LC-MS/MS. CONCLUSIONS The use of more specific cortisol assays results in lower cortisol concentrations. This could lead to misdiagnosis and overtreatment when assessing AI with the ACTH test if a different cut-off for cortisol peak is not adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Grassi
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
- Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - V Morelli
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - F Ceriotti
- Clinical Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - E Polledri
- Toxicology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - S Fustinoni
- Toxicology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - S D'Agostino
- Clinical Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mantovani
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - I Chiodini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes & Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Arosio
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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36
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Pozzato G, Mazzaro C, Artemova M, Abdurakhmanov D, Grassi G, Crosato I, Mauro E, Ghersetti M, Zorat F, Bomben R, Bulian P, Gattei V. Direct‐acting antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus‐mixed cryoglobulinaemia: dissociated virological and haematological responses. Br J Haematol 2020; 191:775-783. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Pozzato
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Cesare Mazzaro
- Clinical and Experimental Onco‐Haematology Unit CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS Aviano Italy
| | - Marina Artemova
- Department of Fundamental Medicine Moscow State University Moscow Russia
| | | | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Ivo Crosato
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Endri Mauro
- Department of Internal Medicine Pordenone General Hospital Pordenone Italy
| | - Michela Ghersetti
- Department of Internal Medicine Pordenone General Hospital Pordenone Italy
| | - Francesca Zorat
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Riccardo Bomben
- Clinical and Experimental Onco‐Haematology Unit CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS Aviano Italy
| | - Pietro Bulian
- Clinical and Experimental Onco‐Haematology Unit CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS Aviano Italy
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco‐Haematology Unit CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS Aviano Italy
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37
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Abrami M, Grassi L, di Vittorio R, Hasa D, Perissutti B, Voinovich D, Grassi G, Colombo I, Grassi M. Dissolution of an ensemble of differently shaped poly-dispersed drug particles undergoing solubility reduction: mathematical modelling. ADMET DMPK 2020; 8:297-313. [PMID: 35300307 PMCID: PMC8915606 DOI: 10.5599/admet.841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this theoretical paper is to develop a mathematical model for describing the dissolution process, in a finite liquid environment, of an ensemble of poly-dispersed drug particles, in form of sphere, cylinder and parallelepiped that can undergo solubility reduction due to phase transition induced by dissolution. The main result of this work consists in its simplicity as, whatever the particular particles size distribution, only two ordinary differential equations are needed to describe the dissolution process. This, in turn, reflects in a very powerful and agile theoretical tool that can be easily implemented in electronic sheets, a widespread tool among the research community. Another model advantage lies on the possibility of determining its parameters by means of common independent techniques thus enabling the evaluation of the importance of solid wettability on the dissolution process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Dept. of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/A, Trieste, I-34127 Italy
| | - Lucia Grassi
- Liceo Scientifico G. Galilei, Trieste, Via Mameli 4, I-34139 Italy
| | - Rosario di Vittorio
- Dept. of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/A, Trieste, I-34127 Italy
| | - Dritan Hasa
- Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trieste University, Piazzale Europa 1, Trieste, I-34127, Italy
| | - Beatrice Perissutti
- Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trieste University, Piazzale Europa 1, Trieste, I-34127, Italy
| | - Dario Voinovich
- Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trieste University, Piazzale Europa 1, Trieste, I-34127, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Dept. of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, I-34149 Italy
| | - Italo Colombo
- Dept. of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/A, Trieste, I-34127 Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Dept. of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/A, Trieste, I-34127 Italy
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38
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Milocco A, Scuor N, Lughi V, Lamberti G, Barba AA, Divittorio R, Grassi G, Perkan A, Grassi M, Abrami M. Thermal gelation modeling of a pluronic‐alginate blend following coronary angioplasty. J Appl Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/app.48539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Milocco
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Nicola Scuor
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Vanni Lughi
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Gaetano Lamberti
- Department of Industrial EngineeringUniversity of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, I‐84084 Fisciano SA Italy
| | - Anna Angela Barba
- Department of PharmacySalerno University, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, I‐84084 Fisciano SA Italy
| | - Rosario Divittorio
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life SciencesCattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, I‐34149 Trieste Italy
| | - Andrea Perkan
- Struttura Complessa di Cardiologia, Azienda per l'Assistenza Sanitaria n. 1 Triestina, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447, I‐34149 Trieste Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and ArchitectureTrieste University, via Valerio 6, I‐34127 Trieste Italy
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39
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Fineberg N, Van Ameringen M, Drummond L, Hollander E, Stein D, Geller D, Walitza S, Pallanti S, Pellegrini L, Zohar J, Rodriguez C, Menchon J, Morgado P, Mpavaenda D, Fontenelle L, Feusner J, Grassi G, Lochner C, Veltman D, Sireau N, Carmi L, Adam D, Nicolini H, Dell'Osso B. How to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) under COVID-19: A clinician's guide from the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Research Network (OCRN) of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 100:152174. [PMID: 32388123 PMCID: PMC7152877 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N.A. Fineberg
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK,Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK,University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK,Corresponding author at: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
| | - M. Van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - L. Drummond
- SW London and St George's NHS Trust and St George's, University of London, UK
| | - E. Hollander
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - D.J. Stein
- SA MRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - D. Geller
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - S. Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Switzerland,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S. Pallanti
- Istituto di Neuroscienze, University of Florence, Italy,Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - L. Pellegrini
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK,Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK,Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - J. Zohar
- The Post Trauma Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Israel,Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - C.I. Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA,Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - J.M. Menchon
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Cibersam, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P. Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center – Braga, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - D. Mpavaenda
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK,Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - L.F. Fontenelle
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia,D'Or Institute for Research and Education and Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J.D. Feusner
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - G. Grassi
- Brain Center Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - C. Lochner
- SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - D.J. Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location VUMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - N. Sireau
- Orchard, 66 Devonshire Road, Cambridge CB1 2BL, UK
| | - L. Carmi
- The Post Trauma Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Israel
| | | | - H. Nicolini
- Genomics of Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico,Clinical Research, Carracci Medical Group, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - B. Dell'Osso
- University of Milan, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy,“Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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40
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Maloberti A, Bruno RM, Facchetti R, Grassi G, Taddei S, Ghiadoni L, Giannattasio C. THE role of metabolic syndrome in blood pressure control and pulse wave velocity progression over a 3.5 years in treated hypertensive PATIENTS. Eur J Intern Med 2020; 76:107-109. [PMID: 32081529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Maloberti
- Cardiology IV, "A.De Gasperis" Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, Milan, 20159, Italy; Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.
| | - R M Bruno
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Center -PARCC and Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - R Facchetti
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - S Taddei
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Ghiadoni
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Giannattasio
- Cardiology IV, "A.De Gasperis" Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, Milan, 20159, Italy; Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
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41
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Balduit A, Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Maggi V, Zito G, Romano F, Romano A, Ceccherini R, Grassi G, Bonin S, Bonazza D, Zanconati F, Ricci G, Bulla R. The Extracellular Matrix Influences Ovarian Carcinoma Cells' Sensitivity to Cisplatinum: A First Step towards Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051175. [PMID: 32392708 PMCID: PMC7281165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of personalized therapies for ovarian carcinoma patients is still hampered by several limitations, mainly the difficulty of predicting patients’ responses to chemotherapy in tumor cells isolated from peritoneal fluids. The main reason for the low predictive power of in vitro assays is related to the modification of the cancer cells’ phenotype induced by the culture conditions, which results in changes to the activation state and drug sensitivity of tumor cells compared to their in vivo properties. We have defined the optimal culture conditions to set up a prognostic test to predict high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) patients’ responses to platinum chemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) and fibronectin matrices and the contribution of freezing/thawing processes to the cell response to platinum-based treatment, collecting spheroids from the ascitic fluids of 13 patients with stage II or III HGSOC. Our findings indicated that an efficient model used to generate predictive data for in vivo sensitivity to platinum is culturing fresh spheroids on HA, avoiding the use of previously frozen primary tumor cells. The establishment of this easy, reproducible and standardized testing method can significantly contribute to an improvement in therapeutic effectiveness, thus bringing the prospect of personalized therapy closer for ovarian carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-04-0558-8646
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Veronica Maggi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Rita Ceccherini
- Centro Sociale Oncologico, OSARF, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Serena Bonin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
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42
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Maloberti A, Giannattasio C, Bombelli M, Desideri G, Cicero AFG, Muiesan ML, Rosei EA, Salvetti M, Ungar A, Rivasi G, Pontremoli R, Viazzi F, Facchetti R, Ferri C, Bernardino B, Galletti F, D'Elia L, Palatini P, Casiglia E, Tikhonoff V, Barbagallo CM, Verdecchia P, Masi S, Mallamaci F, Cirillo M, Rattazzi M, Pauletto P, Cirillo P, Gesualdo L, Mazza A, Volpe M, Tocci G, Iaccarino G, Nazzaro P, Lippa L, Parati G, Dell'Oro R, Quarti-Trevano F, Grassi G, Virdis A, Borghi C. Hyperuricemia and Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Experience of the URRAH (Uric Acid Right for Heart Health) Project. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2020; 27:121-128. [PMID: 32157643 DOI: 10.1007/s40292-020-00368-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest European Guidelines of Arterial Hypertension have officially introduced uric acid evaluation among the cardiovascular risk factors that should be evaluated in order to stratify patient's risk. In fact, it has been extensively evaluated and demonstrated to be an independent predictor not only of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but also of myocardial infraction, stroke and heart failure. Despite the large number of studies on this topic, an important open question that still need to be answered is the identification of a cardiovascular uric acid cut-off value. The actual hyperuricemia cut-off (> 6 mg/dL in women and 7 mg/dL in men) is principally based on the saturation point of uric acid but previous evidence suggests that the negative impact of cardiovascular system could occur also at lower levels. In this context, the Working Group on uric acid and CV risk of the Italian Society of Hypertension has designed the Uric acid Right for heArt Health project. The primary objective of this project is to define the level of uricemia above which the independent risk of CV disease may increase in a significantly manner. In this review we will summarize the first results obtained and describe the further planned analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Maloberti
- Cardiology IV, "A.De Gasperis" Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20159, Milan, Italy. .,Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.
| | - C Giannattasio
- Cardiology IV, "A.De Gasperis" Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20159, Milan, Italy.,Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - M Bombelli
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.,Clinica Medica, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - G Desideri
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A F G Cicero
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M L Muiesan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - E A Rosei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Ungar
- Department of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Rivasi
- Department of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - R Pontremoli
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Policlinico SanMartino, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Viazzi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Policlinico SanMartino, Genoa, Italy
| | - R Facchetti
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - C Ferri
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - B Bernardino
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - F Galletti
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University of Naples Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - L D'Elia
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University of Naples Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - P Palatini
- Studium Patavinum, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - E Casiglia
- Studium Patavinum, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - V Tikhonoff
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - C M Barbagallo
- Biomedical Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - P Verdecchia
- Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - S Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Mallamaci
- Reggio Cal Unit, CNR-IFC, Clinical Epidemiology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - M Cirillo
- Department of Public Health, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - M Rattazzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Medicina Interna I, Ca' Foncello University Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - P Pauletto
- Medicina Interna I, Ca' Foncello University Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - P Cirillo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - L Gesualdo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - A Mazza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Maria della Misericordia General Hospital, AULSS 5 Polesana, Rovigo, Italy
| | - M Volpe
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - G Tocci
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - G Iaccarino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - P Nazzaro
- Department of Medical Basic Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - L Lippa
- Italian Society of General Medicine (SIMG), Avezzano, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G Parati
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.,Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - R Dell'Oro
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.,Clinica Medica, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - F Quarti-Trevano
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.,Clinica Medica, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Health Science Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy.,Clinica Medica, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - A Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Borghi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Dapas B, Pozzato G, Zorzet S, Capolla S, Macor P, Scaggiante B, Coan M, Guerra C, Gnan C, Gattei V, Zanconati F, Grassi G. Effects of eEF1A1 targeting by aptamer/siRNA in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells. Int J Pharm 2020; 574:118895. [PMID: 31862491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common leukemia in Western countries adults, can be improved via a deeper understanding of its molecular abnormalities. Whereas the isoforms of the eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A1 and eEF1A2) are implicated in different tumors, no information are available in CLL. METHODS eEF1A1/eEF1A2 amounts were quantitated in the lymphocytes of 46 CLL patients vs normal control (real time PCR, western blotting). eEF1A1 role in CLL was investigated in a cellular (MEC-1) and animal model of CLL via its targeting by an aptamer (GT75) or a siRNA (siA1) delivered by electroporation (in vitro) or lipofection (in vivo). RESULTS eEF1A1/eEF1A2 were elevated in CLL lymphocytes vs control. eEF1A1 but not eEF1A2 levels were higher in patients which died during the study compared to those surviving. eEF1A1 targeting (GT75/siA1) resulted in MEC-1 viability reduction/autophagy stimulation and in vivo tumor growth down-regulation. CONCLUSIONS The increase of eEF1A1 in dead vs surviving patients may confer to eEF1A1 the role of a prognostic marker for CLL and possibly of a therapeutic target, given its involvement in MEC-1 survival. Specific aptamer/siRNA released by optimized delivery systems may allow the development of novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pozzato
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sonia Zorzet
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Capolla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Coan
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Gnan
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria, 65, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, I.R.C.C.S., Via Franco Gallini, 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
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Ben Mosbah M, Eleon C, Passard C, Loridon J, Perot B, Barbot L, Grassi G. Performance assessment of amplification and discrimination electronic devices for passive neutron measurements. EPJ Web Conf 2020. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202022505001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The knowledge of the fissile material mass is a key challenge to enhance radioactive waste management and to ensure a high level of safety in nuclear industry. Data is analyzed according to the principles of the neutron measurement techniques. As proportional counters filled with 3He gas display high neutron detection efficiency and a good gamma-ray discrimination, they are the reference detector for passive neutron coincidence counting. A charge preamplifier or a current amplifier, depending on applications, collects the electric pulse produced by neutron interaction in the 3He gas and a threshold discriminator produces a logic pulse used for neutron counting. This paper describes the performance assessment of different commercially available electronics from Mirion Technologies, Precision Data Technology (PDT), Mesytec, as well as MONACO electronics originally developed by CEA LIST for fission chamber measurements in experimental reactors. Comparative passive neutron measurements are carried out with these electronics at CEA/DEN Nuclear Measurement Laboratory in Cadarache. Overall, PDT and Mesytec electronics show similar detection efficiency as the ACH-NA98 charge amplifier, which is commonly used in our laboratory for such applications. However, MONACO electronics have a lower detection efficiency, similar to Mirion 7820 current amplifier used in specific high-count rate applications. An optimisation of MONACO settings would probably be necessary to adapt to 3He counters instead of fission chambers.
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Eller-Vainicher C, Cairoli E, Grassi G, Grassi F, Catalano A, Merlotti D, Falchetti A, Gaudio A, Chiodini I, Gennari L. Pathophysiology and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Bone Fragility. J Diabetes Res 2020; 2020:7608964. [PMID: 32566682 PMCID: PMC7262667 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7608964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of bone fragility fractures compared to nondiabetic subjects. This increased fracture risk may occur despite normal or even increased values of bone mineral density (BMD), and poor bone quality is suggested to contribute to skeletal fragility in this population. These concepts explain why the only evaluation of BMD could not be considered an adequate tool for evaluating the risk of fracture in the individual T2DM patient. Unfortunately, nowadays, the bone quality could not be reliably evaluated in the routine clinical practice. On the other hand, getting further insight on the pathogenesis of T2DM-related bone fragility could consent to ameliorate both the detection of the patients at risk for fracture and their appropriate treatment. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the increased risk of fragility fractures in a T2DM population are complex. Indeed, in T2DM, bone health is negatively affected by several factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, muscle-derived hormones, incretins, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production and cortisol secretion, peripheral activation, and sensitivity. All these factors may alter bone formation and resorption, collagen formation, and bone marrow adiposity, ultimately leading to reduced bone strength. Additional factors such as hypoglycemia and the consequent increased propensity for falls and the direct effects on bone and mineral metabolism of certain antidiabetic medications may contribute to the increased fracture risk in this population. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature evidence that faces the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone fragility in T2DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Eller-Vainicher
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - E. Cairoli
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes & Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Italy
- Dept. of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Grassi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dept. of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Grassi
- Ramses Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D. Merlotti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - A. Falchetti
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes & Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Italy
| | - A. Gaudio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, University Hospital ‘G. Rodolico', Catania, Italy
| | - I. Chiodini
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes & Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Italy
- Dept. of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L. Gennari
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
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46
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Abrami M, Maschio M, Conese M, Confalonieri M, Di Gioia S, Gerin F, Dapas B, Tonon F, Farra R, Murano E, Zanella G, Salton F, Torelli L, Grassi G, Grassi M. Use of low field nuclear magnetic resonance to monitor lung inflammation and the amount of pathological components in the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients. Magn Reson Med 2019; 84:427-436. [PMID: 31788856 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a novel approach to monitor lung ventilation/inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Lung assessment in CF patients is relevant given that most patients succumb to respiratory failure. Respiratory functional tests (forced expiratory volume in the first second; FEV1 ) and inflammatory markers are used to test pulmonary ventilation/inflammation, respectively. However, FEV1 is effort dependent and might be uncomfortable for CF patients. Furthermore, inflammatory marker detection is costly and not rapid. To overcome these limitations, we propose the measurement, by means of low field nuclear magnetic resonance, of the spin-spin relaxation time (T2m ) of water hydrogens present in CF patient sputum. In CF sputum, different biological components are pathologically increased and inversely related to lung functionality. Moreover, we showed that these components alter in a dose-dependent manner the T2m in synthetic CF sputum. METHODS Sputum samples were obtained from 42 CF subjects by voluntary expectoration; FEV1 , C-reactive protein (CRP), blood neutrophil counts together with cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-4, and vascular endothelial growth factor) quantifications were then evaluated. RESULTS In sputum samples, we observe that T2m directly correlates (rFEV1 = 0.44; P < 10-4 ; 169 samples) with FEV1 . Moreover, T2m inversely correlates with the circulating inflammation markers CRP/neutrophil number (rCRP = -0.44, P < 10-4 ; rNC = -0.37, P < 2 * 10-4 ; 103 and 86 samples, respectively) and with the sputum inflammatory cytokines TNFα/IL-β1 (rTNFα = -0.72, P < 10-4 ; rIL-1β = -0.685, P < 10-4 ; 27 samples). T2m variations also correspond to FEV1 values over time in defined patients. CONCLUSION These findings, together with the fast, reliable, and simple determination of T2m , make our approach a novel tool potentially usable in the real world of CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Maschio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Foggia University, Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Department, Cattinara University Hospital, Pulmonology Department, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Foggia University, Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy
| | - Fabio Gerin
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Tonon
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossella Farra
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giada Zanella
- Cattinara University Hospital, Department of Clinical, Surgery and Health Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Department, Cattinara University Hospital, Pulmonology Department, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucio Torelli
- Cattinara University Hospital, Department of Clinical, Surgery and Health Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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47
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Bosutti A, Kalaja O, Zanconati F, Dapas B, Grassi G, Passamonti S, Scaggiante B. A rapid and specific method to simultaneously quantify eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 and A2 protein levels in cancer cells. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 176:112814. [PMID: 31450069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The two isoforms of the eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A (eEF1A1 and eEF1A2), sustain the progression/aggressiveness of cancer cells. Thus, they are considered promising therapeutic targets and prognostic markers. It follows that their precise quantification is of utmost relevance in research and development. The simultaneous quantification of A1 and A2 proteins in the cells helps the comprehension of cancer biology mechanisms and response to drug treatments. However, the high homology at the amino-acidic level (92%) can cause antibodies cross-reaction. Moreover, the commonly employed western blotting just gives semi-quantitative data and does not allow the detection of both protein targets within the same cell. Thus, we developed an in cell western (ICW) technique to bypass the above limitations. METHODS Firstly, relevant antibodies cross-reaction was excluded by immunohistochemistry on normal pancreatic tissue; then eEF1A1-A2 protein levels were quantitated by ICW in prostate and colorectal cancer cell lines in 96 well plates under different conditions, which include: 1) drug treatment, 2) siRNA silencing, 3) cell seeding density. RESULTS We show that: 1) eEF1A1-A2 levels vary depending on the cell type following drug treatment, 2) ICW can accurately detect eEF1A1-A2 protein levels following siRNA silencing, 3) cell seeding density influences eEF1A1-A2 levels, depending on cell type. CONCLUSIONS ICW is a valuable tool to specifically determine the intracellular level of eEF1A1-A2 proteins thus contributing to better define their role as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers in human tumors as well as for drug effects screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bosutti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Odeta Kalaja
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabina Passamonti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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48
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Seravalle G, Dell'oro R, Gardini M, Quarti Trevano F, Marro G, Mancia G, Grassi G. P3405Association between heart rate thresholds for cardiovascular risk defined by new ESC/ESH Guidelines and neuroadrenergic markers. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz745.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The ESC/ESH Guidelines for hypertension issued in 2018 identify resting heart rate (HR) values greater than 80 beats/minute as predictors of cardiovascular risk, with the undocumented evidence that this detection might represent the occurrence of a sympathetic cardiovascular overdrive.
Purpose
In the present study we tested this hypothesis throughout the use of direct and indirect markers of sympathetic neural function.
Methods
In 167 untreated and uncomplicated mild-to moderate essential hypertensives recruited for different investigations and aged 51.8±3.2 years (mean±SEM) without other cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular disease, we measured clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP), HR (EKG), venous plasma norepinephrine (NE, HPLC assay) and efferent postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA, microneurography). We then subdivided the study population in 2 groups according to HR values ≤ or >80 beats/minute.
Results
Sixty-eight patients displayed resting HR >80 beats/minute while the remaining 99 below this threshold value, the 2 groups showing superimposable age values and gender distribution. Body mass index, clinic and ambulatory BP were similar in the 2 groups this being the case also for LVMI and metabolic variables. In contrast MSNA values were significantly greater (P<0.02) in the former than in the latter group both when expressed as bursts incidence over time (49.2±1.8 vs 39.5±1.4 bs/min) and when corrected for HR (60.7±3.0 vs 51.4±2.5 bs/100 hb). NE showed a tendency to be greater in the former group without achieving, however, statistical significance. In the whole population there was a significant direct relationship between MSNA and HR values (r=0.61, P<0.01)
Conclusions
Thus hypertensive patients displaying HR >80 beats/minute are characterized by a marked sympathetic overdrive, particularly when direct adrenergic markers are employed. This finding suggests that cardiac and peripheral sympathetic activation may participate at the increased cardiovascular risk detected in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Seravalle
- San Luca Hospital, Italian Institute for Auxology (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - R Dell'oro
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - M Gardini
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | - G Marro
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - G Mancia
- University of Milan-Bicocca, Health Science, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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Virdis A, Casiglia E, Masi S, Desideri G, Tikhonoff V, Muiesan ML, Grassi G, Borghi C. P1566Identification of the cardiovascular threshold limit for serum uric acid. Analysis from a general Italian population. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Serum uric acid (SUA) is increasingly recognised as an important predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. However, the levels of SUA that discriminate across the different strata of risk for CVD and total mortality remain unknown, complicating the identification of subjects at high or low mortality risk for SUA in clinical practice.
Purpose
In this study we used a large Italian population comprising >3ehz748.0326 subjects to assess the threshold of SUA that increases the risk of total and CVD mortality.
Methods
The URic Acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) study is a regional-basis multicentre cohort study which collected data from prospective studies and databases from different hypertension centres, including subjects with at least one measure of SUA and a follow-up of about 20 years. Total mortality was defined as mortality for any causes, cardiovascular mortality as death due to fatal myocardial infraction, stroke or heart failure. Multivariate dichotomic logistic and Cox regression models were used to confirm the relationship between SUA and mortality status both from cardiovascular and any causes, while ROC curves were used to identify the threshold of SUA that better discriminated people at higher or lower mortality risk.
Results
A total of 22.275 subjects had SUA and mortality information. Logistic regression identified a direct and strong association between SUA and an increased risk of total (OR 1.176, 95% CI 1.127–1.227) and CVD (OR 1.147, 95% CI 1.093–1.203) mortality, independently of other CVD risk factors (age, BMI, LDL cholesterol, diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, alcohol consumption and smoking). Cox models confirmed the presence of an independent association between SUA and any causes (HR 1.123, 95% CI 1.090–1.567) and CVD (HR 1.124, 95% CI 1.081–1.169) mortality. ROC curve analysis identified a cut-off value od SUA [(4.79 mg/dL (95% CI 4.7–5.4 mg/dl)] able to discriminate total mortality status, and a different one [(5.60 mg/dL (95% CI 5.09–5.89 mg/dl)] able to identify CVD mortality status. Multivariate Cox analysis adjusted for confounders confirmed that subjects with SUA >4.79 mg/dl had a significantly higher total mortality (HR 1.293, 95% CI 1.181–1.416) compared to those with SUA <4.79 mg/dl, independently of covariables. Similarly, subjects with SUA >5.60 mg/dl had a significantly higher CVD mortality (HR 1.428, 95% CI 1.273–1.600) than those with SUA <5.60 mg/dl after adjustment for the same confounders.
Conclusion
Levels of SUA that increase the risk of total and CVD mortality are significantly lower than those commonly used for the definition of hyperuricemia in clinical practice. Our data provide the first large evidence of a level of “cardiovascular” SUA that might be used in clinical practice to identify subjects at greater risk of total and CVD mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - S Masi
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - G Grassi
- University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - C Borghi
- University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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50
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Seravalle G, Quarti Trevano F, Dell'oro R, Bertoli G, Mancia G, Grassi G. P1688Behavior of indices of sympathetic activity in relation to sleep time duration in untreated hypertensives. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk and increased incidence of cardiovascular events.
Purpose
Whether and what extent the pathophysiology of this association includes sympathetic abnormalities has never been examined via microneurography.
Methods
In 28 untreated mild-to moderate essential hypertensives aged 66.4±3.1 (mean±SEM) without other cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular disease (including obstructive sleep apnea) recruited from the outpatient clinic and referred for short sleep duration, we directly assessed at patients home via actigraphy (actiwatch spectrum activity monitor, Phillips) time sleep duration and efficiency. Measurements, performed during a day preceding or following the 7 day actigraphy evaluation, included microneurographic recording of efferent postganglionic sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA), venous plasma norepinephrine (HPLC), clinic, 24 hour and beat to beat blood pressure and heart rate values. Sleep diary and a sleep questionnaire were also administered.
Results
Nine patients slept less than 6 hours per night (LSD), while the remaining ones between 6 to 7 (MSD, n=8) or more than 7 hours (GSD,N=11). The 3 groups showed similar age and gender distribution and a body mass index amounting to 28.1±0.8, 28.6±0.5 and 27.3±0.5 kg/m2 (P=NS). For similar mean blood pressure values LSD showed MSNA values significantly greater than GSD (53.4±4.9 vs 40.1±3.8bs/100hb, P<0.03), this being the case also for MSD (49.7±4.4, P<0.05 vs GSD but not SLD). HR was significantly elevated only in LSD group when compared to GSD, while no significant difference was found in plasma NE between the 3 groups.
Conclusions
The present study provides the first microneurographic direct evidence that short sleep duration is linked to a marked sympathetic activation, which may participate at the high cardiovascular risk of these subjects. The sympathetic overdrive affects both the cardiac and peripheral district but is not reflected by NE, which thus does not represent in this condition a valuable adrenergic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Seravalle
- San Luca Hospital, Italian Institute for Auxology (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | | | - R Dell'oro
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - G Bertoli
- IRCCS MultiMedica Sesto San Giovanni, nephrology, Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - G Mancia
- University of Milan-Bicocca, Health Science, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Clinica medica, Univ. Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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