1
|
Rizzo D, Gallus R, Tramaloni P, Mureddu L, Tropiano P, Crescio C, Degni E, Artuso A, Bussu F. Submandibular degloving, a modified sialoadenectomy technique with lower complication rates: A series of 35 cases. Clin Otolaryngol 2024; 49:331-336. [PMID: 38156769 DOI: 10.1111/coa.14139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Rizzo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Mureddu
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
- Otolaryngology Residency Program, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paolo Tropiano
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Crescio
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emilia Degni
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Bussu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gallus R, Rizzo D, Rossi G, Mureddu L, Galli J, Artuso A, Bussu F. p16 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Surrogate or Independent Prognostic Marker? Pathogens 2024; 13:100. [PMID: 38392838 PMCID: PMC10892421 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020100] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignancy that, despite scientific advancements, has not seen an improvement in its prognosis in the last decades. Few promising predictive markers have been found and none are relevant in clinical practice. p16ink4a, an oncosuppressor protein involved in cell cycle arrest, with a prognostic impact on other cancers, has been widely used in the head and neck region as a surrogate marker of HPV infection. Published papers and recent meta-analyses seem to minimize the biological role of HPV in the context of LSCC's cancerogenesis, and to disprove the reliability of p16ink4a as a surrogate prognostic marker in this context, while still highlighting its potential role as an independent predictor of survival. Unfortunately, the available literature, in particular during the last two decades, is often not focused on its potential role as an independent biomarker and few relevant data are found in papers mainly focused on HPV. The available data suggest that future research should focus specifically on p16ink4a, taking into account both its potential inactivation and overexpression, different patterns of staining, and immunohistochemistry cutoffs, and should focus not on its potential role as a surrogate marker but on its independent role as a predictor of survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gallus
- Otolaryngology, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy; (R.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Davide Rizzo
- U.O.C. Otorinolaringoiatria, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.R.); (F.B.)
- Otolaryngology Division, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Rossi
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, “A. Gemelli” Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (J.G.)
| | - Luca Mureddu
- U.O.C. Otorinolaringoiatria, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.R.); (F.B.)
| | - Jacopo Galli
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, “A. Gemelli” Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (J.G.)
- Department of Head-Neck and Sensory Organs, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Artuso
- Otolaryngology, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy; (R.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Francesco Bussu
- U.O.C. Otorinolaringoiatria, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.R.); (F.B.)
- Otolaryngology Division, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hommel U, Hurth K, Rondeau JM, Vulpetti A, Ostermeier D, Boettcher A, Brady JP, Hediger M, Lehmann S, Koch E, Blechschmidt A, Yamamoto R, Tundo Dottorello V, Haenni-Holzinger S, Kaiser C, Lehr P, Lingel A, Mureddu L, Schleberger C, Blank J, Ramage P, Freuler F, Eder J, Bornancin F. Discovery of a selective and biologically active low-molecular weight antagonist of human interleukin-1β. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5497. [PMID: 37679328 PMCID: PMC10484922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41190-0] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human interleukin-1β (hIL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in many diseases. While hIL-1β directed antibodies have shown clinical benefit, an orally available low-molecular weight antagonist is still elusive, limiting the applications of hIL-1β-directed therapies. Here we describe the discovery of a low-molecular weight hIL-1β antagonist that blocks the interaction with the IL-1R1 receptor. Starting from a low affinity fragment-based screening hit 1, structure-based optimization resulted in a compound (S)-2 that binds and antagonizes hIL-1β with single-digit micromolar activity in biophysical, biochemical, and cellular assays. X-ray analysis reveals an allosteric mode of action that involves a hitherto unknown binding site in hIL-1β encompassing two loops involved in hIL-1R1/hIL-1β interactions. We show that residues of this binding site are part of a conformationally excited state of the mature cytokine. The compound antagonizes hIL-1β function in cells, including primary human fibroblasts, demonstrating the relevance of this discovery for future development of hIL-1β directed therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hommel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Konstanze Hurth
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jean-Michel Rondeau
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Vulpetti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Ostermeier
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Boettcher
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacob Peter Brady
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Michael Hediger
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvie Lehmann
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elke Koch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anke Blechschmidt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rina Yamamoto
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Christian Kaiser
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Lehr
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lingel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mureddu
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Christian Schleberger
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jutta Blank
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Ramage
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Felix Freuler
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Eder
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric Bornancin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fois P, Mureddu L, Manca A, Varrucciu S, Crescio C, Gallus R, Rizzo D, Cossu A, Bussu F. Preoperative Diagnosis of Warthin Tumors Combining Cytological, Clinical and Ultrasonographic Information within a Multidisciplinary Approach in a Lump Clinic. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1075. [PMID: 37511688 PMCID: PMC10381898 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071075] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Warthin tumors account for about 20% of all benign salivary tumors, approaching 50% if we consider only the parotid gland. Wait and see is considered a reasonable option, but the diagnosis should be certain. Diagnosis can be based on morphological and cytological data, but the sensitivity of the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is not absolute, with a high rate of non-diagnostic findings in the event of a Warthin tumor, hindering the counseling and therapeutic decisions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the reliability of FNAC and its combination with anamnestic, clinical, and ultrasonographic data in diagnosing Warthin tumors. (2) Methods: A total of 413 patients affected by masses within the major salivary gland and managed between 2017 and 2022 at our institution have been included in the present retrospective study. Each patient underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with a subsequent cytological diagnosis; successively, for each patient, the clinician (otolaryngologist) and the histopathologist discussed the combination of cytological (even non-diagnostic), clinical, and ultrasonographic data in order to make a "multiparametric" diagnosis. A total of 214 cases were subsequently submitted to surgical resection and had a final histopathology report, to which the cytological and the multiparametric diagnoses can be compared. We extracted all the patients with a cytological, multiparametric, and/or histological diagnosis of Warthin tumors in order to assess the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC and of multiparametric analysis in diagnosing Warthin tumors in case of a major salivary gland mass. (3) Results: One hundred thirty-two cases had a cytological, multiparametric, and/or histological diagnosis of Warthin tumors. FNAC displays a sensitivity of 68.4% and a specificity of 98.7% in diagnosing Warthin tumors. The multiparametric evaluation allowed a considerable improvement in sensitivity (92.9% vs. 68.4%), minimizing the number of non-diagnostic results and preserving at the same time a similar value of specificity (95.5% vs. 98.7%). Notably, none of the patients with a cytological or multiparametric diagnosis of Warthin were affected by a malignant lesion in the final histopathological report. (4) Conclusions: In the case of Warthin tumors, a multiparametric evaluation encompassing anamnestic, clinical, and cytological data is effective in reducing the number of non-diagnostic reports and can safely guide the management of a tumor (e.g., antibiotic treatment of infectious complications, assign a low priority to surgery, even consider observation avoiding surgery) which is absolutely benign and can be associated with no clinically relevant issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Fois
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Mureddu
- U.O.C. Otorinolaringoiatria, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Policlinico Universitario Duilio Casula, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Alessandra Manca
- Institute of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Simona Varrucciu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Crescio
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Gallus
- Otolaryngology, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy
| | - Davide Rizzo
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Cossu
- Institute of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesco Bussu
- Division of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mureddu L, Vuister GW. Simple high-resolution NMR spectroscopy as a tool in molecular biology. FEBS J 2019; 286:2035-2042. [PMID: 30706658 PMCID: PMC6563160 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
NMR is one of the major techniques for investigating the structure, dynamics and interactions between biomolecules. However, non-experts often experience NMR experimentation and data analysis as intimidating. We discuss a simple yet powerful NMR technique, the so-called chemical shift perturbation (CSP) analysis, as a tool to elucidate macromolecular interactions in small- and medium-sized complexes, including protein-protein, protein-drug, and protein-DNA/RNA interactions. We discuss current software packages for NMR data analysis and present a new interactive graphical tool implemented in CcpNmr AnalysisAssign version-3, which can drastically reduce the time required for the CSP analysis. Lastly, we illustrate the usefulness of a protein three-dimensional structure for interpretation of the CSP data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mureddu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Geerten W Vuister
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Corbo RM, Scacchi R, Mureddu L, Mulas G, Castrechini S, Rivasi AP. Apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein E, and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms in 2 Italian populations at different risk for coronary artery disease and comparison of allele frequencies among European populations. Hum Biol 1999; 71:933-45. [PMID: 10592684] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms at the apolipoprotein B (APOB XbaI, EcoRI, insertion-deletion), apolipoprotein E (APOE), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) loci are thought to be involved in susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determine whether the allele distribution of the APOB, APOE, and ACE polymorphisms is different in 2 Italian regions with higher (northern Italy) and lower (Sardinia) CAD occurrence. The frequencies of the APOB and APOE alleles that are considered CAD risk factors were higher in northern Italy (APOB X- = 0.655; APOB R- = 0.198; APOB insertion = 0.757; APOE*4 = 0.110) than in Sardinia (APOB X- = 0.568; APOB R- = 0.159; APOB insertion = 0.680; APOE*4 = 0.052), although only APOE allele frequencies differed significantly (p = 0.001). ACE deletion allele frequencies in the 2 geographic areas showed an opposite pattern (northern Italy = 0.658; Sardinia = 0.721). Furthermore, we investigated the impact of APOB and APOE polymorphisms on interindividual variation in total cholesterol level in the 2 Italian samples, which differ in dietary habits. Only APOE phenotypes showed different mean levels of total cholesterol; the association was significant only in northern Italy (p = 0.04), where continental dietary habits and higher mean cholesterol levels prevail. These results support the suggestion that the cholesterol increasing effect of APOE*4 is environmentally mediated. Analysis of allele distributions among European populations, with remarkable differences in CAD prevalence, revealed a constant positive relationship between APOE*4 allele frequency and CAD incidence. The highest frequencies of APOB X- and R- were observed in Finland, where the incidence of CAD is high, and there is a partial agreement between APOB R- frequency and CAD occurrence across Europe, while APOB insertion and ACE deletion alleles are evenly distributed among European populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R M Corbo
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Corbo RM, Scacchi R, Mureddu L, Mulas G, Alfano G. Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Italy investigated in native plasma by a simple polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing technique. Comparison with frequency data of other European populations. Ann Hum Genet 1995; 59:197-209. [PMID: 7625766 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1995.tb00741.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A new polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGIEF) technique has been developed that allows rapid and reliable identification of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) phenotypes directly from plasma or serum without any prior treatment. This method was used to determine the APOE phenotypes in samples from Central and Southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. The frequencies observed for the APOE*2, APOE*3, and APOE*4 alleles in Central and Southern Italy (Sicily included) were similar (0.066, 0.851, 0.083 and 0.056, 0.858, 0.085 respectively) though lower APOE*4 frequencies were found in the more southern regions. The Sardinian population showed APOE gene frequencies (APOE*2 = 0.050, APOE*3 = 0.898, APOE*4 = 0.052) to be significantly different from those of the rest of Italy owing to the low APOE*4 frequency, the lowest among Caucasian populations. The frequencies were compared with those found in other European populations. A clear cut North-South decreasing cline was found for APOE*4 allele frequencies and an opposite trend was found for APOE*3 frequencies. The overall dispersion of European populations as determined by the three APOE allele frequencies was graphically represented using coordinate analysis. The tendency of the APOE*4 frequency to decline with latitude both at the Italian and at the European level was discussed with reference to similar trends observed for dietary habits (saturated fat intake).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R M Corbo
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Scacchi R, Corbo RM, Cossu G, Mureddu L, Mulas G, Pascone R. Distribution of ORM1, C6, C7 and APO C-II allele frequencies in populations from mainland Italy and Sardinia. Hum Hered 1992; 42:309-15. [PMID: 1459576 DOI: 10.1159/000154088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic variation of the human plasma proteins ORM1, C6, C7 and APO C-II was investigated by isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting in populations from mainland Italy and Sardinia. The frequencies of ORM1*1 were 0.621 and 0.564, while those of C6*A were 0.657 and 0.706 on mainland Italy and in Sardinia, respectively. In the Roman sample, 8 heterozygotes with C6 variant alleles were encountered, while none were observed in Sardinians. For C7 and APO C-II a number of heterozygotes with the rare alleles C7*2 and APO C-II*2 were found, but their frequency did not reach polymorphic levels in either population. The two populations showed a significant difference in the gene frequencies distribution for ORM1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Scacchi
- CNR Center of Evolutionary Genetics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scacchi R, Corbo RM, Mulas G, Mureddu L, Pascone R. Genetic polymorphisms of the A and B subunits of human coagulation factor XIII in mainland Italy and Sardinia: description of a new FXIIIA variant allele. Electrophoresis 1991; 12:667-70. [PMID: 1752248 DOI: 10.1002/elps.1150120912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of the two alleles of FXIIIA and the three alleles of FXIIIB were studied in populations from mainland Italy and from Sardinia. The frequencies of the FXIIIA*2 allele were 0.266 and 0.265. The frequencies of FXIIIB*1 were 0.787 and 0.765; of B*2, 0.070 and 0.094; of B*3, 0.143 and 0.141. A new cathodal FXIIIA allele (A*7) was described in the Rome sample. No significant difference in the distribution of allele frequencies for either system was found between the two populations studied. For typing both markers, good results were also obtained by using whole blood instead of plasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Scacchi
- CNR Center of Evolutionary Genetics, Dept. of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cugusi L, Mureddu L, Pegna GG. Aligning on-line checking facility for a satellite laser ranging station. Appl Opt 1984; 23:784-785. [PMID: 20424678 DOI: 10.1364/ao.23.000784] [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: 05/29/2023]
|