MKRN3 circulating levels in girls with central precocious puberty caused by MKRN3 gene mutations

PURPOSE

MKNR3 is a paternally expressed gene whose mutations are the main cause of central precocious puberty (CPP). Protein circulating levels can be easily measured, as demonstrated in idiopathic CPP and healthy controls. No data are available for patients harboring an MKRN3 mutation. Our aim was to perform MKRN3 mutation screening and to investigate if circulating protein levels could be a screening tool to identify MKRN3 mutation in CPP patients.

METHODS

We enrolled 140 CPP girls and performed MKRN3 mutation analysis. Patients were stratified into two groups: idiopathic CPP (iCPP) and MKRN3 mutation-related CPP (MKRN3-CPP). Clinical characteristics were collected. Serum MKRN3 values were measured by a commercially available ELISA assay kit in MKRN3-CPP and a subgroup of 15 iCPP patients.

RESULTS

We identified 5 patients with MKRN3 mutations: one was a novel mutation (p.Gln352Arg) while the others were previously reported (p.Arg328Cys, p.Arg345Cys, p.Pro160Cysfs*14, p.Cys410Ter). There was a significant difference in circulating MKRN3 values in MKRN3-CPP compared to iCPP (p < 0.001). In MKRN3-CPP, the subject harboring Pro160Cysfs*14 presented undetectable levels. Subjects carrying the missense mutations p.Arg328Cys and p.Gln352Arg showed divergent circulating protein levels, respectively 40.56 pg/mL and undetectable. The patient with the non-sense mutation reported low but measurable MKRN3 levels (12.72 pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

MKRN3 defect in patients with CPP cannot be predicted by MKRN3 circulating levels, although those patients presented lower protein levels than iCPP. Due to the great inter-individual variability of the assay and the lack of reference values, no precise cut-off can be identified to suspect MKRN3 defect.

Mechanics of tensegrity cell units incorporating asymmetry and insights into mollitaxis

The mechanical response of a contractile cell anchored to the substrate through focal adhesions is studied by means of an asymmetric pre-strained tensegrity structure obeying a neo-Hookean stress-strain law. The aim is to assess the influence of overall asymmetric contraction on the cell durotaxis and on the growth of the focal adhesion plaque. The asymmetric kinematics of the system is obtained in two ways, that is by assuming a gradient of the substrate stiffness and through asymmetric buckling. Equivalent springs are purposely considered to represent the stiffness of the ensemble formed by the substrate, the focal adhesion plaque and the integrin ligands. Then, contraction results from elastic strains induced by competing polymerization and actomyosin contraction. The cell mechanical response in terms of durotaxis and its coupling with focal adhesion plaque growth is finally analysed with respect to the effects of asymmetry, gaining some insights into how this asymmetry could participate to redirect cell migration, both in terms of durotaxis and mollitaxis.

A new DLK1 defect in a family with idiopathic central precocious puberty: elucidation of the male phenotype

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate a cohort of female and male patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP), negative for Makorin Ring Finger Protein 3 (MKRN3) defect, by molecular screening for Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) defects. DLK1 is an imprinted gene, whose mutations have been described as a rare cause of CPP in girls and adult women with precocious menarche, obesity and metabolic derangement.

METHODS

We enrolled 14 girls with familial CPP and 13 boys with familial or sporadic CPP from multiple academic hospital centers. Gene sequencing of DLK1 gene was performed. Circulating levels of DLK1 were measured and clinical and biochemical characteristics were described in those with DLK1 defects.

RESULTS

A novel heterozygous mutation in DLK1, c.288_289insC (p.Cys97Leufs*16), was identified in a male proband, his sister and their father. Age at onset of puberty was in line with previous reports in the girl and 8 years in the boy. The father with untreated CPP showed short stature. No metabolic derangement was present in the father except hypercholesterolemia. Undetectable Dlk1 serum levels indicated the complete lack of protein production in the three affected patients.

CONCLUSION

A DLK1 defect has been identified for the first time in a boy, underscoring the importance of genetic testing in males with idiopathic or sporadic CPP. The short stature reported by his untreated father suggests the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of subjects with DLK1 defects.

MKRN3 circulating levels in Prader-Willi syndrome: a pilot study

CONTEXT

Hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is generally attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction or to primary gonadal defect. MKRN3, a maternal imprinted gene located on 15q11.2-q13 region, encodes makorin ring finger protein 3, whose deficiency causes precocious puberty, an extremely rare symptom in PWS.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate MKRN3 levels in patients with PWS and to analyze its correlation with sexual hormone levels, insulin resistance and Body Mass Index (BMI).

METHODS

We performed an observational cross-sectional study and enrolled 80 patients with genetically confirmed diagnosis of PWS with median age of 9.6 years.

RESULTS

MKRN3 levels were measurable in 49 PWS patients with a geometric mean of 34.9 ± 22 pg/ml (median: 28.4). Unmeasurable levels of MKRN3 were found in 31 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between patients with and without measurable MKRN3 levels for any clinical, biochemical, or genetic characteristics. However, MKRN3 levels were inversely correlated with HOMA-IR index (p: 0.005) and HbA1c (p: 0.046) values. No statistically significant correlations were found between MKRN3 and LH, estradiol and testosterone concentrations, pubertal development and genetic defect, whereas a direct correlation with FSH was found (p: 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The typical genetic defect of PWS should lead to unmeasurable levels of the MKRN3 protein due to the inactivation of the paternal allele. Measurable circulating MKRN3 could suggest the possible involvement of tissue-specific imprinting mechanisms and other regulatory factors in gene expression. Correlations with HOMA-IR index, HbA1c, and FSH suggest peripheral actions of MKRN3, but future studies are warranted to investigate this topic.

Pre-strains and buckling in mechanosensitivity of contractile cells and focal adhesions: A tensegrity model

We demonstrate that several key aspects of the contractile activity of a cell interacting with the substrate can be captured by means of a non linear elastic tensegrity mechanical system made of a tensile element in parallel with a buckling-prone component, and exchanging forces with the surroundings through an extracellular matrix-focal adhesion complex. Mechanosensitivity of the focal adhesion plaque is triggered by pre-strain-driven buckling of the system induced either by pre-contraction or pre-polymerization of the constituents. The impact of pre-polymerization on the mechanical force and the implications of using linear and nonlinear elasticity for the focal adhesion plaque are assessed.

Actomyosin contractility and buckling of microtubules in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions

Building up and maintenance of cytoskeletal structure in living cells are force-dependent processes involving a dynamic chain of polymerization and depolymerization events, which are also at the basis of cells’ remodelling and locomotion. All these phenomena develop by establishing cell–matrix interfaces made of protein complexes, known as focal adhesions, which govern mechanosensing and mechanotransduction mechanisms mediated by stress transmission between cell interior and external environment. Within this framework, by starting from a work by Cao et al. (Biophys J 109:1807–1817, 2015), we here investigate the role played by actomyosin contractility of stress fibres in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions. In particular, we propose a tensegrity model of an adherent cell incorporating nonlinear elasticity and unstable behaviours, which provides a new kinematical interpretation of cellular contractile forces and describes how stress fibres, microtubules and adhesion plaques interact mechanobiologically. The results confirm some experimental evidences and suggest how the actomyosin contraction level could be exploited by cells to actively control their adhesion, eventually triggering cytoskeleton reconfigurations and migration processes observed in both physiological conditions and diseases.

On the equilibrium bifurcation of axially deformable holonomic systems: solution of a long-standing enigma

The stability of equilibrium is a fundamental topic in mechanics and applied sciences. Apart from its central role in most engineering fields, it also arises in many natural systems at any scale, from folding/unfolding processes of macromolecules and growth-induced wrinkling in biological tissues to meteorology and celestial mechanics. As such, a few key models represent essential benchmarks in order to gain significant insights into more complex physical phenomena. Among these models, a cornerstone is represented by a structure made of two straight axially deformable bars, connected by an elastic hinge and simply supported at the ends, which are capable of buckling under a compressive axial force. This classical example has been proposed and analysed in some depth by Feodosyev but the attention is here focused on an apparently paradoxical result given by this model, i.e. the existence of a lower bound for the axial-to-flexural stiffness ratio in order for the bifurcation to take place. This enigma is solved theoretically by showing that, differently from other classical stability problems, constitutive and geometric nonlinearities cannot be a priori disconnected and an ideal linearized axial constitutive law cannot be employed in this case. The theory is validated with an experiment, and post-buckling and energy extrema of the proposed solution are discussed as well, highlighting possible snap-back and snap-through phenomena. Finally, the results are extended to the complementary case of tensile buckling.

Bulky auxeticity, tensile buckling and deck-of-cards kinematics emerging from structured continua

Complex mechanical behaviours are generally met in macroscopically homogeneous media as effects of inelastic responses or as results of unconventional material properties, which are postulated or due to structural systems at the meso/micro-scale. Examples are strain localization due to plasticity or damage and metamaterials exhibiting negative Poisson’s ratios resulting from special porous, eventually buckling, sub-structures. In this work, through ad hoc conceived mechanical paradigms, we show that several non-standard behaviours can be obtained simultaneously by accounting for kinematical discontinuities, without invoking inelastic laws or initial voids. By allowing mutual sliding among rigid tesserae connected by pre-stressed hyperelastic links, we find several unusual kinematics such as localized shear modes and tensile buckling-induced instabilities, leading to deck-of-cards deformations—uncapturable with classical continuum models—and unprecedented ‘bulky’ auxeticity emerging from a densely packed, geometrically symmetrical ensemble of discrete units that deform in a chiral way. Finally, after providing some analytical solutions and inequalities of mechanical interest, we pass to the limit of an infinite number of tesserae of infinitesimal size, thus transiting from discrete to continuum, without the need to introduce characteristic lengths. In the light of the theory of structured deformations, this result demonstrates that the proposed architectured material is nothing else than the first biaxial paradigm of structured continuum —a body that projects, at the macroscopic scale, geometrical changes and disarrangements occurring at the level of its sub-macroscopic elements.

Vascular Function Is Improved After an Environmental Enrichment Program

Environmental enrichment may slow cognitive decay possibly acting through an improvement in vascular function. Aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 7-month cognitive, social, and physical training program on cognitive and vascular function in patients with mild cognitive impairment. In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group study, 113 patients (age, 65–89 years) were randomized to multidomain training (n=55) or usual care (n=58). All participants underwent neuropsychological tests and vascular evaluation, including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid distensibility, and assessment of circulating hematopoietic CD34+ and endothelial progenitor cells. At study entry, an age-matched control group (n=45) was also studied. Compared with controls, patients had at study entry a reduced flow-mediated dilation (2.97±2.14% versus 3.73±2.06%; P =0.03) and hyperemic stimulus (shear rate area under the curve, 19.1±15.7 versus 25.7±15.1×10 −3 ; P =0.009); only the latter remained significant after adjustment for confounders ( P =0.03). Training improved Alzheimer disease assessment scale cognitive (training, 14.0±4.8 to 13.1±5.5; nontraining, 12.1±3.9 to 13.2±4.8; P for interaction visit×training=0.02), flow-mediated dilation (2.82±2.19% to 3.40±1.81%, 3.05±2.08% to 2.24±1.59%; P =0.006; P =0.023 after adjustment for diameter and shear rate area under the curve), and circulating hematopoietic CD34 + cells and prevented the decline in carotid distensibility (18.4±5.3 to 20.0±6.6, 23.9±11.0 to 19.5±7.1 Pa −1 ; P =0.005). The only clinical predictor of improvement of cognitive function after training was established hypertension. There was no correlation between changes in measures of cognitive and vascular function. In conclusion, a multidomain training program slows cognitive decline, especially in hypertensive individuals. This effect is accompanied by improved systemic endothelial function, mobilization of progenitor CD34 + cells, and preserved carotid distensibility.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01725178.

Harm aversion explains utilitarian choices in moral decision-making in males but not in females

In recent years, a great deal of research has relied on hypothetical sacrificial dilemmas to investigate decision-making processes involved in pro-social utilitarian choices. Recent evidence, however, has suggested that moral sacrificial choices may actually reflect reduced harm aversion and antisocial dispositions rather than an utilitarian inclination. Here, we used moral dilemmas to confront healthy volunteers with controversial action choices. We measured impulsiveness and venturesomeness personality traits, which have been shown to influence harm aversion, to test their role in utilitarian action and evaluation of moral acceptability. The results of the present study show that, in males, venturesomeness drives engagement in actions and increases moral acceptability. In contrast, in females no effects of venturesomeness were observed on moral action and evaluation. Rather, in females empathetic concern and personal distress, elicited by the vicarious experience of the other's emotional states, exerted an inhibitory effect on action. Taken together, these findings indicate that the "harm aversion hypothesis" may contribute to explain utilitarian choices in males but not in females. In both genders, no association was observed between impulsiveness and moral action.

Anisakid Nematodes as Possible Markers to Trace Fish Products

In this work a total of 949 fish samples were analysed for the identification of nematode larvae belonging to the Anisakidae family. Biomolecular application for the identification of Anisakidae larvae can be an optimal instrument for the traceability of fish products, described on the Reg. EC 178/2002. Results confirm a correlation between geographical distribution of fishes and presence of specific Anisakid larvae. FAO 37 zone (Mediterranean sea) showed a prevailing distribution of Anisakis pegreffii and a minimal presence of A. simplex s.s. in hybrid form with Anisakis pegreffii. FAO 27 zone showed a prevailing distribution of A. simplex s.s. in fish like Brosme (Brosme brosme) and infestation prevalence of Pseudoterranova krabbei and P. decipiens s.s. in Gadus morhua. Obtained results validate the hypothesis that molecular biology methods for identifying Anisakidae larvae are effective traceability markers of fish products.

Combined EGFR and autophagy modulation impairs cell migration and enhances radiosensitivity in human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor due to its molecular heterogeneity and high motility and invasion capabilities of its cells, resulting in high resistance to current standard treatments (surgery, followed by ionizing radiation combined with Temozolomide chemotherapy administration). Locus amplification, gene overexpression, and genetic mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are hallmarks of GBM that can ectopically activate downstream signaling oncogenic cascades such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Importantly, alteration of this pathway, involved also in the regulation of autophagy process, can improve radioresistance in GBM cells, thus promoting the aggressive phenotype of this tumor. In this work, the endogenous EGFR expression profile and autophagy were modulated to increase radiosensitivity behavior of human T98G and U373MG GBM cells. Our results primarily indicated that EGFR interfering induced radiosensitivity according to a decrease of the clonogenic capability of the investigated cells, and an effective reduction of the in vitro migratory features. Moreover, EGFR interfering resulted in an increase of Temozolomide (TMZ) cytotoxicity in T98G TMZ-resistant cells. In order to elucidate the involvement of the autophagy process as pro-death or pro-survival role in cells subjected to EGFR interfering, the key autophagic gene ATG7 was silenced, thereby producing a transient block of the autophagy process. This autophagy inhibition rescued clonogenic capability of irradiated and EGFR-silenced T98G cells, suggesting a pro-death autophagy contribution. To further confirm the functional interplay between EGFR and autophagy pathways, Rapamycin-mediated autophagy induction during EGFR modulation promoted further impairment of irradiated cells, in terms of clonogenic and migration capabilities. Taken together, these results might suggest a novel combined EGFR-autophagy modulation strategy, to overcome intrinsic GBM radioresistance, thus improving the efficacy of standard treatments. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1863-1873, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Emerging roles of microRNA in modulating cell-death processes in malignant glioma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate protein expression by cleaving or repressing the translation of target mRNAs. In mammals, their function mainly represses the mRNA transcripts via imperfect complementary sequences in the 3'UTR of target mRNAs. Several miRNAs have been recently reported to be involved in modulation of different genes in tumors, including glioblastoma, the most frequent brain tumor in adults. Despite the improvements in treatments, survival of patients remains poor, and glioblastoma is one of the most lethal form of human cancer. To define novel strategies against this tumor, emerging research investigated miRNAs involvement in glioblastoma. In particular, this review is focused on miRNAs involved on the two principal programmed cell-death, apoptosis and autophagy, recently described from the literature. Moreover, the discovery of miRNAs role in glioma cell-death pathways has also revealed a new category of therapeutic targets, fundamental for this kind of tumor.

microRNA-17 regulates the expression of ATG7 and modulates the autophagy process, improving the sensitivity to temozolomide and low-dose ionizing radiation treatments in human glioblastoma cells

ATG7 is a key autophagy-promoting gene that plays a critical role in the regulation of cell death and survival of various cell types. We report here that microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous 22-24 nucleotide noncoding RNA molecules able to affect stability and translation of mRNA, may represent a novel mechanism for regulating ATG7 expression and therefore autophagy. We demonstrated that ATG7 is a potential target for miR-17, and this miRNA could negatively regulate ATG7 expression, resulting in a modulation of the autophagic status in T98G glioblastoma cells. Treatment of these tumor cells with the miR-17 mimic decreased, and with the antagomir increased, the expression of ATG7 protein. Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that a specific miR-17 binding sequence in the 3'-UTR of ATG7 contributed to the modulation of the expression of the gene by miR-17. Interestingly, our results showed that anti-miR-17 administration activated autophagy through autophagosome formation, as resulted by LC3B and ATG7 protein expression increase, and by the analysis of GFP-LC3 positive autophagosome vesicles in living cells. Furthermore, the autophagy activation by anti-miR-17 resulted in a decrease of the threshold resistance at temozolomide doses in T98G cells, while miR-17 modulation in U373-MG glioblastoma cells resulted in a sensitization to low ionizing radiation doses. Our study of the role of miR-17 in regulating ATG7 expression and autophagy reveals a novel function for this miRNA sequence in a critical cellular event with significant impacts in cancer development, progression and treatment.

Circulating endothelial cell levels in psoriatic patients and their modification after an anti-TNF-alpha (Etanercept) treatment

BACKGROUND

Endothelial function in psoriatic patients has been mainly evaluated through a high-resolution ultrasound measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery, which is an operator-dependent and technically demanding technique: this characteristic, together with different patient selection criteria, could account for the conflicting results emerging from different studies. Recently, Circulating Endothelial Cells (CECs) level has been suggested as a novel biomarker of vascular injury.

METHODS

The number of CECs was determined by a semi-automated immunomagnetic system (CellSearch system) in peripheral blood of psoriatic patients (n = 48) and healthy subjects (n = 50). In 15 patients, CEC level was also evaluated after 6 months of treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha agent, Etanercept. The plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (CRP), E-selectin, VEGF and PAI-1 were measured by ELISA. The psoriasis severity was assessed by PASI score.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) was found between CEC level in psoriatic patients (10.6 ± 9.4 cells/mL) vs. the control group (3.9 ± 0.9 cells/mL). This count inversely correlated with sE-selectin levels (r(2) = 0.16; P = 0.03). After 6 months of therapy, patients experienced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in CEC levels (3.4 ± 1.3 cells/mL) and in PASI score (from 11.7 ± 8.1 to 2.1 ± 4.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The elevated CECs level that we found in a sample of high selected psoriatic patients could be expression of endothelial damage. Lowering of CECs count after treatment with Etanercept support the hypothesis that an effective systemic therapy of psoriasis may also improve the endothelial function.

Autophagy and ionizing radiation in tumors: the "survive or not survive" dilemma

Autophagy is a so-called "self-eating" system responsible for degrading long-lived proteins and cytoplasmic organelles, whose products are recycled to maintain cellular homeostasis. This ability makes autophagy a good candidate for a survival mechanism in response to several stresses, including the tumor cell transformation. In particular, recent studies suggested that autophagy functions as a pro-death mechanism within different tumor contexts. It is, however, widely reported that autophagy represents both a survival mechanism or contributes directly to cell death fate. This interplay of the autophagy functions has been observed in many types of cancers and, in some cases, autophagy has been demonstrated to both promote and inhibit antitumor drug resistance. From a therapeutical point of view, the effects of the modulation of the tumor cell autophagic status, in response to ionizing radiations, are presently of particular relevance in oncology. Accordingly, this review also provides a perspective view on future works for exploring the modulation of autophagic indices in tumor cells as a novel molecular-based adjuvant strategy, in order to improve radiotherapy and chemotherapy effects in cancer patients.

AUTOCOUNTER, an ImageJ JavaScript to analyze LC3B-GFP expression dynamics in autophagy-induced astrocytoma cells

An ImageJ JavaScript, AUTOCOUNTER, was specifically developed to monitor and measure LC3B-GFP expression in living human astrocytoma cells, namely T98G and U373-MG. Discrete intracellular GFP fluorescent spots derived from transduction of a Baculovirus replication-defective vector (BacMam LC3B-GFP), followed by microscope examinations at different times. After viral transgene expression, autophagy was induced by Rapamycin administration and assayed in ph-p70S6K/ p70S6K and LC3B immunoblotting expression as well as by electron microscopy examinations. A mutated transgene, defective in LC3B lipidation, was employed as a negative control to further exclude fluorescent dots derived from protein intracellular aggregation. The ImageJ JavaScript was then employed to evaluate and score the dynamics changes of the number and area of LC3B-GFP puncta per cell in time course assays and in complex microscope examinations. In conclusion, AUTOCOUNTER enabled to quantify LC3B-GFP expression and to monitor dynamics changes in number and shapes of autophagosomal-like vesicles: it might therefore represent a suitable algorithmic tool for in vitro autophagy modulation studies.

Comparison of swab transport media for recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from environmental samples

Environmental monitoring is recognized as an important strategy for controlling Listeria monocytogenes in food processing facilities. Samples are taken by swabbing environmental surfaces, and the swabs are immersed in a medium for transport to the laboratory. In this study, buffered peptone water (BPW), Dey-Engley neutralizing broth (DE), neutralizing buffer (NB), Letheen broth (LE), and newly described MCC buffer (MCC) were evaluated as transport media for recovery of sanitizer-stressed L. monocytogenes from inoculated swabs. After storage at 4°C, the media performed similarly, but at 25°C relative recovery efficiency from the inoculated sponges was DE > LE > BPW > MCC > NB. Recoveries from stainless steel surfaces followed similar trends. MCC, DE, and NB were compared for L. monocytogenes recovery in the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Listeria innocua. After 4°C storage, all population levels changed little; after 25°C storage, DE allowed the best growth of L. monocytogenes regardless of other species present. MCC, DE, and NB performed similarly for recovery of L. monocytogenes from an artificial milk biofilm and for recovery of Listeria spp. from swabs obtained from a meat processing facility. Transport medium formulation, time and temperature of swab storage, and coexistence of other species affect recovery of sanitizer-stressed L. monocytogenes from environmental swabs. The study confirms the need to maintain 4°C storage conditions during swab transport.

Hypertension in adult after operation of aortic coarctation

AIM

The benefit of coarctation repair on the resolution of systolic hypertension in adults has been questioned.

METHODS

Between March 1997 and July 2009, 65 consecutive adult patients (≥ 16 years) underwent repair of aortic coarctation. There were 40 men (65%) and 25 women (35%) with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.8 years (range, 16 to 34 years). All patients had critical systolic blood hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg). SBP ranged from 140 to 205 mmHg, with a mean of 163.5 ± 17.6 mmHg. The mean diastolic BP was 95.1 ± 18.3 mmHg (range, 70 to 120 mmHg). Most patients (41/65, 74%) were on a regimen of at least one antihypertensive drug.

RESULTS

The patients were followed up after coarctation repair for 2 to 144 months (mean, 68 ± 39 months). There was no death. No other major complications occurred. There have been no repeat interventions during follow-up. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 61 patients with preoperative hypertension, 53 (87%) were normotensive (SBP <140 mmHg) at the most recent follow-up visit. The remaining eight patients showed substantial improvement versus the preoperative status. The mean SBP after operation was 122.5 ± 12.4 mmHg. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 79.5 ± 11.6 mmHg. Forty-one (67%) patients were taking no medication at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta in adults can lead to regression of systolic hypertension and a decreased requirement for antihypertensive medication.

Silencing of cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression by DNA-antisense oligonucleotides induces autophagy-dependent cell death in glioma cells

Malignant gliomas are the most common and lethal primary central nervous system neoplasms. Several intriguing lines of evidence have recently emerged indicating that the cellular prion protein (PrPC) may exert neuro- and cyto-protective functions: PrPC overexpression protects cultured neurons and also tumor cell lines exposed to various pro-apoptotic stimuli while, on the contrary, PrPC silencing sensitizes Adriamycin-resistant human breast carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated cell death. In order to determine if PrPC is involved in the resistance of glial tumors to cell death, the effects of cellular prion protein downregulation by antisense approach were investigated in different human malignant glioma cell lines. PrPC downregulation induced profound morphological changes and significant cell death. In addition, a significant tumor volume reduction was noted after PrPC silencing in a EGFP-GL261 glioma murine model. Investigations of the molecular effects induced by PrPC silencing were carried out on T98G human glioma cells by analysing autophagic as well as typical apoptotic markers (nuclear morphology, caspase-3/7, p53 and PARP-1). The results indicated that apoptosis was not induced after PrPC downregulation while, on the contrary, electron microscopy analysis, and an accumulation of GFP-LC3-II in autophagosomal membranes of GFP-LC3 transfected cells, indicated a predominant activation of autophagy. PrPC silencing also led to induction of LC3-II, increase in Beclin-1 and a concomitant decrease in p62, Bcl-2 and in the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, a target of mTOR autophagy signaling. In conclusion, our results show for the first time that interfering with the cellular prion protein expression could modulate autophagy-dependent cell death pathways in glial tumor cells.

Time-dependent changes in the brain arachidonic acid cascade during cuprizone-induced demyelination and remyelination

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are the enzymatic keys for the activation of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade and the subsequent synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostanoids (prostaglandins and tromboxanes). Prostanoids play critical roles in the initiation and modulation of inflammation and their levels have been reported increased in several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we aimed to determine whether brain expression PLA(2) enzymes and the terminal prostagland in levels are changed during cuprizone-induced demyelination and in the subsequent remyelination phase. Mice were given the neurotoxicant cuprizone through the diet for six weeks to induce brain demyelination. Then, cuprizone was withdrawn and mice were returned to a normal diet for 6 weeks to allow spontaneous remyelination. We found that after 4-6 weeks of cuprizone, sPLA(2)(V) and cPLA(2), but not iPLA(2)(VI), gene expression was upregulated in the cortex, concomitant with an increase in the expression of astrocyte and microglia markers. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene expression was consistently upregulated during all the demyelination period, whereas COX-1 sporadically increased only at week 5 of cuprizone exposure. However, we found that at the protein level only sPLA(2)(V) and COX-1 were elevated during demyelination, with COX-1 selectively expressed by activated and infiltrated microglia/macrophages and astrocytes. Levels of PGE(2), PGD(2), PGI(2) and TXB(2) were also increased during demyelination. During remyelination, none of the PLA(2) isoforms was significantly changed, whereas COX-1 and -2 were sporadically upregulated only at the gene expression level. PGE(2), PGI(2) and PGD(2) levels returned to normal, whereas TXB(2) was still upregulated after 3 weeks of cuprizone withdrawal. Our study characterizes for the first time time-dependent changes in the AA metabolic pathway during cuprizone-induced demyelination and the subsequent remyelination and suggests that sPLA(2)(V) is the major isoform contributing to AA release.

Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity in mice during cuprizone-induced demyelination attenuates neuroinflammation, motor dysfunction and axonal damage

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), has been reported in MS lesions and LT levels are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients. To determine whether pharmacological inhibition of 5-LO attenuates demyelination, MK886, a 5-LO inhibitor, was given to mice fed with cuprizone. Gene and protein expression of 5-LO were increased at the peak of cuprizone-induced demyelination. Although MK886 did not attenuate cuprizone-induced demyelination in the corpus callosum or in the cortex, it attenuated cuprizone-induced axonal damage and motor deficits and reduced microglial activation and IL-6 production. These data suggest that during cuprizone-induced demyelination, the 5-LO pathway contributes to microglial activation and neuroinflammation and to axonal damage resulting in motor dysfunction. Thus, 5-LO inhibition may be a useful therapeutic treatment in demyelinating diseases of the CNS.

The doppel (Dpl) protein influences in vitro migration capability in astrocytoma-derived cells

Doppel (Dpl) protein is the paralogue of the cellular prion (PrP) protein. In humans, Dpl is expressed almost exclusively in testis where it is involved in spermatogenesis. Recently, the protein has been described to be ectopically expressed in astrocytomas and its potential association to the brain tumor malignancy progression has been advanced. In this study, we aimed to investigate in vitro the potential involvement of Dpl in the tumor cell migration: to this purpose, Dpl expression was reduced in the IPDDC-A2 astrocytoma-derived cell line, by means of antisense and siRNA approaches; migration rates were then evaluated by means of a scratch wound healing assay. As a result, the cellular migration was sensibly reduced after Dpl silencing. Following a complementary approach, in HeLa cells, showing very low endogenous Dpl expression, the protein expression was induced by transfection and stabilization of an eukaryotic expression vector containing the doppel gene coding sequence. These stably Dpl-overexpressing cells revealed a significant increase in the migration rate, compared to untreated and control cells. In addition, Dpl-forced expression induced substantial changes in the cell morphology. Of note, in these cells, viability examination by means of tetrazolium-based assay did not reveal differences in the proliferation; on the contrary, a variation in density-dependent growth, leading to an increase of cell contact inhibition was highlighted. These results, in conclusion, might suggest a potential and functional role for Dpl in tumor cells migratory and morphological behaviours and address to future gene-targeted therapeutic interventions.

Altered cellular distribution and sub-cellular sorting of doppel (Dpl) protein in human astrocytoma cell lines

Doppel, a prion-like protein, is a GPI-membrane anchored protein generally not expressed in the Central Nervous System (CNS) of different mammalian species, including human. Nevertheless, in astrocytomas, a particular kind of glial tumors, the doppel encoding gene (PRND) is over-expressed and the corresponding protein product (Dpl) is ectopically localized in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. In this study we have analysed the sub-cellular localization of Dpl using double-immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy examinations in two astrocytoma-derived human cell lines (IPDDC-A2 and D384-MG). Our results confirmed that Dpl is localized in the cytoplasm of the astrocytoma cells and indicated that it is mostly associated with Lamp-1 and Limp-2 positive lysosomal vesicles and, marginally, to the Golgi apparatus and other cellular organelles. Noticeably, none of the examined tumor cells showed a membrane-Dpl localization. The membrane-associated Dpl expression was restored after the transfection of the astrocytoma cells with mutated Dpl-expression vectors in its glycosylation sites. Additionally, Dpl showed altered expression and traffic using the acidotropic agent ammonium chloride, leading to the accumulation of Dpl in nascent exocytic vesicles. Altogether, these results indicated that in the astrocytic tumor cells Dpl has an altered biosynthetic trafficking, likely derived from abnormal post-translational processes: these modifications do not permit the localization of Dpl in correspondence of the plasma membrane and lead to its intracellular accumulation in the lysosomes. In these proteolytic compartments, the astrocytic tumor cells might provide to the degradation of the excess of a potentially cytotoxic Dpl product.

[Latex risk prevention in San Paolo Hospital in Milan]

Several epidemiologic studies have highlighted that latex sensitization prevalence rate has increased over twenty years both in the general and working population, mainly among health care workers. Such subjects can develop immediate local or systemic hypersensitivity reactions up to anaphylactic shock. First, at San Paolo Hospital in Milan, it has been determined latex sensitization and allergy prevalence rates in health care workers involved in health surveillance. Subsequently an interdisciplinary task group has been constituted in order to plan latex pathology preventive actions in health workers and to identify the preventive measures that must be applied in allergic patients. These facets are tightly one another linked. Since latex allergy primary prevention is the most effective, but difficult to put into effect. Operational protocols, by which recognize latex allergy risk factors and reduce exposure to this substance, have developed for both workers and users. Latex allergy and sensitization occurrence will not probably be erased by these procedures application, but they will be reduced within the limits as low as possible.

Current trends in breast reduction

Current trends in the development of breast reduction surgery include a few minor refinements in classic inverted-T scar methods but, more, the increased use of vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty. The benefits of the latter, which include reduced scar burden and improved long-term projection, are attractive, although the technique itself has proved to be somewhat intuitive and more difficult to master. These shortcomings can be minimized and the technique safely learned by initially applying it to patients with minor degrees of macromastia and ptosis. New modifications and alternative approaches have been introduced recently to address the problematic areas of the vertical-scar technique. A survey of members of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was undertaken at the 1998 annual meeting to review the current role of various techniques in breast reduction. The results revealed a slow acceptance of vertical-scar methods and the dominance of the inferior/central pedicle inverted-T scar method for a wide variety of macromastia types. Other issues were reviewed; they revealed the minimal role of both blood transfusion and liposuction and that more than half of breast reductions are still performed on an inpatient basis.

Molecular characterization of a cross-reactive Juniperus oxycedrus pollen allergen, Jun o 2: a novel calcium-binding allergen

BACKGROUND

Species belonging to the Cupressaceae family are a relevant source of allergens that are present in a wide number of countries.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify, purify, and characterize recombinant allergens from Juniperus oxycedrus, a species belonging to the Cupressaceae family.

METHODS

Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from mRNA and cloned into the lambda-ZAP expression vector. IgE screening of the library was performed with a pool of sera from subjects allergic to Cupressaceae. A recombinant 6xHis-tagged Juniperus oxycedrus allergen, Jun o 2, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography. It was studied further by immunoblotting inhibition with pollen extracts from other Cupressaceae, Oleaceae, Urticaceae, and Graminaceae. The role of protein-bound calcium on the allergen's IgE-binding capacity was tested in a plaque assay in the presence or absence of EGTA.

RESULTS

A cDNA coding for a newly identified Juniperus oxycedrus pollen allergen, rJun o 2, was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence contained four typical Ca2+ binding sites and showed a significant sequence similarity to calmodulins. Depletion of Ca2+ in the plaque assay led to a loss of IgE-binding capacity of rJun o 2. Immunoblotting inhibition revealed that J. oxycedrus, J. ashei, Cupressus arizonica, C. sempervirens, Parietaria judaica, Olea europaea, and Lolium perenne pollen extracts were able to inhibit IgE binding to blotted rJun o 2 at different concentrations.

CONCLUSION

rJun o 2 contains IgE-binding epitopes shared by taxonomically unrelated species, and therefore it can be regarded as a new panallergen. These findings could contribute to an explanation for the phenomenon of multiple positive test results in polysensitized patients and the potential symptom-eliciting role of allergenic sources previously not encountered.

Microbiology of the swine head meat deboning process

The microbiology of swine head meat was evaluated by comparing the levels of aerobic plate count (APC), coliforms, and Escherichia coli as well as the incidence and levels of Salmonella spp. in swine head meat harvested by either the old or a new improved procedure. Based on 144 samples (72 by each procedure), the levels of APC, coliforms, and E. coli were 4.52 +/- 0.26, 2.37 +/ 0.42, and 2.25 +/ 0.42, and log(10) CFU/g respectively, regardless of the procedure used for harvesting the meat. The incidence (27/22) versus 28/72) and MPN levels (4 to 93 versus 4 to 1100) of Salmonella spp. determined by the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) methods also were the same for meat obtained using either the old or the new procedure. The BAM method detected a higher incidence of Salmonella spp. (55/144) than other methods, PCR(38/144; BAX, Du Pont) or DNA hybridization (41/144; Gene-Trak). Time of harvesting during the processing day or site of origin of the head meat (check versus tongue versus back of head) had no effect on the incidence of Salmonella spp. The data in this study indicate that the levels of bacteria encountered in swine head meat are a reflection of the harvesting procedures themselves, as well as levels in and around the head and oral cavity of swine.

Use of monoclonal antibodies in the standardization of Parietaria judaica allergenic extracts

Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) specific for Parietaria judaica allergenic components were selected on the basis of their capability to recognize either the Parietaria judaica major allergen (MoAb 1A6/1D1) or several other allergenic components (MoAb 1A4/2F8) except the major allergen. These two antibodies, either individually or combined, were used to develop an ELISA-inhibition system using a reference Parietaria judaica extract (in-house Reference preparation, IHR). The assays performed with these reagents were firstly standardized by testing the IHR several times. A good reproducibility, evaluated both at the level of 50% inhibition values, and in terms of analysis of the variance of the slopes of the regression curves, was obtained. Subsequently, the potency of several Parietaria judaica extracts, either obtained by manufacturing companies or produced in other laboratories, was evaluated by these tests. Data obtained by interpolation with the IHR values and expressed in terms of arbitrary units (AU) were compared with those obtained by classical human IgE inhibition, performed with sera from allergic patients. Results indicate that the monoclonal antibodies produced in our laboratory can be successfully employed, either individually or combined, in the standardization of allergenic preparations in addition to, and possibly replacing, the classical IgE-based standardization procedures which require human specimens often available in limited amounts only.

Allergens of Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) pollen: characterization of the pollen extract and identification of the allergenic components

Species of the Cupressaceae family are an important cause of respiratory allergies in countries with a Mediterranean climate. An allergenic extract from Cupressus arizonica pollen was prepared with two extraction steps followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, giving a protein yield of about 3%. Cupressus arizonica pollen extract was also characterized by means of sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by IgE and IgG immunoblotting and lectin blotting. IgE reactivity was restricted to six components, whereas IgG binding showed a more complex pattern. A 43 kd component, predominant both in its intensity and frequency of recognition by human IgE antibodies, was identified as the major allergen of C. arizonica. Four of the six IgE-binding components, including the major allergen, seem to be glycoproteins, as confirmed by the lectin blotting analysis. The extract produced inhouse was used to set up an immunoenzymatic test to evaluate the specific IgE binding in a panel of sera from 33 immunotherapy-free subjects who were monosensitized to cypress pollen. The percent of positivity obtained was much higher than that reported in the literature for commercial immunoassays.

An impairment and disability assessment and treatment protocol for community-living elderly persons

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Falls and immobility are common among community-living elderly persons and result from the accumulated effect of multiple impairments and disabilities as well as environmental hazards. We developed and tested a simple assessment and intervention protocol for use in prevention and treatment programs among community-living elderly persons. This article presents the components of the assessment; the criteria for intervening on diagnosed impairments contributing to falls and immobility; and the recommended treatments, environmental adaptations, training, and exercise programs targeting the diagnosed problems.

SUBJECTS

A convenience sample of 11 residents of a senior housing complex who were cognitively intact and ambulatory were chosen for reliability testing of the assessment protocol. A random sample of 20 of the 153 elderly subjects involved in a multiple risk factor trial for fall prevention then were chosen to test the reliability of the intervention recommendations.

METHODS

The assessment and intervention protocol was developed by a consensus approach among a group consisting of a geriatric physician, two nurses, and three physical therapists. The interrater reliability of both the assessment and the intervention components of the protocol was determined by comparing the results of two of the study physical therapists.

RESULTS

There was excellent agreement in assessment and intervention results by the two physical therapists. The assessment required approximately 45 minutes to complete, suggesting it is feasible for use in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

A simple, standardized assessment and intervention protocol, such as the one described, could aid physical therapists in evaluating and treating community-living elderly persons by improving communication among care providers, providing better documentation for reimbursers, and ensuring a direct linkage between assessment and intervention, thus simplifying the development of a treatment plan for elderly persons with complicated or multiple impairments. The ultimate test of this assessment and intervention protocol will be ascertainment of the goal of the protocol, namely a reduction in falls and improvement in mobility among multiply and chronically ill elderly persons.

IgG subclass antibodies against Parietaria judaica in normal and allergic subjects

IgG antibody response to the inhalant allergen Parietaria judaica (Pj) and IgG subclass distribution were studied in 82 normal subjects, divided into three groups according to age (0-1, 1-20, and 20-60 years) and in 32 allergic subjects aged 20-60 years. Both normal and allergic subjects showed an IgG response, and all had IgG1 antibodies specific for PjE. Serum IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 against PjE were detectable in 36%, 46%, and 22% of normal subjects, and in 58%, 31%, and 65% of allergic subjects, respectively. A significant difference in class distribution between allergic and age-matched normal subjects was found only for IgG4 antibodies against PjE (65% and 17%; P < 0.01). The ELISA results were also analyzed quantitatively, taking into account the relative proportion of specific antibodies. Thus, in normal subjects IgG1 antibodies showed a decreasing trend as the age rose, while no differences according to the age of the subject were found for IgG2 and IgG4. When data from allergic subjects (20-60 years) and the age-matched normal group were compared, they were different for the relative percentage of IgG2 only, showing for this a significantly lower value (P < 0.001). The present data indicate that normal and allergic subjects show differences in the IgG isotype distribution depending on their sensitivity and duration of allergen exposure.

Purification and fine characterization of a major allergen from Olea europaea pollen extract

Olea europaea (olive) pollen extract was prepared by aqueous extraction and characterized by biochemical and immunochemical methods. Two components, displaying respective mol. wt. of 17,000 and 19,000, were the most reactive allergens, being the doublet (designated Ole e I) recognized by most sera tested. The 19,000 mol. wt. component, purified by conventional biochemical procedure and lectin-affinity chromatography from the Ole e I doublet, was deglycosylated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and by ELISA inhibition. The results obtained suggest that the 19,000 mol. wt. component represents the glycosylated form of the 17,000 component.

[Vulvar dystrophies and intraepithelial neoplasms]

The ISSVD has attempted to separate dystrophic lesions from VIN in order to draw up a standard nomenclature based on histopathological characteristics so as to obtain comparable data. But the definition of the dysplastic evolutive possibilities of hyperplastic lesions is still an open problem. In this study 40% of VIN I, 100% of VIN II and 16.6% of VIN III were associated with hyperplastic lesions. 16.6% of VIN III were associated with sclerosing lichen. In this case, a hyperplastic phase could have been followed by a distrophic one since the patient was 73 years old. The overall frequency of cellular atypia in vulvar dystrophy was therefore 14.66%; it increased to 41.66% during the hyperplastic phase. The age of patients increased in parallel to the severity of lesions. No decrease in the mean age of incidence was noted except in those cases associated with HPV. The potential uncontrolled increase of hyperplastic alterations could have been produced by the absence of an inhibitory incidence stimulus, as has been noted in the resistance to topical steroid therapy in some cases of squamous hyperplasia. The localisation of cellular atypia, however, indicates surgical treatment.