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Frau J, Mulasso A, Coghe G, Melis M, Beratto L, Cuomo S, Lorefice L, Fenu G, Cocco E. Multidimensional frailty and its association with quality of life and disability: A cross-sectional study in people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 79:105036. [PMID: 37806230 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105036] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) have a high risk of frailty. We aim to evaluate frailty using the Tilburg frailty indicator (TFI), a multidimensional self-reported questionnaire, and to explore its relationship with autonomy, quality of life (QoL), and disability. METHODS All the patients with MS enrolled completed TFI (frail when TFI score ≥ 5 points), the Groningen Activities Restriction Scale to evaluate autonomy, and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 to evaluate QoL. We collected the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, age and gender. Data were analysed using descriptive analyses, hierarchical multiple regression, and ANCOVA. RESULTS A total of 208 pwMS (mean age 44 years, SD=11; 75% women; 89.4% relapsing-remitting) were enrolled. The mean TFI total score was 5.7 points (SD=3.0; range 0-14), with the 62.5% of participants exhibiting frailty. After controlling for age and gender, the EDSS score was associated with the total (β=0.469; R2=0.255; p<0.001) and the physical (β=0.571; R2=0.349; p<0.001) frailty score, with an explained variance of 25.5% and 34.9%, respectively. No relationships between the EDSS and psychological and social frailty domains were detected. The proportion of frail patients with EDSS ≥ 6.0, EDSS within 3.5-5.5, and EDSS ≤ 3.0 was 91.7%, 83.3%, and 66.0%, respectively. Frail patients exhibited higher autonomy impairment (p = 0.017) and worse QoL (p<0.001). DISCUSSION We found a high frequency of frail patients with MS. Frailty is more common in patients with higher disability, but it affects also those with low EDSS. In people with MS frailty could be influenced by factors other than disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Frau
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, Italy.
| | - A Mulasso
- NeuroMuscularFunction/Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - G Coghe
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Melis
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, Italy
| | - L Beratto
- NeuroMuscularFunction/Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - S Cuomo
- NeuroMuscularFunction/Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - L Lorefice
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Fenu
- Neurologia, ARNAS Brotzu Cagliari, Italy
| | - E Cocco
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, Italy; Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy
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Manca F, Cocco D, Siotto P, Melis M, Fele G, Corda M, Loi B. C33 PERCUTANEOUS CLOSURE OF MITRAL PARAVALVULAR LEAK (PVL): WHEN REVERSAL MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac011.032] [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
PVL is a complication associated with the implantation of a prosthetic valve. Since surgical re–intervention has a high operative risk, percutaneous closure (PC) has emerged due to its reduced invasiveness and the development of dedicated materials. We describe the case of a 66–year–old man with a mechanical oscillating disc mitral prosthesis who was admitted for acute heart failure. An echo showed a left ventricle with normal motion and a postero–medial mitral PVL with significant regurgitation. A transoesophageal echo confirmed the PVL in the 5 o’clock viewing portal with severe regurgitation. After optimising the medical therapy and with no change in echo findings, a cardiac catheterisation showed persistent post–capillary pulmonary hypertension, and therefore PC of the PVL was scheduled. Given the postero–medial location of the PVL, a transseptal puncture was performed using a 8.5 Fr Agilis introducer (Terumo) with telescoping system of a 6 r. JR4 catheter. The PVL was passed through with a Terumo 0.035 J–shaped guide, but without managing to advance the catheter beyond the leak. The guide was therefore advanced into the abdominal aorta and an arteriovenous circuit was created, which allowed the catheter to be advanced beyond the PVL and a closure device (AVPIII 14/5,Abbott St.Jude) was positioned with anterograde placement, with a distal disc on the ventricular side. Obliteration of the PVL, interference with the prosthetic disc and high transprosthetic gradients were observed despite several attempts to relocate the AVP, which was therefore removed. A second procedure was performed at a distance, creating a similar arteriovenous circuit by using a long introducer (110cm–Cook) which was advanced from the femoral artery beyond the leak in the opposite direction. An AVPIII (12/5) with a distal disc on the atrial side was positioned, this time with retrograde placement, with effective closure of the PVL and minimal residual regurgitation, without interference with the prosthesis. The course was free of complications; after one month the echo confirmed the result. Transcatheter closure of the PVL is a complex procedure, but relatively safe in experienced hands. This case is of particular interest due to the difficulty presented by the location of the PVL, which required measures of high technical complexity and because it describes a possible complication of the procedure, which was resolved by the simple reversal of the placement of the device.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Manca
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - D Cocco
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - P Siotto
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - M Melis
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - G Fele
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - M Corda
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
| | - B Loi
- POLICLINICO UNIVERSITARIO DI MONSERRATO, CAGLIARI; ARNAS G.BROTZU, CAGLIARI
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Pisano S, Melis M, Figorilli M, Polizzi L, Rocchi L, Giglio S, Defazio G, Muroni A. Neurological Phenomenology of the IRF2BPL Mutation Syndrome: Analysis of a New Case and Systematic Review of the Literature. Seizure 2022; 99:12-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.04.010] [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] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Busquets-Garcia A, Melis M, Bellocchio L, Marsicano G. Cannabinoid Signalling in the Brain: New Vistas. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:903-908. [PMID: 35118747 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15618] [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] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Busquets-Garcia
- Cell-type mechanisms in normal and pathological behaviour Research Group, Neuroscience Programme, IMIM Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari. Cagliari, Italy
| | - L Bellocchio
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - G Marsicano
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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Binaghi G, Congia D, Cossa S, Ganga R, Giardina G, Matta G, Merella W, Melis M, Pasqualucci D, Serra E, Porcu M. Seizures and recurrence of Takotsubo syndrome: One clinical presentation and trigger, but two different anatomical variants in the same patient. A case to meditate on. Seizure 2018; 63:37-39. [PMID: 30396042 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G Binaghi
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - D Congia
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - S Cossa
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - R Ganga
- Department of Interne Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Giardina
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Matta
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - W Merella
- Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Melis
- Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - D Pasqualucci
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - E Serra
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Porcu
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
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Cocco L, Piras V, Enne P, Manieli C, Melis M. Thrombectomy in ischemic stroke due to metastatic sacral chordoma: a case report. Neurol Sci 2017; 39:581-585. [PMID: 29063449 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-017-3153-9] [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] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Cocco
- Presidio San Michele - Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Piazza A. Ricchi 1, 09100, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - V Piras
- Presidio San Michele - Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Piazza A. Ricchi 1, 09100, Cagliari, Italy
| | - P Enne
- Presidio San Michele - Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - C Manieli
- Presidio San Michele - Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Melis
- Presidio San Michele - Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Piazza A. Ricchi 1, 09100, Cagliari, Italy
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Bonaldo G, Rossi L, Gasperoni L, Melis M, Grandi S, Vaccheri A, Motola D. Drugs - Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: A Pharmacoepidemiological Study Based on Who Database of Adverse Drug Reactions. Clin Ther 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.05.098] [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: 10/19/2022]
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Papp V, Klingelhoefer L, Zis P, Melis M, Tábuas-Pereira M, Macerollo A, Sauerbier A. European Academy of Neurology - Resident and Research Fellow Section: innovations and future direction in 2017. Eur J Neurol 2017. [PMID: 28636145 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13352] [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: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V Papp
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - L Klingelhoefer
- Department of Neurology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - P Zis
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Melis
- Neurology Service, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Service, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Macerollo
- Neurology, UCL Institute of Neurology, London
| | - A Sauerbier
- Department of Neurology, King's College London and King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Poli L, Zedde M, Zini A, Del Sette M, Lodigiani C, Spalloni A, Di Lisi F, Toriello A, Piras V, Stilo C, Tomelleri G, Tancredi L, Paciaroni M, Silvestrelli G, Adami A, Costa P, Morotti A, De Giuli V, Caria F, Gamba M, Malferrari G, Simone AM, Musolino R, Giorli E, Banfi E, Marcheselli S, Rasura M, Pugliese N, Melis M, Bovi P, Padovani A, Burlina A, Pezzini A. Screening for Fabry disease in patients with ischaemic stroke at young age: the Italian Project on Stroke in Young Adults. Eur J Neurol 2017; 24:e12-e14. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - M. Zedde
- S.C. Neurologia; Arcispedale ‘Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS’; Reggio Emilia
| | - A. Zini
- Stroke Unit; Clinica Neurologica; Nuovo Ospedale Civile ‘S. Agostino Estense’, AUSL; Modena
| | | | - C. Lodigiani
- Centro Trombosi; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano-Milano
| | - A. Spalloni
- Stroke Unit; Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea; Università ‘La Sapienza’; Roma
| | - F. Di Lisi
- Stroke Unit; Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea; Università ‘La Sapienza’; Roma
| | - A. Toriello
- U.O.C. Neurologia; A.O. Universitaria ‘San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona’; Salerno
| | - V. Piras
- Stroke Unit; Azienda Ospedaliera ‘G. Brotzu’; Cagliari
| | - C. Stilo
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze; Scienze Psichiatriche e Anestesiologiche; Clinica Neurologica; Università di Messina; Messina
| | - G. Tomelleri
- UO Neurologia; Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Borgo Trento; Verona
| | - L. Tancredi
- U.O. Neurologia; ASST Lariana - Ospedale Sant'Anna; Como
| | - M. Paciaroni
- Stroke Unit; Divisione di Medicina Cardiovascolare; Università di Perugia; Perugia
| | - G. Silvestrelli
- Stroke Unit; Dipartimento di Neuroscienze; Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma; Mantova
| | - A. Adami
- Stroke Center; Dipartimento di Neurologia; Ospedale Sacro Cuore Negrar; Verona
| | - P. Costa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - A. Morotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - V. De Giuli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - F. Caria
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - M. Gamba
- Stroke Unit; Neurologia Vascolare; Spedali Civili di Brescia; Brescia
| | - G. Malferrari
- S.C. Neurologia; Arcispedale ‘Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS’; Reggio Emilia
| | - A. M. Simone
- Stroke Unit; Clinica Neurologica; Nuovo Ospedale Civile ‘S. Agostino Estense’, AUSL; Modena
| | - R. Musolino
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze; Scienze Psichiatriche e Anestesiologiche; Clinica Neurologica; Università di Messina; Messina
| | - E. Giorli
- Unità di Neurologia; Ospedale S. Andrea; La Spezia
| | - E. Banfi
- Centro Trombosi; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano-Milano
| | - S. Marcheselli
- Neurologia d'Urgenza and Stroke Unit; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano-Milano
| | - M. Rasura
- Stroke Unit; Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea; Università ‘La Sapienza’; Roma
| | - N. Pugliese
- U.O.C. Neurologia; A.O. Universitaria ‘San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona’; Salerno
| | - M. Melis
- Stroke Unit; Azienda Ospedaliera ‘G. Brotzu’; Cagliari
| | - P. Bovi
- UO Neurologia; Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Borgo Trento; Verona
| | - A. Padovani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
| | - A. Burlina
- Neurologia; Dipartimento di Medicina Interna; Ospedale San Bassiano; Bassano del Grappa Italy
| | - A. Pezzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Sperimentali; Clinica Neurologica; Università degli Studi di Brescia; Brescia
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Di Mauro R, Greco L, Melis M, Manenti G, Floris R, Giacomini PG, Di Girolamo M, Di Girolamo S. Radiological and clinical difficulties in the management of chronic maxillary sinusitis in β Thalassemic paediatric patients. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 84:75-80. [PMID: 27063757 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beta thalassemia is a blood dyscrasia that caused a marked expansion of active marrow spaces and extramedullary haematopoiesis results. In these patients various alterations and abnormalities affects different body areas, including increased risk of sinusitis. The marrow expansion in the facial bones results in delay in pneumatisation of the sinuses, overgrowth of the maxillae, and forward displacement of the upper incisors with skeletal deformities. In current literature, maxillary sinuses are not deeply evaluated by CT scan studies in these kind of patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of maxillary sinuses abnormalities by the use of CT in patients with beta-thalassemia major and to compare these findings with a control group free from this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of 22 paediatric patients with beta-thalassemia major and 22 control subjects without sinonasal diseases was performed. CT was done using a 64-multidetector-row CT scanner without contrast injection, obtained in axial plane using thin-slice technique. Evaluated parameters were: bone thickness of the lateral and anterior wall, density and volume of the maxillary sinuses. RESULTS Significant difference was found between the study group and control group in the evaluation of all the parameters examined. The maxillary sinus of β thalassemic patients was smaller respect of controls, the bone was more dense and thick in the side and anterior wall. Beta-thalassemic patients have a relative risk of 2.87 to develop a maxillary sinusitis. DISCUSSION In these patients there is an increased incidence of sinonasal infections due to the abnormal development of cranio facial skeleton. These bone alterations might confuse the physicians and lead to an increased rate of sinusitis diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Di Mauro
- Department of Otorhinolaringology, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Greco
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - M Melis
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - G Manenti
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - R Floris
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - P G Giacomini
- Department of Otorhinolaringology, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - M Di Girolamo
- Department of Odontostomatologic Science, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Girolamo
- Department of Otorhinolaringology, University of "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Di Maio VC, Cento V, Di Paolo D, Aragri M, De Leonardis F, Tontodonati M, Micheli V, Bellocchi MC, Antonucci FP, Bertoli A, Lenci I, Milana M, Gianserra L, Melis M, Di Biagio A, Sarrecchia C, Sarmati L, Landonio S, Francioso S, Lambiase L, Nicolini LA, Marenco S, Nosotti L, Giannelli V, Siciliano M, Romagnoli D, Pellicelli A, Vecchiet J, Magni CF, Babudieri S, Mura MS, Taliani G, Mastroianni C, Vespasiani-Gentilucci U, Romano M, Morisco F, Gasbarrini A, Vullo V, Bruno S, Baiguera C, Pasquazzi C, Tisone G, Picciotto A, Andreoni M, Parruti G, Rizzardini G, Angelico M, Perno CF, Ceccherini-Silberstein F. HCV NS3 sequencing as a reliable and clinically useful tool for the assessment of genotype and resistance mutations for clinical samples with different HCV-RNA levels. J Antimicrob Chemother 2015; 71:739-50. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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12
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Celani MG, Bassi MC, Bignamini A, Candelaresi P, Carlini M, Cecconi M, Congedo M, Cusi C, Cuzzubbo S, Guerra D, Macone S, Melis M, Motto C, Nardi K, Oppo V, Papetti R, Piersanti C, Piras V, Serafini A, Sgoifo AL, Susani E, Tremolizzo L, Cantisani TA. Do outcome measures used in neurological clinical research realistically represent the needs and the expectations of patients and their care givers? Trials 2015. [PMCID: PMC4460782 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-16-s1-p8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Bison SM, Haeck JC, Bol K, Koelewijn SJ, Groen HC, Melis M, Veenland JF, Bernsen MR, de Jong M. Optimization of combined temozolomide and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in mice after multimodality molecular imaging studies. EJNMMI Res 2015; 5:62. [PMID: 26553049 PMCID: PMC4639542 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-015-0142-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful treatments of patients with somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-overexpressing neuroendocrine tumours (NET) comprise somatostatin-analogue lutetium-177-labelled octreotate ((177)Lu-TATE) treatment, also referred to as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), and temozolomide (TMZ) treatment. Their combination might result in additive effects. Using MRI and SPECT/CT, we studied tumour characteristics and therapeutic responses after different (combined) administration schemes in a murine tumour model in order to identify the optimal treatment schedule for PRRT plus TMZ. METHODS We performed molecular imaging studies in mice bearing SSTR-expressing H69 (humane small cell lung cancer) tumours after single intravenous (i.v.) administration of 30 MBq (177)Lu-TATE or TMZ (oral 50 mg/kg daily for 14 days). Tumour perfusion was evaluated weekly by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), whereas tumour uptake of (111)In-octreotide was quantified using SPECT/CT until day 39 after treatment. Based on these results, seven different (177)Lu-octreotate and TMZ combination schemes were evaluated for therapy response, varying the order and time interval of the two therapies and compared with single treatments. RESULTS PRRT and TMZ both resulted in tumour size reduction, accompanied by significant changes in MRI characteristics such as an enhanced tumour perfusion. Moreover, TMZ treatment also resulted in increased uptake of the SST analogue (111)In-octreotide until day 13. In the subsequent therapy study, 90 % of animals receiving (177)Lu-TATE at day 14 after TMZ treatment showed complete response, being the best anti-tumour results among groups. CONCLUSIONS Molecular imaging studies indicated that PRRT after TMZ treatment could induce optimal therapeutic effects because of enhanced tumour uptake of radioactivity after TMZ, which was confirmed by therapy responses. Therefore, clinical translation of TMZ treatment prior to PRRT might increase tumour responses in NET patients as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander M Bison
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands. .,Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.
| | - Joost C Haeck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands. .,Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.
| | - K Bol
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - S J Koelewijn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - H C Groen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - M Melis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - J F Veenland
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - M R Bernsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - M de Jong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
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De Luca MA, Bimpisidis Z, Melis M, Marti M, Caboni P, Valentini V, Margiani G, Pintori N, Polis I, Marsicano G, Parsons LH, Di Chiara G. Stimulation of in vivo dopamine transmission and intravenous self-administration in rats and mice by JWH-018, a Spice cannabinoid. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:705-14. [PMID: 26327678 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The synthetic cannabinoid 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)-indole (JWH-018) has been detected in about 140 samples of a smokable herbal mixture termed "Spice". JWH-018 is a CB1 and CB2 agonist with a higher affinity than Δ9-THC. In order to investigate the neurobiological substrates of JWH-018 actions, we studied by microdialysis in freely moving rats the effect of JWH-018 on extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and core and in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). JWH-018, at the dose of 0.25 mg/kg i.p., increased DA release in the NAc shell but not in the NAc core and mPFC. Lower (0.125 mg/kg) and higher doses (0.50 mg/kg) were ineffective. These effects were blocked by CB1 receptor antagonists (SR-141716A and AM 251) and were absent in mice lacking the CB1 receptor. Ex vivo whole cell patch clamp recordings from rat ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons showed that JWH-018 decreases GABAA-mediated post-synaptic currents in a dose-dependent fashion suggesting that the stimulation of DA release observed in vivo might result from disinhibition of DA neurons. In addition, on the "tetrad" paradigm for screening cannabinoid-like effects (i.e., hypothermia, analgesia, catalepsy, hypomotility), JWH-018, at doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg i.p., produced CB1 receptor-dependent behavioural effects in rats. Finally, under appropriate experimental conditions, rats (20 μg/kg/inf i.v., FR3; nose-poking) and mice (30 μg/kg/inf i.v., FR1; lever-pressing) self-administer intravenously JWH-018. In conclusion, JWH-018 shares with the active ingredient of Marijuana, Δ9-THC, CB1-dependent reinforcing and DA stimulant actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; INN, National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy.
| | - Z Bimpisidis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Marti
- INN, National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - P Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - V Valentini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; INN, National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy; Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Addiction", Italy
| | - G Margiani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - N Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - I Polis
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - G Marsicano
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - L H Parsons
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - G Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; INN, National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari Section, Italy; Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Addiction", Italy
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Acquas E, Caboni P, Rosas M, Spina L, Carboni E, Peana A, Melis M. SY26-3FROM ETHANOL TO SALSOLINOL: ROLE OF METABOLISM IN THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL. Alcohol Alcohol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agv076.107] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
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Melis M, Colombo G, Pistis M. SY02-3ENDOCANNABINOID-MEDIATED PLASTICITY AT INHIBITORY SYNAPSES ONTO DOPAMINE NEURONS AS A POSSIBLE MARKER OF INNATE PREFERENCE TO ALCOHOL. Alcohol Alcohol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agv076.06] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
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17
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Donati M, Raspadori G, Melis M, Biagi C, Vaccheri A, Motola D. Comparative safety profile of Amoxicillin alone and in association with clavulanic Acid in pediatrics: data from spontaneous reporting in Italy. Clin Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.05.138] [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: 10/23/2022]
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18
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Biagi C, Conti V, Melis M, Donati M, Vaccheri A, Venegoni M, Motola D. Acute Renal Failure In Patients Treated With Dronedarone or Amiodarone: A Large Population-Based Cohort Study In Italy. Clin Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.05.100] [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: 11/17/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Melis
- Private Practice; Cagliari Italy
- Craniofacial Pain and Headache Center; School of Dental Medicine; Tufts University; Boston MA USA
| | - K. H. Zawawi
- Department of Orthodontics; Faculty of Dentistry; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
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20
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Biagi C, Conti V, Montanaro N, Melis M, Buccellato E, Donati M, Covezzoli A, Amato R, Pazzi L, Venegoni M, Vaccheri A, Motola D. Comparative safety profiles of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab and pegaptanib: the analysis of the WHO database of adverse drug reactions. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 70:1505-12. [PMID: 25234795 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-014-1755-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab and pegaptanib in the WHO database in order to have a real-life information on these drugs, which now is only based on data coming from clinical trials. METHODS ADR reports for intravitreal use of bevacizumab, ranibizumab and pegaptanib from January 2002 to December 2012 were selected from the WHO-VigiBase. Reporting odds ratio (ROR) with confidence interval of 95 % and p value was calculated. The analysis was performed for drug-reaction pairs. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology for ADRs was used. RESULTS The analysis was performed on 3180 reports corresponding to 7753 drug-reaction pairs. Significant RORs for endophthalmitis and uveitis (1.90, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.48-2.43, and 10.62, 6.62-17.05, respectively) were retrieved for bevacizumab, and cerebrovascular accident and myocardial infarction produced significant ROR (1.54, 1.14-2.10 and 1.73, 1.18-2.53, respectively) for ranibizumab. Pegaptanib was significantly associated with visual impairment (1.98, 1.12-3.5, p = 0.02), nausea (3.29, 1.57-6.86, p < 0.001), vomiting (2.91, 1.2-7.07, p = 0.01) and drug hypersensitivity (8.75, 3.1-24.66, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data showed an elevated disproportionality for cardiovascular ADRs in patients treated with ranibizumab and for infective ocular reactions in those treated with bevacizumab. No relevant safety issues were identified for pegaptanib. These findings suggest bevacizumab as a suitable choice for AMD therapy due to its effectiveness similar to that of ranibizumab, its favourable safety profile and for its lower cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Biagi
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known about the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is a systematic review of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of oxytocin interventions in autism, made from January 1990 to September 2013. METHOD A search of computerized databases was supplemented by manual search in the bibliographies of key publications. The methodological quality of the studies included in the review was evaluated independently by two researchers, according to a set of formal criteria. Discrepancies in scoring were resolved through discussion. RESULTS The review yielded seven RCTs, including 101 subjects with ASD (males=95) and 8 males with Fragile X syndrome. The main categories of target symptoms tested in the studies were repetitive behaviors, eye gaze, and emotion recognition. The studies had a medium to high risk of bias. Most studies had small samples (median=15). All the studies but one reported statistically significant between-group differences on at least one outcome variable. Most findings were characterized by medium effect size. Only one study had evidence that the improvement in emotion recognition was maintained after 6 weeks of treatment with intranasal oxytocin. Overall, oxytocin was well tolerated and side effects, when present, were generally rated as mild; however, restlessness, increased irritability, and increased energy occurred more often under oxytocin. CONCLUSIONS RCTs of oxytocin interventions in autism yielded potentially promising findings in measures of emotion recognition and eye gaze, which are impaired early in the course of the ASD condition and might disrupt social skills learning in developing children. There is a need for larger, more methodologically rigorous RCTs in this area. Future studies should be better powered to estimate outcomes with medium to low effect size, and should try to enroll female participants, who were rarely considered in previous studies. Risk of bias should be minimized. Human long-term administration studies are necessary before clinical recommendations can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Preti
- 1 Dipartimento di Pedagogia, Psicologia, Filosofia, Università degli Studi di Cagliari , Cagliari, Italy
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Melis M, Cocco E, Sardu C, Frau J, Lorefice L, Coghe G, Fenu G, Marrosu M. Switching from natalizumab to fingolimod. J Neurol Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.1384] [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: 10/26/2022]
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Vellante M, Baron-Cohen S, Melis M, Marrone M, Petretto DR, Masala C, Preti A. The "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" test: systematic review of psychometric properties and a validation study in Italy. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2013; 18:326-54. [PMID: 23106125 PMCID: PMC6345369 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2012.721728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" test (henceforth, Eyes test) is a simple but advanced Theory of Mind test, and it is widely used across different cultures. This study assessed the reliability and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity of the Eyes test in Italy. METHODS A sample of 18- to 32-year-old undergraduate students of both sexes (N=200, males=46%) were invited to fill in the Italian version of the Eyes test, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (SDS). RESULTS Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was .605. Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for a unidimensional model, with maximal weighted internal consistency reliability=.719. Test-retest reliability for the Eyes test, as measured by intraclass correlation coefficient, was .833 (95% confidence interval=.745 to .902). Females scored significantly higher than males on both the Eyes test and the EQ, replicating earlier work. Those participants who scored lower than 30 on the EQ (n=10) also scored lower on the Eyes test than those who did not (p<.05). Eyes test scores were not related to social desirability. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the validity of the Eyes test. Both internal consistency and test-retest stability were good for the Italian version of the Eyes test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Vellante
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge
University, Cambridge
| | - Mariangela Melis
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Matteo Marrone
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Carmelo Masala
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Preti
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,Genneruxi Medical Center, Cagliari, Italy
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Frau J, Cossu D, Coghe G, Lorefice L, Fenu G, Melis M, Paccagnini D, Sardu C, Murru MR, Tranquilli S, Marrosu MG, Sechi LA, Cocco E. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and multiple sclerosis in Sardinian patients: epidemiology and clinical features. Mult Scler 2013; 19:1437-42. [PMID: 23439580 DOI: 10.1177/1352458513477926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is an infectious factor recently found in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Sardinia. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to confirm this association and evaluate its role in clinical features. METHODS A total of 436 patients and 264 healthy controls (HCs) were included. We examined the blood of each individual for MAPDNA and MAP2694 antibodies using IS900-specific PCR and ELISA, respectively. Differences in MAP presence between the MS group and HCs were evaluated. In MS patients, we considered: gender, age, age at onset, duration of disease, course, EDSS, therapy, relapse/steroids at study time, and oligoclonal bands (OBs). RESULTS MAPDNA and MAP2694 antibodies were detected in 68 MS and six HCs (p = 1.14 × 10(-11)), and 123 MS and 10 HCs (p = 2.59 × 10(-23)), respectively. OBs were found with reduced frequency in MAP-positive patients (OR = 0.52; p = 0.02). MAP2694 antibodies were detected more in patients receiving MS treatments (OR = 2.26; p = 0.01), and MAPDNA in subjects on steroids (OR = 2.65; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the association of MAP and MS in Sardinia. The low OB frequency in MAP patients suggests a peripheral role as a trigger in autoimmunity. MAP positivity might be influenced by steroids and MS therapy. Studies in other populations are needed to confirm the role of MAP in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Frau
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy
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Melis M, Pinna A, Marcon F, Miller G, Cohen S, Pachter H, Newman E. Lymph Node Ratio and Survival After Resection of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. J Surg Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2012.10.225] [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: 11/26/2022]
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Bonura A, Passantino R, Costa MA, Montana G, Melis M, Bondì ML, Butteroni C, Barletta B, Corinti S, Di Felice G, Colombo P. Characterization of a Par j 1/Par j 2 mutant hybrid with reduced allergenicity for immunotherapy of Parietaria allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2012; 42:471-80. [PMID: 22356145 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03938.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parietaria pollen is one of the major cause of pollinosis in the southern Europe. Specific immunotherapy is the only treatment able to modify the natural outcome of the disease restoring a normal immunity against allergens. METHODS We designed a recombinant molecule (PjEDloop1) comprised of genetic-engineered variants of the major allergens of the Parietaria pollen (Par j 2/Par j 1). Purity and chemical-physical properties of the derivative were analysed by RP-HPLC chromatography and Photon Correlation Spectroscopy. Immunological activity was evaluated by means of Western blotting, ELISA inhibition and PBMC proliferation assay in 10 Parietaria allergic patients. Basophil activation was studied in six subjects. The immunogenicity of the hybrid was studied looking at the immune responses induced in a mouse model of sensitization. RESULTS The PjEDloop1 hybrid was produced as a purified recombinant protein with high stability in solution. Western blot, ELISA inhibition and basophil activation test showed that the PjEDloop1 displays a remarkable reduced IgE binding and anaphylactic activity. CD3 reactivity was conserved in all patients. Mice immunization with the rPjEDloop1 induced antibodies and T cell responses comparable to that obtained by the wild type allergens. Such antibodies shared the specificities to rPar j 1 and rPar j 2 with human IgE antibodies. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that a mutant hybrid expressing genetically engineered forms of the major P. judaica allergens displayed reduced allergenicity and retained T cell reactivity for the induction of protective antibodies in vaccination approaches for the treatment of Parietaria pollinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bonura
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare, Palermo, Italy
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Melis M, Marcon F, Masi A, Sarpel U, Miller G, Cohen S, Moore H, Berman R, Pachter H, Newman E. Is the Addition of Grade to the AJCC Staging for Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy Beneficial? J Surg Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2011.11.751] [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: 11/25/2022]
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Floris R, Centonze D, Fabiano S, Stefanini M, Marziali S, Del Giudice C, Reale CA, Castelli M, Garaci F, Melis M, Gandini R, Simonetti G. Prevalence study of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis: preliminary data. Radiol Med 2012; 117:855-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s11547-011-0767-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Mercolini L, Fulgenzi G, Melis M, Boncompagni G, Albers LJ, Raggi MA. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of the recent antipsychotic ziprasidone in dried blood spots (DBS) and plasma. Pharmacopsychiatry 2011. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1292308] [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: 10/17/2022]
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Zorcolo L, Rosman AS, Restivo A, Pisano M, Nigri GR, Fancellu A, Melis M. Complete pathologic response after combined modality treatment for rectal cancer and long-term survivals: A meta-analysis. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.e14008] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
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Zorcolo L, Rosman AS, Restivo A, Pisano M, Nigri GR, Fancellu A, Melis M. Complete pathologic response after combined-modality treatment for rectal cancer and long-term survivals: A meta-analysis. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.4_suppl.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
479 Background: Recent literature suggests that a complete pathologic response (CPR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (combined modality treatment, CMT) for rectal cancer is associated with improved survivals compared to partial or no response (NPR). However, previous reports have been limited by small sample size and single-institution design. To overcome these limitations, we performed a meta- analysis of studies evaluating the prognostic value of CPR. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to detect studies comparing long-term results of patients with CPR or NPR after CMT for rectal cancer. Variables were pooled only if evaluated by 3 or more studies. Both qualitative and quantitative data were pooled using a random-effects model. Study endpoints included rates of complete pathological response, local recurrence (LR), distant recurrence (DR), as well as 5-year overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: There were 13 studies suitable for the meta-analysis, that overall reported on outcomes of 2030 patient with rectal cancer treated with CMT. CPR was achieved in 332 patients (16.4%). CPR and NPR patients groups were similar with respect to age, male gender, tumor size, distance of tumor from the anus and pre- treatment stage (p > 0.3 for all comparisons). Median follow-up ranged from 23.5 to 46 months. CPR patients had lower rates of LR (0.7% vs. 2.6%; odds ratio [OR]=0.45, 95% CI 0.22–0.90), DR (5.3% vs. 24.1%; OR=0.15, 95% CI 0.07–0.31) and LR+DR (0.7% vs. 4.8%; OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.79). OS was 92.6% for CPR vs. 73.2% for NPR (OR=3.6, 95% CI 1.84–7.06), and DFS was 89.1% vs. 64.3% (OR=4.3, 95% CI 1.8-10.1). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis confirms that a CPR following CMT for rectal cancer is associated with an improved local and distal control as well enhanced OS and DFS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Zorcolo
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. S. Rosman
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Restivo
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - M. Pisano
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - G. R. Nigri
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Fancellu
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - M. Melis
- Department of General Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Section of Gastroenterology and Medicine Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx VA Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy; Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY
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Meredith K, Weber J, Shridhar R, Hoffe SE, Almhanna K, Melis M, Biagioli M, Mcloughlin J, Barthel JS, Karl RC. Outcomes associated with T4 esophageal cancer. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.4_suppl.130] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
130 Background: Esophageal cancer often presents as locally advanced disease with 15% of patients having T4 tumors upon diagnosis. Esophagectomy was often reserved for palliation given the dismal survival rates and high rates of R1/R2 resections. However, neoadjuvant therapy (NT) has the potential to significantly downstage esophageal cancers and thus increase complete resection rates. We report our experience with surgically resected T4 cancers of the esophagus. Methods: Using a comprehensive esophageal cancer database, we identified patients who underwent an esophagectomy for T4 tumors between 1994 and 2008. Neoadjuvant therapy and pathologic response were recorded and denoted as complete (pCR), partial (pPR), and non-response (NR). Clinical and pathologic data were compared using Fisher's exact and chi-square when appropriate while Kaplan Meier estimates were used for survival analysis. Results: We identified 39 patients with T4 tumors who underwent esophagectomy of which 38 (97%) underwent NT. The median age was 61 (31-79) years with a median follow-up of 32 (5-97) months. There were 3 (7.9%) pCR, 17 (44.7%) pPR, and 18 (47.4%) NR. R0 resections were accomplished in 37 (94.9%). Two patients had incomplete resections. One patient had a R2 resection after NT and was deemed as NR. An additional patient had a R1 resection after NT and was a pPR with a residual 0.2 cm tumor on permanent pathology. There were 14 (35.9%) recurrences with a median time to recurrence of 19.5 (4-71) months. Complete pathologic response represented 1 (7.1%), whereas pPR and NR represented 6 (42.9%), and 7 (50%) respectively of all recurrences. The overall and disease free survival for all patients with T4 tumors was 28% and 34% respectively. Patients achieving a pCR had a 5-year overall and disease free survival of (43% and 47%), compared to pPR (30% and 21%) while there were no 5-year survivors in the NR cohort. Conclusions: T4 esophageal cancer often portends a dismal prognosis even after surgical resection. Historical incomplete resections and dismal survival rates often make surgery palliative rather then curative. However, we have demonstrated that neoadjuvant therapy and down staging of T4 tumors leads to increased R0 resections and improvements in overall and disease free survival. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Meredith
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - J. Weber
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - R. Shridhar
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - S. E. Hoffe
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - K. Almhanna
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - M. Melis
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - M. Biagioli
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - J. Mcloughlin
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - J. S. Barthel
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
| | - R. C. Karl
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; New York University Cancer Institute and School of Medicine, New York, NY; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
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Pistis M, Melis M. From surface to nuclear receptors: the endocannabinoid family extends its assets. Curr Med Chem 2010; 17:1450-67. [PMID: 20166922 DOI: 10.2174/092986710790980014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have long been known as mediators of several physiological functions, among which the best characterized are lipid metabolism, energy balance and anti-inflammation. Their rather large and promiscuous ligand binding site has been recently discovered to accommodate, among a plethora of lipid molecules and metabolic intermediates, endocannabinoids and their cognate compounds, specifically belonging to the Nacylethanolamine group. In fact, oleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide and probably anandamide bind with relatively high affinity to PPARs and have now been included among their endogenous ligands. Through activation of PPARs these molecules exert a variety of physiological processes. Particularly, both long-term effects via genomic mechanisms and rapid non-genomic actions have been described, which in several instances are opposite to those evoked by activation of "classical" surface cannabinoid receptors. In this review, we describe how these effects are relevant under diverse physiological and pathophysiological circumstances, such as lipid metabolism and feeding behaviour, neuroprotection and epilepsy, circadian rhythms, addiction and cognition. A picture is emerging where nuclear receptors are involved in anorexiant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-epileptic, wakefulness- and cognitive-enhancing, and anti-addicting properties of endocannabinoid-like molecules. Further studies are necessary to fully understand cellular mechanisms underlying the interactions between endocannabinoids and PPARs, but also between their surface and nuclear receptors, and to exploit their potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pistis
- B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
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Melis M, Pistis M. Endocannabinoid signaling in midbrain dopamine neurons: more than physiology? Curr Neuropharmacol 2010; 5:268-77. [PMID: 19305743 PMCID: PMC2644494 DOI: 10.2174/157015907782793612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2006] [Revised: 03/30/2007] [Accepted: 04/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Different classes of neurons in the CNS utilize endogenous cannabinoids as retrograde messengers to shape afferent activity in a short- and long-lasting fashion. Transient suppression of excitation and inhibition as well as long-term depression or potentiation in many brain regions require endocannabinoids to be released by the postsynaptic neurons and activate presynaptic CB1 receptors. Memory consolidation and/or extinction and habit forming have been suggested as the potential behavioral consequences of endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic modulation. HOWEVER, ENDOCANNABINOIDS HAVE A DUAL ROLE: beyond a physiological modulation of synaptic functions, they have been demonstrated to participate in the mechanisms of neuronal protection under circumstances involving excessive excitatory drive, glutamate excitotoxicity, hypoxia-ischemia, which are key features of several neurodegenerative disorders. In this framework, the recent discovery that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol is released by midbrain dopaminergic neurons, under both physiological synaptic activity to modulate afferent inputs and pathological conditions such as ischemia, is particularly interesting for the possible implication of these molecules in brain functions and dysfunctions. Since dopamine dysfunctions underlie diverse neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, psychoses, and drug addiction, the importance of better understanding the correlation between an unbalanced endocannabinoid signal and the dopamine system is even greater. Additionally, we will review the evidence of the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, where neuroprotective actions of cannabinoid-acting compounds may prove beneficial.The modulation of the endocannabinoid system by pharmacological agents is a valuable target in protection of dopamine neurons against functional abnormalities as well as against their neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Melis
- B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042, Italy
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Melis M, Simpson K, Honeychurch J, Weldman A, MacFarlane M, Dive C, Illidge T. 397 Development of a doxycycline-dependent caspase 3 death switch model to assess the immune response to rapid and synchronous tumour cell apoptosis in vivo. EJC Suppl 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(10)71198-8] [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: 10/19/2022] Open
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Cocco P, t'Mannetje A, Fadda D, Melis M, Becker N, de Sanjose S, Foretova L, Mareckova J, Staines A, Kleefeld S, Maynadie M, Nieters A, Brennan P, Boffetta P. Occupational exposure to solvents and risk of lymphoma subtypes: results from the Epilymph case-control study. Occup Environ Med 2010; 67:341-7. [DOI: 10.1136/oem.2009.046839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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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Ciardiello MA, Palazzo P, Bernardi ML, Carratore V, Giangrieco I, Longo V, Melis M, Tamburrini M, Zennaro D, Mari A, Colombo P. Biochemical, immunological and clinical characterization of a cross-reactive nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 from mulberry. Allergy 2010; 65:597-605. [PMID: 19958316 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02277.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mulberry (Morus spp.) is a genus comprising several species of deciduous trees whose fruits are commonly eaten in southern Europe. Subjects with severe systemic reaction have been described. The aim of this study was to isolate the allergens of this species. METHODS A nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 (ns-LTP1) was purified from black mulberry by ion exchange and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and the primary structure was elucidated by direct protein sequencing. Its allergenic activity was evaluated in vivo by skin prick test and in vitro by Western Blot, CD203c basophil activation assay and high throughput multiplex inhibition method on immunosolid-phase allergen chip (ISAC). RESULTS Mulberry ns-LTP (Mor n 3) comprises 91 amino acids producing a molecular mass of 9246 Da. This protein shows high sequence identity with several allergenic ns-LTP1. Immunoblot analysis and CD203c activation assay demonstrated its allergenic activity in symptomatic subjects and in ns-LTP allergic patients who are not mulberry consumers. Immunological co-recognition was studied in vivo on a selected group of well-characterized ns-LTP allergic patients showing a high percentage of nMor n 3(+) subjects (88.46%) even in patients who have never eaten mulberry before. IgE inhibition on ISAC micro-array demonstrated an almost complete cross-reactivity to nArt v 3, rCor a 8 and a very high percentage of inhibition to nPru p 3. CONCLUSIONS Mor n 3 is the first allergen isolated in black mulberry and immunologically characterized. It displayed allergenic activity among symptomatic and nonconsumer patients and a pattern of cross-reactivity to other plant-derived LTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ciardiello
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Napoli, Italy
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Nigri G, Rosman A, Petrucciani N, Fancellu A, Pisano M, Zorcolo L, Melis M. Meta-Analysis of Trials Comparing Minimally-Invasive and Open Distal Pancreatectomy. J Surg Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.11.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Breeman WAP, Fröberg AC, de Blois E, van Gameren A, Melis M, de Jong M, Maina T, Nock BA, Erion JL, Mäcke HR, Krenning EP. Optimised labeling, preclinical and initial clinical aspects of CCK-2 receptor-targeting with 3 radiolabeled peptides. Nucl Med Biol 2009; 35:839-49. [PMID: 19026945 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) expresses CCK-2 receptors. (111)In-labeled DOTA-DGlu-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH(2) (DOTA-MG11), DOTA-DAsp-Tyr-Nle-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH(2) (DOTA-CCK), and (99m)Tc-labeled N(4)-Gly-DGlu-(Glu)(5)-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH(2) ((99m)Tc-Demogastrin 2) are analogs developed for CCK-2 receptor-targeted scintigraphy. All 3 radiolabeled analogs were selected on the basis of their high CCK-2 receptor affinity and their good in vitro serum stability, with in vitro serum t(1/2) values of several hours. Radiolabeling of DOTA-peptides with (111)In requires a heating procedure, typically in the range of 80 degrees -100 degrees C up to 30 min. Following this procedure with DOTA-MG11 resulted in a >98 % incorporation of (111)In, however, with a radiochemical purity (RCP) of <50 %. The decrease in RCP was found to be due to oxidation of the methionine residue in the molecule. Moreover, this oxidized compound lost its CCK-2 receptor affinity. Therefore, conditions during radiolabeling were optimised: labeling of DOTA-MG11 and DOTA-CCK with (111)In involved 5 min heating at 80 degrees C and led to an incorporation of (111)In of >98 %. In addition, all analogs were radiolabeled in the presence of quenchers to prevent radiolysis and oxidation resulting in a RCP of >90 %. All 3 radiolabeled analogs were i.v. administered to 6 MTC patients: radioactivity cleared rapidly by the kidneys, with no significant differences in the excretion pattern of the 3 radiotracers. All 3 radiolabeled analogs exhibited a low in vivo stability in patients, as revealed during analysis of blood samples, with the respective t(1/2) found in the order of minutes. In patient blood, the rank of radiopeptide in vivo stability was: (99m)Tc-Demogastrin 2 (t(1/2) 10-15 min)>(111)In-DOTA-CCK (t(1/2) approximately 5-10 min)>(111)In-DOTA-MG11 (t(1/2)<5 min).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter A P Breeman
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam's 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Schillaci O, Travascio L, Bruni C, Bazzocchi G, Testa A, Garaci F, Melis M, Floris R, Simonetti G. Molecular Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuroradiol J 2008; 21:755-71. [DOI: 10.1177/197140090802100603] [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: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 09/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Magnetic resonance (MR) or computed tomography (CT) imaging is recommended for routine evaluation of dementias. The development of molecular imaging agents and the new techniques of MR for AD are critically important for early diagnosis, neuropathogenesis studies and assessing treatment efficacy in AD. Neuroimaging using nuclear medicine techniques such as SPECT, PET and MR spectroscopy has the potential to characterize the biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. The present review summarizes the results of radionuclide imaging and MR imaging in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Schillaci
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - L. Travascio
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - C. Bruni
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - G. Bazzocchi
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - A. Testa
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - F.G. Garaci
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - M. Melis
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - R. Floris
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
| | - G. Simonetti
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome; Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH), the main psychoactive ingredient of alcoholic drinks, is widely considered to be responsible for alcohol abuse and alcoholism through its positive motivational properties, which depend, at least partially, on the activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. However, acetaldehyde (ACD), the first metabolite of EtOH, has been classically considered to be aversive and useful in the pharmacological therapy of alcoholics. Here we show that EtOH-derived ACD is necessary for EtOH-induced place preference, a pre-clinical test with high predictive validity for reward liability. We also found that ACD is essential for EtOH-increased microdialysate dopamine (DA) levels in the rat nucleus accumbens and that this effect is mimicked by intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) ACD administration. Furthermore, in vitro, ACD enhances VTA DA neuronal firing through action on two ionic currents: reduction of the A-type K+ current and activation of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current. EtOH-stimulating properties on DA neurons are prevented by pharmacological blockade of local catalase, the main metabolic step for biotransformation of EtOH into ACD in the central nervous system. These results provide in-vivo and in-vitro evidence for a key role of ACD in the motivational properties of EtOH and its activation of the mesolimbic DA system. Additionally, these observations suggest that ACD, by increasing VTA DA neuronal activity, would oppose its well-known peripherally originating aversive properties. Careful consideration of these findings could help in devising new effective pharmacological therapies aimed at reducing EtOH intake in alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Melis
- Centre of Excellence on Neurobiology of Addiction and B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Gaudiello F, Colangelo V, Bolacchi F, Melis M, Gandini R, Garaci FG, Cozzolino V, Floris R, Simonetti G. Sixty-four-section CT cerebral perfusion evaluation in patients with carotid artery stenosis before and after stenting with a cerebral protection device. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2008; 29:919-23. [PMID: 18296553 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a0945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain tissue viability depends on cerebral blood flow (CBF) that has to be kept within a narrow range to avoid the risk of developing ischemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate by 64-section CT (VCT) the cerebral perfusion modifications in patients with severe carotid stenosis before and after undergoing carotid artery stent placement (CAS) with a cerebral protection system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen patients with unilateral internal carotid stenosis (>or=70%) underwent brain perfusional VCT (PVCT) 5 days before and 1 week after the stent-placement procedure. CBF and mean transit time (MTT) values were measured. RESULTS Decreased CBF and increased MTT values were observed in the cerebral areas supplied by the stenotic artery as compared with the areas supplied by the contralateral patent artery (P < .001). A significant normalization of the perfusion parameters was observed after the stent-placement procedure (mean pretreatment MTT value, 5.3 +/- 0.2; mean posttreatment MTT value, 4.3 +/- 0.18, P < .001; mean pretreatment CBF value, 41.2 mL/s +/- 2.1; mean posttreatment CBF value, 47.9 mL/s +/- 2.9, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS PVCT is a useful technique for the assessment of the hemodynamic modifications in patients with severe carotid stenosis. The quantitative evaluation of cerebral perfusion makes it a reliable tool for the follow-up of patients who undergo CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gaudiello
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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Melis M, Forrer F, Capello A, Bijster M, Bernard BF, Reubi JC, Krenning EP, De Jong M. Up-regulation of somatostatin receptor density on rat CA20948 tumors escaped from low dose [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate therapy. Q J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2007; 51:324-333. [PMID: 17923824] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
AIM Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy using the somatostatin analogue [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate is a convincing treatment modality for metastasized neuroendocrine tumors. Therapeutic doses are administered in 4 cycles with 6-10 week intervals. A high somatostatin receptor density on tumor cells is a prerequisite at every administration to enable effective therapy. In this study, the density of the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) was investigated in the rat CA20948 pancreatic tumor model after low dose [(177)Lu-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)]octreotate administration resulting in approximately 20 Gy tumor radiation absorbed dose, whereas 60 Gy is needed to induce complete tumor regression in these and the majority of tumors. METHODS Sixteen days after inoculation of the CA20948 tumor, male Lewis rats were injected with 185 MBq [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate to initiate a decline in tumor size. Approximately 40 days after injection, tumors re-grew progressively after initial response. Quantification of sst2 expression was performed using in vitro autoradiography on frozen sections of three groups: control (not-treated) tumors, tumors in regression and tumors in re-growth. Histology and proliferation were determined using HE- and anti-Ki-67-staining. RESULTS The sst2 expression on CA20948 tumor cells decreased significantly after therapy to 5% of control level. However, tumors escaping from therapy showed an up-regulated sst2 level of 2-5 times higher sst2 density compared to control tumors. CONCLUSION After a suboptimal therapeutic dose of [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate, escape of tumors is likely to occur. Since these cells show an up-regulated sst2 receptor density, a next therapeutic administration of radiolabelled sst2 analogue can be expected to be highly effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Melis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abou-Atme YS, Melis M, Zawawi KH, Cottogno L. Five-year follow-up of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal symptoms in dental students. Minerva Stomatol 2007; 56:603-609. [PMID: 18091712] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this epidemiologic study was to evaluate the intensity and variation of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal symptoms in a population of dental students during the five years of Dental School. METHODS A 0-to-3 numeric scale questionnaire (0=absence of the symptom, 1=mild intensity, 2=moderate intensity, 3=severe intensity) was submitted to all the students enrolled in the first year of the Dental School at the University of Saint Joseph (Beirut, Lebanon). The same questionnaire was filled out by the same students every year until they reached the fifth (last) year. RESULTS Temporomandibular disorders and musculoskeletal symptoms were generally of mild intensity and fluctuating in time. No significant differences were found among years in the intensity of earache, headache, face pain, arm symptoms, neck pain, and toothache. Ear stuffiness decreased from the first to the third and fifth year. Temporomandibular joint pain, temporomandibular joint sounds, upper back pain, and lower back pain showed a similar trend generally increasing from the first and second years to the third year, and then decreasing until the fourth and fifth years. CONCLUSION A higher risk of developing such symptoms associated with dental work in the laboratory can be hypothesized in case of improper ergonomics.
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Diaz G, Melis M, Musin A, Piludu M, Piras M, Falchi AM. Localization of MTT formazan in lipid droplets. An alternative hypothesis about the nature of formazan granules and aggregates. Eur J Histochem 2007; 51:213-218. [PMID: 17921117] [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: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-dihphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay is a widely used method to assess cell viability and proliferation. MTT is readily taken up by cells and enzymatically reduced to formazan, a dark compound which accumulates in cytoplasmic granules. Formazan is later eliminated by the cell by a mechanisms often indicated as exocytosis, that produces characteristic needle-like aggregates on the cell surface. The shape of formazan aggregates and the rate of exocytosis change in the presence of bioactive amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) and cholesterol. Though the cellular mechanisms involved in MTT reduction have been extensively investigated, the exact nature of formazan granules and the process of exocytosis are still obscure. Using Nile Red, which stains differentially neutral and polar lipids, and a fluorescent analog of cholesterol (NBD-cholesterol), we found that formazan localized in lipid droplets, consistent with the lipophilic nature of formazan. However, formazan granules and aggregates were also found to form after killing cells with paraformaldehyde fixation. Moreover, formazan aggregates were also obtained in cell-free media, using ascorbic acid to reduce MTT. The density and shape of formazan aggregates obtained in cell-free media was sensitive to cholesterol and Abeta. In cells, electron microscopy failed to detect the presence of secretory vesicles, but revealed unusual fibers of 50 nm of diameter extending throughout the cytoplasm. Taken together, these findings suggest that formazan efflux is driven by physico-chemical interactions at molecular level without involving higher cytological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Diaz
- Dipartimento di Citomorfologia, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
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Melis M. Laparoscopic treatment of blunt splenic injuries: initial experience with 11 patients. Surg Endosc 2007; 21:1469. [PMID: 17514392 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-007-9331-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Cabras P, Meloni M, Melis M, Farris GA, Budroni M, Satta T. Interactions between lactic bacteria and fungicides during lactic fermentation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/09571269408717981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Cabras P, Garau VL, Melis M, Pirisi FM, Tuberoso CIG. The effect of clarifying substances on organophosphorous insecticide residues in wine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/09571269508718041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Cossu G, Modugno N, Deriu M, Murgia D, Serra G, Melis M, Breddveld G, Simons E, Oostra B, Bonifati V. 2.117 Clinical spectrum of a large Sardinian family with Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(08)70609-6] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Bonura A, Corinti S, Artale A, Di Felice G, Amoroso S, Melis M, Geraci D, Colombo P. A hybrid expressing genetically engineered major allergens of the Parietaria pollen as a tool for specific allergy vaccination. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2006; 142:274-84. [PMID: 17124429 DOI: 10.1159/000097358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy is an immunological disorder affecting about 25% of the population living in the industrialized countries. Specific immunotherapy is the only treatment with a long-lasting relief of allergic symptoms and able to reduce the risk of developing new allergic sensitizations and inhibiting the development of clinical asthma in children treated for allergic rhinitis. METHODS By means of DNA recombinant technology, we were able to design a head to tail dimer expressing disulphide bond variants of the major allergen of the Parietaria pollen. IgE binding activity was studied by Western blot, ELISA inhibition assays and the skin prick test. T cell recognition was studied by peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation. The immunogenicity of the hybrid was studied in a mouse model of sensitization. RESULTS In vitro and in vivo analysis showed that the disruption of specific cysteine residues in both allergens caused a strong reduction in IgE binding activity of the PjEDcys hybrid. In addition,we were able to show that a reduction in the IgE epitope content profoundly reduced the anaphylactic activity of the hybrid (from 100 to 1,000 times less than wild-type allergens) without interfering with the T cell recognition. Sera from BALB/c mice immunized with the hybrid were able to bind the natural Parietaria allergens and to inhibit the binding of human IgE to wild-type Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens up to 90%. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that hybrid-expressing disulphide bond variants of the major allergens of the Parietaria pollen displayed reduced allergenicity and maintained T cell reactivity for induction of protective antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bonura
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare Alberto Monroy, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
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