Exosomal shuttling of miR-126 in endothelial cells modulates adhesive and migratory abilities of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.

Background: Recent findings indicate that exosomes released from cancer cells contain microRNAs (miRNAs) that may be delivered to cells of tumor microenvironment.

Results: To elucidate whether miRNAs secreted from chronic myelogenous leukemia cells (CML) are shuttled into endothelial cells thus affecting their phenotype, we first analysed miRNAs content in LAMA84 exosomes. Among the 124 miRNAs identified in LAMA84 exosomes, we focused our attention on miR-126 which was found to be over-overexpressed in exosomes compared with producing parental cells.

Observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV.

The first observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson is presented. The analysis is based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12.2 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC.

In vitro antitumor effects of the cold-water extracts of Mediterranean species of genus Pleurotus (higher Basidiomycetes) on human colon cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the cold-water extracts of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (CWE-Pef) and Pleurotus nebrodensis (CWE-Pn), 2 of the most prized wild and cultivated edible mushrooms, can affect the tumor phenotype of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. Our results showed that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn resulted in a significant inhibition of the viability of HCT116 cells and promoted apoptosis, as also demonstrated by the increase of Bax-to-Bcl-2 messenger RNA ratio.

Modulation of Doxorubicin mediated growth inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by platelet lysates.

Purpose: Platelet extracts can stimulate cell growth and contribute to tumor biology. It was recently shown that they stimulate the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and decrease apoptosis. Doxorubicin is a commonly used HCC chemotherapy that increases apoptosis.

Antagonism of sorafenib and regorafenib actions by platelet factors in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Background: Platelets are frequently altered in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Platelet lysates (hPL) can enhance HCC cell growth and decrease apoptosis. The aims were to evaluate whether hPL can modulate the actions of sorafenib or regorafenib, two clinical HCC multikinase antagonists.

Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Emilia Romagna Region (Italy): A population based study.

Our objective was to describe incidence and clinical features of ALS from a prospective population-based study in Emilia Romagna Region (ERR). From 2009 onwards, a prospective registry recorded all incident cases of ALS among residents in the ERR (population, 4.4 million inhabitants), involving 17 neurological departments.

Measurements of tt spin correlations and top-quark polarization using dilepton final states in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV.

Spin correlations and polarization in the top quark-antiquark system are measured using dilepton final states produced in pp collisions at the LHC at sqrt[s]=7  TeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.0  fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector.

Targeting of multiple myeloma-related angiogenesis by miR-199a-5p mimics: in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity.

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells induce relevant angiogenic effects within the human bone marrow milieu (huBMM) by the aberrant expression of angiogenic factors. Hypoxia triggers angiogenic events within the huBMM and the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is over-expressed by MM cells. Since synthetic miR-199a-5p mimics negatively regulates HIF-1α, we here investigated a miRNA-based therapeutic strategy against hypoxic MM cells.

Search for top squark and Higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays.

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top quark (the top squark) and the Higgs boson (Higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets.

Liver as a source for thymidine phosphorylase replacement in mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease associated with mutations in the nuclear TYMP gene. As a result, the thymidine phosphorylase (TP) enzyme activity is markedly reduced leading to toxic accumulation of thymidine and therefore altered mitochondrial DNA. MNGIE is characterized by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility, neurological impairment, reduced life expectancy and poor quality of life.

Microbial diversity of landslide soils assessed by RFLP and SSCP fingerprints.

Landslides are a significant component of natural disasters in most countries around the world. Understanding these destructive phenomena through the analysis of possible correlations between microbial communities and the alteration of the soil responsible for landslides is important in order to reduce their negative consequences. To address this issue, bacterial and fungal communities in soils triggering landslides in Termini-Nerano and Massa Lubrense-Nerano (Naples, Italy) were analysed by genetic profiling techniques.

Exosome-mediated crosstalk between chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and human bone marrow stromal cells triggers an interleukin 8-dependent survival of leukemia cells.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein with constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. Exosomes are nanovesicles released by cancer cells that are involved in cell-to-cell communication thus potentially affecting cancer progression. It is well known that bone marrow stromal microenvironment contributes to disease progression through the establishment of a bi-directional crosstalk with cancer cells.

Rituximab modulates IL-17 expression in the salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of rituximab (RTX) in modulating the expression of the IL-17/IL-23 pathway in the salivary glands (SGs) of patients with primary SS (pSS).

Methods: Consecutive SG biopsies were obtained from 15 patients with pSS before and after 1 year of RTX therapy. The SG expression of IL-17, IL-23p19 and p-STAT3 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry at baseline and after RTX therapy.

Activated IL-22 pathway occurs in the muscle tissues of patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis and is correlated with disease activity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of IL-22, IL-22 receptor 1 (IL-22R1), IL-22 binding protein (IL-22BP) and p-STAT3 in muscle tissue from patients with PM and DM.

Methods: Levels of IL-22, IL-22R1, IL-22BP and STAT3 mRNA were quantified by RT-PCR. The expression of IL-22, IL-22R1, IL-22BP and p-STAT3 was also analysed using immunohistochemistry.

Patchwork sequencing of tomato San Marzano and Vesuviano varieties highlights genome-wide variations.

Background: Investigation of tomato genetic resources is a crucial issue for better straight evolution and genetic studies as well as tomato breeding strategies. Traditional Vesuviano and San Marzano varieties grown in Campania region (Southern Italy) are famous for their remarkable fruit quality. Owing to their economic and social importance is crucial to understand the genetic basis of their unique traits.

Platelet extracts induce growth, migration and invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.

Background: Thrombocytopenia has been reported to be associated with small size HCCs, and thrombocytosis to be associated with large size HCCs. The aim was to examine the effects of platelets in relation to HCC cell growth.

Methods: The effects of time-expired pooled normal human platelets were examined on human HCC cell line growth and invasion.

Use of Rasch analysis to refine a patient-reported questionnaire on satisfaction with communication of the multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Background: The Comunicazione medico-paziente nella Sclerosi Multipla - Revised (COSM-R) is a patient self-assessed questionnaire probing the moment of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis disclosure (section 1, five items) and following period (section 2, 15 items).

Objectives: This study examined COSM-R dimensionality and measurement properties through Rasch analysis (partial-credit model) and proposed a revised questionnaire.

Methods: Cross-sectional COSM-R data were obtained from 1068 people with MS (PwMS, 1065 questionnaires) participating in four studies (102 centres).

Targeting IL-6 signalling in early rheumatoid arthritis is followed by Th1 and Th17 suppression and Th2 expansion.

Objectives: To investigate the in vitro and ex-vivo effect of IL-6 inhibition on the balance between Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells.

Methods: Ten consecutive adult patients with active early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and ten healthy volunteers were included in the study. The percentages of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells were analysed by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from controls and from RA patients at the time of first evaluation and just before the third TCZ infusion.

[Peritoneal dialysis in adult patients with prune belly syndrome: an impossible challenge?].

Prune belly syndrome (PBS) is a rare congenital syndrome characterized by hypoplasia of the abdominal muscles, urinary tract malformations, and cryptorchidism in males. The estimated incidence is 1 in 35,000 to 50,000 live births. Chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), due both to different degrees of renal hypoplasia or dysplasia and infectious complications, develops in 20-30% of patients who survive the neonatal period.

Measurement of top quark-antiquark pair production in association with a W or Z boson in pp collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text].

A measurement of the cross section for the production of top quark-antiquark pairs ([Formula: see text]) in association with a vector boson V (W or Z) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] is presented. The results are based on a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb[Formula: see text] recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC.

Searches for electroweak production of charginos, neutralinos, and sleptons decaying to leptons and W, Z, and Higgs bosons in pp collisions at 8 TeV.

Searches for the direct electroweak production of supersymmetric charginos, neutralinos, and sleptons in a variety of signatures with leptons and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and Higgs bosons are presented. Results are based on a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at center-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] with the CMS detector in 2012, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 [Formula: see text].