Evaluation of human papillomavirus DNA in colorectal cancer and adjacent mucosal tissue samples.

Background: Although the role of viral agents, such as human papillomavirus (e.g. HPV16, HPV18) in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been previously investigated, results remain inconclusive.

A CT-based transfer learning approach to predict NSCLC recurrence: The added-value of peritumoral region.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of all new lung cancer diagnoses and presents a high recurrence rate after surgery. Thus, an accurate prediction of recurrence risk in NSCLC patients at diagnosis could be essential to designate risk patients to more aggressive medical treatments. In this manuscript, we apply a transfer learning approach to predict recurrence in NSCLC patients, exploiting only data acquired during its screening phase.

Inhibition of MMPs supports amoeboid angiogenesis hampering VEGF-targeted therapies via MLC and ERK 1/2 signaling.

Background: In the past decades studies on anti-tumoral drugs inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) were disappointing. Recently, we demonstrated that mature endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) can switch between invasion modes to cope with challenging environments, performing the "amoeboid angiogenesis" in the absence of proteases activity.

Methods: We first set out to investigate by ELISA if the inhibitors of the main protease family involved in angiogenesis were differently expressed during breast cancer progression.

Identification and Assessment of Risks in Biobanking: The Case of the Cancer Institute of Bari.

Although research biobanks are among the most promising tools to fight disease and improve public health, there are a range of risks biobanks may face that mainly need to be assessed in an attempt to be relieved. We conducted a strategic insurance review of an institutional cancer biobank with the aim of both identifying the insurable risks of our own Biobank and gathering useful evidence of primary exposure to insurable risks. In this practical scenario, risks have been outlined and categorized into inherent and residual risks, along with their possible impact on biobank maintenance.

Diet, Probiotics and Physical Activity: The Right Allies for a Healthy Microbiota.

The intestinal microbiota, which has gained a foothold in the field of research, represents a significant factor for human health because of its ability to form relationships with the organism through the modulation of pathophysiological processes. Dysbiosis, which is caused by non-specific intestinal inflammation and leads to a condition of persistent low-grade inflammation, may be caused by poor eating habits and an unhealthy lifestyle, as well as psycho-physical stress and a sedentary lifestyle. Diet, prebiotics and probiotics, and moderate and aerobic exercise can, in order to increase well-being and reduce the chance of recurrence, all be deemed effective methods of improving gut-microbiota pretreatment or mitigating diseases or dysbiosis.

Prospective Observational COVID-19 Screening and Monitoring of Asymptomatic Cancer Center Health-Care Workers with a Rapid Serological Test.

Health-care workers (HCW) are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and, if asymptomatic, for transmitting the virus to fragile cancer patients. We monitored all asymptomatic HCWs of a cancer institute (94% of all employees agreed to enter the study) with the rapid serological test, VivaDiag, identifying SARS-CoV-2 associated-IgM/IgG. The tests were performed at time 0 ( = 606) and after 14 days ( = 393).

A strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE): Are HE4 and CA 125 suitable to detect a Paget disease of the vulva?

Paget disease is a complex disorder that can be identified in the breast (mammary Paget disease) or in other locations (extramammary Paget's disease) such as ano-genital skin (Paget disease of the vulva -PVD). This condition is associated with low mortality, but a late diagnosis and recurrence can negatively impact the prognosis. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to evaluate if the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and cancer antigen125 (CA125) can promote recognition of PVD in early stages and during the relapses.

A Mediterranean Dietary Intervention in Female Carriers of BRCA Mutations: Results from an Italian Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Women carriers of / mutations face a high lifetime risk (penetrance) of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), body weight and markers of insulin resistance affect BRCA penetrance. We conducted a multicenter prospective two-armed (1:1) randomized controlled trial (NCT03066856) to investigate whether a Mediterranean dietary intervention with moderate protein restriction reduces IGF-I and other metabolic modulators of BRCA penetrance.

Rapid Serological Assays and SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2: Comparative Study.

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for the identification of viral nucleic acid is the current standard for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but technical issues limit its utilization for large-scale screening. Serological immunoglobulin M (IgM)/IgG testing has been proposed as a useful tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Objective: The objective of our study was to compare the results of the rapid serological VivaDiag test for SARS-CoV-2-related IgM/IgG detection with those of the standard RT-PCR laboratory test for identifying SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid.

The Role of Circulating Adiponectin and SNP276G>T at Gene in -mutant Women.

Background: Environmental factors may influence the lifetime risk of cancer (penetrance) in women with a BRCA mutation.

Materials And Methods: In 89 BRCA-mutant women, affected or unaffected by breast/ovarian cancer, we explored serum levels of adipokines and their relation with the polymorphism SNP276G>T as modulators of BRCA penetrance.

Results: Affected women had significantly lower adiponectin than healthy women.

Human Ovarian Cancer Tissue Exhibits Increase of Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Cristae Remodeling.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic cancer characterized by an elevated apoptosis resistance that, potentially, leads to chemo-resistance in the recurrent disease. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was found altered in OC, and mitochondria were proposed as a target for therapy. Molecular evidence suggests that the deregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, morphology, dynamics, and apoptosis is involved in carcinogenesis.

Thyroglobulin Determination in Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Washout of Suspicious Lymph Nodes in Thyroid Carcinoma Follow up.

Background: Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) account for about 1% of all human malignancies. Cervical lymph nodes metastases and recurrences in the thyroid bed frequently occur. Furthermore, about 10-15% of patients develop distant metastases.

Body mass index and serum proteomic profile in breast cancer and healthy women: a prospective study.

Epidemiological studies suggest a possible association between BMI, diagnosis and clinical-pathological breast cancer characteristics but biological bases for this relationship still remain to be ascertained. Several biological mechanisms play a role in the genesis and progression of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate relationships between BMI and breast cancer diagnosis/progression in a Southern Italian population and to try to interpret results according to the serum proteomic profile of healthy and breast cancer patients.

Circulating transforming growth factor-β and epidermal growth factor receptor as related to virus infection in liver carcinogenesis.

Background: The aim of our study was to improve the detection of HCC by measuring alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in addition to other molecular markers by estimating the plasma concentration of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In particular, the role of hepatitis C and B viruses (HCV and HBV) infection was evaluated with relation to TGF-β and EGFR plasma concentration.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five patients with liver disease, 54 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 16 with liver metastasis (LM), 15 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 30 healthy volunteers were evaluated.

Mammographic characteristics and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) of non-palpable breast lesions.

Background: The new imaging technology made available today allows for an early detection of small subclinical breast lesions which frequently call for guided presurgical micro-histology.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) histopathological diagnoses and mammographic findings in non-palpable breast lesions.

Material And Methods: The breast lesions of 1393 women who had received consecutive screening mammograms between 2001 and 2007 were assessed by VABB.