Stem Cell-Derived, microRNA-Carrying Extracellular Vesicles: A Novel Approach to Interfering with Mesangial Cell Collagen Production in a Hyperglycaemic Setting.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are derived from stem cells are proving to be promising therapeutic options. We herein investigate the therapeutic potential of EVs that have been derived from different stem cell sources, bone-marrow (MSC) and human liver (HLSC), on mesangial cells (MCs) exposed to hyperglycaemia. By expressing a dominant negative STAT5 construct (ΔNSTAT5) in HG-cultured MCs, we have demonstrated that miR-21 expression is under the control of STAT5, which translates into Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ) expression and collagen production.

Novel Technique of Transepithelial Corneal Cross-Linking Using Iontophoresis in Progressive Keratoconus.

In this work, the authors presented the techniques and the preliminary results at 6 months of a randomized controlled trial (NCT02117999) comparing a novel transepithelial corneal cross-linking protocol using iontophoresis with the Dresden protocol for the treatment of progressive keratoconus. At 6 months, there was a significant average improvement with an average flattening of the maximum simulated keratometry reading of 0.72 ± 1.

Methods for investigating the local spatial anisotropy and the preferred orientation of cones in adaptive optics retinal images.

The ability to noninvasively image the cone photoreceptor mosaic holds significant potential as a diagnostic for retinal disease. Central to the realization of this potential is the development of sensitive metrics for characterizing the organization of the mosaic. Here we evaluated previously-described and newly-developed (Fourier- and Radon-based) methods of measuring cone orientation in simulated and real images of the parafoveal cone mosaic.

Understanding the changes of cone reflectance in adaptive optics flood illumination retinal images over three years.

Although there is increasing interest in the investigation of cone reflectance variability, little is understood about its characteristics over long time scales. Cone detection and its automation is now becoming a fundamental step in the assessment and monitoring of the health of the retina and in the understanding of the photoreceptor physiology. In this work we provide an insight into the cone reflectance variability over time scales ranging from minutes to three years on the same eye, and for large areas of the retina (≥ 2.

Normocaloric Diet Restores Weight Gain and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Mice.

An increased incidence of obesity is registered worldwide, and its association with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is closely related with increased morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular diseases. A major clinical problem in the management of obesity is the non-adherence or low adherence of patients to a hypocaloric dietetic restriction. In this study, we evaluated in obese mice the effects of shifting from high-calorie foods to normal diet on insulin sensitivity.

Fibronectin-1 expression is increased in aggressive thyroid cancer and favors the migration and invasion of cancer cells.

In this study we analyzed the expression levels of markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and the relation with tumor genotypes and clinicopathological characteristics. The role of fibronectin-1 (FN1) was investigated by analyzing the effects of FN1 silencing in two human thyroid cancer cell lines. Most of EMT markers were significantly over-expressed in a group of 36 PTCs.

Activated Stat5 trafficking Via Endothelial Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles Controls IL-3 Pro-angiogenic Paracrine Action.

Soluble factors and cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) control vascular cell fate during inflammation. The present study investigates the impact of Interleukin 3 (IL-3) on EV release by endothelial cells (ECs), the mechanisms involved in EV release and paracrine actions. We found that IL-3 increases EV release, which is prevented by IL-3Ralpha blockade.

Aesthetic Surgical Approach for Bone Dehiscence Treatment by Means of Single Implant and Interdental Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report with Five Years of Follow-Up.

The replacement of single anterior teeth by means of endosseous implants implies the achievement of success in restoring both aesthetic and function. However, the presence of wide endoperiodontal lesions can lead to horizontal hard and soft tissues defects after tooth extraction, making it impossible to correctly place an implant in the compromised alveolar socket. Vertical augmentation procedures have been proposed to solve these clinical situations, but the amount of new regenerated bone is still not predictable.

Natural iron chelators: Protective role in A549 cells of flavonoids-rich extracts of Citrus juices in Fe(3+)-induced oxidative stress.

Exogenous iron in particulate matter and imbalanced iron homeostasis cause deleterious effects on health. Natural and synthetic iron chelators may be of therapeutic benefit, therefore we evaluated the protective effect of Citrus flavonoids-rich extracts from bergamot and orange juices in iron overloaded human lung epithelial cells. Cytofluorimetric, biochemical and genotoxic analyses were performed in Fe2(SO4)3 exposed A549, pretreated with each extract whose chemical composition was previously detected.

Investigation of Adaptive Optics Imaging Biomarkers for Detecting Pathological Changes of the Cone Mosaic in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Purpose: To investigate a set of adaptive optics (AO) imaging biomarkers for the assessment of changes of the cone mosaic spatial arrangement in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).

Methods: 16 patients with ≥20/20 visual acuity and a diagnosis of DM1 in the past 8 years to 37 years and 20 age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited in this study. Cone density, cone spacing and Voronoi diagrams were calculated on 160x160 μm images of the cone mosaic acquired with an AO flood illumination retinal camera at 1.

All-Optical Method to Assess Stromal Concentration of Riboflavin in Conventional and Accelerated UV-A Irradiation of the Human Cornea.

Purpose: We investigated the concentration of riboflavin in human donor corneas during corneal cross-linking using two-photon optical microscopy and spectrophotometry.

Methods: Eight corneal tissues were de-epithelialized and soaked with 20% dextran-enriched 0.1% riboflavin solution for 30 minutes.

Lateral Nasal Artery Perforator Flaps: Anatomic Study and Clinical Applications.

Background: Previous studies have investigated facial artery perforators, but have reported inconsistent results regarding lateral nasal artery (LNA) perforators. Although several authors have described the use of LNA perforators for ala nasi and nasal sidewall reconstruction, the literature contains little information regarding the cadaveric dissection of LNA perforators, and most previously published studies have focused on facial artery perforators.

Methods: Sixteen hemifaces from eight fresh cadavers were dissected to study the LNA perforators.

NF-κB mediates the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of bergamot juice in HepG2 cells.

Aims: Among cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the commonest worldwide, and its incidence is increasing around the world. A lot of evidence underlines that natural substances usually consumed in the diet can have an important role in the prevention of cancer. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative activity of Citrus bergamia (bergamot) juice (BJ) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

PDE5 Inhibitors-Loaded Nanovesicles: Physico-Chemical Properties and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity.

Novel therapeutic approaches are required for the less differentiated thyroid cancers which are non-responsive to the current treatment. In this study we tested an innovative formulation of nanoliposomes containing sildenafil citrate or tadalafil, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, on two human thyroid cancer cell lines (TPC-1 and BCPAP). Nanoliposomes were prepared by the thin layer evaporation and extrusion methods, solubilizing the hydrophilic compound sildenafil citrate in the aqueous phase during the hydration step and dissolving the lipophilic tadalafil in the organic phase.

Expression of DNA methylation genes in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immunoinflammatory disease of the central nervous system that seems to be influenced by DNA methylation. We sought to explore the expression pattern of genes involved in the control of DNA methylation in Secondary Progressive (SP) MS patients' PBMCs. We have found that SP MS is characterized by a significant upregulation of two genes belonging to the MBD family genes, MBD2 and MBD4, and by a downregulation of TDG and TET3.

Ultraviolet A: Visible spectral absorbance of the human cornea after transepithelial soaking with dextran-enriched and dextran-free riboflavin 0.1% ophthalmic solutions.

Purpose: To evaluate the stromal concentration of 2 commercially available transepithelial riboflavin 0.1% solutions in human donor corneas with the use of spectrophotometry.

Setting: University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.

Esthetic Outcomes of Immediately Loaded Locking Taper Implants in the Anterior Maxilla: A Case Series Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the esthetic outcome of single-tooth locking taper connection implants placed in the anterior maxilla following a postextractive nonfunctional loading protocol. This preliminary clinical study involving 16 patients evaluated the results of 21 implants placed in areas with high esthetic value. For each implant the pink esthetic score, white esthetic score, cumulative survival rate, and health status of peri-implant tissues were evaluated.

DELAY PROCEDURE IN THE PERFORASOME ERA: A CASE IN A DIEAP FLAP.

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAp) flap is becoming a widely used method of autologous breast reconstruction. Despite the huge use of the DIEAp flap in reconstructive field, an evidenced based approach in perforator selection has not yet been developed. Unfortunately there is no clear evidence about the relation between the number and dimension of the perforator vessel and the prediction of flap survival in a living model.

TWISTED DISTAL LATERAL ARM FLAP FOR IMMEDIATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THUMB AVULSION INJURY.

Background: Replantation is a complicated procedure in avulsion injuries in majority of the cases. When replantation of an avulsed thumb is not feasible, it is mandatory to find an appropriate reconstruction choice as soon as possible due to the importance of the thumb function in the dynamics of the handgrip.

Materials And Methods: Three patients with skin avulsion injury underwent immediate reconstruction by twisted lateral arm flap in our department since 2004.

A NOVEL MODEL TO EVALUATE THE LEARNING CURVE IN MICROSURGERY: SERIAL ANASTOMOSIS OF THE RAT FEMORAL ARTERY.

The rat's femoral artery is definitely the most frequently used model in microsurgical training for its easy dissection. Our model, consisting in the creation of several anastomoses in a row, helps the novice surgeon to assess his microsurgical level and to improve his capacity. Indeed, this leads to an amplification of the trainee surgeon's mistakes, which add up to each other as the anastomoses are performed.

VASOSPASM OF THE FLAP PEDICLE--MAGNESIUM SULPHATE RELIEVES VASOSPASM OF AXIAL FLAP PEDICLE IN PORCINE MODEL.

Background: The effect of magnesium sulphate on mechanically provoked vasospasm of the flap pedicle on porcine model was not studied yet. Positive effect of magnesium sulphate on vasospasm was proved in previous studies on rat.

Methods: The bilateral pedicled flaps based on the caudal superficial epigastric arteries were raised on 8 pigs.

The Immediate Aesthetic and Functional Restoration of Maxillary Incisors Compromised by Periodontitis Using Short Implants with Single Crown Restorations: A Minimally Invasive Approach and Five-Year Follow-Up.

The functional and aesthetic restoration of teeth compromised due to aggressive periodontitis presents numerous challenges for the clinician. Horizontal bone loss and soft tissue destruction resulting from periodontitis can impede implant placement and the regeneration of an aesthetically pleasing gingival smile line, often requiring bone augmentation and mucogingival surgery, respectively. Conservative approaches to the treatment of aggressive periodontitis (i.

Ovulation induction and luteal support with GnRH agonist in patients at high risk for hyperstimulation syndrome.

The aim of this study was to compare GnRHa trigger and luteal addition of triptorelin to hCG trigger for final oocyte maturation in women at high risk for OHSS undergoing IVF. A total of 423 patients were divided in two groups both stimulated using antagonist short protocol. Gonadotropins 75-150 UI/day were started on day 2-5, GnRH antagonist was added when the lead follicle was >14 mm and the final trigger was obtained with hCG 250 µg or triptorelin 0.