Background: Mature T-cell neoplasms arise from the neoplastic transformation of a single T lymphocyte, and all cells in a neoplastic clone share the same V segment in the beta chain of the T-cell receptor (TCR). These segments may represent an innovative target for the development of targeted therapies.
Methods: A specific V segment of the TCR beta chain (TRBV5-1) was analyzed using bioinformatic tools, identifying three potential antigenic peptides.
The Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemics, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, represent an unprecedented public health challenge. Beside person-to-person contagion via airborne droplets and aerosol, which is the main SARS-CoV-2's route of transmission, alternative modes, including transmission via fomites, food and food packaging, have been investigated for their potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 diffusion. In this context, several studies have demonstrated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and, in some cases, of infectious particles on exposed fomites, food and water samples, confirming their possible role as sources of contamination and transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHexedra+ is a nasal spray containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, beta-cyclodextrin, and usnic acid. It has been developed with the aim of reducing the risk of transmission of airborne viral infections, with particular reference to influenza and COVID-19. As part of the preclinical development of the product, we carried out a study on thirty male Wistar rats divided into three study groups and treated with Hexedra+, an alternative formulation containing a double concentration of usnic acid (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoumarin is an effective treatment for primary lymphoedema, as well as lymphoedema related to breast cancer radiotherapy or surgery. However, its clinical use is limited in several countries due to the possible occurrence of hepatotoxicity, mainly in the form of mild to moderate transaminase elevation. It is worth noting that only a few cases of severe hepatotoxicity have been described in the literature, with no reported cases of liver failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUsnic acid (UA) is a dibenzofuran derivative naturally present in lichens, organisms resulting from the symbiosis between a fungus and a cyanobacterium, or an alga. UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UV-protective activities. Its use as pharmacological agent is widely described in traditional medicine, and in the past few years, the product has been marketed as a food supplement for the induction of weight loss.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVitamin K1 (VK1) is a natural and lipophilic compound currently used in dermatological formulations. In this work, nanoemulsions containing VK1 have been proposed to overcome some issues associated to semisolid VK1-incorporating formulations. The study has been focused on the design of a lipid-free aqueous formulation, easy to prepare and with low cost of production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Vitamin K1 (VK1) is a molecule abundant in some species of leaf vegetables with beneficial effects in humans following administration on the skin. This work investigates the possibility to use formulations based on lipid vesicles, namely liposomes, transfersomes and ethosomes, suitable to be administered on the skin by nebulization and alternative to fat semisolid preparations present on the market.
Methods: Lipid vesicles encapsulating VK1 were prepared and characterized.
Vitamin K1 (VK1) is a very lipophilic and photosensitive molecule contained in some vegetables. Recently, the use of VK1 on the skin has been proposed for different pharmaceutical or cosmeceutical applications. In this study, an innovative strategy for the administration of VK1 on the skin was proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Gastroenterol Hepatol
December 2002
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in the re-treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C who did not respond to IFN-alpha monotherapy.
Patients And Methods: Thirty patients (24 men and six women; mean age, 41 +/- 13 (SD) years; range, 23-62 years), with chronic hepatitis C that was non-responsive to a standard course of IFN-alpha therapy, were re-treated with recombinant human IFN-beta-1a. All patients received IFN-beta, 12 MIU subcutaneously, three times weekly for 3 months, after which time patients' responses were evaluated.
Objectives: To estimate the socio-economic impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy.
Methods: Outpatients with MS were enrolled at 44 centres across Italy. Socio-demographic, clinical and resource utilization data were collected using a validated questionnaire.