SOX9+/PTF1A+ Cells Define the Tip Progenitor Cells of the Human Fetal Pancreas of the Second Trimester.

Significant progress has been made in recent years in characterizing human multipotent progenitor cells (hMPCs) of the early pancreas; however, the identity and persistence of these cells during the second trimester, after the initiation of branching morphogenesis, remain elusive. Additionally, studies on hMPCs have been hindered by few isolation methods that allow for the recovery of live cells. Here, we investigated the tip progenitor domain in the branched epithelium of human fetal pancreas between 13.

Biocompatibility in regenerative nanomedicine.

Biocompatibility is a very common word that is used within biomaterial science and used for description of the interactions between the foreign material and the body. However, the meaning of biocompatibility as well as the mechanisms that collectively constitutes is still unclear. With the advance of nanotechnology, new concerns have been observed related to biocompatibility of these biomaterials.

Italian Guidelines in diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder that targets anagen phase hair follicles. The course is unpredictable and current available treatments have variable efficacy. Nowadays, there is relatively little evidence on treatment of AA from well-designed clinical trials.

Significant chronic airway abnormalities in never-smoking HIV-infected patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe chronic lung disease in HIV-infected never-smokers by looking at clinical, structural and functional abnormalities.

Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 159 HIV-infected never-smoking patients [mean (± standard deviation) age 54.6 ± 9.

Turning regenerative technologies into treatment to repair myocardial injuries.

Regenerative therapies including stem cell treatments hold promise to allow curing patients affected by severe cardiac muscle diseases. However, the clinical efficacy of stem cell therapy remains elusive, so far. The two key roadblocks that still need to be overcome are the poor cell engraftment into the injured myocardium and the limited knowledge of the ideal mixture of bioactive factors to be locally delivered for restoring heart function.

Spectral characteristics of urine specimens from healthy human volunteers analyzed using Raman chemometric urinalysis (Rametrix).

Raman chemometric urinalysis (Rametrix™) was used to analyze 235 urine specimens from healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to establish the "range of normal" for Raman spectra of urine specimens from healthy individuals. Ultimately, spectra falling outside of this range will be correlated with kidney and urinary tract disease.

Comprehensive approaches on the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of flowers and leaves of American basil (Ocimum americanum L).

Ocimum americanum L. (Lamiaceae) is a common food condiment and also used in traditional medicine in the management of several human diseases. Nonetheless, there has been no effort to delineate the biological and phytochemical profiles of leaves and flowers prepared by different extractive solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol (MeOH), and water).

Multiple pharmacological and toxicological investigations on Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba extracts: Focus on potential application as anti-migraine agents.

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorder, which has long been related to brain serotonin (5-HT) depletion and neuro-inflammation. Despite many treatment options are available, the frequent occurrence of unacceptable adverse effects further supports the research toward nutraceuticals and herbal preparations, among which Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba showed promising anti-inflammatory and neuro-modulatory activities. The impact of extract treatment on astrocyte viability, spontaneous migration and apoptosis was evaluated.

Qualitative Chemical Characterization and Multidirectional Biological Investigation of Leaves and Bark Extracts of (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae).

(DC.) Guill. & Perr.

Protective Effects Induced by Two Polyphenolic Liquid Complexes from Olive (, mainly ) Pressing Juice in Rat Isolated Tissues Challenged with LPS.

MOMAST HY100 and MOMAST HP30 are polyphenolic liquid complexes from olive pressing juice with a total polyphenolic content of 100 g/kg (at least 50% as hydroxytyrosol) and 36 g/kg (at least 30% as hydroxytyrosol), respectively. We investigated the potential protective role of MOMAST HY100 and MOMAST HP30 on isolated rat colon, liver, heart, and prefrontal cortex specimens treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a validated ex vivo model of inflammation, by measuring the production of prostaglandin (PG)E, 8-iso-PGF, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels. MOMAST HY100 decreased LPS-stimulated PGE and LDH levels in all tested tissues.

Transcriptome-wide association study of multiple myeloma identifies candidate susceptibility genes.

Background: While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of multiple myeloma (MM) have identified variants at 23 regions influencing risk, the genes underlying these associations are largely unknown. To identify candidate causal genes at these regions and search for novel risk regions, we performed a multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS).

Results: GWAS data on 7319 MM cases and 234,385 controls was integrated with Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) data assayed in 48 tissues (sample sizes, N = 80-491), including lymphocyte cell lines and whole blood, to predict gene expression.

Author Correction: Exploring the Sequence-based Prediction of Folding Initiation Sites in Proteins.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Insight into genetic predisposition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia from integrative epigenomics.

Genome-wide association studies have provided evidence for inherited genetic predisposition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying CLL risk we analyze chromatin accessibility, active regulatory elements marked by H3K27ac, and DNA methylation at 42 risk loci in up to 486 primary CLLs. We identify that risk loci are significantly enriched for active chromatin in CLL with evidence of being CLL-specific or differentially regulated in normal B-cell development.

Chemical profiling and pharmaco-toxicological activity of Origanum sipyleum extracts: Exploring for novel sources for potential therapeutic agents.

The phytochemical, antiradical, and enzyme inhibition profile of three solvent extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, water) of Origanum sipyleum were assessed. We also performed a pharmacological study in order to explore protective effects induced by extracts in inflamed colon. LC-MS analysis revealed that the extracts contained different classes of phenolics.

Protective effects of Cotoneaster integerrimus on in vitro and ex-vivo models of H O -induced lactate dehydrogenase activity in HCT116 cell and on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat colon.

The present study evaluated the biological potential of methanol and aqueous extracts of the twigs and fruits of Cotoneaster integerrimus Medik. Lethality bioassays performed on Artemia salina showed that aqueous and methanol C. integerrimus extracts were non-toxic in the concentration range (0.

Protective effects induced by alcoholic Phlomis fruticosa and Phlomis herba-venti extracts in isolated rat colon: Focus on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities in vitro.

Phlomis fruticosa L. and P. herba-venti are species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, which have been traditionally used to prepare tonic and digestive drinks.

Pitch angle control of a wind turbine operating above the rated wind speed: A sliding mode control approach.

The paper focuses on variable-rotor-speed/variable-blade-pitch wind turbines operating in the region of high wind speeds, where control is aimed at limiting the turbine energy capture to the rated power value. A robust sliding mode approach is proposed, using the blade pitch as control input, in order to regulate the rotor speed to a fixed rated value, in the presence of uncertainties characterizing the wind turbine model. Closed loop convergence of the overall control system is proved.

Impact of training conferences on high-school students' knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This study, part of the health promotion program of a high school in Milan (Italy), was aimed at evaluating the impact of training conferences on the awareness of STIs among adolescents aged 16-17. Students attending the 3rd class of a Scientific and Linguistic High School in Milan (Italy) participated in this study in November 2017. All students gave their anonymous answers on a voluntary basis in a pre-test survey, designed by psychologists and infectious diseases specialists, to test their basic knowledge, accuracy, and awareness of STIs.

Increased pain and inflammatory sensitivity in growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) knockout mice.

Growth hormone (GH) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), in addition to metabolic and endocrine effects, play a role in the modulation of pain and inflammation. We aimed to elucidate the consequences of GHRH deficiency on acute nociceptive stimulation and on both acute and chronic inflammatory stimuli in a mouse model of GH deficiency. Mice with generalized ablation of the GHRH gene (GHRH knock out, GHRHKO, -/-) were compared to wild type (GHRH +/+) mice.