Zirconia Hybrid Dental Implants Influence the Biological Properties of Neural Crest-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Dental implants are regularly employed in tooth replacement, the good clinical outcome of which is strictly correlated to the choice of an appropriate implant biomaterial. Titanium-based implants are considered the gold standard for rehabilitation of edentulous spaces. However, the insurgence of allergic reactions, cellular sensitization and low integration with dental and gingival tissues lead to poor osseointegration, affecting the implant stability in the bone and favoring infections and inflammatory processes in the peri-implant space.

Different Roles of Apoptosis and Autophagy in the Development of Human Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major life-threatening malignancy, despite numerous therapeutic and screening attempts. Apoptosis and autophagy are two processes that share common signaling pathways, are linked by functional relationships and have similar protein components. During the development of cancer, the two processes can trigger simultaneously in the same cell, causing, in some cases, an inhibition of autophagy by apoptosis or apoptosis by autophagy.

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) promote the lipofibroblast transition in the early stage of a fibro-inflammatory process.

In autoimmune diseases, particularly in systemic sclerosis and chronic periaortitis, a strict correlation between chronic inflammation and fibrosis exists. Since the currently used drugs prove mostly effective in suppressing inflammation, a better comprehension of the molecular mechanisms exerted by cell types implicated in fibro-inflammation is needed to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are being matter of deep investigation to unveil their role in the evolution of fibrogenetic process.

Flow-dependent shear stress affects the biological properties of pericyte-like cells isolated from human dental pulp.

Background: Human dental pulp stem cells represent a mesenchymal stem cell niche localized in the perivascular area of dental pulp and are characterized by low immunogenicity and immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties. Pericytes, mural cells surrounding the endothelium of small vessels, regulate numerous functions including vessel growth, stabilization and permeability. It is well established that pericytes have a tight cross talk with endothelial cells in neoangiogenesis and vessel stabilization, which are regulated by different factors, i.

Gender differences in Anxious-depressive symptomatology, Metabolic Syndrome and Colorectal Adenomas among outpatients undergoing colonoscopy: a cross-sectional study according to a PNEI perspective.

Background And Aim Of The Work: To explore gender differences in patients suffering from anxious-depressive symptoms, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Colorectal Adenomas (CRAs) in a sample of outpatients undergoing colonoscopy for screening purposes.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. 126 consecutive outpatients of both sexes undergoing colonoscopy for non-specific abdominal symptoms between January 2015 and June 2021 at the Modena Policlinico General Hospital (Modena, Northern Italy) were enrolled.

Expression of Autophagic and Inflammatory Markers in Normal Mucosa of Individuals with Colorectal Adenomas: A Cross Sectional Study among Italian Outpatients Undergoing Colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the three most common cancers in terms of both cancer incidence and cancer-related deaths in Western industrialized countries. Lifetime risk of colorectal cancer may reach 6% of the population living in developed countries. In the current era of personalized medicine, CRC is no longer considered as a single entity.

The Combination of AHCC and ETAS Decreases Migration of Colorectal Cancer Cells, and Reduces the Expression of and Genes in Cancer Stem Cells: A Novel Potential Approach for Integrative Medicine.

The AHCC standardized extract of cultured mycelia, and the standardized extract of stem, trademarked as ETAS, are well known supplements with immunomodulatory and anticancer potential. Several reports have described their therapeutic effects, including antioxidant and anticancer activity and improvement of immune response. In this study we aimed at investigating the effects of a combination of AHCC and ETAS on colorectal cancer cells and biopsies from healthy donors to assess the possible use in patients with colorectal cancer.

Role of PD-L1 in licensing immunoregulatory function of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are low immunogenic and hold immunomodulatory properties that, along with their well-established multi-potency, might enhance their potential application in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The present study focused on the ability of DPSCs to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment through PD1/PD-L1 pathway.

Methods: Inflammatory microenvironment was created in vitro by the activation of T cells isolated from healthy donors and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies.

Autoimmunity Profiles as Prognostic Indicators in Patients with Colorectal Cancer versus Those with Cancer at Other Sites: A Prospective Study.

Colorectal cancer represents a paradigmatic model of inflammatory carcinogenesis accompanied by the production of several kinds of tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAABs). The specific aim of this study is to define the clinical impact of the presence of non-specific circulating TAABs in a cohort of cancer patients and to establish whether significant differences were present between colorectal cancer and cancers at other sites. For this aim a prospective study was developed and a five-year survival analysis performed.

Preliminary results of a multidisciplinary Italian study adopting a Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Immunological (PNEI) approach to the study of colorectal adenomas.

Background and aim of the work Colorectal mucosal precancerous lesions, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders may share a common low-grade local and systemic inflammation. Aim is to report on preliminary data concerning a research adopting a psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNEI) approach to study outpatients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods A sample of patients undergoing colonoscopy was cross-sectionally investigated.

Gonadotrophins modulate cell death-related genes expression in human endometrium.

Background Gonadotrophins exert their functions by binding follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) or luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) present on endometrium. Within ovaries, FSH induces autophagy and apoptosis of granulosa cells leading to atresia of non-growing follicles, whereas hCG and LH have anti-apoptotic functions. Endometrial cells express functioning gonadotrophin receptors.

Deep learning techniques for detecting preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in human colorectal histological images.

Trained pathologists base colorectal cancer identification on the visual interpretation of microscope images. However, image labeling is not always straightforward and this repetitive task is prone to mistakes due to human distraction. Significant efforts are underway to develop informative tools to assist pathologists and decrease the burden and frequency of errors.

Evidence for expression and functionality of FSH and LH/hCG receptors in human endometrium.

Purpose: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) mediate intracellular functions by binding their specific protein G-coupled gonadotrophin receptor, respectively FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH/choriogonadotrophin receptor (LHCGR). Whereas the expression of FSHR and LHCGR in mammals was considered gonad-specific and cell-specific, studies identified gonadotrophin receptors in human female extragonadal reproductive tissues. This study aims to demonstrate that gonadotrophin receptors are expressed in endometrium and mediates intracellular functions.

Metformin Induces Apoptosis and Alters Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress in Ht29 Colon Cancer Cells: Preliminary Findings.

Accumulating evidence suggests that metformin, used as an antidiabetic drug, possesses anti-cancer properties. Metformin reduced the incidence and growth of experimental tumors in vivo. In a randomized clinical trial among nondiabetic patients, metformin treatment significantly decreased the number of aberrant crypt foci compared to the untreated group with a follow-up of 1 month.

Myeloperoxidase expression in human colonic mucosa is related to systemic oxidative balance in healthy subjects.

Objectives: To improve understanding of the preclinical stage of colonic inflammation by exploring the existence of a link between early inflammatory changes in the colonic mucosa and the systemic redox balance.

Methods: Clinical characteristics, a fasting blood draw, and mucosal biopsies from the right, left, and sigmoid-rectum colonic tracts collected from 28 healthy individuals (14/14 males/females) who underwent colonoscopy. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) positive cells infiltrating colonic mucosa specimens were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and patients divided into high or low MPO expressing cells/optical field groups (MPO or MPO, respectively).

The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) acts as a gatekeeper of ovarian steroidogenesis inhibiting the granulosa cell response to both FSH and LH.

Purpose: Anti Müllerian Hormone (AMH) has a negative and inhibitory role in many functions of human granulosa-lutein cells (hGCs) including notoriously the reduction of the aromatase CYP19A1 expression induced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). No data have been provided on the possible role of AMH in modulating the response to luteinizing hormone (LH) (alone or combined with FSH) as well as its effect on other enzymes involved in steroidogenesis including aromatase P450scc. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AMH as regulator of the basal and stimulated steroids production by hGCs.

The Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Maintains Osteocyte Viability in Multiple Myeloma Patients by Reducing Both Apoptosis and Autophagy: A New Function for Proteasome Inhibitors.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by severely imbalanced bone remodeling. In this study, we investigated the potential effect of proteasome inhibitors (PIs), a class of drugs known to stimulate bone formation, on the mechanisms involved in osteocyte death induced by MM cells. First, we performed a histological analysis of osteocyte viability on bone biopsies on a cohort of 37 MM patients with symptomatic disease.

Autophagy is upregulated during colorectal carcinogenesis, and in DNA microsatellite stable carcinomas.

Cancer cells are exposed to a wide range of stress sources, such as nutrient deprivation and hypoxia, as well as cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Certain forms of stress can also promote survival activating the metabolic autophagy pathway in cancer cells. Autophagy is dramatically increased in cancer cells.

NDP-α-MSH induces intense neurogenesis and cognitive recovery in Alzheimer transgenic mice through activation of melanocortin MC4 receptors.

Melanocortins exert neuroprotection in a variety of experimental neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Further, in previous research we showed that these endogenous peptides stimulate neurogenesis in an acute neurodegenerative disorder such as ischemic stroke. In the present research, we investigated the potential neurogenic effect of melanocortins in AD using APPSwe transgenic mice (Tg2576).

Inflammatory pathways in the early steps of colorectal cancer development.

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in many countries. Colorectal carcinogenesis is a stepwise process which, from normal mucosa leads to malignancy. Many factors have been shown to influence this process, however, at present, several points remain obscure.

Melanocortins protect against brain damage and counteract cognitive decline in a transgenic mouse model of moderate Alzheimer׳s disease.

We previously reported that melanocortins induce neuroprotection in experimental acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer׳s disease (AD) of mild severity. Here we investigated whether melanocortins afford neuroprotection and counteract cognitive decline in AD with a medium level of severity by using 24 week-old (at the start of the study) APPSwe transgenic mice (Tg2576). Saline-treated (days 1-50) control Tg2576 mice showed an impairment in spatial learning and memory, associated (at day 50, end of the study) with hippocampus at low levels of the synaptic activity-dependent gene Zif268, relevant brain changes such as cerebral cortex/hippocampus increased level of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposit, and neuronal loss, in comparison with wild-type animals.

Up-regulation of the chemo-attractive receptor ChemR23 and occurrence of apoptosis in human chondrocytes isolated from fractured calcaneal osteochondral fragments.

To study the expression level of a panel of pro/anti-apoptotic factors and inflammation-related receptors in chondral fragments from patients undergoing surgical treatment for intra-articular calcaneal fractures, cartilage fragments were retrieved from calcaneal fractures of 20 patients subjected to surgical treatment. Primary cultures were performed using chondral fragments from fractured and control patients. Chondrocyte cultures from each patient of the fractured and control groups were subjected to immunofluorescence staining and quantitatively analyzed under confocal microscopy.

PLZF expression during colorectal cancer development and in normal colorectal mucosa according to body size, as marker of colorectal cancer risk.

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) is a protein involved in various signaling, growth regulatory, and differentiation pathways, including development/function of some T cells. Here, we aimed at the detection of PLZF during colorectal carcinogenesis, using immunofluorescence, and at the evaluation of the colocalization of PLZF with CD2 and CD56 positive cells (T, γ δ , NK, and NKT cells), using confocal-microscopy, along colorectal carcinogenesis, since its earliest stages, that is, dysplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). Furthermore, we analyzed PLZF in the normal colonic mucosa (NM) according to anthropometric parameters of the subject.

Biodegradable device applied in flatfoot surgery: comparative studies between clinical and technological aspects of removed screws.

Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is one of the most used polymers for biomedical application; its use in sutures and other implants has been widely investigated. Although the knowledge of PLLA biodegradation and biocompatibility features is deep, PLLA screws used to correct the flat foot deformity have deserved attention since they are not degraded in most of cases after a long period of years (3-7) from the implantation. In this article, a clinical and radiological evaluation (NMR, histological and clinical outcomes) on patients was correlated with physico-chemical characterization (by SEM, DSC, GPC and XRD analysis at different temperatures) on both native and patient-recovered screws together with the theoretical degradation processes of PLLA-based implants.