Focus on metabolic and nutritional correlates of polycystic ovary syndrome and update on nutritional management of these critical phenomena.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with numerous metabolic morbidities (insulin resistance (IR), central obesity) and various nutritional abnormalities (vitamin D deficit, mineral milieu alterations, omega6/omega3 PUFA ratio unbalance).

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the till-now evidence regarding: (1) the metabolic and nutritional correlates of PCOS; (2) the optimum diet therapy for the treatment of these abnormalities. This review included 127 eligible studies.

The impact of telemonitoring on adherence to nasal corticosteroid treatment in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Background: Adherence to controller therapy in allergic diseases is low. Telemonitoring has been proposed to improve adherence to treatment in chronic diseases. However, this strategy has never been tested in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

A one-dimensional moving-boundary model for tubulin-driven axonal growth.

A one-dimensional continuum-mechanical model of axonal elongation due to assembly of tubulin dimers in the growth cone is presented. The conservation of mass leads to a coupled system of three differential equations. A partial differential equation models the dynamic and the spatial behaviour of the concentration of tubulin that is transported along the axon from the soma to the growth cone.

Selenium fortification of an Italian rice cultivar via foliar fertilization with sodium selenate and its effects on human serum selenium levels and on erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity.

Selenium food fortification could be a cost-effective strategy to counteract the inadequacy of selenium intake among the Italian population. In this study, the effect of foliar fertilization with sodium selenate of an Italian rice cultivar and the increase of serum selenium and of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity after intake of fortified rice, have been evaluated. The effect of foliar fertilization with sodium selenate (50 g Se/ha) vs.

Genetic modification of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to express cytokine receptors.

Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) or antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is safe and can be effective in cancer patients. Achievement of clinical responses in these patients is associated with the in vivo expansion and persistence of the transferred T lymphocytes. For this reason, recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2) is frequently used to support the in vivo survival of T lymphocytes infused into patients.

A path model of sarcopenia on bone mass loss in elderly subjects.

Objective: Aging is associated with decreases in muscle mass, strength, power (sarcopenia) and bone mineral density (BMD). The aims of this study were to investigate in elderly the role of sarcopenia on BMD loss by a path model, including adiposity, inflammation, and malnutrition associations.

Methods: Body composition and BMD were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry in 159 elderly subjects (52 male/107 female; mean age 80.

Interleukin-7 mediates selective expansion of tumor-redirected cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) without enhancement of regulatory T-cell inhibition.

Purpose: The antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected CTLs should be enhanced if it were possible to increase their proliferation and function after adoptive transfer without concomitantly increasing the proliferation and function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Here, we explored whether the lack of IL-7Rα in Treg can be exploited by the targeted manipulation of the interleukin-7 (IL-7) cytokine-cytokine receptor axis in CAR-engrafted Epstein-Barr Virus-specific CTLs (EBV-CTLs) to selectively augment their growth and antitumor activity even in the presence of Treg.

Experimental Design: We generated a bicistronic retroviral vector encoding a GD2-specific CAR and the IL-7Rα subunit, expressed the genes in EBV-CTLs, and assessed their capacity to control tumor growth in the presence of Treg in vitro and in vivo when exposed to either interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-7 in a neuroblastoma xenograft.

Update on the role of melatonin in the prevention of cancer tumorigenesis and in the management of cancer correlates, such as sleep-wake and mood disturbances: review and remarks.

The aim of this article was to perform a systematic review on the role of melatonin in the prevention of cancer tumorigenesis--in vivo and in vitro--as well as in the management of cancer correlates, such as sleep-wake and mood disturbances. The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently classified "shift-work that involves circadian disruption" as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A) based on "limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of shift-work that involves night-work", and "sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of light during the daily dark period (biological night)". The clinical implications and the potential uses of melatonin in terms of biologic clock influence (e.

Acute effect on satiety, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, glucagon-like peptide-1, free fatty acids, and glycerol following consumption of a combination of bioactive food ingredients in overweight subjects.

Objective: A combination of bioactive food ingredients (capsaicinoids, epigallocatechin gallate, piperin, and l-carnitine, CBFI) may promote satiety and thermogenesis. The study was conducted in order to assess whether there is any effect on satiety, resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol release, following a standardized mixed meal with or without single consumption of a CBFI.

Design: An 8-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Elimination of metastatic melanoma using gold nanoshell-enabled photothermal therapy and adoptive T cell transfer.

Ablative treatments such as photothermal therapy (PTT) are attractive anticancer strategies because they debulk accessible tumor sites while simultaneously priming antitumor immune responses. However, the immune response following thermal ablation is often insufficient to treat metastatic disease. Here we demonstrate that PTT induces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and promotes the maturation of dendritic cells within tumor-draining lymph nodes, thereby priming antitumor T cell responses.

Health-promoting properties of artichoke in preventing cardiovascular disease by its lipidic and glycemic-reducing action.

The artichoke, Cynara scolymus, is one of the most ancient plants grown in the world, and its extracts, obtained from different parts of the plant (leaves, fruits and roots), have been used as medicaments from time immemorial. The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of the artichoke on the liver had already been well known in the 17th century. Modern studies started in the last century confirmed the stimulating properties of artichoke extracts on the liver and gallbladder.

How to estimate fat mass in overweight and obese subjects.

Background. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing and represents a primary health concern. Body composition evaluation is rarely performed in overweight/obese subjects, and the diagnosis is almost always achieved just considering body mass index (BMI).

Key points for maximum effectiveness and safety for cholesterol-lowering properties of plant sterols and use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

According to the American Diabetes Association and the Adult Treatment Panel III, the starting point for treating metabolic syndrome (MS) is a change of lifestyle. In addition, action on the main symptoms of MS by means of dietary supplements, can be helpful in view of the chronic course of the disease. The term 'phytosterols' refers to sterols and stanols composed of lipophilic triterpenes, a family that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and whose cholesterol-lowering properties have been amply demonstrated.

Update on nutrients involved in maintaining healthy bone.

Osteoporosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and influences quality of life, as well as life expectancy. Currently, there is a growing interest among the medical scientists in search of specific nutrients and/or bioactive compounds of natural origin for the prevention of disease and maintenance of bone health. Although calcium and vitamin D have been the primary focus of nutritional prevention of osteoporosis, a recent research has clarified the importance of several additional nutrients and food constituents.

Improvement in insulin resistance and favourable changes in plasma inflammatory adipokines after weight loss associated with two months' consumption of a combination of bioactive food ingredients in overweight subjects.

This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, 8 week trial assessed the efficacy on metabolic changes produced by a consumption of a combination of bioactive food ingredients (epigallocatechin gallate, capsaicins, piperine and L-carnitine) versus a placebo, as part of a therapeutic 'lifestyle change' diet, in 86 overweight subjects. Forty-one patients (2/14 F/M; age 43.7 ± 8.

Robust and cost effective expansion of human regulatory T cells highly functional in a xenograft model of graft-versus-host disease.

The low frequency of naturally occurring regulatory T cells (nTregs) in peripheral blood and the suboptimal protocols available for their ex vivo expansion limit the development of clinical trials based on the adoptive transfer of these cells. We have, therefore, generated a simplified, robust and cost-effective platform for the large-scale expansion of nTregs using a gas permeable static culture flask (G-Rex) in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice. More than 10(9) putative Tregs co-expressing CD25 and CD4 molecules (92 ± 5%) and FoxP3 (69 ± 19%) were obtained within 21 days of culture.

[Significant two-weeks clinical efficacy of an association between Massaciuccoli peat and sodium chloride water of Undulna Thermae measured on gynoid lipodystrophy in a group of overweight female].

Background: Peloid has been popularly used as an effective base in cosmetic preparations, although its biologically-active materials and mechanisms on skin have not yet been fully determined. An association between Massaciuccoli peat and sodium chloride water of Undulna Thermae was evaluated as a 2-weeks therapy for gynoid lipodystrophy in a group of 30 overweight females (age: 20-50y, BMI: 25-35 kg/m2) by means of evidence based-medicine criteria.

Methods: The modification of the body diameters was the primary end-point, and the variation of skinfold thicknesses, bioimpendance parameters, evaluation of skin elasticity, rated thermal contact to liquid crystals and measurement of subcutaneous fat tissue were the secondary end-points.

Interleukin 15 provides relief to CTLs from regulatory T cell-mediated inhibition: implications for adoptive T cell-based therapies for lymphoma.

Purpose: Systemic administration of recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 is used to support the expansion and persistence of adoptively transferred antigen-specific CTLs in patients with cancer. However, IL-2 also expands regulatory T cells (Treg) that in turn impair the antitumor activity of CTLs. As recombinant IL-15 is approaching clinical applications, we assessed the effects of this cytokine on the proliferation and antitumor activity of CTLs in the presence of Tregs.

Rapidly generated multivirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections.

Severe and fatal viral infections remain common after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Adoptive transfer of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and adenoviral antigens can treat infections that are impervious to conventional therapies, but broader implementation and extension to additional viruses is limited by competition between virus-derived antigens and time-consuming and laborious manufacturing procedures. We now describe a system that rapidly generates a single preparation of polyclonal (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) CTLs that is consistently specific for 15 immunodominant and subdominant antigens derived from 7 viruses (EBV, CMV, Adenovirus (Adv), BK, human herpes virus (HHV)-6, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Influenza) that commonly cause post-transplant morbidity and mortality.

Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of artichoke leaf extract (ALE) supplementation (250 mg, 2 b.i.d.

[Pilot study to assess and compare the eating habits and nutrition knowledge in school-age Italians and Finns, using specific questionnaires].

In recent decades, the American diet has emerged in our country as a reference model food, particularly among young people, to the detriment of the Mediterranean diet, an healthy eating pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, olive oil, whole grains and fish. Even in Europe, North American habits are widespread at the expense of traditional northern nutritional powers, characterized by a lot of fish, wild game meat that are much thinner than from farm animals, rye, oats, cabbage, root vegetables. Given this background, in Pavia (Italy) and Tampere (Finland) we conducted a pilot study with the objective to assess and compare the eating habits and nutrition knowledge in school-age children using 2 questionnaires entitled "what do you eat?" and "what do you know about diet and health?".

Relationship between the absorption of 5-hydroxytryptophan from an integrated diet, by means of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and the effect on satiety in overweight females after oral spray administration.

The management of overweight may include the use of dietary supplements targeted to counter the feeling of hunger. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has been performed in 20 overweight females. These subjects were randomly assigned to supplement their diet with either an extract from Griffonia Simplicifolia (10 subjects) or a placebo (10 matched subjects) for 4-weeks, in conjunction with a personalised reduced calorie diet.

Outcomes from the first assisted reproduction program for HIV-serodiscordant couples in Australia.

Objective: To describe the clinical outcomes for all HIV-serodiscordant couples attending an assisted reproduction program.

Design, Setting And Participants: Retrospective review of demographic, clinical and outcome data for all HIV-serodiscordant couples who attended an assisted reproduction program at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, between its commencement in 2003 and June 2010.

Main Outcome Measures: Pregnancies, miscarriages, births, HIV transmission to the HIV-negative partner, semen quality and detection of HIV (HIV RNA and HIV DNA) in semen.