Group B in an Adult Woman with Type 2 Diabetes and Ethmoid Roof Defect. Impact on "frontal" Cognitive Functions.

Background: Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults represents one of the most severe infectious diseases worldwide with potentially life-threatening medical complications. Several infectious agents can cause acute meningitis. Although group B is more prevalent in newborns, infection can also lead to meningitis in older adults, particularly those with underlying health issues.

A pro-diabetogenic mtDNA polymorphism in the mitochondrial-derived peptide, MOTS-c.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is an emerging public health problem in Asia. Although ethnic specific mtDNA polymorphisms have been shown to contribute to T2D risk, the functional effects of the mtDNA polymorphisms and the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial-derived peptides at the mtDNA polymorphisms are underexplored. Here, we showed an Asian-specific mitochondrial DNA variation m.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet moderates the association between multimorbidity and depressive symptoms in older adults.

Aim: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) has been associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases and may be associated with lower risk for depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate (i) the association of adherence to Med-Diet with depressive symptoms and multimorbidity in a cohort of geriatric medical outpatients, and (ii) the role of Med-Diet in mediating the association between depressive symptoms and multimorbidity.

Methods: A total of 143 geriatric patients (mean age: 73.

The relationship between Vitamin D and depressive disorders.

Studies have suggested a relationship between low circulating levels of Vitamin D and depression. Vitamin D deficiency may be a consequence of depression-related factors, such as reduced sun exposure, decreased outdoor activity, and dietary changes, but it can also play a role in the pathophysiology of depressive conditions through a range of molecular mechanisms. In the present manuscript, findings related to prospective longitudinal studies on the relationship between Vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms and to randomized controlled trials on Vitamin D supplementation for depressive disorders are reviewed.

Thyroid hormone regulates fibronectin expression through the activation of the hypoxia inducible factor 1.

Thyroid hormones regulate gene expression via both canonical and non-canonical signaling. Hyperthyroidism is associated with elevated plasma levels of fibronectin (FN): in this study we elucidate the molecular mechanism through which triiodothyronine (T3) regulates FN and demonstrate that T3 induces FN expression via a non-canonical pathway by activating hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). We found that T3 treatment increased cellular and secreted FN in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and human dermal fibroblasts (HF) via the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1 pathway.

Spleen dimensions are inversely associated with lysosomal acid lipase activity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver and splenomegaly are typical features of genetic lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) deficiency. No data in adult patients with non-genetic reduction of LAL activity are available. We investigate the association between spleen dimensions and LAL activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, in whom a reduced LAL activity has been reported.

Psychoeducational intervention focused on healthy living improves psychopathological severity and lifestyle quality in psychiatric patients: preliminary findings from a controlled study.

Background: Individuals with psychiatric disorders incur an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, with higher prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors s largely contributing to a significant reduction in life expectancy.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was at evaluating the clinical effectiveness of an educational intervention targeting lifestyle habits in patients with mood and psychotic disorders.

Methods: Patients (n = 32) were randomly assigned to receive, in addition to the pharmacological treatment, either five sessions of group psychoeducation focused on healthy lifestyle or five sessions of a control group therapy.

Cannabis: a self-medication drug for weight management? The never ending story.

In a society highly focused on physical appearance, people are increasingly using the so-called performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) or life-style drugs as an easy way to control weight. Preliminary data from online sources (e.g.

Elderly woman with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer successfully treated with metronomic capecitabine.

Triple-negative breast cancer phenotype (estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor- and human epidermal growth receptor 2-negative) is one of the most aggressive molecular subtypes, accounting for 15-20% of all breast tumors. There is no standard treatment for this setting of patients except anthracyclines and taxanes, but not all elderly patients can tolerate these kinds of agents. We describe the case of an elderly woman affected by triple-negative breast cancer with bone and brain metastases who has been treated for five years with metronomic capecitabine.

Adhesion to type V collagen enhances staurosporine-induced apoptosis of adrenocortical cancer cells.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive tumor characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Many chemotherapy agents act determining apoptosis, therefore, studying the responsiveness of ACC to apoptosis inducing molecules, can help to identify possible conditions to promote cancer cell death. Tumor progression is strictly related to the interaction between cancer cells and stroma; yet, extracellular matrix remodeling regulates tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Smoking behaviour and mental health disorders--mutual influences and implications for therapy.

Tobacco use is strongly associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to meet current criteria for mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and psychosis. Evidence also suggest that smokers with psychiatric disorders may have more difficulty quitting, offering at least a partial explanation for why smoking rates are higher in this population.

Pomegranate Juice Metabolites, Ellagic Acid and Urolithin A, Synergistically Inhibit Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Growth via Distinct Effects on Cell Cycle Control and Apoptosis.

Ellagitannins (ETs) from pomegranate juice (PJ) are bioactive polyphenols with chemopreventive potential against prostate cancer (PCa). ETs are not absorbed intact but are partially hydrolyzed in the gut to ellagic acid (EA). Colonic microflora can convert EA to urolithin A (UA), and EA and UA enter the circulation after PJ consumption.

Phenolic acid concentrations in plasma and urine from men consuming green or black tea and potential chemopreventive properties for colon cancer.

Scope: Tea polyphenols are metabolized by the colonic microflora yielding phenolic metabolites, which may contribute to the health benefits of tea. We determined the serum and urine concentrations of phenolic acids, hippuric acid, and polyhydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactones during green tea (GT) and black tea (BT) administration. The effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4-DHPAA) alone and in combination on bioavailability, intracellular metabolism, and antiproliferative activity were determined in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins impair endothelial function by inhibiting non-genomic action of thyroid hormone-mediated nitric oxide production in human endothelial cells.

Background: Thyroid hormone (TH) plays an important role in the modulation of cardiac function, including contractility and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)), the active form of TH, induces the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase via PI3K/AKT non-genomic signaling. Hypothyroidism is associated with an increase in SVR and serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels, and accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) may impair endothelial-dependent vascular relaxation.

Central serous chorioretinopathy as a presenting symptom of endogenous Cushing syndrome: a case report.

Purpose: To report a case of Cushing syndrome due to adrenocortical adenoma revealed by central serous chorioretinopathy.

Materials And Methods: A 45-year-old man presented with blurred vision and metamorphopsia in the left eye. He reported few episodes of high blood pressure in the last 3 months.