Somatic mutations of thymic epithelial tumors with myasthenia gravis.

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors are rare malignant neoplasms that are frequently associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, especially myasthenia gravis. GTF2I is an oncogene mutated in a subgroup of thymomas that is reputed to drive their growth. However, for GTF2I wild-type tumors, the relevant mutations remain to be identified.

Defining TCRγδ lymphoproliferative disorders by combined immunophenotypic and molecular evaluation.

Tγδ large granular lymphocyte leukemia (Tγδ LGLL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disease, scantily described in literature. A deep-analysis, in an initial cohort of 9 Tγδ LGLL compared to 23 healthy controls, shows that Tγδ LGLL dominant clonotypes are mainly public and exhibit different V-(D)-J γ/δ usage between patients with symptomatic and indolent Tγδ neoplasm. Moreover, some clonotypes share the same rearranged sequence.

Validation of the Italian Yale Food Addiction Scale in postgraduate university students.

Purpose: This study was aimed to examine the structural and construct validity of the Italian version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale in a multisite sample of postgraduate students.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six subjects (78.1% females) aged from 18 to 53 years (mean = 23.

Mutations Are Common in Thymic Epithelial Tumors But Not in Hematological Malignancies.

Background: Mutation of general transcription factor IIi (GTF2I) (chromosome 7 c.74146970T>A) is common in thymic epithelial tumors and is a candidate driver aberration for cancer growth. To our knowledge, this mutation has not been described in other diseases.

Effects of cognitive-behavioral treatment for weight loss in family members.

The possibility that lifestyle changes may be shared by the family members of subjects with obesity attending cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for weight loss has been scarcely evaluated. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in body weight, lifestyle habits, and stage of change toward physical activity in the family members of 149 subjects with overweight/obesity enrolled into a weekly group CBT for weight management in the years 2007-2008. 230 adult (aged >18 years) family members (129 spouses, 72 children (43 female, 29 male), 29 with a different family relationship) completed a self-administered questionnaire at baseline and soon after the end of the completion of their relatives' program (approximately 6 months later).

Evidences that the polymorphism Pro-282-Ala within the tumor suppressor gene WWOX is a new risk factor for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

We report a hypothesis-driven study aimed to detect genetic markers of susceptibility to differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC). A large number of candidate genes were first selected through literature search (genome-wide studies were also included). To restrict the analysis to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a high likelihood to be associated with increased risk, each SNP must comply with several a priori hypotheses.

Physical activity monitoring in obese people in the real life environment.

Background: Obesity is a major problem especially in western countries and several studies underline the importance of physical activity to enhance diet. Currently there is increasing interest in instruments for monitoring daily physical activity. The purpose of this pilot study was to appraise the qualitative and quantitative differences in physical activities and gait analysis parameters in control and obese subjects by means of an innovative tool for the monitoring of physical activity.

An empowerment-based educational program improves psychological well-being and health-related quality of life in Type 1 diabetes.

Educational programs are reported to improve metabolic control and well-being in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), but the effects of newly- structured interventions, aimed at promoting empowerment in educated patients in active selfcare, have received little attention. Ninety patients with Type 1 DM in intensive insulin treatment were invited to an empowerment-based educational intervention. Changes in quality of life and psychological well-being in the 54 patients participating in the program (median age, 44 yr) were compared with those measured in patients who refused.