Comparison of Antiaromatic Properties in a Series of Structurally Isomeric Naphthothiophene-Fused s-Indacenes.

Fusion of aromatic subunits to stabilize an antiaromatic core allows the isolation and study of otherwise unstable paratropic systems. A complete study of a series of six naphthothiophene-fused s-indacene isomers is herein described. Additionally, the structural modifications resulted in increased π-π overlap in the solid state, which was further explored through changing the sterically blocking mesityl group to (triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl in three derivatives.

UHRF1 overexpression promotes osteosarcoma metastasis through altered exosome production and AMPK/SEMA3E suppression.

Loss-of-function mutations at the retinoblastoma (RB1) gene are associated with increased mortality, metastasis, and poor therapeutic outcome in several cancers, including osteosarcoma. However, the mechanism(s) through which RB1 loss worsens clinical outcome remains understudied. Ubiquitin-like with PHD and Ring Finger domains 1 (UHRF1) has been identified as a critical downstream effector of the RB/E2F signaling pathway that is overexpressed in various cancers.

Vitamin D Status and Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. Furthermore, PD is associated with a wide spectrum of non-motor symptoms that add to overall disability. In recent years, some investigations, from basic science to clinical applications, have focused on the role of vitamin D in PD, often with controversial findings.

Optimization of Fibrin Scaffolds to Study Friction in Cultured Mesothelial Cells.

To study the friction of cell monolayers avoiding damage due to stress concentration, cells can be cultured on fibrin gels, which have a structure and viscoelasticity similar to that of the extracellular matrix. In the present research, we studied different gel compositions and surface coatings in order to identify the best conditions to measure friction in vitro. We examined the adhesion and growth behavior of mesothelial cell line MET-5A on fibrin gels with different fibrinogen concentrations (15, 20, and 25 mg/mL) and with different adhesion coatings (5 μg/mL fibronectin, 10 μg/mL fibronectin, or 10 μg/mL fibronectin + 10 μg/mL collagen).

Digital dermoscopy monitoring of melanocytic lesions: Two novel calculators combining static and dynamic features to identify melanoma.

Background: Early diagnosis is the most effective intervention to improve the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma. Even though the introduction of dermoscopy has improved the diagnostic accuracy, it can still be difficult to distinguish some melanomas from benign melanocytic lesions. Digital dermoscopy monitoring can identify dynamic changes of melanocytic lesions: To date, some algorithms were proposed, but a universally accepted one is still lacking.

Familial Melanoma and Susceptibility Genes: A Review of the Most Common Clinical and Dermoscopic Phenotypic Aspect, Associated Malignancies and Practical Tips for Management.

A family history of melanoma greatly increases the risk of developing cutaneous melanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer whose incidence has been steadily increasing worldwide. Familial melanomas account for about 10% of all malignant melanomas and display an inheritance pattern consistent with the presence of pathogenic germline mutations, among which those involving are the best characterized. In recent years, a growing number of genes, such as , , , , , , , and , have been implicated in familial melanoma.

Measurement of Interpeptidic Cu Exchange Rate Constants of Cu-Amyloid-β Complexes to Small Peptide Motifs by Tryptophan Fluorescence Quenching.

The interpeptidic Cu exchange rate constants were measured for two Cu amyloid-β complexes, Cu(Aβ) and Cu(Aβ), to fluorescent peptides GHW and DAHW using a quantitative tryptophan fluorescence quenching methodology. The second-order rate constants were determined at three pH values (6.8, 7.

Role of MUC1 in lubrication of pleural mesothelial cells cultured on fibrine gel.

To elucidate the role of sialomucin in friction reduction, we investigated the sliding friction of pleural mesothelial cells monolayers cultured on fibrine gel. These measurements were performed on normal (4/4 RM-4) and on tumor (CARM-L1 TG3) cell lines. The effect of treatment with neuraminidase, which removes sialic acid from sialomucin, and of dexamethasone, which has shown to increase sialomucin expression, were also assessed.

Treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides: results from the PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study.

Background: The PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study is a prospective analysis of an international database. Here we examine front-line treatments and quality of life (QoL) in patients with newly diagnosed mycosis fungoides (MF).

Objectives: To identify (i) differences in first-line approaches according to tumour-nodes-metastasis-blood (TNMB) staging; (ii) parameters related to a first-line systemic approach and (iii) response rates and QoL measures.

Chromatin remodeling protein HELLS is critical for retinoblastoma tumor initiation and progression.

Retinoblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer of the developing retina that initiates by biallelic RB1 gene inactivation. Tumor progression in retinoblastoma is driven by epigenetics, as retinoblastoma genomes are stable, but the mechanism(s) that drive these epigenetic changes remain unknown. Lymphoid-specific helicase (HELLS) protein is an epigenetic modifier directly regulated by the RB/E2F pathway.

Opioid Utilization and Perception of Pain Control in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study of 11 Sites in 8 Countries.

Background: Hospitalized patients are frequently treated with opioids for pain control, and receipt of opioids at hospital discharge may increase the risk of future chronic opioid use.

Objective: To compare inpatient analgesic prescribing patterns and patients' perception of pain control in the United States and non-US hospitals.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Effects of Creatine Treatment on Jejunal Phenotypes in a Rat Model of Acidosis.

We investigated the effects of creatine treatment on jejunal phenotypes in a rat model of oxidative stress induced by acidosis. In particular, the activities of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase), the level of lipid peroxidation, the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP70), and the expression of the major carriers of the cells (Na/K-ATPase, sodium-glucose Transporter 1-SGLT1, and glucose transporter 2-GLUT2) were measured under control and chronic acidosis conditions. Creatine did not affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes in either the control or acidosis groups, except for catalase, for which the activity was reduced in both conditions.

The applications of bacteriophages and their lysins as biocontrol agents against the foodborne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter: An updated look.

Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. are foodborne pathogens responsible for outbreaks and disease in humans. The emerging problem of bacterial antibiotic resistance and the persistence of pathogens in the environment, especially where foods are processed, are some of the reasons that have led to a re‑emerging interest in bacteriophages and their lysins as potential candidates for bio‑control.

Diaphragmatic Mobility Loss in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe COPD May Improve After In-Patient Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Background: The diaphragm changes in COPD lead to functional inefficiency correlated to lung function loss. Muscle-fiber shortening follows lung hyperinflation, which results in a chronic mechanical disadvantage that impairs diaphragmatic mobility that worsens in COPD exacerbations.

Objectives: To correlate the diaphragmatic mobility loss to COPD severity by using M-mode ultrasonography and to verify if the diaphragmatic mobility can improve after in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol (alvocidib) inhibits metastasis of human osteosarcoma cells.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant neoplasm of bone and typically occurs in children and young adults. As a highly metastatic malignancy, 15-20% of osteosarcoma patients are diagnosed after the tumor has already metastasized (typically to the lungs), which translates to 5-year survival rates of <40%. Here, we tested the effect of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor flavopiridol (alvocidib) in U2OS, SaOS-2, SJSA-1, and 143B osteosarcoma tumor cells and .

Tracing sources of Listeria contamination in traditional Italian cheese associated with a US outbreak: investigations in Italy.

In 2012 a US multistate outbreak of listeriosis was linked to ricotta salata imported from Italy, made from pasteurized sheep's milk. Sampling activities were conducted in Italy to trace the source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese that caused the outbreak was produced in a plant in Apulia that processed semi-finished cheeses supplied by five plants in Sardinia.

Pleural liquid and kinetic friction coefficient of mesothelium after mechanical ventilation.

Volume and protein concentration of pleural liquid in anesthetized rabbits after 1 or 3h of mechanical ventilation, with alveolar pressure equal to atmospheric at end expiration, were compared to those occurring after spontaneous breathing. Moreover, coefficient of kinetic friction between samples of visceral and parietal pleura, obtained after spontaneous or mechanical ventilation, sliding in vitro at physiological velocity under physiological load, was determined. Volume of pleural liquid after mechanical ventilation was similar to that previously found during spontaneous ventilation.

Error signals as powerful stimuli for the operant conditioning-like process of the fictive respiratory output in a brainstem-spinal cord preparation from rats.

Respiratory neuromuscular activity needs to adapt to physiologic and pathologic conditions. We studied the conditioning effects of sensory fiber (putative Ia and II type from neuromuscular spindles) stimulation on the fictive respiratory output to the diaphragm, recorded from C4 phrenic ventral root, of in-vitro brainstem-spinal cord preparations from rats. The respiratory burst frequency in these preparations decreased gradually (from 0.

Pleural mesothelium lubrication after phospholipase treatment.

Coefficient of kinetic friction (μ) of rabbit pleural mesothelium increased after short treatment of specimens with phospholipase C. This increase was removed by addition of a solution with hyaluronan or sialomucin, as previously shown in post-blotting Ringer or after short pronase treatment. After phospholipase μ decreased with increase in sliding velocity, but at highest velocity it was still greater than control; this difference was removed by addition of hyaluronan or sialomucin, as in post-blotting Ringer or after short pronase treatment.