The Functional Interaction of KATP and BK Channels with Aquaporin-4 in the U87 Glioblastoma Cell.

K channels do play a role in cell shape changes observed during cell proliferation and apoptosis. Research suggested that the dynamics of the aggregation of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) into AQP4-OAP isoforms can trigger cell shape changes in malignant glioma cells. Here, we investigated the relationship between AQP4 and some K channels in the malignant glioma U87 line.

Inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase influence microbiota and metabolomic profile in pancreatic cancer xenograft mice.

Objective: Despite recent advances in treatment options, pancreatic cancer remains the most deadly major cancer. Targeting metabolism represents an emerging anti-cancer strategy.

Results: Metagenomic 16S analysis was employed to explore the effect of Dichloroacetate (DCA) on the composition of the fecal microbiota and metabolomic profile was assessed on in vivo pancreatic cancer mouse xenograft model.

Exploring the Role of Gut Microbiota in Major Depressive Disorder and in Treatment Resistance to Antidepressants.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common severe psychiatric illness, exhibiting sub-optimal response to existing pharmacological treatments. Although its etiopathogenesis is still not completely understood, recent findings suggest that an altered composition of the gut microbiota might play a role. Here we aimed to explore potential differences in the composition of the gut microbiota between patients with MDD and healthy controls (HC) and to identify possible signatures of treatment response by analyzing two groups of MDD patients characterized as treatment-resistant (TR) or responders (R) to antidepressants.

Genome-wide association study identifies an early onset pancreatic cancer risk locus.

Early onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) is a rare disease with a very high mortality rate. Almost nothing is known on the genetic susceptibility of EOPC, therefore, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genetic variants specific for patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at younger ages. In the first phase, conducted on 821 cases with age of onset ≤60 years, of whom 198 with age of onset ≤50, and 3227 controls from PanScan I-II, we observed four SNPs (rs7155613, rs2328991, rs4891017 and rs12610094) showing an association with EOPC risk (P < 1 × 10 ).

Netupitant/palonosetron (NEPA) and dexamethasone for prevention of emesis in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide: a multi-cycle, phase II study.

Background: NEPA is an oral fixed-dose combination of netupitant, a new highly selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, and palonosetron. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the efficacy of NEPA against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in cycle 1 would be maintained over subsequent chemotherapy cycles in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide (AC). The study also describes the relationship between efficacy on day 1 through 5 (overall period) and control of CINV on day 6 through 21 (very late period) in each cycle.

The Age-Related Central Auditory Processing Disorder: Silent Impairment of the Cognitive Ear.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), also called presbycusis, is a progressive disorder affecting hearing functions and among the elderly has been recognized as the third most frequent condition. Among ARHL components, the age-related central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) refers to changes in the auditory network, negatively impacting auditory perception and/or the speech communication performance. The relationship between auditory-perception and speech communication difficulties in age-related CAPD is difficult to establish, mainly because many older subjects have concomitant peripheral ARHL and age-related cognitive changes.

Influence of gemcitabine chemotherapy on the microbiota of pancreatic cancer xenografted mice.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents the fourth cause of cancer-related death. We aimed to evaluate whether gemcitabine treatment shapes the gut microbiota in a model of PDAC xenografted mice.

Materials And Methods: Pancreatic cancer xenograft mice were subjected to gemcitabine injection once per week for 3 weeks to assess the tumor volume as compared to control mice injected with normal saline solution.

Engineered Resistant-Starch (ERS) Diet Shapes Colon Microbiota Profile in Parallel with the Retardation of Tumor Growth in In Vitro and In Vivo Pancreatic Cancer Models.

Background/aims: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is ranked as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in treatment options, a modest impact on the outcome of the disease is observed so far. We have previously demonstrated that short-term fasting cycles have the potential to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy against PC.

Transperineal ultrasonography: First level exam in IBD patients with perianal disease.

Background: A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the front-line method for evaluating perianal disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS) has been proposed as a simple, safe, time-sparing and useful diagnostic technique to assess different pathological conditions of the pelvic floor.

Aim: The aim of this prospective single centre study was to evaluate the accuracy of TPUS versus MRI for the detection and classification of perineal disease in IBD patients.

Development of a metabolites risk score for one-year mortality risk prediction in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.

Purpose: Survival among patients with adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer (PDCA) is highly variable, which ranges from 0% to 20% at 5 years. Such a wide range is due to tumor size and stage, as well other patients' characteristics. We analyzed alterations in the metabolomic profile, of PDCA patients, which are potentially predictive of patient's one-year mortality.

Metabolomic profile in pancreatic cancer patients: a consensus-based approach to identify highly discriminating metabolites.

Purpose: pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths due to its aggressive behavior and poor clinical outcome. There is a considerable variability in the frequency of serum tumor markers in cancer' patients. We performed a metabolomics screening in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Fasting cycles potentiate the efficacy of gemcitabine treatment in in vitro and in vivo pancreatic cancer models.

Background/aims: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is ranked as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in treatment options, a modest impact on the outcome of the disease is observed so far. Short-term fasting cycles have been shown to potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapy against glioma.

DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3b expression in Huh-7 cells expressing HCV core protein of different genotypes.

Background: Hepatitis C virus infects ~3% of the population and it is a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis. The epigenetic mechanisms of HCV-induced hepatocyte transformation towards malignancy in this context are unclear.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of HCV core proteins of different genotypes on DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) induction.

Genetics of inflammatory bowel disease: the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

Recent identification of the first susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease has led to increasing enthusiasm for the investigation and dissection of inflammatory bowel disease. In the future, identification of additional genes and careful correlation of the genetic background with clinical features of the disease will help to elucidate the causes and cure of inflammatory bowel disease. However, caution is still needed in the short term since our present knowledge has limited influence on clinical management.

HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 genes and Helicobacter pylori infection in Italian patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

Both HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 genes and Helicobacter pylori infection have been linked to gastric cancer. The aim of this work was to determine if HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 alleles are presented at altered frequency in Italian patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and H. pylori infection.

Amoxicillin/tetracycline combinations are inadequate as alternative therapies for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Triple therapy with proton pump inhibitors or ranitidine bismuth citrate, clarithromycin and either amoxicillin or nitroimidazole derivatives are the present gold standards for cure of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, primary resistance to either clarithromycin or nitroimidazole derivatives is increasing and alternative therapies are needed.

Aim: To determine the efficacy and safety of three regimens consisting of amoxicillin and tetracycline or doxycycline combined with either lansoprazole or ranitidine bismuth citrate.