An antisense-long-noncoding-RNA modulates p75 expression levels during neuronal polarization.

Proper polarization of newly generated neurons is a critical process for neural network formation and brain development. The pan-neurotrophin p75 receptor plays a key role in this process localizing asymmetrically in one of the differentiating neurites and specifying its axonal identity in response to neurotrophins. During axonal specification, p75 levels are transiently modulated, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are not known.

Brain and behavioural anomalies caused by haploinsufficiency are corrected by vitamin B12.

The brain-related phenotypes observed in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) patients are highly variable, and their origin is poorly understood. Changes in brain metabolism might contribute to these phenotypes, as many of the deleted genes are involved in metabolic processes, but this is unknown.

Safety of Zein Nanoparticles on Human Innate Immunity and Inflammation.

In recent years, natural polymers have attracted great interest for the development of release systems for vaccine formulations and drug delivery. Zein, a hydrophobic proline-rich protein mixture obtained from maize, is one of the most widely used polymers, very promising for applications in tissue engineering and the parenteral delivery of bioactive agents. Still, we have a limited understanding of the interaction between zein particles and the human immune system, in particular innate immunity/inflammation, which is the first line of defense of our body.

Insights into Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of NeuroCOVID.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is defined by the persistence or recurrence of symptoms after an initial acute SARS-CoV-2 infection [...

Early Enteral Feeding Restores Neurofilament Light Chain Serum Levels in Preterm Newborns.

Background: Positive effects of early nutritional strategies on neurological outcomes have been observed when nutrients were administered by the enteral route, especially during the first week of life. Evidence reports that serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), a structural protein of neurons, is a specific and reliable biomarker of neuronal damage.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition (EN) in minimizing neuroaxonal damage and assessing NfL serum levels in preterm neonates.

Smaller is better? Compact vs. Conventional gamma camera for sentinel lymph node localization in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been recognized as "the gold standard" for axillary staging in early breast cancer patients with clinically negative lymph nodes, resulting in significant morbidity decrease and quality of life improvement. This study aims to validate the performance of a newly developed handheld portable gamma camera (PGC) produced by Imagensys (Italy), in detecting and locating sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) during the preoperative and intraoperative phases in breast cancer patients compared to conventional lymphoscintigraphy.

Methods: Adult female patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer, candidates for surgery and SLNB, were prospectively enrolled in this open-label, pre-marketing clinical trial.

Perspective role of Substance P in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: From neuronal vulnerability to neuroprotection.

The neuropeptide Substance P (SP) and its preferred Neurokinin1 Receptor (NK1R) are known to participate in the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases and mainly exert a neuroprotective role. In the present work, we have described the involvement of SP and NK1R in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This was demonstrated by the detection of altered levels of SP in the brain, spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients and preclinical models of ALS, and by its ability to inhibit excitotoxicity-induced neurodegeneration in ALS animal models.

Navigating the Intersection of Glycemic Control and Fertility: A Network Perspective.

The rising incidence of metabolic diseases is linked to elevated blood glucose levels, contributing to conditions such as diabetes and promoting the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs, formed by non-enzymatic reactions between sugars and proteins, build up in tissues and are implicated in various diseases. This article explores the relationship between glycemic control and AGE accumulation, focusing on fertility implications.

Unconventional p65/p52 NF-κB module regulates key tumor microenvironment-related genes in breast tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).

The complex heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a significant obstacle to cytotoxic immune response and successful treatment, building up one of the most hostile oncological phenotypes. Among the most abundant TME components, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have pivotal pro-tumoral functions, involving discordant roles for the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) transcription factors and directing to higher levels of pathway complexity. In both resting macrophages and TAMs, we recently revealed the existence of the uncharacterized NF-κB p65/p52 dimer.

Cancer incidence (2000-2020) among individuals under 35: an emerging sex disparity in oncology.

Background: Aggressive malignancies, such as pancreatic cancer, are increasingly impacting young, female populations. Our investigation centered on whether the observed trends in cancer incidence were unique to pancreatic cancer or indicative of a broader trend across various cancer types. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, we analyzed cancer incidence trends across different age and sex groups.

A Review of Therapeutic Strategies against Cardiac Fibrosis: From Classical Pharmacology to Novel Molecular, Epigenetic, and Biotechnological Approaches.

Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death worldwide, with a heavy social and economic impact. They include a wide range of pathological conditions, among which cardiac fibrosis represents a common pathogenetic hallmark. The fibrotic process is driven by cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells, namely fibroblasts, which become activated, proliferate, and differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to several stimuli, in the end secreting extracellular matrix proteins, and mediating cardiac tissue remodelling and stiffening.

Trackins (Trk-Targeting Drugs): A Novel Therapy for Different Diseases.

Many routes may lead to the transition from a healthy to a diseased phenotype. However, there are not so many routes to travel in the opposite direction; that is, therapy for different diseases. The following pressing question thus remains: what are the pathogenic routes and how can be they counteracted for therapeutic purposes? Human cells contain >500 protein kinases and nearly 200 protein phosphatases, acting on thousands of proteins, including cell growth factors.

Mathematical Modeling of Vedolizumab Treatment's Effect on Microbiota and Intestinal Permeability in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Growing evidence suggests that impaired gut permeability and gut microbiota alterations are involved in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs), which include Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD). Vedolizumab is an anti-α4β7 antibody approved for IBD treatment, used as the first treatment or second-line therapy when the first line results in inadequate effectiveness. The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model capable of describing the pathophysiological mechanisms of Vedolizumab treatment in IBD patients.

Exposure to serum from exclusive heated tobacco product smokers induces mTOR activation and fibrotic features in human cardiac stromal cells.

Chronic smokers have increased risk of fibrosis-related atrial fibrillation. The use of heated-tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing exponentially, and their health impact is still uncertain. We aim to investigate the effects of circulating molecules in exclusive HTP chronic smokers on the fibrotic behavior of human atrial cardiac stromal cells (CSCs).

Essential role of p21 in the modulation of post-traumatic hippocampal Neural Stem Cells response.

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents one of the main causes of brain damage in young people and the elderly population with a very high rate of psycho-physical disability and death. TBI is characterized by extensive cell death, tissue damage and neuro-inflammation with a symptomatology that varies depending on the severity of the trauma from memory loss to a state of irreversible coma and death. Recently, preclinical studies on mouse models have demonstrated that the post-traumatic adult Neural Stem/Progenitor cells response could represent an excellent model to shed light on the neuro-reparative role of adult neurogenesis following damage.

Boosting antigen-specific T cell activation with lipid-stabilized protein nanoaggregates.

Vaccines based on protein antigens have numerous advantages over inactivated pathogens, including easier manufacturing and improved safety. However, purified antigens are weakly immunogenic, as they lack the spatial organization and the associated 'danger signals' of the pathogen. Formulating vaccines as nanoparticles enhances the recognition by antigen presenting cells, boosting the cell-mediated immune response.

The Gene Is Necessary for Spermatozoa Development and Male Fertility in Mice.

gene loss-of-function mutation leads to Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), a disease caused by motile cilia dysfunction. Previously, we demonstrated that knockout of the gene in mice replicates several features of PCD, such as hydrocephalus, defects in left-right body symmetry, and male infertility, with a complete absence of sperm in the reproductive tract. The majority of knockout animals die before sexual maturation due to severe hydrocephalus and failure to thrive, which precludes fertility studies.

Taste and Smell Alterations (TSAs) in Cancer Patients.

Recently, smell and taste disorders have seen renewed interest, as these symptoms are frequent complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since approximately 60% of patients affected by COVID-19 have shown olfactory and gustatory alterations. Otolaryngology pays attention to taste and smell abnormalities (TSAs), especially when associated with oncology. TSAs are common symptoms in people affected by cancer, yet they are ignored and underestimated.

Colonic Epithelial Permeability to Ions Is Restored after Vedolizumab Treatment and May Predict Clinical Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is used for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. A study investigating colonic epithelial barrier function ex vivo following VDZ is lacking. This work aims to evaluate ex vivo the colonic epithelial barrier function in IBD patients at baseline and during VDZ treatment, and to investigate the relationships between barrier function and clinical parameters.

Deregulation of Metalloproteinase Expression in Gray Horse Melanoma Ex Vivo and In Vitro.

The ability of human melanoma cells to switch from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype contributes to the metastatic potential of disease. Metalloproteinases (MPs) are crucially involved in this process by promoting the detachment of tumor cells from the primary lesion and their migration to the vasculature. In gray horse melanoma, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is poorly understood, prompting us to address MP expression in lesions versus intact skin by transcriptome analyses and the immunofluorescence staining (IF) of gray horse tumor tissue and primary melanoma cells.

Klinefelter Syndrome: A Genetic Disorder Leading to Neuroendocrine Modifications and Psychopathological Vulnerabilities in Children-A Literature Review and Case Report.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS), characterized by an additional X-chromosome in males, manifests in a wide range of neuroendocrine and psychiatric symptoms. Individuals with KS often face increased risks of hormonal dysfunction, leading to depression and anxiety, although extended research during pediatric and adolescent age is still limited. This critical phase, decisive for KS children, is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental and familial factors, which impact brain plasticity.

Radiolabelled FGF-2 for Imaging Activated Fibroblasts in the Tumor Micro-Environment.

Unlabelled: Tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) play a key role in tumor growth and metastatization. TAFs overexpress different biomarkers that are usually expressed at low levels in physiological conditions. Among them are the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) that bind the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs).