Complement component C5a induces aberrant epigenetic modifications in renal tubular epithelial cells accelerating senescence by Wnt4/βcatenin signaling after ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, affect tubular maladaptive response after Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and accelerate renal aging. Upon ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, Complement activation leads to C5a release that mediates damage; however, little is known about the effect of C5a-C5a Receptor (C5aR) interaction in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells (RTEC).Through a whole-genome DNA methylation analysis in cultured RTEC, we found that C5a induced aberrant methylation, particularly in regions involved in cell cycle control, DNA damage and Wnt signaling.

Acute Tubular Injury is Associated With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: in Vitro Study on Human Tubular Epithelial Cells.

Acute kidney injury following traumatic brain injury is associated with poor outcome. We investigated in vitro the effects of plasma of brain injured patients with acute tubular kidney injury on kidney tubular epithelial cell function. we performed a prospective observational clinical study in ICU in a trauma centre of the University hospital in Italy including twenty-three ICU patients with traumatic brain injury consecutively enrolled.

PYHIN genes as potential biomarkers for prognosis of human papillomavirus-positive or -negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

The aim of the present study is to determine the expression levels of PYHIN (IFI16 and AIM2) and APOBEC3 (A3A, A3B, A3C, A3D, A3F, A3G, and A3H) gene family members in a cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and assess their potential correlation with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status, clinical characteristics, and survival. For this purpose, 34 HNSCC tissue specimens along with healthy surrounding mucosa were collected from patients surgically treated for HNSCC. Nucleic acids were isolated to assess the presence of HPV and the expression levels of selected molecular markers.

Power Doppler Ultrasound Findings before and after Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Pilot Study on Pain Reduction and Neovascularization Effect.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been found to have a positive effect in the treatment of pain in Achilles tendinopathy, although the exact mechanism is not yet completely understood. Among the mechanisms suggested to underlie ESWT effects are direct stimulation of healing, neovascularization and direct suppressive effects on nociceptors and hyperstimulation, which would block the gate-control system. The neovascularization observed in flogistic tissue is associated with stimulated nerve fibers around tendons and induces a painful condition.

Breast Cancer Systemic Treatments and Upper Limb Lymphedema: A Risk-Assessment Platform Encompassing Tumor-Specific Pathological Features Reveals the Potential Role of Trastuzumab.

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is frequent but strategies for an individualized risk assessment are lacking. We aimed to define whether tumor-specific pathological features, coupled with clinical and therapeutic data, could help identify patients at risk. Data from 368 patients with node-positive breast cancers were retrospectively collected, including 75 patients with BCRL (0.

Investigational drugs in HIV: Pros and cons of entry and fusion inhibitors (Review).

Despite the profound changes and improvements reached in the field of HIV treatment, tolerability and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy remains a challenge. Furthermore, multi-experienced patients could take advantage of drugs with different mechanisms of action to combat the spread of resistance to actual therapy. For these reasons identification of new HIV drugs is crucial.

Tackling the diversity of breast cancer related lymphedema: Perspectives on diagnosis, risk assessment, and clinical management.

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) develops as a consequence of surgical treatment and/or radiation therapy in a significant number of breast cancer patients. The etiology of this condition is multifactorial and has not yet been completely elucidated. Risk factors include high body mass index, radical surgical procedures (i.

Lymphovascular invasion and extranodal tumour extension are risk indicators of breast cancer related lymphoedema: an observational retrospective study with long-term follow-up.

Background: Breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) occurs in a substantial proportion of breast cancer survivors and is a major contributor to patients' disability. Regrettably, there are no validated predictive biomarkers, diagnostic tools, and strong evidence-supported therapeutic strategies for BCRL. Here, we provide an integrative characterization of a large series of women with node-positive breast cancers and identify new bona fide predictors of BCRL occurrence.

Minimal impact of a care pathway for geriatric hip fracture patients.

Background: Adherence to guidelines for patients with proximal femur fracture is suboptimal.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a care pathway for the in-hospital management of older geriatric hip fracture patients on adherence to guidelines and patient outcomes.

Design: The European Quality of Care Pathways study is a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Recommended care received by geriatric hip fracture patients: where are we now and where are we heading?

Introduction: Despite the availability of clinical guidelines on the prevention and treatment of geriatric hip fractures, the percentage of recommended care received by patients is low. We conducted an importance-performance analysis for prioritizing interventions to improve the in-hospital management of these patients.

Materials And Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted on the in-hospital treatment of 540 geriatric hip fracture patients in 34 hospitals in Belgium, Italy, and Portugal.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) in Osteoporosis Patients: Report of Delayed Diagnosis of a Multisite Case and Commentary about Risks Coming from a Restricted ONJ Definition.

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) in osteoporosis patients has been defined as rare, but the number of reported cases is increasing. We report a case of delayed ONJ diagnosis in a patient, who was being treated with alendronate, developing bone alterations both in maxilla and in mandible. Underestimation of ONJ incidence and missed or delayed ONJ diagnosis in osteoporosis patients might derive from lack of awareness of health providers as well as from an ONJ definition that is too restricted.

High Temperature Growth of Graphene from Cobalt Volume: Effect on Structural Properties.

Several transition metals other than the largely used Cu and Ni can be, in principle, employed to catalyze carbon precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of graphene, because the thermodynamics of their alloying with carbon is well known. For example, the wealth of information in the Co-C phase diagram can be used to predict the properties of graphene grown in this way. It is, in fact, expected that growth occurs at a temperature higher than in Ni, with beneficial consequences to the mechanical and electronic properties of the final product.

Recent advances in the pathogenetic mechanisms of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Sepsis is a serious medical condition that can lead to multi-organ failure and shock, and it is associated with increased mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of sepsis in critically ill patients, and often requires renal replacement therapy. The pathophysiology of AKI in sepsis has not yet been fully defined.

Vaginal mesh repair SYSTEMS for pelvic organ prolapse: Anatomical study comparing transobturator/trangluteal versus single incision techniques.

Introduction: The present study aim to compare the anatomic landmarks of two pelvic floor repair systems, in order to identify the potential neurovascular lesions related to different mesh fixation techniques.

Methods: Abdominal and perineal dissections of 10 fresh cadavers after prolapse surgery using transobturator/transgluteal versus single incision techniques. Neuro-vascular structures of obturator region and perineum were isolated.

Heart Rate Variability modifications induced by high doses of incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA in hemiplegic chronic stroke patients: A single blind randomized controlled, crossover pilot study.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A is a valid and safe treatment for focal spasticity, with documented effects on both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Heart rate variability can provide detailed information about the control of the autonomic nervous system on cardiovascular activities. Previous studies in literature showed no significant changes in Heart Rate Variability with doses >600 U of incobotulinumtoxinA in chronic post stroke spastic patients; however, at present time, these results have not been confirmed with doses >600 U of onabotulinumtoxinA.

Better organized care via care pathways: A multicenter study.

An increased need for efficiency and effectiveness in today's healthcare system urges professionals to improve the organization of care. Care pathways are an important tool to achieve this. The overall aim of this study was to analyze if care pathways lead to better organization of care processes.

Experimental Determination of the Molar Absorption Coefficient of n-Hexane Adsorbed on High-Silica Zeolites.

Determination of the molar absorption coefficients of the CH bending mode at ν˜ =1380 cm (ϵ ) of n-hexane adsorbed from the gas phase on two different dealuminated zeolites is derived by a combination of IR spectroscopy and microgravimetric analysis. High-silica zeolite Y (HSZ-Y) and zeolite ZSM-5 (with SiO /Al O ratios of 200 and 280, respectively) with different textural and surface features are selected to evaluate the effect of the pore structure and architecture on the value of ϵ of the adsorbed n-hexane. Experimental data indicate that the molecule experiences a different adsorption environment inside zeolites; thus resulting in a significant change of the dipole moment and very different ϵ values: (0.

The exciting "bench to bedside" journey of cell therapies for acute kidney injury and renal transplantation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by an increasing incidence and poor outcomes in both developed and undeveloped countries. AKI is also acquiring importance in the setting of kidney transplantation (KT): besides all the classical forms of AKI that KT patients may undergo, several transplant-specific injuries can also lead to the loss of graft function. The mechanisms of tissue damage in native and grafted kidneys share several common pathogenic elements.

Reference values of one-point carotid stiffness parameters determined by carotid echo-tracking and brachial pulse pressure in a large population of healthy subjects.

Arterial stiffness can predict cardiovascular events, and the aim of this study was to produce age- and sex-specific reference values for echo-tracking carotid stiffness in healthy subjects. A total of 900 subjects (500 males, mean age 45.8±19 years) were enrolled.

Neuronal hemoglobin affects dopaminergic cells' response to stress.

Hemoglobin (Hb) is the major protein in erythrocytes and carries oxygen (O) throughout the body. Recently, Hb has been found synthesized in atypical sites, including the brain. Hb is highly expressed in A9 dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), whose selective degeneration leads to Parkinson's disease (PD).

Diode Laser Clinical Efficacy and Mini-Invasivity in Surgical Exposure of Impacted Teeth.

The gold standard to arrange impacted teeth in the dental arch is represented by a surgical approach followed by orthodontic traction force application. In the literature, many surgical approaches are proposed to reach such a scope. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate how laser technique could positively assist surgical approaches.

Long-Term Outcomes of the Implant of a Periurethral Constrictor for Stress Urinary Incontinence Following Radical Prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess morbidity, effectiveness and quality of life (QoL) of implant of Silimed periurethral constrictor (PC) in a consecutive series of patients who had stress urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy.

Material And Methods: A prospective non-randomized study designed on patients who underwent implant of Silimed PC. Primary end point was postoperative morbidity and secondary end points were effectiveness of implant and QoL.