Phospholipase Cδ-4 (PLCδ4) Acts as a Nuclear Player to Influence Cyclin B Expression in the Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines RD and A204.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common form of sarcoma typical of pediatric age, arises from the malignant transformation of the mesenchymal precursors that fail to differentiate into skeletal muscle cells. Here, we investigated whether the protein phospholipase C δ4 (PLCδ4), a member of the PLC family involved in proliferation and senescence mechanisms of mesenchymal stromal stem cells, may play a role in RMS. Our molecular and morpho-functional data reveal that PLCδ4 is highly expressed in the fusion-negative, p53-positive, SMARCB1 heterozygous mutated embryonal RMS (ERMS) cell line A204, while it is poorly expressed in the ERMS cell lines RD (fusion-negative, MYC amplification, N-RAS (Q61H), homozygous mutated p53) and Hs729 (homozygous mutated p53) and the alveolar rhabdosarcoma (ARMS) cell line SJCRH30 (RH30; fusion positive, heterozygous mutated RARA, polyheterozygous mutated p53).

Hip Labral Morphological Changes in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Speed Up the Onset of Early Osteoarthritis.

Over the last decade, evidence has mounted for a prominent etiologic role of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in the development of early hip osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to compare the ultrastructure and tissue composition of the hip labrum in healthy and pathological conditions, as FAI and OA, to provide understanding of structural changes which might be helpful in the future to design targeted therapies and improve treatment indications. We analyzed labral tissue samples from five healthy multi-organ donors (MCDs) (median age, 38 years), five FAI patients (median age, 37 years) and five late-stage OA patients undergoing total hip replacement (median age, 56 years).

Extracellular vesicle-derived miRNAs improve stem cell-based therapeutic approaches in muscle wasting conditions.

Skeletal muscle holds an intrinsic capability of growth and regeneration both in physiological conditions and in case of injury. Chronic muscle illnesses, generally caused by genetic and acquired factors, lead to deconditioning of the skeletal muscle structure and function, and are associated with a significant loss in muscle mass. At the same time, progressive muscle wasting is a hallmark of aging.

Chondrocyte death involvement in osteoarthritis.

Chondrocyte apoptosis is known to contribute to articular cartilage damage in osteoarthritis and is correlated to a number of cartilage disorders. Micromass cultures represent a convenient means for studying chondrocyte biology, and, in particular, their death. In this review, we focused the different kinds of chondrocyte death through a comparison between data reported in the literature.

Dopamine D3 receptor ligands: a patent review (2014-2020).

Introduction: Compelling evidence identified D3 dopamine receptor (D3R) as a suitable target for therapeutic intervention on CNS-associated disorders, cancer, and other conditions. Several efforts have been made toward developing potent and selective ligands for modulating signaling pathways operated by these GPCRs. The rational design of D3R ligands endowed with a pharmacologically relevant profile has traditionally not encountered much support from computational methods due to a very limited knowledge of the receptor structure and of its conformational dynamics.

Three-Dimensional Virtual Anatomy as a New Approach for Medical Student's Learning.

Most medical and health science schools adopt innovative tools to implement the teaching of anatomy to their undergraduate students. The increase in technological resources for educational purposes allows the use of virtual systems in the field of medicine, which can be considered decisive for improving anatomical knowledge, a requisite for safe and competent medical practice. Among these virtual tools, the Anatomage Table 7.

How Inflammation Pathways Contribute to Cell Death in Neuro-Muscular Disorders.

Neuro-muscular disorders include a variety of diseases induced by genetic mutations resulting in muscle weakness and waste, swallowing and breathing difficulties. However, muscle alterations and nerve depletions involve specific molecular and cellular mechanisms which lead to the loss of motor-nerve or skeletal-muscle function, often due to an excessive cell death. Morphological and molecular studies demonstrated that a high number of these disorders seem characterized by an upregulated apoptosis which significantly contributes to the pathology.

Smart ECM-Based Electrospun Biomaterials for Skeletal Muscle Regeneration.

The development of smart and intelligent regenerative biomaterials for skeletal muscle tissue engineering is an ongoing challenge, owing to the requirement of achieving biomimetic systems able to communicate biological signals and thus promote optimal tissue regeneration. Electrospinning is a well-known technique to produce fibers that mimic the three dimensional microstructural arrangements, down to nanoscale and the properties of the extracellular matrix fibers. Natural and synthetic polymers are used in the electrospinning process; moreover, a blend of them provides composite materials that have demonstrated the potential advantage of supporting cell function and adhesion.

A Possible Scenario for the Covid-19 Epidemic, Based on the SI(R) Model.

Many attempts to build epidemic models of the current Covid-19 epidemic have been made in the recent past. However, only models postulating permanent immunity have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a SI(R) model in order to forecast the evolution of the epidemic under the hypothesis of not permanent immunity.

Post-LGM coastline evolution of the NW Sicilian Channel: Comparing high-resolution geophysical data with Glacial Isostatic Adjustment modeling.

Since about 20,000 years ago, the geography of the Earth has been profoundly modified by the gradual sea-level rise caused by the melting of continental ice sheets. Flat areas and regions characterized by very low gradients experienced, more than others, rapid flooding, with the progressive disappearance of vast coastal territories. Here we present a reconstruction of the late Quaternary coastline evolution of the north-western sector of the Sicilian Channel, constrained by high-resolution seismic profiles where the marker of the post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) marine transgression has been clearly identified and mapped.

Apoptotic Bodies: Particular Extracellular Vesicles Involved in Intercellular Communication.

In the last decade, a new method of cell-cell communication mediated by membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) has emerged. EVs, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), represent a new and important topic, because they are a means of communication between cells and they can also be involved in removing cellular contents. EVs are characterized by differences in size, origin, and content and different types have different functions.

Morphological evaluation of liposomal iron carriers.

Iron is one of the most important elements for human, because it plays an essential role in many metabolic processes. However, it is also recognized to be dangerous for its detrimental effect inside human cells, where, in the absence of homeostatic balance, it can induce free radicals formation. Moreover, an excessive accumulation of iron in tissues can produce iron overload, a condition incompatible with life.

Toxic Elements in Human Saliva of Smokeless Tobacco Users.

The occurrence and mobility of different elements in oral smokeless tobacco products (STPs) were determined because the effects on human health must take into account their availability. In this research, the elemental analysis of 15 oral STPs of different brands purchased in local specialty stores in Europe, and the determination of % extraction of the different elements into an artificial salivary juice during the sucking or chewing operations were performed. In all samples analyzed, cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) (total) levels were <0.

Applicability of an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method to evaluation of toxic elements bioaccessibility from algae for human consumption.

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of toxic elements, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in five commercial algae consumed by humans in Italy. The degree of bioaccessibility of these elements may have important implications for human health. Simulation of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion was divided into three stages through use of synthetic saliva, gastric, and bile-pancreas solutions.

Elemental and radiological characterization of commercial Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius pharmaceutical and food supplementation products.

An elemental and radiological characterization was performed on Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. pharmaceutical and food supplementation products purchased in local specialty shops in Italy.

Application of an in vitro digestion model for Po bioaccessibility assessment in seafood.

This study aims to investigate the bioaccessibility of Po in seafood and the impact of food preparation on this radionuclide. Polonium bioaccessibility is the fraction of Po mobilised from food matrices into digestive extractants when applying an in vitro digestion model. The degree of bioaccessibility of Po in food has important implications for estimating ingestion doses from this radionuclide.

Radioactivity measurements and dosimetric evaluation in meat of wild birds.

The aim of this study was to determine the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides and Cesium (Cs) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe. This meat is largely consumed by the Italian population. K, Pb, and Cs were determined by gamma spectrometry and Po by alpha spectrometry.

Polonium bioaccessibility assessment in algae for human consumption: An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method.

The occurrence and mobility of natural radioactive element as Polonium (Po) in 13 commercial algae consumed in Italy by humans were determined because the effects on human health need to take into account the bioavailability of these elements. The simulation of gastrointestinal (GIT) digestion was divided into three stages and was accomplished using three different artificial solutions: saliva, gastric, and synthetic bile-pancreas solution. The same sample was treated in two different ways: a) only gastric digestion and b) complete GIT digestion (gastric digestion followed by bile-pancreas solution).

Essential and toxic elements in meat of wild birds.

Essential and toxic elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), mass spectrometry (MS), and atomic absorption (AS) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe to provide baseline data regarding game meat consumed in central Italy. In all samples analyzed, cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) (total) levels were <0.326 mg/kg.

Radiochemical Characterization of Algae Products Commercialized for Human Consumption.

Natural radionuclides and Cs were determined by alpha (U, U, Th,Po,Th, and Th) and gamma spectrometry (Cs, K, Ra, Pb, and Ra via Ac) in 14 dried seaweeds commercialized for human nutrition in Italy. The study was carried out in order to provide information on the concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides. Cesium-137 (Cs) concentrations in all analyzed samples were always <2.

Melatonin action in tumor skeletal muscle cells: an ultrastructural study.

Melatonin (Mel), or N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a circadian hormone that can diffuse through all the biological membranes thanks to its amphiphilic structure, also overcoming the blood-brain barrier and placenta. Although Mel has been reported to exhibit strong antioxidant properties in healthy tissues, studies carried out on tumor cultures gave a different picture of its action, often describing Mel as effective to trigger the cell death of tumor cells by enhancing oxidative stress. Based on this premise, here Mel effect was investigated using a tumor cell line representative of the human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma affecting childhood.

Dietary Flaxseed Mitigates Impaired Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: in Vivo, in Vitro and in Silico Studies.

Background: Diets enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been shown to exert a positive impact on muscle diseases. Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of n-3 PUFA acid α-linolenic acid (ALA). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of flaxseed and ALA in models of skeletal muscle degeneration characterized by high levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF).

Radioactivity in honey of the central Italy.

Natural radionuclides and (137)Cs in twenty seven honeys produced in a region of the Central Italy were determined by alpha ((235)U, (238)U, (210)Po, (232)Th and (228)Th) and gamma spectrometry ((137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra and (228)Ra). The study was carried out in order to estimate the background levels of natural ((40)K, (238)U and (232)Th and their progeny) and artificial radionuclides ((137)Cs) in various honey samples, as well as to compile a data base for radioactivity levels in that region. (40)K showed a mean activity of 28.

Essential and toxic elements in seaweeds for human consumption.

Essential elements (K, Ca, P, S, Cl, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Br, and I) and nonessential or toxic elements (Al, Ti, Si, Rb, Sr, As, Cd, Sn, and Pb) were determined by energy-dispersive polarized x-ray fluorescence spectrometry in 14 seaweeds purchased in local specialty stores in Italy and consumed by humans. The differences in elements between the algae species reached up to 2-4 orders of magnitude. Lithothamnium calcareum showed the highest levels of Ca, Al, Si, Fe, and Ti.