Early atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis and its relation to disease or traditional risk factors

Introduction  

Several systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with an increased prevalence of atherosclerosis which could not be explained by traditional risk factors alone. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), microvascular abnormalities are well recognized. Previous studies have suggested an increased prevalence of macrovascular disease as well. We compared patients with SSc to healthy controls for signs of early atherosclerosis by measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in relation to traditional risk factors and markers of endothelial activation.     

Aedes albopictus in Rome: results and perspectives after 10 years of monitoring

In 1997, Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) was detected in Rome in two opposite areas of the city. In the following 2 years, the species quickly spread. In 2000, scattered foci of the species were reported in the whole urban area and in the outskirts of the capital city. In Rome, Ae. albopictus seems to have found optimal environmental conditions to proliferate and to overwinter through and without diapausing eggs. In ten years Ae. albopictus has colonized the whole urban area through three phases: first massive spread, following maintenance of infestation, and colonization of alternative winter breeding sites with favorable climatic conditions. Data collected during the 2007 show that rainfall is no longer the most important factor for the development of the species, with respect to the past. In fact Ae. albopictus probably has found new alternative larval breeding sites through the colonization of small water collections refilled periodically by human activities. During 2007-2008 winter season, in order to evaluate the species adaptability, a study of eggs hatching and length of larval cycle at low temperatures, was carried out in laboratory and in simulated field conditions. Data and results are showed and discussed also by the light of existing literature.     

Randomised controlled trial of gabapentin in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 [ISRCTN84121379]

Background  

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type one (CRPS I) or formerly Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a disabling syndrome, in which a painful limb is accompanied by varying symptoms. Neuropathic pain is a prominent feature of CRPS I, and is often refractory to treatment. Since gabapentin is an anticonvulsant with a proven analgesic effect in various neuropathic pain syndromes, we sought to study the efficacy of the anticonvulsant gabapentin as treatment for pain in patients with CRPS I.     

Evaluation of temperature distribution during hyperthermic treatment in biliary tumors: a computational approach

A computational approach is adopted to predict the temperature distribution in the biliary tissue during hyperthermic treatments in biliary tumors. Two different models are developed: an axisymmetric model and a three-dimensional model. In the first model the Pennes bioheat transfer equation is applied. It is aimed at simulating the thermoregulatory effect of the capillary bed and it can also give a pressure criterion to determine whether the blood perfusion term should be included in the mathematical model. The second model is aimed at simulating the convective effect of the large hepatic vessels: A constant Nusselt number is assumed on the sides of the vessels. The simulations of the three-dimensional model have been carried out with and without capillary perfusion in the tissue, i.e., respectively in the worst case and in the best case that may occur during heating. The results show that it is possible to obtain therapeutic temperature values in the tissue for time intervals considered acceptable by physicians. Moreover, the model is able to give more precise information about the volumes of tumoral tissue heated above therapeutic temperatures with the hyperthermic technique considered.     

Biologic activity of the tachykinins on lamb and sheep gallbladder

In this study, we examined the activity of the tachykinins (TKs) on lamb and sheep isolated gallbladder and whether the TKs are involved in the capsaicin-induced activity in these tissues. Substance P (SP) and physalaemin (PHYS) contracted lamb gallbladder, PHYS-induced striking tachyphylaxis. This tissue was nearly insensitive to neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), septide, and capsaicin. As in lamb tissues, SP and PHYS both contracted sheep gallbladder although PHYS induced no tachyphylaxis. At doses that had no effect on lamb tissue, NKA, NKB, septide, and capsaicin contracted sheep gallbladder. Our findings indicate that TK receptors differ in adult and young ovine gallbladder. The activity of PHYS on lamb gallbladder could depend on the existence of an unusual binding site, carrying one or more residues critical for the N-terminal sequence present in PHYS but not in SP.     

Parallel bioassay of 39 tachykinins on 11 smooth muscle preparations. Structure and receptor selectivity/affinity relationship

Parallel bioassay on smooth muscle preparations demonstrated that: all TKs having a neutral or basic residue at position 7 from the C-terminus show a clear-cut preference for the NK1 TK receptor, reinforced by the presence of the aromatic doublet Phe-Phe or Phe-Tyr (aromatic TKs); all aliphatic TKs (Phe-Ile/Val) having an acidic residue at position 7 show a clear-cut preference for NK2/NK3 receptors, generally without selectivity for a single receptor. However, in aromatic TKs having the same acidic residue, the preference for NK2/NK3 receptors is weakened, with a more or less pronounced co-preference for the NK1 receptor. Amino acid substitutions in the C-terminal tripeptide may influence receptor affinity.     

The impact of operative approach on outcome of surgery for gastro-oesophageal tumours

Background

Caveolin-1 is thought to have an important impact on both signal transduction and mediation of intracellular processes. Furthermore, it has been suggested that Caveolin-1 may contribute to certain steps of carcinogenesis in various types of cancer. We examined the potential clinical relevance of Caveolin-1 in normal, benign and malignant breast tissue specimens.

Methods

Using tissue microarray (TMA) technology cases of invasive breast cancer, DCIS, benign breast disease (i.e. fibroadenoma, sclerosing adenosis, ductal hyperplasia and radial scar) and normal breast tissue were evaluated for Caveolin-1 expression. Immunohistochemical staining with an anti-Caveolin-1-antibody was performed. Staining intensity was quantified semiquantitatively. In invasive lesions staining results were correlated with clinical and pathological data.

Results

No Caveolin-1 expression was observed in epithelial cells of normal breast tissue (n = 5), benign breast disease (n = 295) and DCIS (n = 108). However, Caveolin-1 expression was found in 32 of 109 cases of invasive breast carcinomas (29.4%). Caveolin-1 expression in invasive breast cancer could neither be correlated with survival parameters such as overall or disease-free survival nor with established clinical and pathological markers.

Conclusion

In this study we demonstrated expression of Caveolin-1 in one third of invasive breast cancers. A significant increase in Caveolin-1 expression was observed comparing invasive breast cancer to both benign breast tissue and non-invasive breast cancer. Since inhibitors of Caveolin-1 signalling are available, targeting Caveolin-1 in breast cancer may represent a potential option for future breast cancer treatment.     

Biogenic amines and active peptides in extracts of the skin of thirty-two European amphibian species

1. Extracts prepared from fresh or dried skins of 32 European amphibian species were submitted to chemical (colour reactions) and biological screening to determine the occurrence and contents of biogenic amines and peptides active on smooth muscle preparations and blood pressure. 2. Only indolealkylamines were detectable in the skins. They were represented by tryptamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and its N-methylated, cyclized and sulphoconjugated derivatives. 3. The peptide families identified in the extracts were as follows: bombesins (bombesin and alytesin), bradykinins (bradykinin, bradykinin 1-8, bradykinin 1-7), chemotactic peptides (RECP I, II and III), bombinins and TRH. Bombesins, bombinins and TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) were isolated from skin extracts of discoglossid frogs; chemotactic peptides and again TRH from extracts of ranid frogs. 4. Further research will certainly lengthen the list of active peptides in the skin of European amphibians, as is the case with Australian, American and African amphibians.