197,011 research outputs found
The Risk of Cancer Progression in Women With Gynecological Malignancies andThrombophilic Polymorphisms: A Pilot Case-Control Study.
No full textClin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2009 Oct;15(5):535-9. Epub 2008 Jun 29.
The risk of cancer progression in women with gynecological malignancies and
thrombophilic polymorphisms: a pilot case-control study.
Tormene D, Beltramello P, Perlati M, Brandolin B, Barbar S, De Toffoli G, Simioni
P.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Second Chair of Internal Medicine,
University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy. [email protected]
Cancer produces a hypercoagulable state, which might lead to thrombosis, and on
contrary, unprovoked venous thromboembolism might be the manifestation of an
occult cancer. In this pilot case-control study, we assessed the risk of
gynecological malignant diseases related to the presence of the factor V Leiden
and prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms. Fifty-two women underwent an operation for
gynecological malignancy and were enrolled in the study. Women who underwent an
operation for gynecological nonmalignant disease in the same days of cases were
considered as controls. The presence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A
was assessed in case and control groups. In all, 7 out of 52 cases were carriers
of the 2 polymorphisms compared with 20 out of 198 controls (odds ratio = 1.3;
95% confidence interval, 0.6-3.0). The results were also similar when the risk
was considered separately for the site of cancer. As for advanced and metastatic
malignancies, the odds ratios were 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-6.0) and 3.3
(95% confidence interval, 1.0-11), respectively, compared to noncancer patients.
When these 2 groups were compared to nonadvanced cancer group, the odds ratios
for carriers of polymorphisms were 2.7 (95%confidence interval, 0.7-11.0) and 3.9
(95%confidence interval, 0.8-18.6) for advanced cancer and metastatic
malignancies, respectively. Women with factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A
polymorphisms who developed gynecological malignancy might present with a higher
stage of cancer at the time of surgery. Larger case-control studies in similar
cohort of patients are needed to confirm these findings.
PMID: 18591179 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
Membrane targeting and voltage gating of connexin 26 and 30 fused to GFP colour variants
No full textUnitary permeability of gap junction channels tosecond messengers measured by FRET microscopy
No full textGap junction channels assembled from connexin protein subunits mediate intercellular transfer of ions and metabolites. Impaired channel function is implicated in several hereditary human diseases. In particular, defective permeation of cAMP or inositol-1,4,5- trisphosphate (InsP(3)) through connexin channels is associated with peripheral neuropathies and deafness, respectively. Here we present a method to estimate the permeability of single gap junction channels to second messengers. Using HeLa cells that overexpressed wild-type human connexin 26(HCx26wt) as a model system, we combined measurements of junctional conductance and fluorescence resonance energy transfer ( FRET) emission ratio of biosensors selective for cAMP and InsP3. The unitary permeabilities to cAMP (47 x 10(-3) +/- 15 x 10(-3) mu m(3)/s) and InsP(3) (60 x 10(-3) +/- 12 x 10(-3) mu m(3)/s) were similar, but substantially larger than the unitary permeability to lucifer yellow (LY; 7 +/- 3 x 10(-3) mu m(3)/s), an exogenous tracer. This method permits quantification of defects of metabolic coupling and can be used to investigate interdependence of intercellular diffusion and cross-talk between diverse signaling pathways
Demystifying the role of magnetic resonance in identifying intraocular foreign bodies: a case of ocular siderosis
No full textBackground: Ocular siderosis (OS) is a significant cause of visual loss due to retained ferrous intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB). Despite its rarity, OS can lead to severe visual impairment if not promptly diagnosed and treated. This case is notable due to the occult nature of the IOFB, which was undetected by standard imaging modalities, emphasizing the critical role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in such scenarios.
Case presentation: A 51-year-old Caucasian male presented with progressive vision loss in his right eye over 20 days. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/1000 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 9 mmHg in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination revealed a small linear corneal wound and an iris defect in the right eye, along with a cataract featuring brownish deposits on the anterior capsule. The left eye was normal. Fundus examination of the right eye was hindered by media opacities. Ultrasonography showed a flat retina and choroid with no detectable IOFB. Despite a strong clinical suspicion of OS, computed tomography (CT) did not detect any IOFB. MRI subsequently identified an artifact in the inferior sectors of the right eye, indicative of a metallic IOFB. Surgical intervention involved a 23-gauge vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, IOFB removal and silicon oil (SO) tamponade resulting in a fully restored VA of 20/20 and normal IOP one month post-operation. SO was removed 2 months later. The retina remained adherent with no PVR development, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans showed a normal macula.
Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of considering OS in patients with unexplained vision loss and history of ocular trauma, even when initial imaging fails to detect an IOFB. MRI proved crucial in identifying the IOFB, highlighting its value in the diagnostic process. Early detection and surgical removal of IOFBs are essential to prevent irreversible visual damage. This case demonstrates that MRI should be employed when CT and ultrasonography are inconclusive, ensuring accurate diagnosis and timely intervention to preserve vision
Assessment of the healthcare managerial skills offered by the Italian post-graduate schools of public health
No full textBackground. The Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) is facing relevant challenges due to decreased financing and increased healthcare costs (1). In this complex framework, most of the Italian Medical Doctors, after obtaining their Specialization degree in Public Health, develop their careers in organizational and managerial roles in public and private health organizations, i.e. hospitals, local health units, health districts or national and international agencies (1, 2). Public health technical competencies, in particular policy and management, are of crucial importance to develop, run and support healthcare services. However, some gaps exist between current public health needs and the extent to which Public Health Residents are trained in the above fields (3, 4). Study design. The study is a cross-sectional cognitive survey carried out through a questionnaire sent by e-mail to Residents and Directors of the Italian Schools of Public Health, from May to November 2018. The questionnaire was sent only to the accredited Schools which had all four years of the course running. Methods. The questionnaire investigated 35 managerial topics divided into 4 macro-areas. It was sent to both Directors of the SPHs and the Residents of 32 Schools. The latter were asked to provide a single collective answer per School. Respondents could assign a score from 1 (topic not addressed at all) to 4 (topic addressed extensively and linked to other related topics) to each item, also taking into account the skills acquired through internships, seminars, etc. that involved all the Residents. Results. Answers were received from the Residents of 30/32 (93.8%) SPHs and from 15/32 (46.9%) of the Directors. Scores given by the Directors were higher than the ones of the Residents for every topic, and for 17 out of 35 items (48.6%) a statistically significant difference has been obtained. In the overall score of 3 macro-areas out of 4 (General issues, Managerial tools and macro-organisational Models) there are statistically significant differences. In Soft skills macro-area, the single scores of all topics are generally low for both Directors and Residents. Conclusion. The study shows that the Residents declare a strong need for training improvement in the field pf healthcare organization and management: the median score is equal to or greater than 3 (topic addressed extensively) in only a few answers. The comparison between Directors’ and Residents’ scores highlights a different perception of the training offered in these areas. The study results could be pivotal for the improvement of the managerial skills provided to the Residents in Public Health of the Country
Circadian clock as possible protective mechanism to pollution induced skin damage
No full textOzone is among the most toxic environmental stressors to which we are continuously exposed. Due to its critical location, skin is one of the most susceptible tissues to oxidative stress damaging effect of ozone. An increasing collection of data suggests a significant role of circadian system in regulation of cellular response to oxidative stress. However, the molecular mechanism linking circadian clock and antioxidant pathway it is not completely understood. Here we investigated a possible protective role of entrained circadian clock to ozone induced damage in keratinocytes, the main cellular component of human epidermis. Our results showed that, clock-synchronized keratinocytes compared to arrhythmic ones exhibited a more efficient antioxidant response, attested by a faster activation of the master antioxidant regulatory factor NRF2. Moreover, analysis of clock gene expression profiles reveals a more rapid induction of the cardinal clock gene Bmal1 in entrained cells. Based on these findings, we suppose that an adequate coordination of circadian system and antioxidant pathway might be essential to maintain homeostasis in the skin. Alteration of metabolic pathways occurred in neurological diseases or in irregular schedule of life activity could negatively influence tissue gene expression programs and associated organ physiology via its effect on the circadian system
Studio dei meccanismi neuro-cognitivi sottintesi alla tossicodipendenza con utilizzo di tecniche avanzate di Risonanza Magnetica ad alto campo (cap. 14)
No full textDr. Duane M. Jackson, Morehouse College, July 2011
No full textThis video is a conversation with Dr. Duane M. Jackson. Dr. Jackson talks about his paper, "Recall and the Serial Position Effect: The Role of Primacy and Recency on Accounting Students' Performance." Jackie Daniel, AUC Woodruff Library, is the interviewer
Impaired permeability to IP3 in a mutant connexin underlies recessive hereditary deafness
No full textConnexins are membrane proteins that assemble into gap-junction channels and are responsible for direct, electrical and metabolic coupling between connected cells. Here we describe an investigation of the properties of a recombinantly expressed recessive mutant of connexin 26 (Cx26), the V84L mutant, associated with deafness. Unlike other Cx26 mutations, V84L affects neither intracellular sorting nor electrical coupling, but specifically reduces permeability to the Ca2+-mobilizing messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P-3). Both the permeability to Lucifer Yellow and the unitary channel conductance of V84L-mutant channels are indistinguishable from those of the wildtype Cx26. Injection of Ins(1,4,5)P-3 into supporting cells of the rat organ of Corti, which abundantly express Cx26, ensues in a regenerative wave of Ca2+ throughout the tissue. Blocking the gap junction communication abolishes wave propagation. We propose that the V84L mutation reduces metabolic coupling mediated by Ins(1,4,5)P-3 to an extent sufficient to impair the propagation of Ca2+ waves and the formation of a functional syncytium. Our data provide the first demonstration of a specific defect of metabolic coupling and offer a mechanistic explanation for the pathogenesis of an inherited human disease
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