1,721,339 research outputs found
Γ ν over(ω, ̃) θ ι Σ ε α υ τóν (know thyself) and recognize dangers: An evolutionistic view
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Mitochondria and apoptosis: Functional studies on membrane potential (Δψ)
No full textApoptosis is a phenomenon of crucial importance in all multicellular, living organisms: it is involved in several physiological and pathological phenomena which incluse embryogenesis, differentiation, development of the immune system, as well as control of cell growth, cancerogenesis, viral production. The assumption that apoptosis is an active process led to study mitochondria, the main intracellular source of energy, which is produced in form of ATP. It is reasonable to hypothesize that, at least in early apoptotic phases, cells have to maintain a good driving force for ATP synthesis, and, consequently, a high mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ), that becomes a reliable mirror of the capacity to synthesize ATP and, in general, of mitochondrial membrane functionality. In this article, the use of different fluorescent probes for the analysis of Δψ is discussed paying a particular attention for JC-1, that is considered the golden standard for this type of measure
Apoptosis in HIV/AIDS
No full textThe immune system can use several strategies to fight viral infections. Among these, the death of infected cells has ultimately the role of avoiding the spread of infection, even if in most cases either the cells containing the virus or ‘innocent’ cells are killed. Thus, in diff erent situations, as defence mechanisms, every living organism can trigger apoptosis, autophagy and eventually necrosis. In turn, viruses are able to evade the immune response by interfering with several mechanisms and components. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), infects a huge number of cells expressing the CD4 molecule, including monocytes and T helper lymphocytes, that can trigger apoptosis. HIV encodes proteins with pro-apoptotic activity, such as gp120, gp160, Tat, Nef, Vpr, Vpu, Vif and the viral protease. These proteins can provoke the death of infected and uninfected lymphocytes through several mechanisms, including the action of host-encoded molecules belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, or via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The acute and chronic phases of HIV infection are characterized by a proinflammatory status that facilitates cell death, and is a further cause of immune damage. Nowadays the therapy for HIV/AIDS includes potent antiretroviral drugs, that are able to decrease apoptosis by diff erent mechanisms. Indeed, not only drugs diminish the production of the virus by infected cells, and thus reduce the inflammation and the production of apoptogenic molecules, but also have a direct action on the viral protease. Finally, the host’s genetic background plays a main role in the entire process of cell death in HIV infection
The Contribution of Poliomyelitis to President Roosevelt’s Heart Failure. A Lesson on the Importance of Vaccinations for Cardiovascular Prevention
No full textFranklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945, Fig. 1), 32nd President
of the United States of America, is remembered as one
of the key leaders of the Allies in their struggle against the
Axis Powers in WW2. A brilliant politician, he managed to
restore America’s economic power and prosperity following
the Great Depression through his New Deal (1933–1937).
Despite his political and military success, his life had been
crippled by physical disability since the summer of 1921
when, aged 39, he was diagnosed with a paralytic illness
gripping his lower limbs up to the thigh, forcing him onto
a wheelchair
Superior vena cava syndrome and gynecomastia in antiquity: Paleodermatologic considerations on aging in the past
No full textWe explore the antiquity of two well-known conditions often associated with advancing age, namely superior vena cava syndrome and gynecomastia, through the veristic sculptural representation dating back to the classical age. The statue of the Old Fisherman from the “Paolo Orsi” Regional Archaeological Museum of Syracuse, Italy, thanks to the extremely accurate rendering of the appearance of the cutaneous tissues, makes it possible to open a window to the antiquity and morphologic presentation of pathologic phenomena that would be difficult to infer solely from the human skeleton remains. The analysis of this statue also offers an opportunity to highlight the capacity of Hellenistic art in portraying human misery and illness
Erratum: Digging for innate immunity since Darwin and Metchnikoff (Bioessays (2002) 24 (319-333))
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