Thyroid Cancer Resistance to Chemotherapeutic Drugs via Autocrine Production of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-10

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the widespread refractoriness to chemotherapeutic drugs observed in thyroid cancers. We show that malignant epithelial cells from papillary, follicular, and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas express high levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Exogenous expression of either Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL in normal thyrocytes was sufficient to prevent chemotherapeutic drug-induced cytotoxicity. All of the histological thyroid cancer variants examined produced interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), which increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL levels and protected thyroid cells from chemotherapeutic agents. Exposure to neutralizing antibodies against IL-4 and IL-10 resulted in do…

Effects of feeding diets supplemented with fungus myceliated grains on some production, health and oxidation traits of dairy ewes.

The beneficial properties of mushrooms bioactive compounds indicate their potential use as performance enhancing natural additive for livestock animals. This paper reports the preliminary results of a research on the effects of diets supplemented with fungus myceliated grains (FMG) to lactating ewes in terms of intestinal parasites control, milk production and cheese oxidative stability. During 8 weeks, 21 ewes were divided into 3 groups fed with hay ad libitum and 1.3 kg/day per head of one of 3 concentrates with 0, 10 or 20% of FMG. In front of analogous DM and nutrients intake, the ewes fed FMG at higher levels showed a reduction of intestinal parasite infection, a tendency to improve mi…

An overview of the microbiological characteristics of the wooden shelves used in cheese ripening

Cheese ripening is a complex phenomenon affected by several factors. Among these, the influence of the wooden shelves used for aging traditional cheeses is underrated. The surfaces of the wooden boards are in contact with cheese rind for the entire ripening period and develop a microbial community. The aims of this review article is to provide an overview on the microbiological approaches applied to study the biofilms associated to the wooden tools used for dairy productions and to summarize the studies specifically performed on the wooden shelves used to ripen traditional cheeses. A critical discussion is focused on the hygienic aspects and the safety of these systems applied in cheese pro…

Effect of the inclusion of lemon citrus pulp in the diet of Valle del Belice lactating ewes. Milk production and composition.

Lemon citrus pulp residues from the citrus juice industry; it belongs to the citrus by-product that are more extensively used for livestock feeding. Furthermore, citrus pulp is a source of flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin, which have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fresh lemon citrus pulp (LP) as natural antioxidant, on feeding behavior, milk yield and milk quality of Valle del Belice lactating ewes in the hot summer season in Sicily. A total of 15 second lambing ewes were individually allocated in 3¥3 m box and fed with 3 diets in a 3 ¥ 3 Latin square design, with 3 phases composed of 21 days. The diets were: LP0, mixed hay ad libitum plus 60…

Microbiological characterization of the biofilms of wooden shelves used for ripening of traditional raw milk cheeses produced in Sicily (South Italy).

The production of artisanal Sicilian cheeses is generally carried out with wooden equipment. For centuries, wood has been the main material used in cheese making due to its availability, low cost and resistance over time. Among dairy wooden equipment, the wooden vat used for milk curdling plays a role of paramount importance to inoculate the bulk milk with desired lactic acid bacteria (LAB) responsible for the acidification of the curd. In the last few years, the biofilms associated to these containers have been object of study of different research groups, mainly Italian and French, but so far, very little is known about the microbiological characteristics of the wooden shelves used for ch…

Quality of life, depression and fatigue in mildly disabled patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis receiving subcutaneous interferon beta-1a: 3-year results from the COGIMUS (COGnitive Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis) study

Background: The precise relationships among quality of life, depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and poorly understood. Objective: To assess the effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on quality of life, depression and fatigue over 3 years in the COGIMUS study, and to examine the relationship between these outcomes and baseline cognitive status. Methods: COGIMUS was an observational 3-year trial assessing cognitive function in 459 patients with relapsing–remitting MS treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. Results: In total, 331 patients completed the study (168 received interferon beta-1a, 44 µg subcutaneously three times weekly, a…

Non-adherent progenitors from Adipose-derived Stem Cells (napASCs): a new prospective for tissue engineering?

Microbial diversity of traditional Sicilian cheeses

Traditional Sicilian cheeses are manufactured in small size farms with raw milk from animals of indigenous breeds and without the addition of starter cultures. In order to transform milk into cheese, the presence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is required. The main sources of desirable LAB are generally the milk, the rennet, the equipment used during processing and the dairy environment. In the last years, the microbial characterisation of traditional Sicilian cheeses, such as Caciocavallo Palermitano, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce have been the object of different studies conducted by our research group. To this purpose, the…

Chapter 6 Colon

Abstract The aim of this chapter is to show the key features of adult colon stem cells and provide a useful tool for their isolation, characterization and propagation.

Effects of immunomodulatory treatment with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on cognitive decline in mildly disabled patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of subcutaneous (sc) interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) on cognition in mildly disabled patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients aged 18—50 years with RRMS (McDonald criteria; Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤4.0) were assigned IFNβ therapy at the physician’s discretion and underwent standardized magnetic resonance imaging, neurological examination and neuropsychological testing at the baseline and regular intervals for up to three years. This analysis included 459 patients who received sc IFNβ-1a (44 mcg: n = 236; 22 mcg: n = 223; three-year follow up was available for 318 patients). The hazard ratio for c…

OSSERVAZIONi A PROPOSITO DI UN CASO DI CISTI GIGANTE DELLA MILZA

The Authors, on the basis of a case of giant spleen cyst with positive tumoral markers, analyse some epidemiological and clinical aspects related to splenic non parasitic cysts. They affirm the priority of the conservative surgery, whenever possible, followed by an appropriate follow-up, although in this case their therapeutic choice was radical, due to the lack of residual parenchyma. In accordance with the data of several publications, as well as on the basis of the results obtained, the conservative approaches have been reevaluated, above all in view of the modern findings related to the function of the spleen. The conservative approach cannot be carried out in the following cases: neopl…