0000000000797590
AUTHOR
M. Castiglia
Into the wild of long non-coding RNA in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) to explore new prognostic/predictive biomarkers
Background: Long Non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are emerging as essential regulators of genetic and epigenetic networks, and their deregulation may underlie complex diseases, such as carcinogenesis. Several studies have described lncRNAs alterations in patients with solid tumors. In particular, in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST), upregulation of HOTAIR has been associated with aggressiveness, metastasis, and poor patients’ survival. In order to gain more detailed insight on the molecular role of lncRNAs in GIST, we analyzed in vivo the expression levels of lncRNAs H19 and MALAT1 in surgically resected patients. Material and Methods: The expression of the lnc-RNAs H19 and MALAT1 was evaluat…
EFFECT OF miR-21, miR-182 AND let-7i ON TSP-1 EXPRESSION IN COLON CANCER CELL LINE
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of different genes, including genes involved in cancer progression, angiogenesis and metastasis. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) has been shown to contrast angiogenesis in vivo. TSP-1 expression levels are inversely correlated with tumor vascularity and metastasis in colon cancer. Bio-informatic statistical analysis indicated that TSP-1 is hypothetical target of miR-21, miR-182, overexpressed in CRC, and let-7i which expression is down-regulated in this tumor. In this work we investigated whether TSP-1 expression could be regulated by miR-21, mir-182 and let-7i in HT29 colon cancer cell line. Methods: To investig…
CALR MUTATIONS IN SICILIAN ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA AND MYELOFIBROSIS PATIENTS.
Background. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (MF) are myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by the overproduction of mature cells such as platelets (ET) or early bone marrow fibrosis due to scarring induced by highly proliferating myeloid progenitors and pathological stimulation of local fibroblasts (MF). Somatic mutations in CALR gene have recently identified in the majority of JAK2-V617F and MPL negative ET and MF patients. In this study we evaluated the frequency and type of CALR mutations and their clinical and hematological features. Methods. A total of 54 patients, 29 ET and 25 MF patient, was included in this study. All patients were JAK2 V617F and MPL ne…
La coltivazione del tartufo in Sicilia: risultati preliminari
In recent times truffles were found in several natural forest ecosystems and reaforestation of Sicily. On the basis of these findings a number of research projects were activated. In the framework of an agreement between the Laboratory of Mycology of the Department of Botany (University of Palermo) and the Farm "Buontempo-Le Due Sicilie", located in the territory of the Madonie Natural Park, a first attempt to cultivate truffles of economic importance were carried out. In the spring of 2006 the experimental truffle-bed was developed on the basis of 100 seedlings of Corylus avellana L. inoculated with Tuber aestivum Vitt. (80%) and T. melanosporum Vittad. (20%). Besides 110 seedlings of Quer…