Role of CB2 receptors and cGMP pathway on the cannabinoid-dependent antiepileptic effects in an in vivo model of partial epilepsy.

This study aimed at providing an insight on the possible role of cannabi-noid (CB) type 2 receptors (CB2R) and cGMP pathway in the antiepileptic activity ofWIN 55,212-2, (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl) pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-Yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone, a non-selective CB agonist, in the maximal dentate activation (MDA) model of partial epilepsy in adult male rats. We evaluated the activity of a CB2 antagonist/inverse agonist AM630, [6-iodo-2-methyl-1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl](4-methoxyphenyl)methanone or 6-iodopravadoline, alone or in co-administration with WIN 55,212-2. Also, in the MDA model it was investigated the co-treatment of WIN55,212…

Cancer cells can affect behaviour of neighbouring cells by transferring molecules through extracellular vesicles

Most cells release into the extracellular space membrane-bound structures of different sizes, origin and composition, collectively called extracellular vesicles (EVs) [1]. Tumor cells are much more active than normal cells in producing EVs. Because of this property, they are able to transfer both nucleic acids and proteins to the surrounding normal cells, thus inducing in these latter at least some transformed behavior. We previously showed that EVs produced by G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells can horizontally transfer to their neighbours radioactive proteins [2]. In addition, EVs released by these cells contain pro-apoptotic proteins, such as TRAIL and Fas-Ligand, able to induce apoptosis in…

Haptic Perception in Extreme Obesity: qEEG Study Focused on Predictive Coding and Body Schema

Haptic perception (HP) is a perceptual modality requiring manual exploration to elaborate the physical characteristics of external stimuli through multisensory integrative cortical pathways. Cortical areas exploit processes of predictive coding that collect sensorial inputs to build and update internal perceptual models. Modifications to the internal representation of the body have been associated with eating disorders. In the light of this, obese subjects were selected as a valid experimental model to explore predictive coding in haptic perception. To this purpose, we performed electroencephalographic (EEG) continuous recordings during a haptic task in normally weighted versus obese subjec…

"Sofferenza psicologica in bambini asmatici, cefalagici ed epilettici",

Kinetics of rat CSD-C2 binding to H3.3 RNA

Cold-shock domain containing protein C2 (CSD-C2; also known as PIPPin) is an RNA-binding protein conserved in the evolution that interacts with the 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of rat H1.0 and H3.3 histone messengers. Biolayer interferometry (BLI) is a technique that measures changes in an interference pattern generated from visible light, reflected from an optical layer, and a biolayer which contains molecules of interest. In this study, we used the BLI methodology in order to analyze and describe the binding properties of CSD-C2 and the mRNA encoding the rat brain histone protein H3.3. Recombinant CSD-C2 was incubated with in vitro transcribed, and biotinylated H3.3 RNA fragments bound…

Mutilazioni genitali femminili (MGF): echi nella mente di cicatrici sul corpo. Studio clinico e psicopatologico su un gruppo di donne immigrate in Sicilia.

Scopo. Scopo del presente studio è evidenziare i vissuti e le complicanze psicologiche connessi alle Mutilazioni Genitali Femminili (MGF) in riferimento al vissuto corporeo. Metodi. Sono state reclutate 20 donne che hanno subito una MGF nel proprio Paese di origine, immigrate da più di 5 anni in Italia (età media 33±9). Dieci donne erano state sottoposte a MGF di I tipo (lieve) e dieci a MGF di III tipo (profondo). È stato somministrato il Somatic Inkblot Series (SIS), reattivo semiproiettivo ideato per misurare la percezione del proprio corpo e individuare eventuali zone particolarmente conflittuali o non mentalizzate. Risultati. Le donne con MGF di III tipo hanno ottenuto punteggi signifi…

Predictive signs and indicators of aggressiveness and violence: a comparison between a group of adolescents attending an external penal area, a group of prisoners and a group of patients with borderline personality disorder

Aim. We considered the spreading and the increasing of aggressive and violent behaviours. The most of them have two common roots: lack of actual motivation and brutality. Our research intends to detect specific indicators and predictive signs of violent and aggressive behaviours. In order to this, scientific literature shows that the most reliable indicators and predictive signs are linked to structural personality features (e.g. defensive strategies, impulse control). Methods. This cross sectional study compares a group of 26 male adolescents with Conduct Disorder (F91.8), a group of 29 male patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (F60.31) and a group of 33 male prisoners with Antiso…