Search results for " cns"

Chemoimmunotherapy with methotrexate, cytarabine, thiotepa, and rituximab (MATRix regimen) in patients with primary CNS lymphoma: results of the firs…

2016

BACKGROUND: Standard treatment for patients with primary CNS lymphoma remains to be defined. Active therapies are often associated with increased risk of haematological or neurological toxicity. In this trial, we addressed the tolerability and efficacy of adding rituximab with or without thiotepa to methotrexate-cytarabine combination therapy (the MATRix regimen), followed by a second randomisation comparing consolidation with whole-brain radiotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with primary CNS lymphoma. We report the results of the first randomisation in this Article.METHODS: For the international randomised phase 2 International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group-32 …

N-Valproyl-L-Phenylalanine as new potential antiepileptic drug: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro studies on stability, toxicity and anticonvu…

2013

Valproic acid (VPA) is considered first-line drug in treatment of generalized idiopathic seizures such as absence, generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures. Among major antiepileptic drugs, VPA is also considered effective in childhood epilepsies and infantile spasms. Due to its broad activity, VPA acts as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder and it is useful in migraine prophylaxis. Despite its long-standing usage, severe reactions to VPA, such as liver toxicity and teratogenicity, are reported. To circumvent side effects due to structural characteristics of VPA, we synthesized in good yield a new VPA-aminoacid conjugate, the N-valproyl-L-Phenylalanine, and characterized by FT-IR, …

Children with special health care needs attending emergency department in Italy: analysis of 3479 cases

2020

Abstract Background Although children with special health care needs (CSHCN) represent a minority of the population, they go through more hospitalizations, more admissions to the Emergency Department (ED), and receive a major number of medical prescriptions, in comparison to general pediatric population. Objectives of the study were to determine the reasons for admission to the ED in Italian CSHCN, and to describe the association between patient’s demographic data, clinical history, and health services requirements. Methods Ad hoc web site was created to collect retrospective data of 3479 visits of CSHCN to the ED in 58 Italian Hospitals. Results Seventy-two percent of patients admitted to …

N-valproyl-L-tryptophan for CNS-targeting: synthesis, characterization and efficacy in vitro studies of a new potential antiepileptic drug.

2010

A new aminoacidic derivative of valproic acid (VPA) has been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectral data. The rationale for the preparation of such potential antiepileptic agent is based on the observation that chemical combination of the anticonvulsant pharmacophore, VPA with essential aminoacids could afford more effective and less toxic actives. The synthesis, characterization, physico-chemical parameters functional for crossing Blood Brain Barrier of N-valproyl-L-tryptophan (4) are reported. The Log D pH7.4 (0.3) indicates that (4) is adequate to cross biological membranes. Its chemical and enzymatic stability were assessed. The experiments indicate high stability of c…

Neurodegenerative disorders: from molecules to man (part 1)

2007

Neurons are typically post-mitotic cells. This means that they are expected to have a life span comparable to that of their carriers. Unfortunately, sometimes, they die prematurely as a result of complex processes known as “neurodegeneration”. Neurodegenerative diseases are now generally considered a group of disorders that seriously and progressively impair the functions of the nervous system through causing the selective neuronal vulnerability of specific brain regions. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer Disease (AD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and prion disease represent several distinct categories of disease and each manifests its own unique symptoms. …

Whole-brain radiotherapy or autologous stem-cell transplantation as consolidation strategies after high-dose methotrexate-based chemoimmunotherapy in…

2017

Background The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group-32 (IELSG32) trial is an international randomised phase 2 study that addresses two key clinical questions in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma. Results of the first randomisation have demonstrated that methotrexate, cytarabine, thiotepa, and rituximab (called the MATRix regimen) is the induction combination associated with significantly better outcome compared with the other induction combinations tested. Here, we report the results of the second randomisation that addresses the efficacy of myeloablative chemotherapy supported by autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT), as an alternative to wh…

Identification and functional expression of HCx31.9, a novel gap junction gene

2002

By combining in silico and bench molecular biology methods we have identified a novel human gap junction gene that encodes a protein designated HCx31.9. We have determined its human chromosomal location and gene structure, and we have identified a putative mouse ortholog, mCx30.2. We have observed the presence of HCx31.9 in human cerebral cortex, liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney and the presence of mCx30.2 in mouse cerebral cortex, liver and lung. Moreover, preliminary data on the electrophysiological properties of HCx31.9 have been obtained by functional expression in paired Xenopus oocytes and in transfected N2A cells.

Evaluation of the acute toxicity, analgesic and CNS activities of different species ofTeucrium genus

1995

Methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of the leaves and stems of four Teucrium species (T. cartaginenses, T. flavum, T. pumillum and T. buxifolium) have been tested for their toxicity, analgesic and central depressor effects. The intraperitoneal administration of the different extracts showed a CNS depressant activity in mice, but they lacked anticonvulsive effects. When tested for analgesic activity none of the extracts increased the threshold of pain thermal stimulus. However, the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of T. cartaginenses and T. buxifolium species showed a significant analgesic effect in models of pain induced by chemical or mechanical stimulation.

Genetic and protein polymorphism at CSN1S1 locus in two goat breeds.

2006

Genetic polymorphisms of casein have received a considerable research effort for many years because of its potential effect on milk composition. Milk composition, specifically protein content, differs quantitatively and qualitatively among species and also among breeds and individuals. Sicilian goat breeds seem to be an interesting model since they have never been under a selection program, and therefore may carry unique casein polymorphisms. Moreover, the importance of goat milk in infant diets is growing probably because goat milk in some cases is less allergenic than cow milk. It is important to evaluate the genetic polymorphisms at the CSN1S1 locus in the populations of interest, like t…

ADIPOSE TISSUE-TARGETED STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR INSULIN RESISTANCE-RELATED CNS DEFICITS

Compelling evidence indicates that Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) may possibly share a common pathological origin, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. T2D is a known risk factor for AD and insulin resistance (hallmark of T2D) has been extensively documented in AD patients. Notably, insulin is important for learning and memory due to its role in LTP and LTD modulation. Adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction is a risk factor for T2D, in fact elevated levels of free fatty acids are prodromal to insulin resistance and have been reported in AD brains, as well. In this study, I used a mouse model (AtENPP1Tg mouse) that recapitulates typical characteristics of huma…