Search results for "A2"

Differential expression pattern of the novel serine/threonine kinase, STK33, in mice and men

2005

Serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33/Stk33) is a recently discovered gene whose inferred amino acid sequence translation displays characters typical for a calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase (CAMK). In this study we analysed the STK33/Stk33 RNA and protein distribution and the localization of the protein. The STK33/Stk33 expression pattern resembles those of some related members of the CAMK group. STK33/Stk33 displays a nonubiquitous and, in most tissues, low level of expression. It is highly expressed in testis, particularly in cells from the spermatogenic epithelia. Moreover, significant expression is detected in lung epithelia, alveolar macrophages, horizontal cells in the retina and in emb…

Differential Effects of Fluvoxamine and Other Antidepressants on the Biotransformation of Melatonin

2001

Melatonin, the predominant product of the pineal gland, is involved in the maintenance of diurnal rhythms. Nocturnal blood concentrations of melatonin have been shown to be enhanced by fluvoxamine, but not by other serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Because fluvoxamine is an inhibitor of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, the authors studied the biotransformation of melatonin and the effects of fluvoxamine on the metabolism of melatonin in vitro using human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP isoenzymes. Melatonin was found to be almost exclusively metabolized by CYP1A2 to 6-hydroxymelatonin and N-acetylserotonin with a minimal contribution of CYP2C19. Both reactions were potently in…

Bioactive glass ions induce efficient osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells encapsulated in gellan gum and collagen type I hydrogels

2019

Abstract Background Due to unmet need for bone augmentation, our aim was to promote osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells (hASCs) encapsulated in gellan gum (GG) or collagen type I (COL) hydrogels with bioactive glass (experimental glass 2-06 of composition [wt-%]: Na2O 12.1, K2O 14.0, CaO 19.8, P2O5 2.5, B2O3 1.6, SiO2 50.0) extract based osteogenic medium (BaG OM) for bone construct development. GG hydrogels were crosslinked with spermidine (GG-SPD) or BaG extract (GG-BaG). Methods Mechanical properties of cell-free GG-SPD, GG-BaG, and COL hydrogels were tested in osteogenic medium (OM) or BaG OM at 0, 14, and 21 d. Hydrogel embedded hASCs were cultured in OM or BaG OM fo…

Joint Radio and Computational Resource Allocation in IoT Fog Computing

2018

The current cloud-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) model has revealed great potential in offering storage and computing services to the IoT users. Fog computing, as an emerging paradigm to complement the cloud computing platform, has been proposed to extend the IoT role to the edge of the network. With fog computing, service providers can exchange the control signals with the users for specific task requirements, and offload users’ delay-sensitive tasks directly to the widely distributed fog nodes at the network edge, and thus improving user experience. So far, most existing works have focused on either the radio or computational resource allocation in the fog computing. In this work, we inve…

Activity typologies as a design model for the ubiquitous detection of daily routines

2018

Emerging technologies open up new visions and business potential for systems design and development in the areas of wellbeing and health. New technologies enable the detection of human performance and early changes in physical and cognitive functioning, making it possible to monitor an older person’s wellbeing. This kind of technology or service sets significant requirements for design, as design concepts must be able to capture the complexity of people’s daily lives in terms of activities and environments. Technology itself is “blind” unless designers can adapt it to human life. There is thus a distinct need for comprehensive design and development models that generate adequate human requi…

THE ROLE OF HSP60 IN AMYLOID BETA PATHWAY: RELEVANCE TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 40 million individuals worldwide. The high number of factors triggering the onset of AD justifies the current absence of disease-modifying therapies. The involved pathological mechanisms are still elusive and, therefore, the finding of effective therapies requires further elucidation of biomolecular mechanisms controlling AD pathogenesis. Particularly, the aberrant amyloidogenic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide misfolding and oligomerization, and the impairment of the protein quality control machinery are key hallmarks characterizing the onset of the disease. Furthe…

Identification and Characterization of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Founder Mutations

2012

A large number of cancer predisposing BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations have been reported, with a wide variety among populations. In some restricted groups, specific germline mutations in these tumor suppressor genes have been found with high predominance, due to a founder effect. We focused our review on the Italian founder mutations. The first Italian BRCA1 founder mutation, 5083del19, was found in Calabria: the presence of common allele in all carriers of this mutation (also in families with Calabrian origin living in other parts of Italy) confirmed its founder effect. The same BRCA1 mutation was identified in the Sicilian population, but only the haplotype analysis can reveal the common ancestor o…

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity is increased in patients with definite familial hypercholesterolemia compared with other forms of hy…

2018

Background and Aim: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2) plays a key role in atherosclerosis development. It is considered a marker of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and plaque vulnerability. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a higher prevalence of early CVD. Our aim was to evaluate the differences in Lp-PLA2activity in a population of hypercholesterolemic patients with and without definite FH. Methods and Results: Hypercholesterolemic patients were consecutively recruited. Definite FH was defined according to Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria ≥8. All pat…

A large view of CYP21 locus among Sicilians and other Populations: identification of a novel CYP21A2 variant in Sicily.

2011

Background. Several mutations in CYP21 locus cause 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency (21-OHD). The most common mutations are widespread among the different geographic areas and their frequencies have been also reported to differ among certain populations. Aim. To obtain a large view on the frequencies of the most common mutations in the CYP21 locus, in Sicily, in Mediterranean and in other major geographic areas in the worldwide. Subjects and Methods. 308 unrelated CYP21A2 alleles leading 21-OHD in Sicily were genetically typed and compared with other series previously reported in Sicily and in surrounding regions. An analysis of the frequencies of the different geographic areas was also carried ou…

Beliefs and preferences regarding biological treatments for severe asthma

2020

Background: Severe asthma is a serious condition with a significant burden on patients' morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Some biological therapies targeting the IgE and interleukin-5 (IL5) mediated pathways are now available. Due to the lack of direct comparison studies, the choice of which medication to use varies. We aimed to explore the beliefs and practices in the use of biological therapies in severe asthma, hypothesizing that differences will occur depending on the prescribers’ specialty and experience. Methods: We conducted an online survey composed of 35 questions in English. The survey was circulated via the INterasma Scientific Network (INESNET) platform as well as throu…