Search results for "MAF"

A Critical Regulatory Role of Leucin Zipper Transcription Factor c-Maf in Th1-Mediated Experimental Colitis

2004

Abstract In this study, we investigated the role of c-Maf, a transcription factor known to induce IL-4 production, in inflammatory bowel diseases and experimental colitis. Although Crohn′s disease (CD) is associated with low IL-4 production by T-bet-expressing Th1 cells in the lamina propria, surprisingly a higher expression of c-Maf in these cells was found as compared with control patients. The relevance of this finding was further evaluated in an animal model of CD induced by adoptive transfer of CD4+CD62L+ T cells in RAG-deficient mice. In this Th1-mediated model, an increase of c-Maf-expressing T lymphocytes in the lamina propria over time was observed. Interestingly, adoptive transfer…

Effects of cigarette smoking or ingestion of nicotine on platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in smokers and non-smokers.

1992

Platelets of healthy smokers and non-smokers were prepared and their content of 5-hydroxytryptamine was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Platelet 5-HT levels in smokers (728 +/- 156 pmol per 10(8) platelets, mean +/- SEM, n = 9) were significantly higher than those in non-smokers (353 +/- 156 pmol per 10(8) platelets, n = 11). Smoking of a single cigarette caused a transient increase in platelet 5-HT levels by about 350% in non-smokers, but had no additional effect in smokers. Similarly, chewing of nicotine gum (4-8 mg nicotine) resulted in a transient increase in platelet 5-HT by about 100% in non-smokers, but not in smokers. In conclusion, smoking of cigarettes can cause…

Molecular characterisation and expression analysis of SEREX-defined antigen NUCB2 in gastric epithelium, gastritis and gastric cancer.

2009

NUCB2 is an EF-hand Ca2+ binding protein that has been implicated in various physiological processes like calcium homeostasis, hypothalamic regulation of feeding and TNF receptor shedding. In our previous study we identified NUCB2 as a potential tumour antigen eliciting autoantibody responses in 5.4% of gastric cancer patients but not in the healthy individuals.The current study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying NUCB2 immunogenicity and to gain an insight into the physiological functions of NUCB2 in the stomach. mRNA expression analysis demonstrated that NUCB2 is ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues, including lymphoid tissues, and downregulated in gastric tumours wh…

Mafia and psychopathy.

2014

Background In popular culture, Mafia members are often portrayed as ruthless, callous and remorseless, but there is no empirical research on their personality traits. Aims The goal of this research was to examine levels of psychopathic traits among Mafia members who have been convicted of a criminal offence. Methods The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) rated 30 Italian adult male prisoners who had been convicted for Mafia-related crimes (86% resident in one 6-month period) and 39 next adjacent convicted men who were not enrolled in any criminal organisation. Results Mafia members obtained lower PCL-R total scores, interpersonal and affective (PCL-R factor 1) scores and lifestyle scores…

An Agent-Based Model of Extortion Racketeering

2016

Mafias can be considered as criminal organisations that are in the business of producing, promoting, and selling protection. Here, we describe the Palermo Scenario, an agent-based model of protection rackets aimed to deepen our understanding of protection rackets, and help policymakers to evaluate methods for destabilising them. Additionally, since the system is explicitly specified, we can use it to investigate the entire causal pathway from cause to effect: not only from actions to Mafia destabilisation, but also the intermediate actions along the path and actors' internal mental representations among the population.

Modulation by 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors of the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the guinea-pig small intestine.

1993

The effects of agonists and antagonists of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors on the release of endogenous 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells were studied in the vascularly perfused isolated guinea-pig small intestine. The experiments were done in the presence of tetrodotoxin in order to exclude a neuronally mediated influence on 5-HT release. The 5-HT3 receptor agonist 2-methyl-5-HT increased 5-HT release, and this effect was antagonized by 1 nmol/l tropisetron. Nanomolar concentrations of tropisetron, MDL 72,222 and granisetron decreased 5-HT release. Ondansetron (0.1 and 1 mumol/l) did not modify 5-HT release. 5-Methoxytryptamine, BIMU8 and cisapride concentration-dependently inhibited 5…

Commercianti di frodo: nuovi scenari economici

2011

Questo saggio propone una riflessione sulla contraffazione dei prodotti alimentari, sulle frodi alimentari e sulle "agromafie" facendo riferimento, in alcuni casi, a reati di natura economica, in altri a settori del mercato controllati dalla criminalità organizzata anche attraverso la presenza di colletti bianchi. Nella prima parte del lavoro verranno individuate le modalità d'azione della criminalità economica all'interno del mercato della contraffazione e delle frodi alimentari. Nella seconda parte, saranno proposti alcuni esempi di contraffazione e di frodi alimentari.

Europa, el placer y la moral

1998

Neoproterozoic Rosetta Gabbro from northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield, south Jordan : Geochemistry and petrogenesis

2017

An Ediacaran mafic intrusion of south Jordan is a distinctive appinitic igneous rock with a possibly unique texture, characterized by spherical clots up to 40 mm in diameter composed of amphibole cores from which plagioclase euhedra radiate; we call it the Rosetta Gabbro. It is exposed as a small (ca. 750 m(2)) outcrop in the Neoproterozoic basement of south Jordan. A second outcrop of otherwise similar gabbro is located about 400 m to the north of the Rosetta Gabbro, but it lacks the distinctive texture. The Rosetta Gabbro could represent a magma pipe. It intrudes the Aqaba Complex (similar to 600 Ma) granitoids and metasediments of the Janub Metamorphic Complex (633-617 Ma). The gabbro is…

Il deficit di tipicità delle interdittive antimafia

2020

In 2019, according to the report drawn up by the National Anti-Corruption Authority, they were banned 2044 Italian companies, of which 1458 based in the Southern Regions. An alarming fact which, if on the one hand, would seem acceptable to prevent the infiltration of associations mafia groups in the national economy in the public procurement system and in the loans disbursed by the State; on the other hand, it could reasonably be understood due to the very broad regulatory framework and articulated that characterizes the anti-mafia documentation system. The present work starting from the motivation system of the sentence of 5 September 2019, n. 6105 aims to investigate, first of all, the la…