Search results for "lcsh:QH573-671"
showing 10 items of 86 documents
Morphological and genetic variation of Chamaerops humilis (Arecaceae) in relation to the altitude
2021
The Mediterranean dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis L.) is native to Western and Central Mediterranean. Since classical times this species has been cultivated and several varieties have been described on material of unknown origins. In this study, plants grown from seeds collected in the wild from seven populations spread along the Mediterranean basin were cultivated under the same environmental conditions, investigated morphologically and genetically by screening the polymorphism of ten SSR loci. Two groups are clearly separated, the populations growing at low altitudes and those living above a thousand meters of altitude. Due to morphological, geographic and environmental isolation, here it …
Correction to: Assessment of intratumor immune-microenvironment in colorectal cancers with extranodal extension of nodal metastases
2019
No data is available on the molecular background of the extra-nodal extension (ENE) of lymph node metastasis (LN) in colorectal cancer (CRC).A series of 22 ENE-positive CRCs was considered and three samples per case were selected (the primary CRC, an ENE-negative and an ENE-positive metastatic LN). Samples (n = 66) were analysed by immunohistochemistry for PD-L1, CD4, CD8, CD68 and CD80. Fifteen out of twenty-two cases were further profiled through a hotspot multigene mutational custom panel, including 164 hotspot regions ofA significantly higher percentage of CD4-, CD8- and CD68-positive cells was observed at the invasive front of both CRCs and in ENE in contrast with what observed at the …
Biological properties of extracellular vesicles and their physiological functions
2015
The authors wish to thank Dr R Simpson and Dr D Taylor for critical reading of the manuscript and acknowledge the Horizon 2020 European Cooperation in Science and Technology programme and its support of our European Network on Microvesicles and Exosomes in Health & Disease (ME-HaD; BM1202 www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/bmbs/Actions/BM1202). In the past decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as potent vehicles of intercellular communication, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This is due to their capacity to transfer proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, thereby influencing various physiological and pathological functions of both recipient and parent cells. While intensive invest…
The mitotic spindle protein SPAG5/Astrin connects to the Usher protein network postmitotically
2011
Abstract Background Mutations in the gene for Usher syndrome 2A (USH2A) are causative for non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome, a condition that is the most common cause of combined deaf-blindness. To gain insight into the molecular pathology underlying USH2A-associated retinal degeneration, we aimed to identify interacting proteins of USH2A isoform B (USH2AisoB) in the retina. Results We identified the centrosomal and microtubule-associated protein sperm-associated antigen (SPAG)5 in the retina. SPAG5 was also found to interact with another previously described USH2AisoB interaction partner: the centrosomal ninein-like protein NINLisoB. Using In situ hybridization, we foun…
Efficient gene delivery to photoreceptors using AAV2/rh10 and rescue of the Rho–/– mouse
2015
As gene therapies for various forms of retinal degeneration progress toward human clinical trial, it will be essential to have a repertoire of safe and efficient vectors for gene delivery to the target cells. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2/2 has been shown to be well tolerated in the human retina and has provided efficacy in human patients for some inherited retinal degenerations. In this study, the AAV2/8 and AAV2/rh10 serotypes have been compared as a means of gene delivery to mammalian photoreceptor cells using a photoreceptor specific promoter for transgene expression. Both AAV2/8 and AAV2/rh10 provided rescue of the retinal degeneration present in the rhodopsin kno…
Missing Evidences in Cancer Genetics: The Retinoblastoma Paradigm
2008
BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumour in childhood. The "two hit" theory, formulated by Knudson in 1971 to explain the variegated clinical expression of the disease, led to the discovery of the so called tumour suppressor genes and the identification of the Rb1 as the prototype of such genes. Mutations of the Rb1 gene are now commonly believed to be the "cause" retinoblastoma, although epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidences argue against it. MATERIAL/METHODS: The Authors have performed a systematic review of available data concerning clinical and diagnostic aspects of retinoblastoma, including molecular genetics. Meta analysis o…
Gene-based treatment options for Usher type 1C by translational read-through of a nonsense mutation
2012
The Usher syndrome (USH) is the most frequent cause of inherited combined deaf-blindness. The ciliopathy is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, assigned to three clinical USH types of which the most severe type is USH1. The USH1C gene encodes the PDZ containing scaffold protein harmonin which is expressed in form of numerous alternatively spliced variants. Hamonin binds directly to all USH1/2 proteins and is a key organizer of USH protein networks in photoreceptor cells. So far no effective treatment for the ophthalmic component of USH exists. Translational read-through was introduced as an innovative therapy option for several non-ocular diseases caused by nonsense mutations leading …
The Usher syndrome 1G protein SANS participates in the transport of ciliary cargo in photoreceptor cells
2012
Human Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of combined deaf-blindness, characterized by profound congenital deafness, constant vestibular dysfunction and pre-pubertal onset of retinitis pigmentosa. The USH1G protein SANS (scaffold protein containing ankyrin repeats and SAM domain) is associated with microtubules and mediates a transport related periciliary protein network in photoreceptor cells. Here we aim to enlighten the involvement of SANS in ciliary transport of photoreceptor cells by identifying proteins associated with SANS in transport complexes. In Y2H screen of retinal cDNA library we identified the direct binding of SANS to dynactin-1 (p150Glued), a subunit of the dynacti…
Human umbilical cord expresses several vasoactive peptides involved in the local regulation of vascular tone: protein and gene expression of Orphanin…
2011
Full-term human umbilical cord contains three blood vessels: two arteries coiled around a vein and surrounded by Wharton’s jelly, a mucous tissue with few mesenchymal stromal cells and abundant extracellular matrix. Umbilical vessels lack innervations, thus endothelial cells must play a role in the control of blood flow. The aim of this study was to investigate in human umbilical cord the expression of five peptides that could be involved in the regulation of vascular tone: Orphanin FQ, Oxytocin, Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP), endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS). The expression of these molecules in full-term human umbilical cord …
Expression of Cyclooxygenase-1 and Cyclooxygenase-2 in normal and pathological human oral mucosa
2011
Abstract: Cyclooxigenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandins (PGs). Two isoforms of COX have been identified: COX-1 is constitutively expressed in many cells and is involved in cell homeostasis, angiogenesis and cell-cell signalling; COX-2 is not expressed in normal condition however it is strongly expressed in inflammation. The oral cavity is costantly exposed to physical and chemical trauma that could lead to mucosal reactions such as hyperplasia, dysplasia and cancer. Early diagnosis is the most important issue to address for a positive outcome of oral cancer; therefore it would be useful to identify molecular markers whose expr…