Neuromarketing empirical approaches and food choice: A systematic review.

Consumers' food choices are often driven by reasons of which consumers are not fully aware. Decision-making about food is influenced by a complex set of emotions, feelings, attitudes, and values that are impossible to assess simply by asking consumers their opinions. Indeed, traditional techniques, such as self-reports or interviews, mainly allow the measurement of conscious and rational reactions to a product or advertising. Recently, there has been a rapidly growing interest in the multidisciplinary field of "neuromarketing," which takes advantage of neuroscientific techniques to study consumer behavior. This discipline applies neuroscientific methods and tools that allow the measurement of consumers' emotional and spontaneous reactions in a more objective and observable way. The aim of this paper is (a) to describe neuromarketing's underlying assumptions, techniques, and the advantages of this perspective, examining the scientific literature on the use of neuromarketing in food studies; and (b) to suggest best practices to apply this novel approach in the food marketing domain, with a specific focus on non-invasive methods. Finally, although the perception of nutritional elements has already been explored, the health content of labels, the presence of additives, and the evaluation of the information conveyed by food packaging remain other possible elements of interest in future food neuromarketing research.

Placental Stem Cells from Domestic Animals: Translational Potential and Clinical Relevance.

The field of regenerative medicine is moving toward clinical practice in veterinary science. In this context, placenta-derived stem cells isolated from domestic animals have covered a dual role, acting both as therapies for patients and as a valuable cell source for translational models. The biological properties of placenta-derived cells, comparable among mammals, make them attractive candidates for therapeutic approaches. In particular, stemness features, low immunogenicity, immunomodulatory activity, multilineage plasticity, and their successful capacity for long-term engraftment in different host tissues after autotransplantation, allo-transplantation, or xenotransplantation have been demonstrated. Their beneficial regenerative effects in domestic animals have been proven using preclinical studies as well as clinical trials starting to define the mechanisms involved. This is, in particular, for amniotic-derived cells that have been thoroughly studied to date. The regenerative role arises from a mutual tissue-specific cell differentiation and from the paracrine secretion of bioactive molecules that ultimately drive crucial repair processes in host tissues (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, angiogenic, and neurogenic factors). The knowledge acquired so far on the mechanisms of placenta-derived stem cells in animal models represent the proof of concept of their successful use in some therapeutic treatments such as for musculoskeletal disorders. In the next future, legislation in veterinary regenerative medicine will be a key element in order to certify those placenta-derived cell-based protocols that have already demonstrated their safety and efficacy using rigorous approaches and to improve the degree of standardization of cell-based treatments among veterinary clinicians.

Histological and immunohistochemical characterisation of uterine adenocarcinoma in an Asian elephant (Elephas Maximus).

A 56-year-old nulliparous female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) living at the zoological garden of Naples (Italy), with a clinical history of recurrent colic, was found in agonal state and humane euthanasia was elected. At necropsy the uterine body was moderately increased in size and the lumen was reduced due to a poorly demarcated and infiltrative neoplasm. Furthermore, multiple, whitish, firm nodules were present in both lungs. Histological examination of the uterine mass revealed epithelial cells arranged in tubular or solid pattern infiltrating the endometrium and the muscular layer. Immunohistochemical examination showed immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells to oestrogen receptors antibody. Pulmonary lesions were histologically and immunohistochemically superimposable to the epithelial uterine neoplasm. A definitive diagnosis of uterine adenocarcinoma with pulmonary metastases was made.

Detection of bovine Deltapapillomavirus DNA in peripheral blood of healthy sheep (Ovis aries).

Blood samples from 65 sheep were tested for the presence of bovine Deltapapillomavirus (δPVs) DNA. The sheep were divided into three groups. Sheep in groups 1 and 2 were from Sardinia and Campania, respectively, and were in contact with cattle and grazed on lands contaminated with bracken fern. Sheep in Group 3 lived in closed pens and had no contact with cattle. These sheep were fed hay that did not contain bracken fern. Bovine δPV E5 DNA was detected in blood from 24 of 27 (89%) sheep in Group 1. A single bovine δPV type was detected in the blood from nine (33%) sheep, including the detection of bovine δPV-1 DNA in four sheep, bovine δPV-2 in four and δPV-13 in one sheep. Two δPV types were detected in 33% of the sheep, and three bovine δPV types were detected in 22% of the sheep. Bovine δPVs were detected in 17 of 20 (85%) sheep from Group 2. The detection rate by a single δPV type was 40% with just δPV-1 DNA amplified from two, just δPV-2 DNA from four, and just δPV-13 DNA from two sheep. Two and three δPVs were detected in 30% and 15%, respectively. All sequenced amplicons showed a 100% identity with papillomaviral E5 DNA deposited in GenBank. Bovine δPV-14 DNA sequences were not detected from any sheep. No bovine δPV DNA was revealed in blood samples from sheep in Group 3. The detection of bovine δPV DNA in the blood of sheep means that sheep may be able to be infected by these PVs. This suggests that bovine δPVs could potentially be a previously unrecognized cause of disease in sheep. Furthermore, it is possible that sheep could act as a reservoir for these viruses.

Sigma 2 receptor expression levels in blood and bladder from healthy and bladder cancer cattle.

The expression of sigma-2 receptor (S2R) was assayed in blood and bladder samples from healthy cattle and in blood and bladder of cattle with deltapapillomavirus-associated urothelial tumors. Samples of bladder from cattle with neoplasia had significantly higher S2R than samples of bladder from healthy cattle (95% CI 0.31-0.82, P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher S2R was detected in the blood of cattle with bladder cancer than blood from healthy cattle (95% CI 0.22-0.41, P < 0.05). The results provide evidence that increased expression of SR2 in blood could be useful as circulating biomarker for bladder cancer in cattle. PGRMC1 protein levels were also found to be increased in blood and bladder from cattle with cancer and increased expression of PGRMC1 transcripts was detected by quantitative real time PCR in samples from cattle neoplasia. Furthermore, electron microscopy revealed phagophores and numerous autophagosomes, ultrastructural hallmark of autophagy.

Necrosis cutánea asociada a trombocitopenia y trombosis recurrente en paciente trasplantado cardíaco / Skin necrosis, thrombocytopenia and recurrent thrombosis in heart transplant patient

La necrosis cutánea es una complicación muy poco frecuente y grave, relacionada al tratamiento con warfarina. Su patogenia no es completamente conocida y se debería, a un disbalance entre factores procoagulantes y anticoagulantes, que ocurren al inicio del tratamiento con anti vitamina K. La Trombocitopenia Inducida por Heparina (TIH) y la necrosis por warfarina pueden coexistir, pudiendo actuar como favorecedoras de un estado protrombótico y conducir a gangrena venosa de los miembros o necrosis cutánea. CASO CLÍNICO Hombre de 66 años de edad, trasplantado cardíaco por miocardiopatía dilatada idiopática, quien se presentó con progresión de su enfermedad renal crónica. Se encontraba anti-coagulado con warfarina desde hacía cinco años, por cuadro de Trombosis Venosa Profunda (TVP) en miembro inferior izquierdo. Debido a la ausencia de evidencia de anticoagulación extendida, se decidió suspender la misma y se inició terapia de hemodiálisis trisemanal. Un mes posterior a la suspensión de la anticoagulación, el paciente se presentó con cuadro de TVP extensa de miembro inferior derecho, asociado a un Trombo-Embolismo Pulmonar (TEP) bilateral, teniendo un nivel basal de 74000 plaquetas. Se inició tratamiento anticoagulante con Heparina No Fraccionada (HNF) y warfarina, objetivándose un descenso plaquetario que revirtió tras la suspensión de la HNF, permaneciendo anti-coagulado con warfarina. Veintisiete días después del alta hospitalaria, se re-interna por cuadro de TVP extensa contralateral y hematomas extensos en zona torácica. Tenía un RIN de 4,4 y recuento plaquetario de 35000/uL. Debido a la recurrencia de eventos trombóticos, se inició anticoagulación con HNF que debió ser suspendida a las 48 horas, por progresión de plaquetopenia a 23000/uL. Se intentó reiniciar el tratamiento con HNF, debiéndose suspender nuevamente por el mismo motivo. A los 11 días del ingreso, el paciente desarrolló en región pectoral izquierda una placa necrótica con ampollas hemorrágicas en su interior, rodeada de un halo eritematoso. Ante la sospecha de una necrosis cutánea por warfarina, se suspendió dicha medicación y se efectuó una biopsia cutánea, la que mostró: microangiopatía trombótica con necrosis epidérmica y despegamiento dermo-epidérmico. Los hemocultivos y cultivo de las ampollas fueron negativos. Ante dicho cuadro, se planteó el inicio de tratamiento anticoagulante con fondaparina a bajas dosis, debido a alteración de la función renal, pero el paciente falleció súbitamente durante la sesión de hemodiálisis. DISCUSIÓN El presente caso clínico constituyó un gran desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico. La presencia de trombocitopenia en contexto de uso de HNF, asociado a episodios trombóticos repetitivos, podría sugerir la existencia de TIH. La utilización de warfarina en esta situación, podría favorecer el desarrollo de trombosis cutánea de tejidos de gran contenido adiposo, como en la región mamaria de pacientes obesos, conduciendo a su posterior necrosis.

Cutaneous necrosis is a rare complication related to the treatment with vitamin-K antagonists. While its pathogenesis is not completely understood, it is presumed that it may represent an imbalance between procoagulants and anticoagulants factors that occur at the beginning of treatment with warfarin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and warfarin-induced skin necrosis may coexist, leading to a prothrombotic state with subsequent skin necrosis and venous gangrene of the limbs. CASE REPORT A 66 year-old male, status post cardiac transplantation secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, presented with progressive renal insufficiency. The patient had received warfarin for the past 5 years for idiopathic left leg deep vein thrombosis. His treating physicians considered that the patient did not have an indication for extended anticoagulation, warfarin was discontinued and he was begun on hemodialysis 3 times a week. One month after warfarin suspension, the patient presented with massive right leg DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism. Platelet count was 74000 /uL. He was started on unfractionated heparin (UFH) and warfarin, and platelet count dropped to 43000 /uL 3 days after beginning of treatment, and returned to baseline levels after heparin interruption. Approximately 27 days after hospital discharge, the patient was readmitted for extensive contralateral DVT and thoracic hematomas. On admission, the INR was 4.4 and platelet count 35000 /uL. UFH was started but had to be discontinued after 48 hs due to progressive thrombocytopenia. The patient developed a necrotic plaque with hemorrhagic bullae and erythematous halo on right pectoral area. Warfarin-induced skin necrosis was suspected and skin biopsy was performed that showed dermal capillary thrombosis and epidermic necrosis. Blood and fluid cultures from bullae were negative. Due to renal failure, it was planned to start the patient on low dose fondaparinux, and he suddenly died during hemodialysis. DISCUSSION Skin necrosis is a multifactorial condition with a broad differential diagnosis. The current case represented a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Thrombocytopenia and recurrent thrombotic events associated with UNF treatment suggest HIT. Therapy with warfarin under these circumstances may exacerbate the prothrombotic state and predispose to capillary thrombosis with cutaneous and mammary gland fat necrosis.

Bovine Papillomavirus Type 13 Expression in the Urothelial Bladder Tumours of Cattle.

Bovine papillomavirus type 13 (BPV-13), a novel Deltapapillomavirus, has been found associated with urothelial tumours of the urinary bladder of cattle grazing on lands infested with bracken fern. BPV-13 was detected in 28 of 39 urothelial tumours. Diagnosis was based on sequencing of L1 and E5 amplicons from tumour samples. The nucleotide sequences generated from these amplicons showed a 100% homology with the sequences of BPV-13 L1 and E5 DNA found in Brazil from a fibropapilloma of the ear in a cow and from equine sarcoids in two horses. GenBank accession number of our representative BPV-13 sequences is JQ798171.1. Furthermore, mRNA encoding BPV-13 E5 oncoprotein was also documented, and its expression was also shown by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in the basal and suprabasal urothelial tumour cells. In twenty-three tumours, BPV-13 was simultaneously found with BPV-2, a Deltapapillomavirus genus, species 4. The latter virus was detected by amplifying and sequencing a 154-bp-sized DNA fragment of BPV-2 E5. In addition, BPV-13 by itself was seen to be expressed in five BPV-2-negative urothelial tumours. This study shows that BPV-13 is present in urothelial tumour cells thus sharing biological properties with BPV-1 and BPV-2. Although further studies are needed, BPV-13 appears to be another worldwide infectious agent responsible for a distressing disease causing severe economic losses in cattle industry.

Risk of pocket hematoma in patients on chronic anticoagulation with warfarin undergoing electrophysiological device implantation: a comparison of different peri-operative management strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Periprocedural management of warfarin remains challenging in patients requiring electrophysiological device surgery. For patients at high risk of thromboembolic events, guidelines recommend bridging therapy with heparin; however, this strategy is associated with a high risk of pocket hematoma. This paper systematically reviews studies appraising the risk of pocket hematoma with different perioperative anticoagulation strategies. METHODS: All relevant studies identified in MEDLINE/PubMed, The Cochrane Collaboration CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.org and in bibliographies of key articles. Estimates were combined using a fixed effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by p values of χ2 statistics and I2. Publication bias was assessed by visual examination of funnel plots and by Egger test. Fifteen studies enrolling 5911 patients met all inclusion criteria and were included in this review. RESULTS: Heparin bridging compared with no heparin was associated with increased risk of pocket hematoma (OR = 4.47, 95% CI 3.21-6.23, p < 0.00001), and prolonged hospital stay (9.13 ± 1.9 days vs. 5.11 ± 1 .39 days, p < 0.00001). Warfarin continuation was not associated with increased pocket hematoma compared to warfarin discontinuation (p = 0.38), but was associated with reduced risk of pocket hematoma compared with heparin bridging (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.2-0.69, p = 0.002). Thromboembolic complications were reduced with heparin bridging vs. no heparin (0.50% vs.1.07%, p = 0.02), and no significant differences were reported between heparin bridging vs. warfarin continuation (p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Heparin bridging is associated with a higher risk of pocket hematoma and a prolonged hospital stay. Perioperative continuation of warfarin reduces the occurrence of pocket hematoma compared with heparin bridging without any significant differences in thromboembolic complications.

IGFBP-2 inhibits adipogenesis and lipogenesis in human visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipocytes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is the principal IGFBP produced by white adipocytes during adipogenesis, and circulating levels are reduced in obesity. Overexpression of IGFBP-2 in transgenic mice prevents obesity, but depot-specific effects of IGFBP-2 on adipo/lipogenesis are unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether IGFBP-2 affects adipo/lipogenesis in a depot-specific manner and explore potential mechanisms. METHODS: Following adipocyte characterisation, IGFBP-2 levels were measured from human subcutaneous and visceral preadipocytes, and IGFBP-2 dose-responses were then undertaken with exogenous IGFBP-2 in an in vitro IGF-I-free system to examine adipo/lipogenesis. Following this, both types of adipocytes were transfected with human siRNA IGFBP-2 to assess auto-/para-/intra-crine effects, with and without additional add-back IGFBP-2. To elucidate the potential mechanisms, visceral preadipocytes were treated with either wild-type or Heparin Binding Domain (HBD)-mutant IGFBP-2 (which is unable to bind to cell-surface components), and experiments were also undertaken using Echistatin (an integrin receptor blocker). Outcomes included gene expression profiles, protein levels and phosphorylation and lipid staining. RESULTS: Human visceral adipocytes produced significantly more IGFBP-2 than subcutaneous adipocytes. Subsequent dose-responses to IGFBP-2 demonstrated significant reductions in adipo/lipogenesis in visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipocytes in response to increasing IGFBP-2. Silencing IGFBP-2 resulted in exaggerated adipo/lipogenesis in visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipocytes, an effect completely inhibited by add-back IGFBP-2. These effects occurred in the absence of changes in IGF-I levels. HBD-mutant IGFBP-2 had reduced effects compared with wild-type IGFBP-2. Wild-type IGFBP-2 increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) levels, suggestive of integrin-mediated signalling. Blockade of this signalling, using Echistatin, completely negated the effects of IGFBP-2 on visceral adipo/lipogenesis. CONCLUSION: IGFBP-2 inhibits both adipogenesis and lipogenesis in visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipocytes. This depot-specific impairment appears to be independent of IGF-I and involves cell-surface association of IGFBP-2 and activation of integrin signalling pathways.

IGFBP-2: The dark horse in metabolism and cancer.

The ubiquitous nature of the IGF system, expressed early in embryonic development throughout postnatal and adult life, indicates a key role for this system in human biology. Studies of transgenic mice over-expressing components of the IGF system or mice with disruptions of the same genes have clearly shown that the IGF system plays an important role in vivo. The activity of the IGF ligands, elicited via their receptors and transduced by various intracellular signal pathways, is modulated by the IGFBPs. Among all the IGFBPs, IGFBP-2 has been implicated in the regulation of IGF activity in the nervous system, peripheral tissue and organs. Besides binding to IGFs in the circulation, these IGF-regulatory activities of IGFBP-2 involve interactions with components of the extracellular matrix and cell surface proteoglycans and integrin receptors. In addition to these "local" peri-cellular activities of IGFBP-2, it became evident that IGFBP-2 exerts other key functions within the cell. In the cytoplasm IGFBP-2, most likely in the absence of the IGFs, interacts with regulatory proteins including transcription factors and cytoplasm-nuclear transporters. Within the nucleus IGFBP-2, directly or indirectly, promotes transcriptional activation of specific genes. These intrinsic activities of IGFBP-2 are mediated via specific functional domains. All of these IGFBP-2 activities, intrinsic or dependent on IGFs, contribute to its functional roles in growth/development, metabolism and malignancy as evidenced by studies in IGFBP-2 animal models and also by many in vitro studies. Finally, preclinical studies have demonstrated that IGFBP-2 administration can be beneficial in improving metabolic responses (inhibition of adipogenesis and enhanced insulin sensitivity), while blockade of IGFBP-2 appears to be an effective approach to inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis.

[Use of progesterone-releasing intra-uterine system in menhorragia relapse prevention after laparoscopic myomectomy]. / Impiedo della spirale medicate al progesterone nella prevenzione delle recidive menorragiche dopo miomectomia laparoscopica.

AIM: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affects about 30% of women in childbearing age with negative impact on patient's quality of life and uterine myomas represent one of the major cause of AUB. Laparoscopic myomectomy has proven to be efficient to reduce uterine bleeding and pelvic pain, but some patients presents postsurgery menhorragia with anemia. To reduce it, the combined use of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) positioned at the end of surgery, seems to produce a clinically relevant decrease in AUB with a symptomatology improvement. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate if postsurgery placement of LNG-IUS improves hematological outcomes (hemoglobin and ferritin level) in woman submitted to laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 58 women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from September 2010 to September 2011. Twenty-six patients were treated by laparoscopic myomectomy followed by LNG-IUS positioning at the end of surgery (Experimental group) and thirty-two patients were treated by surgery alone (Control group). We compared blood hemoglobin and ferritin levels assessed preoperatively, in day one and 6, 12 and 18 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in terms of post-surgery hemoglobin and ferritin levels at 6 month follow up (P=0.02 and P=0.002 respectively) and 12 month follow-up (P=0.001 and P=0.001, respectively) in experimental group vs. control group and a positive trend, but not statistically significant, in ferritin levels at 18 month-follow-up (P=0.1). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that combined treatment with laparoscopic myomectomy followed by LNG-IUS produces a clinically relevant improvement in hematological values.

In vitro expansion of tumour cells derived from blood and tumour tissue is useful to redefine personalized treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

The clinical development of locally and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) suffers from a lack of biomarkers as a guide in the selection of optimal prognostic prediction. Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) are correlated to prognosis and show efficacy in cancer monitoring in patients. However, their enumeration alone might be inadequate; it might also be critical to understand the viability, the apoptotic state and the kinetics of these cells. Here, we report what we believe to be a new and selective approach to visually detect tumour specific CTCs. Firstly, using labelled human lung cancer cells, we detected a specific density interval in which NSCL-CTCs were concentrated. Secondly, to better characterize CTCs in respect to their heterogeneous composition and tumour reference, blood and tumour biopsy were performed on specimens taken from the same patient. The approach consisted in comparing phenotype profile of CTCs, and their progenitor Tumour Stem Cells, (TSCs). Moreover, NSCL-CTCs were cultivated in short-time human cultures to provide response to drug sensitivity. Our bimodal approach allowed to reveal two items. Firstly, that one part of a tumour, proximal to the bronchial structure, displays a predominance of CD133+. Secondly, specific NSCL-CTCs Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM)+CD29+ can be used as a negative prognostic factor as well the high expression of CTCs EpCAM+. These data were confirmed by drug-sensitivity tests, in vitro, and by the survival curves, in vivo.

Acid sphingomyelinase determines melanoma progression and metastatic behaviour via the microphtalmia-associated transcription factor signalling pathway.

Melanoma is a rapidly growing and highly metastatic cancer with high mortality rates, for which a resolutive treatment is lacking. Identification of novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers of tumour stage is thus of particular relevance. We report here on a novel biomarker and possible candidate therapeutic target, the sphingolipid metabolising enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (A-SMase). A-SMase expression correlates inversely with tumour stage in human melanoma biopsies. Studies in a mouse model of melanoma and on cell lines derived from mouse and human melanomas demonstrated that A-SMase levels of expression actually determine the malignant phenotype of melanoma cells in terms of pigmentation, tumour progression, invasiveness and metastatic ability. The action of A-SMase is mediated by the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, the subsequent proteasomal degradation of the Microphtalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, Bcl-2 and c-Met, downstream targets of Mitf involved in tumour cell proliferation, survival and metastatisation.

IGFBP-2 nuclear translocation is mediated by a functional NLS sequence and is essential for its pro-tumorigenic actions in cancer cells.

IGFBP-2 is highly expressed in both the serum and tumor tissues of most cancers, and is considered one of the most significant genes in the signature of major cancers. IGFBP-2 mainly modulates IGF actions in the pericellular space; however, there is considerable evidence to suggest that IGFBP-2 may also act independently of the IGFs. These IGF-independent actions of IGFBP-2 are exerted either via interactions at the cell surface or intracellularly, via interaction with cytoplasmic or nuclear-binding partners. The precise mechanism underlying the intracellular/intranuclear localization of IGFBP-2 remains unclear. In this study, we investigated IGFBP-2 nuclear localization in several common cancer cells with the aim of dissecting the mechanism of its nuclear trafficking. IGFBP-2 is detected in the nuclei of common cancer cells, including breast, prostate and several neuroblastoma cell lines, using cell fractionation and confocal microscopy. Via nuclear import assays, we show that nuclear entry of IGFBP-2 is mediated by the classical nuclear import mechanisms, primarily through importin-α, as demonstrated by the use of blocking, competition and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Bioinformatics analysis of the IGFBP-2 protein sequence with PSORT II identified a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) sequence at 179PKKLRPP185, within the IGFBP-2 linker domain, mutagenesis of which abolishes IGFBP-2 nuclear import. Accordingly, the NLSmutIGFBP-2 fails to activate the VEGF promoter, which would otherwise occur in the presence of wild-type IGFBP-2. As a consequence, no activation of angiogenic processes were observed in NLSmutIGFBP-2 expressing SHEP cells when implanted onto our in vivo quail chorio-allantoic membrane model. Taken together, these data show for the first time that IGFBP-2 possesses a functional NLS sequence and that IGFBP-2 actively translocates into the nucleus by a classical nuclear import mechanism, involving formation of IGFBP-2 complexes with importin-α. Nuclear IGFBP-2 is required for the activation of VEGF expression and consequent angiogenesis.

[Stabilometric analysis in patients affected by maculopathy]. / Analisi stabilometrica in pazienti maculopatici.

OBJECTIVES: The walk is strictly influenced by vision, that's essential for the position of the body in the space during the walk cycle and the postural control. The quality of life related to the vision is widely highlighted in literature: for example Brown et al. in 2005 underlined the comparison from DMLE and chronic ills, like HIV, angina, dialysis, advanced prostate tumor, stroke, and heart attack. Peripheral low vision appeared the most crippling aspect to the walk, but in recent years a lot of studies stressed the walk difficulty in patients with central low vision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study has been carried out in partnership between Ophtalmic Department and Physiatrist Department. Its aim was to evaluate static posture in patients affected by maculopathy. We picked out subjects affected by maculopathy with central low vision due to a variety of causes but with preserved peripheral vision. RESULTS: Test trials had the purpose to investigate different aspects of static posture, in subjects affected by central low vision. It was related to risk of falling and faulty postures, that are pathologically in a long term. CONCLUSIONS: Our study claimed that in stabilometric analysis the differences between patients affected by maculopathy and control group aren't statistically significant.

Rationale, design and methods of CTCA-PRORECAD (Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography Prognostic Registry for Coronary Artery Disease): a multicentre and multivendor registry.

PURPOSE: This study was done to assess the prognostic value of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in a large multicentre population of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and, in particular, its incremental value compared with traditional methods for risk stratification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study that began in January 2003 conducted on patients with suspected CAD assessed with CTCA on the basis of symptoms (chest pain, dyspnoea) and/or abnormal or equivocal stress test and/or a high cardiovascular risk profile. The participating centres will provide data obtained with CTCA performed with 16-slice or higher equipment. Exclusion criteria are renal insufficiency, allergy to iodinated contrast material, pregnancy and previous myocardial infarction or revascularisation (percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass graft). All patients are stratified by means of clinical assessment and/or data retrieved from a clinical database. Risk factors considered are hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history and obesity. Symptoms are classified as absent, typical chest pain, atypical chest pain and dyspnoea. Primary endpoints are death, major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiac death, unstable angina requiring hospitalisation, acute myocardial infarction) and shifting of cardiovascular risk category on the basis of coronary plaque burden. The secondary endpoint is coronary revascularisation. Telephone interviews and/or clinical databases are used for the follow-up. The study will be conducted on a population >1,000 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The information collected from the Prognostic Registry for Coronary Artery Disease (PRORECAD) will provide insight into the prognostic value of CTCA in addition to demographic and clinical features. The results will allow for better use and interpretation of CTCA for prognostic purposes.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR evaluation of prostate cancer before and after endorectal high-intensity focused ultrasound.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to determine the diagnostic performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MR) imaging in the evaluation of prostate cancer before and after transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 25 patients with prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value was evaluated 1, 4 and 6 months after treatment. DCE-MR imaging was performed the day prior to and 1, 4 and 6 months after HIFU treatment. Transrectal prostate biopsies were obtained at the time of diagnosis and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, intraglandular lesions were considered to be potential sites of neoplasm and subsequently confirmed as sites of prostate adenocarcinoma in all 25 patients based on prostatespecific antigen (PSA) values and histological examinations (rho=1; p<0.001). Using histology as the gold standard, DCE-MR imaging displayed 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value before treatment. After HIFU treatment, DCE-MR imaging showed 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: DCE-MR imaging can be used to visualise prostate adenocarcinoma. Several morphological and postgadolinium modifications in the follow-up DCE-MR images after HIFU treatment were also observed.