Extracellular vescicles in psoriasis: from pathogenesis to possible roles in therapy.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting skin and joints characterized by a chronically altered immune and inflammatory response. Several factors occur from the onset to the development of this disease due to different types of cells spatially and temporally localized in the affected area, such as, keratinocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and T helper lymphocytes. This scenario leads to the chronic release of high levels of inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-17, IL-23, IL-22, TNF-α, S100 proteins, Defensins) and lastly parakeratosis and thickening of the stratum spinosum. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small double membraned biological nanoparticles that are secreted by all cell types and classified, based on dimension and biogenesis, into exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies. Their role as vessels for long range molecular signals renders them key elements in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as well as innovative platforms for potential biomarker discovery and delivery of fine-tuned anti-inflammatory therapies. In this review, the role of EVs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the modulation of cellular microenvironment has been summarized. The biotechnological implementation of EVs for therapy and research for new biomarkers has been also discussed.

MicroRNAs Differentially Expressed in Actinic Keratosis and Healthy Skin Scrapings.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a carcinoma in situ precursor of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), the second most common cancer affecting the Caucasian population. AK is frequently present in the sun-exposed skin of the elderly population, UV radiation being the main cause of this cancer, and other risk factors contributing to AK incidence. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) observed in different cancers leads to an improper expression of miRNA targets involved in several cellular pathways. The TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA Card assay for miRNA expression profiling was performed in pooled AK compared to healthy skin scraping samples from the same patients. Forty-three miRNAs were modulated in the AK samples. The expression of miR-19b (p < 0.05), -31, -34a (p < 0.001), -126, -146a (p < 0.01), -193b, and -222 (p < 0.05) was validated by RT-qPCR. The MirPath tool was used for MiRNA target prediction and enriched pathways. The top DIANA-mirPath pathways regulated by the targets of the 43 miRNAs are TGF-beta signaling, Proteoglycans in cancer, Pathways in cancer, and Adherens junction (7.30 × 10-10 < p < 1.84 × 10-8). Selected genes regulating the KEGG pathways, i.e., TP53, MDM2, CDKN1A, CDK6, and CCND1, were analyzed. MiRNAs modulated in AK regulate different pathways involved in tumorigenesis, indicating miRNA regulation as a critical step in keratinocyte cancer.

"Health without Borders": Early Findings and Lessons Learned from a Health Promotion Program for Ethnic Minorities Living in Italy.

In multicultural contexts, health promotion can be challenging due to people's differences in beliefs, values, and practices regarding health and healthcare. Using the prototypical case scenario offered by the "Health without Borders" program, this study was generally aimed at summarizing the lessons learned and suggesting implications that are hopefully relevant to future culturally competent health promotion programs. This exploratory study used in-depth interviews, focus groups, and document analyses as primary methodological tools to gather data. A qualitative approach was chosen because it has the potential to explore, in depth, the main characteristics (values, operational domains, and action strategies) behind this prototypical case. The study findings suggest that the multicultural health promotion program under study is characterized by four main intertwined core values (i.e., empowerment; peer education; social embeddedness; tailor-made). In turn, these values are expressed in the ten main operational domains (i.e., proactive approach to health promotion; fostering interculturality in health promotion; fostering multidisciplinarity in health promotion; measuring the impact of initiatives; identifying, training, and activating key community members in the role of peer educators; promoting community engagement; fostering a "domino effect"; building institutional links with the organization of the territory; continuous training of the professionals involved in the initiatives; flexibility and a constant focus on projects' continuous redesign) that orient specific strategies of action. This program is based on a tailor-made principle for intervention design and delivery. This feature allows intervention providers to flexibly incorporate the target population's values in delivering health promotion activities. Therefore, the value of this prototypical case lies in the design of "adjustable" initiatives that fit the "program-as-designed" with the cultural characteristics of target populations involved in the intervention.

Cuticle Modifications and Over-Expression of the Chitin-Synthase Gene in Diflubenzuron-Resistant Phenotype.

Insecticide resistance is a major threat challenging the control of harmful insect species. The study of resistant phenotypes is, therefore, pivotal to understand molecular mechanisms underpinning insecticide resistance and plan effective control and resistance management strategies. Here, we further analysed the diflubenzuron (DFB)-resistant phenotype due to the point-mutation I1043M in the chitin-synthase 1 gene (chs1) in the mosquito Culex pipiens. By comparing susceptible and resistant strains of Cx. pipiens through DFB bioassays, molecular analyses and scanning electron microscopy, we showed that the I1043M-resistant mosquitoes have: (i) a striking level of DFB resistance (i.e., resistance ratio: 9006); (ii) a constitutive 11-fold over-expression of the chs1 gene; (iii) enhanced cuticle thickness and cuticular chitin content. Culex pipiens is one of the most important vector species in Europe and the rapid spread of DFB resistance can threaten its control. Our results, by adding new data about the DFB-resistant phenotype, provide important information for the control and management of insecticide resistance.