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BACKGROUND Sustained adrenergic signaling secondary to chronic stress promotes cancer progression; however, the underlying mechanisms for this phenomenon remain unclear. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently develops within fibrotic livers rich in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Here, we examined whether the stress hormone norepinephrine (NE) could accelerate HCC progression by modulating HSCs activities. METHODS HCC cells were exposed to conditioned medium (CM) from NE-stimulated HSCs. The changes in cell migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, parameters of cell proliferation, and levels of cancer stem cell markers were analyzed. Moreover, the in vivo tumor progression of HCC cells inoculated with HSCs was studied in nude mice subjected to chronic restraint stress. RESULTS CM from NE-treated HSCs significantly promoted cell migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and expression of cell proliferation-related genes and cancer stem cell markers in HCC cells. These pro-tumoral effects were markedly reduced by depleting secreted frizzled related protein 1 (sFRP1) in CM. The pro-tumoral functions of sFRP1 were dependent on β-catenin activation, and sFRP1 augmented the binding of Wnt16B to its receptor FZD7, resulting in enhanced β-catenin activity. Additionally, sFRP1 enhanced Wnt16B expression, reinforcing an autocrine feedback loop of Wnt16B/β-catenin signaling. The expression of sFRP1 in HSCs promoted HCC progression in an in vivo model under chronic restraint stress, which was largely attenuated by sFRP1 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS We identify a new mechanism by which chronic stress promotes HCC progression. In this model, NE activates HSCs to secrete sFRP1, which cooperates with a Wnt16B/β-catenin positive feedback loop. Our findings have therapeutic implications for the treatment of chronic stress-promoted HCC progression.BACKGROUND Several studies have found only a weak to moderate correlation between oxygenation and lung aeration in response to changes in PEEP. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in shunt, low and high ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, and computed tomography-measured lung aeration following an increase in PEEP in patients with ARDS. METHODS In this preliminary study, 12 ARDS patients were subjected to recruitment maneuvers followed by setting PEEP at 5 and then either 15 or 20 cmH2O. Lung aeration was measured by computed tomography. Values of pulmonary shunt and low and high V/Q mismatch were calculated by a model-based method from measurements of oxygenation, ventilation, and metabolism taken at different inspired oxygen levels and an arterial blood gas sample. RESULTS Increasing PEEP resulted in reduced values of pulmonary shunt and the percentage of non-aerated tissue, and an increased percentage of normally aerated tissue (p  less then  0.05). Changes in shunt and normalalTrails.gov, NCT04067154. Retrospectively registered on August 26, 2019.BACKGROUND Although lncRNA CTBP1-AS2 has been functionally analyzed only in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and diabetes, analysis of TCGA dataset revealed its downregulation in endometrial carcinoma (EC), indicating its involvement in EC. RESULTS In this study we found that CTBP1-AS2 was downregulated in EC and correlated with poor survival. MiR-216a might form base pairs with CTBP1-AS2 based on RNA-RNA interaction, which was confirmed by luciferase activity assay. Interestingly, upregulation of PTEN was observed after CTBP1-AS2 overexpression. Transwell assay showed that CTBP1-AS2 and PTEN overexpression led to decreased cancer cell invasion and migration and reduced enhancing effects of miR-216a on cell invasion and migration. check details It was known that miR-216a targeted PTEN. CONCLUSION Therefore, CTBP1-AS2 may sponge miR-216a to upregulate PTEN, thereby suppressing endometrial cancer cell invasion and migration.BACKGROUND Fetal programming during in utero life defines the set point of physiological and metabolic responses that lead into adulthood; events happening in “the first 1,000 days” (from conception to 2-years of age), play a role in the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The infant gut microbiome is a highly dynamic organ, which is sensitive to maternal and environmental factors and is one of the elements driving intergenerational NCDs’ transmission. The A.MA.MI (Alimentazione MAmma e bambino nei primi MIlle giorni) project aims at investigating the correlation between several factors, from conception to the first year of life, and infant gut microbiome composition. We described the study design of the A.MA.MI study and presented some preliminary results. METHODS A.MA.MI is a longitudinal, prospective, observational study conducted on a group of mother-infant pairs (n = 60) attending the Neonatal Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia (Italy). The study was planned to provide datapre-pregnancy, mode of delivery and infant factors likely impact infant microbiota composition at different levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04122612.BACKGROUND To determine construct validity and test-retest reliability of Endurance Shuttle Tests as outcome measures for fatigability of remaining motor functions in children and adults with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) across the severity spectrum. RESULTS We assessed the Endurance Shuttle – Nine Hole Peg Test (ESNHPT), – Box and Block Test (ESBBT) and – Walk Test (ESWT) in 61 patients with SMA types 2-4, 25 healthy controls (HC) and 15 disease controls (DC). Convergent validity, discriminative validity and test-retest reliability were investigated. Additionally, we compiled the Endurance Shuttle Combined Score (ESTCS) by selecting the most relevant endurance test of each individual. 54, 70 and 73% of patients with SMA demonstrated increased fatigability on the ESNHPT, ESBBT and the ESWT. Endurance response in SMA was characterized by a decrease in muscle strength, an increase in muscle fatigue and an increase in motor adaptions, thereby confirming convergent validity. Patients with SMA showed increased drop-out rates and a shorter endurance time compared to HC and DC demonstrating good discriminative validity.