Exploring the immunoproteome for ovarian cancer biomarker discovery

Most scientific efforts towards early detection of ovarian cancer are commonly focused on the discovery of tumour-associated antigens (TAA). Autologous antibodies against TAA, however, may serve as more sensitive diagnostic markers. They circulate in the blood before TAA and are usually more abundant than the TAAs themselves as a result of amplification through the humoral immune response. Accumulating evidence also suggests that a humoral response already exists during malignant transformation when aberrant gene expression is translated into premalignant cellular changes. This article reviews the current knowledge about autoantibodies against TAA in ovarian cancer and presents current immunoproteomic approaches for their detection.     

Characterization of and host response to tyramine substituted-hyaluronan enriched fascia extracellular matrix

Naturally-occurring biomaterial scaffolds derived from extracellular matrix (ECM) have been previously investigated for soft tissue repair. We propose to enrich fascia ECM with high molecular weight tyramine substituted-hyaluronan (TS-HA) to modulate inflammation associated with implantation and enhance fibroblast infiltration. As critical determinants of constructive remodeling, the host inflammatory response and macrophage polarization to TS-HA enriched fascia were characterized in a rat abdominal wall model. TS-HA treated fascia with cross-linking had a similar lymphocyte (P = 0.11) and plasma cell (P = 0.13) densities, greater macrophage (P = 0.001) and giant cell (P < 0.0001) densities, and a lower density of fibroblast-like cells (P < 0.0001) than water treated controls. Treated fascia, with or without cross-linking, exhibited a predominantly M2 pro-remodeling macrophage profile similar to water controls (P = 0.82), which is suggestive of constructive tissue remodeling. Our findings demonstrated that HA augmentation can alter the host response to an ECM, but the appropriate concentration and molecular weight needed to minimize chronic inflammation within the scaffold remains to be determined.     

Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Evaluation of Minimally Processed Tarocco Clone Oranges Packaged with 3 Different Permeability Films

ABSTRACT: Fruits of 3 Tarocco clones ('Gallo', 'Arcimusa', and 'Scirè') were sliced, packaged with different permeability films, and stored at 4°C for 14 to 15 d to find the best clone for processing and the most suitable packaging conditions to extend the shelf life of these products. Physicochemical parameters of Tarocco oranges slices, packaged with 3 films of different permeability, did not show marked decay phenomena during the storage days. Only a reduction in the ascorbic acid content was observed in almost all the examined clones, especially in products packaged with the most O₂ permeable films. Concerning microbiological contamination, all clones, packaged with the 3 films, showed, until the 12th storage day, a lower number of colony forming units (CFU)/g (≤ 3.6 × 10⁷ CFU/g) for mesophilic viable counts than the 2 microbiological criteria generally used for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables (10⁸ CFU/g for mesophilic viable counts). In fact, for these products it is possible to expect a shelf life longer than 12 to 13 d. Regarding sensory results, it was observed that the minimally processed Tarocco clone slices packaged with the most permeable to O₂ film were the most appreciated.     

The influence of thermic effect of food on satiety

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate energy expenditure after three isoenergetic meals of different nutrient composition and to establish the relationship between the thermic effect of food (TEF), subsequent energy intake from a test meal and satiety sensations related to consumption. DESIGN: The study employed a repeated measures design. Ten subjects received, in a randomized order, three meals of 2331+/-36 kJ (557+/-9 kcal). About 68% of energy from protein in the high protein meal (HP), 69% from carbohydrate in the high carbohydrate meal (HC) and 70% from fat in the high fat meal (HF). SETTING: The experiments were performed at the University of Milan. Subjects: Ten normal body-weight healthy women. METHODS: Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetric measurements, using an open-circuit ventilated-hood system; intake was assessed 7h later by weighing the food consumed from a test meal and satiety sensations were rated by means of a satiety rating questionnaire. RESULTS: TEF was 261+/-59, 92+/-67 and 97+/-71 kJ over 7 h after the HP, HC and HF meals, respectively. The HP meal was the most thermogenic (P < 0.001) and it determined the highest sensation of fullness (P=0.002). There were no differences in the sensations and thermic effect between fat and carbohydrate meals. A significant relationship linked TEF to fullness sensation (r=0.41, P=0.025). Energy intake from the test meal was comparable after HP, HC and HF meals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TEF contributes to the satiating power of foods.     

Effect of ascorbic acid administration on B and E apoproteins in rats fed a cholesterol enriched diet

The current study was designed to investigate the role of two potent vasoactive substances, endothelin (ET) and platelet-activating factor (PAF), in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats. Treatment with anti-ET antibody before indomethacin administration resulted in a significant decline in the total length of the lesions as determined by gross evaluation. In contrast, CV-6209, a specific PAF antagonist, had no effect on the total length of the lesions. The results strongly suggest the incorporation of endogenous ET in the mechanism of gastric damage after indomethacin administration.     

A critical appraisal of pathogenesis and morbidity of surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure

Preoperative and postoperative manometric findings and the results of lateral internal sphincterotomy were analyzed in 44 consecutive patients affected with chronic anal fissure. Preoperatively, resting anal pressure was increased in 32 patients. At one month postoperatively, 23 patients showed normal pressures, whereas 14 were still hypertonic and seven, hypotonic. Only three patients still had a weak sphincter six months postoperatively. The overall morbidity rate was 31.8 percent. Minor complications occurred in 11 patients. Major complications affected three patients. Overall, impaired continence was recorded in eight patients, although only two complained of persistent, albeit lesser, defects of continence not requiring the use of pads. Nonoperative treatment should be reserved for few selected patients with recent, acute fissures. As for chronic and fissures, compared with other operative or nonoperative modalities of treatment, lateral internal sphincterotomy is a highly successful procedure and its minimal morbidity is well accepted by the patient.     

Impact of heart rate and atrioventricular delay on left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with dual-chamber pacing for sick sinus syndrome or atrioventricular block

We examined the effect of left ventricular filling on different combinations of programmable heart rate and atrioventricular delay in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers. Pacing mode with heart rates of 60 beats/min and 156 ms of atrioventricular delay induced a diastolic pattern that resembles more than others the one observed in healthy subjects in sinus rhythm.     

Ethylene–norbornene copolymers by ansa fluorenyl metallocenes: mechanistic considerations on the basis of tetrad and pentad analysis

The microstructure of ethylene (E)-norbornene (N) copolymers obtained by C _s-symmetric i-Pr[(Cp)(9-Flu)]ZrCl₂ (1) and C ₁-symmetric i-Pr[(3-R-Cp)(9-Flu)]ZrCl₂ (R = Me (2); R = i-Pr (3)) was determined by ¹³C NMR at tetrad (1) and pentad level (2, 3), respectively. This has allowed to study the influence of Cp substitutions on the statistical model of copolymerizations: Markov 1 statistics for 1 and 2; Markov 2 for 3, where the penultimate unit influences next insertion owing to steric interactions between i-Pr and copolymer chain. The presence of only racemic ENNE sequences in E–N copolymers by 1 shows that copolymerizations occur through chain migratory mechanism. Chain backskips account for the formation of both meso and rac NEN sequences with 1 and for the insertion of N and E at the same site of 2 and 3.