Molecular Mechanisms Linking Inflammation to Autoimmunity in Sjögren’s Syndrome: Identification of New Targets

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorder characterized by the lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands and the production of autoantibodies to self-antigens. The involvement of the exocrine glands drives the pathognomonic manifestations of dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia) that define sicca syndrome. To date, the molecular mechanisms mediating pathological salivary gland dysfunction in SS remain to be elucidated, despite extensive studies investigating the underlying cause of this disease, hampering the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Many researchers have identified a multifactorial pathogenesis of SS, including environmental, genetic, neuroendocrine, and immune factors. In this review, we explore the latest developments in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SS, which have attracted increasing interest in recent years.     

HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS analyses and anti-radical activity of hydrolyzable tannins from different vegetal species

In the present work, several tannin extracts from myrtle and pomegranate were analyzed and characterized using HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS methods. Both aqueous and hydroalcoholic myrtle leaf extracts were found to be rich in galloyl-glucosides, galloyl-quinic acids, ellagitannins and flavonoids. In these extracts we observed a predominance of galloyl-glucosides and galloyl-quinic derivatives with respect to ellagic derivatives; 87.14% and 12.86%, respectively, average gallic and ellagic derivatives with respect to total tannins content. In pomegranate extracts, substantial differences were found in polyphenol contents between peel and seed extracts with regard to the relative abundance of gallic and ellagic acid derivatives: 28.81% and 71.19%, respectively, as average total gallic and ellagic derivatives in peel extracts; 61.30% and 38.70%, in seed extracts. The antiradical properties were evaluated and compared to those of two commercial extracts of chestnut bark and grape seeds. The collected data could suggest the use of myrtle and pomegranate extracts as nutraceuticals and functional foods for their important antioxidant properties.     

Imaging the Electric‐Field Distribution in Organic Devices by Confocal Electroreflectance Microscopy

Space resolved Stark spectroscopy is introduced as a non invasive optical technique for imaging electric field distribution in organic semiconductors. Stark spectroscopy relies on the electric field induced change in the absorption/reflection. It is shown that local monitoring of Stark shift with confocal spatial resolution provides quantitative information on the strength of the local field as well as charge distribution within the transport channel.     

Buchwald-Type Ligands on Gold(I) Catalysis

Dialkyl biarylphosphine ligands, presented in the context of Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, have been extensively applied in gold(I) catalysis giving rise to numerous transformations and reaction pathways otherwise inaccessible under the action of other gold(I) catalysts. This review emphasizes how this privileged ligand class, as well as recent modifications on the biarylphosphine motive, have triggered the discovery of new reactivities in our research program. Finally, the introduction of chiral information on the ligand scaffold provides new solutions to challenging gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective transformations.     

Personalized Medicine in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST): Clinical Implications of the Somatic and Germline DNA Analysis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They are characterized by gain of function mutations in KIT or PDGFRA tyrosine kinase receptors, with their consequent constitutive activation. The gold standard therapy is imatinib that offers a good and stable response for approximately 18–36 months. However, resistance is very common and it is vital to identify new biomarkers. Up until now, there have been two main approaches with focus to characterize novel targets. On the one hand, the focus is on the tumor genome, as the final clinical outcome depends mainly from the cancer specific mutations/alterations patterns. However, the germline DNA is important as well, and it is inconceivable to think the patients response to the drug is not related to it. Therefore the aim of this review is to outline the state of the art of the personalized medicine in GIST taking into account both the tumor DNA (somatic) and the patient DNA (germline).     

Congenital diarrheal disorders: an updated diagnostic approach

Congenital diarrheal disorders (CDDs) are a group of inherited enteropathies with a typical onset early in the life. Infants with these disorders have frequently chronic diarrhea of sufficient severity to require parenteral nutrition. For most CDDs the disease-gene is known and molecular analysis may contribute to an unequivocal diagnosis. We review CDDs on the basis of the genetic defect, focusing on the significant contribution of molecular analysis in the complex, multistep diagnostic work-up.