Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

About: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart is a education organization based out in Milan, Lombardia, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 13592 authors who have published 31048 publications receiving 853961 citations.

Generalized monotone bifunctions and equilibrium problems

Abstract: Using quasimonotone and pseudomonotone bifunctions, we derive existence results for the following equilibrium problem: given a closed and convex subsetK of a real topological vector space, find\(\bar x \in K\) such that\(F(\bar x,y) \geqslant 0\) for ally∈K In addtion, we study the solution set and the uniquencess of a solution The paper generalizes results obtained recently for variational inequalities

The 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis: Phase 2 methodological report

Abstract: Objective. The American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism have developed new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of Phase 2 of the development process was to achieve expert consensus on the clinical and laboratory variables that should contribute to the final criteria set. Methods. Twenty-four expert RA clinicians (12 from Europe and 12 from North America) participated in Phase 2. A consensus-based decision analysis approach was used to identify factors (and their relative weights) that influence the probability of "developing RA," complemented by data from the Phase 1 study. Patient case scenarios were used to identify and reach consensus on factors important in determining the probability of RA development. Decision analytic software was used to derive the relative weights for each of the factors and their categories, using choice-based conjoint analysis. Results. The expert panel agreed that the new classification criteria should be applied to individuals with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis in whom at least 1 joint is deemed by an expert assessor to be swollen, indicating definite synovitis. In this clinical setting, they identified 4 additional criteria as being important: number of joints involved and site of involvement, serologic abnormality, acute-phase response, and duration of symptoms in the involved joints. These criteria were consistent with those identified in the Phase 1 data-driven approach. Conclusion. The consensus-based, decision analysis approach used in Phase 2 complemented the Phase 1 efforts. The 4 criteria and their relative weights form the basis of the final criteria set.

Anakinra, a Recombinant Human Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist, Inhibits Apoptosis in Experimental Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract: Background— Experimental interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene overexpression has shown that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is cardioprotective during global cardiac ischemia. The aim of the present study was to test the impact of an exogenous recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) in experimental acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— Two animal studies were conducted: one of immediate anakinra administration during ischemia in the mouse and one of delayed anakinra administration 24 hours after ischemia in the rat. Seventy-eight Institute of Cancer Research mice and 20 Wistar rats underwent surgical coronary artery ligation (or sham operation) and were treated with either anakinra 1 mg/kg or NaCl 0.9% (saline). Treatment was administered during surgery and then daily for 6 doses in the mice and starting on day 2 daily for 5 doses in the rats. Twenty-eight mice underwent infarct size assessment 24 hours after surgery, 6 saline-treated mice and 22 mice treated with in...

Cancer-associated fibroblasts as abettors of tumor progression at the crossroads of EMT and therapy resistance.

Abstract: In the last decades, the role of the microenvironment in tumor progression and therapeutic outcome has gained increasing attention. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as key players among stromal cells, owing to their abundance in most solid tumors and their diverse tumor-restraining/promoting roles. The interplay between tumor cells and neighboring CAFs takes place by both paracrine signals (cytokines, exosomes and metabolites) or by the multifaceted functions of the surrounding extracellular matrix. Here, we dissect the most recent identified mechanisms underlying CAF-mediated control of tumor progression and therapy resistance, which include induction of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), activation of survival pathways or stemness-related programs and metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells. Importantly, the recently unveiled heterogeneity in CAFs claims tailored therapeutic efforts aimed at eradicating the specific subset facilitating tumor progression, therapy resistance and relapse. However, despite the large amount of pre-clinical data, much effort is still needed to translate CAF-directed anti-cancer strategies from the bench to the clinic.