University of Cagliari

About: University of Cagliari is a education organization based out in Cagliari, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dopamine. The organization has 11029 authors who have published 29046 publications receiving 771023 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Cagliari & Universita degli Studi di Cagliari.

A meta-analysis of thyroid-related traits reveals novel loci and gender-specific differences in the regulation of thyroid function

Abstract: Thyroid hormone is essential for normal metabolism and development, and overt abnormalities in thyroid function lead to common endocrine disorders affecting approximately 10% of individuals over their life span. In addition, even mild alterations in thyroid function are associated with weight changes, atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, and psychiatric disorders. To identify novel variants underlying thyroid function, we performed a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for serum levels of the highly heritable thyroid function markers TSH and FT4, in up to 26,420 and 17,520 euthyroid subjects, respectively. Here we report 26 independent associations, including several novel loci for TSH (PDE10A, VEGFA, IGFBP5, NFIA, SOX9, PRDM11, FGF7, INSR, ABO, MIR1179, NRG1, MBIP, ITPK1, SASH1, GLIS3) and FT4 (LHX3, FOXE1, AADAT, NETO1/FBXO15, LPCAT2/CAPNS2). Notably, only limited overlap was detected between TSH and FT4 associated signals, in spite of the feedback regulation of their circulating levels by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Five of the reported loci (PDE8B, PDE10A, MAF/LOC440389, NETO1/FBXO15, and LPCAT2/CAPNS2) show strong gender-specific differences, which offer clues for the known sexual dimorphism in thyroid function and related pathologies. Importantly, the TSH-associated loci contribute not only to variation within the normal range, but also to TSH values outside the reference range, suggesting that they may be involved in thyroid dysfunction. Overall, our findings explain, respectively, 5.64% and 2.30% of total TSH and FT4 trait variance, and they improve the current knowledge of the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function and the consequences of genetic variation for hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Technological enclaves and industrial districts. An analysis of the regional distribution of innovative activity in Europe

Abstract: PACI R. and USAI S. (2000) Technological enclaves and industrial districts: an analysis of the regional distribution of innovative activity in Europe, Reg. Studies 34 , 97‐114. This paper explores the spatial distribution of innovative and productive activity across 109 regions of the European Union, using an original statistical databank on regional patents. The main results are the following. First, technological activity in the EU appears to be highly concentrated, although concentration tended to decline over the 1980s. Second, as expected, there is a positive association between the regional distribution of innovative activity and labour productivity. Third, we have shown that spatial and sectoral specialization of innovative and productive activities is significantly and positively correlated. PACI R. et USAI S. (2000) Enclaves technologiques et districts industriels: une analyse de la distribution regionale de l'innovation en Europe, Reg. Studies 34 , 97‐114. A partir d'une banque de donnees novatr...

Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor present in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are induced by inflammatory cytokines and synergize to promote vascular permeability and KS lesion development.

Abstract: All forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are characterized by spindle cell proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and edema. We have previously reported that spindle cells of primary KS lesions and KS-derived spindle cell cultures express high levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which is promoted by the inflammatory cytokines identified in these lesions. These cytokines, namely, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and interferon-gamma, induce production and release of bFGF, which stimulates angiogenesis and spindle cell growth in an autocrine fashion. Here we show that both AIDS-KS and classical KS lesions co-express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bFGF. VEGF production by KS cells is promoted synergistically by inflammatory cytokines present in conditioned media from activated T cells and in KS lesions. KS cells show synthesis of VEGF isoforms that are mitogenic to endothelial cells but not to KS spindle cells, suggesting a prevailing paracrine effect of this cytokine. This may be due to the level of expression of the flt-1-VEGF receptor that is down-regulated in KS cells as compared with endothelial cells. KS-derived bFGF and VEGF synergize in inducing endothelial cell growth as shown by studies using both neutralizing antibodies and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed against these cytokines. In addition, VEGF and bFGF synergize to induce angiogenic KS-like lesions in nude mice and vascular permeability and edema in guinea pigs. These results indicate that inflammatory cytokines present in KS lesions stimulate the production of bFGF and VEGF, which, in turn, cooperate to induce angiogenesis, edema, and KS lesion formation.