University of Milano-Bicocca

About: University of Milano-Bicocca is a education organization based out in Milan, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Blood pressure. The organization has 8972 authors who have published 22322 publications receiving 620484 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca & Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca.

Heavy metal tolerance and accumulation of Cd, Cr and Ni by Cannabis sativa L

Abstract: Experiments in semi-natural conditions were undertaken to assess hemp metal tolerance and its ability to accumulate cadmium, nickel and chromium Cannabis sativa was grown in two soils, S1 and S2, containing 27, 74, 126 and 82, 115, 139 μg g−1 of Cd, Ni and Cr, respectively After two months from germination and at ripeness, no significant alteration in plant growth or morphology was detected On the contrary, a high hemp reactivity to heavy metal stress with an increase in phytochelatin and DNA content was observed during development, suggesting the Cannabis sativa ability to avoid cell damage by activating different molecular mechanisms Metals were preferentially accumulated in the roots and only partially translocated to the above-ground tissues The mean shoot Cd content was 14 and 66 μg g−1 for S1 and S2 soil, respectively Although not negligible concentrations they were about 100 times lower than those calculated for the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens Similarly Ni uptake was limited if compared with that of the Ni-hyperaccumulator Alyssum murale Chromium uptake was negligible As expected on the base of the metal concentration detected in ripe plants, no statistically significant variation in soil metal content was detected after one crop of hemp Nevertheless, a consistent amount (g) of Cd and Ni is expected to be extracted by 1 ha biomass of hemp (about 10 t) per year and along the time a slow restoration of deeper soil portions can be obtained by its wide root system (at least 0,5 m deep) In addition, the possibilities of growing hemp easily in different climates and using its biomass in non-food industries can make heavy metal contaminated soils productive This means economical advantage along with a better quality of soil

IFN-λ suppresses intestinal inflammation by non-translational regulation of neutrophil function

Abstract: Interferon-λ (IFN-λ) is a central regulator of mucosal immunity; however, its signaling specificity relative to that of type I interferons is poorly defined. IFN-λ can induce antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in epithelia, while the effect of IFN-λ in non-epithelial cells remains unclear. Here we report that neutrophils responded to IFN-λ. We found that in addition to inducing ISG transcription, IFN-λ (but not IFN-β) specifically activated a translation-independent signaling pathway that diminished the production of reactive oxygen species and degranulation in neutrophils. In mice, IFN-λ was elicited by enteric viruses and acted on neutrophils to decrease oxidative stress and intestinal damage. Thus, IFN-λ acted as a unique immunomodulatory agent by modifying transcriptional and non-translational neutrophil responses, which might permit a controlled development of the inflammatory process.

Parma consensus statement on metabolic disruptors

Abstract: A multidisciplinary group of experts gathered in Parma Italy for a workshop hosted by the University of Parma, May 16–18, 2014 to address concerns about the potential relationship between environmental metabolic disrupting chemicals, obesity and related metabolic disorders. The objectives of the workshop were to: 1. Review findings related to the role of environmental chemicals, referred to as “metabolic disruptors”, in obesity and metabolic syndrome with special attention to recent discoveries from animal model and epidemiology studies; 2. Identify conclusions that could be drawn with confidence from existing animal and human data; 3. Develop predictions based on current data; and 4. Identify critical knowledge gaps and areas of uncertainty. The consensus statements are intended to aid in expanding understanding of the role of metabolic disruptors in the obesity and metabolic disease epidemics, to move the field forward by assessing the current state of the science and to identify research needs on the role of environmental chemical exposures in these diseases. We propose broadening the definition of obesogens to that of metabolic disruptors, to encompass chemicals that play a role in altered susceptibility to obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders including metabolic syndrome.

Age and dPCR can predict relapse in CML patients who discontinued imatinib: The ISAV study

Abstract: Imatinib is effective for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However even undetectable BCR-ABL1 by Q-RT-PCR does not equate to eradication of the disease. Digital-PCR (dPCR), able to detect 1 BCR-ABL1 positive cell out of 10(7) , has been recently developed. The ISAV study is a multicentre trial aimed at validating dPCR to predict relapses after imatinib discontinuation in CML patients with undetectable Q-RT-PCR. CML patients under imatinib therapy since more than 2 years and with undetectable PCR for at least 18 months were eligible. Patients were monitored by standard Q-RT-PCR for 36 months. Patients losing molecular remission (two consecutive positive Q-RT-PCR with at least 1 BCR-ABL1/ABL1 value above 0.1%) resumed imatinib. The study enrolled 112 patients, with a median follow-up of 21.6 months. Fifty-two of the 108 evaluable patients (48.1%), relapsed; 73.1% relapsed in the first 9 months but 14 late relapses were observed between 10 and 22 months. Among the 56 not-relapsed patients, 40 (37.0% of total) regained Q-RT-PCR positivity but never lost MMR. dPCR results showed a significant negative predictive value ratio of 1.115 [95% CI: 1.013-1.227]. An inverse relationship between patients age and risk of relapse was evident: 95% of patients 45 years, dPCR-). Imatinib can be safely discontinued in the setting of continued PCR negativity; age and dPCR results can predict relapse.