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.

Oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity is dependent on the organic cation transporter OCT2

Abstract: Oxaliplatin is an integral component of colorectal cancer therapy, but its clinical use is associated with a dose-limiting peripheral neurotoxicity. We found that the organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) is expressed on dorsal root ganglia cells within the nervous system where oxaliplatin is known to accumulate. Cellular uptake of oxaliplatin was increased by 16- to 35-fold in cells overexpressing mouse Oct2 or human OCT2, and this process was associated with increased DNA platination and oxaliplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, genetic or pharmacologic knockout of Oct2 protected mice from hypersensitivity to cold or mechanical-induced allodynia, which are established tests to assess acute oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity. These findings provide a rationale for the development of targeted approaches to mitigate this debilitating toxicity.

Local Welfare Systems: A Challenge for Social Cohesion

Abstract: In recent decades, local welfare systems have been emerging in many Western countries as a consequence of bottom–up and top–down transformative pressures. Local welfare systems are defined as dynamic arrangements in which the specific local socioeconomic and cultural conditions give rise to different mixes of formal and informal actors, public or not, involved in the provision of welfare resources. This article presents some of the most important implications related to the emergence of local welfare systems and the challenges they face in seeking to build social cohesion. After a brief description of the reasons that justify a local approach to welfare, an account is provided of the scientific debate on local welfare and an indication given of the possible relations and tensions between the emergence of local welfare systems and the production of social cohesion.