University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

About: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is a education organization based out in Modena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 8179 authors who have published 22418 publications receiving 671337 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia & Universita degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia.

Rare Breast Cancer Subtypes: Histological, Molecular, and Clinical Peculiarities

Abstract: Breast cancer encompasses a collection of different diseases characterized by different biological and pathological features, clinical presentation, response to treatments, clinical behavior, and outcome. On the basis of cell morphology, growth, and architecture patterns, breast cancer can be classified in up to 21 distinct histological types. Breast cancer special types, including the classic lobular invasive carcinoma, represent 25% of all breast cancers. The histological diversity of breast carcinomas has relevant prognostic implications. Indeed, the rare breast cancer group includes subtypes with very different prognoses, ranging from the tubular carcinoma, associated with an indolent clinical course, to metaplastic cancer, whose outcome is generally unfavorable. New approaches based on gene expression profiling allow the identification of molecularly defined breast cancer classes, with distinct biological features and clinical behavior. In clinical practice, immunohistochemical classification based on the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and Ki67 is applied as a surrogate of the intrinsic molecular subtypes. However, the identification of intrinsic molecular subtypes were almost completely limited to the study of ductal invasive breast cancer. Moreover, some good-prognosis triple-negative histotypes, on the basis of gene expression profiling, can be classified among the poor-prognosis group. Therefore, histopathological classification remains a crucial component of breast cancer diagnosis. Special histologies can be very rare, and the majority of information on outcome and treatments derives from small series and case reports. As a consequence, clear recommendations about clinical management are still lacking. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about rare breast cancer histologies.

Functional genetic polymorphisms and female reproductive disorders: Part I: polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian response

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The identification of polymorphisms associated with a disease can help to elucidate its pathogenesis, and this knowledge can be used to improve prognosis for women with a particular disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS). Since an altered response to ovarian stimulation is also a characteristic of the disease, further knowledge about its aetiology could help in defining the parameters that determine the response of an individual to ovarian stimulation. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for gene association studies published until the end of August 2007, using search criteria relevant to PCOS and ovarian response to stimulation. Data from additional papers identified through hand searches were also included; 139 publications were reviewed. RESULTS: Several genes involved in ovarian function and metabolism are associated with increased susceptibility to PCOS, but none is strong enough to correlate alone with susceptibility to the disease, or response to therapy. A single- nucleotide polymorphism in exon 10 of the FSH receptor ( FSHR) gene, FSHR p. N680S, was consistently identified as having a significant association with ovarian response to FSH. CONCLUSIONS: No consistent association between gene polymorphism and PCOS could be identified. The FSHR gene may play a significant role in the success of ovarian stimulation, and can be used as a marker to predict differences in FSHR function and ovarian response to FSH. Genotyping the FSHR p. N680S polymorphism may provide a means of identifying a population of poor responders before in vitro fertilization procedures are initiated.

Single cell oils of the cold-adapted oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula glacialis DBVPG 4785

Abstract: Background: The production of microbial lipids has attracted considerable interest during the past decade since they can be successfully used to produce biodiesel by catalyzed transesterification with short chain alcohols. Certain yeast species, including several psychrophilic isolates, are oleaginous and accumulate lipids from 20 to 70% of biomass under appropriate cultivation conditions. Among them, Rhodotorula glacialis is a psychrophilic basidiomycetous species capable to accumulate intracellular lipids. Results: Rhodotorula glacialis DBVPG 4785 is an oleaginous psychrophilic yeast isolated from a glacial environment. Despite its origin, the strain abundantly grew and accumulated lipids between -3 to 20°C. The temperature did not influence the yield coefficients of both biomass and lipids production, but had positive effect on the growth rate and thus on volumetric productivity of lipid. In glucose-based media, cellular multiplication occurred first, while the lipogenic phase followed whenever the culture was limited by a nutrient other than glucose. The extent of the carbon excess had positive effects on triacylglycerols production, that was maximum with 120 g L -1 glucose, in terms of lipid concentration (19 g L -1 ), lipid/biomass (68%) and lipid/glucose yields (16%). Both glucose concentration and growth temperature influenced the composition of fatty acids, whose unsaturation degree decreased when the temperature or glucose excess increased. Conclusions: This study is the first proposed biotechnological application for Rhodotorula glacialis species, whose oleaginous biomass accumulates high amounts of lipids within a wide range of temperatures through appropriate cultivation C:N ratio. Although R. glacialis DBVPG 4785 is a cold adapted yeast, lipid production occurs over a broad range of temperatures and it can be considered an interesting microorganism for the production of single cell oils.

Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case–control study

Abstract: Summary Background During recent years numerous studies have suggested that personal and environmental factors might influence cancer development Objectives To investigate environmental and personal characteristics associated with skin cancer risk Methods A multicentre hospital-based case–control study was performed in Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Scotland and Spain, including 409 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 602 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 360 with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and 1550 control persons Exposures were assessed by questionnaires that were partly self-administered, partly completed by dermatologists Unconditional logistic regression modelling was used to assess associations including the influence of certain drugs and food items on skin cancer risk Results The usual associations were observed for sun exposure and pigmentation characteristics, with chronic sun exposure being most strongly associated with SCC risk, and naevi and atypical naevi with CMM risk Use of ciprofloxacin was associated with a decreased risk of BCC [odds ratio (OR) 0·33] and use of thiazide diuretics was associated with an increased risk of SCC (OR 1·66) Ciprofloxacin was also associated with SCC (OR 0·34) and thiazines with BCC (OR 2·04), but these associations lost significance after correction for multiple testing Consumption of pomegranate, rich in antioxidants, was associated with decreased BCC and SCC risk, also after correcting for multiple testing Recent experience of stressful events was associated with increased risk, particularly of CMM Conclusions In this large case–control study from across Europe the expected associations were observed for known risk factors Some new potential protective factors and potential risk factors were identified for consumption of certain food items, medication use and stress, which deserve further investigation in future studies