University of Naples Federico II

About: University of Naples Federico II is a education organization based out in Naples, Campania, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 29291 authors who have published 68803 publications receiving 1920149 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II & Naples University.

Long-term outcome of lithium prophylaxis in bipolar disorder: a 5-year prospective study of 402 patients at a lithium clinic.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In this prospective study, information was collected on all bipolar I patients who started lithium prophylaxis at a lithium clinic during more than 15 years. METHOD: Patients were evaluated bimonthly with standardized instruments for as long as they took lithium. Treatment surveillance conformed to internationally accepted guidelines. Five years after starting prophylaxis, each patient was contacted for a follow-up interview. RESULTS: Of the 402 enrolled patients, 27.9% were no longer taking lithium at follow-up; 38.1% were taking lithium and had had at least one recurrence of the disorder; and 23.4% were taking lithium and had had no recurrence. Among patients still taking lithium whose plasma lithium levels had been below 0.5 mmol/liter on no more than 10% of checks, 88.0% had at least a 50% reduction in mean annual time spent in the hospital compared to a reference pretreatment period, and 43.0% had had no recurrence. Patients not taking lithium at follow-up had a poorer outcome than those t...

Preferred conformations of peptides containing α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids

Abstract: The conformational preferences of linear peptides containing α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids, derived from the crystal structures of 28 compounds, are reviewed. In particular, the sensitivity of peptide conformation to the geometry of these unusual amino acids is underlined. We also consider possible future directions of research, which, we hope, will result in a complete understanding of the structures adopted by peptaibol antibiotics.

Neurotrophic Factor BDNF, Physiological Functions and Therapeutic Potential in Depression, Neurodegeneration and Brain Cancer.

Abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most distributed and extensively studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain. BDNF signals through the tropomycin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and the low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). BDNF plays an important role in proper growth, development, and plasticity of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses and through modulation of neuronal differentiation, it influences serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. BDNF acts as paracrine and autocrine factor, on both pre-synaptic and post-synaptic target sites. It is crucial in the transformation of synaptic activity into long-term synaptic memories. BDNF is considered an instructive mediator of functional and structural plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS), influencing dendritic spines and, at least in the hippocampus, the adult neurogenesis. Changes in the rate of adult neurogenesis and in spine density can influence several forms of learning and memory and can contribute to depression-like behaviors. The possible roles of BDNF in neuronal plasticity highlighted in this review focus on the effect of antidepressant therapies on BDNF-mediated plasticity. Moreover, we will review data that illustrate the role of BDNF as a potent protective factor that is able to confer protection against neurodegeneration, in particular in Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we will give evidence of how the involvement of BDNF in the pathogenesis of brain glioblastoma has emerged, thus opening new avenues for the treatment of this deadly cancer.

Protein oligomerization modulates raft partitioning and apical sorting of GPI-anchored proteins.

Abstract: An essential but insufficient step for apical sorting of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) in epithelial cells is their association with detergent-resistant microdomains (DRMs) or rafts In this paper, we show that in MDCK cells both apical and basolateral GPI-APs associate with DRMs during their biosynthesis However, only apical and not basolateral GPI-APs are able to oligomerize into high molecular weight complexes Protein oligomerization begins in the medial Golgi, concomitantly with DRM association, and is dependent on protein-protein interactions Impairment of oligomerization leads to protein missorting We propose that oligomerization stabilizes GPI-APs into rafts and that this additional step is required for apical sorting of GPI-APs Two alternative apical sorting models are presented

Normative data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in an Italian population sample

Abstract: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid screening battery, also including subtests to assess frontal functions such as set-shifting, abstraction and cognitive flexibility. MoCA seems to be useful to identify non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subcortical dementia; it has high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing MCI from mild Alzheimer’s Disease. Previous studies revealed that certain items of MoCA may be culturally biased and highlighted the need for population-based norms for the MoCA. The aim of present study was to collect normative values in a sample of Italian healthy subjects. Four hundred and fifteen Italian healthy subjects (252 women and 163 men) of different ages (age range 21–95 years) and educational level (from primary to university) underwent MoCA and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and education significantly influenced performance on MoCA. No significant effect of gender was found. From the derived linear equation, a correction grid for MoCA raw scores was built. Inferential cut-off score, estimated using a non-parametric technique, is 15.5 and equivalent scores were computed. Correlation analysis showed a significant but weak correlation between MoCA adjusted scores with MMSE adjusted scores (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). The present study provided normative data for the MoCA in an Italian population useful for both clinical and research purposes.