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.

Roles of HMGA proteins in cancer.

Abstract: High mobility group A (HMGA) proteins alter chromatin structure and therefore affect the transcription of large sets of genes. This can contribute to both benign and malignant disease in several ways. The high mobility group A (HMGA) non-histone chromatin proteins alter chromatin structure and thereby regulate the transcription of several genes by either enhancing or suppressing transcription factors. This protein family is implicated, through different mechanisms, in both benign and malignant neoplasias. Rearrangements of HMGA genes are a feature of most benign human mesenchymal tumours. Conversely, unrearranged HMGA overexpression is a feature of malignant tumours and is also causally related to neoplastic cell transformation. Here, we focus on the role of the HMGA proteins in human neoplastic diseases, the mechanisms by which they contribute to carcinogenesis, and therapeutic strategies based on targeting HMGA proteins.

Ruxolitinib versus Standard Therapy for the Treatment of Polycythemia Vera

Abstract: Background Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2 inhibitor, was shown to have a clinical benefit in patients with polycythemia vera in a phase 2 study. We conducted a phase 3 open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib versus standard therapy in patients with polycythemia vera who had an inadequate response to or had unacceptable side effects from hydroxyurea. Methods We randomly assigned phlebotomy-dependent patients with splenomegaly, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive ruxolitinib (110 patients) or standard therapy (112 patients). The primary end point was both hematocrit control through week 32 and at least a 35% reduction in spleen volume at week 32, as assessed by means of imaging. Results The primary end point was achieved in 21% of the patients in the ruxolitinib group versus 1% of those in the standard-therapy group (P<0.001). Hematocrit control was achieved in 60% of patients receiving ruxolitinib and 20% of those receiving standard therapy; 38% and 1% of patients in the two g...

Observation of the suppression of the flux of cosmic rays above 4x10(19) eV

Abstract: The energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 2.5 x 10;{18} eV, derived from 20,000 events recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory, is described. The spectral index gamma of the particle flux, J proportional, variantE;{-gamma}, at energies between 4 x 10;{18} eV and 4 x 10;{19} eV is 2.69+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.06(syst), steepening to 4.2+/-0.4(stat)+/-0.06(syst) at higher energies. The hypothesis of a single power law is rejected with a significance greater than 6 standard deviations. The data are consistent with the prediction by Greisen and by Zatsepin and Kuz'min.

Inhibition of Growth Factor Production and Angiogenesis in Human Cancer Cells by ZD1839 (Iressa), a Selective Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor,

Abstract: The transforming growth factor-alpha/epidermal growth factor receptor (TGF-alpha-EGFR) autocrine pathway, which is involved in the development and the progression of human epithelial cancers, controls, in part, the production of angiogenic factors. These angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), are secreted by cancer cells to stimulate normal endothelial cell growth through paracrine mechanisms. ZD1839 (Iressa) is a p.o.-active, selective EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in clinical trials in cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated the antiangiogenic and antitumor activity of ZD1839 in human colon (GEO, SW480, and CaCo2), breast (ZR-75-1 and MCF-7 ADR), ovarian (OVCAR-3), and gastric (KATO III and N87) cancer cells that coexpress TGF-alpha and EGFR. ZD1839 treatment determined a dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition accompanied by the decrease of VEGF, bFGF and TGF-alpha production in vitro. Treatment of immunodeficient mice bearing well-established, palpable GEO xenografts with ZD1839 determined a cytostatic dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition. Immunohistochemical analysis of GEO tumor xenografts after ZD1839 treatment revealed a significant dose-dependent reduction of TGF-alpha, bFGF, and VEGF expression in cancer cells and of neoangiogenesis, as determined by microvessel count. Furthermore, the antitumor activity of ZD1839 was potentiated in combination with the cytotoxic drug paclitaxel in GEO tumor xenografts. Tumor regression was observed in all mice after treatment with ZD1839 plus paclitaxel, and it was accompanied by a significant potentiation in inhibition of TGF-alpha, VEGF, and bFGF expression with a few or no microvessels. Furthermore, 6 of 16 mice bearing well-established, palpable GEO xenografts had no histological evidence of GEO tumors at the end of treatment with ZD1839 plus paclitaxel. These results demonstrate that the antitumor effect of ZD1839 is accompanied by inhibition in the production of autocrine and paracrine growth factors that sustain autonomous local growth and facilitate angiogenesis, and that this effect can be potentiated by the combined treatment with certain cytotoxic drugs, such as paclitaxel.

Singularity-robust task-priority redundancy resolution for real-time kinematic control of robot manipulators

Abstract: Practical application of the task-priority redundancy resolution technique must deal with the occurrence of kinematic and algorithmic singularities. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, the application of existing singularity-robust methods to the case of kinematically redundant arms is studied. Then, a new task-priority redundancy resolution technique is developed that overcomes the effects of algorithmic singularities. Computational aspects of the solutions are also considered in view of real-time implementation of a kinematic control algorithm. The method is applied to a seven-degree-of-freedom manipulator in numerical case studies to demonstrate its effectiveness.