University of Palermo

About: University of Palermo is a education organization based out in Palermo, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 15621 authors who have published 40250 publications receiving 964384 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Palermo & Universita degli Studi di Palermo.

A simplified falling-head technique for rapid determination of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity

Abstract: Simplified measurements of the field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, K fs , require short duration experiments, small water volumes, and easily transportable equipment. A simplified falling-head (SFH) technique for the rapid determination of K fs has been developed and tested. The technique consists in applying a small volume of water on a soil surface, confined by a ring inserted a short distance into the soil, and then measuring the time from the application of water to the instant at which the surface area is no longer covered by water. A measurement of the initial and field-saturated soil water contents, and an estimate of the α* parameter of the Gardner's exponential model are then used to calculate K fs using a simple solution that includes gravity. The K fs of both repacked and undisturbed soil cores was determined in the laboratory by the SFH and the early time constant-head (ECH) techniques. The SFH and (constant-head) pressure infiltrometer (PI) techniques were then compared in the field. The maximum discrepancy between the mean K fs results obtained within an experiment was of a factor of approximately two. This difference is negligible in most practical applications and it was concluded that the SFH technique compared favorably with the ECH technique in the laboratory and to the PI technique in the field. The SFH technique appears promising for determining K fs in a relatively short period of time without the need for extensive instrumentation or analytical methodology, and therefore it appears suitable for detailed field measurements over large areas.

Molecular dynamics, dynamic site mapping, and highthroughput virtual screening on leptin and the Ob receptor as anti-obesity target

Abstract: Body weight control is a mechanism finely regulated by several hormonal, metabolic, and nervous pathways. The leptin receptor (Ob-R) is crucial for energy homeostasis and regulation of food uptake. Leptin is a 16 kDa hormone that is mainly secreted by fat cells into the bloodstream, and under normal circumstances, circulating levels are proportionate to the fat body mass. Sensing of elevated leptin levels by the hypothalamic neurocircutry activates a negative feedback loop resulting in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. Decreased concentrations lead to opposite effects. Therefore rational design of leptin agonists constitute an appealing challenge in the battle against obesity. In this study, we performed protein-protein docking among the re-built crystal structure of leptin and leptin binding domain (LBD). The obtained complex was used as a starting point to carry out nanosecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the key regions in terms of physical-chemical features involved in the protein-protein interaction (dynamic site mapping filtered by means multivariate analysis) and used to carry out a HTVS. The main goal of this study was to suggest guidelines for the rational drug design of new agonists of leptin. Identified hits could be a consistent starting point to carry out in vitro testing.

Oral Cromolyn Sodium in Comparison with Elimination Diet in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrheic Type Multicenter Study of 428 Patients

Abstract: Background: In a significant number of patients affected by the irritable bowel syndrome, an adverse reaction to food is proposed to be a causative factor. A diet that eliminates the offending food...

In vivo targeting of human neutralizing antibodies against CD55 and CD59 to lymphoma cells increases the antitumor activity of rituximab.

Abstract: An in vivo model of human CD20+ B-lymphoma was established in severe combined immunodeficiency mice to test the ability of human neutralizing miniantibodies to CD55 and CD59 (MB55 and MB59) to enhance the therapeutic effect of rituximab. The miniantibodies contained single-chain fragment variables and the hinge-CH2-CH3 domains of human IgG(1). LCL2 cells were selected for the in vivo study among six B-lymphoma cell lines for their high susceptibility to rituximab-dependent complement-mediated killing enhanced by MB55 and MB59. The cells injected i.p. primarily colonized the liver and spleen, leading to the death of the animals within 30 to 40 days. Thirty percent of mice receiving biotin-labeled rituximab (25 microg) i.p. on days 4 and 11 after cell injection survived to 120 days. Administration of biotin-labeled rituximab, followed by avidin (40 microg) and biotin-labeled MB55-MB59 (100 microg) at 4-h intervals after each injection resulted in the survival of 70% of mice. Surprisingly, 40% of mice survived after the sole injection of avidin and biotin-labeled MB55-MB59, an observation consistent with the in vitro data showing that the miniantibodies induced killing of approximately 25% cells through antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. In conclusion, MB55 and MB59 targeted to tumor cells represent a valuable tool to enhance the therapeutic effect of rituximab and other complement-fixing antitumor antibodies.