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M Cardone

Publications and source records attributed to M Cardone.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Role of television in childhood obesity prevention.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of television as tool for childhood obesity prevention. METHOD: Review of the available literature about the relationship between television and childhood obesity, eating habits and body shape perception. RESULTS: The reviewed studies showed the following: television watching replaces more vigorous activities; there is a positive correlation between time spent watching television and being overweight or obese on populations of different age; obesity prevalence has increased as well as the number of hours that TV networks dedicate to children; during the last 30 y, the rate of children watching television for more than 4 h per day seems to have increased; children are exposed to a large number of important unhealthy stimulations in terms of food intake when watching television; over the last few years, the number of television food commercials targeting children have increased especially when it comes to junk food in all of its forms; the present use of food in movies, shows and cartoons may lead to a misconception of the notion of healthy nutrition and stimulate an excessive intake of poor nutritional food; and obese subjects shown in television programmes are in a much lower percentage than in real life and are depicted as being unattractive, unsuccessful and ridiculous or with other negative traits and this is likely to result in a worsening of the isolation in which obese subjects are often forced. The different European countries have different TV legislations. CONCLUSION: The usual depiction of food and obesity in television has many documented negative consequences on food habits and patterns. The different national regulations on programs and advertising directed to children could have a role in the different prevalence of childhood obesity in different European countries. Television could be a convenient tool to spread correct information on good nutrition and obesity prevention.

Advertising↗
PubMed2001

Identification of small-molecule inhibitors of interaction between the BH3 domain and Bcl-xL.

To study the role of the BH3 domain in mediating pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic activities of Bcl-2 family members, we identified a series of novel small molecules (BH3Is) that inhibit the binding of the Bak BH3 peptide to Bcl-xL. NMR analyses revealed that BH3Is target the BH3-binding pocket of Bcl-xL. Inhibitors specifically block the BH3-domain-mediated heterodimerization between Bcl-2 family members in vitro and in vivo and induce apoptosis. Our results indicate that BH3-dependent heterodimerization is the key function of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members and is required for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

A novel case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A associated with two de novo mutations of the RET protooncogene.

We report a novel case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) associated with two mutations of the protooncogene RET. One affects codon 634 and causes a cysteine to arginine substitution; the second at codon 640 causes an alanine to glycine substitution in the transmembrane region. The two mutations were present on the same RET allele and were detected in germline and tumor DNA. Both mutations were de novo, i.e. they were not found in the DNA of the parents or relatives. Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis showed that the pheochromocytoma expressed calcitonin as well as both RET alleles. A cell line established from the tumor and propagated in culture sustained the expression of RET and calcitonin, as did the original pheochromocytoma. Because the patient presented with medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma without parathyroid gland involvement, we speculate that this clinical picture could be correlated with the two RET mutations and to the unusual calcitonin production. This is the first report of a MEN 2A case due to two mutations of the RET gene and associated with a calcitonin-producing pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Mutations in the extracellular domain cause RET loss of function by a dominant negative mechanism.

The RET proto-oncogene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor expressed in neuroectoderm-derived cells. Mutations in specific regions of the gene are responsible for the tumor syndromes multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B (MEN 2A and 2B), while mutations along the entire gene are involved in a developmental disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR disease). Two mutants in the extracellular domain of RET, one associated with HSCR disease and one carrying a flag epitope, were analyzed to investigate the impact of the mutations on RET function. Both mutants were impeded in their maturation, resulting in the lack of the 170-kDa mature form and the accumulation of the 150-kDa immature form in the endoplasmic reticulum. Although not exposed on the cell surface, the 150-kDa species formed dimers and aggregates; this was more pronounced in a double mutant bearing a MEN 2A mutation. Tyrosine phosphorylation and the transactivation potential were drastically reduced in single and double mutants. Finally, in cotransfection experiments both mutants exerted a dominant negative effect over protoRET and RET2A through the formation of a heteromeric complex that prevents their maturation and function. These results suggest that HSCR mutations in the extracellular region cause RET loss of function through a dominant negative mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Post therapeutic PNX empyema].

Nowadays post-therapeutic PNX empyema represents a rare event because of the discovery of antitubercular drugs. The authors describe one of this cases utilizing the physiopathological theories formulated by Monaldi in 1935. These theories are still both actual and valid.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1995

Wortmannin inhibits transcytosis of dimeric IgA by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor.

Phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) plays an essential role in numerous signaling events, and increasingly has been implicated in regulation of certain membrane traffic events. The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) transcytoses dimeric IgA (dIgA) across epithelial cells and into external secretions, where the dIgA forms the first specific immunological defense against infection. We show here that wortmannin, a highly specific inhibitor of PI3K, inhibits transcytosis of dIgA by the pIgR. Instead, the dIgA is recycled back to the basolateral surface of the epithelial cell. PI3K therefore plays an essential role in regulating the transcytosis of dIgA, a key step in the mucosal immune response.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed1995

Functional role of nitric oxide in guinea pig tracheal epithelium.

Nitric oxide (NO) may play an important regulatory role in airway function. We have, thus, investigated in vitro whether epithelium derived NO may modulate cholinergic neurotransmission, via release of NO in guinea pig trachea, by using L-arginine (L-ARG), a precursor of NO synthesis, and L-N(G)-nitro-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase. Results show that L-ARG and L-NAME modify acetylcholine sensitivity in epithelium-intact smooth muscle preparations, suggesting a probable NO synthesis by tracheal guinea pig epithelium.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of the inhibition of allergen-specific and nonspecific skin responses by topical oxatomide].

A double blind study against placebo was carried out in order to assess the inhibition induced by oxatomide gel in specific and aspecific cutaneous responses (prick test). Twenty allergic patients (8 M, 12 F) aged between 15 and 59 years (average 31) were treated for 7 days with oxatomide gel 5% or with placebo (2 applications a day). The results show a significant reduction of itching and of wheal size (considering either major diameter and area) only in the oxatomide group (p less than 0.01 between times and p less than 0.001 between treatments), whereas among controls itching remained unchanged and wheal size increased. During the follow-up a gradual return of wheal size to initial values in the patients treated was observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Computerized methods in the diagnosis and prognosis of surgically treated bilio-pancreatic diseases].

Multivaried and trend analyses were applied to a set of 27 periodic haematochemical checks on 37 patients given surgery for biliopancreatic pathology. Preoperative and postoperative data were separately analysed. The software employed was specially designed for the purpose. The discriminating function was used in the preoperative period to establish the best moment for diagnosis, which turns out to be 5 days after admission to hospital. Variance and regression analyses were used for short term prognosis by calculating survival chances. In one case the prognosis turned out to be distinctly inaccurate.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mixed tumors, myoepitheliomas, and oncocytomas of the soft tissues are likely members of the same family: a clinicopathologic and ultrastructural study.

Four diagnostically unusual soft tissue tumors are presented. All lesions were of consistent size and long duration. Histologically, one lesion was analogous to mixed tumors of the usual sites (i.e., salivary glands), one lesion was totally spindled, and the two other lesions both had oncocytic appearances (epithelioid and spindle biphasic pattern in a case, purely epithelioid in the other). Immunohistochemically, the mixed tumor was positive for vimentin, cytokeratins, S-100 protein, and focally for EMA. The purely spindled tumor exhibited immunoreactivity for vimentin, actins, S-100 protein, EMA (focally), and GFAP. The oncocytic biphasic tumor was positive for mitochondrial antigen, vimentin, and actins. The purely epithelioid oncocytic neoplasm was immunoreactive only for mitochondrial antigen and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, in the epithelial-like portion of the first (mixed) tumor, peripheral arrays of contractile filaments were detected along with well-developed desmosomes. In the second (spindled) case, peripheral contractile filaments and attenuated desmosomes were also seen. In the third case, a huge number of mitochondria, some desmosomes, and actin-type microfilaments were found. In the fourth case, desmosomes and punctate subplasmalemmal densities, in addition to numerous mitochondria, were documented. In all cases an external basal lamina were present, which was discontinuous in the first three cases and almost continuous in the fourth. These tumors were respectively designated as mixed tumor, myoepithelioma of the classic type, myoepithelioma of oncocytic type with biphasic cell architecture, and true oncocytoma. So far, all tumors have followed benign clinical courses (median follow up: 12 months). Comparisons with similar tumors of other sites are drawn, and suggestions for considering all of them as members of the same myoepithelial-derived tumor family are given.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of lysozyme and mucin (MUC2 and MUC3) mRNA in human bronchus.

Immunocytochemical studies have shown that gel-forming glycoproteins (mucins) and the bacteriolytic protein lysozyme are selectively expressed in airway mucous and serous cells, respectively. The mechanisms mediating this selectivity are unknown. In this study, we localized mucin and lysozyme mRNA by in situ hybridization to investigate the possibility that phenotype-specific expression of these proteins is controlled at the level of mRNA. Radiolabelled sense and antisense probes were constructed from the human tracheal mucin cDNA, HAM1 (MUC2 gene), the human small intestinal mucin cDNA, SIB139 (MUC3 gene), and the bovine tracheal lysozyme cDNA, Lys 7a. Frozen sections of human bronchus were hybridized with these probes and washed under routine conditions. Autoradiography showed that although lysozyme mRNA was strictly limited to cells expressing lysozyme, mucin mRNA was present both in mucin-expressing and mucin-non-expressing epithelial cells. This suggests that the restriction of lysozyme to serous cells is controlled at the level of mRNA (synthesis and/or degradation), whereas the restriction of mucin to mucous cells is controlled at the level of translation.

Blotting, Northern↗