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R Stanzione

Publications and source records attributed to R Stanzione.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A role of TNF-alpha gene variant on juvenile ischemic stroke: a case-control study.

The role of genetic factors in the individual predisposition to develop ischemic stroke has been assessed by previous studies performed both in animal models and in humans. The main goal of the current investigation was to determine the possible contribution of genes encoding procoagulant and inflammatory factors on the occurrence of ischemic stroke in a cohort of young cases and corresponding controls. One hundred and fifteen cases of ischemic stroke were recruited for this study. A detailed clinical assessment, a definite etiologic diagnosis, as well as the presence/absence of known risk factors for ischemic stroke were obtained for each patient. As a control group 180 healthy, unrelated subjects were included. The whole population was screened for polymorphisms belonging to genes encoding FII, FV, alpha-fibrinogen, beta-fibrinogen, GP IIb/IIIa, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin 1-beta. Hypertension was the most important risk factor for ischemic stroke in our cohort [OR = 6.9, confidence interval (CI) 2.9-16.7, P < 0.0001]. Among all genes tested, the TNF-alpha gene variant exerted a significant, independent effect on individual predisposition to ischemic stroke occurrence (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.01-3.3, P < 0.05). Our findings, obtained in a cohort of young Italian patients, may support the existence of a direct contributory role of TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine protein, in the susceptibility to brain damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Variations of proline-rich kinase Pyk2 expression correlate with prostate cancer progression.

Proline-rich kinase 2 (Pyk2), also known as CAKbeta (cell adhesion kinase beta), is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is structurally related to focal adhesion kinase. Pyk2 is expressed in different cell types including brain cells, fibroblasts, platelets, and other hemopoietic cells. Pyk2 is rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated in response to diverse extracellular signals acting via different post receptor pathways. We have investigated whether this protein kinase is functionally expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate tissues. In this study, we demonstrate that Pyk2 is expressed only in normal epithelial prostate tissue and in benign prostatic hyperplasia, whereas its expression progressively declines with an increasing grade of malignancy of prostate cancer.

Enzyme Activation↗
PubMed2001

Genetic susceptibility to cerebrovascular accidents.

Cerebrovascular accidents are the third leading cause of death after myocardial infarction and cancer in all Western societies. A more complete understanding of the pathogenetic determinants of stroke is required in order to achieve a better prevention and treatment of this common disease. Recently, based on convincing epidemiological and experimental evidence, the concept of stroke as a complex, multifactorial, polygenic disease has been well assessed. Thus, together with known modifiable determinants, such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, cardiac diseases and diabetes, specific hereditary factors for stroke are now taken into account when analysing the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular accidents. In particular, there have recently been important findings related to the genetic basis of stroke in suitable animal models and in humans, thus representing the promise of a more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of stroke in the future and of a more specific preventive and therapeutic approach to this common pathological condition.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Association between the expression of E1A oncogene and increased sensitivity to growth inhibition induced by sustained levels of cAMP in rat thyroid cells.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) whether a persistent increase of cAMP interferes with the proliferation of transformed thyroid cells, and (ii) whether the degree of malignancy is correlated with the sensitivity to a transient and/or sustained increase in intracellular cAMP levels. DESIGN AND METHODS: To address these questions we used thyroid cell lines transformed with E1A oncogene from adenoviruses 5 (PC E1A cell line) or 2 (PC HE4 cell line), or infected with the polyoma murine leukemia virus (PC PyMLV cell line) carrying the middle T gene of the polyoma virus, or, finally, expressing both E1A and PyMLV. These cell lines present various degrees of malignancy: PC EIA and PC HE4 cells are not tumorigenic; PC PyMLV cells induce non-invasive tumors after a long latency period; and PC EIA+PyMLV cells are highly tumorigenic. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid cell proliferation required the transient increase of intracellular cAMP levels, while persistent elevation of cAMP blocked the proliferation of normal thyroid PC Cl 3 cells and of PC Cl 3 cells transformed by a variety of different oncogenes. In addition, sustained levels of cAMP induced apoptosis in cells carrying the adenovirus EIA oncogene, but not in cells transformed with other oncogenes or in the wild-type PC Cl 3 cells. Furthermore, middle T gene of the polyoma virus seemed to afford protection only from apoptosis induced by cAMP when middle T is present in thyroid cells along with the E1A gene.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Endogenous insulin-like growth factors regulate the proliferation of TSH-independent mutants derived from FRTL5 cells.

TSH-independent mutant clones (M cells) derived from FRTL5 cells, proliferate vigorously in the absence of TSH. The growth of M cells is stimulated by IGF-I in a dose-dependent fashion, but it is not influenced by TSH. Sm1.2, an antibody against IGF-I cross-reacting with IGF-II, significantly decreases basal DNA synthesis in the M cells. Binding of 125I-IGF-I to M cells is significantly lower than that to FRTL5 cells. M cells produce in their culture medium IGF-like peptides which appear to influence their basal DNA synthesis and the availability of type I receptors to bind exogenous IGF-I.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

C-Jun phosphorylation (Ser-63) in the testis of the lizard, Podarcis s. sicula.

Proto-oncogenes play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation. C-Jun activity has been studied in the testis of a non mammalian vertebrate, the lizard Podarcis s. sicula, during two different periods: winter stasis and the breeding season. C-Jun protein was localized by immunocytochemistry in the cytoplasm of the spermatogonia (SPG) and stage I and II spermatocytes (SPC) during the winter stasis (from December until March), while the protein was present in the nuclei of the same cells during the active spermatogenic period (April/May). The different localization of c-Jun has been confirmed by Western blot and immunoprecipitation analysis. In addition, when Jun is present in the nuclear compartment, it is phosphorylated on Ser-63 and is complexed with Fos protein. These data suggest that the nuclear localization of the Jun protein in the SPG and stage I and II SPC, with strong phosphorylation on Ser-63 during the breeding period, could be the signal of increasing transcriptional activity in the lizard testis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bone marrow scanning (author's transl)].

Personal experience of Technetium-99m-sulfur colloid in the scintiscanning of bone marrow is reported. The method offers technical advantages over other methods and superior protection, while its only limitation is that it does not permit a dynamic study of hematopoiesis. Four pathologic scans typical of four groups of diseases may be distinguished. Further, metastatic bone marrow localisations can be diagnosed much earlier and more precisely than by radiography.

Bone Marrow↗