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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor in adults, characterized by aggressive growth, limited response to therapy, and inexorable recurrence. Because of the extremely unfavorable prognosis of GBM, it is important to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on biologically and clinically relevant patient stratification systems. Analyzing a collection of patient-derived GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) by gene expression profiling, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and signal transduction pathway activation, we identified two GSC clusters characterized by different clinical features. Due to the widely documented role played by microRNAs (miRNAs) in the tumorigenesis process, in this study we explored whether these two GBM patient subtypes could also be discriminated by different miRNA signatures. Global miRNA expression pattern was analyzed by oblique principal component analysis and principal component analysis. By a combined inferential strategy on PCA results, we identified a reduced set of three miRNAs - miR-23a, miR-27a, and miR-9* (miR-9-3p) - able to discriminate the proneural- and mesenchymal-like GSC phenotypes as well as mesenchymal and proneural subtypes of primary GBM included in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant correlation between the selected miRNAs and overall survival in 429 GBM specimens from TCGA-identifying patients who had an unfavorable outcome. The survival prognostic capability of the three-miRNA signatures could have important implications for the understanding of the biology of GBM subtypes and could be useful in patient stratification to facilitate interpretation of results from clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial biofilms are known to support a number of human infections, including those related to medical devices. This work is focused on the development of novel dual-function amphiphilic random copolymers to be employed as coatings for medical devices. Particularly, copolymers were obtained by polymerization of an antimicrobial cationic monomer (bearing tertiary amine) and an antioxidant and antimicrobial hydrophobic monomer (containing hydroxytyrosol, HTy). To obtain copolymers with various amphiphilic balance, different molar ratios of the two monomers were used. 1 H NMR and DSC analyses evidenced that HTy aromatic rings are able to interact with each other leading to a supra-macromolecular re-arrangement and decrease the copolymer size in water. All copolymers showed good antioxidant activity and Fe 2+ chelating ability. Cytotoxicity and hemolytic tests evidenced that the amphiphilic balance, cationic charge density and polymer size in solution are key determinants for polymer biocompatibility. As for the antimicrobial properties, the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC = 40 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus epidermidis was shown by the water-soluble copolymer having the highest HTy molar content (0.3). This copolymer layered onto catheter surfaces was also able to prevent staphylococcal adhesion. This approach permits not only prevention of biofilm infections but also reduction of the risk of emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Indeed, the combination of two active compounds in the same polymer can provide a synergistic action against biofilms and suppress reactive species oxygen (ROS), known to promote the occurrence of antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. The cancer stem cell hypothesis postulates the existence within GBM of a small fraction of self-renewing cells with stem like properties (GSCs), resistant to conventional treatments. Metabolic profiling may contribute to discover new diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers to be used for personalized therapies. Methods Forty-four GSC lines, derived from GBM patients were analyzed via MR spectroscopy as described in [1]. Unsupervised Cluster analysis of MR data was performed to identify GSC subgroups with different metabolic profiles. Responses to treatment with oligomycin and etomoxir were examined by MRS and confocal microscopy. Results Clustering of GSCs evidenced three subgroups: Clusters 1a and 1b, with high intergroup similarity and neural fingerprints, and Cluster 2, with a metabolism typical of commercial tumor lines (Fig. 1) according to [2]. Subclones generated by the same GSC line showed different metabolic phenotypes. Aerobic glycolysis prevailed in Cluster 2 cells as demonstrated by higher lactate production compared to Cluster 1 cells. Oligomycin, a mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor, induced high lactate extrusion only in Cluster 1 cells, where it produced neutral lipid accumulation detected as mobile lipid signals (MRS) and as lipid droplets (confocal microscopy). Conclusions These results indicate a relevant role of mitochondrial fatty acids oxidation for energy production in GSCs. On the other hand, further metabolic differences, likely accounting for different therapy responsiveness observed after etomoxir treatment, suggest that caution must be used in considering patient treatment with mitochondria FAO blockers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of twin pregnancy with intrauterine death of one foetus during the 19th week of pregnancy has been described and the obstetric approach is reported. Pregnancy was actively continued with the following procedure: 1. Tocolysis, 2. Anti-infective prophylaxis; 3. Monitoring of coagulation on factor; 4. Weekly echotomography. In the 39th week the baby was delivered by caesarean section. The baby was discharged in good health on the 5th day after delivery.