Ricerc@Sapienza

One of the greatest challenges in providing early effective treatment in mood disorders is the early differential diagnosis between major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). A remarkable need exists to identify reliable biomarkers for these disorders. We integrate structural neuroimaging techniques (i.e. Tract-based Spatial Statistics, TBSS, and Voxel-based morphometry) in a multiple kernel learning procedure in order to define a predictive function of BD against MDD diagnosis in a sample of 148 patients.

Aims: Nephropathic patients show higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidized human serum albumin (HSAox) compared to healthy subjects. These two classes of compounds are formed as the result of oxidative insults; for this reason, they can be useful oxidative stress biomarkers. The present study examines the variation of AGEs and HSAox in hemodialysis (HD) patients before and after dialysis session, evaluating the impact of different dialytic techniques and filters on their removal.

Background--The early detection of cardiac syncope is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of 4 novel prohormones, quantifying different neurohumoral pathways, possibly involved in the pathophysiological features of cardiac syncope: midregional-pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (MRproANP), C-terminal proendothelin 1, copeptin, and midregionalproadrenomedullin. Methods and Results--We prospectively enrolled unselected patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department (ED) in a diagnostic multicenter study.

Introduction: Sepsis is the leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. The Kidney in Sepsis and Septic Shock (Kid-SSS) study evaluated the value of proenkephalin A 119-159 (penkid)—a sensitive biomarker of glomerular function, drawn within 24 hours upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission and analyzed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay—for kidney events in sepsis and septic shock.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very aggressive cancer showing high cancer stem cells (CSCs) presence. Doublecortin-like kinase1 (DCLK1) has been demonstrated as a CSC marker in different gastroenterological solid tumours. Our aim was to evaluate in vitro the expression and the biological function of DCLK1 in intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) and perihilar CCA (pCCA).

This study sought to evaluate the expression of programmed cell death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) and HLA class I on neuroblastoma cells and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3) on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to better define patient risk stratification and understand whether this tumor may benefit from therapies targeting immune checkpoint molecules. In situ IHC staining for PD-L1, HLA class I, PD-1, and LAG3 was assessed in 77 neuroblastoma specimens, previously characterized for tumor-infiltrating T-cell density and correlated with clinical outcome.

Introduction: Molecular, functional, and structural neuroimaging biomarkers are largely used to study neurodegenerative diseases, but their benefits to patients/science might be greatly enhanced by improving standardization and cross-validation. In this EU Joint Programme-Neurodegenerative Diseases Research–funded project, we surveyed the neuroimaging community to assess perceived barriers in multicentric neuroimaging harmonization and actions to overcome them.

This study aims at determining serum levels of tryptophan and other metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to healthy controls. Such metabolites interact with glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, potentially modulating mechanisms that are pivotal in ADHD and thus potentially representing peripheral biomarkers of the disorder.

Mycotoxins’ exposure by inhalation and/or dermal contact can occur in different branches of industry especially where heavily dusty settings are present and the handling of dusty commodities is performed. This study aims to explore the possible contribution of the occupational exposure to aflatoxins by analysing urine samples for the presence of aflatoxins B1 and M1 and aflatoxin B1-N7-guanine adduct.