Ricerc@Sapienza

Studies investigating telomere length in association with cognitive decline, dementia, and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) have frequently found shorter telomeres to be associated with the development of AD and telomerase expression with pathological processes in AD. Human telomerase is constituted by two components: the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA component (TERC). Genetic variation at the two loci has been investigated in relation to telomere length, longevity, and common diseases of advanced age, but not in relation to AD.

Numerous studies have reported an association between shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study we investigated the relationship between LTL and AD development, including in the analysis patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a clinical entity considered prodromal of AD. LTL (T/S ratio) was measured in patients with AD (n = 61) or aMCI (n = 46), and compared with LTL of age-matched controls (n = 56). Significant LTL differences were observed between controls, aMCI and AD patients (p

We investigated the usefulness of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) intraoperative assay to monitor tumor resection in patients with oncogenic osteomalacia. A 33-year-old man with 5 years’ history of lumbar and pelvis pain together with multiple vertebral fractures was admitted to our hospital. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 1 year before. Laboratory investigation showed low tubular reabsorption of phosphate (0.41 mmol/L) despite chronic hypophosphatemia (0.39/L). Increased plasma values of FGF23 (673 pg/mL; n.v. < 95 pg/mL) were also observed.

Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal adipose tissue and fetal membranes secrete various molecules that are relevant players in the pathogenesis of GDM. This pilot study aimed to examine whether the expression of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptors (VPAC-1,-2) were modified in pregnant women with GDM.

Purpose: Evaluation of the phenotype of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), adherence to International Guidelines for parathyroidectomy (PTx), and rate of surgical cure. Method: From January 2014–January 2016, we performed a prospective, multicenter study in patients with newly diagnosed PHPT. Biochemical and instrumental data were collected at baseline and during 1-year follow-up.Results: Over the first year we enrolled 604 patients (age 61 ± 14 years), mostly women (83%), referred for further evaluation and treatment advice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in inducing endothelial dysfunction and progression from simple fatty liver steatosis (FLD) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Polyphenols could reduce oxidative stress and restore endothelial function by inhibiting the nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate (NADPH) oxidase isoform Nox2. The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function and oxidative stress in a population affected by simple FLD and NASH.

Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Gelesis100, a novel, nonsystemic, superabsorbent hydrogel to treat overweight or obesity. Methods: The Gelesis Loss Of Weight (GLOW) study was a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with BMI ≥ 27 and ≤ 40 kg/m 2 and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 90 and ≤ 145 mg/dL. The co-primary end points were placebo-adjusted weight loss (superiority and 3% margin super-superiority) and at least 35% of patients in the Gelesis100 group achieving ≥ 5% weight loss.

Purpose Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is caused by germline inactivating mutations of the MEN1 gene.
Currently, no direct genotype–phenotype correlation is identified. We aim to analyze MEN1 mutation site and features, and possible correlations between the mutation type and/or the affected menin functional domain and clinical presentation in patients from the Italian multicenter MEN1 database, one of the largest worldwide MEN1 mutation series published to date.

Purpose Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumour of the thyroid C cells. Pasireotide, a multi-receptor targeted somatostatin analogue, and everolimus, an inhibitor of mTOR, showed antitumour properties in neuroendocrine tumours. Aim of this study was to evaluate pasireotide alone and in combination with everolimus in patients with MTC.

The recent recognition that grade 3 (G3) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) can be divided into two different categories according to the histopathological differentiation, that is G3 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and G3 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) has generated a lot of interest concerning not only the diagnosis, but also the differential management of such new group of NENs. However, several issues need to be fully clarified in order to put G3 NETs and G3 NECs in the right place.