Physico-chemical characteristics,water absorption,soaking and cooking properties of some Sicilian populations of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The physical and physico-chemical properties of several Kabuli chickpeas originating from Sicily (South Italy) were determined. Twelve genotypes in all, including two controls (ILC484, of the ICARDA genebank, and ‘Calia’, a traditional Italian cultivar), were analysed. A large variability among genotypes was ascertained for swelling capacity (coefficient of variation [CV]=27.9%), swelling index (CV=30.5%) and calcium content (CV=39.3%). The lowest variability was observed for seed coat (CV=8.6%) and seed weight (CV=9.6%). Genotype statistically affected all traits, whose mean values were: seed weight, 0.340±0.03 g; seed coat, 4.47±0.38%; seed volume, 0.292±0.04 ml; seed density, 1.18±0.15 g/ml; hydration capacity, 0.361±0.09 g/seed; hydration index, 1.05±0.21; swelling capacity, 0.346±0.10 ml/seed; swelling index, 1.21±0.37; cooking texture, 2.61±0.38 kg/cm²; and calcium, 109.6±43.11 mg/100 g dry weight. Correlation coefficients among characteristics were also estimated. The genotype ‘44M33’ was found to be interesting having good seed weight and low seed coat incidence and calcium content, all important attributes affecting cooking quality.     

Rituximab or Cyclophosphamide in the Treatment of Membranous Nephropathy: The RI-CYCLO Randomized Trial

Open in a separate window     

Mrs. Doubtfire Mentoring Program: Helping Children in Residential Care Transition to Bedtime

An exploratory qualitative study was conducted for the Mrs. Doubtfire mentoring program designed to connect volunteers with young children (6–11 years) in residential care to help with the bedtime transition and develop positive relationships with caring adults. Details of the program are provided. Positive effects on the agency, staff, volunteers, and children are discussed. Mrs. Doubtfire provides an innovative approach to meeting needs of children in residential care while also building strong community relationships and dedicated volunteers.     

The use of personalized biomarkers and liquid biopsies to monitor treatment response and disease recurrence in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery is the mainstay treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. Variable degrees of tumor regression are observed after nCRT and alternative treatment strategies, including close surveillance without immediate surgery, have been investigated to spare patients with complete tumor regression from potentially adverse outcomes of radical surgery. However, clinical and radiological assessment of response does not allow accurate identification of patients with complete response. In addition, surveillance for recurrence is similarly important for these patients, as early detection of recurrence allows salvage resections and adjuvant interventions. We report the use of liquid biopsies and personalized biomarkers for monitoring treatment response to nCRT and detecting residual disease and recurrence in patients with rectal cancer. We sequenced the whole-genome of four rectal tumors to identify patient-specific chromosomal rearrangements that were used to monitor circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsies collected at diagnosis and during nCRT and follow-up. We compared ctDNA levels to clinical, radiological and pathological response to nCRT. Our results indicate that personalized biomarkers and liquid biopsies may not be sensitive for the detection of microscopic residual disease. However, it can be efficiently used to monitor treatment response to nCRT and detect disease recurrence, preceding increases in CEA levels and radiological diagnosis. Similar good results were observed when assessing tumor response to systemic therapy and disease progression. Our study supports the use of personalized biomarkers and liquid biopsies to tailor the management of rectal cancer patients, however, replication in a larger cohort is necessary to introduce this strategy into clinical practice.     

Notch signaling deregulation in multiple myeloma: A rational molecular target

Despite recent therapeutic advances, multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable neoplasia due to intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapy. Myeloma cell localization in the bone marrow milieu allows direct interactions between tumor cells and non-tumor bone marrow cells which promote neoplastic cell growth, survival, bone disease, acquisition of drug resistance and consequent relapse. Twenty percent of MM patients are at high-risk of treatment failure as defined by tumor markers or presentation as plasma cell leukemia. Cumulative evidences indicate a key role of Notch signaling in multiple myeloma onset and progression. Unlike other Notch-related malignancies, where the majority of patients carry gain-of-function mutations in Notch pathway members, in MM cell Notch signaling is aberrantly activated due to an increased expression of Notch receptors and ligands; notably, this also results in the activation of Notch signaling in surrounding stromal cells which contributes to myeloma cell proliferation, survival and migration, as well as to bone disease and intrinsic and acquired pharmacological resistance. Here we review the last findings on the mechanisms and the effects of Notch signaling dysregulation in MM and provide a rationale for a therapeutic strategy aiming at inhibiting Notch signaling, along with a complete overview on the currently available Notch-directed approaches.