Multinutrient diets improve cerebral perfusion and neuroprotection in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease

Nutritional intervention may retard the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study we tested the effects of 2 multi-nutrient diets in an AD mouse model (APP_swe/PS1_dE9). One diet contained membrane precursors such as omega-3 fatty acids and uridine monophosphate (DEU), whereas another diet contained cofactors for membrane synthesis as well (Fortasyn); the diets were developed to enhance synaptic membranes synthesis, and contain components that may improve vascular health. We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) and water diffusivity with ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging, as alterations in these parameters correlate with clinical symptoms of the disease. APP_swe/PS1_dE9 mice on control diet showed decreased CBF and changes in brain water diffusion, in accordance with findings of hypoperfusion, axonal disconnection and neuronal loss in patients with AD. Both multinutrient diets were able to increase cortical CBF in APP_swe/PS1_dE9 mice and Fortasyn reduced water diffusivity, particularly in the dentate gyrus and in cortical regions. We suggest that a specific diet intervention has the potential to slow AD progression, by simultaneously improving cerebrovascular health and enhancing neuroprotective mechanisms.     

Association between nocturnal blood pressure dipping and insulin resistance in children affected by NAFLD

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between insulin–glucose metabolism, nocturnal blood pressure dipping and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese adolescents without diabetes. One hundred one consecutive children, with biopsy-proven NAFLD, were included in this study. Blood samples were drawn for the analyses of liver function tests, insulin–glucose metabolism and lipid profile appraisal. An ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) was performed. Seventy-six children (75.3 %) were systolic nondippers, and 23 of them were diastolic nondippers (30.3 %). No differences were found in the anthropometric parameters between the two groups. When compared to the systolic dippers, the systolic nondippers had higher medians of mean nocturnal blood pressure, glucose at 0, 60 and 120 min in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), OGTT insulin at all time points and insulin-resistance values. No correlation of histopathological features with dipping/nondipping statuses was found. Conclusions: We found an association between a nocturnal blood pressure fall and measures of insulin levels, independent of obesity, or daytime blood pressure levels, among the obese patients with NAFLD. Although no association between nondipping profiles and NAFLD was observed in our study, further studies with a longer term follow-up are needed, to better elucidate the complex link between these particular entities.     

Metastatic colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes: prognostic and genetic interactions

The present study was undertaken to analyze prognostic and genetic interactions between type 2 diabetes and metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients’ survival was depicted through the Kaplan–Meier product limit method. Prognostic factors were examined through the Cox proportional‐hazards regression model, and associations between diabetes and clinical‐pathologic variables were evaluated by the χ² test. In total, 203 metastatic colorectal cancer patients were enrolled. Lymph nodes (P = 0.0004) and distant organs (> 2 distant sites, P = 0.0451) were more frequently involved in diabetic patients compared with those without diabetes. Diabetes had an independent statistically significant negative prognostic value for survival. Highly selected patients with cancer and/or diabetes as their only illness(es) were divided into three groups: (a) seven oligo‐metastatic patients without diabetes, (b) 10 poly‐metastatic patients without diabetes, and (c) 12 poly‐metastatic diabetic patients. These groups of patients were genetically characterized through the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (San Diego, CA, USA) platform and TruSigt™Oncology 500 kit, focusing on genes involved in diabetes and colorectal cancer. Gene variants associated with diabetes and cancer were more frequent in patients in group 3. We found that type 2 diabetes is a negative prognostic factor for survival in colorectal cancer. Diabetes‐associated gene variants could concur with malignancy, providing a rational basis for innovative models of tumor progression and therapy.     

Incidence and spatial distribution of adult-onset primary malignant and other central nervous system tumors in Southern Sardinia,Italy

Neurological Sciences - To study for the first time the incidence of adult-onset CNS tumors in Southern Sardinia, Italy. Clinical records of patients > 18 years old who...     

LIPSS Applied to Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and Dielectrics: Assessment and Future Perspectives

With the aim of presenting the processes governing the Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS), its main theoretical models have been reported. More emphasis is given to those suitable for clarifying the experimental structures observed on the surface of wide bandgap semiconductors (WBS) and dielectric materials. The role played by radiation surface electromagnetic waves as well as Surface Plasmon Polaritons in determining both Low and High Spatial Frequency LIPSS is briefly discussed, together with some experimental evidence. Non-conventional techniques for LIPSS formation are concisely introduced to point out the high technical possibility of enhancing the homogeneity of surface structures as well as tuning the electronic properties driven by point defects induced in WBS. Among these, double- or multiple-fs-pulse irradiations are shown to be suitable for providing further insight into the LIPSS process together with fine control on the formed surface structures. Modifications occurring by LIPSS on surfaces of WBS and dielectrics display high potentialities for their cross-cutting technological features and wide applications in which the main surface and electronic properties can be engineered. By these assessments, the employment of such nanostructured materials in innovative devices could be envisaged.