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We consider a class of semilinear equations with an absorption nonlinear zero order term of power type, where elliptic condition is given in terms of Gauss measure. In the case of the superlinear equation we introduce a suitable definition of solutions in order to prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution in ℝN without growth restrictions at infinity. A comparison result in terms of the half-space Gaussian symmetrized problem is also proved. As an application, we give some estimates in measure of the growth of the solution near the boundary of its support for sublinear equations. Finally we generalize our results to problems with a nonlinear zero order term not necessary of power type.

Maddalena Frau,1 Claudio F Feo,2 Francesco Feo,1 Rosa M Pascale11Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, 2Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Surgery. University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyAbstract: Emerging evidence assigns to epigenetic mechanisms heritable differences in gene function that come into being during cell development or via the effect of environmental factors. Epigenetic deregulation is strongly involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It includes changes in methionine metabolism, promoter hypermethylation, or increased proteasomal degradation of oncosuppressors, as well as posttranscriptional deregulation by microRNA or messenger RNA (mRNA) binding proteins. Alterations in the methylation of the promoter of methyl adenosyltransferase MAT1A and MAT2A genes in HCC result in decreased S-adenosylmethionine level, global DNA hypomethylation, and deregulation of signal transduction pathways linked to methionine metabolism and methyl adenosyltransferases activity. Changes in S-adenosylmethionine levels may also depend on MAT1A mRNA destabilization associated with MAT2A mRNA stabilization by specific proteins. Decrease in MAT1A expression has also been attributed to miRNA upregulation in HCC. A complex deregulation of miRNAs is also strongly involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, with up-regulation of different miRNAs targeting oncosuppressor genes and down-regulation of miRNAs targeting genes involved in cell-cycle and signal transduction control. Oncosuppressor gene down-regulation in HCC is also induced by promoter hypermethylation or posttranslational deregulation, leading to proteasomal degradation. The role of epigenetic changes in hepatocarcinogenesis has recently suggested new promising therapeutic approaches for HCC on the basis of the administration of methylating agents, inhibition of methyl adenosyltransferases, and restoration of the expression of tumor-suppressor miRNAs.Keywords: hepatocarcinogenesis, DNA methylation, microRNA, Piwi-interacting RNAs, stem cells, therapeutic targets

We obtain a comparison result for solutions to nonlinear fully anisotropic elliptic problems by means of anisotropic symmetrization. As consequence we deduce a priori estimates for norms of the relevant solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the existence and uniqueness for weak solutions to some classes of anisotropic elliptic Dirichlet problems with data belonging to the natural dual space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The DNA-repair gene DNA-dependent kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) favours or inhibits carcinogenesis, depending on the cancer type. Its role in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown.Methods:DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subuni, H2A histone family member X (H2AFX) and heat shock transcription factor-1 (HSF1) levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry and/or immunoblotting and qRT-PCR in a collection of human HCC. Rates of proliferation, apoptosis, microvessel density and genomic instability were also determined. Heat shock factor-1 cDNA or DNA-PKcs-specific siRNA were used to explore the role of both genes in HCC. Activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding to DNA-PKcs promoter was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox model were used to study the impact on clinical outcome.Results:Total and phosphorylated DNA-PKcs and H2AFX were upregulated in HCC. Activated DNA-PKcs positively correlated with HCC proliferation, genomic instability and microvessel density, and negatively with apoptosis and patient's survival. Proliferation decline and massive apoptosis followed DNA-PKcs silencing in HCC cell lines. Total and phosphorylated HSF1 protein, mRNA and activity were upregulated in HCC. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that HSF1 induces DNA-PKcs upregulation through the activation of the MAPK/JNK/AP-1 axis.Conclusion:DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit transduces HSF1 effects in HCC cells, and might represent a novel target and prognostic factor in human HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safely of a stainless steel miniature glaucoma drainage device (Ex-PRESS R50) for the surgical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and cataract when combined with phacoemulsification. Methods: Clinical, prospective, multicentre, single treatment arm, non-randomised, non-masked study. The Ex-PRESS device was implanted at the limbus under a conjunctival Aap. Phacoemulsification cataract extraction and in the bag IOL implantation were performed through clear cornea temporally. Primary outcome: lOP change; secondary outcomes: side effects and VA changes. Results: 26 eyes of 25 patients were implanted with the device. The mean (SD) follow up was 23.9(10.4) months and the mean age was 75.1 (7.1) years. 17/26 eyes have more than 3 years of follow up. One case was discontinued because of device removal, one because of death, and three were lost to follow up. Efficacy: preoperative lOP was 21(4) mm Hg; at 1, 2, and 3 years lOP was 15.3 (3.1) mm Hg (35% reduction), 16.6(2.7) mm Hg (29% reduction), and 16(2.6) mm Hg (22% reduction) respectively. Kaplan-Meyer determined overall success rate (lOP &les; 2) mm Hg at the last visit with or without medications) as 76.9%. The number of antiglaucoma medications was reduced by 95% at year 1. Only six patients (23%) were taking lOP lowering treatment at their last visit, five with one medication and one with two medications. Side effects: early postoperative complications were clinically mild and included six cases of hypotony (lOP <5 mm Hg), three cases of hyphaema (<2 mm) with no clinically significant further effects. Long term complications were two cases (7.7%) of device rotation (one treated by reposition) and three cases (11.5%) of conjunctival erosion at 2 and 3 years. Conclusions: The Ex-PRESS implant, combined with phacoemulsification cataract extraction, is clinically safe and effective, maintaining in the long term a large reduction in lop and in the number of antiglaucoma medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Il Nuovo Cimento: B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Il Nuovo Cimento: B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chemoprevention of liver carcinogenesis by -adenosyl-Lmethionine (SAM) was studied in F344 male rats. The rats were given 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (1,ZDMH) 2 HCl (100 mg/kg, i.p.) 18 h after two-thirds hepatectomy. One week later they were fed a semisynthetic basal diet containing 1% orotic acid (OA) for 29 weeks. At this time the rats were transferred to the basal semisynthetic diet and were killed 3 weeks later. SAM treatment (384 μmol/kg/ day, im.), was started 1 week after 1,2-DMH and was continued up to the end of the experiment. Controls received solvent alone. SAM exerted an inhibitory effect on the induction of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. For example, nodules with diameters of 1-2 and 2-6 mm exhibited a decrease in both incidence and number per liver, while no such inhibitory effect was seen in the category of larger nodules. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) also exhibited a decrease in the SAM-treated group. The numberniver and incidence were 0.04 and 4.8% respectively in the SAM-treated group, compared to 0.38 and 37.8% in the control group. Microscopic examination showed the presence of well-differentiated carcinomas and atypical nodules in control rats, while only one small, well-differentiated tumor and one nodule with patterns of initial transformation were seen in SAM-treated rats. No patchy staining of glutathione--transferase, indicative of remodeling, was observed in nodules of both SAM-treated and control rats. Nodules and HCCs developing in SAM-treated rats exhibited a relatively high number of apoptotic bodies. Apoptotic bodies count showed 2.8-and 1.8-fold increases in nodules and HCCs of SAM-treated rats with respect to controls. These results indicate that SAM exerts a chemopreventive effect on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the OA model. SAM seems to be more effective in inhibiting nodule to HCC progression than on the growth of nodule . The inhibitory effect is associated with an increase in cell loss by apoptosis in nodules and HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from individuals carrying the Mediterranean variant of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) exhibit a great decrease in this enzymatic activity and in hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS). 12--tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) greatly stimulates HMS of normal PMNs, while it does not affect that of the deficient PMNs. Similarly, the stimulation of HMS by methylene blue is largely reduced in G6PD-deficient PMNs. These changes are paralleled by a 58% decrease in TPA-stimulated superoxide radical (O) formation by the deficient PMNs. G6PD activity is not detectable in the deficient PMNs incubated with dehydroepiandrosterone, and these cells show a near complete inhibition of O production. It thus seems that the low ability of G6PD-deficient PMNs in the production of O depends on the low NADPH generation by HMS in these cells. The decrease in TPA-stimulated O production suggests a reduced response of G6PD-deficient cells to promoting agents. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]