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Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate critical physiological processes, such as cell growth, survival, motility, and metabolism. Abnormal activation of RTKs and relative downstream signaling is implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Phage display allows the rapid selection of peptide ligands of membrane receptors. These peptides can target in vitro and in vivo tumor cells and represent a novel therapeutic approach for cancer therapy. Further, they are more convenient compared to antibodies, being less expensive and non-immunogenic. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art of phage display for development of peptide ligands of tyrosine kinase membrane receptors and discuss their potential applications for tumor-targeted therapy.

Human tissues, to maintain their architecture and function, respond to injuries by activating intricate biochemical and physical mechanisms that regulates intercellular communication crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Coordination of the communication occurs through the activity of different actin cytoskeletal regulators, physically connected to extracellular matrix through integrins, generating a platform of biochemical and biomechanical signaling that is deregulated in cancer. Among the major pathways, a controller of cellular functions is the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which remains a complex and central signaling network still to be interpreted and explained in cancer progression. Here, we discuss the link between actin dynamics and TGFβ signaling with the aim of exploring their aberrant interaction in cancer.

Background. Tuberculosis is the most frequent cause of death from a single infectious agent in humans and remains a serious global health problem. The latent tuberculosis (LTBI) treatment can prevent progression to active disease. People infected with LTBI are a dangerous reservoir, since any immunosuppressive factor can cause a reactivation of Mycobacterium leading to overt disease. Recent production and introduction into the healthcare system, on the other hand, are the IGRAs (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay). Materials and Methods. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold test is an ELISA assay of IFN-γ produced by sensitized lymphocytes that allows to overcome some limitations of Mantoux test, being an in vitro test with specific antigens for M. tuberculosis. In the present study we examined a population of 150 patients tested with the Mantoux test and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. The patients were divided into categories (contacts of the case, immigrants, health care personnel, and immunocompromised subjects in biological therapy). Results. The analysis of the obtained results from the comparison of the two tests showed a good concordance rate (47.3%) in the case of double positivity and detected the highest percentage of discrepancy in the profile QuantiFERON negative/Mantoux positive. Conclusions. Our results allow to state that remains valid and effective use of the QuantiFERON test, provided it is flanked by the Mantoux test and a medical history of patients.

Herpes Simplex Virus (Herpesviridae family, Alphaherpesviridae subfamily) induces latent infections, which could reactivate in conjunction with decreases in cell-mediated response. Features biologic and antigenic of Herpes Simplex virus are characterized from HSV-1 e HSV-2. Seronegative women can contract primary infection from seropositive partners. Seronegative women may acquire primary infection from an infected partner. Prevention is done paying attention to the risk of HSV2 in the planning and gravidnza pportune neonatal infection prevention measures (clinical examination of the birth canal at the beginning of labor). Disease prevention is performed by planning preventive measures to avoid neonatal infection. Infection occurs through direct contact with herpetic lesions or biological fluid infect. HSV-1 is usually acquired about 5 years, whether HSV-2 is contracted between 14 and 30 years by sexual contact, both can be asymptomatic and be transmitted to the partner or to the newborn during the delivery through the contact with infected secretion. The baby infected 85% of cases acquired the infection to step into the birth canal, through contact with infected secretions. The intrauterine infection is proven in 5-8% of cases; in the 8-10% of cases postnatal infection the disease spreading occurs through breast milk or herpes skin lesions.The assessment of immune status can be evaluated by different serological methods, for determinate the presence of IgG and / or IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Aim of this work is the comparison between two diagnostic systems such Analyzer I (Euroimmun) and RAD 120 (Radim) for the determination of IgG and IgM anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Between July 2009 - December 2009 n. 182 samples have been tested with Analyzer I, automated ELISA system automatic, and system Rad 120, final fluorescent determination. From the obtained results we conclude that both the methods perform quit well.

This work is a comparative clinical trial about the performance of a new automatic system RAD 120, with final fluorescent determination, and ALISEI, a referential system that works in classical ELISA.This comparison show that RAD120 has some hardware and software problems, that determinate false positive dosages, especially in IgM of Toxoplasmosis and Cytomegalovirus. This system is in evaluation too after adjournment, and only after this second test, we could be sure if RAD 120 can be became another referential system in torch diagnosis.

The early detection of HIV infection is of paramount either to achieve a better blood supply safety and to pose a prompt diagnosis so that to decrease the involuntary spreading of the disease.The fourth generation screening assays, which measure both the levels of the anti-HIV antibodies and the p-24 viral antigen, and mainly the development and widespread usage of the molecular biology tests, which identify the HIV-RNA in the early stage, have further reduced the diagnostic window period.We report a case about an acute primary HIV infection, occurred in a periodic donor, promptly diagnosed by the combined screening assays and the detection of HIV-RNA using molecular tests.

Cat scratch disease is due to a bacterial infection sustained by Bartonella strains, transmitted to the human through the bite, scratch or lick of cats.We report a case about a young man who showed up to the Pediatrics outpatient clinic after he noticed a growing mass in his left armpit, preceded by malaise, fatigue and mild fever. The detection of the scar as a consequence of a cat scratch suggested the Bartonella infection diagnosis. Thus the patient had a blood test, the erythrocyte sedimentation velocity and specific antibodies assay: the measurement of serum Bartonella specific antibodies yelded high levels of IgM and IgG which confirmed the diagnosis.The patient was treated with a course of oral antibiotic, specifically Claritromicin 250 mg tablets BID for two weeks.After 30 days the axillary nodal mass downsized.The serum immunoglobulin assay cut down the time required for the formulation of the causative diagnosis and allowed for a prompt and aimed antimicrobial therapy. Compared with the blood culture, the antibodies test screening is quicker and highly reliable.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among dialysis patients in the Lamezia Terme (CZ) area during the period 1999-2002. Sera from 63 patients in haemodialysis (HD) and 10 patients in peritoneal dialysis (PD) were analyzed with a follow-up every three months for HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, anti-HCV and anti-HIV (Elisa Test,AxSYM,Abbott);we analyzed reactive sera for anti-HCV by using supplemental test (RIBA Test, Ortho); we also looked for viremia (RT-PCR Amplicor, Roche Diagnostics) and HCV genotypes (Inno-Lipa HCV II, Innogenetics).The results show that, among the HD patients, 3 were HBsAg positive (Chronic Infection) and 7 HBcAb and HBsAb positive/HBsAg negative (Passed Infection); 14 individuals were anti-HCV positive. No patients in PD were positive for HBV and HCV markers.The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 4.8% (instead of 3% in other Dialysis Units), that of anti-HCV positive was 22% (in others 24%- 33%); among anti-HCV positive patients, the HCV-RNA prevalence was 79% (instead of 80%); the most recurrent HCV genotype was 2a/2c (instead of 1b in general population).These findings lead us to hypothesize that the environmental transmission in the dialysis setting is tightly correlated to the risk of HBV and HCV infection.

Tuberculosis is still a global emergency and a major public health problem, in some cases related to the appearance of strains of multi drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug resistance (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.The correct determination of antibiotic sensitivity profiles is therefore crucial to carry out appropriate treatment aimed to decrease the infectivity of each patient and to reduce mortality. The poor adherence to treatment by the patient or the use of therapies based on a single drug, as a result of incorrect requirements, promote the development of drug-resistance. Have some time on the market of molecular diagnostic tests that allow, quickly and directly from biological sample to search for resistance genes some key drugs of anti-TB therapy (Rifampicin and Isoniazid). One of the tests in question is the Genotype MTBDRplus ver 2.0 which can reveal the presence of genes for resistance to Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampin (RMP).The loci analyzed are those corresponding to the rpoB gene for rifampicin, katG and inhA for isoniazid. Our study is based on the analysis of 83 strains of tubercular Mycobacteria identified and isolated from patients with tuberculosis disease and subjected to the tests sensitivity, searching for mutations and phenotypic susceptibility testing for Rifampicin and Isoniazid.The comparison of the results has shown that the results obtained using the Genotype MTBDRplus ver 2.0 test, were similar to the results obtained by the traditional susceptibility testing.

The stomach is one of the most common organs in which mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma develops. It is well established that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection plays a major role in the development of gastric MALT lymphoma and that the presence of Hp in the gastric mucosa is connected with mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT).The same tissue is located in the oral cavity and pharynx in Waldayer’s circuit. Recently, the oral cavity was proposed as an extragastric reservoir of Hp infection. We report the case of a 79-year-old female patient with concomitant pharyngeal (MALT) lymphoma and Hp-related gastric MALT lymphoma. Gastric MALT lymphoma was detected both through endoscopic examination as well as in biopsies. Pharyngeal MALT lymphoma was also detected in biopsies. Hp has been recognized in the gastric mucosa by positive serum H. pylori antibody and urease tests. Treatment of the Hp infection in our patient using antibiotics led to the regression of both lesions. This is the first case report on the regression of a pharyngeal MALT lymphoma after Hp eradication.

Introduction: Early diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection can avoid a progression to active tuberculosis.The interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production measured by the new interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) can be used to identify subjects with, because the tuberculin skin test, is unreliable to discriminative between subjects with and others. Methods: 186 patients tested positive with the tuberculin skin test were evaluated with QuantiFERON- TB Gold [QFT-G (Cellestis Ltd, Carnegie, Australia)]. Results: 61 (32.8%) samples showed a positive response with QFT-G test and only 1 (0.54%) patient tested indeterminate. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that QFT-G-positivity showed a strong correlation with clinical suspect of latent tuberculosis infection.

This work is a second step of comparative clinical trial about the performance of automatic system RAD 120, with final fluorescent determination, and ALISEI, a referential system in ELISA. In this second comparison RAD120 shows that the problems of the first step have been resolved after adjournment, and this second step, demonstrates if RAD 120 has became a referential system in torch diagnosis.