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Academic learning and professional internship are the paramount pillars of medical students’ edu-cation. Modern healthcare organizational settings have become increasingly aware of the importance of nontechnical individual differences (e.g., personality dispositions and personal resources) in shaping optimal job profiles that may satisfy high-level clinical standards. In this vein, one of the most important challenges for medical academic institutions is the development of emotional and cognitive aspects of empathy that may support and sustain future professionals in achieving the goals of their clinical practice. Capitalizing on a large sample of Italian first-year undergraduate students, the present study sought to disentangle the independent contribution of Big-Five personality traits and Self-Efficacy beliefs in multiple academic and life spheres in explaining cognitive and emotional compo-nents of empathy. Results showed that both sets of variables play a significant role in shaping empathy, albeit with relevant differences on specific dimensions of empathy. Implications for academic learning and clinical practice are discussed.

Cold-shock domain containing protein C2 (CSD-C2; also known as PIPPin) is an RNA-binding protein conserved in the evolution that interacts with the 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of rat H1.0 and H3.3 histone messengers. Biolayer interferometry (BLI) is a technique that measures changes in an interference pattern generated from visible light, reflected from an optical layer, and a biolayer which contains molecules of interest. In this study, we used the BLI methodology in order to analyze and describe the binding properties of CSD-C2 and the mRNA encoding the rat brain histone protein H3.3. Recombinant CSD-C2 was incubated with in vitro transcribed, and biotinylated H3.3 RNA fragments bound to streptavidin-conjugated Octet optical biosensors. In order to define the RNA region involved in binding, we used RNA probes corresponding to different portions of H3.3 RNA 3’-UTR. In this study, we showed that CSD-C2 binds to the last 199 nucleotides of the H3.3 RNA 3’-UTR, and that the apparent affinity constant of the interaction is in the nanomolar range. In addition, this study confirmed that BLI can be a very efficient and reliable method for studying RNA-protein interactions.

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells release into the extracellular matrix membrane-bound structures of different sizes, origin and composition, collectively called extracellular vesicles (EVs) [1]. Tumor cells, in particular, use EVs to transfer both nucleic acids and proteins to the surrounding normal cells, thus inducing in them transformed behaviours or killing them. G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells, for example, transfer by EVs pro-apoptotic proteins, such as TRAIL and Fas-Ligand [2], extracellular matrix remodelling proteases (such as ADAMTS) [3], and even the H1.0 histone protein [4]. Another tumour cell line, with a different tissue origin (A375 melanoma cells) releases into the medium EVs containing a sumoylated form of H1.0 histone and even H1.0 mRNA [5]. By a T1 RNaseprotection assay, we evidenced, in these EVs, three main H1.0 RNA-protein complexes, the most abundant of which had an apparent molecular mass of about 65 kDa. By affinity chromatography on biotinylated H1.0 RNA, we isolated a group of proteins, then analysed by mass spectrometry. One of these proteins is the myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2). The presence of this protein in EVs was also confirmed by Western blot analysis [5]. MYEF2 was already known as a transcription factor with putative RNA-binding domains. Our demonstration of its actual ability to bind RNA, together with the well accepted ability of EVs to transfer microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs), rises the possibility that different classes of RNA can function as carriers of factors that, once in receiving cells, epigenetically change their transcriptional potential. [1] Schiera G, et al. 2015. Biomed Res Int. 2015:152926. [2] Lo Cicero A et al. 2011, Int J Oncol 39:1353-7 [3] Lo Cicero A et al. 2012, Matrix Biol 31:229-33 [4] Schiera G et al. 2013, Int J Oncol 43:1771-6 [5] Schiera G. et al. 2016. Int J Oncol. 49:1807-1814.

Most cells release into the extracellular space membrane-bound structures of different sizes, origin and composition, collectively called extracellular vesicles (EVs) [1]. Tumor cells are much more active than normal cells in producing EVs. Because of this property, they are able to transfer both nucleic acids and proteins to the surrounding normal cells, thus inducing in these latter at least some transformed behavior. We previously showed that EVs produced by G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells can horizontally transfer to their neighbours radioactive proteins [2]. In addition, EVs released by these cells contain pro-apoptotic proteins, such as TRAIL and Fas-Ligand, able to induce apoptosis in rat cortical neurons and astrocytes in culture [2]. Moreover these population of EVs also contain extracellular matrix remodelling proteases (such as ADAMTS) [3], as well as the H1.0 histone protein, and even H1.0 mRNA [4]. Another tumor cell line, with a different tissue origin (A375 melanoma cells), was then demonstrated to release into the medium EVs containing a sumoylated form of H1.0 histone [5]. By a T1 RNase-protection assay, using as target the H1.0 RNA, three main complexes were evidenced in these EVs, the most abundant of which had an apparent molecular mass of about 65 kDa. By affinity chromatography on a biotinylated H1.0 RNA, we isolated a group of proteins, among which we identified by mass spectrometry a protein of about 60 kDa: myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2). Western blot analyses confirmed the presence of MYEF2 in EVs released from A375 melanoma cells [5]. MYEF2 was actually already known as a protein with putative RNA-binding domains and a demonstrated ability to function as a transcription factor. Our demonstration of its actual ability to bind RNA rises the interesting possibility that RNA can function as a carrier of factors that, once in the receiving cells, can change their transcriptional activity. Starting from this hypothesis, we are now analyzing cells of cerebral origin for the presence of MYEF2 and/or other transcription factors which are transferred among cells via EVs. [1] Schiera G, et al. 2015.Biomed Res Int. 2015:152926. [2] Lo Cicero A et al. 2011, Int J Oncol 39:1353-7 [3] Lo Cicero A et al. 2012, Matrix Biol 31:229-33 [4] Schiera G et al. 2013, Int J Oncol 43:1771-6 [5] Schiera G. et al. 2016. Int J Oncol. 49:1807-1814.

INTRODUCTION Secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV-mediated exchange of molecules among brain cells, under physiological conditions, has been described years ago. At the same time, ability of EVs to transfer proteins and nucleic acids to the surrounding cells, thus modifying their phenotypes, has been clearly demonstrated for tumor cells of different origins, including brain cancers. More recently, involvement of EVs in pathological processes affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), and their capacity of transferring damaging cargoes have been also suggested. To explore these functions, we exposed primary cultures of astrocytes to EVs isolated from cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), in order to study the potential ability of these EVs to induce in receiving cells morphological and functional changes, such as modifications of proliferation rate, apoptosis or cell death. METHODS Our study was carried out on 10 individuals who, after clinical diagnosis, were separated into two different groups: controls and MS patients. The diagnosis has always been confirmed by a neurologist and the patients gave informed consent to participate in a molecular study on MS. EV population is actually composed of two kind of vesicles: (a) exosomes (Es), which originate from the endosomal compartment and are smaller, and larger membrane vesicles (MVs), which directly bud from the plasma membrane. To separate Es from MVs, before ultracentrifugation, CSF was filtered through a 0.2-μm filter and centrifuged at 10,000 × g for 30 min. The pellet containing MVs was saved, while the supernatant was further centrifuged at 105,000 × g for 90 min to obtain Es. Pelleted vesicles were suspended with phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.5 (PBS) and used to treat astrocytes for 24 hours. RESULTS MVs from MS patients induced a higher degree of cell death than those prepared from the CSF of control group (99,35% dead cells vs 89,33), but the difference was not significant (p value=0,142). A dramatic effect was instead noticed when treating astrocytes with Es from patients, which were able to induce a highly significant (p value=0,0001) degree of cell death respect to Es from controls (94,38% vs 71,21). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that EVs present in the CSF contain molecules which can be toxic to astrocytes and this is probably the reason why brain cells discard such molecules via different kinds of EVs. However, EVs, and in particular Es, present in CSF of MS patients are even more toxic for cells than EVs present in the CSF of healthy controls. Further studies are now necessary to identify the active molecules present in EVs.

We present the first results of a longitudinal study for the recognition and assessment of non-cognitive aspects of the candidates access to medicine course, and throughout the course. This study considered 8 CLMs equally distributed throughout the country and 980 students enrolled in the first year, in the academic year 2013-2014. Preliminary results obtained from the analysis of the questionnaire used in the research show that students expect a profession characterized by the aid for patients and socially useful, while they do not expect a low pay as well as a work activity risky for health. Students are motivated to the academic course mainly by the desire to care for others, while variously opportunistic aspects are much less relevant. Students show high capacity of self-regulation, a high level of empathy in its both aspects of propensity to engagement with others in their difficult moments, as well as of tendency to spontaneously take the perspective of others, while they are able to maintain a goal directed behavior even in the presence of suffering others. These students are basically satisfied, they show a confident and positive attitude towards life and a substantial psychological health. However, it is possible to identify a sub-group of students showing signals of psychological fragility who must be carefully monitored: their profiles will be analyzed in more detail, through in-depth interviews scheduled for the third/fourth year as part of faculties counselling services.

More than two hundred years after its discovery, lactate still remains an intriguing molecule. Considered for a long time as a waste product of metabolism and the culprit behind muscular fatigue, it was then recognized as an important fuel for many cells. In particular, in the nervous system, it has been proposed that lactate, released by astrocytes in response to neuronal activation, is taken up by neurons, oxidized to pyruvate and used for synthesizing acetyl-CoA to be used for the tricarboxylic acid cycle. More recently, in addition to this metabolic role, the discovery of a specific receptor prompted a reconsideration of its role, and lactate is now seen as a sort of hormone, even involved in processes as complex as memory formation and neuroprotection. As a matter of fact, exercise offers many benefits for our organisms, and seems to delay brain aging and neurodegeneration. Now, exercise induces the production and release of lactate into the blood which can reach the liver, the heart, and also the brain. Can lactate be a beneficial molecule produced during exercise, and offer neuroprotection? In this review, we summarize what we have known on lactate, discussing the roles that have been attributed to this molecule over time.

The release of RNA-containing extracellular vesicles (EV) into the extracellular milieu has been demonstrated in a multitude of different in vitro cell systems and in a variety of body fluids. RNA-containing EV are in the limelight for their capacity to communicate genetically encoded messages to other cells, their suitability as candidate biomarkers for diseases, and their use as therapeutic agents. Although EV-RNA has attracted enormous interest from basic researchers, clinicians, and industry, we currently have limited knowledge on which mechanisms drive and regulate RNA incorporation into EV and on how RNA-encoded messages affect signalling processes in EV-targeted cells. Moreover, EV-RNA research faces various technical challenges, such as standardisation of EV isolation methods, optimisation of methodologies to isolate and characterise minute quantities of RNA found in EV, and development of approaches to demonstrate functional transfer of EV-RNA in vivo. These topics were discussed at the 2015 EV-RNA workshop of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. This position paper was written by the participants of the workshop not only to give an overview of the current state of knowledge in the field, but also to clarify that our incomplete knowledge – of the nature of EV(-RNA)s and of how to effectively and reliably study them – currently prohibits the implementation of gold standards in EV-RNA research. In addition, this paper creates awareness of possibilities and limitations of currently used strategies to investigate EV-RNA and calls for caution in interpretation of the obtained data.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by most prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; tumour cells, however, release much higher amounts of EVs, which contain cancer-specific proteins and RNAs. Molecules carried by EVs are captured by surrounding cells, which then undergo profound phenotypic modifications. G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells release, for example, EVs containing FasL and TRAIL, which induce apoptosis in rat cortical neurons and astrocytes in culture. By metabolic labelling of cells, EV-mediated horizontal transfer of radioactive proteins was clearly demonstrated. Among the proteins present in EVs produced by oligodendroglioma cells, extracellular matrix remodelling proteases, and the linker histone H1°, a differentiation-specific histone, were identified. We also found that A375 melanoma cells release EVs which, like the once produced by oligodendroglioma cells, contain H1°. Interestingly, H1° histone sorted to vesicles has a molecular mass higher than expected, and is probably sumoylated. More recently, by a T1 RNase-protection assay, done by mixing an in-vitro transcribed, H1°- encoding RNA, and EVs, three main RNA-protein complexes were evidenced, the most abundant of which had an apparent molecular mass of about 65 kDa. We then synthesized a biotinylated H1° RNA, with the aim to fish, by affinity chromatography, the evidenced proteins. The RNA-bound fraction was finally analysed by mass spectrometry. The most abundant protein identified was the myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2), which has indeed a molecular mass of about 60 kDa. The presence of MYEF2 in EVs released from A375 melanoma cells was finally confirmed by Western blot analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression relies on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which regulate intracellular transport, stability, and translation of mRNAs [1]. We previously identified a set of proteins which interact with mRNAs encoding H1° and H3.3 histones [2-5]. All these proteins are probably part of a ribonucleoprotein particle [6]. Here we report more details on the expression and intracellular localization of some of these RBPs, during rat brain development and in isolated rat astrocytes. METHODS: Affinity chromatography was performed as already described [6]. Preparation of total lysates and cellular sub-fractions was done as reported in [3]. Possible co-localization of Hsc70 with CSD-C2 in cultured astrocytes was analysed by immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The presence of Hsc70 chaperone in the already identified ribonucleoprotein complex [6] was confirmed by affinity chromatography. We also found that the complex itself is present not only in the nuclear extracts, but also in the cytoplasmic fraction. Moreover, A1 and K hnRNPs, previously found in the complexes, were found to be differentially expressed and localized during rat brain maturation; an increase in A1 expression was also demonstrated in cultured astrocytes grown on a fibronectin-containing substrate. We finally report that sumoylated PIPPin, already found in neurons, is also present in the nuclei of cultured astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the existence of a group of proteins able to interact with H1°/H3.3 mRNAs. These proteins are, however, differentially expressed during brain maturation and also show different subcellular localization. [1] Di Liegro et al. 2014, Int J Mol Med 33:747-62. ; [2] Scaturro et al. 1998, J Biol Chem 273:22788-91.; [3] Nastasi et al. 1999, J Biol Chem 274:24087-93. [4] Sala et al. 2007, Int J Mol Med 19:501-9. [5] Saladino et al. 2012, Int J Mol Med 29:141-5 [6] Di Liegro et al. 2013, Neuroscience 229:71-6.

We previously demonstrated that G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells release EVs that contain proteins, such as FasL and TRAIL, which induce apoptosis in rat cortical neurons [1] and astrocytes [2]. We also reported that cancer cells use EVs for transferring, into the environment [3], proteins such as extracellular matrix remodelling proteases [4], and H1°, a differentiation-specific histone [5]. In particular, by releasing H1°, cells could escape differentiation cues [5]. To verify the role of EVs in releasing specific proteins and mRNAs, in this study we used as a model A375 melanoma cells. METHODS EVs were purified from cell culture media as previously reported [1, 2]. T1 RNase-protection assays were performed on total cell lysates and EVs, as described elsewhere [6]. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were isolated by using a biotinylated H1° RNA as a bait. RESULTS We found that also melanoma cells synthesize H1° and secrete it via EVs. Interestingly, H1° histone sorted to vesicles is probably sumoylated. By T1 RNase-protection assay, we evidenced in EVs three main H1° RNA-protein complexes, the most abundant of which has a molecular mass of around 65 kDa. By using as a bait biotinylated H1° RNA, we isolated a few proteins, then analyzed by mass spectrometry. The most abundant protein was myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2), which has a molecular mass of about 60 kDa. Finally, we confirmed MYEF2 presence in EVs by western blot. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that EVs released from melanoma cells contain the H1° linker histone, which is probably sumoylated before sorting to the vesicles. In addition, EVs contain H1° RNA-binding proteins, one of which seems to be MYEF2. [1] D’Agostino et al. 2006, Int J Oncol 29:1075-85. [2] Lo Cicero A et al. 2011, Int J Oncol 39:1353-7 [3] Di Liegro et al. 2015, Biomed Res Int, in press [4] Lo Cicero A et al. 2012, Matrix Biol 31:229-33 [5] Schiera G et al. 2013, Int J Oncol 43:1771-6 [6] Scaturro et al. 1998, J Biol Chem 273:22788-91

Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression depends on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which are able to regulate translation, stability and subcellular localization of mRNAs [1]. RNA-protein complexes start to be built up since transcription; some proteins remain then bound to the transcript, while others behave as only transient components. In the developing nervous system of mammals, the postnatal production of the histone variants H1° and H3.3 is mainly regulated at the post-transcriptional level. Synthesis and incorporation into chromatin of the two histone proteins has been suggested to be involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, both in normal brain development and brain cancer. We previously identified a set of proteins which interact with mRNAs encoding H1° and H3.3 mRNA [2-5]. Recently, we demonstrated that these proteins are probably part of a ribonucleoprotein particle which contains both unspecific and specific RBPs [6]. Here we confirm, by affinity chromatography, the presence of Hsc70 chaperone in the complex and, in addition, we report that the complex is present not only in the nuclear extracts, as previously shown, but also in a membrane-containing cytoplasmic pellet, obtained by centrifugation at 105.000 x g (P105). In parallel, we demonstrated that sumoylated PIPPin, already found in neurons, is present also in the nuclei of cultured astrocytes. Finally, we found that two of the hnRNPs previously found in the complexes show a differential expression and localization during rat brain maturation. [1] Di Liegro CM et al. 2014, Int J Mol Med 33:747-62. [2] Scaturro M et al. 1998, J Biol Chem 273:22788-91. [3] Nastasi T et al. 1999, J Biol Chem 274:24087-93. [4] Sala A et al. 2007, Int J Mol Med 19:501-9. [5] Saladino P et al. 2012, Int J Mol Med 29:141-5 [6] Di Liegro CM et al. 2013, Neuroscience 229:71-6.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released into the extracellular space from both tumor and normal brain cells. By releasing EVs which contain FGF2 and VEGF1-2, astrocytes and neurons, co-cultured with brain capillary endothelial cells, are for example able to induce them to form a blood-brain barrier-like monolayer. On the other hand, membrane microvesicles (MVs) shed from G26/24 oligodendro­glioma cells, when added to primary cultures of rat cortical neurons, induce neuronal damage; the damaging effects include a strong reduction of neurite outgrowth, and apoptosis in about 75% of the cells3. The same amount of shed MVs induce apoptosis in about 40% of astrocytes4. These effects are probably due to Fas Ligand and TRAIL, two proteins, present in G26/24 vesicles, with well-known cell death inducing ability5-6. EV-mediated horizontal transfer of labeled proteins from oligodendroglioma cells to astrocytes in culture was also noticed4. We found that, in cultured astrocytes, as previously found in developing rat brain, the amount of the H1° linker histone increases during differentiation, while the level of its mRNA decreases, suggesting that its expression is mainly regulated at the post-transcriptional level7. On the other hand, G26/24 maintain high levels of both H1° protein and mRNA. We recently found that these tumor cells release both H1° protein and mRNA, through EVs, into the culture medium8. We suggest that G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells, and possibly other tumor cells, can escape differentiation cues, and continue to proliferate by eliminating proteins, such as the H1° linker histone (and its mRNA) into the extracellular space. Schiera G et al. J Cell Mol Med 2007, 138-94. Proia P et al. Int J Mol Med 2008, 21: 63-7. D’Agostino S et al. Int J Oncol 2006, 29:1075-85. Lo Cicero A et al. Int J Oncol 2011, 39: 1353-57. Albanese J et al. Blood 1998, 91: 3862-74. Abrahams VM et al. Cancer Res 2003, 63: 5573-81. Castiglia D et al. Neurochem Res 1994, 19:1531-37. Schiera G et al. Int J Oncol. 2013, 43:1771-76.

Release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a process conserved from prokaryotes to eucaryotes. Although EVs are produced from both normal and cancer cells, malignant cells release a much higher amount of EVs, which contain tumour-specific proteins and RNAs. We previously found that G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells shed EVs that contain the pro-apoptotic factors FasL and TRAIL and are able to inhibit neurite outgrowth, and induce apoptosis in about 75% of rat cortical neurons [1] and 40% of astrocytes [2] in culture. By labelling proteins synthesized in one cell type, we also demonstrated EV-mediated horizontal transfer of proteins among brain cells. Interestingly, G2624 release, via EVs, extracellular matrix remodelling proteases [3], and H1° histone protein [4]. We suggested that by releasing H1°, a differentiation-specific histone, cancer cells may escape differentiation cues [4]. To shed further light on the role of EVs in discarding proteins and mRNAs otherwise able to counteract proliferative signals, we studied a melanoma cell line (A375). We found that also these cancer cells produce H1° and release it into EVs. Interestingly, H1° sorted to vesicles shows a molecular mass higher than expected, and is probably sumoylated. By T1 RNase-protection assay with the H1° RNA, three main complexes were evidenced in EVs, the most abundant of which has a molecular mass of about 65 kDa. By using a biotinylated H1°RNA to fish interacting factors, we isolated from EVs a few proteins which have been then identified by mass spectrometry: the most abundant is a protein of about 60 kDa, recognized as myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2). Western blot analyses confirmed the presence of MYEF2 in EVs released from A375 melanoma cells. [1] D’Agostino et al- 2006. Int J Oncol 29:1075-85. [2] Lo Cicero A et al. 2011, Int J Oncol 39:1353-7 [3] Lo Cicero A et al. 2012, Matrix Biol 31:229-33 [4] Schiera G et al. 2013, Int J Oncol 43:1771-6

G26/24 oligodendroglioma cells produce EVs that contain pro-apoptotic proteins, such as FasL and TRAIL, able to induce neuronal- [1] and astrocytic- [2] death. Cancer cells release EVs [3] through which transferring proteins, such as extracellular matrix remodelling proteases [4], and H1°, a differentiation-specific histone [5]. By releasing H1°, cells could escape differentiation cues [5]. To verify the role of EVs in releasing specific proteins and mRNAs, in this study we used A375 melanoma cells. EVs were purified from cell culture media as previously reported [1, 2]. T1 RNase-protection assays were performed on total cell lysates and EVs, as described elsewhere [6]. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were isolated by using a biotinylated H1° RNA as a bait [7]. Melanoma cells were found to synthesize H1° and secrete it via EVs. Moreover, EVs also contain H1° mRNA. Interestingly, H1° histone sorted to vesicles seems to be sumoylated. By T1 RNase-protection assay, we evidenced in EVs three main H1° RNA-protein complexes, the most abundant of which has a molecular mass of around 65 kDa. By using as a bait biotinylated H1° RNA, we isolated a few proteins, then analyzed by mass spectrometry. The most abundant protein was myelin expression factor-2 (MYEF2), which has a molecular mass of about 60 kDa. Finally, we confirmed MYEF2 presence in EVs by western blot. [1] D’Agostino et al. 2006, Int J Oncol 29:1075-85. [2] Lo Cicero A et al. 2011, Int J Oncol 39:1353-7 [3] Di Liegro et al. 2015, Biomed Res Int, 2015, Article ID 152926. [4] Lo Cicero A et al. 2012, Matrix Biol 31:229-33 [5] Schiera G et al. 2013, Int J Oncol 43:1771-6 [6] Scaturro et al. 1998, J Biol Chem 273:22788-91 [7] Scaturro et al. 2003, Int J Mol Med 11:509-511

In compliance with the new norms governing access to medical faculties in Italy, which foresee a sole national ranking list, a comparative observational study was carried out on a sample of students from the country’s northern, central and southern areas (888 in all), the aim of which was to appraise the students’ O-level marks, the results of their national entrance examinations and the particular university campuses chosen by them. The preliminary results, based on a direct survey carried out at the end of the month of November 2013, seem to reveal that: A) the students from the south obtained better O-level results than those of the centre and north; B) the students from the north obtained higher scores at the entrance examination compared to those of the centre and south; C) the few students from the south who chose to sit for the test in a northern university obtained very high O-level marks and also high scores at the entrance exam; D) the students from the south who chose universities in the centre and north were strongly motivated in their choice, while those from the north who chose universities in the central or southern areas, usually did so for reasons of necessity but, probably, spurred by equally strong motivations. These preliminary results need to be integrated with the definitive results of the ranking list which was completed on March 5th. 2014. Test on well-being and attitudes was administered to the students themselves, the results of which, correlated with these students’ entrance-exam data and future academic results, will be availed of to provide “evidence” helpful to the improvement of the national entrance examination.

We recently cloned a cDNA encoding an RNA-binding protein, that we called PIPPin, which is highly enriched in the rat brain and contains two putative double stranded RNA-binding domains (PIP1 and PIP2) and a central cold shock domain (CSD). Here we report that PIPPin is specifically enriched in some pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. We also show that PIPPin inhibits translation of H1(o) and H3.3 mRNA in a cell-free system. The results reported suggest that PIPPin down-regulates histone variant expression in the developing rat brain.

1. The histone complement of oligodendrocyte chromatin at different stages of brain development was studied after acid extraction of nuclei. 2. HCl-soluble proteins were analyzed by different electrophoretic techniques. 3. Our results show an increase in the concentration of histone H1(0) with differentiation. 4. The increase in H1(0) is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the total amount of the ubiquitinated form of histone H2A (A24).

Thyroid hormones (THs) enhance MHC alpha gene- and repress MHC beta gene-transcription in the heart, by interacting with specific nuclear receptors (TRs), that bind to regulatory sequences localized upstream of basal promoter of myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes. The overall effects of THs include an increase in V1- and a decrease in V3-myosin isozyme concentration in the heart. Myosin V1 contains two MHC alpha chains and has a higher ATPase activity than V3 isoform, which contains two beta chains. Previous studies on papillary muscles of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) showed that heart hypertrophy is accompanied by a shift from alpha to beta MHC accumulation. The present study was aimed at evaluating whether this event relates to differential expression of alpha1, alpha2, and beta1 isoforms of TRs. At the ages of 8 and 15 weeks, SHRs and Harlan Sprague-Dawley control rats were sacrificed under anesthesia and their hearts were dissected into left and right ventricles, free of atria and great vessels. The results of Western blot analyses showed that the levels of the three TR isoforms do not differ significantly between SHRs and control rats of the same age, either in the left or in the right ventricle. Thus, the expression of MHC beta in SHR hypertrophic heart does not seem to depend on changes in TR isoform concentrations.