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The maize mutant defective endosperm-B18 ( de- B18), which is recessive to its wildtype, accumulates substantially less dry matter in the endosperm than its normal counterpart. Both free and bound indole-acetic acid (IAA) content has been measured at 5 different developmental stages. In endosperm tissue, the level of IAA is at least 15 times lower in the mutant de -B18 than in the wildtype. The situation found in the diploid tissues is somewhat different: in the mature embryo the level of total IAA is lower in the mutant than in the wildtype, while in 4-day old seedlings the level of total IAA is, to some degree, similar in both genotypes. Naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA), a stable synthetic auxin which mimics IAA in its biochemical effects, is able to normalize the seed weight of the mutant when applied to developing grains. The results favor the conclusion that in maize endosperm the mutation de -B18 is involved in IAA metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this session different problems regarding the pathogenesis of diverticular disease were considered, including "Genetics", "Neuromuscular function abnormalities", "Patterns of mucosa inflammation", and "Impact of lifestyle". The patients affected by diverticular disease have clear genetic pattern, that might predispose to the occurrence of the disease as well as to its complications. Neuromuscular abnormalities may be recognized already at the stage of diverticulosis, and inflammation may explain symptoms occurrence in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) or symptoms persistence after an episode of acute diverticulitis. Finally, lifestyle might also have an impact on symptoms' occurrence. Specifically smoking, but also obesity seem to play an important role, while the role of low-fiber diet and constipation is now under debate.

Background: The treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is based on conventional therapies (aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants) and when these are ineffective, biologic drugs. However, in a substantial portion of patients undergoing treatment with biologic agents there is primary or secondary loss of response. Thus, new therapeutic options are been actively explored; among these, there is interest in the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, small molecules that can be administered orally., Methods: We carried out an extensive literature search concerning the effects of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of patients with UC., Results: Tofacitinib is the drug more extensively studied in this setting, and it was recently approved in Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe UC. The available data suggest that this drug can be effective in obtaining clinical and endoscopic remission in UC patients unresponsive to other treatments, even in those previously treated with biologic drugs. In addition, the drug was able to improve significantly the quality of life of these patients. There are still few data available for the treatment of UC with other JAK inhibitors., Conclusions: The JAK inhibitors, in particular tofacitinib, are a new class of orally administered drugs effective for the treatment of UC. However, more studies are needed to ascertain the safety of tofacitinib in the long term and whether other compounds of this class may be equally effective.

The association between gluten related disorders and psychiatric diseases has been firmly demonstrated. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a syndrome diagnosed in patients responsive to gluten-free diet after ruling out celiac disease and wheat allergy. The pathogenesis of neuro-psychiatric disorders in NCGS is unclear. An association between gluten and schizophrenia was described for the first time in 1950 by Bender et al. In the 1950's, Dicke noted that gluten-free diet improved mood in celiac patients. In 1970, Goldberg et al., in a study of 80 celiac patients, found that 34% of them showed minor affective disorders. Bipolar disorder patients show an increase of blood anti gliadin deamidated antibodies (IgG). The effect of diet and nutrition on autistic spectrum disorders has been investigated in the last two decades, particularly focusing on the symptoms of hyperactivity and attention. Toxoplasma gondii and other neurotropic pathogens as Influenzavirus and Coronavirus may be associated with mood disorders, probably secondary to an increased intestinal permeability. Abnormalities of host-microbiota interactions or of gut-microbiota composition have been associated with central nervous system disorders, such as autism, anxiety, depression and the integrity of intestinal microbiota may be considered a potential therapeutic goal to treat these conditions.

Fabry disease is a complex pathology, requiring a multidisciplinar approach both in the diagnostic workout and in the management of therapy. Clinical criteria able to predict its morbidity have not yet been found. The wide variability of clinical signs and symptoms requires an individual approach based on the single patient, in order to achieve an optimal management. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been introduced in the clinical setting for over ten years, but its ability to change the course of the disease has not yet been clearly proved. Recently the hypothesis that ERT may be ineffective in patients with severe organ involvement has emerged. The clinical course of Fabry disease is usually slower in eterozygous women than emizygous men, but can be frequently associated to severe organ failure and premature death in both cases. In this review we discuss the histological aspects of Fabry nephropathy in relation to diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and its effectiveness.

The occurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Fabry disease (FD) is a rare event. We report a deep ultrastructural study of RCC in a patient with a previous histological diagnosis of FD. In order to highlight analogies and differences between the two histological samples, we used the nephrectomy specimen as a 'repeat biopsy', making a dynamic analysis of the evolution of the disease-related kidney damage. Secondly, a comparative ultrastructural analysis between non-neoplastic tissue and cancer demonstrated for the first time the presence of zebra bodies in the tumor cells. Finally, a hypothetical speculation about the relationship between the lysosomal accumulation, the oxidative damage and the genesis of the tumor was performed. The link connected the accumulation of glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide, characteristic of FD, with the expression of CD74 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor that may play an important role in tumorigenesis regulated by the Von Hippel-Lindau/hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: To evaluate oxidative stress in uremia and dialysis and chromogranin A, a stress hormone that could be related to oxidative processes., Methods: Plasma oxidative stress biomarkers (-SH, 8-OHdG, and ox-LDL) and chromogranin A were measured in 89 outpatients (21 uremic patients, 17 in peritoneal dialysis, and 51 in haemodialysis), and in 18 subjects with normal renal function., Results: -SH groups were significantly reduced in heamodialysis, peritoneal, and uremic patients as compared with the control group (p=0.01), while 8-OHdG was increased (p<0.01). No differences were observed for ox-LDL. Chromogranin A was increased in uremic, peritoneal and haemodialysis patients (p<0.01), showing a positive correlation to 8-OHdG (p<0.01)., Conclusion: Oxidative stress biomarkers and chromogranin A levels differ between control subjects when compared to both uremic and dialysis patients. No differences were observed between uremic and dialysis patients, suggesting that uremia is the major source of the increase in oxidative stress and CgA levels in patients with end stage renal disease., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

A case of inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver is reported. Together with a brief review of inflammatory pseudotumours we also present the clinical picture and pathologic findings of this very rare tumour-like condition with only 31 cases quoted in the medical literature. We also discuss the difficulty of making a correct diagnosis of the condition.

As described previously, the sensitivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) coleoptiles to auxin is modulated by oxygen. Under anoxia, coleoptile elongation is insensitive to exogenously applied indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), whereas its sensitivity increases in air in the presence of the exogenous stimulus. Here we report the presence of two independent classes of membrane-bound IAA-binding sites in air-grown coleoptiles. Their binding activity is strictly correlated with the system's sensitivity to IAA. We designate them as site A (high affinity) and site B (low affinity). Site A shows a relatively fast response to anoxia, and is highly specific for auxins. Regulation of site-A binding activity through ATP, whose availability decreases under anoxia, is postulated. A role as auxin carrier is suggested for site B.

Renal biopsies from 32 patients, whose light microscopy showed a pattern of minimal changes nephropathy, have been submitted to immunohistological examination. On the basis of immunofluorescence pattern we separated the cases into three groups: the first group (12 cases) was characterized by absence of any glomerular deposit. The second group (9 cases) showed focal and segmental deposits of IgM and sometimes C3 on capillary walls. In the third group (11 cases) we observed slight deposits of IgM and sometimes C3 "comma like" over glomerular structures in all glomeruli. The site of these last deposits was sometimes mesangium and sometimes the capillary walls. The results of immunohistological examinations gave no information about the pathogenetic mechanisms of minimal changes nephropathy. We observed that the patients enclosed in the second group had a worse clinical prognosis, compared with the other two groups.

A commercial latex agglutination (LA) kit (Wellcogen, Wellcome Diagnostics) used to detect bacterial polysaccharide antigens (Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae) was compared with a modified counterimmunoelectrophoresis technique and blood culture for etiologic diagnosis of presumptive bacterial pneumonia requiring hospitalization in 60 infants and children. Serum, urine and either sputum or nasopharyngeal secretions were collected during the first 5 days of therapy for antigen detection. Blood culture was positive in 6 of 52 (11.5%) of cases. Antigens were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and/or LA in 13 of 60 (21.7%) serum samples, 2 of 16 (12.5%) unconcentrated urine samples, 19 of 42 (45.2%) urine samples concentrated 25-fold and 21 of 45 (46.7%) sputum or nasopharyngeal secretions. Antibiotic treatment for 5 days did not affect the antigen detection rate. Counter-immunoelectrophoresis was more sensitive than LA in serum and urine but not in sputum. However, because false positive reactions were frequently obtained with LA on nasopharyngeal secretions of an age-matched control group, this test appears unreliable.