In the complex scenario of cancer, treatment with compounds targeting multiple cell pathways has been emerging. In Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), p53 and Translocator Protein (TSPO), both acting as apoptosis inducers, represent two attractive intracellular targets. On this basis, novel indolylglyoxylyldipeptides, rationally designed to activate TSPO and p53, were synthesized and biologically characterized. The new compounds were able to bind TSPO and to reactivate p53 functionality, through the dissociation from its physiological inhibitor, murine double minute 2 (MDM2). In GBM cells, the new molecules caused Δψm dissipation and inhibition of cell viability. These effects resulted significantly higher with respect to those elicited by the single target reference standards applied alone, and coherent with the synergism resulting from the simultaneous activation of TSPO and p53. Taken together, these results suggest that TSPO/MDM2 dual-target ligands could represent a new attractive multi-modal opportunity for anti-cancer strategy in GBM.

We demonstrated the linear relationship between mandibular growth and gestational age or BPD. In addition, we validated the jaw index as an objective tool for diagnosis of micrognathia in the fetus.

Ventricular septal defect can undergo spontaneous closure during intra-uterine life and this process depends upon the site and the size of the defect. These data may provide useful additional information to aid prenatal counseling.

An ecofriendly synthetic pathway for the synthesis of donepezil precursors is described. Alternative energy sources were used for the total synthesis in order to improve yields, regioselectively, and rate of each synthetic step and to reduce the coproduction of waste at the same time. For all products, characterized by an improved structural rigidity respect to donepezil, the inhibitor activity on AChE, the selectivity vs BuChE, the side-activity on BACE-1, and the effect on SHSY-5Y neuroblastoma cells viability were tested. Two potential new lead compounds for a dual therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer's disease were envisaged.

TDI evaluation of the fetal heart is feasible and reproducible. Color-TDI is able to identify the various phases of the cardiac cycle. Quantitative evaluation of myocardial velocities has shown also in the fetus the existence of the myocardial velocity gradient found in postnatal life.

Background: To evaluate retinal vessel density (VD) in macular and in peripapillary regions in patients with recent onset of multiple sclerosis, at initial demyelinating event (IDE) and in matched relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients.Methods: We evaluated VD in superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, choriocapillaris and radial peripapillary capillary plexus in IDE, RRMS patients and in matched healthy controls (HCs) through Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A). Clinical history, including history of optic neuritis, Expanded Disability Status scale and disease duration of patients were collected.Results: Thirty patients (20 with IDE and 10 with RRMS) and 15 HCs were enrolled. IDE patients showed a lower VD in radial peripapillary capillary plexus compared with controls (coeff. β = −3.578; p = 0.002). RRMS patients displayed a lower VD in both superficial capillary plexus and radial peripapillary capillary plexus compared with HCs (coeff. β = −4.955; p = 0.002, and coeff. β = −7.446; p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, RRMS patients showed a decreased VD in radial peripapillary capillary plexus compared with IDE patients (coeff. β = −3.868; p = 0.003).Conclusions: Peripapillary region vessel density reduction, revealed through OCT-A, might be considered as an early event in MS, and might be relevant as a biomarker of disease pathology.

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