FMRP expression in primary breast tumor cells correlates with recurrence and specific site of metastasis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Molecular and clinical evidence indicated that Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP) plays a role in different types of cancer, including breast cancer. FMRP is an RNA binding protein that regulates the metabolism of a large group of mRNAs coding for proteins involved in both neural processes and in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a pivotal mechanism that in cancer is associated to tumor progression, aggressiveness and chemoresistance. Here, we carried out a retrospective case-control study of 127 patients, to study the expression of FMRP and its correlation with metastasis formation in breast cancer. Consistent with previous findings, we found that FMRP levels are high in tumor tissue. Two categories have been analyzed, tumor with no metastases (referred as control tumors, 84 patients) and tumor with distant metastatic repetition, (referred as cases, 43 patients), with a follow-up of 7 years (mean). We found that FMRP levels were lower in both the nuclei and the cytoplasm in the cases compared to control tumors. Next, within the category cases (tumor with metastases) we evaluated FMRP expression in the specific sites of metastasis revealing a nuclear staining of FMRP. In addition, FMRP expression in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment was significantly lower in patients who developed brain and bone metastases and higher in hepatic and pulmonary sites. While further studies are required to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of FMRP expression and direct or inverse correlation with the secondary metastatic site, our findings suggest that FMRP levels might be considered a prognostic factor for site-specific metastasis.

Baropodometric studies in patients submitted to Grice-Green operation for primary valgus pronated flat foot.

This study reports the results of a computerized baropodometric analysis of the function of primary valgus pronated flat foot submitted to talocalcanear arthrodesis according to the Grice-Green method (Grice, 1952; 1955) as modified by Vigliani et al., (1978). Our purpose was to document any anomalies in the behaviour of such feet, which up until now have been based on conventional evaluation (plantar imprints, podoscopy, etc.), which are much less sensitive than those of modern electronic systems.

Arthrodesis of the knee: a baropodometric evaluation of the long-term results.

A study of plantar loading has a place in orthopaedic literature today thanks to the studies conducted by various authors (Stott et al., 1973; Braun et al., 1980, Corvi et al., 1985; Salsano et al., 1986; Pisani, 1987). It is the purpose of this study to report the results obtained by using the baropodometer to study the static and dynamic functions of the foot in patients who were submitted to arthrodesis of the knee 15 or more years ago.

Our experience in occipito-cervical fusion.

Occipito-cervical fusion for congenital and post-traumatic anomalies of the axis was used to treat 5 patients; the results obtained are analyzed. The authors also discuss the advantages of using autoplastic bone graft which remains stable in time, without creating disabling sequelae in the patient.

["Open sky" grafting of autoplastic spongy tissue in the treatment of chronic post-fracture osteomyelitis. Histological observations]. / L'innesto a "cielo aperto" di spongiosa autoplastica nella cura dell'osteomielite cronica postfratturativa. Osservazioni istologiche.

On the basis of material taken from Padua's Institute of Clinical Orthopedics (25 operations performed according to the Papineau method between 1980 and 1986), the authors give particular attention to some little-known histological facts: a) about granulation tissue, and b) about cancellous tissue nestled in the infection sites in bone.

Bifocal instability of the cervical spine. Case report.

The authors report a case of bifocal instability of the cervical spine (C2-C3) emphasizing the rarity of the lesion, particularly as the instability at C4-C5 became evident a few months after the first operation involving surgical reduction and stabilisation at C2-C3 with a metal loop.

[Tibial osteotomy in the treatment of static gonarthrosis]. / L'osteotomia tibiale nel trattamento delle gonartrosi statiche.

Results of 35 cases of subcondylar tibial osteotomy performed for static osteo-arthritis of the knee from 1072-75 are reported. The surgical procedure consists of an oblique osteotomy followed by the removal of a wedge of bone with an internal or external base depending on the presence of "genu valgum" or "genu varum" respectively. Bone ends are united by screws. Major advantages of this operation are solid bony union of the osteotomy sections by screws and simplicity of execution.

[On some aspects of activation of tissue lipolysis by mechanical factors]. / Su alcuni aspetti della attivazione della lipolisi tessutale da parte di fattori meccanici

An analysis of the effect of the ordinary physical factors acting on living beings on the splitting of adipose tissue triglycerides is reported. Massage was usually responsible for activation of lipolysis, or at least for an increase in blood glycerol and NEFA. If carried out for some time and repeated over a period of days, it appears capable of maintaining chronically enhanced lipolysis. The possible causes of these effects are discussed and particular stress is laid on the release of catecholamines by tissue nerve endings. Partial confirmation of this can be seen in the fact that activation of lipolysis can be depressed by administering beta-blocking drugs. The data also suggest that non-neuroendocrine mechanisms may exert a more immediate action on cell metabolism. Such mechanisms are concerned with a sector of cell life about which little is yet known, wherein every biological process is the result of phenomenon dependent on molecular physics.