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Abstract: In the context of translational cancer research, biobanks are key infrastructures that provide high quality biological samples, coupled with relevant clinical and pathological information. This role can only be successfully accomplished through the implementation of standardized procedures that ensure proper collection, handling, processing, storage and recording of tissue samples, following strict legal and ethical regulations. Biobank networking is fundamental for dissemination of good practices and to help in the establishment of new infrastructures that improve the assessment of heterogeneity among tumor types and across patient cohorts. Growing demands for large number of homogenously preserved tumor tissue samples can only be met through a more intense cooperation among biobanks, facilitated by networks that foster cooperation at international level. The potential of biobanks as fundamental tools for translational cancer research can only be achieved through a concerted effort from biobankers, researchers, legislators and tissue donors that may allow for improved sample exchange. Keywords: Biobank, tumor bank, frozen tissue, biological fluids, clinical samples, informed consent.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Approximately, 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million deaths occurred in 2012 worldwide. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth, spread of abnormal cells and is a leading cause of death in both more and less economically developed countries. The growth in our knowledge of cancer biology has led to remarkable progress in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Recent years have seen a remarkable progress in the basic, translational and clinical research in cancers. During carcinogenesis several genetic and epigenetic alterations occur and a molecular approach based on the detection of these molecular alterations can permit the definition of molecular signatures specific for different tumors, allowing the definition of molecular biomarkers. These markers can be found in a variety of fluids, tissues and cell lines, and can be used for screening the general population, for differential diagnosis in symptomatic patients and for clinical staging of cancer. Furthermore, the biomarkers can be used to evaluate response to treatment, to assess disease recurrence through monitoring and as prognostic indicators of disease progression. The advances in the molecular knowledge and technology from research is based on the study of different types of biological samples, being necessary the collection, processing, preservation, stored and maintenance of these samples required an ordered and structured plan with the consequent creation of a biobank. The promotion and operation of biobanks provide to scientists the opportunity to access to quality samples and associated data, representing an essential milestone in shortening the time between research and clinical application, improving the effectiveness of research. Keywords: Biobank, cancer research, cancer biomarkers.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Physical exercise, in several guises, improves health and delivers a multitude of benefits for the aging brain and body, not least by delaying the aging process, but also by, its “scaffolding effect”, buttressing the physiological processes vulnerable to that level of credibility. The present account is based upon a systematic survey of published studies outlining the benefits of physical exercise an intervention to improve diverse health aspects, with the key-words “Physical exercise and Health” among all biomedical sources. Under conditions of neuropsychiatric and neurologic ill-health, child-adolescent maturation during healthy and illness developmental trajectories, neuroimmune and affective unbalance, and epigenetic pressures, exercise offers a large harvest of augmentations in health and well-being. Both animal models and human studies support the premise of manifest gains from regular exercise within several domains, besides cognitive function and mood, notably as the agency of a noninvasive, readily available therapeutic intervention. Keywords: Exercise, health, well-being, cognition, mood, anti-inflammation, epigenetics, therapy.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Supporting health research has been a long-standing commitment for the European Union (EU). Over several Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, the EU contributed to advancing scientific knowledge on intellectual disability and addressing the unmet needs of affected people, their families and carers. Bio-banking is instrumental to such research. This article presents the various streams through which the EU has helped developments in this area and highlights opportunities for the future. Keywords: Research and innovation, Horizon 2020, Framework Programme, European Commission, brain.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Objective: To investigate the (1) incidence of anxiety and (2) association of anxiety with disease duration, depression, and age in an outpatient Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center. Background: The incidence of anxiety varies in the literature but is estimated to affect 44.5% of people with MS. Anxiety can be a predictor of poor Quality of Life, especially relevant in progressive illnesses, such as MS. Though research has shown that patients newly diagnosed experience higher anxiety levels, the relationship between anxiety and disease duration is unclear. Since anxiety can be comorbid with depression in MS populations, it is relevant to establish its association in this setting. Finally, though anxiety usually increases in older age, research for this relationship in MS populations is inconclusive. Design/Methods: The commonly used Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, was distributed once to patients with MS over a 3 month period to assess anxiety and depression scores. MS disease duration and age were confirmed by neurologists. Results: Out of 160 patients with MS who completed the HADS, 19% reported abnormal anxiety, 14% reported borderline cases of anxiety, and 67% did not report anxiety. After following up on significant correlations, depression and younger age were related to higher anxiety levels, (R2=.35, F(4,144)=19.26, p<0.001). The standardized partial regression coefficients indicated 2 statistically significant predictors, depression (β=.55, p=<.001) and age (β=-.25, p=<.001). Discussion: 33% of patients reported symptoms of anxiety, emphasizing the need to focus on treating anxiety, specifically, early in their disease course. Clinicians may also want to recognize that elevated depression scores predicted anxiety. Lastly, in our cohort, the younger population reported higher anxiety, demonstrating that progressive illnesses may affect anxiety levels in younger populations more. Since approximately one third of patients with MS expressed anxiety symptoms, it is important to incorporate this into treatment plans. Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), anxiety, disease duration, age, disability.Download Full Article |