Involvement of nuclear NHERF1 in colorectal cancer progression.

NHERF1 (Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1) is expressed in the luminal membrane of many epithelia, and associated with proteins involved in tumor progression. Alterations of NHERF1 expression in different sites of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) suggest a dynamic role of this protein in colon carcinogenesis. We focused on the observation of the altered expression of NHERF1 from non-neoplastic tissues to metastatic sites by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we studied, by immunofluorescence, the colocalization between NHERF1 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), whose overexpression is implicated in CRC progression. NHERF1 showed a different localization and expression in the examined sites. The distant non-neoplastic tissues showed NHERF1 mostly expressed at the apical membrane, while in surrounding non-neoplastic tissue decreased the apical membrane and increased cytoplasmic immunoreactivity. In adenomas a shift from apical membrane to cytoplasmic localization and nuclear expression were observed. Cytoplasmic staining in the tumor, and metastatic sites was stronger than surrounding non-neoplastic tissue. Furthermore, nuclear NHERF1 expression was noted in 80% of all samples and surprisingly, it appeared already in adenoma lesions, suggesting that NHERF1 represents an early marker of pre-morphological triggering of colorectal carcinogenesis. Then, in few tumors a positive direct correlation between membrane NHERF1 and EGFR expression was evidenced by their colocalization. Nuclear NHERF1 expression, present in the early stages of carcinogenesis and related with poor prognosis, may contribute to the onset of malignant phenotype. Specifically, we hypothesize the direct involvement of nuclear NHERF1 in both carcinogenesis and progression and its role as a potential colorectal cancer marke

Association between social competence measured through systematic observation and constructs related to psychological well-being 1 Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscienze "DiBraiN", University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy 2 Department of Education Science, Psychology and Communication Science, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy

Abstract Introduction: Social competence is the ability to understand and use cognitive and affective information during social interactions. Social competence has been traditionally assessed through self-reported instruments. However, such assessments suffer from several self-rater-related biases. Our aim is to verify the potential association between social competence, measured by an observational coding technique, and constructs associated with psychological well-being (coping strategies, self-esteem, impulsivity, interpersonal reactivity, and clinical symptoms) in adolescents and young adults. We expect that higher social competence will be associated with higher levels of constructs favoring psychological well-being (e.g., self-esteem, interpersonal reactivity), and with lower levels of constructs hindering positive psychological states (e.g. symptoms and impulsivity). Methods: One-hundred-and-forty-three participants (all females; age: 19.40 ± 1.66 years) underwent, in groups of four, 20 minutes of structured observation while solving dilemmas. Observations were coded through the "Group Process Analysis" (GPA) system. Participants then individually filled out these questionnaires: Brief-COPE, Self-Esteem Rating Scale, Multidimensional Self-Esteem Test, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Symptom Checklist-90. Associations between social competence and constructs measured by these questionnaires were investigated by Pearson’s r (all p<0.05). Results: Significant negative correlations were found between social competence and (i) the coping strategy "behavioral disengagement" (r:-0.178; p:0.027), and (ii) symptoms related to phobic anxiety (r:-0.252; p:0.002). Significant positive correlations were found between social competence and (i) impulsivity due to unplanned events (r:0.188; p:0.020), (ii) self-esteem levels (r:0.165; p:0.041), and (iii) imaginative interpersonal reactivity (r: 0.164; p:0.04

Psychological flexibility as a mediator between exposure to dysfunctional parenting styles and self-esteem in a sample of adolescents|La flessibilità psicologica come mediatore tra esposizione a stili genitoriali disfunzionali e autostima in un campione di adolescenti

Exposure to dysfunctional parenting styles characterized by neglect, indifference, emotional or physical abuse, or excessive control is an important vulnerability factor for individuals’ self-esteem. The relationship between perceived parenting styles and self-esteem is supported by a considerable amount of evidence; however, it is possible that other factors may influence that association. Some studies report some effect of perceived dysfunctional parenting styles on psychological flexibility, a crucial function for maintaining a proper level of self-esteem. In this study we tested the hypothesis that psychological flexibility may mediate the relationship between perceived dysfunctional parenting styles and self-esteem, in a sample of adolescents. We evaluated a sample of 110 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years, and we investigated, through 296 retrospective questionnaires, the exposure to parenting styles perceived as dysfunctional during childhood and adolescence, as well as self-esteem and psychological flexibility. Our results confirm that greater exposure to parenting styles perceived as dysfunctional is associated with lower self-esteem and lower psychological flexibility, as well as that individuals with greater psychological flexibility have higher self-esteem. Our results also highlight that psychological flexibility acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between perceived dysfunctional parenting and self-esteem. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that the association between perceived parenting styles and self-esteem may be partly attributable to the effect that the perception of parenting styles have on psychological flexibility and, consequently, on the latter’s ability to support the self-esteem functions of individuals. This aspect may have significant relevance in supporting adolescents or young adults who have been exposed to adversity in parental relationships through interventions that promote psychological flexibility