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1.
Hippocampus ; 27(6): 726-739, 2017 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28329909

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have suggested that Boundary Extension (BE), a scene construction error, may be linked to the function of the hippocampus. In this study, we tested BE in two groups with variations in hippocampal development and disorder: a typically developing sample ranging from preschool to adolescence and individuals with Down syndrome. We assessed BE across three different test modalities: drawing, visual recognition, and a 3D scene boundary reconstruction task. Despite confirmed fluctuations in memory function measured through a neuropsychological assessment, the results showed consistent BE in all groups across test modalities, confirming the near universal nature of BE. These results indicate that BE is an essential function driven by a complex set of processes, that occur even in the face of delayed memory development and hippocampal dysfunction in special populations.


Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/physiopathology , Hippocampus/physiology , Memory/physiology , Visual Perception/physiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hippocampus/growth & development , Hippocampus/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Young Adult
2.
J Appl Microbiol ; 118(6): 1395-408, 2015 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25752218

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To characterize Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from North-Apulian wines where malic acid degradation is usually achieved by spontaneous fermentations, and to determine the influence of bacterial inoculation time on the malolactic performances in 'Nero di Troia' wine using a complete autochthonous microbial regime. METHODS AND RESULTS: Oenococcus oeni strains from wines produced with the autochthonous (Apulia Region, southern Italy) grape variety 'Uva di Troia' were isolated, selected and characterized. Multilocus sequence typing and variable number tandem repeat analysis were used to investigate intraspecific diversity. Oenococcus oeni strains were tested in co-inoculation and in sequential inoculation, with two autochthonous yeast strains previously isolated from 'Nero di Troia' wine. After a preliminary screening using co-inoculation regime, the O. oeni strains were grouped in reason of the different behaviour in malic acid performances. Results suggested that the efficient degradation of malic acid in co-inoculation is a strain-dependent characteristic. CONCLUSIONS: Autochthonous yeast/bacterium combinations were identified as starter culture, and used in a co-inoculation approach, for vinification of regional wines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The 'microbial terroir' of typical fermented food and beverage production represents a dynamic sector of applied research in food microbiology. In this work, we propose the use of autochthonous bacteria and yeast for wine production from an indigenous grape variety.


Subject(s)
Oenococcus/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , Vitis/microbiology , Wine/microbiology , Fermentation , Food Microbiology , Italy , Malates/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Vitis/classification , Wine/analysis
3.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr ; 52(7): 595-610, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22530712

ABSTRACT

The quality of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products includes a combination of attributes, such as appearance, texture, and flavor, as well as nutritional and safety aspects that determine their value to the consumer. Nutritionally, fruit and vegetables represent a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and fresh-cut produce satisfies consumer demand for freshly prepared, convenient, healthy food. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than corresponding intact produce, as a result of damage caused by minimal processing, which accelerates many physiological changes that lead to a reduction in produce quality and shelf-life. The symptoms of produce deterioration include discoloration, increased oxidative browning at cut surfaces, flaccidity as a result of loss of water, and decreased nutritional value. Damaged plant tissues also represent a better substrate for growth of microorganisms, including spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens. The risk of pathogen contamination and growth is one of the main safety concerns associated with fresh-cut produce, as highlighted by the increasing number of produce-linked foodborne outbreaks in recent years. The pathogens of major concern in fresh-cut produce are Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic Escherichia coli mainly O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. This article describes the quality of fresh-cut produce, factors affecting quality, and various techniques for evaluating quality. In addition, the microbiological safety of fresh-cut produce and factors affecting pathogen survival and growth on fresh-cut produce are discussed in detail.


Subject(s)
Fast Foods/adverse effects , Food Handling , Fruit/adverse effects , Vegetables/adverse effects , Escherichia coli O157/growth & development , Escherichia coli O157/isolation & purification , Fast Foods/analysis , Fast Foods/microbiology , Food Contamination , Food Inspection/methods , Food Packaging , Food Storage , Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control , Fruit/chemistry , Fruit/microbiology , Humans , Listeria monocytogenes/growth & development , Listeria monocytogenes/isolation & purification , Microbial Viability , Nutritive Value , Quality Control , Salmonella/growth & development , Vegetables/chemistry , Vegetables/microbiology
4.
J Nanosci Nanotechnol ; 12(12): 9131-5, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23447967

ABSTRACT

A method of practical use was set up to determine the connectivity in a porous material, modelling the physical system as a lattice, whose coordination number is assumed to be an index of connectivity itself. This task was approached through the theory of percolation and input data were provided by two different experimental techniques, that is, adsorption/desorption of nitrogen and mercury porosimetry. The overall procedure is based on the calculation of probability f(P) of occupation of the porous channels and of probability F(P) of percolation. In the framework of the above--mentioned lattice model, the average coordination number Z is calculated through the best fitting of a universal curve to the values found for F(P) and f(P), adopting as fitting parameter the ratio L between the characteristic linear dimension of the whole lattice and the characteristic linear dimension of each of its cells. The procedure described was implemented through a numerical code and applied to three commercial alumina. A simple empirical relationship was found between Z and the percolation threshold, showing an excellent coefficient of statistical correlation. The three products proved different in connectivity, allowing subtle distinctions from each other, despite their hysteresis cycles in the adsorption/desorption process appeared quite similar from a qualitative standpoint.

5.
Eur J Paediatr Dent ; 13(4): 329-32, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23270294

ABSTRACT

AIM: The accessory canals in the furcation of primary molars can explain the frequent presence of radiolucency in the furcation area in case of pulpitis and necrosis of teeth. In fact these canals can represent a communication between periodontium and pulp tissue allowing bacteria to enter. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of foramina in the furcation area of primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of foramina was assessed using extracted deciduous molars examined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) evaluation. Thirty extracted human primary molars (15 upper deciduous molars and 15 lower deciduous molars) were selected to evaluate the presence of extra foramina in their furcation. All teeth were prepared according to Koenigs' technique: the roots were cut in the furcation area perpendicular to the canals (1.5 mm apical to the external surface of the furcation and 1 mm apical to the cervical line) and then analysed with an electronic scanning microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that 23 teeth (77% of the samples) had one or more extra foramina near the furcation.


Subject(s)
Dental Pulp Cavity/ultrastructure , Molar/ultrastructure , Tooth Root/ultrastructure , Tooth, Deciduous/ultrastructure , Anatomic Variation , Child , Dentin/ultrastructure , Humans , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Odontometry/methods , Tooth Cervix/ultrastructure
6.
Eur J Paediatr Dent ; 23(1): 73-78, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35274547

ABSTRACT

AIM: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful and common ulcerative form that can pose a diagnostic challenge. In fact, similar oral ulcers can appear secondary to a variety of well-defined pathological conditions. Thus, the purpose of this work was to update the current knowledge about RAS METHODS: A narrative review is presented aiming to clarify the extensive differential diagnosis of RAS and its management. CONCLUSION: As a first aid in relieving the pain, topical applications of corticosteroids, antibiotics, and analgesics are highly recommended, while systemic therapy of RAS should be used in the case of multiple painful ulcerations compromising the quality of life of the patient. Also, natural anti-inflammatory substances from medicinal herbs, in the form of essential oils and extracts are promising agents in the management of RAS.


Subject(s)
Stomatitis, Aphthous , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Quality of Life , Stomatitis, Aphthous/diagnosis , Stomatitis, Aphthous/drug therapy
7.
J Nanosci Nanotechnol ; 11(11): 10136-41, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22413356

ABSTRACT

Stoichiometric magnetic nanosized ferrites MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) were prepared in form of nearly spherical nanocrystals supported on a highly porous silica aerogel matrix, by a sol-gel procedure. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicate that these materials are made out of non-agglomerated ferrite nanocrystals having size in the 5-10 nm range. Investigation by Mössbauer Spectroscopy was used to gain insights on the superparamagnetic relaxation and on the inversion degree. Magnetic ordering at room temperature varies from superparamagnetic in the NiFe2O4 sample, highly blocked (approximately 70%) in the MnFe2O4 sample and nearly fully blocked in the CoFe2O4 sample. A fitting procedure of the Mössbauer data has been used in order to resolve the spectrum into the tetrahedral and octahedral components; in this way, an inversion degree of 0.68 (very close to bulk values) was obtained for 6 nm silica-supported CoFe2O4 nanocrystals.

8.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 53(4): 395-402, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21740449

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Lactobacillus brevis IOEB 9809 is able to produce both tyramine and putrescine via tyrosine decarboxylase and agmatine deiminase enzymes, respectively, when cultured on synthetic media. The aims of this study were to assess the expression of L. brevis IOEB 9809 tdc and aguA1 genes, during wine fermentation and to evaluate the effect of substrate availability and pH on tdc and aguA1 expression, as well as on biogenic amine production and L. brevis viability. METHODS AND RESULTS: The relative expression of L. brevis IOEB 9809 tdc and aguA1 genes was analysed in wine by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) during a period of incubation of 30 days. Cell viability, pH values, putrescine and tyramine concentration were monitored throughout the experiments. CONCLUSIONS: The wine trials indicated that L. brevis IOEB 9809 is able to produce both tyramine and putrescine during wine fermentation. Increased cell viability was also observed in wine supplemented with tyrosine or agmatine. qRT-PCR analysis suggests a strong influence of substrate availability on the expression of genes coding for tyrosine decarboxylase and agmatine deiminase in L. brevis IOEB 9809. Less evident is the relationship between putrescine and tyramine production and tolerance to wine pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: To our knowledge, this study represents the first assessment of relative expression of L. brevis IOEB 9809 genes involved in biogenic amine production in wine. Furthermore, an effect of biogenic amine production on viability of L. brevis during wine fermentation was established.


Subject(s)
Hydrolases/metabolism , Levilactobacillus brevis/enzymology , Tyrosine Decarboxylase/metabolism , Wine/microbiology , Agmatine/metabolism , Biogenic Amines/analysis , Biogenic Amines/metabolism , Fermentation , Humans , Hydrolases/genetics , Levilactobacillus brevis/genetics , Putrescine/biosynthesis , Putrescine/metabolism , Tyramine/biosynthesis , Tyramine/metabolism , Tyrosine/metabolism , Tyrosine Decarboxylase/genetics
9.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 55(3): 351-6, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21320223

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While it has been common practice to discourage second language learning in neurodevelopmental disorders involving language impairment, little is known about the effects of second language exposure (SLE) on broader cognitive function in these children. Past studies have not found differences on language tasks in children with Down syndrome (DS) and SLE. We expand on this work to determine the effects on the broader cognitive profile, including tests tapping deficits on neuropsychological measures of prefrontal and hippocampal function. METHOD: This study examined the specific cognitive effects of SLE in children with DS (aged 7-18 years). Children with SLE (n = 13: SLE predominantly Spanish) and children from monolingual homes (n = 28) were assessed on a standardised battery of neuropsychological tests developed for DS, the Arizona Cognitive Test Battery. The current exposure level to a language other than English in the SLE group was greater than 4 h per day on average. RESULTS: No group differences were observed for any outcome, and level of exposure was also not linearly related to neuropsychological outcomes, several of which have been shown to be impaired in past work. CONCLUSION: There were no measurable effects of SLE on neuropsychological function in this sample of children with DS. Potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.


Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/psychology , Executive Function , Multilingualism , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Female , Hippocampus/physiology , Humans , Male , Matched-Pair Analysis , Memory , Neuropsychological Tests , Prefrontal Cortex/physiology
10.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 51(4): 443-9, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20807335

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Monitoring the occurrence of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in a mussel farm located in the lagoon of Varano (Italy). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 72 samples of mussel, water and sediment, collected from two locations of Varano lagoon in the Gargano peninsula, during a 7-month survey, were analysed. Isolation and PCR characterization of six V. vulnificus environmental genotype strains revealed that this pathogen was isolated when with T was above 22 °C and salinity ranged between 22.7 and 26.4‰. No significant correlation of the occurrence of V. vulnificus with water pH or salinity was observed. Moreover, 8% of mussel samples were found to be contaminated by V. vulnificus. All of that positive mussel samples originated from the same sampling station. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that warmer season are risky to eat raw or undercooked bivalve molluscs in the local area. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To increase knowledge about environmental conditions that may affect the occurrence of waterborne pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in seafood.


Subject(s)
Aquaculture , Bivalvia/microbiology , Geologic Sediments/microbiology , Seafood/microbiology , Seawater/microbiology , Vibrio vulnificus/isolation & purification , Animals , Culture Media , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Food Contamination , Humans , Italy , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Seasons , Vibrio vulnificus/classification , Vibrio vulnificus/genetics
11.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 50(3): 327-34, 2010 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20408255

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To isolate indigenous Oenococcus oeni strains suitable as starters for malolactic fermentation (MLF), using a reliable polyphasic approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: Oenococcus oeni strains were isolated from Nero di Troia wines undergoing spontaneous MLF. Samples were taken at the end of alcoholic fermentation and during MLF. Wine samples were diluted in a sterile physiological solution and plated on MRS and on modified FT80. Identification of O. oeni strains was performed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiment using strain-specific primers. Strains were further grouped using a multiplex RAPD-PCR analysis. Then, six strains were inoculated in two winelike media with two different ethanol concentrations (11 and 13% vol / vol) with a view to evaluate their capacity to grow and to perform MLF. In addition, a quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) approach was adapted to monitor the physiological state of the strains selected. CONCLUSION: A positive correlation between the malolactic activity performance and the ability to develop and tolerate stress conditions was observed for two selected O. oeni strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results reported are useful for the selection of indigenous MLF starter cultures with desired oenological traits from typical regional wines. It should be the base for the improvement in organoleptic quality of typical red wine.


Subject(s)
Malates/metabolism , Oenococcus/isolation & purification , Oenococcus/metabolism , Wine/microbiology , Ethanol/metabolism , Fermentation , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Lactic Acid/metabolism , Oenococcus/growth & development , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique , Stress, Physiological , Sulfites/metabolism
12.
Food Microbiol ; 27(8): 1078-85, 2010 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20832688

ABSTRACT

A collection of 810 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from wine and cider was screened for potential biogenic amine (BA) producers by combining molecular and phenotypic approaches. A newly developed multiplex PCR method allowed for the simultaneous detection of four genes involved in the production of histamine (histidine decarboxylase, hdc), tyramine (tyrosine decarboxylase, tyrdc) and putrescine (via either ornithine decarboxylase, odc, or agmatine deiminase, agdi) while TLC and HPLC analysis allowed for BA-production determination. One hundred and fifty-eight LAB strains were monitored by the molecular/phenotypic double approach and revealed a good correlation between genotypic and phenotypic data. Eighteen per cent of the tested strains were positive for at least one BA target gene with up to three detected simultaneously, in particular amongst Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus hilgardii isolates for the tyrdc and agdi genes. The most frequent gene corresponded to the agdi gene detected in 112 strains (14% of all LAB strains) of 10 different LAB species. The tyrdc gene was detected in 67 strains represented by 7 different LAB species (8% overall), especially those isolated from wine. Lower levels of hdc(+) (2% of strains) and especially odc(+) (0.5% of strains) strains were observed. Interestingly, species that have never been described to carry BA-producing pathway genes were identified in this study. Furthermore, only one cadaverine-producer was detected and corresponded to Lactobacillus 30a, a collection strain not found in fermented beverages, although cadaverine is commonly detected in wines.


Subject(s)
Beverages/microbiology , Biogenic Amines/metabolism , Lactobacillaceae/isolation & purification , Wine/microbiology , Beverages/analysis , Biogenic Amines/analysis , Fermentation , Lactic Acid/metabolism , Lactobacillaceae/classification , Lactobacillaceae/genetics , Lactobacillaceae/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Wine/analysis
13.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 53(5): 474-83, 2009 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19396941

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present both central and verbal working memory deficits compared with controls matched for mental age, whereas evidence on visuospatial working memory (VSWM) has remained ambiguous. The present paper uses a battery of VSWM tasks to test the hypothesis that individuals with DS can also encounter specific difficulties in VSWM. METHOD: Four tasks were administered to 34 children and adolescents with DS and 34 controls matched for verbal mental age. In two of these tasks, participants had to remember a series of locations sequentially presented on a matrix (spatial-sequential WM); in another two, they had to remember locations simultaneously presented (spatial-simultaneous WM). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that individuals with DS are poorer than controls in the spatial-simultaneous tasks, but not in the spatial-sequential tasks. These findings were not due to a difference in speed of visuospatial processing. In fact, when performances of the two groups in VSWM were compared using speed measures as covariates, differences between groups remained. It is suggested that the simultaneous VSWM deficit of individuals with DS could be due to the request for processing more than one item at a time.


Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/epidemiology , Memory Disorders/epidemiology , Memory, Short-Term , Perceptual Disorders/epidemiology , Space Perception , Visual Perception , Adolescent , Attention , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Memory Disorders/diagnosis , Neuropsychological Tests , Perceptual Disorders/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index
14.
Eur J Paediatr Dent ; 9(3): 149-52, 2008 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18844445

ABSTRACT

AIM: Kabuki make-up Syndrome is so named because of the characteristic facies of the affected patient. The face is similar to a Kabuki actor's mask. The main aim of this report was to describe the oral features in Kabuki Syndrome, focusing on the tooth anomalies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five subjects with Kabuki Syndrome, identified by the Child Neuropsychiatric Clinic of the University of Sassari, Italy, were enrolled. Their medical records were reviewed and oral and dental examinations were completed. The diagnosis was based upon the typical pattern of malformations and dysmorphic features reviewed by Matsumoto and Niikawa. RESULTS: All patients showed typical characteristics of the Syndrome such as a long palpebral fissure, lower palpebral eversion, arched eyebrows, short nasal septum, prominent and large ears, fingertip pads, mental retardation, and paramedian elevation of the lower lip. CONCLUSION: Kabuki make-up Syndrome is of unknown origin but a genetic aetiopathogenesis has been proposed. It is extremely rare; in Japan, where it is most frequent, it affects 1:32000 newborns. The typical facies of the syndrome, combined with general medical and dental examinations, are very important for diagnosis confirmation.


Subject(s)
Face/abnormalities , Tooth Abnormalities/pathology , Abnormalities, Multiple , Adolescent , Adult , Anodontia/pathology , Child , Dental Enamel Hypoplasia/pathology , Facies , Female , Humans , Male , Malocclusion/pathology , Retrognathia/pathology , Syndrome
15.
Neuropsychologia ; 82: 39-53, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26768123

ABSTRACT

Event related potentials (ERPs) can help to determine the cognitive and neural processes underlying memory functions and are often used to study populations with severe memory impairment. In healthy adults, memory is typically assessed with active tasks, while in patient studies passive memory paradigms are generally used. In this study we examined whether active and passive continuous object recognition tasks measure the same underlying memory process in typically developing (TD) adults and in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), a population with known hippocampal impairment. We further explored how ERPs in these tasks relate to behavioral measures of memory. Data-driven analysis techniques revealed large differences in old-new effects in the active versus passive task in TD adults, but no difference between these tasks in DS. The group with DS required additional processing in the active task in comparison to the TD group in two ways. First, the old-new effect started 150 ms later. Second, more repetitions were required to show the old-new effect. In the group with DS, performance on a behavioral measure of object-location memory was related to ERP measures across both tasks. In total, our results suggest that active and passive ERP memory measures do not differ in DS and likely reflect the use of implicit memory, but not explicit processing, on both tasks. Our findings highlight the need for a greater understanding of the comparison between active and passive ERP paradigms before they are inferred to measure similar functions across populations (e.g., infants or intellectual disability).


Subject(s)
Cerebral Cortex/physiopathology , Down Syndrome/physiopathology , Evoked Potentials , Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology , Recognition, Psychology/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Electroencephalography , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Young Adult
16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27367309

ABSTRACT

Salivary cortisol is regarded as a reliable parameter for the noninvasive assessment of the welfare of animals, because it is strictly related to stress levels. Several methods are available for salivary cortisol measurement in mammals, however rapid diagnostic test for detecting salivary cortisol are confined to humans. The availability of such non invasive diagnostic tools operable in situ would facilitate monitoring of animal welfare. The Cortisol stress™ test provides a simple and rapid tool to discriminate cortisol levels in canine saliva above or below 4ng/ml, which has been suggested as the cut-off value for distinguishing unstressed dogs from those experiencing stress. The test is based on a competitive immunochromatographic assay (ICT) using gold nanoparticles as probes, in which the color intensity of the Test line is inversely correlated to the salivary cortisol level. The qualitative result is obtained by the visual observation of the color formed on the Test line compared to that of the Control line We evaluated the accuracy of the test by determining salivary cortisol in 85 samples of canine saliva belonging to dogs with very variable age, sex, breed, and life history, and comparing the qualitative results to those obtained by a reference ELISA kit. Agreeing results were obtained through the two methods, and the ICT showed high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and efficiency (100%, 98.4%, and 98.8%, respectively). Furthermore, we evaluated the precision of the test by an experimental design approach, which combines errors due to within-day and between-day variation with the biological variability, and demonstrated that the test could be reliably applied for correctly classifying canine samples, according to their salivary cortisol level. Moreover, we studied the shelf-life of the device in three experimental conditions. We confirmed the stability of the ICT at 4°C and 25°C for at least six months and observed similar results for an accelerated stability study conducted for 7days at 37°C, which suggest that the stability of ICT device could be estimated by the accelerated experiment alternatively to the real-time study.


Subject(s)
Chromatography, Affinity/methods , Dogs/physiology , Hydrocortisone/analysis , Saliva/chemistry , Stress, Physiological , Animals , Chromatography, Affinity/instrumentation , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Equipment Design , Female , Male
17.
J Clin Oncol ; 17(7): 2027-38, 1999 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10561254

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of bicalutamide monotherapy to maximal androgen blockade (MAB) in the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously untreated patients with histologically proven stage C or D disease (American Urological Association Staging System) were randomly allocated to receive either bicalutamide or MAB. After disease progression, patients treated with bicalutamide were assigned to castration. The primary end point for this trial was overall survival. Secondary end points included response to treatment, disease progression, treatment safety, quality-of-life (QOL), and sexual function. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients received bicalutamide and 112 received MAB. There was no difference in the percentage of patients whose prostate-specific antigen returned to normal levels. At the time of the present analysis (median follow-up time, 38 months; range, 1 to 60 months), 129 patients progressed and 89 died. There was no difference in the duration of either progression-free survival or overall survival. However, a survival trend favored bicalutamide in stage C disease but MAB in stage D disease. Overall and subgroup trends were confirmed by multivariate analysis. Serious adverse events and treatment discontinuations were more common in patients receiving MAB (P =.08 and P =.04, respectively). Fewer patients in the bicalutamide group complained of loss of libido (P =. 01) and of erectile dysfunction (P =.002). Significant trends favored bicalutamide-treated patients also with respect to their QOL, namely relative to social functioning, vitality, emotional well-being, and physical capacity. CONCLUSION: Bicalutamide monotherapy yielded comparable results relative to standard treatment with MAB, induced fewer side effects, and produced a better QOL.


Subject(s)
Anilides/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/administration & dosage , Consumer Product Safety , Disease Progression , Disease-Free Survival , Erectile Dysfunction/chemically induced , Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology , Flutamide/administration & dosage , Goserelin/administration & dosage , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Nitriles , Proportional Hazards Models , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Quality of Life , Survival Rate , Tosyl Compounds
18.
Res Microbiol ; 156(2): 219-24, 2005 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15748987

ABSTRACT

Using a molecular approach based on PCR, RT-PCR and northern blot analysis, a new member of the small heat shock family of wine, Lactobacillus plantarum, was cloned and characterized. The protein sequence deduced from the isolated gene had a calculated molecular mass of 18.548 kDa and was therefore named HSP 18.55. The gene codes for a protein homologous to the previously characterized HSP 19.3 and HSP 18.5 and is co-transcribed with an upstream gene of unknown function. Analysis of the 5' flanking region of the hsp 18.55 gene revealed the presence of putative cis elements able to bind alternative sigma factor sigma(B). Based on its structure, the gene was classified as belonging to class II of the heat shock genes according to Bacillus subtilis nomenclature for shock-responsive genes. Expression of the newly identified small heat shock gene, analyzed by RT-PCR and northern blot analysis, was induced by a wide range of abiotic stresses including heat, cold and ethanol, suggesting that the small family of heat shock genes is probably involved in the general stress response in wine L. plantarum. Moreover, the expression of hsp 18.5, hsp 18.55 and hsp 19.3 genes, analyzed over a complete culture cycle, revealed that early growing cells contained substantial amounts of hsp 18.5, hsp 18.55 and hsp 19.3 mRNAs, which rapidly declined upon entry into stationary phase.


Subject(s)
Cloning, Molecular , Heat-Shock Proteins , Heat-Shock Response , Lactobacillus plantarum/growth & development , Wine/microbiology , Amino Acid Sequence , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Base Sequence , Heat-Shock Proteins/chemistry , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Lactobacillus plantarum/genetics , Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sequence Analysis, DNA
19.
J Phys Chem B ; 109(50): 23888-95, 2005 Dec 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16375374

ABSTRACT

FeCo-Al2O3 nanocomposite aerogels were studied by high-resolution electron microscopy, energy filtered transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and measurements of static magnetizations and hysteretic behavior. The combined use of such techniques provided insights on the formation of bcc FeCo nanocrystalline particles inside the alumina matrix, which is promoted by thermal treatment under hydrogen flow of the parent aerogel. Sample characteristics such as alloy composition and crystallinity, influence of the matrix on the structural evolution, and resulting magnetic properties were investigated as a function of the temperature and time of the reduction treatment.

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