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1.
Pulmonology ; 2022 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35501277

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine whether the duration of respiratory distress symptoms in severe COVID-19 pneumonia affects the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational multicentre cohort study of patients hospitalised in five COVID-19-designated ICUs of the University Hospitals of Emilia-Romagna Region. Patients included were adults with pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 with PaO2/FiO2 ratio <300 mmHg, respiratory distress symptoms, and need for mechanical ventilation (invasive or non-invasive). Exclusion criteria were an uncertain time of respiratory distress, end-of-life decision, and mechanical respiratory support before hospital admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analysed 171 patients stratified into tertiles according to respiratory distress duration (distress time, DT) before application of mechanical ventilation support. The rate of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation was significantly different (p < 0.001) among the tertiles: 17/57 patients in the shortest duration, 29/57 in the intermediate duration, and 40/57 in the longest duration. The respiratory distress time significantly increased the risk of invasive ventilation in the univariate analysis (OR 5.5 [CI 2.48-12.35], p = 0.003). Multivariable regression analysis confirmed this association (OR 10.7 [CI 2.89-39.41], p < 0.001). Clinical outcomes (mortality and hospital stay) did not show significant differences between DT tertiles. DISCUSSION: Albeit preliminary and retrospective, our data raised the hypothesis that the duration of respiratory distress symptoms may play a role in COVID-19 patients' need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, our observations suggested that specific strategies may be directed towards identifying and managing early symptoms of respiratory distress, regardless of the levels of hypoxemia and the severity of the dyspnoea itself.

2.
Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc ; 2021: 4281-4284, 2021 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34892168

ABSTRACT

Lung resection is the only potentially curative treatment for lung cancer. The inevitable partial removal of functional lung tissue along with the tumoral mass requires a careful and structured pre-operative condition of patients. In particular, the postoperative residual functionality of the lung needs to be predicted. Clinically, this is assessed through algorithms based on pulmonary function tests (PFTs). However, these approaches neglect the local airway segment's functionality and provide a globally averaged evaluation. CFD was demonstrated to provide patient-specific, quantitative, and local information on flow dynamics and regional ventilation in the bronchial tree. This study aims to apply CFD to characterize the flow dynamics in 12 patients affected by lung cancer and evaluate the effects of the tumoral masses on flow parameters and lobar flow distribution. Patient-specific airway models were reconstructed from CT images, and the tumoral masses were manually segmented. Measurements of lungs and tumor volumes were collected. A peripherality index was defined to describe tumor distance from the parenchyma. CFD simulations were performed in Fluent®, and the results were analyzed in terms of flow parameters and lobar volume flow rate (VFR). The predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1s (ppoFEV1) was estimated and compared to the current clinical algorithm. The patients under analysis showed relatively small tumoral masses located close to the lung parenchyma. CFD results did not highlight lobar alterations of flow parameters, whereas the flow to the lung affected by the tumor was found to be significantly lower (p=0.026) than the contralateral lung. The estimation ppoFEV1 obtained through the results of the simulations showed a high correlation (ρ=0.993, p<0.001) with the clinical formula.Clinical Relevance- The proposed study establishes the efficacy and applicability of CFD for the pre-operative characterization of patients undergoing lobectomy surgery. This technique can provide additional information on local functionality and flow dynamics to support patients' operability.


Subject(s)
Hydrodynamics , Lung Neoplasms , Computer Simulation , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Lung/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Respiratory Function Tests
3.
Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol (Engl Ed) ; 93(6): 300-302, 2018 Jun.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29398227

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL CASES: The cases are presented on 2 female patients with Straatsma syndrome, with satisfactory treatment of amblyopia. DISCUSSION: The level of anisometropia and myelination of retinal nerve fibres were different in these two patients. However, both achieved 0.20 (logMAR) visual acuity with correction in both eyes following amblyopia treatment with ocular patching. Visual prognosis of amblyopia associated with myelination of retinal nerve fibres and anisometropia is poorer than anisometropic amblyopia without myelination. It is well known that the former is refractory to occlusive therapy. Despite having a poor prognosis, visual rehabilitation should be attempted. The two cases presented were successfully treated with eye-patching.


Subject(s)
Amblyopia/therapy , Anisometropia/therapy , Occlusive Dressings , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Myelin Sheath/pathology , Myopia , Ophthalmoscopes , Optic Nerve/pathology , Syndrome
4.
Clin Microbiol Infect ; 23(12): 961-967, 2017 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28412380

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence and risk factors for colonization by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents in Italy. Genotypes of MDRO isolates were investigated. METHODS: A point-prevalence study was conducted at 12 LTCFs located in four Italian cities (2 February to 14 March 2015). Rectal swabs, faeces and nasal/auxiliary swabs were cultured for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)- and/or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, detection of ESBL and/or carbapenemase genes and molecular typing of MDROs were performed. Risk factors for colonization were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 489 LTCF residents aged ≥65 years were enrolled. The prevalence of colonization by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, MRSA and C. difficile was 57.3% (279/487), 17.2% (84/487) and 5.1% (21/409) respectively. Carriage rate of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was 1% (5/487). Being bedridden was a common independent risk factor for colonization by all MDROs, although risk factors specific for each MDRO were identified. ESBL-producing Escherichia coli carriage was associated with the sequence type (ST) 131-H30 subclone, but other minor STs predominated in individual LTCF or in LTCFs located in the same city, suggesting a role for intrafacility or local transmission. Similarly, MRSA from LTCF residents belonged to the same spa types/ST clones (t008/ST8 and t032/ST22) commonly found in Italian acute-care hospitals, but infrequent spa types were recovered in individual LTCFs. The prevalent C. difficile PCR ribotypes were 356/607 and 018, both common in Italian acute-care hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: MDRO colonization is common among residents in Italian LTCFs.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Long-Term Care/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Bacterial Infections/etiology , Carrier State/drug therapy , Carrier State/epidemiology , Carrier State/microbiology , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/drug therapy , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , beta-Lactam Resistance/genetics
5.
Phys Med ; 31(1): 72-9, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25457430

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Targeted radionuclide therapy is a rapidly growing modality. A few commercial treatment planning systems are entering the market. However, some in-house systems are currently developed for a more flexible and customized dosimetry calculation at voxel-level. For this purpose, we developed a novel software, VoxelMed, and performed a comparison with the software STRATOS. METHODS: The validation of both of them was undertaken using radioactive phantoms with different volume inserts. A cohort of 10 patients was also studied after a therapeutic administration of (177)Lu-labelled radiopeptides. The activity, number of disintegrations, absorbed dose and dose-volume histogram (DVH) were calculated for the phantoms and the kidneys in patients, which were the main critical organs at risk in this study. RESULTS: In phantoms the absorbed doses computed with VoxelMed and STRATOS agree within 5%. In patients at the voxel-level the absorbed dose to kidneys (VoxelMed: mean 0.66 Gy/GBq) showed a limited difference of 5%, but with a remarkable range (-40%, +60%) between the two software packages. Voxel-dosimetry allows to estimate the dose non-homogeneities in volumes, which may be evaluated through DVHs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a fully 3D voxel-dosimetry with multiple SPECT images is feasible by using home-made or commercial software package and absorbed dose results obtained are similar. The main difference between the studied tools was observed in the activity integration method (effective vs physical half-time to time activity curve tail). We believe that an effective half-time integration method produces a more accurate approximation of clinical uptake and resultant dosimetry.


Subject(s)
Octreotide/analogs & derivatives , Organometallic Compounds/therapeutic use , Radiometry/methods , Software , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Octreotide/therapeutic use , Phantoms, Imaging , Radiotherapy Dosage
6.
Euro Surveill ; 19(43)2014 Oct 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25375901

ABSTRACT

Starting in 2010, there was a sharp increase in infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems in the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. A region-wide intervention to control the spread of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CPKP) in Emilia-Romagna was carried out, based on a regional guideline issued in July 2011. The infection control measures recommended to the Health Trusts (HTs) were: phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase production, active surveillance of asymptomatic carriers and contact isolation precautions for carriers. A specific surveillance system was activated and the implementation of control measures in HTs was followed up. A significant linear increase of incident CPKP cases over time (p<0.001) was observed at regional level in Emilia-Romagna in the pre-intervention period, while the number of cases remained stable after the launch of the intervention (p=0.48). Considering the patients hospitalised in five HTs that provided detailed data on incident cases, a downward trend was observed in incidence after the release of the regional guidelines (from 32 to 15 cases per 100,000 hospital patient days). The spread of CPKP in Emilia-Romagna was contained by a centrally-coordinated intervention. A further reduction in CPKP rates might be achieved by increased compliance with guidelines and specific activities of antibiotic stewardship.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Klebsiella Infections/microbiology , Klebsiella Infections/prevention & control , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology , beta-Lactamases/metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Guideline Adherence , Health Surveys , Humans , Incidence , Italy/epidemiology , Klebsiella Infections/epidemiology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/classification , Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics , Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Multivariate Analysis , Regression Analysis , Sentinel Surveillance , beta-Lactamases/genetics
7.
J Hosp Infect ; 83(4): 330-2, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23415499

ABSTRACT

The spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) is a challenging public health threat. Early identification and isolation of infected patients and carriers are key measures of control. This study describes a CPKP screening strategy in a tertiary Italian hospital. During the five-month study period, 1687 patients were screened by rectal swabs. Of these, 65 (3.9%) tested positive for CPKP; 5.1% of case contacts tested positive. Screening case contacts appears to be the essential surveillance component for detecting asymptomatic carriers of CPKP. The added value of selective CPKP screening on hospital admission depends on the frequency of carriers among incoming patients.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Carrier State/diagnosis , Klebsiella Infections/diagnosis , Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Sentinel Surveillance , Tertiary Care Centers , beta-Lactamases/metabolism , Carrier State/microbiology , Humans , Italy , Klebsiella Infections/microbiology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology , Rectum/microbiology
8.
Oncogene ; 32(18): 2315-24, 2324.e1-4, 2013 May 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22733135

ABSTRACT

By integrating gene profiling and immunohistochemical data with functional experiments in cell lines in this study we show for the first time that doublecortin (DCX) domain containing 2 (DCDC2), a protein belonging to the DCX family and involved in neuronal cell migration, is aberrantly expressed in prostate tumors whereas absent in normal prostate. Furthermore, in patients treated with radical prostatectomy, high levels of DCDC2 RNA were significantly associated with increased biochemical relapse (LogRank Mantel-Cox=0.012). Mechanistically, we found that the ETS transcription factor ESE3/EHF, which is expressed in normal prostate and frequently lost in prostate tumors, maintained DCDC2 repressed by binding to a novel identified ETS binding site in the gene promoter. Consistently, in prostate tumors and in cellular models of gain and loss of ESE3/EHF, the expression of DCDC2 and ESE3/EHF were inversely correlated. In prostate cancer cells, DCDC2 colocalized with microtubules and promoted cell migration and resistance to the microtubule-targeting drug taxol. Collectively, this study establishes DCDC2 as a novel ESE3/EHF oncogenic target in prostate cancer. These findings may be relevant for the clinical management of prostate cancer as DCDC2 may signal tumors more prone to relapse and resistant to taxol treatment.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Binding Sites , Cell Movement/genetics , Disease Progression , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Male , Microtubule-Associated Proteins/metabolism , Microtubules/metabolism , Paclitaxel/pharmacology , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery , Reference Values , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Tubulin Modulators/pharmacology
9.
Oncogene ; 31(46): 4878-87, 2012 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22330138

ABSTRACT

Epigenetic silencing of tumour suppressor genes is an important mechanism involved in cell transformation and tumour progression. The Set and RING-finger-associated domain-containing protein UHRF1 might be an important link between different epigenetic pathways. Here, we report that UHRF1 is frequently overexpressed in human prostate tumours and has an important role in prostate cancer pathogenesis and progression. Analysis of human prostate cancer samples by microarrays and immunohistochemistry showed increased expression of UHRF1 in about half of the cases. Moreover, UHRF1 expression was associated with reduced overall survival after prostatectomy in patients with organ-confined prostate tumours (P < 0.0001). UHRF1 expression was negatively correlated with several tumour suppressor genes and positively with the histone methyltransferase (HMT) EZH2 both in prostate tumours and cell lines. UHRF1 knockdown reduced proliferation, clonogenic capability and anchorage-independent growth of prostate cancer cells. Depletion of UHRF1 resulted in reactivation of several tumour suppressor genes. Gene reactivation upon UHRF1 depletion was associated with changes in histone H3K9 methylation, acetylation and DNA methylation, and impaired binding of the H3K9 HMT Suv39H1 to the promoter of silenced genes. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed direct interaction between UHRF1 and Suv39H1. Our data support the notion that UHRF1, along with Suv39H1 and DNA methyltransferases, contributes to epigenetic gene silencing in prostate tumours. This could represent a parallel and convergent pathway to the H3K27 methylation catalyzed by EZH2 to synergistically promote inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. Deregulated expression of UHRF1 is involved in the prostate cancer pathogenesis and might represent a useful marker to distinguish indolent cancer from those at high risk of lethal progression.


Subject(s)
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/genetics , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Acetylation , Cell Growth Processes/physiology , Cell Line, Tumor , DNA Methylation , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Disease Progression , Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein , Epigenesis, Genetic , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Gene Silencing , Genes, Tumor Suppressor , HEK293 Cells , Histone Methyltransferases , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism , Histones/genetics , Histones/metabolism , Humans , Immunoprecipitation/methods , Male , Polycomb Repressive Complex 2/genetics , Polycomb Repressive Complex 2/metabolism , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
10.
Radiat Res ; 171(6): 743-51, 2009 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19580481

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate DNA damage in human dermal fibroblasts from a healthy subject and from a subject affected by Turner's syndrome that were exposed for 24 h to radiofrequency (RF) radiation at 900 MHz. The RF-radiation exposure was carried out alone or in combination with 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX), a well-known environmental mutagen and carcinogen produced during the chlorination of drinking water. Turner's syndrome fibroblasts were also exposed for a shorter time (1 h). A signal similar to that emitted by Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile phones was used at a specific absorption rate of 1 W/kg under strictly controlled conditions of temperature and dosimetry. To evaluate DNA damage after RF-radiation exposure alone, the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay were used. In the combined-exposure experiments, MX was given at a concentration of 25 microM for 1 h immediately after the RF-radiation exposure, and the effects were evaluated by the alkaline comet assay. The results revealed no genotoxic and cytotoxic effects from RF radiation alone in either cell line. As expected, MX treatment induced an increase in DNA migration in the comet assay, but no enhancement of the MX-induced DNA damage was observed in the cells exposed to RF radiation.


Subject(s)
DNA Damage , DNA/radiation effects , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/radiation effects , Furans/toxicity , Mutagens/toxicity , Radio Waves/adverse effects , Cell Line , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/radiation effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cell Survival/radiation effects , Cells, Cultured , Comet Assay , DNA/drug effects , Humans , Micronucleus Tests , Temperature , Turner Syndrome/genetics , Turner Syndrome/pathology
11.
Radiat Res ; 170(3): 327-34, 2008 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18763855

ABSTRACT

In this study, the induction of apoptosis after exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (GSM signal) was investigated by assessing caspase 3 activation in exponentially growing Jurkat cells and in quiescent and proliferating human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The exposure was carried out at an average specific absorption rate of 1.35 W/kg in a dual wire patch cell exposure system where the temperature of cell cultures was accurately controlled. After 1 h exposure to the radiofrequency field, a slight but statistically significant increase in caspase 3 activity, measured 6 h after exposure, was observed in Jurkat cells (32.4%) and in proliferating human PBLs (22%). In contrast, no effect was detected in quiescent human PBLs. In the same experimental conditions, apoptosis was also evaluated in Jurkat cells by Western blot analysis and in both cell types by flow cytometry. To evaluate late effects due to caspase 3 activity, flow cytometry was also employed to assess apoptosis and viability 24 h after radiofrequency-radiation exposure in both cell types. Neither the former nor the latter was affected. Since in recent years it has been reported that caspases are also involved in processes other than apoptosis, additional cell cycle studies were carried out on proliferating T cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation; however, we found no differences between sham-exposed and exposed cultures. Further studies are warranted to investigate the biological significance of our findings of a dose-response increase in caspase 3 activity after exposure to radiofrequency radiation.


Subject(s)
Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Phone , Cell Proliferation/radiation effects , Lymphocytes/enzymology , Lymphocytes/radiation effects , Microwaves , Animals , Apoptosis/radiation effects , Cell Line , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Enzyme Activation/radiation effects , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Lymphocytes/cytology , Radiation Dosage
12.
J Strength Cond Res ; 22(3): 684-90, 2008 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18438253

ABSTRACT

Although exercise speed is an acute variable to prescribe abdominal strengthening programs, current literature lacks studies analyzing the influence of speed on muscular activation in abdominal exercises. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of trunk curl-up speed on the amplitude of muscular activation and the way in which the trunk muscles were coactivated. Twenty recreationally trained volunteers (16 women and 4 men; age, 23.7 +/- 4.3 years; height, 166.2 +/- 6.3 cm; mass, 61.0 +/- 8.2 kg) participated in this study. Surface electromyographic data were collected from the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae during 4 different curl-up cadences [1 repetition per 4 seconds (C4), 1 repetition per 2 seconds (C2), 1 repetition per 1.5 seconds (C1.5), 1 repetition per 1 second (C1)], and during maximum speed curl-ups (Cmax). The electromyographic amplitude was averaged and normalized using maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). Statistical analyses were performed using repeated-analyses of variance. Normalized electromyographic mean amplitudes of trunk muscles increased with curl-up speed. Although the rectus abdominis (ranged from 23.3% of MVICs at C4 to 49.6% of MVICs at Cmax) and internal oblique (ranged from 19.2% of MVICs at C4 to 48.5% of MVICs at Cmax) were the most active analyzed muscles at each speed, contribution of the external oblique increased appreciably with velocity (ranged from 5.3% of MVICs at C4 to 33.3% of MVICs at Cmax). Increasing trunk curl-up speed supposed greater trunk muscular coactivation, probably required for a faster performance and to ensure dynamic spine stability. On the basis of our findings, curl-up speed had an important effect on trunk muscular recruitment and must be taken into account when prescribing exercise programs for abdominal conditioning.


Subject(s)
Abdominal Muscles/physiology , Exercise/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Recruitment, Neurophysiological/physiology , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Cohort Studies , Electromyography , Female , Humans , Male , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Physical Education and Training/methods , Rectus Abdominis/physiology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Task Performance and Analysis
14.
Health Phys ; 92(4): 349-57, 2007 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17351499

ABSTRACT

Emerging technologies are considering the possible use of Terahertz radiation in different fields ranging from telecommunications to biology and biomedicine. The study of the potential effects of Terahertz radiation on biological systems is therefore an important issue in order to safely develop a variety of applications. This paper describes a pilot study devoted to determine if Terahertz radiation could induce genotoxic effects in human peripheral blood leukocytes. For this purpose, human whole blood samples from healthy donors were exposed for 20 min to Terahertz radiation. Since, to our knowledge, this is the first study devoted to the evaluation of possible genotoxic effects of such radiation, different electromagnetic conditions were considered. In particular, the frequencies of 120 and 130 GHz were chosen: the first one was tested at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 mW g-1, while the second one was tested at SAR levels of 0.24, 1.4, and 2 mW g-1. Chromosomal damage was evaluated by means of the cytokinesis block micronucleus technique, which also gives information on cell cycle kinetics. Moreover, human whole blood samples exposed to 130 GHz at SAR levels of 1.4 and 2 mW g-1 were also tested for primary DNA damage by applying the alkaline comet assay immediately after exposure. The results obtained indicate that THz exposure, in the explored electromagnetic conditions, is not able to induce either genotoxicity or alteration of cell cycle kinetics in human blood cells from healthy subjects.


Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human/radiation effects , DNA/radiation effects , Leukocytes/radiation effects , Pilot Projects , Radio Waves/adverse effects , Chromosomes, Human/genetics , Cytogenetics/methods , DNA/genetics , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Humans , Leukocytes/cytology , Micronucleus Tests/methods
15.
Bioelectromagnetics ; 27(2): 159-62, 2006 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16342194

ABSTRACT

The effect of exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field on a human T-leukaemia cell line (Jurkat) was investigated by evaluating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, both spontaneous and induced by a specific anti Fas/CD95 monoclonal antibody (anti-Fas). Our results suggest that 1 h intermittent (5 min field on/10 min field off) exposure does not affect ROS formation, while a slight but statistically significant decrease of both spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis was observed.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Apoptosis/radiation effects , Electromagnetic Fields , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Oxidative Stress/radiation effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Humans , Jurkat Cells
16.
Fish Shellfish Immunol ; 18(4): 311-25, 2005 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15561561

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory activity of Ergosan, an algal extract containing alginic acid, and Macrogard, a yeast extract containing beta-glucans, on innate and specific immunity in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Four cycles of experimental feeding using normal fish feed formulation (control group) supplemented with Ergosan (0.5%) or Macrogard (0.1%) were performed at 60-day intervals (15 days of treatment+45 days of suspension). Serum complement, lysozyme, total proteins and heat shock protein (HSP) concentrations were measured at 15, 30 and 45 days from the end of the first 15-day feeding cycle (short term) and 45 days after the end of each feeding cycle over a 35-week period (long term). The percentage of B- and T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood leucocytes and gut were measured over long-term trial. Significant elevation (P < 0.05) in serum complement activity occurred in sea bass fed with alginic acid and glucans, at 15 days from the end of first cycle of treatment. Significant elevation (P < 0.05) in serum lysozyme, gill and liver HSP concentration were observed in the same experimental groups at 30 days from the end of treatment, whereas a significant increase (P < 0.05) of complement activity was only observed in fish that received an Ergosan diet. At 45 days from the end of treatment, complement, lysozyme and HSP concentration did not differ among groups. Over the long-term period, no significant differences were observed in innate and specific immune parameters, survival, growth performances and conversion index in treated and control fish. A dramatic decrease of both innate and acquired immune parameters was observed during the winter season in all groups, followed by a partial recovery when water temperature increased. Reduction in complement and lysozyme activities was significatively correlated (p < 0.01) to water temperature variation. The results suggested the potential of alginic acid and beta-glucans to activate some innate immune responses in sea bass, and particularly under conditions of immunodepression related to environmental stress.


Subject(s)
Alginates/pharmacology , Bass/immunology , Glucuronic Acid/pharmacology , Hexuronic Acids/pharmacology , Immunity, Innate/drug effects , beta-Glucans/pharmacology , Alginates/administration & dosage , Animal Feed/analysis , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Bass/growth & development , Blotting, Western , Body Weights and Measures , Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay , Eukaryota , Flow Cytometry , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , Glucuronic Acid/administration & dosage , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Hexuronic Acids/administration & dosage , Italy , Lymphocytes , Muramidase/metabolism , Time Factors , Yeasts , beta-Glucans/administration & dosage
17.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 37(6): 901-5, 2004 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15264034

ABSTRACT

Patients expressing estradiol receptors in melanoma cells have been reported to have a better prognosis. We therefore decided to investigate the in vitro effects of beta-estradiol and tamoxifen on the growth and tyrosinase activity of SK-Mel 23 human melanoma cells. Twenty-four-hour treatment with 0.4 nM beta-estradiol inhibited cell proliferation in 30% (0.70 +/- 0.03 x 10(5) cells) and increased tyrosinase activity in 50% (7130.5 +/- 376.5 cpm/10(5) cells), as compared to untreated cells (1.0 +/- 0.05 x 10(5) cells and 4769 +/- 25.5 cpm/10(5) cells, respectively). Both responses were completely (100%) blocked by 1 microM tamoxifen. Higher concentrations (up to 1.6 nM) or longer treatments (up to 72 h) did not result in a larger effect of the hormone on proliferation or tyrosinase activity. Competition binding assays demonstrated the presence of binding sites to [2,4,6,7-3H]-beta-estradiol, and that the tritiated analogue was displaced by the unlabeled hormone (1 nM to 100 microM, Kd = 0.14 microM, maximal displacement of 93%) or by 10 microM tamoxifen (displacement of 60%). Beta-estradiol also increased the phosphorylated state of two proteins of 16 and 46 kDa, after 4-h treatment, as determined by Western blot. The absorbance of each band was 1.9- and 4-fold the controls, respectively, as determined with Image-Pro Plus software. Shorter incubation periods with beta-estradiol did not enhance phosphorylation; after 6-h treatment with the hormone, the two proteins returned to the control phosphorylation levels. The growth inhibition promoted by estradiol may explain the better prognosis of melanoma-bearing women as compared to men, and open new perspectives for drug therapy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/pharmacology , Estradiol/pharmacology , Melanoma/metabolism , Monophenol Monooxygenase/drug effects , Tamoxifen/pharmacology , Binding, Competitive , Blotting, Western , Humans , Melanoma/enzymology , Melanoma/pathology , Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism , Time Factors , Tumor Cells, Cultured/drug effects
18.
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 37(6): 901-905, Jun. 2004. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-359908

ABSTRACT

Patients expressing estradiol receptors in melanoma cells have been reported to have a better prognosis. We therefore decided to investigate the in vitro effects of á-estradiol and tamoxifen on the growth and tyrosinase activity of SK-Mel 23 human melanoma cells. Twenty-four-hour treatment with 0.4 nM á-estradiol inhibited cell proliferation in 30 percent (0.70 ñ 0.03 x 10(5) cells) and increased tyrosinase activity in 50 percent (7130.5 ñ 376.5 cpm/10(5) cells), as compared to untreated cells (1.0 ñ 0.05 x 10(5) cells and 4769 ñ 25.5 cpm/10(5) cells, respectively). Both responses were completely (100 percent) blocked by 1 æM tamoxifen. Higher concentrations (up to 1.6 nM) or longer treatments (up to 72 h) did not result in a larger effect of the hormone on proliferation or tyrosinase activity. Competition binding assays demonstrated the presence of binding sites to [2,4,6,7- H]-á-estradiol, and that the tritiated analogue was displaced by the unlabeled hormone (1 nM to 100 æM, Kd = 0.14 æM, maximal displacement of 93 percent) or by 10 æM tamoxifen (displacement of 60 percent). á-estradiol also increased the phosphorylated state of two proteins of 16 and 46 kDa, after 4-h treatment, as determined by Western blot. The absorbance of each band was 1.9- and 4-fold the controls, respectively, as determined with Image-Pro Plus software. Shorter incubation periods with á-estradiol did not enhance phosporylation; after 6-h treatment with the hormone, the two proteins returned to the control phosphorylation levels. The growth inhibition promoted by estradiol may explain the better prognosis of melanoma-bearing women as compared to men, and open new perspectives for drug therapy.


Subject(s)
Humans , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal , Estradiol , Melanoma , Monophenol Monooxygenase , Tamoxifen , Binding, Competitive , Blotting, Western , Time Factors , Tumor Cells, Cultured
19.
Ludovica pediátr ; 6(1): 26-33, mar. 2004. ilus, graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: lil-421970

ABSTRACT

El Síndrome del Bebé Sacudido (SBS) es una patología que plantea dificultades para su diagnóstico correcto y seguro. El subdiagnóstico y el subregistro son habituales. Presentamos dos casos de SBS en su forma clínica clásica que tuvieron los signos característicos: lactantes sanos hasta el momento de la consulta, que bruscamente presentaron un cuadro neurológico agudo, severo y polimorfo asociado a hemorragias intracraneales e intraoculares. Se recomiendan los procedimientos y estudios para arribar al diagnóstico en forma concluyente y aplicar un tratamiento adecuado


Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Child , Child Abuse/classification , Child Abuse/psychology , Retinal Hemorrhage , Neurologic Examination/classification
20.
Ludovica pediátr ; 6(1): 26-33, mar. 2004. ilus, graf
Article in Spanish | BINACIS | ID: bin-123626

ABSTRACT

El Síndrome del Bebé Sacudido (SBS) es una patología que plantea dificultades para su diagnóstico correcto y seguro. El subdiagnóstico y el subregistro son habituales. Presentamos dos casos de SBS en su forma clínica clásica que tuvieron los signos característicos: lactantes sanos hasta el momento de la consulta, que bruscamente presentaron un cuadro neurológico agudo, severo y polimorfo asociado a hemorragias intracraneales e intraoculares. Se recomiendan los procedimientos y estudios para arribar al diagnóstico en forma concluyente y aplicar un tratamiento adecuado


Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Child , Retinal Hemorrhage/classification , Child Abuse/classification , Child Abuse/psychology , Neurologic Examination/classification
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