Role of Pasteurella multocida, Pasteurella haemolytica and Salmonella typhimurium porins on inducible nitric oxide release by murine macrophages.

The aim of this study was to verify whether Pasteurella haemolytica, P. multocida and Salmonella typhimurium porins could affect the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) release by murine resident peritoneal macrophages in vitro. We also compared their effect with that elicited by P. haemolytica, P. multocida and S. typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) whose biological activity is well known. Variations in NO release and iNOS mRNA expression due to variable concentrations of porins were recorded and compared. We also investigated the synergism between bacterial products and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). With this aim cells were incubated with porins together with murine rIFN-gamma prior to assessing the presence of NO in the supernatant and mRNA analysis. Porins in themselves were not able to induce NO release by resident peritoneal macrophages. Incubation of macrophages with IFN-gamma in the presence of porins increased NO release, whereas incubation in the presence of the arginine analog N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA) inhibited NO release. The greatest NO release was obtained using porins at a concentration of 5 microg/mL. Porins, together with IFN-gamma, were also able to upregulate the mRNA expression of iNOS. Our findings suggest that gram-negative porins are able to modulate inflammatory and immunological responses by affecting the release of NO and the expression of iNOS gene in activated macrophages.

Comparative study of the marginal microleakage of six cements in fixed provisional crowns.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: In many situations, provisional restorations require a long-term permanence in the oral cavity. During this period, the abutments need the best possible biologic and mechanical protection. In this way, the vitality of the pulp and the integrity of mineralized tissues can be preserved. The luting cement used to fix interim restorations should have good mechanical properties, low solubility, and good adhesion to resist bacterial and molecular penetration. However, because of its provisional nature, the prosthesis should be easy to remove from the abutments. These contrasting requirements may lead to a compromise in cement behavior, particularly in its mechanical properties. PURPOSE: This in vitro study evaluated the marginal microleakage of 4 provisional cements, a cavity base compound and a zinc-phosphate luting cement in provisional acrylic resin crowns fixed on extracted human teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty acrylic resin crowns were made and fitted on intact human premolars with the 6 cements. All restorations were applied in a standardized manner by means of an axial load of 10 kg. Specimens were thermocycled then submerged in a 5% basic fuchsin solution, then sectioned and observed under a light stereomicroscope. A 5-level scale was used to score dye penetration in the tooth/cement interface. RESULTS: A high dye penetration in the tooth/cement interface was present in all 4 provisional cements. Microleakage existed in specimens where zinc-phosphate and cavity base compounds were used; however, it was lower than the other materials. A significant difference (P < .05) was found between zinc-phosphate and one eugenol-free cement and between cavity base and the same eugenol-free cement. CONCLUSIONS: All materials tested demonstrated different degrees of microleakage. Zinc-phosphate and cavity base compound cements had the best sealing properties. This latter, even if conceived as a cavity base, may be considered a good provisional cement as far as microleakage is concerned.

Microvascular capillaroscopic abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Microvascular circulation was investigated by nailfold capillaroscopy in 32 patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In all the patients elongated and tiny capillaries as well as tortuousity were the main shape abnormalities of the capillary loops. Higher subpapilar venous plexus (SPVP) visibility was evidentiated in patients presenting antinuclear and anti-RANA antibodies. No differences in the capillaroscopic pattern were found between rheumatoid factor positive and rheumatoid factor negative patients. In conclusion, elongated and tortuous capillaries seem to be the main alterations in RA, although they are not specific to the disease and are not correlated with the presence of rheumatoid factor. Higher SPVP visibility may be an expression of the endothelial damage induced by antinuclear antibodies in vessel walls.

Studies on the occurrence and distribution of HI antibodies against some arboviruses in the serum of domestic mammals in Puglia.

The virological and serological studies previously carried out on arboviruses in Italy are reviewed. The presence of antibodies to 11 arboviruses was investigated in the serum of various domestic animals (100 horses, 107 pigs, 102 sheep, 205 goats, 100 cattle and 200 dogs) from some areas of Puglia. The techniques are described. The results, given in tables and discussed in detail, support the hypothesis that in this region also there are arboviruses circulating, particularly those of group B.

Biochemical studies on equine infectious anaemia.

A description is given of an outbreak of equine infectious anaemia (E.I.A.) in Campania [at Naples and Aversa (Caserta)]; it was diagnosed by clinical, pathological and serological examinations (Coggins test). Using the serum of 45 horses with E.I.A. and 11 healthy horses (controls), numerous investigations were carried out on: enzymes, intrinsic coagulation factors, lipids and other substances. The results obtained were very interesting and show that in this disease there are significant increases in many enzymes (LDH, LAP, gamma-GT, CPK, PK and ALD) and copper. Insignificant increases were found in other enzymes (SDH, GLDH, MDH, ICDH, AIP, lysozyme, cholinesterase, GOT and GPT) and also intrinsic coagulation factors, lipid substances (total cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, triglycerides) and glucose. LDH-1-isoenzyme remains unchanged, whilst AcP decreases slightly.

[Studies on the adaptation of various strains of orthomyxovirus type A, subtype A/equi 2, passaged either on bovine kidney cells or on chicken fibroblasts or on RK-13 cells or by those passages alternating with "in ovo" passages]. / Ricerche sull'adattamento di alcuni ceppi di orthomyxovirus tipo A, sottotipo A/equi-2, passati o sulle cellule di rene bovino o sui fibroblasti di pollo o sulle cellule RK-13 o mediante passaggi alternati cellule "OVO"

The Authors have researched to adapt Orthomyxovirus, subtype A/equi-2 (Naples/213/67, Andria/60/68 and Miami/63), by serial passages on kidney calf cells, chick embryo cells and RK-13 cell line or by one or two passages on these colture media alternated with one passage "in ovo". The results obtained show that only kidney calf cells are most suitable because the viruses replicate for eleven passages. On the chick embryo cells and RK-13 cell line the viruses replicate only for two passages and these results are not modified when one or two passages are alternated with one passage "in ovo". The Authors have observed the production of infectious but not haemadsorbing and haemagglutining virus. The phenomenon is discussed and integrated with collateral tests.