Application of Moringa oleifera Lam. fractionated proteins for inactivation of Escherichia coli from water.

Chemical products traditionally used in the disinfection of water bodies often pose human health risks. For this reason, studies on natural coagulants such as Moringa oleifera Lam. represent an alternative for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, among which is Escherichia coli. This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of coagulants obtained from Moringa seed extracts and their protein fractions in the inactivation of E. coli during the coagulation/flocculation process. The coagulants studied were the aqueous extract, saline extract and protein fractions albumin and globulin, highlighting that the protein fractions were more effective on inactivating E. coli. The protein fraction globulin at a concentration of 10.0 mg L-1 showed bactericidal effects against E. coli within 18 min, whereas the albumin showed a bacteriostatic effect within 48 min because it isolated colonies in the sediment sample.

Epidemiological surveillance of West Nile neuroinvasive diseases in Italy, 2008 to 2011.

We describe the geographical and temporal distribution of West Nile neuroinvasive diseases (WNND) cases in Italy from 2008 to 2011. The increasing number of confirmed human cases from eight in 2008 to 18 in 2009 and the occurrence of the virus in a larger geographical area in 2009 (moving from east to west) prompted the Ministry of Health to publish, in spring 2010, a national programme for WNND human surveillance, comprising veterinary and vector surveillance. Subsequently, in 2011, a new national plan on integrated human surveillance of imported and autochthonous vector-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue and West Nile disease) was issued. Between 2008 and 2011, 43 cases of WNND were reported from five regions in Italy with a case fatality rate of 16%. The incidence of WNND during the entire study period was 0.55 per 100,000 population (range: 0.06­0.23 per 100,000). During 2011, two new regions (Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Sardinia) reported confirmed cases in humans. Integrated human, entomological and animal surveillance for West Nile virus is a public health priority in Italy and will be maintained during 2012.

Differential effects of monastrol in two human cell lines.

The kinesin-related protein HsEg5 plays essential roles in mitotic spindle dynamics. Although inhibition of HsEg5 has been suggested as an aid in cancer treatment, the effects of such inhibition on human cells have not been characterized. Here we studied the effects of monastrol, an allosteric HsEg5 inhibitor, on AGS and HT29 cell lines and compared them to those of taxol. While both cell lines were similarly sensitive to taxol, AGS cells were more sensitive to monastrol. The differences in sensitivity were determined by the degree of inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, reversibility of monastrol-induced G2/M arrest, intracellular phenotypes and induction of apoptosis. In both cell lines, monastrol-induced apoptosis was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 cleavage. In AGS, but not HT29 cells, monastrol-induced apoptosis involved a prominent cleavage of procaspases 8 and 3. While in AGS cells, monastrol induced the formation of symmetric microtubule asters only, in HT29 cells, asymmetric asters were also formed, which may be related to specific HsEg5 functions in HT29 cells.

C3 polymorphism and NADH diaphorase types in Sardinia (Italy).

C3 and DIA1 types were studied in Sardinians from four provinces. C3 showed a heterogeneous distribution in the four subsamples and C3*F gene varied between 0.235 (Province of Sassari) and 0.154 (Province of Oristano). No rare types were found in Sardinia in contrast to mainland Italy. There are significant differences compared with some Italian populations on the mainland. DIA1*2 allele varies between 0.0026 (Province of Cagliari) and 0.0157 (Province of Nuoro). Also DIA1 showed a heterogenous distribution.

[Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle]. / Pseudoartrosi congenita della clavicola.

A case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is presented. Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare entity that has poorly been documented in the pediatric literature. The etiology and pathogenesis still remain obscure. The clinical and radiological appearances are characteristic. Differential diagnosis lies between postpartum fracture, posttraumatic pseudarthrosis, cleidocranial dysostosis and neurofibromatosis.

AK, PGM1 and 6PGD polymorphisms in Central Sardinia.

Adenylate kinase (AK), phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) polymorphisms were investigated in a sample of individuals from Central Sardinia. The gene frequencies were: AK1 = 0.973, PGM1(1) = 0.842 and PGDA = 0.969. The frequencies were compared with those of other Italian populations.

Gc and C3 polymorphisms in South Sardinia.

The distribution of phenotypes and gene frequencies of the group-specific component (Gc) and C3 complement were studied in South Sardinia. The gene frequencies were: Gc1 = 0.7346; C3F = 0.1963.

AcP and EsD polymorphisms in South Sardinia.

A sample of the South Sardinia population was studied with respect to acid phosphatase (AcP) and esterase D (EsD) enzymes. The gene frequencies were: AcPA = 0.326, AcPB = 0.607, AcPC = 0.067 and EsD1 = 0.883. The results were compared with those of other Italian populations.

Evaluation of pituitary-thyroid axis response to acute myocardial infarction.

We have studied with seriated controls for a period of 9 days 18 patients admitted to our hospital for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Slight, but non significant variations in thyroidal hormone pattern were observed: slight decrease of T3 and T4 levels, increase of reverse T3 on day 3, low free T4 levels, slight increase of TSH levels until the 3rd day. However, hormonal pattern was clearly different in patients who presented a clinical improvement (group 1a) and in patients who died for AMI (group 1b). In fact, a significant TSH increase was recorded in patients of group 1a; on the contrary, a significant decrease of TSH, T4 and free T4 concentrations was observed for subjects of group 1b, suggesting an inadequate response of pituitary-thyroid axis. In conclusion, the evaluation of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin levels can be of clinical usefulness in the management of patients with AMI. The decrease of plasma T4 and free T4 concentrations, accompanied with low TSH levels, can be associated with unfavorable course of the disease and therefore can be considered a bad prognostic sign.

Evaluation of dopaminergic tone in hyperprolactinemia. III. Thyroid-stimulating hormone response to metoclopramide in differential diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of prolactinoma patients.

Recently, it has been shown that patients with a PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma have a greater thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) release after dopamine (DA)-receptor blockade than normal subjects. We have compared the TSH and PRL responses to metoclopramide (MCP) in normal and postpartum lactating women with those in 28 patients with hyperprolactinemia of different origin. Patients with a PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma were also tested after transsphenoidal removal of the tumor in order to establish the prognostic value of this test in such patients. Following MCP administration, percent increases in plasma PRL levels were greater in normal female subjects than postpartum lactating women. Plasma TSH levels did not increase in postpartum women and had a modest increment in normal subjects. In patients with hypothalamic tumors and empty sella syndrome plasma PRL and TSH levels showed modest or no increases after MCP administration. In ten patients harboring a microprolactinoma, plasma TSH levels showed an exaggerated increment after DA-receptor blockade. Postoperatively, despite normal or borderline PRL levels in the immediate postoperative period, a TSH response to MCP was present (in five patients one to two weeks after the operation, and in five patients one to three years after the operation), suggesting an increased DA activity even in the absence of hyperprolactinemia. In conclusion, the TSH test can easily detect increased DA-activity in patients with a microprolactinoma both preoperatively and postoperatively. It is possible that some patients with increased DA-activity in presence of normal PRL levels and normal PRL responsiveness to stimulation will experience a recurrence of hyperprolactinemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)