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Biomedical subjects

A Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Bianchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Alterations in smooth muscle contractile and cytoskeleton proteins and interstitial cells of Cajal in megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is characterized by decreased or absent peristalsis. Gastrointestinal motility depends on the enteric nervous system, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Contractile and cytoskeleton proteinase are important structural and functional components of SMCs. The aim of study was to examine the expression of contractile and cytoskeleton proteins in SMCs and distribution of ICCs in MMIHS bowel. METHODS: Full-thickness bowel specimens were obtained from 4 infants with MMIHS and 4 controls. Specimens were processed as whole-mount preparations and frozen and paraffin sections. Combined staining of NADPH-d histochemistry/c-kit immunohistochemistry, single and double immunohistochemistry using alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), calponin (CALP), caldesmon (CALD), desmin (DES), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and c-kit antibodies were performed and examined using light and confocal scanning microscopy. RESULTS: alpha-SMA, CALP, CALD, and DES immunoreactivity were reduced markedly in MMIHS bowel compared with controls. Combined NADPH/c-kit staining showed dense network of ICCs around myenteric plexus in MMIHS bowel. In contrast, the intramuscular ICCs either were absent or reduced in MMIHS bowel. CONCLUSIONS: Marked reduction of contractile and cytoskeleton proteins in SMCs combined with reduced expression of intramuscular ICCs in the gut may be responsible for the motility dysfunction in MMIHS.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2003

Evidence for the presence of both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and beta in the rat spinal cord.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Different subtypes of PPARs (alpha, beta, and gamma) have been described. Their distinct physiological functions depend on their differential ligand activation profiles but also on their specific tissue expression. Previous studies have described their presence in the central nervous system. However, their expression in the adult rat spinal cord in normal physiological conditions has never been investigated. We demonstrated by using reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting, the mRNA and protein expression of PPARalpha and PPARbeta, but not PPARgamma in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segments of the spinal cord. Using immunohistochemistry, we also showed for the first time the specific cellular distribution of these transcription factors in the different segments of the spinal cord. In the gray matter, the distribution of PPARalpha was homogenous whereas PPARbeta was specifically localized in motoneurons and in medial part of laminae IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and X. These latter areas are known as nociceptive afferent pathways to supra-spinal structures such as the medulla reticular nucleus and the thalamus. In the white matter, PPARalpha was localized exclusively in astrocytes while PPARbeta was present in oligodendrocytes. The possible functions of PPARalpha and PPARbeta expressed in both white and gray matters of the spinal cord will be discussed but need further studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Family study of epilepsy in first degree relatives: data from the Italian Episcreen Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the family history of epilepsy in first degree relatives of probands with epilepsy. METHODS: A sample of 10787 patients with epilepsy with complete information about first degree relatives (parents, siblings and offspring) was selected from the database of the Episcreen Project, the largest Italian observational study on epilepsy. Family history was assessed by: (1) prevalence estimates of epilepsy among proband's relatives, (2) modified cumulative risks (MCR), adjusted using proband's age as censoring time in life tables, (3) standardised morbidity ratios (SMR), using a sub-group of symptomatic epilepsies as control group. RESULTS: Patients (9.1%) had a family history of epilepsy. The overall prevalence of epilepsy among first degree relatives was 2.6%. Idiopathic generalised epilepsies had the highest prevalence (5.3%). Cryptogenetic epilepsies had a lower prevalence (2.1%) than idiopathic epilepsies, but higher then symptomatic epilepsies (1.5%), both in generalised and focal forms (3.8% vs. 2.0% and 1.8% vs. 1.3%). A similar tendency was detected using MCR and SMR, with the higher values of risks/ratios for idiopathic and generalised epilepsies. Probands with idiopathic generalised epilepsies were highly concordant with respect to their relatives' type of epilepsy. Considering other strata factors, risks were higher in proband's epilepsies with an onset less then 14 years of age, while sex played no definite role in differentiating the family history. CONCLUSIONS: The Episcreen model permits a variety of stratification factors to measure family risk, including age at onset, epilepsy localisation and aetiology with a large sample of more than 10,000 probands and 1065/40,544 relatives affected and classified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Nitric oxide is involved in the expression of neocortical spike-and-wave spindling episodes in DBA/2J mice.

This study investigated the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of neocortical spike-and-wave spindling episodes (S&W) of DBA/2J mice. The administration of distilled water did not modify either the number or duration of S&W in DBA/2J mice during the whole recording period (240 min). L-N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (3-300 microg/mouse, i.c.v.) dose-dependently reduced the S&W of DBA/2J mice. This effect appeared 30 min after drug administration and lasted for the duration of the recording period (240 min). In addition, L-NAME treatment did not induce significant alterations of stereotyped behaviour such as licking, sniffing, chewing or tremors of the head and body and behavioural excitability, whereas the electroencephalogram desynchronized pattern was also significantly reduced. By contrast D-N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester at the same doses did not affect S&W of mice. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME on S&W of mice was dose-dependently reversed by L-arginine (L-ARG, 3-300 microg/mouse, i.c.v.) but not by D-arginine. Finally, glyceryl trinitrate on its own (3-300 microg/mouse, i.c.v.) significantly increased the S&W of mice and it was also able to reverse the inhibition on S&W of mice operated by L-NAME. These results provide evidence that NO may play a significant role in the development of brain excitability.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic Bochdalek hernia. Case report.

The authors describe the case of a 1-month-old patient admitted for crisis of paleness, accompanied by hyporeactivity, tachycardia and polypnea; the symptoms, attenuated after detension of the abdomen, grew worse, with compromise of general conditions and respiratory failure. Chest X-ray shows the herniation of intestinal loops in the thoracic cavity. After the first emergency care, it became necessary to submit the baby to HFO and cardiovascular drugs for some hours before getting oxygenation index (OI) and circulation stabilization. Late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (LCDH) is a condition that can occur during first or second infancy with respiratory or abdominal symptoms, quickly worsening or intermittent. The prognosis is good if diagnosis is timely. Patient stabilization before surgical intervention must be valued not only by O.I. but also by circulation conditions.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Competitive transport of cadmium and lead through a natural porous medium: influence of the solid/liquid interface processes.

Contaminated groundwater typically contains different metal contaminants which may compete with each other for the same adsorption sites. Understanding the fate of these micro-pollutants is of primary importance for the assessment of the risk associated with their dispersion in the environment and for the evaluation of the most appropriate remediation technology. In this regard, column techniques can be considered as useful tools both to perform transport experiments and to obtain equilibrium adsorption data without any perturbation of the actual solid/liquid interface. Cd and Pb monocomponent step column experiments were used to obtain adsorption isotherms on a natural aquifer material. A General Composite approach was used to define the equilibrium adsorption model characterized by two types of sites (ion-exchange and surface complexation sites). Coupling the adsorption model with the Advection-Dispersion equation (by IMPACT code) allowed us to well represent the monocomponent step experiments. The model was successfully used to predict the competitive Cd and Pb transport behaviour. Cd peaks of concentration due to Pb competition were experimentally observed and simulated by the model. This behaviour can be described only by an accurate modelling of the interaction and cannot be predicted by simple isotherms (such as Langmuir or Freundlich type).

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

First-order superconducting phase transition in CeCoIn5.

The superconducting phase transition in heavy fermion CeCoIn5 (T(c)=2.3 K in zero field) becomes first order when the magnetic field H parallel [001] is greater than 4.7 T, and the transition temperature is below T0 approximately 0.31T(c). The change from second order at lower fields is reflected in strong sharpening of both specific heat and thermal expansion anomalies associated with the phase transition, a strong magnetocaloric effect, and a steplike change in the sample volume. This effect is due to Pauli limiting in a type-II superconductor, and was predicted theoretically in the mid-1960s.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Glucosamine modulates IL-1-induced activation of rat chondrocytes at a receptor level, and by inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway.

We recently reported that glucosamine reversed the decrease in proteoglycan synthesis and in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase I mRNA expression induced by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) [Arthritis Rheum. 44 (2001) 351-360]. In the present work, we show that glucosamine does not exert the same effects when chondrocytes were stimulated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In order to better understand its mechanism of action, we determined if glucosamine could prevent the binding of IL-1 beta to its cellular receptors or could interfere with its signaling pathway at a post-receptor level. Addition of glucosamine to rat chondrocytes treated with IL-1 beta or with ROS decreased the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B, but not the activator protein-1. After treatment with IL-1 beta, glucosamine increased the expression of mRNA encoding the type II IL-1 beta receptor. These results emphasize the potential role of two regulating proteins of the IL-1 beta signaling pathway that could account for the beneficial effect of glucosamine in osteoarthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A case of severe hypertension caused by ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia.

This report describes a rare case of ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) arisen with symptomatic severe hypertension and hypokaliemia. A 55-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a clinical picture characterized by several episodes of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and right hemiplegia, related to severe arterial hypertension. Laboratory tests showed urinary levels of catecholamines, metanephrines and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in normal range; high urinary free cortisol excretion, elevated serum cortisol with loss of the circadian rhythm and low ACTH plasma levels. ACTH failed to respond to CRH administration. Serum cortisol levels were not modified after high doses of dexamethasone. MRI showed bilateral macronodular hyperplasia of adrenal glands, whereas pituitary-MRI did not show tumoral lesions. Therefore, ACTH-independent macronodular hyperplasia was suspected. Though obese, the patient had no typical Cushing habit, and symptomatic hypertension with hypokaliemia was the only clinical evidence for this rare kind of Cushing's syndrome. After obtaining a satisfactory control of blood pressure, the patient was successfully submitted to laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy and underwent complete clinical remission. The histology showed adrenal macronodular hyperplasia. During the twenty-four month follow-up, the patient had no further transient ischemic attacks or need of glucocorticoid replacement therapy and withdrew the antihypertensive drugs.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2002

Movement-related modulation of neural activity in human basal ganglia and its L-DOPA dependency: recordings from deep brain stimulation electrodes in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Through electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation in three patients (5 sides) with Parkinson's disease, we recorded the electrical activity from the human basal ganglia before, during and after voluntary contralateral finger movements, before and after L-DOPA. We analysed the movement-related spectral changes in the electroencephalographic signal from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and from the internal globus pallidus (GPi). Before, during and after voluntary movements, signals arising from the human basal ganglia contained two main frequencies: a high beta (around 26 Hz), and a low beta (around 18 Hz). The high beta (around 26 Hz) power decreased in the STN and GPi, whereas the low beta (around 18 Hz) power decrease was consistently found only in the GPi. Both frequencies changed their power with a specific temporal modulation related to the different movement phases. L-DOPA specifically and selectively influenced the spectral power changes in these two signal bands.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed2002

No evidence for a susceptibility locus for idiopathic generalized epilepsy on chromosome 5 in families with typical absence seizures.

A recent genome-wide scan revealed suggestive evidence for two susceptibility loci for idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) in the chromosomal regions 5p15 and 5q14-q22 in families with typical absence seizures. The present replication study tested the validity of the tentative IGE loci on chromosome 5. Our study included 99 multiplex families in which at least one family member had typical absence seizures. Parametric and non-parametric multipoint linkage analyses were carried out between the IGE trait and 23 microsatellite polymorphisms covering the entire region of chromosome 5. Multipoint parametric heterogeneity lod scores < -2 were obtained along chromosome 5 when a proportion of linked families greater than 50% was assumed under recessive inheritance and > 60% under dominant inheritance. Furthermore, non-parametric multipoint linkage analyses revealed no hint of linkage throughout the candidate region (P > 0.05). Accordingly, we failed to support previous evidence for common IGE loci on chromosome 5. If there is a susceptibility locus for IGE on chromosome 5 then the size of the effect or the proportion of linked families is too small to detect linkage in the investigated family sample.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2002

Ethanol elicits and potentiates nociceptor responses via the vanilloid receptor-1.

The vanilloid receptor-1 (VR1) is a heat-gated ion channel that is responsible for the burning sensation elicited by capsaicin. A similar sensation is reported by patients with esophagitis when they consume alcoholic beverages or are administered alcohol by injection as a medical treatment. We report here that ethanol activates primary sensory neurons, resulting in neuropeptide release or plasma extravasation in the esophagus, spinal cord or skin. Sensory neurons from trigeminal or dorsal root ganglia as well as VR1-expressing HEK293 cells responded to ethanol in a concentration-dependent and capsazepine-sensitive fashion. Ethanol potentiated the response of VR1 to capsaicin, protons and heat and lowered the threshold for heat activation of VR1 from approximately 42 degrees C to approximately 34 degrees C. This provides a likely mechanistic explanation for the ethanol-induced sensory responses that occur at body temperature and for the sensitivity of inflamed tissues to ethanol, such as might be found in esophagitis, neuralgia or wounds.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Elective delayed midgut reduction-No anesthesia for gastroschisis: Selection and conversion criteria.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In 1998 Bianchi and Dickson published their proposal for elective delayed midgut reduction without anaesthesia (EDMR-No GA). The study has been prospectively extended to develop "selection and conversion criteria" to ensure safe application of the technique. METHODS: In a prospective study from 1993 to date, EDMR-No GA was considered as first-line postnatal management in 35 children. The protocol and technique were those described by Bianchi and Dickson in 1998. RESULTS: EDMR-No GA was completed successfully in 25 children, of whom, 23 are normal with an aesthetic, scarless abdomen. Two children had bowel necrosis and died of short bowel state. A trial EDMR-No GA was converted to a staged silo reduction in 2 children who are both alive and well. EDMR-No GA was considered contraindicated in 8. Five had an elective, staged silo reduction, 2 had EDMR under anesthesia, and one 27-week-gestation baby died of severe hypothermia and acidosis before any procedure. CONCLUSIONS: No single technique is applicable in all circumstances, and "selection and conversion criteria" are relevant to safe EDMR-No GA. These include poor general condition, significant vital organ anomaly, bowel-to-abdomen disproportion and "at risk" bowel circulation. The development of distress and progressive metabolic acidosis during and after EDMR-No GA, are indications for urgent conversion to avoid serious bowel injury. Experience with EDMR-No GA hones the surgeon's sensitivity in assessing abdominal.

Contraindications↗
PubMed2002

Preoperative growth hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone and oral glucose tolerance test in acromegaly: a retrospective evaluation of 50 patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between growth hormone (GH) dynamic tests (thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH] test and oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT]), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plasma values, tumor size, and clinical outcome in patients with GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, we investigated the potential prognostic utility of the above biochemical parameters in the follow-up of patients with acromegaly. We studied 50 acromegalic patients (18 males and 32 females; mean age, 40 years; range, 16 to 69) who underwent trans-sphenoidal removal of a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma from 1990 to 1994. Preoperatively, we evaluated (1) GH plasmatic levels after an oral glucose load (OGTT) (blood samples were drawn at -15, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after oral administration of 0.75 g/kg body weight [BW] of glucose), (2) GH plasma levels after a TRH test (200 microg as an intravenous [IV] bolus), and (3) basal IGF-I plasma levels after an overnight fast. From 3 to 12 months after surgery we evaluated (1) GH plasma values after an OGTT, and (2) basal plasma IGF-I, free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and urinary free cortisol. The same tests were performed every year for 5 years. All of the patients were classified into 4 subgroups according to the system of Hardy and Vezina. Preoperatively, "controlled" patients (n = 29) had a GH paradoxical response to TRH (n = 28) and an unresponsiveness to OGTT (n = 29); 23 of them belonged to the I and II classes. Only 5 poorly controlled patients (n = 21) showed a preoperative paradoxical response to TRH and 9 had a preoperative GH partial inhibition after OGTT; 19 of them belonged to the III and IV classes. Our data suggest that in the preoperative period in acromegalic patients the simultaneous presence of a GH paradoxical response to TRH and lack of GH inhibition after OGTT is inversely related to the tumor size and therefore more likely to be restored to normal by surgical treatment.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed2002

A retrospective hormonal and immunohistochemical evaluation of 47 acromegalic patients: prognostic value of preoperative plasma prolactin.

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to investigate the correlations between preoperative prolactin (PRL) plasma values, immunohistochemical picture and the clinical course in growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenomas. In 47 patients (19 males and 28 females; mean age 40 years; range 13 - 70 years), we measured GH, IGF-1 and prolactin plasma values both before and after transsphenoidal surgery, and basal IGF-1 and GH after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during four years of follow-up. We considered those patients as "controlled" who presented an undetectable growth hormone after OGTT (GH < 1 microg/l), IGF-I plasma values in the normal range, matched for age and sex, and no clinical activity or neuroradiological recurrence after a four-year follow-up. We considered patients as "poorly controlled" who still showed elevated GH and IGF-I plasma levels, uninhibited GH after OGTT (GH > 1 microg/l), presence of clinical activity and/or radiological signs of adenoma recurrence, even if a reduction of tumor size had been demonstrated. RESULTS: Controlled patients (n = 22) exhibited mean preoperative PRL levels (+/- SEM) lower than the group of poorly controlled (n = 25) ones (21.40 +/- 5.51 vs. 38.44 +/- 5.16 microg/l; p < 0.03). From 3 to 12 months after surgery, postoperative PRL levels were also lower in the controlled patients compared to the poorly controlled ones (8.31 +/- 1.20 vs. 25.32 +/- 3.20 microg/l; p < 0.0001). Eighty percent (20/25) of poorly controlled patients showed both PRL and GH positivity after immunostaining. Only 3/22 (13.6 %) of controlled patients showed the same double positivity. In conclusion, preoperative hyperprolactinemia identifies a group of acromegalic patients at elevated risk of disease persistence after surgery. We hypothesize that most of these high-risk patients may have more aggressive mixed GH-PRL secreting adenomas.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed2002

Lessons from the foot and mouth disease outbreak in The Netherlands in 2001.

The Netherlands had recently developed a new strategy for the eradication of foot and mouth disease (FMD). When FMD was confirmed in Great Britain and France, recent imports of susceptible animals from these countries were traced and preventive measures were taken. On 21 March 2001, FMD was confirmed in The Netherlands. The disease was introduced by calves which became infected at a staging post in Mayenne, France, where infected sheep from Great Britain were present. A total of 26 farms were infected. Emergency vaccination of all susceptible animals was applied. Suppressive vaccination was chosen, implying that all vaccinated animals had to be slaughtered. Ring vaccination of all susceptible animals within 2 km of an infected herd was the standard procedure. However, in the 'Noord Veluwe', vaccination had to be applied to a larger area. The last affected farm was confirmed on 22 April 2001. Emergency vaccination contained the FMD infection rapidly. The last vaccinated animal was slaughtered on 25 May 2001. Many farmers were not convinced that the killing of their healthy, vaccinated animals was justified and tried to prevent the culling, but without success. Politicians and the public at large are now strongly opposed to the large-scale slaughter of vaccinated animals should a future outbreak of FMD occur. The Office International des Epizooties (OIE: World organisation for animal health) should incorporate control of vaccinated animals with non-structural protein (NSP) tests in the chapter on FMD in the International Animal Health Code.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Exploring the photocatalytic properties and the long-lifetime chemosensor ability of Cl(2)[Ru(Bpy)(2)L] (L = 2,5,8,11,14-pentaaza[15])-2,2'-bipyridilophane).

In this work a new water-soluble long-lifetime chemosensor, containing a polyamine unit connected to a complexed Ru(II) metal center, is described. Its crystal structure has been characterized by X-ray analysis. The polyamine macrocyclic unit is capable of anchoring cationic or anionic substrates, according to its protonation state. Examples of electron transfer involving the ruthenium complex core and the bound substrate are presented. The photocatalytic ability of such a system is illustrated by the oxidation of iodide to iodine promoted by light absorption at 436 nm.

Journal Article↗