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Biomedical subjects

A Farina

Publications and source records attributed to A Farina.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Neonatal neutrophil activation is a function of labor length in preterm infants.

To understand better the development of the neonatal immune system, we evaluated the role of labor length, gestational age, and mode of delivery on the expression of the neonatal neutrophil cell surface antigens CD11b, CD11c, CD15, CD33, and CD66b in premature newborns. Peripheral blood samples from 68 apparently healthy preterm infants were obtained within 12 h of birth and incubated with MAb to the CD antigens. Samples were lysed, fixed, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Multivariate analysis was used to study the simultaneous effect of the labor length and gestational age on the neonatal neutrophil cell surface antigen expression. A positive correlation was demonstrated between neutrophil antigen expression and labor length (p < 0.001-0.026) but not with the mode of delivery (p = 0.191-0.638). There was no significant correlation between expression of neutrophil antigens and gestational age at delivery (p = 0.057-0.866), except for CD15 (p = 0.010). Our results indicate labor length is a significant factor in neonatal neutrophil activation at birth. These findings are independent of gestational age in preterm newborns. Mode of delivery does not seem to influence neonatal neutrophil activation. The neutrophils of premature infants can be activated antenatally and/or during labor.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1997

Cloning and expression of human NF-YC.

The CCAAT box is an important element in eukaryotic promoters and NF-Y (CBF) is a conserved heterotrimeric protein binding to it. Two subunits, NF-YB and NF-YC, contain a histone-like motif. We cloned the complete cDNA coding for the human NF-YC gene. The ORF codes for a 335 aa protein that shows virtual identity to the rat sequence, confirming the stunning invariance of NF-Y genes across species. We expressed and purified the yeast homology domain of NF-YC in bacteria and performed EMSA together with the corresponding conserved domains of NF-YA and NF-YB, obtaining a CCAAT-binding mini-NF-Y. We evaluated the expression of NF-YC and found that mRNA levels are similar in different human tissues except in testis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Transcription of latent and replicative Epstein-Barr-virus genes in bone-marrow and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors.

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction has been used to analyze the expression of 2 latent genes (EBNA-1 and LMP-1) and one replicative gene (BZLF-1) of Epstein-Barr virus in mononuclear cells from bone marrow and peripheral blood of healthy donors. EBV-gene transcription was detected in 8 out of 15 bone-marrow samples. Among these, 5 allowed the detection of latency-associated transcripts in the absence of BZLF-1 expression. Only one sample showed positivity for expression of both latent and lytic genes. In 2 cases, BZLF-1 was the only transcript detected. In peripheral blood, 4 out of 7 samples showed evidence of EBNA-1 transcription; LMP-1 was expressed in 5 samples, and in 2 cases concomitant expression of EBNA-1 and BZLF-1 was detected. These results provide a direct demonstration by RT-PCR of EBV-gene transcription in bone-marrow-resident viral infected cells and suggest, in contrast to previous studies on peripheral blood, that LMP-1 and BZLF-1 are frequently transcribed also in absence of EBV-related disease. The heterogeneous viral gene expression found makes it difficult to define a pattern of viral latency in vivo which coincides with that described for lymphoblastoid or Burkitt's-lymphoma cell lines at different stages of differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of lipoperoxidation products in normal human placenta.

4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a major propagation product of lipid peroxidation that is supposed to be responsible for some of the effects associated with oxidative stress in tissues. We have investigated the possible occurrence and distribution of 4-HNE-immunoreactivity in human normal placenta using immunocytochemistry. Specific immunostaining was observed in cytotrophoblast cells, syncytiotrophoblast, some cells of the villous mesenchyme and some endothelial cells of first trimester and term placentae. The detection of 4-HNE-immunoreactivity in placenta raises the question whether lipoperoxidation products are produced locally in placental cells or represent exogenous products that derive from maternal blood flow. Since trophoblastic cells and villous macrophages are provided by a scavenger receptor, it is conceivable that these cells may play a protective role with regard to the diffusion of lipoperoxidation products from the mother to the embryo. However, since a significant degree of lipid oxidative modification does not take place in plasma, it is presumed that 4-HNE is a local product of placental metabolism. In line with this hypothesis, it is proposed that maternal low density lipoproteins, which are the major source of cholesterol for placental steroid synthesis, might be oxidized by villous cells during their traversal through the villous wall.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1997

The indirect UV detection in the analysis of ursodeoxycholic acid and related compounds by HPCE.

A high-performance capillary zone electrophoretic (HPCE) assay has been developed for the determination of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its usual impurities. Considering the low molecular absorptivity of UDCA and its related compounds indirect UV detection was used. The electrophoretic capillary was filled with a background electrolyte (BGE) containing an UV absorbing ion: benzoic acid (BA) or 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid (DBA). To enhance the selectivity of the assay diimethyl-beta-cyclodextrines (D-beta-CDs) or trimethyl-beta-cyclodextrines (T-beta-CDs) have been added to the running buffer together with methylcellulose or urea. All considered impurities were well resolved with two buffers studied, with the exception of methylursodehoxycholate, a neutral compound.

Cholagogues and Choleretics↗
PubMed1997

Site-dependent survival in cancer of the oral cavity.

A series of 100 patients affected by primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity treated at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of Ferrara from January 1980 to December 1989 was considered in this retrospective study. Data set was classified according to Union Internationale Contre le Cancer staging system. Results showed a crude survival rate at 5 years of 54%. Tumor site of origin and N, adjusted for sex and age of patients were the most important prognostic variables for survival rate. T stage and therapy did not achieve a significant value in the correlation with survival rate when used as covariates in multivariate analysis. The present study demonstrates that survival decreases the closer the tumor origin is to the inner sites of the mouth and in relation to N status. In cases with these characteristics, multimodality treatment protocols are useful in improving survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Primary malignancies of the nasal fossa and paranasal sinuses: comparison between UICC classification and a new staging system.

There is not a general accepted classification for tumor of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and furthermore, there is a lack in the most commonly used T staging, the Union Internationale Contre Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer systems, which offer a classification strictly for tumors of the maxillary antrum. A new T staging (NTS) has been proposed: It is applicable to neoplasms arising from the mucosa of nasal fossa and all paranasal sinuses. To evaluate the advantages of NTS, a retrospective analysis of 54 cases of paranasal sinus cancers in patients admitted between 1983 and 1993 was undertaken. Tumors were staged according to UICC and to NTS systems, and then a statistical comparison was performed. Univariate analysis stratified according with T stage, tumors origin, and treatment modalities demonstrated different survival rates in both systems. Multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of death into the T4 category coded according with NTS with respect to UICC system. We concluded that NTS offers some advantages: (1) It presents a general view of the maxillofacial cavities; (2) it prognosticates successfully for T stage (1-4); (3) it gives significant improvement in detecting the risk of death for T4 when compared with the UICC system.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The articular disc surface in different functional conditions of the human temporo-mandibular joint.

The peripheral discal tissue and the surface covering layer have been studied in normal and in variously damaged human temporo-mandibular joint discs. In the normal disc the tissue consisted of dense bundles of fibers and rare fibrocytes. The surface of the disc was covered by a regular basophilic and electron-dense layer. These morphological characteristics persisted also in some pathological discs in which fibrous derangements had already occurred in the deep parts. In very deformed and damaged discs associated with serious functional anomalies, the superficial discal tissue consisted of rare fibers dispersed in a loose ground substance and of an increased number of cells. The superficial coating was formed by an irregular dense lamina and aggregates of various materials containing cellular debris, vesicles, filaments and amorphous components. These deposits are probably due to degeneration processes of discal tissue. This investigation suggests that the superficial discal tissue and the covering layer are together involved in maintaining the functional properties of the articular surfaces. Their structural modification in severe functional anomalies leads to failure in the maintenance of nonadherence conditions and to deterioration of the functional defect.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1997

Increased incidence of preeclampsia in pregnancies complicated by fetal malformation.

There seems to be a correlation between preeclampsia and congenital abnormalities, but whether it is positive or negative is a matter of controversy. Since it has been demonstrated that reduced perfusion of the trophoblast, which is an early feature of preeclampsia, can also represent a cause of fetal malformation, a positive correlation between the two conditions should be found. In the search for such a correlation we retrospectively examined 8,894 cases collected until 1994 by the IMER group (Indagine Malformazioni Emilia-Romagna). In the presence of malformation a higher incidence of preeclampsia was found (4.60 versus 3.47) with an odds ratio of 1.34 (95% CI = 1.08-1.67). Furthermore multivariate analysis showed that malformations of the male genital apparatus and those named 'multiple congenital abnormalities' can be considered as risk factors for preeclampsia. Since it is known that the development of male genitalia occurs under the influence of androgens, it can be hypothesized that hypoxia could act by favoring low end organ responsiveness. In our opinion the positive correlation with fetal malformations should be interpreted as clinical evidence of the early onset of the physiopathologic mechanism of preeclampsia.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

Should we treat minor degrees of glucose intolerance in pregnancy?

We examined the pregnancy outcome of 112 women classified as minor degrees of glucose intolerance (MDGI) in pregnancy in a screening program based on Carpenter and Coustan's criteria. The MDGI group comprised 49 women with abnormal oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) followed by normal OGTT (group A), and 63 with "borderline" OGTT (1 abnormal value, group B). No treatment was offered to 88 MDGI women, while 26 received dietary advice and metabolic monitoring. A control group was constituted from 112 age- and BMI-matched negative screenees. Similar rates of cesarean sections and macrosomia, but higher rate of large for gestational age (LGA) babies (25.9% vs 14.3%) were found in MDGI, without difference between groups A and B. When comparing treated and untreated MDGI, lower LGA incidence (11.5% vs 30.2%) and no macrosomia were found in the former. In conclusion, untreated MDGI may present excessive fetal growth, which can be normalized by dietary treatment and metabolic monitoring.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The inhibition of cyclin B1 gene transcription in quiescent NIH3T3 cells is mediated by an E-box.

Cyclin Bl plays an important role in cell proliferation. Its expression is tightly regulated at the mRNA and protein levels during the cell cycle and is found to be deregulated in various malignancies. To enlighten the signalling pathways which lead to the cell cycle dependent expression of the cyclin B1 gene, we studied its transcriptional regulation in quiescent and proliferating NIH3T3 cells. We previously showed that the transcriptional activity of the cyclin B1 promoter decreases in quiescent cells. Here, we map a quiescence-responsive element of the human cyclin B1 promoter to an E-box sequence, CACGTG, which spans positions -124/-119. Nuclear proteins protect this sequence in a DNase I digestion assay and bind, in electromobility shift assays, an oligonucleotide spanning positions -133/-110. Max-specific antibodies block the DNA-binding activity of protein complexes to this probe. A mutation in the E-box core sequence abolishes the decrease in transcription that occurs during quiescence. Finally, we find that over-expression of Max protein in proliferating cells specifically inhibits cyclin B1 promoter activity through this E-box. Moreover, Max over-expression in proliferating NIH3T3 cells leads to down-regulation of the endogenous cyclin B1 protein. In conclusion, these data support a model whereby E-box-binding proteins mediate the decrease in the transcriptional activity of the cyclin B1 promoter observed in quiescent cells and suggest that Max contributes to this response.

3T3 Cells↗