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Biomedical subjects

A Franchini

Publications and source records attributed to A Franchini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effects of hypertonic conditions on cytoskeletal and adhesion structures of EUE cells.

The distribution of cytoskeletal structures has been studied by electron and immunofluorescence microscopy in human embryonic epithelial cells (EUE cells) exposed to a hypertonic medium containing 0.274 M NaCl. A first noticeable effect involved an increase of cell size. Microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments were also considerably changed under these experimental conditions. The most marked effect was on intermediate filaments of the keratin type which formed very thick bundles around the nucleus and gave rise to an intracellular cagework which is likely i) to increase mechanical resistance and ii) to avoid cell collapse in conditions of hyperosmolarity. A remarkable increase in complexity of the microfilamentous network was also found: stress fibers became thicker and more densely arranged and vinculin-containing streaks at focal cell-substratum contacts increased in number and size; this indicated improved cellular adhesion. The phenotypic adaptation of EUE cells to conditions of hyperosmolarity is slowly reversible under defined experimental conditions.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1987

Histochemical research on metabolic pathways of glucose in some species of Mollusca Gastropoda.

The metabolic pathways of glucose were studied by histochemical reactions in some species of gastropods living in different habitats. The glycolytic pathway is histochemically indicated by positive results for glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and D-lactate dehydrogenase. The enzymes of the Krebs cycle gave different responses: isocitrate dehydrogenase and L-malate dehydrogenase were positive, whilst succinate dehydrogenase was constantly negative. Malate synthetase activity was also demonstrated. Despite L-glutamate dehydrogenase is undetectable, the presence of transaminase indicates the gluconeogenetic route. Phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphate phosphatase appear also positive. The metabolic meaning of our results were discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Chemotactic arrangement of axons inside and distal to a venous graft.

Experiments in rats, introducing the proximal and distal stumps of tibial and sural nerves into a vein graft, showed by acetylcholinesterase and toluidine blue staining that sensory and motor fibers mix inside the vein graft, but that nevertheless they are able to select their distal targets correctly. The authors' hypothesis is that surface membrane antigens of Schwann cells might be responsible for this chemotactic phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Intrahepatic arterial administration of 4'epidoxorubicin (epirubicin) in advanced cancer patients. A pharmacokinetic study.

Epirubicin (epiDX) pharmacokinetics was followed in 10 advanced cancer patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma or primary liver tumor after single bolus administration (20-40 mg) in the hepatic artery, through a surgically implanted catheter and subcutaneous access port. EpiDX plasma and whole blood concentrations follow a triphasic decay qualitatively similar to that observed after IV administration. Blood levels are consistently higher than plasma levels. Plasma clearance (nine patients, mean: 93.4 l/hr; range: 69.3-129.5 l/hr) is higher than the corresponding parameter determined in patients with hepatic metastases after intravenous therapy. The remaining patient is characterised by an abnormally low plasma clearance (13.6 l/hr), due to a hepato-pulmonary shunt. The subjects in this study were exposed to very low drug concentrations, and therefore experienced no relevant adverse side-effects.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Epirubicin pharmacokinetics after intrahepatic arterial and intraperitoneal administration.

The high hepatic clearance of the new doxorubicin analogue epirubicin (4'-epidoxorubicin, epiDX) suggests a possible use of this drug in local and regional therapy where a first pass through the liver is required before the drug can reach systemic circulation. EpiDX pharmacokinetics was followed in advanced cancer patients with liver metastases or a primary tumour after single bolus administration in the hepatic artery, through a surgically implanted catheter and subcutaneous access port. The first-pass effect through the liver was appreciable and only a relatively low fraction of the drug reached systemic circulation. Mild leucopenia and alopecia were observed only in a patient with a hepatopulmonary shunt; this subject was actually exposed to higher epiDX plasma levels. Low intraperitoneal doses of epiDX were administered in a weekly schedule to advanced cancer patients with peritoneal metastases and ascites. Drug concentrations were monitored in the ascitic effusion and in plasma. A high concentration gradient was present between the peritoneal cavity and peripheral circulation. No relevant local or systemic toxicity was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of pollution on some freshwater species. II. Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of experimental lead pollution on the ganglia in Viviparus ater (Mollusca, Gastropoda).

The effect of lead on ganglia of Viviparus ater were studied by histochemical and histomorphological procedures. The pollution experiment should be considered a "short-time static bioassay" because of its experimental characteristics. There was considerable accumulation of lead in the ganglia as determined by atomic absorbance (A.A.S.). The cytological damage principally affected the neuronal cell bodies which undergo degenerative processes. The most serious cytopathological changes occurred in the following sequence: nuclear damage leading to pyknosis; nucleolar damage until disappearance; changes in Nissl bodies, at times forming a uniform mass. These cytological disorders led to markedly altered protein synthesis. Nerve fibers and neuroglia did not appear affected by lead exposure, even at higher doses. Membrane enzymes, phosphorylase, NADHDH, NADPHDH and SDH activities were decreased, whereas D-LDH, G-6-PDH, G-6-Pase and MAO activities increased. GDH was unchanged. Changes in polar lipid composition were also observed with an increase of phospholipids and a decrease of sulpholipids and cerebrosides.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Hydrocarbons in hens injected with inactivated oil adjuvant vaccine.

The radioactivity of different organs and tissues of laying hens injected with inactivated oil adjuvant vaccine containing [n-1-14C] octadecane was measured. It was shown that the hydrocarbons injected with the vaccination diffuse in relatively short periods of time to all the tissues, especially to those of the organs with greater blood supply, and that the hydrocarbons are largely eliminated by means of the eggs.

Alkanes↗
PubMed1984

Ultrastructural features of supramedullary neurons in Crenilabrus quinquemaculatus.

The ultrastructural study of the supramedullary neurons in Crenilabrus quinquemaculatus shows that these cells are engaged in intense synthetic activity as is testified by the nuclear morphology, the plentiful rough endoplasmic reticulum and polysomes, and finally the remarkably developed Golgi complexes, many of them active. Moreover the cytoplasm of the supramedullary neurons shows numerous membrane-bounded bodies (1,800-4,000 A) containing electron dense material, more or less finely granular. Research is presently being carried out to establish the meaning of these electron dense bodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Investigation of the hydrocarbons found in the tissues of chickens injected with inactivated oil adjuvant vaccine.

Dead virus vaccines emulsified with mineral oils and given by intramuscular or subcutaneous routes are widely used in prophylaxis of several conditions in poultry. In order to establish in what amount and how long mineral oils remain in the vicinity of the injection site, an investigation was made on broilers vaccinated against Newcastle disease with this type of vaccine. At different time intervals between the 10th and 282th day after vaccination, soft tissues were removed from over the bone surface of the tibia of inoculated legs and of control legs, and were subsequently examined. The results showed that the hydrocarbons introduced by vaccination remain in considerable amounts in the tissues examined, even 282 days after vaccination.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗