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Biomedical subjects

A Gatti

Publications and source records attributed to A Gatti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Union. IX. Harmonization of statistical treatment: blood cadmium in Italian subjects.

Obtaining reliable trace element reference values in tissues and fluids from inhabitants of the European Union relies on the availability of standardized and harmonized protocols for the statistical treatment of the data on trace element levels in general European populations. In this context, cadmium was measured in the blood (BCd) of 514 Italian inhabitants from the Lombardy region and the results statistically treated and presented according to a procedure which includes: simple descriptive statistics and graphical analysis such as stem and leaf and box-plot representations (average BCd levels were 0.62 microgram/l; geometric mean, 0.51 microgram/l; median, 0.50 microgram/l; mode, 0.30 microgram/l; 95th percentile, 1.48 micrograms/l; 5th percentile, 0.20 microgram/l); p-p plot, Shapiro-Wilk and Lilliefors tests for normality (the distribution of the data is closer to the log-normal distribution and inconsistent with the hypothesis of normality); analysis of variance (BCd increases from 20 to about 60 years and then decreases; it is influenced by smoking but not by body mass and alcohol consumption and it is higher in men than in women); and step wise multiple regression analysis (BCd is influenced by the number of cigarettes/day and the total dose of exposure, cigarettes/day multiplied by smoking years). Tentative reference intervals for BCd based on the log transformation of the data are 0.14-1.82 micrograms Cd/l (whole population); 0.16-1.94 micrograms Cd/l (male) and 0.13-1.66 micrograms Cd/l (female); 0.24-2.68 micrograms Cd/l (smokers); and 0.14-1.27 micrograms Cd/l (non-smokers).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Hemobilia secondary to percutaneous hepatic biopsy. Report of a clinical case].

The increasingly frequent use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures concerning the hepatobiliary system has led to a rise in the incidence of hemobilia as well as altering its etiological status. The authors report a clinical case of hemobilia secondary to percutaneous hepatic biopsy which was brought to their attention. This is followed by a short discussion of the etiopatogenesis and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies with special reference to the ratio between the advantages/limits of the methods now available.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1994

Nerve growth factor regulates the subcellular localization of the nerve growth factor-inducible protein PC4 in PC12 cells.

The immediate early gene (IEG) PC4, which encodes a protein related to gamma interferon, is activated at the onset of the neuronal differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells. With an antibody raised to a bacterial beta gal-PC4 fusion protein, the PC4 protein is detected as an immunoreactive molecular species of 49 kDa, whose synthesis is rapidly induced by NGF in parallel with the induction of its mRNA. Immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and subfractionation studies indicate that the PC4 immunoreactivity is localized in the cytoplasm of PC12 cells, where it is increased transiently by NGF within 3 hr of treatment. In addition, the PC4 immunoreactivity presents an NGF-dependent pattern of intracellular localization. In fact, within 3 hr after addition of NGF, PC4 is also significantly expressed on the inner face of the plasma membrane, to which it is physically associated. After longer NGF treatment, PC4 disappears from the plasma membrane and appears in the nucleus, with reduced cytoplasmic expression. Localization in the nucleus is reversed by removal of NGF and closely parallels changes in the state of differentiation of the cell. The existence within the PC4 protein of a consensus sequence for the addition of myristic acid and of a putative sequence for the nuclear localization suggests possible mechanisms for the NGF-dependent redistribution. For an NGF-inducible IEG product, such growth factor-dependent localization of PC4 is a novel type of regulation in the pathways from the NGF receptor to the adjacent membrane proteins and to the nucleus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Molybdenum(VI) salts convert the xanthine oxidoreductase apoprotein into the active enzyme in mouse L929 fibroblastic cells.

The mouse L929 fibroblastic cell line presents low, but detectable, levels of the mRNA encoding xanthine oxidoreductase under basal conditions, and it responds to type I and type II interferons by inducing the expression of the transcript [Falciani, Ghezzi, Terao, Cazzaniga, and Garattini (1992) Biochem. J. 285, 1001-1008]. This cell line, however, does not show any detectable amount of xanthine oxidoreductase enzymic activity, either before or after treatment with the cytokines. Molybdenum(VI) salts, in the millimolar range, are capable of activating xanthine oxidoreductase in L929 cells both under basal conditions and after treatment with interferon-alpha. The increase is observed in mouse L929 as well as in clones derived from it, but not in many other human and mouse cell lines. The induction observed in L929 cells is post-translational in nature and it is insensitive to cycloheximide, indicating that the molybdenum ion converts a pool of inactive xanthine oxidoreductase apoenzyme into its holoenzymic form. When grown in the absence of sodium molybdate, the L929 cell line has undetectable intracellular levels of the molybdenum cofactor, since the cell extracts are unable to complement the nitrate reductase defect of the nit-1 mutant of Neurospora crassa. L929 cells grown in the presence of millimolar concentrations of sodium molybdate, however, become competent to complement the nit-1 defect. L929 cells accumulate molybdenum ion inside the intracellular compartment as efficiently as TEnd cells, a mouse endothelial cell line that expresses xanthine oxidoreductase activity both under basal conditions and after treatment with interferon-gamma, suggesting that L929 cells have a defect in one or more of the metabolic steps leading to the synthesis of the molybdenum cofactor.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. III. The control of preanalytical factors in the biomonitoring of trace elements in biological fluids.

In the context of a programme concerning the determination of trace elements in body fluids and tissues to establish trace element reference values, research has been undertaken on the control of preanalytical factors in order to develop sufficiently accurate and precise guidelines to be applied in routine work by using techniques such as graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Aspects investigated are related to the risk of contamination during blood collection and the use of anticoagulants; the risk of losses during storage and freeze-drying as well as the possible risk of contamination arising from trace elements in airborne particulates of the laboratory environment. For the analysis of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, W, V and Zn in blood, Teflon cannula is the method of choice. The anticoagulants do not introduce disturbing contaminations of Rb, Se, Zn, while contaminations were observed for Co, Cr, Mn. Radiotracers in 'metabolized form' (radiolabelled rat or rabbit tissues from animals administered with radioisotopes) show that samples stored for 1 month at -20 degrees C have no significant trace metal losses. Strict ambient air quality standard has to be respected (continuous monitoring) due to the possibility of element contaminations inside the laboratory. The use of matrix modifiers could represent a toxicological risk to the operators. Critical factors should be considered ('metal sheets') for each element in each matrix. For instance 27 factors for Cr in serum have been suggested.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

[Mechanical staplers. Personal experience].

The Authors briefly summarise their experience of using various types of mechanical staplers in abdominal and thoracic surgery with excellent results both in general and in terms of reducing operating times.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by amylin in CHO-K1 cells.

The CHO-K1 cell line responds to the peptide amylin by a rapid elevation of cAMP. The related peptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is 100 times less potent at stimulating adenylate cyclase than is amylin. The actions of amylin at this receptor are concentration dependent and not antagonized by the CGRP antagonist CGRP-(8-37). Although these cells have receptors for calcitonin, amylin is unable to take part in any high affinity interaction with these receptors, as assessed by radioligand binding. The CHO-K1 cell line has receptors for amylin that are distinct from those for calcitonin and CGRP.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1992

[Therapy of advanced prostatic carcinoma: personal experience].

The treatment of the prostatic carcinoma is an open problem. Nowadays the medical and/or endoscopic therapy combines with the surgical therapy by means of the radical prostatectomy. This work presents the experience of the team of Desenzano (BS) and their position, which, in accordance with many authors, underlines the validity of the radical prostatectomy, in those cases of tumor at stage D 1, in order to reduce the progression of the disease and to prolong the survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Sequential nimodipine-reduced glutathione treatment in alcoholic abstinence syndrome. Preliminary experience].

Alcohol abstinence syndrome (AAS) occurs in alcohol dependent patients a few hours after ceasing to drink, first in the form of gastrointestinal and dysvegetative signs, then with the involvement of neurological functions. The results obtained in 15 patients selected according to DSM III criteria, treated with nimodipine (calcium entry blocker) in the acute phase and with reduced glutathione in the subacute phase are presented. All patients who, during treatment, did not take other drugs, showed a definite, fast improvement in symptoms, especially in neurovegetative symptoms. Administration of nimodipine, which seems capable of reducing the catecholaminergic drive, was very well tolerated. Treatment with reduced glutathione is justified by the fact that the inadequate intake of alcohol is responsible for liver changes and, particularly, for a significant reduction in liver levels of glutathione, a condition that makes the cell more exposed to attack on the part of substances that activate lipoperoxidation processes. The results obtained seem to confirm a protective action on the part of reduced glutathione.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Effects of ketanserin on glucose metabolism in hypertensive diabetic subjects].

In this report the Authors have verified the effects of Ketanserin on glycaemic metabolism of type II diabetic subjects with a moderately high blood pressure. They think that a therapeutic dose of drug is not able to considerably inhibit insulin production. The Authors can assert that the Ketanserin does not influence the glycaemic regulation by therapeutic dose, neither does it increase the diabetic disease, nor disturb the oral hypoglycaemic therapy though it normalizes high blood pressure.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of the effect of picotamide on platelet function in diabetic subjects].

In this study the Authors verify the results of Picotamide on platelet aggregation in diabetic subjects. The results suggest that Picotamide has no influence on insulin or oral treatment of diabetic subjects. However, it is certain that platelet aggregation by ADP or collagen decreases due to the effect on thromboxane probably because of the limitation of platelet receptors.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Experimental osteoporosis in the rat induced by a hypocalcic diet.

The administration of a diet deficient in calcium in the rat quickly produces a reduction in the skeletal mass, with narrowing of the diaphyseal cortex, and less density of the metaphysis. The bone mineral content, determined by a double ray photonic mineralometer, is significantly lower as compared to controls, while histological examination does not reveal defects in calcification. The pathogenetic mechanism is characterised by stimulation of the parathyroid glands in response to a decrease in plasma calcium determined by the insufficient diet. We observed a bone response in two phases: the first, with elevated velocity of remodelling and prevalence of osteoclastic resorption despite the presence of intense osteoblastic activity; the second, with reduced bone remodelling (except for the metaphyseal area). Although these observations do not imply that human osteoporosis involves the same pathogenetic mechanism, it appears possible to use this experimental model to study the effects of endocrine and pharmacological factors on the activity of bone remodelling, which also in human osteoporosis is characterised by the prevalence of osteoclastic resorption.

Animals↗