Generalized mean spherical approximations of the dense hard-sphere fluid.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Carraro.
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The role of reactive oxygen (1O2 and O2-.) in skin photosensitization and tanning reaction has been examined. Riboflavin (RF), hematoporphyrin (HP), 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CP), and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), upon photoexcitation under aerobic conditions, produced singlet O2 (1O2). RF, 3-CP, and 8-MOP also produced superoxide anion (O2-.). Reactive O2 produced by photosensitized RF, 3-CP, and 8-MOP was found to oxidize tyrosine and dopa to dopachrome and subsequently their conversion to melanin. HP did not oxidize tyrosine to dopachrome, and 3-CP and RF revealed substantial oxidation of tyrosine. Dopa was oxidized to dopachrome and subsequently to melanin by all photosensitizers tested at a variable rate as follows: RF greater than 3-CP greater than HPD greater than 8-MOP. UVA alone and to a lesser extent UVB also produced 1O2 which induced the oxidation of tyrosine and dopa to dopachrome and subsequently to melanin. The production of dopachrome was higher with dopa compared to tyrosine under all irradiation conditions. These observations appear to have relevance to the O2-requiring immediate tanning reaction of the skin stimulated by solar radiation and in the induction of skin photosensitization.
Twenty-four surficial sediment samples, representing different environments within the Venice Lagoon, were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in order to assess degrees of pollution, sources, areal distribution, and potential risk for the environment. Concentrations in surficial sediments range from 2 to more than 2049 microg kg(-1) dw. The maximum is probably due to the discharge of industrial wastes into the Brentella Canal, within the first Industrial Area. Lagoon samples are 11-205 times less contaminated, being influenced by pollutants stored in the canals only occasionally. Congener profiles distinguish PCBs in two main categories. The baseline pollution is probably due to a variety of sources within the lagoon system, whereas less chlorinated PCBs were discharged into the Brentella Canal. Our estimates suggest that, due to high concentrations, toxic equivalents (TEQs) of PCBs are comparable to those relative to PCDD/Fs for the least contaminated samples, whereas they are lower in case of heavy PCDD/F contamination.
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that cervical HPV infection and precancerous lesions of the cervix are more common in HIV-seropositive patients. However little is known about the natural history of these lesions in this population. In the present study cervical smears from 36 patients, 18 HIV-seropositive women and 18 matched controls were evaluated with the aim of quantifying morphological alterations and to evaluate DNA ploidy and HPV subtypes. Cervical lesions in HIV-seropositive patients were diploid in 50% of the cases compared to 25% in controls. The only HPVs identified by ISH were types 16/18 and no significant differences were observed in the control population. In contrast, cytological evidence of HPV infection and dysplastic changes was greatly increased in smears from HIV patients compared to HIV-seronegative women. Less than 5% of the cells showed HPV associated changes in controls while 10% to 30% of the cells were affected in HIV-patients. We suggest that the Papanicolaou test should be effective for detecting cervical disease and for a close follow-up of this population. Moreover, while additional studies with larger population groups and different population bases are needed, these findings are suggestive of the possible use of morphological criteria for the identification of HIV-seropositive subjects.