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Biomedical subjects

C Melino

Publications and source records attributed to C Melino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Activin, inhibin, and follistatin in zebrafish ovary: expression and role in oocyte maturation.

Activins, inhibins, and follistatins are important regulators of mammalian reproduction. However, their roles in lower vertebrates are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the expression of activin A, inhibin A, and follistatins in the zebrafish ovary and determined their role in final oocyte maturation. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for activin/inhibin beta(A) subunit and for follistatins, we detected DNA fragments of the expected size, which, upon sequencing, conformed to activin/inhibin beta(A) and follistatin. Western blot analysis using an antibody against activin/inhibin beta(A) subunit revealed two bands with sizes similar to those of activin A and inhibin A. The expression of follistatins was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that activin A, an inhibin A-like molecule, and follistatins are expressed in the zebrafish ovary. In cultured zebrafish follicles, activin A and inhibin A both induced final oocyte maturation in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of activin A and inhibin A were blocked by their binding protein, follistatin-288. Interestingly, follistatin-288 also inhibited final oocyte maturation induced by gonadotropin and by maturation-inducing hormone (MIH), suggesting that activin A and/or inhibin A may be local regulators mediating gonadotropin- and MIH-induced final oocyte maturation. Taken together, these findings suggest that activin A and inhibin A are paracrine regulators of ovarian functions in fish.

Activins↗
PubMed1994

[Pertussis].

A synthesis concerning whooping cough is presented with the object of taking stock of the situation regarding the pediatric disease which, in spite of developments in antibiotic therapy and vaccine prophylaxis is still a cause for series concern in view of its all but rare complications, especially in infants of less than one year, and of the uncertainties surrounding the validity of specific vaccines. An up-date on this is certainly not superfluous, especially now when we are at a true turning point in prophylaxis with the use of acellular vaccines obtained by genetic enegenering. This is particularly interesting for the practitioner who is in direct contact with the actual situation.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

[Sterilization with ethylene oxide].

In the above brief note, the authors discuss the validity of sterilization with ethylene oxide in hospital. The use of this agent requires most accurate attention by the operator and precise specific indication in view of the many negative factors which limit its widespread use, above all its marked toxicity and the fact that it is not easy to handle.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1992

[The evolution of non-A, non-B hepatitis: hepatitis C and hepatitis E].

The nosological evolution of non-A, non-B hepatitis is synthetically reviewed. After the initially complete silence from the epidemiological and diagnostic points of view, much research has been devoted to this pathology and has already yielded a number of new acquisitions even beyond simple HCV and HEV hepatitis. The problems connected with this pathology are a direct concern of medical practice in view of its frequency in the population and of its prevention where much progress has already been made.

Hepacivirus↗
PubMed1992

[HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. III].

The present third note describes diagnostic procedures, prognosis, prophylaxis, therapy, and forensic medical problems connected with HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All these are topics of the utmost public health importance which have elicited much interest both among scientists and the general public also during the recent international conference held in Florence last June. HIV infection and the associated syndromes are extremely worrying in view of their increasing diffusion and extreme severity. In spite of the wealth of data already available, as yet we know little about this infection. Besides, all attempts at treatment and organization of prevention have proved ineffective, the latter being rendered vain by the extreme geographic spread of the disease, especially in underdeveloped countries where economic resources and individual and collective public health education are lacking. The fact of having successfully informed the medical profession about these complex problems, even though within the limits of the readers of this journal, is a source of satisfaction to us.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

[The prevalence of rhinopharyngeal staphylococcal carriers among those employed in the communal food services of the province of Rome].

Microbial food contamination is at present less frequent than in the past. Nevertheless, Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning is still among the most frequent ones in Italy. The authors screened nasal swabs of 112 person working in five communal feeding services in Rome province; of these, 53 were found to be positive. This percentage (48.3%) does not differ substantially from those found by other researchers in various Italian cites.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1992

[The tasks and aims of prevention].

The purpose of the above note was to offer an overall view of preventive medicine the fundamental object of which is the safeguard of the state of health before the manifestation of disease. Prevention is therefore closely related to epidemiology which looks for causes and identifies risk factors. These tasks must be performed with constant effort and tenacity on the one hand by the state via the necessary public health organizations (personnel, facilities, programming), and on the other by the community as well as by the individual citizen who, being the user and driving force, must take advantage of the benefits and at the same time work for better results through changes in his own behavior and lifestyle.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Yersiniosis].

The authors' objective in the above review was to stress the epidemiological importance of Yersinia enterocolitica infections. They therefore detail the clinical and epidemiologic features of acute or primary as well as of secondary forms and complications of Yersinia enterocolitica infections. Further, they dwell on the management of these infections and illustrate the properties, toxic effects and other side effects of the antibiotics commonly used in therapy and for the prevention of complications. Finally, they take stock of the regulations to be applied for the prevention of this complex and multifaceted infection.

Global Health↗
PubMed1991

[Hygienic-medical evaluation of the environmental presence of asbestos].

The importance of environmental pollution by asbestos fibers is stressed, regardless of the more specific pollution in workshops and factories. Indeed, due to the presence of asbestos in a great variety of products, air, water, food, and indoor pollution has become more and more widespread and is reaching fairly high concentrations so as to constitute a serious risk to general health, especially by its carcinogenic effect. The highly technical problem of prevention is also broached. This may lead to specific and even global decontamination provided legislation is drastic, controls are severe and continuous and the public is thoroughly informed.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1991

[HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. II].

In this second note on AIDS, clinical aspects and epidemiology of the disease are reviewed so as to complete what has already been said in the first note which was concerned with etiology and pathogenesis. Publications that have appeared so far are reviewed not only as far as the classification of the different superinfections due to the state of immunodeficiency is concerned but also with a view to the clinical course of its various stages, i.e. the impairment of the organs involved, from the internistic point of view as well as from that of different branches of medicine, including oncology. Finally, a statistical picture of epidemiology in Italy and in different regions of the country is presented with special attention to different epidemiological patterns and to the age groups involved. The third note, to be published, will be concerned with diagnostic, therapeutic, and above all preventive measures.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. I].

This is the first of three articles on AIDS, in which the story of HIV infection, its etiology and pathogenesis, its pathology and clinical features, and finally its hygienic-prophylactic measures will be reviewed in the light of our present knowledge. Although the subject has been amply illustrated by many writers, it has been deemed useful to review it in this journal in order to present readers with an account of what is known so far and what must be the subject of further rapidly evolving research.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1991

[Indoor pollution].

The authors discuss problems associated with indoor atmospheric pollution including a large number of pollutants coming partly from outdoors and produced partly by internal sources. Passive tobacco smoke, radon decay products, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, asbestos fibers, microorganisms and allergens are the most important contaminants. Health risks associated with indoor air pollution require an overall strategy to control sources, dilute indoor contaminants and promulgate specific regulations.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed1991

[Immune protection against rubella in a group of women in Latium].

This paper reports data concerning the immune status of 252 pregnant women with regard to rubella infection. The inverse haemagglutination was used to titrate rubella virus-antibodies and it was carried out for each pregnant woman on two blood samples, collected at three weeks' interval. Thirty-nine of the 252 pregnant women (15.50%) contracted the infection in the first trimester of pregnancy. Fifty-seven women (22.60%) showed a low degree of protection against the infection while only forty-five women had a protective rubella virus-antibody titre. Finally, 111 of the 252 (44.60%) pregnant women were rubella virus seronegative and therefore susceptible to the infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The food poisoning problem in communal restaurant facilities].

In view of the considerable development during the last few years of communal feeding facilities (factory, school, and university canteens, hospital kitchens, self service, fast food, and restaurants) in our country as well as elsewhere, the authors wish to supply detailed information on the incidence of food poisoning in Italy from 1979 to 1988 in such facilities. They report the findings of an epidemiological study they carried out in Rome and Lazio [correction of Latium] covering this period and which by and large confirmed the trend observed at the national level. As to prevention, the most recent techniques for food conservation are described.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1990

[Legionellosis].

In the above review, the authors intended to stress the epidemiologic importance of legionellosis which has become a frequent cause of respiratory pathology in the short time since its first appearance (1976), reaching a for from negligible proportion among respiratory disorders (2-8% of acute bronchopulmonary diseases) and a considerable death rate (10-40%). Clinical and diagnostic as well as therapeutic aspects and especially prophylaxis all discussed, the latter concerning above all the environment and adequate maintenance of heating and air-conditioning equipment in community centers, and particularly in hospitals and hotels.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Up-date on the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases].

The present study is an up-date on rheumatic fever for the last ten years. The disease has erroneously been considered to have largely or completely disappeared whereas epidemiological data show it to be still prevalent especially in the developing countries. However, in the industrialized countries, too, its prevalence is by no means negligible; e.g. in the US the last ten years have witnessed an alarming recrudescence involving vast strata of the population and especially children, although this is masked by the paucity of reports, as is the case also in Italy. Chemoprophylaxis is then discussed. This is highly successful, especially if applied at an early stage, and finally therapy is described in great detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Hygienic and health problems related to the use of anesthetic gases and vapors].

The risk of pollution by anesthetic gases in operating rooms is examined and the pathologies that can affect exposed personnel are analyzed. As to prevention, measures for ensuring safety of devices used in operating rooms are indicated, as well as procedures for monitoring environment and personnel.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗