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Biomedical subjects

C Rosati

Publications and source records attributed to C Rosati.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Metabolic engineering of beta-carotene and lycopene content in tomato fruit.

Ripe tomato fruits accumulate large amounts of the red linear carotene, lycopene (a dietary antioxidant) and small amounts of its orange cyclisation product, beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A). Lycopene is transformed into beta-carotene by the action of lycopene beta-cyclase (beta-Lcy). We introduced, via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, DNA constructs aimed at up-regulating (OE construct) or down-regulating (AS construct) the expression of the beta-Lcy gene in a fruit-specific fashion. Three transformants containing the OE construct show a significant increase in fruit beta-carotene content. The fruits from these plants display different colour phenotypes, from orange to orange-red, depending on the lycopene/beta-carotene ratio. Fruits from AS transformants show up to 50% inhibition of beta-Lcy expression, accompanied by a slight increase in lycopene content. Leaf carotenoid composition is unaltered in all transformants. In most transformants, an increase in total carotenoid content is observed with respect to the parental line. This increase occurs in the absence of major variations in the expression of endogenous carotenoid genes.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1998

[Comorbidity factors in the dialysis registries and the experience of the Piedmontese Registry].

The parameters used at present by the Dialysis and Transplant Registries of various countries to evaluate dialyzed patients' comorbidity show great differences, mostly owing to the different epidemiological, social and racial characteristics of the studied populations. Moreover, the typology of the dialyzed patient is changing: the mean age is increasing, patients with high-risk conditions as vasculopathy and diabetes are widely accepted to the treatment. Thus the Piedmont Registry will be implemented as follows: new fields about comorbidity for clinical (blindness, cachexy and dementia), social (smoking, alcohol and drugs addiction) and diagnostic (type of diabetes, of neoplasm, of cardiovascular problem) parameters, and questions needing dichotomic response (vasculopathy yes or no) will be added. The exact time of appearance of any risk factor will be requested, and a field for "others" risk factors will be added as well, trying to deeply identify the dialytic population not affected by any comorbidity factor. Finally, a new improved control system of the collected data will be used: our registry needs to be implemented in the future by such evaluations, to go on giving useful informations about epidemiology of the dialyzed patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Acute traumatic injury of the diaphragm.

Acute diaphragmatic injury resulting from penetrating or blunt trauma represents a challenging clinical entity. Preoperative diagnosis remains difficult in 50% to 70% of patients, and a timely diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Once recognized, the usual aspects of surgical repair are straightforward, such as single layer repair using heavy non-absorbable suture via the transabdominal approach. However, complex injuries such as parahiatal defects, defects involving the diaphragmatic pericardium, diaphragmatic avulsion, and injuries with massive tissue loss can test the surgeon's skill and creativity. Prioritization of management in patients with multiple significant traumatic injuries demands a well-organized approach with availability of highly specialized resources and a well-coordinated trauma and critical care team.

Diaphragm↗
PubMed1998

[Social rehabilitation, state of the disease and quality of life. What are the parameters to evaluate rehabilitation of the patient under dialysis in the '90s?].

The parameters used at present by the Piedmont Dialysis and Transplant Register to evaluate rehabilitation and quality of life of the dialyzed patients have been useful in the past, but they will no longer be so in the future, as the typology of the dialyzed patient is changing: the mean age is increasing, patients with high-risk conditions as vasculopathy and diabetes are widely accepted to the treatment. Thus, rehabilitation has to be evaluated not only from a social and professional viewpoint, but also as "illness situation" and "quality of life" and this can be done using the Karnofsky scale and the test of Spitzer: our Register needs to be implemented in the future by such evaluations, to go on giving us useful information about rehabilitation of the dialyzed patients.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene in flower organs of Forsythia x intermedia.

The expression, during flower development, of the gene encoding the anthocyanin pathway key enzyme dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) was investigated in floral organs of Forsythia x intermedia cv. 'Spring Glory'. Full-length DFR and partial chalcone synthase (CHS) cDNAs, the gene of interest and a flavonoid pathway control gene respectively, were obtained from petal RNA by reverse transcription PCR. Whereas for CHS northern blot analysis enabled the study of its expression pattern, competitive PCR assays were necessary to quantify DFR mRNA levels in wild-type plants and in petals of 2 transgenic clones containing a CaMV 35S promoter-driven DFR gene of Antirrhinum majus. Results indicated a peak of CHS and DFR transcript levels in petals at the very early stages of anthesis, and different expression patterns in anthers and sepals. In comparison to wild-type plants, transformants showed a more intense anthocyanin pigmentation of some vegetative organs, and a dramatic increase in DFR transcript concentration and enzymatic activity in petals. However, petals of transformed plants did not accumulate any anthocyanins. These results indicate that other genes and/or regulatory factors should be considered responsible for the lack of anthocyanin production in Forsythia petals.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1997

A family of centromeric satellite DNAs from the European brown frog Rana graeca italica.

Digestion of Rana graeca italica DNA with Asp 718I produces highly repetitive fragments of 281 and 385 bp that were cloned and sequenced. The shorter fragment corresponds to the unit repeat (RgiS1b) of a satellite DNA. The longer fragment was found to be part of a 494-bp repeat of another satellite DNA (RgiS1a) that was cloned intact as an EcoRV fragment. RgiS1b is 97% homologous to RgiS1a, from which it seems to be derived by a single deletion. Among all species tested, only the related brown frog Rana dalmatina contained homologous repetitive DNA. The overall number of RgiS1a and RgiS1b repeats per R. graeca italica haploid genome was estimated to be 2.7 x 10(5). RgiS1a and RgiS1b repeats are organized in separate arrays, but repetitive units formed by various combinations of the two repeats were also observed on Southern blots. The amount of these extra repeats varies greatly among animals from the same population, representing a rare case of individual variability in the satellite DNA organization. FISH with probes specific for both satellites, or for RgiS1a only, labeled the centromeric and pericentromeric heterochromatin of all chromosomes. This indicated that RgiS1a and RgiS1b are interspersed within the same heterochromatic regions of the chromosomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Argon laser photocoagulation in the treatment of the palpebral lobe cysts of the lacrimal gland (dacryops).

Dacryops is a closed cyst that develops on the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland, manifesting in the region of the external canthus. Its slow and insidious growth causes mechanical and aesthetic problems that do not regress spontaneously. Treatment involves excision of the cyst while sparing the adjacent glandular tissues. In cases associated with hypolacrimation, marsupialization of the cyst is indicated. To obtain a reduction of the cyst to an aesthetically acceptable level in cases of simple dacryops, the authors suggest argon laser therapy, which avoids the risks related to surgery and general anesthesia and eliminates the need for hospitalization. Two patients with simple dacryops were treated with blue-green argon laser under local anesthesia. At the end of follow-up, the cysts had been clinically reduced in volume and were not visible by external examination. In cases of simple dacryops, laser therapy is suitable for the reduction of the cyst. Photocoagulation treatment is not advisable in cases that are complicated by fistulas or where the clinical presentation is atypical.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Evidence for (+)-cicletanine sulfate as an active natriuretic metabolite of cicletanine in the rat.

It was previously shown that the urinary sulfo-conjugate metabolite of cicletanine (cicletanine sulfate), and not free cicletanine, is salidiuretic in rats. Here we investigated potential differences between the resolved (+/-) enantiomers of cicletanine sulfate. Two groups of rats (n = 10) received either (+)- or (-)-cicletanine p.o. High performance capillary electrophoresis revealed that the 24-h urinary excretion of (+)-cicletanine sulfate was 5 times higher than that of (-)-cicletanine sulfate (18.9% vs. 3.8% of the oral dose). The same relative trend was observed after 5 and 10 days of oral administration. Following direct administration into the renal artery of anesthetized rats, (+)-cicletanine sulfate was 3-4 times more potent, in terms of active doses, than (-)-cicletanine sulfate to increase sodium excretion (ED50 = 1.86 +/- 0.28 mg/kg vs. 6.1 +/- 1.0 mg/kg, mean +/- S.E.M., n = 4). The maximal natriuretic potency of (+)-cicletanine sulfate was intermediate between that of furosemide and DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate). In rat erythrocytes, (+)-cicletanine sulfate was between 2 and 3 times more potent to inhibit the Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- anion exchanger than (-)-cicletanine sulfate (IC50 = 61 +/- 3 microM vs. 142 +/- 31 microM, n = 4). In conclusion, (+)-cicletanine was more sulfo-conjugated and more potent natriuretic agent in rats than (-)-cicletanine. These results strongly suggest that (+)-cicletanine sulfate is the active natriuretic metabolite of racemic cicletanine in rats. This compound may probably act by inhibiting the Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- anion exchanger at the cortical diluting segment.

Acetates↗
PubMed1995

Fatal hemorrhage caused by vascular injury associated with an acetabular fracture.

We present a case of a widely displaced double-column acetabular fracture associated with lacerations of the ipsilateral common iliac artery and vein, resulting in a fatal hemorrhage. This case illustrates the importance of considering the possibility of a concomitant vascular injury in the assessment of a patient with an acetabular fracture and otherwise unexplained hemorrhage.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1994

[Helicobacter pylori in patients undergoing periodic hemodialysis].

Forty-nine haemodialyzed patients have been submitted consecutively, under informed consent, to endoscopy with multiple antral gastric mucosa biopsies for Helicobacter pylori (HP) identification, performed by urease, microscopic and cultural tests, as well as histologic examination. Patients have been considered HP negative when negative for all tests; positivity for HP has been correlated with gastritis histologically evaluated according to Whitehead; at endoscopy, blood samples for HP specific IgG, IgA, IgM have been collected; patient's life style concerning smoke, alcohol and drugs as FANS has been investigated as well. HP prevalence in our haemodialyzed patients is 38.8 per cent, similar to general population submitted to endoscopy; a statistically significant correlation between HP and gastritis and specific IgG, but no correlation between HP and age, dialysis duration, IgA, IgM, smoking, alcohol or drugs consumption has been found.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Surgical interventions in dialysis patients in Piedmont: data from the Regional Registry. Working Group of the Piedmont Registry of Dialysis and Transplantation].

In this work surgical events in a large population of chronic dialysis patients are analysed. Data are obtained from the Regional (Piedmont) Registry of Dialysis and Transplantation (RPDT), that has collected information since 1981 about all chronic dialysis patients in the Region. Since 1984, causes of admission to-hospital are registered. Surgical causes of hospitalization, for purposes not related to uremia, were 538 (20% of all surgical admissions). In patients younger than 65 years, these hospitalizations account for about 6% of the cases, whereas in patients older than 65 they are less than 5%. As expected, a higher number of surgical operations is observed in diabetics, while on the contrary the lowest is performed in nephroangiosclerosis patients. Cardiovascular and bowel diseases represent almost 50% of all surgical needs. Postoperative mortality was 5.8% within 45 days from admission. Cardiac and infectious diseases and cachexia represent the more frequent causes of death. In 27 out of 28 cases at least one high risk condition was present.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

D-lysine reduces the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins in experimental diabetes mellitus in rats.

D-Lysine, the non-physiological isomer of L-lysine, can competitively reduce protein non-enzymatic glycation in vitro. To study the effect of D-lysine in vivo, 6-8-week old Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus were treated from diagnosis for 45 days with two daily subcutaneous injections of D-lysine (0.5 g.ml-1.day-1). Another group of diabetic rats was only injected with equal volumes of physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). Glycated haemoglobin was measured by ion exchange chromatography, and glycated serum and lens proteins by boronate affinity gel chromatography. Serum and urinary creatinine concentrations were evaluated by the alkaline-picrate reaction. Urinary lysine concentrations at mid- and end-study were evaluated by cation exchange chromatography. Blood glucose concentrations, serum creatinine levels and creatinine clearances, measured at the end of the study, were similar in both diabetic groups (> 22.0 mmol/l, < or = 106 mumol/l and approximately 0.02 ml/s, respectively). Urinary lysine concentration in D-lysine-treated diabetic animals was more than 50-fold higher than in placebo-treated diabetic rats. In D-lysine-treated vs placebo-treated diabetic animals, a statistically significant reduction was found in the levels of glycated haemoglobin (stable HbA1; mean +/- SD = 3.00 +/- 0.74% vs 4.02 +/- 0.46%, p < 0.05; labile HbA1 = 3.92 +/- 0.89% vs 5.84 +/- 0.61%, p < 0.005), glycated serum proteins (1.40 +/- 0.47% vs 2.52 +/- 1.15%, p < 0.05) and glycated lens proteins (4.90 +/- 0.96% vs 5.98 +/- 0.65%, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A comparison of right and left blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture.

Since right blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (BTDR) is reported with increasing frequency, BTDR may be a disease in evolution. Data were collected on 59 left, 16 right, and five bilateral BTDRs at a level 1 trauma center. Patients with right BTDR had lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores (p < 0.05), were more likely to be initially in hypovolemic shock, and were admitted directly from the field (p < 0.01). Left and right BTDRs were diagnosed from chest films in 37% and 0% of cases, respectively (p < 0.05). Diagnostic peritoneal lavage results were negative in 16% of left and left of 0% of right BTDRs. For right BTDRs, the liver was more likely to be injured (p < 0.001). The mortality rates were similar and ICU and hospital stays, complications, and duration of mechanical ventilation were similar for early survivors with right and left BTDRs. The clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and surgical findings associated with right and left BTDR are different.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The clinical significance of acute hyperamylasemia after blunt trauma.

The clinical value of total serum amylase (TSA) levels measured after blunt trauma remains controversial. To test the utility of this measurement, the authors surveyed the routine admission TSA levels of 4316 adults who were victims of blunt trauma. Most patients (58.2%) had been injured in motor vehicle accidents, and all were admitted directly from the accident scene. Patients were divided into two groups based on the admission TSA level: more than 125 U/L (abnormal) and 125 U/L or less (normal). Of the 4316 patients, 3920 (90.8%) had a normal TSA level upon admission. Hyperamylasemia was associated with a greater injury severity score (ISS) and death rate, a lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale score and an increased incidence of facial fracture, brain injury, pancreatic and hollow-viscus injuries and hypotension (p < 0.01). However, the positive predictive value of an abnormal TSA level for pancreatic and hollow-viscus injuries was 1.5% and 3.0% respectively. Also, most patients with pancreatic (65%) and hollow-viscus (83%) injuries had a normal TSA level. There was no relation between the anatomic grade of pancreatic injury and the TSA level. Acute hyperamylasemia after blunt trauma appears to be a poor predictor of pancreatic and hollow-viscus injuries. Therefore, urgent TSA determinations should not influence the clinical and radiologic evaluation of the blunt trauma victim.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1993

Thermal analysis of rat bone tissue.

The paper describes thermoanalytical data obtained from rat limb bones by TG, DTG and DSC. Analyses were performed on bone samples from femurs, tibiae and humeri, either crude and extracted with acetone and/or sodium dodecylsulphate. The DSC curves show an endothermic reaction at 85 degrees C and a sharp exothermic peak at 337 degrees C, followed by an exothermic profile between 350 degrees-650 degrees C. Mean weight changes are: 34.28% total weight loss (25 degrees-800 degrees C); 7.33% water loss (25 degrees-200 degrees C); 26.21% organic loss (200 degrees-800 degrees C). Thermal analysis on diaphyseal and epiphyseal bone samples evidences an organic content of 24.54% for diaphyseal compact bone tissue and of 30.62% for epiphyseal trabecular bone tissue (p < .005). The values obtained from different bones and by different treatment of samples are compared.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Death in conditions of cachexia: the price for the dialysis treatment of the elderly?

Death in conditions of cachexia is increasing in potential dialysis patients, as treated cohorts are aging, the mean age of new patients increased and access to treatment is unlimited. The present study analyzes the clinical features of 417 deaths in conditions of cachexia recorded in 1981 to 1990 in the Dialysis and Transplantation Registry of a northern Italian region, Piedmont (about 4,400,000 inhabitants, 20 dialysis centers; 4,734 patients on file at December 31, 1990; yearly information on 100% of the cases). Death in conditions of cachexia increased from 105 cases in the first four years taken into account (1981 to 1984), to 107 in the last two years (1989 to 1990). Prevalence is higher in the elderly (85% of the death over age 60). Most patients (90.5%) were at high clinical risk. To assess whether the frequency of this diagnosis reflected the wide acceptance of elderly patients for dialysis and was a marked of vascular disease, a specific inquiry was conducted about 107 cachectic deaths recorded from 1989 to 1990: 82.5% of the patients had diffused vascular disease, 11.5% were already cachectic when dialysis was initiated, and 66% were in cachexia at least six months before death. Since mean age of patients dying in condition of cachexia increased from 68.8 in the period of 1981 to 1984 to 70.3 years in 1989 to 1990, and mean time on dialysis from 2.8 years in 1981 to 1984 to 70.3 years in 1989 to 1990, the higher prevalence is not likely to be due to lack of care of elderly patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cicletanine sulfate: inhibition of anion transport systems and natriuretic activity.

In contrast with cicletanine, its urinary sulfoconjugate metabolite (cicletanine sulfate) was active on membrane ion transport in human red blood cells. Cicletanine sulfate was a more potent inhibitor of the Na+ dependent [Cl-/HCO3-] exchanger (IC50 = 9 +/- 3 x 10(-5) mol/l; mean +/- SD of 4 experiments) than cicletanine (IC50 = 10(-3) mol/l). This inhibitory potency was intermediate between that of xipamide (IC50 = 2 x 10(-5) mol/l) and that of furosemide (IC50 = 2 x 10(-4) mol/l). Moreover, cicletanine sulfate exhibited modest inhibitory potency against the [Na+,K+,Cl-]-cotransport system (IC50 = 1 +/- 0.3 x 10(-3) mol/l; mean +/- SD of 4 experiments) and poor inhibitory activity against the [K+,Cl-]-cotransport system. Cicletanine sulfate was unable to modify the activity of Cl(-)-independent membrane carriers (Na+:H+ exchanger, Ca2+ pump, Na+:Li+ countertransport system and Na+,K+ pump). Following renal intraarterial administration in rats, cicletanine sulfate and not cicletanine, exhibited salidiuretic activity. In conclusion, the urinary sulfo-conjugate of cicletanine is an active anion transport inhibitor and natriuretic metabolite. In fact, this metabolite may be responsible for the salidiuretic action of cicletanine.

Animals↗