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Biomedical subjects

F Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bianchi.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Analgesic activity of flupirtine maleate: a controlled double-blind study with diclofenac sodium in orthopaedics.

A controlled, parallel group study of the analgesic efficacy of flupirtine maleate, was compared against diclofenac sodium in 40 orthopaedic patients with post-operative pain. Clinically, both drugs were of equal analgesic efficacy. A mathematical model has been developed, however, to evaluate the speed, intensity and duration of the analgesic effect and provides data which significantly favour flupirtine maleate in the treatment of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood and sentinel lymph nodes by RT-PCR analysis: a comparative study with immunohistochemistry.

The presence of lymph node metastases is the best prognostic factor for predicting relapse or survival in melanoma patients. It has been demonstrated that melanoma metastases spread through the first lymph node(s) draining the tumor (sentinel lymph node, SN) to the lymphatic system and that detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood directly correlates with prognosis in melanoma. To identify lymph node metastases and circulating melanocytes, we developed a single-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) for detection of two melanoma-specific markers: the tyrosinase gene, which encodes an enzyme associated with melanin synthesis, and melanoma antigen-related T-cells, which are present in tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes. This method detects two tumor cells in a background of 10(7) lymphocytes. Thirty patients with stage I-IV cutaneous melanoma entered the study. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, one month after excision of the primary melanoma lesion and the SN or total lymphadenectomy, and before the start of chemotherapy and every three months thereafter in metastatic patients. SNs were collected from 22 patients, bisected and analyzed by RT-PCR and routine pathological and immunohistochemical tests. The preliminary results indicate that RT-PCR for melanoma markers is a sensitive and valuable method for the detection of micrometastases and for early diagnosis and staging of melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of MAB 1977 monoclonal antibody for the immunohistochemical localization of beta 1 integrins in paraffin-embedded human kidney.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Integrins are widely known cell membrane receptors for extracellular matrix molecules. The beta 1 integrin subgroup is mainly expressed by kidney cells; immunolocalization of these molecules is usually carried out on cryostatic sections. A commercial monoclonal antibody directed against the human beta 1 integrin was tested in order to design a method for the detection of this antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human kidney tissue. METHODS: Specimens obtained from nephrectomies were fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Three different detection protocols were applied after incubation with the anti-human beta 1 integrin monoclonal antibody (MAB 1977): 1) immunoperoxidase with labeled streptavidin biotin (LSAB), using biotinylated secondary antibodies, peroxidase-labeled biotin-streptavidin, and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetra-hydrochloride (DAB) as the revealing system; 2) immunoperoxidase with tyramide signal amplification (TSA), using biotinylated secondary antibodies, streptavidin-peroxidase, tyramide, streptavidin-peroxidase again and DAB; 3) indirect immunofluorescence with fluorescein-labeled anti-mouse immunoglobulins. RESULTS: The beat results were obtained with the LSAB detection protocol preceded by a predetection step with proteinase k. Proteinase k pretreatment did not significantly damage the tissue morphology and successfully unmasked beta 1 integrin antigens. Nonspecific background staining was reduced by a blocking step with swine serum. Similar results were obtained with the TSA detection method; however, although lower concentrations of anti-beta 1 integrin immunoglobulins and of secondary biotinylated antibody were employed, there was more undesired background staining than with the LSAB protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The method reported and discussed here may represent a valid tool for research and diagnostic applications based upon detection of beta 1 integrin in paraffin-embedded human tissues.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study on 480 hospitalized febrile children: evaluation of the septic risk and results of the antibiotic and corticosteroid combined therapy.

The febrile child, previously healthy, represents a frequent diagnosis and management problem for pediatricians who work in private offices and those in hospital emergency departments. We are specifically interested in the identification, for the febrile child with septic risk, of severity parameters permitting to assess the likelihood of a serious bacterial infection. In the retrospective study we present, carried out on children admitted for febrile illness, two factors were mainly evaluated: 1. identification of the septic risk on the basis of some laboratory and clinical parameters; 2. effectiveness of an early antibiotic plus corticosteroid treatment in a sub-group of children with septic risk. The parameters we considered have been the degree of temperature upon admission, the clinical appearance and the C-reactive protein (C-RP) values. A significant correlation resulted for levels of temperature over 39 degrees C, toxic-appearing child and very positive C-RP values. We have defined this condition as a "threatening" fever requiring an immediate hospitalization in order to administer appropriate blood tests and cultures, and also, according to our rationale, to start an early antibiotic plus corticosteroid therapy (within 6-12 hours from the disease onset).

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Environment and genetics in the etiology of cleft lip and cleft palate with reference to the role of folic acid].

The combined birth prevalence of cleft palate [CP] and cleft lip with or without cleft palate [CL(P)] in Europe is approximately one in 700 with characteristic regional variations. Orofacial clefting (OC) is therefore now one of the most frequent congenital anomalies, with a higher birth prevalence that Down's Syndrome or Neural Tube defects, but still lower than cardiovascular malformation. Babies with OC require a multidisciplinary medical approach, surgery and rehabilitative treatments over time. This means an important effort in terms of social organization as well as economical costs for the health care system. In Italy, the health care costs for approximately 800 children born with orofacial clefting per year has been estimated at around 150 billion Lire (80 million Euros). The etiology of OC is complex and heterogeneous both for isolated and associated defects; causes linked to environment, genetics and gene-environment interaction are known, although there is still a lot to do, especially in clarifying the role of genetics in producing susceptibility to the environment. Four categories of genes for which there are results suggestive of a genetic susceptibility to OCs are: 1) genes expressed in a particular area of the embryo or in a particular period of the palatine arch development, such as the transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF alpha, TGF beta 2, TGF beta 3); 2) genes having biological activities linked to the OC's pathogenesis without direct involvement (e.g. the retinoic acid receptor (RARA), the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase receptor (MTHFR) and the folic acid receptor (FOLR1); 3) genes or locus identified in experimental animals as the homeotic genes MSX-1 and MSX-2; 4) genes involved in the interaction with the xenobiotics metabolism as those in P-450 cytochrome system. Several environmental factors have been implicated in the OC etiology; among those, the folic acid supplementation during the periconceptional period that was found effective in the prevention of neural tube defects. In fact, folic acid deficiency may be responsible for different malformations through a common mechanism that interferes with the embryonic development, depending on the maternal or embryo genotype. Further investigation is required to study in depth how the genotype would modify the role of environmental factors like folic acid. Well-designed and conducted epidemiological studies seem to be able to give worthwhile information. Studies carried out in Europe on these issues are a few, particularly those on gene-environment interaction. Recent results obtained in molecular biology and the availability of wealth of data can allow to perform ad hoc investigations, being important not only for the basic research but also for their public health implications. For this objective a specific scientific network at the European level has been set by the European Science Foundation (ESF), whose first step will be to establish consistent case ascertainment and data collection across Europe and to develop standardized protocols and methods of analysis. It is hoped that in the longer term such multicentre collaborative research will enable combined analysis and lead to the identification of genetic susceptibility to certain environmental factors, including nutrition. Such studies would inform the current debate about the efficacy of folic acid and other nutritional factors in prevention of disease in the developing embryo. Subsequent public health measures targeted according to risk might reduce the prevalence of disorders such as orofacial clefting.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biochemical markers of bone remodeling: pre-analytical variations and guidelines for their use. SFBC (Société Française de Biologie Clinique) Work Group. Biochemical markers of bone remodeling].

Biochemical markers of bone turnover have been developed over the past 20 years that are more specific for bone tissue than conventional ones such as total alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline. They have been widely used in clinical research and in clinical trials of new therapies as secondary end points of treatment efficacy. Most of the interest has been devoted to their use in postmenopausal osteoporosis, a condition characterized by subtle modifications of bone metabolism that cannot be detected readily by conventional markers of bone turnover. Although several recent studies have suggested that biochemical markers may be used for the management of the individual patient in routine clinical practice, this has not been clearly defined and is a matter of debate. Because of the crucial importance to clarify this issue, the Société Francaise de Biologie Clinique prompted an expert committee to summarize the available data and to make recommendations. The following paper includes a review on the biochemical and analytical aspects of the markers of bone formation and resorption and on the sources of variability such as sex, age, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation, physical activity, seasonal variation and effects of diseases and treatments. We will also describe the effects of pre-analytical factors on the measurements of the different markers. Finally based on that review, we will make practical recommendations for the use of these markers in order to minimize the variability of the measurements and improve the clinical interpretation of the data.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

On-line purge-and-trap-gas chromatography with flame ionization detection as an alternative analytical method for dimethyl sulphide trace release from marine algae.

The release of dimethyl sulphide (DMS) by the seaweed Ulva spp at trace level was studied in aqueous solutions at different salinities, temperature and light intensities. For this purpose, the purge-and-trap technique combined with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection was used. The analytical method was evaluated in terms of linearity range, limit of detection, precision and accuracy by considering 10@1000 (w/v) and 30@1000 (w/v) synthetic seawater as aqueous matrices. Calculation of the recovery function evidenced a matrix influence. The method of standard addition was then used for an accurate determination of DMS in synthetic seawater reproducing the matrix effect. DMS fluxes were analysed in batch cultures of Ulva spp reproducing the conditions which usually occur in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy).

Chlorophyta↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prescription of bone remodeling markers in hospitals].

Biochemical markers of bone turnover have for several years been considered as valuable parameters in research clinical studies, but their use in individual patients is still debated. Recently several position papers have proposed guidelines for their use in clinical practice in patients with post menopausal osteoporosis. In the present article, we report the results of a survey which aims at comparing the actual modalities of prescription of French physicians with the above-mentioned recommendations. We contacted by phone clinical chemists from 158 different hospitals and asked them to transmit to the concerned physicians of their hospital a detailed questionnaire for assessing which bone marker(s) is (are) prescribed and for which purpose (s), and if not prescribed, the reason of non prescription. We were able to analyze 309 questionnaires from 89 hospitals including 5 specialties, rheumatology (35.9%), endocrinology (18.1%), gynecology (11.0%), internal medicine (22.0%) and geriatry (12.9%). The results showed large discrepancies between the mode of prescription of a subset of physicians and the guidelines. The most often evoked reason for non prescription was a lack of information about bone markers suggesting a need for teaching courses. This survey has also shown that many physicians do not know exactly which parameters are effectively measured in their hospital and which are addressed to specialized laboratories underlining the importance of the dialogue between clinicians and clinical chemists. We propose that in a given hospital, the present article may serve as a basis for a discussion between clinicians and biologists about the development and/or the optimization of the measurements of these markers of bone turnover.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in the chicken bursa of Fabricius and immune response after treatment with melatonin.

Since melatonin causes considerable reduction in the thymic weight of chickens, the aim of the present study was to find out whether the bursa of Fabricius and the immune response are also affected by this substance. The results show that melatonin also acts on the bursa of Fabricius depending upon the administration route. When injected subcutaneously it does not reduce bursal weight and the histological pattern does not change, while primary and secondary immune responses are significantly lowered. When melatonin is introduced into the bursa, it causes a considerable decrease in bursal weight and the histological pattern is greatly modified. A significant reduction in antibody production is observed involving the primary immune response alone. Transmission electronic microscopy seems to show that melatonin affects the reticulo-epithelial (REp) cells.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Therapy strategies in the prevention of chronic allograft nephropathy].

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is an anatomical and clinical alteration, characterized by proteinuria, hypertension and a progressive decline in kidney function, which begins at variable times (months, years) and can lead to the loss of the transplanted organ. CAN pathogenesis, which remains to be fully clarified, involves both immunological (early acute rejection, hyperimmunization, HLA-mismatches between donor and recipient, suboptimal immunosuppression, etc) and non-immunological factors (ischemia/reperfusion injury, reduced nephron mass, age differences between donor and recipient, dialysis time, hypertension, dislipidemia, proteinuria, etc). The possible prevention strategies for CAN consist of procedures aimed at the reduction of some potential risk factors: optimization of the conditions for organ explantation, diminution of ischemia/reperfusion injury, aggressive pharmacological treatment of acute rejection episodes, routine utilization of anti-hypertensive and hypolipidemic agents, and appropriate and rational immunosuppressive regimen. Moreover, some categories of immunosuppressive drugs, such as calcineurin inhibitors, can have a nephrotoxic effect, often regardless of therapeutic dosage. The introduction in clinical practice of novel immunosuppressive drugs with no nephrotoxicity, like mycophenolate mofetil and rapamycin, makes therapeutical strategies able to reduce the incidence of CAN feasible.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic Resonance angiography of the pulmonary veins before and after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: To study the usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in imaging of the pulmonary veins (PV) before and after radiofrequency ablation procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2002 and April 2003, 50 patients with atrial fibrillation underwent MRA prior to ablation; 18 patients also underwent post-procedure MRA. Images were acquired with 3D-spoiled gradient echo sequences after intravenous administration of the paramagnetic contrast medium gadopentetate dimeglumine; an automatic triggering device was used to start the angiographic sequence (Smartprep, General Electric Medical Systems). Postprocessing was performed with maximum intensity projection (MIP) and virtual endoscopy (VE) software (Navigator, GEMS). RESULTS: The venoatrial junction was visualised with MRA VE in 49 of 50 patients (98.0%). Twenty-seven patients out of 49 (55.1%) had two PV ostia on both sides, 13 (26.5%) had two right ostia and a single common left ostium, 5 (10.2%) had supernumerary PV and 4 (8.2%) had both a supernumerary right PV and a single common left ostium. Flythrough navigation showed the number and spatial arrangement of second-order PV branches in 48 out of 49 patients (98.0%). In postablation examinations, mild stenosis was detected with MIP and VE in 17 out of 83 PV examined (20.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging for visualising PV ostia in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. Before the ablation procedure, MRA allows an accurate evaluation of PV number, shape and size; after the procedure, MRA is useful in screening for post-ablation stenosis and describing the location and severity of stenosis when present.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beta-catenin gene analysis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The molecular mechanisms involved in the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are not yet well understood. Evidence of recent studies suggests that aberrant beta-catenin signalling may participate in the neoplastic transformation and that it is implicated in the development of several tumours. Beta-catenin is a component of the catenin family and plays a crucial role in cadherin mediated cell adhesion. However, it has recently been shown that beta-catenin is also involved in other functions such as intracellular signalling and the regulation of gene transcription. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of mutation in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene in 20 OSCC cell lines. DNA was extracted using Qiagen Qiamp DNA minikit and a region encompassing the exon 3 of beta-catenin gene was amplified using a single PCR assay. The PCR products were analysed by SSCP and direct sequencing to detect any mutation of the gene. Most of the cell lines examined showed, by immunofluorescence, a beta-catenin delocalization. SSCP and sequence analysis of the PCR products did not show any mutation of the beta-catenin gene in any of the cell lines. In conclusion, although aberrant expressions or abnormal localization of beta-catenin have been detected in several OSCC cells, it appears that this finding has no relationship with beta-catenin gene mutations.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Scintigraphy in breast tumors].

The authors illustrate the use of nuclear medicine in tumours of the breast. The techniques can be used at various stages: 1) in the study of remote metastases (usually blood-borne)--bone and parenchymal scintigraphy; and 2) in the study of tumour spread to the lymph glands (axillary and mammary). The techniques of lymphoscintigraphy of the mammary lymphatic plexus and of axillary lymphoscintigraphy are illustrated, and scintigram readout parameters are defined. The Authors also discuss the possibility of using this examination for adequate preoperative tumour staging, as well as the possibility of obtaining even more accurate lymphoscintigraphic images, endowed with even more selective specificity, by means of the use of monoclonal antibodies labelled with radioactive substances.

Breast↗