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Biomedical subjects

F Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bianchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Maternal occupational risk factors for oral clefts. Occupational Exposure and Congenital Malformation Working Group.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the role of maternal exposures at work during pregnancy in the occurrence of oral clefts. METHODS: The occupational exposures of 851 women (100 mothers of babies with oral clefts and 751 mothers of healthy referents) who worked during the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. All the women were part of a multicenter European case-referent study conducted using 6 congenital malformation registers between 1989 and 1992. In each center, the mother's occupational history, obtained from an interview, was reviewed by industrial hygienists who were blinded to the subject's status and who assessed the presence of chemicals and the probability of exposure. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated by a multivariate analysis including maternal occupation or occupational exposures during the first trimester of pregnancy and possible confounding factors such as center of recruitment, maternal age, urbanization, socioeconomic status, and country of origin. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding factors, cleft palate only was significantly associated with maternal occupation in services such as hairdressing [OR 5.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0-26.0] and housekeeping (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.2). The analysis suggests that the following occupational exposures are associated with orofacial clefts: aliphatic aldehydes (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8-5.9) and glycol ethers (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9-3.3) for cleft lip with or without cleft palate and lead compounds (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3-12.2), biocides (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.0), antineoplastic drugs (OR 5.0, 95% CI 0.8-34.0), trichloroethylene (OR 6.7, 95% CI 0.9-49.7), and aliphatic acids (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.5-22.8) for cleft palate only. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the limited number of subjects, these results must be interpreted with caution. However, they point out some chemicals already known or suspected as reproductive toxins.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate by ultrasound: experience from 20 European registries. EUROSCAN study group.

Ultrasound scans in the mid-trimester of pregnancy are now a routine part of antenatal care in most European countries. Using data from registries of congenital anomalies a study was undertaken in Europe. The objective of the study was to evaluate prenatal detection of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL(P)) and cleft palate (CP). All CL(P) and CPs suspected prenatally and identified at birth in the period 1996-98 were registered from 20 Congenital Malformation Registers from the following European countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, Ukraine. These registries followed the same methodology. A total of 709,027 births were covered; 7758 cases with congenital malformations were registered. Included in the study were 751 cases reported with facial clefts: 553 CL(P) and 198 CP. The prenatal diagnosis by transabdominal ultrasound of CL(P) was made in 65/366 cases with an isolated malformation, in 32/62 cases with chromosomal anomaly, in 30/89 cases with multiple malformations and in 21/36 syndromic cases. The prenatal diagnosis of CP was made in 13/198 cases. One hundred pregnancies were terminated (13%); in 97 of these the cleft was associated with other malformations.

Cleft Lip↗
PubMed2000

Tissue engineering and skeletal diseases.

Tissue engineering, a cross between the science of the living organism and that of engineering, aims to replace, maintain or improve human tissue functions, by means of tissue substitutes containing living elements. Thus, it is about production of artificial tissue, using (alone or in combination) cells, matrix or bioactive factors. Their association gives rise to a hybrid biomaterial combining biological components (cells, growth factors or adhesion proteins) and materials (polymers, ceramics). The applications are wide-ranging, from the skin, to the liver, or to the cornea as well as to the locomotor system. Bone tissue engineering has advanced the most in this field, partly because of the progress made by research into bone substitutes, although cartilage and tendons are also concerned. This technology requires cell culture (committed cells or more often bone marrow stem cells), biomaterials (porous materials with controlled architecture and cements), growth factors (such as 'Bone Morphogenetic Proteins'), the proteins implicated in cell adhesion (such as fibronectin or the aminoacid sequences specifically recognised by integrin subunits) or gene therapy (notably using transfected stem cells). Tissue engineering and regenerative stimulation of tissue are now booming on experimental and industrial levels and clinical applications are increasingly numerous. Considering the potential of these technologies, they should continue to develop widely.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed1999

Therapeutic drug use during pregnancy: a comparison in four European countries. OECM Working Group. Occupational Exposures and Congenital Anomalies.

A drug utilization study was performed using data of the OECM study on Occupational Exposures and Congenital Malformations, which was conducted in six European Registries of Congenital Anomalies (two in France, two in Italy, one in Great Britain, and one in The Netherlands): the mothers were interviewed after delivery for exposures during pregnancy, including use of therapeutic drugs. The analysis of drug use considered only the 1134 control mothers of healthy newborns, and focused on the first trimester of pregnancy: 36.2% of the interviewed mothers used at least one drug (excluding vitamins and minerals) during the first trimester. This rate varied from 22.5% in Glasgow to 50.3% and 44.2% in the French centers. Anti-infectives were the most frequent drugs (12.3% of mothers), then antinauseants (10.6%), and treatments for threatened abortion (5.5%). Important variations between countries were observed, reflecting different medical attitudes towards drug use during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Methodological problems and the role of statistics in cluster response studies: a framework.

More and more citizens urge public health authorities to investigate reports of disease excess in their neighbourhood. These environmental concerns are legitimate and it is part of good public health practice to respond to these complaints. However, the methodological and practical problems are severe and a lot of controversy exists about the usefulness of these investigations. To clarify the possibilities and limitations in this situation, this paper proposes a typology of cluster studies. According to this framework, cluster response is distinguished from two other types of cluster studies: Cluster monitoring. screening proactively for clusters to act as an early warning system, and cluster research, scrutinizing clustering to generate and test aetiological hypotheses. To each of these three types of cluster studies corresponds a different public health context; respectively public health action, public health surveillance and public health research. Probably, part of the controversy mentioned stems from not acknowledging sufficiently the corresponding intrinsic differences in rationality and practical constraints. Cluster response is crisis management and not scientific research. In a relatively short time, an informed decision should be taken by a multidisciplinary team of experts using readily available information and knowledge. In accordance with this point of view, cluster reports should be handled stepwise and the role of statistics is to quantify a cluster exploring different points of view as an input to the decision process.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed1999

RANTES stimulates cell-mediated transmission of HIV-1 infection.

We wished to determine the effects of the beta-chemokine RANTES in an established system of cell-mediated transmission of HIV-1, that is, normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) nonproductively infected with HIV-1, cocultivated with CD4+ T cells to rescue productive infection. The results indicate that the addition of RANTES to HUVEC, either before or after HIV-1 infection, stimulates HIV-1 rescue by CD4+ T cells. However, viral DNA is not increased in HUVEC, suggesting that the stimulation exerted by RANTES could be mediated by events following HUVEC infection. The mechanisms of increase seem to be related to the rescue phase, involving membrane interaction of abortively infected HUVEC with permissive T cells. In fact, a strong upregulation and polarization of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is induced in HUVEC by RANTES, and antibodies against ICAM-1 inhibit HIV-1 rescue by T cells. These results indicate that RANTES, similarly to other inflammatory cytokines, may favor HIV-1 spreading and crossing of blood-tissue barriers by indirect mechanisms involving membrane interactions between nonproductively infected and permissive cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Laminin and beta1 integrin distribution in the early stages of human kidney development.

Laminin, an extracellular matrix molecule (EMM) widely expressed in the basal laminae, interacts with specific membrane receptors among which the integrin molecules are the best known. During embryo development laminin is the first synthesized EMM and plays a significant role in the morphogenesis of organs in which epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and branching take place. The present study describes the distribution of laminin and of beta1 integrin receptors during the very early stages of human kidney development. The observations were carried out on paraffin sections of human embryos ranging between the 4th and the 7th gestational week. Laminin was detected within the basement membranes of mesonephric duct, vesicles, glomerular vessels and celomic epithelium. The metanephric anlage reacted with anti-laminin immunoglobulins in the basement membrane underlying the ampullae and in few blastemic cap cells. Low levels of beta1 integrin reactivity were found in both the mesonephric and metanephric structures. This study provides for the first time data about the distribution of laminin and beta1 integrin in the early stages of human renal organogenesis suggesting a key role for these molecules in the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions necessary for kidney development.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

36 month intermittent cyclical etidronate treatment in patients with established corticosteroid induced osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the longterm safety and efficacy of etidronate therapy in patients in whom corticosteroid induced bone loss has already occurred. METHODS: We performed a 36 month observational cohort study in which all data were obtained from Canadian Database of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia (CANDOO) patients. The etidronate group consisted of 24 patients who received 400 mg of etidronate disodium for 14 days, followed by 76 days of calcium carbonate (500 mg of elemental calcium), repeated every 3 mo; the control group included 37 patients who received calcium carbonate 500 to 1000 mg daily. Outcome measurements included changes within groups from baseline and differences between groups in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and trochanter at 12, 24, and 36 months. The incidence of vertebral fractures was also determined. RESULTS: Etidronate therapy resulted in a meaningful percentage increase from baseline in lumbar spine BMD, primarily during the first 24 months of treatment, and this increase was sustained for the remainder of the 36 month study period (5.2%; p = 0.016). Analysis of covariance revealed a significant percentage difference (SD) between groups in lumbar spine BMD at 12 [5.5 (13.5) percent; p = 0.003] and 24 months [6.0 (17.4) percent; p = 0.011] in favor of the etidronate group. After 3 years of therapy, one patient (4%) experienced one vertebral fracture in the etidronate group, whereas 3 patients (8%) experienced 5 vertebral fractures in the control group. CONCLUSION: Etidronate treatment administered for 36 months reversed lumbar spine bone loss, and appeared to be safe in patients with established corticosteroid induced osteoporosis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Risk of congenital anomalies near hazardous-waste landfill sites in Europe: the EUROHAZCON study.

BACKGROUND: Waste-disposal sites are a potential hazard to health. This study is a multicentre case-control study of the risk of congenital anomalies associated with residence near hazardous-waste landfill sites in Europe. METHODS: We used data from seven regional registers of congenital anomalies in five countries. We studied 1089 livebirths, stillbirths, and terminations of pregnancy with non-chromosomal congenital anomalies and 2366 control births without malformation, whose mothers resided within 7 km of a landfill site; 21 sites were included. A zone within 3 km radius of each site was defined as the "proximate zone" of most likely exposure to teratogens. FINDINGS: Residence within 3 km of a landfill site was associated with a significantly raised risk of congenital anomaly (295 cases/511 controls living 0-3 km from sites, 794/1855 living 3-7 km from sites; combined odds ratio 1.33 [95% CI 1.11-1.59], adjusted for maternal age and socioeconomic status). There was a fairly consistent decrease in risk with distance away from the sites. A significantly raised odds ratio for residence within 3 km of a landfill site was found for neural-tube defects (odds ratio 1.86 [1.24-2.79]), malformations of the cardiac septa (1.49 [1.09-2.04]), and anomalies of great arteries and veins (1.81 [1.02-3.20]). Odds ratios of borderline significance were found for tracheo-oesophageal anomalies (2.25 [0.96-5.26]), hypospadias (1.96 [0.98-3.92]), and gastroschisis (3.19 [0.95-10.77]). There was little evidence of differences in risk between landfill sites but power to detect such differences was low. INTERPRETATION: This study shows a raised risk of congenital anomaly in babies whose mothers live close to landfill sites that handle hazardous chemical wastes, although there is a need for further investigation of whether the association of raised risk of congenital anomaly and residence near landfill sites is a causal one. Apparent differences between malformation subgroups should be interpreted cautiously.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

Polymerase chain reaction typing of D21S11 short tandem repeat polymorphism by capillary electrophoresis. Allele frequencies and sequencing data in a population sample from central Italy.

Blood samples were collected from 100 individuals living in Central Italy and analysed for STR locus D21S11 by capillary electrophoresis on an ABI Prism 310 genetic analyzer. For fragment sizing, PCR amplification products, obtained using a 6-FAM 5'-labeled reverse primer and an unlabeled forward primer, were run with an internal size standard labeled with TAMRA dye and typed using the local reciprocal method. An allele ladder consisting of a mix of sequenced amplified products was also prepared. An Italian population database was established. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed. The result of statistical analysis were highly informative (PD = 0.94; mean exclusion change = 0.66). DNA sequencing was performed on a set of representative alleles by Taq cycle sequencing using dye terminator labeling chemistry. A new structural variant was found.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

The heparan sulfate suleparoide inhibits rat corneal angiogenesis and in vitro neovascularization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the heparan sulfate suleparoide on vascular cell growth in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Human HUV-EC-C endothelial cell proliferation and microvessel sprouting from cultured rat aortic rings were assayed by the bioreduction of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. The inhibition of the neoforming capillary network in the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryo (CAM) was evaluated by agarose disks containing suleparoide and applied on the CAM surface. AgNO3/KNO3 injury was used to induce corneal neovascularization and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical suleparoide, while the involvement of bFGF in angiogenesis was evidenced by immunohistochemistry of corneal tissue. Quantitation of angiogenesis in the CAM and the cornea was accomplished by image analysis. Suleparoide dose-dependently inhibited HUV-EC-C cell proliferation (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 197.5+/-15.2 microg ml-1) and reduced microvessel sprouting in vitro (IC50, 351+/-22 microg ml-1). Likewise, suleparoide 150 microg in agarose disks produced an avascular area of 19.7+/-2.7% of the total area of the CAM (P<0.05 as compared to controls). bFGF levels were significantly enhanced in the cornea after AgNO3/KNO3 injury, and the increase appeared to be time-dependent (25.6+/-1.8 and 43.2+/-7.4%, vs. uninjured controls after 24 hr and 48 hr, respectively, P<0.05). Suleparoide 4.8 mg eye-1 day-1 for six days reduced the length of blood vessels and the area of the cornea infiltrated by them (59.6+/-7.4% decrease vs. controls, P<0.05). These results demonstrate that suleparoide is an active agent against angiogenesis and suggest that the therapeutic effect of the drug could be of value to treat corneal neovascularization.

Allantoin↗
PubMed1998

Polymorphism and sequence variations of the HumCD4 pentameric microsatellite in an Italian population sample.

A sample of 265 subjects from central Italy was analyzed at the HumCD4 locus by polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR). Phenotypes were identified by comparison with a sequenced ladder, after high-resolution horizontal polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) followed by silver staining. A set of representative alleles was sequenced by Taq-cycle-sequencing with dye terminator labeling and capillary gel electrophoresis strategies. Eight common alleles--5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12--and a rare larger 14, never before described in Caucasians, were found. Allele and genotype frequencies were similar to those described in former studies on Caucasians, with a prevalency of alleles number 5, 6, 10. Sequence analysis showed that the polymorphism is due to a pentameric TTTTC basic motif, tandemly repeated, and that from allele number 10 onwards the fourth repeat presents a T to C translation (CTTTC). Instead, allele number 9 may exist in two forms, because 75% of alleles examined in this study presented the CTTTC motif at the fourth position, while the remaining 25% had the basic repeat structure.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Are omphalocele and neural tube defects related congenital anomalies?: Data from 21 registries in Europe (EUROCAT).

We have analyzed the association between omphalocele and neural tube defects (O/NTD) previously reported in epidemiological studies of EUROCAT registry data [Dolk et al., 1991; Calzolari et al., 1995]. By examining differences in prevalence between the United Kingdom and Ireland (UKI) and Continental Europe and Malta (CEM) and differences in sex ratio, the possible etiopathogenetic differences between O/NTD association and omphalocele without NTD and NTD without omphalocele were investigated. The distribution of O/NTD cases according to NTD site in the two geographic areas shows in the UKI a tendency for omphalocele to associate with anencephaly/spina bifida and with anencephaly. In CEM centers, these types of NTD are much rarer. The pattern of other anomalies occurring in combination with O/NTD association in the same babies was also analysed.

Birth Rate↗
PubMed1997

Gestational diabetes mellitus and HLA class II (-DQ, -DR) association: The Digest Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy (IGT) are associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and then further development of diabetes among 30-50% of affected women. This is a real public health problem that deserves investigation of phenotypic and genotypic predisposing markers. However, the involvement of genetic background in GDM and IGT remains unclear. In particular, association with HLA class II polymorphism has been poorly studied and has produced conflicting results. In attempt to clarify these discrepancies, we investigated HLA class II polymorphism in 95 GDM and 95 IGT women from the north of France using DNA amplification followed by restriction enzyme digestion (PCR-RFLP). Ninety-five pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were chosen as a control reference group. The distribution of HLA class II polymorphism was not found to be significantly different between GDM, IGT and NGT samples. In particular, we did not find any significant variation of DRB1*03 and DRB1*04 allele frequencies between these three groups. These data provide further evidence that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) HLA class II susceptibility alleles cannot serve as genetic markers for susceptibility to glucose intolerance during pregnancy. However, GDM and IGT were not equivalent to the NGT control group and presented particular HLA patterns. In particular, we observed an increase of the DRB1*0701-DQA1*0201-DQB1*02 haplotype in GDM women (P = 0.02; Pc not significant) and an increase of DRB1*0101-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0501 and DRB1*1302-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0604 haplotypes in the IGT group (P = 0.02 and 8 x 10(-3), respectively; Pc not significant). In contrast, we found a decrease in the DRB1*1101 allele in IGT samples (P = 0.03; Pc not significant) and a decrease of DRB1*1103-*1104 alleles in the GDM group (P = 9 x 10(-3); Pc not significant). Although these findings are only descriptive, it points out the genetic heterogeneity of glucose intolerance during pregnancy.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Congenital malformation and maternal occupational exposure to glycol ethers. Occupational Exposure and Congenital Malformations Working Group.

Glycol ethers are found in a wide range of domestic and industrial products, many of which are used in women's work environments. Motivated by concern about their potential reproductive toxicity, we have evaluated the risk of congenital malformations related to glycol ether exposure during pregnancy as part of a multicenter case-control study, conducted in six regions in Europe. The study comprised 984 cases of major congenital malformations and 1,134 controls matched for place and date of birth. Interviews of the mothers provided information about occupation during pregnancy, sociodemographic variables, and other potential risk factors (medical history, tobacco, alcohol, drugs). A chemist specializing in glycol ethers evaluated exposure during pregnancy, using the job description given by the mother, without knowledge of case or control status. We classified malformations into 22 subgroups. The overall odds ratio (OR) of congenital malformation associated with glycol ether exposure was 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-1.90], after adjustment for several potential confounders. The association with exposure to glycol ethers appeared particularly strong in three subgroups: neural tube defects (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.16-3.24), multiple anomalies (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.24-3.23), and cleft lip (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.11-3.73). In this last subgroup, risk, especially of an isolated defect, tended to increase with level of exposure.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1997

Congenital malformations and maternal occupation: a registry based case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relations between congenital malformations and maternal occupation during pregnancy with a registry based case-control study. METHODS: Analysis was performed on data derived from the Florence Eurocat registry surveillance programme. The study included cases with isolated conditions, including chromosomal anomalies (n = 1351), cases with multiple anomalies registered during the 1980-91 period (n = 440), and babies with no congenital malformations recognised at birth who were born from 1982 to 1989 and selected as controls (n = 3223). 11 categories were defined, 10 including cases with isolated malformations and one for cases with multiple congenital anomalies. Four categories of maternal occupation were selected for the study. Odds ratio (OR) values were adjusted for maternal origin, maternal and paternal education, number of previous live births, illness during pregnancy, and maternal age when the group of chromosomal anomalies was analysed. RESULTS: A notable and significant association between oral clefts and mothers involved in leather and shoe manufacturing was found (adjusted OR 3.9; 99% confidence interval (99% CI) 1.5 to 9.8) and the risk consistently increased when considering cases with isolated cleft palate separately (OR 5.4; 95% CI 1.8 to 13.4). Moreover, a significant risk was identified for the association between multiple anomalies and textile dye workers (adjusted OR 1.9; 99% CI 1.0 to 3.8). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a notable, significant relation between maternal occupation as a pelt or leather worker and orofacial clefts in offspring. This finding is in agreement with the suggested inheritance models. The dilution effect due to studying large and heterogeneous groups of workers and occupations limits the value of the study; but it provides a good example of the use of a large database to search for teratogenic risk with the aid of malformation registries.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The relative value of exercise-electrocardiography and dipyridamole stress echocardiography for risk stratification early after uncomplicated myocardial infarction. The EPIC (Echo Persantine International Cooperative) Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Rational prognostic algorithm should be developed considering the logical progression of the information as it becomes available to the physician, with clinical data first, ECG data second and stress imaging data last. The aim of the present study was to assess in a clinically realistic fashion the relative prognostic value of exercise electrocardiography test (EET) and dipyridamole-echocardiography test (DET) early after first acute uncomplicated myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five hundred and forty-seven in-hospital patients (age = 56 +/- 9 years) with recent clinically uncomplicated first myocardial infarction, baseline echocardiographic findings of satisfactory quality, interpretable ECG and capability to exercise underwent a resting 2D echocardiogram, a DET and an EET at a mean of 10 days from the infarction and were followed up for 16.2 +/- 11 months. During the follow-up, there were 17 cardiac deaths, 19 non-fatal myocardial infarctions and 49 unstable angina. When cardiac death was considered as the only significant event, with multivariate analysis, peak dipyridamole Wall Motion Score Index was the only significant predictor (chi 2 = 5.66; p = 0.013; relative risk estimate = 4.7; confidence intervals = 1.35-16.08). In presence of a negative exercise electrocardiography test for both chest pain and electrocardiographic criteria, the death rate was 2%. CONCLUSION: DET provides stronger information in comparison with historical and EET variables. However, a negative maximal EET is sufficient to identify a very low risk subset in whom additional testing may not be warranted.

Cause of Death↗