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Biomedical subjects

F Cianfarani

Publications and source records attributed to F Cianfarani.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Immunostaining by complement C9: a tool for early diagnosis of myocardial infarction and application in forensic medicine.

Before the first 12 hours, diagnosis of early myocardial infarctions is always difficult for forensic pathologists. We tested complement C9 expression in 121 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded heart samples by an immunohistochemical procedure. The heart specimens were separated into four groups: 33 cases in group 1 with typical ischemic damages histologically located, 20 cases in group 2 with death related to myocardial infarction on the basis of ischemic presentation on electrocardiogram but no obvious histological ischemic damage, 35 cases in group 3 with severe coronary disease without cause of death found at the autopsy, and 33 cases in group 4 without sign of myocardial infarction and without coronary disease. In the first group, all 33 heart samples showed a well-defined C9 expression in the necrotic areas. The second group in 17 of 20 cases showed positive areas for C9 expression. In the other three heart specimens, only few stained cells were observed whereas the painful symptoms had begun less than 1 h before death. The third group showed C9 immunopositive areas in six of 35 cases, few stained cells in 8 cases, and no C9 deposition in the 21 other cases. The last group showed no staining area. To avoid nonspecific C9 staining due to tissue autolysis, we studied C9 expression during a controlled putrefactive process in four cases included in group 1; staining was found only in infarcted myocardial areas, and was observed up to ten days. Specificity of C9 expression was evaluated to be 100% [89.4 to 100%] and sensitivity to be 85% [62.11 to 96.79%]. In conclusion, evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of C9 appears to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of early myocardial infarction, useful in forensic medicine if survival is more than 1 h after the beginning of myocyte damage.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2000

Modulation of cholinergic marker expression by nerve growth factor in dorsal root ganglia.

The presence of cholinergic markers in sensory ganglia has suggested a possible functional role of acetylcholine both as a cofactor of morphogenesis in embryonic life and in sensory transduction during adult life. Acetylcholine, in fact, is able to excite cutaneous nociceptors and to modulate noxious stimuli. Nerve growth factor (NGF) overexpression induces the survival of nociceptive neurons, the expression of their specific markers, and hyperalgesia. On the other hand, NGF modulate the levels of cholinergic markers in several area of nervous system. Considering these observations, the present work aims to investigate whether NGF is able also to control the expression of cholinergic markers in chick sensory neurons in culture. We selected three developmental stages (E8, E12, and E18) representative of different phases of chick embryo development and performed observations on culture in which NGF was omitted at the plating time, withdrawn after the initial 24 hr of culture or maintained for 48 hr. In the experimental protocol devised, NGF did not significantly affect cell survival. At E12 a 48 hr treatment with NGF causes a significant but limited increase in acetylcholinesterase activity; activity increase was not observed when NGF was removed after 24 hr. No changes in acetylcholinesterase activity were observed at E8 and E18 stages. NGF appears to be more effective in the modulation of choline acetyltransferase activity. At E12, in fact, about a doubling of enzyme activity was measured after 24 or 48 hr of treatment with NGF. A response was also found at E18, when a 50% increase in choline acetyltransferase activity was observed just after 24 hr treatment. The behavior of muscarinic receptors in response to NGF differs compared to the two cholinergic enzymes. At E8 and E12 a profound increase in muscarinic receptor expression was observed. Conversely, at E18 NGF produces a 50% reduction of receptors. Considering these observations and the demonstrated role of muscarinic receptors in the desensitization of nociceptors, the reduction of muscarinic receptors in DRG after NGF treatment is in agreement with the proposed algogenic action of NGF in the skin.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

Placenta growth factor is induced in human keratinocytes during wound healing.

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein, structurally and functionally related to the vascular endothelial growth factor, a potent angiogenic/permeability factor known to play a role in the neoangiogenesis during wound repair. In this study we evaluated the expression of PlGF in human keratinocytes and investigated its possible role in wound healing. Northern blot analysis on cultured keratinocytes revealed a 1.7 kb mRNA transcript and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction allowed the detection of two PlGF isoforms generated by alternative RNA splicing. PlGF and vascular endothelial growth factor homodimers as well as vascular endothelial growth factor/PlGF heterodimers could be detected in keratinocyte conditioned medium. Increased expression of both PlGF mRNA and protein was observed upon treatment of keratinocytes with epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, and interleukin-6, all cytokines present at the wound site during the early phase of repair. The analysis of human full-thickness healing wounds revealed appreciable levels of PlGF mRNA and protein in the migrating keratinocytes starting from day 3 after injury, and increasing at day 5. At day 7 PlGF mRNA was no longer detectable, while the protein was still expressed by migrating suprabasal keratinocytes. At day 13, when the wound had reepithelialized, PlGF immunostaining was completely negative. By in situ hybridization an intense signal for PlGF was also found on endothelial capillaries adjacent to the wound. These data demonstrate that keratinocytes are a source of PlGF during wound healing in vivo and indicate a role for this factor in the neoangiogenesis process associated with cutaneous wound repair.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of biological stress markers in police officers.

This study was performed on 18 police officers, in order to evaluate relations between behavior and the activity of the main hormonal systems implicated in stress management. All subjects were male volunteers with more than 2 years on the job, a type A psychological profile according to Friedman and Rosenman, suffering from no mental or physical illness. The experimental setting used to study the role of different stress factors consisted of a series of tests that re-created stressful situations that the subject might encounter in his job. The study showed that during stressful states, not only did peripheral secretion of catecholamines increase, but that the ratio of epinephrine to norepinephrine was a determinant factor. Epinephrine secretion which was elevated at the beginning, decreased when the stressful situation was clarified or controlled, whereas norepinephrine secretion remained elevated as long as the subject had to remain alert. Cortisol secretion seemed to depend upon anticipation of the stressful event more than its actual happenning.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Variation of sphenoidal angle of human skull in the course of aging].

The degree of the cranial base flexion is a major parameter in the study of the evolution of verbal communication in mankind. The variability of this area among modern humans has received little attention. In the present study, a sample of 330 modern human skulls have been used to characterize the changes in the angle of the cranial base flexion with age, and its possible relationships with gender and ethnic origin. Statistical analysis of the results show significant changes with age. Two conclusions emerged: i) the debate regarding Neanderthal speech should also consider the effect of age on the cranial base; and ii) the sphenoidal angle can be used as an ageing criterion in forensic and anthropological studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Urinary screening of drugs of abuse among drivers involved in road accidents].

Driving under the influence of drugs is a growing cause of traffic injuries. Therefore the Abbott Laboratories established a study to estimate the consumption of opiates, cannabinoids, cocaine and amphetamines among young adults involved in a road accident and to compare with a control group. Analytical procedure chosen include an anonymous collection of urines. Drugs are screened by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Positive samples are confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results do not show any difference between the two groups.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1992

[Temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction syndrome after whiplash injury. Medico-legal problems in common law].

In four cases, the authors analyse the medical and legal factors which lead the expert to his conclusions in french law, concerning temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction after whiplash injury indemnification. An uncertain direct link between the injury and the damage together with the patient's dental prior state to the accident, lead to retain an incomplete legal imputability. The compensation awarded to the victim will consist of an overvalued extra-patrimonial damage which will eventually be able to balance a low physiological deficit price.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Maxillary canine microwear in Dryopithecus from Spain.

The three functional domains of the upper canines of Dryopithecus from Spain are analysed through microscopic examination. Evidence is presented that shows a food choice in concordance with open woodland habitat.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Craniofacial dysmorphism in Mozart's skull.

Mozart's craniofacial dysmorphism shown in his portraits and in the skull held by the Mozarteum in Salzburg (Austria) helps to document the role of pathology in human identification. The specific syndrome is formed by a premature synostosis of the metopic suture (PSMS) in association with an abnormally shaped skull.

Austria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cannabis: toxicokinetic focus and methodology of urinary screening].

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. The major psychomimetic compound is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The major effects consist in alterations of sensory perception, cognition, motor coordination and self-perception. Procedures designed to detect cannabis use have been developed since 1988. The traditional approach is to screen urine by immunoassay and to submit positive samples for confirmation by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. There continue to be many difficulties in interpreting the results because of the biotransformations of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Cannabinoids↗