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Biomedical subjects

F Filippi

Publications and source records attributed to F Filippi.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization and induction of human pre-adipocytes.

Human processed lipoaspirate is a source of multipotent adult stem cells that are able to differentiate between mesenchymal and neurogenic lineage. We characterized PLA cells by cytometry and then they were cultured to induce differentiation into myogenic and neurogenic lineage. Lipoaspirates were digested with collagenase to obtain the pellet, which was labelled with anti-CD44, anti-CD45, and anti-CD90. We used BD FACS Calibur flow cytometer to acquire cellular events. Some cells were cultured at 37 degrees C and 5% CO(2) in neurogenic or myogenic medium and analysed by immunocytochemistry, using Neuron specific enolase, Vimentin, Glial fibrillary acidic protein, Tau, MAP2 to confirm neurogenic differentiation, MyoD1, Myosin heavy chain, Actin smooth muscle, vimentin to confirm myogenic differentiation. The cytometry results suggest that a part of the cells are of a mesenchymal origin, among which there are progenitor endothelial cells and leucocytes. Microscopy observation already reveals neuronal morphology and longitudinal multinucleated cells compared to control cells. Neurogenic cells only express NSE (early neuronal progenitor marker), but not GFAP, Tau, MAP2 (mature neuron and glial markers); myogenic cells are positive for MyoD1 and Myosin heavy chain. This demonstrates that lipoaspirate cells are capable of differentiating in vitro over a short period of time, and could be employed in biological and clinical research, like mesenchymal adult stem cells.

Adipocytes↗

Effect of chronic ozone fumigation on the photosynthetic process of poplar clones showing different sensitivity.

Rooted cuttings from two poplar clones (Populus x euramericana, I-214, and Populus deltoides x maximowiczii, Eridano) were exposed for 15 days to diurnal square-wave treatment with ozone (60 nL L-1 for 5 h day-1). Completely fully expanded leaves exposed to ozone showed a reduction in net CO2 assimilation rate as compared to the control leaves during whole exposure period in both the clones. The reduction was related to a strong stomatal closure in clone I-214, but also to an altered mesophyll activity ascribed to limitation of the dark reactions of photosynthetic process. The results obtained in leaves of I-214 subjected to long-term fumigation seem to support the view that the decrease in quantum yield of electron transport may be a mechanism to down-regulate photosynthetic electron transport so that production of ATP and NADPH would be in equilibrium with the decreased demand in the Calvin cycle. In Eridano the CO2 assimilation was reduced because of the exposure and any alteration in stomatal conductance was observed. Thus, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters showed that an inhibition of photosystem II had occurred (reduction in Fv/Fm ratio), while no alterations in quenching parameters were observed upon illumination. The results seem to indicate that an alternative sink for reducing equivalent, other than carbon metabolism is present.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Minimally-invasive endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy of the upper limbs. A new method].

OBJECTIVE: Indications for endoscopic transthoracic upper dorsal sympathectomy are axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis, upper extremities ischemia (due to, e.g., Raynaud s disease), and upper extremities causalgia. METHODS: At present, this methodology relies on (at least) double trocar insertion (per side) and/or carbon dioxide insufflation. Thus, although this approach, compared with the traditional open sympathectomy techniques, it guarantees the smallest number of postoperative complications, it still determines a certain amount of postoperative discomfort as well as a risk of complications related to carbon dioxide insufflation, as intraoperative profound bradycardia and hypotension due to mediastinal shift, and postoperative subcutaneous emphysema. From December 1995, we are using a minimally-invasive endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy technique, performed by a single-entry specifically modified thoracoscope and without the need for carbon dioxide insufflation, with the aim to reduce the drawbacks associated with the above-mentioned currently adopted endoscopic techniques. After general anesthesia with double-lumen endotracheal tube, with the patient placed in a half-sitting position with both arms abduced to 90 degrees, a 1 cm incision is performed, along the midclavear line (in male patients) or the anterior axillary line (in female patients), in the second or third intercostal space. RESULTS: The effects of sympathectomy are immediate, and the patients wake up with warm and dry hands and axillae. CONCLUSIONS: In personal opinion, this single-entry technique, compared with other reported approaches, should minimize any damage to the intercostal neurovascular bundle, while avoiding the complications connected with carbon dioxide insufflation.

Arm↗

Follicular bisection in hair transplantation surgery: an in vitro model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in an in vitro model, the survival and growth rates of transversely sectioned human hair follicles to assess experimentally the soundness of this approach as a future possible method for "duplicating" available donor hair grafts in hair transplantation procedures. A total of 300 human anagen hair follicles was obtained from 10 healthy male patients. Follicles were thus randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group A (control; n = 100 follicles), cultured intact as dissected, and group B (experimental; n = 200 follicles), transversely transected, parallel to the epidermal surface and immediately below the bulge area, to obtain 200 lower-half follicles and 200 upper-half follicles. Isolated hair follicles from both groups were maintained in culture for 10 days. The length of each follicle was measured immediately following isolation and at the end of the 10-day culture period. No statistically significant differences were found between the growth rate of intact follicles (mean 10-day growth rate = 2.71 mm) and of lower-half follicles (mean 10-day growth-rate = 2.64 mm), whereas a statistically significant difference was found between the growth rate of follicles from the two above-mentioned groups and the growth rate of the "upper-half" follicles (mean 10-day growth rate = 1.07 mm). Histologic analysis demonstrated that both intact and lower-half follicles maintained a normal histologic appearance, whereas in upper-half follicle sections we invariably detected a region of intense cell proliferation, reminiscent of a regenerated follicular papilla, surrounding the lowermost part of the follicle. In our opinion, the reported in vitro survival rate of transected human hair follicles might represent an interesting starting point in striving to augment the number of donor hairs available during a hair transplantation procedure.

Adult↗

Endoscopic transthoracic dorsal sympathectomy for the treatment of upper extremity hyperhidrosis: a new minimally invasive approach.

Palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis are best treated surgically by endoscopic transthoracic upper dorsal sympathectomy. At present, this methodology relies on (at least) double trocar insertion (per side), carbon dioxide insufflation, or both. We present a new minimally invasive endoscopic transthoracic technique, performed by a single-entry specifically modified thoracoscope and without the need for carbon dioxide insufflation, with the aim to reduce the drawbacks associated with the above-mentioned, currently adopted endoscopic technique. In our opinion, this "single-entry" technique, compared with the other reported approaches, should theoretically minimize any damage to the intercostal neurovascular bundle, while avoiding the complications related to carbon dioxide insufflation.

Adolescent↗

[Meta-analysis and dose-response functions of air pollution respiratory effects].

A Meta-analysis was conducted on 107 original epidemiological papers published between 1980 and 1993 on the respiratory health impact of suspended particles, sulfur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. These are the usual air quality indicators that are monitored in urban ambient air. The range of exposures that were studied (averages and 90th percentiles are respectively up to 88, 83, 124 and 53 mu/m3 (averages) and 180, 147, 234 and 131 micrograms/m3 (90th percentile) for each of the four pollution indicators) allowed assessment of dose-response functions for irritative pulmonary conditions (cough and/or asthma episodes) and respiratory function (FEVI and peak expiratory flow). The dose-response functions seem linear in the range of observed concentrations, with nitrogen dioxide showing the least consistent association across different health indicators. When applied to exposures measured as a 100 micrograms/m3 increase of pollutant's concentrations compared to low background values, the average relative risks of airway irritation (cough and/or asthma épisodes) range, according to the pollutant, from 1.08 to 1.47; average relative decreases of respiratory function amount to 1.1 to 2.2%. The effects are most often stronger among young subjects. The results of this study, when applied to air pollution concentrations in the range of values that were observed in this study, should foster health risk assessment studies in places where population air pollution exposures are available.

Adult↗

Moderate alcohol consumption and its relation to visceral fat and plasma androgens in healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the inter-relationships between daily alcohol intake, fat distribution and plasma androgens in order to verify whether daily alcohol intake correlates with abdominal body fat and, if so, to what extent such a relation is mediated by plasma androgens. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 87 clinically healthy women (aged 38 y) with a light-moderate alcohol consumption and without clinical evidence suggestive of any endocrine disorder. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric and computed tomography (CT scans made at the level of L4-L5 in a subgroup of 18 women) measurements of body fatness and adipose tissue distribution, main behavioural factors, including daily alcohol intake and plasma androgens (i.e. total and free testosterone levels). RESULTS: After adjustment for BMI, cigarette smoking and physical activity, significant differences were found in waist circumference and waist-hip ratio as well as in plasma androgens with increasing daily alcohol intake. Waist-thigh ratio tended to parallel waist-hip ratio, but did not achieve statistical significance. In simple linear regression analysis, abdominal visceral fat area, derived from CT, correlated positively with both plasma free testosterone and alcohol intake. While the above reported difference in body fat distribution totally disappeared after controlling also for free testosterone level, the differences in plasma androgens with increasing alcohol intake remained essentially unchanged when allowance was made also for waist-hip ratio. In multiple linear regression analysis, daily alcohol intake appeared to be positively and independently correlated to both plasma total and free testosterone levels. Neither BMI nor waist-hip ratio nor fasting insulin made any significant contribution to the prediction of plasma androgens after daily alcohol intake had been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that moderate alcohol consumption correlates with abdominal distribution of body fat, likely due to enlarged visceral fat area, and increased plasma androgenicity (i.e. higher total and free testosterone levels) in adult healthy women. These data also suggest that the relation between alcohol intake and fat distribution may be, at least in part, mediated by plasma androgens.

Adipose Tissue↗

Combined management in the treatment of epidoxorubicin extravasation. A case report.

Inadvertent extravasation during intravenous antitumor therapy is not an unusual complication and can cause damage ranging from minor erythema to severe local necrosis. The appropriate management of these iatrogenic accidents as a part of supportive care in oncology has been addressed by several experimental studies, but there has been little clinical study and no conclusive evidence on the best therapeutic strategies to adopt. The case reported here of a patient suffering from severe soft-tissue injury caused by extravasation of epidoxorubicin demonstrates the usefulness of a combined management (medical, surgical and rehabilitative) in the appropriate care of extravasation.

Aged↗

[Experimental considerations of the mechanism of lip and palate fusion].

Although harelip, cleft palate, or both, are by far the most common major facial malformations, the mechanisms underlying their embryogenesis are only now beginning to be understood; this is due to the complexity of primary and secondary palate development and the fact that appropriate methods for study have only recently been developed. The authors present a review of the most significant data regarding the etiology of hare lip and cleft palate, both in their physiopathogenic aspects and in their clinical morphology. The peculiarity of these malformations is outlined, supported by literature data and personal experimental experience.

Animals↗

Behcet's disease associated with HLA-B51 and DRw52 antigens in Italians.

Thirty-eight Italian patients with Behcet's disease, all with ocular involvement, (28 complete type and ten incomplete) were typed for HLA A,B,DR, and DQ antigens. A significant increase of HLA-B51 (p less than 0.00001) and DRw52 (p = 0.045) with no significant difference between complete and incomplete syndrome was found. The involvement of B51 antigen as the main immunogenetic factor in the disease is suggested by the high value of relative risk (RR = 16.03). However, the association with the II class antigen DRw52 (RR = 2.77) cannot be easily explained as a secondary association due to linkage disequilibria with B51.

Adolescent↗

[Beta-cyclodextrin-piroxicam in the treatment of the active phase of osteoarthritic pathology].

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of the beta-cyclodextrin-piroxicam (beta CDP) complex was assessed in a randomized single-blind controlled parallel study vs nabumetone (NAB). Forty patients, 18 men and 22 women aged 18 to 65 and suffering from chronic osteoarthritis, were treated. Both drugs were orally administered, once a day in the morning, for 4 consecutive weeks. PI and SPID, evaluated for 24 hours following the first drug administration, showed a quicker onset of the analgesic action of beta CDP, with statistically significant differences between treatments (p less than 0.05). In the medium-term treatment, beta CDP proved to be more effective on joint swelling, spontaneous pain, pain on passive movement and functional limitation. Both treatments were well tolerated but a higher gastro-intestinal side-effect incidence was recorded in NAB group.

Adult↗

[Etiopathogenesis of hand syndactyly in the light of several experimental findings].

The limb developmental program is comprised of processes of cell multiplication and of cell determination, differentiation and morphogenesis. Many of these processes depend on cell-cell communications within tissues and between different tissue types. The Authors present a review of the more significant data about the etiology of the syndactylies of the hand, both in their physiopathogenic aspects and in their clinical typology. The peculiarity of these malformations is outlined, supported by literature data and personal experimental experiences.

Humans↗