Biomedical subjects

Giovanna De Luca

Publications and source records attributed to Giovanna De Luca.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Aggregation properties of hyperporphyrins with hydroxyphenyl substituents.

Acidification of tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) and tetrakis(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (OHPP) in dichloromethane solutions has been investigated as a function of the nature of the counteranion. These porphyrins exhibit different patterns of behavior, and extended aggregates are formed displaying broad extinction features together with intense components due to resonant light scattering. Especially in the case of haloacids, J-aggregated species are obtained exhibiting large bathochromic shifts both for B- and Q-bands, which extend in the far red region. The optical characteristics of the aggregated and monomeric protonated species are strongly influenced by the nature of the counteranions. A comparison with tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (TMPP), which remains always in a monomeric form, demonstrates the key role played by the peripheral hydroxyl groups in stabilizing various porphyrin aggregates.

Models, Molecular↗

PubMed2006

Counteranion dependent protonation and aggregation of tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin in organic solvents.

The tetrabutylammonium salt of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) is soluble in dichloromethane, and the general properties of this compound have been investigated as function of various added acids HX (X = Cl, Br, I, CF(3)COO, CF(3)SO(3), TFPB) through UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, steady state fluorescence emission, and resonance light-scattering (RLS) techniques. Upon addition of HX, the initial monomeric free base TPPS is readily converted in an aggregated species, whose spectroscopic features are independent of the nature of the counteranion X. All the spectroscopic evidence suggest a J-type arrangement of chromophores in this aggregate, involving strong hydrogen bonds, electrostatic, and dispersive interactions. In the specific case of chloride and bromide, in the presence of a TBAX excess, the addition of the corresponding acid leads to a monomeric ion-pair between the TBA cations and the diacid TPPS, whose central core is strongly interacting with the halide. On further increasing the acid concentration in these latter solutions, fully protonated species are formed that eventually start to aggregate.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines: comparison between Er:YAG laser and turbine lines.

The investigation was carried out by evaluating the microbiological characteristics of the water before and after treatment with Er:YAG laser and turbine. The study was carried out in 2 dental surgeries. In both cases the laser and dental units were served by two independent circuits, fed by the same potable tap water. Samples were taken from the water supplying and the water leaving the turbine and laser before and after treatment on the same patient. Total heterotrophic plate count was measured at 36 degrees C and at 22 degrees C, and the presence of Staphylococcus species and non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria was investigated. Bacterial contamination was found within the circuit, especially in the laser device. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in only 1 sample of supply water, in 11.1 % and in 19.4 % of the samples from the turbine and the laser respectively. No evidence of Staphylococcus aureus was found. The contamination of supply water was low, whereas that of the water leaving the handpieces of the 2 devices was high, especially in the laser. Attention should be paid to the control of the water leaving laser devices, given the increasingly wide use of such instruments in dental treatment exposed to risk of infection.

Decontamination↗

PubMed2005

Role of counteranions in acid-induced aggregation of isomeric tetrapyridylporphyrins in organic solvents.

The effect of adding various kinds of acids HX (X = Cl, Br, I, CF(3)COO, CF(3)SO(3), TFPB ((3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)B) to isomeric tetra(2-pyridyl)porphyrin, tetra(3-pyridyl)porphyrin, and tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TpyP(2), TpyP(3), and TpyP(4)) in dichloromethane solution has been investigated through the combined use of UV/vis absorption, fluorescence emission, and resonance light scattering (RLS) techniques. The experimental evidence points to a marked dependence of the protonation and aggregation behavior on the nature of both acids and porphyrins. In general, three different trends can be recognized: (i) formation of a fully protonated species, followed by aggregation; (ii) formation of a tetraprotonated species, which aggregates and, on further addition of acid, disaggregates; and (iii) protonation of the four pyridyl moieties, leading to a tetraprotonated ion pair, in the unique case of the bulky TFPB(-) anion. In all cases, the protonated species and the resulting aggregates exhibit spectroscopic features that are markedly influenced by the nature of the counteranions. A model for J-aggregation has been proposed on the basis of an interplay of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and dispersive interactions. Kinetic control of the aggregation process allows for a fine-tuning of the spectroscopic properties of the final aggregated species.

Acids↗

PubMed2004

Detection of Escherichia coli O157 in bovine meat products in northern Italy.

Tests for Escherichia coli and E. coli O157 were carried out on meat samples collected from randomly chosen stores throughout the city of Bologna and suburban areas. The samples consisted of 25 g of loose minced beef, sometimes already shaped into meatballs or hamburgers, some of which were mixed with vegetables. The meat was purchased from retail outlets, open market stalls, and supermarket chains during 25 sampling visits from October 2000 to December 2001. For E. coli detection, Tryptone soya broth (TSB) supplemented with novobiocin and C-EC agar were used. Immunomagnetic separation with SMAC-BCIG-CT agar and chromogenic E. coli O 157 agar, API 20E system and agglutination latex test were used to detect E. coli O157; Vero cell assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to assess toxin production and the presence of virulence genes.E. coli were detected in 45 (30.2%) of the 149 samples examined, mainly in the hamburger samples mixed with vegetables and in the loose minced beef. E. coli O157 was found in one sample of hamburger and two samples of hamburger mixed with vegetables (2%) collected from three different butcher's stores between July and October. All the strains of E. coli O157 and most cases of E. coli were found in meat from small retailers. The three strains of E. coli O157 were positive for verocytotoxin production. PCR analysis revealed genes coding for vt2 and one strain possessed the gene for eae A. Chromogenic E. coli O157 agar was found to be more selective and differential, allowing easier identification of suspected colonies with mixed flora and producing less false-positive colonies.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

IL-4 in vitro production is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease patients treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Cytokines appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Their modulation by treatment has been investigated only in a few studies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) on Interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in AD patients. IL-4 levels were measured by ELISA on peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures in the presence or absence of Concanavalin A or Phytohaemagglutinin. Linear regression analysis shows that patients who have been treated, have higher levels of IL-4 independently from age, gender and comorbidity. The increased production of IL-4 in AChEI treated patients might represent an additional mechanism through which AChEI act on AD progression.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Alzheimer patients treated with an AchE inhibitor show higher IL-4 and lower IL-1 beta levels and expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The study evaluates the expression and production of cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Alzheimer disease treated or not treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which enhances neuronal transmission. Cytokines associated with brain inflammation such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha have been implicated in the regulation of amyloid peptide protein synthesis. The anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-4, may suppress the activity of IL-1beta. Patients were assessed for clinical and immunologic features at baseline and after 1 month of treatment with Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with and without phytohemagglutinin stimulation. IL-1beta and IL-4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of cytokines in peripheral mononuclear cells. Compared with untreated patients and healthy control subjects, IL-1beta levels and expression decreased in Alzheimer disease patients treated with Donepezil (P < 0.001). In contrast, IL-4 levels and expression were significantly higher in Alzheimer patients treated with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This increment was observed in both unstimulated and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Legionella infection risk from domestic hot water.

We investigated Legionella and Pseudomonas contamination of hot water in a cross-sectional multicentric survey in Italy. Chemical parameters (hardness, free chlorine, and trace elements) were determined. Legionella spp. were detected in 33 (22.6%) and Pseudomonas spp. in 56 (38.4%) of 146 samples. Some factors associated with Legionella contamination were heater type, tank distance and capacity, water plant age, and mineral content. Pseudomonas presence was influenced by water source, hardness, free chlorine, and temperature. Legionella contamination was associated with a centralized heater, distance from the heater point >10 m, and a water plant >10 years old. Furthermore, zinc levels of <100 microg/L and copper levels of >50 microg/L appeared to be protective against Legionella colonization [corrected]. Legionella species and serogroups were differently distributed according to heater type, water temperature, and free chlorine, suggesting that Legionella strains may have a different sensibility and resistance to environmental factors and different ecologic niches.

Humans↗

PubMed2003

Porphyrin deposition induced by UV irradiation.

Simple irradiation by UV light of porphyrin TpyP and its zinc(II) and manganese(III) metal derivatives in chlorinated solvents leads to the deposition on silica of mesoscale aggregates. The process is due to the photochemical decomposition of the solvent with generation of HCl, which causes the precipitation of a protonated form. The morphology of the resulting objects is driven by the nature of the inserted metal ion.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Interferon beta-1b modulates MCP-1 expression and production in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We found that in unstimulated (PHA(-)) and PHA-stimulated (PHA(+)) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), MCP-1 and TNFalpha levels are higher in stable untreated MS patients. Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) is higher in relapsing patients in PHA(-) cultures and in stable patients in PHA(+) cultures. Chronic IFNbeta-1b treatment down-regulates TNFalpha, IFNgamma and MCP-1 production except for TNFalpha in relapsing patients. IFNbeta-1b, in vitro, increases MCP-1, TNFalpha and IFNgamma spontaneous production in all patients. Multivariate analysis suggests that MCP-1 production is dependent from clinical status and not from TNFalpha and IFNgamma production. Logistic regression analysis shows that MCP-1 production is significantly modified by treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of MCP-1 in MS.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Interferon beta normalizes suppressor cell function in dysimmune neuropathies.

We found a defective suppressor cell function in vitro both in idiopathic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and in paraproteinemic neuropathy with antibodies to sulfated glucuronyl paragloboside. In the presence of interferon beta, suppressor cell function was normalized. Our results suggest that a decreased suppressor cell function plays a pathogenetic role in dysimmune neuropathies. Interferon beta might represent an adjunctive therapy in CIDP both acting on a defective blood-nerve barrier and normalizing an otherwise defective suppressor cell function.

Adolescent↗