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Biomedical subjects

L Dini

Publications and source records attributed to L Dini.

99 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Differentiation of monocytic U937 cells under static magnetic field exposure.

We present here a morphological, cytochemical and biochemical study of the macrophagic differentiation of human pro-monocytic U937 cells exposed to moderate intensity (6 mT) static magnetic fields (MF). It was found that the following substances induced differentiation in U937 cells to a progressively lower degree: 50 ng/mL 12-0-tetradecanoyl-13-phorbol acetate (TPA), low concentration of glutamine (0,05 mM/L), 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 100 mM/L Zn++. Differentiated U937 cells shift from a round shape to a macrophage-like morphology, from suspension to adhesion growth and acquire phagocytotic activity, the cytoskeleton adapting accordingly. Exposure to static MF at 6 mT of intensity decreases the degree of differentiation for all differentiating molecules with a consequent fall in cell adhesion and increased polarization of pseudopodia and cytoplasmic protrusions. Differentiation alone, or in combination with exposure to static MFs, affects the distribution and quantity of cell surface sugar residues, the surface expression of markers of macrophage differentiation, and phagocytotic capability. Our results indicate that moderate-intensity static MFs exert a considerable effect on the process of macrophage differentiation of pro-monocytic U937 cells and suggest the need for further studies to investigate the in vivo possible harmful consequences of this.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Receptor mediated endocytosis of N-acetylglucosamine and mannose exposing molecules by cultured chick embryo hepatocytes.

We studied the receptor mediated endocytosis of a modified glycoprotein (N-acetylglucosamine-BSA) and mannan in cultured hepatocytes isolated from 19-days-old embryos. The binding sites for molecules exposing terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNac) and mannose residues were localized and quantified at the ultrastructural level by means of protein-gold complexes. The binding sites were found to be randomly distributed as single gold particles on cultured hepatocyte cell surfaces not restricted to specialized areas of the plasma membrane. The gold ligands were internalized following a receptor mediated pathway, which was studied at different interval times (15, 30 and 60 min.) after incubating the cells with the electron dense markers.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Unusual reactions to food additives].

The most important symptoms caused by food additives are urticaria and angioedema, but rhinitis, asthma and gastrointestinal disturbances are also reported. Only seldom food additives have been shown to induce symptoms in other organs such central nervous system or joints and with a sparse objective evidence. In this study, we report two cases of unusual reactions to food additives (tartrazine and benzoates) involving mainly the central nervous system (headache, migraine, overactivity, concentration and learning difficulties, depression) and joints (arthralgias), confirmed with diet and double blind challenge. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms are also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Proteinaceous diet inhibits gossypol-induced spermatotoxicity.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a proteinaceous dietary supplement, fishmeal, on gossypol-induced spermatotoxicity. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats, averaging 205 g b.w., were randomly sorted into four experimental groups (I-IV) of 5 animals each, and a control group. Crude cottonseed oil was administered orally to each animal in groups I-IV at a rate that provided 14 mg/kg/d free gossypol; in addition, 3 g/d, 7 g/d, and 10 g/d of fishmeal was provided as meal supplement to each animal in groups I, II and III respectively. The control group received rat pellets and water freely. At the end of the 53-day treatment period, all animals were placed under chloroform anaesthesia; the caudal epididymides were removed, minced and placed in Ham's F10 solution for the evaluation of sperm count and motility. The testes were also processed for histological studies using the eosin and haematoxylin (H & E) method. Our findings revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of gossypol-induced spermatotoxicity by the supplemented fishmeal; this suggests that proteinaceous diets are protective against gossypol-induced male infertility.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (E.I.B.) and its correlation with clinical history in children with allergic asthma].

In this study, 65 allergic asthmatic children were evaluated for the presence of exercise induced bronchospasm (E.I.B.). Pulmonary function (volume at 1 second of forced expiration--FEV1; maximal mid-expiratory flow--FEF 25-75; peak expiratory flow--PEF) was assessed before and serially for 20' following treadmill exercise. Only 18 children (27.6%) presented a fall in FEV1 > or = 20%. There was a relationship between severity of asthma and incidence of E.I.B., as children with episodic, frequent and chronic asthma presented respectively 13/55 (23.4%), 2/6 (33.3%) and 3/4 (75%) of positive responses. The presence of E.I.B. cannot be predicted by clinical history, as 15/36 (41.7%) of subjects with positive clinical history had E.I.B., against 3/29 (10.3%) of subjects with negative clinical history (p = n.s.). E.I.B. in asthmatic children is less frequent as reported, correlates with severity of asthma and cannot be accurately predicted from the history.

Adolescent↗