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Biomedical subjects

L Natali

Publications and source records attributed to L Natali.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Variation of repetitive DNA sequences in progenies of regenerated plants of Pisum sativum.

The frequency variation of highly repeated (HR) DNA sequences was studied in plants regenerated through in vitro culture of macerated vegetative apices of Pisum sativum and their progenies. Feulgen cytophotometry showed that regenerated plants (R1) have 6-7% more DNA per nucleus than control plants; this difference is maintained in the subsequent generation (R2). Slot-blot analyses using isolated highly repeated sequences as probe indicated that an increased frequency of these sequences occurs in regenerated plants and their progenies. These results were confirmed by a series of experiments: (a) metaphase chromosomes were longer in R2 than in control plants; (b) cytophotometric analyses of chromatin structure after Feulgen-staining showed that condensed chromatin is more represented in R2 than in control plants; and (c) thermal denaturation of isolated HR sequences indicated that a new HR family appears in R1 and is maintained in R2 plants. These results suggest that, in this species, the DNA extrasynthesized during in vitro culture is, at least in part, integrated in the chromosomes and transmitted to the progeny.

Chromatin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Circadian rhythms of fibrinogen antithrombin III and plasminogen in chronic liver diseases of increasing severity.

Acquired deficiencies of fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen are reported in liver disease, and it is known that their plasma levels fluctuate during the day. The aim of this study was to investigate the circadian rhythms of these three factors in chronic liver disease. Five groups of subjects were considered: (A) 15 healthy controls: (B) 15 patients with hepatic alcoholic steatosis; (C) 15 patients with chronic active hepatitis; (D) 15 patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver, and (E) 15 patients with decompensated cirrhosis with ascites. The levels of fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen were determined in blood samples drawn in each subject during the span of a day every 3 h starting from midnight. The time-related values were analyzed using the 'population-mean cosinor' method. Groups A and B presented a significant (p < 0.05) circadian rhythm for each variable, group C a significant (p < 0.05) circadian rhythm for fibrinogen and antithrombin III and groups D and E no significant (p > 0.05) circadian rhythms. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were demonstrated among the groups in the mean daily levels of the three variables by ANOVA, the concentrations decreasing with disease severity. These data confirm the existence of a significant diurnal periodicity in the circulating levels of fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen in controls and suggest that liver disease is associated with progressive circadian modifications in the temporal structure of fibrinogen, antithrombin III and plasminogen, related to the stage of the liver disease. The rhythm derangements may be considered markers of evolution in liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of gallbladder motility in patients with alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis after a fatty meal. A real-time ultrasonography study].

Gallbladder emptying after fatty meal administration was investigated by real-time ultrasonography in 10 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, and 10 normal controls. Gallbladder volume was measured using the sum of cylinders method before and 5', 15', 20', 30', 60', 90', and 120' after fatty meal administration. Patients with liver cirrhosis presented the gallbladder volume significantly increased after 15' and 20', and significantly reduced after 60' and 90' in respect to controls. A significant difference was found between the groups in the two curves, patients showing a retarded contraction of gallbladder. The mechanism for sluggish gallbladder emptying in liver cirrhosis is unknown, however impaired emptying with bile stasis provides a potential pathophysiology basis for the high frequency of cholelithiasis in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Eosinophilic fasciitis: a case with IgA deficiency.

A case of eosinophilic fasciitis with IgA deficiency is presented. The increased recognition of this association suggests that IgA deficiency may be pathogenetically involved in the etiology of eosinophilic fasciitis.

Eosinophilia↗