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Biomedical subjects

M Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Bianchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Mercury determination in solid phases from application of the modified BCR-sequential extraction procedure: a valuable tool for assessing its mobility in sediments.

The present paper presents a feasibility study for the evaluation of mercury mobility in sediments by application of the modified BCR three-step sequential extraction procedure (BCR-SEP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of acidification, reduction and oxidation processes on mercury mobility from sediments, once the SEP was validated with other trace metals. As extractable mercury amounts were mostly found below detection limits of the advanced mercury analyser (AMA-254) used for measuring the extracts (L.D.<0.5 ng), the use of a solid sampling atomic absorption spectrometer with a specially designed furnace for Hg atomisation was found to be an optimal technique to quantify Hg in the solid residues coming from the SEP. With this approach, mercury was found to be hardly mobile and only for one of the moderately polluted sediments (BCR CRM 320), extractable mercury (exchangeable fraction, BCR procedure step 1) has been found. An oxidation step with H(2)O(2) was required to obtain extractability up to 64% of the total content in a highly polluted lagoon sediment.

Chemical Fractionation↗
PubMed2003

Effects of tramadol on synovial fluid concentrations of substance P and interleukin-6 in patients with knee osteoarthritis: comparison with paracetamol.

Both the analgesic drugs tramadol and paracetamol are widely used for the symptomatic therapy of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this double-blind, randomised study in patients with knee OA was to compare their effects on synovial fluid concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and substance P (SP). Moreover, we evaluated plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of tramadol and its active metabolite (O-desmethyl-tramadol, M1) after oral treatment with this drug. Twenty patients were enrolled. A group of 10 patients received tramadol (50 mg three times a day), and another group of 10 patients were treated with paracetamol (500 mg three times a day) for 7 days. Both drugs significantly reduced the intensity of joint pain. The synovial fluid concentrations of SP were significantly reduced only by the treatment with tramadol. In this group of patients, IL-6 synovial fluid concentrations were slightly, but not significantly, decreased. Paracetamol did not significantly change the synovial fluid concentrations of SP and IL-6. After oral administration, a considerable amount of tramadol was measurable in synovial fluid. Both in plasma and synovial fluid the concentrations of M1 were markedly lower than those of tramadol, with a T/M1 ratio of 14.7+/-4.6 and 9.3+/-3.9, respectively. These data demonstrate that the activity of tramadol may involve the modulation of inflammatory mediators. Moreover, they indicate that after oral treatment with tramadol, both the parent drug and its active metabolite can penetrate into synovial fluid.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2003

High-throughput proteomics and protein biomarker discovery in an experimental model of inflammatory hyperalgesia: effects of nimesulide.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to derive a systematic approach for the identification of protein species profiles that selectively identify subgroups of similar but distinct pain models and correlate with the therapeutic efficacy (or lack thereof) of drug intervention. METHODS: Using high-throughput surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry proteomic technology based on ProteinChip arrays, we conducted a comparative analysis of the profile of protein expression in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from rats exposed to either injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) [a model of inflammatory pain] or chronic constriction injury (CCI) [a model of neuropathic pain]. The CFA model was then further studied for the effects of treatment with the NSAID, nimesulide (a preferential cyclo-oxygenase [COX]-2 inhibitor). RESULTS: Among other observations, we found that the content of two metal (copper) binding protein species (2.9 and 3.2kDa) and three anionic protein species (4.0, 6.9 and 8.2kDa) were increased in the CSF of rats with inflammatory pain in a time-dependent fashion, at 7 and 14 days after CFA injection. These changes were highly selective for the CFA model, as no detectable increase in these protein biomarkers was found in the CCI neuropathic pain model. Further, we found that most of the changes in the biomarker protein species induced by the inflammatory pain were prevented by treatment with nimesulide and correlated with the antihyperalgesic effect of this drug. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that CSF biomarker profiles, as detected by SELDI technology, can consistently and reproducibly differentiate inflammatory from neuropathic pain, and reflect the analgesic action produced by the preferential COX-2 inhibitor, nimesulide. The characterisation and identification of these biomarkers will provide invaluable insight into the pathophysiology of pain mechanisms, in addition to further understanding of the value of nimesulide in the treatment of inflammatory pain.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

A randomised, double-blind, clinical trial comparing the efficacy of nimesulide, celecoxib and rofecoxib in osteoarthritis of the knee.

UNLABELLED: Joint pain is the main complaint in patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA), and NSAIDs are commonly used to treat pain associated with OA. Over the past few years, cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2-selective inhibitors have been proved to have certain advantages over non-selective NSAIDs and have been increasingly used for pain management in patients with OA. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this randomised, double-blind, within-patient study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of three COX-2 inhibitors in 30 patients affected by symptomatic OA of the knee. We evaluated the effects of oral nimesulide (100mg), celecoxib (200mg) and rofecoxib (25mg). Each drug was administered for 7 days. METHODS: Analgesic efficacy was determined using the patient's assessment of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by total pain relief over 3 hours (TOPAR3) on the first and last days of treatment. In addition, the overall analgesic efficacy and tolerability were determined by a global assessment by the patient at the end of each week of treatment, using 5-point categorical scales. At the end of the study, each patient was asked about which of the three forms of treatment they would choose as a continuation of the pain therapy. RESULTS: Taking all the results into consideration, nimesulide proved to be significantly more effective in providing symptomatic relief than did celecoxib and rofecoxib. Furthermore, nimesulide provided more rapid relief of pain associated with walking than did the other two drugs tested. Patients expressed similar preference for nimesulide and rofecoxib, but a lesser preference for celecoxib treatment. No patient withdrew from the study because of adverse events and the three different forms of treatment were generally safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The present data confirm our previous observations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, further suggesting that nimesulide represents an effective agent for the treatment of joint pain, with particular reference to the rapid onset of its analgesic effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Appendiceal carcinoid: report of 3 clinical cases and review of the literature].

The Authors report three cases of appendiceal carcinoids, found during appendectomy for acute appendicitis during the last 15 years. Appendiceal carcinoid is a rare neoplasm, more frequent in females age ranging between 20 and 29 years. Lack of symptoms explains the occasional diagnosis of this disease. The prognosis is related mostly to the size of the tumor, local and lymphatic invasion, presence of metastases, localization inside the appendix, histological type and age of the patient. Therapy is mainly surgical and consists of appendectomy and right colectomy according to different criteria which are being discussed in this article.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Tyrosinated alpha-tubulin changes following epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic lesions in rat brain cortex.

The expression of the tyrosinated isoform of alpha-tubulin was monitored in rat frontal cortex, in order to investigate the neuronal plasticity changes occurring either in a mirror focus or in a deafferented area. A mirror focus was triggered by epidural implantation of a cobalt gelatin disk in the contralateral left somatosensory area (group one). A deafferented area was obtained by surgical removal of the left frontal cortex (group two). All animals including controls underwent EcoG recordings immediately before killing (45, 60, 90 days post surgery). The right frontal cortex was removed from all the animals and processed with Western blot method. EcoG recordings revealed a paroxysmal activity in epileptic rats, whereas in rats with frontal deafferentation and controls, EcoG activity was normal. A significant increase in tyrosinated alpha-tubulin expression was detected both in the mirror focus (group one) and the "non-epileptic" deafferented frontal cortex (group two) in comparison with controls (group three). The transcallosal deafferentation, which is involved in both epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic lesions, is supposed to play a role in the mechanism responsible for the plasticity responses recorded in the cortical areas studied.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2003

[MALT lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract: description of clinical cases and review of the literature].

MALT-lymphomas are tumors of the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue, without primitive involvement of lympho nodes and spleen. They are located preferentially in the gastroenteric tract specially in the stomach (27%), but they may occur also in the respiratory and urinary tracts. There is a very well known link between MALT-omas and Hp infection, not only in the gastroenteric tract, but also in other sites. Moreover eradication of Helicobacter pylori can, in some cases, contribute to achieve the complete remission of the tumor. In this article the Authors report three cases of MALT-lymphomas: two of the stomach and one of the jejunum-ileum. Diagnosis is based on instrumental tests according to the involved tract and endoscopy of the upper digestive tract associated with biopsies more specific in case of gastric involvement; yet bioptic samples show a more significative incidence of false negative due to the extramucosal site of tumor. In these cases, a correct diagnosis will be obtained only through histologic examination of the surgical specimen. Surgery obtains good results in early stages, playing also a central role in palliation in association with radio- and chemotherapy. In case of low-grade B MALT-lymphomas of the stomach and in IE stages, eradication of Helicobacter pylori can, in 70-90% of cases, reduce the extension of the lymphocytic infiltration.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Forced swimming test and fluoxetine treatment: in vivo evidence that peripheral 5-HT in rat platelet-rich plasma mirrors cerebral extracellular 5-HT levels, whilst 5-HT in isolated platelets mirrors neuronal 5-HT changes.

Low levels of central serotonin (5-HT) have been related to the state of depression, and 5-HT is the major target of the newer antidepressant drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Neurons and platelets display structural and functional similarities, so that the latter have been proposed as a peripheral model of central functions. In particular, in blood more than 99% of 5-HT is contained in platelets, so that one could consider changes in 5-HT levels in platelets as a mirror of changes in central 5-HT. Here, this hypothesis has been studied via the analysis of the influence of: (1) the forced swimming test (FST, which has been proved to be of utility to predict the clinical efficacy of antidepressants in rodents) and (2) treatment with the SSRI fluoxetine upon 5-HT levels monitored in brain regions and in peripheral platelets by means of electrochemical in vivo and ex vivo measurements. The results obtained confirm that the FST increases immobility; furthermore they show a parallel and significant decrease in cerebral (brain homogenate) and peripheral (in platelet-rich plasma, PRP) voltammetric 5-HT levels following the FST in naive rats. In addition, subchronic treatment with fluoxetine was followed by a significant increase in 5-HT levels in PRP, while the same SSRI treatment performed within the FST resulted in a decrease in the 5-HT levels in PRP. However, this decrease was inferior to that observed without SSRI treatment. These data suggest that there is an inverse relationship between immobility and the levels of 5-HT in PRP and that these peripheral 5-HT levels are sensitive to: (1) the FST, (2) the treatment with fluoxetine and (3) the combination of both treatments, i.e. SSRI + FST. It has been reported that SSRI treatment at first inhibits the 5-HT transporter in brain, resulting in increased extracellular 5-HT, while following sustained SSRI treatments decreased intracellular levels of central 5-HT were observed. Accordingly, the present data show that the initial block of 5-HT reuptake is revealed by the selective increase in 5-HT levels (extracellular content) measured in PRP (not in insulated platelets, IPs) the 1st day of fluoxetine treatment. The initial action of this SSRI upon the 5-HT transporter in brain has also been confirmed by in vivo voltammetric data showing selective increase in the serotonergic signal following local injection of fluoxetine into the brain region studied. Successively, the major effect monitored is a decrease in 5-HT levels, which is more evident in IPs than in PRP. However, it is known that following 2 weeks treatment with an SSRI, 5-HT autoreceptors are desensitized and the serotonin synthesis is restored, together with the intracellular 5-HT levels. The present data showing that the levels of 5-HT in IPs tend to return to control values 12 days after the beginning of chronic fluoxetine treatment suggest that 5-HT levels in IPs (intracellular environment) mirror the influence of SSRI treatment upon the central 5-HT system. On the other hand, at day 12 of the chronic fluoxetine treatment, 5-HT content remains low in PRP. Similarly, low levels of 5-HT have been monitored in brain homogenate of rats chronically treated with fluoxetine. This would support the similarity between PRP preparation and brain homogenate as in both cases cells are disrupted by sample preparation. In conclusion this work supports the literature in proposing platelets as a peripheral model of central functions. In particular, the present data support the idea that peripheral 5-HT platelet levels can reflect the state of the central 5-HT system in conditions of depression. Furthermore, the main outcome of this study is that PRP may mirror central extracellular 5-HT levels, whilst IPs mirror neuronal 5-HT changes.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cytokine network in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: new probable targets for therapy.

AIMS: Several immunological mechanisms seems to be similar in cancer and autoimmune disease. Studying interleukins production and proliferative response in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), it is possible to observe that manipulation of IL-10/IL-12 balance can have profound effect on the incidence of autoimmune diseases and this might be useful for the control of AIHA. METHODS: Respective role of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-12 in non-cancer associated AIHA were investigated by examining the spontaneous and mitogen-induced (OKT3 or LPS) synthesis of these cytokines in PBMC cultures by ELISA methods. RESULTS: Our results affirmed that AIHA is a disease which exhibited an increased basal synthesis of IL-4 and decreased levels of IFN-gamma by AIHA PBMC compared with controls and then there is a basal increase of Th2 cytokines. Th1-type cytokine decrease in basal state occurred in parallel with an increase of constitutive IL-10 production and a IL-12 decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased production of Th1-type cytokines and the production of autoantibodies in AIHA may be secondary to the imbalance between IL-10 and IL-12 and then the neutralisation of IL-10 may be efficacious in diminishing the clinical pathology associated with Th2 subset prevalence. In the same way, the treatment with IL-12 could offer a second and independent level of blockade against the consequences of the over B cell activation associated with AIHA and sometimes with cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effects of guar gum, ispaghula and microcrystalline cellulose on abdominal symptoms, gastric emptying, orocaecal transit time and gas production in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibres are carbohydrates that resist hydrolysis by human intestinal enzymes but are fermented by colonic microflora. Soluble dietary fibres are fermented by anaerobic bacteria with production of gases, short chain fatty acids and other metabolic products believed to cause symptoms such as bloating, abdominal distension, flatulence. Insoluble fibres are only partially fermented, serving almost exclusively as bulking agents that result in shorter transit time and increased faecal mass. AIMS: To evaluate effect of a supplementation of a single 5 g dose of dietary fibre to a solid meal on gastric emptying, orocaecal transit time, gas production and symptom genesis, in healthy volunteers. Three different dietary fibres were tested, two soluble (guar gum and ispaghula] and one insoluble (microcrystalline cellulose). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After a 24-hour low fibre diet, 10 healthy subjects had a standard meal consisting of white bread and one 70 g egg the yolk of which was mixed with 100 mg of 13C octanoic acid and fried. Breath samples were collected for 13CO2 measurements with a mass spectrophotometer and excretion curve (Tlag, T1/2) evaluation. Further breath samples were collected and analysed with a gas chromatograph for the evaluation of H2 and CH4 production and orocaecal transit time. Each evaluation was repeated adding to standard meal, diluted in 300 ml tap water, respectively: a single 5 g dose of microcrystalline cellulose, guar gum or ispaghula. Subjects were asked to report all symptoms experienced from time of meal ingestion over 24 hours, evaluating the intensity. RESULTS: Dietary fibres did not significantly change gastric emptying (Tlag, T1/2) and orocaecal transit time of standard meal. Subjects experienced more symptoms when meals were supplemented with guar gum (p=0.009 vs standard meal) and ispaghula (p=0.048 vs standard meal). There was a poor, but significant, correlation between gas production and symptoms (r=0. 38, p=0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of different dietary fibres to a solid meal did not influence gastric emptying and orocaecal transit time. Microcrystalline cellulose caused fewer symptoms than guar gum and ispaghula probably due to the insoluble nature and the dimensions of the particles of this micronised cellulose.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Erythrocyte-mediated delivery of drugs, peptides and modified oligonucleotides.

An important determinant for the success of every new therapy is the ability to deliver the molecules of interest to the target cells or organ. This selective delivery is even more complex when the therapeutic agents are peptides, modified oligonucleotides or genes. In this paper we summarize the possibility of using autologous erythrocytes for the delivery and targeting of new and conventional therapeutics. In fact, a number of macromolecules can be encapsulated by different procedures into human erythrocytes. These modified cells can then be re-infused into the same or a compatible recipient where they can circulate for several weeks. However, drug-loaded erythrocytes can also be modified to be selectively recognized by tissue macrophages. These phagocyte cells recognize the modified drug-loaded erythrocytes which are able to release their content into the macrophage. The feasibility and safety of the use of erythrocytes as drug delivery systems was evaluated in 10 cystic fibrosis patients, where a sustained release of corticosteroids from dexamethasone 21-phosphate-loaded erythrocytes was obtained. In vitro human erythrocytes were found to be able to deliver ubiquitin analogues and modified oligonucleotides to macrophages. Thus, drug-loaded erythrocytes are safe and useful carriers of new and conventional therapeutics and can be advantageous delivery systems for new clinical applications where proteins and oligonucleotides are therapeutic agents.

Cystic Fibrosis↗
PubMed2002

Antibodies to bovine beta-casein in diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

Cow's milk is thought to be an environmental trigger for autoimmune response in Type 1 diabetes. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the antibody response to bovine beta-casein in different immune- and non-immune-mediated diseases and to establish whether such an antibody response is specific to Type 1 diabetes. We measured antibodies to bovine beta-casein using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a total of 519 sera from subjects as follows: 71 patients with Type 1 diabetes, 33 patients with coeliac disease, 100 patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), 50 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), 50 patients with Type 2 diabetes, 24 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 3 different groups of controls (n = 191). Significantly increased levels of antibodies to beta-casein were found in patients with Type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and in LADA compared to age-matched controls (p = 0.01, p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). No differences were observed in beta-casein antibody titres between patients with other disease conditions (MS, and ATD) and age-matched controls. The highest antibody response to beta-casein in Type 1 diabetic patients and in patients with coeliac disease could reflect the gut mucosal immune disorders common to Type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. Furthermore, the elevated beta-casein antibody levels found in LADA patients suggest that the antibody response to this protein may be relevant in autoimmune diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effects of broiler breast meat thickness and background on color measurements.

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of broiler and turkey breast meat thickness and background on breast meat color measurements. Broiler breast fillets were sliced into two 1 cm thick slices and the turkey breast fillets into three 1 cm slices. Color values for lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) were measured on the same top slice singly or while placed over the corresponding broiler and turkey slices. Color was measured in triplicate while the fillets were placed on the following backgrounds: plastic-coated white paper, white nylon, aluminum foil, black plastic, and a yellow commercial packaging tray (broiler only). Sample thickness significantly affected L*, a*, and b* values of turkey and chicken. Increased breast meat thickness resulted in lower L*, a*, and b5 values. Increased turkey meat thickness from 1 to 2 cm resulted in lower a* and b* values; however, only lower L* values were observed, with sample thickness increased from 1 to 3 cm. No differences in meat color were found when increasing turkey meat sample thickness from 2 to 3 cm. Background had a significant effect on single (1 cm) broiler and turkey meat color measurements but did not influence the color readings of the thicker multiple slice samples. These results indicate that the application of machine vision or in-line color measurement systems may have to take into account breast meat thickness, and in thinner samples, background color.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effect of the association of cattle and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) on populations of cattle ticks (Boophilus microplus).

The wild population of rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) in New Caledonia (South Pacific) is nearly as large as the cattle population. The cattle tick is widespread and occurs all year round. Opinions are divided on the role of deer in the biological cycle of the tick: i) Do they maintain a sustainable tick population that is secondarily available for cattle? ii) Do they decrease the infestation of the environment by collecting larvae on the pasture, but preventing their development to the engorged female stage? or iii) Do they contribute to both situations? An experiment was conducted in three groups of pastures, each seeded with 450 000 larvae/ha and allowed to be grazed only by cattle, only by deer, and by a mixed herd of deer and cattle (deer representing 30% of the biomass), at approximately the same stocking rate (470-510 kg/ha). After 15 months of exposure, the tick burden per weight unit of host was 42 ticks/kg for the steers-only herd and 0.01/kg for the deer-only herd. The steers in the "mixed group" harbored 7 times fewer ticks (6.2/kg) than the cattle-only group, and the deer in the "mixed group," 130 times more (1.3/kg) than the deer-only group. Five emergency acaricide treatments had to be applied in the cattle-only group, but none in the other groups. The long-term sustainability of a viable tick population on deer as well as the potential benefit resulting from the association of deer and susceptible cattle in the tick control of cattle are highlighted.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Anti-hyperalgesic effects of nimesulide: studies in rats and humans.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used as analgesics. Despite the fact that clinical experience indicates a considerable disparity in the analgesic efficacy of NSAIDs, the animal models of nociception do not allow a clear distinction to be made between the analgesic properties of these agents. In contrast to nociceptive pain, clinical pain is characterised by hyperalgesia. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-hyperalgesic effects of the four NSAIDs nimesulide, diclofenac, celecoxib and rofecoxib which are widely used to treat inflammatory pain. We performed two animal studies in which each drug was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at its previously defined ED50 for the anti-inflammatory effect in the rat (i.e. the inhibition of carrageenan-induced hindpaw oedema measured by plethysmometry). In the first study, nimesulide (2.9 mg/kg) completely inhibited the development of thermal hindpaw hyperalgesia induced by the injection of formalin in the tail, whereas diclofenac (3.0 mg/kg) or celecoxib (12.7 mg/kg) partly reduced the hyperalgesia, and rofecoxib (3.0 mg/kg) was ineffective. In the second study, nimesulide and diclofenac were significantly more effective than celecoxib and rofecoxib in reducing the mechanical hindpaw hyperalgesia induced by the intraplantar injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). The anti-hyperalgesic activity of the drugs was also investigated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. After a single oral dose, all drugs reduced the inflammatory hyperalgesia. However, only nimesulide was effective 15 minutes after treatment. Moreover, nimesulide (100 mg) was significantly more effective than rofecoxib (25 mg). Overall, our data demonstrate that NSAIDs may show different anti-hyperalgesic properties. Nimesulide seems to be particularly effective and fast-acting against inflammatory pain.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Cell-cycle-dependent association of protein phosphatase 1 and focal adhesion kinase.

Immunofluorescence studies with protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) isoforms-specific antibodies detected PP1delta, but not alpha or gamma1, at focal adhesions. PP1delta also co-immunoprecipitated with the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the alphav-integrin. In the present study glutathione S-transferase (GST)-PP1delta pulled-down FAK from fibroblasts extract and the interaction domain localized between residues 159 and 295 of delta. The association was confirmed by the ability to GST-FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) to pull-down PP1delta from fibroblasts extract. GST-FRNK also pulled-down purified muscle PP1 catalytic subunit, thus indicating direct interaction between FAK and PP1. FAK displays consensus sequences for phosphorylation by cell division cycle kinase-2-cyclin B, and might be a PP1 substrate. In fact, FAK immunoprecipitated from metabolically-labelled mitotic HeLa cells without tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors was phosphorylated on Ser only and was dephosphorylated in vitro by purified muscle PP1, with loss of phospho-Ser. No PP1 was associated with FAK immunoprecipitated from mitotic HeLa cells. However, progressively more PP1 activity was assayed in FAK-immunoprecipitates obtained from cells released from mitosis. The associated activity was maximal at 2 h from the mitotic release (when 85-90% of the cells remained round) and decreased to basal level by 8 h (when cells were all polygonal). At the same time FAK underwent dephosphorylation, which was completed by 4 h. FAK obtained from cells at 1.5 h was Ser-phosphorylated, and underwent dephosphorylation during in vitro incubation, with loss of phospho-Ser, indicating the presence of active FAK-bound phosphatase. The only FAK-associated PP1 isoform between 1 and 8 h was PP1delta. The results suggest that FAK dephosphorylation by PP1delta occurs in cells released from mitosis, and confirmed the specific association of PP1delta, as detected previously in adherent cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Incidence of anaphylaxis in the emergency department of a general hospital in Milan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incidence and causes of anaphylactic reactions in the emergency room (E.R.) of a general hospital in Milan during a 2-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the computerized records of patients discharged from an E.R. with a diagnosis of anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis was established on the presence of at least two cutaneous, respiratory, gastrointestinal or cardiovascular system symptoms. RESULTS: During 1997 and 1998, out of 38 685 patients referred to the E.R., 13 had severe anaphylaxis with loss of consciousness (LOC) and 127 had anaphylactic symptoms, without LOC. Of the 13 patients with LOC, a possible cause was identified in 12 (five foods, six drugs, one hair dye). In the other 127 patients anaphylaxis was related to foods in 49 cases (38.5%), drugs in 44 (34.6%), unknown causes in 29 (22.8%), hymenoptera stings in two (1.5%), and other causes in three (2.3%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of anaphylactic reactions was 0.4% and mainly affected females and atopic subjects. Foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, appeared to be the most important cause; other important causes were non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and beta-lactam antibiotics.

Adult↗