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Biomedical subjects

M Marino

Publications and source records attributed to M Marino.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Evidence of induced non-tolerance in HLA-identical twins with hemoglobinopathy after in utero fetal transplantation.

Fetus-to-fetus transplantation has been suggested for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies in utero. However, dissimilar results have to date been obtained by different groups. We describe a case in which fetus-to-fetus transplantation in HLA-identical twins was performed at the 19th week of gestation by infusion of 0.8 ml of fetal blood from normal to beta-thalassemia affected fetus with the main aim of inducing tolerance. No evidence of engraftment, determined by KM19 polymorphism, was present after 2 years of the procedure. Moreover, an alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor (CTLp) study of affected fetus vs donor and other different stimulators showed that immunization vs tolerance was the real effect of the procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The great heterogeneity of thalassemia molecular defects in Sicily.

This paper reports the results of 1428 beta-thalassemia chromosomes studied in Sicily during a hemoglobinopathy control program starting in 1983. Molecular screening was performed by direct restriction enzyme analysis, allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization, reverse dot blot analysis (RDB) and, for the rare or new mutations, by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Using these approaches 1410 (98.7%) out of 1428 beta-globin gene defects were characterized, involving 22 different beta-thalassemia mutations. Three of these were present at high frequency (beta(0)39, IVS1, 110 and IVS1,6); the other beta-globin gene defects were found at lower frequency. In the latter, we found a smaller group of mutations at a frequency lower than 10% (IVS1, 1, IVS2, 745, beta S) and a larger one at a frequency lower than 2% [-87, IVS1,2, IVS2,1, fr 6, fr 8 (-AA), fr 44, fr 76, -101, IVS1, 116, IVS1, 3'end G-C, IVS1,5 G-A, IVS1,5 G-C, cod 30, Lepore, delta beta, beta C]. The possible origin of this very large number of mutations is discussed, taking into account the historical point of view. Moreover, this approach has made a first trimester prenatal diagnosis program possible in our region in practically all cases, with a great improvement in general thalassemia management.

DNA↗
PubMed1995

Identification of two forms (31-33 and 48 kD) of the urinary soluble p55 tumor necrosis factor receptor that are differentially N- and O-glycosylated.

The structure and the activity of urinary soluble TNF receptor type 1 (sTNF-R1), isolated from the urine of normal individuals, has been characterized and compared with that of recombinant sTNF-R1 expressed in CHO cells and with that of a nonglycosylated form expressed in Escherichia coli. Urinary sTNF-R1 was resolved in a major band of 31-33 kD and in a 48 kD band (less than 5% of total) by reducing SDS-PAGE; CHO sTNF-R1 was resolved in two bands of 29 and 31 kD. All bands were recognized by various anti-sTNF-R1 antibodies as well as by TNF-alpha in western and ligand blotting assays. No cross-reaction was observed with anti-TNF-R2 antibodies. N- and O-glycosylation studies indicated that (1) the 29-31 kD recombinant form as well as the 31-33 kD urinary form are N-glycosylated; (2) the differences between the 29-31 and 31-33 kD recombinant and natural products are mainly related to differences in the N-linked sugar content; and (3) the 48 kD sTNF-R1 isolated from urine also contains O-linked sugars. The urinary sTNF-R1 antigen mixture was able to inhibit TNF-alpha cytotoxicity with a potency comparable to that of nonglycosylated E. coli sTNF-R1. At variance, urinary sTNF-R1 was able to inhibit TNF-beta sevenfold more efficiently than E. coli sTNF-R1. In conclusion, two subtypes of sTNF-R1 have been isolated from urine: a main N-glycosylated form of 31-33 kD and a N- and O-glycosylated form of 48 kD that appears to be a minor constituent of the urinary sTNF-R1 antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Modelling the three-dimensional structure and the electrostatic potential field of two Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase variants from tomato leaves.

The three-dimensional structure of tomato P31 and T10 Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases (SODs) were computer modelled using the structure of the bovine enzyme as a template. The structure-essential residues retain in the models the position occupied in the other Cu,Zn SODs of known 3D structure and the overall packing of the beta-barrel is maintained. Formation of 'aromatic pairs' occurs between newly inserted aromatic residues. The number of total charges changes in the two variants and some charged residues located in the proximity of the active site in most Cu,Zn SODs disappear in tomato enzymes. Calculation of the electrostatic potential field, carried out by numerically solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, indicates that in both variants a negative potential field surrounds all the protein surface except the active site areas, characterized by positive potential values, as already observed in the bovine enzyme. This result confirms that coordinated mutations of charged residues have occurred in the evolution of this enzyme giving rise to a peculiar electrostatic potential distribution common to all members of this protein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Changes in plasma dolichol levels, transport, and hepatic delivery during rat liver regeneration.

During the proliferative process that follows partial hepatectomy in the rat, the dolichol content increases in both plasma and liver. Its transport in the blood by lipoproteins also changes. The difference in the distribution of dolichols of various chain lengths in plasma and in the liver is further enhanced during liver regeneration. The dolichol released by perfused liver shows a homologue distribution more similar to that observable in blood than in the liver, thus confirming the importance of the liver as a regulatory site for the blood dolichol supply.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Hodgkin's disease: diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration; a report based on 62 consecutive cases.

We report on our series of 62 cases occurring between January 1977 and December 1990, which were diagnosed as Hodgkin's disease by fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples. The overall accuracy of the cytological diagnosis was high, with only four incorrect diagnoses and a positive predictive value of 93.5%. The value of FNA as a first level diagnostic technique in the screening of lymphadenopathies is discussed, as well as the limitations and pitfalls of the cytological diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A newborn with ring chromosome 10, aganglionic megacolon, and renal hypoplasia.

A newborn infant is reported who had aganglionic megacolon, renal hypoplasia, severe growth retardation, generalised hypotonia, and various dysmorphic features. Chromosome analysis of lymphocytes and fibroblasts showed a ring chromosome 10 with breakpoints at p13-15 and q26. AluI digestion showed that the ring chromosome was monocentric. FISH with an alpha satellite probe specific for chromosome 10 showed one signal only in about 20% of interphase nuclei. It is suggested that aganglionic megacolon could result from dynamic somatic mosaicism owing to loss of the ring chromosome.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1993

Identification of a new receptor subtype for tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Two distinct receptors, which bind both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta), have been previously identified and cloned from transformed cells. The present study identifies a novel receptor subtype in normal human liver which binds TNF-alpha but not TNF-beta. TNF-alpha but not TNF-beta competes for 125I-TNF-alpha binding and incorporation into affinity-labeled complexes in human liver plasma membranes (HLPM). Antisera to the cloned receptors competed for 125I-TNF-alpha binding to plasma membranes isolated from various transformed cell lines but not to HLPM. However, mRNAs corresponding in size to both known TNF receptors were detected in liver RNA, making it likely that post-transcriptional modifications account for the TNF-alpha specificity of HLPM. These observations suggest that the effects of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta on some normal tissues may be more distinct than previously realized.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Different signal transduction by epidermal growth factor may be responsible for the difference in modulation of amino acid transport between fetal and adult hepatocytes.

[1-14C]-2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) uptake and signal transduction pattern after epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation were examined in freshly isolated hepatocytes from 20-day-old fetuses and 3-month-old rats. EGF induced a transient increase of AIB transport after 10 min only in adult animals; the observed unresponsiveness of fetal liver is not dependent on a lack of EGF receptors which are present though to a lesser extent on the plasma membrane in this period. As far as the production of the second messengers, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and calcium, is concerned, substantial differences were found: EGF increased IP3 production in adult hepatocytes, whereas it had no effect in fetal ones. Moreover, the addition of EGF induced a calcium transient in hepatocytes from adult animals, while there was no increase in fetal cells. The lack of EGF effect on amino acid transport in fetal cells could be due to its inability to produce both IP3 and calcium transients, suggesting that this transduction pathway is not activated during fetal life.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

A novel X-linked member of the human zinc finger protein gene family: isolation, mapping, and expression.

We report the partial characterization of a novel putative zinc finger gene of the Krüppel-type (ZNF81), isolated from an X Chromosome (Chr) specific library. The pattern of segregation in human-hamster somatic cell hybrids of sequences homologous to the ZNF81 finger domain has established that it resides within the Xp22.1-Xp11 region. ZNF81 represents yet another example, together with ZFX, ZNF41, and ZNF21, of members of the zinc finger gene family residing within the short arm of the human X Chr. Sequence analysis showed that ZNF81 may encode a polypeptide(s) containing tandem arrays of 12 canonical C2H2 zinc fingers of the Krüppel-type at the C-terminus. Northern analysis indicated that probes from the ZNF81 finger domain hybridize to polyadenylated transcripts present in several cell lines, a result that supports the hypothesis that it is an expressed, functional member of this multigene family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Intracellular signalling of epinephrine in rat hepatocytes during fetal development and hepatic regeneration.

The changes in intracellular calcium concentration and IP3 production after the addition of epinephrine were analysed in adult, fetal (20th-22nd day of intrauterine life), and regenerating rat hepatocytes (4 h-24 h after partial hepatectomy) to determine whether the signal transduction is the same in quiescent proliferating and differentiating cells. The epinephrine treatment causes a significative cytosolic calcium transient in hepatocytes isolated in the last day of fetal life (22-day old) and in the early stage of regeneration (4 h). This effect is not significant in the previous stage of fetal life (20-day old) and at the onset of M phase of cell cycle after partial hepatectomy (24 h). [3H]myo inositol incorporation into IP3 and IP4 is higher in 20 day fetal and regenerating hepatocytes with respect to the control. In these cells the epinephrine does not affect basal level of IP3 and IP4, while it causes a substantial increase of these inositol phosphates in adult hepatocytes. [3H]myo inositol incorporation into PIP2 is very low at the 20th day of fetal life. Epinephrine has no effect on this parameter in fetal and regenerating hepatocytes. Our results show that the epinephrine signal is mediated differently in proliferating and in quiescent hepatocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Amlodipine in isolated systolic hypertension in the aged].

The authors studied the efficacy and safety of a long half-life dihydropyridine calcium-antagonist--amlodipine--in a single daily dose in the treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly. Ninety-seven subjects, age range 65-85 years, with isolated systolic hypertension were randomized into two groups, similar for age, weight and height, of 47 subjects submitted to active therapy and 50 subjects to placebo, respectively. The study was divided into two phases: in the first one, of three weeks, the first group was administered amlodipine at the dose of 5 mg/day; in the second period, which lasted 9 weeks also in case of systolic pressure normalization, amlodipine at the dose of 10 mg/day was administered. Forty-one subjects of the active drug group and 41 of the control group completed the study. The results were determined as mean +/- standard deviation; statistical analysis was completed by the Student T test. In the amlodipine group, at the end of the third week, a significant decrease in systolic arterial pressure was reported; at the end of the follow-up a further decrease in systolic arterial pressure was observed in the active treatment group as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The other parameters considered (E.C.G., routine haematochemical tests) did not show significant changes in the two groups during the whole study period. Furthermore, during the follow-up, neither orthostatic hypotension nor reflex tachycardia, events which require particular attention during antihypertensive therapy in the elderly, were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Signal transduction during liver regeneration: role of insulin and vasopressin.

The relationship between cell proliferation and inositol lipid turnover has been studied by comparing the steady state of inositol derivative metabolism in quiescent and regenerating rat hepatocytes isolated at 4 h (G1 phase of first cell cycle) and 24 h (onset of M phase) after partial hepatectomy. The effect of two hormones able to regulate hepatic regeneration, insulin and vasopressin, has been considered, and the results can be summarized as follows: (i) at 4 h after partial hepatectomy, the precursor incorporation into inositol polyphosphates and the particulate phospholipase C activity increase with respect to quiescent hepatocytes, whereas the content of 11, 4, 5P3 does not change, suggesting an increased turnover of this molecule in this step of cell cycle priming; (ii) 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the radioactivity linked to IP3 and IP4, as well as soluble and particulate phospholipase C activity, and IP3 content increase, suggesting the presence, at the onset of M phase, of second messenger accumulation; (iii) only 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the inositol derivative metabolism is affected by vasopressin; and (iv) insulin exerts a modulatory role on inositol polyphosphate production without involving membrane-bound PLC activity or phosphoinositide hydrolysis. These data suggest that inositol-derived signal molecules are associated with hepatic regeneration; moreover, the metabolic pathway of such compounds seems to be regulated so that only specific inositol phosphates are present in each step of the cell cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cytogenetic survey of 80 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

The authors report a cytogenetic survey of 80 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. The prognostic value of chromosome aberrations has been evaluated with three methods. The first one showed that patients with NN or AN bone marrow cellularity have a significantly better prognosis than those with AA cellularity; the second method confirmed the relatively good prognosis for patients with t(8;21) and abnormal 16 and a poor one for those with rearrangements of chromosomes 5 and/or 7. The authors also noted, surprisingly, that patients with hyperdiploidy had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with hypodiploidy and especially pseudodiploidy. The third method showed that patients with very complex karyotypes and a worse outcome than those with simple changes. Finally, they discuss the prognostic value of unusual and/or undeciphered chromosome changes detected in 18 patients, with a mean survival of 9.6 months, showing that these changes have a negative prognostic significance.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗