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M Quarto

Publications and source records attributed to M Quarto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Radon survey in the high natural radiation region of Niska Banja, Serbia.

A radon survey has been carried out around the town of Niska Banja (Serbia) in a region partly located over travertine formations, showing an enhanced level of natural radioactivity. Outdoor and indoor radon concentrations were measured seasonally over the whole year, using CR-39 diffusion type radon detectors. Outdoor measurements were performed at 56 points distributed over both travertine and alluvium sediment formations. Indoor radon concentrations were measured in 102 living rooms and bedrooms of 65 family houses. In about 50% of all measurement sites, radon concentration was measured over each season separately, making it possible to estimate seasonal variations, which were then used to correct values measured over different periods, and to estimate annual values. The average annual indoor radon concentration was estimated at over 1500 Bq/m3 and at about 650 Bq/m3 in parts of Niska Banja located over travertine and alluvium sediment formations, respectively, with maximum values exceeding 6000 Bq/m3. The average value of outdoor annual radon concentration was 57 Bq/m3, with a maximum value of 168 Bq/m3. The high values of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations found at Niska Banja make this region a high natural background radiation area. Statistical analysis of our data confirms that the level of indoor radon concentration depends primarily on the underlying soil and building characteristics.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed2006

High natural radiation exposure in radon spa areas: a detailed field investigation in Niska Banja (Balkan region).

The measurement campaigns have been done in the rural community of Niska Banja, a spa town located in southern Serbia, to evaluate population exposure to natural radioactivity. After a screening survey in 200 houses, annual radon and thoron concentrations were measured in 34 houses, and in 2004 a detailed investigation was carried out at six houses with elevated indoor radon concentrations. The paper presents the results of these detailed measurements. The complementary techniques were applied to determine radon and thoron concentrations in indoor air, in soil gas, radon exhalation from soil, soil permeability, and indoor and outdoor gamma doses. Soil and water samples were collected and analysed in the laboratory. Indoor radon and thoron concentrations were found to be more than 1kBqm(-3) and 200Bqm(-3), respectively. Extremely high concentrations of soil-gas radon (>2000kBqm(-3)) and radon exhalation rates (1.5mBqm(-2)s(-1)) were observed. These results will be utilised to set up the methodology for a more systematic investigation.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2005

An outbreak of hepatitis A in Southern Italy: the case for vaccinating food handlers.

We report an outbreak of hepatitis A that occurred in the city of Bari (Apulian region) in June 2002. Overall, 26 cases were observed over a 4-week period. These were traced back to the index case, a food handler who prepared various food products for sale over the counter at a store in the district (OR 5.36, CI 95% 1.58-19.25). Laboratory investigations confirmed that the outbreak was due to a point source and identified a new genotype IB variant. There is a possible indication for administration of hepatitis A vaccine to food handlers, although further evidence of an acceptable cost-benefit ratio needs to be ascertained.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2005

Feasibility of vaccination in preventing secondary cases of hepatitis A virus infection.

Although the secondary transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is preventable through vaccination, it is not known whether the vaccination of household contacts is feasible. To this end, we conducted a prospective cohort study among the household contacts, 40 years of age or less, of all persons infected with primary HAV infection (index cases) and admitted to eight hospitals in southern Italy within 7 days of onset. Household contacts were vaccinated, and serum samples were taken at vaccination and after 14 and 45 days. Secondary cases were defined as those with IgM seroconversion occurring at least two weeks after enrollment. Coprimary cases were those assumed to have had the same exposure as the index case. Susceptible cases were those who were negative for both IgG and IgM. A total of 495 household contacts participated (acceptance rate of 65%); 65% were vaccinated within 4 days of admission of the index case and 95% within 7 days. At enrollment, 196 (39.6%) household contacts were immune (IgG-positive serum). During follow-up, 19 (3.8%) were IgM-positive: 13 (2.6%) were coprimary cases and 6 (1.2%; 95% CI: 0.2-3.2) secondary cases (5 identified at 14 days from vaccination and 1 at 45 days). Of the 241 susceptible cases, 192 (79.7%) had developed IgG antibodies at 14 days and only 3 (1.2%) did not develop IgG antibodies at 45 days. The 65% acceptance rate and the finding that 95% of the participating household contacts were vaccinated within 7 days of the index case's hospitalization indicate that timely vaccination is indeed feasible. The necessity of returning for the collection of blood samples probably decreased the acceptance rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Determinants of acquiring hepatitis A virus disease in a large Italian region in endemic and epidemic periods.

Viral hepatitis A is endemic in Puglia region (southeast Italy). Over the last 13 years, annual incidence rates have ranged from 4 to 138 per 100,000 inhabitants and periodical regional epidemics have been described. Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997 over 11,000 cases of hepatitis A were reported accounting for an annual incidence rate over 130/100,000. To identify exposures during the epidemics, a case-control study was performed in two different rounds and since 1997, an enhanced surveillance system has permitted the monitoring of exposures of subsequent cases. Raw seafood consumption was identified as the major risk factor for hepatitis A. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for this exposure from the first round of the case-control study was 38.6 (12.2-122.4) and for the second round for consumption of raw mussels it was 30.7 (16.0-52.0). Hepatitis A epidemiology in Puglia is consistent with an endemic situation sustained by locally contaminated seafood consumed raw and by the recurrence of large epidemics, where size is influenced by the accumulation of susceptible subjects in the population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence rates of viral hepatitis infections in refugee Kurds from Iraq and Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Since little is known about the burden of viral hepatitis in Kurds, the prevalence of infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) was investigated in a sample of refugee Kurds from Iraq and Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Serological markers to hepatitis viruses were determined for 1,005 subjects from all age-groups of which 36.6% were from Turkey and 63.4% from Iraq. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalence for anti-HAV was 94.4% and 14.8% for anti-HEV. A significantly higher prevalence for anti-HEV was found among Iraqis (17.5%) compared to Turkish immigrants (10.0%). The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and total anti-HBc (core) was 6.8% and 35.6% in Turkish Kurds and 2.2% and 12.7% in Iraqis, respectively. Only 10% of children aged up to 10 years and 2.8% of subjects aged 11-20 years had been vaccinated against HBV, the majority of them coming from Iraq. One subject was confirmed as positive for anti-HCV (0.1%) and HCV-RNA and analysis showed a 4c/4d genotype. CONCLUSION: This survey shows a high prevalence of enterically transmitted viral hepatitis in Kurds. HBV infection is moderately endemic, while the prevalence of HCV infection is low. There is a need for a universal immunization strategy for HBV in the Kurd population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Detection of hepatitis A virus in mussels from different sources marketed in Puglia region (South Italy).

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is endemic in Puglia (South Italy). Epidemiological studies indicate that shellfish consumption, particularly mussels, is a major risk factor for HAV infection, since these products are eaten raw or slightly cooked. Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been shown to be a sensitive technique for the detection of HAV in mussels. The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of HAV in a large sample of mussels by nested RT-PCR and to confirm the presence of infectious viral particles in positive samples by cell culture infection and RT-PCR confirmation. Two hundred and ninety samples of mussels from different sources were collected between December 1999 and January 2000. One hundred samples were collected before being subjected to depuration, 90 after depuration, and 100 were sampled in different seafood markets. HAV-RNA was detected in 20 (20.0%) of non-depurated mussels, in 10 (11.1%) of depurated samples, and in 23 (23.0%) of samples collected in the shellfish markets, without any significant difference in the prevalence of positive samples by collection sources (chi2 = 4.79, p = 0.09). Of the 53 samples found positive by nested RT-PCR, 18 (34.0%) resulted positive by cell culture assay. No relationship between viral contamination and bacterial contamination was found (p = 0.41). This study confirms the usefulness of molecular techniques in detecting HAV in shellfish and, thus, for the screening of a large sample of naturally contaminated mussels. Improved shellfish depuration methods are needed to obtain virus-safe shellfish and reduce the risk for public human health.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Autochthonous mucosal leishmaniasis in a hemodialyzed Italian patient.

A case of mucosal leishmaniasis in a 60-year old hemodialysis patient who had never lived outside Italy is described. The patient complained of fever, epistaxis and nasal obstruction. An anterior rhinoscopy disclosed a mass of two centimetres in diameter in the right nasal fossa. Histological examination revealed Leishmania amastigotes. Serology for Leishmania was positive with antibody titer of 1/320. A culture yielded a very slow growth of Leishmania infantum MON-24. In spite of a two-month treatment with oral itraconazole, the lesions progressively worsened. Treatment with topical paromomycin sulfate determined the complete resolution of the lesions within four months, with a residual perforation of the septum. This case demonstrates that localization of Leishmania spp must be considered in the differential diagnosis of mucosal lesions in hemodialyzed patients, even in countries not at risk for this parasite. Moreover, this case indicates the important role of the immune system in the evolution of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Photodynamic therapy with topical delta-aminolaevulinic acid for the treatment of plantar warts.

Treatments currently employed for plantar warts are often painful (electrosurgery, cryotherapy) and not always effective (keratolytic agents). In this paper we investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) on plantar warts. In order to remove the superficial hyperkeratotic layer of the warts an ointment containing 10% urea and 10% salicylic acid was applied for 7 days. After gentle curettage, a cream containing 20% ALA was applied under an occlusive dressing for 5 h on 64 warts, while 57 warts (controls) received only the vehicle. Both the ALA-treated warts and the controls were irradiated using a visible light lamp (with a range of 400-700 nm, peaking at 630 nm). The light dose was 50 J/cm(2). Patients were followed-up for 22 months. Two months after the last irradiation session 48 (75.0%) out of 64 ALA-PDT treated warts had resolved. By contrast only 13 (22.8%) of the 57 control warts had done so. During the treatment a few patients complained of a mild burning sensation. The absorption of ALA by the verrucous tissue was demonstrated by in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy. This study shows that topical ALA-PDT can be an alternative treatment for plantar warts. Further studies will be necessary in order to optimize the concentration of ALA and duration of treatment.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Anti-Fas (CD95/Apo-I) autoantibodies and soluble Fas levels concur in T cell depletion in HIV type 1 infection.

Deregulation of the Fas/FasL pathway in activated T cells is suspected to contribute to the abnormal apoptosis that drives their progressive depletion during HIV-1 infection. However, the role of serum soluble Fas (sFas) is unclear. Here we investigated both sFas and anti-Fas IgG levels in a cohort of 227 HIV-1-infected patients with respect to their T cell apoptosis. By using optimized ELISAs, we found that serum titers of sFas and anti-Fas were linearly correlated in 17 severely lymphopenic subjects as compared with other patients grouped in relation to their single expression of anti-Fas and sFas, or with double-negative control patients. Cytofluorimetric measurement of the subdiploid DNA-containing cell population by both PI and TUNEL revealed an increased occurrence of cell death in vitro, in particular in patients with elevations of sFas. We also found that fresh CD4(+) cells from these patients showed high levels of both caspase 3 (CPP32) and its molecular targets, namely PARP and CK18. In addition, their in vitro proliferative rate was inhibited by sFas, in particular in patients with undetectable levels of the soluble receptor in vivo as well as in normal donors. In these subjects the Fas-related caspase 8 (FLICE) was significantly increased in cells treated with the recombinant Fas. These results support the contention that functionally exhausted T cells may undergo apoptosis in response to the persistent in vivo stimulation by sFas. This may elucidate the described occurrence of enhanced cell death in advanced HIV-1 infection in association with serum elevations of the soluble receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2001

Photo-activation of hypericin with low doses of light promotes apparent photo-resistance in human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells.

We have observed that exposure of U937 cells, pre-incubated for 18 h with 0.2 microM hypericin, to 599 nm laser radiation with a fluence of 2.5 J/cm(2) renders them insensitive to higher light doses. In fact, pre-sensitized cells appear to be fully resistant to light doses that normally determine massive cellular apoptosis in experimental photo-dynamic therapy. The appearance of the photo-resistance, as measured by evaluating the changes in levels of expression of pro and anti apoptotic proteins, PARP fragmentation and cell viability is exclusively observed with exposure to light doses not exceeding 5-6 J/cm(2). Above this energy, necrosis replaces apoptosis upon photo-stimulation of U937 cells. Here, we describe the appearance of photo-resistance in hypericin-loaded U937 cells, but could not fully unravel the molecular mechanism underlying this process. However, the observed stimulation of the expression of the HSP-70 protein upon photo-induced stress may suggest its involvement in this process.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in Kosovar refugees.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of viral hepatitis infections in a sample of Kosovar refugees having arrived in southern Italy as a result of the 1999 war in the Balkans. METHODS: The 526 subjects who enrolled on voluntary basis from all age groups were tested for the prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis virus types A, B, C, D, and E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV). RESULTS: Among the 526 refugees, the prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies was 81%. A relevant finding was the presence of total anti-HAV antibodies in 61% of the children up to 10 years of age. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 2.5% among the subjects. Fifteen subjects (2.9%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), whereas 17.5% tested positive for anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). In children up to 10 years of age, the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was found to be 0.4% and 6%, respectively. In subjects aged 11 to 20 years, 4.2% tested positive for HBsAg and 20.2% for anti-HBc. In the age group 21 to 30 years, 7.1% of the subjects were found to be HBsAg carriers, whereas 25.9% were found to be positive for anti-HBc. Among the refugees over 30 years of age, the prevalence of HBsAg was 4.2%, whereas anti-HBc was 43.7%. None of the refugees tested positive for anti-HDV. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this seroepidemiologic study indicate a high circulation of HAV in the Kosovar population, whereas the prevalence of HEV antibodies was low and comparable to that of other European countries. The HBV infection seems to be at an intermediate level of endemicity and an immunization policy against HBV infection, through vaccination of all newborns and children before adolescence, may be advisable. Results of this study indicate that the level of endemicity of HCV infection in the Kosovar population is low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cloning of PC3B, a novel member of the PC3/BTG/TOB family of growth inhibitory genes, highly expressed in the olfactory epithelium.

We identified in the EST database murine and human sequences similar, but not identical, to the members of the PC3/BTG/TOB family of cell cycle inhibitors. A conserved domain (aa 50-68) of the PC3 protein, the prototype member of the family, was used as a query. That domain has been shown by us to be necessary for the antiproliferative activity of PC3. A murine EST clone and a highly homologous human EST clone, containing the entire ORF, were chosen for sequencing. Comparison to databases and a phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that these EST clones are the mouse and human homologues of a gene that represents a novel member of the PC3/BTG/TOB family. This gene, named PC3B, is endowed with marked antiproliferative activity, being able to induce G(1) arrest, and is highly expressed in testis, in oocyte, and in preimplantation embryos. Analysis of its expression during murine development indicated a specific localization in the olfactory epithelium at midgestation, suggesting that PC3B might be involved in the differentiation of this neuronal structure. Human PC3B mapped to chromosome 11q23, as indicated by radiation hybrid analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

MS-2 fibrosarcoma characterization by laser induced autofluorescence.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: MS-2 fibrosarcoma implanted in BALB-CDF1 mice was investigated by frequency and time domain measurements of the autofluorescence (AF) radiation emitted upon excitation by a N(2) laser beam (337.1 nm). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: AF spectra were obtained by using a spectrograph, a multichannel plate and an optical multichannel analyzer for the steady state detection. Time-resolved spectra were performed by means of a monochromator, a photomultiplier, and a digital signal analyzer. RESULTS: Spectral measurements show that the autofluorescence intensity of pathologic tissue is lower than that of healthy one in the 400- to 500- spectral region. In the same spectral range, we found the fluorescence decay to be the sum of a fast and a slow component. The lifetime of the fast component of tumoral tissue is significantly lower than that of healthy samples. CONCLUSION: Frequency and time domain measurements used in combination show that MS2-fibrosarcoma is characterized by the probable presence of the free form of NADH.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

To better understand whether potent antiretroviral therapies can modify the natural history of HIV-1-associated microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis, the response to antimicrobial treatment of these opportunistic infections was evaluated in patients with or without antiretroviral treatment. Fifty patients with diarrhoea, all positive for Cryptosporidium parvum or Enterocytozoon bieneusi, were included in the study. Retrospective data were collected concerning demographics, clinical and microbiological characteristics of the parasitic infection, antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections. Faecal samples were prepared using the Richie formalin-ethyl acetate method and stained using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli, the modified trichrome and calcofluor white technique for detection of Enterocytozoon spp., and iodine for detection of ova, cysts or vegetative forms. Diarrhoea was defined as an abnormal increase in stool liquidity, an abnormal increase in stool frequency and a daily stool weight of more than 250 g for a period of at least 4 days. Patients treated with double antiretroviral therapy or protease inhibitors demonstrated an excellent response and a sustained therapeutic effect after follow-up (range, 5-36 months). The relapse of cryptosporidiosis in two patients who discontinued antiretroviral therapy suggests that the infection might remain in a latent stage. The resolution of the diarrhoea seems to be related to an increased CD4+ cell count rather than to the viral load. In conclusion, these data strongly support the hypothesis that combination antiretroviral therapy is able to greatly modify the course of cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis in patients infected with HIV-1.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2000

Hypericin photosensitization of tumor and metastatic cell lines of human prostate.

We have investigated the photoactivating effect of hypericin on two cancer cell lines: PC-3, a prostatic adenocarcinoma non-responsive to androgen therapy and LNCaP, a lymphonodal metastasis of prostate carcinoma responsive to androgen therapy. The two cell lines are incubated for 24 h with hypericin at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.3 microg/ml in cell culture medium. The cells are irradiated at 599 nm (fluence = 11 J/cm2) using a dye laser pumped by an argon laser. Hypericin exerts phototoxic effects on both cell lines, while it does not produce toxic effects in the absence of irradiation. These results suggest that photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hypericin could be an alternative approach to the treatment of prostatic tumors, and could be beneficial in tumors that are non-responsive to androgen therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

HBV, HCV and HDV infections in Albanian refugees in Southern Italy (Apulia region).

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and D markers was assessed in a sample of 670 Albanian refugees in Southern Italy in 1997. The mean age was 25 years (S.D. = 12.3). Of study subjects 62.1% (95% CI: 58.4-65.7) were positive for anti-HBc antibodies and 13.6% (95% CI: 10.9-16.1) for HBsAg. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 47.6% (95% CI: 43.8-51.3). Among HBsAg carriers the prevalence of HBeAg was 7.7% (95% CI: 2.2-13.1). The highest carrier rate for HBsAg (25.5%; 95% CI: 16.7-34.3) was found in the age group 21-25 years. A relevant finding was a prevalence of HBsAg of 8.1% in children 10 years and under. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0-0.7) while only one of the HBsAg carriers was positive for anti-HDV (1.1%, 95% CI: 0-3.2). In Albania, hepatitis B infection represents a public health priority that should be addressed by a universal vaccination campaign.

Adolescent↗