Biomedical subjects
P Boscolo
Publications and source records attributed to P Boscolo.
Aluminum impairs rat neural cell mitochondria in vitro.
Exposure to aluminum has been reported to lead to neurotoxicity. Mitochondria are important organelles involved in maintaining cell function. This study investigates the effect of aluminum on mitochondria in rat neural cells. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed, and the cell death rate (CDR), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and 3-[4,5demethyl-2-thiazalyl]-2,-5diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) were measured to investigate the effect of aluminum on the mitochondrial structure and its function in neural cells. Results observed from the mitochondrial ultrastructure show that aluminum may impair the mitochondrial membrane and cristae. Increased CDR, enhanced ROS, decreased MMP, and decreased enzyme activity in mitochondria were observed in the Al-exposed neurons (100 500 microM). The present study demonstrates that alteration in the mitochondrial structure and function plays an important role in neurotoxic mechanisms induced by aluminum.
Seasonal variability of non-specific bronchial responsiveness in asthmatic patients with allergy to house dust mites.
The aim of the study was to assess the seasonal variability of non-specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in allergic asthma. One hundred sixty-five patients (83 male and 82 female) entered the study: 86 subjects (group A) with allergy exclusively to mites and 79 (group B) with concomitant allergy to pollens, e.g., "Graminae" and "Parietaria." Inclusion criteria were the absence of sensitization to other allergens, no smoking habit, withdrawal from steroids, bronchodilators, sodium cromoglycate, and antihistamines for at least four weeks before enrollment, FEV1 > 70% of the predicted value, and absence of other respiratory diseases and of upper and lower respiratory tract infections for at least one month before the methacholine challenge. None of the patients had been previously treated with specific immunotherapy. Subjects of each group (A and B) underwent methacholine challenge at first visit and were divided into four subgroups according to the period when the challenge was performed. Subgroups A1 and B1 performed the challenge in December, January, and February; subgroups A2 and B2 in March, April, and May; subgroups A3 and B3 in June, July, and August; subgroups A4 and B4 in September, October, and November. PD20 values were expressed as the natural logs of the cumulative dose of methacholine causing at least a 20% fall in FEV1. Statistical analysis was carried out using multiple group analysis and Student's t-test. Results showed that the highest non-specific bronchial responsiveness was observed in autumn (ln PC20 = 4.54 +/- 1.51) in patients allergic to mites only (group A), and in summer (ln PC20 = 4.72 +/- 2.11) in those of group B. Multiple group analysis showed statistical significant differences between subgroups within each group (group A, p = 0.039; group B, p < 0.001). In patients allergic exclusively to house dust mites (group A), multiple comparisons and Student's t-test showed statistically significant differences between non-specific bronchial responsiveness (NSBR) assessed in autumn and those of other seasons (winter, p = 0.002; spring, p < 0.001; summer, p = 0.082). These results confirm that the level of allergen exposure may influence NSBR. Mite-allergic patients showed an increase of NSBR in autumn, possibly as a consequence of higher indoor mite concentration. However, mite- and grass-allergic patients had wider variations of NSBR, possibly reflecting changes in seasonal pollen concentration.
[Anxiety, life style and obstetric history of women working in a high-fashion clothing industry].
Women with a mean age of 38 years (range 20-62) were employed in an industry producing clothes of high fashion. A part of them (n = 210) performed their activities with hands and others (n = 90) utilising machines with more repetitive procedures. All the recruited women answered to a questionnaire including the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) test, working activities, lifestyle and obstetric history. There was no relation between obstetric history and working activities. The group of women with age ranging from 35 to 42 years showed the score of the STAI higher than that of the younger women and slightly lower than that of the subjects with older age. This may depend on the "healthy worker effect" in the old subjects able to continue their job. The scores of the STAI were also slightly influenced by the repetitive tasks utilising machines. On the whole, the working activity of women had beneficial effect on their role inside the family and in the social life.
A seroepidemiological study of toxoplasma gondii infection in children of northern Greece.
The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of toxoplasmosis in children ofthe northern Greece region through the evaluation of serologic examination. Sera of 486 children, aged between 6 months and 15 years, suffering from different clinical entities, were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies, using an ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technique. In this survey, a high percentage (11.1 percent) of the hospitalized children reacted positively to this method. Males and females had equal prevalence, 11 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively. Seropositivity rate was higher in children aged between 6 and 10 years old. In conclusion, our results indicate toxoplasma infection is an important public health problem affecting children and adolescents in northern Greece. We believe that the study described here could be considered for inclusion in existing national screening programs for hospitalized children.
The influence of menopause and habitual smoking upon serum zinc, serum copper and the cardiovascular and immune parameters of women.
One hundred and thirty-three women in general good health were divided into two groups, according to menopausal status. The pre-menopausal group (n=106) was further subdivided into non-smokers (n=76) and smokers (n=30). All of the post-menopausal women were non-smokers (n=27). The determination of blood pressure (BP) and the collection of fasting blood samples were performed in the early morning hours. Habitual smoking increased the number of blood lymphocytes and monocytes in pre-menopausal women. The post-menopause group demonstrated an increase in BP, in serum cholesterol and triglycerides and a reduction of the serum zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) ratio. Serum Zn was positively correlated with serum glucose levels in the pre-menopausal group, regardless of smoking habit, but was negatively correlated in postmenopausal women. This may suggest that menopause induces changes in Zn metabolism and/or in insulin Serum Cu - particularly in smokers - was significantly correlated with blood lymphocytes. This may suggest an effect of smoking on the immune system via an alteration of Cu metabolism, including the synthesis and/or the release of ceruloplasmin, a known marker of inflammation. Moreover, serum Copper levels of both the pre- and the post-menopausal groups were significantly correlated with mean and diastolic B.P. while the serum Zn levels of the pre-menopausal group was significantly correlated solely with diastolic BP, implying that the metal plays a physiological role in some mechanism of blood pressure regulation. In the pre-menopausal non-smokers subgroup and the post-menopausal group, there was a weak, but statistically significant (p<0.01), correlation between systolic and mean BP, and blood lymphocytes levels. These data may be explained by a neuroendocrine influence, related partially to the morning hours.
Sensitisation to Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium notatum in laboratory workers.
Four workers in medical research laboratories, located in a basement level of a University facility equipped with a humidified air conditioning system, complained of cough and/or asthma and/or rhinitis during their normal working activities. Since exposure to toxic compounds was very low (similar to that of the outdoor environment) only microbiological monitoring was performed. Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium notatum were found in some laboratories. Eight laboratory workers (including the 4 symptomatic subjects) out of 26 investigated were found to be atopic. Specific IgE sensitisation to Aspergillus fumigatus was found in the 8 atopic and in the 6 non-atopic workers, while Penicililum notatum was found in 7 atopic and 4 non-atopic subjects. History, physical examination and laboratory data excluded the presence of aspergillosis or allergic bronchial aspergillosis in the sensitised subjects. Our results suggest that evaluation of immune parameters, along with monitoring of the working environment, may reduce the risk of sensitisation and/or allergic symptoms in atopic laboratory workers.
[Comparative in vitro study of various titanium compounds on the immune system].
The "in vitro" immune effects of different Ti compounds on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. The results show that Ti dioxide is not immunotoxic; Ti oxalate is strongly immunotoxic; titanocene inhibits cytokine release but not PBMC proliferation, while Ti ascorbate inhibits TNF-alpha release from PBMC but not that of IFN-gamma. The results show that Ti toxicity depends on speciation.
[In vitro effects of hexavalent and tetravalent tellurium on immune functions].
The "in vitro" immune effects of K2TeO3xH2O (Te IV) and K2TeO4x2H2O (Te VI) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined. Te(IV) inhibited PBMC proliferation and IFN-gamma, IL-5 and TNF-alpha release from PBMC more than Te (VI).
[Serum tryptase: marker of occupational anaphylaxis].
Tryptase is a protein released by mast cells, which is involved in the enhancement of inflammatory sequences in immune-mediated reactions. According with our experience, some patients having a reaction clinically classified as anaphylaxis, showed high levels of tryptase (> 20 ng/l) but also of serum specific IgE, showing the immune-mediated nature of the reactions. On the other hand workers without specific IgE and with low levels of tryptase probably had developed pseudoallergic (anaphylactoid) reactions. So, tryptase can be used as biomarker of occupational anaphylaxis and appear to be able to make out immune and nonimmune mediated reactions.
[Inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity, and progression of asthma: a 5-year follow-up in grass sensitized farmers].
We studied in a group of 53 asthmatic farmers the influence of various treatment regimens on progression of disease, during five years follow-up. Specific immuno-therapy (SIT) and steroid treated patients showed significantly lower ECP levels and higher methacholine PD20 FEV1 than untreated patients, during all years of the study. During the first two years, spring ECP increase was higher in SIT treated patients than in steroid ones, however no significant differences were found during the following years. Bronchial hyperreactivity showed same course, except for a significant higher PD20 FEV1 in steroid and SIT treated asthmatics, in respect to the steroid or SIT alone. We may conclude that ECP and bronchial reactivity are useful for asthma monitoring and SIT and inhalant steroids have additional effects on asthma.
"In vitro" effects of different arsenic compounds on PBMC (preliminary study).
Aim of this investigation was to compare the effects of 10(-4) M and 10(-7) M As compounds on spontaneous and PHA stimulated PBMC proliferation and IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha release. The inhibitory effect of the 10(-4) M As salts was in the following order: momo-methyl-arsinous acic (MMAs(III)) > sodium arsenite (As(III)) > tetraphenyl arsonium chloride (As(V)) > sodium arsenate (As(V)) > potassium- and sodium-esa-fluorum arsenate (As(V)) > dimethyl arsinic acid (DMAs(V)), while monomethyl-arsonic-acid (MMAs(V)) and arsenobetaine did not exert immune effects. 10(-7) M MMAs(III) stimulated the spontaneous PBMC proliferation, while As(III) and DMAs(V) enhanced the PHA stimulated PBMC proliferation. This study shows that the immune effects of As salts depends on speciation; moreover, the immunotoxicity of inorganic arsenic in part depends on the intracellular bio-synthesis of MMAs(III) from MMAs(V).
[Predisposition and evaluation of sanitary procedures in occupational medicine].
"Sanitary procedures" are used to perform preventive and periodic clinical examinations of workers. Their main purpose is to evaluate health status and function of target organs. Periodic medical procedures are used to evaluate the possible onset of precocious and reversible modifications of the health status induced by exposure to specific risk factors during working activities. Moreover, they must be considered an essential step of a correct management of the quality.
EDTA plus zinc as therapy of lead intoxication: preliminary results.
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[Chronic exposure to arsenic in rats: morphological and functional findings].
Male Sprague-Dawley rats, who had received 50 micrograms/ml of arsenic (as sodium arsenate) in drinking water for 320 days, showed high urinary excretion of this element. Arsenic was accumulated in tissues, mostly in the kidney and in the liver. In the kidney were evident slight focal alterations in tubules and glameruli; some of the tubules contained casts of amorphous hyaline material. The hepatocytes close to the centrolobular veins were swollen and showed ultrastructural alterations. The seric GOT, GPT and LDH activities were normal, while the alkaline phosphatase alto have been found in the brain, sciatic nerve, lung, heart and arteries. No significant changes of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were observed. Similarly, cardiac inotropism and chronotropism were unchanged. The electrocardiogram, also, was normal. The cardiovascular reactivity to noradrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and angiotensin II was unchanged. However, the vascular reactivity to the beta-stimulation was increased, while it was decreased to the angiotensin I. On the whole, our results suggest that chronic arsenic exposure produces focal alterations in the kidney and characteristic modifications in the hepatic structure and in the cardiovascular reactivity.
Neurogenic and humoral mechanisms in arterial hypertension of chronically lead-exposed rats.
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[Effect of postural changes on plasma renin activity in workers exposed to lead. Preliminary study].
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[Enzymatic and ultrastructural changes in the kidneys of rats poisoned over a long period of time with low doses of lead].
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