Residual hearing after cochlear implantation.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
P Mancini
Publications and source records attributed to P Mancini.
Cochlear implantation in deaf children and adolescents: effects on family schooling and personal well-being.
UNLABELLED: The paper is an attempt to answer the main questions raised by that part of the deaf community which still consider cochlear implants (CI) an attack against the psychophysical integrity of the pre-lingually deaf. METHODS: The psychological well-being of six adolescents and six children was assessed pre- and post-implantation using various tools, i.e. projective tests, assessment scales (AS), and structured interviews with parents and teachers. The analysis of post-implant findings shows a reduction of stereotype elements, more dynamic modes of figurative expression, quite good relationships within their own social environment and gradual, positive integration both at home and at school. Cochlear implantation would seem to cause no psychological disruption. Our sample group show an improvement in their modes of expression--more consistent with the mental and effective age--and a greater awareness of personal limits, together with the ability to judge the appropriateness of their own behavior.
Adolescent↗
Mortality peaks in Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: trends by age and sex.
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Adolescent↗
Clarion cochlear implants: surgical implications.
The surgical aspects of 34 Clarion cochlear implants, positioned during a five-year period on 31 profoundly-deaf subjects as primary (11 children, 20 adults) and revision surgery (one child, three adults) were taken into consideration. Intra- and post-operative complications related to the specific structure of this device were considered along with the benefits obtained by update of the hardware and surgical approach. A smaller thickness of the internal receiver as well as the shifting from a retro-auricular/sub-temporal (RA-ST) to an endaural-retromastoid (EA-RM) approach have contributed to a dramatic drop in post-operative complications, such as skin defect or device extrusion. Special care should, however, be taken when cochlear implantation is planned in ears with chronic otitis or its surgical sequelae. From the two revised cases (hardware failure, electrode displacement) in whom re-implantation in the same side was performed, it has been demonstrated that the helicoidal shape of the electrode carrier is not inducing any additional trauma to the cochlear structure.
Adolescent↗
Phylogenetic relationships of seven palearctic members of the maculipennis complex inferred from ITS2 sequence analysis.
The sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were determined from seven palearctic mosquitoes species belonging to the Anopheles maculipennis species complex, namely An. atroparvus, An. labranchiae, An. maculipennis, An. messeae, An. melanoon, An. sacharovi and An. martinius. The length of the ITS2 ranged from 280 to 300 bp, with a GC content of 49.4-54.1%. With the exception of An. messeae, negligible levels of intraspecific polymorphism and no intrapopulation variation were observed. The phylogenetic relationships among the members of the maculipennis complex were inferred by maximum-parsimony analysis of the PAUP program and the neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood analysis of the PHYLIP program. All of the trees obtained were almost identical in topology, although the relationships among three species, i.e. An. maculipennis, An. messeae and An. melanoon, remained unresolved. The phylogenies were in good agreement with the previous gene-enzyme and polytene chromosome banding pattern studies.
Animals↗
Multicenter randomized trial comparing meropenem (1.5 g daily) and imipenem/cilastatin (2 g daily) in the hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.
An open, multicenter study with 144 patients, aged between 18 and 94 years, was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of meropenem with imipenem/cilastatin in the hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Patients were randomized to receive either intravenous meropenem (500 mg every 8 h) or intravenous imipenem/cilastatin (1,000 mg every 12 h). The primary end point was considered to be clinical efficacy and the secondary end points were bacteriological response and safety assessment. At the end of therapy, cure or improvement in signs and symptoms as a satisfactory clinical response was observed in 57 of 64 (89.1%) meropenem-treated patients and in 60 of 66 (90.9%) imipenem/cilastatin patients. The mean duration of treatment was 10 days for meropenem and 9.7 days for imipenem/cilastatin. In patients who were followed up for weeks 2-4, the response was satisfactory (100%) for both treatments. A satisfactory bacteriological response, defined as either presumed or confirmed eradication of all pathogens, was found in eight patients who had received meropenem and in 14 patients who had received imipenem/cilastatin. Response was considered satisfactory in 100% of the meropenem group and in 92.9% of the imipenem/cilastatin group and at follow-up, it was 100% for both treatments. Drug-related adverse events were reported in three (4.2%) meropenem-treated patients and in eight (11.0%) imipenem/cilastatin-treated patients. None of these events was classified as serious. The results of this study show that the clinical and bacteriological efficacy and tolerability of meropenem (500 mg every 8 h) are similar to that of imipenem/cilastatin (1,000 mg every 12 h) in the hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.
Adolescent↗
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of keratinocyte growth factor.
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a fibroblast growth factor which acts specifically on epithelial cells, regulating their proliferation and differentiation. KGF elicits its activity through binding to and activation of KGF receptor, a splicing transcript variant of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). Here we analyzed the pathway of internalization of KGF and its receptor using several approaches, including the utilization in immunofluorescence and in immunoelectron microscopy of a functional KGF-HFc chimeric protein as a specific tool to follow the endocytosis of the growth factor and of its receptor. Western blot analysis with anti-FGFR2 and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, as well as parallel double immunofluorescence and confocal analysis of NIH3T3 KGFR transfectants treated with KGF at 4 degrees C, followed by incubations at 37 degrees C for different time points, showed that KGF induced endocytosis of tyrosine activated KGFRs. The use of KGF-HFc in immunofluorescence and in immunogold electron microscopy on KGFR transfectants, A253 epithelial tumor cells and human cultured keratinocytes allowed us to follow the early steps of KGF internalization and revealed that this process occurred through clathrin-coated pits. A quantitative ELISA assay confirmed that KGF-HFc binding on the cell surface rapidly decreased because of internalization. Our results demonstrate that KGF is internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and illustrate the involvement of clathrin-coated pits in this process.
3T3 Cells↗
Ménière's disease and autoimmunity.
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Adult↗
eps15 and eps15R are essential components of the endocytic pathway.
eps15 and eps1SR are substrates of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase that are characterized by the presence of a protein:protein interaction domain, the EH domain, and by their ability to bind to the clathrin adaptor protein complex adaptor protein 2. Indirect evidence suggests that eps15 and eps15R are involved in endocytosis. Here we show that microinjection of antibodies against eps15 and eps15R inhibits internalization of EGF and transferrin. In addition, fragments of eps15 (encompassing its EH domains or the COOH-terminal region that binds to adaptor protein 2) inhibit EGF internalization or endocytosis of Sindbis virus. These results demonstrate that eps15 and eps15R are essential components of the endocytic machinery.
3T3 Cells↗
Actin cytoskeleton polymerization in Dbl-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts is dependent on cell adhesion to specific extracellular matrix proteins.
The Dbl oncogene is the putative exchange factor for two small GTP-binding proteins, RhoA and CDC42 which are involved in the polymerization of actin to produce stress fibers and filopodia, respectively. We report here that Dbl oncogene-transformed NIH3T3 cells show actin stress fibers only when cells are plated on fibronectin. Plating of cells on collagen I and IV as well as on poly-D-lysine and gelatin induces polymerization of actin to form filopodia, lamellipodia and membrane ruffles but not stress fibers. The putative collagen receptors, alpha1/beta1 and alpha2/beta1 integrins are expressed at reduced level in Dbl-transformed cells compared to untransformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Nevertheless, adhesion to collagens is not altered. Inhibitory monoclonal antibody to mouse integrin beta1 subunit blocked adhesion of both Dbl-transformed and untransformed NIH3T3 cells, demonstrating that adhesion to collagen I and IV is mediated by the beta1 family of integrins. Dbl product rapidly induces the depolymerization of actin stress fibers, rounding up of the cells, and formation of filopodia and lamellipodia when microinjected in NIH3T3 cells plated on gelatin. Thus, Dbl may exert its effect on actin cytoskeleton organization in response to extracellular proteins by altering integrin-mediated signalling pathways.
3T3 Cells↗
The S.//.A.IG amino acid motif is present in a replication dependent late H3 histone variant of P. lividus sea urchin.
A novel gene encoding a new H3 histone varian (H3L) has been identified in P. lividus sea urchin embryo. It encodes a H3 histone protein showing the S.//.A.IG amino acid motif typical of the replication independent H3.3 variants but in a mRNA showing the 3' terminal stem-loop nucleotide sequence that is typical of the replication dependent variants. The gene is intronless, the corresponding short transcript is non-polyadenyl ated and its expression is replication dependent with a timing of late variant. The new H3 variant is expressed as a minor component with respect to a major replication dependent late H3 histone here identified by partial cDNA sequence. These results show that classification of histones in replication dependent and independent variants only on the basis of their amino acid sequences should be reconsidered.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Osmotic drugs in the treatment of cochlear disorders: a clinical and experimental study.
On the grounds of positive results obtained with Meniere's patients, agents such as glycerol and mannitol have been included in the therapeutical protocol of other cochlear disorders presenting with hearing loss either of sudden onset, but not observed at an early stage, or accompanied by tinnitus and aural pressure. Intravenous infusions of either 10% glycerol or 18% mannitol were given to selected patients 3 to 6 times with a time interval of 1 to 3 days. Hearing loss, tinnitus and aural pressure were evaluated as improved, unchanged or worsened. In 33% of the glycerol group and 23.8% of the mannitol group we observed hearing threshold improvement, while aural fullness improved in 45% of the glycerol and 56.2% of the mannitol groups, and tinnitus was only relieved in 13.1% of the glycerol and 5.8% of the mannitol group. A parallel experimental study was carried out on guinea-pigs in order to shed light on the effects of mannitol and glycerol on the inner ear. Cochlear blood flow was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter at the level of the basal turn of the cochlear lateral wall, both in normal and hydropic guinea-pigs, before and after osmotic intraperitoneal infusion. Basal values in the normal cochlea were much higher than in the hydropic one, and both mannitol and glycerol markedly influenced the local blood flow in the normal cochlea, giving few or no changes in the hydropic one.
Animals↗
Freeze-fracture immunogold labeling.
Several approaches have been developed to combine immunogold cytochemistry and freeze-fracture techniques. These methods are highly heterogeneous regarding both the sequence of the procedural steps and the aspect of the resulting images. They imply immunolabeling either before or after freeze-fracture or even immunolabeling of platinum/carbon replicas of the freeze-fractured membranes, and have been used alternatively or in parallel to address different questions related to cell membrane structure, composition and dynamics or to intracellular membrane traffic. This review will briefly describe these methods and report most of their immunogold cytochemical applications, with the aim of facilitating selection of the most appropriate approach.
Animals↗
Sequence and secondary structure of the rDNA second internal transcribed spacer in the sibling species Culex pipiens L. and Cx. quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).
The primary and secondary structure of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of two members of the Cx. pipiens complex, Cx. pipiens and Cx, quinquefasciatus, were examined in order to better understand the relationships between these two sibling mosquito species. The length of the sequenced rDNA fragments was 512 bp (Cx. pipiens) and 513 bp (Cx. quinquefasciatus), including the ITS2 regions and flanking 5.8S-28S coding regions. The ITS2 sequences of Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus were 297 and 298 bp in length respectively and showed a 97% identity. In fact, they had identical G+C content (58%) and the only differences observed are six mismatches (three transitions/three transversions), six single-base and one triple-base deletions/ insertions. The observed ITS2 secondary structures of Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus were very similar. Furthermore, the ITS2 sequences of specimens belonging to three populations of Cx. pipiens from Italy and four populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus (three from Africa and one from North America) were analysed in order to detect the presence of potential species-specific diagnostic restriction sites.
Animals↗
Transperineal biopsy leads to the diagnosis of genitourinary neurofibromatosis in association with a congenital malformation of the urinary tract.
OBJECTIVE: A case of genitourinary fibromatosis with associated anomalies is presented. METHODS: Clinical evaluation included ultrasonography, urography, CT scan and MR image. Ultrasonography-guided perineal biopsy was performed with a 14-gauge Tru-cut needle. RESULTS: Rectal examination revealed a very hard prostatic mass in the 22-year-old patient. The histological result and clinical data indicated the diagnosis of genitourinary von Recklinghausen disease. CONCLUSION: We report a very rare case of genitourinary neurofibromatosis associated with congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. The diagnosis was obtained with US-guided transperineal biopsy.
Adult↗
Serum neopterin and soluble interleukin-2 receptor for prediction of a shock state in gram-negative sepsis.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of neopterin and soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor for shock occurrence in gram-negative sepsis. METHODS: We examined 57 patients admitted to an intensive care unit with gram-negative sepsis diagnosed according to preestablished criteria. Blood samples were collected every 24 hours and neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor were measured by using commercially available test kits. To judge the predictive significance of these analyses the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. RESULTS: Both neopterin (P < .05) and soluble IL-2 receptor (P < .01) were identified as significant predictors of a shock state, but the prognostic strength of neopterin exceeded that of soluble IL-2 receptor. To further assess if other factors could interfere with the predictive significance of both compounds, we also investigated other clinical and laboratory variables but these candidate predictors did not contribute any additional significant predictive information. CONCLUSION: The measurement of serum neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor concentrations has predictability for identifying patients with gram-negative sepsis at risk for progression toward the syndrome of septic shock.
Adult↗
Glycolipidic component of the epithelial cell coat of the endolymphatic sac.
The endolymphatic sac (ES) is thought to synthesize and secrete glycoconjugates such as sulfated glycoproteins into the endolymphatic lumen. Ganglioside Gm1 is a specialized glycolipid containing one sialic acid molecule, which is generally found in the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. This glycolipid, which is known to be a specific receptor for cholera toxin (CT), acts as a membrane transducer and is involved in the modulation of cell metabolism, growth and regeneration. In the present study we identified Gm1 by studying the distribution of the FITC-labeled CT-subunit B in the ES epithelium of adult guinea pigs. Our findings indicate the presence of this ganglioside in the ES, with a predominant localization in the basolateral aspect of the epithelial cell layer. No detectable differences between ES cell types could be identified, whilst the ES distal and intermediate portions showed more reactivity than the proximal portion. This study, which represents the first description of a lipidic glycoconjugate component in the ES, provides evidence in support of the role of the ES in the turnover and regulation of inner ear fluids.
Animals↗
Surface distribution and partition during freeze-fracture of CD8 antigens on human lymphocytes and on epithelial transfected cells.
Freeze-fracture immunocytochemistry was used to analyse the surface distribution, redistribution induced by antibodies, and partition during freeze-fracture, of CD8 molecules on human T lymphocytes and rat epithelial transfected (FRT-U10) cells. Immunogold labelling of CD8 antigens was uniform over the unfractured cell surfaces of both lymphocytes and epithelial transfected cells. After freeze-fracture, the gold particles were associated with the exoplasmic outer leaflets of the plasma membranes in both cell types. In lymphocytes, incubation with antibodies at 37 degrees C up to 20 min induced patching and capping of the antigens on the unfractured cell surface. After fracture, the patched molecules appeared associated with the protoplasmic inner leaflet of the plasma membranes. Parallel antibody-treatment at 37 degrees C of FRT-U10 cells induced clustering of CD8 molecules but failed to cause further aggregation in larger patches or in caps. After freeze-fracture, the immunolabelling was clustered, but associated with the exoplasmic outer leaflet of the plasma membranes as in untreated cells. The different redistribution induced by antibodies and the different behaviour on fracture of the redistributed molecules in the two cell types may be regulated by CD8 interaction with the cytoskeleton.
Animals↗