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Biomedical subjects

R Bellini

Publications and source records attributed to R Bellini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Comparison of nocturnal activities of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) sampled by New Jersey light traps and CO2 traps in Belek, Turkey.

Temporal and seasonal variations in the nocturnal activities of adult females of six locally common mosquitoes, Aedes cretinus, Ochlerotatus caspius, Oc. dorsalis, Culex pipiens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Culiseta annulata were studied at Belek, Turkey, using New Jersey light traps and CO2 charged olfactory traps. In addition to assessing the relative value of these traps as sampling devices capable of measuring activity at different periods of the night, these studies also examined the seasonal contribution of each species to the phenology of the overall mosquito population. While statistical results showed that differences in activation time preferences were found to be not significant for each species, the nocturnal activity profiles of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Ae. cretinus and Oc. caspius were definitely differed from those of other species. Ae. cretinus was a common species with a rate of 26.1% at 18:00-20:00, whereas the adult rate of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was determined to be the lowest (11.4%) at that time interval. Significant differences were found at the time intervals 18:00-20:00, 22:00-24:00 and 02:00-04:00 in the general bias of mosquito populations among different months. While the nocturnal patterns of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Ae. cretinus were found to be bimodal, it was monomodal for Oc. caspius and Cu. annulata, unimodal for Cx. pipiens and Ae. dorsalis. While 69.6% of females captured by traps throughout the study period were found to be unfed, 24.8% were fed, 4.1% were half-gravid and 1.4% were gravid. Statistical results of trap preferences of Aedes species were found to be significant (P < 0.05). Oc. caspius and Ae. dorsalis preferred New Jersey light traps to CO2 traps. Light trap and CO2 trap collections can be influenced by design features including the amount of contrast between the light sources and surroundings. These features were found to be highly significant factors for the biting activity Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Population structure of Aedes albopictus (Skuse): the mosquito which is colonizing Mediterranean countries.

Multilocus electrophoresis analysis has been used to study the genetic structure of 18 populations of Aedes albopictus newly introduced to Italy, in comparison with two populations in the United States, four in Japan, and four in Indonesia. Allozyme analysis revealed that 15 out of the 18 studied loci were polymorphic among the 28 populations. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found at polymorphic loci. High genetic affinity was observed between the Italian populations and those from the United States and Japan. The analysis of variance in allele frequencies showed that variance among subpopulations accounted for most of the total variance, suggesting that isolation of the Italian populations is not related to distance. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium using Ohta's method shows that the variance in the frequency of allele combinations could be explained by the action of the genetic drift which accompanies the establishment of new populations. The colonization process of Ae. albopictus in Italy is following a trend similar to that previously observed in the U.S. A., probably because both infestations derive from several successive introductions, each with large numbers of individuals.

Aedes↗
PubMed2000

Species composition and seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes in the Belek region of Turkey.

The species composition and seasonal population dynamics of mosquitoes trapped in the Belek Region of Turkey are described. Eight traps (four New Jersey light traps and four CO2 baited traps) were activated weekly at four different sampling sites (wooded area, open field, village, and road edge). Between May and December, 1997, 4,542 specimens representing seven species (Culex pipiens, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes caspius, Aedes cretinus, Aedes dorsalis, Aedes vexans, and Culiseta annulata) were collected. The most abundant species was Cx. pipiens (26.7% of total catch) followed by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (23.8%), Ae. caspius (23.4%), Ae. cretinus (10.7%), Ae. dorsalis (8.7%), Cs. annulata (6.2%), and Ae. vexans (0.1%). This is the first record of Ae. cretinus in the area since 1984. The species was captured throughout the study period, although it was most abundant in late summer. Culex tritaeniorhynchus reached its highest density in August, while Cx. pipiens was found in high numbers throughout most of the study period.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

A new technique for total hepatectomy in the pig for testing liver support devices.

BACKGROUND: A large animal model of total hepatectomy is suitable to test the efficacy of any system designed to support patients in hepatic coma. The models previously described in the pig entail a significant degree of surgical trauma, which might alter the evolution of the ensuring hepatic failure and compromise the reproducibility of the model. METHODS: Twenty-eight pigs underwent a total hepatectomy according to a new technique. A model was considered satisfactory when it required no blood transfusions and when hematologic and hemodynamic parameters determined before, during, and until 4 hours after hepatectomy showed no significant variations. Moreover, to revive the pattern of hepatic coma produced in the anhepatic model, 7 pigs were monitored until brain death occurred. RESULTS: Twenty-five pigs (89%) underwent a smooth total hepatectomy with minimal variations of the selected parameters. They constituted a highly homogeneous group. Survival of the 7 pigs, followed up until brain death occurred, ranged from 625 to 1595 minutes (mean 1013.57 minutes). The animals remained stable until a few hours before brain death, an event heralded by a final sharp increase of the serum ammonia level and by a well-evident decline of both arterial pressure and liver-dependent clotting factors. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of total hepatectomy allows the construction of a reproducible model of anhepaty suitable to test the efficacy of any system conceived to temporarily replace hepatic functions.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication complicated by late gastroesophageal herniation and intrathoracic perforation: a case report with review of the literature.

We report the case of a 38-year-old man who, 2 weeks after a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, was referred to our Unit because of acute wrap herniation and intrathoracic gastric perforation. Although both of these complications have already been described, this is the first case in which they have occurred simultaneously and not as an immediate consequence of the operation. Intraoperative findings suggested that diaphragmatic crura had not been reapproximated and that the gastric wrap had not been fixed to them. This observation and the fact that immediately after hospital discharge the patient had sustained intense physical efforts can explain acute wrap herniation. Placement of full-thickness sutures may account for gastric perforation. These pathogenetic determinants and their preventive measures are discussed in the light of a review of the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Possible utilization of metallic copper to inhibit Aedes Albopictus (Skuse) larval development.

The effect of metallic copper on development of Aedes albopictus was studied in the laboratory. Multiwire electric cable was used as a source of metallic copper in flower saucers colonized by Ae. albopictus. A linear regression coefficient of 0.68 was obtained between copper concentration in the water during larval development and the relative production of adults. Larval mortality was higher in earlier instars with less evident effect on 4th-instar larvae and pupae. The effect of copper on larval development time and adult weight in both sexes was also observed. The strong algicidal action is presumed to only partially explain the effect of metallic copper on Ae. albopictus larvae. A direct toxic effect also may be involved. The use of metallic copper is suggested as a practical alternative method for preventing development of Ae. albopictus in small containers such as flower saucers found in urban areas.

Aedes↗
PubMed1998

[Orthotopic liver transplant. Analysis of costs related to anesthesiologic and intensive care phases].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) costs for Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) through a point by point analysis of the entire process from anesthesia induction to ICU discharge. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Regional Transplantation Centre participating to the Italian National Health Care System. METHODS: Anesthesia and ICU costs for each OLT performed during 1997 were estimated through the analysis of costs of the following categories: drugs, medical and nurse staff, blood bank, radiology, laboratory, haemoderivates. RESULTS: Forty OLTs were performed in 38 recipients during the study period. The total charges for the anesthesia and ICU management of these patients calculated in US dollars were 583.433,23 (considering the exchange rates valid in January 1998). ICU costs resulted approximately 2.5 times higher than those for anesthesia. Blood bank and drugs were the categories that had the greatest impact on the final expense whereas laboratory had the lowest. The charges referred to medical and nurse staff resulted higher in the ICU than for anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian National Health Care System has to deal with limited resources; costs analysis of high-tech procedures as OLT is of basic importance to optimise resources allocation and to enforce money-saving actions.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1997

Aedes albopictus (Diptera:Culicidae) is incompetent as a vector of hepatitis C virus.

In laboratory experiments, Aedes albopictus females were fed hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected human blood with a unit-feeding apparatus. Pools of engorged females were tested at various time intervals after their blood meal for the presence of HCV RNA using two methods in parallel: reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR with the Amplicor HCV system. Comparable results were obtained with both methods. Mosquitoes were found to be positive only immediately and 24 h after feeding. Moreover, female progeny produced negative results. Our results indicate that the Ae.albopictus strain used is incompetent as a vector of HCV.

Aedes↗
PubMed1997

Study on the flying height of Aedes caspius and Culex pipiens females in the Po Delta area, Italy.

We have studied the vertical distribution of Culicidae in the "Ancona di Bellocchio" protected area (Regional Park of the Po Delta, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) by means of nonilluminated CDC traps baited with CO2. Traps were placed at heights of 1.5, 3, 4, and 5 m from the ground in open areas and at 1.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 m in wooded areas. We calculated the average flying height of the species caught, i.e., in order of decreasing flying height, Culex pipiens Linnaeus s.l., Culex modestus Ficalbi, Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi), Aedes detritus (Haliday), Aedes caspius (Pallas). We also calculated the linear regression lines for both sites and found that 90% of Ae. caspius flew within a height of 1.64 m from the ground level, 95% within 2.68 m, and 99% at a height not exceeding 4 m; whereas 90% of Cx. pipiens moved within 3.45 m from the ground level, 95% within 4.02 m, and 99% within 4.76 m. The vertical distributions of Ae. caspius and Cx. pipiens did not vary significantly over the seasons and were not affected by the presence of trees or variations in temperature and wind velocity within the range of measurements obtained. The data obtained provide useful information for planning Ae. caspius control measures based on a mechanical barrier capable of preventing mosquitoes from moving toward residential settlements and tourist resorts bordering on the protected area as an alternative to aerial treatment with the larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis.

Aedes↗
PubMed1996

Efficacy of different ovitraps and binomial sampling in Aedes albopictus surveillance activity.

The efficacy of plastic, glass, and metal ovitraps has been compared in the Desenzano del Garda (Northern Italy) urban area, infested by Aedes albopictus since 1993. Plastic and glass ovitraps gave similar results while metal ovitraps collected a significantly lower number of eggs (-56 and -59%, respectively). The reason may be related to the different internal color of the metal trap with respect to plastic and glass ones. Utilizing the Gerrard and Chiang binomial model we obtained a high r2 for all 3 ovitrap types (plastic, 0.96; glass, 0.87; metal, 0.79) indicating a good fitting of the observed data to the model. According to the desired level of precision for the estimated population, the number of each type of ovitrap required is calculated. Validation of the model in a different area of northern Italy gave positive results. The simple observation of oviposition strips for presence or absence of Ae. albopictus eggs could be adopted in surveillance programs, thus allowing considerable labor saving.

Aedes↗