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Ballatori E, Roila F, Ruggeri B, De Angelis V, Porzio G, Marchetti P, Basurto C, Ciccarese G, Palladino M, Porrozzi S, Fava S, Grimi E, Calcagno A, De Paoli A, Luoni M, Tocci A, Nuzzo A, Laudadio L, Di Blasio A, Sacco M, Contu A, Olmeo N, Pazzola A, Baldino G, Picece V, Nicodemo M, Cirillo M, Recaldin E, Dazzi C, Cariello A, Giovanis P, Zumaglini F, Rosati G, Manzione L, Bilancia D, Rossi A, Donati D, Maccaferri R, Malacarne P, Labianca R, Quadri A, Pessi M, Cortesi E, Martelli O, Giuliodori L, Silva R, Mari D, Massidda B, Ionta M, Alessandroni P, Baldelli A, Antimi M, Minelli M, Gridelli C, Rossi A, Passalacqua R, Quarta M, Sassi M, Pinaglia D, De Marino E, Giampaolo M, Ciancola S, Lalli A, Di Felice S, Casartelli C. Inappropriate Doses of Chemotherapy in Italian Breast Cancer Patients Enrolled in Clinical Trials. Tumori 2018; 93:540-3. [DOI: 10.1177/030089160709300604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aims and background The dose of delivered chemotherapy is important to evaluate the appropriateness of the anticancer treatment. This aspect has been scarcely studied in Italy. About 7 years ago, the Italian Group for Antiemetic Research (IGAR) published a large controlled study on the effectiveness of different antiemetic prophylaxis in patients submitted to moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, where the prescribed chemotherapy was recorded. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of undertreatment and to detect clinical and nonclinical factors able to explain its variability. Methods An observational study on the IGAR databank was performed to evaluate the incidence of undertreatment in the prescription in conditions of clinical trial, where the doses belonged to the eligibility criteria, and to analyze the importance of clinical and nonclinical factors using multifactorial logistic models. Results 317 patients receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) and 224 anthracycline-based chemotherapy were considered. In the CMF-treated patients, 22.4% received full doses, whereas in 53.6% all three drugs of the schedule were down-dosed. In the anthracycline-treated group, 38.6% and 3.4% of patients submitted to chemotherapy containing epirubicin and doxorubicin, respectively, were undertreated. Logistic models showed that undertreatment in CMF-treated patients depended significantly on the geographic area and setting of chemotherapy administration. Although not significant, differences between age class and Karnofsky performance status were also detected. In the epirubicin-treated group, all these factors were significant. Conclusions The undertreatment of cancer patients is a relevant problem, because it could give, in daily clinical practice, worse results than those reported in clinical studies. Considering the setting of a clinical trial where our study was carried out, the incidence of undertreatment is surprisingly high. We do not know whether today, about 8 years after the IGAR study was carried out, the inappropriate dose of chemotherapy is still as frequent as we reported, but surely the topic deserves more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Ballatori
- Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila
| | - Fausto Roila
- Medical Oncology Division, Policlinico Hospital, Perugia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - S. Fava
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - E. Grimi
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - A. Calcagno
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - A. De Paoli
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - M. Luoni
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - A. Tocci
- Medical Oncology Service, Legnano Hospital, Legnano (Milano)
| | - A. Nuzzo
- Medical Oncology Division, Hospital Renzetti, Lanciano (Chieti)
| | - L. Laudadio
- Medical Oncology Division, Hospital Renzetti, Lanciano (Chieti)
| | - A. Di Blasio
- Medical Oncology Division, Hospital Renzetti, Lanciano (Chieti)
| | - M. Sacco
- Medical Oncology Division, Hospital Renzetti, Lanciano (Chieti)
| | - A. Contu
- Medical Oncology Service, Sassari
| | - N. Olmeo
- Medical Oncology Service, Sassari
| | | | | | - V. Picece
- Medical Oncology Division, Negrar Hospital, Verona
| | - M. Nicodemo
- Medical Oncology Division, Negrar Hospital, Verona
| | - M. Cirillo
- Medical Oncology Division, Negrar Hospital, Verona
| | - E. Recaldin
- Medical Oncology Division, Negrar Hospital, Verona
| | - C. Dazzi
- Medical Oncology Division, Ravenna
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - A. Rossi
- Medical Oncology Division, Potenza
| | - D. Donati
- Medical Oncology Division, Arcispedale S. Anna, Ferrara
| | - R. Maccaferri
- Medical Oncology Division, Arcispedale S. Anna, Ferrara
| | - P. Malacarne
- Medical Oncology Division, Arcispedale S. Anna, Ferrara
| | | | | | | | - E. Cortesi
- Medical Oncology Division, La Sapienza University, Rome
| | - O. Martelli
- Medical Oncology Division, La Sapienza University, Rome
| | | | - R.R. Silva
- Medical Oncology Service, Fabriano (Ancona)
| | - D. Mari
- Medical Oncology Service, Fabriano (Ancona)
| | - B. Massidda
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, Cagliari
| | - M.T. Ionta
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Cagliari, Cagliari
| | | | | | - M. Antimi
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital S. Eugenio, Rome
| | - M. Minelli
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital S. Eugenio, Rome
| | - C. Gridelli
- Medical Oncology B Division, National Cancer Institute, Naples
| | - A. Rossi
- Medical Oncology B Division, National Cancer Institute, Naples
| | | | | | - M. Sassi
- Medical Oncology Service, Foligno (Perugia)
| | | | - E. De Marino
- Medical Oncology Department, Internal Medicine Division, V. Fazzi Hospital, Lecce
| | | | - S. Ciancola
- Medical Oncology Service, Anagni (Frosinone)
| | - A. Lalli
- Medical Oncology Service, Giulianova (Teramo)
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Giacomello E, Quarta M, Paolini C, Squecco R, Fusco P, Toniolo L, Blaauw B, Formoso L, Rossi D, Birkenmeier C, Peters LL, Francini F, Protasi F, Reggiani C, Sorrentino V. Deletion of small ankyrin 1 (sAnk1) isoforms results in structural and functional alterations in aging skeletal muscle fibers. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2014; 308:C123-38. [PMID: 25354526 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00090.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Muscle-specific ankyrins 1 (sAnk1) are a group of small ankyrin 1 isoforms, of which sAnk1.5 is the most abundant. sAnk1 are localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane from where they interact with obscurin, a myofibrillar protein. This interaction appears to contribute to stabilize the SR close to the myofibrils. Here we report the structural and functional characterization of skeletal muscles from sAnk1 knockout mice (KO). Deletion of sAnk1 did not change the expression and localization of SR proteins in 4- to 6-mo-old sAnk1 KO mice. Structurally, the main modification observed in skeletal muscles of adult sAnk1 KO mice (4-6 mo of age) was the reduction of SR volume at the sarcomere A band level. With increasing age (at 12-15 mo of age) extensor digitorum longus (EDL) skeletal muscles of sAnk1 KO mice develop prematurely large tubular aggregates, whereas diaphragm undergoes significant structural damage. Parallel functional studies revealed specific changes in the contractile performance of muscles from sAnk1 KO mice and a reduced exercise tolerance in an endurance test on treadmill compared with control mice. Moreover, reduced Qγ charge and L-type Ca(2+) current, which are indexes of affected excitation-contraction coupling, were observed in diaphragm fibers from 12- to 15-mo-old mice, but not in other skeletal muscles from sAnk1 KO mice. Altogether, these findings show that the ablation of sAnk1, by altering the organization of the SR, renders skeletal muscles susceptible to undergo structural and functional alterations more evident with age, and point to an important contribution of sAnk1 to the maintenance of the longitudinal SR architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Giacomello
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - M Quarta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - C Paolini
- Ce.S.I., Center for Research on Ageing and Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - R Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - P Fusco
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - L Toniolo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - B Blaauw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - L Formoso
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - D Rossi
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | | | | | - F Francini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - F Protasi
- Ce.S.I., Center for Research on Ageing and Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology
| | - C Reggiani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology; CNR-Neuroscience Institute, Padua, Italy; and
| | - V Sorrentino
- Molecular Medicine Section, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology;
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Cataldo R, Agrusti A, De Nunzio G, Carlà A, De Mitri I, Favetta M, Quarta M, Monno L, Rei L, Fiorina E. Generating a Minimal Set of Templates for the Hippocampal Region in MR Neuroimages. J Neuroimaging 2012; 23:473-83. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2012.00713.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Nicoli S, Ferrari G, Quarta M, Macaluso C, Govoni P, Dallatana D, Santi P. Porcine sclera as a model of human sclera for in vitro transport experiments: histology, SEM, and comparative permeability. Mol Vis 2009; 15:259-66. [PMID: 19190734 PMCID: PMC2633461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate porcine sclera as a model of human sclera for in vitro studies of transscleral drug delivery of both low and high molecular weight compounds. METHODS Human and porcine scleras were characterized for thickness and water content. The tissue surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the histology was studied with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Comparative permeation experiments were performed using three model molecules, acetaminophen as the model compound for small molecules; a linear dextran with a molecular weight of 120 kDa as the model compound for high molecular weight drugs; and insulin, which was chosen as the model protein. Permeation parameters such as flux, lag time, and permeability coefficient were determined and compared. RESULTS Human and porcine scleras have a similar histology and collagen bundle organization. The water content is approx 70% for both tissues while a statistically significant difference was found for the thickness, porcine sclera being approximately twofold thicker than human sclera. Differences in thickness produced differences in the permeability coefficient. In fact, human sclera was found to be two to threefold more permeable toward the three molecules studied than porcine sclera. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained in the present paper prove that porcine sclera can be considered a good model for human sclera for in vitro permeation experiments of both low and high molecular weight compounds. In fact, if the different tissue thickness is taken into account, comparable permeability was demonstrated. This suggests a possible use of this model in the evaluation of the transscleral permeation of new biotech compounds, which currently represent the most innovative and efficient therapeutic options for the treatment of ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Nicoli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy
| | - G. Ferrari
- G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Quarta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy
| | - C. Macaluso
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - P. Govoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Histology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - D. Dallatana
- Department of Human Anatomy, University of Parma, Italy
| | - P. Santi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy
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Quarta M, Nicolai M, Micheli E, Belussi D, Lembo A. La cistectomia radicale nel paziente anziano: 10 anni di esperienza chirurgica. Urologia 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/039156030807500215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Quarta
- USC Urologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo
| | - M. Nicolai
- USC Urologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo
| | - E. Micheli
- USC Urologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo
| | - D. Belussi
- USC Urologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo
| | - A. Lembo
- USC Urologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo
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Muraca M, Ferraresso C, Vilei MT, Granato A, Quarta M, Cozzi E, Rugge M, Pauwelyn KA, Caruso M, Avital I, Inderbitzin D, Demetriou AA, Forbes SJ, Realdi G. Liver repopulation with bone marrow derived cells improves the metabolic disorder in the Gunn rat. Gut 2007; 56:1725-35. [PMID: 17641081 PMCID: PMC2095708 DOI: 10.1136/gut.2007.127969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reversible ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) liver injury has been used to induce engraftment and hepatic parenchymal differentiation of exogenous beta2-microglubulin(-)/Thy1(+) bone marrow derived cells. AIM To test the ability of this method of hepatic parenchymal repopulation, theoretically applicable to clinical practice, to correct the metabolic disorder in a rat model of congenital hyperbilirubinaemia. METHODS AND RESULTS Analysis by confocal laser microscopy of fluorescence labelled cells and by immunohistochemistry for beta2-microglubulin, 72 hours after intraportal delivery, showed engraftment of infused cells in liver parenchyma of rats with I/R, but not in control animals with non-injured liver. Transplantation of bone marrow derived cells obtained from GFP-transgenic rats into Lewis rats resulted in the presence of up to 20% of GFP positive hepatocytes in I/R liver lobes after one month. The repopulation rate was proportional to the number of transplanted cells. Infusion of GFP negative bone marrow derived cells into GFP positive transgenic rats resulted in the appearance of GFP negative hepatocytes, suggesting that the main mechanism underlying parenchymal repopulation was differentiation rather than cell fusion. Transplantation of wild type bone marrow derived cells into hyperbilirubinaemic Gunn rats with deficient bilirubin conjugation after I/R damage resulted in 30% decrease in serum bilirubin, the appearance of bilirubin conjugates in bile, and the expression of normal UDP-glucuronyltransferase enzyme evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS I/R injury induced hepatic parenchymal engraftment and differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells of bone marrow derived cells. Transplantation of bone marrow derived cells from non-affected animals resulted in the partial correction of hyperbilirubinaemia in the Gunn rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Muraca
- Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Laboratory Medicine, Rome, Italy.
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Cocconi G, Mambrini A, Quarta M, Vasini G, Bella MA, Ferrozzi F, Beretta MD. Vinorelbine combined with paclitaxel infused over 96 hours (VI-TA-96) for patients with metastatic breast carcinoma. Cancer 2000; 88:2731-8. [PMID: 10870055 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(20000615)88:12<2731::aid-cncr11>3.0.co;2-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vinorelbine (VI) and paclitaxel (TA) are among the most active single agents in the treatment of patients with breast carcinoma, and both have microtubules as their cytotoxic target. This Phase I-II study combined these 2 agents and used a 96-hour intravenous (i.v.) infusion of paclitaxel to maximize their cytotoxic activities. METHODS Patients with metastatic breast carcinoma who were previously treated with chemotherapy were administered increasing doses of a 96-hour paclitaxel i.v. infusion from Days 1 to 5, with a first fixed dose of vinorelbine (12.5 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 5) every 3 weeks. The dose of paclitaxel was then decreased starting from the previously established tolerated dose, and a second fixed dose of vinorelbine (15 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 5) was given. This identified 2 acceptable doses of paclitaxel (110 mg/m(2) with VI 12.5 mg/m(2) and 90 mg/m(2) with VI 15 mg/m(2)). The latter was used in the subsequent Phase II study. RESULTS For the 50 patients treated with any dose, the complete response (CR) and the CR plus partial response (PR) rates were, respectively, 14% and 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34-67%). When only the 27 patients treated with the Phase II dose were considered, the figures were, respectively, 11% and 52% (95% CI, 42-62%). The median time to progression was 26 weeks, and the median survival 51 weeks. The dose-limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS At the dose schedule identified for the Phase II study, the VI-TA-96 combination has considerable antitumor activity; pharmacoeconomic interest (it requires about half the doses of the agents administered singly); no major toxicity, except G4 neutropenia; and no need for premedication. This combination may be recommended as one of the most effective therapeutic options for patients with metastatic breast carcinoma who were pretreated mainly with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cocconi
- Medical Oncology Division, University Hospital, Parma, Italy
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Giacometti A, Cirioni O, Greganti G, Quarta M, Scalise G. In vitro activities of membrane-active peptides against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic bacteria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1998; 42:3320-4. [PMID: 9835539 PMCID: PMC106047 DOI: 10.1128/aac.42.12.3320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Four peptides, cecropin P1, magainin II, indolicidin, and ranalexin, were evaluated against 202 clinical isolates of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic bacteria by a microbroth dilution method. The gram-negative isolates were more susceptible to cecropin P1. Ranalexin was the most active compound against the gram-positive strains. The bactericidal activity of each peptide was equivalent to, or 1 dilution above, the MIC. In conclusion, the four peptides exhibited different in vitro activities and rapid time-dependent killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Giacometti
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy.
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Giacometti A, Cirioni O, Drenaggi D, Compagnucci P, Quarta M, Fortuna M, Scalise G. Strongyloides stercoralis infection: unknown transmission or late recrudescence? J Infect 1998; 37:306-7. [PMID: 9892542 DOI: 10.1016/s0163-4453(98)92417-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Giacometti A, Cirioni O, Quarta M, Schimizzi AM, Del Prete MS, Scalise G. Unusual clinical presentation of infection due to Flavimonas oryzihabitans. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1998; 17:645-8. [PMID: 9832267 DOI: 10.1007/bf01708348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Six cases of Flavimonas oryzihabitans infection are presented, four of which were community-acquired pneumonia and two of which were nosocomially acquired bacteremia. All four cases of pneumonia occurred in immunosuppressed hosts, three of whom were HIV-positive individuals and one of whom was a young man affected by chronic myeloid leukemia. Flavimonas oryzihabitans is recognized with increasing frequency as a cause of opportunistic infection, but the present cases of community-acquired pneumonia due to this organism are believed to be the first four reported in the English literature. The findings emphasize that Flavimonas oryzihabitans should be included in the list of pathogens that cause community-acquired infections in the immunocompromised host.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Giacometti
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I, Italy
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Abstract
The activity of eight topoisomerase inhibitors was investigated against five clinical isolates of Pneumocystis carinii. Susceptibility tests were performed by inoculation of the organisms on to a cell monolayer and parasites were counted after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C. Culture plates were added with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing serial dilutions of lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, rufloxacin, camptothecin, amsacrine and etoposide. Atovaquone, pentamide isethionate and co-trimoxazole were used as control drugs. Etoposide gave inhibition comparable to that observed with atovaquone. Poor activity was demonstrated by pefloxacin, while the other topoisomerase inhibitors had no significant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Cirioni
- Institute of Infectious Diseases & Public Health, University of Ancona, Italy
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Giacometti A, Cirioni O, Balducci M, Drenaggi D, Quarta M, De Federicis M, Ruggeri P, Colapinto D, Ripani G, Scalise G. Epidemiologic features of intestinal parasitic infections in Italian mental institutions. Eur J Epidemiol 1997; 13:825-30. [PMID: 9384273 DOI: 10.1023/a:1007306630301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the residents of four Italian psychiatric institutions, we examined the stool specimens collected in triplicate from 238 residents, enrolled between May 1995 and May 1996. Besides, physician and staff nurses provided data about each resident by standardized questionnaires. Parasites were detected in the fecal samples from 128 patients (53.8%). However, in the stool specimens from 106 residents only non-pathogenic protozoa were found (82.8%). Trichuris trichiura ova, Giardia lamblia cysts and trophozoites, Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, and Balantidium coli cysts were found in the fecal samples from 22 residents (9.2%). B. hominis was the most prevalent parasite. It was detected in the fecal specimens from 97 residents (40.8%). The so-called nonpathogenic amebae were detected in the fecal specimens from 65 residents, though, at the same time, there was no evidence of Entamoeba histolytica infection. Twelve residents (5.0%) showed intestinal colonization by nonpathogenic flagellates. All the subjects with T. trichiura infection were housed in the facility of Ancona. Parasites were found in fecal samples from all the 11 residents with behavioural aberrations, but only three of those suffering from intestinal pathogen infection associated to diarrhea. Statistical analyses revealed that the presence of pathogenic parasites in fecal specimens was significantly associated with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, behavioural aberrations and nonpathogenic protozoa (p < 0.01), but did not demonstrate any other significant associations between these parasites and the other variables, such as pruritus, mucus or blood in the stools and presence of fecal leukocytes. On the other hand, the presence of nonpathogenic protozoa was significantly related to aberrations such as pica, geophagia, phytophagy, coprophagy, coprophilia and pathogenic parasites (p < 0.01). Data analyses revealed that both pathogenic and nonpathogenic parasites were significantly more common in institutionalized patients than in controls. The rare presence of clinical signs and symptoms in colonized patients represents an important public health problem, since the presence of asymptomatic carriers among residents with low hygienic conditions, raises concern of transmission of parasitic infections to professional staff and other residents. Since the eradication of parasitic colonization in residential facilities is hard to reach, an effective prevention is the only measure to deal with this public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Giacometti
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Public Health, University of Ancona, Italy
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Abstract
Vestibuloplasty was performed on patients with completely closed cleft lip/alveolus or cleft lip/palate, using a mesh of polyglactin for covering the epithelial defect on the alveolar process. The vestibular height in the region of the teeth adjacent to the cleft was measured in 19 cases (average age 7.1 years) immediately before and after surgery as well as 4-10 months later. Although a loss of height of 18% had occurred during the healing period, the original height at the mesial tooth was increased from 6.0 mm to 11.2 mm and at the distal tooth from 3.7 mm to 11.4 mm. This high and freely mobile vestibule of the mouth is considered to be a precondition for undisturbed growth of the orofacial system in cleft patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Quarta
- Department of Cleft Lip and Palate, Friedrich-Zimmer-Hospital Herborn, West Germany
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Quarta M, Koch J. [Vestibuloplasty in cleft patients using polyglactin mesh]. Zahnarztl Prax 1985; 36:344, 346, 348-50. [PMID: 3868270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Koch J, Quarta M. [Occurrence and prevention of residual clefts in the surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip, alveolus, palate and velum]. Dtsch Z Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir 1985; 9:126-32. [PMID: 3862475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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