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Calò S, Tironi M, Cappa V, Scaburri A, Perna SF, Chiari M, Marracci M, Bellini S. Evaluation of the Risk of African Swine Fever Virus Transmission at the Interface between Feral and Domestic Pigs in Lombardy, with a View to Establishing Preventive Measures for Domestic Pigs. Pathogens 2023; 12:1462. [PMID: 38133345 PMCID: PMC10748101 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread worldwide, and has reached multiple countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific, representing a serious economic burden threatening pig health and welfare, as well as food security. The disease affects domestic pigs and wild boar, and in several European countries the disease is endemic in wild boars. The lack of vaccines or effective treatments highlights the importance of effective control measures used to keep domestic and feral pigs separated to prevent the spread of the virus. However, the study of the livestock-wildlife interface is quite complex and has many aspects to consider, including the uncertainty of wild-boar population data. In this study, we determined the risk of spread of the ASF virus at the interface between domestic pigs and wild boars using indicators that can indirectly indicate the presence of wild boars in order to target specific control measures in the highest risk areas. The results of the study were compared with those obtained by Pittiglio, in which the population data for wild boars was estimated using a geostatistical method and similar results were obtained. However, the present study used specific information relating to the wild-boar population and this allowed us to use fewer variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Calò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
| | - Marco Tironi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
| | - Veronica Cappa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
| | - Alessandra Scaburri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
| | - Stefano Francesco Perna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
| | - Mario Chiari
- Direzione Generale Welfare di Regione Lombardia, Unità Organizzativa Veterinaria, Piazza Città di Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy;
| | - Massimo Marracci
- Direzione Generale Agricoltura, Sovranità Alimentare e Foreste di Regione Lombardia, Unità Organizzativa Politiche Ittiche-Faunistico-Venatorie, Forestali e Montagna, Piazza Città di Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy;
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (M.T.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (S.F.P.)
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Bizzi F, Charpentier Mora S, Riva A, Tironi M, Nacinovich R. Tension-Type Headache in Early Adolescents: Exploring the Predictive Role of Anxiety and Alexithymia. Eur Psychiatry 2022. [PMCID: PMC9567644 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Primary Headache, including Tension-Type Headache (TTH), represents one of the most common somatic disorders in children and adolescents with a strong impact on quality of life. Several risk factors, as environmental, familiar, and psychological features, including personality traits, are related to the development of Primary Headache. However, studies on specific subgroups of TTH are relatively few in early adolescents. Objectives Therefore, this cross-sectional pilot study aims at exploring the role of anxiety and alexithymia in early adolescents with and without TTH. Methods A sample of 70 early adolescents (Mage=14.59, SD=1.85; 71% females) consisting of a clinical group (31 with TTH) enrolled in an Italian Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic and a comparison group (38 without TTH) enrolled in schools, matched on gender and age, completed: 1) Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) to detect the Total levels of Anxiety, also in their factor of Physical Symptoms, Social Anxiety, Harm Avoidance, and Separation Anxiety; 2) the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) to detect the Total levels of Alexithymia, also in their factor of Difficulty to Identifying and to Describing Feelings and Externally Oriented Thinking. Results TTH outcome positively correlated with Harm Avoidance (rho=.68, p<.001) and Total Alexithymia (rho=.72, p<.001). In a logistic regression, Harm Avoidance and Total Alexithymia predicted 69% of the variance in TTH outcome (p<.032). Conclusions This disorder may be a maladaptive strategy to cope with problems and feeling emotions, then early adolescents could be fostered in the acquisition of more adaptive emotion regulation abilities. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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Bizzi F, Charpentier Mora S, Tironi M, Riva A, Nacinovich R. Multimethod Assessment of Mentalizing and its relations with Somatic Symptoms in Adolescents with Primary Headache. Eur Psychiatry 2022. [PMCID: PMC9566905 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Difficulties in mentalizing (i.e., the ability to reflect on self and others’ internal mental states, operationalized as reflective functioning [RF]; Fonagy et al., 2012) have been associated with psychological symptoms (Luyten et al., 2020), including somatic symptoms (Bizzi et al., 2019). Therefore, the assessment of its dimensions may be clinically relevant for young patients with somatic symptoms, as with Primary Headache (PH), representing one of the most common somatic complaints in children and adolescents. Objectives This study aimed to assess RF with a multi-method approach, exploring its relation with somatic symptoms. Methods
48 adolescents diagnosed with PH (Mage=14.83, SD=2.81; 67% females) were recruited from an Italian Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic. RF was measured both through the Child and Adolescent Reflective Functioning (CRFS) applied to the Child Attachment Interview transcripts and the self-report Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), while the Children’s Somatization Inventory (CSI-24) was used to measure the perceived severity of somatic symptoms. Results Different relations with somatic symptoms depended on the method used to evaluate RF: no significant correlations were found with the CRFS subscales (General, Other, Self
), while a negative significant correlation was found with the RFQ subscale Certainty about mental states (RFQ_C) (r=-.46, p=.016). All subscales of CRFS were negatively correlated with RFQ_C (p=.05), but not with the other RFQ subscale (Uncertainty about mental states; RFQ_U). Conclusions This suggests that two measures may lead to different dimensions of the same construct, thus a multi-method assessment of RF would be advisable in clinical practice. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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Charpentier Mora S, Bastianoni C, Tironi M, Bizzi F. Mentalizing and emotion dysregulation in emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot short-term longitudinal study. Eur Psychiatry 2022. [PMCID: PMC9566628 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic represents an epidemiological and psychological crisis (APA, 2020). In this context, although emerging adults are less likely to get COVID-19, they might have suffered from the national lockdowns over the last year, as they are indeed involved in a crucial development period wherein interpersonal relationships undertake a fundamental function in their psychological well-being. To this end, mentalizing abilities and emotion dysregulation may play a crucial role as possible salutogenic or pathogenic factors on the onset of psychiatric symptoms during the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives 1) To examine the relationship between emotion dysregulation assessed at the end of the first wave of COVID-19, mentalizing assessed during the second wave, and psychiatric symptoms levels assessed during the third wave. 2) To examine the moderation role of mentalizing within the relation between emotion dysregulation and psychiatric symptoms. Methods Participants were 83 non-clinical emerging adults (Mage=22.18, SD=4.36; 57.8% females). Measures applied were Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) to examine emotion dysregulation, Reflective Functioning Questionnaire to examine mentalizing (RFQ_uncertainty; RFQ_certainty) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90) to examine psychiatric symptoms (Global Severity Index, GSI). Results DERS_total score (r=.31, p=.03) and both RFQ_uncertainty (r=.41, p<.01) and RFQ_certainty (r=-.33, p=.02) are associated with GSI. Secondly, a significant moderation role by RFQ_u emerged within the relation between DERS_total score and GSI (∆R2=.067, β=.001, SE=.00, CI[.000, .002]). Conclusions These results suggest that mentalizing and emotion dysregulation may play a pivotal role in the onset of psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications are discussed. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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Cappa V, Cerioli MP, Scaburri A, Tironi M, Farioli M, Nassuato C, Bellini S. Analysis of Bee Population Decline in Lombardy during the Period 2014-2016 and Identification of High-Risk Areas. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081004. [PMID: 34451468 PMCID: PMC8399413 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The first events of bee decline in Italy were reported during 1999. Since then, population decline has frequently been reported in Lombardy. In this study, the association between bee decline and the type of land surrounding the apiary was evaluated. A risk map was developed to identify areas with the highest risk of decline. Apiaries in Lombardy were selected from the national beekeeping database (BDA). The study period was from 2014 to 2016. Apiaries were deemed “declined” if they reported at least one event of decline or tested positive for plant protection products; apiaries were “not declined” if they did not report any events of bee decline during the study period. Out of 14,188 apiaries extracted from the BDA, 80 were considered declined. The probability of an apiary being declined increases by 10% in orchards and by 2% in arable land for each additional km2 of land occupied by these crops. The study showed an association between bee decline and the type of territory surrounding the apiaries, and the areas at the greatest risk of decline in Lombardy were identified. This information can be used by Veterinary Services as a predictive parameter for planning prevention and control activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Cappa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.P.C.); (A.S.); (M.T.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-030-2290635
| | - Monica Pierangela Cerioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.P.C.); (A.S.); (M.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Alessandra Scaburri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.P.C.); (A.S.); (M.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Marco Tironi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.P.C.); (A.S.); (M.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Marco Farioli
- Direzione Generale Welfare di Regione Lombardia, Unità Organizzativa Veterinaria, Piazza Città di Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (C.N.)
| | - Claudia Nassuato
- Direzione Generale Welfare di Regione Lombardia, Unità Organizzativa Veterinaria, Piazza Città di Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (C.N.)
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.P.C.); (A.S.); (M.T.); (S.B.)
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Scaburri A, Cappa V, Tironi M, Avisani D, Bellini S. [Analysis of pigs' movement to Lombardy (Northern Italy) to assess the potential risk of pathogens introduction into this region and to plan mitigation measures]. Epidemiol Prev 2021; 45:37-45. [PMID: 33884841 DOI: 10.19191/ep21.1-2.p037.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES to analyse the trade flow of pigs to Lombardy (Northern Italy) to single out the farms more involved in animal movements to identify the holdings and areas most exposed to the risk of introducing pathogens into the region and to plan proper mitigation measures. Indeed, the movement of live animals and of the means of transport is one of the main risk factors in the spread of diseases and this is particularly relevant in areas with high stocking density. DESIGN statistical analysis on movements of pigs entering Lombardy was carried out. Data on pigs' movements and farm characteristics were collected from the National and Regional databases. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was used to analyse the flows of pigs to Lombardy, to identify the holdings and geographical areas that are central in the trading network and that could have a role in the introduction of swine pathogens into the region. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS data on pigs' movements introduced into Lombardy in 2016 were analysed. Lombardy is a region of Northern Italy with intensive livestock husbandry. The pig sector is of particular economic relevance also in view of the processing industry, suited to the production of high quality pork products. Annually about 1.8 million pigs are introduced into the region also to satisfy the request of the processing industry for the production of pork products. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES in this study, the farms that buy pigs from outside the region were identified as well as the territories where the largest number of pigs are introduced. The analysis was carried out also considering certain factors related to the movement of animals, which can be relevant for the transmission of pathogens, such as number of commercial partners, number of exchanged animals, and number of shipments. RESULTS in 2016, 1,782,568 pigs were introduced into Lombardy; by using SNA, it was possible to highlight a complex trade network of pigs, mainly involving the Northern regions. Indeed, the pigs were mostly purchased from Emilia Romagna (33.4%), followed by Veneto and Piedmont. These regions have been the most closely analysed in this study. SNA was also used to identify Lombardy territories (provinces and municipalities) which, based on the number of introduced pigs, are potentially most exposed to the introduction of pathogens from outside the region. Mantua and Brescia provinces resulted the most exposed area. CONCLUSIONS Italy is one of most important European producers of pigs and about 50% of national pig assets is present in Lombardy; furthermore, about 1.8 million pigs are introduced yearly into the region. Currently, the region is free from the main diseases of pigs and the introduction of an epidemic disease into the pig population could adversely affect the entire productive sector. For this reason, an analysis of the movements of pigs entering the region was carried out to identify the areas (provinces, municipalities) and holdings most exposed to the risk of introduction of pathogens. This information is relevant for the veterinary authorities to plan appropriate control activities (official controls, surveillance, biosecurity, and vaccination, where possible) in order to enhance disease prevention and promote early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Scaburri
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia;
| | - Veronica Cappa
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia
| | - Marco Tironi
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia
| | - Dominga Avisani
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia
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Credi C, Fiorese A, Tironi M, Bernasconi R, Magagnin L, Levi M, Turri S. 3D Printing of Cantilever-Type Microstructures by Stereolithography of Ferromagnetic Photopolymers. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:26332-26342. [PMID: 27610704 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b08880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the present work, prototypes of polymeric cantilever-based magnetic microstructures were fabricated by means of stereolithography (SL). To this end, a UV-curable system suitable for high-resolution SL-processing was formulated by blending a bifunctional acrylic monomer with photoinitiator and visible dye whose content was tuned to tailor resin SL sensitivity. Subsequently, to confer ferromagnetic properties to the photopolymer, two different strategies were implemented. A two-step approach involved selective deposition of a metal layer on photopolymer SL-cured surfaces through an electroless plating process. On the other hand, SL-processable ferromagnetically responsive nanocomposites (FRCs) were obtained by directly loading magnetite nanoparticles within the photopolymer matrix. In order to achieve high-printing resolution, resin SL sensitivities were studied as a function of the various additives contents. Photocalorimetric analyses were also performed to investigate the photopolymer conversion efficiency upon light exposure. High-performing formulations were characterized by reduced penetration depth (<50 μm) and small critical energies thus enabling for fast printing of micrometric structures. Finally, the self-standing characteristics of the resin combined with the layered-fashion deposition typical of the 3D printing technologies were exploited for the fabrication of cantilever (CL)-based beams presented as possible magnetic sensors. As a demonstration of the feasibility of the two approaches, the magnetic beams were successfully actuated and their sensing performances in terms of static deflection vs applied magnetic field applied were qualitatively studied. Being not restricted to CL-based geometries, the combination of SL-printing with the formulation of novel smart photopolymers open the way toward the fabrication of high-customized complex 3D models integrating functional microstructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Credi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fiorese
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Tironi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Bernasconi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Magagnin
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marinella Levi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Turri
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Chiari M, Calzolari M, Prosperi A, Perulli S, Faccin F, Avisani D, Cerioli M, Zanoni M, Tironi M, Bertoletti M, Defilippo F, Moreno A, Farioli M, Piatti A, Dottori M, Lelli D, Lavazza A. Surveillance of Mosquitoes and Selected Arthropod-Borne Viruses in the Context of Milan EXPO 2015. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:ijerph13070689. [PMID: 27399756 PMCID: PMC4962230 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13070689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
From 1 May 2015 to 31 October 2015 over 20 million visitors from all over the world visited the Universal Exhibition (EXPO) hosted by Milan (Lombardy region, Italy), raising concerns about the possible introduction of mosquito-borne diseases from endemic countries. The entomological surveillance protocol performed in Lombardy over the last three years was implemented in the EXPO area and in the two major regional airports using both Center for Disease Control CO2 and Biogents Sentinel traps. This surveillance aimed to estimate the presence and densities of putative vectors, and also to support investigations, including the vector species involved and area of diffusion, on the local spread of Chikungunya, Dengue and West Nile viruses (WNV) by competent vectors. From 3544 mosquitoes belonging to five different species, 28 pools of Culex spp. and 45 pools of Aedes spp. were screened for the presence of WNV, and for both Chikungunya and flaviviruses, respectively. The entomological surveillance highlighted a low density of potential vectors in the surveyed areas and did not reveal the presence of Chikungunya or Dengue viruses in the local competent vectors inside the EXPO area or in the two airports. In addition, the surveillance reported a low density of Culex spp. mosquitoes, which all tested negative for WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Chiari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Alice Prosperi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Simona Perulli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Francesca Faccin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Dominga Avisani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Monica Cerioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Mariagrazia Zanoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Marco Tironi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Marco Bertoletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Francesco Defilippo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Ana Moreno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Marco Farioli
- Regional Health Authority of Lombardy, Milan 20124, Italy.
| | | | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia 25124, Italy.
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Conti E, Tremolizzo L, Santarone ME, Tironi M, Radice I, Zoia CP, Aliprandi A, Salmaggi A, Dominici R, Casati M, Appollonio I, Ferrarese C. Donepezil modulates the endogenous immune response: implications for Alzheimer's disease. Hum Psychopharmacol 2016; 31:296-303. [PMID: 27297668 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Donepezil (DNPZ) is a drug commonly used for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that may favour a T helper 2 phenotype leading to increased naturally occurring auto-antibodies (NAb) against beta-amyloid (Aβ). We hypothesized the involvement of the cholinergic receptors [α7-nicotnic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)] expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). METHODS Fifty patients with mild-to-moderate AD, DNPZ treated (DNPZ+, n = 25) or not (DNPZ-, n = 25), and 25 matched controls were enrolled and PBMC extracted for both in vitro cultures, and real-time polymerase chain reaction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Plasma samples were also obtained for Aβ and NAb determination. RESULTS Donepezil increased in vitro the expression of the transcription factor GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) through α7nAChR, because prevented by the specific antagonist methyllycaconitine. Ex vivo PBMC α7nAChR mRNA expression was increased in both AD groups, while GATA3 expression was not. A significant increase in the GATA3/interleukin 5 promoter association was found in DNPZ+ patients. Finally, DNPZ+ patients showed both significantly higher plasma levels of anti-Aβ NAb with respect to DNPZ- patients and Aβ 1-42 with respect to normal controls. CONCLUSIONS Donepezil might modulate a T helper 2 bias via α7nAChR leading to increased expression of NAb. Further studies on the role of the modulation of the immune response against Aβ may pave the way to innovative therapeutic strategies for AD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Conti
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lucio Tremolizzo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Elena Santarone
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Tironi
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Isabella Radice
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Paola Zoia
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberto Dominici
- Laboratory of Chemical and Clinical Analyses, Magenta Hospital, Italy
| | - Marco Casati
- Laboratory of Chemical and Clinical Analyses, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Ildebrando Appollonio
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, School of Medicine and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
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10
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Stefanoni G, Tironi M, Tremolizzo L, Fusco ML, DiFrancesco JC, Di Francesco J, Patassini M, Ferrarese C, Appollonio I. Brain targets: can you believe your own eyes? Neuroradiol J 2014; 27:133-7. [PMID: 24750697 DOI: 10.15274/nrj-2014-10025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unquestionable advantages provided by modern neuroimaging techniques have recently led some to question the duty of the neurologist, traditionally struggling first and foremost to establish the semeiotic localization of brain lesions and only then to interpret them. The present brief report of six clinical patients who came recently to our attention aims to emphasize that the interpretation of neuroimaging results always requires integration with anamnestic, clinical and laboratory data, together with knowledge of nosography and the literature. The solutions of the reported cases always originated from close interaction between the neurologist and the neuroradiologist, based on the initial diagnostic uncertainty linked to the finding of isolated or multiple brain target or ring lesions, too often considered paradigmatic examples of the pathognomonic role of neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Stefanoni
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy -
| | - Marco Tironi
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | - Lucio Tremolizzo
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Fusco
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | | | - Jacopo Di Francesco
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | - Mirko Patassini
- Neuroradiology Service, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
| | - Ildebrando Appollonio
- Neurology Department San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano Bicocca; Monza, Italy
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11
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Tremolizzo L, Tironi M, Ferrarese C, Appollonio I. Neuroleptic equivalent dose differences and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2013; 35:118-20. [PMID: 23392226 DOI: 10.1159/000346391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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12
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Tironi M, Tremolizzo L, Stefanoni G, Airoldi M, Motta E, Patassini M, Canonico F, Ferrarese C, Appollonio I. Back to the ring: knocking-out headache. Neurol Sci 2011; 33:941-3. [PMID: 22124852 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-011-0858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tironi
- Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
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13
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Ingrassia R, Savoldi GF, Caraffini A, Tironi M, Poiesi C, Williams P, Albertini A, Di Lorenzo D. Characterization of a novel transcription complex required for glucocorticoid regulation of the rat alpha-1-acid glycoprotein gene. DNA Cell Biol 1994; 13:615-27. [PMID: 8024704 DOI: 10.1089/dna.1994.13.615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) gene promoter contains several positive cis-acting sequences that are involved in the hormone regulation of its expression. We have characterized a new functionally important sequence located at -155 to -143 upstream from the glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE, -120 to -105). At least three nuclear proteins bind to this sequence (CTGTGGGAACAG), called the upstream regulatory element (URE). One of these proteins, AGP nuclear factor 4 (ANF-4), is the major component of the DNA-protein complex we detected in footprint and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments using rat liver, HTC(JZ-1) rat hepatoma cell extracts and affinity-purified proteins. Another is C/EBP beta, which also binds to three elements downstream from the GRE. The third protein is shown to have a molecular weight of 102 kD. Deletions and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that this complex of proteins is involved in the positive hormonal regulation of AGP gene transcription. Binding experiments revealed that ANF-4 and C/EBP beta binding sites are partially overlapping and require the palindromic structure of the URE for high-affinity binding. Southwestern (DNA-protein blot analysis) and cross-linking experiments with nuclear extracts from rat liver and HTC(JZ-1) rat hepatoma cells, revealed two identical constitutive binding activities with molecular masses of 66 and 102 kD. We concluded that this transcription complex is composed of three distinct proteins, ANF-4, C/EBP beta, and a 102-kD protein, and that they play an important role for the hormone regulation of AGP.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ingrassia
- Institute of Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy
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