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Mekis N, Bianchi T, Doyle C, Gauchat M, Geerling I, Linneman J, Staats S, Campeanu C. Gridless adult cervical spine radiography and its' effect on image quality and radiation dose: A phantom study. Radiography (Lond) 2024; 30:359-366. [PMID: 38141429 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.12.009] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Imaging of the cervical spine in general radiography is most frequently performed using an anti-scatter grid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a gridless setting on image quality and radiation dose during digital radiography of the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) cervical spine. METHODS A phantom study was performed with a variety of tube voltages (63-75 kV) with and without an anti-scatter grid. The tube current time product (mAs) and dose area product (DAP) were recorded and used to calculate effective dose (ED) and individual organ dose using PCXMC 2.0 software, as well as entrance surface dose (ESD) and objective image quality: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Subjective visual image quality grading characteristics (VGC) was performed by five qualified radiographers. RESULTS In a gridless setting, the AP and LAT positions showed significantly lower DAP (1.6 μGym2; 61.3 % and 1.6 μGym2; 51.2%), ESD (27.6 μGy; 57.3% and 77.2 μGy; 47.2%) and ED (4.2 μSv; 61.3% and 2.3 μSv; 48.9%). In a gridless setting in the AP position, there is a slight significant deterioration in image quality. In the lateral projection, on the other hand, the image quality without the use of grid was only significantly reduced in three of six criteria and there was no difference in the objective image quality between the two settings examined. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that gridless setting significantly decreases radiation dose and image quality, but the quality in the lateral projection is still acceptable for diagnostic purpose. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The protocol without the use of the anti-scatter grid in cervical spine radiography leads to a reduction in the radiation dose in both projections, but the image quality in the AP is significantly reduced for all criteria examined, with a slight deterioration in image quality in the lateral projection.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mekis
- University of Ljubljana, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Zdravstvena Pot 5, 100 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - T Bianchi
- Department of Technical Medical Radiology, School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Av. de Beaumont 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - C Doyle
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfied, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Ireland
| | - M Gauchat
- Department of Technical Medical Radiology, School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Av. de Beaumont 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - I Geerling
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Petrus Driessenstraat 3, 9714 CA Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - J Linneman
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Petrus Driessenstraat 3, 9714 CA Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - S Staats
- Radiography in Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Central University of the Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - C Campeanu
- Department of Technical Medical Radiology, School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Av. de Beaumont 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Jeske ST, Macedo MRP, Bianchi T, Leon ÍF, Pinheiro NB, Borsuk S, Villela M. Molecular characterization of Giardia lamblia and risk factors for giardiasis among immunocompromised patients in southern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2022; 82:e265055. [PMID: 36515297 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.265055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Giardia infections often cause diarrhea and stomach upset. Chronic infections can lead to malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, malabsorption and weight loss. This study assessed the prevalence of G. lambia infection and assessed associated risk factors among immunocompomised patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment in southern Brazil. A total of 110 immunocompromised patients in Pelotas, RS, Brazil, consented to participate in this study and were recruited. Socioeconomic and epidemiological profile of patients was collected by questionnaire. The prevalence for Giardia were determined through microscopy by the centrifugation-flotation technique using stool samples of every patient. In addition, the genetic characterization of the parasite was carried out by amplifying and sequencing the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. By microscopy, the prevalence of giardiasis was 17.3% (19/110). Furthermore, the DNA sequences revealed that 7 (36.8%) out of 19 isolates belonged to assemblage B, while 6 of them (31.6%) belonged to assemblage C, 5 (26.3%) to assemblage A and 1 (5.3%) to assemblage D. Risk factors (p ≤ 0.05) for giardiasis were schooling level (OR=8.0 (1.02 - 62.91) sharing a house with more than three people (OR=14.1 (3.77 - 52.51), water sources (OR=38.9 (10.4 - 145.7), sewage treatment (OR=14.2 (3.1 - 65.5), waste destination (OR=7.44 (2.0 - 27.3), owning pets (OR=4.6 (1.0 - 21.2) and cultivating a vegetable garden (OR=4.2 (1.3 - 13.6). The prevalence of G. lamblia in immunocompromised patients was considered elevate with the identification of four assemblage of the parasite (A, B, C and D).
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Jeske
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - M R P Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - T Bianchi
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Í F Leon
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - N B Pinheiro
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - S Borsuk
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-parasitária, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - M Villela
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
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Starace M, Viviani F, Carpanese MA, Alessandrini A, Sechi A, Patrizi A, Bianchi T. Diagnosis and Management of Intravenous Drug Users' Chronic Wounds: A Case Series Collection of a Single Center. INT J LOW EXTR WOUND 2022:15347346221121465. [PMID: 36036366 DOI: 10.1177/15347346221121465] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) represent a very small group of patients affected by chronic wounds (CWs). Objectives: To assess the risk factors for CWs in IVDUs, to improve their treatment. Methods: A retrospective review of 7 IVDUs with CWs was performed at the Dermatology of the University of Bologna. Results: A history of 10 years of the most frequent injection was heroin in the gaiter area. The most observed comorbidities were HIV, HCV and HBV. They were treated most with an alginate with silver dressing with an average follow-up of 2.8 years. Conclusions: We would like to highlight the importance of clinical history in this type of patients and that in our experience specialized skin wounds risk assessment and management could be useful, aside from traditional compression therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Starace
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), 18508University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Viviani
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), 18508University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M A Carpanese
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), 18508University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Alessandrini
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), 18508University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Sechi
- 198202UOC Dermatologia - Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy
| | - A Patrizi
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), 18508University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - T Bianchi
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italia
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Di Altobrando A, Patrizi A, Vara G, Merli Y, Bianchi T. Topical zinc oxide: an effective treatment option for erosive pustular dermatosis of the leg. Br J Dermatol 2019; 182:495-497. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Di Altobrando
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – Division of Dermatology University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - A. Patrizi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – Division of Dermatology University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - G. Vara
- University of Medicine and Surgery of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Y. Merli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – Division of Dermatology University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - T. Bianchi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – Division of Dermatology University of Bologna Bologna Italy
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Bianchi T, Wolcott R, Peghetti A, Leaper D, Cutting K, Polignano R, Rosa Rita Z, Moscatelli A, Greco A, Romanelli M, Pancani S, Bellingeri A, Ruggeri V, Postacchini L, Tedesco S, Manfredi L, Camerlingo M, Rowan S, Gabrielli A, Pomponio G. Recommendations for the management of biofilm: a consensus document. J Wound Care 2016; 25:305-17. [DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2016.25.6.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Bianchi
- UO Dermatologia AUSL Bologna – Istituto delle scienze neurologiche Bellaria, Bologna, Italy
| | - R.D. Wolcott
- Southwest Regional Wound Care Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - A. Peghetti
- Casa Di Cura Solatrix Rovereto, AISLeC Membership, Italy
| | - D. Leaper
- University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - K. Cutting
- Wound Care 4 Heroes and Perfectus Biomed, UK
| | - R. Polignano
- IOT Hospital Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Florence, Italy
| | - Z. Rosa Rita
- Ambulatorio Infermieristico ASS 1 Trieste, AISLeC Membership, Italy
| | - A. Moscatelli
- Lesioni Cutanee e Ambulatori Infermieristici Lesioni Cutanee SITRA, A.O. Legnano e Abbiategrasso, AISLeC Membership, Italy
| | - A. Greco
- Outpatient Wound Care Centre, Local Health Care System Frosinone, Italy
| | - M. Romanelli
- Division of Dermatology, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa Italy
| | - S. Pancani
- Burns Unit, Department of Neonatal and Emergency Surgery, “Meyer” Children's Hospital, Florence (Italy)
| | - A. Bellingeri
- Ambulatory vascular and wound care centre, Policlinic San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - V. Ruggeri
- Wound Care Centre - AOU Careggi, Firenze, AISLeC Membership, Italy
| | - L. Postacchini
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Istituto di Clinica Medica, AOU Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Italy
| | - S. Tedesco
- UO Dermatologia AUSL Bologna – Istituto delle scienze neurologiche Bellaria, Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Manfredi
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Istituto di Clinica Medica, AOU Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Italy
| | | | - S. Rowan
- University of Modena, C3S – Lecturer - Clinical Scientific Support Services, Italy
| | - A. Gabrielli
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Istituto di Clinica Medica, AOU Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Italy
| | - G. Pomponio
- Istituto di Clinica Medica, AOU Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Italy
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Santos LJ, Lemos FA, Bianchi T, Sachetti A, Dall' Acqua AM, Naue WS, Dias AS, Vieira SR. Early ambulation using a cycle ergometer on quadriceps muscle morphology in mechanically ventilated critically ILL patients in the intensive care unit: a randomized controlled trial. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4798335 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Santos LJ, Dall' Acqua AM, Sachetti A, Lemos FA, Bianchi T, Naue WS, Sbruzzi G, Dias AS, Vieira SR. Use of electrical neuromuscular stimulation to preserve the morphology of abdominal and chest muscles of critical patients: randomized clinical trial. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4796860 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T. [Asbestos at the time of the First World War]. Med Lav 2015; 106:424-430. [PMID: 26621063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th numerous asbestos industries began operations in various parts of the world. At the time of the First World War there is ample evidence of the use of this mineral in shipbuilding, the aircraft industry and in the construction industry. In the years 1912-17 the writer Franz Kafka was co-proprietor of a small asbestos factory in Prague. Some of the writer's novels and journal pages were inspired by this experience. In this way asbestos entered into the history of 20th century European literature. In 1917 asbestos extraction was started at the quarry in Balangero, near Turin, Italy. Risks related to the use of asbestos were known at the beginning of the 20th century and legislation aimed at preventing the harmful effects of the mineral were approved in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Centro di Studio e Docuemntazione sui Tumori Ambientali - Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori.
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Braga PC, Lattuada N, Greco V, Sibilia V, Falchi M, Bianchi T, Dal Sasso M. Diclofenac-Choline Antioxidant Activity Investigated by means of Luminol Amplified Chemiluminescence of Human Neutrophil Bursts and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2014; 65:244-51. [PMID: 24918344 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1377002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A new diclofenac salt called diclofenac-choline (DC) has recently been proposed for the symptomatic treatment of oropharyngeal inflammatory processes and pain because its greater water solubility allows the use of high concentrations, which are useful when the contact time between the drug and the oropharyngeal mucosa is brief, as in the case of mouthwashes or spray formulations. The antioxidant activity of DC has not yet been investigated, and so the aim was to use luminol-amplified-chemiluminescence (LACL) to verify whether various concentrations of DC (1.48, 0.74 and 0.37 mg/mL for incubation times of 2, 4 and 8 min) interfere with oxygen and nitrogen radicals during the course of human neutrophils respiratory bursts; electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to investigate its direct antiradical (scavenger) activity. The EPR findings showed that DC has concentration-dependent scavenging activity against the ABTS, the DPPH, and the hydroxyl radicals, but no activity on superoxide anion, as has been previously reported in the case of other NSAIDs. LACL revealed an inhibitory effect that was statistically significant after only 2 min of incubation, and similar after 4 and 8 min. The effects on the peroxynitrite radical paralleled those observed in the previous test. High concentrations and short incubation times showed that there is no interference on PMN viability, and so the inhibitory findings must be attributed to the effect of the drug. The anti-inflammatory effects of DC cannot be attributed solely to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, but its effects on free radicals and neutrophil bursts suggest that they may contribute to its final therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Braga
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - N Lattuada
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Greco
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Sibilia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Falchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - T Bianchi
- AVIS Comunale di Milano, Ospedale Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - M Dal Sasso
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T. Asbestos risk in archaeology. Med Lav 2014; 105:158. [PMID: 24909050] [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: 06/03/2023]
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Catucci I, Peterlongo P, Ciceri S, Colombo M, Pasquini G, Barile M, Bonanni B, Verderio P, Pizzamiglio S, Foglia C, Falanga A, Marchetti M, Galastri L, Bianchi T, Corna C, Ravagnani F, Bernard L, Fortuzzi S, Sardella D, Scuvera G, Peissel B, Manoukian S, Tondini C, Radice P. PALB2 sequencing in Italian familial breast cancer cases reveals a high-risk mutation recurrent in the province of Bergamo. Genet Med 2014; 16:688-94. [PMID: 24556926 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2014.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Monoallelic germ-line deleterious mutations of PALB2 (partner and localizer of BRCA2) are associated with breast cancer risk and have been found in several populations, with carrier frequencies of ~1-2%. Initially, these mutations were considered to have moderate penetrance, but accumulating evidence now indicates that they are associated with much higher risk. METHODS In this study, we sequenced the PALB2 coding regions unlinked to BRCA (breast cancer) genes in 575 probands from Italian breast cancer families recruited in Milan. RESULTS We found 12 carriers (2.1%) of deleterious mutations, and none of the mutations was found in 784 controls collected in Milan. One of these mutations, the c.1027C>T (p.Gln343X), was found to be recurrent in the province of Bergamo in northern Italy, being detected in 6/113 (5.3%) familial breast cancer cases and 2/477 (0.4%) controls recruited in this area (Fisher's exact test: P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our data provide confirmatory findings that, in the Italian population also, deleterious mutations of PALB2 are relatively frequent predisposing factors for breast cancer and may be associated with high risk of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Catucci
- 1] IFOM, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy [2] Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Peterlongo
- 1] IFOM, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy [2] Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Ciceri
- 1] IFOM, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy [2] Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Colombo
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Graziella Pasquini
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Barile
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Genetics, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernardo Bonanni
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Genetics, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Verderio
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pizzamiglio
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Foglia
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Falanga
- Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marina Marchetti
- Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Laura Galastri
- Associazione Italiana Volontari Sangue Comunale Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bianchi
- Associazione Italiana Volontari Sangue Comunale Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Corna
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Fernando Ravagnani
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Loris Bernard
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Cogentech, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Fortuzzi
- IFOM Cogentech, Consortium for Genomic Technologies, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giulietta Scuvera
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernard Peissel
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Siranoush Manoukian
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Tondini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Paolo Radice
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Pardini B, Verderio P, Pizzamiglio S, Nici C, Maiorana MV, Naccarati A, Vodickova L, Vymetalkova V, Veneroni S, Daidone MG, Ravagnani F, Bianchi T, Bujanda L, Carracedo A, Castells A, Ruiz-Ponte C, Morreau H, Howarth K, Jones A, Castellví-Bel S, Li L, Tomlinson I, Van Wezel T, Vodicka P, Radice P, Peterlongo P. Association between CASP8 -652 6N del polymorphism (rs3834129) and colorectal cancer risk: results from a multi-centric study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85538. [PMID: 24465592 PMCID: PMC3897464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The common −652 6N del variant in the CASP8 promoter (rs3834129) has been described as a putative low-penetrance risk factor for different cancer types. In particular, some studies suggested that the deleted allele (del) was inversely associated with CRC risk while other analyses failed to confirm this. Hence, to better understand the role of this variant in the risk of developing CRC, we performed a multi-centric case-control study. In the study, the variant −652 6N del was genotyped in a total of 6,733 CRC cases and 7,576 controls recruited by six different centers located in Spain, Italy, USA, England, Czech Republic and the Netherlands collaborating to the international consortium COGENT (COlorectal cancer GENeTics). Our analysis indicated that rs3834129 was not associated with CRC risk in the full data set. However, the del allele was under-represented in one set of cases with a family history of CRC (per allele model OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.69–0.90) suggesting this allele might be a protective factor versus familial CRC. Since this multi-centric case-control study was performed on a very large sample size, it provided robust clarification of the effect of rs3834129 on the risk of developing CRC in Caucasians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Pardini
- Genomic Variation in Human Populations and Complex Diseases Unit, Human Genetics Foundation, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Paolo Verderio
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Pizzamiglio
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Bioinformatics, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmela Nici
- Fondazione Istituto Italian Foundation for Cancer Research di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Maiorana
- Fondazione Istituto Italian Foundation for Cancer Research di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Naccarati
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Human Genetics Foundation, Turin, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludmila Vodickova
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Vymetalkova
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Silvia Veneroni
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Daidone
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Fernando Ravagnani
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bianchi
- Associazione Italiana Volontari Sangue Comunale Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luis Bujanda
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Donostia, Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Basque Country University, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Angel Carracedo
- Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Genomics Medicine Group, Hospital Clínico, Santiago de Compostela, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Antoni Castells
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Clara Ruiz-Ponte
- Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Genomics Medicine Group, Hospital Clínico, Santiago de Compostela, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Hans Morreau
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley Howarth
- Molecular and Population Genetics Laboratory and National Institute for Health Research Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Jones
- Molecular and Population Genetics Laboratory and National Institute for Health Research Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sergi Castellví-Bel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Li Li
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ian Tomlinson
- Molecular and Population Genetics Laboratory and National Institute for Health Research Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Van Wezel
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pavel Vodicka
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paolo Radice
- Unit of Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk and Genetic Testing, Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Peterlongo
- Fondazione Istituto Italian Foundation for Cancer Research di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy
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D’Alessandro S, Basilico N, Corbett Y, Parapini S, Silvestrini F, Dechering K, Bianchi T, Verducci P, Sauerwein R, Alano P, Taramelli D. A new P. falciparum gametocyte drug screening assay based on pLDH detection. Malar J 2012. [PMCID: PMC3472259 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-s1-o34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Braga PC, Marabini L, Wang YY, Lattuada N, Calò R, Bertelli A, Falchi M, Dal Sasso M, Bianchi T. Characterisation of the antioxidant effects of Aesculus hippocastanum L. bark extract on the basis of radical scavenging activity, the chemiluminescence of human neutrophil bursts and lipoperoxidation assay. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2012; 16 Suppl 3:1-9. [PMID: 22957412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Oxidative stress is increasingly recognised as a pivotal factor that plays a number of roles in the inflammatory response to environmental signals. It has been claimed that Aesculus hippocastanum extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, but these claims are mainly based on the results of chemical reactions and folk-medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS The aim of this study was to examine whether a bark extract of Aesculus hippocastanum interferes with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) during the course of human neutrophil respiratory bursts, and to establish the lowest concentration at which it still has antioxidant activity by means of luminol amplified chemiluminescence (LACL). We also studied its ability to counteract lipid peroxidation (LPO) in human cells. Before investigating its antioxidant effects on human cells, we analysed its scavenging activity against ABTS*+, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and Fremy's salt (those last three by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry). RESULTS The extract of Aesculus hippocastanum exerted its anti-ROS/RNS activity in a concentration-dependent manner with significant effects being observed for even very low concentrations: 10 microg/ml without L-Arg, and 5 microg/ml when L-Arg was added to the fMLP test. The LPO assay confirmed these results, which were paralleled by the EPR study. CONCLUSIONS These findings are interesting for improving the antioxidant network and restoring redox balance in human cells, and extend the possibility of using plant-derived molecules to antagonise the oxidative stress generated in living organisms when the balance is in favour of free radicals as a result of the depletion of cell antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Braga
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine,University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Peterlongo P, Caleca L, Cattaneo E, Ravagnani F, Bianchi T, Galastri L, Bernard L, Ficarazzi F, Dall'olio V, Marme F, Langheinz A, Sohn C, Burwinkel B, Giles GG, Baglietto L, Severi G, Odefrey FA, Southey MC, Osorio A, Fernandez F, Alonso MR, Benitez J, Barile M, Peissel B, Manoukian S, Radice P. The rs12975333 variant in the miR-125a and breast cancer risk in Germany, Italy, Australia and Spain. J Med Genet 2011; 48:703-4. [DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2011-100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Spallino A, Marabini L, Bianchi T, Nappi G. Effects of sulphurous water on human neutrophil elastase release. Ther Adv Respir Dis 2010; 4:333-40. [DOI: 10.1177/1753465810376783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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] Open
Abstract
Background: Molecules bearing a sulphide (HS) group, such as glutathione, play a fundamental role in the defensive system of human airways, as shown by the fact that the lining fluid covering the epithelia of the respiratory tract contains very high concentrations of glutathione: the lungs and nose, respectively, contain about 140 and 40 times the concentrations found in plasma. Consequently, various low-weight soluble molecules bearing an HS group (including N-acetylcysteine, mesna and thiopronine, and prodrugs such as stepronine and erdosteine) have been used for therapeutic purposes. HS groups can also be therapeutically administered by means of sulphurous thermal water containing HS groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct activity of such water on the release of elastase by activated human neutrophils. Method: After the neutrophils were incubated with increasing amounts of sulphurous water or the HS/hydrogen sulphide donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), elastase release was initiated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and measured by means of spectrofluorimetry using methylsuccinylalanylprolylvalyl-methylcoumarin amide as the fluorogenic substrate. To verify the presence of direct action on elastase we determined the diameter of the area of elastinolysis on elastine-agarose gel plates. Results: The sulphurous water significantly inhibited elastase release at HS concentrations ranging from 4.5 to 18 μg/ml, as assayed using the iodometric method; in the case of NaHS, the inhibition was significant at HS concentrations ranging from 2.2 to 18 μg/ml. The concentration-effect regression lines of both were parallel and neither showed any direct elastolytic activity. Conclusions: Previous claims concerning the activity of sulphurous water have been based on the patients’ subjective sense of wellbeing and on symptomatic (or general) clinical improvements that are not easy to define or quantify exactly. Our findings indicate that, in addition to its known mucolytic and antioxidant activity, sulphurous water also has an anti-elastase activity that may help to control the inflammatory processes of upper and lower airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Carlo Braga
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy,
| | - Monica Dal Sasso
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Culici
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Spallino
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Marabini
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Nappi
- Center of SPA Thermal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T. [Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura among Finance Police personnel]. Med Lav 2009; 100:313. [PMID: 19764192] [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: 05/28/2023]
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Collina G, Morandi L, Bianchi T. HPV16 identification in pigmented lesions of genital skin. Pathologica 2008; 100:206. [PMID: 18841831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G Collina
- Sezione di Anatomia Istologia e Citologia Patologica, AUSL di Bologna, Università di Bologna.
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T, Tommasi M. [Mesothelioma of the pleura in the Province of Trieste]. Med Lav 2007; 98:374-80. [PMID: 17907531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Province of Trieste, north-eastern Italy (population about 240,000), has been identified as an area with a high incidence of pleural mesothelioma. OBJECTIVES (i) To obtain preliminary data on the trend of the mesothelioma epidemic in the Province of Trieste during the last six years; (ii) to define the cases in terms of asbestos exposure. METHODS Pleural mesotheliomas diagnosed at the Department of Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, Trieste University, in the period January 2001-May 2006 were reviewed. The histological diagnosis was generally based on material obtained at thoracoscopy, pleurectomy, or pleuropneumonectomy. In three cases the pathological diagnosis was made by biopsy of the thoracic wall, and in a further three cases by cytological examination ofpleuralfluid. Detailed occupational histories were obtained from the patients themselves at the time of first admission. RESULTS The group included 99 people resident in the Province of Trieste (89 men and 10 women, aged between 43 and 89 years). On the basis of the occupational history, 95 cases were defined as asbestos-related. A majority ofpatients had been employed in marine work, including shipbuilding (46 cases), port activity (13 cases), and maritime trades (8 cases). Thirteen patients had worked in other industries (iron industry, petrochemical, etc.). Fourteen people had been employed in a variety of occupations (fire-fighter, lift mechanic, cinema projectionist, pastry worker, telephone technician, etc.). Five women had histories of exposure to asbestos at home. About 70% of the patients had their first exposure to asbestos before 1960. Two-thirds of the cases were exposed to asbestos for 20 years or more. Latency periods (time intervals elapsed between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of mesothelioma) rangedfrom 25 to 71 years (mean 49.3, median 49.0). One patient had a history ofprior thoracic irradiationfor Hodgkin's disease. CONCLUSIONS In the Province of Trieste the mesothelioma epidemic does not show any signs of abatement. Besides marine work, a variety of other occupations appear to be associated with the tumour in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Centro di Studio e Documentazione sui Tumori Ambientali, Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori, Ospedale di Monfalcone, Monfalcone.
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Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Bianchi T, Bordoni L, Marabini L. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Thymol: Inhibitory Effect on the Release of Human Neutrophil Elastase. Pharmacology 2006; 77:130-6. [PMID: 16763380 DOI: 10.1159/000093790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Accepted: 04/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Elastase, a serine proteinase released by activated human neutrophils, can degrade a wide variety of biomacromolecules including elastin, and is considered a marker of inflammatory diseases. As the logical strategy to protect tissue is to inhibit excessive elastase activity, experimental and clinical researches have concentrated on trying to find efficient elastase inhibitors. As thymol, one of the major components of thyme oil with a phenolic structure, has been credited with a series of pharmacological properties, that include antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, the aim of this study was to explore whether it can also interfere with the release of elastase by human neutrophils stimulated with the synthetic chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). After the neutrophils were incubated with increasing amounts of thymol (2.5, 5, 10, 20 microg/ml), elastase release was initiated by fMLP and measured using MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-MCA. The results showed that thymol inhibited fMLP-induced elastase release in a concentration-dependent manner, with the effects of 10 and 20 microg/ml being statistically significant. The behavior of cytosolic calcium mobilization revealed by fura-2 closely resembled that of elastase, thus suggesting that they may be related. The hydrophobic nature of thymol means that it can approach ion channel proteins through the lipid phase of the membrane, alter the local environment of calcium channels and thus inhibit capacitative calcium entry. In brief, thymol inactivates calcium channels machinery, thus triggering a corresponding reduction in elastase. The antibacterial and antimycotic activity of thymol is already well known, but our findings that it inhibits elastase extend our knowledge of the anti-inflammatory activity of this interesting molecule that is already credited with antioxidant activity. These two latter characteristics make thymol a molecule that can have helpful effects in controlling the inflammatory processes present in many infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Carlo Braga
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Santambrogio L, Bianchi T, Fuardo M, Gazzoli F, Veronesi R, Braschi A, Maurelli M. Right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device insertion: preoperative risk factors. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2006; 5:379-82. [PMID: 17670597 DOI: 10.1510/icvts.2006.128322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device placement is the major concern on weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and it is one of the most serious complications in the postoperative period. This complication has a poor prognosis and is generally unpredictable. The identification of pre-operative risk factor for this serious complication is incomplete yet. In order to determine pre-operative risk for severe right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device support we analyzed preoperative hemodynamics, laboratory data and characteristics of 48 patients who received Novacor (World Heart Corp., Ottawa, ON, Canada). We compared the data from the patients who developed right ventricular failure and the patients who did not. Right ventricular failure occurred in 16% of the patients. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic characteristics. We identified as preoperative risk factors the pre-operative low mean pulmonary artery and the impairment of hepatic and renal function on laboratory data. Our results confirm in part the findings of the few previous studies. This information may be useful for the patient selection for isolated left ventricular assist device implantation, but other studies are necessary before establishing criteria for patient selection for univentricular support universally accepted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Santambrogio
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care-Policlinico San Matteo, via Donatello 7, 20020 Villa Cortese (MI), Pavia, Italy.
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La Placa M, Ambretti S, Bonvicini F, Venturoli S, Bianchi T, Varotti C, Zerbini M, Musiani M. Human papillomavirus in melanoma: reply from authors. Br J Dermatol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.07100.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
In contrast to other cell cycle inhibitors, the tumor suppressor p16Ink4a is not detectable or expressed at very low levels in embryonic and adult mouse tissues, and therefore it has often been considered as a specialized checkpoint protein that does not participate in the control of normal cell cycle progression. However, Ink4a-/- mice possess increased thymus size and cellularity, thus suggesting the involvement of p16(Ink4a) in the control of thymocyte proliferation. In this study, we found increased numbers of CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes in thymus and spleen from Ink4a-/- mice. Unexpectedly, this was not related to an increase in T-cell division rates, which were similar in lymphoid organs of Ink4a-/- and wild-type mice. In contrast, T-cell apoptosis rates were significantly decreased in thymus and spleen from Ink4a-/- mice. Moreover, whereas p16Ink4a-deficient and wild-type T cells were equally sensitive to Fas or TCR-mediated apoptosis, the former were clearly more resistant to apoptosis induced by oxidative stress or gamma irradiation. Our results indicate that p16Ink4a function is associated with T-cell apoptosis, and subsequently contributes to the control of T-cell population size in lymphoid organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bianchi
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T, Grandi G. Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura among seafarers. Med Lav 2005; 96:490-5. [PMID: 16983974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large amount of data indicates that seafarers are at risk for asbestos disease. OBJECTIVES To trace the outlines of pleural mesothelioma among seafarers. METHODS Pleural mesotheliomas diagnosed among seamen in the Trieste-Monfalcone area, Italy, in the period 1973-2003, were reviewed. RESULTS The series comprised 50 men aged between 53 and 91 years (mean age 75.7 years). The diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed by necropsy in 38 cases. The patients had served in the Italian Navy (24 persons), in the merchant navy (17 persons), or in both (9 persons). The trades were various including engine room as well as deck personnel. Asbestos bodies were detected on routine lung sections in 55% of the necropsy cases. Asbestos bodies isolated from the lungs in three cases ranged between 2100 and 7000 bodies per gram of dried tissue. Latency periods ranged between 33 and 72 years (mean 56.1 years). CONCLUSIONS When compared with shipyard workers, the seamen with mesothelioma show signs of less intense exposure to asbestos, and longer latency periods. Mesothelioma in seamen should be considered as an occupational disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Center for the Study of Environmental Cancer, Italian League Against Cancer, Monfalcone Hospital, Italy.
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Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Bianchi T, Guffanti EE. Budesonide reduces superoxide and peroxynitrite anion chemiluminescence during human neutrophil bursts. Pharmacology 2005; 75:179-86. [PMID: 16192748 DOI: 10.1159/000088623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2005] [Accepted: 07/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many lung disorders are characterized by airway inflammation involving the recruitment of inflammatory cells, and leading to the release of oxidant and inflammatory mediators. The overproduction of superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) and nitric oxide (NO) during the respiratory bursts of neutrophils leads to production of peroxynitrite, a highly damaging oxidant with an important role in the inflammatory loop causing airway hyper-reactivity in respiratory diseases like asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effects of a 1-hour incubation with budesonide at 2.5 x 10(-7), 5 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6), 2 x 10(-6) and 4 x 10(-6) mol/l on O(2)(*-), NO, and peroxynitrite production during the respiratory burst of human neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP, 5 x 10(-7) mol/l) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 2 x 10(-6) mol/l), as documented by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (LACL). In absence of L-arginine, budesonide (5 x 10(-7) to 4 x 10(-6) mol/l) dose-dependently reduced both fMLP- and PMA-induced LACL (18.3-50.6%). In the presence of L-arginine (100 microg/ml), a NO donor increasing peroxynitrite production, LACL increased 3-5 times compared with baseline, but budesonide dose-dependently reduced LACL (25.5-59.6%). Mifepristone (4 x 10(-6) mol/l), a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, inhibited the effect of budesonide on LACL, thus confirming that budesonide reacts with glucocorticoid receptors to exert an antioxidant activity. These results suggest that budesonide target rapidly human neutrophils leading to a fast reduction in both NO and peroxynitrite production, and are consistent with decrease in exhaled NO levels after treatment with budesonide in patients with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Carlo Braga
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Veronesi R, Maurelli M, Bianchi T, Toscani M, Via G, Villani MA, Pettinella S, Santambrogio LG, Fuardo M. Mitral Valve Repair and Cardiac Transplantation in a Patient With Factor XII Deficiency. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2005; 19:419-20. [PMID: 16130082 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2004.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 11/11/2022]
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La Placa M, Ambretti S, Bonvicini F, Venturoli S, Bianchi T, Varotti C, Zerbini M, Musiani M. Presence of high-risk mucosal human papillomavirus genotypes in primary melanoma and in acquired dysplastic melanocytic naevi. Br J Dermatol 2005; 152:909-14. [PMID: 15888145 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06344.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies have shown that cutaneous and mucosal melanoma biopsy specimens harbour human papillomavirus (HPV), suggesting that this virus may play a role in development and progression of the tumour. OBJECTIVES To investigate the presence of HPV DNA and the prevalence of different high-risk mucosal HPV genotypes in primary melanoma (PM) and in acquired dysplastic melanocytic naevi (ADMN). METHODS Fifty-one PMs from 18 men and 33 women (median age 55.5 years), 33 ADMN from 15 men and 18 women (median age 35.1 years) and 20 control skin samples from nine men and 11 women (median age 43.5 years) were studied. All diagnoses were made after histological analysis. HPV DNA analysis was made using two different polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) methods, namely MY-PCR and GP-PCR. RESULTS Using GP-PCR, mucosal HPVs were detected in 14 PMs (27%; P = 0.0166) and eight ADMN (24%; P = 0.0367), while with MY-PCR, mucosal HPVs were found in 11 PMs (22%; P = 0.04) and five ADMN (15%; P not significant). All control skin samples were negative for mucosal HPVs with both DNA amplification procedures. CONCLUSIONS Using our PCR-ELISA methods, the detection of mucosal high-risk HPV genotypes in 24% of precursor lesions (ADMN) and in 27% of PMs adds to the body of evidence indicating a colocalization of mucosal HPV and tumoral melanocytic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M La Placa
- Sections of Dermatology and Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Guffanti EE, Bianchi T, Fonti E, Braga PC. A combination of budesonide and the SH-metabolite I of erdosteine acts synergistically in reducing chemiluminescence during human neutrophil respiratory burst. Pharmacology 2005; 74:127-34. [PMID: 15753624 DOI: 10.1159/000084295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2004] [Accepted: 01/10/2005] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Activated neutrophils can release superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO), which subsequently combine with each other to yield peroxynitrite anions, powerful and harmful oxidants that preferentially mediate the oxidation of the thiol groups in proteins and non-protein molecules. These oxidants play a direct role in the inflammatory process in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma by increasing the number of neutrophils and macrophages that induce a self-sustaining phlogogenic loop. Budesonide (BUD) and erdosteine (a muco-active drug which, after metabolization, produces an active metabolite (Met I) with a sulfhydryl group) are both active in reducing the release of superoxide anion, NO and peroxynitrite, and can be administered to patients with respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible synergistic in vitro effect of BUD and Met I on chemiluminescence generation during fMLP-stimulated respiratory bursts of human neutrophils with the NO donor L-arginine, added to the incubating medium. The investigated BUD concentrations ranged from 6 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/l in logarithmic scale and a significant and progressive reduction in luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (LACL) was observed at concentrations ranging from 2.5 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/l. The investigated concentrations of Met I varied from 0.62 to 10 microg/ml. No significant changes were observed at 0.62, 1.25, and 2.5 microg/ml, but a significant decrease in LACL was observed at 5 and 10 microg/ml. When the two drugs were combined, there was a greater significant decrease in LACL versus the single drugs with the combinations of BUD 1 x 10(-6) mol/l plus Met I 10 microg/ml, BUD 5 x 10(-7) mol/l plus Met I 5 microg/ml, BUD 2.5 x 10(-7) mol/l plus Met I 2.5 microg/ml, and BUD 1.25 x 10(-7) mol/l plus Met I 1.25 microg/ml. A further interesting finding was that the combination of BUD 2.5 x 10(-7) mol/l plus Met I 2.5 microg/ml and BUD 1.25 x 10(-7) mol/l plus Met I 1.25 microg/ml significantly decreased LACL, whereas the single concentrations had no significant effect, thus indicating the possibility of extending the duration of the effect. Our findings indicate a synergistic antioxidant effect when BUD and Met I are given together, which is of interest for counteracting the airway phlogosis involved in many respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Dal Sasso
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Bianchi C, Bianchi T, Ramani L. [Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura among women]. Med Lav 2004; 95:376-80. [PMID: 15595200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiological features of mesothelioma among women differ from those observed among men. OBJECTIVES To trace the outline of pleural mesothelioma among women in the Monfalcone area, Italy. METHODS Thirty-three malignant mesotheliomas of the pleura observed in female patients at the Hospital of Monfalcone, Italy, in the period 1979-2002 were reviewed. The diagnosis was based on/or confirmed by necropsy findings in 30 cases. Occupational and social histories were obtained from the patients themselves or from their relatives by personal or telephone interviews. In 29 necropsy cases thoracic cavities were examined for the presence of pleural plaques. Routine lung section were examined for asbestos bodies in 30 cases. In 21 cases asbestos bodies were isolated and counted after chemical digestion of lung tissue. RESULTS The age of the patients ranged between 48 and 89 years (mean 72.85, median 73.00). All the patients had histories of exposure to asbestos, single in 25 cases and mixed in 8. Exposure at home due to cleaning of work clothes was the most frequent type of exposure. Various patients had been exposed in non-asbestos text industries (cotton mills). Unusual types of exposure occurred in some cases (distillery, small sodium carbonate factory, starch factory). The latency periods (time intervals elapsed between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of the tumour), calculated in 23 cases, ranged from 34 to 62 years. Pleural plaques were found in 21 cases. Twelve patients showed asbestos bodies on routine lung sections. The asbestos body burden ranged between only a few bodies and 92,000/g dried tissue. CONCLUSIONS In contrast with other series of mesothelioma among women, all the present cases were attributable to asbestos. The detection of objective signs of exposure (pleural plaques, lung asbestos bodies) played a key role in attribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Centro di Studio e Documentazione sui Tumori Ambientali, Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori, Ospedale di Monfalcone, Monfalcone.
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Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Bianchi T, Fonti E, Braga PC. Inhibitory Effects of Metabolite I of Erdosteine on the Generation of Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite Chemiluminescence by Human Neutrophils. Pharmacology 2004; 71:120-7. [PMID: 15161993 DOI: 10.1159/000077445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Received: 10/09/2003] [Accepted: 10/21/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) can generate superoxide anions and nitric oxide (NO), which is not only an important mediator of various cellular activities, but can also react with superoxide anions to produce peroxynitrite anions (ONOO-). Peroxynitrite is a potent and potentially toxic oxidant that damages various types of biomolecules. It preferentially mediates the oxidation of thiolic groups in protein and non-protein molecules, thus altering their functions. The aim of this study was to examine whether, in addition to its ability to reduce the respiratory bursts of human PMNs, the SH metabolite I (Met I) of erdosteine, can interfere with NO and NO-derived peroxynitrite production, thus extending its antioxidant activity. This was done by means of the luminol amplified chemiluminescence (LACL), which has been widely used to detect the production of reactive oxidant species (ROS) by PMNs under various conditions. At 5 and 10 microg/ml, Met I significantly reduced LACL after fMLP and PMA stimulation. When L-Arg was added to the reaction medium, as a NO donor, the chemiluminescence of fMLP increased by up to 67% and that of PMA by up to 132%, but was once again significantly reduced by 5 and 10 microg/ml of Met I. In a cell-free system, the use of linsidomine (SIN-1) makes it possible to investigate the behavior of LACL induced by peroxynitrite release, which was significantly reduced by Met I concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 10 microg/ml. Our findings indicate that Met I, a molecule with a SH group, reacts with ROS, NO and NO-derived peroxynitrite, and has both antioxidant and scavenging activity. This is of interest for the strategy of protecting against damage induced by radical species in the pulmonary cell environment, in which they can induce a phlogogenic loop, and suggests that adding exogenous thiols may be useful in antagonizing the toxic effects of reactive molecules on endogenous thiols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Dal Sasso
- Center of Respiratory Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Bianchi C, Brollo A, Ramani L, Bianchi T. Malignant mesothelioma in central and Eastern Europe. Acta Med Croatica 2001; 54:161-4. [PMID: 11379480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
To obtain data on mesothelioma incidence in Central and Eastern Europe, a short questionnaire was sent to 83 researchers from 19 countries. The questions referred to the approximate number of mesotheliomas diagnosed per year in the country, degree of asbestos consumption, and percentage of lung carcinomas attributable to asbestos. Answers were received from 12 countries. For some major asbestos producers and/or consumers, such as Russia and Ukraine, mesothelioma data were unavailable or unreliable. In various countries of Central-Eastern Europe, the crude incidence of mesothelioma appeared to be lower than in Western countries. The reported annual numbers of mesotheliomas were 120 in Poland, 133 in Romania, and 78 in Hungary. Among the countries with a population of 5 million or less, the highest incidence was observed in Croatia (46 cases per year, peritoneal tumors not included). Data on the percentage of asbestos-related lung carcinomas are lacking. The knowledge about asbestos related cancer in Central and Eastern Europe remains fragmentary. Further investigations in this relevant area of public health should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, Hospital of Monfalcone, Via Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy
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Bianchi C, Brollo A, Ramani L, Bianchi T, Giarelli L. Asbestos exposure in malignant mesothelioma of the pleura: a survey of 557 cases. Ind Health 2001; 39:161-167. [PMID: 11341546 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.39.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A series of 557 malignant mesotheliomas of the pleura diagnosed in the Trieste-Monfalcone area, Italy, in the period 1968-2000 were reviewed. The series included 492 men and 65 women, aged between 32 and 93 years (median age 69 years). Necropsy findings were available in 456 cases (82%). Occupational histories were obtained from the patients themselves or from their relatives by personal or telephone interviews. Routine lung sections were examined for asbestos bodies in 442 cases. In 109 cases isolation and counting of asbestos bodies were performed. A majority of people had histories of working in the shipyards. Asbestos bodies were observed in lung sections in 67% of the cases. Lung asbestos body burdens after isolation ranged between 20 bodies and about 10 millions of bodies/g dried tissue. Latency periods (time intervals between first exposure to asbestos and death) ranged between 14 and 75 years (mean 48.8 years, median 51.0). Latency periods among insulators and dock workers were shorter than among the other categories. High asbestos consumption occurred in many countries in the 1960s and in the 1970s. The data on latency periods obtained in the present study suggest that a world mesothelioma epidemic has to be expected in the coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bianchi
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, Hospital of Monfalcone, Italy
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Ceriana P, Maurelli M, Bianchi T, Veronesi R, Cortis G, Pagnin A, D'Armini A, De Amici D. [Single lung transplantation retrospective analysis of intraoperative cardiovascular problems]. Minerva Anestesiol 2001; 67:61-9. [PMID: 11360899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysis of haemodynamic problems during single-lung transplantation and of methodologies employed for their treatment. METHODS DESIGN OF THE STUDY clinical retrospective study. SETTING General University Hospital. PATIENTS patients with irreversible lung disease, either parenchymal or vascular, undergoing single lung transplantation. INTERVENTIONS recording of circulatory failure episodes and treatment with pharmacologic support or cardiopulmonary bypass. Modifications occurring during the study period with respect to drugs administered. Evaluation of the consequences of cardiopulmonary bypass on the postoperative outcome, namely on the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit. RESULTS During the last 9 years 69 single-lung transplantations have been performed. In 50% of cases a pharmacologic support has been employed; the drug association dobutamine/nitroprusside has been gradually replaced by the association norepinephrine/nitric oxide for the treatment of right ventricular failure. Twenty patients required cardiopulmonary bypass and this caused a significant increase of the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS Hemodynamic changes during lung transplantation are complex and often severe, leading to a clinical status of right ventricular failure, that sometime requires a mechanical circulatory support. The introduction of nitric oxide in clinical practice significantly contributed to the optimization of intraoperative cardiocirculatory profile of patients, leading to a reduction in the use of vasoactive drugs and cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ceriana
- IRCCS Fondazione S. Maugeri Centro Medico di Pavia, Divisione di Pneumologia Riabilitativa, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bianchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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van Meerwijk JP, Bianchi T, Marguerat S, MacDonald HR. Thymic lineage commitment rather than selection causes genetic variations in size of CD4 and CD8 compartments. J Immunol 1998; 160:3649-54. [PMID: 9558064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During their development, immature CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes become committed to either the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Subsequent complete maturation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells requires a molecular match of the expressed coreceptor and the MHC specificity of the TCR. The final size of the mature CD4+ and CD8+ thymic compartments is therefore determined by a combination of lineage commitment and TCR-mediated selection. In humans and mice, the relative size of CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral T cell compartments shows marked genetic variability. We show here that genetic variations in thymic lineage commitment, rather than TCR-mediated selection processes, are responsible for the distinct CD4/CD8 ratios observed in common inbred mouse strains. Genetic variations in the regulation of lineage commitment open new ways to analyze this process and to identify the molecules involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P van Meerwijk
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Smitsaart EN, Zanelli M, Rivera I, Fondevila N, Compaired D, Maradei E, Bianchi T, O'Donnell V, Schudel AA. Assessment using ELISA of the herd immunity levels induced in cattle by foot-and-mouth disease oil vaccines. Prev Vet Med 1998; 33:283-96. [PMID: 9500182 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(97)00014-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of a liquid-phase blocking sandwich ELISA (LPBE) to measure antibodies (Ab) produced in cattle with the O, A and C foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) types of commercial vaccines used in Argentina is described. The test was specific: 99% of naïve cattle sera (n = 130) gave titres below log10 = 1.2, and none had a titre above log10 = 1.5. Comparative studies with serum neutralization test (SNT) using sera from cattle which received one or more vaccine doses is reported. The overall rank correlation coefficient (Spearman's rho, rs) between SNT and LPBE were highly significant (rs > 0.67, P < 0.0001) for all vaccine strains. LBPE Ab titres on sera collected 90 days post vaccination were compared with results of cattle protection tests by applying a logistic regression. The minimum Ab titres at which 85% and 75% of the cattle were protected for each FMDV type were determined in order to interpret field Ab data in terms of protection. Application of this method allows large scale serological examinations to monitor antibody levels in vaccinated animals as an indirect indicator of the FMD control program status in the field. Its use in the evaluation of commercial batches of FMD vaccine is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Smitsaart
- Instituto de Virología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, INTA, Pcia, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Senni M, Chauvaud S, Crupi G, Procopio A, Bianchi T. Early and intermediate term results of Carpentier's repair for Ebstein's anomaly. G Ital Cardiol 1996; 26:1415-20. [PMID: 9080202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various surgical techniques have been used for correction of Ebstein's anomaly. This paper reports our early and intermediate term results for repair of this disease using the technique initially employed by Carpentier. PATIENTS AND METHODS Since December 1987 through December 1991, 13 consecutive patients with Ebstein's anomaly underwent a Carpentier's type of repair. Their mean age was 16.3 years ranging from 6 to 51 years. The indications for operation were advanced NYHA functional class (III-IV) in 4 cases, cyanosis in 4, severe arrhythmia in 3 and cyanosis with arrhythmia in 2. Associated malformations were present in 9 patients. Eight had an atrial septal defect and four of them had, also, mitral prolapse whereas the remaining patient had a ventricular septal defect with subaortic stenosis. Tricuspid regurgitation was severe in 12 cases and moderate in one. According to the anatomo-functional classification described by Carpentier, seven patients had Ebstein's type C, whereas a type B was present in five patients and only one patient had a type A. RESULTS There were three hospital deaths all of which occurred in patients with type C anomaly. Causes of death were respectively low output syndrome, sepsis and cerebral hemorrhage. Follow-up ranged from 49 to 105 months (median 58 months). There were no late deaths and all patients were in NYHA functional class I or II. Preoperative arrhythmia was improved or abolished in 4 out of 5 patients. Echocardiography showed that tricuspid regurgitation was absent in 2, mild in 4, moderate in 3 and severe in the remaining patient. CONCLUSIONS Repair of Ebstein's anomaly, using the technique reported by Carpentier, can be accomplished with an acceptable operative risk and satisfactory intermediate term results. Echocardiography has an important role in the diagnosis of Ebstein's anomaly as well as in the indications and timing for repair and it is particularly useful for intra- and postoperative monitoring and anatomofunctional evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Senni
- Divisione di Cardiochirurgia, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo
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Robiolo B, Grigera PR, Periolo OH, Seki C, Bianchi T, Maradei E, La Torre JL. Assessment of foot and mouth disease vaccine potency by liquid-phase blocking ELISA: a proposal for an alternative to the challenge procedure in Argentina. Vaccine 1995; 13:1346-52. [PMID: 8585292 DOI: 10.1016/0264-410x(94)00084-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The lowest expected protection (LEP) at a 95% confidence of 245 foot and mouth disease (FMD) commercial vaccines was calculated from the titres of liquid-phase blocking sandwich ELISA (lpELISA) of cattle sera obtained from 3920 animals at 60 days post-vaccination (d.p.v.) and challenged with live virus at 90 d.p.v. It was found that LEP evaluation is highly specific (i.e. it is able to predict the failure in 100% of the cases) although its ability to predict the challenge (PG test) approval (i.e. sensitivity) comprised only 65% of the vaccines that passed the trial. It was possible, nevertheless, to improve the sensitivity of the evaluation by using an alternative coefficient (Ro), exclusively dependent on the number of animals exhibiting the highest and lowest lpELISA titres in a particular vaccine trial. This coefficient was capable of predicting the PG approval of 90% of the vaccines, yet maintaining acceptable levels of safety (87% of specificity). Based on these results and as a first step towards the replacement of the challenge protocol in Argentina, we propose a swift approval for commercialization of FMD vaccines which are able to reach the highly restricting LEP passmark of 82%, and the rejection of those not reaching the 50% LEP limit. More extensive experience with this new protocol will allow a finer adjustment of the LEP and Ro values and to set more precisely the cut-off points for direct approval or disapproval of vaccines by lpELISA, eliminating the use of live FMDV in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Robiolo
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), Capital Federal, Argentina
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Ceriana P, Maurelli M, Locatelli A, Bianchi T, Chiaudani G, Domenegati E, Pagnin A. Pseudomyxoma of the right atrium in a patient with heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and antiphospholipid antibodies. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1995; 9:308-11. [PMID: 7545451 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-0770(05)80327-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P Ceriana
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care 1, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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Ceriana P, Bianchi T, Domenegati E, Locatelli A, Maurelli M, Barzaghi N, De Amici D, Pagnin A. Oxidant/antioxidant balance and sepsis in cardiac surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/1053-0770(94)90397-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Domenegati E, Maurelli M, Pagnin A, Chiaudani M, Ceriana P, Locatelli A, Bianchi T, Barzaghi N. Dynamic cardiomyoplasty: Anaesthetic management. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/1053-0770(94)90394-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Bianchi T, Ghidoni I, Ferri F, Fiocchi R, Troise G. A new frontier for cardiac therapy. Principles and practice of aerobic cardiac surgery. G Ital Cardiol 1994; 24:539-49. [PMID: 8076732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
As recently reported in the literature, aerobic cardiac surgery (normothermic total body perfusion + continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia) might achieve optimal heart protection by virtually eliminating myocardial ischemia during aortic cross-clamping. Two-hundred and fifty consecutive patients underwent cardiac surgery by this technique. Mean cross-clamp time was 72.6 +/- 30.7 minutes. Ten patients (4%) died, 20 (8%) needed major inotropic support and 8 (3.2%) required circulatory assistance. Two-hundred and twenty-three patients (89.2%) returned spontaneously to normal sinus rhythm and 8 (3.2%) had evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction. Nineteen patients (7.6%) had a cross-clamp time longer than 120 minutes and no significant difference in mortality was observed with those undergoing a shorter cross-clamping. When comparing 154 patients receiving retrograde continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia induction with 46 receiving antegrade induction, no difference was found in perioperative parameters, mortality and morbidity. By univariate analysis, impaired preoperative LV performance was identified as the only risk factor for operative mortality. In our experience aerobic cardiac surgery appears most suitable for emergency and redo operations, extensive coronary revascularization, complex mitral reconstruction, aortic valve replacement (particularly with unstented biological prostheses), cardiac transplants and whenever two or more valvular and/or coronary procedures are associated. Retrograde induction is as effective as antegrade and simplifies the technique, facilitating unmodified continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia in different anatomical and clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bianchi
- Divisione di Cardiochirurgia, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo
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Abstract
The cystohepatic ducts represent accessory bile ducts of variable size which frequently travel within the gallbladder fossa or in the posterior wall of the gallbladder. These ducts can be injured during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and can result in bile collections if transected. Successful treatment by operative means or radiologically guided percutaneous drainage is possible, but endoscopic management has several advantages. We describe cases managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stent placement and discuss the advantages of this method. Also discussed is the anatomy of these accessory bile ducts, additional management options, and techniques for avoiding this injury during open or closed cholecystectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Jenkins
- Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Bianchi T. Retrograde low-dilution continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia. Ann Thorac Surg 1993; 56:1438. [PMID: 8267461 DOI: 10.1016/0003-4975(93)90715-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 01/29/2023]
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Kolts BE, Joseph B, Achem SR, Bianchi T, Monteiro C. Helicobacter pylori detection: a quality and cost analysis. Am J Gastroenterol 1993; 88:650-5. [PMID: 7683175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Histopathologic interpretation of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained endoscopic biopsies is a common method for identifying Helicobacter pylori. Few studies report the accuracy of this method, and none have compared costs of other diagnostic methods. In the clinical setting of a community hospital using standard diagnostic techniques, the purpose of this study were to determine 1) the comparative sensitivities and specificities of the H&E stain, the Warthin-Starry silver stain, the Giemsa stain, and the CLOtest; 2) the sensitivity and specificity of an "experienced" pathologist in identifying H. pylori by H&E stains, compared with a rotating pathology faculty; and 3) the time to diagnosis (turnaround time) and current patient charges for each diagnostic method. Bacterial identification by the silver stain (or a combination of other tests which were likely to compensate for false-positive and false-negative silver stains) were used as the diagnostic standard in evaluating 94 consecutive cases with the following results: The H&E stain interpreted by the rotating pathology staff was the least sensitive method and one of the least specific tests that were studied. The silver and Giemsa stains were equally sensitive in identifying H. pylori; the silver stain was more specific. The CLOtest was less sensitive than the silver and Giemsa stains, but was equally specific. CLOtest was similar in sensitivity to the H&E stain examined by the "experienced" pathologist, but was more specific. An experienced pathologist was significantly more sensitive than the rotating pathologists in evaluating H&E-stained slides. Therefore, if H&E stains are used to identify H. pylori, which is a common practice, it may be advantageous to use an experienced pathologist. The CLOtest was a simple, rapid, and cost effective substitute for H&E stains in the identification of H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Kolts
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville
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Ceriana P, Maurelli M, Pagani F, Locatelli A, Chiaudani G, Mazza MP, De Amici D, Bianchi T, Barzaghi N, Domenegati E. [Drepanocytosis in patients undergoing heart surgery. Anesthesiologic problems]. Minerva Anestesiol 1993; 59:129-32. [PMID: 8515853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The authors report their experience with the management of patients with sickle cell trait undergoing open heart surgery. They focus their attention mainly on those factors potentially able to precipitate episodes of sickling, i.e. hypoxia, hypothermia, vascular stasis and acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ceriana
- Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione 1a, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia
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