Predicting postoperative hypocortisolism in patients with non-aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma: a retrospective single-centre study

BACKGROUND

Limited information exists on postoperative hypocortisolism and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery in patients with adrenal incidentaloma following unilateral adrenalectomy. We evaluated frequency of postoperative hypocortisolism and predictors for recovery in non-aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma patients after unilateral adrenalectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 32 adrenal incidentaloma patients originally included in the ITACA trial (NCT04127552) with confirmed non-aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy from September 2019 to April 2023 was conducted. Preoperative assessments included adrenal MRI, anthropometrics, evaluation of comorbidities, adrenal function assessed via ACTH, urinary free cortisol, and 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test. ACTH and serum cortisol or Short Synacthen test were performed within 6 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and a year after surgery.

RESULTS

Six days postoperative, 18.8% of patients had normal adrenal function. Among those with postoperative hypocortisolism, 53.8% recovered by 6 weeks. Patients with earlier adrenal recovery (6 weeks) had lower preoperative 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (median 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test 76.2 [61.8-111.0] nmol/L vs 260.0 [113.0-288.5] nmol/L, p < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed preoperative 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test negatively related with baseline ACTH levels (r = - 0.376; p = 0.041) and negatively associated with the 6-week baseline (r = - 0.395, p = 0.034) and 30-min cortisol levels during Short Synacthen test (r = - 0.534, p = 0.023). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated preoperative 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test as the only biochemical predictor for 6-week adrenal recovery: ROC curve identified a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test threshold of 131 nmol/L predicting 6-week recovery with 89.5% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 66.9-98.7, p < 0.001). Other preoperative assessments (tumor size, ACTH levels and anthropometrics) were not associated with postoperative hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function, but the presence of diabetes was associated with a lower probability of recovery (OR = 24.55, p = 0.036). ACTH levels increased postoperatively in all patients but did not predict hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test cortisol value and presence of diabetes are the only relevant predictor of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery in patients with non-aldosterone- producing adrenocortical adenoma undergoing surgery, regardless other clinical and biochemical variables. Notably, pre- and postoperative ACTH levels did not predict hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery. These findings point towards the potential for saving resources by optimizing their allocation during follow-up assessments for patients with non-aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy.

Long-term results of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions in sports: assessment of return to pre-injury playing level and critical risk factors for complication

PURPOSE

The management of isolated SLAP lesions is still debated especially in athletes. Aims of the study were: 1. to analyse our algorithm to treat SLAP lesions starting from the selection of patients for surgery and 2. to correlate the familiarity for diabetes and hypothyroid disorders with post-operative results.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with isolated SLAP lesion were arthroscopically treated using knotless anchors and microfractures. All patients had a pre-operative and post-operative clinical examination according to Walch-Duplay, Constant, Rowe and Dash scores and interviewed for familiarity to diabetes and hypothyroid disorders.

RESULTS

About 68.8% of patients solved pain with rehabilitation. About 29% of patients returned to the sports activities. About 32% of patients were no responder to physiotherapy and were arthroscopically treated. About 53.9% of patients responded excellent, 34.7% good, 3.8% medium and 7.6% poor results according to Walch-Duplay score. The Constant score increased from 64 to 95, the Rowe score from 48 to 96. The outcomes were significantly worse in patients with familiarity for diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Microfractures and knotless anchor give long-term good results for the treatment of SLAP lesions in athletes. The familiarity for diabetes is an important risk factor that can lead to decreased outcomes.

Similar programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression profile in patients with mild COPD and lung cancer

Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is crucial in regulating the immunological tolerance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Alveolar macrophage (AM)-derived PD-L1 binds to its receptor, PD-1, on surveilling lymphocytes, leading to lymphocyte exhaustion. Increased PD-L1 expression is associated with cigarette smoke (CS)-exposure. However, the PD-L1 role in CS-associated lung diseases associated with NSCLC, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is still unclear. In two different cohorts of ever smokers with COPD or NSCLC, and ever and never smoker controls, we evaluated PD-L1 expression: (1) via cutting-edge digital spatial proteomic and transcriptomic profiling (Geomx) of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tissue sections (n = 19); and (2) via triple immunofluorescence staining of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) AMs (n = 83). PD-L1 mRNA expression was also quantified in BAL AMs exposed to CS extract. PD-L1 expression was increased in the bronchiolar wall, parenchyma, and vascular wall from mild-moderate (GOLD 1-2) COPD patients compared to severe-very severe (GOLD 3-4) COPD patients and controls. Within all the COPD patients, PD-L1 protein expression was associated with upregulation of genes involved in tumor progression and downregulation of oncosuppressive genes, and strongly directly correlated with the FEV₁% predicted, indicating higher PD-L1 expression in the milder vs. more severe COPD stages. In bronchioles, PD-L1 levels were strongly directly correlated with the number of functionally active AMs. In BAL, we confirmed that AMs from patients with both GOLD 1-2 COPD and NSCLC had the highest and similar, PD-L1 expression levels versus all the other groups, independently from active cigarette smoking. Intriguingly, AMs from patients with more severe COPD had reduced AM PD-L1 expression compared to patients with mild COPD. Acute CS extract stimulation increased PD-L1 mRNA expression only in never-and not in ever-smoker AMs. Lungs from patients with mild COPD and NSCLC are characterized by a similar strong PD-L1 expression signature in bronchioles and functionally active AMs compared to patients with severe COPD and controls. Active smoking does not affect PD-L1 levels. These observations represent a new resource in understanding the innate immune mechanisms underlying the link between COPD and lung cancer onset and progression and pave the way to future studies focused on the mechanisms by which CS promotes tumorigenesis and COPD.

Articulating spacers in elderly patients affected by periprosthetic knee infection: clinical findings and outcome

OBJECTIVE

Although the two-stage technique is a validated strategy in periprosthetic joint infections, there is a lack of data on the patients' clinical outcomes after the spacer placement. This study aims at evaluating the quality of life, joint function, and pain in patients over 70 years affected by periprosthetic joint infection treated with a two-stage exchange using metal on polyethylene spacers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a follow-up study to evaluate the quality of life and functionality of consecutive patients over 70 years treated for PJI at our institution using a validated assessment set including the Western Ontario and Mac Master University (WOMAC) score, Knee Society Score (KSS), numerical rating scale (NRS). Knee Range of Movement (ROM) before and after the surgery was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with a mean age of 76 ± 5.3 years were included. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most isolated microorganisms. In the preoperative study group, the WOMAC score was 48.4 ± 18.9, and the KSS objective and functional scores were 37.6 ± 17.3 and 27.6 ± 22.3, respectively. NRS was 7.3 ± 1.8. After three months of follow-up, we found better results than preoperative clinical evaluation. We retrieved similar results comparing our post-operative PROMS (WOMAC and KSS scores) with published thresholds for treatment success two months after primary total knee arthroplasty. The infection eradication rate was 87%.

CONCLUSIONS

The two-stage technique confirmed its efficacy in the treatment of PJI. Patients over 70 years who had undergone the first stage of the two-stage technique for PJI showed a good quality of life and knee function.

Predictors of malignancy in high-risk indeterminate (TIR3B) cytopathology thyroid nodules

PURPOSE

The classification of indeterminate cytopathology at thyroid fine-needle-aspiration (FNA) has been updated to reduce the number of unnecessary surgery; the 2014 Italian classification introduced the low-risk (TIR3A) and high-risk (TIR3B) subcategories. Aim of this study was to identify the ultrasonographic (US), clinical and cytological predictors of malignancy among TIR3B nodules from a single institution.

METHODS

A prospective observational study including 1844 patients who underwent thyroid FNA from June 2014 to January 2019. Ultrasonographic, clinical and cytological features were recorded. All TIR3B diagnoses were referred to surgery. According to final histology, patients were divided into thyroid cancer (TC) or benign nodules. Chi-square test, or Fisher exact test when appropriate, were used to compare groups and logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors of malignancy.

RESULTS

Of 1844 FNAs, 96 (5.2%) were TIR3B. Histology report was available in 65. Among them, 25 (38.5%) were TC. Predictors of TC were nodule size < 20 mm [Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.88, 95% CI 1.91-18.11, p = 0.002], absence or weak intralesional flow [OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-0.77, p = 0.015], microcalcifications [OR = 6.5, 95% CI 1.90-21.93, p = 0.003] at US; nuclear inclusions [OR = 25.3, 95% CI 1.34-476.07, p = 0.031] and chromatin clearing [OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.27-10.99, p = 0.017] at cytopathology. Patients aged < 55 years had a significantly higher risk of TC [OR = 9.7, 95% CI 2.79-34.07, p < 0.001]. In multivariate analysis, age < 55 and nodule size < 20 mm resulted as independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients < 55 years receiving a diagnosis TIR3B on nodules < 20 mm, with microcalcifications, showing specific nuclear atypia at cytopathology are more likely to have TC. Combining US, cytological and clinical features could help determining which patients with a TIR3B diagnosis should be referred to surgery.

DWI findings in a iatrogenic lumbar epidermoid cyst. A case report

Epidermoid cysts comprise less than 1% of intraspinal tumors. They can be congenital, frequently associated with other spinal malformations, or iatrogenic, resulting from the implantation of epidermal cells within the spinal canal during the execution of a variety of procedures such as spinal puncture. At MR imaging epidermoid tumors can mimic cystic lesions with fluid content such as arachnoid cysts. DWI can help obtain a correct diagnosis. We describe a case of iatrogenic lumbar epidermoid cyst with DWI findings in a young woman who had undergone epidural anesthesia for Cesarean section three years before the onset of symptoms.

Growth hormone, prolactin, and sexuality

GH and PRL, although not considered as 'classi cal' sexual hormones, could play a role in the endocrine control of sexual function both in men and women. Physiologically, PRL seems to be involved in the central control of sexual behavior and activity, by modulating mainly the effects of dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems on sexual function. Indeed, circulating PRL levels increase after orgasm and may potentially play a role in the acute regulation of further sexual arousal following orgasm both in men and women. On the other hand, either short-term or long-term PRL in crease can modulate central nervous system areas involved in the control of sexual function and, peripherally, can directly influence mechanisms of penile erection in men, and presently only as an hypothesis, mechanisms related to the sexual response of genitalia in women. Furthermore, chronic hyperprolactinemia is classically associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction in both sexes. Successful treatment of chronic hyperprolactinemia generally restores normal sexual function both in men and women although this effect is not only related to relapse of gonadal function. Hypoprolactinemia is recently recognised as a possible risk factor of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction while a possible role on female sexual function is not known. The physiological role of GH on sexual function is not fully elucidated. GH is an important regulator of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and seems to participate in the regulation of the sexual response of genitalia in men, and potentially also in women. Sexual function in men and women with GH deficiency (GHD) and GH excess, particularly in acromegaly, is scantily studied and GH- or IGF-I-dependent effects are difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, a decrease of desire and arousability both in men and women, together with an impairment of erectile function in men, have been described both in patients with GHD and acromegaly, although it is not clear whether they are dependent directly on the hormone defect or excess or they are consequence of the hypogonadism or the different clinical complications or the physical disfigurement and psychological imbalance, which are associated with the diseases, and are potentially affecting sexual function. Data on beneficial effects of GH replacement therapy and specific surgical or pharmacological approach for acromegaly are far to be fully elucidated although restoring normal GH/IGF-I levels have been associated to improvement of sexual function.

Association study between the LINGO1 gene and Parkinson's disease in the Italian population

Some studies have suggested an overlap of clinical and genetic findings between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The first genome-wide association study in ET showed a significant association with the rs9652490 SNP of the leucine-rich repeat and Ig domain containing 1 (LINGO1) gene. Since patients with PD have higher LINGO1 expression levels compared to healthy controls, and animal models of PD show elevated LINGO1 protein levels after experimentally induced damage in the striatum, it can be inferred that LINGO1 is probably involved in PD pathophysiology. In this study, we performed a genetic association analysis of the rs9652490 and rs11856808 SNPs in Italian PD patients and controls to assess the role of these variants in our population. A total of 567 patients with PD and 468 control subjects were enrolled in five Movement Disorder centers located in Central-Southern Italy. Both variants were significantly associated with PD under a recessive model of inheritance before applying the Bonferroni correction. The GG genotype of rs9652490 and the TT genotype of rs11856808 were less frequent in patients than in controls, suggesting a protective effect against the disease. However, after stringent correction, only the P-values obtained from allele and genotype comparisons of the rs11856808 SNP remained significant. Our findings suggest that LINGO1 plays a certain role in the development of PD in the Italian population and represents an interesting candidate gene responsible for PD, due to its involvement in neurological processes.

MRI in a woman with late onset ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

We describe the brain MR imaging findings of a woman who developed neurologic symptoms due to an acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy resulting from late onset ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OCTD). MR images revealed injury (hyperintense foci on long TR images) to the subcortical white matter of the left precentral and supramarginal gyrus and in the left frontal lobe. These findings presumably reflect the distribution of brain injury from hypoperfusion secondary to severe hyperammonemia. If MR findings suggesting hypoperfusion are detected in a patient with hyperammonemia, the diagnosis of OCTD should be considered. Knowledge of the physiopathological mechanisms of OTCD and of MR imaging of hyperammonemic injury may help expedite diagnosis and treatment and prevent the exitus of patients with this genetic disorder.

Illness awareness in terminal cancer patients: an Italian study

The amount and quality of information and awareness in cancer patients' is a topic frequently debated, but few studies have focussed on terminal patients. This is the objective of the present study that involved two different palliative home-care units in Italy, which recruited 550 terminal cancer patients. Data from patients and their caregivers was prospectively collected with special attention to information patients were provided with when their cancer was diagnosed and patients' awareness of their current health condition. In the case of the information, 67.0% of patients reported they were previously informed about their diagnosis, but only 58.0% seemed to be aware of their terminal condition. The comparison between the caregivers opinions about the level of information provided to the patients and their present awareness and what the patients really know about their own disease shows a high degree of correspondence. Some variables such as age and education level of patients were associated with patient's awareness.

The functional relevance of neurological recovery after lumbar discectomy: a follow-up of more than 20 years

We have studied 180 patients (128 men and 52 women) who had undergone lumbar discectomy at a mean of 25.4 years (20 to 32) after operation. Pre-operatively, most patients (70 patients; 38.9%) had abnormal reflexes and/or muscle weakness in the leg (96 patients; 53.3%). At follow-up 42 patients (60%) with abnormal reflexes pre-operatively had fully recovered and 72 (75%) with pre-operative muscle impairment had normal muscle strength. When we looked at patient-reported outcomes, we found that the Short form-36 summary scores were similar to the aged-matched normative values. No disability or minimum disability on the Oswestry disability index was reported by 136 patients (75.6%), and 162 (90%) were satisfied with their operation. The most important predictors of patients' self-reported positive outcome were male gender and higher educational level. No association was detected between muscle recovery and outcome. Most patients who had undergone lumbar discectomy had long-lasting neurological recovery. If the motor deficit persists after operation, patients can still expect a long-term satisfactory outcome, provided that they have relief from pain immediately after surgery.

Bowel sonography in adult celiac disease: diagnostic accuracy and ultrasonographic features

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic intolerance to gluten, which induces intestinal mucosal lesions in genetically predisposed individuals. Transabdominal bowel sonography (TABS) is a safe and noninvasive procedure that allows to detect intestinal abnormalities in many conditions, but actually is not routinely part of the diagnostic management of CD.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of TABS in CD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty CD patients and 50 dyspeptic subjects (control group) underwent TABS. The presence of fluid-distended small bowel loops with thickened valvulae conniventes and increased peristalsis was considered a TABS sign of CD. All clinical, biochemical, and TABS features were assessed at the diagnosis and revaluated after 1 year of gluten-free diet.

RESULTS

TABS signs were present in 66% of CD patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 66%, 96%, 94%, and 74%, respectively. TABS findings were recorded in 82% of patients with endoscopical markers of CD, in 87.5% of symptomatic patients, and in 61% of patients without symptoms. After 1 year of gluten-free diet TABS was still abnormal in 20% patients, with no correlation with laboratory tests e/o symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CD frequently present TABS signs of the disease and operators performing sonography every day have to consider the possibility to suggest CD diagnosis and aTTG determination in these subjects.

Use of short implants for functional restoration of the mandible after giant cell tumor removal. Case report

The giant cell tumor of the jaws is a rare benign lesion, it has a slow and progressive evolution and it is locally aggressive. Its etiopathogenesis is unknown, it is most common in the mandible and it is often asymptomatic but pain arises from palpation of the area. Diagnosis is made by radiological and histological examination and surgical treatment is necessary. The clinical case of a 28-year-old man affected by a giant cell tumor of the mandible with an aggressive clinical and radiographical behaviour is reported. The patient showed a jaw swelling covered by hyperemic fibro-mucous tissue from tooth 4.6 to 3.4, absence of cortical bone and mobility of teeth. He also reported lip anesthesia. The giant cell tumor diagnosis was made with orthopantomography (OPT), computed tomography (CT) and needle biopsy. The lesion was surgically removed and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis. In spite of the wide loss of bony substance after surgery, the patient was provided with an implant supported fixed prosthesis without previous bone graft. In this case short implants allowed the prosthetic rehabilitation of a mandible with severe ''resorption'' due to surgical removal of a tumor. Implants were placed in the residual bone volume and successfully used to support a fixed prosthesis. The final result is optimal as is the quality of life of the young patient.

Infliximab in the treatment of extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently associated with extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) and infliximab has been recently proposed for the treatment of CD with EIMs. Our aim was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of infliximab in this treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty CD patients were treated with infliximab. Fifteen patients (50%) showed EIMs before starting therapy. Ten patients presented an arthritis (five sacroiliitis, five spondylitis), with six also reporting peripheral arthralgias. Four patients presented cutaneous EIMs while three patients had an ocular EIM.

RESULTS

At week 10, all patients reported an improvement in EIMs. Regarding arthritis, ASAS20 and ASAS40 improvement was observed in 80% and 60% of patients, respectively. In the four patients with cutaneous EIMs and in the three with ocular EIMs, complete healing was observed. Recurrence was observed in 10 out of 15 patients (66%) and a second course of treatment with infliximab was required. This proved to be effective in all cases except for one patient who stopped treatment because of a severe adverse reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab is an effective drug in the short-term treatment of EIMs complicating CD. Although relapse of EIMs occurs frequently, retreatment ensures effective control of the symptoms.

Glutathione, ascorbic acid and antioxidant enzymes in the tumor tissue and blood of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. Reactive oxygen species are postulated to be involved in neoplastic transformation. The antioxidant defence system limits cell injury induced by reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and a cell's oxidant capacity or when there is a decrease in this capacity. This stress may cause mutagenesis, cytotoxicity and changes in gene expression that initiate or promote carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was conducted to investigate whether tumor tissue and blood of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma have altered antioxidants levels.

METHODS

Levels of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutatione reductase (GR), were estimated in the tumor tissue and blood of 18 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and in 20 healthy subjects as control.

RESULTS

Significantly increased levels of GSH, GPx, GR and AA and significantly decreased activity of SOD were observed in tumor tissue (p < 0.001) and in tumor-free tissue of oral cancer patients as compared with healthy subjects. In contrast, decrease in antioxidants (GSH, GPx, GR and AA p < 0.001, SOD p < 0.05 respectively) was observed in the blood of oral cancer patients, as compared with healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

The low levels of antioxidants in the blood of oral cancer patients may be due to their increased utilization to scavenge lipid peroxides as well as their sequestration by tumor cells. The enhanced antioxidant capacities in tumor tissues can make them less susceptible to oxidative stress, conferring a selective growth advantage on tumor cells. These finding suggest that normalization of the levels of these antioxidants might be used to reduce oral tumor malignancy.

Small bowel Crohn's disease: comparison of enteroclysis, bowel sonography and Tc-99m-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) frequently involves the small bowel. Actually, the diagnosis of CD is made by ileocolonoscopy (IC) and small bowel enteroclysis (SBE), while trans-abdominal bowel sonography (BS) and Tc-99m-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy (LS) are only partially used in spite of their minimal invasiveness.

AIM

to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these procedures for the diagnosis of small bowel CD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

in about two years a series of consecutive subjects underwent IC, SBE, BS and LS for either suspected or known small bowel CD.

RESULTS

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for CD diagnosis of the studied procedures were respectively: 98%, 97%, 98% and 97% for SBE; 92%, 97%, 98%, and 88% for BS; 90%, 93%, 96% and 85% for LS. In addition, the parallel combined use of BS and LS led to overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 100%, 93%, 96%, 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SBE, BS and LS are accurate procedures for the diagnosis of small bowel Crohn's disease. The use of BS and LS, particularly in combination, can be proposed as early diagnostic approach to subjects with a suspicion of disease.

Antibiotic treatment of small bowel bacterial overgrowth in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is common in Crohn's disease but its treatment is not clearly defined. Metronidazole and ciprofloxacin are effective antibiotics in active Crohn's disease.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin in the treatment of bacterial overgrowth in patients with Crohn's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed the lactulose breath test in 145 consecutive patients affected by Crohn's disease. Patients positive to the lactulose breath test underwent a glucose breath test to confirm the overgrowth. These patients were randomized in two treatment groups: metronidazole 250 mg t.d.s. (Group A) and ciprofloxacin 500 mg b.d. (Group B), both orally for 10 days. The glucose breath test was repeated at the end of treatment. The clinical outcome after therapy was also recorded.

RESULTS

Bacterial overgrowth was present in 29 patients (20%). Breath test normalization occurred in 13 out of 15 patients treated by metronidazole and in all 14 patients treated by ciprofloxacin (P = ns). In both groups antibiotic treatment induced an improvement of intestinal symptoms: bloating (Group A 85% and Group B 83%), stool softness (44% and 50%), and abdominal pain (50% and 43%).

CONCLUSIONS

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a frequent condition in Crohn's disease which can be effectively treated by metronidazole or ciprofloxacin.

Biomedical application of a superabsorbent hydrogel for body water elimination in the treatment of edemas

A novel system of body water elimination to be used for the treatment of edemas, based on superabsorbent cellulose derivatives able to absorb large amounts of water and water solutions, has been investigated. Hydrogels have been synthesized starting from water solutions of carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt and hydroxyethylcellulose, chemically crosslinked with divinylsulphone. Polyelectrolyte hydrogels displayed high sensitivity in sorption capacity to variations of the ionic strength and pH of the external solution, which is a key parameter for the application under investigation. Further, swelling properties have been modulated acting on the degree of crosslinking of the macromolecular network, and a direct method for the measurement of this parameter based on NMR solid-state analysis has been provided. The hydrogel biocompatibility has been studied in terms of its capacity either to induce nitric oxide and lactate dehydrogenase release by macrophages or influence their viability. The eventual release of toxic substances from the hydrogel was also investigated using Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. The results obtained from the biocompatibility studies carried out in this work are consistent with the hypothesis that this gel may represent an alternative to diuretic therapies in those pathologic conditions in which edemas occur.

Epitope mapping of the outer surface protein A (OspA) of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and lanthanide competition fluoroimmunoassay

A panel of fourteen different monoclonal antibodies was used for detection and analysis of antigenic determinants located on the outer surface protein A (OspA) of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is a causative agent of tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease). Two main and several minor partially overlapping antigenic determinants have been found on the surface of the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (strain 297) by lanthanide competition fluoroimmunoassay. One of the main antigenic determinants is located in the N- and the other in the C-half of the OspA molecule. The involvement of the OspA protein in intact Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (four bacterial strains have been analyzed: 297, B31, FR90-594, and CA90-742) is associated with retention of the above-mentioned two major antigenic determinants, but unlike the case of the isolated OspA they are partially overlapping with each other and with other antigenic determinants. The protein of the spirochete Borrelia afzelii (two bacterial strains have been analyzed: Ip-21 and Pko) contains only one antigenic determinant, which is the same as the main determinant of the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto located in the N-half of the OspA molecule.

[Use of PTFE membranes in the orbital floor fractures]

BACKGROUND

Because the orbital-malar complex has a peculiar anatomic constitution and position, it is at the third place for frequency of the fractures especially if we compare it with another skeleton's parts. Till now have been tested numerous materials with advantages but also some disadvantages used to rebuild the orbital floor. We thought it right to test a material with biocompatibility, easy handiness, chemical stability and elasticit, as PTFE membrane.

METHODS

We studied 40 cases of both sexes (age between 19 and 70 years) of orbital-malar complex fractures: 14 with isolated fractures, 20 with complexes fractures and 6 politraumatized. They show various degree prolapse of the orbital contents in the maxillary sinus. We make clinic examination and orthoptic analysis by Hess's screen, test of forced traction, axial and coronal TC. In all patients, surgery approach and methodology of plate application were the same.

RESULTS

All the floors had a optimal and immediate functional renewal; there wasn't any inflammatory reaction neither immediately nor after a two years follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the results show a lot of clinical and practical advantages of the PTFE membrane: the extreme biocompatibility and the easy handiness, the ductility and the low cost.

Tissue transglutaminase expression in quail epiphyseal chondrocytes

Tissue transglutaminase (tTGase) is a GTP-binding Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme which catalyses the post-translational modification via epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine bridges. The physiological role of tTGase is not fully understood. It has been shown that in cartilage the expression of tTGase correlates with terminal differentiation of chondrocytes. Recent evidence suggests that the GTP-binding activity of tTGase may play a role in the control of cell cycle progression thus explaining some of the suggested roles for the enzyme.tTGase activity is present in primary cultures of epiphyseal chondrocytes and increases transiently upon retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Increase in enzyme activity occurs upon RA addition and is accompanied by a parallel increase in protein and mRNA levels. Stimulation of tTGase expression by RA correlates with suppression of cell growth and occurs independently of cell adhesion and cell differentiation.tTGase expression is not observed in MC2, a permanent chondrocyte cell line derived from retrovirus infected chondrocytes. RA treatment fails to activate tTGase expression in MC2 cells and to completely suppress cell proliferation. Our findings lend support to the idea that tTGase might play a role in non-dividing cultured chondrocytes.

Crohn disease: susceptibility and disease heterogeneity revealed by HLA genotyping

Predisposition to Crohn disease (CD) seems to be genetically determined but, though several reports on the matter, the association between HLA antigens and the disease is still controversial. PCR-SSP high resolution typing in 107 CD patients, and in subgroups selected according to clinical features, showed a positive association with the rare haplotype DRB1*07, DQB1*0303 both in the overall patients (p = 0.002; pc = ns) and in the subgroup of nonfistulized patients (p = 0.0008; pc = 0.032). Moreover, the protective role of the haplotype DRB1*03, DQB1*0201 (p = 0.029) was confirmed also in Italian patients, whereas no strong association with HLA class I alleles has been found. In addition, variability of the HLA alleles frequency in CD subgroups was observed, supporting the hypothesis of a genetic heterogeneity of the disease and suggesting that HLA alleles distribution in selected groups may allow to identify patients with probably different prognosis or associated complications.

[Circulating biomarkers association in the follow-up of patients with oral cancer]

The goal of this study is to analyze the importance of circulating biomarkers association in the management of patients affected by oral cancer. In this study a survey is made of the international experience from 1980 to 1990 based on the presence of CEA, LASA, SCC Ag, TPA, ferritina, CA-50 and others in patients affected by oral cancer and the sensitivity and specificity of these circulating biomarkers association are assessed. In patients with active disease, the results obtained at the time of diagnosis of oral cancer are not satisfactory due to poor specificity of these circulating biomarkers association. The conclusions is drawn that the circulating biomarkers association (especially CEA, SCC Ag, LASA, ferritin, TPA and CA-50) appears to be useful in the prognosis and staging of oral cancer, while their presence is not significative for the diagnosis.

[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the therapy of salivary calculi: efficacy, risks and limits. Review of the literature. Note 1]

The authors carry out a review of the international literature on an alternative methodology to surgical therapy of lithiasis of the salivary glands, indicating information, limitations and possible complications. More than fifty papers by international authors were analysed regarding their experience on the use of electro-magnetic waves in the treatment of salivary gland lithiasis. It was observed that extracorporeal lithotripsy is an alternative and valid method to surgery, considering that the complications are negligible. Considering the expectations and the relationship between cost and advantage, extracorporeal lithotripsy can be considered as first treatment with surgery as second therapeutic choice.

Rat coagulating gland secretion contains a kinesin heavy chain-like protein acting as a type IV transglutaminase substrate

By a proteomic approach, we demonstrated in rat coagulating gland secretion the presence of a 120 kDa protein which shares at least 80% identity at the amino acid level with the most closely related kinesin heavy chain codified by the kinesin superfamily protein Kif5c gene. In addition, we identified 30 and 66 kDa proteolytic fragments of such a kinesin heavy chain-like protein, corresponding to the 73-299 N-terminal and 300-860 C-terminal regions, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated the occurrence in coagulating gland secretion of a 200 kDa protein probably derived by cross-linking reaction of the kinesin heavy chain-like protein with type IV transglutaminase. In fact, kinesin heavy chain-like protein and its 66 kDa proteolytic fragment were also found to act as effective acyl donor substrates for the enzyme in vitro.

"Priming" to dopamine agonist-induced contralateral turning as a model of non-associative sensitization to the expression of the post-synaptic dopamine message

In adult rats bearing unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the ascending dopaminergic neurons, a single administration of a dopamine (DA) receptor agonist results in strong sensitization ("priming") of contralateral turning in response to D2 and particularly D1 receptor agonists. In order to investigate the role of distinct environmental cues associated with the effect of the agonist during exposure to the primer, rats bearing 15-day-old unilateral 6-OHDA lesions were primed in their home cage with L-dopa or with saline. L-Dopa but not saline induced medium to low but steady contralateral turning. Three days later, challenge with the D1 agonist SKF 38393 in the home cage also resulted in contralateral turning in the rats previously primed with L-dopa, but not in those primed with saline. In a second experiment rats lesioned with 6-OHDA were primed in two different contexts (hemispheres versus cylinders) with a single administration of the D2/D3 agonist quinpirole (LY 171555: 0.2mg/kg s.c.) or saline. Three days later the rats were placed in hemispheres and tested for contraversive turning in response to saline or to SKF 38393. SKF 38393 elicited high rate contraversive turning independently of the environment where priming with quinpirole took place; on the other hand no conditioned contraversive turning was observed after saline. In a third experiment, the possibility of priming SKF 38393-induced turning by stimulation of nigral or striatal DA receptors was investigated. Rats lesioned unilaterally with 6-OHDA were locally infused on the lesioned side in the substantia nigra with SKF 38393 or in the striatum with quinpirole. Both these treatments elicited contralateral turning, the intranigral injection of SKF 38393 eliciting a stronger and longer lasting contraversive turning than intrastriatal quinpirole. Challenge with SKF 38393 (3mg/kg s.c.) 3 days later induced contralateral turning only in rats previously primed with intrastriatal quinpirole. The results of these studies are consistent with the idea that "priming" is an example of non-associative sensitization induced by stimulation of denervated striatal DA receptors and expressed as an increased efficiency of post-synaptic dopaminergic transduction in the striatum.

Combined effects of an oxidative enzyme and dissolved humic substances on 13C-labelled 2,4-D herbicide as revealed by high-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy

Phenoxyalkanoic acids are a widely used class of herbicides. This work employed high-resolution 13C NMR to study the structural changes induced by humic substances and horseradish perodixase on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 13C-labelled in the side chain. NMR spectra showed that humic substances chemically catalyze abiotic splitting of [13C]2,4-D into 2,4-dichlorophenol and [13C]acetic acid at pH 7 but not at pH 4.7. Peroxidase did not catalyze the oxidative degradation of [13C]2,4-D at any pH tested and inhibited the effect of humic substances. Catalytic degradation by humic substances was attributed to free-radical reactions enhanced by the stereochemical contribution of large conformational structures formed by heterogeneous humic molecules at neutral pH. Inhibition of 2,4-D degradation when humic substances were combined with peroxidase was explained by modification of both chemical and conformational humic structure due to peroxidase-promoted oxidative cross-coupling among humic molecules. Our findings show for the first time that the abiotic degradation of 2,4-D is catalyzed by dissolved humic substances at neutral pH.

Hepatitis related to cytomegalovirus infection in two patients with Crohn's disease treated with azathioprine

Azathioprine-related side-effects occur in about 15% of treated patients. Liver toxicity is a rare complication of this drug, but is considered, in most cases, a contraindication to the continuation of treatment. However, abnormal liver tests may occur in patients under azathioprine treatment also due to infections. The distinction between toxic and infective causes of abnormal liver tests is important in order to identify patients that can be rechallenged with the drug. Cytomegalovirus infection is common in immunosuppressed transplant recipients, while the incidence is lower in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunosuppressive drugs. To our knowledge, only 2 cases of cytomegalovirus hepatitis occurring during azathioprine treatment for Crohn's disease had been reported so far. Here, we describe two patients who experienced mild hepatitis associated with the onset of cytomegalovirus infection during azathioprine treatment. The infection was documented by the appearance of IgM anti cytomegalovirus. Both cases were self-limiting. In one of the 2 patients, azathioprine was given again after resolution of the hepatitis with good control of Crohn's disease and without other complications. We also retrospectively evaluated the incidence of liver abnormalities assessed by blood tests in 58 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease treated with azathioprine at our institution. Abnormal results were obtained in 8 out of these 58 patients, requiring discontinuation of the drug in 3 patients, two of whom were the cytomegalovirus cases described above.

Polymerization of humic substances by an enzyme-catalyzed oxidative coupling

A novel understanding of the structural features of humic substances supports the self-assembly supramolecular association of relatively small molecules rather than their polymeric nature. An increase in the conformational stability of humus may thus be achieved through promotion of intermolecular covalent bondings between heterogeneous humic molecules by an enzyme-catalyzed oxidative reaction. We present evidence from high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and diffuse reflectance infrared spectrometry (DRIFT) that oxidation of a humic material catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase stabilizes the humic structure by the formation of aryl and alkyl ethers and permanently enhances its molecular size.

[Necrotic lesions of the oral cavity in chronic leukemia. Treatment with CO2 laser]

The main characteristics of oral necrotic lesions in leukemia and the treatment and consequence of these pathologies are described. These lesions are classified as noma-like lesions, necrotic gangrenous ulcers of the oral cavity mucosa appearing in severe organic diseases. A new therapeutical approach in the treatment of oral necrotic lesions in chronic leukemia by the use of CO2 laser is tried and a case with the results obtained is presented.

Orocecal transit time and bacterial overgrowth in patients with Crohn's disease

Bacterial overgrowth is frequent in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and can contribute to symptoms. Motility abnormalities can predispose to bacterial overgrowth. The hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) breath test is a sensitive and simple tool for the diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth and for the evaluation of orocecal transit time (OCTT). In this study, we investigated the prevalence of OCTT modifications and bacterial overgrowth in a series of consecutive adult patients with CD. In 43 healthy subjects and 67 patients with CD. we performed the lactulose breath test using a gas analyzer that offers the opportunity of measuring both H2 and CH4. Of the patients, 24 had undergone an ileocolic resection before the test with ablation of the ileocecal valve. At the time of the test 15 patients had active disease, whereas in 52 subjects the disease was quiescent. Fifty-seven patients and forty controls were evaluable for OCTT and bacterial overgrowth. In 10 patients and in 3 controls, no H2 or CH4 peak was recorded during the 8-hour test. Out of 57 patients, 13 (23%) were affected by bacterial overgrowth. The prevalence of bacterial overgrowth was higher in patients with previous surgery (30%) than in nonoperated patients (18%). In all patients with bacterial overgrowth, an antibiotic treatment induced a normalization of the test and an improvement of the symptoms. We observed a longer OCTT in the patients compared to controls, although this difference was not statistically significant (154 +/- 45 vs. 136 +/- 45 minutes). OCTT was significantly longer compared to controls in the 14 CD patients with previous ileocolic resection ( 180 +/- 53 vs. 136 + 45 minutes; p < 0.004). In conclusion, we found that a significant proportion of unselected patients with CD has bacterial overgrowth and prolongation of OCTT. We suggest that the modifications in OCTT in patients with CD can predispose to bacterial overgrowth. The lactulose breath test is a simple method that can be more widely used in patients with CD.

Implication of tissue transglutaminase and desmoplakin in cell adhesion mechanism in human epidermis

The distribution patterns of both tissue and keratinocyte transglutaminases (TGase), as well as that of desmoplakin (DP), have been immunohistochemically investigated in human skin cultured in the absence or presence of cystamine and enalapril, two acantholytic agents. In the control samples, tissue TGase is predominantly expressed in lower layers of the epidermis and is located intercellularly. Conversely, in tissues cultured with cystamine or enalapril, a diffuse cytoplasmatic staining was observed. Similarly, DP, detected on the cell membrane in the control, shifts into the cytosol of the keratinocytes following treatment. The distribution pattern of the keratinocyte enzyme in the acantholytic epidermis was identical to that observed in the normal one. Since cystamine and enalapril are TGase inhibitors and DP was shown to act as a TGase substrate in vitro, we suggest that DP and tissue enzyme may participate in cell adhesion at the intraepidermal level.

GTPase and transglutaminase are associated in the secretion of the rat anterior prostate

We have found that in the secretion of rat anterior prostate, a hydrolyzing activity on GTP is present with a high affinity for the substrate; ATP, GDP, and ADP are not substrates for enzymatic activity. At the same time we have shown that GTP is a negative modulator for the well-known type IV transglutaminase activity present in the prostatic secretion. The hydrolyzing activity on GTP appears to be due to two molecular species: a high-molecular-weight GTPase, having electrophoretical mobility higher than 100 kDa, and a low-molecular-weight GTPase, of about 30 kDa. The two enzymatic activities are associated in the prostatic secretion with the transglutaminase (type IV). We describe an experimental procedure to separate them.

Electric nerve stimulation: analysis of two clinical cases of failed nerve electrolocation by using sheathed needles

The aim of this work was to explain the reasons of two unsuccessful blocks of sciatic nerve even if anaesthetic solution was injected through insulated needle on elicited twitch. The clinical cases were two outpatients undergoing diagnostic arthroscopy of knee under anaesthetic block of sciatic and femoral nerves. In both patients, the muscular twitch appeared when the ischiatic bone was kept in unexpected touch with needle tip. In spite of the attempt to locate correctly the needle (the touch with bone means that the nerve is not in front of the needle tip), the injection of anaesthetic solution was unsuccessful. In clinical environment, when electroinsulated needles gathered total amount of administered current on the needle tip, it was not possible to elicit a twitch just at the moment of touch of the needle with the bone. Referred events disagree with some experimental works performed out of clinical environment, which found that total amount of administered current through an insulated needle gathers always in front of the tip. Our clinical observations seems to confirm an electrolocation mistake called "electrical shadow". The ability of sheathed needles to work as occasional capacitor due to the alternation of two conductor layers (needle shaft and tissue) and of a dielectric (coating material) can explain some missing electrolocations, as the appearance of electric fields within dielectric needle sheathing.

Enzymatic synthesis of vasoactive intestinal peptide analogs by transglutaminase

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is an amino acceptor and donor substrate for tissue transglutaminase (TGase) in vitro. This peptide contains a single glutamine residue, Gln16, which was identified as the amino acceptor substrate. Different gamma(glutamyl16)amine derivatives of vasoactive intestinal peptide were synthesized enzymatically in vitro. The modification is very fast when compared with that of many native substrates of TGase. The analogs 1,3-diaminopropane, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, glycine ethyl ester and mono-dansylcadaverine of the peptide were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography on a reverse-phase column and were analyzed by electrospray mass spectrometry. When amines were absent in the assay mixture as an external amino donor, lysine residue occurring in the peptide was an effective amino donor site for TGase. Only one of the three lysine residues of vasoactive intestinal peptide, namely Lys21, was demonstrated to be involved in both inter- and intramolecular cross-link formation.

Involvement of adenosine A2A receptors in the induction of c-fos expression by clozapine and haloperidol

Acute administration of the atypical antipsychotic clozapine induced a regional pattern of c-fos expression characterized by an increase in Fos-like-immunoreactivity (FLI) in the prefrontal and prelimbic/infralimbic cortices, nucleus accumbens, and lateral septum and a weak activation of FLI in the striatum. Haloperidol, similarly to clozapine, increased FLI in the nucleus accumbens and lateral septum, but it did not induce FLI in prefrontal and prelimbic/infralimbic cortices. Moreover, haloperidol increased FLI in the striatum. To gain insight into the mechanism by which clozapine and haloperidol induced FLI in these brain structures, we evaluated whether blockade of adenosine A2A receptors could influence these effects. The selective and high-affinity A2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 (5 mg/kg) completely abolished FLI induced by clozapine (20 mg/kg) in all subdivisions of the nucleus accumbens (rostral pole, shell and core) and striatum, but did not affect the number of Fos-like positive neurons in the prefrontal, prelimbic/infralimbic cortices, and lateral septum. SCH 58261 (5 mg/kg) reduced FLI induced by haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg) in the striatum, lateral septum, and all nucleus accumbens subdivisions. In contrast, FLI induced by 0.5 mg/kg of haloperidol in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens was not affected by SCH 58261. The results show that adenosine A2A receptors participate in the induction of FLI by clozapine and haloperidol and support the concept that A2A receptors are involved in the mediation of antipsychotic effects.

Hippocampal theta activity after systemic administration of a non-peptide delta-opioid agonist in freely-moving rats: relationship to D1 dopamine receptors

Hippocampal theta activity was acquired and processed off-line from digitized EEG recordings after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of the non-opioid delta agonist BW 373U86 (0.5-2.5 mg/kg) in freely-moving rats. Relative theta power spectral analysis, implemented by a signal processing software, showed that BW 373U86 induced a dose-dependent increase in the slow component of theta band (Type 2 theta), while movement-related fast theta band (Type 1 theta) failed to show significant changes. Moreover, the increase in relative Type 2 theta power showed a maximal change at 1 mg/kg of BW 373U86, while higher doses, although effective in increasing relative Type 2 theta, induced locomotion and irregularly increased Type 1 hippocampal theta activity. The administration of 10.0 mg/kg of the delta antagonist Naltrindole (NLI) 30 min before BW 373U86, abolished hippocampal Type 2 theta increase. The rise of relative Type 2 theta power induced by BW 373U86 (1-2.5 mg/kg) was greatly attenuated by 0.1 mg/kg of the selective dopamine (DA) D1 antagonist SCH 23390. Administration of 0.1 mg/kg of SCH 23390 alone did not modify hippocampal Type 2 theta. These results indicate that delta receptors modulate the expression of hippocampal Type 2 theta and dopamine, through D1 receptors, exerts a permissive role on this influence.

Transglutaminase-synthesized spermine derivative of substance P recognizes rat portal vein neurokinin-3 receptors

The effects of the transglutaminase-synthesized polyamine derivatives of Substance P (SP) have been further characterized by their ability to contract in vitro the rat portal vein strip (RPV), a pharmacological preparation particularly rich in NK-3 receptors. The effects of selective agonists of NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors [Sar9,Met(O(2))11]SP, beta-Ala8 NKA(4-10), and senktide respectively, were also evaluated by measuring RPV concentration-response curves. Peptide [GR-82334 (NK-1) and MEN-10,376 (NK-2)] and nonpeptide [WIN 51,708 (NK-1) and SR 142801 (NK-3)] NK receptor antagonists were used to confirm the participation of the different NK receptors to contractile response. Our results demonstrated that the spermine derivative of SP (Spm-SP), previously shown to be unable to recognize NK-1 and NK-2 receptors in some bioassays, contracts RPV (EC50 = 588 nM) better than the native neuropeptide (EC50 = 1120 nM). A pretreatment with thiorphan, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidases, significantly reduced such a difference. While this inhibitor shifts the SP concentration-response curves to the left (EC50 = 720 nM) the action of Spm-SP and [Sar9,Met(O(2))11]SP were completely thiorphan-resistant. In the absence of thiorphan we found the following rank order of potency: senktide > > beta-Ala8 NKA(4-10) > [Sar9,Met(O(2))11]SP = Spm-SP > SP. Among the mentioned NK receptor antagonists, only the selective NK-3 receptor antagonist, SR 142801, shifted to the right Spm-SP and [Sar9,Met(O(2))11]SP concentration-response curve, showing pKB values of 5.84 and 5.88, respectively. Therefore, the reported results suggest that the introduction of a Spm moiety into the SP alters the parent peptide molecule by increasing its affinity for NK-3 receptors and/or by preventing its degradation by some proteolytic enzymes.

Transglutaminase from rat coagulating gland secretion. Post-translational modifications and activation by phosphatidic acids

Structural and biochemical characteristics of transglutaminase purified by a rapid chromatographic procedure from the rat coagulating gland (anterior prostate) secretion are reported. Fast atom bombardment mapping and automated Edman degradation experiments allowed us to verify that at least 85% of the entire transglutaminase amino acid sequence is identical to that derived from the cDNA of the major androgen-dependent rat prostate protein called DP1. The enzyme was found NH2 terminally blocked and largely post-translationally modified, since the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides, as well as of complex lipidic structures, was observed. Mass spectral analysis showed that Asn-408 and -488 are the glycosylated sites, the N-linked structures identified belonging to both high-mannose and complex type glycans. The presence of myo-inositol, of glycerol bound fatty acids, and the high content of mannose residues, are in agreement with previous observations suggesting that a lipid anchor is bound to coagulating gland secretion transglutaminase. Furthermore, two tightly bound calcium ions per molecule of enzyme were detected. Finally, a strong stimulation of the enzyme activity in vitro by both SDS and a variety of phosphatidic acids was observed. The reported structural and functional peculiarities should definitively lead to consider the prostate enzyme as a new member (type IV) of the transglutaminase family.

Inhibition of zymosan-induced air-pouch inflammation by rat seminal vesicle protein and by its spermidine derivative

The anti-inflammatory effect of one of the major proteins secreted by rat seminal vesicles (SVIV) and of its spermidine derivative (Spd2-SVIV) was evaluated by measuring polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration, protein release, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and prostaglandin E2 levels in the mouse air-pouch exudate following zymesan treatment. Both proteins were found to markedly reduce dose dependently PAF and prostaglandin E2 levels in the exudate as well as the other parameters. Concurrent injection of either arachidonic acid or PAF, directly into the pouch, significantly counteracted the anti-inflammatory effect of SVIV and of its polyaminated derivative. These results support the notion that the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of SVIV and Spd2-SVIV is linked to the inhibition of both phospholipase A2 and acetyl:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase.

Biocompatibility studies on glass ionomer cements by primary cultures of human osteoblasts

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are materials largely employed in the dental field that have been considered recently as cements in orthopaedic surgery for their proven osteogenic features. The aim of this study was to compare the response of cultured human osteoblastic cells to a number of commercial glass ionomer cements in order to provide indications useful for the further development of formulations that have potential for use as cements or implants in repair and replacement of bone tissue. The GICs tested were: Ketac-Fil Aplicap, lonocem lonocap 1,0, GC Fuji II, GC Fuji II LC and Vitremer 3M. Several features such as plating efficiency, adhesion and morphology of the cells were studied, as well as the only specific biochemical parameter of osteoblastic phenotype, namely osteocalcin production. In addition, the colonisation of materials by osteoblastic cells was verified by means of scanning electron microscopy. Altogether, the results obtained indicate that four of the five glass ionomer cements tested are biocompatible, showing vital cells adhering to the materials, proliferating and expressing the biochemical markers of osteoblastic phenotype, whereas Vitremer 3M, although currently employed in the dental field, exhibits a great cytotoxicity toward the cells. The adverse reaction of this GIC can be attributed to the leaching of at least two components of the polyacidic phase evidenced by protonic magnetic resonance analysis (PMR), namely 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), and an unidentified acidic species. The addition of pure HEMA at the same concentrations found by means of PMR to cultures of osteoblastic cells resulted in a complete cell death. Our results also show that in vitro methods employing primary cultures of human cells specific to the implant sites of prostheses are appropriate and suitable tools for evaluating biocompatibility of materials. Furthermore, this kind of approach can provide indications useful in the design of novel materials as well as in improving the characteristics of the formulations already available.