Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

About: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart is a education organization based out in Milan, Lombardia, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 13592 authors who have published 31048 publications receiving 853961 citations.

Role of endotoxin and TNF-α in the pathogenesis of experimentally induced coliform mastitis in periparturient cows

Abstract: Twelve cows were experimentally infected in two quarters with 1 × 104 cfu Escherichia coli per quarter and six cows were infused with 500 μg endotoxin into two quarters. Six cows infected intramammarily with Esch. coli were treated intravenously with a bactericidal antibiotic 10 h after infection and subcutaneously 20 h later. Blood and milk samples were collected from all cows at regular time intervals. Milk production decreased more rapidly, but was less pronounced, after endotoxin infusion than during Esch. coli mastitis. The milk production losses in the non-inflamed quarters were negligible in endotoxin mastitis, but were substantial during Esch. coli mastitis, probably due to more pronounced systemic effects. Reticulo-rumen motility was inhibited only during Esch. coli mastitis. Changes in plasma haptoglobin were more pronounced during Esch. coli mastitis, although they occurred sooner during endotoxin mastitis. No changes in plasma activities of enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic–oxaloacetic transaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were observed. Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α increased in both types of mastitis. Absorption of these cytokines into the circulation was highest during Esch. coli mastitis, especially in the untreated control group. We found only minor differences between the treated and untreated Esch. coli groups, but there were larger differences between the Esch. coli groups and the endotoxin group. These differences were probably due to differences in kinetics, composition and amounts of different cytokines released in the mammary gland and subsequently absorption into the circulation. Endotoxin is probably not directly responsible for the systemic changes during coliform mastitis.

Potential for Lung Recruitment Estimated by the Recruitment-to-Inflation Ratio in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. A Clinical Trial.

Abstract: Rationale: Response to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in acute respiratory distress syndrome depends on recruitability. We propose a bedside approach to estimate recruitability accounting ...

Atenolol versus amlodipine versus isosorbide-5-mononitrate on anginal symptoms in syndrome X.

Abstract: The effects of a beta blocker (atenolol), a calcium antagonist (amlodipine), and a nitrate (isosorbide-5-mononitrate) on anginal symptoms in 10 patients with syndrome X were assessed in a crossover, double-blind, randomized trial. Only atenolol was found to significantly improve chest pain episodes, suggesting that it should be the preferred drug when starting pharmacologic treatment of patients with syndrome X.

Development of RAPD protocol for typing of strains of lactic acid bacteria and enterococci.

Abstract: A protocol for typing strains of lactic acid bacteria and enterococci based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments has been developed. Using a single 10-mer primer, fingerprints were achieved without the need to isolate genomic DNA. Different conditions of DNA release and amplification were investigated in order to obtain reproducible results and high discrimination among strains. This RAPD protocol was successfully applied for the typing of strains belonging to the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lact. helveticus, Lact. casei, Lact. reuteri, Lact. plantarum, Enterococcus faecalis, Ent. faecium and Streptococcus thermophilus.