Showing papers by "Marche Polytechnic University published in 1999"

Human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity and risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and other acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related diseases.

Abstract: Background The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is increased severalfold in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV). Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) has also been implicated in KS. We investigated several factors that may determine the onset of KS, particularly HHV8 infection in individuals after becoming seropositive for HIV. Methods We studied 366 individuals belonging to different HIV-exposure categories (i.e., homosexual activity, intravenous drug use, and heterosexual contact) for whom a negative HIV serologic test and then a positive HIV serologic test were available within a 2-year period. HHV8 antibody testing was performed by use of an immunofluorescence assay on the first serum sample available after the first positive HIV test. Actuarial rates of progression of KS and of other acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining diseases were estimated by use of time-to-event statistical methods. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Twenty-one of the 366 study participants developed AIDS-related KS, and 83 developed AIDS without KS. One hundred forty (38.3%) participants had detectable anti-HHV8 antibodies. The actuarial progression rate to KS among persons co-infected with HIV/HHV8 was nearly 30% by 10 years after HIV seroconversion. Increasing HHV8 antibody titers increased the risk of developing KS (for seronegative versus highest titer [1:125 serum dilution], adjusted relative hazard [RH] = 51.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.08-441.33) but not of other AIDS-defining diseases (adjusted RH = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.72-1.80). HHV8-seropositive homosexual men compared with HHV8-seropositive participants from other HIV-exposure categories showed an increased risk of KS that approached statistical significance (adjusted RH = 6.93; 95% CI = 0.88-54.84). Conclusions Approximately one third of individuals co-infected with HIV/HHV8 developed KS within 10 years after HIV seroconversion. Progression to KS increased with time after HIV seroconversion. Higher antibody titers to HHV8 appear to be related to faster progression to KS but not to other AIDS-defining diseases.

Dye-doped photorefractive liquid crystals for dynamic and storage holographic grating formation and spatial light modulation

Abstract: The basic mechanisms of photo-induced space charge field formation, director axis re-orientation, and refractive index changes in fullerene C60- and dye-doped nematic liquid crystals films are presented. In particular, in aligned methyl-red-doped nematic liquid crystal film, we observe a nonlinear index change coefficient as high as 10 cm/sup 2//W, associated with purely optically induced liquid crystal director axis re-orientation. Experimental observations of dynamic and high-resolution storage holographic grating formation, two beam coupling with gain of nearly 3000 cm/sup -1/, optical limiting action at nanowatt cw laser power, and incoherent-coherent image conversion at /spl mu/W/cm/sup 2/ light intensity level are discussed.

Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients without overt neuropsychiatric manifestations

Abstract: Objective: To verify whether features of CNS involvement can be detected in SLE patients without overt neuropsychiatric manifestations.Methods: 114 SLE patients who had never received a diagnosis of neuropsychiatric lupus (never NPSLE) were studied and compared to 65 SLE patients with known neuropsychiatric involvement (NPSLE). The study relied on evaluation of neurocognitive functions by means of a battery of neuropsychological tests, on psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments and on neuroimaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)).Results: Clinical features, including disease duration/activity and pharmacological therapy, of never-NPSLE and NPSLE patients were similar. Short-term and long-term memory, visuo-spatial and verbal information processing were similarly compromised in never-NPSLE and in NPSLE patients; only attention was significantly more compromised in NPSLE patients. Psychiatric morbidity was higher than expected in ne...

Neuronal and Glial Localization of NR1 and NR2A/B Subunits of the NMDA Receptor in the Human Cerebral Cortex

Abstract: N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a critical role in many cortical functions and are implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases. In this study, the cellular expression of the NMDAR1 (NR1) and NMDAR2A and B (NR2A and B) subunits was investigated in the human cerebral cortex by immunocytochemistry with antibodies that recognize the NR1 or the NR2A and B subunits of the NMDA receptor. In frontal (areas 10 and 46) and temporal (area 21) association cortices and the cingulofrontal transition cortex (area 32), NR1 and NR2A/B immunoreactivity (ir) were similar and were localized to numerous neurons in all cortical layers. NR1- and NR2A/B-positive neurons were mostly pyramidal cells, but some nonpyramidal neurons were also labeled. Electron-microscopic observations showed that NR1 and NR2A/B ir were similar. In all cases, labeling of dendrites and dendritic spines was intense. In addition, both NR1 and NR2A/B were consistently found in the axoplasm of some axon terminals and in distal astrocytic processes. This investigation revealed that numerous NMDA receptors are localized to dendritic spines, and that they are also localized to axon terminals and astrocytic processes. These findings suggest that the effects of cortical NMDA activation in the human cortex do not depend exclusively on the opening of NMDA channels located at postsynaptic sites, and that the localization of NMDA receptors is similar in a variety of mammalian species.

Villous adenoma of the urinary tract: a report of 23 cases, including 8 with coexistent adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Villous adenoma originating in the urinary tract is uncommon. We present the first study of a large number of cases of villous adenoma of the urinary tract with clinical follow-up. Our series consisted of 15 patients with isolated villous adenoma and 8 patients with coexistent adenocarcinoma. The tumors occurred in elderly patients and had a predilection for the urachus, dome, and trigone of the urinary bladder. The typical clinical presentation was hematuria and irritative symptoms, and endoscopic examination usually identified a tumor growth. There was no gender predominance. Light microscopic examination showed morphologic similarity to colonic villous adenoma in all cases. Each tumor was composed of pointed or blunt finger-like processes lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The epithelial cells displayed nuclear stratification, nuclear crowding, nuclear hyperchromasia, and occasional prominent nucleoli and mitotic figures. There was intense carcinoembryonic antigen immunoreactivity on the luminal surfaces (89%). Most cases (78%) contained cytoplasmic acid mucin, demonstrated by Alcian blue periodic acid-Schiff stain. Cytokeratin 20 was positive in all cases, cytokeratin 7 was positive in 56% of cases, and epithelial membrane antigen was positive in 22% of cases. Recurrence or invasive adenocarcinoma did not develop in any patient with isolated villous adenoma during a mean follow-up of 9.9 years. Lung metastasis developed in one patient with coexistent adenocarcinoma and multiple recurrences in another (mean follow-up, 3 years). We conclude that the prognosis is excellent in patients with isolated villous adenoma, and complete surgical resection is curative. Patients with coexistent adenocarcinoma may experience recurrence or distant metastasis, and more aggressive treatment may be indicated.

A novel promoter variant of the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor gene is associated with lower atrial natriuretic peptide and higher blood pressure in obese hypertensives.

Abstract: Objective and design The clearance receptor for natriuretic peptides (NPRC), a candidate gene for essential hypertension, is highly expressed in adipose tissue, where is nutritionally regulated. The objectives of the present study were to sequence the human 5'-flanking regulatory region of NPRC, to identify allelic variants and their frequencies, and to study the genotype/phenotype correlation in hypertensive patients. Methods and results Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct automated sequencing, a biallelic (A/C) polymorphism was detected at position -55 in a conserved promoter element named P1. The novel C(-55) variant makes the promoter sequence identical to the mouse gene and introduces a second Hgal site in the amplified DNA, allowing the genotyping of a large number of subjects. In a random sample of 232 white Caucasians the C(-55) allele was more commonly found (81.7% of all alleles) with 155 CC (66.8%), 69 AC (29.7%) and only eight AA (3.5%) genotypes. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were determined in 84 patients with essential hypertension. In the presence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) the homozygous CC hypertensives (n = 21) had significantly lower plasma ANP (33.6 ± 11.1 pg/ml) compared with the AC patients (n = 11; 46.8 ± 15.9 pg/ml; P = 0.01), whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP) had the opposite association (SBP 163.9 ± 18.7 versus 150.9 ± 12.9 and MBP 123.3 ± 12 versus 114.5 ± 5.9 mmHg; P < 0.05). The difference in ANP levels were also present when overweight patients (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m 2 ) were considered. Conclusion A common 'ancestral' C(-55) variant of the NPRC P1 promoter is associated with lower ANP levels and higher SBP and MBP in obese hypertensives. The C(-55) variant, in the presence of increased adiposity, might reduce plasma ANP through increased NPRC-mediated ANP clearance, contributing to higher blood pressure.

rC5a Directs the In Vitro Migration of Human Memory and Naive Tonsillar B Lymphocytes: Implications for B Cell Trafficking in Secondary Lymphoid Tissues

Abstract: Human C5a is a potent chemoattractant for granulocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells. In mice C5a has been shown to be chemotactic for germinal center (GC) B cells. To date, no information is available on the effects of C5a on human B cell locomotion. Here we demonstrate that rC5a increases polarization and migration of human tonsillar B cells. The locomotory response was due to both chemokinetic and chemotactic activities of rC5a. Moreover, memory and, at a lesser extent, naive B cell fractions from purified tonsillar populations displayed rC5a-enhanced migratory properties, whereas GC cells did not. Flow cytometry revealed C5aR (CD88) on approximately 40% memory and 10% naive cells, respectively, whereas GC cells were negative. Immunohistochemistry showed that a few CD88+ cells were of the B cell lineage and localized in tonsillar subepithelial areas, where the majority of memory B cells settle. Pretreatment of memory B cells with the CD88 mAb abolished their migratory responsiveness to rC5a. Finally, the C5 gene was found to be expressed in naive, GC, and memory B lymphocytes at both the mRNA and the protein level. This study delineates a novel role for C5a as a regulator of the trafficking of human memory and naive B lymphocytes and supports the hypothesis that the B cells themselves may serve as source of C5 in secondary lymphoid tissues.

Host-specific modulation of the selective constraints driving human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gene evolution.

Abstract: To address the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) within a single host, we analyzed the HIV-1 C2-V5 env regions of both cell-free genomic-RNA- and proviral-DNA-derived clones. Sequential samples were collected over a period of 3 years from six untreated subjects (three typical progressors [TPs] and three slow progressors [SPs], all with a comparable length of infection except one. The evolutionary analysis of the C2-V5 env sequences performed on 506 molecular clones (253 RNA- and 253 DNA-derived sequences) highlighted a series of differences between TPs and SPs. In particular, (i) clonal sequences from SPs (DNA and RNA) showed lower nucleotide similarity than those from TPs (P = 0. 0001), (ii) DNA clones from SPs showed higher intra- and intersample nucleotide divergence than those from TPs (P < 0.05), (iii) higher host-selective pressure was generally detectable in SPs (DNA and RNA sequences), and (iv) the increase in the genetic distance of DNA and RNA sequences over time was paralleled by an increase in both synonymous (Ks) and nonsynonymous (Ka) substitutions in TPs but only in nonsynonymous substitutions in SPs. Several individual peculiarities of the HIV-1 evolutionary dynamics emerged when the V3, V4, and V5 env regions of both TPs and SPs were evaluated separately. These peculiarities, probably reflecting host-specific features of selective constraints and their continuous modulation, are documented by the dynamics of Ka/Ks ratios of hypervariable env domains.

Activity of 16 antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: The in vitro activity of 16 antimicrobial agents against 46 drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recently isolated from Italian patients was determined. As for first-line antituberculosis drugs, while isoniazid was ineffective against all the strains tested, resistance to streptomycin, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol was 80.4%, 71.7%, 39.1%, and 8.7%, respectively. Among second-line antituberculous drugs, resistance to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and sparfloxacin and to amikacin and kanamycin was around 20%. About 10% of the strains were resistant to capreomycin and cycloserine and 4.3% were resistant to ethionamide; no strain was found to be resistant to thiacetazone, para-aminosalicylic acid, and viomycin. Although all strains displayed a rather continuous distribution of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), a bimodal distribution was observed for rifampicin, amikacin, and kanamicin, with very high MIC values for resistant strains; relatively low MICs were found for fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. Among the small number of strains resistant to second-line agents, low resistant levels were observed. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed few strain clusters with resistance to first-line antituberculous drugs and aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, or both. Altogether, these results showed that second-line agents were still active against the isoniazid-resistant and multiply first-line resistant strains tested, with none or low resistance levels; these observations can be of importance for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Italy.

Determination of plasma metformin by a new cation-exchange HPLC technique.

Abstract: Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic agent used in the therapy of noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients. This biguanide can induce dangerous complications such as lactic acidosis when its plasma concentration is too high. For this reason, the determination of plasma metformin should always be done during treatment. We developed a new HPLC method, for the routine determination of plasma metformin, with good reliability, rapid execution, and low costs. Sample preparation involved precipitation of the plasma proteins containing the internal standard buformin with a mixture of methanol, zinc sulfate, and ethylene glycol; the diluted supernatant was injected into a cation-exchange column. The mobile phase was potassium dihydrogenphosphate buffer-containing acetonitrile. The eluent was monitored at 236 nm. The calibration curve is linear within the range of 20-4000 ng/mL; the within-day coefficients of variation were less than 2.2% for metformin and 1.5% for buformin; the day-to-day coefficients of variation were less than 2.5% for metformin and 1.9% for buformin. The mean recoveries obtained from supplemented samples were included between 99.4 and 104.2% for metformin. Many characteristics make this method useful and easily accessible to all clinical laboratories equipped with HPLC instrumentation.

In-vitro activity of dicationic aromatic compounds and fluconazole against Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida spp.

Abstract: We investigated the in-vitro activity of three selected dicationic aromatic compounds for nine clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and 93 clinical isolates of Candida spp., representing 12 different species, using a broth macrodilution method following NCCLS recommendations. All the clinical isolates were also tested for fluconazole susceptibility. The in-vitro data demonstrate that compounds 39 and 57 have excellent in-vitro activity for all tested strains (MIC 0.19‐1.56 mg/L) except Candida pelliculosa . Moreover, compound 39 showed excellent in-vitro fungicidal activity against Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae and Cryptococcus neoformans with MFCs in the range 0.39‐6.25 mg/L. Both compounds 39 and 57 showed excellent in-vitro activity against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates, including a C. albicans strain that contains all known fluconazole-resistant mechanisms. Comparing MIC data from compounds 21, 39 and 57 with fluconazole, we found a statistically significant difference only with compound 39 (P 5 0.043). However, comparing MFC data from compounds 21, 39 and 57 with fluconazole, we found statistically significant differences with all three compounds (P < 0.00001). These data indicate the potential antifungal breadth of two bis-benzimidazoles (compounds 39 and 57) as antifungal agents against yeasts. If it can be determined that compounds 39 and 57 are effective and non-toxic in vivo, the prospect of these compounds as clinically useful antifungal agents will be enhanced.

Modifications induced by LDL from type 1 diabetic patients on endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical vein.

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to analyze the effect of LDL obtained from type 1 diabetic patients in good metabolic control on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after a short incubation period to detect possible atherogenic modifications of endothelial properties. Cultured HUVECs were incubated for 3 h with culture medium alone (control HUVEC), with native LDL from 12 healthy men (control LDL), or with native LDL from 12 type 1 diabetic men (type 1 LDL) (100 pg/ml). After the incubation, the following parameters were evaluated: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels, Na+-K+-ATPase activity, plasma membrane fluidity determined by means of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), and plasma membrane conjugated diene (CD) content. The same experiments were repeated after bradykinin stimulation or in the presence of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and nitric oxide (NO) production in intact HUVECs was also evaluated. HUVECs incubated with control LDL in comparison with control HUVECs showed a decreased fluidity of the membrane surface evaluated by TMA-DPH and a higher CD content. These alterations were prevented by the presence of BHT. HUVECs incubated with type 1 LDL in comparison with both control HUVECs and cells incubated with control LDL showed 1) increased NOS and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels, and CD content, and 2) decreased fluidity of the membrane surface evaluated by TMA-DPH. These modifications were blunted--but not abolished--by the presence of BHT. After bradykinin stimulation either in the absence or in the presence of BHT, both cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels and NO production were increased in control HUVECs and in HUVECs incubated with control LDL, while a reduced response was observed in HUVECs incubated with type 1 LDL. The alterations observed in the endothelial function after the cell-LDL interaction might play a central role in the atherogenic process in diabetes.

Effect of Pharmacological Modulation of Liver P-Glycoproteins on Cyclosporin A Biliary Excretion and Cholestasis A Study in Isolated Perfused Rat Liver

Abstract: In different cell types P-glycoproteins (P-gp)are involved in the transport of cyclosporin A (CyA).The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thepharmacological modulation of the hepatic P-gp on biliary secretion of CyA and on cholestasisinduced by acute administration of CyA in the isolatedperfused rat liver (IPRL). Verapamil was used as a P-gpspecific inhibitor and acetylaminofluorene (AAF) as a P-gp inducer. CyA biliary excretion wasdetermined by administering in the IPRL a tracer dose of[3H]CyA with or without verapamil or AAF. Theeffect on bile flow was evaluated by administering increasing doses of CyA (2.8, 8, and 20 mg/kgbody wt) in the IPRL. Morphological evidence of damagewas evaluated by optical and electron microscopy in theliver as well as in primary culture of rat hepatocytes exposed to CyA ± verapamil. Verapamilsignificantly inhibited the biliary excretion of atracer dose of [3H]CyA (0.15 ± 0.04 vs0.33 ± 0.07%; P < 0.05). In contrast,pretreatment with AAF significantly increased the biliaryexcretion of [3H]CyA, (0.61 ± 0.10 vs0.33 ± 0.07%; P < 0.05). CyA induced adose-dependent inhibition of bile flow with a maximaleffect at 20 mg/kg CyA (–49.3 ± 4.5% decreaseof basal bile flow). CyA cholestasis was significantlyworsened by the P-gp inhibitor, verapamil (–75.5± 7.5%; P < 0.05), but it was unaffected byinduction of P-gp via AAF pretreatment (–44.9 ±1.7%). During CyA cholestasis, the cumulative biliaryexcretion of [3H]CyA was lower than in theabsence of cholestasis (0.22 ± 0.05 vs 0.33± 0.07%; P < 0.05), was inhibited by verapamil (0.08± 0.01%; P < 0.05), but was unaffected by AAF(0.23 ± 0.05%). No morphological evidence ofdamage was observed in the liver, and no evidence ofcytoskeleton derangement was seen in primary cultures of rathepatocytes exposed to CyA ± verapamil. Wedemonstrated that pharmacological modulation of P-gp mayinfluence the biliary excretion of CyA. The acutecholestatic effect of CyA is worsened by P-gp inhibitors,while it is unaffected by P-gp inducers. This indicatesCyA should not be given with other P-gp substrates orinhibitors.

Fiscal Dominance and Money Growth in Italy: The Long Record

Abstract: Fiscal dominance, that is, the extent to which government deficits condition the growth of the money supply, has been the prevailing regime in Italian monetary history from the creation of the state in 1861 to the 1980s. The nature of the institutional structure linking budget deficits to monetary base creation has changed over time. In the early days, the profit-seeking banks of issue exceeded intermittently the legal ceiling on their outstanding currency to lend to government. The influence of public finance on monetary policy became even stronger, first, in the 1930s and, later, in the 1970s. The joint event of an independent central bank and lower budget deficits are responsible for a reversal of fiscal dominance in the 1980s and the 1990s.

An Assessment of the Bank for International Settlements

Abstract: This article reviews the role of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and its adaptability to the changing international financial structure, from the gold standard to floating exchange rates Today, the BIS has assumed the role of creator of international standards for banks and financial conglomerates through the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Its implied mission is to prevent international financial crises and to mitigate negative externalities when they occur The overall assessment of the BIS is positive Its small membership gives it a sense of purpose and minimizes free riding Given the high degree of financial integration in the world and consequent large spill-overs, the BIS would have to be created if it did not already exist

Drug attitude and subjective well-being in antipsychotic treatment monotherapy in real-world settings

Abstract: Aims – To assess using two well-know scales (DAI-30 and SWN) the drug attitude and subjective well-being of patients treated with haloperidol or second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) in four different Italian communities. Methods – The sample included 145 patients taking five different antipsychotics (APs) in mono-therapy: haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine. A stepwise multiple regression analysis (SMRA) was used to analyse the contribution of different AP treatments and of other predictors to SWN and DAI-30 scores. Results – Univariate analyses showed no differences in DAI-30 and SWN scores across treatments. The SMRA showed that SWN scores were negatively correlated with the severity of the psychoses (BPRS scores), while the DAI-30 scores were negatively correlated with the severity of the psychoses and positively correlated both with the length of drug treatment and with the use of olanzapine. Conclusions – Our study does not confirm a better drug attitude in patients treated with SGA with respect to haloperidol. The only partial exception is the better performance of olanzapine over haloperidol on DAI-30, which could be due to the lower use of anticholinergic drugs during olanzapine treatment. The differences between the SWN and DAI-30 may give good reason for the use of both instruments during AP treatments.Declaration of Interest: No grants have been received for this study. In the last two years: Matteo Balestrieri has received grants from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, BMS, Janssen-Cilag, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Innova-Pharma, Pfizer, Bristol, Abbott, Lundbeck; Guido Di Sciascio has received grants from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, BMS, Janssen-Cilag, Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth, Boehringer- Ingelheim; Elisa Maso has received grants from Pfizer; Cesario Bellantuono has received grants from Eli Lilly, BMS, Boehringer- Ingelheim, Innova-Pharma, Italfarmaco; The other authors have not received any grants in the last two years.

Tyrosine phosphorylation in type-1 diabetes by immunogold detection: an in vitro human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) study in the presence of diabetic low density lipoproteins (LDL).

Abstract: An immunomorphometric study of tyrosine phosphorylation was performed by the immunogold technique on cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) with a view to demonstrating their impaired signal transduction status, induced in vitro by incubation with low-density lipoproteins from the plasma of Type-1 diabetic patients. The results seem to sustain the hypothesis that extranuclear bioenergetic derangement induced by low-density lipoproteins from Type-1 diabetic patients may be associated with an up-regulation of the nuclear energetic machinery aimed at maintaining intracellular metabolic equilibrium. Our data demonstrate that phosphorylated tyrosine is a useful marker to monitor this metabolic condition.

Comparison of classic and two-compartment minimal models for evaluation of glucose disposal indexes in hypertension

Abstract: A standard intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed in five non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension (under long-term pharmacological treatment) and five normotensive control subjects. A two-compartment minimal model (2CMM) of glucose kinetics was applied to estimate indexes of glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity by means of a maximum a posteriori (MAP) Bayesian estimation technique. These estimates were contrasted to those obtained from the application of the classic minimal model (1CMM). Both the 2CMM and the 1CMM yielded estimates of glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity indexes that document severe insulin resistance and impaired glucose effectiveness in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. The index of glucose effectiveness provided by the 2CMM was, on average, 70% (in the hypertensive group) and 56% (in the normotensive group) of the corresponding estimate provided by the MM. The 2CMM index of insulin sensitivity was, on average, 140% and 142% of the corresponding estimate provided by the 1CMM. These results confirm that the Bayesian identification of the 2CMM improves the accuracy of glucose effectiveness and of insulin sensitivity estimates over the classic single-pool description (1CMM) of glucose kinetics.