University of Florence

About: University of Florence is a education organization based out in Florence, Toscana, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Carbonic anhydrase. The organization has 27292 authors who have published 79599 publications receiving 2341684 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli studi di Firenze & Universita degli studi di Firenze.

Allergen- and bacterial antigen-specific T-cell clones established from atopic donors show a different profile of cytokine production.

Abstract: We have established a large panel of T-cell clones (TCCs) specific for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Lolium perenne group I grass pollen allergens (total, 61) and for tetanus toxoid and protein purified derivative bacterial antigens (total, 38) from the peripheral blood of two atopic individuals and then analyzed their ability to produce interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Upon stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus anti-CD3 antibody, the great majority of TCCs specific for bacterial components was able to produce both IL-4 and IFN-gamma, whereas most D. pteronyssinus- and L. perenne group I-specific TCCs produced IL-4, but no, or limited, IFN-gamma. Moreover, the mean amounts of IL-4 and IFN-gamma released by allergen-specific TCCs were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than the mean amounts produced by TCCs specific for bacterial components. Under the same experimental conditions, virtually all allergen-specific TCCs, but only one-third of tested TCCs specific for bacterial components, expressed IL-5 RNA and secreted IL-5 in their supernatants. Eighteen TCCs (nine specific for allergens and nine specific for bacterial components) were also assessed for their ability to induce IgE synthesis by autologous B cells in response to stimulation with the specific antigen. Under these experimental conditions, all allergen-specific TCCs, but only one-third of TCCs specific for bacterial components that produced IL-4 but no, or little, IFN-gamma induced the synthesis of detectable amounts of IgE. The demonstration that most allergen-specific helper T cells in atopic individuals are able to produce high amounts of IL-4 (and IL-5), but no IFN-gamma, may explain why allergens induce production of IgE antibodies and increase eosinophils.

Revised guidelines for the clinical management of Lynch syndrome (HNPCC): recommendations by a group of European experts

Abstract: Lynch syndrome (LS) is characterised by the development of colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer and various other cancers, and is caused by a mutation in one of the mismatch repair genes: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2. In 2007, a group of European experts (the Mallorca group) published guidelines for the clinical management of LS. Since then substantial new information has become available necessitating an update of the guidelines. In 2011 and 2012 workshops were organised in Palma de Mallorca. A total of 35 specialists from 13 countries participated in the meetings. The first step was to formulate important clinical questions. Then a systematic literature search was performed using the Pubmed database and manual searches of relevant articles. During the workshops the outcome of the literature search was discussed in detail. The guidelines described in this paper may be helpful for the appropriate management of families with LS. Prospective controlled studies should be undertaken to improve further the care of these families.

A characterization of integral input-to-state stability

Abstract: The notion of input-to-state stability (ISS) is now recognized as a central concept in nonlinear systems analysis. It provides a nonlinear generalization of finite gains with respect to supremum norms and also of finite L/sup 2/ gains. It plays a central role in recursive design, coprime factorizations, controllers for nonminimum phase systems, and many other areas. In this paper, a newer notion, that of integral input-to-state stability (iISS), is studied. The notion of iISS generalizes the concept of finite gain when using an integral norm on inputs but supremum norms of states, in that sense generalizing the linear "H/sup 2/" theory. It allows one to quantify sensitivity even in the presence of certain forms of nonlinear resonance. We obtain several necessary and sufficient characterizations of the iISS property, expressed in terms of dissipation inequalities and other alternative and nontrivial characterizations.

Recommendations for a Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS)

Abstract: Background: Cognitive impairment in MS impacts negatively on many patients at all disease stages and in all subtypes. Full clinical cognitive assessment is expensive, requiring expert staff and spe...