Showing papers by "University of Modena and Reggio Emilia published in 2000"
TL;DR: The quality of practice guidelines developed by specialty societies is unsatisfactory and explicit methodological criteria for the production of guidelines shared among public agencies, scientific societies, and patients' associations need to be set up.
643 citations
TL;DR: Most children and young adults with acquired central diabetes insipidus have abnormal findings on MRI scans of the head, which may change over time, and at least half have anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies during follow-up.
Abstract: Background Central diabetes insipidus is rare in children and young adults, and up to 50 percent of cases are idiopathic. The clinical presentation and the long-term course of this disorder are largely undefined. Methods We studied all 79 patients with central diabetes insipidus who were seen at four pediatric endocrinology units between 1970 and 1996. There were 37 male and 42 female patients whose median age at diagnosis was 7.0 years (range, 0.1 to 24.8). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and periodic studies of anterior pituitary function. The median duration of follow-up was 7.6 years (range, 1.6 to 26.2). Results The causes of the central diabetes insipidus were Langerhans'-cell histiocytosis in 12 patients, an intracranial tumor in 18 patients, a skull fracture in 2 patients, and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy in 1 patient; 5 patients had familial disease. The cause was considered to be idiopathic in 41 patients (52 percent). In 74 patients (94 percent) the posterior pituitary ...
394 citations
TL;DR: Invertebrates possess effective general innate immune mechanisms which exhibit striking parallels with those of vertebrates, and the signal transduction pathways that are involved in mediating the production of these substances appear to be very similar among animal species, suggesting a common ancestral origin for the innate immune systems.
Abstract: Although lacking the components that characterize the acquired immunity systems of vertebrates, invertebrates nevertheless possess effective general innate immune mechanisms which exhibit striking parallels with those of vertebrates. These innate immune systems include both cellular and humoral elements. Invertebrate phagocytes synthesize both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent molecules to combat infectious agents. Cytotoxic substances employed by invertebrates include reactive intermediates of oxygen and nitrogen, antimicrobial peptides, lectins, cytokine- and complement-like molecules, and quinoid intermediates of melanin. The signal transduction pathways that are involved in mediating the production of these substances appear to be very similar among animal species, suggesting a common ancestral origin for the innate immune systems.
339 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the magnetic properties of iron(III) clusters were reviewed for future applications, as well as strategies for designing new molecules with increased performances. But their behavior is similar to that of bulk magnets and they may be called single molecule magnets.
330 citations
TL;DR: In response to fluctuations in the level of the 'labile iron pool', IRPs act as key regulators of cellular iron homoeostasis as a result of the translational control of the expression of a number of iron metabolism-related genes.
Abstract: The capacity of readily exchanging electrons makes iron not only essential for fundamental cell functions, but also a potential catalyst for chemical reactions involving free-radical formation and subsequent oxidative stress and cell damage. Cellular iron levels are therefore carefully regulated in order to maintain an adequate substrate while also minimizing the pool of potentially toxic ‘free iron’. Iron homoeostasis is controlled through several genes, an increasing number of which have been found to contain non-coding sequences [i.e. the iron-responsive elements (IREs)] which are recognized at the mRNA level by two cytoplasmic iron-regulatory proteins (IRP-1 and IRP-2). The IRPs belong to the aconitase superfamily. By means of an Fe-S-cluster-dependent switch, IRP-1 can function as an mRNA-binding protein or as an enzyme that converts citrate into isocitrate. Although structurally and functionally similar to IRP-1, IRP-2 does not seem to assemble a cluster nor to possess aconitase activity; moreover, it has a distinct pattern of tissue expression and is modulated by means of proteasome-mediated degradation. In response to fluctuations in the level of the ‘labile iron pool’, IRPs act as key regulators of cellular iron homoeostasis as a result of the translational control of the expression of a number of iron metabolism-related genes. Conversely, various agents and conditions may affect IRP activity, thereby modulating iron and oxygen radical levels in different pathobiological settings. As the number of mRNAs regulated through IRE–IRP interactions keeps growing, the definition of IRPs as iron-regulatory proteins may in the near future become limiting as their role expands to other essential metabolic pathways.
294 citations
TL;DR: MARS, a Linda-like coordination architecture with programming features, can handle a heterogeneous network while still allowing simple and flexible application design.
Abstract: Mobile agents offer much promise, but agent mobility and Internet openness make coordination more difficult. Mobile Agent Reactive Spaces (MARS), a Linda-like coordination architecture with programming features, can handle a heterogeneous network while still allowing simple and flexible application design.
278 citations
TL;DR: There was a twofold range in the risk of death from colorectal cancer even after adjustment for surgery and disease stage, and there were wide variations in diagnostic and surgical practices.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Marked differences in population based survival across Europe were found for colorectal cancers diagnosed in 1985–1989. AIMS To understand the reasons for these differences in survival in a new analysis of colorectal cancers diagnosed between 1988 and 1991. SUBJECTS A total of 2720 patients with adenocarcinoma of the large bowel from 11 European cancer registries (CRs). METHODS We obtained information on stage at diagnosis, diagnostic determinants, and surgical treatment (not routinely collected by CRs) and analysed the data in relation to three year observed survival, calculating relative risks (RRs) of death and adjusting for age, sex, site, stage, and determinants of stage. RESULTS Three year observed survival rates ranged from 25% (Cracow) to 59% (Modena), and were low in the Thames area (UK) (38%). Survival rates between registries for “resected” patients varied less than those for all patients. When age, sex, and site were considered, RRs ranged from 0.7 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.6–0.9) (Modena) to 2.3 (95% CI 1.9–2.9) (Cracow). After further adjustment by stage, between registry RR variation was between 0.8 (95% CI 0.6–0.9) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.2). Inter-registry RR differences were slightly reduced when the determinants of stage (number of nodes examined and liver imaging) were included in the model. The reduction was marked for the UK registries. CONCLUSIONS The wide differences across Europe in colorectal cancer survival depend to a large extent on differences in stage at diagnosis. There are wide variations in diagnostic and surgical practices. There was a twofold range in the risk of death from colorectal cancer even after adjustment for surgery and disease stage.
267 citations
TL;DR: Primary HHV-8 infection and reactivation of infection may be associated with nonneoplastic complications in immunosuppressed patients.
Abstract: Background Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection has been linked to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma and to rare lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods We used molecular methods, serologic methods, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analyses to study HHV-8 infection in association with nonmalignant illnesses in three patients after transplantation. Results Primary HHV-8 infections developed in two patients four months after each received a kidney from the same HHV-8–seropositive cadaveric donor. Seroconversion and viremia occurred coincidentally with disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma in one patient and with an acute syndrome of fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, and marrow failure with plasmacytosis in the other patient. HHV-8 latent nuclear antigen was present in immature progenitor cells from the aplastic marrow of the latter patient. Identification of the highly variable K1 gene sequence of the HHV-8 genome in both the donor's peripheral-blood cells and the recipients' serum confirmed that tran...
213 citations
TL;DR: Run-on analysis of several endogenous genes further proves that the drug has rapid, profound, and selective negative effects on transcription, proving that this marine-derived compound is a promoter-specific, transcription-interfering agent.
Abstract: Ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743) is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata currently under phase II clinical trials for its potent anticancer activity. ET-743 binds DNA in the minor groove and forms covalent adducts with some sequence specificity. It selectively inhibits in vitro binding of the CCAAT box factor NF-Y. In this study, we assayed ET-743 function in vivo on the HSP70 promoter. On heat induction, the drug blocks transcription rapidly at pharmacological concentrations and in a CCAAT-dependent manner, whereas the activity of the CCAAT-less simian virus 40 promoter is not affected. The effect is exerted at the mRNA level. The distamycin-like alkylating tallimustine is inactive in these assays. Binding of NF-Y and of the heat-shock factor is normal in ET-743-treated cells. Run-on analysis of several endogenous genes further proves that the drug has rapid, profound, and selective negative effects on transcription. Thus, this marine-derived compound is a promoter-specific, transcription-interfering agent.
209 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of the subunit composition of native ASICs in peripheral and central neurons found co-expression of human ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits in trigeminal sensory ganglia, brain, and testis where they might co-assemble into a novel subtype of proton-gated channels sensitive to gadolinium.
162 citations
TL;DR: PMR with a normal ESR at diagnosis was infrequent in this study compared with previous studies, and ESR was a superior predictor of relapse than CRP, however, CRP was a more sensitive indicator of current disease activity.
TL;DR: The distribution of α3, α4, α5, α6, α7, β2, β3 and β4 subunit mRNAs in the monkey is substantially similar to that observed in rodent brain, and suggests that, besides α4β2*, α2β2* nA ChRs constitute a main nAChR isoform in primate brain.
Abstract: We present here a systematic mapping of nAChR subunit mRNAs in Macaca mulatta brain. A fragment, from the transmembrane segments MIII to MIV of Macaca neuronal nAChR subunits was cloned, and shown to exhibit high identity (around 95%) to the corresponding human subunits. Then, specific oligodeoxynucleotides were synthesized for in situ hybridization experiments. Both alpha4 and beta2 mRNA signals were widely distributed in the brain, being stronger in the thalamus and in the dopaminergic cells of the mesencephalon. Most brain nuclei displayed both alpha4 and beta2 signals with the exception of some basal ganglia regions and the reticular thalamic nucleus which were devoid of alpha4 signal. alpha6 and beta3 mRNA signals were selectively concentrated in the substantia nigra and the medial habenula. The strongest signals for alpha3 or beta4 mRNAs were found in the epithalamus (medial habenula and pineal gland), whereas there were no specific alpha3 or beta4 signals in mesencephalic dopaminergic nuclei. alpha5 and alpha7 mRNA signals were found in several brain areas, including cerebral cortex, thalamus and substantia nigra, although at a lower level than alpha4 and beta2. The distribution of alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, alpha7, beta2, beta3 and beta4 subunit mRNAs in the monkey is substantially similar to that observed in rodent brain. Surprisingly, alpha2 mRNA signal was largely distributed in the Macaca brain, at levels comparable with those of alpha4 and beta2. This observation represents the main difference between rodent and Macaca subunit mRNA distribution and suggests that, besides alpha4beta2*, alpha2beta2* nAChRs constitute a main nAChR isoform in primate brain.
TL;DR: The study offers a quantitative estimate of the prevalence of UI and its main risk factors in this Italian population and finds that parity was directly associated with the risk of UI in women.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the iron-deficient phenotype of HC macrophages is a direct effect of the HFE mutation, and they demonstrate a role for HFE in the accumulation of iron in these cells.
TL;DR: In this paper, bottom ash and glass cullet coming from the municipal solid waste incineration and a community glass recycling program, respectively, are particularly suitable to be subjected to a vitrification/devitrification process, leading to the production of alkaline and alkaline-earth silicate differently colored glasses with good chemical properties, capable to be transformed into surface nucleated basaltic glass-ceramics.
Abstract: Municipal (bottom ash and glass cullet coming from the municipal solid waste incineration and a community glass recycling program, respectively) and industrial (steel fly ash) wastes are particularly suitable to be subjected to a vitrification/devitrification process, leading to the production of alkaline and alkaline-earth silicate differently colored glasses with good chemical properties, capable to be transformed into surface nucleated basaltic glass-ceramics. These materials were investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, durability and release tests, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the recycle of thermally treated asbestos containing materials as a raw material for glass ceramics and traditional ceramic materials is described. But the recycling process is not considered in this paper.
Abstract: Given the known carcinogenic effects, its wide occupational exposures and widespread use in the past, asbestos is considered a general health hazard and a priority treatment for pollution prevention. In this context, asbestos can be entirely transformed to a mixture of non hazardous silicate phases throughout a thermal treatment at 1000–1250°C and to a silicate glass at T >1250°C. These products may be recycled for the production of traditional ceramics. In this paper we describe the recycle of thermally treated asbestos containing materials as a raw material for glass ceramics and traditional ceramics. A significant improvement of the technological properties of porcelainised stoneware, obtained by high sintering of unglazed ceramic bodies, is accomplished by the addition of 5 wt% of an asbestos-based glass ceramic.
TL;DR: Melanocortins seem to play an important role in stress-induced anorexia, because such condition, in rats, is significantly attenuated by the blockage of melanocortin MC(4) receptors; such a role is not secondary to an increased release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF).
TL;DR: The application of a semi quantitative method based on a comparative analysis of molecular interaction fields to gain insights into the recognition properties of blue copper proteins shows that comparison of the molecular electrostatic potentials provides useful information complementary to that highlighted by sequence analysis.
Abstract: Blue copper proteins are type-I copper-containing redox proteins whose role is to shuttle electrons from an electron donor to an electron acceptor in bacteria and plants. A large amount of experimental data is available on blue copper proteins; however, their functional characterization is hindered by the complexity of redox processes in biological systems. We describe here the application of a semiquantitative method based on a comparative analysis of molecular interaction fields to gain insights into the recognition properties of blue copper proteins. Molecular electrostatic and hydrophobic potentials were computed and compared for a set of 33 experimentally-determined structures of proteins from seven blue copper subfamilies, and the results were quantified by means of similarity indices. The analysis provides a classification of the blue copper proteins and shows that (I) comparison of the molecular electrostatic potentials provides useful information complementary to that highlighted by sequence analysis; (2) similarities in recognition properties can be detected for proteins belonging to different subfamilies, such as amicyanins and pseudoazurins, that may be isofunctional proteins; (3) dissimilarities in interaction properties, consistent with experimentally different binding specificities, may be observed between proteins belonging to the same subfamily, such as cyanobacterial and eukaryotic plastocyanins; (4) proteins with low sequence identity, such as azurins and pseudoazurins, can have sufficient similarity to bind to similar electron donors and acceptors while having different binding specificity profiles.
TL;DR: The relation between selenium and cancer has been one of the most hotly debated topics in human health over the last decades Early observational studies reported an inverse relation between SE exposure and cancer risk Subsequently, randomized controlled trials showed that SE supplementation does not reduce the risk of cancer and may even increase it for some types, including advanced prostate cancer and skin cancer An increased risk of diabetes has also been reported as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The relation between selenium and cancer has been one of the most hotly debated topics in human health over the last decades Early observational studies reported an inverse relation between selenium exposure and cancer risk Subsequently, randomized controlled trials showed that selenium supplementation does not reduce the risk of cancer and may even increase it for some types, including advanced prostate cancer and skin cancer An increased risk of diabetes has also been reported These findings have been consistent in the most methodologically sound trials, suggesting that the early observational studies were misleading Other studies have investigated selenium compounds as adjuvant therapy for cancer Though there is currently insufficient evidence regarding the utility and safety of selenium compounds for such treatments, this issue is worthy of further investigation The study of selenium and cancer is complicated by the existence of a diverse array of organic and inorganic selenium compounds, each with distinct biological properties, and this must be taken into consideration in the interpretation of both observational and experimental human studies
TL;DR: The chapter concludes that learning in the CNS networks can take place not only by instructions acting on the cells, but also by changing the characteristics of the extracellular matrix, for example, by focal changes in its capability of transmitting or destroying a signal flowing through it.
Abstract: Publisher Summary In the chapter, aspects of the information handling in the central nervous system (CNS) are analyzed in the frame of the so called volume transmission (VT)— that is, of a widespread mode of intercellular communication that occurs in the extracellular fluid (ECF) of the brain and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Five aspects are examined, the first three on the basis of deductions from the available evidence and from the characteristics of the VT, the fourth on the basis of recent experimental evidence gathered in the laboratory, and the last one on the basis of the analogy between VT communication channels and the connection devices in the B-type unorganized machine The chapter concludes that learning in the CNS networks can take place not only by instructions acting on the cells (classically by changing the weights— that is, efficacies of the synapses in the circuit, but also by changing the characteristics of the extracellular matrix, for example, by focal changes in its capability of transmitting or destroying a signal flowing through it
TL;DR: Whereas skin thickness shows a gradual increase from birth to adulthood, maturation of the skin leads to variations in the intensity of its echogenicity, depending on the different skin areas, which greatly varies in different phases of life.
Abstract: Background: Skin anatomy and physiology undergo modifications throughout the whole lifespan. In children the skin appears with structural characteristics, as evaluated by histology,
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the upper triangular matrix Φ obtained by the Cholesky decomposition Σ - 1 = Φ T Φ and provide an interesting alternative parameterisation of decomposable models since its upper triangle has the same zero structure as Σ − 1 and its elements have an interpretation as parameters of certain conditional distributions.
Abstract: The canonical parameter of a covariance selection model is the inverse covariance matrix Σ -1 whose zero pattern gives the conditional independence structure characterising the model. In this paper we consider the upper triangular matrix Φ obtained by the Cholesky decomposition Σ - 1 = Φ T Φ. This provides an interesting alternative parameterisation of decomposable models since its upper triangle has the same zero structure as Σ -1 and its elements have an interpretation as parameters of certain conditional distributions. For a distribution for Σ, the strong hyper-Markov property is shown to be characterised by the mutual independence of the rows of Φ. This is further used to generalise to the hyper inverse Wishart distribution some well-known properties of the inverse Wishart distribution. In particular we show that a hyper inverse Wishart matrix can be decomposed into independent normal and chi-squared random variables, and we describe a family of transformations under which the family of hyper inverse Wishart distributions is closed.
TL;DR: It is found that carboxyfullerene was able to protect quiescent PBMCs from apoptosis caused either by 2-deoxy-d-ribose or TNF-alpha plus cycloheximide by a mechanism partially involving the mitochondrial membrane potential integrity, known to be associated with early stages of apoptosis.
TL;DR: It is believed that urinary incontinence in institutionalized elderly people can be managed essentially by measures of tertiary prevention, aimed at reducing the handicapping conditions and at slowing down the process of self-sufficiency impairment.
TL;DR: The results of this study strongly indicate that primary prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmic encephalitis can be safely discontinued in patients whose CD4+ T cell counts increase to >200 cells/mm3 during HAART.
Abstract: A multicenter open, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine whether primary prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmic encephalitis can be discontinued in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) whose CD4+ T cell counts have increased to >200 cells/mm3 (and who have remained at this level for at least 3 months) as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Patients were randomized to either the discontinuation arm (i.e., those who discontinued prophylaxis; n=355) or to the continuation arm (n=353); the 2 arms of the study were similar in terms of demographic, clinical, and immunovirologic characteristics. During the median follow-ups of 6.4 months (discontinuation arm) and 6.1 months (continuation arm) and with a total of 419 patient-years, no patient developed P. carinii pneumonia or toxoplasmic encephalitis. The results of this study strongly indicate that primary prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmic encephalitis can be safely discontinued in patients whose CD4+ T cell counts increase to >200 cells/mm3 during HAART.
TL;DR: It is found that IL‐6 depresses the spread of excitation and evoked glutamate release in the cerebral cortex, and that these effects are accompanied by a stimulation of STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation, an inhibition of MAPK/ERK activity, a decreased phosphorylated of the presynaptic MAPK /ERK substrate synapsin I and no detectable effects on SAPK/JNK.
Abstract: Cytokines are extracellular mediators that have been reported to affect neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity phenomena when applied in vitro. Most of these effects occur rapidly after the application of the cytokines and are presumably mediated through the activation of protein phosphorylation processes. While many cytokines have an inflammatory action, interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been found to have a neuroprotective effect against ischaemia lesions and glutamate excitotoxicity, and to increase neuronal survival in a variety of experimental conditions. In this paper, the functional effects of IL-6 on the spread of excitation visualized by dark-field/infrared videomicroscopy in rat cortical slices and on glutamate release from cortical synaptosomes were analysed and correlated with the activation of the STAT3, mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK (MAPK/ERK) and stress-activated protein kinase/cJun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) pathways. We have found that IL-6 depresses the spread of excitation and evoked glutamate release in the cerebral cortex, and that these effects are accompanied by a stimulation of STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation, an inhibition of MAPK/ERK activity, a decreased phosphorylation of the presynaptic MAPK/ERK substrate synapsin I and no detectable effects on SAPK/JNK. The effects of IL-6 were effectively counteracted by treatment of the cortical slices with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A. The inhibitory effects of IL-6 on glutamate release and on the spread of excitation in the rat cerebral cortex indicate that the protective effect of IL-6 on neuronal survival could be mediated by a downregulation of neuronal activity, release of excitatory neurotransmitters and MAPK/ERK activity.
TL;DR: A nonlinear variable structure (VS) system is presented, suitable for smooth trajectory generation in motion control system and minimum time response with guaranteed no overshoot is ensured both in the continuous and discrete-time implementations.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Findings include the existence of an autocrine loop where NGF and trk act as key players, and NGF protein levels are increased in psoriatic as compared to non-lesional and normal skin, and Psoriatic keratinocytes express higher amounts of NGF than normal keratinocyte.
Abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is synthesized and released by human keratinocytes. NGF acts as a neurotrophic molecule at the skin level, as it stimulates the sprouting of nerve fibers and regulates the synthesis and expression of neuropeptides. NGF can thus take part in neurogenic inflammation which in turn is involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory dermatoses. Human keratinocytes also synthesize and express the low (p75)-and the high-affinity (trk) NGF-receptor (NGF-R). NGF stimulates keratinocyte proliferation which is blocked by the natural alcaloid K252, a specific inhibitor of trk phosphorylation. K252 inhibits keratinocyte proliferation and induces keratinocyte apoptosis, in the absence of exogenous NGF, indicating the existence of an autocrine loop where NGF and trk act as key players. Finally, NGF protein levels are increased in psoriatic as compared to non-lesional and normal skin, and psoriatic keratinocytes express higher amounts of NGF than normal keratinocytes. This review will discuss the above findings in view of a possible involvement of NGF in the pathomechanisms associated with the development of the psoriatic lesion.
TL;DR: In this paper, the capability of three different mixtures to be vitrified and subsequently devitrified by both bulk and sintering process was investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, hot stage microscopy, firing shrinkage, water absorption and bulk density measurements, as well as scanning electron microscopy observations.
Abstract: Glass-ceramics were produced using an Italian municipal incinerator bottom ash and glass cullet coming from a community glass recycling program. The capability of three different mixtures to be vitrified and subsequently devitrified by both bulk and sintering process was investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, hot stage microscopy, firing shrinkage, water absorption and bulk density measurements, as well as scanning electron microscopy observations. High ash contents favour the growth of crystallised fraction volume and the formation of crystals of the pyroxene group, and anorthite in addition to wollastonite. Since the nucleation mechanism starts from the surface and sintering occurs before crystallisation, all the compositions humidified with a water solution are easily sinterable in dense materials at the relatively low temperature of about 850°C, in such way as to render the process economically advantageous