Topical amikacin formulation induces fibroblast growth factor and cytokine release from human dermal fibroblasts.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Baroni
Publications and source records attributed to A Baroni.
Kinematic characteristics of standing disequilibrium: reliability and validity of a posturographic protocol.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate retest reliability and concurrent validity of the fundamental measurements made of a posturographic protocol that employs quiet standing to quantify the severity and the nature of patients' postural disturbances. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective complete block design. SETTING: Geriatric rehabilitation department. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six participants (age range, 67 to 86 yrs) having normal, moderate, or severe levels of disequilibrium. METHODS: Quiet standing was evaluated on three occasions using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and a force platform. Eight testing conditions, designed to vary task difficulty by controlling the contributions of vision, foot proprioception, and base-of-support width, were administered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retest reliability of body sway, joint alignment, body position, and motor coordination indicators were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Concurrent validity of protocol measures was evaluated by the prediction of disequilibrium from a stepwise linear discriminant analysis. RESULTS: ICCs indicated high level of retest reliability for all variables but those of motor coordination, which was not influenced by testing conditions. Discriminant analysis resulted in a four-factor discriminator that included measures of body sway, position, alignment, and motor coordination. The derived linear discriminate function correctly classified 96% of the patients' level of disequilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: The posturographic protocol has the potential to be a useful tool for evaluating severity and nature of postural instability and the effects of pharmacologic and rehabilitative treatment. Results also indicate that combining direct body measurements with force-plate data has the potential to expose the underlying impairments that cause disequilibrium, determine their pathogenesis, and evaluate compensatory strategies.
Aged↗
Detection of herpesvirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions of patients with pemphigus by polymerase chain reaction.
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease where both endogenous (genetic) and exogenous (environmental) factors play a part. Viral infections, in particular herpesvirus infections, have been identified as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus. In this study, using the polymerase chain reaction, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin biopsies from patients with pemphigus, and in some of these were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA sequences of herpes simplex virus 1/2 (50% in PBMC and 71% in skin biopsies), Epstein-Barr virus (15% in PBMC and 5% in skin biopsies) and human herpesvirus 6 (20% in PBMC only). However, the inability to detect herpesvirus DNA consistently in these cases suggests that viral infection may only be an occasional factor triggering the outbreak or exacerbation of the disease. The possible role of interferons and interleukins in the pathogenesis of virus-induced pemphigus is discussed.
Adult↗
Porin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces apoptosis in an epithelial cell line derived from rat seminal vesicles.
Micromolar concentrations of porin, purified from the outer membranes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, induced in vitro the classic morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis in an epithelial cell line (SVC1) derived from the rat seminal vesicle secretory epithelium. The programmed cell death (PCD) was p53 independent and associated with significant decrease of bcl-2 expression, a marked increase of c-myc transcriptional activity, and an absence of the mRNA coding for tissue transglutaminase. The Ca(2+) influx, caused by the porin treatment of SVC1 cells, appears to play an important role in the triggering of apoptosis in our biological model. The possibility that the porin property of inducing PCD plays a role in the infertility of individuals chronically infected by gram-negative bacteria is discussed.
Animals↗
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in experimental subcutaneous and pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
About 80% of nosocomial infections are caused by aerobic bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family; P. aeruginosa is responsible for 6-22% of all hospital infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy (2 atm abs x 55 min.day-1) alone for 8 days and combined with antibiotic chemotherapy (amikacin 15 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 8 days by intraperitoneal route) in rats infected subcutaneously and via the pulmonary route. In the rats infected by P. aeruginosa, HBO2 induced a reduction in mortality and morbidity with bacteria eradication in blood culture, bronchial aspirate, and skin biopsies when compared to control. These effects were increased by the use of amikacin, an antibiotic used for the treatment of sensitive Gram-negative bacteria.
Amikacin↗
Recent advances on the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). The adhesion molecules.
Oral Lichen Planus is a chronic inflammatory pathology with not well defined etiology, characterized by an immunoreactivity directed against the keratinocytes of basal layer and mediated by a cellular infiltrate of T-lymphocytes. This immunoreactivity is caused by a modification of basal keratinocytes surface antigens, with activation of antigen-presenting cells allowing the recognition on non-self antigens by CD4 lymphocytes. The migration of T-cells at the sites of the damage and their interactions with leucocytes and keratinocytes represent a key effect of pathogenesis of OLP, and are mediated by specific cell surface adhesion molecules. Recent studies in molecular biology, with the discovery and the definition of cell adhesion receptors, have greatly contributed to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of OLP; these molecules regulate immune functions such as adhesion to endothelial cells, lymphocytes migration into extravasal tissues at the site of immune response and T-cell interactions with target cell antigens. The adhesion molecules have been classified into various families, differing on the basis of their molecular structure: the Immunoglobulin Superfamily (ICAM 1-3, PECAM-1, VCAM-1), the Selectins (ELAM-1, LECAM-1, GMP-140), the Integrins (LEA-1) and others. In this paper, the principal classes of adhesion molecules which are involved in the immune response are described and their importance in the pathogenesis of Lichen Planus is underlined.
Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
Natural polyamines inhibit soybean (Glycine max) lipoxygenase-1, but not the lipoxygenase-2 isozyme.
Natural polyamines are shown to inhibit dioxygenase activity of soybean lipoxygenase-1, but they were ineffective toward the lipoxygenase-2 isozyme. The inhibitory power was dependent on the number of basic groups in the molecule, in the order spermine > spermidine > cadaverine >/= putrescine. Both spermidine and spermine acted as uncompetitive inhibitors of lipoxygenase-1 with respect to linoleic acid, the inhibition constants being 2.70 and 0.80 mM, respectively. The inhibitory power apparently correlated with the radical-trapping ability of the polyamines. Spermidine and spermine also inhibited the co-oxidase and peroxidase activities of lipoxygenase-1 and were effective inhibitors of lipoxygenase activity in lentil root protoplasts.
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
Is the telephone interview for cognitive status a valid alternative in persons who cannot be evaluated by the Mini Mental State Examination?
The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), a widely used tool for first-line assessment of cognitive function, cannot be fully administered to persons with severe visual or upper extremity impairments. This cross-sectional study, which was performed in a sample of patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the INRCA Geriatric Department "I Fraticini" (Firenze, Italy) and their relatives, evaluated whether the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), a test originally created for telephone screening of cognitive impairment, is a valid alternative for assessment of cognition in persons who cannot provide valid responses to all the MMSE items. Fifteen subjects in each of seven MMSE strata (9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, 21-23, 24-26, 27-30) were consecutively selected. Inclusion criteria were: age > or = 60 years; Italian as the main language; education > or = 3 years; medical stability; and ability to complete the MMSE. At admission, participants were examined for dementia by an expert clinician according to the DSM IV criteria. Italian versions of the TICS and the MMSE were administered face-to-face by two trained interviewers. The TICS was readministered face-to-face one week later by the same interviewer that had previously administered the test. The TICS showed good test-retest reproducibility. Assessments taken one week apart differed on average by 0.52 +/- 1.9 points (p < 0.01), indicating a systematic improvement. The TICS explained 96% of the variance in the MMSE, and this association was independent of age, gender and education. More than 90% of the cases "screening positive" (i.e., scoring below a certain cut-off) by the TICS, were also identified as "screening positive" when comparable MMSE cut-off scores were used. Using comparable cut-off scores, the sensitivity and specificity of TICS and MMSE in detecting a standard clinical diagnosis of dementia largely overlapped. In persons who cannot be evaluated with the MMSE in its full form, the face-to-face administration of the TICS is a reliable and valid alternative.
Aged↗
Lipoteichoic acid and protein-A from Staphylococcus aureus stimulate release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by human dermal fibroblasts.
In this study we demonstrated that Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and protein-A (PA) induce the release from human dermal fibroblasts of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a proliferation factor of epithelial cells (including keratinocytes). In contrast, LPS and porins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not stimulate HGF production. Recombinant human IL-1 beta induced HGF release. This production was synergistically enhanced when in association with LTA (by more than twice) and PA (by about two-thirds). Controls were performed in the presence of bacterial components alone. In previous studies we have shown that LPS and porins are inducers of IL-1 alpha and beta and other cytokines from human monocytes. Therefore it is possible that in inflammatory cutaneous foci and infected wounds, bacterial components may induce HGF release from dermal human fibroblasts. LTA and PA act directly, while LPS and porins act indirectly, through the release of cytokines by monocytes/macrophages. HGF plays an important role in the repair of cutaneous tissue during gram-positive and gram-negative infections.
Adult↗
Constant hierarchic patterns of physical functioning across seven populations in five countries.
This research was aimed at identifying critical steps in the decline in physical function that often parallels aging. Six basic and nine instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs) were classified into four domains of disability characterized by specific underlying physical impairment. The hierarchical order of this classification was verified in two random samples representative of the older home-dwelling population. The concordance level of disability and results of performance-based measures of physical function were also tested. Finally, the cross-cultural reliability of the model was verified in seven population-based samples of older persons living in five European countries. In older persons the disabling process follows a general pattern of progression based on a typical sequence of impairments.
Activities of Daily Living↗
[Critical review of renal transplantation data from the Piedmontese Regional Dialysis and Transplantation Registry].
On 31/12/1995 a total of 1,128 Piedmontese uremic patients had undergone kidney transplantation, with 65% of operations performed by the Regional Reference Centre and 35% by extra-regional centres. Waiting time for dialysis was less than 5 years in over half of the patients most of whom were aged between 40 and 60 years old. In overall terms, the patient survival rate was 94%, 87%, 75% at 24, 60, 120 months respectively, with a statistically significant improvement when the curve was evaluated in the patient-pool treated with cyclosporine (84% versus 87% at 7 years). Organ survival was 76% at 21 years and 42% at 10 years, and results were again improved by the use of cyclosporine. Pathologies affecting the transplanted organ represent the main cause of morbidity; drop-out during dialysis is caused above all by immunological diseases. Infectious pathologies were responsible for the majority of deaths in this population.
Adolescent↗
Rat seminal vesicle protein SV-IV and its transglutaminase-synthesized polyaminated derivative SPD2-SV-IV induce cytokine release from human resting lymphocytes and monocytes in vitro.
Micromolar amounts of SV-IV, one of the major proteins secreted from the rat seminal vesicle epithelium, induce in vitro a marked release of a variety of cytokines (interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor) from human resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as from isolated resting lymphocytes and monocytes. This effect was found to be significantly higher when the spermidine adduct of SV-IV (Spd2-SV-IV), synthesized in vitro by the enzyme transglutaminase, was used instead of the native protein. Furthermore, the pretreatment of monocytes with transglutaminase caused an increase of the inducing effect of both native and modified SV-IV on the release of interleukin 6 from these cells. The inducing effect of these proteins on the cytokine release was markedly inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide.
Animals↗
Immunobiological activities of mould products: functional impairment of human monocytes exposed to aflatoxin B1.
In order to elucidate the effects upon the human immune system of aflatoxin B1 produced by the food-contaminating mould Aspergillus flavus, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, superoxide production and intrinsic antiviral activity were studied in monocytes exposed to aflatoxin B1 for different times at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 pg/ml. Phagocytosis and microbicidal activity were significantly impaired (p < 0.05) by aflatoxin B1 at doses as low as 0.1 pg/ml. However, pretreatment of monocytes with aflatoxin B1 did not modify intrinsic antiviral activity or superoxide production. These results confirmed data obtained from animals fed with mycotoxin-contaminated foods. The potential danger to human health of exposure to mycotoxins demonstrates the necessity for careful microbiological control of food.
Aflatoxin B1↗
Viruses in pemphigus: a casual or causal relationship?
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Adult↗
Cognitive impairment and risk of stroke in the older population.
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that vascular dementia in older persons is more common than previously hypothesized. A substantial proportion of dementia in old age may be an early manifestation of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), that eventually becomes clinically evident as an acute cerebrovascular accident. This study was aimed at assessing whether cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in older persons free of stroke are associated with higher risk of future stroke, independently of other risk factors. DESIGN: Population-based prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5024 subjects from the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, who were alive and had no history of previous stroke at the sixth follow-up visit. Subjects who had reported a stroke in a previous interview or with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease in a hospitalization record during the previous 3 years were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive function was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Occurrence of a stroke was prospectively assessed by examining hospital discharge diagnoses and death certificates. RESULTS: During 19,533 person-years of follow-up, 259 strokes were recorded (13.3/1000 person-years). Stroke incidence was lowest in those with normal SPMSQ score (12.1/1000 person-years), intermediate in those with moderate impairment (16.3/1000 person-years), and highest in those with severe impairment (30.9/1000 person-years). Adjusting for age, education, smoking, history of hypertension, blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and disability, the relative risks of stroke for moderate and severe cognitive impairment were 1.2 (0.9-1.6) and 2.2 (1.2-3.8), respectively. The association between cognitive impairment and incident stroke was not mediated by hypertension or diabetes. Compared with subjects with stable or improved SPMSQ score in the previous 3 years, those who declined had higher risk of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated risk of subsequent strokes in older persons with cognitive impairment suggests that CVD may play larger role in causing cognitive impairment then previously suspected. It remains to be demonstrated whether reducing modifiable risk factors for CVD decreases the burden of cognitive impairment in older persons without stroke.
Age Distribution↗
Does the Clock Drawing Test predict cognitive decline in older persons independent of the Mini-Mental State Examination? The FINE Study Group. Finland, Italy, The Netherlands Elderly.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) in predicting cognitive deterioration over a 4-year period, independent of baseline cognitive status evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). DESIGN: A preplanned analysis of data collected during the second (1991) and the third (1995) follow-up of the Italian rural cohorts of the FINE Study (Finland, Italy, the Netherlands Elderly). SUBJECTS: Of the 427 men (mean age 77.6 +/- 4.1 years; range 72-90 years) interviewed in 1991, 264 survived and were reinterviewed in 1995. The study population included 247 persons who were interviewed and received a complete cognitive evaluation in both 1991 and in 1995. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive assessment in 1991 included the MMSE, the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), and the CDT. The CDT was classified as normal or pathological, based on previously established criteria. The MMSE and the DRS were repeated in 1995. RESULTS: Independent of age and baseline MMSE, score, subjects with pathological CDT compared with normal CDT had lower MMSE scores at follow-up (P < .01). These results were also confirmed by evaluating cognitive decline through its impact on change over time in daily life autonomy, as measured by the DRS (P < .01). Among persons scoring more than 21 on the MMSE, compared with persons with a normal CDT, those with pathological CDT performance were 5.4 (95% CI: 2.1-14.2) and 5.5 (95% CI: 1.6-19.6) times more likely to have a MMSE score below 21 and 18, respectively, 4 years later, independent of age and baseline MMSE score. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the CDT identifies older persons at high risk of cognitive decline and adds prognostic information that supplements the standard MMSE test.
Age Factors↗
[Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation in skin and pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa].
About 80% of nosocomial infections are caused by aerobic bacteria. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium pertaining to the Pseudomonadaceae family. P. aeruginosa is responsible for 6-22% of all hospital infections. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of both hyperbaric oxygen-therapy (HBO 2 Atm x 35 min/day) alone for 8 days and when associated to the chemoantibiotic therapy (amikacine 15 mg/kg/day for 8 days intraperitoneal), in rats infected through pulmonary and subcutaneous intake. In rats affected by P. aeruginosa, HBO induces a significant reduction in mortality and morbility with bacteria eradication in blood culture findings, bronchial aspirate and skin biopsies. These effects were increased by the use of amikacine which is an antibiotic used for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria.
Amikacin↗
Foot pain and disability in older persons: an epidemiologic survey.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of foot pain in older people and its association with pathological conditions of the feet and with disability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of a community-dwelling older population. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 459 subjects, 73% of the population aged 65 years and older living in Dicomano, Florence, Italy. MEASUREMENTS: A standardized medical examination was performed by a geriatrician to collect information on the presence of pain, specific problems of the feet, gait, and several indicators of physical health status. Disability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living was evaluated by self-report. RESULTS: The prevalence of foot pain was very high, especially in subjects affected by calluses or corns, hallux deformities, hammer toes, pes planus, and edema and among those who complained of difficulty in looking after the basic needs of the feet. Patients with foot pain needed a greater number of steps and longer time to walk the same distance. Foot pain was associated with a higher prevalence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living, particularly those related to standing and ambulation capacities, but it was not related to higher prevalence of disability in basic activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Foot pain is associated with specific conditions of the feet and disability in instrumental activities of daily living. Adequate assessment and treatment of foot problems may prevent foot pain and potentially reduce risk of disability. This hypothesis needs to be tested in longitudinal studies and specific intervention trials.
Activities of Daily Living↗