Biomedical subjects

A Del Signore

Publications and source records attributed to A Del Signore.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Hippocampal gene expression is modulated by hypergravity.

We used the cDNA microarray technique to monitor simultaneously possible changes induced by hypergravity in the expression level of thousands of hippocampal genes. We tested the mRNA level of about 5000 genes in the hippocampus of mice subjected to 1.09 g (1g) or to 1.85 g (2g) for five repeated 1-h daily rotations in a centrifuge (g = 9.81 m/s2). Data were compared with those obtained for mice kept stationary (C). The ratios 1g/C and 2g/C identified genes affected by rotation and rotation + hypergravity, respectively, whereas 2g/1g ratio identified those affected by hypergravity. We found that about 200 genes were affected by rotation and/or rotation + hypergravity. Almost all the genes affected by rotation + hypergravity were up-regulated, only five being down-regulated. The modulated genes code for proteins involved in a wide range of cellular functions (DNA/RNA metabolism, protein processing, intermediate metabolism, cytoskeleton and motility, cell cycle and apoptosis, signal transduction, neuronal structure/function), suggesting that rotation + hypergravity may affect several aspects of the hippocampal function in order to compensate for environmental changes. Six genes directly or indirectly involved in synaptic transmission and plasticity (proSAAS, neuroblastoma ras oncogene, ESTs moderately similar to thymosin beta-10, syndet, inhibin beta E and Ngfi-A binding protein 2) were found to be significantly modulated by hypergravity and unaffected or only slightly affected by rotation. The modulation by hypergravity of these genes suggests that this stimulus might induce plastic remodelling of the hippocampal circuits, possibly both at structural and functional level.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effects of electromagnetic fields produced by radiotelevision broadcasting stations on the immune system of women.

The object of this study was to investigate the immune system of 19 women with a mean age of 35 years, for at least 2 years (mean = 13 years) exposed to electromagnetic fields (ELMFs) induced by radiotelevision broadcasting stations in their residential area. In September 1999, the ELMFs (with range 500 KHz-3 GHz) in the balconies of the homes of the women were (mean +/- S.D.) 4.3 +/- 1.4 V/m. Forty-seven women of similar age, smoking habits and atopy composed the control group, with a nearby resident ELMF exposure of < 1.8 V/m. Blood lead and urinary trans-trans muconic acid (a metabolite of benzene), markers of exposure to urban traffic, were higher in the control women. The ELMF exposed group showed a statistically significant reduction of blood NK CD16+-CD56+, cytotoxic CD3(-)-CD8+, B and NK activated CD3(-)-HLA-DR+ and CD3(-)-CD25+ lymphocytes. 'In vitro' production of IL-2 and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the ELMF exposed group, incubated either with or without phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA), was significantly lower; the 'in vitro' production of IL-2 was significantly correlated with blood CD16+-CD56+ lymphocytes. The stimulation index (S.I.) of blastogenesis (ratio between cell proliferation with and without PHA) of PBMC of ELMF exposed women was lower than that of the control subjects. The S.I. of blastogenesis of the ELMF exposed group (but not blood NK lymphocytes and the 'in vitro' production of IL-2 and INF-gamma by PBMC) was significantly correlated with the ELMF levels. Blood lead and urinary trans-trans muconic acid were barely correlated with immune parameters: the urinary metabolite of benzene of the control group was only correlated with CD16+-CD56+ cells indicating a slight effect of traffic on the immune system. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that high frequency ELMFs reduce cytotoxic activity in the peripheral blood of women without a dose-response effect.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Combined effects of traffic and electromagnetic fields on the immune system of fertile atopic women.

Object of this preliminary study was the immune response to high or low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELMF) of non-atopic and atopic fertile women with uniform exposure to toxic compounds produced by traffic. Women were divided in group A (non-atopic, non-exposed to ELMF); B (atopic, non-exposed to ELMF); C (non-atopic, exposed to ELMF); D (atopic, exposed to ELMF). "In vitro" cell proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of atopic women (groups B and D) stimulated by phytohaemoglutinin (PHA) was reduced. The ELMF exposed women (groups C and D) showed lower levels of blood NK CD16(+)-CD56+ lymphocyte subpopulations and of "in vitro" production of interferon-gamma (both spontaneously and in presence of PHA) by PBMC, suggesting that ELMF reduces blood cytotoxic activity. Serum IgE of the atopic women exposed to ELMF (group D) was higher than that of the other groups. Linear discriminant analysis including serum zinc and copper (essential enzymes for immune functions), blood lead and urinary transtrans muconic acid, a metabolite of benzene (markers of exposure to traffic) and key parameters of immune functions (CD16(+)-CD56+ lymphocyte subset, serum IgE, interferon-gamma produced by PBMC in presence of PHA, stimulation index of blastogenesis) showed absence of significant difference between groups A and C and a marked separation of groups B and D. This datum suggests that ELMF have a greater influence on atopic women exposed to traffic than on non-atopic ones.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization of balsamic vinegar by multivariate statistical analysis of trace element content.

To characterize vinegars according to the types prescribed by Italian regulations, 8 trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) were determined. The data collected were successively elaborated by 3 statistical techniques: linear principal component analysis (LPCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and cluster analysis (CA). LDA and LPCA best classified and discriminated the 3 types of vinegar under study, separating traditional balsamic vinegars from the other 2 types, nontraditionally aged balsamic vinegars and common vinegars. The latter 2 types were appreciably distinguished only by LDA through bidimensional analysis of discriminant scores.

Acetic Acid↗