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Biomedical subjects

A Di Benedetto

Publications and source records attributed to A Di Benedetto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Adiponectin and insulin resistance in early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of adiponectin and insulin resistance in early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia. DESIGN: A nested case-control study in 72 pregnant women who participated in the first-trimester Down-syndrome-screening programme and who delivered at our hospital. SETTING: University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. POPULATION: Pregnant women: 36 women with pre-eclampsia of which 20 late onset and 16 early onset were compared with 36 uncomplicated pregnancies who delivered at term. METHODS: In all the women, insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR) and plasma adiponectin was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin resistance and adiponectin concentration. RESULTS: First-trimester plasma adiponectin mean levels in the whole pre-eclampsia group were significantly lower than that in the control group (8.4 +/- 3.3 versus 14.8 +/- 4.6 microgram/ml; P < 0.001), whereas first-trimester mean HOMA-IR values were significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group than that in the control group (2.0 +/- 1.1 versus 1.0 +/- 0.4; P= 0.01). Plasma adiponectin concentrations at delivery in the pre-eclampsia group were significantly higher than that in the control group (9.2 +/- 3.7 versus 7.8 +/- 2.6 microgram/ml; P= 0.04). First-trimester plasma adiponectin mean concentrations in the late-onset subgroup were significantly lower compared with the concentrations in early-onset subgroup (6.2 +/- 1.4 microgram/ml versus 11.1 +/- 3.2 microgram/ml; P < 0.001), and there was a significant difference in adiponectin plasma values only between women in the late-onset pre-eclampsia group versus those in the control group (P < 0.001). First-trimester mean HOMA-IR values were significantly higher in the late-onset subgroup compared with that of the early-onset subgroup (2.5 +/- 1.3 versus 1.3 +/- 0.3; P= 0.02), and there was a significant difference only between the control group versus the late-onset subgroup (P= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: First-trimester adiponectin and HOMA-IR values seem to select two completely different populations: early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia, which might suggest a different pathogenesis.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

CFD analysis of gas explosions vented through relief pipes.

Vent devices for gas and dust explosions are often ducted to safe locations by means of relief pipes. However, the presence of the duct increases the severity of explosion if compared to simply vented vessels (i.e. compared to cases where no duct is present). Besides, the identification of the key phenomena controlling the violence of explosion has not yet been gained. Multidimensional models coupling, mass, momentum and energy conservation equations can be valuable tools for the analysis of such complex explosion phenomena. In this work, gas explosions vented through ducts have been modelled by a two-dimensional (2D) axi-symmetric computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model based on the unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) approach in which the laminar, flamelet and distributed combustion models have been implemented. Numerical test have been carried out by varying ignition position, duct diameter and length. Results have evidenced that the severity of ducted explosions is mainly driven by the vigorous secondary explosion occurring in the duct (burn-up) rather than by the duct flow resistance or acoustic enhancement. Moreover, it has been found out that the burn-up affects explosion severity due to the reduction of venting rate rather than to the burning rate enhancement through turbulization.

Explosions↗
PubMed2006

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia and the common C677T polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene are not associated with the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes.

A moderate increase of total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels seems to increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Type 2 diabetic subjects, but its relationship with diabetes and insulin-resistance is still controversial. We examined whether mild hyperhomocysteinemia and its major genetic determinant would cluster with the metabolic syndrome (MS) in Type 2 diabetes. One hundred Type 2 diabetic subjects with and without MS were enrolled in the study. Fasting tHcy, vitamin B12, and folate plasma levels, insulin-resistance [assessed by homeostasis model assessment, (HOMAIR)] and the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype were assessed in all the participants. Geometric mean tHcy concentration and the prevalence of mild hyperhomocysteinemia, as commonly defined by tHcy >/=15 micromol/l, were comparable in diabetic subjects with and without MS, even after adjustment for age, sex, vitamin B12, folate and creatinine levels. In both groups, the MTHFR C677T genotype distribution was not significantly different from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with a TT homozygous frequency of 21% in subjects with and 18% in those without the syndrome (p=ns). tHcy plasma levels and the degree of insulin-resistance did not differ across MTHFR genotypes in both groups, even after multivariable adjustment. Overall, tHcy significantly correlated with creatinine (r=0.25; p=0.009) and trygliceride concentrations (r=0.24; p=0.02), but not with HOMAIR. At multivariate analysis, only creatinine was significantly correlated with tHcy levels (beta=0.42; p=0.001). In conclusion, hyperhomocysteinemia and the common C677T variant of MTHFR gene are not associated with MS in Type 2 diabetic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Inflammatory markers in women with a recent history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for both Type 2 diabetes (DM2) and insulin-resistance syndrome (IRS). C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and leukocyte count are increased in the IRS and predict DM2 and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The chemochine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is also elevated in DM2 and CVD. Recent evidence suggests a relation between chronic inflammation and GDM, but post-delivery information on inflammatory markers in these high-risk women is lacking. Serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen, MCP-1/ CCL2, and leukocyte blood count have been assessed in 26 women with and 26 women without a recent history of GDM, matched for age, body mass index (BMI), post-partum duration and parity. DM2 was excluded in all the participants by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Women with previous GDM showed significantly higher CRP (p=0.007) and fibrinogen (p=0.02) serum concentrations, whereas MCP-1/CCL2 serum levels and leukocyte blood count were comparable in the two groups. Overall, CRP levels significantly correlated with BMI (r=0.40, p=0.03), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r=0.44, p=0.001), fasting insulin (r=0.27, p=0.04), insulin-resistance assessed by means of the homeostatic model (HOMA) (r=0.28, p=0.04), and fibrinogen concentration (r=0.49, p=0.0001). At linear regression analysis, only WHR and fibrinogen were independently associated with CRP levels. In conclusion, the increase of inflammatory markers may be one of the first detectable disorders in healthy women at high risk of DM2 and IRS, like those with a GDM history.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Correlates of total homocysteine plasma concentration in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Although well-defined in the general population, correlates of total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma concentration have not been sufficiently evaluated in diabetes. We investigated factors potentially associated with tHcy concentration in a cohort of type 2 diabetic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The common methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, fasting tHcy, vitamin B12 and folate plasma levels were assessed in 312 diabetic subjects, whose clinical, metabolic and lifestyle information was also available. RESULTS: The MTHFR genotype distribution was comparable to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with an overall TT homozygous frequency of 22%. Fasting tHcy concentration was significantly higher in men than in women (P < 0.001). Multivariate-adjusted tHcy concentration was significantly different across the quartiles of age (P < 0.001), folate (P = 0.01), vitamin B12 (P = 0.03), creatinine concentrations (P = 0.001) and smoking (P = 0.02). Overall, significant trends were noted for creatinine clearance (P for trend = 0.02) and systolic blood pressure (BP) (unadjusted P for trend = 0.01), whereas no differences were noted according to BMI, diastolic BP, presence of hypertension, and diabetes-related variables, such as diabetes duration, fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin concentrations, current treatment and diabetes long-term complications. Total homocysteine levels significantly correlated with age, systolic BP, vitamin B12, creatinine and creatinine clearance, but only age, creatinine, folate and vitamin B12 levels were independently associated with tHcy concentration in stepwise regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Age, creatinine, folate, vitamin B12, and to a minor extent, sex, smoking, TT genotype and systolic BP were significantly associated with Hcy plasma concentration in type 2 diabetes, whereas no significant associations were noted with diabetes-related variables.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Dilated cardiomyopathy in dialysis patients--beneficial effects of carvedilol: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate in dialysis patients with symptomatic heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III whether the addition of carvedilol to conventional therapy is associated with beneficial effects on cardiac architecture, function and clinical status. BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) in chronic hemodialyzed patients, particularly when associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, represents an ominous complication and is an independent risk factor for cardiac mortality. METHODS: We enrolled 114 dialysis patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. All patients were treated with carvedilol for 12 months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The patients underwent M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography at baseline, 1, 6 and 12 months after the randomization. Each patient's clinical status was assessed using an NYHA functional classification that was determined after 6 and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Carvedilol treatment improved left ventricular (LV) function. In the active-treatment group, the increase in LV ejection fraction (from 26.3% to 34.8%, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) and the reduction of both LV end-diastolic volume (from 100 ml/m2 to 94 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) and end-systolic volume (from 74 ml/m2 to 62 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group) reached statistical significance after six months of therapy, compared with baseline and corresponding placebo values, and they remained constant at one year of treatment (p < 0.05 vs. basal and placebo group). The clinical status of patients, assessed by NYHA functional classification, improved during the treatment period. Moreover, at the end of the trial, there were no patients in NYHA functional class IV in the carvedilol group, compared with 5.9% of the patients in the placebo arm. CONCLUSIONS: One year of therapy with carvedilol in dialysis patients with CHF and dilated cardiomyopathy reduces LV volumes and improves LV function and clinical status.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Taurine and osmoregulation: platelet taurine content, uptake, and release in type 2 diabetic patients.

In this study, plasma and platelet taurine content and fluxes were determined in 38 type 2 diabetic patients and in 26 healthy control subjects. Taurine levels in diabetic patients were significantly lower than in control subjects both in plasma (32.1 v 48.6 micromol/L, P = .000) and platelets (148 v 183 nmol/mg protein, P = .043). Platelet taurine uptake in diabetic patients was significantly reduced (321.2 v 524.9 pmol total taurine 10(8) platelet(-1) min(-20), P = .000), whereas taurine release increased in comparison to healthy controls (38.7 v 29.5% of platelet 3H taurine at the start of incubation, P = .000). These results may reflect modified systems of taurine carriers or a compensatory mechanism in response to an increase of other organic osmolytes.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed2001

Preliminary report: Amino acid profile in platelets of diabetic patients.

Platelet levels of 19 amino acids were measured in 20 outpatients with type 1 (age [mean +/- SE], 35.5 +/- 2.0 years) and 27 with type 2 (age, 58.4 +/- 1.4 years) diabetes, and 20 young (age 33.7 +/- 1.3 years) and 20 older (age 57.4 +/- 1.5 years) healthy volunteers. Platelet levels of most amino acids tended to be lower in patients with type 1 diabetes than in healthy controls. In particular, asparagine, glycine, taurine, alanine, valine, cysteine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine levels, expressed as nmol/10(8) platelets, were significantly lower. Only taurine significantly decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes, whereas threonine, alanine, and isoleucine increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Serum anti-p53 autoantibodies in patients with type 1 diabetes.

The presence of antibodies reacting with the p53 tumor suppressor protein has been described in patients with some autoimmune disorders. In this study we looked for serum anti-p53 antibodies in 64 patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus within 4 mo of diagnosis. The presence of anti-p53 antibodies was observed in 6/64 (9.4%) subjects with type 1 diabetes, and in 1/44 (2.3%) subjects with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases (18 primary biliary cirrhosis, 10 autoimmune hepatitis, 16 thyroid diseases), but in none of 45 control subjects. No relationship was found between antibodies directed against islet- and non-islet-specific antigens and anti-p53 antibodies. These findings support a possible role for p53 in some autoimmune disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Vesico-ureteral reflux: diagnosis and staging with voiding color Doppler US: preliminary experience.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of a new US examination: 'voiding color Doppler US ' in the early diagnosis and staging of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). The contrast agent US was SH U 508A (Levovist, Schering, Berlin), which produces a chromatic accentuation of the signals picked up by the color Doppler US. Eighteen patients (10 females, eight males) were recruited for the study. In two patients a second examination was performed for follow-up after a VUR conservative therapy. All patients were taken under examination for the evaluation of possible VUR. In all patients the voiding color Doppler US was followed by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and the data obtained were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients aged between 3 months and 10 years, were recruited for the study. The results of the examination were the following: urinary tract infections, follow-up of VUR after conservative or surgical therapy, miscellaneous indications. Voiding color Doppler US was performed, followed by a VCUG. The voiding color Doppler US consists in the trans-catheter introduction of a contrast agent SHU 508 A (Levovist, Schering, Ag. Berlin) into the bladder and a subsequent test with the color Doppler US to show or exclude the presence of reflux into the ureters and/or into the pyelo-caliceal cavity of the kidneys. After the introduction of the contrast agent US the ultrasound scanning of the bladder, the ureters and the pyelo-caliceal cavity was performed to examine the reflux degree. The ultrasonographic investigations were perfomed with AU 590 asyncronus US (Esaote Biomedica, Genova) with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. RESULTS: After the trans-catheter introduction of the contrast agent US, vesico-ureteral reflux occured in 13 patients (77.2%). The reflux degree was also measured by means of ultrasound and was later confirmed by VCUG. The mean times of each examination were as follows: initial US, 10 min; catheterization, 8 min; voiding color Doppler US, 15 min; overall VCURG examination 10 min. The overall mean duration of the voiding color Doppler US examination was 33 min. The comparable mean time for VCUG, including the catheterization time, was 20 min. No reactions of intolerance to the ultrasound contrast agent occurred. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The voiding color Doppler US test has evidenced in all patients the presence of the contrast agent US in the bladder after the introduction. In 13 patients (77.2%) with presence of VUR, the voiding color Doppler US test has established the reflux degree confirmed by cystourethrography. The superimposability of the data obtained with voiding color Doppler US and VCUG would seem to confirm the importance of this new ultrasonographic technique in the diagnosis and staging of VUR.

Child↗
PubMed2000

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the prostate. Clinical case].

The authors report an extremely rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the prostate. No satisfactory clinical and pathological classification exists for this tumour, creating particular difficulties for therapeutic decisions and prognosis. Descriptions of cases with excellent survival rates are reported in the literature, to the extent that this is sometimes regarded as a low-malignancy tumour, but other reports also exist of massive diffusion of the pathology with fatal consequences. Advances in the knowledge of this tumour have enabled a number of earlier pathogenetic hypotheses to be ruled out, namely its possible derivation from ectopic salivary cells, ectopic periurethral glands or metaplastic urethral mucosa, but the origin of this carcinoma is still not certain. It is also difficult to differentiate this form from the typical adenocarcinoma and to make a prognosis for survival. In the case reported here, the final diagnosis was made on the lymph node biopsy obtained during surgery, given that a preoperative biopsy was not feasible owing to the scarcity of material available. The patient received standard hormonal therapy for prostate carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Factors affecting diabetes mellitus onset in cystic fibrosis: evidence from a 10-year follow-up study.

This study reports the results of genotype characterization and of a 10-y prospective evaluation of clinical status, glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in 28 originally normoglycaemic patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the study was to assess whether any genetic, clinical or metabolic parameters could identify in advance those patients at risk of developing diabetes mellitus over time. During the follow-up 42.8% of patients became diabetic. Neither gender, age nor clinical parameters were significantly different at entry in the patients who eventually developed diabetes compared with those who did not. Insulin secretion during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) deteriorated over time in both groups, whereas a progressive deterioration of glucose tolerance was only evident in the patients who developed diabetes and increased baseline glucose areas were the only predictive parameter of diabetes onset. Genotype analysis revealed significant differences between patients with and without diabetes: deltaF508 homozygosis was more frequent in the first group and N1303K mutation in the second group. In conclusion, in CF: (i) increased glucose areas during OGTT and deterioration of glucose tolerance over time can predict the evolution towards diabetes; and (ii) deltaF508 homozygosis may predispose to the risk of diabetes, whilst N1303K mutation seems to play a protective role.

Adolescent↗