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Biomedical subjects

A Lamberti

Publications and source records attributed to A Lamberti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Objective diagnosis of micrognathia in the fetus: the jaw index.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an objective and accurate tool to diagnose micrognathia in the fetus. METHODS: The anteroposterior and laterolateral diameter of the mandible were measured in 262 normal fetuses between 12 and 37 weeks' gestation and plotted against gestational age and biparietal diameter (BPD). The jaw index (anteroposterior mandibular diameter/BPD x 100) was then tested against the usual subjective method for diagnosing micrognathia, consisting of the evaluation of the facial profile, in a population of 198 malformed fetuses, 11 of which had micrognathia at necropsy or birth. RESULTS: The mandibular growth was linearly correlated with gestational age and BPD. Using a cutoff level of less than 23, the jaw index had a 100% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity in diagnosing micrognathia, in comparison with 72.7% and 99.2% shown by the subjective evaluation of the fetal profile. With a cutoff of 21, it yielded a positive predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the linear relationship between mandibular growth and gestational age or BPD. In addition, we validated the jaw index as an objective tool for diagnosis of micrognathia in the fetus.

Female↗
PubMed1999

The soybean ENOD40(2) promoter is active in Arabidopsis thaliana and is temporally and spatially regulated.

The ENOD40 gene is induced early during Rhizobium-legume symbiosis and has probably a primary role in the nodule organogenesis. In this paper we show that the 1.7 kb 5'-flanking region of the GmENOD40(2) is able to drive the expression of a gusA-int marker in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. The promoter activity is developmentally regulated and the major activity is detected in the root and in the stigma.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1999

Regulation of cell survival in CD95-induced T cell apoptosis: role of NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factors.

The activity of NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factors can inhibit the apoptosis induced by TNF, UV or cancer therapy drugs in a number of cell types, including human T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the NF-kappa B/Rel inducer, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), has been reported to suppress the CD95-induced apoptosis of human T lymphocytes. To verify whether the survival-enhancing effect of PMA required NF-kappa B/Rel activity, we generated two Jurkat cell sublines (AL.7 and AL.8) transfected with a pCMV4-I kappa B alpha construct, and two (AL.3 and AL.5) with the void pCMV4 vector. Compared to wild type, AL.3 and AL.5 cells, the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines displayed markedly lower amounts of NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear complexes and a reduced expression of a kappa B-controlled CAT reporter gene after 1 and 4 h of incubation with PMA, respectively. All the five cell types displayed negligible levels of apoptosis when cultured with medium or PMA alone; when stimulated with the mAb CH-11, the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines displayed apoptotic responses only slightly (<0.5 fold) higher than control cells. On the other hand, the salvage activity of PMA was partially impaired in the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines. PMA inhibited apoptosis by >85% in wild type, AL.3 and AL.5 cells and by <60% in the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines; the apoptosis percentages in the mAb CH-11 + PMA cultures of the I kappa B alpha-transfected cells were >4-fold higher than in control cells. We conclude that the inhibition of the CD95-induced apoptosis by PMA relies on both NF-kappa B/Rel-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The partial contribution of these nuclear factors to the suppression of apoptosis indicates that the NF-kappa B/Rel activity can influence the extent of the CD95-induced T cell death.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung at the fetal stage. Ultrasonographic diagnosis and counseling].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the series of cystic malformation of the lung (CAML) detected at the Center for Prenatal Diagnosis of the University of Naples Federico II and compare the data with the current literature. METHODS: In the period 1994-1997, ten cases of CAML have been detected at our unit. For each case, the following parameters were recorded: size of the cysts (according to the Stocker classification), side, presence of mediastinal shift, hydrops. For confirmation, necropsies and post natal files were sought. RESULTS: CAML was type I in 3 cases, type II in 3, and type III in 4 cases. mediastinal shift was present in 7 cases, hydrops in 2 and bilateral renal agenesis in 1. Seven cases underwent termination of pregnancy, 2 are currently alive and thriving after surgery and one pregnancy is ongoing at 36 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was straightforward in all cases, and there were no problems of differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: From an analysis of the data published in recent literature, it can be affirmed that hydrops but not mediastinal shift have negative prognostic significance. The abortion rate of 70% in our series, including 4 cases with a good prognosis, is somewhat frustrating. This figure underlines the need for a multidisciplinary counseling in which the pediatric surgeon, the psychologist and the sonographer may support the couple in overcoming the stress related to the acknowledgement of the lesion in order to reach the final decision about the outcome of the pregnancy.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1998

Triggering of CD40 antigen inhibits fludarabine-induced apoptosis in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

We analyzed the effect of CD40 triggering on the fludarabine-induced apoptosis of B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells. Peripheral blood samples obtained from 15 patients were incubated with fludarabine in the absence or the presence of the anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) G28-5. In 12 patients a significant proportion of apoptotic cells, ranging from 22% to 38% (mean +/- SE: 28.5 +/- 1.6), were detected after 3 days of culture. In 9 of these samples, the addition of G28-5 reduced apoptosis by at least 30.1% and by 57.1% +/- 7.8% on average (P = .0077). Because the CD40 antigen activates NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors in B cells, and NF-kappaB/Rel complexes can inhibit cell apoptosis, we investigated whether the antiapoptotic effect of G28-5, in our system, could be related to modulation of NF-kappaB/Rel activity. As expected, B-CLL cells displayed significant levels of nuclear NF-kappaB/Rel activity; p50, RelA, and c-Rel components of the NF-kappaB/Rel protein family were identified in these complexes. After exposure to fludarabine, NF-kappaB/Rel complexes were decreased in the nuclei. The addition of G28-5 upregulated the NF-kappaB/Rel levels. To determine the involvement of NF-kappaB/Rel activity in the G28-5-mediated inhibition of apoptosis, we blocked the transcription factor with a decoy oligonucleotide, corresponding to the NF-kappaB/Rel consensus sequence. Cells incubated with the anti-CD40 MoAb in the presence of the decoy oligonucleotide but not a control oligonucleotide displayed a complete impairment of the G28-5 antiapoptotic effect, indicating that NF-kappaB/Rel activity was required for the inhibition of apoptosis. These results suggest that CD40 triggering in vivo could counteract the apoptotic effect of fludarabine on B-CLL cells and that its neutralization, or the use of NF-kappaB/Rel inhibitors, could improve the therapeutic effect of fludarabine.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Prenatal diagnosis and perinatal management of a lingual lymphangioma.

We describe the prenatal ultrasonographic features that led to the diagnosis of a lingual lymphangioma. The risk of upper airway obstruction, which is associated with this rare abnormality, prompted us to plan careful perinatal management. We believe that, in cases of suspected lymphangioma of the tongue or other oropharyngeal tumors, elective delivery should be carried out in a tertiary referral center in which emergency ventilation and tracheostomy are possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prenatal diagnosis and hemodynamic evaluation of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome is a rare congenital soft-tissue anomaly which is characterized by the presence of multiple hemangiomata, arteriovenous fistulas and limb hypertrophy. We report the ultrasound findings in two cases of early prenatal diagnosis at 17 and 18 weeks of gestation. The pathogenesis of the syndrome and involvement of the cardiovascular system are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Purification and characterization of a human sialoglycoprotein antigen expressed in immature thymocytes and fetal tissues.

The monoclonal antibody UN1 was previously produced in our laboratory on the basis of selective reactivity with human thymocytes and has been classified as unclustered by the 5th and 6th International Workshop and Conference on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. The antigen recognized by mAb UN1 was found to be expressed on the cell surface of immature human thymocytes, a subpopulation of peripheral T lymphocytes and on several fetal tissues including thymus. The UN1 antigen is purified from children's thymus by ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. Two-dimensional electrophoresis shows that the purified antigen displays microheterogeneity appearing as multiple spots over a pI range 4.4-5.0 at 100-120 kDa. Treatment with neuraminidase results in a retarded migration in SDS-PAGE, an increase in isoelectric point and a reduction in carbohydrate content, indicating a substantial content of sialic acid. Glycosidase digestion and lectin-binding analysis indicate that the carbohydrate residues are essentially O-linked. A preliminary analysis has detected the UN1 antigen in human breast carcinoma tissues but not in normal breast. The biochemical features and the pattern of expression of the UN1 antigen indicate that this molecule may have the characteristics typical of the family of cell-membrane-associated mucin-like glycoproteins; a number of these molecules are thought to have a role in cell-cell interaction, tumor progression and metastasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Familial hypertrophic cardiomiopathy: molecular basis and genotype-phenotype correlations.

The impact of molecular genetics in the diagnosis and management of various forms of heritable cardiac or vascular disorders is continuously increasing thanks to the newly available laboratory tools. Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC), an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy and a wide range of clinical symptoms, is the first cardiac disorder whose genetic bases have been elucidated. Linkage analysis studies have shown a statistically significant association between the disease status and at least seven genetic loci, all coding for sarcomeric proteins, in unrelated kindreds. A major challenge for physicians is to make an accurate and early diagnosis, not only on the basis of the traditional tools (i.e. physical examination and electro-echocardiography) but also to focus on the impact of genotype on clinical manifestations of FHC. In this review we present the more recent findings on the genetic basis of FHC and analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations of this disorder, whose expression may be modulated by additional factors (modifier genes, genetic background, environmental factors) other than mutations in any of the sarcometric proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Induction of nuclear factor kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes by anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies against either monomorphic or polymorphic determinants of class I antigen induced in PBMC and highly purified T lymphocytes the nuclear activity of NF-kappa B/Rel complexes. These included both p50/p50 and p50/p65 dimers, recognized by specific antibodies in EMSA. The induced complexes were detectable in extracts of cells incubated with anti-class I monoclonal antibody (mAb) for 1.5 h; the induction was maximal at 5 h, persistent at 16 h and no longer observed at 40 h. The mAb failed to induce NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in cells incubated in the presence of 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, an inhibitor of I kappa B-alpha degradation. Together, these results suggest that class I triggering can induce the activity of NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in peripheral blood T lymphocytes, thereby modulating the expression of genes regulated by these transcription factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

IL-10 inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in CD3-stimulated human peripheral T lymphocytes.

IL-10 markedly reduces nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity induced in PBMC by stimulation with the anti-CD3 mAb OKT3. The inhibition is exerted specifically on the NF-kappa B/Rel activation induced by mAb OKT3, and not that produced by PMA. As judged by supershifting the DNA-protein complexes with Abs recognizing specific components of the NF-kappa B/Rel protein family, the p50/p65 (Rel A) heterodimeric form of NF-kappa B is primarily affected. The maximal effect is observed at the IL-10 concentration of 20 U/ml. IL-10 inhibitory activity is exerted on T lymphocytes and is mediated by monocytes. Indeed, monocytes pretreated with IL-10 are able so inhibit NF-kappa B nuclear activity in purified T lymphocytes stimulated with OKT3. Soluble factors do not appear to be involved in the mechanism of inhibition. On the other hand, the up-regulation of CD80 Ag, found on monocytes obtained from PBMC incubated with OKT3, is not detected after addition of IL-10, and the anti-CD28 mAb CLB-CD28/1 restores the NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in IL-10-inhibited lymphocytes. Therefore, the NF-kappa B/Rel inhibition might be ascribed to a lack of cooperation between accessory cells and T lymphocytes, resulting from down-regulation of a costimulatory molecule, such as CD80, produced by IL-10 on activated monocytes. Our results demonstrate that IL-10 can inhibit the induction of NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear activity in CD3-stimulated T lymphocytes. Since inappropriate activation of kappa B-driven genes has a physiopathologic role in a number of diseases, such as HIV infection, our findings support the possibility of using this cytokine to suppress an undesirable activation of these transcription factors.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

[Initial symptoms in Meniere's disease].

Menière's disease appears with the classic triad of symptoms in about 1/3 of cases so that, on the whole, diagnosis is delayed until full symptomatology develops. Spontaneous reversibility and effective control, if any, of the disease mechanism are limited to the beginning phases and thus it seems appropriate focus attention on the earliest symptoms. Unfortunately, the pre-diagnosis period is poorly known and, for this reason, we decided to investigate it in our series. The purposes of this research were: 1) to estimate the prevalence of isolated symptoms in subjects successively found to be menieric; 2) to make a clinical outline of the pre-diagnosis period; 3) to investigate the relationship between the pre-diagnosis period and the post-diagnosis disease course. From a group of 216 Menière's patients (diagnosed according to the 1985 AAOO criteria), 170 were selected on the basis of availability of audiometric and clinical data pertaining to the pre- and post-diagnosis disease course. Isolated symptoms in the pre-diagnosis period were found in 107/170 subjects (63%). The nature of the symptoms was cochlear (71.9%), vestibular (22.4%) and mixed (5.6%). In the largest group of patients (41 cases), the pre-diagnosis period lasted from 2 to 5 years. This period was shorter in the cases with mixed symptoms in comparison with patients suffering from either cochlear or vestibular symptoms. Between the 2nd and 5th year following diagnosis, hearing was seen to deteriorate more significantly in patients with a history of isolated cochlear symptoms. Furthermore, patients whose first disturbances were of cochlear origin suffer significantly shorter vertigo attacks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of NF-kappa B nuclear activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: role of CD28 antigen.

The NF-kappa B/rel family of transcription factors regulates the expression of a number of genes, including interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-2 receptor alpha chain (Tac), and others, controlling T lymphocyte activation. The CD28 antigen is involved in regulation of T cell activation. To investigate whether CD28 antigen regulates NF-kappa B factors, we analyzed the effect of an anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb), CLB-CD28/1, on the nuclear activity of NF-kappa B complexes in resting and CD3-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 11 donors. Cells were incubated with or without the anti-CD3 mAb OKT3 and/or the mAb CLB- CD28/1. Then nuclear extracts were obtained and analyzed for their binding to a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide, corresponding to the NF-kappa B 5'-CAACGGCAGGGGAATCTCCCTCTCCTT-3' consensus sequence in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. PBMC incubated with control medium did not appear to contain significant levels of NF-kappa B nuclear activity. The anti-CD28 mAb did not induce any detectable NF-kappa B nuclear activity in PBMC when used alone, except for two cases. However, cells incubated with the anti-CD3 mAb displayed NF-kappa B nuclear activity in 7 of the 11 cases. The addition of anti-CD28 to the anti-CD3 mAb-stimulated cells enhanced the levels of NF-kappa B activity in eight PBMC, while it did not modify PBMC in one sample and partially inhibited the induction of NF-kappa B in the remaining two samples. The stimulatory effect of anti-CD28 mAb on NF-kappa B nuclear activity was detected also on CD3-stimulated purified T lymphocytes. By analysis with antisera recognizing the p50 and p65 components of the NF-kappa B/rel family, NF-kappa B complexes of CD3+CD28-stimulated PBMC were found to contain both p50 and p65 proteins. An enhanced production of IL-2 was detected in cultures of CD3+CD28-stimulated PBMC. Our results indicate that CD28 triggering can modulate the activity on NF-kappa B nuclear complexes in T lymphocytes stimulated via CD3. Such an effect appeared not to require the presence of accessory cells (AC) or AC-derived cytokines.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of nitrogen metabolism is altered in a glnB mutant strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum.

We isolated a Rhizobium leguminosarum mutant strain altered in the glnB gene. This event, which has never been described in the Rhizobiaceae, is rare in comparison to mutants isolated in the contiguous gene, glnA. The glnB mutation removes the glnBA promoter but in vivo does not prevent glnA expression from its own promoter, which is not nitrogen regulated. The glnB mutant strain does not grow on nitrate as a sole nitrogen source and it is Nod+, Fix+. Two -24/-12 promoters, for the glnII and glnBA genes, are constitutively expressed in the glnB mutant, while two -35/-10-like promoters for glnA and ntrBC are unaffected. We propose that the glnB gene product, the PII protein, plays a negative role in the ability of NtrC to activate transcription from its target promoters and a positive role in the mechanism of nitrate utilization.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1994

UN1, a murine monoclonal antibody recognizing a novel human thymic antigen.

A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) UN1 was produced on the basis of selective reactivity with human thymocytes. Characterization of UN1 by immunofluorescence gave a high intensity of labeling with the majority of human thymocytes. Expression was preferentially associated with immature thymocytes (CD3dim) compared to mature cells, whereas only a subpopulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was weakly stained. No specific binding to monocytes or granulocytes was detected. The T-cell lines HPB-ALL, H9 and MOLT-4 were all positively bound by UN1. Immunohistological staining of thymic tissues showed that mAb UN1 detected cells in both the cortex and medulla of fetal thymus, whereas the reaction in thymus samples from young children was mainly with medullar cells. By western blotting analysis, the antigen recognized by mAb UN1 corresponds to a membrane polypeptide with a molecular weight of approximately 120 kDa present on thymocytes and HPB-ALL cells. The mAb UN1 was submitted to the 5th International Workshop and Conference on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens, Boston, 1993. UN1 did not cluster in any of the old or new clusters of differentiation discussed at the conference, indicating its unique reactivity. Together with the data presented in this paper, this suggests that the UN1 antibody defines a previously undescribed molecule present on the cell surface of thymocytes and a minority of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

T cell growth-promoting activity of interferon-gamma. Mitogenic effect of the recombinant cytokine on cells from a human T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has previously been described as exerting a growth factor activity for murine and human stimulated normal T lymphocytes, in addition to its established role in regulating the cytotoxic activity of T and NK cells. We analyzed the effect of human recombinant IFN-gamma on the proliferation of leukemic lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of a patient affected by a T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL). Incubation with IFN-gamma induced the proliferation of unstimulated leukemic cells. Cell proliferation was maximal after 6 days of culture with the cytokine; the half-maximal effect of IFN-gamma was observed at a concentration of approximately 800 U/ml. We also measured the production of IFN-gamma by leukemic cells. Cells incubated in control medium released small quantities of IFN-gamma activity, while the addition of low doses of the exogenous cytokine to the cell cultures induced high levels of IFN-gamma mRNA and protein production. Furthermore, anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibodies, that exert a mitogenic effect on these neoplastic lymphocytes, also induced the IFN-gamma gene expression in the same cells. These results indicate that IFN-gamma may stimulate the proliferation of human neoplastic T cells and suggest that this cytokine might have a role in the expansion of T-leukemic cell clones in vivo.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Uridylylation of the PII protein in Rhizobium leguminosarum.

Permeabilization with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide was used to study the post-translational modification of the PII protein in Rhizobium leguminosarum. Upon incubation with radioactive UTP a single band was obtained after SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. RNase resistance and snake venom phosphodiesterase sensitivity showed that radioactivity was bound through a phosphodiester bond to a protein which was absorbed by an antiserum specific for the PII protein. Uridylylation of the PII protein was shown to be dependent on the modifications of the glutamine/alpha-ketoglutarate ratio.

Autoradiography↗