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Biomedical subjects

B Casini

Publications and source records attributed to B Casini.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

One-year monthly monitoring of Torque teno virus (TTV) in river water in Italy.

Torque teno virus (TTV) is prevalent worldwide in general populations but at present is not related with any specific pathology. Its presence in faeces and its remarkable environmental stability suggest the possibility of using it as an indicator of faecal contamination in the environment. To evaluate the waterborne spread of TTV and its possible relationship with human pathogen enteric viruses, water samples were collected monthly for a year (May 2004-April 2005) from a river receiving the effluent of the treatment plant of the city of Pisa, concentrated and assayed with bimolecular tests (PCR, RT-PCR). TTV was detected in three samples (25%) while 16% of samples were positive for enteroviruses, 33% for rotaviruses, 8% for noroviruses genotype 1 and 25% for noroviruses genotype 2. Only two TTV samples (June and January) were also positive for rotavirus and norovirus, respectively. The detection of TTV in water confirmed its possible faecal-oral route of transmission but data are still insufficient to draw conclusions about the role of TTV as a viral indicator.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiological surveillance of human enteric viruses by monitoring of different environmental matrices.

In the aim of studying possible relations between viruses detected in clinical specimens and the ones found in different environmental matrices, in the period May 2004 to April 2005, the collection of faecal samples from gastroenteritis cases and the monthly monitoring of raw and treated wastewater, river water, seawater and mussels were carried out. The viruses considered for environmental monitoring were adenovirus, rotavirus, enterovirus, norovirus, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Torque teno virus (TTV): they were searched for with PCR and RT-PCR and confirmed by gene sequencing. Faecal coliforms and somatic coliphages' counts were also determined. The surveillance of case detected 45 positive faecal samples out of 255 (17.6%) while 35 of 56 environmental samples (62.5%) resulted positive for at least one of the considered viruses. The detection of the same viral strain in the faeces of gastroenteritis cases and in water was possible for adenovirus and rotavirus, which were also predominant in environmental matrices; thus they could be considered as a reference for risk assessment.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity and genetic influences in risk factors and aging: a study on twins.

The association between physical activity and a decreased risk of age-correlated diseases appears to be well established. Nevertheless, the relation between past life style and current health in the elderly is likely to be affected by interactions of environmental and genetic factors in mediating the effects of exercise on disease prevention. As a contribution to this general issue, a retrospective twin study was undertaken so as to take advantage of the classical twin method in assessing genetic influences on health status in the elderly. A more specific aim was to possibly identify and compare genetically identical elderly twins with substantial differences in previous exposure to physical activity, but otherwise similar life style factors and events, thereby allowing the application of the co-twin case-control method, a powerful experimental approach in which even a few cases may prove significant. The study involved the assessment of general health status (based on structured interviews, clinical examination and several functional and laboratory analyses) and life style in 27 male twin pairs, aged 71.0 +/- 2.6 and classified (through DNA analysis) as 13 monozygotic and 14 dizygotic pairs. Past and present physical activity were evaluated through the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults. In general, higher intrapair correlations in monozygotic than dizygotic pairs for almost all clinical variables were found, thereby confirming the relevance of genetic effects. More specifically, five monozygotic pairs discordant for past physical activity were found: contrary to expectations and, notwithstanding this major difference, they did not appear to be less similar than other pairs with respect to general health status. More data are clearly needed, and the implications of these findings, if confirmed, may leave room for complex interpretations. Tentatively, however, one might be led to conclude that whatever protective role physical activity and other life style variables clearly play in general health, this may in the end be unable to offset strong genetic dispositions, particularly so when it comes to major risk factors, which, after all, is perhaps only reasonable.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Virological analysis of shellfish for food safety and control.

The present study was performed in order to obtain reliable and applicable techniques of viral detection in shellfish for use in ensuring food safety. This research was developed in two steps: (a) different techniques to recover viruses from artificially contaminated shellfish were tested and (b) the best technique was applied to analyse shellfish collected from sites along the coast of Salento.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Virological control of groundwater quality using biomolecular tests.

Deep groundwater, even if generally protected, could be contaminated by surface or rain water infiltration through soil fractures, septic tanks, cesspits, land irrigation, disposal of wastewater and disposal of muds from depuration systems. The sanitary importance of such possible contamination is related to the different uses of the water and it is at the maximum level when it is intended for human use. Routine microbiological analyses do not consider viruses, only bacterial parameters, as contamination indicators. However, it is known that enteric viruses can survive a long time in deep aquifers and that they may not always be associated with bacterial indicators. The virological analysis of waters intended for drinking use is provided only as an occasional control exercised at the discretion of the sanitary authority. Technological difficulties with obtaining data about groundwater viral contamination led to a study to devise rapid and efficient methods for their detection and the application of these methods to samples from different sources. Four acid nucleic extraction techniques have been tested (classic proteinase K- phenol/chloroform, QIAamp Viral RNA Kit (Qiagen), SV Total RNA Isolation System (Promega) and NucleoSpin Virus L (Macherey-Nagel). Sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR protocols for entero- (EV), hepatitis A (HAV) and small round structured (SRSV) viruses have been verified. Deep groundwater samples (100 L) were concentrated (2-step tangential flow ultrafiltration) and the concentrate contaminated with serial 10-fold dilutions of a known titre of poliovirus type 3. Extracted RNA was concentrated (microcon-100) and analysed by RT-PCR using specific EV primers and visualising amplification products by agarose gel electrophoresis. In addition, two different methods of RT-PCR for non-cultivable viruses have been tested: (a) RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR for HAV and (b) RT-PCR with generic primers and RT-PCR with specific primers for SRSV. Different specificity tests have been carried out in the presence of some of the commoner microorganisms. The most efficient, sensitive and specific protocols were used to test 35 x 100L deep groundwater samples. Sample concentrates were split with one part treated with chloroform and analysed by cell culture (BGM and Frp/3, derived from FrHK/4, cells) and the other tested by RT-PCR for HAV, EV and SRSV. Results demonstrated the high efficiency of the classic and QIAamp methods. Microcon-100 did not increase the sensitivity of the technique used. The highest sensitivity was observed for RT-PCR with specific primers for SRSV and for nested RT-PCR for HAV. One sample showed a cytopathic effect, not confirmed at the third subculture, while the RT-PCR allowed the detection of echovirus 7. Cell culture did not allow detection of the majority of the enteric viruses while PCR gave sensitive, specific and rapid detection of a range of agents in the same samples. Even if it was impossible to fix a virological quality standard, it would be necessary to find a viral indicator in order to achieve a complete preventive check which would be particularly useful in some cases (e.g. water never used before, after pollution accidents, for seasonal checking).

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2002

Interference between enterovirus and reovirus as a limiting factor in environmental virus detection.

AIMS: Faecal material from raw sewage or other sources lacking effective treatment sometimes contaminates water for human consumption. The relevant Italian regulations therefore call for testing drinking and recreational water for the presence of enterovirus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Traditional methods of analysis are based on revealing the typical cytopathic effects of enterovirus on cell cultures. However, the presence in environmental samples of different types of virus may cause interference phenomena that mask such cytopathic effects. The paper reports on an experimental test of this interference hypothesis. Buffalo Green Monkey cell cultures were co-infected via mixed suspensions of the polio type 3 virus and reovirus type 1. Cytopathic effects were then sought and the presence of enterovirus tested for via RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results obtained indicate that the normally high sensitivity of tests for the detection of enterovirus in samples is considerably decreased by the simultaneous presence of reovirus.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Detection and potential indicators of the presence of hepatitis C virus on surfaces in hospital settings.

AIMS: The risk of hepatitis C virus infection in hospital environments can be assessed not only by studying epidemiological data and work practices, but also by the detection of these viruses (or indicators thereof) in health-care settings, on instruments etc. METHODS: Since standardized techniques specific to this end do not exist, this study was undertaken to apply methods currently used on clinical samples to the assessment of environmental HCV risk, either through direct detection of the virus (RT-PCR), or by probing for haemoglobin as a potential indicator of blood contamination. The tested techniques were applied in a trial environmental monitoring programme undertaken in various hospital laboratories and clinics, during which total bacterial count determinations were performed in parallel with haemoglobin and hepatitis C virus detection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The data indicate that the applied methods are of value in detecting low levels of contamination in a hospital environment.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2001

Genes and olympic performance: a co-twin study.

An Olympic gold medalist in a 20 km competitive walking race and his identical twin brother, also an Olympic athlete in the same event but with inferior performance, were tested in order to obtain some further insight into the relative importance of genetic factors in modulating athletic excellence. Both twins had undergone the same strenuous, long-term training for 19 years since the age of 15 under the guidance of the same coach. An assessment of their bio-behavioural profiles at 40 years of age, i. e. 7 years after they ceased training, revealed that intrapair differences were negligible in physiological attributes but divergent in personality traits measured. Respective values for the Olympic winner and his identical counterpart were as follows: Body mass index 23.2 and 22.7, cardiac mass index 85.4 and 84.4 g x m2, squatjumping 25.3 and 27.3 cm, VO2 at running speed 9 km x h(-1) 33.1 and 33.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1), VO2 max 57.1 and 58.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (72.5ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) for the Olympic winner at age 22 yrs), reaction to anger 97 and 9 and anger expression 2 and 76 in percentile of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Findings suggest that although genetic constitution and years of physical training are prerequisites for making an Olympic athlete, success may be largely influenced by personality traits.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of three assays for HIV antibodies detection in urine to be applied to epidemiological setting.

Three immune-enzymatic tests for urinary HIV antibodies were examined in order to assess their sensibility, specificity and delta value. The highest sensibility was noticed for the Seradyn test (98.8%), followed by the Wellcozyme test (98.1%) and finally the SUDS rapid test (56.8%). The resultant specificity was 98.5% for the Seradyn test, 91.3% for the Wellcozyme test and 97.3% for the SUDS test. The measurement of delta value showed a higher capability of discrimination for Seradyn test, that could be considered the most reliable for epidemiological purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Assessment of microbial parameters as indicators of viral contamination of aerosol from urban sewage treatment plants.

In order to evaluate possible indicators of viral aerosol contamination in sewage treatment plants, a year-long study was carried out on the relationships between the presence of cytopathogenic viruses and the counts of total bacteria, faecal streptococci and somatic coliphages in samples collected at various distances from the aerosol source (aeration tank). The activated sludge plant studied proved to be a significant source of microbe-bearing aerosol with high levels of viral contamination. When the virus was found in sewage, it was also found in the air, at least in the sites closest to the aeration tank. With regard to the possibility of using the chosen parameters as markers of viral contamination, the total bacteria and faecal streptococci counts were generally positively correlated with viral presence, while coliphage counts yielded no analogous relationship.

Aerosols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Presence and incidence of DNA sequences of human polyomaviruses BKV and JCV in colorectal tumor tissues.

The human polyomaviruses JCV and BKV are widespread within population, as shown by serological studies. However, exposure to these viruses does not seem to have pathological consequences in immunocompetent individuals, while in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients, polyomaviruses can be activated, giving rise to serious pathologies. Viral DNA sequences were also found in cells from a number of human tumors of mesothelial origin, suggesting that activation of BKV and JCV, taking place in genetically predisposed and/or in immunodepressed individuals, might be involved in the mechanisms of tumor transformation. In this study, samples obtained from 18 patients with colon rectal carcinoma were probed for the presence of JCV and BKV by three different techniques: Southern blot, PCR and in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate that viral DNA sequences were present in 16 out of the 18 cases considered (88.9%). In the large majority of cases, viruses were detected both in the tumor mass and in the surrounding healthy tissues. Lymphocytes in the investigated areas were also found to be infected by polyomaviruses. These data indicate, for the first time, a possible involvement of polyomaviruses in the pathogenesis of tumors of endothelial origin, like the human colon rectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗