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Biomedical subjects

C Casalini

Publications and source records attributed to C Casalini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Antioxidant and radical scavenging properties in vitro of polyphenolic extracts from red wine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Red wine polyphenols inhibit chemically-induced oxidative DNA damage in vivo in experimental animals through a mechanism which is still unclear. On this basis, we tried to clarify the mechanisms of inhibition of DNA oxidation in vitro by wine extracts containing monomeric and polymeric phenols (WE) and monomer-free complex polyphenols and tannins (WCPT) from red wine. METHODS: Oxidative DNA damage was induced by incubating DNA with GSH/Fe3+ or cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH) in vitro and using 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels as a measure of DNA oxidation. Levels of 8-OHdG were determined by HPLC coupled with electrochemical detector (ESA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: WCPT and WE, at microM concentrations, reduced concentration-dependently oxidative DNA damage induced by GSH/Fe3+. WCPT and WE also reduced DNA oxidation by CumOOH. In conclusion, complex polyphenols and tannin extracts from red wine, with or without small molecular phenols, prevent oxidative DNA damage through a dual mechanism, iron binding and direct free radical scavenging.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy and tolerability of topical 1% cidofovir cream for the treatment of external anogenital warts in HIV-infected persons.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for anogenital warts in patients with HIV-1 are unsatisfactory because they fail to eradicate latent human papillomavirus. GOAL: To determine tolerability and efficacy of topical 1% cidofovir cream for the treatment of external anogenital warts in HIV-infected patients. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, crossover pilot study of either 1% cidofovir cream or placebo applied once daily 5 days a week for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of observation was performed. RESULTS: Six patients were randomized to 1% cidofovir cream and six to placebo. The latter patients eventually received 1% cidofovir cream. Thus, 12 treatment rounds of cidofovir were compared with six rounds of placebo. A reduction of more than 50% in the total wart area achieved by seven cidofovir treatments (58%), as compared with no placebo regimen (P = 0.02). Local reactions occurred in 10 of the 12 patients treated with cidofovir, as compared with 0 of the 6 subjects in the placebo group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For the initial clearance of anogenital warts in HIV-infected patients, 1% cidofovir cream is significantly more effective than vehicle cream. Local mucosal erosion is a common side effect.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2001

[Vertical trasmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI)].

Infectious agents which are sexually transmitted determine considerable morbidity in women during the gestational period. Connatal and perinatal infection of the newborn, miscarriage, and low birthweight have all been described. Vertical transmission of HIV and other STD may occur via the placenta during gestation (the major mechanism for syphilis) or at birth during the passage through the cervico-vaginal channel (the major mechanism for HIV, HBV, HSV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia). High serum viral loads of HIV significantly increase the likelihood of newborn infection, while the presence of lesions in the genital tract at birth increases the odd for transmission for HSV. Breast feeding is a well described route of transmission for HIV infection, but it is irrelevant to the transmission of HBV. Cutaneous lesions of the breast and nipples carry a risk of transmission of syphilis and HSV through breast-feeding. Treatment of the etiologic agent is considered an effective means for the prevention of vertical transmission and is recommended for all STI agents except for HBV. HIV infected women on antiretroviral therapy should continue the same treatment regimen if they become pregnant (with the exception of indinavir and efavirenz, which should be replaced as soon as possible); women who did not assume antiretroviral drugs at the time they became pregnant, should start treatment as soon as they reach the second trimester of gestation. Delivery should be performed by elective cesarian section in all HIV infected women. Delivery should also be performed by cesarian section in women who develop a primary HSV infection and have cervico-vaginal lesions. Recurrent episodes of genital herpes are associated to a much lower risk of vertical transmission and do not represent a criterium for cesarian section. Women with documented cervical chlamydia infection should receive a full treatment regimen at the 36th week of gestation. Women with chronic HBV infection do not require etiologic treatment; however, their newborns should receive concomitant doses of HBV immunoglobulins and HBV vaccine soon after birth. Standard practices of prevention of vertical transmission of STI agents applies to women regardless their native country. However, the feasibility of implementation of the guidelines in poor resource countries is a matter of great concern: an unresolved debate is ongoing on optimal strategies for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in such countries.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Screening for tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection among undocumented immigrants at an unspecialised health service unit.

SETTING: Practical or cost-effective strategies to identify undocumented immigrants with latent tuberculosis infection and to deliver treatment for latent TB infection are still unavailable. OBJECTIVES: To compare completion rates of screening procedures for TB infection and disease among undocumented immigrants at specialised (TB) and unspecialised health services in Italy. DESIGN: A TB unit (TBU) and an unspecialised health service unit for migrants (MHCU) served as recruitment sites for recent undocumented immigrants from TB endemic areas. The screening included a symptom questionnaire, a tuberculin skin test and a chest X-ray. RESULTS: Of 1318 eligible subjects, 1232 (93.4%) accepted the screening. Screening was completed by 993 (80.6%) individuals overall, 86.5% and 71.4% at the TBU and MHCU services, respectively. In a multivariate analysis model, the only variable associated with an increased probability of completing screening was being enrolled at the TBU site (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.8-3.5; P < 0.001). Three hundred and ninety-two subjects (39.4%) had a TST test of > or = 10 mm. Eight cases of active tuberculosis were detected, with a calculated prevalence of disease of 650/100,000. CONCLUSIONS: Undocumented immigrants to Italy can be screened for TB at an unspecialised health service unit, although not as efficiently as at a specialised TB unit.

Emigration and Immigration↗
PubMed2000

Levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a marker of DNA damage in human leukocytes.

We measured 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in human leukocytes from healthy donors to evaluate oxidative DNA damage and its correlation with smoking, physical exercise, and alcohol consumption. A significant increase in oxidative DNA damage was induced by cigarette smoke, with the mean level of 8-OHdG being significantly higher in smokers (33.1 +/- 10.6 per 10(6) 2-deoxyguanosine (dG) [mean +/- SE], n = 16) compared with nonsmokers (15.3 +/- 1.8 per 10(6) dG, n = 31) and former smokers (17.8 +/- 1.5 per 10(6) dG, n = 9). The highest values were observed after smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day (41.8 +/- 17.1 per 10(6) dG, n = 9). A large interindividual variation in 8-OHdG levels was observed in all analyzed groups. We also observed a correlation between 8-OHdG levels and age in nonsmokers and former smokers. Neither frequency of physical exercise nor alcohol drinking significantly modified 8-OHdG levels in leukocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced oxidative DNA damage in rat colon mucosa by black tea complex polyphenols.

The effect of black tea polyphenols on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced oxidative DNA damage in rat colon mucosa has been investigated. Fischer 344 rats were treated orally with thearubigin (TR) or theafulvin (TFu) for 10 days (40 mg/kg), injected ip with DMH (20 mg/kg) or saline and sacrificed 24 hr after DMH administration. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured in colonic mucosa DNA and expressed as a ratio relative to 2'-deoxyguanosine (2dG). Control rat mucosa had 8-OHdG values of 1.12 +/- 0.14/10(5) dG (mean +/- SEM, n=11), whereas DMH-treated rats significantly higher values (1.52 +/- 0.14/10(5) dG, n=26, P<0.05). Pretreatment of rats with TR had significantly inhibited DMH-induced oxidative DNA damage 0.99 +/- 0.09/10(5) dG, n=10, P<0.05) and a similar, although less marked, effect was observed with TFu (1.15 +/- 0.19/10(5), n=9, P=0.06). These findings confirm that DMH causes oxidative DNA damage in the colon mucosa of rats and demonstrate that this effect is prevented by the consumption of complex polyphenols from black tea.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗
PubMed2000

Supervised preventive therapy for latent tuberculosis infection in illegal immigrants in Italy.

In a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study of isoniazid-preventive therapy (IPT) for latent tuberculosis infection, illegal immigrants from countries where tuberculosis is highly endemic were enrolled at two clinical sites in Northern Italy. Of 208 eligible subjects, 82 received supervised IPT at a dose of 900 mg twice weekly for 6 mo (Regimen A), 73 received unsupervised IPT 900 mg twice weekly for 6 mo (Regimen B), and 53 received unsupervised IPT 300 mg daily for 6 mo (Regimen C). Supervised IPT was delivered at either one tuberculosis clinic or one migrant clinic. The probability of completing a 26-wk regimen was 7, 26, and 41% in Regimens A, B, and C, respectively (p < 0.005, Log- rank test calculated using Kaplan-Meier plots). The mean time to dropout was 3. 8, 6, and 6.2 wk in Regimens A, B, and C, respectively (p = 0.003 for regimen A versus either Regimens B or C). Treatment was stopped in five subjects (2.4%) because of adverse events. The rate of completion of preventive therapy for latent tuberculosis infection among illegal immigrants was low. Supervised, clinic-based administration of IPT significantly reduced adherence. Alternative strategies to implement preventive therapy in illegal immigrants are clearly required.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effect of complex polyphenols and tannins from red wine (WCPT) on chemically induced oxidative DNA damage in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids are polyphenolic antioxidants occurring in vegetables and fruits as well as beverages such as tea and wine which have been thought to influence oxidative damage. AIM OF THE STUDY: We wanted to verify whether a complex mixture of wine tannins (wine complex polyphenols and tannins, WCPT) prevent chemically-induced oxidative DNA damage in vivo. METHODS: Oxidative DNA damage was evaluated by measuring the ratio of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (80HdG)/ 2-deoxyguanosine (2dG) x 10(-6) in hydrolyzed DNA using HPLC coupled with electrochemical and UV detectors. RESULTS: We treated rats with WCPT (57 mg/kg p.o.) for 14 d, a dose 10-fold higher than what a moderate wine drinker would be exposed to. WCPT administration significantly reduced the ratio of 80HdG/2dG x 10(-6) in liver DNA obtained from rats treated with 2-nitropropane (2NP) relative to controls administered 2NP only (33. 3 +/- 2.5 vs. 44.9 +/- 3.2 x 10(-6) 2dG; micro +/- SE; p<0.05). On the contrary, pretreatment with WCPT for 10 d did not protect the colon mucosa from oxidative DNA damage induced by 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). 2NP and DMH are hepatic and colon carcinogens, respectively, capable of inducing oxidative DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS: WCPT have protective action against some types of chemically-induced oxidative DNA damage in vivo.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗
PubMed1999

"Developmental dysmnesia": a case report.

We report a 9-year-old girl who presented from an early age a severe and specific verbal memory disorder, in the absence of a definite etiology. The results of an extensive neuropsychological assessment showed a dissociation between normal visuo-spatial memory abilities and a marked short-term and long-term verbal memory impairment. We argue that our case is affected by "developmental dysmnesia", a condition so far described in two cases only (De Renzi and Lucchelli, 1990, and Temple, 1997). The disorder affected episodic as well as semantic verbal memory. The long term effects on learning and cognition of a memory deficit occurring early in childhood are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Laurus nobilis leaves as a measure of air pollution in urban and rural sites of Tuscany.

The levels of 9 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 6 of which carcinogenic were measured in the leaves of evergreen tree (Laurus nobilis) sampled in 13 locations in summer and winter in Tuscany, Italy. The carcinogenic PAH levels were correlated with the PAH air levels sampled at the same site. Samples from larger towns had higher PAH levels than those from medium and small towns. Leaves collected in the center of larger cities had higher carcinogenic PAH levels than samples from residential areas indicating that vehicular traffic is the main PAH source. Carcinogenic PAH levels in leaves collected in the winter in medium towns were considerably higher than expected, probably due to domestic heating. These findings demonstrate that air quality in terms of PAH contamination is not markedly different in towns of different size in Tuscany.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Reversible pseudoatrophy of the brain and mental deterioration associated with valproate treatment.

PURPOSE: To describe an 11-year-old girl with symptomatic localization-related epilepsy and normal intelligence who developed reversible mental deterioration and pseudoatrophic brain changes while receiving valproate (VPA). METHODS: Assessment of mental function using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC) and Raven's Progressive Matrices (PM), EEG recordings while awake and asleep, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were performed at the beginning of VPA therapy, after 2 years and 8 months of treatment and following VPA discontinuation. RESULTS: After 2 years and 6 months on VPA (< or = 26 mg/kg/day) the girl insidiously developed mental deterioration (loss of 18 IQ points and drop in age-adjusted PM score from the 95th to the 50th percentile) associated with MRI-documented pseudoatrophy of the brain. Onset of severe cognitive impairment coincided with serum VPA concentrations near 100 microg/ml. There were no other manifestations of drug toxicity or hyperammonemia. Background EEG activity was normal. Reduction of VPA dosage and subsequent discontinuation 4 months later resulted in disappearance of clinical symptoms with a 20-point improvement at IQ testing and recovery of previous PM score. Repeat MRI showed disappearance of pseudoatrophic changes. CONCLUSIONS: The striking cognitive improvement and reversal of pseudoatrophic brain changes following VPA discontinuation strongly suggest a drug-induced condition. Based on this and previous reports, the syndrome of VPA-associated mental deterioration and pseudoatrophy of the brain appears to encompass different but possibly related clinical entities, which include parkinsonism with cognitive deterioration, mental deterioration with signs of VPA-toxicity, and isolated mental deterioration, as seen in our patient. A drug-induced effect should be considered whenever cognitive deterioration and imaging findings of brain atrophy occur in VPA-treated patients.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1997

Oxidative liver DNA damage in rats treated with pesticide mixtures.

Oxidative damage was quantified in the liver of rats by measuring the levels of 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-2DG) relative to 2-deoxyguanosine in DNA after treating rats for 10 days at a total dose of 1 mg/kg/day with a mixture of the 15 pesticides most commonly found in Italian foods (comprised of dithiocarbamate, benomyl, procymidone, methidathion, chlorpyrifos-ethyl, parathion-methyl, chlorpropham, parathion, vinclozolin, chlorfenvinphos, pirimiphos ethyl, thiabendazole, fenarimol, diphenylamine and chlorothalonil). We fractionated this pesticide mixture into subgroups in order to determine which molecules, if any, induced DNA oxidative damage. The administration of diphenylamine (0.09-1.4 mg/kg/day) and chlorothalonil (0.13-1 mg/kg/day) induced a dose-dependent increase in 8-OH-2DG levels in liver DNA. The other 13 pesticides of the mixture on the contrary, did not produce oxidative liver DNA damage. These results indicate that the toxicity of low doses of pesticide mixtures present in food might be further reduced by eliminating diphenylamine and chlorothalonil.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Is interhemispheric transfer time related to age? A developmental study.

In simple visuomotor reaction time tasks, the difference between reaction time (RT) in the uncrossed hand/hemifield condition from RT in the crossed hand/hemifield, known as CUD (crossed-uncrossed difference), has been interpreted as reflecting interhemispheric transmission time (IHTT). Several studies in normal adults have found a CUD of a few milliseconds (3-4), while an abnormally long CUD has been reported in patients who underwent a surgical section of the corpus callosum or in congenital acallosal subjects. The corpus callosum, which is the most important structure for interhemispheric transfer of information, completes its myelination approximately by age ten. It has been hypothesized that the functional maturity of the corpus callosum coincides with the termination of the myelination cycle. No developmental study has focused on the development of IHTT, in relation to callosal maturation. The purpose of our study has been to investigate the development of interhemispheric transfer of visuomotor information in children aged seven to eleven, using a simple RT task with lateralized visual stimuli. The results indicate an age-related decrease of CUD, which we interpret as reflecting the maturation of the corpus callosum during childhood years.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMed1980

Mass spectrometry of the metabolites of 2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-5-benzofuranylacetic acid.

The electron impact induced fragmentations of the title compound, its methyl ester, its three hydroxy derivatives, namely, 3-hydroxy alpha- and beta-hydroxy, their acetyl methyl esters and its 2,3-dehydro derivative, have been studied in detail. Among the uncommon features of the observed processes were methyl acetate and C-2 and C-3 hydrocarbon expulsions and a few novel rearrangements. The ion at m/z 131 appeared as the terminal for many fragmentation sequences.

Acetates↗
PubMed1980

Metabolites and analogs of 2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-5-benzofuranacetic acid (furofenac): chemical and pharmacological properties.

The in vivo metabolism of 2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-5-benzofuranacetic acid (furofenac), a new drug, was studied in rats, dogs, and humans. The drug has antiplatelet-aggregation activity and anti-inflammatory activity combined with low ulcerogenic power. Hydroxylated derivatives and analogous compounds were prepared, and their syntheses and chemical characteristics are described. TLC. GLC, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and GLC--mass spectrometry were applied to urine extracts, and authentic synthetic specimens were used for comparison. The products identified in human and dog urine were mainly conjugation compounds of the drug, while the products in rat urine were hydroxylated derivatives. Some pharmacological characteristics of the metabolites are discussed.

Acetates↗