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Biomedical subjects

C Corradini

Publications and source records attributed to C Corradini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Separation of alditols of interest in food products by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection.

High-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC)-pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) employing a CarboPac MA 1 column was investigated with respect to mobile phase composition, linear response characteristics, repeatability, reproducibility and sensitivity with different alditols used as sugar substitutes in food and confectionery products. The energy-reduced bulk sweeteners isomalt and maltitol were well resolved in less than 25 min by isocratic elution with 600 mM sodium hydroxide solution. HPAEC-PAD was also successfully applied to the determination of alditols in sugar-free products and a low-calorie sweetener containing sorbitol, mannitol and fructose at different levels.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1997

Relationships of growth hormone gene and milk protein polymorphisms to milk production traits in Simmental cattle.

The importance of milk proteins and the positive effect of administration of growth hormone (GH) on milk production, and the presence in some dairy cattle lines of greater GH concentrations prompted us to examine the presence of restriction fragment length polymorphism at the GH gene using the restriction enzyme TaqI and to investigate associations between this polymorphism in Simmental cows and bulls, as well as milk protein variants in Simmental cows, and milk production traits. Blood and milk were sampled from 279 Italian Simmental cows and semen was collected from 148 bulls of the same breed. Two fragment bands, denoted A and B, of 6200 and 5200 bp respectively, were examined and three patterns, AA, AB and BB, were found in both animal samples. All variants previously reported in other studies, for kappa, beta, and alpha s1-caseins, and beta-lactoglobulin, were found in the cows' samples. For the cows' samples, a BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Predictor) analysis of results was performed using a REML (Restricted Maximum Likelihood) program and known heritabilities, whereas for bulls we have performed a General Linear Model analysis. The effect of GH gene polymorphism, using TaqI restriction enzyme, on milk production traits was not significant, but bulls of BB pattern had a higher breeding value for milk yield than AA bulls (P < 0.05). For the kappa-casein genotypic effects, cows of AB genotype gave milk with 1.53 +/- 0.70 g/kg less fat than cows of AA genotype. In addition, breeding values for milk protein content were significantly higher in BB bulls, with 0.87 +/- 0.32 and 0.71 +/- 0.34 g/kg more milk protein than AA and AB bulls respectively. Thus, our results revealed a GH gene polymorphism and indicated significant effects of milk protein polymorphisms on milk production traits in the Italian Simmental breed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pit-1 gene polymorphism, milk yield, and conformation traits for Italian Holstein-Friesian bulls.

The growth hormone factor-1/pituitary-specific transcription factor Pit-1 is responsible for the expression of growth hormone in mammals. Mutations in Pit-1 have been found in growth hormone disorders of mice and humans. We studied the eventual association between Pit-1 polymorphism using the HinfI enzyme and the milk yield and conformation traits of 89 Italian Holstein-Friesian bulls. A strategy employing polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify a 451-bp fragment from semen DNA. Digestion of polymerase chain reaction products with HinfI revealed two alleles: allele A was not digested (451-bp fragment), and allele B was cut at one restriction site, generating two fragments of 244 and 207 bp. Three patterns were observed; frequencies were 2.2, 31.5, and 66.3% for AA, AB, and BB, respectively. Fixed and mixed linear models were fitted on daughter yield deviations for milk yields and on deregressed proofs for conformation traits. Predictions were weighted using the inverse of the estimated variance of records. The models used contained mean and gene substitution effects for Pit-1 A allele as fixed effects and random sire effect for the mixed model. The A allele was found to be superior for milk and protein yields, inferior for fat percentage, and superior for body depth, angularity, and rear leg set, which is difficult to explain. A canonical transformation revealed that Pit-1 had three actions, one linked to milk yield traits and angularity, a second linked to body depth and rear leg set, and a third linked to lower fat yields and to higher angularity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Analysis of epsilon-N-2-furoylmethyl-L-lysine (furosine) in dried milk by capillary electrophoresis with controlled electroosmotic flow using N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine in the running electrolyte solution.

The electrophoresis of epsilon-N-2-furoylmethyl-L-lysine (furosine) was studied in an attempt to develop a method for the identification and quantitation of this compound in processed food. The effect of pH and composition of electrolyte solution on both the electrophoretic migration of furosine and the electroosmotic flow in a bare fused-silica capillary of 75 mu m internal diameter was investigated. We demonstrate that the addition, to the running electrolyte solution, of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine (TMBD) at concentrations ranging from 20 to 80 mM improves peak efficiency and can be used to modulate the migration time of furosine by controlling the electroosmotic flow which is reversed from cathodic to anodic. In a sample of dried milk subjected to a long period of storage under controlled conditions, furosine could be efficiently and reproducibly separated and quantitated by employing as the running electrolyte 60 mM TMBD titrated to pH 2.5. Capillary electrophoresis is a promising technique for the rapid identification and quantitation of furosine in processed food.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Tumor necrosis factor-inducing activities of Cryptococcus neoformans components.

Cryptococcus neoformans-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production may lead to increased human immunodeficiency virus replication in patients with AIDS. In order to identify cryptococcal components that are predominantly responsible for stimulating TNF production, various concentrations of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), galactoxylomannan (GalXM), mannoproteins (MP), and alpha(1-3) [corrected] glucan were added to whole-blood cultures. All of the cryptococcal components tested, as well as whole heat-killed cryptococci, were capable of inducing TNF-alpha release in a dose-dependent manner. MP were significantly more potent than any of the other cryptococcal components tested or heat-killed cryptococci in stimulating TNF-alpha production (P < 0.05). GXM, in contrast, was significantly less potent in this activity than either GalXM or MP (P < 0.05). As little as 0.5 microg of MP per ml was sufficient to produce moderate but significant elevations of TNF-alpha release. Maximal MP-induced TNF-alpha levels were similar to those induced by Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide, our positive control. Further experiments using isolated leukocytes suggested that monocytes were the cell population mainly responsible for TNF-alpha production, although the participation of other cell types could not be excluded. The presence of complement-sufficient plasma was a necessary requirement for TNF-alpha induction by GXM, GalXM, and low doses of MP. High MP concentrations (100 microg/ml) were also capable of stimulating TNF-alpha production in the absence of plasma. These data indicate that soluble products released by C. neoformans are capable of inducing TNF-alpha secretion in human leukocytes. This may be clinically relevant, since high concentrations of such products are frequently found in the body fluids of AIDS patients infected with C. neoformans.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1991

Vasculitic mononeuritis multiplex in patient with Lyme disease.

Lyme borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Neurological complications are frequently reported but the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. We report on a patient with positive borrelia antibodies at ELISA and immunoblotting and with histological and immunofluorescence study of peripheral nerve biopsy consistent with vasculitic neuropathy.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1991

Chondroprotective action of chondroitin sulfate. Competitive action of chondroitin sulfate on the digestion of hyaluronan by bovine testicular hyaluronidase.

Lysosomal hyaluronidase is responsible for the degradation of hyaluronan, a component of the extracellular matrix, in degenerative disorders of the joints. It has been hypothesized that the administration of chondroitin sulfate (both a component of the extracellular matrix and a substrate for hyaluronidase) could compete for this enzyme and reduce the degradation process. The present study shows that a mixture of chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate is a good competitor of hyaluronan for hyaluronidase. The digestion of hyaluronan is reduced in proportion to the amount of competing chondroitin. The competitive ability is dependent on the 4-sulfate, 6-sulfate composition of the chondroitin mixture. Mixtures richer in the 4-sulfate isomer are more effective. The enzymatic reactions have been monitored by HPLC and PAGE.

Chondroitin Sulfates↗
PubMed1990

Simultaneous measurement of L-dopa, its metabolites and carbidopa in plasma of parkinsonian patients by improved sample pretreatment and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination.

A procedure is described for the determination of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), its metabolites and carbidopa (CD) in plasma of Parkinsonian patients by high-performance liquid chromatography with dual working-electrode coulometric electrochemical detection. An efficient sample preparation scheme is presented for the isolation of L-DOPA, its metabolites and the catecholamines from the same plasma aliquot. After a simple deproteinization with methanol containing 2% of 0.5 M perchloric acid and evaporation of the solvent, L-DOPA, its metabolites and CD were separated with a 5-micron Nucleosil C18 column. Catecholamines were extracted from the supernatant of the deproteinized plasma by ion exchange on small columns and adsorption on alumina. Recoveries were close to 100% for L-DOPA, its metabolites and CD and 70% for catecholamines. The use of the same mobile phase for the concurrent assay of L-DOPA, its metabolites and catecholamines considerably increased the throughput of samples in the chromatographic system. The dual-electrode coulometric detector afforded peak identification by comparing current ratios. Monitoring of data from patients under L-DOPA therapy is reported.

Carbidopa↗
PubMed1987

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the diagnostic value of the antibody-dependent, cellular cytotoxicity test and of EBV serology.

In the present study we report the results of the EBV-specific antibody response in 30 Italian NPC patients, 20 other head and neck tumor patients and 20 healthy controls. Histopathologically, the tumors were classified as squamous cell carcinoma (WHO 1), nonkeratinizing carcinoma (WHO 2) and undifferentiated carcinoma (WHO 3). Immunofluorescence tests were performed in order to evaluate the antibodies against VCA, EA and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA), and the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity test was used to detect the EBV specific antibodies against membrane antigens. IgG and IgA antibodies to EBV VCA and IgG antibodies to EA were significantly and consistently higher in the NPC patients than in other patients or controls. Moreover, only the WHO 2 and WHO 3 histological types of NPC resulted associated with EBV. ADCC titers ranging from 1:480 to 1:15360 have been determined; low ADCC titers were prevalent among the VCA-IgA positive donors, while VCA-IgA negative donors presented high ADCC titers. Our results look consistent with other previous results in low-risk and high-risk areas. In conclusion, EBV serology seems to be extremely useful for diagnostic purposes; however, in order to assess a prognostic value of the above markers, a greater number of patients followed for a longer period is needed.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1986

High-performance immobilized-metal affinity chromatography of proteins on iminodiacetic acid silica-based bonded phases.

High-performance separations of proteins, based on immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (HPIMAC), are described. The stationary phase consisted of iminodiacetic acid (IDA) chelate groups, bonded to small particle, wide pore silica gel by means of a polyether hydrophilic leash. After loading the column with metal, retention of proteins was achieved by protein-metal complexation at high concentrations of sodium sulfate. Elution was accomplished by addition of competitive complexing ligands, such as ammonia at constant pH, and/or by a decreasing pH gradient of a specially designed buffer system to maintain buffer capacity constant throughout the gradient. Selective separations, based on differences in the number of histidine residues present on the surface of the proteins, are described. The application of HPIMAC in the separation and purification of structurally similar proteins is presented. The potential application of IDA columns in three chromatographic modes (HPIMA, hydrophobic interaction, and cation exchange) is also described.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1986

The spontaneous burst activity of peripheral blood monocytes in patients with acute polyradiculoneuritis, lymphocytic meningoencephalitis, and multiple sclerosis. A comparison.

The course of the spontaneous burst activity (BA) of peripheral blood monocytes was examined in patients with acute polyradiculoneuritis (PN), lymphocytic meningoencephalitis (LE), and multiple sclerosis (MS) and the BA was compared with the clinical course. In 4 patients with postinfectious acute PN the BA was significantly increased up to values around 60 000 counts/10 s. The BA and the clinical course were closely correlated in these patients (mean of r = 0.83). In 4 patients with lymphocytic LE the BA initially was moderately increased to values between 4 000 and 5 000 counts/10 s and showed again a very close correlation with the clinical course (mean of r = 0.99). In 13 MS patients the BA values were found markedly increased showing a close correlation with clinical improvement (mean of r = -0.94) whereas in 2 patients without improvement the BA remained at low levels. The comparison of the clinical course with that of the BA in the three inflammatory diseases of the nervous system reveals that patients with PN and LE show high BA values whilst the clinical signs and symptoms are most expressed, whereas the BA is low in this phase of illness in MS patients but increases around the beginning of improvement. Possible meanings of this behaviour of the BA are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Epstein-Barr virus serology in nasopharyngeal carcinomas and other head and neck neoplasms in Italy.

This paper reports the results of the EBV-specific antibody response in 17 Italian nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, 15 other head and neck tumor patients and 15 normal controls. Nucleic acid hybridization has been performed on the biopsy tissue from 4 of the NPC patients, and EBV-DNA was present in two undifferentiated (WHO 3) tumors, and absent in two samples of the keratinizing (WHO 1) type. EBV serology appears to be specifically related to NPC, more evidently for VCA-IgA and EA-IgG antibodies, and useful as an aid in diagnosis of NPC. However, in order to assess a prognostic value of the above markers, a greater number of patients followed for a longer period of time (at least 5 years) is needed, and is currently being pursued.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Thornell's approach for arytenoidectomy in the surgical treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis; personal experience and results.

Surgical treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords is still a question for debate, as can be seen by a review of the relevant literature. The authors describe their modification of Thornell's technique, as used in 12 cases of recurrent paralysis, and they suggest a variant to the basic method which has been proved to cause minimal trauma, is simple to carry out and has produced excellent results.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Correlation of the chemiluminescence-activity of peripheral blood monocytes with CSF parameters of inflammation and the clinical course of patients with lymphocytic meningoencephalitis.

The chemiluminescence-activity (CL-A) of peripheral blood monocytes (MO) was measured in eight patients with lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis and compared to CSF parameters and the clinical course. The initial maximum CL-A was around four times above the control and decreased to normal values within approximately 20 days. Poor correlations were found when the CL-A was compared to CSF parameters in the total group of patients. With regard to the CSF parameters in individual patients the CL-A was closely related to the cell count, to a lesser degree to the protein content, but not to the IgG content. Finally, a very good correlation of the CL-A was found with the clinical course in individual patients. This preliminary data suggests the clinical usefulness of CL-measurements and supports the conception that the CL-A predominantly reflects the specific cellular phase of inflammation, which is dominated by T cells.

Adolescent↗