PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Graziani

Publications and source records attributed to C Graziani.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Analysis of dystroglycan regulation and functions in mouse mammary epithelial cells and implications for mammary tumorigenesis.

Abnormalities in the interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM) play an important role in the development and progression of many types of cancer and are a hallmark of malignant transformation. The dystroglycan (DG) complex is a transmembrane glycoprotein that forms a continuous link from the ECM to the actin cytoskeleton, providing structural integrity and perhaps transducing signal, in a manner similar to integrins. Deregulated expression of DG has been reported in a variety of human malignancies and related to tumor differentiation and aggressiveness. In breast cancer, reduced DG expression has been associated with patient survival and with loss of differentiation of tumor cells. Limited data are available on DG physiology in epithelial cells. In this study, we used the HC11 spontaneously immortalized murine mammary epithelial cells to study DG function(s) and regulation in normal cells. We found that expression of DG protein and mRNA is cell-cycle and cell-density regulated in these cells. Moreover, expression of both DG subunits increased upon lactogenic differentiation of the HC11 cells. The turnover of cell-surface-expressed DG was evaluated in the same cells and half-life of DG subunits was evaluated to be about 12 h. DG-specific small inhibitory RNAs were used to analyze the effects of a reduced expression of DG in these cells. Cells in which DG expression was suppressed were growth inhibited, accumulated in the S-phase of the cell cycle, failed to undergo lactogenic differentiation, and displayed an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells. Moreover, changes were observed in the expression and/or activity of several molecules involved in cell growth control. These results demonstrate that DG expression is tightly regulated in normal mammary epithelial cells and support the hypothesis that DG is involved in several functions other than structural integrity in these cells. This finding provides new insight into the roles played by DG in epithelial cell physiology and will contribute to our understanding of its involvement in the process of epithelial cell transformation.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Discovery of the short gamma-ray burst GRB 050709.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) fall into two classes: short-hard and long-soft bursts. The latter are now known to have X-ray and optical afterglows, to occur at cosmological distances in star-forming galaxies, and to be associated with the explosion of massive stars. In contrast, the distance scale, the energy scale and the progenitors of the short bursts have remained a mystery. Here we report the discovery of a short-hard burst whose accurate localization has led to follow-up observations that have identified the X-ray afterglow and (for the first time) the optical afterglow of a short-hard burst; this in turn led to the identification of the host galaxy of the burst as a late-type galaxy at z = 0.16 (ref. 10). These results show that at least some short-hard bursts occur at cosmological distances in the outskirts of galaxies, and are likely to be caused by the merging of compact binaries.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practice of Italian beef and dairy cattle veterinarians concerning the use of antibiotics.

Between June and September 2002 a telephone survey of Italian beef and dairy cattle veterinarians was made to obtain information about their use of antibiotics and their perception of the problem of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 106 veterinarians, selected at random from the membership lists of two professional societies, were interviewed by telephone, using a structured questionnaire concerning their background, training and continuing education activities, and current type of practice; their diagnostic, treatment, and prophylactic practices for mastitis, calf scours and respiratory disease; and their perception of the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance. The median age of the interviewees was 42.5 (range 28 to 75) years; 62 per cent treated only dairy cattle, 10 per cent treated only beef cattle and 28 per cent treated both. Laboratory support was requested 'frequently' or 'always' by 67 per cent of the veterinarians when treating mastitis, by 37 per cent when treating calf scours and by 17 per cent when treating respiratory diseases. Twenty per cent reported using prophylactic antibiotics 'often' or 'sometimes' for calf scours, 28 per cent for respiratory diseases, and 62 per cent reported their use 'always' or 'often' for mastitis. Fluoroquinolones, phenicols or third/fourth-generation cephalosporins were prescribed as first-choice drugs by 54 per cent for calf scours, by 12 per cent for bacterial respiratory diseases and by 6 per cent for mastitis. Therapeutic failure was reported 'often' (21 per cent) or 'sometimes' (64 per cent) and was the main predictor in a multivariate model of the use of newer antibiotics. The level of awareness of the problem of antibiotic resistance was high, although more than half of the interviewees were confident that new antimicrobial drugs were already available to replace those of lower effectiveness.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis and Infantis from human infections, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Infantis isolated from humans, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy between 1999 and 2001 was examined. All the isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin, but high rates of resistance were observed for several other drugs, especially for S. Typhimurium. The rates of resistance and multiresistance were generally higher among animal and food isolates than in human strains; conversely, no significant difference was observed between animal and food isolates. Among S. Typhimurium, multiresistance was more common in bovine, poultry and rabbit strains than in swine isolates, and was rare in strains from pigeon. Resistance to trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole was mainly found in isolates of swine and human origin. This study confirms the role of livestock as a reservoir of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. and underlines the need for integrated surveillance systems of antibiotic resistance that consider isolates not only from human disease but also from the animal reservoirs and the food vehicles.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Clinical and economic outcomes of pneumonia in children: a longitudinal observational study in an Italian paediatric hospital.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic prescription for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in hospitalized children can have a major impact on cure and costs. We performed a longitudinal study to explore the appropriateness of prescriptions, the predictors of therapeutic patterns, and the main outcomes: readmission, length of stay (LOS) and costs. METHODS: Ninety-nine children who were inpatients of a paediatric hospital receiving antibiotic treatment for community acquired ALRI were consecutively enrolled. To calculate the costs of pneumonia treatment, we collected data on clinical presentation and resources consumption. We used multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of LOS and choice of therapy, and one-way ANOVA to evaluate cost differences among treatment groups. RESULTS: Parenteral antibiotics were administered in 64.6% of cases, whereas 35.4% received oral antibiotic therapy by itself (OAT). Switch therapy (SWT) was performed in 43.4% of cases. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic for parenteral therapy was ceftriaxone (58.3%), and for oral therapy cefprozil (58.1%). The median LOS was 3 days and the cure rate 99% (95%CI: 97-100%). SWT and OAT were significantly associated with a shorter LOS. The clinical variables were not significantly associated with SWT or OAT. The average costs per patient in the management of pneumonia were Euro 1435. SWT or OAT were associated with significant lower costs: Euro 1487 per patient (95%CI: 1395-1580) and Euro 1335 per patient (95%CI: 1233-1437), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The hospital management of paediatric pneumonia was more influenced by the early discharge policy than by clinical variables without under-cure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Correlation study of two routine bacteriology systems with previously characterised strains.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the VITEK 2 and Advanced Expert System (bioMérieux) for antimicrobial testing of previously characterised Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. These strains obtained from bioMérieux, Mrcy Le Toille, France, were well characterized with regard to the existing resistance mechanisms and the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were determined by agar dilution. VITEK 2 was also compared with the Sceptor system (Becton Dickinson) routinely used in our laboratory. The results obtained were equally good for VITEK 2 and Sceptor with a rate of agreement between the two systems of 91.4% and 88.2% respectively. When the results were evaluated in relation to the different antibiotic concentrations, the agreement was 94% for VITEK 2 and 62% for Sceptor. The resistance mechanisms associated with each resistance pattern were determined by the Advanced Expert System (AES) in 79.6% of strains. The VITEK 2 provided, in 3-4 hours, an acceptable level of accuracy in testing antimicrobial sensitivity in Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains with diverse mechanisms of resistance found in clinical situations.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2001

AP-PCR typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction has been used for an epidemiological evaluation of 42 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from nine cystic fibrosis patients during a three-year investigation period. The resistance patterns of the same strains have also been evaluated. The AP-PCR type fingerprinting was perfomed with primers 10514 and 208. Resistance was evaluated by the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration method. With 10514 eleven different genotypes could be evidenced, while with 208 only five of them could be detected. During the investigation period patients were always colonised by the same genotype. A possible correlation between resistance pattern and genotype with both primers has shown, within the same patient, a correspondence of about 20% for 10514 and a correspondence of only 10% for 208. Patients are colonised by one or two strains of P. aeruginosa and there is no relation between genotype and resistance pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Diabetes education program use and patient-perceived barriers to attendance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although self-management education is an essential component of optimal diabetes care, diabetes education programs are greatly underused. This study examined the use of diabetes education programs by a university-based family practice patient population in Philadelphia. Predictors of program attendance, as well as patient-perceived barriers to attendance, were identified. METHODS: A survey designed to collect information on demographics, clinical factors associated with diabetes, experience with diabetes education, and reasons for nonattendance at education programs was administered to 150 patients with diabetes. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the subjects had attended a diabetes education program. Female gender, insulin use, and higher degree of obesity were positively associated with education program attendance. Physician recommendation was an important predictor of attendance. Significant barriers to attendance included lack of awareness of programs, misperceptions about what programs involved, structural barriers, and health beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes education programs are underused. Physicians can improve program attendance and outcomes for people with diabetes by implementing interventions designed to address the identified barriers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Antibody response to P. aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis: evaluation of two methods.

The immunological response to Ps. aeruginosa antigens may be a sensitive and early indicator of the colonisation of the lungs with these organisms in patients with cystic fibrosis. This study used an immunoenzymatic system and immunoblotting to evaluate the antibody response of 20 patients without apparent Ps. aeruginosa lung infection. These was an agreement in the results obtained with the two methods in 87.5% of cases.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Study of IgG antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in early cystic fibrosis infection.

Intermittent colonization, which then becomes chronic, characterises pseudomonas lung infection in cystic fibrosis (C.F.) patients. Bacteriologic studies do not always detect this evolution, which, however, may be identified by serological examinations. The aim of this study was to apply the immunoblotting method in order to monitor the antibody response toward a Ps. aeruginosa standard antigen (St-Ag). The results were analyzed and focussed on the bacterial and clinical data. Patients with intermittent colonization were studied between 1995 and 1997. Ninety per cent of the patients were positive to total IgG and subclass IgG1 in correspondence with the bacteriological finding. Further investigation is called for regarding the presence of IgG4 in order to establish whether it could be considered an index of chronic status.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A novel pathogenic role for microvasculature in inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although their etiology is still unknown, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying intestinal inflammation have made impressive progress in our understanding. In particular, the abnormalities underlying IBD pathogenesis are not restricted to those mediated by classical immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, but also nonimmune cells. Interestingly, endothelium has become one of the major areas of investigation in gut inflammation.

Animals↗