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C Scala

Publications and source records attributed to C Scala.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

To verify four 5-year-old mathematical models to predict the outcome of ICU patients.

AIM: The aim of this study is to verify calibration and discrimination after 5 years in the case mix of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during the year 2000. In this way we want to perform a quality control of our ICU in order to justify the increased amount of money spent for intensive care. METHODS: A prospective study has been made on the 357 patients admitted to the ICU during the year 2000. The Apache II score was calculated within the first 24 hours and, depending on the length of stay in the ICU, on the 5(th), 10(th) and 15(th) day after ICU admission. On the basis of the 4 mathematical models death risk has been calculated for each of the 4 times. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was performed for calibration and ROC curves for discrimination, always for each of the 4 mathematical models. RESULTS: The 1(st) model, at 24 hours from ICU admission, showed a bad calibration (p=0.000088), while the ROC curve was 0.744+/-0.32. Also the 2(nd) model, at the 5(th) day from admission, showed a bad calibration (p=0.000588), with ROC curve of 0.827+/-0.04. The 3(rd) model (10(th) day), was well calibrated (p=0.112247) and discriminating (ROC=0.888 +/-0.04). Finally the models at 15 days showed again a bad calibration (p=0.001422) but a very good discrimination (area=0.906+/-0.06). CONCLUSION: Developing mathematical models to predict mortality within ICUs can be useful to assess quality of care, even if these models should not be the only ICU quality controls, but must be accompanied by other indicators, looking at quality of life of the patients after ICU discharge.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1997

Stimulation of blood mononuclear cells of atopic children with the relevant allergen induces the release of eosinophil chemotaxins such as IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 10 atopic asthmatic children (atopics), sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and from 5 nonatopic healthy children (controls) were stimulated with Dp extract or with birch extract (Be). After 6 days we tested the supernatant's (Sn) chemotactic activity toward purified blood eosinbnophils and T-lymphocyte proliferation. Dp induced a statistically significant T-cell proliferation from atopics as compared to controls (p < 0.05), which correlated with the levels of eosinophil chemotactic activity in the Sn (r = 0.713; p < 0.05). Measurable levels of IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF were demonstrated in the Sn of Dp-stimulated PBMC from atopics, while eosinophil locomotion toward different concentrations of recombinant human (rh) IL-3, rhIL-5, and rhGM-CSF confirmed that these cytokines were able to stimulate eosinophil chemotaxis in a close concentration range. Preincubation of different concentrations of the same Sn with blocking antisera demonstrated that anti-human (ah) IL-3, ahIL-5, and ahGM-CSF effectively decreased eosinophil chemotaxis (p < 0.05; each comparison). Thus PBMC activation with the relevant allergen induces the release by T cells with a Th2 phenotype of chemotactic factors for eosinophils.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Eosinophil locomotion and the release of IL-3 and IL-5 by allergen-stimulated mononuclear cells are effectively downregulated in vitro by budesonide.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of allergic asthma with inhaled corticosteroids, such as budesonide (BDN), results in downregulation of T-cell activation and of eosinophil recruitment. OBJECTIVE: Since blood concentrations of BDN, although significantly lower than those measured in the lung, may still have anti-inflammatory effects, we evaluated the activity of BDN in vitro on: allergen-induced release of lymphokines involved in eosinophil chemotaxis (i.e. IL-3 and IL-5), at drug concentrations similar to those obtained in vivo in the lung (10-8 M), and eosinophil locomotion, at "systemic concentrations' of the drug (10(-10)M and 10(-9)M). METHODS: Twenty-three atopic asthmatic subjects (atopics) sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and seven non-atopic healthy subjects (controls) were studied. Purified blood mononuclear cells (BMC) were stimulated with Dp, with or without BDN 10(-8) M and, after 6 days, the supernatants were collected and frozen to test their chemotactic activity toward purified blood eosinophils and their levels of interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-5 by immunoassay. BMC were then pulsed for additional 18 h with [3H]thymidine to evaluate allergen-induced T-cell proliferation. In addition, to test possible direct effects of 'systemic concentrations' of the drug on eosinophil locomotion, blood eosinophils were incubated for 1 h with BDN (10(-10) M and 10(-9) M) prior to test their chemotactic response toward recombinant human IL-3 and IL-5. RESULTS: Stimulation of BMC from atopics with Dp induced a statistically significant increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation (P < 0.05); secretion of chemotactic factors for eosinophils (P < 0.001) and the release of IL-3 and IL-5 (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05 respectively). BDN, at the concentration of 10(-8) M, was able to significantly down-regulate T-cell proliferation (P < 0.05), the secretion of chemotactic factors for eosinophils (P < 0.001) and the release of IL-3 and IL-5 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). Similarly, "systemic concentrations' of BDN (10(-10) M and 10(-9) M) totally inhibited the chemotactic response of blood eosinophils toward recombinant human IL-3 and IL-5 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of BDN similar to those obtained in vivo are effective in inhibiting both the release of eosinophils chemotaxins by allergen-activated mononuclear cells and eosinophil locomotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The evaluation of acrylic resins for the study of nondecalcified human teeth with the light and electronic microscopes].

Resin embedding of human teeth for light and transmission electron microscopic studies becomes difficult without previous decalcification. The limited and slow infiltration of the resin into hard tissues may cause problems during preparation and observation of the samples. Moreover the type of resin that is used may affect the morphologic preservation of both tissues and cellular elements. Recently there has been an increasing number of studies on the application of acrylic resins in light and electron microscopy, in order to overcome problems encountered with the use of epoxy resins still utilized in morphologic studies. We compared different acrylic resins (Technovit 7200 VLC, LR White, LR Gold, Bioacryl) in order to understand which one was more suitable for undecalcified human dental tissues under light and transmission electron microscope. Evaluation of such resins was performed using the following criteria: ease of cutting with ultramicrotome, soft and hard tissues infiltration, uptake of tissue stains for both light and electron microscopy, morphologic preservation and stability under electron beam. This study, carried out on the pulp area comprising predentin and dentin, showed excellent quality of Bioacryl and LR Gold, the two resins presenting, by far, the best results among all the different types tested. The optimal morphologic preservation obtained with such resins is indicated for light and electron microscopic studies, allowing their application in different fields of dental research.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1993

A new polychrome stain and simultaneous methods of histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings performed on semithin sections of Bioacryl-embedded human tissues.

We describe a new polychrome stain and simultaneous methods of histological, histochemical and immunocytochemical staining performed on sections from human tissues embedded in the new hydrophilic resin Bioacryl. The polychrome stain involves the sequential use of Harris' Haematoxylin, silver methenamine, Light Green and Eosin or Safranin dyes and provides a highly specific visualization of the overall cytological tissue architecture. When histochemical, immunocytochemical, and polychrome stains are performed together on the same section, crisp images are obtained, yielding simultaneous data of histochemical and immunological reactivities with clear tissue architecture.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1993

In situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level: localization of cytomegalovirus DNA using digoxigenin labelled probes.

We describe a procedure for detecting and localizing cytomegalovirus DNA sequences based on in situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level. A digoxigenin-labelled probe, identified with an anti-digoxigenin colloidal gold-labelled antiserum, was employed on infected cells embedded in a new acrylic resin (Bioacryl). The silver enhancement method on the same specimen was used to more easily reveal the reaction also at low magnification. The immunolocalization was characterized by high specificity with virtually no background staining and a good maintenance of submicroscopic cell features.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1992

A new acrylic resin formulation: a useful tool for histological, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical investigations.

We describe a new formulation for a hydrophilic resin, mostly composed of glycol methacrylate and hydroxypropyl methacrylate and here referred to as bioacryl, that allows the performance of morphological and immunohistochemical investigations at both light and electron microscopic levels. Immunolocalizations performed on bioacryl-embedded tissues are characterized by high specificity with virtually absent background staining. Finally, the new resin yields satisfactory fine-structural preservation, resulting in ultrastructural images of better quality than those obtained with Lowicryl K4M.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1991

Conventional and high resolution scanning electron microscopy of biological sectioned material.

Intracellular structures of embedded biological tissues (rat kidney, myocardium and small intestine) were observed by conventional-scanning electron microscopy (C-SEM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) after glass knife sectioning. C-SEM of semi-thin sections of material processed the same way as conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided strong backscattered electron (BSE)-dependent, two-dimensional secondary electron images (SEI(-)) which precisely integrated and further extended previous light microscopy (LM) observation of the same specimen. In addition, the three-dimensional (3-D) arrangement of intracellular organelles was appreciated using a mixture of acetone-soluble acrylic resin in place of epoxy resin embedding. Since the identification of such structures was hampered by the use of conventional fixations we introduced osmium maceration as a preliminary step to remove excess cytoplasmic matrix from the specimen. Consequently, semi-thin sections for LM and thin sections for TEM were obtained by sectioning of the tissue blocks. After resin removal, the sections were successfully observed in 3-D under a C-SEM. Finally, the deembedded, osmium treated sections proved to be smooth enough to facilitate deposition of continuous, ultra-thin (1 nm) chromium films and, therefore, HR-SEM studies of macromolecular cell membrane structures.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Correlative light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy of osmium-macerated biological tissues.

A method facilitating correlation of light microscopic (LM), scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images was developed. Rat kidney and heart were initially subjected to the osmium maceration procedure and then embedded in acrylic resin. Semithin sections of the tissue blocks were first provided for LM and then examined by SEM after resin removal. Furthermore, the ultrathin sections adjacent to the semithin sections were observed by TEM. The three-dimensional images of intracellular organelles provided an informative adjunct to LM and TEM.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Beam voltage effects in the study of embedded biological materials by secondary electron detectors.

Thin and semithin sections were extensively examined by the secondary electron (SE) detector in a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM), and in a transmission electron microscope with a scanning attachment (STEM). Various parameters, in particular the beam voltage, were shown to affect the final SE image (SEI). As for SEM observation, a surface contrast was imaged at low primary electron (PE) voltages (0.6-2 kV), whereas a subsurface contrast predominated at higher energies (15-30 kV). In STEM, significant differences were not detected by varying the PE in the 20-100 kV range. Surface and subsurface information was simultaneously imaged even though the SEI were better resolved at the highest energy.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMed1985

A new approach for studying semithin sections of human pathological material: intermicroscopic correlation between light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

In order to obtain useful and complete information on the study of pathological material, we observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the same semithin sections observed by light microscopy (LM). For this purpose, the specimen must have, at the same time, chromatic and electron dense characteristics. We thus developed different specimen preparation methods, subjecting the semithin sections to specific polychromatic staining with high atomic number (Z) elements, to monochromatic staining followed by routine contrasting with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and to specific cytochemical and immunocytochemical procedures. The specimens were examined in sequence by LM, by SEM equipped with secondary electron, backscattered electron, transmitted electron detectors and by scanning transmission electron microscopy (S(T)EM).

Actins↗
PubMed1985

Use of secondary electron detectors for compositional studies on embedded biological material.

In a scanning electron microscope (SEM) the secondary electron (SE) detector collects SE from various sources (SE-I, SE-II, SE-III) as well as backscattered electrons (BSE). SE-II and SE-III are generated by BSE and therefore provide compositional data. In order to collect the compositional electrons in the SE and BSE signals, we employed specimens with little or no surface morphology. Thin and semithin sections of biological embedded material were utilized, conventionally stained and/or subjected to cytochemical or immunocytochemical procedures. The specimens were observed in a SEM equipped with SE detector (SED), BSE detector (BED) and transmission electron (TE) detector (TED). We drew the following conclusions: a) images by SED of thin sections give the same information as images by TED; b) images by SED of semithin sections provide complementary information with respect to those obtained in BSE and TE mode. Some parameters affecting the intensity and the quality of the signal collected were also considered. Finally we observed the same semithin sections in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a SE attachment. Images obtained by SED, BED and TED were fully diversified.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMed1982

Anatomic study of condylar position at maximum intercuspation.

An anatomic study of the mandibular condylar position was conducted on 40 dried skulls with intact dentitions. The distance between the condyle and the mandibular fossa in three different sections were measured anteriorly, superiorly, and posteriorly. The mandibular condylar was found to be in a slightly anterior position. The implications are discussed.

Cephalometry↗
PubMed1980

[Association between viral infection and pleuropericarditis: study of a case list of pleurisy and pericarditis].

The Authors report a study on a group of 47 patients affected by serositis (pleuritis, pericarditis, pleuro-pericarditis) of suspected viral origin. Two serum samples were taken from each patient at different times and were tested with many viral antigens by the complement fixation technique. The discussion is carried out on the lines followed by the majority of people in giving importance to their viral etiology and the viruses involved as agents of serositis are reported. In the present study 18 patients (38%) showed a significant rise of antibodies for viral antigens and therefore their disease might be due to viral etiology: 5 influenza viruses, 1 parainfluenza, 1 coxsackie, 1 RSV, 3 mumps virus, 5 CMV, 1 adenovirus.

Adolescent↗