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Biomedical subjects

E Coccia

Publications and source records attributed to E Coccia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Oral lichenoid drug reaction by lithium in a patient with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric disease characterized by recurrent and alternated episodes of depression and mania. For the treatment of BD, anticonvulsants drugs as lithium, carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine can be used. These drugs can be associated with potential adverse effects: weight gain, tremors, thyroid abnormalities, and cognitive, gastrointestinal, cardiac or dermatological problems. We describe a case of BD with oral lichenoid drug reaction probably because of the mood stabilizers.

Antimanic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Increasing the bandwidth of resonant gravitational antennas: the case of explorer.

Resonant gravitational wave detectors with an observation bandwidth of tens of hertz are a reality: the antenna Explorer, operated at CERN by the ROG Collaboration, has been upgraded with a new readout. In this new configuration, it exhibits an unprecedented useful bandwidth: in over 55 Hz about its center operating frequency of 919 Hz the spectral sensitivity is better than 10(-20) Hz(-1/2). We describe the detector and its sensitivity and discuss the foreseeable upgrades to even larger bandwidths.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

First search for gravitational wave bursts with a network of detectors

We report the initial results from a search for bursts of gravitational radiation by a network of five cryogenic resonant detectors during 1997 and 1998. This is the first significant search with more than two detectors observing simultaneously. No gravitational wave burst was detected. The false alarm rate was lower than 1 per 10(4) yr when three or more detectors were operating simultaneously. The typical threshold was H approximately 4x10(-21) Hz-1 on the Fourier component at approximately 10(3) Hz of the gravitational wave strain amplitude. New upper limits for amplitude and rate of gravitational wave bursts have been set.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

CA125 in culture medium of preimplantation embryo.

The first stage of the implantation is the adhesion of the embryonic pole of the blastocyst to the decidua. Such a phenomenon has been demonstrated to be dependent on the presence of glycoproteic compounds, produced partly by the decidua and partly by the embryo. CA125 is an antigenic determinant associated to a glycoprotein expressed by various embryonic tissues. The objective of our research has been to measure the production of CA125 by the embryo in the initial phase of its development. Patients were recruited from our in vitro fertilization program. The culture medium used for the oocytes and for the embryos was collected and CA125 levels were measured. The results indicate that there is not a statistically significative difference between the values of CA125 measured in the mediums where a pronucleus or an embryo was present and the negative controls. From our data, therefore, it can be concluded that CA125 expression begins later in the human embryonic development than 8-cells-stage embryo.

Blastocyst↗
PubMed1996

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene surgical membrane in ovarian surgery on the rabbit. Biocompatibility, adhesion prevention properties and ability to preserve reproductive capacity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility, adhesion prevention properties and ability to preserve reproductive capacity of polytetrafluoroethylene surgical membrane in ovarian surgery on the rabbit. STUDY DESIGN: In two groups of female rabbits a standard lesion was made on each ovary. In group 1, one ovary was partially covered with a flat sheet of the surgical membrane, and the other was left uncovered so that each rabbit served as its own control. In group 2, one ovary was again left uncovered to serve as an internal control, and the other was completely covered with a "cap" of the surgical membrane. Laparotomies were performed several weeks postoperatively after the rabbits were mated with fertile males; adhesions were evaluated, and the number of cornual pregnancies was determined. RESULTS: In group 1, 67.9% of the control ovaries and 7.1% of the partially covered ovaries had adhesions (P < .001); in the uterine horn on the control side, 32.1% of the rabbits exhibited cornual pregnancies (1.14 +/- 1.72 [mean +/- SD] pregnancies per rabbit), whereas on the experimental side, 89.3% of the rabbits exhibited cornual pregnancies (3.89 +/- 1.58 per rabbit). In group 2, 83.3% of the control ovaries and 11.1% of the covered ovaries had adhesions (P < .001); in the uterine horn on the control side, 23.5% of the rabbits exhibited cornual pregnancies (2 +/- 1.1 per rabbit), whereas on the experimental side, 100% of the rabbits exhibited cornual pregnancies (4.8 +/- 0.9 per rabbit). CONCLUSION: The surgical membrane is an excellent device for preventing the formation of adhesions to the ovary after surgery in rabbits, preserving the reproductive capacity of the ovary.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Expression of growth arrest-specific (gas) genes in senescent murine cells.

The growth arrest-specific (gas) genes were initially identified on the basis of their preferential expression in mouse fibroblasts during quiescence, followed by down-regulation upon reentry into the cell cycle. We here report studies on the expression of these genes in murine fibroblasts undergoing replicative senescence in vitro. Our results indicate a different behavior between senescent and GO-arrested quiescent fibroblasts. Expression of the gas1 and 6 genes was dramatically reduced in senescent cells. Only basal levels of gas2, 3, and 5 genes were detected in senescent fibroblasts, and they were independent of the growing conditions of the cultures. Down-regulation of the gas1 gene expression in senescent cells was apparently due to reduced transcription of the gas1 gene. This correlates with an altered pattern of factors that bind to the promoter region of the gas1 gene, as measured by band shift assay with nuclear extracts of senescent fibroblasts.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Does intraperitoneal insemination in the absence of prior sensitization carry with it a risk of subsequent immunity to sperm?

To evaluate the occurrence of antisperm antibodies in women, with no prior sensitization, 112 couples undergoing intraperitoneal insemination were tested for serum antisperm antibodies with the sperm immobilization test (SIT) and the immunobead test (IBT). A serum sample was taken from each of the 112 patients immediately before the first intraperitoneal insemination. Another sample was taken from 58 patients who underwent a second insemination procedure. In 16 of the 58 patients the IBT results were positive for one or more immunoglobulin classes. Five patients showed positive SITs. In 7 out of these 16 subjects (12%) the antibodies were bound to the head and to the shaft of the sperm tail. Five of the six patients submitted to a third intraperitoneal insemination procedure showed unchanged SIT values and IBT binding percentages. In one subject, SIT (6 months after the third insemination) became negative. Antibody production may be either a transient response to massive antigen stimulation or the first step toward systemic immunity.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Membrane-expressed HIV envelope glycoprotein heterodimer is a powerful inducer of cell death in uninfected CD4+ target cells.

HIV infection of CD4+ T cells in culture results in the production of virus and induction of cell killing by apoptosis. Such a cytopathic effect is observed during infection with syncytium-inducing or non-syncytium-inducing HIV isolates. Apoptosis is triggered by the interaction of the cell membrane-expressed HIV envelope glycoprotein heterodimer gp120-gp41 complex (external and transmembrane glycoprotein complex) with the CD4 receptor. Here we demonstrate an experimental model for the induction of apoptosis independent of HIV infection, using transiently transfected HeLa cells with the HIV1 env gene as effector cells and the CD4+ MOLT4-T4 T cells as target cells. Results obtained confirm that the induction of apoptosis requires the membrane expression of the two HIV env gene products, gp120 and gp41. Single amino acid point mutations of the envelope products that affect binding to the CD4 receptor or the fusion process abrogate the capacity of the gp120-gp41 complex to induce apoptosis. Interestingly, a point mutation in the V3 loop which inhibits fusion without affecting CD4 binding also results in the abrogation of apoptosis. These observations indicate that the induction of apoptosis is an intrinsic property of the cell membrane-expressed gp120-gp41 complex, and thus should be considered as one of the functions of HIV env gene products.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transcriptional induction of H2 (class I) antigens and beta 2 microglobulin by interferon-gamma in interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant Friend leukemia cells.

The effect of interferons (IFNs) type I (alpha/beta) and type II (gamma) on the stimulation of H2-Dd (class I) and beta 2 microglobulin genes transcription was analysed in IFN-sensitive (w.t.) and IFN-resistant Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC). Type I IFN enhances the expression of H2-Dd and beta 2 microglobulin genes in w.t. FLC but does not modulate the expression of these genes in clones resistant to IFN-alpha/beta. IFN type II treatment of w.t. and IFN-alpha/beta resistant cell lines results in an increased expression of H2-Dd and beta 2 microglobulin genes, while being ineffective in the cell clone resistant to both types of IFNs. In this cell system the effect(s) of IFN type II is in part mediated by the induction of IFN-beta. The results reported in the present paper suggest that the IFN-gamma is able per se to increase the expression of H2-Dd and beta 2 microglobulin genes; since a reduced but clearly evident stimulation of the expression of these genes was observed in the FLC clone totally resistant to type I IFN.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of glucuronometabolites of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone in early morning urine samples: a promising new method for the evaluation of hormonal responses of Buserelin-hMG treatment in an IVF program.

The success of IVF is related to the number and quality of embryos transferred. In our IVF program we have used two different protocols for superovulation induction. In this study a group of 35 patients was randomized into two groups; the first group (15 patients) was treated with pure FSH and hMG, in the other (20 patients) the normal pituitary function was inhibited with Buserelin before the stimulation with hMG. Ovarian stimulation was monitored by ultrasound examination and endocrine parameters. The RIA determination of 17-beta estradiol (17-E2) plasmatic levels is one of the most widely used techniques in IVF cycle monitoring; however many serious disadvantages are connected with the use of RIA (short half-life of the reagents; hazard of handling radioactive materials; frequent venipunctures for the patients). For these reasons, we propose a chemiluminescence immuno assay (LIA) method for the measurement of glucuronometabolites of 17-E2 and progesterone in early morning urine samples: this technique allows to follow hormonal levels for all the cycle, avoiding patient discomfort. We have found a highly significant correlation between serum and urinary hormonal values. We noted a marked variability in the individual estrogenic response and a significant difference in the response of the two groups. The mean peak on hCG administration day was 6.4 +/- 3.5 micrograms/h for urinary E1-3G and 1270 +/- 678 pg/ml for 17-E2 in Buserelin-hMG group: these hormonal levels appear lower than without ovarian desensitization; (in FSH-hMG group we have, on the same day, 9.7 +/- 3.2 micrograms/h for E1-3G and 1630 +/- 730 pg/ml for serum 17-E2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interference of exogenous HCG on pregnancy tests.

New urinary tests of pregnancy have recently been developed that are exceptionally sensitive to HCG. Our study was undertaken to explore the possibility that exogenous HCG, administered to induce ovulation, may interfere with these low-threshold tests of pregnancy. Six healthy volunteers participated in our study. Each woman received three sequential 5,000-U doses of HCG by im route on days 3, 5, and 7 after ovulation. Blood and urine for HCG assay were taken daily from each subject. Urine specimens were subjected to a traditional high-threshold pregnancy test (sensitivity limit = 2000 U/L) and to a low-threshold pregnancy test (sensitivity limit = 50 U/L); HCG in plasma and urine was determined by ELISA assay. Plasma HCG levels increased gradually under HCG dosing and attained a peak on day 8 (average = 73.7 U/L; range 24-124 U/L). As regards urinary HCG levels, the average value on days 8, 9, and 10 was above the 50-U/L detection limit of the low-threshold test, which was in fact positive in the majority of patients. Also on days 11 and 12, however, urinary HCG levels were above this limit in a certain proportion of subjects (day 11, 2/6; day 12, 1/6); accordingly the low-threshold pregnancy test was positive with a frequency of 2/6 on day 11 and of 1/6 on day 12. By contrast, the traditional high-threshold pregnancy test was negative in urine samples of all subjects. Our study indicates that the increased sensitivity of modern low-threshold pregnancy tests may cause false positive results in those cases where exogenous HCG has been administered during the luteinic phase.

Adult↗