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Biomedical subjects

F Zanini

Publications and source records attributed to F Zanini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Monitoring of the heavy-metal hyperaccumulation in vegetal tissues by X-ray radiography and by femto-second laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

This article reports on the utilization of X-ray microradiography and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) techniques for investigation of the metal accumulation in different part of leaf samples. The potential of the LIBS-analysis for finding the proper plant species for phytoremediation is compared with the results of microradiography measurements at the HERCULES source at ENEA, Rome (Italy) and X-ray microradiography experiments at the ELETTRA Synchrotron, Trieste (Italy).

Cadmium↗
PubMed2005

Strain characterization of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces of cattle origin using the in vitro vesicular development.

The aim of this work was to characterize the strain of protoscoleces of E. granulosus of cattle origin using the in vitro vesicular development. The in vitro development of these samples was compared to samples of sheep origin determined previously by genetic analyses as common sheep strain (G1). There were similarities between sheep and cattle samples not only in the time of microcysts formation, but also in the development process. Vesiculated protoscoleces and protoscoleces with posterior bladders appeared during the first week of incubation. After 14 days of culture, a laminated layer appeared like a fine membrane in one of the extremes of the protoscoleces. In the sheep samples, microcysts were observed between 19 and 20 days. In the cattle samples, microcysts appeared between 20 and 23 days. The coincidence between the development times and physiological characteristics found in the present study may indicate that the parasites from cattle and sheep were of the same strain.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The beamlines of ELETTRA and their application to structural biology.

Protein crystallographers are nowadays regular users of synchrotron radiation (SR) facilities for several applications. The goal of majority of users is simply to extract more accurate, higher resolution data from existing crystals; they use monochromatic radiation and the rotation method, in order to get a complete survey of the reciprocal space in a short time. In fact the brilliance of SR is essential, due to the weak scattering power of the samples, and because of their sensibility to radiation damage. Over the last few years, however, a general increase of interest for measurements at multiple wavelengths, which exploit the anomalous dispersion for the phase problem (multiwavelength anomalous diffraction--MAD), has generated the need of intense tuneable sources. For these applications, the emphasis is on accurate measurements of the small differences between the intensities of Bragg reflections at various energies across the absorption edge of an element present in the sample. The macromolecular diffraction beamline at ELETTRA, which is now running routinely since spring 1995, has been designed to provide a high flux--highly collimated tuneable X-rays source in the spectral range between 4 and 25 keV. The radiation source is the 57-pole wiggler, which delivers a very intense radiation up to 25 keV, and is shared and used simultaneously with the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) beamline. The front-end filter system has a cut-off energy at about 4 keV. The beamline optics consists of a pseudo-channel-cut double-crystal monochromator followed by a double focusing toroidal mirror. The tunability and the stability of the monochromator allows the user to perform MAD experiments, and for this purpose, a fluorescence probe for the exact calibration of the absorption edge is available on-line. The experimental station is based on an imaging plate area detector from MarResearch, with a sensible area of 345 mm in diameter. A cooled N2-stream is available to cool the sample crystal in order to reduce the radiation damage. SAXS is an experimental technique used to derive structural information about supra-molecular assemblies, amorphous materials and partly ordered systems (e.g. size and shape of large molecules). The high-flux SAXS beamline at ELETTRA is mainly intended for time-resolved studies on fast structural transitions in the sub-millisecond time region in solutions and in partly ordered systems, triggered by external or process parameters, with a SAXS resolution between 10 and 1400 A in real space. The source is the already mentioned 57-pole and the SAXS beamline accepts three discrete energies of its spectrum, namely 5.4, 8 and 16 keV. The beamline optics consists of a flat double-crystal monochromator and a double focusing toroidal mirror. A multi-purpose sample stage, movable along an optical table in order to optimise the sample to detect distance, allows to perform fast time-resolved relaxation studies based on temperature- or pressure-jumps as well as stopped flow experiments. Moreover, the users have option to install their own specialised sample surrounding equipment. The optimisation of the beamline with respect to high-flux and consequently high-flux density, allows to perform the following experiments: low contrast solution scattering, grazing incidence surface diffraction, micro-spot scanning, X-ray fluorescence analysis, time-resolved studies > or = 11 microseconds, simultaneous small- and wide-angle measurements on gels, liquid crystals, biopolymers, amorphous materials, muscles.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1999

Determination by MAD-DM of the structure of the DNA duplex d[ACGTACG(5-BrU)]2 at 1.46 A and 100 K.

A four-wavelength MAD experiment on a new brominated octanucleotide is reported here. d[ACGTACG(5-BrU)], C77H81BrN30O32P7, Mr (DNA) = 2235, tetragonal, P43212 (No. 96), a = 43.597, c = 26.268 A, V = 49927.5 A3, Z = 8, T = 100 K, R = 10.91% for 4312 reflections between 15.0 and 1.46 A resolution. The self-complementary brominated octanucleotide d[ACGTACG(5-BrU)]2 has been crystallized and data measured to 1.45 A at both 293 K and a second crystal flash frozen at 100 K. The latter data collection was carried out to the same resolution at the four wavelengths 0.9344, 0.9216, 0.9208 and 0.9003 A, around the Br K edge at 0.92 A and the structure determined from a map derived from a MAD data analysis using pseudo-MIR methodology, as implemented in the program MLPHARE. This is one of the first successful MAD phasing experiments carried out at Sincrotrone Elettra in Trieste, Italy. The structure was refined using the data measured at 0.9003 A, anisotropic temperature factors and the restrained least-squares refinement implemented in the program SHELX96, and the helical parameters are compared with those previously determined for the isomorphous d(ACGTACGT)2 analogue. The asymmetric unit consists of a single strand of octamer with 96 water molecules. No countercations were located. The A-DNA helix geometry obtained has been analysed using the CURVES program.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed1998

[An epidemiological study of childhood accidents in the Alto Mantovano area of the Lombardy Region].

BACKGROUND: As part of the regional programme for accident prevention, as much detailed information as possible was collected on the epidemiology of accidents involving children in our local Public Health area. A prospective survey was started of accidents reported to the Emergency Wards of the two hospitals in our Local Public Health area and the outpatient clinics of the pediatricians collaborating with the study. The survey was performed from 1 March to 31 August 1996. METHODS: A total of 737 reports of accidents involving children aged between 0 and 15 years old (483 males and 254 females) were collected and compared to other series available in the literature. Data were collected using standard forms containing personal details, date, time, place. The form also recorded how the accident occurred, the injuries it caused, the results and the place where First Aid treatment was provided. The causes of accidents were classified using the ICD 9 classification. RESULTS: Males were the most frequently affected (male-female ratio: 1.9:1) and the ages most frequently involved were 1-5 and over 10 years old; moreover, it was observed that accidents occurred during two peak times: 10-12 a.m. and 4-8 p.m. The most frequent accidents were falls, followed by road accidents and wounds. Among both males and females, the most frequent injuries were those to limbs, followed by cranio-facial injuries; wounds were predominantly surface rather than deep. 13.3% of the cases reported were admitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the importance of the problem even in a non-metropolitan area and the need to make every effort to ensure a safe and serene future for our children.

Accidents↗
PubMed1996

[Epidemiological study of a primary fibromyalgia in pediatric age].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present epidemiological research was to select paediatric subjects who were suspicious of Primary Fibromyalgia (PF) and estimate its incidence in the students of the schools of Castiglione delle Stiviere (Mantova). METHODS: The students had to answer Campbell's questionnaire which was varied and simplified in order to make it comprehensive to everybody even if the key answers were unchanged. The questionnaire was distributed in primary schools (3dr up to 5th class), secondary schools and high schools and its compilation was carried out with a doctor's help. The authors collected and examined 2408 forms. After this evaluation 66 subjects, corresponding to 2.74%, had been considered suspected of PF and had been called to our Paediatric Department to continue the study. In the second phase of the research these 66 students have been submitted to a deep anamnesis, a careful clinical evaluation, a test of tender-points with a digital pressure algometer and some laboratory tests to exclude other rheumatic diseases. The map of the American College of Rheumatology adapted by Wolfe et al. (1990) was used to evaluate tender-points. RESULTS: After this phase 29 students (1.20%) proved to be affected by primary fibromyalgia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[An epidemiological study of breast-feeding practice in the referral population of USSL 46 "Alto Mantovano", the Lombardy region. Unità di servizio screening locale].

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of breast feeding in the children population of familial advisory bureau in our territory, the reasons for the choice of this kind of nutrition and its duration. The authors also researched if there is some relationship between the choice of feeding and the kind of parturition, mother age, her education and job. The possible influence of the preparatory course of childbirth attendance, mass media and family on this choice was researched to complete the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Current role of acupuncture in analgesic therapy].

After a brief introduction dealing with the great development of acupuncture in management of various painful conditions in the West today, its increased importance, use and role in acute and chronic pain, benign and intractable pain, are discussed. Recent acquisitions about known and yet unknown neurophysiological parameters (evoked cns potentials, endorphines, action of acupuncture in "regulation" of many functions--so called homeostasis--milieu) in connection with good pain relief properties of acupuncture, are referred. The main methods of acupuncture in pain treatment (acupuncture as reflexotherapy--so called electroacupuncture and the very effective auriculotherapy, in comparison with traditional acupuncture as "regulating" method of homeostasis and others minor methods, with our casuistry and positive results in 724 cases of various pain conditions are stressed. Own conclusions about the positive results and the great significance of physician-patient relations in delicate field of pain therapy are referred.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1980

[Recent acquisitions in reflexo-anesthesia].

Experimental data about the great analgetic value of electro ear-acupuncture stimulation in the cat (by prof. Durinjan--Central Research Institute for reflex-therapy--Moscow) are referred. The mechanism of analgesia by ear electro-stimulation is periacqueductal gray matter (PGM) activation. Trigeminal system as main center involved in this type of acupuncture analgesia is discussed. Up to date parameters for better analgetic results are foreseen.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1977

[Acupunctural electric anesthesia. Comparison between the traditional Chinese technic and combined technic. Preliminary notes].

This preliminary note presents the anaesthetic results obtained in a series of general surgical operations using electro-acupuncture. Comparison between operations carried out under pure acupuncture analgesia of Chinese type and those under combined or mixed electroacupunctural anaesthesia (which involves induction with low doses of drugs and maintenance only by means of acupuncture), shows the evident advantages of the second type in almost all operations.

Acupuncture Therapy↗