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Biomedical subjects

Francesco Russo

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Russo.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Utility of gas chromatography for rapid identification of mycobacterial species frequently encountered in clinical laboratory.

Over the last years, the clinical importance of mycobacteria has been raised. In this regard, it is important their identification in order to establish either the clinical significance or the appropriate therapy of the disease. Biochemical tests are usually time consuming until the report of results, that is why more rapid techniques are needed. As an alternative identification method, we have used a commercially available system for microbial identification based on whole cellular fatty acids analysis using gas-chromatography (GC). Sixty-eight strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium xenopi, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare were clearly identified by their unique fatty acid profile using the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS). The results were in agreement with those obtained with traditional methods. This method is highly automated, rapid, easy to perform with a sample preparation for lipid analysis which is neither time consuming nor requiring a particular expertise. On this basis the MIS-GC method for the identification of some clinically important mycobacteria appears to be suitable for routine clinical use.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2006

Clarithromycin-resistant genotypes and eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Three point mutations (A2143G, A2142G, and A2142C) have been involved in Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin resistance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the eradication rates among the different point mutations and the efficacy of triple therapy and a sequential regimen according to genotypic resistance. DESIGN: Post hoc subgroup study from a multicenter, randomized trial. SETTING: Two hospitals in central and southern Italy between January and December 2001. PATIENTS: 156 patients with H. pylori infection. MEASUREMENTS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction for assessing clarithromycin resistance; histology, rapid urease test, and 13C-urea breath test at entry and after 4 to 6 weeks. INTERVENTION: 7-day triple therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 1 g of amoxicillin) in 75 patients or a 10-day sequential regimen (20 mg of rabeprazole plus 1 g of amoxicillin for 5 days and 20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 500 mg of tinidazole for the remaining 5 days) in 81 patients. All drugs were given twice daily. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori infection was eradicated in 11 of 23 patients (48%) with the A2143G mutation and in 14 of 15 patients (93%) with either A2142G or A2142C strains (difference, 45 percentage points [95% CI, 15 to 65 percentage points]; P = 0.004). The sequential regimen achieved a higher cure rate than triple therapy in A2143G mutate strains (difference, 49 percentage points [CI, 8 to 72 percentage points]; P = 0.024). LIMITATIONS: The post hoc substudy design may require further confirmation. Other limitations are the accessibility to the tool and the cost of investigations (70 euros per patient). CONCLUSIONS: The A2143G mutation seemed to be associated with a very low eradication rate. The sequential regimen achieved a higher cure rate than standard therapy even in patients with these strains.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2005

Carnitine depletion in rat pups from mothers given mildronate: a model of carnitine deficiency in late fetal and neonatal life.

Mildronate (3-(2,2,2,-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate), is a butyrobetaine analogue that is known to inhibit gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase, the enzyme catalyzing the last step of carnitine biosynthesis. When administered to adult rats it determines a systemic carnitine deficiency and may therefore serve as an animal model for human carnitine depletion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mildronate administration to pregnant and lactating rats on tissue carnitine concentrations in 4- and 13-day-old rat pups. At 14 days of gestation female rats began to receive mildronate in the diet (200 mg/kg/d) and this continued for entire lactation period. Mildronate treatment determined a large reduction of carnitine levels in the milk of lactating dams. Because organ carnitine concentrations in neonatal rats are directly related to dietary supply, pups from mildronate group had significantly depleted levels of total carnitine in serum, heart, liver, muscle, brain and pancreas relative to controls, at 4 and 13 days of age. Correspondingly, an increase in triglyceride levels was observed in liver, heart and muscle of mildronate pups. This is in agreement with a reduction of basal rate of oxidation of [U-(14)C]-palmitate to (14)CO(2) and (14)C-acid-soluble products observed in liver homogenates from carnitine-deficient pups. All functional and biochemical modifications were compatible with a carnitine deficiency status. In conclusion our results describe a model of carnitine depletion in pups, suitable for the investigation of carnitine deficiency in fetal-neonatal nutrition, without any concomitant mildronate-mediated metabolic alterations.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The role of electrogastrography and gastrointestinal hormones in chemotherapy-related dyspeptic symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among motility disorders, dyspeptic symptoms, and plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones in cancer patients who were well controlled for post-chemotherapy emesis. METHODS: Twenty-five cancer patients treated with standard dosages of antiemetics and chemotherapies completed the study. Gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated by detailed questionnaire and visual analog score. Motility was investigated by cutaneous electrogastrography, and by blood levels of gastrin, serotonin, vasopressin, and substance P, before and 7 days after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Before chemotherapy, no patient complained of dyspeptic symptoms, and no differences in electrogastrography (EGG) or in circulating peptide levels were found between patients who developed dyspepsia and those who did not. After chemotherapy, 13 patients suffered from dysmotility-like symptoms (total symptom score, 11.5 [2.5-37.9]; median value and 5th-95th percentiles), with susceptibility to nausea, early satiety, and postprandial fullness being the major complaints. As regards EGG parameters, a significant reduction (P = 0.04; Mann-Whitney test) in the normal slow-wave percentage and significantly increased tachygastria percentage were found in dyspeptic patients compared with symptom-free patients. The tachygastria percentage was significantly associated with susceptibility to nausea score, in a non-linear fashion (R2 = 0.37). Dyspeptic patients showed lower levels of substance P and gastrin than patients who were not dyspeptic, but this difference had no clinical significance for dyspepsia. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy may induce upper gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of motility disorders. These dyspeptic symptoms were associated with EGG alterations, but not with variations in circulating peptides. Other hormones or pathophysiological factors, not considered in the present work, could be actively involved in these dyspeptic symptoms.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Estrogenic regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis and cell growth in DLD-1 human colon cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: The main molecules of cholesterol homeostasis are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), the key enzyme of the biosynthetic pathway, and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), which is responsible for the uptake of plasma lipoproteins. The increase in the endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis results in stimulation of DNA synthesis, while the inhibition of cholesterogenesis suppresses cell growth. Estrogens have been reported to regulate hepatic LDL-R expression and modulate cell proliferation in different tissues. In order to clarify the mechanisms of estrogenic growth control in colorectal carcinoma, we have investigated the effects of 17beta-estradiol exposure on LDL-R gene expression and its protein, as well as on HMG-CoAR gene expression, its protein as well as enzyme activity in the DLD-1 human colon cancer cell line. The effect of 17beta-estradiol on both cell growth and apoptosis in this cell line was also investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: LDL-R and HMG-CoAR gene expressions were determined using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in DLD-1 cells at different times and doses of 17beta-estradiol exposure. LDL-R and HMG-CoAR protein expression was detected by Western immunoblotting. HMG-CoAR activity was evaluated using a radiometric assay. Cell proliferation was measured by colorimetric MTT test and incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in DNA. Apoptotic death was estimated by DNA fragmentation analysis. RESULTS: Estrogens induced an early increase of LDL-R, at both mRNA and protein level, and later decreased HMG-CoAR activity and protein expression. DLD-1 cells treated with 17beta-estradiol exhibited inhibition of DNA synthesis and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that estrogens regulate LDL-R and HMG-CoAR and influence cell growth and apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Effects of genistein on the polyamine metabolism and cell growth in DLD-1 human colon cancer cells.

Polyamines and their rate-limiting enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), are actively involved in cell growth and differentiation. The phytoestrogen genistein has been demonstrated to possess antitumor properties by influencing proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of genistein at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 100 microM on the polyamine biosynthesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in the estrogen receptor-positive DLD-1 human colon cancer cell line. Polyamine levels and ODC activity were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography and radiometric technique, respectively. The proliferative response was estimated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation and the colorimetric 3-(4,5 di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test. Apoptosis was investigated by DNA fragmentation. Bax and Bcl-2 gene expressions were evaluated by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. At concentration >or=1 microM, genistein decreased significantly the ODC activity and the polyamine levels. At the same concentration, genistein also increased significantly Bax mRNA expression, but not Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Higher concentrations (>or=10 microM) were needed to obtain a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and DNA fragmentation. The results of this study suggest that genistein can affect growth of DLD-1 cells by both decreasing polyamine biosynthesis and inducing apoptosis. However, further studies are required to assess the true ability of a soy rich diet in modifying colon cancer risk.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Functional foods: salient features and clinical applications.

The term "functional food" refers to foods or ingredients of foods providing an additional physiological benefit beyond their basic nutritional needs. Health benefits are best obtained through a varied diet containing fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and seeds. However, fortified foods and dietary supplements have been marketed and food industry have made functional food one of their current leading trends. Recently, the number of functional foods that have a potential benefit on health has hugely grown and scientific evidence is supporting the role of functional foods in prevention and treatment of several diseases. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension are the most important diseases that can be treated or prevented by functional foods; other diseases are osteoporosis, abnormal bowel motility, and arthritis. It has been estimated that 80% of cancer in USA have a nutrition/diet component suggesting a great impact of functional food and foods components on incidence and treatment of cancer. Numerous factors complicate the evaluation of scientific evidence such as the complexity of food substance, effect on food, metabolic changes associated to dietary changes, the lack of biological markers of disease development. This paper reviews the scientific evidence supporting this area regarding only those foods and ingredients in which a clear experimental and clinical evidence exists for their chemopreventive and therapeutic effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Adverse drug events in two emergency departments in Naples, Italy: an observational study.

The aims of this study, conducted in the emergency departments of two hospitals of Naples (Italy), which differ in type of catchment area and in the number of daily visits, were to determine: (1) the percent of emergency department visits due to adverse drug events (ADEs); (2) the percent of visits requiring hospitalisation due to acute ADEs; (3) the drugs implicated in ADEs; and (4) the types of ADEs and their frequency. We studied all emergency department visits at the A. Cardarelli and Incurabili hospitals between 8.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. (prospectively), and between 8.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m. (retrospectively) for two 10-day periods. When possible, a form was completed for each subject. Patients were asked if they had taken a drug (name, dosage and reason for its use) in the previous 2 weeks. Of the 2442 emergency visits considered, 34 (1.3%) were drug related. Of the 480 patients who were subsequently hospitalised 17 (3.6%) had an ADE. The number increased to 34 (8.9%) in the 379 patients who took drugs in the 2 previous weeks. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accounted for 26.5% of cases, antibiotics 23.6%, and antihypertensive agents 17.7%. The most frequent ADEs were gastrointestinal diseases (diarrhea, vomiting and haemorrhagic gastritis) and cutaneous rash (erythema, dermatitis). This study shows that ADEs account for a large percent of hospital admissions and confirms that drug-induced disorders is a notable public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Function block applications in control systems based on IEC 61804.

A variety of fieldbus technologies and digital fieldbus devices have been introduced within the process industries over the last ten years. There has been a gradual acceptance of the fact that a variety of communication technologies are needed to fully address the application requirements of a manufacturing facility. However, engineers responsible for the specification, engineering, and implementation of control systems require that a common interface and functionality be provided in the control system. This capability should be independent of the underlying fieldbus technology or manufacturer of the fieldbus device. The draft IEC 61804 standard defines how a control system can be structured to provide this flexibility in the utilization of fieldbus technology. In this paper, we discuss how a consistent function block capability may be provided for all fieldbus technology utilized in a control system. Examples will be given of how this standard has been applied in modern control systems to give a consistent interface to Foundation Fieldbus and PROFIBUS. Some detail will be presented on the standard means that is defined for manufacturers to describe function block capability of a field device. An analysis is given of the impact and benefit that the IEC 61804 standard will have on the process industry and on manufacturers of control systems.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Lamotrigine as first-line drug in childhood absence epilepsy: a clinical and neurophysiological study.

To investigate to which extent lamotrigine (LTG) may be effective and tolerated as a monotherapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed childhood absence seizures and, secondly, to evaluate the efficacy of this drug on the circadian interictal generalized epileptiform discharges, 20 consecutive newly diagnosed patients (five males, 15 females), aged 3-10 years (mean 6.9 years), affected by childhood absence epilepsy, were administered LTG as first-line drug at the initial dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, followed by 1.0 mg/kg/day for an additional 2 weeks. Thereafter, doses have been increased in 1-mg/kg/day increments up to 9-12 mg/kg/day in accordance with the clinical response. Each patient underwent an ambulatory (24 h) EEG monitoring before starting LTG therapy (time 0) and during the maintenance period at the end of LTG titration (time 1). After a mean follow-up period of 10.8 months (range 3-28 months), a 100% seizure control was obtained in 11 children (55.5%), a more than 75% seizure decrease was present in four (20%), and a >50% seizure decrease in five (25%), with a mean LTG dose of 6.2 mg/kg/day (range 1.2-11) in the controlled group. Adverse events were present in three patients (15%); they were generally mild and transient. Our series confirms that LTG monotherapy may control typical childhood absence seizures in about half the children as well as it may decrease interictal generalized spike and wave discharges both in seizure-free and uncontrolled patients. The slow titration phase of the drug due to the risk of the skin rash may eventually reduce compliance.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2004

The influence of Lactobacillus brevis on ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine profiles in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa.

BACKGROUND: Functional probiotics may prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, and some evidence suggests that they also possess antitumor properties. Lactobacillus brevis (CD2) is a functional Lactobacillus strain with peculiar biochemical features, essentially related to the activity of arginine deiminase. This enzyme catalyzes the catabolism of arginine and affects the biosynthesis of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine). Polyamines are polycations found in high concentrations in both normal and neoplastic cells. Our aims were: 1, to assess whether oral administration of L. brevis (CD2) affects H. pylori survival in the human gastric mucosa; 2, to evaluate the effects of L. brevis (CD2) on polyamine biosynthesis in gastric biopsies from H. pylori-positive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 3 weeks before endoscopy, 22 H. pylori-positive dyspeptic patients randomly received (ratio 1 : 1) high oral doses of L. brevis (CD2) or placebo. Before and after treatment, H. pylori infection was determined by urea breath test (UBT). In gastric biopsies, ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels were, respectively, evaluated by a radiometric technique and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: L. brevis (CD2) treatment did not eradicate H. pylori. However, a reduction in the UBT delta values occurred, suggesting a decrease in intragastric bacterial load. Significantly, L. brevis (CD2) induced a decrease in gastric ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis that L. brevis (CD2) treatment decreases H. pylori colonization, thus reducing polyamine biosynthesis. Alternatively, the arginine deiminase activity following L. brevis (CD2) administration might cause arginine deficiency, preventing polyamine generation from gastric cells.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Low presence of p53 abnormalities in H pylori-infected gastric mucosa and in gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Alterations of the p53 gene and/or its abnormal protein accumulation have been observed in gastric cancer and preneoplastic lesions. Our aim was to assess possible associations between different H. pylori strains and p53 abnormalities in patients with dyspepsia and with gastric cancer. METHODS: Seventy-five dyspeptic patients and 40 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma entered the study. H. pylori status was determined by the rapid urease test, histology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Overexpression of the p53 protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Detection of p53 mutations was done by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Fifty-four of the 75 (72.0%) dyspeptic patients and 27 of the 40 (67.5%) gastric cancer patients showed H. pylori infection. Cytotoxin-associated gene ( cagA)-positive strains were found in 31 of the 54 (58%) dyspeptic patients and in 25 of the 27 (92.6%) neoplastic patients. As regards vacA, s2 strains showed the highest prevalence among dyspeptic patients (24 of 54 patients; 44.4%), whereas s1 strains were more expressed among cancer patients (23 of 27; 85.2%). Among the dyspeptic patients, 1 patient with duodenal ulcer showed p53 overexpression. Three mutations were identified by DNA sequencing: one in a patient with normal endoscopic findings and two in patients suffering from gastritis. Among the neoplastic patients, 16 subjects (40%) showed p53 overexpression (9 had diffuse-type and 7 intestinal-type cancer). Four mutations (10%) occurred in patients with intestinal-type gastric cancer. No association between p53 abnormalities (overexpression/mutation) and H. pylori infection was found in either group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results lead us to hypothesize that H. pylori infection does not affect the p53 pattern in gastric mucosa. Moreover, mutations of the p53 gene do not seem to be a predominant event in gastric carcinogenesis, at least in our populations.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Gelastic seizures and low-grade hypothalamic astrocytoma: a case report.

The typical, well recognized childhood epilepsy syndrome caused by hypothalamic hamartoma is characterized by early-onset, stereotyped attacks of uncontrollable laughter, frequent refractory seizures with progressive cognitive deterioration and severe behavioral problems. Here, we report a 17-year-old patient with gelastic phenomenon started in the neonatal period, later on associated with drug resistant polymorphic seizures, intellectual deficit and behavioral disorders, who improved by partial resection of an expected hypothalamic hamartoma that, in turn, resulted to be a hypothalamic low-grade astrocytoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Impact of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of chronic abdominal pain syndrome].

Chronic abdominal pain syndrome is becoming increasingly important with regard to the quality of life of the patients and its social and economic impact, in terms of cost of hospitalization, income loss due to sick leave, and pharmaceutical costs for treatments which fail to offer either significant clinical improvement or resolution of the pain symptoms. The main symptom is chronic abdominal pain, which may vary in intensity and may be associated with constipation and episodes of vomiting, when the clinical picture evolves toward one of subocclusion or total occlusion of the bowel. We considered the following criteria in our selection of patients for this study: 1) quality of life, 2) constant use of antispastic and analgesic medications, 3) absence of any other diagnosticable pathology prior to the operation. From August 1992 to April 2000 we operated on 105 patients with this syndrome (16 males and 89 females). Among these 8 patients had never been subjected to a laparotomy, while 97 had previously undergone surgical procedures (126 laparotomies). In the first 85 patients in the series (81%) we used a 10 mm laparoscope (0-30 degrees) to evaluate the presence of abdominal-visceral adhesions based on the type of surgery the patient had undergone previously, as well as the location of the pain reported by the patient. In 41 cases (48.2%) the pneumoperitoneum was obtained with the Veress needle. In another 44 cases (51.8%) the Hasson technique was used. Since June 1999, we have carried out the exploration of the abdominal cavity in 20 patients (19%) using a trocar and 2.2 mm laparoscope in the left hypochondrium along with a mini-trocar placed either in the right or left flank. (The positioning of the trocars depended on the previous surgical procedures performed). The exploration included inspection of the abdominal cavity. In 8 of the patients the procedure was carried out under local anaesthesia We performed laparoscopic adhesiolysis in 93 cases; in 7 cases no signs of adhesions were seen, while in another 5 cases it was necessary to convert the original laparoscopic procedure to a laparotomy. The types of adhesions found were fine-filmy (46%), dense-vascularised (46%), and cohesive (16%). In 6 cases during lysis of the adhesions complications of serous-muscular lesions occurred, which required laparotomic repair. In 5 cases we diagnosed a pathological condition which was not suspected. The average postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range: 1-7); no major postoperative complications were noted. In the course of the follow-up of 78 patients over an average of 37 months (range: 6-72) the results obtained were as follows; 47 patients (60.2%) had complete pain relief, 18 patients (23.1%) had partial pain relief, and the remaining 13 patients (16.7%) had no significant pain relief. Laparoscopic exploration in patients with chronic abdominal pain is technically feasible in a simple manner in most patients. By means of careful and accurate preoperative selection of the patients partial if not complete pain relief can be achieved in a high percentage of cases (83.3% in our series).

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of probiotic bacteria (VSL#3) on the polyamine biosynthesis and cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa of rats.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics seem to possess tumour inhibitory properties, but few studies have investigated their actions on the cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa. The effects of a probiotic mixture (VSL#3) on polyamine biosynthesis, Ki-67 levels and apoptosis in the normal colon of rats were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For a 4-week period, 20 rats were fed a VSL#3 solution and 20 rats a saline solution. Samples from the colonic mucosa were collected at the end of treatment. Polyamines were detected by HPLC, ornithine decarboxylase activity by a radiometric technique, and apoptosis and Ki-67 by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: VSL#3 caused a significant decrease in colonic polyamine levels, ornithine decarboxylase activity and Ki-67 compared to controls. A significant increase in the apoptotic index was also observed. CONCLUSION: Probiotics could also reduce proliferation rates in a condition not affected by hyperproliferative or neoplastic growth, when the normal control mechanisms are still completely effective.

Animals↗