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Biomedical subjects

G Agnani

Publications and source records attributed to G Agnani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Fort Lauderdale congress report: advances in infertility treatment - Florida, 24-26 January 2002].

The goal of the treatment of infertility is to apply therapeutic techniques to patients in a safe manner and at the same time increase the chances for conceiving and delivering healthy babies: basic and clinical research is more and more finalized directed to these goals. The conference "Advances in Infertility Treatment" held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 24-26, 2002 covered many clinical and research aspects of this important therapeutic area. Important discussed issues included the impact of age, lifestyle, and the genetic set-up of patients in the pathogenesis and development of infertility-causing disorders such as male reproductive dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, and ovarian failure. New ovulation induction regimens that may optimize, reduce complications, and lower costs of ovarian stimulation procedures and of assisted reproduction in general were presented. This was the 5th Ferring Pharmaceuticals Conference in the area of reproductive medicine held in Florida.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2003

Epithelial cell surface sites involved in the polyvalent adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis: a convincing role for neuraminic acid and glucuronic acid.

We investigated the target structures of the epithelial cells responsible for the attachment of Porphyromonas gingivalis by immunocytofluorimetry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and confocal microscopy. Integrins (beta1, beta3, and alphaV) and E-cadherin played no significant role. Carbohydrates (such as alpha-D-methylglucoside, L-fucose, D- and L-mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylgalactosamine) had little inhibitory effect on bacterial binding. Enzymatic treatments of the epithelial membranes and sugar competition studies showed that N-acetylneuraminic acid and glucuronic acid were involved in binding.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2003

[Smoking, fertility and very preterm birth].

In France, many couples in procreating age continue to smoke, despite recommendations to stop smoking before or during pregnancy. We reviewed the epidemiological associations between maternal or paternal smoking and both infertility and very preterm birth. It appears clearly that maternal smoking impairs natural and assisted fecundity. Furthermore, maternal smoking enhances the rate of ectopic pregnancies and spontaneous abortions. The role of maternal smoking on very preterm birth before 33 weeks of completed gestation appears in recent population based-study or case-control studies that include several hundred very preterm neonates. But the role of smoking on very preterm birth among hypertensive mothers and primiparae is still debated. The detrimental effect of smoking on fecundity appears to be reversible when the mother and father stop smoking. The real effect of interventions promoting cessation of smoking during pregnancy in reducing the rate of very preterm births remains to be studied.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2001

In vitro study of the effect of titanium on porphyromonas gingivalis in the presence of metronidazole and spiramycin.

Septic peri-implantitis is the main clinical complication encountered following the insertion of titanium implants. It may be resistant to conventional antibiotic treatments. Reports in the literature about antibiotic behavior in the presence of titanium remain controversial. They vary from a bacteriostat to a decreased effect of antibiotic. This study examined, in vitro, the viability of Porphyromonas gingivalis, frequently associated with periodontal diseases, in the presence of titanium and antibiotics (spiramycin and metronidazole alone or in combination). Viability of P. gingivalis was determined, versus a standard curve using the Live/dead Baclight Bacteria Viability Kit on 96 well microplates. The results of 48 experiments (60 measurements each) were compiled in a database and compared to each other using the chi2p < 0.05 test. When used alone, titanium enhanced bacterial growth as the nickel-chrome control. However, when titanium was used in the presence of antibiotics, antibiotics kept their own effects. Even more, titanium was shown to potentialize the effect of metronidazole. The strengthening of effectiveness of metronidazole by titanium may be due to the oxidation potential of the metal. This chemical property could explain the conflicting data reported in the literature.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis to gingival epithelial cells: modulation of bacterial protein expression.

The protein profiles of Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277 and W83) bound to KB gingival epithelial cells were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. We found that a 51-kDa component was formed in bacteria that adhered to the KB cells, whereas 26- to 29-kDa bands were less intensive, in contrast to the protein profile of free bacteria. P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 incubated with protease-treated KB cells retained the profile of free bacteria. These results demonstrate the specificity of bacterial recognition of eukaryotic membrane components.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2000

In vitro evaluation of the retention of three species of pathogenic microorganisms by three different types of toothbrush.

The retention and survival of microorganisms on toothbrushes pose a threat of recontamination for certain patients at risk. In order to measure the influence of brush design and optimize the choice of toothbrush model for complementary studies, the in vitro retention of three microbial species (Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Candida albicans ATCC 26555) was evaluated for three types of toothbrush. Two series of standardized experiments were carried out for each brush and microorganism. The first series tested the retention of the microorganisms on the head portion of the brush, while the second measured retention on the head of the brush and the part of the handle inserted in the mouth during brushing. For each series, the microorganisms were counted at T0 and T24 (after storage of the brushes at room temperature for 24 h). Depending on the microorganism studied, from 0.2% to 2% of the initial inoculum was retained on the brush. The number detected increased with the size of the exposed area. After 24 h, P. gingivalis and S. mutans were found on only one type of brush. C. albicans survived on all three. These results confirm that microorganisms can quickly colonize toothbrushes.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1998

Use of energy color Doppler in visualizing fetal pulmonary vascularization to predict the absence of severe pulmonary hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine if the assessment of pulmonary vascularization by energy color Doppler during ultrasound examination can predict the absence of pulmonary hypoplasia before birth in situations where it is a high risk. METHODS: In a prospective study of 12 pregnancies presenting a risk of pulmonary hypoplasia (5 early and prolonged premature ruptures of the membranes, 1 diaphragmatic hernia, 1 chylothorax, 1 pulmonary sequestration, 1 omphalocele, 1 anamnios and 2 Potter's syndromes) energy color Doppler was used to visualize pulmonary vascularization. RESULTS: In 10 cases where pulmonary vascularization could be visualized, none of the infants had pulmonary hypoplasia. In the 2 cases of Potter's syndrome where pulmonary vascularization was not visualized there was a pulmonary hypoplasia. CONCLUSION: The visualization of fetal pulmonary vascularization with energy color Doppler in situations with a high risk of pulmonary hypoplasia can predict the absence of severe pulmonary hypoplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Role of Lp A-I and Lp A-I/A-II in cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated neutral lipid transfer. Studies in normal subjects and in hypertriglyceridemic patients before and after fenofibrate therapy.

The two major subclasses of HDL contain apo A-I only (Lp A-I) or both apo A-I and apo A-II (Lp A-I/A-II). We have carried out experiments to quantify the participation of Lp A-I and Lp A-I/A-II in the neutral lipid transfer reaction in normal and hypertriglyceridemic subjects. Thirteen hypertriglyceridemic subjects were studied before and after fenofibrate therapy. Fenofibrate treatment resulted in decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and VLDL cholesterol of 19%, 48%, and 70%, respectively, and a 28% increase in HDL cholesterol, with no significant change in the proportion of Lp A-I and Lp A-I/A-II particles. The abundance of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mRNA in peripheral adipose tissue decreased with treatment in four of five patients studied; however, no change occurred in plasma CETP mass. Using an isotopic transfer assay, we demonstrated that both Lp A-I and Lp A-I/A-II participated in the CE transfer reaction, with no change after fenofibrate therapy. This finding suggests that the marked increase in HDL cholesterol during fenofibrate therapy is due to normalization of plasma TG and hence decreased opportunity for mass transfer of lipid between HDL and TG-rich proteins in vivo. In this population of hypertriglyceridemic subjects, CETP was distributed in both the Lp A-I and Lp A-I/A-II subfractions of HDL, with preferential association with the smaller Lp A-I poor. In contrast, in nine normal subjects studied, negligible amounts of CETP were associated with Lp A-I/A-II. Nonetheless, the Lp A-I/A-II fraction of HDL contributed significantly to total CE mass transfer in normolipidemic plasma. Lp A-I/A-II is an efficient donor for CE transfer to TG-rich lipoproteins, and its low affinity for CETP may in fact facilitate neutral lipid transfer either by a shuttle mechanism or by formation of a ternary complex.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Competitive RT-PCR to quantify CFTR mRNA in human endometrium.

Because the down-regulation by progesterone of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression could be a useful specific marker to define the state of implant receptivity in endometrium, a competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for quantifying the CFTR mRNA concentration in human endometrial samples. A competitor RNA was constructed with the same sequence as the CFTR sequence except for a 20-nucleotide insertion in the middle. The amplified products were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The ratio of CFTR band areas to competitor band areas provided the basis of quantification. Using this competitive RT-PCR, we measured CFTR mRNA in human endometrial samples taken at different periods of the menstrual cycle, in endometriosis, and in hyperplasia. Results show that the method is suitable for measuring the concentration of CFTR mRNA.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1995

Morphological classification of human in-vitro fertilization embryos based on the regularity of the asynchronous division process.

A previous study detailed the morphometric characteristics of living in-vitro fertilized human pronuclear zygotes and cleaved embryos. A comparison of the different embryo cell stages confirmed the asynchronous division process during early embryo development. Global results showed no evidence of morphometrical differences between embryo subpopulations according to their classical microscopical grading. In this report, further information on illumination of human embryos and analysis of image processing is given. Some examples of embryo images belonging to a normal asynchronous division process are shown. A new parameter was retrospectively attributed to each cleaved embryo based on whether or not they were considered to have undergone asynchronous division that qualified as normal. A non-parametric analysis of this preliminary sample showed that this qualifier was correlated with implantation and acted complementarily with embryo grading. In conclusion, the asynchronous division process qualified as normal and its deviations seem to be a new parameter to take into account during embryo scoring.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1995

Morphometric parameters of living human in-vitro fertilization embryos; importance of the asynchronous division process.

A total of 304 human pronuclear zygotes and cleaved embryos from the 2- to 9-cell stages, obtained during invitro fertilization attempts, were photographed and retrospectively analysed after transfer for their morphology and size in relation to their developmental stage, using the Imagenia programme of a Biocom 500 image analyser. Morphometric parameters were calculated from the perimeters, surface measurements, theoretical diameters and circularity factors for the different structures analysed. This report provides the morphometric characteristics of living embryos. For the whole population the mean values were: 157.4 microns for the external zona pellucida diameter, 121.8 microns for the internal zona pellucida diameter, 17.9 microns for the thickness of the zona pellucida and 117.2 microns for the embryo cell mass diameter. The morphometric characteristics of the pronuclear-stage population were significantly different from the cleaved cell stages. If the zona pellucida and cell mass embryo diameters increased slowly from the 2- to 9-cell stages, embryonic external diameters were higher and zona pellucida thicknesses were lower in odd than even number blastomere embryos. Preliminary results show that in cases where implantation occurs, the embryo has a lower zona pellucida thickness. A comparison of the different embryo cell stages confirmed the existence of an asynchronous division process during early embryo development. Global results show no evidence of morphometric differences between subpopulations of the embryos according to their microscopic grading. Deviations from the normal asynchronous division process, however, appear to be a new parameter to take into account during embryo scoring.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blastocyst↗
PubMed1995

[Prenatal diagnosis of a small intestinal volvulus].

Ninety-five percent of the neonatal cases of bowel atresia result from jéjuno-ileal obstructions. Frequency is estimated from 1/3,000 to 1/5,000. We observed a case of small bowel volvulus secondary to jejunal atresia diagnosed at 35 weeks gestation. The ultrasound examination was performed due to decreased perception of active fetal movements. Fetal extraction was successful before perforation and meconial peritonitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The effect of the preliminary treatment of endometriosis on the results of fertilization in vitro (based on data from the Clinique Universitaire de Gynecologie, d'Obstétique et de la Reproduction in the city of Besançon, France)].

UNLABELLED: Thirty-nine women, aged 20 to 40 years, suffering from endometriosis, were treated in three different ways before fertilization in vitro (FIV). Excluded from the trial were all cases of Seventy five stimulated cycles were carried out altogether for the purposes of FIV. The results of the three methods of treatment, in terms of number of pregnancies, obtained after FIV, are compared. RESULTS: First method: surgical treatment. It was applied to 4 patients, suffering from severe endometriosis. The FIV (6 stimulations) give rise only to one pregnancy, interrupted through spontaneous abortion, during the second month. Second method: therapeutic treatment. Applied to 17 patients (mild-7, moderate-7, and severe cases-3). The FIV (32 stimulations) brought 4 pregnancies, run normally to the term, and 2 pregnancies, interrupted through spontaneous abortions. Third method: combined (therapeutic surgical) treatment, applied to 18 patients (mild-3, moderate-9, and severe cases-6). In this group the FIV (37 stimulations) give best results: 9 pregnancies terminated successfully. Three false pregnancies were found (biochemically). No abortion. The possibilities and the restrictions of each method of treatment are discussed. These results are considered as an indication that combined (therapeutic-surgical) treatment is the most appropriate with a view to a successful following FIV.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1994

Identification of a lipolysis-stimulated receptor that is distinct from the LDL receptor and the LDL receptor-related protein.

This paper provides further characterization of a receptor that, in cells lacking the LDL receptor (FH fibroblasts), mediates lipoprotein binding, uptake, and degradation when incubated with oleate at concentrations not exceeding albumin binding capacity. This oleate-activated receptor is genetically distinct from the LDL receptor and is hereafter referred to as the lipolysis-stimulated receptor (LSR). Its apparent affinity was higher for triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL) and for lipid emulsions supplemented with recombinant apoE, than for LDL which contains solely apoB. In contrast, VLDL isolated from a Type III hyperlipidemic patient (apoE2/2 phenotype) failed to bind to the LSR. Five lines of evidence indicated that the LSR is distinct from the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP): (1) the LRP ligand, alpha 2-macroglobulin-methylamine (alpha 2-MG*), did not bind to the oleate-induced LDL binding site; (2) oleate had no effect on the binding of alpha 2-MG* to LRP; (3) the LRP-associated protein, RAP, which inhibits LRP, had no effect on the LSR; (4) binding of lipoproteins to LSR was independent of Ca2+; and (5) LSR activity resolved as two proteins smaller than LRP (apparent molecular masses as determined by ligand blots: 115 and 85 kDa). That LSR provides a new candidate receptor contributing to the clearance of chylomicron remnants (CMR) is supported by the observation that LSR was inhibited by lactoferrin, a milk protein that delays CMR clearance when injected in vivo. Furthermore, in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, oleate stimulated binding, uptake, and degradation of LDL with kinetic characteristics similar to that of LSR expressed in FH fibroblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗