PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Marsili

Publications and source records attributed to G Marsili.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of serum iron and the total iron-binding capacity with a new chromogen, 4-aminophenazone.

A colorimetric procedure is described for the determination of serum iron and TIBC, utilizing the action of the iron on the oxidation reaction of 4-aminophenazone with H2O2. The chromogen oxidized has maximum absorption at 540 nm. The method is interesting because it has important advantages over other methods: no deproteinization is needed, microsamples are used, it is simple, gives adequate precision, and the results correlate well with those obtained with the standard bathophenanthroline method.

Copper↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regulatory activity of DNA-binding peptides on some metabolic pathways altered in aging.

The Smith theory, which describes aging as a consequence of damage at DNA transcription level, suggested to us the opportunity of studying the possible action of DNA-binding peptides from calf thymus on old rats. We previously demonstrated that this peptidic fraction exerts a regulative control on transcriptional activities of DNA in cell and cell-free systems. In order to verify the possible action of these low molecular weight peptides we chose a large range of metabolic and structural parameters which are altered in aging. The results obtained indicate the following conclusions. Lipids. The lipid levels of old rat liver and serum are altered compared with those of young rats; the administration of peptidic fraction to old rats reverses the lipid alterations observed. Glucides. In old rat liver the presence of glycogen is very scanty or completely absent; the animals treated with the peptides show an amount and distribution of glycogen similar to that of adult normal rats. ATP. The peptidic fraction causes in the old rats a marked increase of blood ATP, bringing the level in the range of values determined in young rats. DNA, RNA, proteins. The total synthesis rate of DNA, RNA and proteins in old rat liver is not influenced by the DNA-binding peptides. Vice versa the nucleic acids from liver nuclei of old rats given peptidic fraction contain a greater RNA component compared to control old rats. This result is confirmed by the strong increase of transcriptional activity of DNA for RNA polymerase caused by administration of peptidic fraction to old rats. This increased DNA transcription can be interpreted as a partial recovery of DNA transcriptional capacity which evidently might imply a restoration of impaired metabolic systems. The histochemical and stereological analyses of liver cell compartments confirm the biochemical data.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative study of bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics with the "abac" automatic system and the agar diffusion disk method].

654 bacterial strains isolated from different biological materials have been tested either with "abac" automatic system or diffusion system on disks according to the Bauer-Kirby standardized method. The higher discrepancy has been observed to Co-trimoxazol antibiotic. Some other discrepancies, non significative, are shown in figures. The use of "abac" provides increased efficiency and convenience improving the quality of routine antimicrobic susceptibility results.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A pilot External Quality Assessment Scheme for haemocytometry in Italy.

BACKGROUND: An Italian EQA scheme for haemocytometry, organized by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, has been active for about five years (1984-1989). The aims of this programme were to evaluate the state of the art and to introduce in Italy a scheme recommended by ICSH. N. 126 public laboratories from different provinces joined voluntarily the programme and trials for haemoglobinometry (A01, A02), full blood count (B01-B08) and platelet count (D01-D03) were performed. METHODS: Materials for testing consisted of blood lysate, preserved blood preparation containing native red cells and pseudoleukocytes, suspension of fixed platelets. The performances of laboratories was evaluated by consensus values (median, mean and standard deviation) and individual deviation index. RESULTS: The instrument survey demonstrated that fully automated systems had the highest frequency. Non Gaussian distributions of results were often obtained and this was particularly true for WBC, PLT and MCV. The overall variability was lower than 5.5% for Hb, RBC and MCH and lower than 9.3% for other erythrocyte parameters; WBC and PLT counts displayed a higher dispersion (CV* = 9.8% and 25.4%); the spreading of results was strongly reduced in the homogeneous group of Coulter counters. In the course of the programme CV*s didn't show any relevant modification, a steady state performance being apparent. As regards the nature of variability, the random component was prevalent for all parameters, with the exception of MCV. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot programme allowed to demonstrate the practicability of a national EQAS for haemocytometry according to the ICSH guidelines. Materials for testing showed acceptable stability, homogeneity and commutability. As regards analytical equipment as well as analytical variability, hospital centers participating in these EQA trials were comparable with laboratories taking part in similar EQAS of other European countries.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An assessment of the operating characteristics of Coulter Counter Model S-Plus STKR.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The operating performance of the Coulter Counter S Plus STKR was evaluated in two hospital laboratories in Rome and in Florence. Experimental design conformed to both the ICSH and NCCLS Standards for the evaluation of hematologic analyzers, and to the ECCLS guidelines for the multicenter evaluation of analyzers in clinical chemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Cell counts in K3 EDTA were unchanged over 6 hours at room temperature and 72 hours at 4 degrees C, while MCV, MPV and leukocyte differentials were far less stable. Carry over, precision and linearity met the manufacturer's specifications, while a satisfactory relative accuracy was demonstrated by determining reference values on an adult reference group and by comparing the instrument with the previous model S Plus IV D. The accuracy of the leukocyte differentials was evaluated by the microscope reference method, and our results seemed to validate the hypotheses that the STKR model counts: i) eosinophils, basophils and banded neutrophils among GR; ii) variant lymphocytes among LY, and iii) various abnormal cells among mononuclear cells. However, in spite of this statistical significance, some difficulties in correctly classifying the mononuclear population were demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Daily intake of macro and trace elements in the diet. 4. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium].

To complete the picture of the daily dietary intake of minerals, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium have now been considered. The study has been carried out in the Italian Marches Region after carefully evaluating the food consumption habits of the population. The foodstuffs comprising the 70 diets examined were collected in institutional canteens and private homes immediately prior to meals. The food was sampled ready for consumption as it had thus undergone the various preparation and cooking procedures, during which considerable changes in mineral content occur. In comparison with the various food consumption standards, the amount of sodium found appears excessively high (4.8 g/d) whereas that of magnesium is insufficient (0.24 g/d). A high sodium intake, and more recently a high Na/K ratio, have been associated with hypertension. Also a lack of magnesium and a high Ca/Mg ratio have repeatedly been associated with hypertension risk. The data to emerge from our study: a high sodium intake, an insufficiency of magnesium, and thus high Na/K and Ca/Mg ratios, would appear likely to enhance cardiovascular disease risk. Even though not all Authors agree on the existence of such correlations, a more correct diet as regards mineral intake is undoubtedly something to encourage.

Calcium, Dietary↗