Biomedical subjects

Laura Benedetti

Publications and source records attributed to Laura Benedetti.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of electromagnetic stimulation on calcified matrix production by SAOS-2 cells over a polyurethane porous scaffold.

There is increasing interest in designing new biomaterials that could potentially be used in the form of scaffolds as bone substitutes. In this study we used a hydrophobic crosslinked polyurethane in a typical tissue-engineering approach, that is, the seeding and in vitro culturing of cells using a porous scaffold. Using an electromagnetic bioreactor (magnetic field intensity, 2 mT; frequency, 75 Hz), we investigated the effect of the electromagnetic stimulation on SAOS-2 human osteoblast proliferation and calcified matrix production. Cell proliferation was twice as high; expression of decorin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, type I collagen, and type III collagen was greater (1.3, 12.2, 12.1, 10.0, and 10.5 times as great, respectively); and calcium deposition was 5 times as great as under static conditions without electromagnetic stimulation. RT-PCR analysis revealed the electromagnetically upregulated transcription specific for decorin, fibronectin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, transforming growth factor-beta, type I collagen, and type III collagen. The immunolocalization of the extracellular matrix constituents showed their colocalization in the cell-rich areas. The bioreactor and the polyurethane foam were designed to obtain cell colonization and calcified matrix deposition. This cultured biomaterial could be used, in clinical applications, as an osteoinductive implant for bone repair.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2005

Neurobehavioral science in hazard identification and risk assessment of neurotoxic agents--what are the requirements for further development?

OBJECTIVES: Modern neurobehavioral methods find useful application in research into the early effects of exposure to neurotoxic agents in the environment. This paper briefly describes the history and evolution of neurobehavioral toxicology, reviews some current trends in research in this specific discipline and identifies the most important needs and challenges to be addressed in future studies. METHODS: All published literature was considered, including ad hoc meeting reports. Further information was obtained directly from experts in the field. RESULTS: The number of studies (including those in occupational, environmental and pediatric exposure) using neurobehavioral evaluation is constantly increasing. Regulatory agencies are using scientific data obtained through neurobehavioral assessment, which includes other areas such as neurosensory toxicology. However, further development of this discipline is facing a number of problems and issues. Three major areas that deserve further attention have been identified: (1) specific technical issues regarding testing development, (2) epidemiological issues regarding the study design, including the need for meta-analysis/multi-center studies and for longitudinal observation, and statistical issues regarding the most adequate models for the analysis and treatment of complex neurobehavioral datasets, and (3) the need for scientific consensus on the significance of adverse effects identified with neurobehavioral methods. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of neurobehavioral toxicology in the evaluation of mechanisms of action and for preventive purposes is progressively growing. Further development is needed for the advancement of this discipline through collaboration between experts from different fields.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed2005

[Congenital chloride diarrhea].

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare hereditary disease, with a prenatal onset, secondary to a deficit in the intestinal chloride transport. In the present study, we describe the clinical characteristics of three patients with congenital watery diarrhea, two of them females, aged between 9 and 14 months at the first visit. All patients presented perinatal antecedents of polyhydramnios and prematurity, watery stools since birth and growth failure. Metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia and hypochloremia were found. Stool ionogram with elevated doses of chloride, exceeding both sodium and potassium, confirmed the diagnosis of CCD. Substitute treatment with sodium and potassium chloride was started with good results. CCD should be considered as a differential diagnosis to congenital watery diarrhea, since early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are mandatory for the normal development of the child, avoiding severe complications such as neurological sequelae and even death.

Chlorides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Current insights into familial spastic paraparesis: new advances in an old disease.

Hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and hyperreflexia of the lower limbs. The past few years have witnessed an exponential increase in knowledge of this disease and we can now list 19 loci mapped on the human genome and eight genes cloned. However, this wider knowledge of the molecular basis of HSP has had limited impact on clinical practice: the use of antispastic drugs and regular physiotherapy still remain crucial in the therapeutic management of patients. Nonetheless, the identification of new genes mutated in HSP furthers comprehension of the pathomechanisms involved and helps in genetic counseling, especially of asymptomatic individuals who request molecular analyses.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Protocol for health surveillance of workers exposed to repetitive arm movements].

BACKGROUND: Repetitive movements of the upper limbs at work can cause the onset of musculo-skeletal disorders and therefore an adequate planning of health surveillance is needed. A Work Group on this problem was constituted in Brescia, Italy, following the great interest raised by recent scientific meetings on this topic. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the Group was to prepare a proposal for a health surveillance protocol for the use of Occupational Health Physicians. RESULTS: Health surveillance for the prevention of upper limb disorders must be based on the degree of risk. The risk assessment procedure should be based on the methodology currently available for ergonomic analysis and should also consider the frequency of upper limb disorders in the exposed workers. In case of moderate risk, it is necessary to identify hyper-susceptible individuals, in order to reduce exposure to repetitive movements by means of an adequate task fitness evaluation and suitable health education programmes. In situations of medium-to-high risk, a specific programme of health surveillance must be planned in order to identify early disorders and prevent the onset of more severe damage using task fitness evaluation and rehabilitation therapies. The appropriate diagnostic procedure is indicated for this purpose and a classification is proposed to divide the upper limb disorders into two stages, according to the clinical picture: a first acute-subacute stage, which is potentially reversible, and a chronic-subchronic stage, which is non-reversible. Legal reports are required according to the stage of the disease identified and must be supported by an adequate risk assessment.

Arm↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dysfunctional workplace organization and mobbing. 4 representative cases].

BACKGROUND: Stress and psychological harassment at work are increasing worldwide, according to International Agencies (European Community, NIOSH) and to most authors. OBJECTIVES: To describe typical working situations responsible for distress and mobbing, with the aim of early diagnosis and effectiveness of therapy and rehabilitation. METHODS: Four cases are reported as representative of dysfunctional organization producing distress and pathology or inducing mobbing behavior or mobbing without clear organization responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: In all cases dysfunctional organization appeared to have played a significant role even though not always a direct one. Also, common characteristics were highlighted in the three cases where mobbing was recognized.

Adjustment Disorders↗