PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Bianchini

Publications and source records attributed to M Bianchini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Recursive neural networks for processing graphs with labelled edges: theory and applications.

In this paper, we introduce a new recursive neural network model able to process directed acyclic graphs with labelled edges. The model uses a state transition function which considers the edge labels and is independent both from the number and the order of the children of each node. The computational capabilities of the new recursive architecture are assessed. Moreover, in order to test the proposed architecture on a practical challenging application, the problem of object detection in images is also addressed. In fact, the localization of target objects is a preliminary step in any recognition system. The proposed technique is general and can be applied in different detection systems, since it does not exploit any a priori knowledge on the particular problem. Some experiments on face detection, carried out on scenes acquired by an indoor camera, are reported, showing very promising results.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2003

Characterisation and evaluation of the emissions from the combustion of Orimulsion-400, coal and heavy fuel oil in a thermoelectric power plant.

An experimental campaign was carried out in a thermoelectric power plant in Southern Italy in order to evaluate the emissions released during the utilisation of three different fuels, Orimulsion-400, coal and heavy fuel oil (HFO) with high content of sulphur. Macropollutant concentrations in the exhaust gases were recorded by the continuous monitoring system and the Institute on Atmospheric Pollution of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) carried out samplings and analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and Polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), halogenidric acids and metals. The pollutant concentrations, mass flows and emission factors were compared. Each fuel met the air emission limits for all the pollutants. Coal showed the highest emission levels, whilst HFO and Orimulsion were fairly similar. NOx, SO2 and particulate matter showed constant concentration for all the fuels, while Orimulsion and HFO SO2 concentrations were critical at the highest operating power. Orimulsion showed the lowest PAHs values and PCDDs and PCDFs were much lower than the limits, for all the fuels. Particular attention must be paid with vanadium and nickel during Orimulsion utilisation. For these metals mass balances were carried out.

Air Movements↗
PubMed2001

APC senses cell-cell contacts and moves to the nucleus upon their disruption.

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor protein is involved in the Wnt/wingless pathway, modulating beta-catenin activity. We report the development of a highly specific, chemically synthesized oligobody (oligonucleotide-based synthetic antibody), directed against the N-terminal region of APC. Using this reagent, we found that within 16 h of disrupting HT-29 cell-cell contacts by harvesting cells with trypsin/EDTA treatment and replating, APC was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Five days after plating the cells, when the cells had returned to their normal confluent phenotype and cell-cell contacts were reestablished, APC returned to the cytoplasm. These results suggest that APC functions as part of a "sensor" system, and responds to the loss of cell-cell contacts by moving to the nucleus, and returning to the cytoplasm when the contacts are fully restored.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗
PubMed2001

Specific oligobodies against ERK-2 that recognize both the native and the denatured state of the protein.

Oligonucleotide aptamer(s), obtained by using the SELEX procedure, has been used as reagents to recognize different molecules with high affinity and specificity. However, until recently, it was not possible to obtain oligonucleotide-based reagents able to recognize proteins with high specificity in assays typical of antibodies, such as immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and immunoprecipitations. Here, we show the results obtained by applying the strategy of "target switching" to obtain specific polyclonal and monoclonal oligobodies against the protein ERK2. We were able to develop highly specific polyclonal oligobodies by using only one selection step with a temporary target and one selection step with the final target (ERK2). Since only two selection steps were required, these results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain specific reagents against a protein without a need for an "in vitro evolution" using many selection steps, or error-prone polymerases. After one additional selection step, the polyclonal oligobodies were cloned to obtain a highly specific monoclonal oligobody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Development of monoclonal oligobodies and chemically synthesized oligobodies.

Oligonucleotide aptamers obtained using the SELEX procedure can recognize different molecules with high affinity. However, for proteins, this recognition is limited to native conformations and the specificity has not been clearly demonstrated by methods such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunoprecipitations. Using a library of oligonucleotides and a selection strategy based on high specificity instead of high affinity, we have reported previously the preparation of polyclonal oligobodies, reagents that recognize the protein PP2A in a very specific way. Here we report a method to obtain monoclonal oligobodies. The oligobody developed specifically recognized both native and denatured states of the protein CPD1 used as a model system. We further demonstrate the specificity of the monoclonal oligobody using Western blots, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation, procedures previously limited only to antibody-based detection. In addition, a confocal microscopy is shown that was obtained using an oligobody made by chemical synthesis using an oligonucleotide synthesizer, being this the first "synthetic antibody" reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Oligobodies: bench made synthetic antibodies.

Using synthetic peptides and a combinatorial library of 56 mer random oligonucleotides, we have developed reagents that behave as "synthetic antibodies". The results obtained with the protein phosphatase 2A as a model system are shown here. The specificity of these reagents, named "oligobodies", has been demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The oligobodies have enormous advantages compared to antibodies: their production is independent of the immune system, they can be prepared in a few days and there is no need for a purified target protein. These reagents can be produced even if the corresponding protein was never isolated or purified, since only a partial DNA sequence from a database provides enough information to make them.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Listeria monocytogenes incidence and evaluation of the sanitary quality of filleted fresh fish from the Metropolitan Area of San José].

Fish constitutes a very important part of human diet due to its protein content. The poor commercialization system existing in Costa Rica for this product causes an important secondary contamination that may include microorganisms such as fecal coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and even pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. There is a lack of recent information about the microbiological quality of the fish that arrives to the Metropolitan Area of San José, Costa Rica, so the aim of this work was to study it through the detection of microbiological indicators and the incidence of L. monocytogenes. Five different samplings were realized to 27 fisheries located in two different areas from San José, Costa Rica: the Central Market and the rest of the Metropolitan Area. Each time, a 500 g sample of fresh filleted fish was taken and transported to the Food Microbiology Laboratory, Universidad de Costa Rica, for performing the different analysis, which included the presence/absence of L. monocytogenes, total plate count, total and fecal coliforms count and Most Probable Number of Staphylococcus aureus. Also, a hygiene evaluation of the different fisheries was performed. According to this, 22.2% of the fisheries were classified as excellent, 14.8% as good, 40.8% as regular and 22.2% as bad. Fisheries hygiene is independent of the incidence of L. monocytogenes with a 95% confidence level, and there is no significant relationship between hygiene and the other indicators analyzed. There is a significant relationship between the incidence of Listeria sp. and the hygiene of the Central Market area. It was determined that 96.3% and 29.6% of the fisheries accomplish with the microbiological limits established by ICMSF for S. aureus and total plate count, respectively. Listeria sp. was found in 65.2% of the fish samples analyzed. From these, 52.3% was L. monocytogenes, 43.2% L. innocua, 3.4% L. ivanovii and 1.1% L. seeligeri. In 88.9% of the fisheries the presence of L. monocytogenes was positive at least once.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Benign ulcers of the cecum].

Benign ulceration of the cecum is an uncommon lesion that was originally described by Cruveilhier in 1832. Etiology is unknown and symptomatology not pathognomonic. Pre-operative and intraoperative diagnosis is rare and difficult. Definitive diagnosis is usually obtained by histologic evaluation of the surgical specimen after a right hemicolectomy performed for a suspect of a neoplasm of the cecum. The authors present 7 cases of cecal ulcers and suggest that preoperative diagnosis may be due after a colonoscopy with biopsy. This examination may be performed only in that cases that appear without symptoms of acute abdomen. The authors suggest also to perform right hemicolectomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Fate in sewage of a recombinant Escherichia coli K-12 strain used in the commercial production of bovine somatotropin.

The fate of a derivative of Escherichia coli strain W3110G [pBGH1], a strain used for production of bovine somatotropin, was examined in semi-continuous activated sludge (SCAS) units. A nalidixic acid-resistant derivative of W3110G [pBGH1], strain LBB270 [pBGH1], was used to facilitate tracking. SCAS units (300 ml) containing municipal mixed liquor were operated on a daily cycle of 23 h aeration and 1 h setting followed by decanting of clear supernatant (175 ml) and refilling with fresh primary effluent. SCAS units were inoculated with two concentrations of E. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] and operated for 200 h. Viable levels of E. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] were measured daily in aerated mixed liquor and decanted supernatant. Viable counts in the mixed liquor decreased from 10,000- to 100,000-fold in less than 200 h. Losses of E. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] in decanted supernatants accounted for less than 2-fold of the total losses observed in the SCAS units. The E. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] was not evenly distributed in the mixed liquor, but became preferentially associated with the settleable floc. These results show that E. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] was unable to survive in municipal sludge even when inoculated at concentrations greater than, or comparable to, levels of indigenous microorganisms.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1992

[Phyllodes tumor of the breast].

The diagnosis of benign, malignant or borderline phylloides tumor of the breast is based on a combination of clinical and histological features but the biological behavior of this neoplasm is not often predictable: the most important indicators of malignant behavior are underscored. Only a few patients with malignant or borderline lesions develop distant metastasis; local recurrences do not appear to effect survival: as a consequence, wide resection should to be primary treatment and axillary dissection is not worthwhile.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Comparison of effective toxicant biotransformation by autochthonous microorganisms and commercially available cultures in the in situ reclamation of abandoned industrial sites.

Biotransformation and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by the subsurface autochthonous microflora collected from an abandoned petroleum refinery site was investigated. In addition, the inoculation of a commercially available blend of bacterial cultures, with known ability to degrade polycyclic aromatics, was evaluated. This supplemental addition of select microorganisms has been referred to by commercial interests as "bioaugmentation". Their biodegradative potential was evaluated using laboratory mesocosms (simulations) containing a predetermined optimal waste loading rate based on % oil and grease, mixed with predetermined optimal loading rates of clay and river silt materials. The waste consisted primarily of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons found in buried sludges and abandoned lagoons. All mesocosms received nutrient amendment without additional energy sources. Experimental mesocosms were inoculated with adapted indigenous microflora and/or commercial strains. Microbial ATP, microbial diversity, and related enzyme assays were used to establish the detoxification efficiency of the experimental microflora. Quantitative toxicant concentrations and transformations were documented by GC/MS data. Information will be presented mainly on the kinetics of toxicant biotransformation processes to identify "bioaugmentation" contribution and relevancy in the recovery of abandoned polluted sites.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1987

Parasitological study of a population of Tiber River eels (Anguilla anguilla).

A study was conducted on the parasitofauna of Anguilla anguilla caught in the section of the Tiber river south of Rome (Italy). The sample examined consisted of 417 specimens that were classified by stage (elver, young yellow eel, yellow eel and silver eel) and season of sampling. The following species were identified: Trypanosoma granulosum, Eimeria anguillae, Myxidium giardi, Sphaerospora reichenowi, Myxobolus sp., Trichodina anguilli, Ichthyohodo sp., Gyrodactylus anguillae, Bothriocephalus claviceps, Proteocephalus macrocephalus, Raphidascaris acus, Acanthocephalus clavula. Each parasite species was considered in its prevalence according to stage and season. For some parasite the pathogenic effect was also examined in a histological study of serial sections. The results of the statistical analysis of the single parasitic infection as related to different seasons pointed to marked seasonal trends only in some species (Trypanosoma granulosum and Gyrodactylus anguillae). The intensity of infection assessed for acanthocephalan infection only was found to affect neither weight nor condition index (weight/length3). No difference in weight or condition index was found to be ascribable to the presence or absence of a species. An attempt to find a rule-of-thumb algorithm to gauge the overall effect to parasitic diseases failed to give sufficiently significant results.

Acanthocephala↗
PubMed1986

Sonographic detection of postsurgical recurrence of Crohn disease.

Sonography, contrast radiography, and endoscopy of the small and large intestine were performed in 32 patients, who had already undergone one or more intestinal resections for Crohn disease, with the aim of detecting possible relapses. Eleven patients proved to have had relapses; sonography revealed nine cases, with two false negatives and no false positives. Sensitivity proved to be 82%, specificity 100%, and overall accuracy 93.7%. Sonography enables the operator to distinguish between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions by means of structural study of the thickened bowel wall, paying particular attention to integrity of its layers.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Role of intraoperative manometry in renal artery compression by a pheochromocytoma.

A case of renal artery stenosis due to compression by a neurofibrous cord (histologically a pheochromocytoma) and resolved by the débridment of the vessel and angioplasty with a patch in the saphenous vein, is reported. After the compression has been relieved, the vessel appeared normal at inspection and palpation (pulsation); the manometric control, recorded distally and proximally to the area of compression by the pheochromocytoma showed a significant gradient of pressure that led to the exploration of the vessel, partially obstructed by a recent thrombus. These lesions were not detectable solely on inspection and palpation. It is stressed that a restored normal aspect after removal of the extrinsic pressure on the renal artery may not represent an equivalent optimal restoration of function. Only manometric control or rate of flow measurements are able to assess the efficacy of surgical reconstruction.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗