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Biomedical subjects

M Carino

Publications and source records attributed to M Carino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

60 Hz magnetic fields and central cholinergic activity: effects of exposure intensity and duration.

In previous research, we have found that acute exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field caused a decrease in cholinergic activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat. In the present study, the effects of exposure to different intensities of the magnetic field and durations of exposure were investigated. Rats were exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field for 60 min at a flux density of either 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mT. A significant decrease in cholinergic activity was observed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus immediately after exposure to the 2.0 mT field. No significant effect was observed at lower intensities. In another experiment, effect of exposure to a 1.0 mT magnetic field for 30, 45, 60, and 90 min was investigated. A decrease in cholinergic activity was found in both brain areas after 90 min of exposure. No significant effect was observed after shorter durations of exposure. In a further experiment, the exposure duration was extended to 3 h at flux densities of 0.5, 0.1, and 0.05 mT. A significant decrease in cholinergic activity was observed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat immediately after exposure to all the intensities. It is concluded that the intensity and duration of exposure interact. By increasing the duration of exposure, effects can be observed at lower intensities.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Intracerebroventricular injection of mu- and delta-opiate receptor antagonists block 60 Hz magnetic field-induced decreases in cholinergic activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat.

In previous research, we have found that acute exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field decreased cholinergic activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat as measured by sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake activity. We concluded that the effect was mediated by endogenous opioids inside the brain because it could be blocked by pretreatment of rats before magnetic field exposure with the opiate antagonist naltrexone, but not by the peripheral antagonist naloxone methiodide. In the present study, the involvement of opiate receptor subtypes was investigated. Rats were pretreated by intracerebroventricular injection of the mu-opiate receptor antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine, or the delta-opiate receptor antagonist, naltrindole, before exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field (2 mT, 1 hour). It was found that the effects of magnetic field on high-affinity choline uptake in the frontal cortex and hippocampus were blocked by the drug treatments. These data indicate that both mu- and delta-opiate receptors in the brain are involved in the magnetic field-induced decreases in cholinergic activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Death due to asthma at workplace in a diphenylmethane diisocyanate-sensitized subject.

Total cases of fatal asthma in the occupational setting reported in the literature are reviewed and the case of a 39-year-old foundry worker who died at work is described. A diagnosis of occupational asthma induced by diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) had been assessed 5 years in advance through a 0.005-ppm exposure inhalation challenge. Postmortem microscopic examination of the lung showed epithelial desquamation, eosinophilic/neutrophilic infiltration of the mucosa, dilatation of bronchial vessels, edema, hypertrophy and disarray of smooth muscle. Fatal asthma attack in a MDI-sensitized individual, to our knowledge, has not been previously described.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Sex and strain variability in the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function.

In the present investigation, we examined the influence of both genetic background and sex factors in the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function under both basal and post adrenalectomy (ADX) conditions. For these purposes adult female and male rats, from Sprague-Dawley (S-D), Fischer (F344/N), Lewis (LEW/N) and Buffalo (BUF) strains, were decapitated in basal condition or several (2, 7 and 14) days after ADX. Plasma stress hormones levels and adrenal corticosterone (B) concentration as well as peptide (ACTH, CRH and vasopressin, AVP) content in different tissues (anterior pituitary, AP; medial basal hypothalamus, MBH), were then evaluated by specific assays. Our results indicate that: a) despite no sex- and strain-related differences in AP ACTH and MBH ACTH secretagogues in basal condition, there exits a clear sexual dimorphism in plasma ACTH levels as well as in both plasma and adrenal B concentrations, with values significantly higher in females than in males, regardless the strain; b) ADX abolished plasma B levels and increased AP ACTH output in a time-dependent fashion up to the 14th day post surgery; c) AP ACTH content decreased 2 days after ADX, except in BUF female rats, thereafter tending to either recover or increase sham values by two weeks post ADX; d) ADX decreased MBH CRH at all periods studied, except in BUF female animals on day 14; e) ADX clearly diminished MBH AVP only in S-D rats, and f) a sexual dimorphism was also found in AP ACTH in 7-day-ADX S-D rats and in 14-day-ADX S-D and F344/N animals; also, a dimorphic pattern in MBH CRH was found in 7-day-ADX S-D as well as in 14-day-ADX F344/N and LEW/N rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1994

Sex differences in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis response to inflammatory and neuroendocrine stressors. Evidence for a pituitary defect in the autoimmune disease-susceptible female Lewis rat.

Susceptibility to inflammatory disease in infantile Lewis (LEW/N) female rats seems to be related to their impaired hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to different inflammatory stimuli, while the relative resistance to this type of disease in Fischer (F344/N) female rats is apparently due to their potent HPA axis response to the same stimuli. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate whether there is an impairment in the HPA axis response in the juvenile female LEW/N rat to inflammatory and noninflammatory stimuli, and also to determine whether the endogenous sex-steroid environment influences the HPA axis function in both strains of rats. For these purposes, juvenile F344/N and LEW/N rats of both sexes were submitted to different treatments: (a) inhalation of normal atmosphere or ether vapors for 1 min (Ether); (b) i.p. injection of vehicle alone or containing CRH (0.5 microgram/rat), arginine vasopressin (AVP; 5 micrograms/rat, angiotensin II (AII; 5 micrograms/rat), insulin (INS; 0.3 IU/rat), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 micrograms/rat) or snake venom (SV; 100 micrograms/rat). Rats were then killed at different time intervals (in min) after treatments: 20 for Ether, AVP and CRH, 30 for AII, 45 for INS, 60 for SV and 120 for LPS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1988

Further evidence that N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin peptides are involved in adrenal mitogenesis.

In order to demonstrate the mitogenic effects of N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin (N-POMC) peptides on the adrenal glands further, female rats with bilateral adrenal enucleation (hereafter referred to as enucleation) were hypophysectomized 11 days after enucleation and injected twice daily with 5 micrograms purified human N-POMC(1-28), ACTH(1-24) or 0.9% (w/v) NaCl. On day 14 after enucleation, rats were injected with colchicine and, after killing, their adrenal glands weighed, fixed and mitotic counts in histological sections assessed. Plasma corticosterone was measured fluorometrically. In other experiments, rats 7 days after enucleation were hypophysectomized and implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering 5 micrograms purified N-POMC(1-28) per day. On day 14 after enucleation, animals were treated as above. Collagenase-dispersed adrenal cells were incubated with purified or synthetic N-POMC(1-28) or synthetic N-POMC (1-36) (1-300 nmol/l) and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was determined. Intact female rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering 8 micrograms purified or synthetic N-POMC(1-28)/day, 8 micrograms synthetic N-POMC(1-36)/day or saline alone. Mitotic counts were performed on histological sections. Both s.c. injection or continuous delivery from minipumps of purified N-POMC(1-28) partially prevented the atrophy of regenerating adrenal glands after hypophysectomy (s.c. injection of N-POMC: 2.29 +/- 0.92 mitoses/section compared with 0.52 +/- 0.39 for controls; minipump delivery: 5.02 +/- 0.97 compared with 0.13 +/- 0.05; P less than 0.01 for both experiments). ACTH did not augment mitotic activity in enucleated-hypophysectomized rats but significantly increased plasma concentrations of corticosterone in s.c. injection experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1988

Adrenal regeneration in the rat is mediated by mitogenic N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin peptides generated by changes in precursor processing in the anterior pituitary.

In order to investigate the role of N-terminal proopiomelanocortin (N-POMC) in adrenal regeneration after bilateral adrenal enucleation (hereafter referred to as enucleation) rats 13 days after enucleation were injected (200 microliters s.c. plus 200 microliters i.p.) at 08.00 and 20.00 h with normal rabbit serum (NRS), an ACTH antiserum or an N-POMC antiserum. On the next day the animals were injected with colchicine, killed and mitotic figures in adrenal histological sections counted. The same treatment was given to rats 20 days after enucleation. Only the N-POMC antiserum significantly diminished adrenal mitotic activity 14 and 21 days after enucleation (P less than 0.01 and 0.05 respectively) when compared with NRS-treated enucleated rats, whereas plasma corticosterone levels in rats 14 days after enucleation were significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased only by treatment with ACTH antiserum. To determine whether the mitogenic N-POMC peptides involved in adrenal regeneration originated from the pituitary intermediate lobe, 0.9% (w/v) NaCl or ergocryptine (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered s.c. twice daily to rats between 7 and 13 days after enucleation. On day 14, adrenal mitotic activity and plasma levels of ACTH and N-POMC were not significantly different between ergocryptine and saline-treated enucleated rats, whereas alpha-MSH levels in ergocryptine-treated enucleated rats were significantly (P less than 0.02) decreased. Increases in N-POMC content of the pituitary lobe accompanied those of ACTH in animals 7, 10, 14 and 21 days after enucleation (P less than 0.01 compared with sham-treatment). Anterior lobes from rats 10 days after enucleation or from adrenalectomized rats showed raised ACTH and N-POMC levels compared with sham-treated animals, whereas alpha-MSH content in the anterior lobe of enucleated rats was significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased. Adrenalectomized animals had raised (P less than 0.005) amounts of alpha-MSH compared with sham-treated animals. Plasma levels of ACTH and N-POMC were significantly (P less than 0.01) raised in rats 10 days after enucleation or in adrenalectomized rats compared with those in sham-treated animals, whereas alpha-MSH levels were raised (P less than 0.005) only in adrenalectomized rats. Sephadex G-75 chromatography of anterior lobe extracts obtained 10 days after surgery from sham-treated, enucleated and adrenalectomized rats was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex steroid regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in middle-aged mice during endotoxic shock.

Many studies have documented the presence of a sexually dimorphic response of neuroendocrine functions in response to immune signals. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to inflammatory stress stimulus in 15-month-old mice, and to determine whether such a response depends on circulating sex steroids. Our results indicate that in the 15-month-old mice: (1) there is a sexual dimorphism in the HPA axis activity in basal condition and after endotoxin treatment with generally higher levels of several parameters of this axis in female than in male mice, (2) gonadectomy alone, followed by sex steroid therapy, modulates HPA axis function in both basal and stress conditions, and (3) whereas estradiol plays a stimulatory role on adrenal function, testosterone inhibits adrenal glucocorticoid production. This study further suggests a clear sexual dimorphism in middle-aged mice injected with endotoxin. These results may be relevant for the treatment of sepsis in aged patients.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Azelastine in the prophylactic treatment of bronchial asthma: an Italian multicentre comparison with ketotifen.

The prophylactic effectiveness of the phthalazinone derivative, azelastine was compared with ketotifen. A total of 111 patients, aged 18-65 years, from 10 centres was entered into this randomized, double-blind study. All patients had reversible asthma. After 1 week on placebo, patients were allocated to either 8 mg/day azelastine once or twice daily, or to 1 mg ketotifen, twice daily, for a further 12 weeks. Azelastine was more effective in improving respiratory function (forced expiratory flow in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate) when given in the once daily regimen, whereas clinical measures (number of weekly asthma attacks) were most improved by twice daily dosing. There was no significant difference between the effectiveness of azelastine and that of ketotifen. Treatments were equally well tolerated and a low incidence of side-effects was reported. In conclusion, 8 mg/day azelastine, in either a single or twice daily dosage regimen may be regarded as providing effective prophylaxis against bronchial asthma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the radiologic and spirometric profile in subjects with pulmonary silicosis].

All admissions with diagnosis of silicosis from 1980 to 2000, in the Occupational Medicine Division of Fondazione S. Maugeri, Cassano Murge (Bari), were examined. From 586 gathered medical records we selected 106 subjects with double admissions and detected their X-rays of chest, FVC and FEV1. The stationary results of their chest X-rays and the light declines of their respiratory functions confirm the slow evolution in time of this pathology.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational asthma and biological damage: adequate compensation?].

The evaluation of the damage to biological and relational capacities of the subject is the novel approach of the Italian Insurance Regulation Decree N(o) 38/2000 for compensating occupational asthma (OA). In this study we aimed to apply retrospectively the novel rating system to mild OA. From a data base of 201 diagnosis of OA collected in the 1987-97 decade 85 eligible consecutive cases of mild asthma according to the criteria of NIH/WHO guidelines on asthma were studied. Records on compensation were documented for 41 subjects. The average difference between novel scales and the actual rating individually assessed by Italian National Agency for compensation through criteria used at that time was 45.6 +/- 20%. The average difference between novel scales and rating calculated with guidelines considering the measurement of non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity developed by international experts and American Thoracic Society, endorsed by American Medical Association, was 41.5 +/- 12%. Within the actual rating individually assessed with previous Italian Insurance criteria no significant relationship (r=-0.20, p=0.2) was shown with bronchial responsiveness to methacoline expressed as provocative dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20FEV1 microg of mch). A significant (p<0.05) relationship was observed with age at the time of OA diagnosis (r=0.37, p=0.017) and with duration of exposure (r=0.34, p=0.034). This study suggests that scales of the Insurance Regulation Decree N(o) 38/2000 grading mild OA underevaluate biological damage/impairment with reference both to previous practice in Italy and to international criteria guidelines. Among the parameters of evaluation methacoline challenge should be considered an adequate tool in measuring biological damage in OA for medicolegal purpose.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Radiological and functional progression in silicosis].

BACKGROUND: The incidence of silicosis has decreased today because of a clear improvement of working conditions. According to recent data from Italian National Compensation Agency (INAIL) silicosis represents more than 5% of occupational diseases claimed for annually. Since silicosis is an evolving chronic disease, it has serious consequences on patient health, modifying the quality of life and increasing public costs. Some studies show a relationship between occupational exposure to silica and radiological and functional deterioration, but the results are not satisfactory because of the variety of clinical patterns and the interference of many risk factors. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our investigation was to evaluate silicosis evolution in relation to living habits and to different occupational exposures. METHODS: All admissions from 1980 to 2000 in the Occupational Medicine Unit of the Maugeri Foundation in Cassano Murge (Bari), Southern Italy, with final diagnosis of silicosis were examined. From 586 medical records gathered, subjects with double admissions were selected and their chest radiographs and FVC, FEV1 from lung function test were detected. No industrial hygiene data were available and individual exposure was estimated through calculation of a global exposure index. RESULTS: On the basis of data quality control, 106 consecutive male patients were recruited (age at first admission 51.7 +/- 8.3 years, occupational exposure at second admission 23.8 +/- 9.1 years). More than 50% of the subjects had an estimated high risk exposure at work. The first diagnosis of silicosis was made at first admission in 40% of the cases, 33% of the patients had been suffering from silicosis for 10 years while 27% for more than 10 years. Chest radiographs showed mostly p, q nodular pattern, and over a 4. 7 +/- 3.3 year follow-up period they appeared largely unchanged, although 8 radiographs showed confluent areas, 18 subjects showed pleural thickening, 10 calcified opacities, 17 COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with emphysema, 2 tubercolosis lesions, 4 radiographic abnormalities attributable to cancer (3 lung, 1 oesophageal). CONCLUSIONS: The mainly stationary results of chest radiographs and the slight loss of respiratory function we observed confirm the slow evolution over time of silicosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis of main risk factors showed that subjects with radiographic opacities having a diameter greater than 10 mm or conglomerate shadows at the time of diagnosis seem to have a lower risk of progression of the disease after a relatively short period of follow up, even in mining related exposure.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Educational health programs in the construction industry of the Apulia Region, southern Italy].

31,000 building firms have been registered in the Apulia Region of Southern Italy, and 13.5% are concentrated in the area of the Local Health Bari/3. Especially small and middle-size firms (90% of total number) are assisted with information programs through dedicated local office. Educational and medical audit advanced programs carried out among occupational health professionals are described. A 'pilot project' for the regional health surveillance program in the construction industry is presented.

Health Education↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[3 cases of poisoning caused by wine contaminated with lead].

Three cases of lead poisoning of non occupational origin as result of drinking contaminated homemade wine are described. The source of lead most likely was the ceramic inner surface of the container used for wine fermentation and/or the cement used for filling up slots between ceramic tiles. The lead content of wine was found to be 40 mg/l whereas maximum allowed level in Italy is 0.3 mg/l. Treatment with calcium versenate given intravenously solved gastroenteric symptoms. Further investigations were reassessed six months after the acute episode showing both blood and urine parameters still below the normal range for adults occupationally not exposed to lead. Awareness of family physicians in early recognition of these episodes is recommended. Furthermore such hazard should be considered when choice of materials for containers delegated to wine fermentation is made, since home wine making is a widespread practice in our country.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pneumoconiosis in bauxite miners].

The authors examined a group of 40 miners who were being working at an Apulian bauxite mine, presently inactive. Radiographic findings of pulmonary micronodulation without significant reduction of lung functions were showed in 15 miners. Mineralogical analysis of mine dust samples excluded any presence of more than 1% free silica. As a result of this study hypotheses have been formulated about pathogenesis of this moderated and non-invasive pneumoconiosis, showed in long exposed subjects to low silica content dusts.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Arsenic poisoning].

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Animals↗