Biomedical subjects

M Denaro

Publications and source records attributed to M Denaro.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1980

Antibodies cross-reacting with porcine and human trypsin in cystic fibrosis.

A solid-phase radioimmunoassay has been developed for the titration of TbIgG (trypsin binding IgG) in sera of CF patients. Using this assay system it has been found that TbIgG are primarily directed against porcine trypsin and cross-react with human trypsin. A specific subpopulation of anti-human trypsin antibodies has not been found, making unlikely the occurrence of an autoimmune process in CF, at least against human pancreatic enzymes.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Competition for trypsin binding between alpha 2-macroglobulin and antitrypsin antibodies in cystic fibrosis.

As previously reported, Tblg, especially TblgG, have been identified in CF patients, and their production appears to be elicited by the porcine trypsin ingested daily by most CF patients. We have measured by IP assay the binding of 125I-trypsin to a alpha 2M and TblgG in plasma of CF patients and controls. Our results do not confirm previous reports of decreased trypsin binding to alpha 2M in whole CF plasma with respect to controls. We have shown, however, that antitrypsin antibodies from CF patients or from rabbits immunized against trypsin compete with alpha 2M for binding with trypsin. This competition can cause apparent decrease of trypsin binding to alpha 2M in vitro.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1978

Effect of modeccin on the steps of peptide-chain elongation.

Modeccin inhibits polypeptide-chain elongation catalysed by Artemia salina (brine shrimp) ribosomes by inactivating the 60 S ribosomal subunit. Among the individual steps of elongation, peptide-bond formation, catalysed by 60 S peptidyltransferase, is unaffected by the toxin, whereas the binding of EF 2 (elongation factor 2) to ribosomes is strongly inhibited. Modeccin does not affect the poly(U)-dependent non-enzymic binding of either deacylated tRNAPhe or phenylalanyl-tRNA to ribosomes. The inhibitory effect of modeccin on the EF 1 (elongation factor 1)-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA is discussed, since it is decreased by tRNAPhe, which stimulates the binding reaction. The analysis of the distribution of ribosome-bound radioactivity during protein synthesis shows that modeccin consistently inhibits the radioactivity bound as long-chain peptides, but depending on the experimental conditions, can leave unchanged or even greatly stimulates the radioactivity bound as phenylalanyl-tRNA and/or short-chain peptides. It is concluded that, during the complete elongation cycle, modeccin does not affect the binding of the first aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes, but inhibits some step in the subsequent repetitive activity of either EF 1 or EF 2. The results obtained indicate that the mechanism of action of modeccin is very similar to that of ricin and related plant toxins such as abrin and crotin.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Idebenone in senile dementia of Alzheimer type: a multicentre study.

Idebenone is a new cerebro-active drug, effective in dementia disorders, particularly indicated in primary degenerative dementias, i.e. Alzheimer's disease. This new molecule acts as an electron trapper and a free radical scavenger protecting mitochondrial membranes from lipid peroxidation. A multicentric, double-blind trial of idebenone (45 mg twice daily orally) vs. placebo was carried out on 102 elderly patients affected by Alzheimer-type dementia of mild or moderate severity. Idebenone was administered for 4 consecutive months, 45 mg twice daily. Clinical evaluations were performed at the time of enrollment (t0) and monthly thereafter (t30, t60, t90 and t120) and at follow-up (t150 ). Tolerability to idebenone treatment was good and was associated with a statistically significant improvement of memory, attention and behaviour. It is worthwhile noting that these cognitive and behavioral findings were observed after the first month of treatment with enhancement evident in the following period.

Clinical Trial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between processing-structure-migration properties for recycled polypropylene in food packaging.

In this work the relationships between processing, structure and migration properties of recycled polypropylene (PP) were analysed in relation to the possible use of recycled PP in food packaging applications. PP containers used in food packaging were contaminated with food and then washed, reduced into a processable size, dried and reprocessed by injection moulding. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis, mechanical, and total migration tests were performed on injection moulded samples to verify the effect of the recycling process on the structure and properties of PP. In order to evaluate the effect of the molecular weight on the properties of the recycled polymer, the study was conducted on containers produced by injection moulding made from a low molecular weight (LMW) PP and on containers produced by thermoforming made from a high molecular weight (HMW) PP.

Chromatography, Gel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Solubilization and identification of essential functional groups of Candida albicans oxidosqualene cyclase.

The enzyme properties and location of essential functional groups of solubilized oxidosqualene cyclase of Candida albicans have been studied. We show that the C. albicans enzyme is much more heat-labile compared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rat liver cyclases, requires a histidyl residue for enzyme activity, contains an essential thiol residue either close to or in the active site and exhibits a carbocationic mechanism for catalysis, as the enzyme-bound substrate protects the enzyme from inactivation by a site-directed inactivator.

Animals↗