Biomedical subjects

M Di Carlo

Publications and source records attributed to M Di Carlo.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Characterization of bep1 and bep4 antigens involved in cell interactions during Paracentrotus lividus development.

We have identified and partially characterised two antigens, extracted with 3% butanol, from Paracentrotus lividus embryos dissociated at the blastula stage, and encoded by the cDNA clones previously described as bep1 and bep4 (bep-butanol extracted proteins). The cDNA fragments containing the specific central portions of bep1 and bep4 were expressed as MS2 polymerase fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. These two fusion proteins, called 1C1 (bep1) and 4A1 (bep4), were injected subcutaneously into rabbits and the corresponding polyclonal antibodies generated. Western blot analysis of proteins, extracted with 3% butanol, from sea urchin embryos at the blastula stage (b.e.p.), established that both antibodies recognize two 33 KDa proteins. Reducing and non-reducing electrophoretic conditions show that both antibodies against bep1 and bep4 related proteins react also with a protein band of a molecular weight 66 KDa, indicating that these two antigens probably exist as dimers. Immunolocalization with anti 1C1 and 4A1 antibodies shows the presence of the related antigens also on the cell surface. Fab fragments of the polyclonal antibodies against 1C1 and 4A1 inhibited reaggregation of sea urchin embryonic cells, dissociated from blastula stage embryos. This prevention of reaggregation indicates that these proteins probably play a role in cell interaction during sea urchin embryonic development.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A mouse repeat sequence conserved in eukaryotic genomes.

To study the biological role of simple repetitive DNA sequences, we analysed a clone isolated from a mouse macrophage cDNA library called T2. This clone contains two simple repetitive sequences: a new sequence, 'CAGAGAGG', and a sequence previously described, 'GATA'. By sequencing analysis, an open reading frame, coding for 225 amino acids, is detected in the T2 clone. The new simple sequence is present thousands of time in the mouse genome, associated or not with the sequence 'GATA'. The sequence 'CAGAGAGG' is transcribed in messenger RNAs. Northern blots of RNAs extracted from adult tissues and from differentiated or non differentiated cell lines show a large number of transcripts that quantitatively decrease when in vitro differentiation occurs. Moreover, Southern blots of DNA extracted from different organisms, hybridize with a fragment containing only the 'CAGAGAGG' sequence, demonstrating that this sequence is represented in the genome of phylogenetically distant eukaryotes, and is highly conserved during eukaryotic evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Sequence of a sea urchin hsp70 gene and its 5' flanking region.

We report the nucleotide sequence of a 4470-bp fragment derived from a sea urchin genomic clone containing part of a heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70)-encoding gene. This fragment, named hsp70 gene II, contains 1271 bp of the flanking region and 3299 bp of structural gene sequence interrupted by five introns and encoding the N-terminal 371 amino acids (aa) of the protein. The 5' flanking region contains a putative TATA element, two CCAAT boxes, four heat-shock consensus sequence elements (hse) and one consensus sequence for binding of Sp1. Remarkable homologies were observed for deduced aa sequence and intron-exon organization between hsp70 gene II and rat hsc73 gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Analysis of the sequence and expression during sea urchin development of two members of a multigenic family, coding for butanol-extractable proteins.

Two cDNA clones related to Paracentrotus lividus butanol-extracted proteins, presumably belonging to cell surface proteins, were isolated by a lambda gt11 expression library of ovary poly A+ RNA. These clones, called bep1 and bep4, of 1,110 and 1,071 bp, respectively, belong to a multigene family. By sequencing analysis, a special structural organization in the coding region is detected. A single copy region is inserted between two regions different from each other but similar in the two clones, which constitute two perfectly preserved domains in the genome and are not always present together in the various members of this gene family. The bep1 and bep4 clones derive from two single genes that are polymorphic in the sea urchin genome. Expression of these clones was studied by Northern blot analysis. Both bep1 and bep4 are transcribed during oogenesis into mRNAs of 1.4 kb, which are stored in eggs and utilized during early embryogenesis. None of these RNAs is, in fact, detectable after the gastrula stage. Moreover, the transcripts of three other members of the family are present in eggs and at the 32 cell stage, but they are also synthesized in the early developmental stages.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Clinicopathological features in patients with isolated C3 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

The clinicopathological picture of 'isolated C3 mesangial nephritis' was studied in our case records. Focal and segmental or generalised deposits of C3 in the mesangium were found in 12 of 157 (7.6%) patients with primary glomerulonephritis. The clinical picture, similar to Berger's disease, was characterised by episodes of gross haematuria and/or persistent or recurrent microhaematuria and/or proteinuria. Arterial hypertension and mild renal failure were observed in one case. Light-microscopy showed minor glomerular changes such as focal and segmental increase of mesangial matrix and mesangial hyperplasia. During the short-term follow-up (median 25.5 months) no deterioration of renal function was observed. The clinical course and short-term prognosis suggest that this form of glomerulonephritis is benign.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Clodronate and radiotherapy for the treatment of osteolysis caused by metastasis of breast carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. A retrospective study].

We have retrospectively examined 94 evaluable patients with metastatic osteolysis from breast cancer (BC) and non-small cell lung (NSCLC) cancer, who received RT from Nov. 88 to Nov. 89.27 (15 BC and 12 NSCLC) were in treatment with Clodronate for at least 3 days from the beginning of RT; of the remaining 67 treated with RT alone, 31 had NSCLC and 36 BC. We have evaluated: increase in pain (IP) occurring on the first days of RT, percentages of complete pain relief (CPR) at the end of RT and 4-6 weeks after. A decreased occurrence of IP was observed more in NSCLC patients receiving RT + Clodronate compared to those treated with RT alone (33.3% vs 41.9%). Both at the end of RT and 4-6 weeks after, we registered a significant difference in the percentages of CPR in the RT + Clodronate group (40.7 vs 20.9 and 70.3% vs 53.7%). We believe the points of interest focused in this paper-greater precision in centering and defining the target volume, decreased occurrence of IP during the first days of RT, increase in percentage of CPR--need a prospective confirmation.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pelvic carcinomatous neuropathy: clinical, radiologic, therapeutic implications].

Carcinomatous involvement of the pelvic nerves (Pelvic Carcinomatous Neuropathy-PCN-) causes disabling sensorial and motor disturbances of the lower extremities. Recurrent rectal carcinomas are the most common cause of PCN because surgical obliteration of the perirectal fascia. In 31 cases of PCN Authors describe the types of the neoplasm and the sites of involvement of the pelvic nerves evaluating clinical syndromes and Computed Tomography. The results of radiotherapy (doses between 36-56 Gy) in 14 cases of PCN by recurrent rectal cancer are also reported. Although the survival of such patients is poor, radiotherapy has obtained a good palliative result in 50% of them. Personalization of radiation treatment planning is advisable in order to avoid acute side-effects.

Humans↗