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Biomedical subjects

M Occhionero

Publications and source records attributed to M Occhionero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Bizarreness of size and shape in dream images.

Bizarreness in dreams is defined as an unusual combination of features in the phenomenal unified consciousness, that is, an incoherent simulation of the waking world. The present study investigated the specific mechanisms underlying dream image production and the phenomenal unity of consciousness by focusing on size and shape bizarreness. Data were derived from a Dream Data Bank of experimental dream studies. Analyses revealed that feature distortion was quite infrequent. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive processes proposed in a dream production model. Theoretical cognitive constructs, such as Kosslyn's imagery model, memory systems functioning, and binding, were used to speculate about these two specific types of bizarreness.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Slow wave and REM sleep mentation.

The aim of this experiment was to compare the characteristics of mental activity during REM and Slow Wave Sleep (SWS). Forty dream reports and their mnemonic associations were collected from twenty subjects. The reports were analyzed for structure (number of temporal units, number of report multi-units, and narrative continuity), awareness (reality testing, subjective time), and content (self, setting, laboratory references, number of non-self characters, implausibility, body feelings, number and intensity of emotions, vividness). Associations were classified as episodic and semantic memories. Results showed that REM reports were significantly longer than SWS reports. Minor content SWS-REM differences were also detected, which were more quantitative than qualitative. The collected observations might support the tentative hypothesis that dreaming is a continuous process, which is not unique to REM sleep. Different levels of engagement of the cognitive system are responsible for the SWS-REM differences that were detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of mental activity during sleep onset and morning awakening.

The aims of the experiment were: (1) to establish the proportion of sleep stages in morning spontaneous awakening and to observe whether any stage-dependent differences can be found in the mentation reports; and (2) to compare the characteristics of mental activity during sleep onset (SO) and during the latest sleep period. One hundred forty-four dream reports and their association reports were collected from 36 subjects in a lab experimental design. Dream reports were analyzed as to structure (length, narrative continuity), content (self, setting, lab references, nonself characters, dimensional distortions, body feelings, bizarreness and emotions), and awareness (reality testing). Associations were classified as episodic, abstract self-referred, and semantic memories. The morning awakenings results were not affected by the stage of sleep during which dreaming occurs. SO reports prevalently show a lifelike nature, while sleep-offset reports are prevalently dreamlike. On the other hand, there seems to be a similar availability of mnemonic systems in the two sleep conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Use of benzodiazepines in the Italian general population: prevalence, pattern of use and risk factors for use.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and profile of use of benzodiazepines in the Italian population and risk factors for use. Between November 1992 and February 1993, 62 general practitioners submitted a validated self-administered questionnaire on health status and drug use to a randomised sample of 3100 subjects ( > or = 18 years of age, stratified by sex and age), of whom 2803 responded (response, rate 90.4%). Main outcome measures were point estimate (past-week) of all the drugs taken by each individual, dosage and length of use and source of the prescription. The overall past-week prevalence of use of benzodiazepines was 8.6% (5.0% males and 11.8% females). In the elderly ( > or = 65 years) 18.8% reported current use (9.0% males and 24.7% females). Fifty-six per cent of the persons exposed to a benzodiazepine were chronic users (daily, for more than 6 months), and 70.1% in subjects > or = 65 years. The average daily dose taken was relatively low: 61% of short-term users and 51% of chronic users used less than half a defined daily dose (DDD). Female sex, older age, unemployment and retirement were independently associated with the use of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepine use in Italy appeared to be relatively high (about 9% of subjects reported current use 57% of whom were chronic users). Women were prescribed a benzodiazepine twice as often as men and one out of four elderly women was on treatment. Although the average dosage used was rather low, the high prevalence and the elevated proportion of chronic users should encourage drug information campaigns and educational interventions to promote a more conservative use of these drugs especially in the elderly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Slow wave sleep dreaming.

Fifty volunteers slept two nonconsecutive nights in a sleep laboratory under electropolygraphic control. They were awakened for one report per night. Awakenings were made, in counterbalanced order, from slow wave sleep (SWS--stage 3-4 and stage 4) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Following dream reporting, subjects were asked to identify memory sources of their dream imagery. Two independent judges reliably rated mentation reports for temporal units and for several content and structural dimensions. The same judges also categorized memory sources as autobiographical episodes, abstract self-references, or semantic knowledge. We found that REM reports were significantly longer than SWS reports. Minor content SWS-REM differences were also detected. Moreover, semantic knowledge was more frequently mentioned as a dream source for REM than for SWS dream reports. These findings are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that dreaming is a continuous process that is not unique to REM sleep. Different levels of engagement of the cognitive system are responsible for the few SWS-REM differences that have been detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Trends in meningococcal disease in Italy in 1988.

Meningococcal disease in Italy decreased 15% in 1988 from the previous year (290 vs. 342 cases). The decline was particularly evident in military cases (1.7/100,000 in 1988 vs. 5/100,000 in 1987) reflecting the full coverage of bivalent serogroup (A + C) meningococcal polysaccaride vaccine in army recruits, achieved since January 1988. The highest proportion of cases was seen in people older than 25 years of age (25%). Serogroup C constituted 60% of the isolates, while 19% belonged to serogroup B. The proportion of strains resistant to sulphonamides was 45%, while 15% were resistant to Minocycline and none to Rifampin. Out of the five military cases, only one (due to serogroup C) was attributable to the vaccine failure. A single coprimary case, but no secondary cases occurred among civilians. These findings are consistent with the trends reported in Italy in the previous years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Genomic fingerprints and phenotypic characteristics of strains of Neisseria meningitidis causing disease in Italy.

Since 1984 a change in the epidemiological pattern of meningococcal disease in Italy has occurred with a predominance of Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup C (76%), serotype 2a and a high proportion of strains resistant to sulfonamides (71%). To better understand the epidemiology of the group C N. meningitidis strains responsible for the disease over the last five years in Italy, we studied the DNA fingerprinting of 62 strains in combination with serotyping and sulfonamide susceptibility testing. The results show that the phenotypical features as well as the fingerprints of the strains studied were similar, suggesting the spread of a single clone in the patients studied. This is in agreement with the circulation of strains typical of epidemic situations, despite the decreasing incidence of the disease in Italy during the examined period.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

The effect of meningococcal group A and C polysaccharide vaccine on nasopharyngeal carrier state.

The effect of Neisseria meningitidis group A and C polysaccharide vaccine on nasopharyngeal carriage was studied in Italian army recruits. Throat swabs were cultured for N. meningitidis at the time of vaccination (one week after entry to service) and again three weeks later in a follow-up cohort of 98 men. At the first survey the overall carriage rate was 32% with 9% of isolates due to serogroup C, none to serogroup A and 17% to serogroup Y. At the second survey the overall carriage rate reached 52% (P less than 0.01); no isolate belonged to serogroup A or C, while serogroup Y reached 40% (P less than 0.01). The cumulative carriage rate was 65%. Out of the 64 carriers during the whole study period, only 7 (11%) belonged to the same serogroup during the two different surveys. The vaccination appears to influence the carriage rate of meningococcal specific serogroups. The inhibition of serogroups A and C is, however, offset by an increased prevalence of meningococci belonging to serogroup Y.

Bacterial Vaccines↗
PubMed1989

Trends in meningococcal disease in Italy 1987.

Meningococcal disease in Italy decreased 29% in 1987 from the previous year. The highest number of cases was seen in the 1-4 year-old age group (27%). The frequency in army recruits was 5/100,000, still higher than the 0.57/100,000 in the general population, but less than the 7/100,000 reported in the previous year. Sixty-three percent of the isolates belonged to serogroup C while serogroup B constituted 25%. The proportion of strains resistant to sulphonamides was 52.6%. Six strains were resistant to rifampin and none to minocyclin. No secondary cases occurred. These results are consistent with the trends reported in Italy in 1986. There were two findings of interest in 1987: the absence of secondary cases, attributable to the appropriate administration of chemoprophylaxis; and the decrease in military cases, reflecting the use of bivalent serogroup (A + C) meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in all new military recruits since January 1987.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1989

Meningococcal disease in Italy.

In 1985, nationwide surveillance of meningococcal disease aimed at establishing appropriate guidelines for prophylaxis started in Italy. The incidence of disease was 1.1/100,000 in 1985 and 0.6/100,000 in 1987. This decreasing trend was particularly evident among military recruits (from 17.3/100,000 in 1985 to 5/100,000 in 1987), reflecting the use of bivalent serogroup (A + C) meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in all new recruits since January 1987. The age distribution of cases was statistically different from that observed during the 1970s (P less than 0.001), with a shift towards older age groups. Men have been in the majority (516 vs. 358, P less than 0.0000001). Group C has been the most common serogroup encountered (72.2%), while only 18% of the isolates belonged to serogroup B. Among military recruits, serogroup C accounted for 92% (81/88) of the cases. The proportion of strains resistant to sulphonamides was 67%, while only 3% strains were resistant to rifampicin and to minocycline. Reduced susceptibility to ampicillin and to penicillin was observed in 3 and 4% strains respectively. Nine secondary cases were all due to failure in the administration of chemoprophylaxis (sulphonamide given in seven cases, prophylaxis not attempted in two cases). Immunisation of all new military recruits and effective chemoprophylaxis of close contacts of cases are the major guidelines provided by the National Meningitis Surveillance Programme.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Surveillance of meningococcal meningitis in the Latium region, Italy 1984-1985.

A surveillance system on meningococcal meningitis was set up in an Italian region in 1984, to monitor the trend and distribution of the disease, to acquire bacteriological data, to evaluate control measures. Results of the first two years show no overall increase in the incidence of the disease, on the other hand an increased incidence in the 15-24 age group, a high fatality rate, a prevalence of serogroup C and serotype 2a and widespread resistance to sulfonamides were observed. Features characteristic of an epidemic period are thus present in the context of an endemic setting.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Clostridium difficile isolation in leukemic children on maintenance cancer chemotherapy. A preliminary study.

Between December 1982 and November 1983, stool specimens from 15 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who were on maintenance cancer chemotherapy, were examined weekly for the presence of Clostridium difficile and its toxin. Four out of 15 patients were positive for C. difficile: three patients had stool specimens that did not contain toxin, but cultures yielded growth of toxigenic C. difficile on only one occasion. The fourth patient, who had a recent history of hospitalization, particularly aggressive cancer chemotherapy, neutropenia, and antibiotic therapy, excreted both C. difficile and its toxin for at least 1 month. All children were asymptomatic at the time of positive cultures. This preliminary study reveals a low rate of C. difficile colonization in leukemic children on maintenance cancer chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Functional characterization of lymphokines from the EL-4 T cell line that activate macrophages for nonspecific tumor cytotoxicity.

Culture fluids from a phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated EL-4 thymoma cell line were previously found to activate mouse macrophages to become nonspecifically tumoricidal. By gel filtration, 23,000- and 45,000-MW peaks were identified. In this study we compared EL-4 culture fluid activity with that obtained from antigen-stimulated mouse spleen cells. By four criteria, functional activity from the two sources was comparable: 1) Macrophage activation could be separated temporally into two steps, priming and triggering. 2) Macrophages activated by the fluids exhibited peak cytotoxic activity within 5-9 hr; no cytotoxic activity was demonstrable if addition of target cells was delayed 14 hr. 3) Mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages, but not resident macrophages, became cytotoxic after a 5-hr incubation with culture fluids. 4) Macrophages from certain strains of mice were incapable of activation; the same pattern of strain unresponsiveness was observed with both EL-4 and spleen cell culture fluids. Thus, it is likely that the two EL-4 products and the mouse spleen cell lymphokine activate the same cytotoxic mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Cytotoxin and enterotoxin production by Clostridium difficile.

30 strains of Cl. difficile isolated from faeces of patients with pseudomembranous colitis (PMC), antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAC) and other intestinal disorders and from faeces of asymptomatic carriers were studied for production of toxins. Tissue culture assay was used for the detection of cytotoxin (toxin B) and ileal loop test for enterotoxin (toxin A). All Cl. difficile isolates from patients with PMC and AAC were found to produce cytotoxin, whereas enterotoxin was demonstrated only in approximately 70% of strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

In vitro susceptibility of Clostridium difficile isolates to 12 antimicrobial agents.

The "in vitro" susceptibility of 48 strains of "Clostridium difficile" to 12 antimicrobial agents was determined by agar dilution method. All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, metronidazole, piperacillin, vancomycin and N-formimidoylthienamycin, resistant or intermediate to the new cephalosporins: cefoxitin, cefotaxime and moxalactam. For clindamycin, the MIC distribution appeared to be bimodal with 41.7% of the strains susceptible to 8 micrograms/ml and 58.3% resistant to 128 micrograms/ml; 90% of these strains were also resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The percentage of resistant strains in the isolates from patients with pseudomembranous colitis is significantly higher than in the isolates from patients with antibiotic-associated colitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗