Biomedical subjects

M Pugliese

Publications and source records attributed to M Pugliese.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

How healthy are clones and their progeny: 5 years of field experience.

There is considerable concern regarding the health of cloned cattle and their safety as a source of food. The objective was to summarize 5 years of commercial experience with cloning in three countries (United States, Argentina and Brazil). Overall, only 9% of transferred embryos resulted in calves; efficiency ranged from 0 to 45% (most were from 1 to 10%, but 24% of cell lines never produced live calves). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate following transfer of one versus two embryos. Before 90 days of gestation, two ultrasound markers for embryo death were found, either crown rump length (CRL) or heart beat less than 7.5mm and 150bpm, respectively, were observed alone or together in 27% of clones that died. In addition, after 100 days of pregnancy, placental edema, hydrops fetalis and increased abdominal circumference size were used as ultrasound findings of a fetus at risk of loss. At 114 days of gestation, abdominal circumference in clones that died was statistically larger than in clones that survived alive to term and from MOET- and IVF-derived pregnancies (P<0.05). Since elective cesarean section (C-section) was partially replaced by natural or assisted parturition, C-section rates decreased from 100% in 2000 to 54% in 2005. On average, 42% of cloned calves died between delivery and 150 days of life; the most common abnormalities were: enlarged umbilical cord (37%), respiratory problems (19%), calves depressed/prolonged recumbency (20%) and contracted flexor tendons (21%). From 11 blood parameters evaluated during the first week of life, lactate decreased twice and glucose doubled its original value from 24h to 7 days. Adult cloned females had normal breeding and calving rates and cloned bulls produced good quality semen and had normal fertility when used for AI or natural mating. In conclusion, cloning had no risks qualitatively different from those encountered in animals involved in modern agricultural practices, although the frequency of the risks appeared to be increased in cattle during the early portions of the life cycle of cattle clones.

Animal Welfare↗

PubMed2005

Fragmentation studies of relativistic iron ions using plastic nuclear track detectors.

We measured fluence and fragmentation of high-energy (1 or 5 A GeV) 56Fe ions accelerated at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron or at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY, USA) using solid-state CR-39 nuclear track detectors. Different targets (polyethylene, PMMA, C, Al, Pb) were used to produce a large spectrum of charged fragments. CR-39 plastics were exposed both in front and behind the shielding block (thickness ranging from 5 to 30 g/cm2) at a normal incidence and low fluence. The radiation dose deposited by surviving Fe ions and charged fragments was measured behind the shield using an ionization chamber. The distribution of the measured track size was exploited to distinguish the primary 56Fe ions tracks from the lighter fragments. Measurements of projectile's fluence in front of the shield were used to determine the dose per incident particle behind the block. Simultaneous measurements of primary 56Fe ion tracks in front and behind the shield were used to evaluate the fraction of surviving iron projectiles and the total charge-changing fragmentation cross-section. These physical measurements will be used to characterize the beam used in parallel biological experiments.

Aluminum↗

PubMed2005

Modelled microgravity does not modify the yield of chromosome aberrations induced by high-energy protons in human lymphocytes.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of modelled microgravity on radiation-induced chromosome aberrations (CAs). G0 peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to 60 MeV protons or 250 kVp X-rays in the dose range 0-6 Gy, and allowed to repair DNA damage for 24 h under either normal gravity or microgravity modelled by the NASA-designed rotating-wall bioreactor. Cells were then stimulated to proliferate by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) under normal gravity conditions and prematurely condensed chromosomes were harvested after 48 h. CAs were scored in chromosomes 1 and 2 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Proliferation gravisensitivity was examined by cell growth curves and by morphological evaluation of mitogen-induced activation. Cell replication rounds were monitored by bromodeoxyuridine labelling. Modelled microgravity markedly reduced PHA-mediated lymphocyte blastogenesis and cell growth. However, no significant differences between normal gravity and modelled microgravity were found in the dose-response curves for the induction of aberrant cells or total interchromosomal exchange frequency. Rotating-wall bioreactor-based microgravity reproduced space-related alterations of mitogen stimulation in human lymphocytes but did not affect the yield of CAs induced by low-linear energy transfer radiation.

Cell Proliferation↗

PubMed2005

Role of telecardiology in the assessment of angina in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome.

We compared two models of assistance (telecardiology versus usual care) for patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in the assessment of angina. Two hundred patients were randomized into two groups at discharge for ACS: Group A to telecardiology and Group B to usual care. Early hospital readmission (in the first month) occurred in 16 patients (seven in Group A and nine in Group B). Six of Group A were readmitted for a cardiac cause (non-cardiac in one). Angina was the only cardiac cause. Five of the Group B patients were readmitted for a cardiac cause (non-cardiac in four). The results of the present study emphasize that patients with ACS suffer from a definite rate of cardiac symptoms within the first month (63%). Angina occurs more frequently within the first two weeks (68% of cases). Telecardiology slightly reduces hospital readmissions (telecardiology 44% versus usual care 56%), but better identifies true angina.

Angina, Unstable↗

PubMed2005

Cytogenetic effects of high-energy iron ions: dependence on shielding thickness and material.

We report results for chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after they were exposed to high-energy iron ions with or without shielding at the HIMAC, AGS and NSRL accelerators. Isolated lymphocytes were exposed to iron ions with energies between 200 and 5000 MeV/nucleon in the 0.1-1-Gy dose range. Shielding materials consisted of polyethylene, lucite (PMMA), carbon, aluminum and lead, with mass thickness ranging from 2 to 30 g/cm2. After exposure, lymphocytes were stimulated to grow in vitro, and chromosomes were prematurely condensed using a phosphatase inhibitor (calyculin A). Aberrations were scored using FISH painting. The yield of total interchromosomal exchanges (including dicentrics, translocations and complex rearrangements) increased linearly with dose or fluence in the range studied. Shielding decreased the effectiveness per unit dose of iron ions. The highest RBE value was measured with the 1 GeV/nucleon iron-ion beam at NSRL. However, the RBE for the induction of aberrations apparently is not well correlated with the mean LET. When shielding thickness was increased, the frequency of aberrations per particle incident on the shield increased for the 500 MeV/nucleon ions and decreased for the 1 GeV/nucleon ions. Maximum variation at equal mass thickness was obtained with light materials (polyethylene, carbon or PMMA). Variations in the yield of chromosomal aberrations per iron particle incident on the shield follow variations in the dose per incident particle behind the shield but can be modified by the different RBE of the mixed radiation field produced by nuclear fragmentation. The results suggest that shielding design models should be benchmarked using both physics and biological data.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

PubMed2004

Gamma-aminobutyric acidergic interneuron vulnerability to aging in canine prefrontal cortex.

The aged dog is considered a promising model for examining molecular and cellular processes involved in a variety of human neurological disorders. By using the canine counterpart of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (ccSDAT), we investigated the specific vulnerability of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) cortical subset of interneurons, characterized by their calcium-binding protein content, to neuronal death. Dogs representing a large variety of breeds were classified into three groups: young control, aged control, and ccSDAT. In all dogs, the general distribution and cell typology of parvalbumin-, calretinin-, and calbindin-positive neurons were found to be similar to those in the human. As in Alzheimer's disease patients, neurons displaying parvalbumin or calretinin immunoreactivity were resistant and the calbindin-positive ones depleted. Together with aging, amyloid deposition in its early phase (stage II) participates in this specific neuronal death, but with a lower potency. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that preservation of GABAergic cortical interneurons has to be focused on the early stage of beta-amyloid deposition. We also demonstrate the usefulness of dogs of all breeds for investigating the early phases of human brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Aging↗

PubMed2004

Chromosomal aberrations induced by high-energy iron ions with shielding.

Biophysical models are commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of shielding in reducing the biological damage caused by cosmic radiation in space flights. To improve and validate these codes biophysical experiments are needed. We have measured the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to 500 MeV/n iron ion beams (dose range 0.1-1 Gy) after traversing shields of different material (lucite, aluminium, or lead) and thickness (0-11.3 g/cm2). For comparison, cells were exposed to 200 MeV/n iron ions and to X-rays. Chromosomes were prematurely condensed by a phosphatase inhibitor (calyculin A) to avoid cell-cycle selection produced by the exposure to high-LET heavy-ion beams. Aberrations were scored in chromosomes 1, 2, and 4 following fluorescence in situ hybridization. The fraction of aberrant lymphocytes has been evaluated as a function of the dose at the sample position, and of the fluence of primary 56Fe ions hitting the shield. The influence of shield thickness on the action cross-section for the induction of exchange-type aberrations has been analyzed, and the dose average-LET measured as a function of the shield thickness. These preliminary results prove that the effectiveness of heavy ions is modified by shielding, and the biological damage is dependent upon shield thickness and material.

Aluminum↗

PubMed2004

Putative glucosensing property in rat and human activated microglia.

Microglial cells involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases acquire the features of cytotoxic and phagocytic cells in response to certain pathogens and inflammatory signals. K(ATP) channels are energy sensors of ATP availability that link the cell's metabolic state to its membrane excitability. In pancreatic beta cells, they promote glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and in neurones, hyperpolarization that protects against hypoxic damage. This study analyses activated microglia in an in vivo rat neurodegenerative model based on acute hippocampal glutamate receptor overactivation and in postmortem samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease. We demonstrate that in activated microglia the K(ATP) channel components SUR-1 or SUR-2 are present together with glucokinase. Our results indicate that, according to glucose availability, these channels may modify microglia membrane potential. The functional relevance of these channels is seen as a new mechanism modulating the effects of external signals on microglia.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Accumulation history of radionuclides in the lichen Stereocaulon vesuvianum from Mt. Vesuvius (south Italy).

The fruticose lichen Stereocaulon vesuvianum, growing on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius (south Italy), was used as a biomonitor of 134Cs, 137Cs, 103Ru and 106Ru derived from the April 26 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident. Samples were taken at five different quotes (370, 490, 580, 780 and 960 m a.s.l.) and four successive dates (October 1986, December 1986, October 1987 and May 1999). At the first sampling, the concentrations (as Bq kg(-1) dry weight) ranged between 460 and 1020 for 134Cs, 1330 and 2500 for 137Cs, 90 and 200 for 103Ru and 360 and 710 for 106Ru, values generally lower in respect to those measured in soil and higher plants. Of the total 137Cs measured only 14% was due to 1950s and 1960s nuclear weapons tests fallout. Highest average activities of all nuclides were observed at the quote of 960 m and significant correlation (0.7<r(2)<0.9) with altitude was found for 106Ru and 137Cs values. The time span between the first two samplings (38 days) was enough to highlight only the decay of 103Ru (T1/2=40 days). At sampling performed 1 year later (October 1987) only 134Cs, 137Cs, and 106Ru were observed. Thirteen years after the Chernobyl incident (May 1999), although a decrease was obvious with time, the 137Cs content in lichen thallus was still appreciable (270-570 Bq kg(-1) dw). Experimental results from the first three samplings yield effective residence time of 0.98+/-0.07, 5.9+/-0.3 and 1.6+/-0.1 years for 106Ru, 137Cs and 134Cs, respectively. The last sampling of May 1999 allowed to achieve a more precise determination of lifetime of 137Cs (6.1+/-0.4 years).

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗

PubMed2004

Fluocinolone acetonide topical oil for scalp psoriasis.

Numerous preparations that are available for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp contain high potency steroids, such as betamethasone dipropionate lotion or clobetasol propionate solution. Of special interest is a currently marketed oil preparation that contains the steroid fluocinolone acetonide (0.01%), classified as low potency (Class 6) steroid. Because the combination of emollients in the vehicle base are present to aid in softening the stratum corneum and allow penetration of the steroid component into the lower skin layer, it was thought this preparation would be an efficient treatment for psoriasis of the scalp. This study was designed to demonstrate the efficacy, tolerance and safety of fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% in oil, compared to its vehicle, for the treatment of scalp psoriasis. This was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled multi-center study in patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. At the completion of the treatment period (21 days) all signs of psoriasis had improved in both treatment groups, the improvements in the FA group being significantly greater compared to those in the vehicle-treated group. The results of the physician global assessments of improvement in the signs of psoriasis from baseline confirmed the findings. Significantly more patients in the FA group had a good or better improvement from baseline compared to the number in the vehicle-treated group. The results of this study conclusively show that FA in an oil base that aids in the softening of the skin and allows penetration of the steroid into the stratum corneum, is an effective treatment for psoriasis of the scalp. This study also showed that the vehicle alone causes an improvement in the signs of psoriasis, but that the addition of 0.1% of the low potency steroid, fluocinolone acetonide, leads to a significantly better improvement.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2003

Biological dosimetry in Russian and Italian astronauts.

Large uncertainties are associated with estimates of equivalent dose and cancer risk for crews of long-term space missions. Biological dosimetry in astronauts is emerging as a useful technique to compare predictions based on quality factors and risk coefficients with actual measurements of biological damage in-flight. In the present study, chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in one Italian and eight Russian cosmonauts following missions of different duration on the MIR and the international space station (ISS). We used the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to visualize translocations in chromosomes 1 and 2. In some cases, an increase in chromosome damage was observed after flight, but no correlation could be found between chromosome damage and flight history, in terms of number of flights at the time of sampling, duration in space and extra-vehicular activity. Blood samples from one of the cosmonauts were exposed in vitro to 6 MeV X-rays both before and after the flight. An enhancement in radiosensitivity induced by the spaceflight was observed.

Astronauts↗

PubMed2001

Cortical localization of reading in normal children: an fMRI language study.

BACKGROUND: fMRI provides a noninvasive means of identifying the location and organization of neural networks that underlie cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE: To identify, using fMRI, brain regions involved in processing written text in children. METHODS: The authors studied nine normal right-handed native English-speaking children, aged 10.2 years (range 7.9 to 13.3 years), with two paradigms: reading Aesop's Fables and "Read Response Naming" (reading a description of an object that was then silently named). Data were acquired using blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI. Group data were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping; individual data sets were analyzed with a region-of-interest approach from individual study t maps. The number of activated pixels was determined in brain regions and an asymmetry index (AI = [L - R]/[L + R]) calculated for each region. RESULTS: The authors found strong activation in the left middle temporal gyrus and left midfrontal gyrus and variable activation in left inferior frontal gyrus for both reading tasks in the group analysis (z > 5.5 to 9.1). All subjects had strong left-sided lateralization for both tasks in middle/superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus (AI = 0.76 to 1.0 for t = 4). Reading Fables activated twice as many pixels in temporal cortex as the Read Response Naming task; activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was similar for both tasks. Small homologous right middle temporal region activation was seen with reading a fable. CONCLUSIONS: The neural networks that process reading appear to be lateralized and localized by middle to late childhood. Reading text paradigms may prove useful for identifying frontal and temporal language-processing areas and for determining language dominance in children experiencing epilepsy or undergoing tumor surgery.

Brain Mapping↗

PubMed2001

On the radiosensitivity of man in space.

Astronauts' radiation exposure limits are based on experimental and epidemiological data obtained on Earth. It is assumed that radiation sensitivity remains the same in the extraterrestrial space. However, human radiosensitivity is dependent upon the response of the hematopoietic tissue to the radiation insult. It is well known that the immune system is affected by microgravity. We have developed a mathematical model of radiation-induced myelopoiesis which includes the effect of microgravity on bone marrow kinetics. It is assumed that cellular radiosensitivity is not modified by the space environment, but repopulation rates of stem and stromal cells are reduced as a function of time in weightlessness. A realistic model of the space radiation environment, including the HZE component, is used to simulate the radiation damage. A dedicated computer code was written and applied to solar particle events and to the mission to Mars. The results suggest that altered myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis in microgravity might increase human radiosensitivity in space.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed2001

Calibration curves for biological dosimetry by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

Dose-response curves were measured for the induction of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes after acute exposure in vitro to 60Co gamma rays. Blood was obtained from four different healthy donors, and chromosomes were either observed at metaphase, following colcemid accumulation, or prematurely condensed by calyculin A. Cells were analysed in three different Italian laboratories. Chromosomes 1, 2, and 4 were painted, and simple-type interchanges between painted and non-painted chromosomes were scored in cells exposed in the dose range 0.1-3.0 Gy. The chemical-induced premature chromosome condensation method was also used combined with chromosome painting (chromosome 4 only) to determine calibration curves for high dose exposures (up to 20 Gy X rays). Calibration curves described in this paper will be used in our laboratories for biological dosimetry by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Inactivation of human cells exposed to fractionated doses of low energy protons: relationship between cell sensitivity and recovery efficiency.

Within the framework of radiation biophysics research in the hadrontherapy field, split-dose studies have been performed on four human cell lines with different radiation sensitivity (SCC25, HF19, H184B5 F5-1 M10, and SQ20B). Low energy protons of about 8 and 20 keV/micron LET and gamma-rays were used to study the relationship between the recovery ratio and the radiation quality. Each cell line was irradiated with two dose values corresponding to survival levels of about 5% and 1%. The same total dose was also delivered in two equal fractions separated by 1.5, 3, and 4.5 hours. A higher maximum recovery ratio was observed for radiosensitive cell lines as compared to radioresistant cells. The recovery potential after split doses was small for slow protons, compared to low-LET radiation. These data show that radiosensitivity may not be related to a deficient recovery, and suggest a possible involvement of inducible repair mechanisms.

Cell Line↗

PubMed2001

Cell inactivation by beryllium, boron and carbon ions at the low-energy irradiation facility of the Naples University.

The 3MV HVEC TTT-3 Tandem accelerator at the University of Naples, already used for radiobiological studies with protons and alpha particles, was set up for irradiation of biological samples with low energy carbon, boron, and beryllium beams. Radiobiological characterisation and study of these ion beams is essential in hadrontherapy (correction of hadrotherapy) to understand, for example, the possible biological effect of the target fragmentation products. Furthermore in space radiation biology we need to know the biological effects of heavy ions, a component of cosmic radiation that can contribute to the radiobiological risk when long sojourns in space are concerned. V79 Chinese hamster cells were irradiated with the different ions and the resulting cell inactivation data are reported.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

A model of radiation-induced myelopoiesis in space.

Cell Survival↗

PubMed2000

A compact multiparameter acquisition system for radon concentration studies

A compact device suitable to acquire and display, at the same time, radon concentrations in a given atmosphere, and the environmental parameters characterising the atmosphere, is presented and described. It consists of two main blocks: (i) a detection section including a set of sensors for measuring pressure, humidity and temperature, and a set of silicon surface barrier detectors mounted in electrostatic cells collecting the ionised radon daughters; (ii) a single NIM module featuring an eight channel 12 bit ADC and the linear electronics to shape the signals from the silicon detectors. The system is controlled by a computer via a RS232 port. The software, implemented in Visual Basic, allows to display the energy distribution of the pulses coming from the alpha detectors and to initialise and control all phases of the acquisition. The results of preliminary tests show the high reliability of the system.

Journal Article↗