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Biomedical subjects

M Scalamogna

Publications and source records attributed to M Scalamogna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Animal model for liver cell banking from non-heart beating donors after prolonged ischaemia time.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although there is a growing interest on the use of non-heart beating donors to enlarge the liver donor pool, livers with prolonged warm ischaemia time are not currently considered for organ transplantation. We hypothesised that these organs may represent a source of hepatocytes for cell transplantation and/or use in bioartificial liver devices. Thus, we investigated if prolonged ischaemia could influence the recovery and viability of functional hepatocytes dissociated from rat livers. METHODS: Hepatocytes were isolated from the liver within 15 min after death (t=15 min) and after 4, 8 and 12h of ischaemia. Cells were either maintained in culture or cryopreserved. In all products, we evaluated cell recovery and viability, hepatocyte markers and cellular functions, including albumin and urea production. RESULTS: The number of cells per gram of tissue was similar at 15 min, 4 and 8h, while it was significantly decreased at 12h. About 0.2 x 10(6) viable cells expressing hepatocyte markers and producing albumin and urea were isolated up to 8h of ischaemia per gram of tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of viable and functional hepatocytes seems possible after prolonged ischaemia time. These data warrant the evaluation of hepatocyte isolation from human livers of non-heart beating donors.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Immediate graft function positively affects long-term outcome of renal allografts from older but not from younger donors.

There is disagreement about the impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on renal allograft outcome. This may depend on several variables including the age of the donor. We evaluated whether DGF could have different effects in recipients of kidneys from donors aged more than 60 years versus well-matched recipients of younger kidney donors. Patients were retrospectively subdivided into 3 groups. Immediate graft function (IGF), DGF without dialysis (DGF-ND), DGF requiring dialysis (DGF-D). DGF-ND and DGF-D occurred more frequently among 198 older than 198 younger donors (P = .016 and P = .044, respectively). The 5-year patient (96% vs 93%) and pure graft (96% vs 89%) survivals were significantly better in younger recipients, while the incidence of acute rejection was similar. After a mean follow-up of 66 +/- 44 months in older donor recipients, the graft survival was significantly better among IGF than patients in the DGF-ND (P = .046) or DGF-D (P = .003) groups. Instead, in younger recipients there was no difference in graft survival between IGD and DGF-ND. Only patients with DGF-D showed a significantly worse outcome. Upon multivariate analysis of older donors, their recipients, showed the pattern of graft function recovery to be the only variable associated with allograft outcome. Instead in younger donor recipients, acute rejection and time on dialysis were the main variables associated with a poor outcome. In older donor recipients, DGF was an independent variable associated with a poor graft outcome. In younger donor recipients, duration of dialysis and rejection were the most important predictors of poor graft outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus from anti-HBC positive cadaveric organ donors: a collaborative study.

Organ donors with a serologic profile of recovered (HBsAg negative and/or anti-HBc IgG positive) hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) have been reported to transmit HBV to recipients. In Italy, up until 2002, anti-HBc determination was not mandatory. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of HBV transmission among recipients transplanted with organs from anti-HBc positive donors from 1997 to 1999. Anti-HBc was screened in 886 available sera among 964 HBsAg and anti-HCV negative donors. HBV transmission was evaluated in 325 kidney, liver, and heart recipients according to their pretransplant HBV serum profile. Of 210 anti-HBc positive donors, 185 were anti-HBc positive/anti-HBs positive and 25 anti-HBc positive/anti-HBs negative with a prevalence of 20.8% and 2.8%, respectively. One hundred seven sera (51%) were collected from donors after transfusion of blood components, the remainder were either before transfusion or from nontransfused donors. The 210 anti-HBc positive subjects donated 356 kidneys, 117 livers and 117 hearts, among whom follow-up is presently available for 251 kidney, 61 liver, and 25 heart recipients. No HBV transmission was observed independent of the recipient immunological profile among the kidney or heart recipients. In liver recipients, no transmission was reported in recovered or vaccinated patients, while a high incidence (43%) of de novo hepatitis was observed among naive patients. In conclusion, there does not seem to be a risk of transmitting HBV through anti-HBc positive transplants in heart and kidney recipients; only naive liver recipients are at high risk of HBV infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2005

Quality evaluation of solid organ transplant in Italy for the period 2000 to 2002 data from the national transplant center.

BACKGROUND: As part of the increased need for transparency and disclosure of information in health care, the Italian Minister of Health has commissioned the Superior Institute of Health to study health outcomes for several procedures, among which is solid organ transplants. We herein report the results of a quality evaluation of solid organ transplants and on the relationship between hospital volume of activity and outcomes, using the data routinely collected by the National Transplant Center during the period 2000 to 2002. METHODS: We collected and analyzed all the information on solid organ transplants between 2000 and 2002, along with clinical information before and after transplant. Multivariate survival analysis was performed to adjust the follow-up data for the complexity of the cases. Correlation graphs are presented that assess the association between the number of transplants and the adjusted 1-year survival of both the organ and the patient. RESULTS: One-year survival was 92.4% for kidney, 77.8% for liver, and 83.9% for heart. Patient survival was 97.0%, 84.1%, and 83.9%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the number of transplants performed by each center and 1-year survival of the organ. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that survival after organ transplants in Italy is good and that hospital quality, indirectly measured through survival, overlaps that observed in other Western countries.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Identification of a new HLA-B variant, HLA-B*5615.

A new HLA-B allele, B*5615, has been identified in a Caucasian individual by sequence-based typing. This allele shows a sequence identical to that of HLA-B*5601 except for two nucleotide substitutions that cause a change from TTA to TAC at codon 116 and an amino acidic change from Leucine to Tyrosine in the mature protein.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

Description of a new HLA-DRB1*1104, DRB1*110403.

We report here the exon 2 sequence of the novel HLA-DRB1*110403 which differs from DRB1*110401 by a single synonymous nucleotide substitution at codon 78, where TAC is substituted by TAT. The variant originally identified in a Caucasoid individual was confirmed by cloning and sequencing.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

HLA-B*1819, a novel HLA-B allele identified by sequence-based typing.

In this brief communication, we describe a novel human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B) allele (HLA-B*1819). This allele, found in an Italian Caucasian individual, differs from HLA-B*180101 by three nucleotide changes in exon 3. These mutations are located at positions 527, 538, and 539 where a T, a C, and a T are substituted respectively, by an A, a T, and a G, leading to three aminoacidic substitutions at codon 152 from Valine to Glutamic Acid (GTG-->GAG), at codon 155 from Histidine to Glutamine (CAC-->CAG), and at codon 156 from Cysteine to Tryptophan (TGT-->TGG).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Identification of two new HLA-B alleles, HLA-B*0732 and HLA-B*5809, by sequence-based typing.

Here, we have described the characterization of two novel human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B) alleles. The new alleles, HLA-B*0732 and HLA-B*5809, were identified in Italian Caucasian individuals. B*0732 differs from HLA-B*0708 by one nucleotidic change at position 412 (from G to A) in exon 3, leading to an amino acidic substitution from Asp (GAC) to Asn (AAC) at codon 114. The sequence of B*5809 is identical to that of HLA-B*5801, except for a point mutation at position 583 in exon 3, where a T is substituted by a C. This change leads to an amino acidic substitution from Tyr (TAC) to His (CAC) at codon 171.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

A novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*0707.

We report herein the identification of a new HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*0707. This new allele was seen in a volunteer bone marrow donor (ID#118069) belonging to the German bone marrow donor registry (DKMS). HLA-DRB1*0707 was detected while performing HLA-DRB1 high resolution typing by sequence based typing. This novel allele differs from DRB1*070101 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 163 (C-->T) in exon 2.

HLA-DR Antigens↗
PubMed2003

Characterization of two new HLA-B alleles by sequence-based typing: HLA-B*0817 and HLA-B*1311.

In this brief communication we report the characterization of two new HLA-B variants officially named HLA-B*0817 and HLA-B*1311. The HLA-B*0817 allele was identified in a Caucasoid male candidate for renal transplantation in the North Italy Transplant program. The nucleotidic sequence of exons 2, 3 and 4 of this novel allele is identical to that of HLA-B*0804 except for three point mutations in exon 2: from A to G at position 259, from C to G at position 261 and from G to A at position 302. These mutations are responsible for two aminoacidic substitutions [Asn (r) Glu, codon 63, and Ser (r) Asn, codon 77]. HLA-B*1311 was found in a volunteer donor belonging to National Marrow Donor Program(R). This new variant is identical to that of HLA-B*1301 except for three nucleotide substitutions at positions 353, 355 and 369 leading to two aminoacidic variations from Ile to Thr at codon 94 and from Ile to Leu at codon 95 and a silent mutation at codon 99.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Identification of a novel HLA-DRB1 allele: DRB1*1353.

In this report we describe a new HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*1353, which was initially recognized by a discrepancy between the results obtained with polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) and sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Sequence-based typing revealed sequence differences with other known HLA-DRB1 alleles. DRB1*1353 is identical to DRB1*13011 except for two nucleotide substitutions at nucleotide 84 (C(r)G) and at nucleotide 140 (T(r)A). These differences give rise to two amino acid substitutions at codons 28 and 47 from Asp to Glu and from Phe to Tyr, respectively.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

HLA-B*5808, a new HLA-B allele characterized by sequence based typing.

This brief communication describes a new HLA-B allele (HLA-B*5808) detected in an Italian white volunteer bone marrow donor. With serology, this subject was typed as HLA-B15,17, whereas with molecular biology B*15, B*51, B*52 and/or B*58 could be assigned. In order to clarify the results, direct and cloning sequencing of exons 2, 3 and 4 were carried out. This new allele is identical to HLA-B*5801 in exon 2 except for a silent point mutation at nucleotide 141 where a C is substituted by a T; exons 3 and 4 are typical of HLA-B*51, B*52 and B*78. The peculiar sequence of B*5808 could explain the discrepancy between the serological and molecular typing results.

Alleles↗
PubMed2002

High frequency of anti-endomysial reactivity in candidates to heart transplant.

BACKGROUND: A possible link between coeliac disease and dilated cardiomyopathy has recently been suggested. AIMS: . To assess the frequency of anti-endomysial antibodies, the marker for coeliac disease, in patients with different forms of heart failure, and to establish the clinical features of those endomysial antibody positive. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: . A total of 642 consecutive patients entering the waiting list for heart transplantation from 1995 through 1997 were studied. The prevalence of endomysial IgA antibodies, determined by indirect immunofluorescence, was compared to that observed in three surveys conducted in the Italian general population. RESULTS: Of the 642 patients, 12 (1.9%; 95% confidence interval 0.97-3.2) resulted endomysial antibody positive, versus 34/9,720 healthy controls (0.35%; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.47), accounting for a relative risk of 5.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.8-10.3). Anti-endomysial antibodies were found in 6/275 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 6/367 with other forms of heart failure (2.2% versus 1.6%; 95% confidence interval 0.8-4.7 and 0.6-3.5), with no statistical difference. The 12 endomysial antibody positive patients were leaner (body mass index, 22.0 +/- 1.9 vs 24.2 +/- 3. 1, p<0. 05) than 36 seronegative patients matched for baseline demographics and aetiology of cardiomyopathy No differences were observed as regards clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic features, mortality in waiting list and 2-year post-transplant survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with end-stage heart failure are at increased risk for coeliac disease as compared to the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Characterization of a new HLA-DRB3 allele, DRB3*0217, by direct sequencing.

We report the identification of a novel DRB3*02 using sequence-based typing (SBT). This new allele, officially named DRB3*0217, was detected while performing HLA high resolution typing of a bone marrow recipient and his siblings. DNA sequencing demonstrated the presence of a nucleotide substitution in exon 2 at position 199 where a C was substituted by a T. This point mutation at codon 67 (CTC-->TTC) has resulted in an amino acid substitution from Leucine to Phenylalanine.

Alleles↗
PubMed2002

Allele frequencies of polymorphisms of TNFA, IL-6, IL-10 and IFNG in an Italian Caucasian population.

Polymorphisms in the regulatory and intronic regions of several cytokines have been associated with differential cytokine production. In this paper we genotyped, using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method, a series of 363 healthy Italian Caucasians with the aim of obtaining a reference population for further studies on the role of cytokines in the inflammatory and immune responses. We also compared the results to those for other populations. The polymorphisms analysed were those of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interferon gamma (IFNG). We found that the frequency of allele TNFA*1 at position -380 was 87.7% and that of TNFA*2 was 12.4%, significantly different from those of the UK and Japanese populations but not different from that of a population in Gambia. For IL-10 the frequencies of alleles -1082A and -1082G were 63.0% and 37.0% and those of alleles -819C, - 819T, -592C and -592A were 70.8, 29.2, 70.8 and 29.2%, respectively, significantly different from those observed in south-east England, in Manchester and in an Oriental population from southern China. The frequencies of IL-6 alleles - 174C and -174G were 29.0 and 71.0%, respectively; for IFNG polymorphisms at position -874, in the population under evaluation, the alleles -874T and -874A were present in 44.7 and 55.3% of the subjects, respectively. Genotype frequencies of IL-6 were significantly different from those observed in populations from Germany and from the UK. The analysis carried out by our group indicates that there is heterogeneity in the frequencies of the cytokine polymorphisms among the different Caucasian populations, and this underlines the importance of a 'local' reference population when evaluating the clinical relevance of cytokine gene polymorphisms.

Adult↗