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Biomedical subjects

N Vonesch

Publications and source records attributed to N Vonesch.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prevalence and incidence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi and to tick-borne encephalitis virus in agricultural and forestry workers from Tuscany, Italy.

The ticks Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ricinus are the main vectors of both Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus in Eurasia. Borrelia burgdorferi is the cause of Lyme borreliosis, and TBE is a biphasic meningoencephalitis induced by an arbovirus belonging to the flavivirus family. The principal aims of the current investigation were (i) to determine the frequency of serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and TBE infections in healthy agricultural and forestry workers, (ii) to determine the incidence of seroconversion for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and TBE virus in Tuscan workers during a 1-year survey; and (iii) to assess the occupational risk for agricultural and forestry activities in a defined area (Tuscany, Italy). A total of 412 blood samples were taken from agricultural and forestry workers, and information on age, duration of employment, and history of tick bites was collected in a questionnaire to establish the risk factors for the diseases. Three hundred sixty-five blood donors from the same region served as controls. To estimate the rate of seroconversion, 176 of the agricultural and forestry workers were tested 1 year later. IgG and IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and TBE virus were detected in serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot analysis for Borrelia burgdorferi and by a test for inhibition of hemagglutination for TBE. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were more frequent among the workers than in the control group (7.8% vs. 4.9% in the IgG-IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 7.03% vs. 3.56% in the confirmatory test). No seropositivity was observed for TBE virus. Eighteen of 176 subjects who underwent a second blood test developed specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi within 1 year.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Research priorities in occupational health in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To find a broad consensus on research priorities and strategies in the field of occupational health and safety in Italy. METHODS: A two phase questionnaire survey was based on the Delphi technique previously described in other reports. 310 Occupational safety and health specialists (from universities and local health units) were given an open questionnaire (to identify three priority research areas). The data obtained from respondents (175, 56.4%) were then used to draw up a list of 27 priority topics grouped together into five macrosectors. Each of these was given a score ranging from 1 (of little importance) to 5 (extremely important). With the mean scores obtained from a total of 203 respondents (65.4%), it was possible to place the 27 topics in rank order according to a scale of priorities. RESULTS: Among the macrosectors, first place was given to the question of methodological approach to research in this field, and for individual topics, occupational carcinogenesis and quality in occupational medicine were ranked first and second, respectively. The question of exposure to low doses of environmental pollutants and multiple exposures ranked third among the priorities; the development of adequate and effective approaches and methods for worker education and participation in prevention was also perceived as being an important issue (fourth place). CONCLUSIONS: This study (the first of its kind in Italy) enabled us to achieve an adequate degree of consensus on research priorities related to the protection of occupational health and safety. Disparities in the mean scores of some of the issues identified overall as being research priorities, seem to be linked both to geographical area and to whether respondents worked in local health units or universities. This finding requires debate and further analysis.

Decision Making↗
PubMed1992

Detection of HIV-1 genome in leukocytes of human colostrum from anti-HIV-1 seropositive mothers.

In order to obtain more information about the presence of HIV-1 in mononuclear cells of colostrum, research was carried out on both the HIV-1 genome in the cellular fraction of colostrum and the viral antibody in cell-free colostrum of eight anti-HIV-1 seropositive asymptomatic mothers. In five cases cell fractions of the colostrum harbored HIV-1 genome by DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA in situ hybridization, whereas viral antibody were detected in all cell-free colostrum specimens. The data confirms the colostrum as a possible route of HIV-1 infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Use of sulphonated probes for detecting human immunodeficiency virus-1 transcripts by in situ hybridization.

A detailed procedure is described that allows detection of the presence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) transcripts within both acetone-fixed tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This assay uses cDNA probes labelled by a non-isotopic procedure that results in the modification of cytosine residues through covalent linkage to a sulphone group. In situ hybridized probe is then detected by an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibody specifically directed against the sulphone hapten. This procedure is specific, rapid and safe and can be applied in the research as well as in the clinical pathology settings.

HIV-1↗
PubMed1991

Persistence of HIV-1 silent infection in seronegative subjects at high risk.

Twenty regular sexual partners of HIV-1 infected subjects, without detectable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) antibody and positive for HIV-1 genome by in situ hybridization (ISH), were selected and studied longitudinally for 6-36 months to estimate the duration of silent infection. During the follow-up period, 10 showed atypical Western Blot (WB) patterns. Two seronegative partners seroconverted. Rapid progress to AIDS was observed in 7 seropositive subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Production of a nef-specific monoclonal antibody by the use of a synthetic peptide.

Monoclonal antibodies have been generated against a synthetic peptide of the nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in order to further characterize the biochemical and functional nature of this protein and its role in the control of HIV-1 transcriptional regulation. Earlier studies indicated nef to be a negative regulatory factor for viral transcription, whereas more recent studies report evidence against this original hypothesis. Nef is a protein of 206 amino acids of approximately 27 kD in most HIV-1 isolates; however, in some other isolates a truncated form of 124 amino acids has been described. A peptide sequence of six amino acids, corresponding to a region of the nef protein exhibiting high-sequence homology to thymosin alpha 1 protein, has been synthesized by Merrifield solid-phase methodology. This peptide is coded by a sequence located upstream to the stop codon described in some HIV-1 isolates and then is maintained in both complete and truncated forms of the nef protein. F14.11 is a nef peptide-specific monoclonal antibody (IgG2a/k) exhibiting the ability to recognize natural nef protein in either radioimmunoassay, radioimmunoprecipitation assay, or immunocytochemical analysis. Since F14.11 is able to identify nef protein in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes from HIV-infected seronegative subjects it may prove useful in monitoring the expression of nef during the silent HIV-1 infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

HIV genome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of seronegative regular sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects.

We have investigated the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by using in situ hybridization on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from seronegative regular sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects. The cells were hybridized with a 9 kilobase (kb) Sstl-Sstl lambda BH 10 probe, which was able to recognize both viral mRNA and proviral cDNA. Labeling was done by chemical insertion of an antigenic sulfone group in cytosine moieties and was visualized by a double-antibody immunohistochemical reaction. In all the subjects studied, the HIV genome was present. The HIV infected cells showed morphological aspects consistent with that of lymphocytes and monocytes. Our data suggest that the anti-HIV seronegative individuals who are regular sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects may be HIV-infected.

Bisexuality↗
PubMed1989

Detection of HIV genome in HIV antibody negative men.

The presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome was investigated by applying in situ hybridisation techniques to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Twenty asymptomatic anti-HIV seronegative homosexual men were the subjects of our study. The cells were hybridised with: (1) an SP 64 plasmid containing the nine-kilobase SstI-SstI viral insert from the lambda BH 10 recombinant clone; this can recognise both viral RNA and proviral DNA, and (2) with a pA01 plasmid containing HBV DNA genome. The DNA probes were modified by inserting an antigenic sulfone group in the cytosine moieties and the visualisation was performed by a double antibody immunohistochemical reaction. In two subjects both the HIV genome and HBV DNA were detected whereas another two subjects were positive for HBV DNA and for the HIV genome respectively. Thus people who are seronegative for anti-HIV specific antibodies may be infected with HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Prenatal development of the hippocampus in two strains of inbred mice.

In this paper we present some morphological observations on the morphogenesis of the hippocampus in two inbred strains of mice, C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA), from day 16 (E16) to day 17 (E17) of prenatal life. At E16 some differences in the histoarchitecture of the hippocampal anlage begin to be detectable. At E17 the differences become more relevant, particularly those concerning the lamination pattern. The more relevant differences concern the differentiation of the pyramidal layer, which appears well defined in C57 mice, while in DBA mice there is no clearcut delimitation between the pyramidal layer and the intermediate zone, where numerous migrating neurons are present. These observations may be interpreted in terms of different migration rates for the neurons in the two strains.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vaccine prophylaxis: contribution for the control of biologic risk in exposed workers].

Working activities with exposure to biological agents have become a matter of discussion especially after the introduction in Italy of the Law 626/94, in conformity with the EU directive 90/679/EEC. There are many important biological agents that can have infectious, allergic, toxic or carcinogenic effects on the working population. Large occupational groups are exposed to these biohazards, both in agriculture and industry. Vaccination is one of the most beneficial medical practices, which has led to the eradication of such a devastating human disease as smallpox and the almost total elimination of poliomyelitis. Vaccination is also one of the most cost effective prevention measures applicable in this respect. This paper describes the possible vaccinations that employers should make available to employees exposed to biological risk, according to article 86 of Law 626/94.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[SARS and occupational risk].

SARS is an infectious disease caused by a previously unrecognized human coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Current information indicates that most transmission is via respiratory droplets coming from a person who is symptomatic with SARS ("close contact"). The aim of our study is to evidence the critical role of the family physician, the first health-care worker who cares with suspected/probable SARS patients, underlying the importance of the correct use and management of the personal protective equipment.

Humans↗