Aberrant expression of HLA-DR antigen by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells from patients affected by acute lymphoproliferative disorders.
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Antigens, CD↗
Biomedical subjects
R Rizzo
Publications and source records attributed to R Rizzo.
Blink reflex abnormalities in children with Tourette syndrome.
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a common disorder which typically occurs during childhood or early adolescence. There is no definitive diagnostic test for TS. The objective of this study was to demonstrate whether neurophysiological abnormalities of the blink reflex can be observed in children with TS. We enrolled 15 children with TS, diagnosed according to DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria, and 15 controls. The blink reflex was elicited by stimulating the supraorbital nerve in order to measure the early response (R1), homolateral and contralateral R2 (late) responses, amplitude of R1 and duration of R2. The mean duration of R2 was significantly longer in TS patients than in the controls (P < 0.001, Student's t-test). An abnormal pattern of the blink reflex can be, even in childhood, an early neurophysiologic marker of TS, which is not related to the duration of TS or to the age of onset.
Adolescent↗
Intrathecal synthesis of soluble HLA-G and HLA-I molecules are reciprocally associated to clinical and MRI activity in patients with multiple sclerosis.
The aim of this study was to provide further insight into the effective contribution of classical soluble HLA-A, B and C class Ia (sHLA-I) and non-classical soluble HLA-G class Ib (sHLA-G) molecules in immune dysregulation occurring in multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique intrathecal synthesis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of sHLA-I and sHLA-G in 69 relapsing-remitting (RR), 21 secondary progressive (SP) and 13 primary progressive (PP) MS patients stratified according to clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. We also tested, as neurological controls, 91 patients with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 92 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). Eighty-two healthy volunteers served as further controls for sHLA-I and sHLA-G determinations. An intrathecal production of sHLA-I and sHLA-G detected by specific indexes was significantly more frequent in MS patients than in controls (P<0.01). An intrathecal synthesis of sHLA-I was prevalent in clinically (P<0.02) and MRI active (P<0.001) MS, whereas a CSF-restricted release of sHLA-G predominated in clinically (P<0.01) and MRI stable (P<0.001) MS. sHLA-I levels were low in the serum of clinically active (P<0.001) and high in the CSF of MRI active (P<0.01) MS. Conversely, sHLA-G concentrations were decreased in the serum of clinically stable MS (P<0.01) and increased in the CSF of MRI inactive MS (P<0.001). The trends towards a negative correlation observed between CSF and serum concentrations and intrathecal synthesis of sHLA-I and sHLA-G in patients without evidence of clinical and MRI activity confirmed that intrathecal production and fluctuations in CSF and serum concentrations of sHLA-I and sHLA-G were reciprocal in MS. Our results suggest that, in MS, a balance between classical sHLA-I and non-classical sHLA-G products modulating both MRI and clinical disease activity in opposite directions may exist.
Adult↗
Embryonic soluble HLA-G as a marker of developmental potential in embryos.
BACKGROUND: In human reproduction, embryo implantation is complex and poorly understood. At present, no single markers are used in routine treatment to assay biochemical functions of the human embryo. Soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) could be considered a possible marker of embryo developmental potential. It is localized primarily on the extravillous trophoblast, making this antigen a potential mediator of immune interaction at the maternal-fetal interface during gestation. METHODS: Soluble-HLA-G levels were evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing monoclonal antibody MEM-G9. It was evaluated in 318 media of single embryo cultures. We correlated the presence of sHLA-G with embryo morphology and the pregnancy obtained in that treatment cycle. RESULTS: No correlation was found between embryo morphology and sHLA-G levels. Pregnancy was observed only when the medium of at least one transferred embryo contained sHLA-G. In 26 out of 66 patients, none of the obtained embryos showed any detectable sHLA-G molecules and no pregnancy occurred. CONCLUSIONS: From our results, we propose sHLA-G as a potential marker of embryo development: the sHLA-G ELISA can be a useful biochemical assay in addition to embryo morphology in embryo selection for transfer in IVF treatment if there are other embryos with the same morphology.
Biomarkers↗
Convulsive disorder and genetic polymorphism. Association of idiopathic generalized epilepsy with haptoglobin polymorphism.
Haptoglobin is a polymorphic protein that is well known for its hemoglobin (Hb)-binding property. The protein shows gross differences in molecular size among genotypes, resulting in different degrees of diffusion in central nervous system tissue. Since the breakdown of erythrocytes in the intracerebral fluid results in Hb-mediated free OH radical formation, lipid peroxidation, and increased neuronal excitability, a differential diffusion of haptoglobin phenotypes in the intracerebral fluid might result in a different degree of protection from oxidative damage. We have studied two samples of children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy from two different Italian populations. In both samples the haptoglobin *1/*1 genotype is much less represented in epileptic children than in controls. These observations suggest that subjects carrying the Hp*1/*1 genotype, that has the lowest molecular size and diffuses more readily in the interstitial cerebral fluid, are more protected against idiopathic generalized epilepsy than those with other haptoglobin genotypes.
Adult↗
Divalent cation interactions with oligogalacturonides.
The conformational properties of high and low molecular weight galacturonides were investigated in relation to the ability of oligomers with degree of polymerization >10 to act as elicitors of plant defense mechanisms. Oligomers from polygalacturonate were obtained by means of enzymatic hydrolysis. Two fractions exhibiting high and low average degrees of polymerization were isolated by solvent fractionation and characterized by means of electrospray mass spectrometry. The conformational behaviors of the two fractions were investigated in the presence of different divalent cations using circular dichroism. Calcium, copper, and zinc ions were able to induce a conformational transition in both fractions. When in the presence of the high molecular weight fraction, copper and zinc ions were much more effective than calcium ions, whereas the efficiency was much reduced with low molecular weight oligomers.
Cations, Divalent↗
Host-guest complex formation in cyclotrikis-(1-->6).
The possibility that cyclotrikis-(1-->6)-[alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] (CGM6) forms inclusion complexes, like cycloamyloses (cyclodextrins), was investigated by means of electrospray mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complexing ability of both 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) and 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS), which were already used with cyclodextrins, was investigated. The former showed very little or no tendency to be complexed by CGM6, while the latter produced detectable adducts with CGM6. Fixed 90 degree angle light scattering experiments supported the findings obtained by molecular modelling calculations, which indicated a polar character for the CGM6 internal cavity. CGM6-TNS complexes were probably formed throughout interaction of the polar regions of the two molecules.
Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates↗
Collagen fibrils are differently organized in weight-bearing and not-weight-bearing regions of pig articular cartilage.
The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of the weight-bearing ("loaded") and not-weight-bearing ("unloaded") regions in T(2)-weighted images of pig articular cartilage is different. On the hypothesis that this difference may be ascribed, at least in part, to a different collagen fibre organization in the two regions, this organization was studied using biochemical, histological, and X-ray diffraction methods. While the mean concentrations of collagen and of its cross-links were the same in the two regions, a regular small angle X-ray diffraction pattern was observed only for the habitually "loaded" tissue. It was also seen by light microscopy that the four typical functional zones were well displayed in the "loaded" cartilage whereas they were not clearly depicted in the "unloaded" tissue. Collagen presented a high concentration of fibrils forming an intricate and dense meshwork at the surface of both "loaded" and "unloaded" cartilage. A second zone of high collagen concentration was present at the upper layer of the deep zone of "loaded" cartilage. By contrast, this lamina of highly concentrated fibrils was lacking in "unloaded" cartilage and collagen fibrils appear thinner. Our study proves that the organization of collagen fibres is different for the "loaded" and "unloaded" regions of articular cartilage. It also suggests that this different organization may influence the MR appearance of the tissue. J. Exp. Zool. 287:346-352, 2000.
Animals↗
Temporal triangular alopecia in association with mental retardation and epilepsy in a mother and daughter.
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Adult↗
Inhomogeneous alginate gel spheres: an assessment of the polymer gradients by synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray emission, magnetic resonance microimaging, and mathematical modeling.
It has been previously demonstrated that calcium alginate gels prepared by dialysis often exhibit a concentration inhomogeneity being the polymer concentration considerably lower in the center of the gel than at the edges. Inhomogeneity may be a preferred structure in microcapsules due to low porosity and higher stability so that it is interesting to evaluate the polymer gradient in spherically symmetrical small alginate beads (1.0-0.7 mm diameter) obtained in different conditions. In this paper, two complementary techniques have been used to investigate this aspect. The concentration gradient of alginate has been analyzed by measuring both the spatial distribution of calcium ions in sections of alginate gel spheres, by means of x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and the T2 relaxation behavior on intact gel beads using magnetic resonance microimaging. The experimentally determined gradients from three-dimensional gels provide data to reevaluate the parameter estimates in the recently reported mathematical model for alginate gel formation (A. Mikkaelsen and A. Elgsaeter, Biopolymers, 1995, Vol. 36, pp. 17-41). The model may account for the gels being less inhomogeneous when nongelling sodium or magnesium ions are added during gelation.
Alginates↗
Hydroxyl group interactions in polysaccharides: a deuterium-induced differential isotope shift 13C-NMR investigation.
The secondary isotope shift in (13)C-nmr spectra in water was used to obtain information on the interactions of hydroxyl groups with their environment in polysaccharides. Specifically, the possibility of detecting the preference of intramolecular hydrogen bonding with respect to solvation was investigated. Different aliphatic alcohols were studied in both protic and aprotic solvents in order to obtain reference systems. The polysaccharides investigated were selected so as to include both different types of glycosidic linkages and different conformational properties of the polymeric chain. In addition to polysaccharides, beta-cyclodextrin and inulin were also investigated. The experiments demonstrated that isotope shift data can advantageously contribute to the understanding of the conformational properties of polysaccharides and in particular, in setting up of constraints in molecular modeling calculations.
Alcohols↗
Articular cartilage repair in rabbits by using suspensions of allogenic chondrocytes in alginate.
The feasibility of allogenic implants of chondrocytes in alginate gels was tested for the reconstruction in vivo of artificially full-thickness-damaged articular rabbit cartilage. The suspensions of chondrocytes in alginate were gelled by the addition of calcium chloride solution directly into the defects giving in situ a construct perfectly inserted and adherent to the subchondral bone and to the walls of intact cartilage. The tissue repair was controlled at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months after the implant by NMR microscopy, synchrotron radiation induced X-ray emission to map the sulfur of glycosaminoglycans and by histochemistry. Practically a complete repair of the defect was observed 4-6 months from the implant of the chondrocytes with the recovery of a normal tissue structure. Controls in which Ca-alginate alone was implanted developed only a fibrous cartilage.
Alginates↗
Aggressive behavior in patients with Sotos syndrome.
Sotos syndrome is characterized by peculiar facies, prenatal and postnatal overgrowth, and developmental delay. The course of six patients with psychiatric, neurologic, and magnetic resonance imaging evaluations is reported. Three (50%) of the six patients were observed to have a tendency toward aggressiveness, including one who had pyromania.
Aggression↗
The Personal Health Questionnaire: a new screening instrument for detection of ICD-10 depressive disorders in primary care.
BACKGROUND: The next generation of studies on antidepressant drug prescriptions in general practice needs to assess both the patterns of prescription and its appropriateness. This study aimed to assess the performance of the Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ), a new questionnaire for detecting individuals with ICD- 10 depressive disorders, to be used in association with companion instruments for assessing the 'quality' of antidepressant prescriptions in primary care settings. METHODS: The PHQ was completed by 1,413 primary care attenders (100 were re-tested after 7-14 days) and 139 were selected and interviewed using the SCAN-2 and the 17-item HDRS. All data were analysed using appropriately weighted procedures to control for two-phase sampling design and non-response bias. Individual weights were estimated by logistic regression analysis and trimming strategy. RESULTS: PHQ internal consistency and test-retest on both Likert score and number of symptoms were high. The PHQ discriminated well between individuals with and without depressive disorders. A Likert score > or = 9 provided a good trade-off between sensitivity (0.78) and specificity (0.83). The screening accuracy of the PHQ in detecting subjects likely to benefit from antidepressant drug treatment (SCAN cases with a HDRS total score of 13 or higher) was satisfactory (ROC area 0.87: sensitivity 0.84; specificity 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ can be strongly suggested as an accurate and economic screener to identify primary care attenders at high risk of being clinically depressed. However, in order to identify patients requiring antidepressant drug treatment, a second-phase assessment of PHQ high scorers (total score of > or = 10), using the HDRS, is needed.
Adult↗
Molecular dynamics study on the conformational stability of laminaran oligomers in various solvents.
Solution conformations of the (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan laminaran have been investigated by means of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations in three solvents: water, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Conformational analysis of solvated laminarabiose was carried out to study the effect of specific solute-solvent interactions upon reactive hydroxyl groups. Dynamic trajectories of solvated laminarabiose have been interpreted in terms of average glycosidic-linkage conformation, hydrogen-bonding pattern, and coordination by solvent molecules. The analysis of radial distribution functions, coordination functions, mean residency times, and time correlation functions derived from the simulation trajectories furnished the necessary insight. The results have been used to assess the steric accessibility of laminaran-C4-OH and -C6-OH hydroxyl groups in the considered solvents and to rationalize corresponding earlier experimental observations. The experiments demonstrated that reaction equilibrium during chemical modification of laminaran oligomers with 2,2-dimethoxypropane involving the laminaran-C4-OH and -C6-OH hydroxyl groups significantly depended on the solvent used.
Carbohydrate Sequence↗
Diffuse polymicrogyria associated with congenital hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, severe mental retardation, and minor facial and genital anomalies.
We report an infant boy with an apparently new malformation syndrome. The major anomalies showed by the patient include diffuse polymicrogyria, congenital hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis with severe scaphocephaly, severe mental retardation, intractable epilepsy, and minor facial and genital anomalies. Our review of the literature and two computerized dysmorphology databases found some papers reporting polymicrogyria or lissencephaly associated with craniosynostosis or hydrocephalus. None of the reported patients had a phenotype similar to that of our patient.
Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Influence of substituents on the solution conformation of the exopolysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas 'gingeri' strain Pf9.
The influence of pyruvate ketals and acetyl groups on the conformational behaviour of the exopolysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas 'gingeri' strain Pf9 has been investigated experimentally through studies of intrinsic viscosity and circular dichroism experiments. A conformational variation was detected as a function of the ionic strength. Measurements carried out on the native polymer, as well as on both de-pyruvated and de-acetylated samples, suggested a critical role for the acetyl group on the solution conformation of the polysaccharide. Molecular mechanics calculations indicated the possibility of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between acetyl substituents on the mannose and the C(2)OH group of the preceding saccharidic unit. NMR linewidth measurements, carried out as a function of temperature, on the low molecular weight de-pyruvated sample indicated different polymeric backbone dynamics in aqueous solutions with respect to that observed in 0.3 M NaCl solutions.
Carbohydrate Sequence↗
Zinc mapping in bone tissues by histochemistry and synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray emission: correlation with the distribution of alkaline phosphatase.
Zinc distribution in osteons was mapped by synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray emission analysis in both human and porcine adult bone, as well as in porcine bone by histochemistry using Timm's method. Both procedures showed that zinc is not uniformly distributed, being in its highest concentration on haversian bone surfaces. When Timm's method was applied in conjunction with a procedure leading to partial zinc extraction, three zinc pools were specifically detected: a loose one, found in the mineralizable osteoid; a mineral one, bound to the bone mineral; and a tenacious one, firmly bound to an organic component located in the osteoid and mineralizing organic matrix. The alkaline phosphatase distribution was also mapped in porcine adult bone by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry and it was found codistributed with tenacious zinc mainly at the calcification front. The data suggest that alkaline phosphatase is buried as a bone matrix protein during initial mineralization.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗