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Biomedical subjects

V Bruni

Publications and source records attributed to V Bruni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lipolytic activity of Antarctic cold-adapted marine bacteria (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea).

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the lipolytic activity of cold-adapted Antarctic marine bacteria and, furthermore, the combined effect of some environmental factors on this enzymatic process. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strains were assayed for lipolytic activity on a basal medium amended with seven individual fatty acid esters. A significant activity was observed for 148 isolates (95.5% of the total screened). The interactive effect of pH, temperature and NaCl concentration on the substrates was tested for six representative isolates, identified as Pseudoalteromonas, Psychrobacter and Vibrio. Differences between strains according to NaCl and pH tolerances were observed. Only one strain degraded the substrate more efficiently at 4 degrees C than at 15 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the lipolytic activity of Antarctic marine bacteria is rather variable, depending on culture conditions, and occurs in a wide range of salt concentration and pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Isolation and characterization of bacteria that are able to efficiently remove lipids at low temperatures will provide insight into the possibility to use cold-adapted bacteria as a source of exploitable enzymes. Moreover, research on the interactive effects of salt concentration, pH and temperature will be useful to understand the true enzyme potentialities for industrial applications.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Mutation analysis of two candidate genes for premature ovarian failure, DACH2 and POF1B.

BACKGROUND: Balanced X;autosome translocations interrupting the 'critical region' of the long arm of the human X chromosome are often associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). However, the mechanisms leading to X-linked ovarian dysfunction are largely unknown, as the majority of the X chromosome breakpoints have been mapped to gene-free genomic regions. A few genes have been found to be interrupted, but their role has never been clarified. METHODS AND RESULTS: By fine mapping of the X chromosome breakpoint of an X;autosome balanced translocation, we identified a new interrupted gene, POF1B. We performed a mutation analysis of POF1B and of another gene previously identified, DACH2, localized approximately 700 kb distal in Xq21, in a cohort of >200 Italian POF patients. Rare mutations were found in patients in both genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings could not demonstrate any involvement of POF1B, but suggest that rare mutations in the DACH2 gene may have a role in the POF phenotype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The resistance to contraceptive use in young Italian women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the personal relationship and social factors that influence young women not to use contraceptives. METHODS: A total of 104 young women aged 14-23 years were studied using a 26-item questionnaire which was to be filled out individually. The questionnaire addressed use of contraceptives at the first intercourse and current use, together with various items related to age, educational level, self-image, fantasy about parenthood, and characteristics of the relationships with the partner and the family. A descriptive analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model investigated the relationship between contraceptive non-use and selected variables. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of the girls did not use any effective contraceptive method at the first sexual intercourse and 21% were current non-users. The study of characteristics associated with inconsistent contraceptive use shows a complex picture where young age, poor knowledge of the partner, an older partner and living in a incomplete family nucleus or outside the family represent significant risk factors. Considering our results as a whole, contraceptive non-use is not only a marker of risk-taking behavior, but sometimes expresses irrational feelings which emerge when facing new sexual experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss with cyclical etidronate.

Cyclical etidronate has been shown to be effective in the treatment of established postmenopausal osteoporosis but less is known about its effects on early menopausal bone loss. The aim of the study was to establish the effects of cyclic etidronate therapy on spinal and proximal femoral bone mineral loss in early postmenopausal women. One hundred and seven women who were within 6 months to 3 years of the menopause were recruited into a 2-year, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Spinal bone mineral density was within 2 SD of the age-matched mean reference value at baseline. Bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and proximal femur was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and thereafter at 6 monthly intervals for 2 years. Urinary collagen cross-links (deoxypyridinoline and pyridinoline) were measured at the same time points. Seventy-seven women completed the study. At the end of the treatment period, the mean bone mineral density change from baseline in the treated group was +0.14% and -0.06% in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively, compared to -1.49 and -2.22 in the control group. Overall, there was a significant difference between the two groups at both these sites (p=0.01 and 0.001, respectively). No significant differences between the groups were demonstrated at the greater trochanter or Ward's triangle. The conclusion was that cyclical etidronate therapy prevents bone loss in the spine and femoral neck in early postmenopausal women. It provides a safe and effective therapeutic option for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women who are unwilling or unable to tolerate hormone replacement therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2000

Estrogen replacement therapy in the management of osteopenia related to eating disorders.

The effect of hormone replacement therapy on the bone mineral content of hypoestrogenic subjects depends on the pathogenesis of the disease as well as on the dosage and route of administration. This is particularly true in hypoestrogenism related to eating disorders. We present a longitudinal study of 26 young women with diet-induced amenorrhea compared with a group of subjects with POF. The study protocol included the quantification of weight loss, the endocrine profile (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, E2, FT3, FT4, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and cortisol), the evaluation of markers of bone turnover (GLA, OSTK-PR, ALP, OHP, and DPYR), and spinal bone density by DEXA at observation and after weight recovery. No hormone replacement therapy was administered. Mean BMD and Z scores before and after recovery do not differ significantly; OHP and DPYR appear significantly higher during basal evaluation, whereas GLA and ALP do not. Data on the impact of oral contraceptive use on bone mineral density are controversial. We particularly discuss the question of long-term treatment with 20 micrograms ethinyl estradiol pills on peak bone mass acquisition during adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A comparison of cycle control and effect on well-being of monophasic gestodene-, triphasic gestodene- and monophasic desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives. Gestodene Study Group.

This was an open-label multicenter study to compare the cycle control and effect on well-being of two oral contraceptives containing gestodene and one containing desogestrel. A total of 2419 healthy women < or = 41 years of age were randomized to receive oral contraceptives containing monophasic gestodene (Minulet; n = 806, mean age 24.5 years), triphasic gestodene (Tri-Minulet; n = 808, mean age 24.6 years) or monophasic desogestrel (Mercilon; n = 805, mean age 24.6 years). Subjects were to participate in the study for up to 13 treatment cycles. A modified Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire was used to evaluate menstrual symptoms and to assess overall well-being. A total of 698 women were withdrawn from the study, 154 due to adverse events. Cycle control with gestodene was superior to that with desogestrel at almost all time points, particularly for breakthrough bleeding and/or spotting, which occurred significantly less frequently with gestodene than with desogestrel at cycles 1-7 and 9-11 (p < 0.05). Generally, the proportion of subjects with breakthrough bleeding and/or spotting was almost twice as great with desogestrel as with gestodene. The duration of bleeding was not consistently different between the gestodene and desogestrel groups; however, the intensity of bleeding was greater with gestodene at all time points (p < 0.05). The latent period before withdrawal bleeding was significantly longer for monophasic gestodene at cycles 1-5 and 8-10 (p < 0.05). Treatment significantly improved overall well-being at cycles 6 and 9 with triphasic gestodene and at cycle 13 with desogestrel; however, no statistically significant differences among treatment groups in overall well-being scores or individual factors of well-being could be identified. All three treatments were well tolerated. The most common drug-related adverse events were headache (14.2%), breast pain (6.2%), nausea (4.1%), metrorrhagia (3.9%) and abdominal pain (3.5%). The incidence of adverse events in all treatment groups was similar, with the exception of metrorrhagia, which occurred in more patients in the desogestrel group than in the gestodene treatment groups (p < 0.05).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Acquired activated protein C resistance in postmenopausal women is dependent on factor VIII:c levels.

Activated protein C (APC) resistance is an established risk factor for venous thromboembolism. In 5% to 10% of patients with venous thromboembolism, the APC resistance phenotype is observed in the absence of factor V Leiden mutation. Moreover, some physiologic and pathologic conditions are associated with an "acquired" APC resistance, not caused by the Leiden mutation, such as inflammatory diseases, pregnancy, or oral contraceptive therapy. Several studies have demonstrated the effect of menopause on the hemostatic system, but no data are available about APC resistance. We found a high prevalence of APC resistance in postmenopausal women, not associated with factor V Leiden mutation. The mechanism that underlies this acquired APC resistance may be related to the higher levels of factor VIII, which showed a strong inverse correlation with APC resistance, whereas no correlation was found between the normalized APC ratio, factor V levels, and protein S values. Higher levels of factor VIII correlated with a marker of coagulation activation, such as prothrombin fragments 1 plus 2. Therefore, to identify women receiving hormone replacement therapy who have a greater risk for deep venous thrombosis, the APC resistance coagulation test should be used instead of the genetic study.

Activated Protein C Resistance↗
PubMed1999

Variability of some microbial parameters in relation to the hydrological features of the water column in the Eolian Basin (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea).

During the EOCUMM '94 cruise, 15 stations located in the Eolian Islands area (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) were sampled to analyse the distributions of the total bacterioplankton densities and the heterotrophic viable bacteria counts on Marine Agar 2216. According to the TS (temperature-salinity) diagrams, obtained by processing the CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) vertical profiles, the sampled stations were grouped in "hydrological clusters". The bacteriological variables, together with the chlorophyll a and the particulate organic carbon measures obtained during the same cruise were used to compare the stations of the same and different clusters. The results indicated that variabilities of the analysed microbial parameters were not obviously related to the hydrographic features of the sampling stations. This work is an attempt to verify the possibility of using microbial parameters to characterize the structure of the water column.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of antarctic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria capable of producing bioemulsifiers.

During screening for biosurfactant-producing, n-alkane-degrading marine bacteria, two heterotrophic bacterial strains were isolated from enriched mixed cultures, obtained from Terra Nova Bay (Ross sea, Antarctica) by using aliphatic and artomatic hydrocarbons as the principal carbon source. These gram-positive, aerobic, cocci-shaped bacteria use a various number of organic compounds, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, volatile fatty acids, and biphenyl. During cultivation on n-alkanes as sole source of carbon and energy, all strains produced both an extracellular and cell-bound surface-active mixture of trehalose lipids which reduced the surface tension of water from 72 mN/m to 32mN/m. This class of glycolipids was found to be produced only by marine rhodococci. The 16S-rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that both strains are members of the G + C rich gram-positive group of the phylum Proteobacteria and was found to be almost identical to that of Rhodococcus fascians DSM 20669. The potential of these strains for in situ bioremediation of contaminated cold marine environment is discussed in the present study.

Alkanes↗
PubMed1999

Psychrotrophic bacteria from a coastal station in the Ross sea (Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica).

Seawater samples were collected from a fixed, coastal station in the Terra Nova Bay at different depths during the Xth Oceanographic Cruise in the 1994-95 Antarctic summer. Picoplanktonic abundance, estimated by direct counts in epifluorescence microscopy, ranged from 2.2 x 10(7) to 1.6 x 10(8) cells.l-1. The heterotrophic bacterial densities, evaluated on Marine Agar 2216 (Difco) after incubation at +4 degrees C for 21 days, ranged from 2 x 10(3) to 4.5 x 10(6) CFU.l-1. The qualitative composition of the heterotrophic bacterial community was studied on 64 morphological and biochemical characters of the 125 strains isolated. Heterotrophic, psychrotrophic isolates were tentatively identified at genus level as Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Acinetobacter, and Flavobacterium/Cytophaga. In order to compare the characteristics of the isolates with those previously studied during 1989/90, the synthetical indices of the structure and the metabolic potentiality of the heterotrophic bacterial community were processed. Results showed that the bacterial community was metabolically more active and more homogenous than that previously studied.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bone mineral metabolism in diet-induced amenorrhea.

Spinal bone density of 41 girls with diet-induced amenorrhea (DA) was compared with that of the density of 22 subjects with premature ovarian failure (POF) of comparable age. The Z score values, as well as the estradiol levels, were not significantly different in the two groups. The duration of amenorrhea was significantly correlated to bone mass density in the DA population, especially when considering subjects with amenorrhea that had lasted longer than 20 months. A similar correlation between weight loss and BMD was evident. Although estradiol concentrations did not seem to be correlated to the Z score, FT3 and cortisol values exhibited, respectively, a negative and a positive correlation with spinal density. Cortisol seemed to act precociously, whereas FT3 acted later than cortisol.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on thrombin generation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the hemostatic system in menopausal women before and after three months of treatment with transdermal estradiol (TTS 50, 50 micrograms/die, n = 13) or coniugated equine estrogen (CEE, 0.625 mg/die, n = 9) by evaluating : beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, factor VIIag, factor VIIc, fibrinopeptide A-FPA-, thrombin-antithrombin-TAT-complexes, antithrombin-AT-activity, protein C, plasma fibrinolytic activity (euglobulin clot lysis time), plasminogen and antiplasmin activity. FPA levels significantly increased during TTS 50 treatment (p < 0.001) while protein C showed a slight but significant decrease in both treatments (TTS 50 p < 0.001, CEE p < 0.05). TAT complexes and AT were found unaltered. Platelet function and fibrinolytic activity did not significantly change. A significant relationship between FPA and estradiol levels, which were significantly increased during. TTS 50 therapy, was found (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that unopposed estradiol given by transdermal route induces a slight but significant blood clotting activation, which seems strictly related to its biological activity.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1997

Sex steroids and libido.

The effects of steroidal hormones on sexual desire and motivation are a question still under debate. This paper reviews up-to-date knowledge regarding physiological imprinting and activation by endogenous hormones of central nervous system areas involved in libido during intrauterine life and puberty. The endocrine environment probably continues to play a role during fertile life and the postmenopausal period, but this effect is often overridden by psychological and social factors. The impairment of sexual interest during estrogen-progestin treatment is an infrequent but relevant side-effect whose possible underlying mechanisms are discussed. Both endocrine and psychorelational elements may interact. From the biological point of view, androgen and oxytocin level modification and loss of estrogen fluctuations have been considered, but also the history of hormone-related mood changes could be a risk factor. On the psychological side, both the profound repercussions of the contraceptive choice and consequent responsibility, as well as the high value attributed to sexual experience are probably facilitating elements in the loss of libido under treatment.

Brain Chemistry↗
PubMed1997

Marine fungi in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica).

The occurrence of lignicolous marine fungi in Antarctic marine water far from the coast is reported. Thirty-six wooden baits (beech and poplar), hung in a metallic structure were immersed in Penguin Bay (Adelie Cove) at a depth of 50 m for a year. Fourteen species belonging to Deuteromycotina and six Ascomycotina were observed on the baits examined in Italy. Phoma sp., Trichocladium achrasporum, Trichocladium constrictum and Trichocladium lignincola were the predominant species. Phoma sp., the first species, are not typically marine, but rather of terrestrial origin. Penguin dung proximity can explain this occurrence.

Acremonium↗
PubMed1996

Salmon calcitonin plus intravaginal estriol: an effective treatment for the menopause.

OBJECTIVE: Intravaginal estriol (E3) effectively improves postmenopausal genito-urinary disturbances, without stimulating endometrial proliferation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of intravaginal estriol (E3) plus nasal spray salmon calcitonin (sCT), to improve neurovegetative symptoms and to prevent the decline of bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two hundred and fourteen (214) healthy postmenopausal women were treated for 12 months with: (1) E3 (0.5 mg every other day) + Ca (0.5 g/day); (2) E3 + Ca + sCT (50 IU x 2/day); (3) sCT + Ca; (4) Ca. Climacteric complaints, such as hot flushes and sweating, BMD at the distal 1/10 of the radius, analyzed by dual photon absorptiometry, urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and serum alkaline phosphatase were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months. At the same time, patient compliance and drug tolerability were evaluated. RESULTS: E3 but not sCT, improved hot flushes and sweating. E3 blunted but not completely counteracted the BMD decline observed in women treated with only Ca, and reduced urinary hydroxyproline excretion. sCT markedly increased BMD values and reduced both urinary hydroxyproline excretion and serum alkaline phosphatase. These effects were not potentiated by E3 coadministration. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Present data indicate that the combined administration of intravaginal E3 and sCT may represent an alternative therapeutic regimen for those postmenopausal women who do not accept or have contraindications to classical hormone replacement therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1996

Heterotrophic bacteria in the Ross Sea (Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica).

Microbial research on temporal variation of bacterial densities was carried out on seawater samples collected from two field stations at different depths during the Antarctic summer (oceanographic campaign 1989/1990). Bacterial densities evaluated on Marine Agar 2216 (Difco) and on TCBS Agar (Difco) after incubation at +4 degrees C for 21 days respectively ranged from 0 to 7.9 x 10(2) CFU/ml for heterotrophic bacteria and from 0 to 5.7 x 10(2) CFU/100ml for "presumptive vibrios". During the period of observation, Vibrio densities showed a higher variability than those of total heterotrophic bacteria. A high percentage of gelatinolytic and chitinolytic vibrios was observed. The qualitative composition of heterotrophic bacterial communities was studied on 38 morphological and biochemical characteristics of 152 strains isolated from the stations. The data were subsequently used to determine the structure and metabolic potentialities of bacterial communities in the two sites. Almost all the heterotrophic, psychrotrophic isolates were non fermentative Gram-negative rods, belonging to the genera Pseudomonas/Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium/Cytophaga. The bacterial communities in the two coastal habitats investigated were clearly different.

Antarctic Regions↗