bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Therapeutic and Cardiovascular Effects of a Single Nightly Dose of Prothiaden (Dothiepin, Dosulepin) and Lentizol (Sustained-Release Amitriptyline) in Depressed Elderly Patients
Authors: Khan A U
Published: January 2017

This was a single-blind 4-week parallel group comparative trial in fifty depressed patients. Twenty-five patients received 50 mg of Lentizol, a sustained-release form of amitriptyline, and twenty-five received 75 mg of Prothiaden. Both groups took their drugs as a single night-time dose.

Patient response was measured on a symptom check-list which was completed by the doctor and a self-rating depression scale. Tolerance was assessed by recording volunteered and observed side-effects and also by taking the pulse, blood pressure and an electrocardiogram before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks.

A statistically better response was seen with Prothiaden at each follow-up assessment (1, 2 and 4 weeks) compared to Lentizol as measured by both the symptom check-list and the self-rating scale. Less side-effects were also seen with Prothiaden.

Minor changes were seen in the ECG records of two patients on Prothiaden and three on Lentizol. These changes were not associated with any clinical change in the patients' cardiovascular state. No consistent changes of any clinical significance were seen in the pulse and blood pressure recordings.
Prevention of in vivo Platelet Aggregation by Indobufen in Angina Patients during Exercise
Authors: Pogliani E M , Fantasia R , Perini C , Corvi G
Published: January 2017

Platelet aggregation induced by 3 concentrations of ADP and collagen was assessed in thirty patients with stable angina, before and after exercise with a bicycle ergometer. The patients received a single oral 200 mg dose of indobufen and placebo according to a crossover design in double-blind conditions. Platelet sensitivity to both aggregating agents increased when exercise was carried out after placebo, whereas indobufen markedly inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced aggregation. Circulating platelet aggregates increased in some patients during exercise after placebo but not after indobufen. These results suggest that effort may be an important factor in activation of platelet functions and that the use of drugs blocking the arachidonate pathway and the release reaction may be appropriate in patients with angina.
Tissue and Serum Concentrations of Amoxycillin and Clavulanic Acid in Patients Having Reconstructive Vascular Surgery
Authors: Earnshaw J. J. , Slack R. C. B. , Makin G. S. , Hopkinson B. R.
Published: January 2017

Fifteen patients received amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combination intravenously at anaesthetic induction as part of a three-dose schedule of antibiotic prophylaxis for vascular surgery. After 30 min, the mean serum concentration of amoxycillin was 39.9 mg/l and clavulanic acid was 9.3 mg/1. Mean amoxycillin tissue concentrations in fat, 5.1 mg/l; vein, 7.5 mg/l; and artery, 4.8 mg/l, were lower than serum values. Mean clavulanic acid concentrations were: fat, 0.7 mg/l; vein, 1.2 mg/l; and artery, 1.6 mg/l. At the end of surgery, the serum amoxycillin level was always > 6 mg/l and clavulanic acid > 2 mg/l, which were both still within the therapeutic range. Concentrations in fat had declined by the end of the surgery ranging from 0.76 to 5.2 mg/l for amoxycillin and from 0.03 to 0.6 mg/l for clavulanic acid, there being almost none detected in four cases. Serum and tissue concentrations of both compounds 30 min after injection were sufficient to inhibit the growth of 97% of pathogenic organisms recovered from the skin of 135 vascular surgical patients. In a few cases tissue levels of the compounds were below inhibitory concentrations for conforms and anaerobes at the time of skin closure, although they were still effective against most Gram-positive organisms. Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combination is suitable antibiotic prophylaxis for vascular surgery.
Effect of H2-Receptor Blockade on Gastric Mucus Composition. A Comparative Study with Ranitidine and Famotidine
Authors: Guslandi M. , Testoni P. A. , Masci E.
Published: January 2017

The effects on gastric mucus by two different H2-receptor antagonists, famotidine and ranitidine, have been investigated in 20 patients with duodenal ulcer. Before and after 4 weeks' treatment with either drug the quality of mucus secretion was assessed by means of a ‘mucoprotective index'. A significant ( P<0.01) decrease in the values of this index was observed in famotidine-treated subjects, whereas no changes were detected in those given ranitidine. The findings of this study with famotidine are in keeping with the results previously reported with cimetidine using the same method. It is suggested that blockade of gastric H2-receptors alters the composition of gastric mucus in man. This effect is not shared by ranitidine.
Treatment of Iron Deficiency Conditions in Blood Donors: Controlled Study of Iron Sulphate versus Iron Protein Succinylate
Authors: Landucci G. , Frontespezi S.
Published: January 2017

Iron protein succinylate is a new iron preparation for oral administration. In a controlled study versus iron sulphate in 40 blood donors with low levels of stored iron, treatment for 30 days with iron protein succinylate resulted in greater iron absorption compared to the reference drug. Serum iron concentration significantly increased compared with baseline values only in patients given iron protein succinylate. The amount of stored iron, evaluated by serum ferritin levels, significantly increased in both treatment groups., accepted 15 October 1987
A Comparison of the Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety of Azithromycin and Co-Amoxiclav in the Treatment of Sinusitis in Adults
Authors: Clement PAR , de Gandt J-B
Published: January 2017

The efficacy, tolerability and safety of azithromycin and co-amoxiclav in the treatment of non-severe acute maxillary/ethmoidal sinusitis were compared in a randomized, open clinical trial in 254 adult patients. The predominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (83 patients). Azithromycin was administered orally to 165 patients at a single daily dose of 500 mg for 3 days, and co-amoxiclav (4:1) to 89 patients, at a dose of 500 mg three times daily for 10 days. The overall clinical response rates were 87.5% for azithromycin and 83.7% for co-amoxiclav at follow-up (day 21–28). Microbiological responses to both drugs were good, with only five patients in each group having a persistent infection after treatment. Both drugs were well tolerated and produced similar incidences of adverse events, which were mostly gastrointestinal. Azithromycin was as effective, and as well tolerated as co-amoxiclav, and its shorter simpler dosing regime may offer advantages in compliance and cost.
Intravesicular Prostaglandin E2 for the Prophylaxis of Urinary Retention after Colpohysterectomy
Authors: Grignaffini A , Bazzani F , Bertoli P , Petrelli M , Vadora E
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of PGE2 in enhancing bladder function after vaginal hysterectomy. A total of 110 women with or without urinary incontinence underwent vaginal hysterectomy and cystourethropexy surgery because of grade II or III genital prolapse. Preoperatively the patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 ( n = 50) received on the fourth post-operative day, before removal of the bladder catheter, an intravesicular solution of 1.50 mg PGE2 (2 × 0.75 mg); group 2 ( n = 60) did not receive any prophylaxis for urinary retention. In the PGE2-treated group significantly fewer patients had urinary retention for 3 days or more (10%, P < 0.05) than in the control group (27%). The use of intravesicular PGE2 reduced the time taken to restore detrusor function.
The Relationship between c-erbB-2 Oncogene Expression and Clinicopathological Factors in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Gürel S , Dolar E , Yerci Ö , Samli B , Öztürk H , Nak SG , Gülten M , Memik F
Published: January 2017

Gastric carcinoma is one of the most common carcinomas and a leading cause of death from cancer in Turkey. The relationship between clinicopathological features of the disease and oncogenes is under investigation. In this retrospective study we investigated the relationships between expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and grade, stage and pathological characteristics of the tumour, and prognosis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were prepared from gastrectomy specimens from 55 patients with gastric carcinoma. The tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically to reveal c-erbB-2 protein. Six (10%) of the tumours stained positively for c-erbB-2 protein. There was no statistically significant association ( P > 0.5) between c-erbB-2 staining and tumour grade, stage or pathological characteristics (necrosis, lymph-node infiltration), or between staining and prognosis. The results suggest that overexpression of c-erb-B-2 protein is not related to the pathological characteristics of the tumour in gastric carcinoma and is not an important prognostic indicator.
Endovascular Embolization of Unruptured Vertebral Dissection Using Guglielmi Electrolytically Detachable Coils: Case Report
Authors: Nomura M , Kida S , Yamashita J , Yoshikawa J , Matsui O
Published: January 2017

We present a patient with unruptured vertebral dissection whose angiograph showed further enlargement of the aneurysm, after a transient reduction in the size of the fusiform dilatation. Tolerance of parent artery occlusion was first confirmed by a balloon occlusion test. Both proximal and distal portions of the vertebral artery, including the dissected site, were occluded using Guglielmi electrolytically detachable coils; there were no complications. No new symptoms occurred during a 9-month follow-up period. For cases presenting with angiographic aneurysmal enlargement, embolization of the lesion using electrolytically detachable coils may be effective.
Intimal Asteroid Bodies in Horses: Light and Electron Microscopic Observations
Authors: de Oliveira A. C. , Rosenbruch M. , Schulz L.-Cl.
Published: January 2017

The morphology of asteroid bodies in equine arteries is demonstrated by light microscopy as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy combined with chemical analysis.

Asteroid bodies first occur in horses at four weeks of age in all investigated tissues except the esophagus and always are located in the subendothelial space. The number, shape, ultrastructure and chemical composition of asteroid bodies differ markedly—depending on the age of the horse. Asteroid bodies are round and smooth in foals, but are shaped irregularly and have several projections and marked stratified calcification in adult horses. Asteroid bodies probably originate from smooth muscle cells. No direct etiological connection between asteroid bodies and migrating Strongylus vulgaris could be verified.
Aortic-Iliac Thrombosis in Horses
Authors: Maxie M. G. , Physick-Sheard P. W.
Published: January 2017

Vascular obstruction of the hindlimbs was diagnosed clinically in 15 horses, and was characterized at necropsy in eight of those horses. The condition was identified as an incidental post mortem finding in two additional horses. The principal clinical signs in affected horses were progressive exercise intolerance and hind-leg lameness. At post mortem the oldest lesions were located at the aortic quadrifurcation and in the distal portions of the femoral and internal iliac arteries, and consisted of partially or completely occlusive masses of well-organized and well-vascularized fibrous tissue, occasionally containing hemorrhagic or degenerate areas. Proximal to these organized masses, large unorganized thrombi were often present. In the region of the occlusive masses, the tunica intima was obliterated, except for the internal elastic lamina which usually remained intact. The tunica media was largely unaffected, except for ischemic necrosis of the media in greatly distended arteries or under thick plaques. The pathogenesis of the lesions is unresolved. The lesions may result from organization of strongyle-related thromboemboli or the inciting cause may be progressive enlargement and organization of spontaneously developing fibrous intimal plaques. Hypercoagulability of the blood may have contributed to thrombosis in one mare with the nephrotic syndrome. Routine examination of the aortic quadrifurcation and its major branches is recommended in order that subclinical changes may be detected and the natural history of the lesion elucidated.
Ocular Angiosarcoma in the Horse: Morphological and Immunohistochemical Studies
Authors: Moore P. F. , Hacker D. V. , Buyukmihci N. C.
Published: January 2017

Angiosarcomas arising in ocular tissues of four aging horses are described. Tumors were locally invasive and eventually metastasized via the mandibular and cervical lymph nodes. Pathologically, the tumors contained well-differentiated regions, in which vascular channels were lined by pleomorphic endothelial cells, as well as poorly-differentiated regions, in which vascular channels were either rudimentary or absent. Red blood cells were scarce in vascular structures formed by the tumors. Factor VIII related antigen (VIII:RAg), a blood vascular endothelial marker, was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in tumor cells in both the well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated regions. The results suggest that ocular tumors arose in blood vascular endothelium and represented true hemangiosarcomas although a lymphatic endothelial origin could not be excluded. Immunohistochemical demonstration of VIII:RAg is a valuable adjunct to conventional stains in the diagnosis of equine vascular neoplasia.
Clinical, Gross, and Histological Findings in Herring Gulls and Atlantic Puffins that Ingested Prudhoe Bay Crude Oil
Authors: Leighton F. A.
Published: January 2017

Oral doses of 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, or 20 ml of Prudhoe Bay crude oil/kg body weight/day were given to herring gull and Atlantic puffin nestlings for 5 to 7 consecutive days. Gulls defecated substantial amounts of oil within 10 to 15 minutes after receiving a dose. Clinical signs and lesions occurred only in birds given ≥ 10 ml oil/kg body weight/day. Gulls consumed less food and lost weight. Two categories of lesions were observed: those considered secondary to a primary toxic hemolytic disease, and those considered nonspecific reactions to stress. The former included phagocytosis of degenerate erythrocytes in the liver and spleen, hemoglobin resorption droplets in renal proximal tubule cells, and erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow; the latter included lymphocyte depletion in primary lymphoid tissues, an increase in heterophil: lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood, lipid depletion and necrosis in adrenal steroidogenic cells, and an increased prevalence and severity of lesions in the bursa of Fabricius. These findings indicated that the primary target of oil toxicity was the peripheral red blood cell, but that significant stress-related lesions were also associated with ingestion of oil.
Evaluating Toxin-induced Hepatic Injury in Rats by Laboratory Results and Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Carakostas M. C. , Gossett K. A. , Church G. E. , Cleghorn B. L.
Published: January 2017

The ability of 14 serum biochemical assays to predict the presence of hepatic necrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (centrilobular necrosis), allyl alcohol (periportal necrosis), and 1-napththylisothiocyanate (ANIT) (biliary duct necrosis) was evaluated in rats. Results of these assays were analyzed using multivariate discriminant analysis to determine: which assays have the highest predictive value for discriminating between control and treated rats, and which assays would discriminate between rats in the three treatment groups. Individual assays with the highest predictive value for CCl4-induced lesions versus controls were glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Assays with the highest predictive value for ANIT-induced lesions were GDH, 5′-nucleotidase (5′NT), and ALT. Assays with the highest predictive value for allyl alcohol-induced lesions were an ALT/isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD) ratio, GDH, and ALT. Canonical correlation coefficients for each assay ranged from 0.98 to 0.91 with 95-100% correct group membership predictions (treated versus control) provided by each assay. Individual assays were not highly predictive for determining group membership among all three treatment groups. A two assay combination of 5′NT and an ALT/ICD ratio provided 100% correct group membership predictions and had high canonical correlations (f1 = 0.95, f2 = 0.83).
Multifocal Retinitis in New Zealand Sheep Dogs
Authors: Hughes P. L. , Dubielzig R. R. , Kazacos K. R.
Published: January 2017

Thirty-nine percent of 1,448 working sheep dogs were affected with varying degrees of multifocal retinal disease on ophthalmoscopic examination. Lesions consisted of localized areas of hyperreflexia in the tapetal fundus, often associated with hyperpigmentation. Severely affected animals had widespread heperreflexia with retinal vascular attenuation. Only 6% of 125 New Zealand dogs raised in urban environment were similarly affected. Both eyes of 70 dogs from New Zealand were examined histologically. Forty-seven of 70 dogs had ocular inflammatory disease. Ten other dogs had noninflammatory eye disease, and 13 dogs had normal eyes. Histologically, eyes with inflammatory disease were divided into three categories: 1) Dogs 3 years of age or less with active inflammatory disease of the retina, uvea, and vitreous. Four dogs in this group had migrating nematode larvae identified morphologically as genus Toxocara. 2) Diffuse retinitis and retinal atrophy in conjunction with localized retinal necrosis and choroidal fibrosis. Dogs in this category were severely, clinically affected. 3) Chronic, low-grade retinitis with variable retinal atrophy. Most dogs in this category were over 3 years of age, and many were visually functional. The existence of a definable spectrum of morphological changes associated with inflammation, suggests that Toxocara sp. ocular larva migrans may be the cause of a highly prevalent, potentially blinding syndrome of working sheep dogs in New Zealand.
Funeral of laughter
Authors: Collazos Oscar
Published: January 2017

'They have murdered laughter', cried Colombians as they mourned the buffoon who told insolent truths to the world
I drown in silence
Authors: Gomez Alvaro Montoya
Published: January 2017

Any serious journalist in Colombia faces a constant struggle to overcome threats and intimidation - the struggle can end in two ways, one of which is to stop kicking and sink beneath the waves
Ethics in Science
Authors: Rich Vera
Published: January 2017

Political Economy of Science 218 pp The Radicalisation of Science 205 pp Hilary Rose and Steven Rose (eds) Macmillan each £10 hard cover, £3.95 paperback
Mauritian mêlée
Authors: Collen Lindsey
Published: January 2017

Caught between rival Hindu and Muslim fundamentalism, free speech in Mauritius is in danger of falling victim to the struggle for economic and political power between contending factions
Thou shall not suffer a witch
Authors: Wotany Emmanuel
Published: January 2017

Times are hard in Burkina Faso and the young vent their frustration on the old and defenceless
In search of an ethic
Authors: Baguer Néstor
Published: January 2017

Cuban journalism has a long independent, democratic tradition. From the eighteenth century, when the first Cuban newspaper was published under the title Diario del Apostadero (Daily Post), the influence and authority of the press grew rapidly. Today, incompetence is as great a threat as censorship
Whose army?
Authors: Bergnes Gustavo Arcos
Published: January 2017

Fidel Castro's former comrade-in-arms talks to Adam Newey of the repression of dissidents and his hope for a peaceful transition to democracy with the help of the army
Miami vices
Authors: Hidalgo Ariel
Published: January 2017

Hard-line exile groups in Miami maintain a firm grip over Washington's policy towards Cuba. Amid the clamour for tighter sanctions against Castro, the more moderate voices among the exile community cannot make themselves heard
Out of the lie
Authors: Rodríguez José Conrado
Published: January 2017

Open letter to Fidel Castro given as a sermon by the priest of the Iglesia del Rosario, in Palma Soriano, Oriente, Cuba
Cautionary tales
Authors: Maja-Pearce Adewale
Published: January 2017

‘Responsibility’ cuts both ways, as the editor of Zambia's leading independent newspaper discovered when the government took him to court
Divided by the same language
Authors: Bennett Ronan
Published: January 2017

Extreme language and glib explanations obfuscate the roots of the Irish troubles and do nothing to further the search for a peaceful solution
Beyond fundamentalism
Authors: Lucie-Smith Edward
Published: January 2017

Unlike the word, graphic art in the Arab world retains its power to resist the worst of fundamentalism
A call for sanctions
Authors: Soyinka Wole
Published: January 2017

In March 1997 Nigeria's Nobel prize-winning author and 11 other pro-democracy activists were charged with treason and ‘waging war against Nigeria’ for their alleged involvement in a recent wave of bomb attacks against military targets — further evidence, says Soyinka, of the desperate lengths to which the Abacha regime will go to silence its critics, and a warning to the international community that it's time to get tough
The Role of Antileukotrienes in the Treatment of Asthma
Authors: Riccioni G. , Santilli F. , D'Orazio N. , Sensi S. , Spoltore R. , de Benedictis M. , Guagnano M. T. , di Ilio C. , Schiavone C. , Ballone E. , Della Vecchia R.
Published: January 2017

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) are mediators released in asthma and are both direct bronchoconstrictors and proinflammatory substances that mediated several steps in the pathophysiology of chronic asthma, including inflammatory cells recruitment, vascular leakage, and possibly airway remodelling.

Available evidence from clinical trials and real-word experience derived from managing patients with asthma justifies a broader role for anti-LTRAs in asthma management than that recommended in the National Asthma Education and Prevention Programm (NAEPP) and National Health Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) treatment guidelines.

Leukotriene-receptor antagonists drugs (LTRAs) seem to be effective alternatives to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) either as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy that reduces the need for higher doses of ICS in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. LTRAs may be used as adjunctive therapy for al levels of disease severity because they are effective in combination with ICS during long-term maintenance therapy. The agents seem especially effective in preventing aspirin-induced asthma, exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and they may provide an additional advantage of reducing nasal congestion in patients with both asthma and rhinitis.
Effect of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 on Murine Bone Marrow Cells: Proliferation, Colony Forming Ability and Signal Transduction Pathway Involved
Authors: Biswas S.K. , Sodhi A.
Published: January 2017

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) plays a crucial role in the migration and activation of leukocytes in both physiological and pathological contexts. In this paper, we report the in vitro effect of MCP-1 on myeloid haematopoiesis. MCP-1-treated murine nonadherent bone marrow cells (NABMCs) were assayed for in vitro proliferation and colony forming ability. It is observed that MCP-1 treatment in vitro caused an enhancement in the proliferation and colony forming ability of the murine NABMCs as compared to the untreated cells. This response was concentration-dependent and most effective at a dose of 100ng/ml MCP-1. In the presence of MCSF (200U/ml), GCSF (200U/ml), GMCSF (200U/ml) or IL-3 (200U/ml), the MCP-1-induced colony forming ability of the NABMCs was significantly augmented, indicating a synergistic effect of MCP-1 with these CSFs. However, irrespective of the CSFs used, MCP-1 stimulated the lineage-restricted differentiation of the murine BMCs into predominantly the granulocytic lineage. NABMCs cultured in medium alone formed minimal colonies. The probable signal transduction mechanism responsible for the MCP-1-induced NABMC proliferation/differentiation was also investigated. The results of the colony forming assay indicate that the protein kinase inhibitors, genistein (10 μg/ml), chelenthryin chloride (10μM), wortmannin (200nM) and PD98059 (10μM) significantly blocked the in vitro colony forming ability of the MCP-1-treated NABMCs, while the phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid (10nM) and sodium orthovanadate (10μM) caused an increase in the BMC colony forming ability in response to MCP-1. These data suggests the involvement of the respective protein kinases and phosphatases in the above process. Correlating with this, the role of several signaling molecules likes Lyn, p42/44MAPK, PI3K and STAT5 has also been implicated in the signal cascade of murine NABMC proliferation/differentiation following MCP-1 treatment.
Vaginal Bacterial Flora Activates Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells
Authors: Brzezińska-Blaszczyk E. , Wasiela M.
Published: January 2017

Sixteen strains of physiological and pathological vaginal bacteria were tested for their ability to secrete histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells in vitro. We noticed that Mycoplasma hominis -induced histamine release was very high (up to 53.6%). The stimulation of rat mast cells with Staphylococccus cohnii, Staphylococcus coagulase(-) (two strains), Ureaplasma urealyticum, Peptostreptococcus spp., Bacteroides capillosus, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae resulted in lower, but significant histamine secretion (11.2%–17.5%). Other bacterial strains ( Staphylococcus epidermidids, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Actinomyces naeslundii (two strains) and Lactobacillus fermentum (two strains) caused very low (4.2 % – 8.8%) histamine release.
Evidence for a T-Lymphocyte Dependent Mechanism Involving Proinflammatory Cytokines in Anticonvulsant Hypersensitivity Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Chiappini E. , Peruzzi M. , Galli L. , Calabri G. , de Martino M.
Published: January 2017

The anticonvulsant drug hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a potentially fatal drug reaction associated with aromatic antiepileptic drugs, the pathogenic mechanisms of which are still unclear. We studied a 2-year-old female affected with AHS after phenobarbital treatment. In vitro experiments showed a T-lymphocyte response to the drug and an increased, dose-related, IL-6 production after drug incubation. These findings suggest that AHS may be caused by a T-lymphocyte dependent mechanism, involving pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Prevalence of IgG Antibodies against Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L. and Ehrlichia Phagocytophila in Sera of Patients Presenting Symptoms of Lyme Disease in a Central Region of Italy
Authors: Santino I. , Grillo R. , Nicoletti M. , Santapaola D. , Speziale D. , Sessa R. , Fadda G. , Del Piano M.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence (seroprevalence) of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila among patients resident in Lazio, a region of central Italy. Of a sample of 1,050 patients, which presented clinical manifestations related to Lyme disease, 34 (3.2%) were Borrelia-seropositive (Lyme index value ≥ 1.2). The sera of 25 out of the 34 patients that were Borrelia-positive were also analysed for the presence of antibodies against E. phagocytophila and 3 (12%) were found Ehrlichia-positive (titres >1:64). No Ehrlichia-positive samples were found among sera of 250 Borrelia-negative patients. Since both B. burgdorferi s.l. and Ehrlichia species share the same tick vector ( Ixodes ricinus), our results indicate that concurrent transmission of these microbial pathogens might have been occurred among the patients included in this study.
Mast Cell Deficient W/Wv Mice Lack Stress-Induced Increase in Serum IL-6 Levels, as Well as in Peripheral CRH and Vascular Permeability, a Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Huang M. , Berry J. , Kandere K. , Lytinas M. , Karalis K. , Theoharides T.C.
Published: January 2017

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are implicated in inflammatory diseases triggered by stress. Acute restraint stress increases serum IL-6 in the blood, but its source is not known. Our current study was carried out in order to determine the contribution of mast cells to stress-induced IL-6 release and to investigate skin CRH and vascular permeability in mice. W/Wv mast cell deficient and their wild type control +/+ mice were stressed in a plexiglass restraint chamber for 60 or 120 min. Serum corticosterone and IL-6 levels were measured. Other mice were injected with 99-Tchnetium gluceptate (99Tc) and its extravastion, indicating vascular permeability, was determined along with CRH levels in the skin and knee joints. Acute stress increased serum IL-6 in mice, but was greatly inhibited in W/Wv mast cell deficient mice. Vascular permeability to 99Tc, as well as local CRH levels, were also increased by stress, but not in W/Wv mice. Findings from our current study suggest a link between mast cells and stress-related skin and joint inflammation and may explain initial events in psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis.
Managing Failure to Antiretroviral Drugs in HIV-1-Infected Patients
Authors: Gianotti N. , Lazzarin A.
Published: January 2017

Managing failure to antiretroviral therapies implies the addressing of several issues: the clinical stage, the virological and the immunological response to the failing regimen, together with drug history, resistance and exposure. Each of these issues will be discussed with the aim of providing useful data to design an optimal antiretroviral rescue therapy.
Antiphosphatidylinositol Antibody in Deep Venous Thrombosis Patients
Authors: Panarelli P. , Viola-Magni M.P. , Albi E.
Published: January 2017

Antiphospholipid antibodies are a heterogeneous group of immunoglobulins with specificity for a number of phospholipids, phospholipid-binding proteins and phospholipid-protein complexes. The association between antiphospholipid antibodies and a variety of pathologic disorders, such as arterial and venous thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss is recognized as Antiphospholipid Syndrome. The immunoassay currently used to detect antiphospholipid antibodies is the anticardiolipin test. Anticardiolipin antibodies are believed to be polyspecific antibodies that cross-react with all the anionic phospholipids. Therefore, testing only for anticardiolipin antibodies does not always permit detection of all antiphospholipid antibodies, specially when only IgG are evaluated.

In a selected population of 74 idiopathic and secondary deep venous thrombosis patients, IgG anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidylinositol and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies were detected by solid-phase immunoassays. Our results show that by testing for each antiphospholipid family, many patients, not evidenced by the standard anticardiolipin assay, were found to be antiphospholipid-positive. The anticardiolipin positive patients have always low, moderate or high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies, suggesting that the antiphospholipid positivity is predictive of anticardiolipin positivity. It should be noted that the patients with only antiphosphatidylinositol positive antibody have a story of nervous system pathology. The meaning of these results is at present under discussion.
Long-Term and Preventive Effects of Sublingual Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: A Retrospective, Multicentric Study
Authors: Madonini E. , Agostinis F. , Barra R. , Berra A. , Donadio D. , Pappacoda A. , Stefani E. , Tierno E.
Published: January 2017

There is now an increasing body of evidence to support the practice of allergen-specific sublingual-swallow immunotherapy (SLIT) in the treatment of IgE-mediated respiratory allergies. Recent studies on traditional injection therapy have pointed out that this form of treatment is not only capable to decrease actual allergic symptoms, but may also have long-term clinical and preventive effects and may influence atopy natural history. In the year 2000, our group published a retrospective, multicenter study showing the efficacy and safety of SLIT in a survey of 302 patients. We now carried out a second study on the same patients, with the aim of investigating long-term and preventive effects of SLIT. Beside the well-known safety and efficacy of this treatment (80.8 % of patients reported clinical benefits), SLIT proved also to elicit long term clinical effects: over a mean follow-up of 11.6 months after the end of treatment, 80.8 % of patients still mantained the previously achieved benefits. During the follow-up period, only 1 % of non-asthma patients reported an onset of respiratory symptoms, and only 9.6 % of patients undergoing new skin tests showed new sensitizations. All the clinical benefits were strongly linked to the length of treatment: patients with long-lasting benefits were treated for a mean length of 29.1 months, while patients showing a return to pre-SLIT condition were treated for a mean 13.3 months. SLIT can obtain long-term and preventive effects so far attributed to injection immunotherapy.
The Differential Expression of Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 in Normal Lymphoid Tissue and Non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's Lymphomas
Authors: D'Haene N. , Maris C. , Sandras F. , Dehou M.-F. , Remmelink M. , Decaestecker C. , Salmon I.
Published: January 2017

The WHO classification of lymphomas was established on the basis of clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and genetic criteria. However, each entity displays its own spectrum of clinical aggressiveness. Treatment success varies widely and is not predictable. Since galectins are involved in oncogenesis and the physiology of immune cells, we investigated whether galectin-1 and galectin-3 immunohistochemical expression could differ in 25 normal lymphoid tissues, 42 non-Hodgkin's and 14 Hodgkin's lymphomas. Immunohistochemical galectin expression was submitted to semi-quantitative and quantitative (computer-assisted microscopy) evaluations. This study is completed by an analysis (by means of quantitative RT-PCR) of galectin-3 mRNA expression in 3 normal lymph nodes, 3 follicular lymphomas (FLs) and 3 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). The data show that in normal lymphoid tissue, lymphocytes do not express galectin-1 and rarely express galectin-3. In contrast, galectin-3 was expressed in 8 of the 16 DLBCL cases and in 1 of the 8 FL cases. Furthermore, galectin-3 mRNA was expressed 3-times more in the DLBCLs than in the FLs. While the blood vessel walls of the lymphomas expressed galectin-1, the vessel walls of normal lymphoid tissues did not. This expression of galectin-1 in blood vessel walls was correlated with vascular density. The present study thus shows that DLBCL can be distinguished from normal lymphoid tissue and other lymphomas on the basis of galectin-3 expression.
Constitutive and Stimulated Production of Vegf by Human Megakaryoblastic Cell Lines: Effect on Proliferation and Signaling Pathway
Authors: Bonsi L. , Pierdomenico L. , Biscardi M. , Marchionni C. , Gavazzi S. , Fossati V. , Ghinassi B. , Alviano F. , Rondelli D. , Franchina M. , Bagnara G.P. , Grossi A.
Published: January 2017

Release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other candidate angiogenic factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor β, may play a role in sustaining neoplastic cell proliferation and tumor growth. We evaluated VEGF expression and synthesis in the two erythro-megakaryocytic cell lines B1647, HEL and one megakaryocyte cell line MO7 expressing erythroid markers. In this study RT-PCR was performed to evaluate VEGF expression and that of its receptor KDR; VEGF production was assayed by Elisa test and western blot analysis; sensitivity to VEGF was tested by thymidine incorporation. VEGF and its receptor KDR were expressed in B1647 and HEL, both as mRNAs and as proteins, while only KDR transcript was found in MO7 cells. Only B1647 and HEL cells showed a strong spontaneous proliferating activity. In fact, measurable amounts of VEGF were present in the unstimulated cell medium, thus suggesting an autocrine production of VEGF by B1647 and HEL cells, but not by MO7, which was inhibited in mRNA-silencing conditions. This production could not be further boosted by other growth factors, whereas it was inhibited by TGF-β1. Finally, analysis of She signal transduction proteins following stimulation with VEGF indicated that only p46 was tyrosine phosphorylated. These data indicate that leukemic cells may be capable of autocrine production of VEGF which, in turn, maintains cell proliferation, possibly mediated by She p46 phosphorylation.
Antioxidant Vitamins Reduce Oxidative Stress and Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Gasparetto C. , Malinverno A. , Culacciati D. , Gritt D. , Prosperini P.G. , Specchia G. , Ricevuti G.
Published: January 2017

We analyzed soluble vascular adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1), reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) level, total antioxidant status (TAS) and telediastolic left ventricular volume (TLW) in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing reperfusion therapy and treated with antioxidant vitamins (AT) or placebo (P) before and for 1 month after reperfusion. After reperfusion, sVCAM-1 serum concentration, reactive oxygen metabolites level, and TLW were significantly higher in patients treated with placebo than in those treated with antioxidant vitamins, while TAS was significantly higher in patients treated with antioxidant supplementation. We observed that 48 hours after reperfusion sVCAM-1 (P) vs sVCAM −1(AT) was 2.03±0.5 vs 1.63±0.7 μg/ml with p<0.01; ROMs (P) vs ROMs (AT) were 335.60±35.80 vs 307.50±47.10 U.CARR with p<0.05; TAS (P) vs TAS (AT) was 526.47±44.24 vs 737.65±51.15 μmol/l with p<0.01; 1 week after reperfusion TLW (P) vs TLW (AT) was 125.12±29.80 vs 119.40±29.40 ml with p<0.05; 1 month after reperfusion TLW (P) vs TLW (AV) was 132.00±33.50 vs 123.40±21.60 ml with p<0.05. In the first period after infarction, vitamin treatment improves the antioxidant system and reduces oxidative stress, inflammatory process and left ventricular remodeling.
Natural Killer Cells in Bal and Peripheral Blood of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Authors: Esposito I. , Perna F. , Ponticiello A. , Perrella M. , Gilli M. , Sanduzzi A.
Published: January 2017

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (IPF/UIP) represents the most important interstitial pneumonia. A Th2 cytokine pathway predominance, favouring collagen deposition, associated to a deficit in IFN-γ network, seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Nonetheless, few data are available about the potentially involved cells. Natural killer cells (NK), are one of the most important subsets implicated in the IFN-γ network. The aim of this study was to assess NK cells, both in BAL and peripheral blood of 11 patients suffering from IPF (group A) with respect to 11 patients with other interstitial pneumonia (Group B). Our results did not show any statistically significant difference in NK percentage in BAL between group A and B. On the contrary, patients with IPF showed a higher percentage of NK cells (t = 2.41; p < .05) and absolute number of cells (t = 2.32; p < 0.05) in peripheral blood, as well as a strong positive correlation between circulating and BAL NK cells (r = .69; p <.05). This finding shows, for the first time, a relationship between peripheral and lung resident cell environments in humans suggesting a possible systemic involvements in the natural history of IPF.
Saliva as a Diagnostic Matrix for Drug Abuse
Authors: Lo Muzio L. , Falaschini S. , Rappelli G. , Bambini F. , Baldoni A. , Procaccini M. , Cingolani M.
Published: January 2017

Scientific interest in saliva as a diagnostic matrix has greatly increased over the last decade. The Triage® screening test (Biosite Diagnostics), a rapid immunological test used to detect recreational drugs in the urine, was used to compare two biological matrixes: a non-conventional one, saliva, and a traditional one, urine. Twenty-one drug abusers collected one urine and one saliva specimen, both of which were tested with the Triage kit. Data were validated by gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). Results were positive for methadone in 9 saliva and 14 urine specimens, for opiates in 2 and 10, respectively, and for barbiturates in 2 specimens. Saliva specimens were negative for cannabis, THC, benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants, although the GC-MS analysis revealed low concentrations of these drugs in the saliva. The study demonstrates the possibility of using saliva as a diagnostic matrix to test for drug-taking; however, the Triage kit must be improved before being used with saliva.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Human Tooth Germ Center
Authors: Mastrangelo F. , Piccirilli M. , Dolci M. , Teté S. , Speranza L. , Patruno A. , Gizzi F. , Felaco M. , Artese L. , De Lutiis M.A.
Published: January 2017

Many oncogenis and tumour suppressor genes found inside normal and pathological cells are fundamental for the processes of development, proliferation and tissue differentiation. The purpose of our study is to show the presence and a possible relationship of the VEGF protein during different phases of the development of human dental germ centers. After cephalometric investigation in 8 orthodontic patients with a mean age of 13 years, (4 females and 4 males), hyperdivergence of the third molars were extracted. The 40 surgical samples were tested with monoclonal human anti-VEGFs antibodies carrying out a semi-quantitative analysis to look for a positive reaction. Reaction for anti-VEGF antibodies was detected in normal embryological tissues and in microvessels near odontogenic cells. During different phases of embryologic development of the dental bud our search showed intracytoplasmatic positive immunoreactions both in the ameloblastic and odontoblastic cells. Additionally, a positive reaction was observed for the VEGF protein in the cells of the stellate reticulum and in those endothelial tissue surrounding the microvessels in all the samples examined.
Levamisole Activates Several Innate Immune Factors in Scophthalmus Maximus (L.) (Teleostei)
Authors: Alvarez-Pellitero P. , Sitjà-Bobadilla A. , Bermúdez R. , Quiroga M.I.
Published: January 2017

Levamisole, originally synthesized as an anti-helminthic, has been widely used in human and veterinary medicine as an immunomodulator or adjuvant. However, data on its use in fish are scarce, and no information is available for turbot. To study the effects of levamisole treatment on the innate immune system of juvenile turbot, two different doses (D1=500 mg/kg; D2=250 mg/kg dry food) were orally administered for 2 weeks and samplings were performed at −10, 14, 28, 49 and 77 days post treatment (p.t.). Biometrical, haematological, histological and immunological data were obtained. Specific growth rate was higher in the medicated groups than in the control (C), but the difference was statistically significant only for D1 fish at day 49 p.t. The leucocytes/trombocytes ratio was significantly higher in D1 than in C fish at 14 days p.t., but decreased subsequently. At most samplings, the percentage of the circulating lymphocytes was lower and that of the progranulocytes was higher in the medicated fish than in the C ones. The percentage offish with high haemotopoietic activity in the kidney was clearly higher in D1 and D2 fish than in C ones at some sampling points. The respiratory burst activity of blood leucocytes was significantly higher in D1 fish than in C ones in all samplings, except at day 77 p.t. when control fish experienced a rebound effect. In all medicated fish, an initial increase of such activity was observed, followed by a further decrease. Their serum peroxidases followed a contrary pattern, with a decrease in the second sampling and a subsequent and non-significant recovery, a situation also observed for serum lysozyme and complement. Therefore, oral levamisole treatment actually affects some turbot immune factors, although stimulation or depression can occur depending on the considered factor and the administered dose. These results point out the interest of further studies on the mechanisms involved in the levamisole action for its adequate use as immunomodulator.
Resistance Training Alters Cytokine Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Gordon P.L. , Vannier E. , Hamada K. , Layne J. , Hurley B.F. , Roubenoff R. , Castaneda-Sceppa C.
Published: January 2017

Resistance training results in muscle hypertrophy and improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Whether resistance training modulates inflammation in muscles of diabetic patients remains unknown. We examined the expression of genes encoding the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-lβ) and transforming growth factor-β, (TGF-β,) as well as the pan-leukocyte marker CD18. Thirty men and women (67 ± 7 years) were randomized to either 16 weeks of resistance training and usual diabetes care (EX) or to usual diabetes care only (CON). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle prior to the 16-week intervention, and 72 h following the maximal strength test post-intervention. Fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) was determined following ATPase staining. Cytokine and CD18 transcript levels were assessed by real-time PCR. Resistance training increased CSA of type I and II fibers (both P < 0.05) and IL-1β transcript levels (P = 0.05). TNF-α (P < 0.05) and TGF-β1 transcripts (P < 0.05) increased over time in the EX group, but these increases did not differ from those in the CON group. In both groups, the increase in CD18 transcripts remained minimal. The two groups differ by the relationship between changes in CD18 and changes in cytokine transcripts, suggesting that resistance training affects the source of cytokines in muscle. Our studies establish that resistance training in older adults with type 2 diabetes results in muscle fiber hypertrophy, despite a greater accumulation of inflammatory cytokine transcripts in muscle.
Estrogen Receptor Agonists and Immune System in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Garcí-Pérez M.A. , Del Val R. , Noguera I. , Hermenegildo C. , Pineda B. , Martínez-Romero A. , Cano A.
Published: January 2017

Several data implicate the immune system in bone lost after estrogen deficiency, however, some of the effects on the immune system of estrogen deficiency or of estrogen receptor (ER) modulation are not well established. In this study, the effect of ER agonists on the immune system in ovariectomized mice is analyzed. Mice were ovariectomized and were administered 17β-estradiol (E2), raloxifene (RAL) or genistein (GEN). The effect of a 4-week treatment on bone turnover and on several parameters that reflect the status of the immune system was studied. Results show that ovariectomy provoked both uterine atrophy and thymic hypertrophy. Although RAL corrected thymic hypertrophy, only E2 corrected both. Ovariectomized mice showed increased levels of serum calcium and cathepsin K gene expression and decreased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, which suggests that there is a persistent alteration in bone metabolism. Moreover, ovariectomy increased B-cells and CD25+ cells, and decreased the percentages of T-cells and Cbfa1 gene expression in bone marrow (BM). All ER agonists corrected, although to different degrees, changes induced by the ovariectomy. Furthermore, results showed that it is essential to adjust ER agonist doses to avoid immunosuppression, since all ER agonists decreased BM T-cell levels.