Two-step magnetic ordering in quasi-one-dimensional helimagnets: possible experimental validation of villain's conjecture about a chiral spin liquid phase

Low-temperature specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and zero-field muon spin resonance (microSR) measurements have been performed in the quasi-one-dimensional molecular helimagnetic compound Gd(hfac)3NITEt. The specific heat presents two anomalies at T(0)=2.19+/-0.02 K and T(N)=1.88+/-0.02 K, which both disappear upon the application of a weak magnetic field. Conversely, magnetic susceptibility and muSR data show the divergence of two-spin correlation functions only at T(N)=1.88+/-0.02 K. These results suggest an experimental validation of Villain's conjecture of a two-step magnetic ordering in quasi-one-dimensional XY helimagnets; i.e., the paramagnetic phase and the helical spin solid phase are separated by a chiral spin liquid phase, where translational invariance is broken without violation of rotational invariance.

Early abnormalities of left ventricular myocardial characteristics associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism

The aim of the present study was to analyze heart function in subclinical hyperthyroidism (sHT) in otherwise healthy subjects by new methods using intramyocardial ultrasonic techniques. Twenty-four newly diagnosed and untreated sHT patients (20 women, 4 men; mean age: 42+/-4 yr) and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were studied. All subjects were submitted to conventional 2D color-Doppler echocardiography, pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (PWTDI) for the analysis of diastolic function, color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI) for the analysis of regional strain and strain rate (SR) expression of regional myocardial deformability, and to integrated backscatter (IBS) for the evaluation of intrinsic contractility and tissue characterization. Regional myocardial systolic strain findings were significantly higher in sHT patients when compared with controls (p<0.001). Considering diastolic SR, the early phase of diastolic SR was compromised in sHT subjects as compared with controls (p<0.001). Cyclic variation index (CVI), expression of intrinsic contractility, was significantly higher in sHT subjects in comparison with controls (p<0.0001). IBS values were comparable between the 2 study groups. In conclusion, the present study suggests that in patients with sHT early systolic hyperdeformability and hypercontractility are present, together with impairment of both active and passive phases of diastole. On the contrary, no left ventricular hypertrophy or other structural alterations are documented.

Distribution of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors genes in the Italian Caucasian population

Background

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activatory receptors that are expressed by most natural killer (NK) cells. The KIR gene family is polymorphic: genomic diversity is achieved through differences in gene content and allelic polymorphism. The number of KIR loci has been reported to vary among individuals, resulting in different KIR haplotypes. In this study we report the genotypic structure of KIRs in 217 unrelated healthy Italian individuals from 22 immunogenetics laboratories, located in the northern, central and southern regions of Italy.

Methods

Two hundred and seventeen DNA samples were studied by a low resolution PCR-SSP kit designed to identify all KIR genes.

Results

All 17 KIR genes were observed in the population with different frequencies than other Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations; framework genes KIR3DL3, KIR3DP1, KIR2DL4 and KIR3DL2 were present in all individuals. Sixty-five different profiles were found in this Italian population study. Haplotype A remains the most prevalent and genotype 1, with a frequency of 28.5%, is the most commonly observed in the Italian population.

Conclusion

The Italian Caucasian population shows polymorphism of the KIR gene family like other Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations. Although 64 genotypes have been observed, genotype 1 remains the most frequent as already observed in other populations. Such knowledge of the KIR gene distribution in populations is very useful in the study of associations with diseases and in selection of donors for haploidentical bone marrow transplantation.

Cell proliferation drives neural crest cell invasion of the intestine

A general mathematical model of cell invasion is developed and validated with an experimental system. The model incorporates two basic cell functions: non-directed (diffusive) motility and proliferation to a carrying capacity limit. The model is used here to investigate cell proliferation and motility differences along the axis of an invasion wave. Mathematical simulations yield surprising and counterintuitive predictions. In this general scenario, cells at the invasive front are proliferative and migrate into previously unoccupied tissues while those behind the front are essentially nonproliferative and do not directly migrate into unoccupied tissues. These differences are not innate to the cells, but are a function of proximity to uninvaded tissue. Therefore, proliferation at the invading front is the critical mechanism driving apparently directed invasion. An appropriate system to experimentally validate these predictions is the directional invasion and colonization of the gut by vagal neural crest cells that establish the enteric nervous system. An assay using gut organ culture with chick-quail grafting is used for this purpose. The experimental results are entirely concordant with the mathematical predictions. We conclude that proliferation at the wavefront is a key mechanism driving the invasive process. This has important implications not just for the neural crest, but for other invasion systems such as epidermal wound healing, carcinoma invasion and other developmental cell migrations.

[Presence of the microbiological risk in Umbrian sawmills]

The purpose of this study was to quantify and identify the airborne microbial contamination in Umbria Sawmills. In this paper we reported the preliminary results of our analysis. Microbial contaminants (fungi and bacteria) were assessed with passive (IMA Standard) and active (SAS microbial sampler) methods. There were significant differences of bacterial and/or fungal CFU/m3 values between the outdoor and indoor environments during the normal sawmills activity. Staphylococcus, Sphingomonas, Pasteurella, were the most predominant bacteria. The most predominant isolated fungi belong to Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus genus.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in floor cleaners

OBJECTIVE

To determine the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) in a cohort of floor cleaners and to check differences between workers with and without CTS.

METHODS

All female floor cleaners of three major hospitals in Tuscany (Italy) were contacted. Clinical and electrophysiological severity of CTS and UNE were evaluated with standardized scales and symptoms were assessed with the self-administered Boston Questionnaire (BQ); demographic and non-occupational factors and durations of current and previous occupations were recorded. Univariate analysis of risk factors was performed in workers with and without CTS. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the capacity of independent variables to predict CTS.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 179 cleaners, 145 (81%)-mean age 39.6 years (20-64 years)-were enrolled in the study; 70 (48%) had CTS (diagnosis based on clinical and electrophysiological findings). BQ symptom and hand function scores were anomalous in 108 (74%) and 84 (58%) subjects, respectively. UNE was detected in 7/103 women. Univariate analysis showed that cleaners with CTS were older, had greater BMI and longer exposure to cleaning with previous employers than those without CTS. In the logistic regression, the only predictor of CTS was cleaning with previous employers (O.R. 12.1, 95% CI 3-49.9).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate a high occurrence of CTS in floor cleaners; UNE is less frequent than CTS, presumably due to repetitive movements that stress wrists more than elbows. The only predictive factor of CTS was cleaning as an occupation with previous employers. Therefore, the actual risk factor for CTS could not be cleaning per se, but how this job is performed.

Myocardial systolic strain abnormalities in patients with acromegaly: a prospective color Doppler imaging study

BACKGROUND

Heart abnormalities are frequent findings in patients with acromegaly: systolic abnormalities are considered to be secondary to diastolic changes.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether early systolic abnormalities might be revealed in acromegalic patients using the high sensitive color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI) technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-two consecutive acromegalic patients with active untreated disease (ACROUNTR) were evaluated at baseline and after a 6-month course with SS analogs (SSa) (ACROSSa); 25 healthy subjects served as controls. All subjects underwent conventional 2D-color Doppler echocardiography, pulse wave tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI) and CDMI.

RESULTS

Mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction did not differ in ACROUNTR and in controls; at variance, ACROUNTR patients had reduced mean LV diastolic function (E/A ratio: 0.96+/-0.3 vs controls: 1.6+/-0.3; p<0.002). Impairment of global LV diastolic function was confirmed by PW-TDI in ACROUNTR patients having a normal systolic function. Regional myocardial systolic strain (epsilon) and strain rate (SR) values, indices of regional systolic heart deformation, were lower in ACROUNTR [epsilonsys (S) -19.8+/-2.9 and epsilonsys (L): -17.7+/-2.2] than in controls [epsilonsys (S): -27.9+/-3.8; p<0.001 and epsilonsys (L): -25.3+/-2.6; p<0.001]. In addition, the early phase of diastolic function, evaluated using SR parameters, was impaired in acromegalic patients (p<0.005 vs controls). Strain and SR values were related to serum GH and IGF-I levels (p<0.02) and greatly improved after a 6-month course with SSa [epsilonsys (S) improved to -23.8+/-3.8 (p<0.05) and epsilonsys (L) improved to -24.7+/-2.4 (p<0.03)].

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that ACROUNTR patients have impaired diastolic function. More important, our study clearly shows that ACROUNTR patients have an impairment of regional myocardial systolic function, which is not secondary to diastolic changes. These intramyocardial functional abnormalities improved during medical treatment of acromegaly. It is conceivable that GH-IGF-I excess has detrimental effects either on the diastolic or the systolic phases of heart function.

Quality of life after radical treatment of prostate cancer: Validation of the Italian version of the University of California-Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index

OBJECTIVES

To validate an Italian version of the University of California-Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI).

METHODS

Men with prostate cancer treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) or external beam radiation (EBR) were retrospectively selected. Each subject was asked to complete the UCLA-PCI short form and the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) questionnaires (principal sample); a subgroup completed both questionnaires twice (retest sample). A linguistic translation and validation was performed. Psychometric properties were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 595 men were included in the study: 394 from the Department of Urology (treated with RRP) and 201 from the Department of Radiotherapy (treated with EBR). Of these, 75 patients (50 from the RRP group and 25 from the EBR group) were selected as the retest cohort. Internal consistency reliability of the SF-36 and UCLA-PCI for the primary sample of the surgery and radiotherapy populations ranged from 0.82 to 0.94; the mean values of sexual function were superior in the principal urology group, whereas the principal radiotherapy group demonstrated superior mean values of urinary function and urinary bother. A strong correlation between urinary function and sexual and bowel function, and between urinary function and all bother scales, was reported only for patients treated with RRP. The expected correlation between sexual function and sexual bother was reported for the EBR group but not for the RRP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated the excellent psychometric properties of the Italian version of the UCLA-PCI; the Italian version of the UCLA-PCI questionnaire will allow cross-cultural comparative studies in men with prostate cancer.

Identification of a new allele, HLA-DRB1*1366*

High-resolution polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer typing of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 gene of an Italian patient candidate for bone marrow transplantation revealed a new allelic variant of HLA-DRB1*13. The sequence was named DRB1*1366, and comparison with previously described DRB1 alleles demonstrated the two closely related sequences were HLA-DRB1*1330 and HLA-DRB1*130302.

Cytogenetics of Triticum × Dasypyrum hybrids and derived lines

Genomic in situ hybridization was used to study Triticum x Dasypyrum wide hybrids and derived lines. A cytogenetic investigation was carried out in progenies of (i) amphiploids derived from T. turgidum var. durum (T. durum; 2n = 14; genomes AABB) x D. villosum (2n = 14; genome VV), (ii) three-parental hybrids (T. durum x D. villosum) x T. aestivum (2n = 42, genomes A'A'B'B'D'D'), and (iii) T. aestivum aneuploid lines carrying D. villosum chromosomes or chromatin. The amphiploids derived from T. durum x D. villosum showed a stable chromosomal constitution, made up of 14 V chromosomes, 14 chromosomes carrying the wheat A genome and 14 chromosomes carrying the B genome. High karyological instability was observed in the progenies of three-parental hybrids ([T. durum x D. villosum] x T. aestivum). Plants having the expected 14 A chromosomes, 14 B chromosomes, 7 D chromosomes, and 7 V chromosomes were rather rare (4.5%). Many progeny plants (45.5%) had the hexaploid wheat genome with 42 chromosomes and lacked any detectable D. villosum chromatin. Other plants (50%) had 14 A chromosomes and 14 B chromosomes, plus variable numbers of D and V chromosomes, the former being better retained than the latter in most cases. Some T. aestivum lines carrying D. villosum chromosomes or chromatin, as the result of addition, substitution, or recombination events or even a combination of these karyological events, were found to be stable. Other lines were unstable, and these lines carried 1V, 3V, or 5V chromosomes or their portions. Substitution or recombination events where 1V chromosomes were involved could concern the homeologous counterparts in both the A and B and D genomes of wheat. No line could be recovered where the shorter arm of 3V chromosomes was present. Changes in the morphology and banding pattern of V chromosomes were observed in hybrids that did not carry the entire D. villosum complement. By comparing the results of our cytogenetic analyses with certain phenotypic characteristics of the lines studied, genes for discrete traits could be assigned to specific V chromosomes or V chromosome arms. From the frequency of V chromosomes that were involved in chromatin exchanges with or substituted for one of their homeologous counterparts in the A, B, and D wheat genomes, it was inferred that D. villosum belongs to the same phyletic lineage as T. urartu (donor of the A genome of wheat) and Aegilops speltoides (B genome), and that Ae. squarrosa (D genome) diverged earlier from D. villosum.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells: role in the diagnosis of lung infections

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 is a recently described molecule, which plays an important role in myeloid cell-activated inflammatory responses. TREM-1 is expressed on blood neutrophils and monocytes, and also on alveolar macrophages, thus suggesting a potential role in lung inflammatory responses against infections. To investigate the differential expression of TREM-1 in lung infections, its levels were assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from patients with community-acquired pneumonia or tuberculosis. TREM-1 was also investigated in patients with interstitial lung diseases, as a model of noninfectious inflammatory disease of the lung. TREM-1 expression was significantly increased in lung neutrophils and in lung macrophages of patients with pneumonia (n=7; 387.9+/-61.4 and 660.5+/-18.3, respectively) compared with patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (n=7; 59.2+/-13.1 and 80.6+/-291.2) and patients with interstitial lung diseases (n=10; 91.8+/-23.3 and 123.9+/-22.8). In contrast, TREM-1 expression on peripheral blood neutrophils was no different among the three groups. In conclusion, these data suggest that triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 is selectively expressed in the lungs of patients with pneumonia caused by extracellular bacteria and not in patients with tuberculosis, providing a potential marker for differential diagnosis.

Echocardiographic evaluation in type 1 diabetic patients on waiting list for isolated pancreas or kidney-pancreas transplantation

Type 1 diabetic patients may display abnormalities of left ventricular geometry and systolic and diastolic function. Patients on the waiting list for solitary pancreas or kidney-pancreas transplantation were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography to assess left ventricular geometry and systolic and diastolic function, and correlate these parameters with clinical characteristics. We evaluated 78 patients including 45 men with an overall mean age of 39.5 +/- 7.2 years and a disease duration of 24 +/- 9.8 years. Among these 78 patients, 13 showed isolated retinopathy, 9 isolated arterial hypertension, 45 concomitant retinopathy and hypertension and overt nephropathy, while 11 were free of complications. The results of our study showed an increased left ventricular mass and abnormal diastolic function among patients with simultaneous target organ complications and with hypertension, as has been reported in many previous studies. In contrast study patients with no complications showed normal left ventricular structure and function. This finding conflicts with data from several reports in the medical literature in which diastolic impairment was present in type 1 diabetic patients at an early stage of disease and with no evident microvascular and macrovascular complications.

Effect of testosterone and season on proenkephalin messenger RNA expression in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus in the ram

Enkephalin appears to exert an inhibitory action on LH secretion, but whether testosterone regulates enkephalin gene expression is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that testosterone and/or season modulate preproenkephalin mRNA expression in specific areas of the hypothalamus. Romney Marsh rams were castrated (wethers) either during the breeding season or nonbreeding season and received intramuscular injections of either oil or testosterone propionate (five/group). Blood samples were taken for the assay of plasma LH and testosterone. Preproenkephalin mRNA expression was quantified in hypothalamic sections by in situ hybridization. Mean plasma LH concentrations were reduced and the interpulse interval for LH pulses was greater in testosterone propionate-treated wethers compared with oil-treated wethers, with no change in LH pulse amplitude. Testosterone propionate treatment reduced proenkephalin expression in the diagonal band of Broca, the caudal preoptic area, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Seasonal differences in proenkephalin expression were observed in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral septum, periventricular nucleus, and paraventricular nucleus. No differences were observed between treatments in seven other regions examined. We conclude that testosterone and season regulate proenkephalin mRNA levels in the preoptic area/hypothalamus in the ram in a region-specific manner.

Blood pressure independent association of microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive men

BACKGROUND

Rather unique amongst the prognostic predictors, microalbuminuria (MA, albuminuria: 15-200 microg min-1) is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The relationship, usually assumed to reflect an increased blood pressure (BP) load on the heart and the kidney, may, however, represent more than a haemodynamic correlate.

METHODS

To evaluate this possibility, we related MA to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and other functional and structural echocardiographic parameters, office and 24-h BP, weight, lipids and smoking status in 330 never treated nondiabetic hypertensive men.

RESULTS

The risk of MA increased linearly by ascending quartiles of LVMI and was 2.3-fold higher in the presence of LVH after adjustment for age, left atrial size, mean fractional shortening. Systolic BP, either office or 24 h, and smoking status were the only additional independent predictors in multivariate logistic regression models. The BP-adjusted risk of MA was about twofold higher in patients with LVH, either concentric or eccentric, and neutral in those with concentric remodelling compared with normal geometry.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between elevated LVMI and MA independent of several other potential confounders, systolic BP in particular, is consistent with the existence of cardiac albuminuric factors, possibly of hormonal nature, which are to be identified more precisely. The extent to which LVH explains the predictive power of MA for morbid events independent of the BP load remains unknown.

Coronary microcirculation into different models of left ventricular hypertrophy-hypertensive and athlete's heart: a contrast echocardiographic study

The study was carried out in two different models of left ventricular hypertrophy: athlete's heart and essential arterial hypertension. Three groups of strictly age-matched males were studied: one group of 10 young adult untreated essential hypertensive patients (H), a second group of 10 athletes (A), and a group of 10 healthy individuals as controls (C). A Sonos 5500 echograph with S4 harmonic transducer was used with Levovist (ultrasonic tracer) before and after dipyridamole injection; digitised images of quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography were collected with Power Harmonic Doppler. Angio images were analysed using dedicated PC software by placing a region-of-interest on the septum. Peak intensity, half-time (HT), the area under the curve of appearance and disappearance of microbubbles at 2/3 of PI, both in absolute and indexed values (/LVMi), were sampled. The per cent increase of PI after dipyridamole was significantly higher in C (+73%, P < 0.01) than in H (+31%) and in A (+33%) (P < 0.05). The area of appearance was significantly lower in H in comparison with C and A, both at rest and after vasodilatation. The disappearance area after dipyridamole was significantly higher in C and in A (+124%) than in H (+104%) (P < 0.05). Some hypothesis could be made: an impairment in the coronary microcirculatory function in hypertensive patients could be because of an in-crease in the arteriolar resistance. Angiogenesis and several different functional adaptations are the mechanisms that allow an optimal distribution of oxygen and of substrates to the hypertrophied myocardium of the athletes.