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Giannasi C, Della Morte E, Cadelano F, Valenza A, Casati S, Dei Cas M, Niada S, Brini AT. Boosting the therapeutic potential of cell secretome against osteoarthritis: Comparison of cytokine-based priming strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:115970. [PMID: 38042116 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The secretome, or conditioned medium (CM), from Mesenchymal Stem/stromal Cells (MSCs) has recently emerged as a promising cell-free therapeutic against osteoarthritis (OA), capable of promoting cartilage regeneration and immunoregulation. Priming MSCs with 10 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and/or 10 ng/ml interleukin 1β (IL-1β) aims at mimicking the pathological milieu of OA joints in order to target their secretion towards a pathology-tailored phenotype. Here we compare the composition of the CM obtained after 24 or 72 h from untreated and cytokine-treated adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs). The 72-hour double-primed CM presents a higher total protein yield, a larger number of extracellular vesicles, and a greater concentration of bioactive lipids, in particular sphingolipids, fatty acids, and eicosanoids. Moreover, the levels of several factors involved in immunomodulation and regeneration, such as TGF-β1, PGE2, and CCL-2, are strongly upregulated. Additionally, the differential profiling of 80 bioactive molecules indicates that primed CM is enriched in immune cell chemotaxis and migration factors. Our results indicate that pre-conditioning ASCs with inflammatory cytokines can modulate the composition of their CM, promoting the release of factors with recognized anti-inflammatory, chondroprotective, and immunoregulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giannasi
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Cadelano
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sara Casati
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Dei Cas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Anna Teresa Brini
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
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Gargari G, Mantegazza G, Cremon C, Taverniti V, Valenza A, Barbaro MR, Marasco G, Duncan R, Fiore W, Ferrari R, De Vitis V, Barbara G, Guglielmetti S. Collinsella aerofaciens as a predictive marker of response to probiotic treatment in non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2298246. [PMID: 38178601 PMCID: PMC10773624 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2298246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are exploited for adjuvant treatment in IBS, but reliable guidance for selecting the appropriate probiotic to adopt for different forms of IBS is lacking. We aimed to identify markers for recognizing non-constipated (NC) IBS patients that may show significant clinical improvements upon treatment with the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DG (LDG). To this purpose, we performed a post-hoc analysis of samples collected during a multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial in which NC-IBS patients were randomized to receive at least 24 billion CFU LDG or placebo capsules b.i.d. for 12 weeks. The primary clinical endpoint was the composite response based on improved abdominal pain and fecal type. The fecal microbiome and serum markers of intestinal (PV1 and zonulin), liver, and kidney functions were investigated. We found that responders (R) in the probiotic arm (25%) differed from non-responders (NR) based on the abundance of 18 bacterial taxa, including the families Coriobacteriaceae, Dorea spp. and Collinsella aerofaciens, which were overrepresented in R patients. These taxa also distinguished R (but not NR) patients from healthy controls. Probiotic intervention significantly reduced the abundance of these bacteria in R, but not in NR. Analogous results emerged for C. aerofaciens from the analysis of data from a previous trial on IBS with the same probiotic. Finally, C. aerofaciens was positively correlated with the plasmalemmal vesicle associated protein-1 (PV-1) and the markers of liver function. In conclusion, LDG is effective on NC-IBS patients with NC-IBS with a greater abundance of potential pathobionts. Among these, C. aerofaciens has emerged as a potential predictor of probiotic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Gargari
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mantegazza
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Cremon
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Taverniti
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Valenza
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Barbaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marasco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Robin Duncan
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Barbara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Guglielmetti
- Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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3
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Gargari G, Mantegazza G, Taverniti V, Gardana C, Valenza A, Rossignoli F, Barbaro MR, Marasco G, Cremon C, Barbara G, Guglielmetti S. Fecal short-chain fatty acids in non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome: a potential clinically relevant stratification factor based on catabotyping analysis. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2274128. [PMID: 37910479 PMCID: PMC10773536 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2274128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is believed to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of IBS, and its metabolic byproducts, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are known to influence gut function and host health. Despite this, the precise role of SCFAs in IBS remains a topic of debate. In this study, we examined the bacterial community structure by 16S rRNA gene profiling and SCFA levels by UPLC-MS/MS in fecal samples from healthy controls (HC; n = 100) and non-constipated patients (IBS-D and IBS-M; NC-IBS; n = 240) enrolled in 19 hospitals in Italy. Our findings suggest a significant difference between the fecal microbiomes of NC-IBS patients and HC subjects, with HC exhibiting higher intra-sample biodiversity. Furthermore, we were able to classify non-constipated patients into two distinct subgroups based on their fecal SCFA levels (fecal catabotype "high" and "low"), each characterized by unique taxonomic bacterial signatures. Our results suggest that the fecal catabotype with higher SCFA levels may represent a distinct clinical phenotype of IBS that could have implications for its diagnosis and treatment. This study provides a new perspective on the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and bowel symptoms in IBS, underscoring the importance of personalized strategies for its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Gargari
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mantegazza
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Taverniti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Gardana
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Valenza
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rossignoli
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Barbaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marasco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cesare Cremon
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barbara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Guglielmetti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Mirzoyan Z, Valenza A, Zola S, Bonfanti C, Arnaboldi L, Ferrari N, Pollard J, Lupi V, Cassinelli M, Frattaroli M, Sahin M, Pasini ME, Bellosta P. A Drosophila model targets Eiger/TNFα to alleviate obesity-related insulin resistance and macrophage infiltration. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050388. [PMID: 37828911 PMCID: PMC10651092 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with various metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation (ATM), characterized by macrophage infiltration into adipose cells. This study presents a new Drosophila model to investigate the mechanisms underlying these obesity-related pathologies. We employed genetic manipulation to reduce ecdysone levels to prolong the larval stage. These animals are hyperphagic and exhibit features resembling obesity in mammals, including increased lipid storage, adipocyte hypertrophy and high circulating glucose levels. Moreover, we observed significant infiltration of immune cells (hemocytes) into the fat bodies, accompanied by insulin resistance. We found that attenuation of Eiger/TNFα signaling reduced ATM and improved insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, using metformin and the antioxidants anthocyanins, we ameliorated both phenotypes. Our data highlight evolutionarily conserved mechanisms allowing the development of Drosophila models for discovering therapeutic pathways in adipose tissue immune cell infiltration and insulin resistance. Our model can also provide a platform to perform genetic screens or test the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhasmine Mirzoyan
- Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alice Valenza
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sheri Zola
- Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Carola Bonfanti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Nicholas Ferrari
- Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - John Pollard
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Lupi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Mehtap Sahin
- Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Ankara, 06110 Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, 10016 New York, USA
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Calabrese L, Valenza A. Modelling of Phase Transitions and Residual Thermal Stress of CTBN Rubber Modified Epoxy Resins during a Pultrusion Process. INT POLYM PROC 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/ipp-2007-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The implicit finite difference and fourth order Runge-Kutta method are used both to solve the heat transfer problem in the pultrusion reaction and to calculate the temperature and conversion distributions within a thermoset composite profile. The aim of our work is to study the influence of a rubbery phase added to the epoxy matrix in production conditions. The results have shown that the rubber modified systems have a low exothermic temperature peak value, so that neither the amount of cured resin nor the final product properties are limited.
First of all we will show that the phase transition (gelation and vitrification) zones within the die change as the amount of rubber varies in the resin. The relationship between the position and of these zones and the resin systems will be discussed. We calculate the residual thermal stresses for all the investigated fibre/resin systems, showing a reduction when the rubber amount increases in the epoxy blend.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Calabrese
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale e Ingegneria dei Materiali, University of Messina , S. Agata di Messina , Italy
| | - A. Valenza
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
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6
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Lauber MR, Cabrera EM, Santos VG, Carvalho PD, Maia C, Carneiro B, Valenza A, Cabrera VE, Parrish JJ, Fricke PM. Comparison of reproductive management programs for submission of Holstein heifers for first insemination with conventional or sexed semen based on expression of estrus, pregnancy outcomes, and cost per pregnancy. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:12953-12967. [PMID: 34593225 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate reproductive management programs for submission of Holstein heifers for first insemination with conventional or sexed semen. In experiment 1, nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 462) were submitted to a 5-d progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID)-Synch protocol [d 0, GnRH + PRID; d 5, PGF2α - PRID; d 6, PGF2α; d 8, GnRH + TAI] and were randomly assigned for PRID removal on d 5 or 6 of the protocol followed by timed artificial insemination (TAI) with conventional semen. Delaying PRID removal decreased early expression of estrus before scheduled TAI (0.9 vs. 12.2%), and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) did not differ between treatments. In experiment 2, nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 736) from 3 commercial farms were randomized within farm to 1 of 3 treatments for first AI with sexed semen: (1) CIDR5 [d -6, GnRH + controlled internal drug release (CIDR); d -1, PGF2α - CIDR; d 0, PGF2α; d 2, GnRH + TAI]; (2) CIDR6 (d -6, GnRH + CIDR; d -1, PGF2α; d 0, PGF2α - CIDR; d 2, GnRH + TAI); and (3) EDAI (PGF2α on d 0 followed by once-daily estrous detection and AI). Delaying CIDR removal decreased early expression of estrus before scheduled TAI (0.004 vs. 27.8%); however, CIDR5 heifers tended to have more P/AI at 35 (53 vs. 45 vs. 46%) and 64 (52 vs. 45 vs. 45%) days after AI than CIDR6 and EDAI heifers, respectively. Overall, CIDR5 and CIDR6 heifers had fewer days to first AI and pregnancy than EDAI heifers which resulted in less feed costs than EDAI heifers due to fewer days on feed until pregnancy. Despite greater hormonal treatment costs for CIDR5 heifers, costs per pregnancy were $16.66 less for CIDR5 than for EDAI heifers. In conclusion, delaying PRID removal by 24 h within a 5-d PRID-Synch protocol in experiment 1 suppressed early expression of estrus before TAI, and P/AI for heifers inseminated with conventional semen did not differ between treatments. By contrast, although delaying CIDR removal by 24 h within a 5-CIDR-Synch protocol in experiment 2 suppressed early expression of estrus before TAI, delaying CIDR removal by 24 h tended to decrease P/AI for heifers inseminated with sexed semen. Further, submission of heifers to a 5-d CIDR-Synch protocol for first AI tended to increase P/AI and decrease the cost per pregnancy compared with EDAI heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Lauber
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - E M Cabrera
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - V G Santos
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - P D Carvalho
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - C Maia
- Diessen Serviços Veterinários Lda, 7001 Évora, Portugal
| | - B Carneiro
- Diessen Serviços Veterinários Lda, 7001 Évora, Portugal
| | - A Valenza
- CEVA Santé Animale, 10 Avenue de la Ballastiere, 33500 Libourne, France
| | - V E Cabrera
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - J J Parrish
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - P M Fricke
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706.
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Calabrese L, Fiore V, Scalici T, Valenza A. Experimental assessment of the improved properties during aging of flax/glass hybrid composite laminates for marine applications. J Appl Polym Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/app.47203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Calabrese
- Department of EngineeringUniversity of Messina Contrada Di Dio (Sant'Agata), 98166, Messina Italy
| | - V. Fiore
- Department of Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei MaterialiUniversity of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 6, 90128, Palermo Italy
| | - T. Scalici
- Department of Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei MaterialiUniversity of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 6, 90128, Palermo Italy
| | - A. Valenza
- Department of Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei MaterialiUniversity of Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 6, 90128, Palermo Italy
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Santos V, Carvalho P, Maia C, Carneiro B, Valenza A, Fricke P. Fertility of lactating Holstein cows submitted to a Double-Ovsynch protocol and timed artificial insemination versus artificial insemination after synchronization of estrus at a similar day in milk range. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:8507-8517. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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9
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Armengol-Gelonch R, Mallo J, Ponté D, Jimenez A, Valenza A, Souza A. Impact of phase of the estrous cycle and season on LH surge profile and fertility in dairy cows treated with different GnRH analogs (gonadorelin vs. buserelin). Theriogenology 2017; 91:121-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Santos VG, Carvalho PD, Maia C, Carneiro B, Valenza A, Fricke PM. 1061 Fertility of lactating Holstein cows after synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination versus artificial insemination after detection of estrus at a similar DIM range. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Randi F, Sanchez JM, Herlihy MM, Kenny DA, Valenza A, Butler S, Lonergan P. 1118 Effect of a progesterone-based estrous synchronization program for timed AI (TAI) on reproductive performance in a seasonal pasture-based dairy production system. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-1118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Pasini ME, Paiardi C, Vernizzi L, Valenza A, Licata G, Vitali T, Vanoni MA, Gellera C, Rizzetto M, Taroni F, Mariotti C, Bellosta P. B35 Glutamine synthetase-1 induces autophagy and neuronal survival in a drosophila model huntington’s disease. J Neurol Psychiatry 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-314597.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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13
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Santos V, Carvalho P, Maia C, Carneiro B, Valenza A, Crump P, Fricke P. Adding a second prostaglandin F2α treatment to but not reducing the duration of a PRID-Synch protocol increases fertility after resynchronization of ovulation in lactating Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:3869-3879. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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O'Hara L, Forde N, Duffy P, Randi F, Kelly AK, Valenza A, Rodriguez P, Lonergan P. Effect of combined exogenous progesterone with luteotrophic support via equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on corpus luteum development, circulating progesterone concentrations and embryo development in cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:269-77. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to examine the effect of a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on Day 3 after oestrus on corpus luteum (CL) development, circulating progesterone and conceptus development in cross-bred beef heifers. In Experiment 1, heifers received: (1) saline, or a single i.m. injection of eCG on Day 3 at (2) 250 IU (3) 500 IU (4) 750 IU or (5) 1000 IU. Administration of eCG resulted in increased luteal tissue area and progesterone and oestradiol concentrations compared with controls. In Experiment 2, heifers received (1) a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID Delta) from Day 3 to 5 or (2) a PRID Delta from Day 3 to 5 plus a single injection of 750 IU eCG on Day 3. In vitro-produced blastocysts (n = 10 per recipient) were transferred on Day 7 and heifers were slaughtered on Day 14 to assess conceptus development. Administration of eCG reduced the number of short cycles (6.3% vs 31.3%) and increased mean luteal tissue weight (P = 0.02). Insertion of a PRID Delta on Day 3 resulted in an elevation (P < 0.05) in serum progesterone until removal on Day 5. Administration of eCG at the time of PRID Delta insertion resulted in higher progesterone levels (P < 0.05) from Day 10 onwards. Conceptus dimensions were not affected. In conclusion, a single injection of eCG on Day 3 increased CL size and progesterone concentrations and, when given in conjunction with a progesterone-releasing device, appeared to reduce the number of short cycles, presumably due to its luteotrophic nature. The implications of the elevated oestradiol concentrations for embryo quality require further study.
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Guglielmi V, Bizzarro A, Valenza A, Lauria A, Tiziano FD, Lomastro R, Masullo C. A functional 5HT2A receptor polymorphism (His452Tyr) and memory performances in Alzheimer's disease. Int J Neurosci 2015; 126:526-530. [PMID: 26000932 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1045976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The functional His452Tyr polymorphism in the 5HT2A receptor has been described to be associated with verbal memory in healthy adults, with worse episodic memory performances in Tyr452 (T) carriers. The aim of our study was to investigate a possible effect of this polymorphism on memory performances in Alzheimer disease (AD). We enrolled 169 patients affected by probable AD. 5HT2A genotype was determined as previously described. According to their genotype, patients were divided in T carriers ( n = 111) and non-carriers ( n = 69). We evaluated the possible effect of 5HT2A polymorphism on verbal memory tasks. A one-way MANOVA analysis did not show a positive interaction between the two groups ( p > 0.05) at the baseline and at the follow-up. Nevertheless, the analyses of the single-task effect showed lower performances for non-T carriers only in Rey's recognition task. Recent data reported poorer memory performances in healthy subjects carrying the T variant, in age-dependent manner (no differences between T vs. nT carriers were observed for age >50 years). In our AD sample, we did not find significant differences in verbal memory scores in T vs. nT carriers while a significant difference was found only in attentional task. At variance with that in healthy subjects, no correlation has been found between memory profiles of AD patients and His452Tyr polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Guglielmi
- a Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Neurology , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
| | - A Bizzarro
- a Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Neurology , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
| | - A Valenza
- c Neurology Unit, Belcolle General Hospital , Viterbo
| | - A Lauria
- a Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Neurology , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
| | - F D Tiziano
- b Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Medical Genetics , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
| | - R Lomastro
- b Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Medical Genetics , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
| | - C Masullo
- b Department of Neuroscience, Institutes of Medical Genetics , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Rome
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Fricke P, Giordano J, Valenza A, Lopes G, Amundson M, Carvalho P. Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows managed for first service using timed artificial insemination with or without detection of estrus using an activity-monitoring system. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:2771-81. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Colletti C, Piccarolo S, Valenza A. Solidification Behaviour of PA6/iPP Blends at High Cooling Rates. INT POLYM PROC 2013. [DOI: 10.3139/217.1573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The non isothermal crystallization behaviour of two model blends of immiscible polymers (an isotactic polypropylene and a polyamide-6) was examined by a quenching procedure within a range of cooling rates from 0.1 to above 1000°C/s in order to emulate the solidification conditions arising during polymer processing. The final structure of the blends was analyzed by density and WAXD and the transition from stable to metastable phases in the blends and the pure homopolymers was compared examining their dependence on cooling rate. This shows that crystallization in the blends is always faster since the transitions move to larger cooling rates. Observation of morphological details suggests that this can be due to enhanced nucleation at the interface. The density variation in the case of the polyamide-6 rich blend is larger than expected from an additive volume contribution which may be ascribed to development of microvoids at the interface. In the case of the isotactic polypropylene rich blend the additive volume contribution is consistent with experimental observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Colletti
- D.I.C.P.M., Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - S. Piccarolo
- D.I.C.P.M., Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - A. Valenza
- D.C.I.I.M., Università di Messina, S. Agata (ME), Italy
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Lopes G, Giordano J, Valenza A, Herlihy M, Guenther J, Wiltbank M, Fricke P. Effect of timing of initiation of resynchronization and presynchronization with gonadotropin-releasing hormone on fertility of resynchronized inseminations in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2013; 96:3788-98. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
Abstract
Rheological and mechanical properties, structural characteristics, extrusion and injection molding behavior of blends of polycarbonate (PC) with a thermotropic, wholly aromatic copolyesteramide have been investigated. The processability of polycarbonate is remarkably improved by addition of small contents of liquid crystal polymer. All the flow curves of the blends lie between those of the pure components. In the processing conditions adopted, the LCP particles are easily elongated in the flow direction. In this direction the elastic modulus rises remarkably with LCP content. The modulus-composition curve is, however, lower than that expected on the basis of an additive rule due to the incompatibility and poor adhesion between the two phases. Finally, injection molding of this extrusion grade PC has been easily performed by adding small contents of LCP. The impact strength values of the injection molding samples of these blends are only slightly lower than that of the pure PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Valenza
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F. P. La Mantia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - M. Paci
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Chimica Industrial e Scienza dei Materiali, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P. L. Magagnini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Chimica Industrial e Scienza dei Materiali, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Abstract
In this work structure and mechanical properties of blends of bisphenol-A polycarbonate with polyamide 6 with different molecular weights and different terminal groups are presented. The results show the important role played in the change of the morphology and in the improvements of the mechanical properties by the increasing content of NH2 terminal groups. These results are attributed to the reactions during melt mixing of such groups with polycarbonate.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Valenza
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | - F. P. La Mantia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | - E. Gattiglia
- Centro Studi Chimico Fisici di Macromolecole Sintetiche e Naturali, CNR-Istituto di Chimica Industriale, Genova, Italy
| | - A. Turturro
- Centro Studi Chimico Fisici di Macromolecole Sintetiche e Naturali, CNR-Istituto di Chimica Industriale, Genova, Italy
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21
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Valenza A, Giordano JO, Lopes G, Vincenti L, Amundson MC, Fricke PM. Assessment of an accelerometer system for detection of estrus and treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone at the time of insemination in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:7115-27. [PMID: 23040033 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate an accelerometer system (Heatime; SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) to manage reproduction in lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, lactating Holstein cows (n=112) were fitted with an accelerometer system and were treated with GnRH followed 7d later by PGF(2α) to synchronize estrus. A total of 89 cows that had a follicle >10mm in diameter and a functional corpus luteum at the PGF(2α) injection that regressed by 48 h after induction of luteolysis were included in the analysis. Overall, 71% of cows were detected in estrus by the accelerometer system and 95% of cows showing estrus ovulated within 7d after induction of luteolysis. Of the cows not detected in estrus by the accelerometer system, 35% ovulated within 7d after induction of luteolysis. Duration of estrus activity (mean ± SD) was 16.1±4.7 h and was neither affected by parity nor milk production. Intervals (means ± SD) from induction of luteolysis, onset of activity, peak raw activity, and peak weighted activity to ovulation was 82.2±9.5, 28.7±8.1, 20.4±7.8, and 16.4±7.4 h, respectively, and the interval from AI to ovulation was 7.9±8.7 h, but ranged from -12 to 26 h. In experiment 2, cows were assigned randomly to receive an intramuscular injection of GnRH at artificial insemination (AI) after detection of estrus by the accelerometer system or receive no treatment (control). Nine hundred seventy-nine AI services from 461 cows were analyzed. Treatment with GnRH at AI did not affect fertility at 35 or 65 d after AI, and no interaction was detected between treatment and season or treatment and AI number. Overall, two-thirds of the cows that were considered properly synchronized were inseminated based on the accelerometer system and ovulated after AI. The remaining cows either were not inseminated because they were not detected in estrus or would not have had a chance to conceive to AI because they failed to ovulate after estrus. Furthermore, mean time of AI in relation to ovulation determined by the accelerometer system was acceptable for most of the cows that displayed estrus; however, variability in the duration of estrus and timing of AI in relation to ovulation could lead to poor fertility in some cows. For lactating dairy cows detected in estrus by the accelerometer system, treatment with GnRH at the time of AI without reference to the onset of estrus did not increase fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Valenza
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Bizzarro A, Guglielmi V, Lomastro R, Valenza A, Lauria A, Marra C, Silveri MC, Tiziano FD, Brahe C, Masullo C. BuChE K variant is decreased in Alzheimer's disease not in fronto-temporal dementia. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2010; 117:377-83. [PMID: 20058037 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0358-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 12/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a significant reduction in AcetylCholinesterase and an increase in ButyrylCholinesterase (BuChE) activity. The existence of polymorphic regions on the BuChE gene has been previously described; the most frequently found polymorphism is the so-called K variant, which leads to a 30% decreased enzymatic activity. Different studies reported a positive association between K variant and AD, strongest among late-onset AD and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 carriers. We analyzed APOE and BuChE polymorphisms in 167 AD and 59 fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) patients compared with 129 healthy controls (HC). We reported a significantly lower frequency of the BuChE K variant in AD compared with HC and FTD and a significant increased frequency of the K variant in FTD. These results are in agreement with the known increase of the BuChE activity in AD and support the evidence of different molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of AD and FTD.
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24
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Valenza A, Fiore V. Influence of resin viscosity and vacuum level on mechanical performance of sandwich structures manufactured by vacuum bagging. Adv Polym Technol 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/adv.20172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Calabrese L, Valenza A. Modelling of Phase Transitions and Residual Thermal Stress of CTBN Rubber Modified Epoxy Resins during a Pultrusion Process. INT POLYM PROC 2007. [DOI: 10.3139/217.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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26
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Bizzarro A, Marra C, Acciarri A, Valenza A, Tiziano FD, Brahe C, Masullo C. Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele differentiates the clinical response to donepezil in Alzheimer's disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2005; 20:254-61. [PMID: 16103669 DOI: 10.1159/000087371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence of an association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported in several studies. The possession of an ApoE epsilon4 allele is now considered a genetic risk factor for sporadic AD. There has been a growing agreement about the role exerted by the ApoE epsilon4 allele on the neuropsychological profile and the rate of cognitive decline in AD patients. However, a more controversial issue remains about a possible influence of the APOE genotype on acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy response in AD patients. In order to address this issue, 81 patients diagnosed as having probable AD were evaluated by a complete neuropsychological test battery at the time of diagnosis (baseline) and after 12-16 months (retest). Patients were divided into two subgroups: (1) treated with donepezil at a dose of 5 mg once a day (n = 41) and (2) untreated (n = 40). Donepezil therapy was started after baseline evaluation. The APOE genotype was determined according to standardized procedures. We evaluated the possible effect of the APOE genotype on the neuropsychological tasks in relation to donepezil therapy. The statistical analysis of the results showed a global worsening of cognitive performances for all AD patients at the retest. Differences in the clinical outcome were analysed in the four subgroups of AD patients for each neuropsychological task. ApoE epsilon4 carriers/treated patients had improved or unchanged scores at retest evaluation for the following tasks: visual and verbal memory, visual attention and inductive reasoning and Mini Mental State Examination. These results indicate an effect of donepezil on specific cognitive domains (attention and memory) in the ApoE epsilon4 carriers with AD. This might suggest an early identification of AD patients carrying at least one epsilon4 allele as responders to donepezil therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bizzarro
- Institutes of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, University Hospital A. Gemelli, IT-00168 Rome, Italy
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27
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Gainotti G, Acciarri A, Bizzarro A, Marra C, Masullo C, Misciagna S, Tartaglione T, Valenza A, Colosimo C. The role of brain infarcts and hippocampal atrophy in subcortical ischaemic vascular dementia. Neurol Sci 2004; 25:192-7. [PMID: 15549504 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-004-0321-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2004] [Accepted: 05/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We investigated if, in patients with vascular lesions, the variable that best discriminated demented from non-demented patients was the severity of the vascular pathology or the degree of hippocampal atrophy. A total of 39 patients multiple subcortical infarcts, who could be considered as possible vascular dementia with small vessel pathology, with underwent a neuropsychological study and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) DSM IV criteria supported by neuropsychological data were used to distinguish demented from non-demented patients. The MRI study took into account the degree of hippocampal atrophy (hippocampal height and interuncal distance) and the severity of vascular pathology (number of brain infarcts). The distribution of lesions and a factor analysis showed that hippocampal atrophy is a better predictor of dementia than the number of brain infarcts. Multiple subcortical infarcts alone are probably not able to cause clinical dementia but the presence of vascular lesions increases the expression of concomitant Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gainotti
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Policlinico Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, I-00168 Rome, Italy.
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29
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Valenza A, Carianni G, Mascia L. Radiation grafting functionalization of poly (vinylidene fluoride) to compatibilize its blends with polyolefin ionomers. POLYM ENG SCI 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.10206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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30
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Spadaro G, Dispenza C, Mc Grail PT, Valenza A, Cangialosi D. Submicron structured polymethyl methacrylate/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber blends obtained via gamma radiation induced ?in situ? polymerization. Adv Polym Technol 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/adv.20010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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31
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Carducci A, Verani M, Casini B, Giuntini A, Mazzoni F, Rovini E, Passaglia A, Giusti L, Valenza A, Lombardi R. Detection and potential indicators of the presence of hepatitis C virus on surfaces in hospital settings. Lett Appl Microbiol 2002; 34:189-93. [PMID: 11874540 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2002.01066.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The risk of hepatitis C virus infection in hospital environments can be assessed not only by studying epidemiological data and work practices, but also by the detection of these viruses (or indicators thereof) in health-care settings, on instruments etc. METHODS Since standardized techniques specific to this end do not exist, this study was undertaken to apply methods currently used on clinical samples to the assessment of environmental HCV risk, either through direct detection of the virus (RT-PCR), or by probing for haemoglobin as a potential indicator of blood contamination. The tested techniques were applied in a trial environmental monitoring programme undertaken in various hospital laboratories and clinics, during which total bacterial count determinations were performed in parallel with haemoglobin and hepatitis C virus detection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The data indicate that the applied methods are of value in detecting low levels of contamination in a hospital environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalaura Carducci
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnologies, Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, University of Pisa, Italy.
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Dispenza C, Scró F, Valenza A, Spadaro G. High energy radiation cure of resin systems for structural adhesives and composite applications. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0969-806x(01)00484-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Acierno D, Di Maio L, Iannelli P, Spadaro G, Valenza A. Macro-oriented network of liquid-crystalline polyesters: crosslinking induced by γ-irradiation and thermally activated reaction. POLYMER 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0032-3861(99)00869-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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34
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Spadaro G, De Gregorio R, Galia A, Valenza A, Filardo G. Gamma radiation induced maleation of polypropylene using supercritical CO 2 : preliminary results. POLYMER 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0032-3861(99)00588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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35
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Spadaro G, Valenza A. Influence of the irradiation parameters on the molecular modifications of an isotactic polypropylene gamma-irradiated under vacuum. Polym Degrad Stab 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0141-3910(99)00143-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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36
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Valenza A, Piccarolo S, Spadaro G. Influence of morphology and chemical structure on the inverse response of polypropylene to gamma radiation under vacuum. POLYMER 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0032-3861(98)00294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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37
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Valenza A, Spadara G. Melt Viscosity Analysis of Polyethylenes Modified by Gamma-Rays Processing. Journal of Polymer Engineering 1998. [DOI: 10.1515/polyeng.1998.18.4.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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38
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Bagnarelli P, Candela M, Valenza A, Manzin A, Solforosi L, Mazzola F, Butini L, Montroni M, Gabrielli A, Varaldo PE, Clementi M. Dynamic features of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viremia: kinetics of cell-free HIV-1 RNA after therapeutic plasma exchange. J Infect Dis 1997; 176:801-4. [PMID: 9291338 DOI: 10.1086/517306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To gain insight into the variables that influence the dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viremia levels, HIV-1 RNA molecules were quantified in plasma from an infected patient undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPEx). After each TPEx procedure (2000 mL of fluid exchanged per session), HIV-1 genome molecule levels dropped to 58%-63% of the basal level but rapidly reverted to pre-TPEx values (doubling time = 3.50-4.04 h). Of interest, mobilization of extravascular cell-free virions (on average, 5.15 x 10(4) viral genome molecules/h) had already occurred during TPEx. After three daily TPEx procedures, HIV-1 viremia rebounded to basal values, while HIV-1 proviruses and viral transcripts in peripheral blood lymphocytes constantly tested at stable levels. Overall, this study extends previous analyses of the rate of HIV-1 turnover, using an alternative approach to the use of antiretroviral drugs, and it provides, albeit indirectly, insights into the amount and dynamic features of extravascular cell-free virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bagnarelli
- Istituto di Microbiologia, Università di Ancona, Italy
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39
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Balotta C, Bagnarelli P, Riva C, Valenza A, Antinori S, Colombo MC, Sampaolesi R, Violin M, de Pasquale MP, Moroni M, Clementi M, Galli M. Comparable biological and molecular determinants in HIV type 1-infected long-term nonprogressors and recently infected individuals. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 1997; 13:337-41. [PMID: 9071433 DOI: 10.1089/aid.1997.13.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolability, rate of replication, phenotype, plasma viremia, and specific intracellular transcripts were cross-sectionally analyzed in 61 HIV-1-seropositive individuals to evaluate the correlations between the virological and molecular correlates of protection and progression in different clinical subsets: recently infected subjects (RIs), long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs), late progressors (LPs), and typical progressors (TPs). Comparison of the major virological and molecular features of HIV-1 infection has defined distinct profiles for different subsets of patients. LTNPs or RIs, as well as LPs or TPs, exhibited similar titers of coculture p24 antigen; the differences between the former and the latter were statistically significant at all the time points tested (p = 0.0001; 0.0003 and 0.0001). Whereas LTNPs and RIs revealed comparable low levels of indexes of viral replication, LPs and TPs showed higher genome and mRNA copy numbers (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0008, respectively). We demonstrated close biological and molecular similarities between RIs and LTNPs on the one hand, and LPs and TPs on the other. In LTNPs both viral biological properties and viral load are important determinants of the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Balotta
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Italy
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40
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Liuzzi G, Chirianni A, Clementi M, Bagnarelli P, Valenza A, Cataldo PT, Piazza M. Analysis of HIV-1 load in blood, semen and saliva: evidence for different viral compartments in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. AIDS 1996; 10:F51-6. [PMID: 8970677 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199612000-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify the HIV-1 load (measured as copies of viral RNA/ml using competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) in blood, semen and saliva and to look for relationships between the viral burden, the clinical and immunological status and antiretroviral therapy. METHODS Peripheral blood, semen and whole saliva samples were collected from 26 anti-HIV-1-seropositive patients selected for a cross-sectional study. Nine of the 26 patients provided samples of the three biological fluids for a longitudinal study. RESULTS HIV-1 RNA was detected in 26 out of 26 samples of plasma, in 25 out of 26 samples of semen and in 24 out of 25 samples of saliva. The median number of HIV-1 copies in plasma was 14 817/ml (range: 167-254 880), in semen was 515/ml (range: 0-196 050) and in saliva was 162/ml (range: 0-72 080). The viral load in semen and in saliva was significantly lower than in plasma (P < 0.0001). The HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma and in saliva were correlated (P < 0.05), but levels in semen were not correlated with either plasma or saliva levels. The HIV-1 copy number in plasma was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic subjects (P < 0.05). Plasma and saliva HIV-1 RNA levels were higher in subjects with a CD4+ cell count < 200 x 10(6)/l than in subjects with a CD4+ cell count > 200 x 10(6)/l (P < 0.05). The HIV-1 RNA load in either plasma, semen or saliva is not related to antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS The absence of a correlation between plasma and semen loads suggests that semen and blood are distinct viral compartments. Viral load in semen is not related to the clinical stage of HIV infection or to the CD4+ lymphocyte count. Consequently, HIV-1-infected subjects are potentially infectious at all stages of immuno-deficiency and adequate precautions must always be taken to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Liuzzi
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Università Federico II Napoli, Italy
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41
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Bagnarelli P, Valenza A, Menzo S, Sampaolesi R, Varaldo PE, Butini L, Montroni M, Perno CF, Aquaro S, Mathez D, Leibowitch J, Balotta C, Clementi M. Dynamics and modulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transcripts in vitro and in vivo. J Virol 1996; 70:7603-13. [PMID: 8892880 PMCID: PMC190829 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.70.11.7603-7613.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcription was analyzed in vitro and in vivo by using a specific molecular approach which allows accurate quantitation of the different classes of viral mRNAs. Unspliced (US) and multiply spliced (MS) HIV-1 transcripts were assayed by competitive reverse transcription (cRT)-PCR, using a single competitor RNA bearing in tandem internally deleted sequences of both template species. Acute HIV-1 infection of primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes/macrophages cells, and the A3.01 T-lymphocyte-derived cell line was studied; both classes of HIV-1 mRNAs increased exponentially (r2 > 0.98) at days 1 to 3 and 1 to 4 postinfection in HIV(IIIB)-infected A3.01 cells and PBMCs, respectively, whereas monocytes/macrophages infected with monocytotropic HIV(BaL) exhibited a linear (r2 = 0.81 to 0.94) accumulation of US and MS transcripts. Following induction of chronically infected ACH-2 cells, MS transcripts increased 2 h postinduction and peaked at 5 h (doubling time, 58 min), while at 24 h, US mRNAs increased 3,053-fold compared with basal time (doubling time, 137 min). To address the biopathological significance of HIV-1 expression pattern during infection progression, pilot cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were carried out with samples from untreated and treated HIV-1-infected patients. In almost all untreated (recently infected, long-term nonprogressor, and progressor) patients, MS transcript levels followed the general trend of systemic HIV-1 activity. In patients under treatment with powerful antiretroviral compounds, viral MS transcripts rapidly fell to undetectable levels, indicating that in vivo, levels of MS mRNAs in PBMCs are closely associated with the number of newly infected cells and suggesting a new role for the quantitative analysis of HIV-1 transcription in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bagnarelli
- Istituto di Microbiologia, Università di Ancona, Italy
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Clementi M, Menzo S, Bagnarelli P, Valenza A, Paolucci S, Sampaolesi R, Manzin A, Varaldo PE. Clinical use of quantitative molecular methods in studying human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 1996; 9:135-47. [PMID: 8964032 PMCID: PMC172887 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.9.2.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Clementi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Trieste, Italy
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Liuzzi G, Bagnarelli P, Chirianni A, Clementi M, Nappa S, Tullio Cataldo P, Valenza A, Piazza M. Quantitation of HIV-1 genome copy number in semen and saliva. AIDS 1995; 9:651-3. [PMID: 7662208 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199506000-00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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44
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Mascia L, Valenza A. Reactive dual-component compatibilizers for polycarbonate/high-density polyethylene blends. Adv Polym Technol 1995. [DOI: 10.1002/adv.1995.060140406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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45
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Bagnarelli P, Menzo S, Valenza A, Paolucci S, Petroni S, Scalise G, Sampaolesi R, Manzin A, Varaldo PE, Clementi M. Quantitative molecular monitoring of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity during therapy with specific antiretroviral compounds. J Clin Microbiol 1995; 33:16-23. [PMID: 7699034 PMCID: PMC227871 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.33.1.16-23.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Methods for the absolute quantitation of nucleic acids present in small amounts in biological samples (competitive PCR and competitive reverse transcription PCR) were applied to the direct monitoring of specific anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) therapy. With these techniques, different parameters of HIV-1 activity (including genomic RNA copy numbers in plasma, proviral and late transcript copy numbers in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and mean transcriptional activity per each HIV-1 provirus) were monitored during therapy with azidothymidine or ddI. In most of these treated patients, a direct response to the antiretroviral compounds employed was detected during the first few weeks of treatment, as documented by a fast decrease of all molecular indexes of HIV-1 activity. However, residual viral replication (albeit at minimal levels) was documented during therapy in all subjects monitored in this study. In a minority of the patients under study (3 of 12), the drug-dependent viral inhibition was maintained throughout the observation time (213 to 791 days), but in 9 patients a rebound in viremia level was detected during therapy with competitive reverse transcription PCR. Sequencing analysis of a portion of the HIV-1 gene pol from cell-free virions showed that circulating viral variants bearing at least two mutations compatible with azidothymidine or ddI resistance were detectable in the patients who exhibited a rebound in cell-free HIV-1 genomic RNA copy numbers in plasma but not in one patient who maintained (for 455 days) lowered levels of viral load during ddI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bagnarelli
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Ancona, Italy
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Valenza A, La Mantia FP, Minkova LI, De Petris S, Paci M, Magagnini PL. Rheological behavior and thermal stability of poly(phenylene sulfide)/vectra-B950 blends. J Appl Polym Sci 1994. [DOI: 10.1002/app.1994.070521113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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47
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Acierno D, Naddeo C, Valenza A, Spadaro G. Blends of Nylon 6 and Unirradiated and γ-Irradiated Linear Low Density Polyethelene. Journal of Polymer Engineering 1994. [DOI: 10.1515/polyeng.1994.13.2.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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49
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Bagnarelli P, Valenza A, Menzo S, Manzin A, Scalise G, Varaldo PE, Clementi M. Dynamics of molecular parameters of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity in vivo. J Virol 1994; 68:2495-502. [PMID: 7908061 PMCID: PMC236727 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.68.4.2495-2502.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamics of viral activity during different phases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection were investigated by competitive PCR methods. In particular, we studied the time course of three quantitative molecular parameters of viral activity (genomic RNA copy number in plasma and provirus and late HIV-1 transcript molecule copy numbers in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes) in untreated patients and patients treated with specific anti-HIV-1 compounds. The results shown here indicate that direct RNA parameters are quantitative molecular indices sensitive enough to be used for a more accurate evaluation of the natural history of this infection and that an indirect parameter, the mean transcriptional activity for each provirus in CD4+ T lymphocytes, may be important in studying this infection in vivo at the molecular level. A dramatic decrease of the indices was evident at seroconversion, but the quantitative values were virtually stable throughout the time the untreated patients were studied during the clinical latency phase. Furthermore, the results indicate that an early response to antiretroviral compounds is detected in most subjects as a decrease in the viral activity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bagnarelli
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Ancona, Italy
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Spadaro G, Calderaro E, Valenza A. Compatibilization of polyethylene/polyamide 6 blends through gamma-radiation. Appl Radiat Isot 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/0969-8043(94)90092-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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