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Amaral Marques C, Laura Costa A, Martins E. Left bundle branch block-induced dilated cardiomyopathy: Definitions, pathophysiology, and therapy. Rev Port Cardiol 2024:S0870-2551(24)00081-7. [PMID: 38615881 DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2024.02.004] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a frequent finding in patients with heart failure (HF), particularly in those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). LBBB has been commonly described as a consequence of DCM development. However, a total recovery of left ventricular (LV) function after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), observed in patients with LBBB and DCM, has led to increasing acknowledgement of LBBB-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (LBBB-iDCM) as a specific pathological entity. Its recognition has important clinical implications, as LBBB-iDCM patients may benefit from an early CRT strategy rather than medical HF therapy only. At present, there are no definitive diagnostic criteria enabling the universal identification of LBBB-iDCM, and no defined therapeutic approach in this subgroup of patients. This review compiles the main findings about LBBB-iDCM pathophysiology and the current proposed diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Amaral Marques
- Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Cardiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal.
| | | | - Elisabete Martins
- Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Cardiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal
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Costa AL, Diniz AAP, Souza LC, Vestena S. Proportions of sewage sludge in the production and quality of Malpighia emarginata DC. seedlings. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e274643. [PMID: 37851773 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.274643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) has nutritional contents and has been implemented in the cultivation of seedlings. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Malpighia emarginata DC. seedlings produced in different substrates with SS. Treatments were implemented with the addition of SS, and after 180 days seedling the characteristics were measured: aerial part and root system length, stem base diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry mass of aerial part and root, and total biomass. The Dickson Quality Index (DQI) was calculated and the macro and micronutrient content of the aerial part and root. The accumulation of macronutrients in the root system followed the order of N>K>P>Ca>Mg>S, and aerial part of N>Ca>K>P>Mg>S, in the two vegetative structures N and S were in lower concentration. For micronutrients, the accumulation in the root system occurred with Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu>B, and aerial part with Fe>Mn>Zn>B>Cu. It was noted that in the two vegetative structures the Fe content was more concentrated. The use of SS in the substrate formulation proved effective in obtaining viable seedlings for field planting, being recommended the treatment with 60% SS + 40% organic compost.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Costa
- Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil
| | - A A P Diniz
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia - IFMG, Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica, Formiga, MG, Brasil
| | - L C Souza
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia -IFMG, Graduação em Matemática, Formiga, MG, Brasil
| | - S Vestena
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - UFSM, Departamento de Biologia, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
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Marques D, Costa AL, Mansinho A, Quintela A, Pratas E, Brito-da-Silva J, Cruz J, Félix J, Rodrigues J, Mota M, Teixeira AR, Dâmaso S, Pinheiro S, Andreozzi V, Costa L, Barros AG. The REWRITE Study - REal-WoRld effectIveness of TrifluridinE/tipiracil in Patients with Previously Treated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:665-672. [PMID: 37487914 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.07.004] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In the pivotal RECOURSE trial, trifluridine/tipiracil improved survival outcomes in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), while demonstrating an acceptable toxicity profile. Routine clinical practice evidence is important to support the ongoing value of recently approved medicines. Our objective was to assess the utilisation patterns and real-world effectiveness of trifluridine/tipiracil in previously treated mCRC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients who started trifluridine/tipiracil between 1 April 2018 and 30 September 2019 in the medical oncology departments of three major public hospitals in Portugal. The primary outcome measure was overall survival. Associations between overall survival and patient and tumour characteristics were assessed using multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS In total, 111 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 64 years. From these, 45.9% received two prior lines of treatment, 47.8% had three or more previous lines of treatment and 83.6% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 at baseline. The median duration of trifluridine/tipiracil treatment was 3.7 cycles (95% confidence interval 3.4-4.1). Most patients (80.4%) remained on their planned dose throughout the trifluridine/tipiracil treatment period, fulfilling 100% relative dose intensity. The median overall survival in the total study cohort was 7.9 months (95% confidence interval 6.4-9.8) and the median progression-free survival was 3.4 months (95% confidence interval 3.2-3.9). The median overall survival was significantly higher in patients with a normal serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (median overall survival 11.2 months for [135, 205] IU/l LDH [95% confidence interval 8.2-NR] and 13.6 months for [205, 251] IU/l LDH [95% confidence interval 8.2-NR]) and in better fitted (ECOG = 0-1) patients (median overall survival 8.0 months; 95% confidence interval 6.7-10.0). The median time to worsening performance status was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval 5.0-8.0). Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was low (3.1%). CONCLUSION Our study confirms the effectiveness of trifluridine/tipiracil in real-life mCRC patients. Overall survival and progression-free survival outcomes are consistent with the efficacy profile reported in the earlier randomised RECOURSE clinical trial. Like other real-world studies, we found no additional safety concerns in the use of trifluridine/tipiracil.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Marques
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Porto, Portugal
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Mansinho
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Quintela
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E Pratas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Brito-da-Silva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Cruz
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Félix
- Exigo Consultores, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J Rodrigues
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Mota
- Exigo Consultores, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A R Teixeira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Dâmaso
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - S Pinheiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - L Costa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A G Barros
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Costa AL, Zanolla I, Zanotti F, Trentini M, Tiengo E, Greco Lucchina A, Mortellaro C, Giacomello M, Zavan B. Use of adipose derived stem cells in Treacher Collins syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:1-10. [PMID: 37129330 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202304_31311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare congenital disorder of craniofacial development. TCS occurs with an incidence of 1:50,000, and more than 60% of TCS cases have no previous family history and arise as the result of de novo mutations. The high rate of de novo mutations, together with the extreme variability in the degree to which individuals can be affected, makes the provision of genetic counseling extremely complicated. Consequently, every case of TCS is unique and needs to be assessed individually. Patients with TCS frequently undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries from birth through adulthood, which rarely are fully corrective in the long-term. The nascent field of regenerative medicine offers the promise to improve some of these treatments. In particular, structural fat grafting (SFG) seems to be a good strategy not only to restore the normal volume and contour of the face, but also to provide a source of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) with a multilineage differentiation potential. In this work, we present genetical analyses of ADSC affected by TCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS ADSCs from were analyzed for their stemness properties and shared many characteristics with those of a healthy subject. Screening of the genome of the TCS patient using array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization allowed us to identify some chromosomal imbalances that are probably associated with TCS. RESULTS We found that some alterations, involving the TIMELESS gene, were usually associated with embryonic stem cells. CONCLUSIONS With the aim to improve the final results, we need to consider combining knowledge of genetic alterations and expression profiles as a fundamental step before starting with surgical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Costa
- UniCamillus, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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Riccio M, Marchesini A, Riccio V, Orlando F, Warwick D, Costa AL, Zavan B, De Francesco F. A novel collagenase from Vibrio Alginolyticus: experimental study for Dupuytren's disease. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:18-28. [PMID: 37129332 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202304_31318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dupuytren contracture (DC) is a highly prevalent hand affection in which contracted fingers compromise hand function. It is a benign fibroproliferative condition affecting the hand palmar fascia with a deposition of excess matrix proteins in the extracellular space of the palmar aponeurosis. In particular type III over type I collagen V. Alginolyticus collagenase (CVA), is a new enzyme that is fully active on the collagen filaments and inactive on other components of the dermal extracellular matrix. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an intra-lesional injection of CVA on an animal model of subcutaneous fibrosis mimicking the pathological anatomy of the cord of Dupuytren's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed an in vivo study on 27 rats that were randomized into four groups, and we evaluated macroscopic and microscopic analysis examining the inflamed cell population and the extracellular matrix. RESULTS In all cases, no skin necrosis, skin tears or wound dehiscence were recorded, demonstrating the safety of the CVA in contrast to group D which had full-thickness skin necrosis, and this is confirmed by the microscopic analysis of the samples treated with CVA, where no hematomas are found around the fibrotic area with the absence of leukocyte infiltrates and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS CVA is confirmed to be selective for collagens I and III, reducing the risk of vascular lesions or skin ulcerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Riccio
- Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, AOU "Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona", Ancona, Italy.
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Costa AL, Vindigni V, Tiengo C, Brambullo T, Perozzo FAG, Galeano MR, Colonna MR, Bassetto F. Regenerative potential of the sural neuroadipofascial flap in the treatment of chronic ulcers of the lower third of the leg. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:11-17. [PMID: 37129331 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202304_31317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgical reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the distal third of the lower limbs has always been challenging for surgeons. The adipofascial flaps are made up of vascularized adipose tissue, which plastically conforms to the site to be reconstructed with its rich presence of stem cells. In this study, we resumed our case history of reverse neuroadipofascial sural flap, and we evaluated the stability of the scar to verify if this type of reconstruction can ensure long-term results and its regenerative power. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 32 patients who had undergone lower limb reconstruction with the sural neuroadipovenous flap. RESULTS A total of 32 patients were included in the study. The average age was 62.2 years. Chronic skin ulcer was the cause of the defects in 13 (40.6%) patients, chronic wound after trauma in 7 (21.9%) patients, wheel bedsores in 4 (12.5%) patients, osteomyelitis in 5 (15.6%) patients, exposed internal hardware in 2 (6.3%) patients, dog bite in 1 (3.1%). The site defect comprised 11 heels (34.4%), 4 external malleoli (12.5%), three medial malleoli (9.4%), 12 lower third of the leg (37.5%), and two dorsa of the foot (6.3%). In all cases, defects were covered with reverse sural island flap. The dimension of the flap ranged from 5 to 9 cm in length and from 3 to 7 in width. Six patients showed early or later postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS The neuroadipofascial sural flap is versatile, fast, and easy-to-perform to cover a chronic defect in the distal part of the lower limb, including both the malleoli and the heel, due to its long vascular pedicle. Consistent with the studies carried out in other districts, the present study confirms the remarkable regenerative power of the vascularized adipose tissue at the level of complex wounds of the lower third of the leg.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Costa
- Department of Neurosciences, Clinic of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
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Costa AL, Mendes MF, Furlan-Lopes C, Bertazzo-Silva FA, Köhler A, Putzke J. First report of Zygothrica candens Burla, 1956 (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in mycophagic association with the mushroom Oudemansiella cubensis (Berk. and M.A. Curtis) R.H. Petersen, 2010 (Agaricales, Physalacriaceae) in southern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 82:e267871. [PMID: 36629545 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.267871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A L Costa
- Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, Laboratório de Taxonomia de Fungos, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil
| | - M F Mendes
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - C Furlan-Lopes
- Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, Laboratório de Taxonomia de Fungos, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil
| | - F A Bertazzo-Silva
- Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, Laboratório de Taxonomia de Fungos, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil
| | - A Köhler
- Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul - UNISC, Laboratório de Entomologia, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brasil
| | - J Putzke
- Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, Laboratório de Taxonomia de Fungos, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil
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Greco Lucchina A, Koleva Radica M, Costa AL, Mortellaro C, Soliani G, Zavan B. Mesh-tissue integration of synthetic and biologic meshes in wall surgery: brief state of art. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2022; 26:21-25. [PMID: 36591887 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202212_30791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Many studies show that surgical hernia repair with the use of prosthetic meshes can result in pain, hernia recurrence, contraction and mesh rupture. Numerous experimental studies have been conducted to understand the effect of mesh stiffness, pore size and mesh patterns on mesh biocompatibility. The purpose of this mini review is to present an overview of the contracture, adhesion, tissue regrowth and histological response characteristics of permanent and absorbable mesh. Indeed, the mechanics of mesh-human tissue interaction is poorly understood in the literature. It has been shown that early integration of biological meshes is critical for sustained hernia repair. One of the emerging experimental approaches is to combine cell-based regenerative medicine with mesh materials. Studies in preclinical models show that the use of synthetic and biological meshes with autologous cell implantation improves the biocompatibility of biomaterials, promoting key tissue regeneration processes such as adhesion and vascularisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Greco Lucchina
- UniCamillus, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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Powell LG, Gillies S, Fernandes TF, Murphy F, Giubilato E, Cazzagon V, Hristozov D, Pizzol L, Blosi M, Costa AL, Prina-Mello A, Bouwmeester H, Sarimveis H, Janer G, Stone V. Developing Integrated Approaches for Testing and Assessment (IATAs) in order to support nanomaterial safety. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:484-499. [PMID: 35913849 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2103470] [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] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to the unique characteristics of nanomaterials (NM) there has been an increase in their use in nanomedicines and innovative medical devices (MD). Although large numbers of NMs have now been developed, comprehensive safety investigations are still lacking. Current gaps in understanding the potential mechanisms of NM-induced toxicity can make it challenging to determine the safety testing necessary to support inclusion of NMs in MD applications. This article provides guidance for implementation of pre-clinical tailored safety assessment strategies with the aim to increase the translation of NMs from bench development to clinical use. Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATAs) are a key tool in developing these strategies. IATAs follow an iterative approach to answer a defined question in a specific regulatory context to guide the gathering of relevant information for safety assessment, including existing experimental data, integrated with in silico model predictions where available and appropriate, and/or experimental procedures and protocols for generating new data to fill gaps. This allows NM developers to work toward current guidelines and regulations, while taking NM specific considerations into account. Here, an example IATA for NMs with potential for direct blood contact was developed for the assessment of haemocompatibility. This example IATA brings together the current guidelines for NM safety assessment within a framework that can be used to guide information and data gathering for the safety assessment of intravenously injected NMs. Additionally, the decision framework underpinning this IATA has the potential to be adapted to other testing needs and regulatory contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Gillies
- Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - F Murphy
- Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E Giubilato
- University Ca' Foscari of Venice, Venice, Italy.,GreenDecision Srl, Venice, Italy
| | - V Cazzagon
- University Ca' Foscari of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - D Hristozov
- University Ca' Foscari of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - L Pizzol
- GreenDecision Srl, Venice, Italy
| | - M Blosi
- Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, CNR, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, CNR, Italy
| | - A Prina-Mello
- Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - H Bouwmeester
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Sarimveis
- National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - G Janer
- Leitat Technological Centre, Barcelona, Spain
| | - V Stone
- Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
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Blosi M, Brigliadori A, Zanoni I, Ortelli S, Albonetti S, Costa AL. Chlorella vulgaris meets TiO 2 NPs: Effective sorbent/photocatalytic hybrid materials for water treatment application. J Environ Manage 2022; 304:114187. [PMID: 34875490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A new class of bio-nano hybrid catalyst useable in downstream wastewater treatment was developed. We combined the sorption potentialities of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae with the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 NPs in order to investigate unexplored synergistic effects that could push the algal remediation technology toward a more promising cost-effective balance. We exploited non-living C. vulgaris, which keeps the biosorption properties of the living microalgae, but greatly enhancing the overall processability. C. vulgaris biomass was coupled with TiO2 NPs and the nanosols were then dried by means of a spray freeze drying (SFD) process able to produce highly reactive granules. A widespread physicochemical characterization supported the preparation and the performance evaluation, so highlighting the key-role of C. vulgaris/TiO2 interaction at the colloidal state. Heavy metal adsorption, tested for copper ions, and photocatalytic activity, assessed for Rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation, were evaluated as key performances. The results pointed out a positive synergistic effect for hybrid samples consistent with the enhancement of metal biosorption which ranges from 103 mg g-1, for pristine C. vulgaris, to about 4000 mg g-1, when the biomass was coupled with the inorganic nanophase. The photocatalytic activity was well preserved with a complete RhB conversion after 1 h and even advanced in presence of SiO2NPs into the inorganic counterpart, so increasing the kinetic constant from 8.70 to 10.7 10-2 min-1. The results pave the way for the integration of these sorbent/photocatalytic hybrid materials into water remediation systems in an innovative sustainable design perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Blosi
- CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - National Research Council of Italy, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, RA, Italy.
| | - A Brigliadori
- CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - National Research Council of Italy, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, RA, Italy.
| | - I Zanoni
- CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - National Research Council of Italy, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, RA, Italy
| | - S Ortelli
- CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - National Research Council of Italy, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, RA, Italy
| | - S Albonetti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Del Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics - National Research Council of Italy, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, RA, Italy
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Dias IO, Carneiro MA, Santos FSD, Andrade RM, Sudário LC, Porto THA, Muzzi GC, Oliveira HM, Costa AL, Lara LA. TRMBOCITEMIA-TROMBÓTICA INDUZIDA POR VACINA AD26.COV2.S. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2021.10.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] Open
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Totaro M, De Vita E, Mariotti T, Bisordi C, Giorgi S, Gallo A, Costa AL, Casini B, Valentini P, Privitera G, Baggiani A. Cost analysis for electron time-flow taps and point of use filters: a comparison of two methods for Legionnaires' disease prevention in hospital water networks. J Hosp Infect 2019; 103:231-232. [PMID: 31310790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - E De Vita
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - T Mariotti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - C Bisordi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - S Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Gallo
- Division of Public Health and Nutrition, Area of Pisa, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - B Casini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
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Vilela-Salgueiro B, Barros-Silva D, Lobo J, Costa AL, Guimarães R, Cantante M, Lopes P, Braga I, Oliveira J, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. Germ cell tumour subtypes display differential expression of microRNA371a-3p. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0338. [PMID: 29685967 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, mostly affecting young men. Curability rates are high and adequate treatment relies on careful and accurate pathological and clinical assessment. Indeed, TGCTs' histopathological subtyping is critical for adequate therapeutic decision. Considering the limitation of currently available serum biomarkers, novel candidates have been proposed, most notably miR-371a-3p, which outperformed classical serum markers, but no detailed information concerning TGCT subtype was available. Thus, we carried out evaluation of miR-371a-3p expression levels among TGCT subtypes using a consecutive cohort of tissue samples. MiR-371a-3p discriminated TGCTs from control tissues with high sensitivity and specificity (AUC = 0.99). Furthermore, seminomas displayed higher miR-371a-3p expression levels compared to non-seminomatous TGCTs, which also showed significant differences among them. Nonetheless, prepubertal TGCTs depicted lower miR-371a-3p expression levels than postpubertal TGCTs. Globally, miR-371a-3p expression levels decreased in parallel with progressive cell differentiation. We concluded that miR-371a-3p is TGCTs-specific and it might be clinically useful for early detection and disease monitoring.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Frontiers in epigenetic chemical biology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Vilela-Salgueiro
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Barros-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Laura Costa
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Guimarães
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Cantante
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Lopes
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Oliveira
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
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Lobo J, Costa AL, Cantante M, Guimarães R, Lopes P, Antunes L, Braga I, Oliveira J, Pelizzola M, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. m 6A RNA modification and its writer/reader VIRMA/YTHDF3 in testicular germ cell tumors: a role in seminoma phenotype maintenance. J Transl Med 2019; 17:79. [PMID: 30866959 PMCID: PMC6416960 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1837-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Covalent RNA modifications, such as N-6-methyladenosine (m6A), have been associated with various biological processes, but their role in cancer remains largely unexplored. m6A dynamics depends on specific enzymes whose deregulation may also impact in tumorigenesis. Herein, we assessed the differential abundance of m6A, its writer VIRMA and its reader YTHDF3, in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), looking for clinicopathological correlates. METHODS In silico analysis of TCGA data disclosed altered expression of VIRMA (52%) and YTHDF3 (48%), prompting subsequent validation. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 122 TGCTs (2005-2016) were selected. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and real-time qPCR (Taqman assays) for VIRMA and YTHDF3 were performed, as well as immunohistochemistry for VIRMA, YTHDF3 and m6A, for staining intensity assessment. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using Chi square and Fisher's exact test. Distribution of continuous variables between groups was compared using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Biomarker performance was assessed through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve construction and a cut-off was established by Youden's index method. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS In our cohort, VIRMA and YTHDF3 mRNA expression levels differed among TGCT subtypes, with Seminomas (SEs) depicting higher levels than Non-Seminomatous tumors (NSTs) (p < 0.01 for both). A positive correlation was found between VIRMA and YTHDF3 expression levels. VIRMA discriminated SEs from NSTs with AUC = 0.85 (Sensitivity 77.3%, Specificity 81.1%, PPV 71.6%, NPV 85.3%, Accuracy 79.7%). Immunohistochemistry paralleled transcript findings, as patients with strong m6A immunostaining intensity depicted significantly higher VIRMA mRNA expression levels and stronger VIRMA immunoexpression intensity (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION Abundance of m6A and expression of VIRMA/YTHDF3 were different among TGCT subtypes, with higher levels in SEs, suggesting a contribution to SE phenotype maintenance. VIRMA and YTHDF3 might cooperate in m6A establishment in TGCTs, and their transcript levels accurately discriminate between SEs and NSTs, constituting novel candidate biomarkers for patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group (CBEG), IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Laura Costa
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group (CBEG), IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Cantante
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Guimarães
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Lopes
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Antunes
- Department of Epidemiology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Oliveira
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mattia Pelizzola
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group (CBEG), IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group (CBEG), IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal.
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Totaro M, Avella M, Giorgi S, Casini B, Tulipani A, Costa AL, Frendo L, Valentini P, Lopalco PL, Privitera G, Baggiani A. Survey on Energy Drinks consumption and related lifestyle among students of two Italian high schools. Ann Ig 2019; 30:509-516. [PMID: 30614500 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2018.2251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has identified some risk factors for the occurrence of side effects linked to energy drinks (EDs) consumption by young people. EDs consumption has been evaluated in a sample of students in Italy together with some aspects of their lifestyle. METHODS The survey was performed in two high schools from September 2016 to June 2017. 583 students between 14 to 18 years were recruited and a standard questionnaire (EFSA checklist) was used to collect information on responders characteristics, beverages consumption, EDs with alcohol, and EDs and sports. RESULTS Despite 350 out of 583 responders (60%) consumed EDs, only 146 out of 583 (25%) were EDs-alcohol consumers. Moreover, 208 out of 379 (55%) of all physically active adolescents reported frequent EDs consumption before sport trainings. CONCLUSIONS Study results highlight the need for primary prevention measures in communication campaigns and training delivered by school to limit potential health threats related to excess of EDs consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - M Avella
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - S Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - B Casini
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - A Tulipani
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - L Frendo
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - P L Lopalco
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research and the new Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa
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16
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Totaro M, Porretta A, Canale A, Filippetti E, Tulipani A, Quattrone F, Giorgi S, Costa AL, Valentini P, Casini B, Privitera G, Baggiani A. Preliminary study of the air quality in operating rooms: do textiles have a role? J Hosp Infect 2018; 99:306-308. [PMID: 29674114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Porretta
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Canale
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - E Filippetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Tulipani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - F Quattrone
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - S Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - B Casini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
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17
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Casini B, Baggiani A, Totaro M, Mansi A, Costa AL, Aquino F, Miccoli M, Valentini P, Bruschi F, Lopalco PL, Privitera G. Detection of viable but non-culturable legionella in hospital water network following monochloramine disinfection. J Hosp Infect 2017; 98:46-52. [PMID: 28917570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevention of legionellosis remains a critical issue in healthcare settings where monochloramine (MC) disinfection was recently introduced as an alternative to chlorine dioxide in controlling Legionella spp. contamination of the hospital water network. Continuous treatments with low MC doses in some instances have induced a viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) of Legionella spp. AIM To investigate the occurrence of such dormant cells during a long period of continuous MC treatment. METHODS Between November 2010 and April 2015, 162 water and biofilm samples were collected and Legionella spp. isolated in accordance with standard procedures. In sampling sites where MC was <1.5mg/L, VBNC cells were investigated by ethidium monoazide bromide (EMA)-real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 'resuscitation' test into Acanthamoeba polyphaga CCAP 1501/18. According to the Health Protection Agency protocol, free-living protozoa were researched in 60 five-litre water samples. FINDINGS In all, 136 out of 156 (87.2%) of the samples taken from sites previously positive for L. pneumophila ST269 were negative by culture, but only 47 (34.5%) negative by qPCR. Although no positive results were obtained by EMA-qPCR, four out of 22 samples associated with MC concentration of 1.3 ± 0.5mg/L showed VBNC legionella resuscitation. The presence of the amoeba A. polyphaga in the hospital water network was demonstrated. CONCLUSION Our study is the first report evidencing the emergence of VNBC legionella during a long period of continuous MC treatment of a hospital water network, highlighting the importance of keeping an appropriate and uninterrupted MC dosage to ensure the control of legionella colonization in hospital water supplies.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Casini
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Mansi
- INAIL, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone (Roma), Roma, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Aquino
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Miccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Bruschi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P L Lopalco
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Totaro M, Valentini P, Costa AL, Giorgi S, Casini B, Baggiani A. Rate of Legionella pneumophila colonization in hospital hot water network after time flow taps installation. J Hosp Infect 2017; 98:60-63. [PMID: 28890285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In hospital water systems legionellae may be resistant to disinfectants in pipework, which is a problem particularly in areas where there is low flow or stagnation of water. We evaluated legionella colonization of a water network of an Italian hospital after time flow taps (TFTs) installation in proximity to dead legs. The water volume flushed was 64 L/day from May 2016, and 192 L/day from December 2016. Before TFTs installation, Legionella pneumophila sg2-14 was detected in all points (4 × 104 ± 3.1 × 104 cfu/L). All sites remained positive (2.9 × 104 ± 1.9 × 104 cfu/L) through November 2016. From December 2016 legionella persisted in one point only (2 × 102 to 6.8 × 103 cfu/L). TFTs with chemical disinfection may reduce legionella colonization associated with dead legs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - B Casini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Pereira VM, Costa AL, Feldl J, Maria TMR, Seixas de Melo JS, Martín-Ramos P, Martín-Gil J, Ramos Silva M. Synthesis, structure and physical properties of luminescent Pr(III) β-diketonate complexes. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2017; 172:25-33. [PMID: 27345124 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2016.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V M Pereira
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A L Costa
- CQC, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Feldl
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal; Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Schellingstrasse 4, 80799 München, Germany
| | - T M R Maria
- CQC, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J S Seixas de Melo
- CQC, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - P Martín-Ramos
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal; Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Carretera de Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, Spain.
| | - J Martín-Gil
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avda. Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - M Ramos Silva
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, P-3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are a group of heterogeneous, biologically diverse and clinically challenging neoplasms. Despite the relatively low incidence and mortality rates, a subgroup of patients with disseminated disease relapse after conventional therapy and have a dismal prognosis. Moreover, TGCT afflict mostly young men and have therapeutic peculiarities, with some patients showing resistance to cisplatin-based treatments and others being troubled by irreversible side effects, such as infertility. Most TGCT share a common tumorigenic pathway and are cytogenetically similar, making room for Epigenetics to explain its heterogeneity at pathological and clinical level. In this review, we summarize the foremost epigenetic alterations among TGCT focusing on their clinical potential as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Costa
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar - University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar - University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal
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21
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Totaro M, Valentini P, Casini B, Miccoli M, Costa AL, Baggiani A. Experimental comparison of point-of-use filters for drinking water ultrafiltration. J Hosp Infect 2016; 96:172-176. [PMID: 28073586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Waterborne pathogens such as Pseudomonas spp. and Legionella spp. may persist in hospital water networks despite chemical disinfection. Point-of-use filtration represents a physical control measure that can be applied in high-risk areas to contain the exposure to such pathogens. New technologies have enabled an extension of filters' lifetimes and have made available faucet hollow-fibre filters for water ultrafiltration. AIM To compare point-of-use filters applied to cold water within their period of validity. METHODS Faucet hollow-fibre filters (filter A), shower hollow-fibre filters (filter B) and faucet membrane filters (filter C) were contaminated in two different sets of tests with standard bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 and Brevundimonas diminuta ATCC 19146) and installed at points-of-use. Every day, from each faucet, 100 L of water was flushed. Before and after flushing, 250 mL of water was collected and analysed for microbiology. FINDINGS There was a high capacity of microbial retention from filter C; filter B released only low Brevundimonas spp. counts; filter A showed poor retention of both micro-organisms. CONCLUSION Hollow-fibre filters did not show good micro-organism retention. All point-of-use filters require an appropriate maintenance of structural parameters to ensure their efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - B Casini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Miccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Casini B, Selvi C, Cristina ML, Totaro M, Costa AL, Valentini P, Barnini S, Baggiani A, Tagliaferri E, Privitera G. Evaluation of a modified cleaning procedure in the prevention of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal spread in a burn intensive care unit using a high-sensitivity luminometer. J Hosp Infect 2016; 95:46-52. [PMID: 27939245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhanced environmental cleaning practices are among the most accepted measures for controlling the spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab). AIM To evaluate the impact of heightened cleaning on an ongoing CR-Ab outbreak in a burn intensive care unit (BICU) of an Italian teaching hospital, where chlorhexidine-60% isopropyl alcohol was applied as a complementary disinfectant on high-touch surfaces. METHODS Compliance with the microbial limit proposed for the BICU by AFNOR-NF-S90-351 (20 colony-forming units/100cm2) was assessed by plate count, and compared with the results obtained with intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection. Genotyping was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. FINDINGS During the standard cleaning regimen, three out of 23 samples (13%) gave results over the AFNOR limit and five (21.7%) showed unacceptable ATP levels with 100 relative light units/100cm2 as the benchmark limit (sensibility 86.4%, specificity 92.2%). Following improvement of the cleaning procedure, only two samples out of 50 (4%) did not satisfy the microbiological criteria and seven (14%) exceeded the ATP limit. In a successive phase, eight of 30 samples collected showed unacceptable results (27%). CONCLUSIONS Adding chlorhexidine-60% isopropyl alcohol as complementary disinfectant proved to be effective for reducing environmental microbial contamination, ATP levels and CR-Ab infection/colonization in patients admitted to the BICU. Real-time monitoring by ATP assay was useful for managing the cleaning schedule and reducing hospital infections, although the calculated values must be interpreted as cleanliness indicators rather than risk indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Casini
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - C Selvi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M L Cristina
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Totaro
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Valentini
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Barnini
- Unit of Microbiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Baggiani
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Tagliaferri
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Totaro M, Casini B, Costa AL, Valentini P, Petretti F, Giorgi S, Frendo L, Miccoli M, Privitera G, Baggiani A. Evaluation of the relationship between consumers and food labels in Tuscany (Italy). Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw175.082] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
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Casimiro S, Ferreira A, Alho I, Melo M, Brás R, Costa AL, Sousa AR, Mansinho A, Abreu C, Pulido C, Macedo D, Pacheco TR, Costa L. Abstract P4-09-06: The prognostic role of RANK single nucleotide polymorphisms in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs15-p4-09-06] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) pathway regulates bone remodeling and is involved in breast cancer (BC) progression. RANK over-expression in primary BC associates with poor prognosis and metastasis development. In patients with BC, RANK and RANK-ligand (RANKL) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have also been associated with BC risk and bone metastasis (BM)-free survival , respectively. Here we analyze the association of five RANK missense SNPs with prognosis of patients with BM from BC.
Methods: Missense RANK SNPs (rs34945627, rs12721431, rs35184120, rs35993683, rs61751992) were genotyped in germline DNA from a retrospective cohort of 76 patients with BM from BC, under bisphosphonates; and a cohort of 80 healthy volunteers (samples from Biobanco-IMM, Lisbon, Portugal). Genotypic allelic frequencies were assessed using TaqMan assays (Applied Biosystems). SNP rs34945627 was analyzed with regard to clinicopathological characteristics, skeletal-related events (SRE), bone progression-free interval (BPFi), and overall survival (OS). Univariate association with clinicopathological characteristics was performed using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test; univariate differences between survival rates were tested for significance using the log-rank test, while multivariate analysis for survival was tested using Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: SNP rs34945627 had a minor allele frequency of 11.84% (n=9) in BC patients versus 1.25% (n=1) in healthy individuals, whereas the remaining SNPs had a minor allele frequency of 2.60% (n=2) in BC patients. Therefore, for inferential analysis only SNP rs34945627 was considered. No differences between alleles were observed regarding clinicopathological characteristics, including treatment. Homozygous patients (CC) had increased OS when compared to heterozygous patients (CT) controlling for age at diagnosis, visceral involvement, radiographic pattern of BM and baseline urine NTX (adjusted HR 5.76, 95% CI 2.10-15.81; p<0.001). No association could be seen with regard to SREs (adjusted HR 1.43, 95% CI 0.46-4.46; p=0.54) or BPFi (adjusted HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06-1.17; p=0.08).
Conclusions: RANK SNP rs34945627 seems to be a marker of poor prognosis in patients with BC and BM. Further studies are required to characterize the biological and clinical significance of this finding.
Citation Format: Casimiro S, Ferreira A, Alho I, Melo M, Brás R, Costa AL, Sousa AR, Mansinho A, Abreu C, Pulido C, Macedo D, Pacheco TR, Costa L. The prognostic role of RANK single nucleotide polymorphisms in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-06.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Casimiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Ferreira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I Alho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Melo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R Brás
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - AL Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - AR Sousa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Mansinho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Abreu
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Pulido
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - D Macedo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - TR Pacheco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital de Santa Maria, Oncology Division, Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Leite-Martins L, Mahú MI, Costa AL, Bessa LJ, Vaz-Pires P, Loureiro L, Niza-Ribeiro J, de Matos AJF, Martins da Costa P. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in faecal enterococci from vet-visiting pets and assessment of risk factors. Vet Rec 2015; 176:674. [PMID: 26078332 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exhibited by enterococci isolated from faeces of pets and its underlying risk factors. From September 2009 to May 2012, rectal swabs were collected from 74 dogs and 17 cats, selected from the population of animals visiting the Veterinary Hospital of University of Porto, UPVet, through a systematic random procedure. Animal owners answered a questionnaire about the risk factors that could influence the presence of AMR in faecal enterococci. Enterococci isolation, identification and antimicrobial (AM) susceptibility testing were performed. Data analyses of multilevel, univariable and multivariable generalised linear mixed models were conducted. From all enterococci isolated (n=315), 61 per cent were considered multidrug-resistant, whereas only 9.2 per cent were susceptible to all AMs tested. Highest resistance was found to tetracycline (67.0 per cent), rifampicin (60.3 per cent), azithromycin (58.4 per cent), quinupristin/dalfopristin (54.0 per cent) and erythromycin (53.0 per cent). Previous fluoroquinolone treatments and coprophagic habits were the features more consistently associated with the presence of AMR for three (chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin) and seven (tetracycline, rifampicin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and azithromycin), respectively, out of nine AMs assessed. Evaluating risk factors that determine the presence of drug-resistant bacteria in pets, a possible source of resistance determinants to human beings, is crucial for the selection of appropriate treatment guidelines by veterinary practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Leite-Martins
- Department of Veterinary Clinics - UPVet, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M I Mahú
- Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Gulbenkian Science Institute, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A L Costa
- Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L J Bessa
- Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Vaz-Pires
- Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Loureiro
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, USA
| | - J Niza-Ribeiro
- Department of Population Studies, ICBAS, and Institute of Public Health (ISPUP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A J F de Matos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics - UPVet, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Animal Science and Study Centre/Food and Agrarian Sciences and Technologies Institute (CECA/ICETA), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Martins da Costa
- Department of Aquatic Production, ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Guimarães T, Miranda C, Pinto M, Silva E, Damásio L, Costa AL, Correia MJ, Duarte JC, Cosinha C, Lopes G, Thompson G, Rocha A. Effect of breeding activity on the microflora of the external genitalia and in the semen of stallions, and the relationship between micro-organisms on the skin and on the external genitalia. Reprod Domest Anim 2014; 49:926-33. [PMID: 25219398 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12403] [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] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A possible role of breeding activities in the composition of the microbial population in stallions' external genitalia (EG) and the relationship between micro-organisms colonizing the skin of the abdomen and the ones colonizing the EG have not been studied. In experiment 1, EG microbiological samples were collected from 41 stallions used for both natural cover and semen collection (BST) and from 18 non-breeding stallions (NBST). A higher (p < 0.05) frequency of isolation of potentially pathogenic species was found for BST. Age did not influence number of micro-organism species isolated both in BST and NBST. In experiment 2, the microbial content of the EG and semen was compared in 23 BST. Most micro-organisms isolated from the EG were present in semen, albeit with a numerically lower prevalence. In 7 stallions, six microbial species isolated from semen were absent from the EG cultures, suggesting contamination by the operator. In experiment 3, a numerically higher number of micro-organism species was isolated from the EG of 31 stallions, than from their skin of the ventral abdomen in contact with the penis or from the skin of the thorax. With the sole exception of Escherichia coli, potentially pathogenic bacteria were only isolated from the EG but not from the skin. Results suggest that breeding activity increased the number of species colonizing the EG; most species isolated from the EG were also found in semen even if with a lower frequency, and additional semen contamination seemed to occur during its manipulation. Many micro-organism species of the skin were also isolated from the penis, but independently of being or not in contact with the penis, skin did not seem to provide an adequate environment for the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria that were isolated from EG, with the sole exception for E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Guimarães
- ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centro de Estudos de Ciência animal (CECA/ICETA), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Gardini D, Blosi M, Delpivo C, Ortelli S, Costa AL. Silica-coating as protective shell for the risk management of nanoparticles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/429/1/012052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
Public space is endowed with undeniable social relevance, thus becoming a defining element of integration and interaction among its users. Aware of this importance the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), linked to the Ministério da Educação e Cultura (MEC), develops the project "UFPB para todos: eliminando barreiras'' (UFPB for all: removing barriers) that aims to conceive an architectural design of an accessible rout to UFPB's campus I, and execute a pilot stretch of this route. This article aims to subsidize the preprojectual phase by understanding the needs of this campus' users, through the concepts of ergonomics and universal design. Was performed out direct observation of the space, and the methods of interviews and observation of user behavior were applied to a group of students with disabilities, through the techniques of assisted walking, photographic and video recording. Based on those, projective guidelines have been defined, which will contribute to the final project's quality, so that this is not a simple application of the rule, but works free of segregating barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Costa
- Department of Architectura, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I. Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
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Abstract
Lanthanum and niobium doped PZT with composition (Pb0.93La0.07)[(Zr0.60Ti0.40)]0.9825Nb0.0175O3 (PZTLN) was prepared by the gel-combustion method. A precursor sol was obtained from lead nitrate, zirconyl nitrate, lanthanum oxide, peroxo-citrato-niobium and a peroxo-citrate complex of titanium isopropoxide as starting precursors. Various molar ratios of citrate/nitrate (CA/NO3(-) = 1.3, 0.36 and 0.09) were used to prepare very fine powders of PZTLN. The gels resulting from these sols were transformed into powders by an auto-combustion process at ≤400 °C. The powders consisted of rhombohedral PZT (PbZr0.60Ti0.40O3), pyrochlore (Pb2Ti2O6) and lead carbonate (Pb2O·CO3) phases. The pure rhombohedral phase is found in PZTLN pellets sintered at 1100 °C for all citrate/nitrate ratios. Titanium and niobium precursors were modified with peroxo radicals. During the gel-combustion reaction, the temperature of the gel increases, leading to lead evaporation. The loss of lead as well as the particle size increases as the CA/NO3(-) ratio decreases. The smallest grained powder (about 50 nm) was obtained with the ratio CA/NO3(-) equal to 0.09.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cernea
- National Institute for Materials Physics, PO Box MG-7, Bucharest, RO-77125, Romania
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Marback EF, Costa AL, Nossa LMB, Marback RL, Rao NA. Eyelid skin adenoid cystic carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of one case simulating sebaceous gland carcinoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2003; 87:118-9. [PMID: 12488275 PMCID: PMC1771474 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.87.1.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Miranda CRR, de Resende CN, Melo CFE, Costa AL, Friedman H. Depression before and after uterine cervix and breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2002; 12:773-6. [PMID: 12445259 DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1438.2002.01142.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression in cancer patients is common and may affect treatment outcome either directly (by lowering defenses) or indirectly (by lowering compliance). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced uterine cervix or breast cancer is a strenuous undertaking and may lead to depression and impair patients' willingness to comply with the rest of the treatment (eg, surgery or radiotherapy). We compare Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores both before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in order to verify if depression influences treatment outcome. We studied 22 advanced uterine cervix and 20 breast cancer patients submitted to three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We used cisplatin and ifosfamide for cervix, and fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide for breast cancer. We did not identify significant differences in the number of depressed patients, before and after treatment. Cognitive affective, somatic-performance, and total BDI scores were not significantly different from before to after chemotherapy for both breast and uterine cervix cancer. After treatment, the number of depressive breast cancer patients increased while the number of uterine cervix cancer patients decreased. This trend to depression was found more often in less responsive breast cancer patients than in the more responsive cervix cancer patients. We were not able to link depression to treatment failure or success, but patients who responded to treatment were less depressed at the end of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R R Miranda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Brasilia, Brazil.
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Oliveira FG, Abdelmassih V, Costa AL, Balmaceda JP, Abdelmassih S, Abdelmassih R. Rare association of ovarian implantation site for patients with heterotopic and with primary ectopic pregnancies after ICSI and blastocyst transfer. Hum Reprod 2001; 16:2227-9. [PMID: 11574520 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/16.10.2227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Two cases of patients with ruptured ovarian pregnancies (P1 = ovarian heterotopic and P2 = primary ovarian ectopic) after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and blastocyst transfer are presented. Laparoscopy was performed on day 40 and day 27 after transfer in cases P1 and P2 respectively. In both cases the ectopic pregnancies were located on the left ovary and were successfully removed by laparoscopy preserving the ovaries. In case P1 the intrauterine pregnancy was not affected. A healthy boy was born after 37 weeks of pregnancy. In this way, potential fertility of the patients and the intrauterine pregnancy were maintained. These cases occurred during a series of blastocyst transfers in which 129 pregnancies were obtained. There were no cases of ovarian ectopic/heterotopic pregnancies from January 1996 to September 1999 in 814 pregnancies obtained from day 2 or day 3 embryo transfers. Because the ovarian ectopic pregnancies occurred in patients with day 5 embryo transfer who otherwise did not have any predisposing factors for ectopic pregnancy, it is advisable to conduct a large scale analysis of future data about the possible association between blastocyst-stage embryo transfer and the somewhat higher risk of unexpected complications of clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- F G Oliveira
- Clínica e Centro de Pesquisa em Reprodução Humana Roger Abdelmassih, Rua Maestro Elias Lobo, 805 01433-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
In response to complaints of triatomines on islands of the Alto Paraná River, an investigation to determine the presence of triatomines was conducted in 145 artificial ecotopes and 4 (2.8%) were infested, comprising a residence, a sports and leisure club, a former school and a woodpile. Of the 35 P. megistus collected, 17 were analyzed and 12 (70.6%) were found to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Birds and rodents were the most common food sources. All serologic examinations (56 human, 18 dogs and 10 cats) were negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Guilherme
- Curso de Pós-graduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brasil
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Guilherme AL, Pavanelli GC, Silva SV, Costa AL, de Araújo SM. Secondary triatomine species in dwellings and other nearby structures in municipalities under epidemiological surveillance in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2001; 9:385-92. [PMID: 11550581 DOI: 10.1590/s1020-49892001000600005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Since data are scarce regarding secondary triatomine species in the Brazilian state of Paraná, this study investigated infestations in inhabited and abandoned houses and in various other nearby structures in rural areas of that state. METHODS Triatomines were manually captured in inhabited and uninhabited houses and other nearby structures in nine areas (eight municipalities and one district) of Paraná from June 1996 to February 2000. Testing for Trypanosoma cruzi infection was performed, as were also precipitin tests to determine the triatomines' food sources. RESULTS While Triatoma infestans was not found in any of the nine areas of Paraná that were studied, three secondary triatomine species were detected: Triatoma sordida, Panstrongylus megistus, and Rhodnius neglectus. T. sordida was the most common species found, comprising 575 of the 658 triatomines captured (87.4%). The second-most common was P. megistus, with 82 specimens (12.5%). Of the various categories of structures investigated, uninhabited houses was the most frequently infested category (19/62, or 30.6%), followed by chicken coops (24/350, or 6.9%). The primary food source of the triatomines was the blood of birds. Nevertheless, in the municipality with the highest density of triatomines, the food sources included domestic animals and even humans. We found that 13.4% of the T. sordida and 13.5% of the P. megistus were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the need to maintain entomological surveillance measures in the studied areas. This is especially important since Brazil and other countries of Latin America have affirmed the need to interrupt the vector-borne transmission of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Guilherme
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Curso de Pósgraduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Av. Colombo 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brasil.
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Oliveira PT, Jaeger RG, Cabral LA, Carvalho YR, Costa AL, Jaeger MM. Verruciform xanthoma of the oral mucosa. Report of four cases and a review of the literature. Oral Oncol 2001; 37:326-31. [PMID: 11287290 DOI: 10.1016/s1368-8375(00)00068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [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: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We present four new cases of verruciform xanthoma (VX) in the oral mucosa and review the literature. Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of four new cases of VX were analysed together with cases found in a review of the literature. Expression of CD-68 was studied by immunohistochemistry. Only 162 cases were reported in the oral mucosa. Ninety were males (55.5%) and 72 were females (44.5%). Mean age was 44.9 years. The majority of cases occurred in masticatory mucosa (69.7%). Our cases exhibited papillary or verrucous proliferation of squamous epithelium associated with hyperparakeratosis and with numerous foamy cells confined to the lamina propria papillae. Foamy cells were positive to CD-68 antibody, showing a macrophagic nature. VX is a rare benign lesion, and is probably inflammatory. However, its aetiology and pathological mechanisms remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- P T Oliveira
- School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2227, Cidade Universitária, 05508 900, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
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Abstract
In this work an electroacoustic technique was used to characterize the dispersing behavior of alumina in water with or without the addition of an anionic polyelectrolyte as dispersant. Electroacoustic measurements enabled the zeta potential and particle size distribution to be noted; additionally, the in situ measure of the conductivity allows the ionic strength to be simultaneously determined. In this way the pH or dispersant contribution to powder stabilization has been evaluated. With this technique important colloidal parameters such as the isoelectric point and particle size distribution at various solution or powder conditions (alumina vol%, pH, dispersant wt%, milling time) can be measured and the minimum amount of dispersant (Duramax D3021) required to cover completely the powder can be easily estimated. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
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Affiliation(s)
- AL Costa
- IRTEC-CNR, Via Granarolo 64, Faenza, I-48018, Italy
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Silva WW, Bevilaqua CM, Costa AL. Natural evolution of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats (Capra hircus) in the semi-arid ecosystem of the Paraíba backwoods, northeastern Brazil. Vet Parasitol 1998; 80:47-52. [PMID: 9877070 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(98)00188-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted in Patos county, a semi-arid area with caatinga vegetation in Paraiba State, northeastern Brazil. Twenty-four male goats of mixed breeds were used. The animals were separated in age groups from 1-12 months, i. e., 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 months, with four animals in each group. The animals were slaughtered and necropsied to recover and identify adult worms. The goats were exposed to nematode infection from the first month of life. The most prevalent nematodes in decreasing order were: Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum columbianum. Age of the goats did not appear to be a factor in resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection. Worm burdens of 11-12 month old animals were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in other age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- W W Silva
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Saúde de Tecnologia Rural, Patos, Estado da Paraíba, Brazil
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Cusumano V, Costa AL, Veronese M. Evaluation of the antifungal activity of fenticonazole on strains of Candida albicans on cellular lines. Mykosen 1985; 28:238-43. [PMID: 3892289 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.1985.tb02123.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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40
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Costa AL, Monforte MT, Cusumano V, Zamboni C. [Antibacterial activity of a new synthetic penicillin: sodium sulbenicillin]. Clin Ter 1984; 109:557-61. [PMID: 6236946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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41
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Costa AL, Valenti A, Veronese M. Study of the morphofunctional alterations produced by fenticonazole on strains of Candida albicans, using the scanning electron microscope (S.E.M). Mykosen 1984; 27:29-35. [PMID: 6366540 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.1984.tb01979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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42
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Vassallo DV, Mill JG, Costa AL. [Cardiac contraction. I. Ultrastructural bases and excitation-contraction coupling]. Arq Bras Cardiol 1982; 39:181-7. [PMID: 7186363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
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43
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Costa AL. "In vitro" antimycotic activity of fenticonazole (Rec 15/1476). Mykosen 1982; 25:47-52. [PMID: 7040949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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44
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Costa AL, Midilli S, Allegra A, Calogero F. [Activity of chlorhexidine on bacteria and mycetes isolated from pathological human material]. Boll Chim Farm 1981; 120:286-90. [PMID: 7295387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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45
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Costa AL, Amato A, Loteta A, Valenti A. [Biological characteristics of various strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from human pathological matter]. G Batteriol Virol Immunol 1979; 71:55-61. [PMID: 114444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
According to the higher frequency of isolation of bacterial strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas from various human phatologic materials, in was seemed interesting to study the biological characteristics of these bacteria, which are the most virulent and pathogenic Gram-microorganism. In the present work the results of cultural, biochemical, cytochemical and immunological tests are reported. In vivo tests were also carried out, using rabbits inoculated with whole cells or their products.
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Misefari A, Costa G, Costa AL, Valenti A. Release of surface antigens of Candida albicans after treatment with pyrrolnitrin. Farmaco Prat 1979; 34:42-5. [PMID: 378688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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47
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Amato A, Costa AL, Valenti A, Loteta L. [Antibiotic sensitivity of some Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains]. G Batteriol Virol Immunol 1978; 71:158-66. [PMID: 121537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
By means of MBC and MIC determinations, the sensitivity tests of some pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas aeuruginosa were determined. Moreover it has been found production of H2S and higher amounts of piocianyne in resistant strains compared with sensible ones.
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Misefari A, Costa G, Costa AL. Inhibition of antibody response to soluble antigens in mice by beta-3-thienylalanine. Pharmacol Res Commun 1977; 9:785-9. [PMID: 609574 DOI: 10.1016/s0031-6989(77)80001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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50
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Costa AL, Amato A, Misefari A, Vavala V. [Behavior of natural immunity factors in systemic mycoses. I. Determination of lysozyme by means of a new technic]. G Batteriol Virol Immunol 1976; 69:250-3. [PMID: 1028646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Serum lysozyme of 138 patients with various systemic mycosis was determine by means of a new technique. It is reported that the levels of the enzyme are very low, particularly in the most serious diseases. The significance of this finding is discussed.
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