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Caramello M, Frignani M, Beaumont R, Tarantino M, Stansbury C, Ferroni P. The Versatile Loop Facility: A New Infrastructure for Testing Components and Systems of Lead Fast Reactor Technology. NUCL TECHNOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/00295450.2023.2181043] [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] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - R. Beaumont
- Ansaldo Nuclear Ltd, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - M. Tarantino
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Stansbury
- Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
| | - P. Ferroni
- Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
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Tarantino M, Lorusso P, Del Nevo A, Di Piazza I, Giannetti F, Martelli D. Preliminary design of a helical coil steam generator mock-up for the CIRCE facility for the development of DEMO LiPb heat exchanger. Fusion Engineering and Design 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2021.112459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Lorusso P, Martelli E, Del Nevo A, Narcisi V, Giannetti F, Tarantino M. Development of a PbLi heat exchanger for EU DEMO fusion reactor: Experimental test and system code assessment. Fusion Engineering and Design 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2021.112462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Lorusso P, Del Nevo A, Narcisi V, Giannetti F, Caruso G, Zwijsen K, Breijder P, Hamidouche T, Castelliti D, Rozzia D, Tarantino M. Total loss of flow benchmark in CIRCE-HERO integral test facility. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Papa F, Utili M, Venturini A, Caruso G, Savoldi L, Bonifetto R, Valerio D, Allio A, Collaku A, Tarantino M. Engineering design of a Permeator Against Vacuum mock-up with niobium membrane. Fusion Engineering and Design 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2021.112313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Tarantino M, Martelli D, Del Nevo A, Utili M, Di Piazza I, Eboli M, Diamanti D, Tincani A, Miccichè G, Bernardi D, Nitti F, Cristalli C, Bassini S, Fiore A, Cataldo S, Sartorio C, Venturini A, Marinari R, Lorusso P. Fusion technologies development at ENEA Brasimone Research Centre: Status and perspectives. Fusion Engineering and Design 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2020.112008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Martelli D, Bassini S, Utili M, Tarantino M, Lionetti S, Zanin E. LIFUS II corrosion loop final design and screening of an Al based diffusion coating in stagnant LLE environment. Fusion Engineering and Design 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2020.112034] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Buzzi F, Pucciarelli A, Galleni F, Tarantino M, Forgione N. Analysis of thermal stratification phenomena in the CIRCE-HERO facility. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2020.107320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Galleni F, Barone G, Martelli D, Pucciarelli A, Lorusso P, Tarantino M, Forgione N. Simulation of operational conditions of HX-HERO in the CIRCE facility with CFD/STH coupled codes. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Narcisi V, Giannetti F, Del Nevo A, Tarantino M, Caruso G. Post-test simulation of a PLOFA transient test in the CIRCE-HERO facility. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Marinari R, Di Piazza I, Tarantino M, Forgione N. Blockage fuel pin simulator experiments and simulation. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Lorusso P, Pesetti A, Barone G, Castelliti D, Caruso G, Forgione N, Giannetti F, Martelli D, Rozzia D, Van Tichelen K, Tarantino M. MYRRHA primary heat exchanger experimental simulations on CIRCE-HERO. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Di Piazza I, Angelucci M, Marinari R, Tarantino M, Martelli D. Thermo-fluid dynamic transients in the NACIE-UP facility. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Venturini A, Utili M, Martelli D, Malavasi A, Ricapito I, Tarantino M. Experimental investigation on HCLL-TBS In-box LOCA. Fusion Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Utili M, Bassini S, Boccaccini L, Bühler L, Cismondi F, Del Nevo A, Eboli M, DiFonzo F, Hernandez T, Wulf S, Kordač M, Martelli D, De les Valls EM, Melichar T, Mistrangelo C, Tarantino M, Tincani A, Vála L. Status of Pb-16Li technologies for European DEMO fusion reactor. Fusion Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.04.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Valbonesi M, Tarantino M, Montani F, Florio G, Romorini A. Biochemical and Clinical Evaluation of a New Cellulose Diacetate Secondary Filter for Cascade Filtration. Int J Artif Organs 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/039139888500800210] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Valbonesi
- Immunohematology Service, Saronno Hospital, Saronno, Italy
| | - M. Tarantino
- Immunohematology Service, Saronno Hospital, Saronno, Italy
| | - F. Montani
- Immunohematology Service, Saronno Hospital, Saronno, Italy
| | - G. Florio
- Immunohematology Service, Saronno Hospital, Saronno, Italy
| | - A. Romorini
- Immunohematology Service, Saronno Hospital, Saronno, Italy
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Del Nevo A, Martelli E, Agostini P, Arena P, Bongiovì G, Caruso G, Di Gironimo G, Di Maio P, Eboli M, Giammusso R, Giannetti F, Giovinazzi A, Mariano G, Moro F, Mozzillo R, Tassone A, Rozzia D, Tarallo A, Tarantino M, Utili M, Villari R. WCLL breeding blanket design and integration for DEMO 2015: status and perspectives. Fusion Engineering and Design 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2017.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Martelli D, Barone G, Tarantino M, Utili M. Design of a new experimental loop and of a coolant purifying system for corrosion experiments of EUROFER samples in flowing PbLi environment. Fusion Engineering and Design 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2017.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Sharma R, Dunn A, Aschman D, Cheng D, Wheeler A, Soni A, McGuinn C, Knoll C, Stein DT, Young G, French J, Sanders J, Davis JA, Tarantino M, Lim M, Gruppo R, Sidonio R, Ahuja S, Carpenter S, Pipe S, Shapiro A. Radionuclide synovectomy/synoviorthesis (RS) in persons with bleeding disorders: A review of impact of national guidance on frequency of RS using the ATHNdataset. Haemophilia 2017; 23:e385-e388. [DOI: 10.1111/hae.13273] [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] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Sharma
- BloodCenter of Wisconsin; Milwaukee WI USA
| | - A. Dunn
- Nationwide Children's Hospital; Columbus OH USA
| | - D. Aschman
- American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network; Riverwoods IL USA
| | - D. Cheng
- American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network; Riverwoods IL USA
| | - A. Wheeler
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville TN USA
| | - A. Soni
- Center for Comprehensive Care and Diagnosis of Inherited Blood Disorders; Orange CA USA
| | | | - C. Knoll
- Arizona Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center; University of Arizona Health Sciences Center; Tucson AZ USA
| | - D. T. Stein
- Northwest Ohio Hemophilia Treatment Center; Toledo OH USA
| | - G. Young
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles; Los Angeles CA USA
| | - J. French
- Palmetto Health Richland; Columbia SC USA
| | - J. Sanders
- Cook Children's Hospital; Fort Worth Bleeding Disorders Program; Fort Worth TX USA
| | - J. A. Davis
- University of Miami Comprehensive Pediatric Hemophilia Treatment Center; Miami FL USA
| | - M. Tarantino
- Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute; University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria; Peoria IL USA
| | - M. Lim
- UNC Comprehensive Hemophilia Diagnostic and Treatment Center; Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - R. Gruppo
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati OH USA
| | - R. Sidonio
- Emory/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Comprehensive Hemophilia Program; Atlanta GA USA
| | - S. Ahuja
- Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital; University Hospitals Case Medical Center; Cleveland OH USA
| | | | - S. Pipe
- Department of Pediatrics and Pathology; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
| | - A. Shapiro
- Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center; Indianapolis IN USA
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Del Nevo A, Ciampichetti A, Tarantino M, Burgazzi L, Forgione N. Addressing the heavy liquid metal – Water interaction issue in LBE system. Progress in Nuclear Energy 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Barone G, Coscarelli E, Forgione N, Martelli D, Del Nevo A, Tarantino M, Utili M, Ricapito I, Calderoni P. Development of a model for the thermal-hydraulic characterization of the He-FUS3 loop. Fusion Engineering and Design 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Manco-Johnson MJ, Sanders J, Ewing N, Rodriguez N, Tarantino M, Humphries T. Consequences of switching from prophylactic treatment to on-demand treatment in late teens and early adults with severe haemophilia A: the TEEN/TWEN study. Haemophilia 2013; 19:727-35. [PMID: 23750875 DOI: 10.1111/hae.12177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Although many people with haemophilia discontinue prophylaxis in their late teens or early adulthood, the consequences of this decision are largely not known. This 18-month, observational, case-controlled, multicentre study evaluated long-term prophylaxis and the consequences of switching from prophylaxis to on-demand treatment in late teens and young adults with severe haemophilia A. Participants with haemophilia (aged 14-29 years) on prophylaxis ≥ 60% of the time for the 5 years before study entry were enrolled into 1 of 2 prospective or 1 retrospective group. Group 1 was prophylaxis, group 2 had voluntarily discontinued prophylaxis ≤ 12 months before study entry and group 3 had voluntarily discontinued prophylaxis ≥ 13 months before study entry. Assessments included bleeding frequency (primary endpoint), Haemo-QoL-A health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores, Gilbert score, development of target joints, Haemophilia Activities List, Godin Leisure-Time, treatment satisfaction and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (secondary and exploratory endpoints). Descriptive statistics were provided for all variables. Thirty-eight participants (group 1, n = 22; group 2, n = 5; group 3, n = 11; median age, 19.5 years) were enrolled. The median annualized number of bleeding events was 0, 4.8 and 24 in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. HRQoL was lower in participants who discontinued prophylaxis vs. those who remained on prophylaxis. Changes in the remaining secondary and exploratory variables were small, but were generally worse in participants who discontinued prophylaxis. Following a switch from prophylaxis to on-demand therapy, the number of bleeding events increased and HRQoL worsened in late teens and young adults with severe haemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Manco-Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Tarantino G, Finelli C, Colao A, Capone D, Tarantino M, Grimaldi E, Chianese D, Gioia S, Pasanisi F, Contaldo F, Scopacasa F, Savastano S. Are hepatic steatosis and carotid intima media thickness associated in obese patients with normal or slightly elevated gamma-glutamyl-transferase? J Transl Med 2012; 10:50. [PMID: 22424154 PMCID: PMC3342159 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic steatosis (HS) has been associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS), conditions carrying a high risk of coronary artery disease. We aimed to determine whether HS was an independent factor of atherogenic risk beyond its association with MS and its components. METHODS We assessed the circulating levels of the heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70), a chaperone involved in inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis at liver and endothelial level and the gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (γ-GT) correlating them to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), along with lipid profile, HOMA, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ferritin, adiposity type as well as spleen volume in 52 obese pts with grade 1, 128 with grade 2, and 20 with grade 3 of HS evaluated by sonography. RESULTS Patients with different grade of HS demonstrated overlapping HSP-70 levels; similarly performed obese subjects regarding IMT. Using multiple regression analysis, IMT was predicted by age, visceral adiposity and by HOMA (β = 0.50, p < 0.0001, β = 0.30, p = 0.01 and β = 0.18, p = 0.048 respectively, while the severity of HS was predicted by visceral and subcutaneous adiposity and HOMA (β = 0.50, p < 0.0001 and β = 0.27, p = 0.001 and β = 0.18, p = 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION In our series of patients with normal or mild elevation of γ-GT, the severity of HS does not entail higher IMT, which may be linked to MS stigmata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Finelli
- Fondazione Stella Maris Mediterraneo, Centro di Riferimento Regionale dei Disturbi e Comportamenti Alimentari e del Peso, "G. Gioia", Chiaromonte, (PZ), Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Endocrinology Section, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Capone
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Tarantino
- Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ernesto Grimaldi
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Donato Chianese
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Saverio Gioia
- Fondazione Stella Maris Mediterraneo, Centro di Riferimento Regionale dei Disturbi e Comportamenti Alimentari e del Peso, "G. Gioia", Chiaromonte, (PZ), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Pasanisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Franco Contaldo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Scopacasa
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Savastano
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Endocrinology Section, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Tarantino G, Scopacasa F, Colao A, Capone D, Tarantino M, Grimaldi E, Savastano S. Serum Bcl-2 concentrations in overweight-obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:5280-8. [PMID: 22219597 PMCID: PMC3247692 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i48.5280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To shed some light on the relationship between anti-apoptotic serum Bcl-2 concentrations and metabolic status, anthropometric parameters, inflammation indices, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity were investigated in 43 young individuals with fatty liver (FL) and 41 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
METHODS: Circulating levels of Bcl-2 were detected in 84 patients with ultrasonographic findings of “bright liver” and/or hyper-transaminasemia of unknown origin and/or increase in γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (γ-GT) strictly in the absence of other acute or chronic liver disease, whose age was not advanced, who gave consent to liver biopsy and were then divided on the basis of the histological results into two groups (43 with FL and 41 with NASH). Twenty lean subjects, apparently healthy and young, were chosen as controls.
RESULTS: Serum Bcl-2 concentrations were significantly higher in the FL group than in the NASH group. Insulin resistance and γ-GT activity were significantly higher in NASH subjects. Apoptotic hepatocytes were significantly more numerous in NASH patients. NASH patients presented with larger spleens and augmented C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations than healthy subjects. Steatosis grade at histology was similar in both NASH and FL populations. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly related to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein values in FL patients. Bcl-2 serum levels positively correlated to body mass index (BMI) values (P≤ 0.0001) but not to age of the population. Triglycerides/HDL ratio correlated well to waist circumference in males (P = 0.0008). γ-GT activity was associated with homeostatic metabolic assessment (HOMA) (P = 0.0003) and with serum ferritin (P = 0.02). Bcl-2 concentrations were not related to either spleen size or CRP values. NASH patients presented a weak negative correlation between lobular inflammation and Bcl-2 levels. A prediction by low values of serum Bcl-2 towards a greater presence of metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese patients (MUOs) was evidenced. HOMA, BMI and uric acid, in that sequence, best predicted serum Bcl-2 concentrations.
CONCLUSION: MUOs could be detected by Bcl-2 levels. By favoring the life span of hepatocytes, and enhancing triglyceride formation, the anti-apoptotic process inhibits free fatty acids toxicity in FL.
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Coccoluto G, Gaggini P, Labanti V, Tarantino M, Ambrosini W, Forgione N, Napoli A, Oriolo F. Heavy liquid metal natural circulation in a one-dimensional loop. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2010.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Tarantino G, Spanò A, Loi G, Parisi A, Tarantino M, Brancaccio G, Gaeta GB, Riccio A. Is spleen circulation impaired in systemic sclerosis and what is the role of liver fibrosis? World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:1606-13. [PMID: 21472128 PMCID: PMC3070133 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i12.1606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the spleen vascular involvement and the presence of liver fibrosis in a population of subjects with established systemic sclerosis (SSc).
METHODS: In a cross-sectional fashion, 17 patients with SSc were compared with 18 patients suffering from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis, grade A and B Child-Pugh classification. Eighteen non elderly subjects, apparently healthy, were used as the control group. Splenic artery resistivity index (SARI) at doppler ultraSound, transient elastography of liver and nailfold capillaroscopy were the main outcomes.
RESULTS: Transient elastography values of SSc patients were similar to those of controls; 5.2 ± 1.1 vs 4.5 ± 1, (P = 0.07). Median Alanine amino transferase (ALT) concentrations of cirrhotic patients were greater than those of controls and SSc patients, i.e. 66.5 (36-89) U/L vs 29 (22-34) U/L and 31 (22-41) U/L, respectively, (P = 0.005). SARI determinations in cirrhotic patients, although significantly higher than those found in controls and SSc patients, showed some degree of overlap with SSc patients, i.e. 0.59 vs 0.52 and 0.57, respectively, (P = 0.04). Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in SSc patients than in cirrhotics and controls, i.e. 142 mmHg vs 128.2 mmHg and 127 mmHg, respectively, (P = 0.005). Mean diastolic blood pressure behaved in a similar fashion, i.e. 84 mmHg vs 72.2 mmHg and 76.9 mmHg (P = 0.005). Nailfold Capillaroscopy grades and diastolic blood pressure values correlated well with SARI results.
CONCLUSION: An enhanced resistivity of the splenic artery was found in patients suffering from SSc; they did not have evidence of splenomegaly as well as no liver fibrosis or any other form of liver damage.
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Tarantino G, Colao A, Capone D, Conca P, Tarantino M, Grimaldi E, Chianese D, Finelli C, Contaldo F, Scopacasa F, Savastano S. Circulating levels of cytochrome C, gamma-glutamyl transferase, triglycerides and unconjugated bilirubin in overweight/obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2011; 25:47-56. [PMID: 21382273 DOI: pmid/21382273] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by hepatocyte apoptosis, is distinct in fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, the more severe form. Apoptotic cell death is caspase-dependent and associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release. Adhering to the hypothesis that the exposure of hepatocytes to free fatty acids, resulting in increased ROS production and mitochondrial damage, is balanced by the presence of antioxidant substances, circulating levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase, cytochrome c, triglycerides and unconjugated bilirubin were explored in patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with different severity. One hundred and eighty-six consecutive patients who presented recent ultrasound feature of bright liver without any liver disease of known origin were enrolled, eighty-nine of whom underwent liver biopsy. Forty-five subjects were allocated on the basis of histology in fatty liver group while 44 patients formed the group with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A cohort of 27 young, lean, apparently healthy individuals was selected as control group. The levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase were normal or slightly increased, while unconjugated bilirubin concentrations were elevated in all the spectra of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Comparing the present results with relevant findings from other studies dealing with diseases characterized by apoptosis, we did not find high circulating levels of cytochrome c in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. What is more, our patients, categorized as suffering from simple fatty liver or from the more severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, had similar levels of cytochrome c and gamma-glutamyl transferase, p=0.19 and 0.11. Serum triglycerides were higher in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in the healthy group, p=0.001. These findings likely reflect a balance between oxidative stress and anti-oxidant response rather than a lack of reliability of cytochrome c as a reliable biomarker of mitochondrial damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy.
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Tarantino G, Conca P, Tarantino M, Di Minno MND, Grimaldi E, Chianese D, Riccio A, Scopacasa F, Capone D. Does spleen volume play a role in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis? Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2010; 22:1009-17. [PMID: 20074464 DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As the lymphotropism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has already been ascertained, and in the light of the fact that the immune defense system is an organized network composed of functionally interrelated tissues, this study was carried out to verify the possible involvement of spleen in HCV-related chronic hepatitis. In this cross-sectional study we measured spleen longitudinal diameter by ultrasound, beta2-microglobulin serum levels and splenic artery resistivity index (SARI) by Doppler in 51 patients treated with standard combined (Peg-Interferon plus Ribavirin) antiviral therapy. Thirty-three patients (17 females) completed the regimen and were compared to 31 controls (16 females). The mean basal values of spleen longitudinal diameter were higher in patients with chronic hepatitis than in controls, i.e., 116 mm (9.4) versus 102.7 mm (9.3), P = 0.0001. In the same patients a significant trend towards increased spleen longitudinal diameter was found after antiviral therapy, independently of the stage of HCV-related chronic hepatitis. The median values of the beta2-microglobulin concentrations were not significantly higher in the patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis compared to controls, i.e., 1.3 (0.5-2.6) versus 1 (0.6-1.4), P = 0.16, although during the course of therapy they were significantly increased. SARI values of HCV-related chronic hepatitis patients were different from those of controls, but were unvaried compared to values at the end of treatment. Neither spleen measurements nor serum beta2-microglobulin levels were able to predict therapeutic response to antiviral therapy. A stimulation/expansion of lymphoid tissue was found in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis. Such evidence raises the question whether physicians should continue to prescribe antiviral therapy in non-responders and supports the use of a new scheme (SLD plus beta2-MG) to diagnose this ongoing, apparently reversible, but nevertheless dangerous immunologic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy.
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Tarantino G, Citro V, Conca P, Riccio A, Tarantino M, Capone D, Cirillo M, Lobello R, Iaccarino V. What are the implications of the spontaneous spleno-renal shunts in liver cirrhosis? BMC Gastroenterol 2009; 9:89. [PMID: 19930687 PMCID: PMC2785828 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-9-89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/24/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although significant advances are expected to be made in the assessment of the portal hypertension-related complications, the prognostic role of spleno-renal shunts has not been fully explored so far. Clarifying this aspect could help tackle the life-treating events occurring in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationships between the spleno-renal shunts presence at doppler ultrasound and the liver cirrhosis complications. Methods Design: eighty one patients out of 129 formed the study population (35 females). Chronic liver damage in these patients was caused by HCV (66), HBV (2), alcohol abuse (2) or unknown etiology, likely non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (11). Setting: two Liver Units of university/primary hospitals in Southern Italy. Main outcome measures: grading of esofageal varices; detection of ascites: assessment of hepatic encephalopathy; evaluation of liver cirrhosis severity; tracking hepatocellular carcinoma; doppler features of spleno-renal shunts and splenic flow velocity; spleen longitudinal diameter at sonography. Results The prevalence of spleno-renal shunts was 18.5%, without no difference concerning the etiology (HCV versus non-HCV, p = 0.870); the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with spleno-renal shunts was superior to that of patients without them (Pearson Chi-square, p = 0.006, power of sample size 74%), also after adjustment for liver decompensation (p = 0.024). The median score of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with and without spleno-renal shunts was similar, i.e., 0 (range, 0-2) versus 0 (0 - 3), p = 0.67. The median splenic vein flow velocity in patients with spleno-renal shunts was significantly inferior to that of patients without them, i.e., 13 cm/sec (95% confidence intervals, 6-18) versus 21 cm/sec (17-24), p < 0.0001. By far the largest percentage of large esophageal varices was in patients without spleno-renal shunts (p = 0.005). In contrast, the frequency of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy severity was overlapping in the two groups. BMI values but not Child-Pugh's classification predicted spleno-renal shunts (Ors = 1.84, 95% confidence intervals = 1.28-2.64, p = 0.001 and 1.145, 95% confidence intervals = 0.77-1.51, p = 0.66). Conclusion Taking into consideration the relatively small sample size, patients with spleno-renal shunts are burdened by an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. BMI predicted the spleno-renal shunts presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy.
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Tarantino G, Mazzarella C, Tarantino M, Di Minno MND, Conca P. Could high levels of tissue polypeptide specific antigen, a marker of apoptosis detected in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, improve after weight loss? Dis Markers 2009; 26:55-63. [PMID: 19407360 PMCID: PMC3833701 DOI: 10.3233/dma-2009-0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen has recently been proposed as diagnostic marker of apoptosis in NonAlcoholic SteatoHepatitis. The aim of this study was to validate in patients suffering from NonAlcoholic SteatoHepatitis the clinical utility of this marker after different programs of weight reduction. Methods: Overweight/obese patients with visceral adiposity and liver histology compatible were assigned to a Calorically-Restricted diet (n = 22), a Calorically-Restricted diet plus EXercise (n = 19) or No Healthy Life Style (control group, n = 21) for six months. The presence of Body-Weight loss was assessed by a Body Mass Index decrease of at least three points. Serum ALanine aminoTransferase, HOmeostasis Model Assessment method value and Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen concentrations were determined at time 0, after 3 and 6 months in both the Intervention groups and in the controls’ one. Results: In NonAlcoholic SteatoHepatitis patients who obtained Body-Weight reduction, a significant decrease of the serum Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen values was showed with a clear linear trend across time, P = 0.0001. Decrement of Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen concentrations best differentiated the Body-Weight loss from the body-weight maintenance in respect to Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen and HOmeostasis Model Assessment method values. Conclusion: This study support the clinical utility of serum Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen antigen levels in the follow-up of overweight/obese patients with NonAlcoholic SteatoHepatitis on weight reduction programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University, Medical School of Naples, Italy.
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Tarantino G, Colicchio P, Conca P, Finelli C, Di Minno MND, Tarantino M, Capone D, Pasanisi F. Young adult obese subjects with and without insulin resistance: what is the role of chronic inflammation and how to weigh it non-invasively? J Inflamm (Lond) 2009; 6:6. [PMID: 19291292 PMCID: PMC2663560 DOI: 10.1186/1476-9255-6-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2009] [Accepted: 03/16/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a leading risk factor for metabolic syndrome whose further expression is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolic syndrome is associated with a proinflammatory state that contributes to insulin resistance. Finally, a "metabolically benign obesity" that is not accompanied by insulin resistance has recently been postulated to exist. AIM To find whether any inflammation markers were independently associated with the presence of insulin resistance, evaluating specific anthropometric, ultrasonographic and laboratory parameters in a population of young adult obese subjects. METHODS Of forty two young individuals, divided into two groups (with or without insulin resistance), were studied serum C-reactive protein and fibrinogen as indexes of chronic pro-inflammatory status. Body mass index, waist circumference and metabolic syndrome presence were assessed as part of the metabolic evaluation. Ultrasonography weighted visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat thickness, spleen size as longitudinal diameter and liver hyperechogenicity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Serum C-reactive protein and fibrinogen as well as spleen longitudinal diameter were significantly increased in the obese young with insulin resistance compared to non-insulin resistance group. Insulin resistance was significantly associated with hepatic steatosis score at sonography (r = 0.33, P = 0.03), spleen longitudinal diameter (r = 0.35, P = 0.02) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.38, P = 0.01), but not with body mass index, visceral or subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, waist circumference and fibrinogen (P = 0.18, 0.46, 0.33, 0.37 and 0.4, respectively). Steatosis score at sonography was well associated with spleen volume (rho = 0.40, P = 0.01) and C-reactive protein levels (rho = 0.49, P = 0.002). Metabolic syndrome was much more frequent in obese patients with insulin resistance. These findings show that in young adults the only abdominal adiposity without insulin resistance, plays a scarce role in determining hepatic steatosis as well as metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION Increases in spleen size and CRP levels represent a reliable tool in diagnosing insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Colicchio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Conca
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Finelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marianna Tarantino
- Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Capone
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Pasanisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Italy
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Tarantino G, Conca P, Riccio A, Tarantino M, Di Minno MN, Chianese D, Pasanisi F, Contaldo F, Scopacasa F, Capone D. Enhanced serum concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta1 in simple fatty liver: is it really benign? J Transl Med 2008; 6:72. [PMID: 19038040 PMCID: PMC2611972 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-6-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2008] [Accepted: 11/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inside the spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, simple fatty liver is generally thought of as being "non progressive", differently from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which increases in severity due to the presence of apoptosis/inflammation and fibrosis. The "benignity" of fatty liver is widely accepted but conceptually difficult to maintain because the mechanisms underlying this entity are the same ones that determine the more severe form. Findings provide evidence that iron overload is associated with increased liver damage and collagen deposition. Transforming growth factor-beta1 released by hepatic stellate cells during chronic liver injury plays a critical role in liver apoptosis and fibrogenesis. Objective To verify whether both the forms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were really dissimilar, evaluating the serum profile of two key parameters, indexes of severity. Methods A total of 123 patients (57 females) participated, forming three groups: forty five patients with fatty liver, 42 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 36 with chronic hepatitis C. All had a biopsy-proven diagnosis. Measurements Serum concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta1 and ferritin. Results High concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta1 were noticed in patients suffering from both fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, 129.1 (45.4) versus 116.8 (42.2) ng/mL, P = 0.2; they were significantly superior to those of chronic hepatitis C patients 87.5 (39.5) ng/mL, P < 0.001. Ferritin levels were on average above normal values and similar in the three groups (P = 0.9), also when adjusted for gender (P = 0.5) and age (P = 0.3). Conclusion No difference between serum concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta1 and ferritin in fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis suggests that these forms share more common aspects, regarding their progression, than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Naples, Italy.
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Marianelli C, Martucciello A, Tarantino M, Vecchio R, Iovane G, Galiero G. Evaluation of Molecular Methods for the Detection of Brucella Species in Water Buffalo Milk. J Dairy Sci 2008; 91:3779-86. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2008-1233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Tarantino G, Gentile A, Capone D, Basile V, Tarantino M, Di Minno MND, Cuocolo A, Conca P. Does protracted antiviral therapy impact on HCV-related liver cirrhosis progression? World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13:4903-8. [PMID: 17828823 PMCID: PMC4611770 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i36.4903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To study the outcomes of patients with compensated hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis.
METHODS: Twenty-four grade A5 and 11 grade A6 of Child-Pugh classification cirrhotic patients with active virus replication, treated for a mean period of 31.3 ± 5.1 mo with moderate doses of interferon-alpha and ribavirin, were compared to a cohort of 36 patients with similar characteristics, without antiviral treatment. Salivary caffeine concentration, a liver test of microsomal function, was determined at the starting and thrice in course of therapy after a mean period of 11 ± 1.6 mo, meanwhile the resistive index of splenic artery at ultra sound Doppler, an indirect index of portal hypertension, was only measured at the beginning and the end of study.
RESULTS: Eight out of the 24 A5- (33.3%) and 5 out of the 11 A6- (45.45%) treated-cirrhotic patients showed a significant improvement in the total overnight salivary caffeine assessment. A reduction up to 20% of the resistive index of splenic artery was obtained in 3 out of the 8 A5- (37.5%) and in 2 out of the 5 A6- (40%) cirrhotic patients with an improved liver function, which showed a clear tendency to decrease at the end of therapy. The hepatitis C virus clearance was achieved in 3 out of the 24 (12.5%) A5- and 1 out of the 11 (0.091%) A6-patients after a median period of 8.5 mo combined therapy. In the cohort of non-treated cirrhotic patients, not only the considered parameters remained unchanged, but 3 patients (8.3%) had a worsening of the Child-Pugh score (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: A prolonged antiviral therapy with moderate dosages of interferon-alpha and ribavirin shows a trend to stable liver function or to ameliorate the residual liver function, the entity of portal hypertension and the compensation status at acceptable costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tarantino
- Department of Clinical and Expermtal Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples,Via S. Pansini, 5, Naples 80131, Italy.
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Tarantino M, Ma A, Aledort L. Safety of human plasma-derived clotting factor products and their role in haemostasis in patients with haemophilia: meeting report. Haemophilia 2007; 13:663-9. [PMID: 17880460 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2007.01481.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Tarantino
- Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center, 5019 N. Executive Drive, Peoria, IL, USA.
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Marianelli C, Tarantino M, Astarita S, Martucciello A, Capuano F, Galiero G. Molecular detection of Leptospira
species in aborted fetuses of water buffalo. Vet Rec 2007; 161:310-2. [PMID: 17766812 DOI: 10.1136/vr.161.9.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Marianelli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare ed Animale, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Soucie J, Miller C, Creary M, Hooper W, Abshire T, Brettler D, Bockenstedt P, DiPaola J, Massey G, Neff A, Shapiro A, Tarantino M, Wicklund B, DiMichele D. U.S. INHIBITOR PILOT PROJECT: STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS VALIDATION. J Thromb Haemost 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2007.tb01876.x] [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: 11/28/2022]
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Benamati G, Foletti C, Forgione N, Oriolo F, Scaddozzo G, Tarantino M. Experimental study on gas-injection enhanced circulation performed with the CIRCE facility. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2006.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Adone R, Ciuchini F, Marianelli C, Tarantino M, Pistoia C, Marcon G, Petrucci P, Francia M, Riccardi G, Pasquali P. Protective properties of rifampin-resistant rough mutants of Brucella melitensis. Infect Immun 2005; 73:4198-204. [PMID: 15972510 PMCID: PMC1168545 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.7.4198-4204.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2005] [Revised: 03/02/2005] [Accepted: 03/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against Brucella infections in animals is usually performed by administration of live attenuated smooth B. abortus strain S19 and B. melitensis strain Rev1. They are proven effective vaccines against B. abortus in cattle and against B. melitensis and B. ovis in sheep and goats, respectively. However, both vaccines have the main drawback of inducing O-polysaccharide-specific antibodies that interfere with serologic diagnosis of disease. In addition, they retain residual virulence, being a cause of abortion in pregnant animals and infection in humans. To overcome these problems, one approach is to develop defined rough mutant Brucella strains lacking O antigen of lipopolysaccharide. B. abortus rough strain RB51, a rifampin-resistant mutant of virulent strain B. abortus 2308, is used as a vaccine against B. abortus infection in cattle in some countries. However, RB51 is not effective in sheep, and there is only preliminary evidence that it is effective in goats. In this study, we tested the efficacies of six rifampin-resistant rough strains of B. melitensis in protecting BALB/c mice exposed to B. melitensis infection. The protective properties, as well as both humoral and cellular immune responses, were assessed in comparison with those provided by B. melitensis Rev1 and B. abortus RB51 vaccines. The results indicated that these rough mutants were able to induce a very good level of protection against B. melitensis infection, similar to that provided by Rev1 and superior to that of RB51, without inducing antibodies to O antigen. In addition, all B. melitensis mutants were able to stimulate good production of gamma interferon. The characteristics of these strains encourage further evaluation of them as alternative vaccines to Rev1 in primary host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Adone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sanità Alimentare ed Animale, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Ambrosini W, Forasassi G, Forgione N, Oriolo F, Tarantino M. Experimental study on combined natural and gas-injection enhanced circulation. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2005.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Falcone E, Cordioli P, Tarantino M, Muscillo M, Sala G, La Rosa G, Archetti IL, Marianelli C, Lombardi G, Tollis M. Experimental infection of calves with bovine viral diarrhoea virus type-2 (BVDV-2) isolated from a contaminated vaccine. Vet Res Commun 2003; 27:577-89. [PMID: 14609269 DOI: 10.1023/a:1026064603630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [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]
Abstract
A non-cytopathic strain of BVDV-2 was isolated from a batch of live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccine, and inoculated intranasally into four 3-month-old calves. Severe signs of disease developed by days 4 and 6 in three of the calves, free of BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, that had been exposed to the virus. These calves survived the acute phase of the infection and progressively recovered. BVDV was consistently isolated, or the respective viral RNA was detected, in the buffy coats from blood samples collected starting from days 2 or 4 up to days 11 or 14 after the experimental infection. Viral RNA was also detected in sera from these infected calves until the presence in the serum of virus neutralizing antibodies was demonstrated. By contrast, the only calf having pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to BVDV at the start of the study was protected from the disease. No virus was detected at any time after experimental inoculation of this calf. Genomic characterization of the BVDV-2 isolated in cell cultures, or detected in sera from the experimentally infected animals, revealed 100%, homology in the nucleotide sequence with the BVDV-2 detected as a contaminant of the live IBR virus vaccine. These findings provided evidence of the infective nature of the contaminant BVDV-2 and of its potential to generate disease outbreaks when inoculated into susceptible animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Falcone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratorio di Medicina Veterinaria, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
The genetic characteristics, of 38 field isolates of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) collected in 1999 from sick or healthy and persistently infected cattle of dairy farms situated in northern Italy, were investigated. A partial 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) sequence of each isolate was determined and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. All the isolates were classified as belonging to the BVDV-1 genotype and could be assigned to different BVDV-1 groups, namely BVDV-1b (n = 20), BVDV-1d (n = 6) and BVDV-1e (n = 10). Two remaining isolates could be classified as BVDV-1f and BVDV-1h, respectively. These results provided evidence for genetic heterogeneity of BVDV in Italy, and contribute to a better knowledge of the circulation of BVDV strains, and to their classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Falcone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratorio di Medicina Veterinaria, Viale R. Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Abstract
Phyto-oestrogens are non-steroidal plant-derived compounds that possess oestrogenic activity and act as selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Among the dietary oestrogens, the isoflavone class enjoy a wide-spread distribution in most of the members of the Leguminosae family, including such prominent high-content representatives as soybean. Phyto-oestrogen research has grown rapidly in recent years owing to epidemiological studies suggesting that diets rich in soy may be associated with potential health benefits. There is a paucity of data on endocrine effects of soy phytochemicals during infancy, the most sensitive period of life for the induction of toxicity. The safety of isoflavones in infant formulas has been questioned recently owing to reports of possible hormonal effects. Infants fed soy formula receive high levels of phyto-oestrogens in the form of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein and their glycosides). To date, no adverse effects of short- or long-term use of soy proteins have been observed in humans and exposure to soy-based infant formulas does not appear to lead to different reproductive outcomes than exposure to cow milk formulas. Soy formula seems to be a safe feeding option for most infants. Nevertheless, much closer studies in experimental animals and human populations exposed to phyto-oestrogen-containing products, and particularly soy-based infant formulas, are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Miniello
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina dell'Età Evolutiva, University of Bari, Italy.
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Tarantino M, Roberts JC, Weber LC, Caughey RC, Tarantino MD. Recombinant FVIIa promotes adhesion and aggregation of platelets in normal subjects and von Willebrand disease patients as measured in the PFA100tm. J Thromb Haemost 2003. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2003.tb05672.x] [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: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Following the first official report of a clinically severe outbreak of bovine viral diarrhoea disease occurring in a farm in northern Italy, which had originated from the use of a live vaccine contaminated with a strain of BVD genotype II virus, a retrospective study on the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in Italy became highly relevant. For this purpose, the genotype of 78 BVDV-positive specimens, obtained in 1998-1999 from dairy cattle in an area near to where the outbreak occurred, was characterized by PCR technology. Two sets of primers, spanning the 5' UTR of BVDV genome, were used sequentially in a first round of RT-PCR, performed on viral RNA extracted directly from 15 clinical samples and 63 BVDV-infected cell-culture fluids; a second PCR assay followed to selectively amplify only BVDV genotype II. All the viruses under study were characterized as BVDV genotype I. As well as contributing to a better understanding of the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in the field, the results of the present study illustrate the possibility that novel BVDV strains can emerge in susceptible animals through the use of contaminated immunobiological products for bovine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Falcone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Nami R, Mondillo S, Agricola E, Lenti S, Ferro G, Nami N, Tarantino M, Glauco G, Spanò E, Gennari C. Aerobic exercise training fails to reduce blood pressure in nondipper-type hypertension. Am J Hypertens 2000; 13:593-600. [PMID: 10912740 DOI: 10.1016/s0895-7061(99)00265-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
To assess whether aerobic exercise training is an effective and an alternative method to control blood pressure (BP) in hypertension, 32 uncomplicated, never treated patients suffering from mild-to-moderate essential arterial hypertension (EAH) were included in an aerobic exercise training program using a regular standardized cycle ergometer exercise for 3 months. In all EAH patients, before and after the exercise training period, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was performed and several metabolic variables were assessed. Before exercise, in 20 EAH patients, a 48-h ABPM showed a normal day-night rhythm, with nocturnal BP decrease, according to a dipper-type hypertension, whereas in 12 EAH patients 48-h ABPM profile indicated a nondipper-type hypertension. After exercise, EAH dippers presented a significant decrease in the daytime systolic and diastolic BP, whereas EAH nondippers did not show any change in daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP. Our study confirms the controversy about the postulated BP lowering effect of dynamic exercise in EAH patients, in the sense that only EAH dipper patients seem to obtain a beneficial diurnal lowering BP effect deriving from exercise, possibly through a reduction in sympathetic tone. On the contrary, physical activity seems to fail in reducing diurnal and nocturnal BP values in EAH nondippers, suggesting that in nondipper-type hypertension, other "masking" endogenous or exogenous factors could interfere with and prevail over the adrenergic-vagal balance that modulates the day-night BP synchronism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nami
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
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Abstract
Determination of the G and P serotypes of group A bovine rotaviruses from 149 samples of feces or intestinal contents collected from calves showing clinical signs of neonatal diarrhea was performed by a nested reverse transcription-PCR typing assay. The G6 serotype was the most prevalent, accounting for viruses in 55.7% of the samples; viruses of the G10 and G8 serotypes were found in 34.9 and 4.7% of the samples, respectively. The virus in one sample (0.7%) was not classified due to concomitant infection with G6 and G8 strains, whereas viruses in six samples (4.0%) could not be characterized with any of the three G serotype-specific primers selected for the present study. When examined for their P-serotype specificities, viruses in 55 and 42.3% of the samples were characterized as P[11] and P[5], respectively, no P[1] serotype was identified, and viruses in 2.7% of the samples could not be classified due to multiple reactivity with both P[5]- and P[11]-specific primers. Various combinations of G and P serotypes were observed, the most frequent being G6,P[5] (38.3%), G10,P[11] (31.5%), and G6,P[11] (15.4%). The results of the present study, while contributing to a better understanding of the epidemiology of bovine rotaviruses in Italy, address the relevance of serotype specificity with regard to the constancy of the quality of bovine rotavirus vaccines under different field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Falcone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Valbonesi M, Tarantino M, Montani F, Florio G, Romorini A. Biochemical and clinical evaluation of a new cellulose diacetate secondary filter for cascade filtration. Int J Artif Organs 1985; 8:105-8. [PMID: 3921467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We have performed 24 cascade filtration treatments in 8 patients with hyperviscosity syndrome (2 cases), essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, post-hepatitic cryoglobulinemia, Sjogrens disease, rheumatoid vasculitis, Miller-Fisher syndrome and chronic dysimmune polyneuropathy. New cellulose diacetate filters were employed, giving a satisfactory performance. At 1.5 L plasma treatment, the rejection rate for macromolecular plasma components was close to 90%, whereas albumin recovery was close to 70%. Treatments were clinically effective, confirming that cascade filtration is an alternative to conventional plasma exchange in patients with IgM or immune complex mediated diseases.
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