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Conservation is a complex field that needs an exchange of views among different professionals including archaeologists, conservators, restorers and scientists. Diagnostic analyses can give useful information able to lay down the documentation about the artefacts conservation status before and after the restoration; to define the restoration plan and to lead to the most suitable conservation strategies, materials and methods; to evaluate and track the restoration work and to reproduce it in similar contexts. For all of these reasons, a scientific restoration treatments on cultural heritage need materials and alteration products characterisation as a propaedeutic phase. This awareness has guided the study approach of some Bronze Age metal findings from Garda Lake, analysed in order to know the nature of corrosion products in case of upcoming restoration.

In addition to the effects on glycemic control and body weight, GLP-1 receptor agonists may favorably affect other major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, although currently available data are still sparse. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effects of 12-month treatment with liraglutide on major CVD risk factors in 115 type 2 diabetes outpatients (60 men and 55 women), on stable hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive and/or lipid-lowering therapy. Clinical and anthropometric data, metabolic and lipid profile, as well as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), an obesity-related CVD risk factor, were measured in all participants at baseline and after 12-month treatment. Treatment with liraglutide was associated with a significant reduction from baseline values of fasting blood glucose (−42.1 mg/dl, P

The presence of perinuclear nuages and intercellular bridges is described in the germ cells of immature Xiphias gladius. In semi‐thin sections, previtellogenic oocytes show a strongly basophilic perinuclear area. At the ultrastructural level this zone appears as a cytoplasmic granulo‐fibrillar substance in the form of a crescent cap adjacent to the nuclear membrane: the perinuclear nuage. A material similar to the perinuclear nuage is first observed in the nucleolus, then close to the nuclear envelope, and later on is associated with mitochondria. Perinuclear nuages could consist of RNA and proteins involved in the development of oocytes. Electron microscopy analysis of the testicular germ cell showed the presence of annulate lamellae in primary spermatogonia and intercellular bridges, originating from incomplete cytokinesis, in the secondary spermatogonia. In spite of numerous studies on annulate lamellae, their function is not well understood. The intercellular bridges provide channels for comm...

The regional difference in the carbohydrate components of the ductus epididymis epithelium of a lizard was delineated by means of 13 lectins. Basal cells expressed only N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Throughout the ductus, the secretory cells showed oligosaccharides with terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)alpha(2,6)galactose (Gal)/N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and internal mannose (Man) and/or glucose (Glc) in the whole cytoplasm, oligosaccharides terminating in Neu5Ac alpha(2,6)Gal beta(1,3)GalNAc, Neu5Ac alpha(2,6)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc, GalNAc, GlcNAc, and fucose (Fuc) in the supra-nuclear zone, and also glycans terminating in Neu5Ac alpha(2,3)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc, Neu5Ac alpha(2,6)Gal beta(1,3)GalNAc, Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc on the luminal surface. In the caput and corpus regions, the supra-nuclear cytoplasm was characterized by terminal Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc and alphaGalNAc, the luminal surface by alphaGalNAc and Gal. The Golgi zone, showing oligosaccharides with terminal Neu5Ac alpha(2,3)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc, Neu5Ac alpha(2,6)Gal beta(1,3)GalNAc, Neu5Ac alpha(2,6)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc, and internal GlcNAc, expressed terminal Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc and alphaGalNAc in the caput, and terminal betaGalNAc in the corpus. The granules showed all the investigated carbohydrates in their peripheral zone except terminal betaGalNAc and Fuc, whereas internal Man/Glc and terminal Gal were expressed in the central core, and Fuc throughout the ductus, terminal GlcNAc in the caput and corpus, and terminal alphaGalNAc only in the corpus.

The ultrastructure and the oligosaccharide sequence of glycoconjugates of spermatozoa contained in the hemispermatophores of males Aristaeomorpha foliacea collected during the main mating and reproductive periods have been investigated. The hemispermatophores from eleven specimens were packed with typical round-shaped spermatozoa (max o 3.8±0.03 μm), characterised by an electron-lucent nucleus not separated by the nuclear envelope from the thin electron-dense peripheral band of the cytoplasm containing small vesicles and large mitochondria. Hemispermatophores from two out of eight specimens collected in April contained few typical spermatozoa, whereas they were filled with roundish large germinal cells (max o 5.74±0.16 μm) showing a filamentous chromatin in the nuclear region and the cytoplasm rim rich in large vesicles and myelin-like bodies. These cells were considered as non-mature germ cells, and consequently we defined their hemispermatophores as “immature”. The lectin histochemistry showed differences in the glycoconjugate composition between germ cells contained in immature hemispermatophores and spermatozoa. The former had N-linked oligosaccharides containing α-D-Man and internal β-D-GlcNAc (Con A and KOH-sialidase-WGA affinity) as well as terminal NeuAcα2,6Gal/GalNAc and NeuAcα2,3Galβ1, 4-GlcNAc (SNA and MAA binding). Spermatozoa from mature hemispermatophores also displayed O-linked oligosaccharides which terminated with β-D-Gal(1–3)-GalNAc dimer (PNA binding) and αGalNAc (HPA reactivity) in the cytoplasm and with sialic acid linked to β-D-Gal(1-3)-GalNAc (KOH-sialidase-PNA procedure) in the nucleus. The extracellular matrix in immature hemispermatophores displayed both N- and O-linked glycoconjugates, whereas it contained only O-linked oligosaccharides in mature ones. Although the number of specimens examined is low, this study should indicate that the presence of hemispermatophores in the terminal ampullae of male A. foliacea and of joined hemipetasmas is not synonymous with maturity.

The lectin binding pattern of both Schwann cells and macrophages has been studied during axonal degeneration induced in the rat sciatic nerve by chronic administration of 2,5-hexanedione (0.8 ml/kg per day i.p. for 20 days). In particular, the present study aimed to establish a possible relationship between macrophage activation and expression of lectin binding sites. To identify and distinguish between Schwann cells and macrophages, electron microscopy was combined with the lectin staining method. On 2,5-hexanedione injury, a drastic disorganization of both axon and myelin sheath occurred and nerve fibers were replaced by a chain of ovoids. Besides the well-established concept that Schwann cells and macrophages cooperate in the removal of the myelin debris during axonal degeneration, evidence is presented that expression of binding sites to lectins is closely related to macrophage activation. Monocytes occasionally present in control nerves were labelled only by Con A and sialidase-peanut sequence; in 2,5-hexanedione degeneration monocytes, prephagocytes (macrophages with minute bubbles) and phagocytes (macrophages with large bubbles) were labelled also by peanut, wheat germ and BSA I-B4; moreover, phagocytes were labelled by soybean as well, thus showing a clearly differentiation-dependent binding pattern. Since changes in lectin binding pattern may reflect changes in complex carbohydrate structures, the results show that the expression of certain glycoproteins may be closely related to activation of macrophages in response to toxic injuries.

The pars distalis from the pituitary gland of adult male ruin lizards (Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta), captured during the five periods of the annual sexual cycle (emergence from hibernation, reproductive period, summer regression, autumnal recrudescence, winter arrest), was studied immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against hFSHbeta, hLHbeta, oFSHbeta, and oLHbeta with the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) procedure to monitor the seasonal changes in shape, size and percentage area taken up from gonadotropes. FSH containing cells were specifically identified with anti-hFSHbeta and anti-oFSHbeta sera, whereas the LH cells were localized by anti-hLHbeta. The anti-oLHbeta serum showed cross-reactivity with the cells immunostained by the three above antisera (anti-hFSHbeta, anti-oFSHbeta, and anti-hLHbeta). None of the cells contained both gonadotropic hormones as shown by the double-immunostaining procedure. Generally, FSH cells were larger and more numerous than LH cells. FSH cells were elongated or pyriform in shape from spring to autumn, whereas they were round or oval during the winter stasis and until the emergence from hibernation. The size and the percentage area occupied by FSH cells showed an annual pattern with two distinct peaks in the reproductive and in the autumnal recrudescence periods. LH cells did not show seasonal changes in shape, being round or oval throughout the reproductive cycle, whereas their size and the area they occupied underwent seasonal variations. The LH cells reached the largest size during the reproductive period and the smallest size during the summer regression. The percentage area occupied by LH cells in the pars distalis peaked at the emergence from hibernation and during the summer refractory period, when FSH cells displayed their lowest values.

Ovaries from mature giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea were investigated histochemically and ultrastructurally. Four growing stages of the oocytes were distinguished: premeiosis stage, previtellogenetic stage, early vitellogenic stage and late vitellogenic stage. In addition, occasional resorptive oocytes were found. Oogonia and premeiotic oocytes were found in germinative zones. Previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes were localized in maturative zones. As vitellogenesis proceeded, oocytes showed a progressive development in the number of lipid droplets as well as in the extension of RER, constituted of dilated cisternae, uniformely scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The RER produced yolk granules and a lampbrush-like substance. The latter was released under the oolemma and constituted a characteristic cortical zone. The oolemma did not develop microvilli or micropinocytotic ve gicles to incorporate yolk precursors. Thus, the protein yolk appeared to be of endogenous origin. Few somatic cells were found around the oocytes, but they never gave place to a continuous epithelial layer around oocytes, thus it is not possible to speak of ovarian follicle. The cytoplasm of these mesodermal-oocyte associated cells (MOAC) was characterized by a typical steroidogenic apparatus. Few resorptive immature oocytes were found inside late vitellogenic oocytes. Since the ovaries were packed with late vitellogenic oocytes and the few immature oocytes were hardly detectable, oocyte maturation occurred in a synchronous way.

A polymorphism in the gene for proteolipid protein has been identified, using amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion, and fragment separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The polymorphism is located in the transcribed 3'-untranslated region, a region with potential regulatory signals. The mutation consists of a single base pair insertion into a Hae III restriction site, producing a larger rare fragment of 409 bp as compared with the more frequent 325 bp fragment. The gene for proteolipid protein is on the X chromosome; thus the males are hemizygous for the rare allele and the females are heterozygous carriers. The polymorphism occurs with a frequency of 0.046 in a population of European origin and also has a rare frequency in multiple sclerosis patients.

Key issues in the design of soft handoff policies for DVB-H systems are energy saving and constant monitoring of the received signal quality. With this idea in mind, a novel algorithm is proposed in this paper with the aim of reducing the frequency of handoff-related measurements in DVB-H systems, thus enabling manifest power saving in portable terminals than in the case of standard RSSI-based procedure. The objective is accomplished by making handoff algorithm be driven by the quality of the signal received by the user, constantly monitored through techniques of MER (Modulation Error Rate) measurement and estimation. The performing behavior of the proposed mechanism, assessed through a comprehensive evaluation campaign, allows us being confident that this is a direction to consider for future research activities in the field of effective DVB-H handoff protocols design.

The therapeutic model for severe obesity includes bariatric surgery, representing the safest way to keep weight down and to prevent relapses. The selection of patients for the most suitable type of surgery implies multidisciplinary approach (nutritionist, dietist, clinical psychologist and surgeon). The intragastric balloon may represent a relatively invasive method to help the medical team to select and prepare severely obese patients for restrictive bariatric surgery.In our study we considered 48 severely obese patients: initial weight 111+/-14.8 kg, BMI 43+/-5.02, excess weight 77.47+/-16.14%. These patients have been treated with intragastric balloon (BIB) filled to a volume of 500 cc for 6 months. We considered variations induced by BIB treatment on a number of parameters--clinical, anthropometric, food intake, partition of nourishing elements and psychological and psychometric data.At the end of the treatment the patients showed significant reductions of excess weight (67.35+/-20.19%), of weight (103.4+/-16.72 kg) and food intake, without modification of the items in the EDI2 test, but with important motivational support for a change in life style between the beginning and the end of the treatment, clearly resulting from the medical, dietist and clinical-psychological follow-up.BIB is a relatively invasive means capable of modifying eating habits in the short term; it induces weight loss, may help to reduce the anaesthesiological risk and to foster a change in the patient's behaviour. In our experience treatment with BIB is useful from the educational point of view and can be used to select patients for bariatric surgery only within a multidisciplinary team. Further clinical studies are necessary.

The paper reports a histological and immunohistochemical description of oocyte growth and ultrastructural aspects of zona radiata (ZR) formation as well as the relationship between plasma estradiol-17β, (E2 ) levels and ovarian development in swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) from the Mediterranean Sea. Ovaries were inactive during March to mid April; maturation occurred during late April to June and spawning in June and July. Zona radiata formation starts, as Pas positive material, in oocytes at the lipid stage. In this stage a deposit of electrondense material between oolemma and follicular cells appears. In the cortical alveoli stage and through the early vitellogenic stage, the deposition of a moderately electrondense material occurred on the inner side of the ZR. Finally, in late vitellogenic oocytes a third layer, made of microfibrillar material, appeared. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the initial internalisation of hepatic zona radiata proteins (Zrp) in the swordfish oocyte starts before the uptake of vitellogenin (Vtg) and that it is associated with the low previtellogenic E2 plasma levels, while a significant E2 increase in plasma is associated with the beginning of Vtg uptake. This would appear to confirm the hypothesis that the differential and sequential induction of zonagenesis and vitellogenesis may reflect a general feature of teleost oogenesis

We have developed an experimental model for the study of the response of the periodontal ligament and bone to intrusive orthodontics forces in rats. Thirty-five Wistar rats, body weight 250 gr., were grouped as follows: control (GI), 48 hs (GII), 96 hs (GIII), 7 days (GIV). A steel band was cemented to the first upper right molar with a welded spring running to the occlusal surface of the second molar to exert a vertical force of 15 gr. The left side of treated animals was also used as control. The animals were sacrificed at the corresponding treatment times. Radiographs of the left and right halves of the jawbones were taken with an ultrafine grain industrial film. Seven measurements of the width of the periodontal ligament were taken. The data reveal narrowing of the periodontal ligament at the peri-apex and the furcation area for the animals in Group II. Conversely, Group III and IV animals exhibited widening of the periodontal ligament, particularly in the animals submitted to the force for 7 days. Statistical analysis of the data by Student's paired t test showed that the difference for the latter group was statistically significant (p0.05). The data for the horizontal measurements do not afford conclusive results. The present results confirm the value of the model to study the response to vertical intrusive forces.

In the present study we evaluated the relation among histology, H. pylori, IgG to H. pylori, gastric emptying, and acid secretion in 43 patients with fundic atrophic gastritis. On the basis of gastric acid secretion, patients were divided into three subgroups: patients with preserved acid secretion (Group 1), patients with hypochlorhydria (Group 2), and patients with achlorhydria (Group 3). Fundic glandular atrophy was more severe in hypoachlorhydric patients than in those with preserved acid secretion (P0.05 vs Group 2, P0.005 vs Group 3). H. pylori colonization was found in 94% of patients in Group 1, in 61% of patients in Group 2, and in only 8% of patients in Group 3 (P0.001 vs Group 1, P0.05 vs Group 2). Conversely, serological positivity to H. pylori was high in all three subgroups of patients (100% in Group 1, 77% in Group 2, 92% in Group 3). Gastric emptying was delayed in atrophic patients, particularly in those with hypoachlorhydria. Our data suggest that fundic atrophic gastritis represents a possible end stage of H. pylori infection, characterized by a progressive disappearance of the bacterium and a progressive deterioration of gastric functions.

Prenatal exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO, 75 and 150 ppm from day 0 to day 20 of gestation), resulting in maternal blood HbCO concentrations equivalent to those maintained by human cigarette smokers, leads to subtle myelin alterations in the sciatic nerve of male rat offspring. The rapid growth spurt in pup body weight was related to the period of maximal increase in myelin sheath thickness in both control and CO-exposed animals. A significant reduction in myelin sheath thickness of sciatic nerve fibers, paralleled by changes in the frequency distribution, occurred in both 40- and 90-day-old rats exposed in utero to CO (75 and 150 ppm). Myelin deficit observed in 75 and 150 ppm CO-exposed animals showed up only after the major spurt in myelination but not early during development. The subtle myelin alterations observed in CO-exposed offspring were not accompanied by changes in developmental pattern of axon diameters and did not result in a gross impairment of motor activity. These results suggest that the myelination process is selectively targeted by a prenatal exposure model simulating the CO exposure observed in human cigarette smokers.

The pars distalis from the pituitary gland of adult male ruin lizards (Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta), captured during the reproductive period (May and June), was studied immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against hFSH beta, hLH beta and oLH beta with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) procedure to determine the localization of both gonadotropins. The immunostaining with anti-hFSH beta and anti-hLH beta allowed identification of morphologically distinct FSH containing cells and LH containing cells, whereas anti-oLH beta serum showed cross-reactivity with cells immunostained with the anti-hFSH beta and anti-hLH beta sera. The gonadotropic cells took up approximatively 10.5% of the area of the pars distalis: 10% was positive for FSH, whereas only 0.5% was positive for LH. The FSH cells were distributed throughout the pars distalis, whereas the LH cells were only located in the rostral region. Double-immunostaining procedure did not reveal cells containing both gonadotropic hormones. The findings indicate that FSH and LH are produced in separate pituitary cells.

Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) and islet cell tumor (ICT), both rare pancreatic neoplasms, can be diagnosed accurately and rapidly with the use of imaging-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies. The specific cytologic features of these tumors are described in a series of 17 patients, and histologic and immunocytochemical correlations are discussed. Important cytologic findings in ACC are loosely cohesive clusters with cells having uniform nuclei and prominent nucleoli, cytoplasm is finely granular and eosinophilic. Islet cell tumors show many single cells, occasional rosettes, uniform nuclei, sometimes binucleate, dense basophilic cytoplasm. Chromogranin is often positive (80%) in ICT. Trypsin and chymotrypsin were often positive (71%) in ACC. Histology was confirmatory in all cytology cases. The recognition of cytologic features in conjunction with immunocytochemical studies can increase the diagnostic sensitivity for these two rare tumors.

In women, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations are the result of a balanced effect of stimulatory and inhibitory factors. Estrogens represent the principal stimulatory hormones, whereas androgens, insulin, excess body fat, and the pattern of body fat distribution have inhibitory effects. Menopause is characterized by major changes in blood sex steroid concentrations, notably a marked reduction of estradiol levels. In this study, we therefore investigated the relationship between hormonal and nonhormonal regulatory factors of SHBG and its blood levels in two groups of premenopausal and postmenopausal women characterized by normal-high or reduced estrogen concentrations. The data were obtained from an analysis of the cross-sectional database obtained during the first survey of the Virgilio-Menopause-Health Project, an epidemiologic longitudinal study aimed at investigating the impact of menopause on body weight, fat distribution, and related major metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 329 women, 133 in premenopause and 196 in postmenopause without diabetes, thyroid diseases, or relevant cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic dysfunction, were included in the study. A clinical history (including dietary and physical-activity habits), anthropometry (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], and bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA]), and morning blood samples in the fasting state for sex hormones, insulin, and biochemistry were available for all the women. Premenopausal and postmenopausal women showed no significant difference in SHBG concentrations (38.7 +/- 17.9 v 36.6 +/- 17.5 nmol/L, respectively). On the contrary, postmenopausal women were characterized by a marked reduction of estradiol levels and significantly lower levels of testosterone. After adjusting for age, insulin was lower and the glucose to insulin ratio was higher in postmenopause than in premenopause. Age-adjusted values for all anthropometric parameters were not significantly different in the two groups. In simple correlation models, SHBG was significantly and negatively correlated with BMI, WHR, and insulin and testosterone levels in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, whereas estradiol levels correlated positively and significantly with SHBG only in the premenopausal group. A significant positive correlation between the glucose to insulin ratio and SHBG was present in both groups. Using multiple regression models, in the premenopausal group, SHBG levels were correlated positively with estradiol and negatively with testosterone and insulin, but not with the WHR. On the contrary, in the postmenopausal group, SHBG values had a significant negative correlation with the WHR, whereas the relationship with estradiol was not significant; moreover, the relationship with testosterone and insulin, although significant, became less marked. In conclusion, this study indicates that (1) there is no significant difference in SHBG blood concentrations between premenopause and postmenopause; (2) SHBG values are correlated positively with estradiol and negatively with insulin and testosterone concentrations, but the predictive value of these variabiles on SHBG appears to be different in premenopause and postmenopause; and (3) SHBG levels decrease with increasing WHRs, particularly in the postmenopausal group. Therefore, determinants of SHBG blood concentrations are likely to change on passing from premenopausal to postmenopausal status. In particular, there seems to be a threshold level for which estradiol is an important determinant of SHBG blood concentrations.

The epididymal ductuli efferentes of the lizard Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta are lined with simple, columnar, nonciliated and ciliated cells. The use of lectin histochemistry has provided information about changes of sugars associated with glycoconjugates of epithelial cells and intraluminal spermatozoa which are conveyed from the longitudinal canal to the cranial region of the ductus epididymis. Epithelial cells exhibited residues of alpha-D-mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and beta-D-galactose-(1-4)-N-acetylglucosamine as revealed with lectins Con A, WGA and RCA120, respectively, throughout the sexual cycle. An increase of RCA120 staining was observed on microvilli of nonciliated cells and in the cytoplasm of ciliated cells during the reproductive period. However, during the following refractory period, when the organ was in regression, there was a decreased staining with Con A on microvilli and the absorbent surface of nonciliated cells, with WGA in nonciliated cells and the cytoplasm of ciliated cells, and with RCA120 on microvilli and the cytoplasm of both cell types. Terminal alpha-D-galactose residues were increasingly stained from autumn up to the reproductive period with BS I-B4 on microvilli, the absorbent surface and cilia, whereas they were entirely lacking during the refractory period. UEA I revealed alpha-L-fucose residues on the absorbent surface of nonciliated cells during the abortive and reproductive periods, increasing in the latter period when cilia also expressed this sugar. Terminal alpha/beta-D-N-acetylgalactosamine was evidenced with SBA on the absorbent surface of nonciliated cells during the reproductive period. The terminal beta-D-galactose-(1-3)-N-acetylgalactosamine dimer was never found with PNA, whereas O- and N-linked sialoglycoconjugates were present only during the reproductive period. The spermatozoa head exhibited N-linked glycans with high-mannose content, and beta-D-galactose-(1-4)-N-acetylglucosamine as well as O- and N-linked sialoglycoconjugates throughout the year. During the reproductive period, oligosaccharides with alpha-D-mannose residues increased, and oligosaccharides with terminal alpha-D-galactose, alpha-L-fucose and sialic acid-N-acetylgalactosamine dimer were also present. Unlike spermatozoa of seminiferous tubules, the spermatozoa head of the lizard epididymal ductuli efferentes exhibited seasonal variability in the lectin binding pattern which may be related to time-dependent changes in the glycoconjugate profiles of epithelial cells.

To confirm that the hamster cheek-pouch carcinogenesis model reflects development of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we determined if and when p53 mutations occur in the development of SCC in this model by using immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis plus direct DNA sequencing. Twenty-four hamster cheek-pouches were treated with a solution of 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mineral oil three times a week for 16 wk. The malignant endophytic and exophytic tumors induced with this protocol are preceded by a sequence of premalignant lesions such as hyperplasia with or without dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, similar to the development of this cancer in humans. For this study, p53 protein accumulation was evaluated by immunostaining of various hamster cheek-pouch exophytic and endophytic SCCs as well as flat dysplastic hyperplasia and carcinomas in situ. A moderate percentage (33.3%) of exophytic lesions and most endophytic carcinomas (90%) showed positive p53 staining. In addition we also found p53-positive staining in a number of preneoplastic lesions, including areas of focal hyperplasia, dysplastic hyperplasia, and carcinomas in situ. To determine whether the alterations in p53 staining were due to p53 gene mutation, we used PCR-SSCP analysis and direct sequencing. PCR products corresponding to exons 5a, 6, 7, and 8 from 40 tumors with the highest percentage of p53-stained cells were analyzed. We detected shifted bands in 17 lesions. Direct sequencing of eight selected shifted bands revealed four mutations, including two G--T transversions in codons 216 (tumor #1) and 252 (tumor #2) and one G--C transversion in codon 282 (tumor #3). Tumor #4 contained a frameshift mutation in codon 251. These mutations are consistent with those reported in many human cancers. Therefore, we concluded that in the hamster cheek-pouch model, p53 protein accumulation occurs frequently and early in carcinogenesis, as it does in human SCCs, and some of these p53 alterations are due to p53 gene mutations. These findings may help us better define the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the hamster cheek-pouch model, and p53 alterations may be an early biomarker of progression for chemoprevention studies.

Since sex hormones are involved in the regulation of body composition and adipose tissue metabolism, in this study we investigated whether menopause may alter body weight and fat distribution in women. Data were obtained from the Virgilio-Menopause-Health Study, which is a longitudinal epidemiological project aimed at investigating the relationship between menopause and related plasma hormonal concentrations, body weight, fat distribution and health. Only data from the first cross-sectional examination are presented. Out of the 952 women living in the town of Virgilio, Mantua (Italy) and born between January 1st, 1932 and December 31st, 1946, 596 (62.6%) participated in the study. Since incomplete data were present in 19 women, 577 was the final sample size available for statistical analysis. The protocol included a collection of blood for hormones and biochemistry, a full clinical history with socioeconomic and personal information, drug use, smoking, dietary and physical activity habits, and several anthropometric measurements. According to the clinical and hormonal status, 160 women were classified as pre-menopausal, 124 as peri-menopausal and 293 as post-menopausal. After adjusting for age, we found that body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in peri-menopausal than in pre-menopausal women and remained slightly, but again significantly, higher in post-menopausal women. Although waist-to-hip and waist-to-thigh ratios increased significantly and progressively from pre- to post-menopause, any difference was not significant after adjusting for age. Diet, physical activity and smoking habits did not explain the difference in BMI values. No difference was found in the use of estro-progestagen compounds between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A new experimental system was designed to study human uterine activities based on the extra-corporeal perfusion of isolated human uteri. Electromechanical activities in the uterine wall were recorded using bipolar silver-silver electrodes, endoluminal pressure catheters and a dedicated acquisition, storage and analytical system. The electrical signals recorded were isolated spikes and rhythmic activities; the last being primarily associated with organized mechanical events. Perfusion media containing 17 beta-oestradiol alone or with progesterone were used for those uteri obtained during proliferative (n = 5) or secretory (n = 5) phases of the menstrual cycle, respectively. Progesterone caused a reduction of frequency (P0.001) and duration (P0.001) of the rhythmic electrical activity, and decreased the endoluminal pressure at both detection sites (P0.01). 17 beta-Oestradiol increased both frequency (P0.001) and duration (P0.001) of the rhythmic electrical activity as well as the endoluminal pressure at two different detection sites (3 and 5 cm from the fundus) (P0.05). Significant differences between the fundus and cervix sites in the uterine wall were detected. In conclusion, uterine perfusion would be useful to examine the effects of uterotonic and tocolytic drugs before administration to humans, at no risk to the patients. Oestrogens increase and progesterone decreases both electrical and mechanical uterine activities.

Obese individuals may be characterized by higher than normal basal and stimulated beta-endorphin plasma concentrations, which suggests an increased activity of the opioid system. This study was carried out to investigate whether the regulation of beta-endorphin secretion may be different in different phenotypes of obesity. Twenty-two obese women (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) without other endocrine and metabolic abnormalities were investigated. A group of seven normal weight healthy women matched for age served as controls. According to the protocol, obese women included in the study had a waist-to-hip ratio higher than 0.85 (n = 9) or lower than 0.80 (n = 13). The former were defined as having abdominal type and the latter peripheral type body fat distribution. Both groups were matched for body mass index. All women randomly underwent a corticotrophin-releasing hormone test (human CRF, 1 microgram/kg body weight) and a control saline study, with blood samples for beta-endorphin determination taken at regular intervals. Basal beta-endorphin levels were not significantly different between the three groups. No significant variation in the hormone levels occurred during the control study in either group. After CRF injection, however, beta-endorphin rose significantly in all women, but the hormone concentrations were significantly higher in obese women with abdominal fat distribution than in those with peripheral fat distribution and in controls. These results indicate that, among obese women, only those with the abdominal phenotype seem to have increased opioid activity.

In an attempt to identify variables predicting prognosis, 100 consecutive patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver were followed for a mean of 4.9 (SD 0.7) yr. Fifty-one patients belonged to Child-Pugh class A, 49 to class B. At entry, five laboratory parameters were considered, together with sex, the grade of esophageal varices, and seven variables measured by ultrasonography (liver and spleen volume and the calibers of the splanchnic vessels). In a subgroup of 56 patients, the galactose elimination capacity also was determined. Forty-six patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Survival was analyzed according to Cox's model. Six parameters were able to predict survival (albumin, bilirubin, liver volume, prothrombin activity, cholesterol, varices). However, step-wise Cox regression analysis identified only four variables that independently correlated with survival: albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, and liver volume. Galactose elimination failed to add any significance to routine liver function tests. This prospective study confirms the ability of routine liver function tests in predicting survival in compensated cirrhosis. The measurement of liver volume, easily obtained by ultrasonography, is also significant for prognosis, and may be introduced into clinical practice.

In 25 heroin addicts examined an initial alteration in microcirculatory homeostasis was found ond held to be responsible for the addiction. As in other cases it is thought possible to use the chronobiological course of haemodynamic balance and imbalance as a biological marker for prevention and treatment.

The annual sequence of sickness leaves was studied in 162 industrial workers with a high absenteeism level. An investigation of the swings in haemodynamic balance, and imbalances linked to alternations in vessel constriction and dilation throughout the biorhythmic cycle influenced by the alternation of night and day, hot and cold seasons, showed that each period of sick leave coincided with each period of haemodynamic balance caused by particular shifts. It was thus possible to identify groups of workers with syndromic sub groups whose performance was affected by night work and particular seasons. For optimal shift-worker deployment it is therefore suggested that workers should be assigned to shifts to which they are biologically suited.

Knowledge of the incidence of haemodynamic imbalance syndromes and consequent pathologies in growing children at various ages may be a useful aid to the preventive measures that make for effective treatment of the organs involved in the psychological and physical development of school children. The oscillation between haemodynamic balance and imbalance was monitored in 849 subjects aged 3-18 on the basis of periods of absence relatable to the biorhytmic cycle of each pupil within the daily and seasonable rhythm. The survey identifies the instruments that facilitate natural haemodynamic balance and reduce desynchronising stimuli.

Myelinated nerve fibres isolated from Wistar rats chronically exposed to 2,5-hexanedione (0.8 ml/kg/day, intraperitoneally) over a period of 20 days, were stained with lectin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. The lectins with high affinity for terminal D-galactopyranosyl residues, Bandeiraea simplicifolia-B4 (BSA I-B4) and peanut agglutinin (PNA), showed glycoconjugates in the control nodes of Ranvier. In the treated animals, application of PNA-HRP caused weak reactivity to the node of Ranvier; digestion with sialidase prior to the application of PNA-HRP conjugate enhanced reactivity, thus revealing the presence of a sialoglycoprotein. The results indicate that glycoconjugates of the Ranvier node undergo a rearrangement during exposure to 2,5-hexanedione. In particular, neutral glycoproteins with terminal galactose are replaced by sialoglycoproteins. These findings are consistent with the proposed role of polysialic acid as a regulator of axonal behaviour during regeneration.