Background: Vasomotor nephropathy is a common renal dysfunction in very preterm neonates. Objective: To determine whether theophylline could prevent vasomotor nephropathy in very preterm infants with ...respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of 50 preterm infants of gestational age ⩽32 weeks needing assisted ventilation. Infants received an intravenous dose of theophylline (1 mg/kg) or placebo for three days. The 24 hour urine volume was measured daily. On days 2, 5, and 11, blood samples and 12 hour urine collections were analysed for electrolytes, creatinine, and urea. Results: On day 1, urine output was significantly higher in the theophylline (2.4 (0.9) ml/kg/h) than the placebo (1.6 (1.0) ml/kg/h; p = 0.023) group (values are mean (SD)). The incidence of oligoanuria was significantly lower in the theophylline treated (5%) than the placebo (33%) group. Twenty four hours after the first administration of theophylline/placebo, serum creatinine concentration was significantly lower in the theophylline (0.76 (0.23) mg/dl) than the placebo (1.0 (0.41) mg/dl; p = 0.025) group. On day 5 an increase in serum creatinine was observed in both groups. On day 11 a significant reduction in serum creatinine was observed, compared with day 5, with no difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that, in very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, early theophylline administration improves renal function during the first two days of life.
This study examines differences between cultures of normal human oral epithelial cells and two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SCC15 and SCC25) in the expression of structural proteins, adhesion ...molecules, plasma membrane lipid composition, and intercellular junctions. Based on immunocytochemistry, most normal cell cultures appeared to express more E-cadherin, integrin β-1, cytokeratin (CK) 14, CK19, and involucrin than SCC cultures. By Western blot analysis, normal cultures expressing high levels of E-cadherin also expressed high levels of involucrin and low levels of CK19. Both SCC cultures demonstrated lower expression of E-cadherin and involucrin, whereas only SCC15 cells showed high levels of CK19. Expression of β-catenin, an E-cadherin associated protein with potential oncogene function, did not vary among normal and SCC cells. Proportions of saturated fatty acids quantified by thin layer chromatography were higher in the normal cell cultures, than in both SCC cell lines. No morphological differences were evident by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) between normal and SCC cell–cell intercellular junctions. Although no quantitation was attempted, observation suggested that normal cells form more intercellular junctions (TEM observation) and larger intercellular bridges (SEM observation) compared to both SCC cell lines. Of the factors examined, main variations between cultures of normal oral epithelium and the two SCC cell lines examined include the expression of structural and adhesion proteins, lipid composition, and intercellular junctions. The extent of the differences varies according to the stage of terminal differentiation demonstrated by the normal cell cultures.
Dental amalgam fillings are known to release significant amounts of mercury (Hg) in saliva which could represent a continuous source of oxidative damage to mouth tissues. The present investigation ...was aimed at verifying this hypothesis by determining a possible correlation between salivary Hg levels and salivary total antioxidant activity (TAA), which is used as an index of oxidative stress. Samples of saliva from 34 healthy donors were analyzed for Hg content, by vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, and for TAA, by determining the ferric reducing ability (‘FRAP’ method). A significant correlation between Hg and the number of amalgam restorations or total amalgam surface was evident in both the male and female subjects. A significant negative correlation between TAA and Hg levels or number of amalgam restorations or amalgam surface was evident in females, indicating that small increases in salivary Hg were sufficient to produce a decrease in salivary TAA. On the other hand, no significant correlation was found in the males. The present study provides, for the first time, evidence of a pro-oxidant role of the amalgam Hg chronically released in saliva.
Colostrum contains soluble and cellular components, the latter mainly T lymphocytes. We expanded in vitro colostrum T lymphocytes (CoTL) to evaluate phenotype and capability of cytokine production. ...We also considered paired cord blood T-lymphocytes (CBTL) representing the newborn “virgin” immune system. CoTL showed memory phenotype while CBTL expressed mainly naïve phenotype. CoTL included a balanced percentage of helper and cytotoxic subsets. We observed higher percentages of IL-2 (p=0.003) and IL-4 (p=0.027) producing cells by helper rather than by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The greatest percentage of IFN-γ producing cells was in cytotoxic cells (p=0.0048), while no difference was found for IL-10. Cord blood samples consisted of a statistically significant greater percentage of helper than cytotoxic cells (p<0.001), with a low percentage of cytokine producing cells, confirming the immaturity of the newborn's immune system. CBTL percentage of IL-2 producing cells was higher for helper than cytotoxic subset (p<0.001). We observed a greater percentage of IFN-γ (p=0.001), IL-4 (p=0.003) and IL-10 (p<0.001) producing cells by cytotoxic than helper T lymphocytes. CoTL demonstrated to protect the newborn through the mother's previous immune experience and to supply active cytokines, which can help the postnatal development of both T type 1/T type 2 response.
Background: Beta‐catenin, an E‐cadherin‐associated protein involved in cell–cell adhesion and signaling, has been hypothesized to translocate to the nucleus and activate transcription in several ...human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC).
Methods: In the present study, we analyzed the subcellular localization of beta‐catenin in cultures of human oral normal and malignant (cell lines SCC15 and SCC25) keratinocytes and in 24 frozen samples of oral squamous cell carcinomas by a double‐staining technique for nucleic acids and beta‐catenin. Growth potential, as assessed by cell count at different time periods, was established for normal, SCC15 and SCC25 cell lines; oral squamous cell carcinomas were classified according to the histopathological and malignancy indexes.
Results: Beta‐catenin localized at the plasma membrane in the normal and SCC15 cells, not in the SCC25 cells, where it localized mostly in the perinuclear and nuclear areas. In the growth assays, SCC25 cell lines proliferated faster than in normal and SCC15 cells over a period of 6 days (cell numbers were significantly different, P < 0.0001). Carcinoma sections showed a combination of membranous, cytoplasmic and, in few invading epithelial islands of two tumors, nuclear localization of beta‐catenin.
Conclusions: In oral squamous cell carcinomas, nuclear beta‐catenin staining was observed only within invading islands of two carcinomas deep in the underlying connective tissue. On the basis of this study, we conclude that intranuclear beta‐catenin does not appear to be a common finding in oral squamous cell carcinomas and that a clear association between intranuclear beta‐catenin and histopathological and malignancy indexes in vivo could not be established.
Breast milk supplies many bioactive components. Neonates protection from pathogenic bacteria is mainly attributable to secretory IgA antibodies present in human milk in an amount depending on ...previous antigenic exposure. To bring new details into the field of immunological memory in secretory immunity, we evaluated the production of s-IgA specific for E. coli (E. coli s-IgA), and of proinflammatory (IL-6 and IL-8) or anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in the milk of mothers of different ethnic groups exposed in the past to poor conditions, but nowadays living in Italy in adequate conditions. Mothers from Italy, Africa, Asia and Eastern European Countries were included in the study. Anti-E. coli s-IgA, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined by ELISA. Breast milk of all the foreign mothers presented higher levels of E. coli s-IgA than Italians, and for Asian and African mothers were significative (p=0.031 and p=0.015, respectively). Milk from women of Eastern European Countries revealed the highest IL-8 levels (p=0.026), while milk from Asian women presented the greatest concentration of IL-6 (p=0.04); however, the Africans reported the lowest concentrations of IL-10 (p=0.045). Since all the mothers had been living in Italy for some time, we believe that the presence of high levels of E. coli s-IgA, supported by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine, is part of a persisting immunological secretory memory.
Rheumatic autoimmune diseases have a higher prevalence in women, particularly during their childbearing age. Due to improved management, an increasing number of patients plan and carry out one or ...more pregnancies. Therefore, a growing interest is being paid to the possible consequences of maternal disease and associated treatment on the fetus and newborn infant. If maternal disease is characterized by the presence of IgG isotype autoantibodies, these can cross the placenta with possible antibody-mediated damage to the fetus. This is typically the case of the so called neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE); a similar mechanism has been shown in infants of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and, less frequently, in those from mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Indeed, this last condition is often responsible for placental, rather than neonatal, pathology. In addition, immunosuppressive and other drugs administered to the mothers during pregnancy and lactation might affect the fetal and neonatal immune system development. Finally, mothers disease and/or treatment could be related to neuropsychological alteration reported in some of their children.
We evaluated the immunogenicity and antigenicity of a formula based on partially hydrolyzed cow's milk whey protein in infants at risk of atopy and in controls. Total IgE and specific IgE, IgG, and ...IgG4 subclass antibodies against egg albumin and cow's milk α‐lactalbumin, casein, and β‐lactoglobulin were measured by radioimmunoassay of cord blood and of peripheral blood at 5 days and 6 months of life in five groups of infants: 16 breast‐fed infants at risk of atopy (group 1), 21 partially hydrolyzed whey formula‐fed infants at risk of atopy (group 2), 14 formula‐fed infants at risk of atopy (group 3), 10 breast‐fed control infants (group 4), and 13 formula‐fed control infants (group 5). Total IgE concentration was significantly lower in group 2 at 6 months than in groups 3 and 5 infants and similar to that observed in groups 1 and 4 infants. The concentration of specific antiegg and anti‐cow's milk protein IgG and of specific anti‐cow's milk α‐lactalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin IgG4 subclass antibodies was significantly reduced in group 2 as compared to group 3 infants and similar to that found in breastfed infants. In conclusion, the partially hydrolyzed formula was less immunogenic and antigenic than a traditional formula and was as immunogenic and antigenic as breast milk.
Background: The aim of this study was to verify if variations of thyroid hormones related to circumstances of delivery and mode of maternal anaesthesia can contribute to neonatal neutrophil ...respiratory burst and natural killer cell activity.
Methods: We evaluated 10 infants born by vaginal delivery (group A), 10 infants born by caesarean section after epidural anaesthesia with lidocaine (group B) and 10 infants born by caesarean section after general anaesthesia with sevoflurane (group C).
Results: A significant reduction of neutrophil respiratory burst test was found in groups A and C compared with group B. Natural killer cell (NK) activity with an effector : target ratio of 30 : 1 (NK30) and 10 : 1 (NK10) was significantly higher in group A compared with the B and C groups. In addition, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration was significantly reduced in group A compared with the B and C groups. A significant negative correlation was found between TSH and NK30 or NK10.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that the mode of delivery and anaesthesia can significantly modify the endocrine‐immune system in the newborn. Caesarean section delivery with regional anaesthesia seems to produce fewer modifications of neonatal immune function compared with general anaesthesia.
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