Interleukin-15, as interferon-gamma, induces the killing of Leishmania infantum in phorbol-myristate-acetate-activated macrophages increasing interleukin-12.

The potential leishmanicidal activity of interleukin-15 (IL-15) was examined while priming with the cytokine phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA)-activated macrophages and infecting them with Leishmania infantum parasites. The activation of macrophage cultures with IL-15 determined a significant anti-leishmanial activity, comparable with that induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The killing of Leishmania in macrophages primed with IL-15, as well as with IFN-gamma, was followed by an increase in the IL-12 synthesis.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin type 2 receptor gene genotype distributions in Italian children with congenital uropathies.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) gene polymorphisms have been associated with an increased incidence of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). We investigated the genotype distribution of these polymorphisms in Italian children with CAKUT. We also evaluated the association between the ACE insertion/deletion and the AT2R gene polymorphisms with the progression of renal damage in subgroups of CAKUT patients.

CD4+ CCR5+ and CD4+ CCR3+ lymphocyte subset and monocyte apoptosis in patients with acute visceral leishmaniasis.

The potential involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was examined by studying spontaneous and Leishmania antigen (LAg)-induced apoptosis using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Sicilian patients with VL. Results indicate that monocytes and T lymphocytes from acute VL patients show a significantly higher level of apoptosis compared with that observed in healed subjects. The percentage of apoptotic cells was higher in monocytes than in T lymphocytes.

Informatics in Radiology (infoRAD): personal computer security: part 2. Software Configuration and file protection.

Proper configuration of software security settings and proper file management are necessary and important elements of safe computer use. Unfortunately, the configuration of software security options is often not user friendly. Safe file management requires the use of several utilities, most of which are already installed on the computer or available as freeware.

Stereoselective synthesis and preliminary evaluation of new D-3-heteroarylcarbonylalanines as ligands of the NMDA receptor.

New N-heteroarylcarbonylalanines of the D-series were stereoselectively prepared from enoates derived from D-mannitol. These compounds were active in binding and functional assays of the NMDA sub-type of glutamate receptors. A pyridine derivative inhibited MK801 binding, protected neurons from excitotoxic damage and blocked NMDA-induced currents in neurons.

Perivascular mast cells in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas: an electron microscopic study.

Mast cells are frequently found in close proximity to blood vessels and have been implicated in tumour angiogenesis. The aim of the present ultrastructural study was to characterize, in detail, the mutual association between mast cells and microvasculature in 9 cases of advanced gastric carcinoma. Perivascular mast cells were ultrastructurally identified as T mast cells and exhibited piecemeal degranulation, indicative of a slow release of granule-stored contents.

RS-1 Gene Delivery to an Adult Rs1h Knockout Mouse Model Restores ERG b-Wave with Reversal of the Electronegative Waveform of X-Linked Retinoschisis.

Purpose: To create and evaluate a mouse model of human X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) and then investigate whether supplementing with the retinoschisin protein by gene delivery can reverse the abnormal "electronegative" electroretinogram (ERG) retinal response.

Methods: An X-linked retinoschisis mouse (Rs1h-KO) model was created by substituting a neomycin resistance cassette for exon 1 and 1.6 kb of intron 1 of Rs1h, the murine orthologue of the human RS-1 gene.

Use of an arginine-restricted diet to slow progression of visual loss in patients with gyrate atrophy.

Objective: To quantify the effect of long-term reduction of plasma ornithine levels through adherence to an arginine-restricted diet on visual function in patients of all ages with gyrate atrophy of the retina and choroid.

Methods: A long-term observational study was conducted on 27 patients with gyrate atrophy, 17 of whom elected to comply with the arginine-restricted diet and 10 who were unable to comply. The mean rates of change in the electroretinogram combined response, electroretinogram flicker response, and kinetic and static perimetry were determined.

Characterization of a new synthetic isoflavonoid with inverse agonist activity at the central benzodiazepine receptor.

Research aimed at developing selective drugs acting on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors introduced compounds from diverse chemical classes unrelated to the 1,4-benzodiazepines, including flavonoids. These studies also revealed the potential use of inverse agonists as cognition-enhancing agents. Here we report pharmacological properties of the novel synthetic isoflavonoid 2-methoxy-3,8,9-trihydroxy coumestan (PCALC36).

Triple-A syndrome with prominent ophthalmic features and a novel mutation in the AAAS gene: a case report.

Background: Triple-A syndrome (Allgrove syndrome) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenal insufficiency, alacrima, achalasia, and - occasionally - autonomic instability. Mutations have been found in the AAAS gene on 12q13.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 12 year-old boy with classic systemic features of triple-A syndrome and several prominent ophthalmic features, including: accommodative spasm, dry eye, superficial punctate keratopathy, and pupillary hypersensitivity to dilute pilocarpine.

Critical study of preanalytical and analytical phases of adenine and pyridine nucleotide assay in human whole blood.

Intracellular redox and energetic status play a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. The physiological status of reducing agents, such as NADPH and NADH, and of high-energy molecules, such as ATP, is required for antioxidant system activity. For these reasons, an accurate measurement of adenine and pyridine nucleotides is fundamental.

Asthma worsened by benzoate contained in some antiasthmatic drugs.

Here, we report our experience on benzoate hypersensitivity. Drug and food additives are known to induce pseudo-allergic reactions such as urticaria, eczema, asthma and rhinitis. These reactions are often under-diagnosed, above all in allergic patients treated with additive containing drugs.

Evaluation of an IgM-ELISA test for the diagnosis of human leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution very common in most countries. In Italy this acute febrile illness is more frequent in the Northern than in the Southern regions. In the period 1994-1996, the number of cases of Leptospirosis in Sicily was lower with respect to the northern-central regions (7.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of N-3 substituted 2,3-benzodiazepines.

A series of new 3-alkylcarbamoyl-1-aryl-3,5-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-ones was synthesized starting from the corresponding 3-N-unsubstituted derivatives, previously described as noncompetitive AMPA-type glutamate receptor antagonists. The new compounds proved to protect against seizures induced by means of auditory stimulation in DBA/2 mice and some of them showed anticonvulsant properties comparable or better than those of GYKI 52466, the prototype of 2,3-benzodiazepine noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonists.

Gunshot wounds: bullet caliber is increasing, 1998-2003.

In 1999, Caruso reported data from the level 1 trauma center in Newark, New Jersey, documenting "...

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia-associated retinopathy.

Objective: To report the clinical, electrophysiologic, and immunopathologic findings in a patient with progressive retinal degeneration associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Design: Case report with immunohistochemical studies.

Methods: A 46-year-old female with elevated serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels complained of photophobia and photopsias.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant properties of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives.

As a follow up of our previous structure-activity relationship and molecular modeling studies, we synthesized a novel series of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives as potential non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonists. When tested for their ability to prevent sound-induced seizures in DBA/2 mice, some of these novel compounds showed high anticonvulsant potency.

Altered N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein expression in African-American compared with caucasian prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: The protein encoded by N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a recently discovered protein whose transcription is induced by androgens and hypoxia. We hypothesized that NDRG1 expression patterns might reveal a biological basis for the disparity of clinical outcome of prostate cancer patients with different ethnic backgrounds.

Experimental Design: Patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1990 and 2000 at Veterans Administration Medical Center of New York were examined.

Inhibition of cell growth by EGR-1 in human primary cultures from malignant glioma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to investigate in vitro the putative role of EGR-1 in the growth of glioma cells. EGR-1 expression was examined during the early passages in vitro of 17 primary cell lines grown from 3 grade III and from 14 grade IV malignant astrocytoma explants. The explanted tumors were genetically characterized at the p53, MDM2 and INK4a/ARF loci, and fibronectin expression and growth characteristics were examined.

A case of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with giant-cell phlebitis.

A 60-year-old male patient with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma was treated by subtotal gastrectomy with dissection of the regional lymph nodes. Microscopic examination of the tumour revealed tubular adenocarcinoma which invaded the muscularis propria. There was no evidence of metastatic carcinoma in the dissected lymph nodes (pT2N0Mx).

Patterns of recurrence of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma after surgical resection: a radiological, histological, and immunohistochemical study.

Purpose: Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a subtype of lung adenocarcinoma whose incidence is raising. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has a tendency to involve diffusely the lung. No agreement exists about whether diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has a multicentric or unicentric origin.

Use of fibrin glue and gelfoam to repair collecting system injuries in a porcine model: implications for the technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Background And Purpose: One of the challenges of laparoscopic partial nephrectomies is the repair of a collecting system injury. We hypothesized that fibrin glue plus Gelfoam could be sufficient to repair such injuries.

Materials And Methods: Four pigs (eight kidneys) underwent collecting system injuries of various lengths (3, 5, and 10 mm) (N = 8 each) during partial nephrectomy.

Screening hepcidin for mutations in juvenile hemochromatosis: identification of a new mutation (C70R).

Juvenile or type 2 hemochromatosis (JH) is a genetic disease caused by increased intestinal iron absorption that leads to early massive iron overload. The main form of the disease is caused by mutations in a still unknown gene on chromosome 1q. Recently, we recognized a second type of JH with clinical features identical to the 1q-linked form, caused by mutations in the gene encoding hepcidin (HEPC).