Publications by authors named "L Abbro"

Morphological modifications, i.e., cell shape, cell surface sugar residues, cytoskeleton, and apoptosis of Hep G2 cells during 24 h exposure to 6 mT static magnetic field (static MF) were studied by means of light and electron microscopy and cytochemistry.

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We present here a morphological, cytochemical and biochemical study of the macrophagic differentiation of human pro-monocytic U937 cells exposed to moderate intensity (6 mT) static magnetic fields (MF). It was found that the following substances induced differentiation in U937 cells to a progressively lower degree: 50 ng/mL 12-0-tetradecanoyl-13-phorbol acetate (TPA), low concentration of glutamine (0,05 mM/L), 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 100 mM/L Zn++. Differentiated U937 cells shift from a round shape to a macrophage-like morphology, from suspension to adhesion growth and acquire phagocytotic activity, the cytoskeleton adapting accordingly.

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This study deals with the effects of post (12 or 18 months) whole body continuous (2 years) exposure of rabbits to 650 MHz electromagnetic fields (EMF) that are characteristic of those produced by broadcasting stations, on body weight and body mass, on the morphology of liver, spleen and brain, and on apoptosis rates and glycogen distribution in the liver. Two groups of rabbits were continuously exposed for 2 years to EMF of 650 MHz followed by 12 months (group 1) or 18 months (group 2) of post-exposure; a third group (group 3) was sham exposed. It was shown that the changes in apoptosis rates were conditional during the time of exposure, but not on a specific organ and that the whole body continuous exposure gave rise to modifications whose types and intensities were related to the time of post-exposure (12 or 18 months, respectively), the type of organ, and the individual animal.

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The interaction of static magnetic fields (SMFs) with living organisms is a rapidly growing field of investigation. However, despite the increasing number of studies on the effects of the interaction of SMFs with living organisms, many gaps in our knowledge still remain. One reason why it is extremely important to deeply understand the true mode of action of MFs on living organisms, is the need to protect human health in consideration of the probable future introduction of new technologies such as magnetically levitated trains and the therapeutical use of MFs (e.

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Human monocytic leukemia U937 cells readily undergo apoptosis when exposed to various stimuli, including inhibition of protein synthesis, oxidative stress, antitumoral agents, etc. The sequential, step-by-step morphological changes in U937 cells that occur during the apoptotic program are largely determined by the activation of a specific class of proteases, the caspases. The action of these proteases were followed at the ultrastructural level.

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