[Safety and health in workers employed in industry. Data from Industrial Accidents Compensation Board (INAIL) and National Social Security Institute (INPS), Veneto Region, 1994-2002].

Background: A decreasing time trend for occupational injuries and sickness absence would be the effect of the new legislation (D.Lgs. 626/94 and successive laws) on prevention in occupational settings.

[Comparison of four measurements of sickness absence in workers in the Veneto Region: interpretation and applicability. Data from Italian National Social Security Institute, 1997-2002].

Background: In 2005, 52% of workers in the Veneto Region reported one or more sick leave spells in the previous 12 months, compared with 16% reported in the European Survey on Working Condition in 2000 (ESWC), although health conditions were better in the Veneto Region than in the ESWC.

Objectives: Since the above findings were based on answers to a questionnaire, we used an objective source of information in order to further investigate the problem.

Methods: The source of data consisted of the sick leave records of workers in the Veneto Region, 1997-2002, which were obtained from the Italian National Social Security Institute (INPS).

Influence of external temporary biatrial pacing on the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass without extracorporeal circulation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after myocardial revascularization, and it increases morbidity/mortality.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to test the hypothesis that temporary biatrial pacing is effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after myocardial revascularization.

Methods: Ninety-eight non-consecutive patients who had undergone off-pump myocardial revascularization received two temporary electrodes attached to the right and left atria, which were connected to either pair of atrial pacemaker electrodes, in addition to the leads implanted in the right ventricle.

Rotavirus morbidity and mortality in children in Brazil.

Objective: To study the epidemiology of rotavirus and estimate rotavirus-associated morbidity and mortality in children
Methods: To estimate rotavirus morbidity, published studies (1999-2006) addressing incidence of acute diarrhea among children View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Discovery of subnanomolar arginine-glycine-aspartate-based alphaVbeta3/alphaVbeta5 integrin binders embedding 4-aminoproline residues.

The embodiment of 4-aminoproline residues (Amp) into the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) sequence led to the discovery of a novel class of high-affinity alpha Vbeta 3/alpha Vbeta 5 integrin binders [IC 50 h (alpha Vbeta 3) 0.03-5.12 nM; IC 50 h (alpha Vbeta 5) 0.

Resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development in Lewis rats from a conventional animal facility.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord that is mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes specific to myelin components. In this study we compared development of EAE in Lewis rats from two colonies, one kept in pathogen-free conditions (CEMIB colony) and the other (Botucatu colony) kept in a conventional animal facility. Female Lewis rats were immunized with 100 microl of an emulsion containing 50 microg of myelin, associated with incomplete Freund's adjuvant plus Mycobacterium butyricum.

Genetic vaccine for tuberculosis (pVAXhsp65) primes neonate mice for a strong immune response at the adult stage.

Background: Vaccination of neonates is generally difficult due to the immaturity of the immune system and consequent higher susceptibility to tolerance induction. Genetic immunization has been described as an alternative to trigger a stronger immune response in neonates, including significant Th1 polarization. In this investigation we analysed the potential use of a genetic vaccine containing the heat shock protein (hsp65) from Mycobacterium leprae (pVAXhsp65) against tuberculosis (TB) in neonate mice.

High dynamic range CMOS image sensors in biomedical applications.

The biomedical environment is one of the most recent and interesting application fields for CMOS image sensors. Low power consumption, high sensitivity and a simple interface are the main required features; nevertheless high dynamic range can be considered one of the more interesting and less investigated aspects. High Dynamic range is one of the main research fields NeuriCam has been involved in since its incipit.

[Retroperitoneal and mesenteric fibrosis. An uncommon "carcinoid syndrome"].

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is an uncommon disease in which dense fibrous tissue proliferates in the retroperitoneum. It frequently consists in an abdominal mass involving alimentary structures, ureters with obstruction, and vascular elements with stenosis. This pathological event may be associated with a history of ergotamine usage or a wide range of conditions including malignancy, injuries and infections.

Human CtIP promotes DNA end resection.

In the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are processed into single-stranded DNA, triggering ATR-dependent checkpoint signalling and DSB repair by homologous recombination. Previous work has implicated the MRE11 complex in such DSB-processing events. Here, we show that the human CtIP (RBBP8) protein confers resistance to DSB-inducing agents and is recruited to DSBs exclusively in the S and G2 cell-cycle phases.

Th1 polarized response induced by intramuscular DNA-HSP65 immunization is preserved in experimental atherosclerosis.

We previously reported that a DNA vaccine constructed with the heat shock protein (HSP65) gene from Mycobacterium leprae (DNA-HSP65) was protective and also therapeutic in experimental tuberculosis. By the intramuscular route, this vaccine elicited a predominant Th1 response that was consistent with its protective efficacy against tuberculosis. It has been suggested that the immune response to Hsp60/65 may be the link between exposure to microorganisms and increased cardiovascular risk.

Multiscale imaging of neurons grown in culture: from light microscopy to cryo-electron tomography.

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows the visualization of supramolecular architecture in cells preserved in a close-to-physiological state. In order to supplement the structural information obtained by cryo-ET with the functional state of the molecules involved based on fluorescent labeling we developed a method of correlating light microscopy and cryo-ET. This method is suitable for investigating complicated cellular landscapes such as mature neurons grown in culture.

Correlative microscopy: bridging the gap between fluorescence light microscopy and cryo-electron tomography.

Cryo-electron tomography of frozen-hydrated biological samples offers a means of studying large and complex cellular structures in three-dimensions and with nanometer-scale resolution. The low contrast of unstained biological material embedded in amorphous ice and the need to minimise the exposure of these radiation-sensitive samples to the electron beam result in a poor signal-to-noise ratio. This poses problems not only in the visualisation and interpretation of such tomograms, it is also a problem in surveying the sample and in finding regions which contain the features of interest and which are suitable for recording tomograms.

Efficient and selective cleavage of RNA oligonucleotides by calix[4]arene-based synthetic metallonucleases.

Di- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes of [12]aneN3 macrocycles anchored at the upper rim of cone calix[4]arenes in 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,2,3-positions were investigated as cleaving agents of 6-, 7-, and 17-meric oligoribonucleotides. A kinetic investigation of the cleavage reactions was carried out using gel electrophoresis to separate and analyze reactants and products having a radioactive phosphate label in the terminal 5'-position. The degree of cooperation was assessed on the basis of a comparison with rates of cleavage by mononuclear controls.

Contribution of CT to treatment planning in patients with GIST.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to illustrate the morphological and structural computed tomography (CT) patterns of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and to discuss the technique's role in identifying lesions at a higher risk for malignant potential, in treatment planning and in the follow-up of patients with GIST.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of 26 patients who underwent surgery for histologically confirmed GIST of the stomach (20 cases), the duodenum (1), the caecum (1), the small bowel (2), the descending colon (1) and the rectum (1). CT exams were performed with a single-slice scanner and a 5-mm collimation before and after the intravenous administration of contrast material.

Immune modulation induced by tuberculosis DNA vaccine protects non-obese diabetic mice from diabetes progression.

We have described previously the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of a DNA vaccine encoding the Mycobacterium leprae 65 kDa heat shock protein (DNA-HSP65) in experimental murine tuberculosis. However, the high homology of this protein to the corresponding mammalian 60 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60), together with the CpG motifs in the plasmid vector, could trigger or exacerbate the development of autoimmune diseases. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse develops insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) spontaneously as a consequence of an autoimmune process that leads to destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.

Diastereoselective synthesis of 4,5'-bis-proline compounds via reductive dimerization of N-acyloxyiminium ions.

A short, practical synthesis of novel, unsymmetrical 4,5'-bis-proline compounds has been achieved, highlighted by the application of an unprecedented samarium diiodide-driven regio- and diastereocontrolled reductive dimerization of N-acyloxyiminium ions generated from readily available 2-methoxy-5-silyloxymethyl-N-Boc pyrrolidines. The title proline dimers proved to be pertinent metal-free catalysts in aldol and Mannich reactions.

Manifestations of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Between June 1989 and December 2005, an observational study of adults co-infected with HIV and Trypanosoma cruzi was conducted, to investigate the spectrum of manifestations of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in the HIV-positive. The 31 men and 22 women investigated were aged 23-59 years. Each subject was investigated by ambulatory (Holter) and non-ambulatory electrocardiography, chest X-ray, oesophagography and echocardiography (to determine the clinical form of trypanosomiasis), by xenodiagnosis, blood culture and the microscopical examination of blood (to explore their T.

Streamlined, asymmetric synthesis of 8,4'-oxyneolignans.

Highly direct, modular syntheses of several natural 8,4'-oxyneolignans [(-)-1, (+)-1, (-)-2, and (-)-3] and some related variants [(-)-26, (+)-26, (+)-27, and (-)-28] are reported. Utilizing (S)- or (R)-methyl lactate as the chiral sources, two complementary syn- or anti-oriented routes were designed, encompassing nine and five steps, which were carried out to deliver the targets in an enantiomerically pure form. The embodiment of the two independent aryl and aryloxy moieties onto the lactate frame was performed according to a diversity-oriented protocol from the common precursors, aldehydes 6 and ent-6 for the syn-oriented routes and mesyl esters 19 and ent-19 for the anti-oriented routes.

A threonine synthase homolog from a mammalian genome.

The genomes of several vertebrates contain two genes encoding proteins highly similar to threonine synthase (TS), even though the biosynthesis of l-threonine (l-Thr) is not known to occur in these animals. We report a bioinformatic analysis of the two TS-like genes, the recombinant expression of one murine TS homolog (mTSH2) and its initial biochemical characterization. Recombinant mTSH2 contained bound pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), but did not synthesize l-Thr.

Catalysis of diribonucleoside monophosphate cleavage by water soluble copper(II) complexes of calix[4]arene based nitrogen ligands.

Calix[4]arenes functionalized at the 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,2,3-positions of the upper rim with [12]ane-N(3) ligating units were synthesized, and their bi- and trimetallic zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes were investigated as catalysts in the cleavage of phosphodiesters as RNA models. The results of comparative kinetic studies using monometallic controls indicate that the subunits of all of the zinc(II) complexes and of the 1,3-distal bimetallic copper(II) complex 7-Cu(2) act as essentially independent monometallic catalysts. The lack of cooperation between metal ions in the above complexes is in marked contrast with the behavior of the 1,2-vicinal bimetallic copper(II) complex 6-Cu(2), which exhibits high catalytic efficiency and high levels of cooperation between metal ions in the cleavage of HPNP and of diribonucleoside monophosphates NpN'.

The dual face of endogenous alpha-aminoketones: pro-oxidizing metabolic weapons.

Amino metabolites with potential prooxidant properties, particularly alpha-aminocarbonyls, are the focus of this review. Among them we emphasize 5-aminolevulinic acid (a heme precursor formed from succinyl-CoA and glycine), aminoacetone (a threonine and glycine metabolite), and hexosamines and hexosimines, formed by Schiff condensation of hexoses with basic amino acid residues of proteins. All these metabolites were shown, in vitro, to undergo enolization and subsequent aerobic oxidation, yielding oxyradicals and highly cyto- and genotoxic alpha-oxoaldehydes.

[The child with suspect acute appendicitis in emergency care].

Acute appendicitis is the most common acute abdominal pain in childhood. Appendicitis is rare during the first two years of life and uncommon before the age of five years. The rarity, coupled with the preschool inability to cooperate in history and physical examination, explain why more than 90% of children under five years of age with appendicitis are already complicated by the laparatomy is undertaken.

Tissue distribution of a plasmid DNA encoding Hsp65 gene is dependent on the dose administered through intramuscular delivery.

In order to assess a new strategy of DNA vaccine for a more complete understanding of its action in immune response, it is important to determine the in vivo biodistribution fate and antigen expression. In previous studies, our group focused on the prophylactic and therapeutic use of a plasmid DNA encoding the Mycobacterium leprae 65-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp65) and achieved an efficient immune response induction as well as protection against virulent M. tuberculosis challenge.