Safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by surgical residents
Chirurgia italiana
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is being widely performed by surgical residents, but specific outcom... more Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is being widely performed by surgical residents, but specific outcomes have been poorly investigated. Data from 171 consecutive, unselected patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by surgical residents were collected and matched with an equal number of randomly extracted laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by experienced senior staff surgeons between 2000 and 2006 at our institution. Demographic data, emergency procedures, cholangiographies, complications and length of stay were not significantly different between the two groups. However, surgical residents performed the operations in less complicated patients (ASA group 3-4 2% vs. 8%, respectively, p = 0.04). Moreover, the median duration of surgery was significantly longer in the resident group (67 vs. 50 minutes, p < 0.001), with fewer additional contemporary procedures (3% vs. 7%, respectively, p = 0.009). This study established that although surgical residents operated ...
Primary structure of aspartate aminotransferase from horse heart and comparison with that of other homotopic and heterotopic isoenzymes
Sulphydryl groups of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from horse heart were titrated with... more Sulphydryl groups of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from horse heart were titrated with 5,5&#39;-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). From analysis of peptic peptides, 378 amino acid residues (94.3% of the total) in the protein were identified. The results of amino acid sequence analysis are compared with those of cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases from other sources.
0D-1D Coupling for an Integrated Fuel Economy Control Strategy for a Hybrid Electric Bus
SAE Technical Paper Series, 2011
... Citation: Tribioli, L., Martini, F., Pede, G., and Villante, C., "0D-1D Coupling for an ... more ... Citation: Tribioli, L., Martini, F., Pede, G., and Villante, C., "0D-1D Coupling for an Integrated Fuel Economy Control Strategy for a Hybrid ... approach realized by coupling a zero-dimensional model of the vehicle with a mono-dimensional model of the thermal engine to evaluate ...
... clase. Todos los componentes que forman la prueba de animación de la página web de la guía my... more ... clase. Todos los componentes que forman la prueba de animación de la página web de la guía myA&amp;amp;amp;P están disponibles como preguntas para responder mediante el sistema de respuesta personalizada (SRP). Página web ...
Background. Late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a well-known severe complication of bone marr... more Background. Late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a well-known severe complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), both in adults and in children. Protracted postengraftment HC is associated with graft-versushost disease and viral infections, mainly caused by BK virus (BKV) or adenovirus (AV). This study investigated whether simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA sequences can be detected in specimens from pediatric patients affected by severe postengraftment HC. Methods. The clinical diagnosis of HC was made in 7 of 28 BMT children. DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and urine sediment cells and supernatants was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), AV, BKV, JC virus (JCV), and SV40. DNA filter hybridization and sequencing was carried out in SV40-positive samples. Results. SV40 footprints were detected in two of seven cases of HC. Specific SV40 DNA sequences were detected by PCR and by filter hybridization both in urine and in PBMC samples at the HC onset and during the follow-up. The DNA sequencing proved that the amplicons belonged to the SV40 wild-type. Urine samples of the two HC cases tested negative by cell cultures, PCR, or both for HCMV, BKV, JCV, and AV. Conclusions. The detection of SV40 DNA sequences suggest that this simian polyomavirus could be involved, at least in some cases, in the HC occurring in children after BMT.
Tissue Factor and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 2 Expression in Human Stimulated Monocytes is Inhibited by Heparin
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 1997
Stimulated monocytes are involved in blood clotting and fibrin dissolution by synthesizing tissue... more Stimulated monocytes are involved in blood clotting and fibrin dissolution by synthesizing tissue factor (TF) and fibrinolytic components such as plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2). Heparin interacts with smooth muscle cells, platelets, and endothelial cells and specifically binds to human monocytes. In endothelial and smooth muscle cells, heparin selectively inhibits collagenase and tissue plasminogen activator gene expression. To investigate (1) heparin&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s influence on the hemostatic system by its interactions with plasma factors and cellular elements and (2) to determine its effects on gene expression in blood circulating cells, we studied the effect of heparin on TF and PAI-2 protein and mRNA in human lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated monocytes. TF and PAI-2 proteins were investigated by ELISA and by assaying procoagulant activity. The mRNA study was carried out by an initial PCR screening followed by a Northern blot semiquantitative analysis. Heparin (0.5 U/mL) inhibited both TF and PAI-2 production and gene expression. The contemporaneous protein and mRNA decrease (TF and PAI-2 protein 22 and 42%, respectively; suggests that this action is, at least partially, at the transcriptional level. The effect is not specific for heparin and is not demonstrated by other glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin-4-sulfate or dermatan sulfate). This action may be relevant for the antithrombotic activity of heparin in cell-mediated blood clotting activation.
Biodiesel and Fame from Triglicerides Over Acid and Basic Catalysts Assisted by Microwave
In the present work several acid (H3PW12O40, methanesulfonic acid) and alkali (Ba(OH)2) catalysts... more In the present work several acid (H3PW12O40, methanesulfonic acid) and alkali (Ba(OH)2) catalysts have been tested for trans- esterification reactions both under conventional heating (CH) and in the presence of microwaves (MW).
Proinflammatory cytokines and hemostatic system in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Platelets, 1997
The prothrombotic state frequently observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas... more The prothrombotic state frequently observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be related to a systemic inflammatory response. In the present study plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-2 and IL-1beta levels have been investigated in 33 patients with COPD. In vitro platelet activity, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels were also determined in all patients. The results obtained demonstrated that plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared with a control population age and sex-matched ( P &amp;amp;lt; 0.02), while plasma IL-2 and IL-1beta levels were not significantly modified. An overall condition of platelet hyperactivity in COPD patients was also observed. A comparative analysis of platelet activity and blood gas levels demonstrated a correlation between platelet hyperactivity and a severe impairment of oxygen ( P &amp;amp;lt; 0.001) and carbon dioxide tensions ( P &amp;amp;lt; 0.01). Finally, a statistical analysis of the population under study showed the presence of a significant correlation between elevated plasma IL-6 ( P &amp;amp;lt; 0.001) and IL-1beta levels ( P &amp;amp;lt; 0.007), and an increased sensitivity of platelets to arachidonic acid, suggesting a possible correlation between the inflammatory response and the prothrombotic state observed in patients with COPD.
Apoptosis was induced in cultured cerebellar granule cells by lowering extracellular K ؉ concentr... more Apoptosis was induced in cultured cerebellar granule cells by lowering extracellular K ؉ concentrations (usually from 25 to 10 mM). The apoptotic phenotype was preceded by an early and transient increase in the intracellular levels of the disialoganglioside, GD3, which behaves as a putative pro-apoptotic factor. We examined whether activation of Fas receptor mediates the increase in GD3 formation in granule cells committed to die. Degenerating granule cells showed increased expression of both Fas receptor and its ligand (Fas-L), at times that coincided with the increase in GD3 levels and the induction of GD3 synthase mRNA. Addition of neutralizing anti-Fas-L antibodies reduced the extent of 'low-K ؉ '-induced apoptosis and abolished the increase in GD3 levels and GD3 synthase mRNA. Similar reductions were observed in cultures prepared from gld or lpr mice, which harbor loss-of-function mutations of Fas-L and Fas receptor, respectively. In addition, exogenous application of soluble Fas-L further enhanced both the increase in GD3 formation and cell death in cultured granule cells switched from 25 into 10 mM K ؉ . We conclude that activation of Fas receptor is entirely responsible for the increase in GD3 levels and contributes to the development of apoptosis by trophic deprivation in cultured cerebellar granule cells.
transcriptional complex AP-1 in hippocampal neurons. PTZ also elevated formation AP-1, but the ef... more transcriptional complex AP-1 in hippocampal neurons. PTZ also elevated formation AP-1, but the effect appeared earlier than that induced by KA. Hence recurrent limbic seizures activate both the PDYN and PENK genes, whereas generalized clonic-tonic seizures seem to decrease the PDYN-and increase the PENK gene expression in the DG. Furthermore, the present results suggest that the AP-1 complex may be involved in the process of induction of the hippocampal PENK gene, while the expression of the PDYN gene seems to be differently regulated.
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) increase the potential monocyte procoagulant activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Lupus, 1996
Lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are frequently detected in sera fro... more Lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are frequently detected in sera from patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in thrombus formation has not been defined as yet.Twenty-two patients affected by SLE, all fulfilling the 1982 ARA revised criteria, and twenty healthy subjects were investigated for the presence of LA, aCL and other aPLs. Monocyte procoagulant activity-PCA (Tissue Factor production) was evaluated by one stage plasma recalcification time. In all patients the plasma levels of F1 + 2 and of plasmin ogen activator inhibitor (PAI) were also determined. Monocyte PCA was significantly higher in SLE patients with LA and/or aCL in comparison to SLE patients without LA and/or aCL ( p < 0.01) and to controls ( p < 0.05). However, no connection was observed between PCA expression by mononuclear cells and LA or aCL levels. No differences in F1 + 2 and PAI plasma levels were found b...
A new interface chamber for the study of mammalian nervous tissue slices
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 1995
We describe a new interface-type chamber for electrophysiological studies in mammalian brain slic... more We describe a new interface-type chamber for electrophysiological studies in mammalian brain slices. Thermoregulation of the inner recording chamber is achieved using the Peltier effect and a feedback control unit. Between 15 and 40 degrees C, and for perfusion rates from 1 to 5 ml/min, the temperature can be maintained within +/- 0.1 degrees C of the command value; it can also be rapidly and reliably changed. An external bath, heated by a coiled resistor, generates a humidified, oxygenated atmosphere diffusing above the slices. Survival of neuronal tissue is excellent and stable intracellular recordings can be obtained using either sharp or patch-clamp micropipettes. Perfusion solutions can be readily exchanged, rendering this chamber suitable for the study of bath-applied neuroactive compounds.
We report here the complete amino acid sequences of the cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate ami... more We report here the complete amino acid sequences of the cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases from horse heart. The two sequences can be aligned so that 48.1% of the amino acid residues are identical. The sequences have been compared with those of the cytosolic isoenzymes from pig and chicken, the mitochondrial isoenzymes from pig, chicken, rat, and human, and the enzyme from Escherichia coil The results suggest that the mammalian cytosolic and mitochondrial isoenzymes have evolved at equal and constant rates whereas the isoenzymes from chicken may have evolved somewhat more slowly. Based on the rate of evolution of the mammalian isoenzymes, the geneduplication event that gave rise to cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases is estimated to have occurred at least 109 years ago. The cytosolic and mitochondrial isoenzymes are equally related to the enzyme from E. coli; the prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes diverged from one another at least 1.3 • 109 years ago.
Building a community among teachers, researchers and university students. A blended approach to training
International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 2011
In this paper we present a case study about a community of practice’s foundation and development ... more In this paper we present a case study about a community of practice’s foundation and development among Italian teachers, researchers and university students who participated in a European project aimed at developing and testing innovative pedagogical models and technologies for collaborative knowledge building. Forty-five people (34 teachers, five researchers and six university students) participated in the community of adults that
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Papers by F. Martini