160 research outputs found
Low-fidelity simulations in Computational Wind Engineering: shortcomings of 2D RANS in fully separated flows
No full textComputational Wind Engineering has rapidly grown in the last decades and it is currently reaching a relatively mature state. The prediction of wind loading by means of numerical simulations has been proved effective in many research studies and applications to design practice are rapidly spreading. Despite such success, caution in the use of simulations for wind loading assessment is still advisable and, indeed, required. The computational burden and the know-how needed to run high-fidelity simulations is often unavailable and the possibility to use simplified models extremely attractive. In this paper, the applicability of some well-known 2D unsteady RANS models, particularly the k-ω SST, in the aerodynamic characterization of extruded bodies with bluff sections is investigated. The main focus of this paper is on the drag coefficient prediction. The topic is not new, but, in the authors' opinion, worth a careful revisitation. In fact, despite their great technical relevance, a systematic study focussing on sections which manifest a fully detached flow configuration has been overlooked. It is here shown that the considered 2D RANS exhibit a pathological behaviour, failing to reproduce the transition between reattached and fully detached flow regime
Stenoterommata crassimana Bertani & Mori & Fukushima 2017, n. comb.
No full textStenoterommata crassimana (Mello-Leitão, 1923) n. comb. Figs 1 ̄30 Psalistops crassimanu Mello-Leitão, 1923a: 121; 1923b: 4. Psalistops crassimanus: Roewer, 1942: 222. Diagnosis. Males resemble those of S. platense, S. iguazu, S. tenuistyla and S. palmar by having very slender and long apical portion of embolus and differ by having a strong embolus curvature close to its apex (Figs 19 ̄21). Females resemble those of S. crassistyla, S. pavesii, S. leticiae, S. pescador by having spermathecae with single lobe bearing receptacles and differ by having spermathecae with an elongate lobe bearing two receptacles (Figs 11 ̄14). Type material. Syntypes male and female, H. Luederwaldt col., Ilha dos Alcatrazes, São Paulo, Brazil, should be deposited at MZUSP, not located. Material examined. Alcatrazes island (24°05’S, 45°41’W) 1 female, R. Bertani, August 17 ̄19 2005, IA 308 (MZUSP 71800); 1 male, October 26 2011, bromeliad, R. Bertani (MZUSP 71806). Additional material examined. BRAZIL, São Paulo, Alcatrazes Archipelago, Alcatrazes Island (24°05’S, 45°41’W): 1 male, R. Bertani, August 17 ¯19 2005 (MZUSP 71801); 1 male, R. Martins, November 22 ¯24 2005 (MZUSP 71802); 1 female, 2 imm., R. Bertani, October 25 2011 (MZUSP 71803); 1 male, R. Bertani et al. (pit-fall trap), October 25 ¯27 2011 (MZUSP 71804); 1 male, 2 females, October 26 2011, R. Bertani (MZUSP 71805); 1 female, October 26 2011, G. Ayroza (MZUSP 71807); 1 imm., October 27 2011, G. Ayroza (MZUSP 71808); Pico do Oratório, 1 imm., S. Migliore, May 6 ¯9 2014, S3, CAN (MZUSP 71809); Queimada Grande Island (24°29’S, 46°40’W), 1 female, R. Bertani, March 1995 (MZUSP 71810); 1 female, R. Bertani, December 5 1995 (MZUSP 71811); Queimada Pequena Island (24°22’S, 46°48’W), 1 female, 1 male, 3 imm., C. S. Fukushima & R. H. Nagahama, February 28 –March 1 2007 (MZUSP 71812). Redescription. Female. MZUSP 71800 (Figs 6 ̄11). Carapace 7.7 long, 5.19 wide. Abdomen 6.65 long, 4.28 wide. Total length 14.35. Carapace: Surface smooth, with sparse setae, especially around margins, anterior striae and behind eye group. Thoracic striae faint, shallow and narrow. Fovea short, procurved. Clypeus 0.10. Eight eyes arranged on tubercle 0.35 high, 1.24 wide, 0.81 long. MOQ 0.81 wide, 0.60 long. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior row recurved. AME 0.32, ALE 0.43, PME 0.23, PLE 0.29. Eye interspaces: AME-AME 0.13, AME-ALE 0.06, ALE-ALE 0.63, PME-PLE 0.03, PME-PME 0.85, ALE-PLE 0.03. Chelicerae: 3.30 long, fine setae sparse on retrolateral side, denser patch of setae prodorsally, with eight thick teeth. Fangs light brown at base, darkening distally to blackish brown hue. Rastellum weak, distal edge with thickened setae. Labium (Fig. 8): 0.67 long, 1.36 wide with dense patch of fine setae anteriorly, and fine setae sparsely distributed medially. Cuspules absent. Labiosternal groove shallow, flat, with pair of sigilla. Maxillae: 2.13 long in front, 2.64 long behind, 1.51 wide, with 127 cuspules on upper mound in inner angle. Heel rounded. Anterior lobe weak. Fine setae throughout the surface, without dense patches. Lyra absent. Sternum: 3.64 long, 3.12 wide. Fine setae over surface, without dense patches. Three pairs of sigilla, rounded, first pair close to coxa I, second pair close to coxa II, and third pair close to coxa III. All sigilla one diameter from margin. Book lungs semi-circular, with elliptical aperture; booklung combs absent. Legs: formula IV, I, II, III. Spines: leg I: fe p0-0-1, pa 0, ti v0-0-1ap, p0-1-0, me v1 -0-1, ta 0; leg II: fe p0-0-1, pa 0, ti v1-2 -4(ap), p1-1-0, me v1-2 -2ap, ta 0; leg III fe d0-0-1, pa p1-1-1 r0-1-0, ti p1-1-0 r1-1-0 d0-1-0 v0-1-2ap, me p1-1-1 r1-1-1 d1-1-1 v2-2 -3ap, ta 0; leg IV fe r0-0-1, pa r0-1-0, ti r0-1-1 p0-1-0 v0-0-1ap, me p1-1-1 d1-1-1 v2- 2 -3ap; palp: fe p0-0-1, pa p0-0-1, ti p1-1-0 v1-2 -4ap, ta 0. Preening combs on metatarsi III (Fig. 10) and IV. Claws: STC on legs ĪIII with 4 teeth in each row and IV with 6 teeth in each row. ITC on leg IV, minute. Palp claw with 5 teeth. Scopulae: undivided on tarsi of palp and legs I and II, divided by thin setae on legs III and IV. Spermathecae: two, each with round base and two receptacles branching from them (Fig. 11). Spinnerets (Fig. 9): PMS 0.80 long, 0.39 wide. Basal, middle, and apical segments of PLS, 1.69 long, 0.84 wide; 1.08 long, 0.70 wide; 0.33 long, 0.41 wide, respectively. Apical segment short, triangular. All segments covered by fine setae. Color pattern (Fig. 26): Chelicerae dark brown, carapace and legs orange brown, abdomen dorsally bicolored, bearing brown areas mixed with pale areas, both scattered irregularly; ventrally bicolored, mostly pale with fewer brown spots. Male. MZUSP 71806 (Figs 15 ̄21, 25). All characters as in females except: Intercheliceral tumescence present. Carapace 6.36 long, 4.39 wide. Abdomen 5.09 long, 2.69 wide. Total length 11.45. Eight eyes on tubercle 0.19 high, 1.08 wide, 0.82 long. Clypeus 0.07. MOQ 1.08 wide, 0.56 long. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior straight. AME 0.31, ALE 0.32, PME 0.26, PLE 0.26. Eye interspaces: AME-AME 0.11, AME-ALE 0.05, ALE- ALE 0.59, PME-PLE 0.02, PME-PME 0.49, ALE-PLE 0.07. Chelicerae 1.69 long. Labium: 0.70 long, 1.37 wide, with three cuspules. Maxillae (Fig. 17) 0.97 long in front, 1.19 long behind, 0.85 wide, with ca. 100 blunt cuspules on low mound in inner angle. Sternum: 3.67 long, 3.13 wide. Legs: formula IV, I, II, III. Spines: leg I: fe p0-0-2 r0-1-2, pa p0-0-1, ti p0-1-1 v3-2 -3 (1 retrolateral megaspine) ap (Fig. 21), me p1-0-1 r0-1-0 v1-2 -2ap, ta 0; leg II: fe p1-2-1 r0-1-2 pa p0-0-1, ti p0-1-1 v2-2 -2ap, me p2-0-1 r0- 1-0 v2-2 -2ap, ta 0; leg III fe p0-1-2 d2-1-1, pa p1-1-1 r0-1-1, ti p0-1-1 r0-1-1 d0-0-1 v2-2 -3(2 ap), me p2-1-1 r1-1- 1 d1-1-0 v2-2 -3ap, ta 0; leg IV fe p1-1-1 d1-0-0, r 0-1-1, pa p0-1-1 r0-1-0, ti p2-0-1 r1-0-1 v2-2 -3ap, me r0-1-0 d1- 1-1 v2-1 -4(3ap); palp: fe p0-0-1, pa 0, ti p0-0-1 r1-1-1, ta 0. Preening combs with 3 slender setae on metatarsi III and IV. Claws: STC with 6 teeth in each row on legs IĪII. STC missing on leg IV. All tarsi flexible. Scopulae of tarsus III entire. Palp (Figs 19 ̄20): bulb piriform with duct tapering. Embolus short, sinuous, with hook-like apical portion. Nine parallel keels on prolateral face of bulb and nine on retrolateral face; two thicker, with fine membranes. Spinnerets (Fig. 18): PMS 0.6 long, 0.28 wide. Basal, middle, and apical segments of PLS 1.27 long, 0.60 wide; 0.80 long, 0.47 wide; 0.30 long, 0.32 wide, respectively. Note. STC of specimen MZUSP 71804 were examined for leg IV and they have 6 teeth in each row. Distribution. Known from three islands on the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Alcatrazes, Queimada Grande and Queimada Pequena (Figs 1 ̄5). Discussion. Mello-Leitão (1923) described a male and female of Psalistops crassimanus (Barychelidae, Trichopelmatinae) based on specimens collected by Luederwaldt and Fonseca during the expedition to the Alcatrazes Archipelago in 1920 (Luederwaldt & Fonseca 1923). The types, which should be deposited at the MZUSP, were not found and are, herein, considered lost. More recent expeditions to the Alcatrazes Archipelago as well as to the Queimada Grande and Queimada Pequena islands resulted in a better knowledge of their invertebrate faunas, mainly of spiders, which were collected more intensively. Thus, the mygalomoph fauna is now better known on these islands. Alcatrazes island has (unpublished records in prep.) five mygalomorph species, two theraphosids, an idiopid, a barychelid and a nemesiid. The two theraphosid species and the idiopid do not fit the P. crassimanus description in some aspects, such as the two branched spur on tibia I in theraphosid males and the distinct eye arrangement in Idiops Perty, 1833, with two eyes on the carapace edge. The single specimen of barychelid collected is an immature sasonine male. However, this specimen has a very conspicuous color pattern, black carapace bordered with golden setae, dorsal abdomen mottled with black and golden setae and legs with black femora dorsally; patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi covered with golden setae with black broad rings. This pattern is distinct from the somewhat homogeneous dark brown with brown setae present in P. crassimanus according to Mello-Leitão (1923a). The barychelid also has a row of three long conspicuous spines retrolaterally on tibiae ĪII and prolaterally on palpal tibia, which are not present on specimens of P. crassimanus according to the original description. Thus, the only other species from the island that could fit the P. crassimanus description is the nemesiid. The specimens collected at Alcatrazes island are compatible with the measurements given by Mello- Leitão (1923a); the color pattern is the same, the male has the tibia I slightly incrassated and bearing a slightly curved apical megaspine retrolaterally (Fig. 21). Furthermore, the nemesiid is common in Alcatrazes whereas the barychelid is very rare. The family Barychelidae was poorly diagnosed and understood at the time Mello-Leitão published his work (1923a), and some genera presently recognized as belonging to Nemesiidae were included in that familiy by this author, e. g., Diplothelopsis Tullgren, 1905 (Mello-Leitão 1923a), Androthelopsis Mello-Leitão, 1934 (now Pycnothele Chamberlin, 1917), and Psalistopoides Mello-Leitão, 1934. Therefore, it is perfectly possible that Mello-Leitão described a nemesiid in a barychelid genus. Natural history. In Alcatrazes, some specimens were found inside open burrows having the walls covered with silk. Wandering specimens, including male, female and immatures were found in April, August and October in the leaf litter. In Queimada Grande Island, the specimens of this species were hard to find. The two females were collected inside their retreats built between two large stones. The burrows are similar to those found in Alcatrazes. In Queimada Pequena Island, they were found under rocks or wandering during the night.Published as part of Bertani, Rogério, Mori, André & Fukushima, Caroline Sayuri, 2017, Spiders of the São Paulo state islands, Brazil: redescription of Stenoterommata crassimana (Mello-Leitão, 1923) n. comb. (Araneae, Nemesiidae), pp. 237-248 in Zootaxa 4363 (2) on pages 240-247, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4363.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/109872
EMORRAGIA SUBARACNOIDEA: VALUTAZIONE NEUROPSICOLOGICA E CON RM 3T IN FASE PRECOCE: RISULTATI PRELIMINARI
No full textTITLE: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: cognitive evaluation and 3T MRI imaging in the acute phase; preliminary results
AUTHOR: Giulio Andrea Bertani
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebrovascular disease characterized by high mortality and severe complications, in particular hydrocephalus and vasospasm. Traditional imaging techniques and outcome assessment scales (GOS, MRS) are unable to clarify the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease or to adequately evaluate the impact on cognitive functions.
AIMS: To investigate patients in the acute phase after SAH by advanced neuroimaging techniques (MRI) and in-depth neuropsychological evaluations, in order to assess acute cognitive deficits and to connect them to the numerous clinical and radiological variables which affect the course of the disease.
METHODS: In the setting of a larger ongoing observational study, we selected 23 adult patients suffering from aneurysmal SAH. Following aneurysm treatment (clipping or coiling), patients underwent 3T brain MRI with MRA within 48 hours and 7-10 days, using a dedicated protocol; in the same times patient underwent neuropsychological assessments for language, memory, executive functions, praxis, orientation and personal autonomy. Monitoring of arterial flow by means of Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was performed.
RESULTS: the majority of patients had marked cognitive deficits in all areas examined after SAH, with only marginal improvements at time 2. Early MRI showed ischemic volumes of less than 2 ml in 17 cases, between 2 and 10 ml in 3 and greater than 10 ml in 1; at T2 6 new lesions were detected, 5 less than 2 ml and 1 between 2 and 10 ml. The neuropsychological assessments showed multiple relationships with clinical and radiological parameters, location and side of the aneurysm, hydrocephalus and vasospasm; the correlation with ischemic lesions showed contradictory results.
CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the pronounced cognitive impairment following SAH, despite a modest load in terms of ischemic lesions detected by MRI. It confirms that some features of the disease, such as the location and lateralization of the aneurysm, and the type of treatment have a deep influence on cognitive performances in the short term. This research also puts the basis for future selection of a battery of tests specifically designed to detect early subtle neuropsychological abnormalities, which are often associated with severe complications of SAH
The Abstract Robot Simulator Manual
No full textRobot Simulator Manual Version 1.0 Sean P. Engelson Niklas Bertani YALEU/DCS/TR-XXX October 1992 This work was partially supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, contract number DAAA15-87-K-0001, administered by the Ballistic Research Laboratory. The first author is supported by a fellowship from the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Ars Magna The Abstract Robot Simulator Manual Version 1.0 Sean P. Engelson Niklas Bertani 0 This work was partially supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, contract number DAAA15-87-K-0001, administered by the Ballistic Research Laboratory. The first author is supported by a fellowship from the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Abstract AI planning research has historically operated in formal abstractions of the real world. This approach was useful in discovering many fundamental issues underlying planning; also, problems in simple domains such as the blocks world can turn out to be surprisingly difficult. Late..
Cytomegalovirus infection of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a clinical and pathological study of 30 cases.
No full textOBJECTIVE:The study reviews the endoscopic and histological features of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Clinical histories, endoscopic findings and bioptic specimens of 30 cases of HCMV infection of the UGI tract, diagnosed in a University Hospital in a 10-year period, were reviewed. In all cases, viral inclusion bodies were detected in routine histopathological sections and the diagnosis was confirmed with immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Six patients were HIV+, whereas four had received organ transplantations, one was affected by common variable immunodeficiency and four had a recent history of malignancy. No other pathologic condition was evidenced in the remaining 15 cases. Mucosal alterations were endoscopically observed in the stomach (19 cases), esophagus (9), cardias (6) and duodenum (1), and multiple organs being synchronously affected in five patients (3 HIV+, 2 with history of malignancy). The antropyloric area was the most frequently affected site. Single ulcers were detected in 11 cases and multiple ulcers in 8, whereas mucosal thickenings (in the form of localized thickenings, polyps or rugal hypertrophy) were present in 13 patients. Thickenings of the mucosa were detected only in the stomach. At histology, necrotic material and granulation tissue were associated with moderate or marked lympho-plasmacytic infiltrate and foveolar hyperplasia in ulcerative lesions, whereas lesions labeled as mucosal thickenings showed mild or moderate chronic inflammatory infiltrate and foveolar hyperplasia.CONCLUSIONS:Endoscopic manifestations of UGI tract involvement in HCMV infection are not specific, varying from erythematous mucosa to ulcers to mucosal thickenings
Role of the genetic polymorphism of inflammatory cytokines in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a dementia characterized by neuronal loss, atrophy, gliosis and clinically by progressive cognitive impairment. In the last years several experimental evidences both “in vitro” and “in vivo” have suggested a possible involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis and/or in the progression of the disease. Considering the relative low quantity of studies about multiple cytokine gene polymorphisms in AD, we
were prompted to studying the panel polymorphism of related cytokine genes in an AD group of patients and in a control healthy group. In a case control, using a unified method of genotyping (PCR–SSP methodology), we have examined 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes in 63 caucasian AD patients with medium–high level of dementia (Mini Mental State Examination MMSE <24) and 65 normal controls belonging to the same ethnic group matched by age and gender affected by non inflammatory neuropsychiatric diseases. The patients and the control group did not shown any symptoms or signs of inflammatory process. Polymorphisms in the genes for IL-1A, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TGF-β, TNF-α and for the cytokine receptors IL-1R, IL-1RA, IL-4RA were investigated. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism was carried out only in the group of patients to evaluate a possible association with known genetic risk factors for AD and cerebrovascular diseases. Our analysis showed an highly significant presence in AD patients when compared to controls of some alleles belonging to the anti-inflammatory cytokine gene IL-4 (C allele for the -590 promoter and T allele for the -1098,
p <0.0006 and p <0.0005, respectively). Statistically no difference was evident for the D allele of the ACE gene in the group of demented patients. Although our observations suggest the presence of a pro-inflammatory environment in AD patients with MMSE <24, which is sustained by a low expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine genes, it is important to underline that
these results could not apply to AD patients belonging to different ethnic groups, as the ethnic characteristics can
influence the study of polymorphisms. Large cohort studies are necessary in order to assess the true association
of some cytokine alleles or extended haplotypes with AD
Wind loading on elongated structures characterized by bluff sections: comparison between 2D and 3D simulations
No full textThe flow around bluff-bodies is characterized by specific flow features (e.g. flow separations, flow re-attachments and vortex shedding) which clearly differentiate it from flows over aerodynamic bodies, such as aerofoils or turbine blades. Due to the lack of analytical solutions, bluff-body aerodynamics relies on experimental measurements and, increasingly, on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), which involves the solution of fluid flow equations by means of numerical methods. However, since the computational cost for Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) is often prohibitive, the use of turbulence models is essential for the application of CFD to engineering problems. Such models can be developed in various ways. In particular, Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models are derived by Favre-averaging Navier-Stokes equations, whereas Large Eddy Simulations (LES) rely on their spatial filtering. The major drawback in the use of such models is the loss of flow details, which may however have a strong influence on the flow field development. The resulting flow can, indeed, be remarkably different from DNS and experimental measurements. This is particularly true for RANS models, especially when used in a two-dimensional (2D) framework. In fact, in cases for which the time-averaged flow is approximately two-dimensional, the use of 2D RANS models appears to be an extremely convenient and widely adopted solution. However, such simplification can lead to strong inaccuracies.
The aim of this thesis is to explore and assess the accuracy of 2D RANS models for the prediction of the aerodynamic coefficients for the wind loading of elongated structures characterized by bluff sections. Results show an overall tendency to overestimate drag due to the impossibility to generate three-dimensional structures in the wake zone. Additional LES simulations confirm the obtained results
Bertani Diantara Himpitan Tambang (Belajar dari Petani Kutai Kartanegara)
No full textAbstract: Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) is an area with quite extensive mining concession. However, Kukar is also the only district in East Kalimantan which experienced rice surplus. Although the amount of rice production is not significant, this condition should be appreciated, because in fact, the official releases shows its surplus is distinguish, compare to other district in East Kalimantan. Problems arise when massive mining operations occurred in those region. Some areas suffered real damage, especially agricultural land around the mining area. Damage is no longer a threat, but it has occurred and persisted. This study try to picture Kukar in the context of farming practices in the crush of mining Activities. There are three villages as observational study area, which are, Jembayan Dalam, Sedulang, and Sarinadi. The author's findings show that in the three villages, it is interesting to observe and to describe how exactly the problem of agricultural land degradation surrounding the mining existed, and how the community respond to this condition. Jembayan Dalam village and Sedulang suffer severe damages, even the land can no longer being used for farming. However, in Sarinadi, the author found interesting findings since as a farming village, its system and social structure which was built by the community is able to shield themselves from the onslaught of the mining financiers.
Keywords: Kutai Kartanegara, agriculture land, mining
Intisari: Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) adalah sebuah wilayah dengan konsesi pertambangannya cukup luas, akan tetapi, Kukar juga satu-satunya kabupaten di Kalimantan Timur yang mengalami surplus beras. Walaupun tidak terlalu besar namun harus diapresiasi, karena faktanya, rilis angka-angka resmi pemerintah menunjukkan itu. Persoalannya, dengan masifnya operasi pertambangan, beberapa wilayah mengalami kerusakan yang cukup serius, khususnya lahan pertanian sekitar pertambangan. Kerusakan bukan lagi ancaman, namun sudah terjadi. Kajian ini akan mencoba melihat Kukar dalam konteks bertani dalam himpitan tambang. Ada tiga desa yang menjadi observasi kajian yakni Desa Jembayan Dalam, Sedulang, dan Sarinadi. Temuan penulis dalam tiga desa ini cukup menarik untuk melihat dan menggambarkan bagaimana sebenarnya persoalan kerusakan lahan pertanian sekitar pertambangan, baik problem maupun respons masyarakat. Desa Jembayan Dalam dan Sedulang mengalami kerusakan yang cukup parah, bahkan lahannya tidak bisa digunakan untuk bertani. Namun di luar itu, Sarinadi sebagai sebuah desa pertanian cukup menarik untuk dilihat karena sistem dan struktur sosial yang dibangun oleh masyarakat mampu membentengi diri dari serbuan para pemodal tambang.
Kata Kunci: Kutai Kartanegara, lahan pertanian, pertambanga
ACE and PAI-1 gene polymorphisms in renal transplant recipients.
No full textExtracellular matrix accumulation in renal tissue is the hallmark of progressive renal function loss in a variety of renal diseases, including renal allograft. Several studies have recently suggested a role for both the Renin-Angiotensin (RAS) and the Fibrinolytic System as modulators of extracellular matrix turnover.
We investigated whether the genetic polymorphisms of the RAS components (insertion/deletion: I/D polymorphism of the Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene) and genetic polymorphisms of the Fibrinolytic System (insertion/deletion: 4G/5G polymorphism of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene could have any influence on kidney graft survival in a recipient cohort. DNA was extracted from 130 adult recipients (mean age 49 years) who reached a minimum of one year GS (mean follow-up 5.25 +/- 3.64 years) after receiving a kidney graft in our center. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was utilized for ACE and PAI-1 genotyping. Our results have shown that: 1. actuarial graft survival at 5 and 10 years in recipients with ACE/II genotype was lightly higher although not reaching the statistical significance (p <0.4, p<0.06, respectively) than in recipients with ACE/DD genotype (88% vs 86% and 72% vs 55%, respectively); 2. actuarial graft survival at 5 and 10 years in recipients with PAI-1/4G5G genotype was higher than in recipients with PAI-1/4G4G and PAI-1/5G5G genotype (89% vs 81% vs 82% and 77% vs 45% vs 49%, respectively, with 4G5G genotype vs 4G4G genotype, p< 0.04); this observation indicated for 4G4G group a worse outcome in long term graft survival. In conclusion, the association of ACE/DD genotype with homozygosity in PAI-1 gene polymorphism seems to influence negatively the long-term kidney graft survival, thus suggesting a crucial role of a genetic environment in the progression of chronic kidney graft damage
HLA-DRB1* frequencies in Lombardy and Trentino valleys defined by high resolution typing methods
No full textPopulation data on the HLA system are important to several areas of medicine and science. HLA-DRB1* allele frequencies found in 105 and 242 unrelated Italian healthy individuals from Lombardy and Trentino Valleys (from Alto Garda, Val di Ledro, Valli Giudicarie, Val Rendena, Val di Sole, Val di Non, Trento, Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa, Valsugana, Vallagarina) were estimated, respectively. Sequencing Protrans S4 commercial kit and sequence-specific primers designed to match single alleles were used for specific primer polymerase chain reactions (PCR-SSP) to determine HLA-DRB1* alleles. A total of 30 DRB1* and 37 DRB1* alleles were identified at the 4-digit level in the Lombardy (LRP) and Trentino Valleys population (TrVP) respectively. A comparison between the allelic frequencies of DRB1* locus of the two populations shows that most of these frequencies are shared. One exception is the frequency of DRB1*11:04 allele in the TrVP characterized by a statistically significant lower frequency (3.09% vs. 14.3%, p <0.0138 ) than the LRP. Our data demonstrate that two populations are not genetically different for the DRB1* locus. The present findings as well as being useful for elucidating the genetic background of the populations, can also provide data for HLA matching in clinical transplantation, information about the distribution of HLA genotypes in different populations for the development of peptide-based vaccines and also for paternity diagnosis and evolutionary factors such as genetic drift, migration and selection
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