1,152 research outputs found
Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: evaluations of diagnostic methods
No full textToxoplasmosis in pregnancy is usually subclinic or associates with non specific symptoms. Diagnosis and timing of infection are usually based on serological tests. In this short review we tried to summarize the serological patterns we can encounter and to discuss the interpretation of test results
A New complement fixation test for toxoplasmosis. Comparison with other serological methods
No full textA new complement fixation test for toxoplasmosis has been compared with the classical test indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT) and indirect haemoagglutination test (IHAT). Neither false positive or negative results were obtained with LBCF-H100-TTE. Notably these values correlate well with IFA titers. Furthermore LBCF-H100-TTE shows the highest titers in acute cases and its time course is pratically superimposable to IFAT. The differences obtained performing these different tests on the preferential detection of different antigen antibodies systems by these 3 tests are discussed
Comparison between the complement fixation test LBCF-H100-TTE, IHAT and IgM-IFAT performed on pure IgM fractions in acute acquired and congenital toxoplasmosis
No full textThe use of gel filtration method allowed us to obtain pure IgM fractions to be tested for specific Toxoplasma serology. The good correlation found in our series between IgM-IFAT and LBCF-H100-TTE performed on pure IgM fractions suggests that LBCF-H100-TTE may be another useful serological tests for detection of IgM antibodies although false negative results might occur when LBCF-H100-TTE is performed on IgM fractions on cord sera
Parvovirus B19. Attualità in tema di infezioni materno-fetali.
No full textAspetti clinici e patogenetici dell'infezione da parvovirus B19. Diagnosi di infezione nella madre, nel feto e nel neonato
Serum Cytokine Profile by ELISA in Patients with Echinococcal Cysts of the Liver: A Stage-Specific Approach to Assess Their Biological Activity
No full textTo investigate the usefulness of serum cytokine dosage in the clinical management of cystic echinococcosis (CE), we analyzed serum levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in patients with hepatic CE in different cyst stages, CE1-2 (active), CE3a-3b (transitional), and CE4-5 (inactive). Ex vivo assessment of Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10) cytokines in sera was carried out using ELISA. IL-10 was undetectable in all serum samples of patients and controls, while a few sera contained measurable amounts of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13. No statistically significant difference was found between the percentages of positive samples for each cytokine and the different groups analyzed (patients/controls, stage, number, location, and size of the cyst, serology, and sex of patients), with the exception of the association of IL-4 and IL-13 with the cyst stage. Overall, this investigation showed many limits of serum cytokine dosage as a marker of biological activity of echinococcal cysts. Because of low sensitivity and lack of specificity of this test, we believe that other ways to evaluate ex vivo biological activity of the cysts should be explored
Women in the Media: Communication Design, Research and Experimentations
No full textCurrently, the debate regarding women’s representation in the most diffused media (e.g.,
advertising, journalism, television, internet) is front and centre. It is common opinion that in
our everyday life we encounter images that depict female figures as degrading and stereotypical
models.
The problem is not only connected to the idea of an imaginary male spectator that has to be
pleased, it is also an issue that concerns the cultural and social dimension of Communication
Design. As designers, we have to intervene in the design project with a critical realism within
the social context, we have to work from a multidisciplinary perspective to develop new
tools, new formats, and new artefacts that are able to change the ways of seeing, consuming
and distributing images.
This could be a starting point to generate positive actions, lifelong learning and active
encouragement in our society.
In this paper we present the ongoing research and experimentation activities of the
research group“dcxcg” (communication design for gender cultures) that operates, from the
perspective of design, with the goal of offering a critical view of the forms of representation
of gender (i.e., female, male), but also to support the proposal of new models of communication
in the context of education
Immunoblotting with human native antigen shows stage-related sensitivity in the serodiagnosis of hepatic cystic echinococcosis
No full textThe diagnosis of hepatic cystic echinococcosis is based on ultrasonography and confirmed by serology. However, no biological marker of cyst viability is currently available implying years-long patient follow-up, which is not always feasible in endemic areas. We characterized the performance of an immunoblotting test based on human hydatid cyst fluid with particular regard to its ability to distinguish between cyst stages. Sera from patients with cysts in different stages showed distinctive band pattern recognition. Most importantly, the test discriminated in 80% of cases CE3a from CE3b transitional cysts, known to have different viability profiles. Interestingly, we observed a rapid change in band pattern recognition of sera from one patient at time points when his cyst passed from active to transitional to inactive stages. Further identification of different antigens expressed by different cyst stages will support the development of diagnostic tools that could early define cyst viability, to guide clinical decision making, and shorten patient follow-up
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