186,346 research outputs found
Perle Golasecchiane in materiale vetroso dai dintorni di Como
No full textWe will expound upon protohistoric vitreous material beads (faience, glassy faience and glass) from the Como area (eastern facies of the Golasecca culture, IX-IV centuries BC), that belong to the collections of the museum “P. Giovio” in Co-mo (Italy). Here, typological and technological aspects are examined: the research involves systematic archaeometric analy-ses, carried out by the Università di Padova - Dipartimento di Geoscienze. The aim is to point out the spread and the diffusion of glass beads, from the point of view of the well-known goods circu-lation framework in the Como area, their function and their cultural meaning
Dual effect of hypochlorite in the modification of high density lipoproteins
No full textHDL-cholesterol levels are inversely correlated to the risk of cardiovascular disease. In recent years the concept that not only the quantity, but also the quality of HDL is related to their atheroprotective function has gained momentum. In fact several studies have showed that HDL can shift their properties from anti-atherogenic to pro-atherogenic upon chemical or enzymatic "modification". However, not all kind of modifications affect the antiatherogenic properties of HDL. For example, tyrosylation of HDL improves its ability to remove cholesterol from cultured cells and inhibits mice atherosclerotic lesion formation; oxidation of HDL(3) with 15-lipoxygenase or with copper ions for short time induce the formation of pre-β-migrating particles that are highly effective as cholesterol acceptors from lipid laden cells. Myeloperoxidase modifies HDL and apoA-I and reduces their ability to promote ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. In the present study we show that modification with low concentration HOCl (a myeloperoxidase product) induces the formation of pre-β-migrating particles, thus improving the function of HDL in the reverse cholesterol transport, without affecting the anti-inflammatory activity. At higher HOCl concentration, pre-β-migrating particles were not detectable and the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL were lost. These findings suggest that during early phases of inflammation, when a low HOCl concentration is generated, changes in HDL occur that increase their ability to remove cholesterol and sparing anti-inflammatory properties; later during acute inflammation, when higher HOCl concentration are present changes in HDL occur that severely decrease their ability to remove cholesterol from macrophages and to protect endothelial cells from pro-inflammatory stimuli
The 15-lipoxygenase-modified high density lipoproteins 3 fail to inhibit the TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory response in human endothelial cells
No full textEndothelial dysfunction represents one of the earliest events in vascular atherogenesis. Proinflammatory stimuli activate endothelial cells, resulting in an increased expression of adhesion molecules and chemoattractants that mediate leukocyte and monocyte adhesion, migration, and homing. High density lipoproteins (HDL) inhibit endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules in response to proinflammatory stimuli. In the present work, we demonstrate that the modification of HDL(3) (the major and the most antiatherogenic HDL subfraction) by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), an enzyme overexpressed in the atherosclerotic lesions, impairs the anti-inflammatory activity of this lipoprotein. The 15-LO-modified HDL(3) failed to inhibit TNF-alpha-mediated mRNA and protein induction of adhesion molecules and MCP-1 in several models of human endothelial cells, and promoted inflammatory response by up-regulating the expression of such mediators of inflammation and by increasing monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Moreover, 15-LO-modified HDL(3) were unable to contrast the formation of reactive oxygen species in cells incubated with TNF-alpha, and increased the reactive oxygen species content in unstimulated cells. Activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 was mainly involved in the expression of adhesion molecules and MCP-1 induced by 15-LO-HDL(3). Altogether, these results demonstrate that enzymatic modification induced by 15-LO impaired the protective role of HDL(3), generating a dysfunctional lipoprotein endowed with proinflammatory characteristics
Long-term follow-up evaluation of autologous chondrocyte implantation for symptomatic cartilage lesions of the knee: A single-centre prospective study
No full textIntroduction: Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) has been the first technique in reconstruction of a valid articular surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical results of this technique at an average follow up of 162 +/- 27 months (range 88-208) in a group of patients who underwent ACI.Materials and methods: 32 patients were operated between 1997 and 2007 for chondral lesions or osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. Mean size of the defect was 5.48 cm(2) +/- 1.53 (range 2-9). Nine patients were treated with I generation technique and 23 with II generation. All patients were evaluated with Subjective IKDC and Tegner Activity Scales for clinical outcomes and with EQ-VAS for a quantitative measure of health after intervention, starting from pre-operative period and at regular follow up (minimum 88 months-maximum 208 months).Results: A significant increment of all scores was noticed comparing preoperative and postoperative results. In particular medium IKDC score increased from 40.3 +/- 9.6 in preoperative evaluation to 74.2 +/- 11.6 at one year (p < 0.00001) and to 83.9 +/- 10.4 at 5 years follow up (p < 0.001). Mean IKDC values at the last follow-up were 80.3 +/- 14.2, showing no statistical differences with those obtained at five-year follow-up. Tegner Activity Scale values increased from 2.8 +/- 1.1 preoperatively to 4.1 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.0001) after one year and to 6 +/- 1.1 at five years (p < 0.0001). Mean Tegner Activity Scale values decreased to 4.8 +/- 1.4 at the last follow-up. EQ-VAS evaluation showed superposable results comparing the 5 years evaluation with the ones at a medium follow up of 162 +/- 27 months.Discussion: The most important finding is the reliability at long-term of ACI technique, which in our series gave excellent clinical results. No statistical differences were observed between first-and secondgeneration. Clinical outcomes were significantly better for defects in the femoral condyles, influenced by age (worse results over 30 years old).Conclusions: ACI represents a valid technique for chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee in a population heterogeneous for age, sex and activity level with good results even at a long term follow up
Modification of HDL3 by mild oxidative stress increases ATP-binding cassette transporter 1-mediated cholesterol efflux
No full textOBJECTIVE: Elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are inversely related to the risk of cardiovascular disease. The anti-atherosclerotic function of HDL is mainly ascribed to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, and requires the integrity of HDL structure. Experimental evidence suggests that the ability of HDL to promote removal of excess cholesterol from peripheral cells is impaired upon oxidation. On the other hand, tyrosylation of HDL enhances its protective function, suggesting that not all forms of modified lipoprotein may be atherogenic. In the present study we investigated the effect of a mild oxidation of HDL(3) on its function as cholesterol acceptor. METHODS AND RESULTS: A mild oxidative stress (induced by 15 min exposure of HDL(3) to 1 microM Cu(++) or to 15-lipoxygenase) caused the formation of pre-beta-migrating particles. Compared to native lipoprotein, mildly modified HDL(3) induced a significant ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1)-mediated increase of cholesterol and phospholipids efflux from J774 macrophages. This effect was abolished by an inhibitor of ABCA1-mediated lipid efflux (glyburide) and was absent in Tangier fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: A mild oxidative modification of HDL(3) may improve its function as cholesterol acceptor, increasing ABCA1-mediated lipid efflux from macrophages, a process that may reduce foam cell formation
Liver X receptor and retinoic X receptor agonists modulate the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in human endothelial cells
No full textThe cooperation of liver X receptors (LXRs) alpha and beta, and retinoic X receptor (RXR) modulate the expression of several genes involved in lipid metabolism in hepatocyte and macrophages. Using cDNA microarray technology, we have shown previously that several of these genes are also expressed in endothelial cells. In the present study, we investigated whether the activation of LXR and RXR affects the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in human endothelial cells. Relative expression of ABCA-1, CETP, SR-B1, EL, LPL, PLTP, ApoE and LDLR was investigated in HUVECs, human fibroblasts (hFB) and HepG2 cells by quantitative real-time PCR. For CETP and EL mRNA expression, the results were HUVECs > hFB > HEPG2; for PLTP, LDLR and LPL: hFB > HUVECs > HEPG2; for SR-B1 and ApoE: HEPG2 > HUVECs > hFB; and for ABCA-1 HEPG2: > hFB > HUVECs. Incubation of HUVECs with LXR agonists as 22-(R)-hydroxycholesterol (22-(R)-HC) or T0901317-induced ABCA1 (20.1- and 17.8-fold), LPL (3.46- and 7.03-fold) and CETP (6.34- and 3.98-fold) expression; EL, LDLR and SR-B1 expression was induced only upon incubation with T0901317 (2.40-, 2.83- and 2.19-fold, respectively) while 22-(R)-HC had no effect on EL and SR-B1 expression (0.8- and 0.9-fold) and decreased LDLR expression (0.4-fold). No effect of either 22-(R)-HC or T0901317 on PLTP and ApoE expression was observed. The RXR agonist, 9-cis retinoic acid (9CRA) alone induced the expression of CETP, LPL and SR-B1 (2.8-, 8.2- and 2.4-fold). No effect of 9CRA on ABCA-1, EL, PLTP, ApoE, and LDLR expression was observed. Association of 9CRA with 22-(R)-HC or T0901317 increased the expression of CETP and LPL while no effect on ABCA-1 or LDLR was observed. Activation of LXRs and RXRs in endothelial cells represents a new target of LXR and RXR agonist in the arterial wall. Modulation of gene expression in the endothelium should be taken into account when studying the effects of LXR and RXR agonists on lipid metabolism in the arterial wall
Use of an Elastomeric Knee Brace in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Short-Term Results
No full textPurpose This article verifies the effectiveness of a new brace on patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in adjunct to a specifically developed rehabilitation program.
Methods Two groups of 30 patients with PFPS were prospectively and randomly allocated to a rehabilitation protocol, with (group A) or without (group B) the use of a specific brace. All the patients were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months using the disease specific Kujala scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; time to return to sport and patient satisfaction with the brace were also recorded.
Results Kujala scale’s values showed constant and progressive improvement. The mean score at 6 months was 79.8 � 6.8 points in group A and 76.8 � 8.6 in group B, rising at 12 months to 80.9 � 7.5 in group A and 78.4 � 8.3 in group B. VAS scores significantly differed (p < 0.05) between the two groups at both 6 and 12 months; the score recorded at 12months was 0.9 � 1.3 in the brace-treated group and 1.8 � 1.6 in the controls. The patients who used a brace showed a quicker return to sports and 75% of the patients in this group were satisfied.
Conclusion All the scores improved progressively in both groups. The most significant improvement concerned pain, showing that the brace used in this study may allow a better subjective outcome and a quicker return to sport.
Level of Evidence Level 2, prospective randomized controlled trial
Patellofemoral instability: classification and imaging
No full textPatellofemoral disorders must be approached through an appropriate process of diagnostic framing, performed using language that is, as far as possible, unequivocal and a validated and organic classification system. At present, the classification proposed by the Lyonnaise school, which fulfills these requirements, is the most complete. This classification divides patellofemoral disorders into three groups: objective patellar instability, potential patellar instability and painful patella syndrome. It also identifies three principal factors of instability: trochlear dysplasia, abnormal patellar height and pathological tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. Imaging is crucial for correct classification and for identifying and measuring the principal factors of instability. Up to now, the emphasis has been placed on the contribution made by traditional diagnostic radiology and computed tomography. In recent years, however, growing attention has been paid to the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of the patellofemoral joint and in the study of factors of instability, even though there is still a need for validation of this approach before it can be routinely used in preoperative planning
Author-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.
No full textAuthor-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.</p
Closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy, a reliable procedure for osteoarthritic varus knee
No full textPurpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent closing-wedge High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis and to evaluate the conversion rate to knee arthroplasty. Methods A retrospective, non-randomized, monocentric study was performed in our Institution considering 166 patients between 1989 and 2012. The final population was composed by 82 patients (94 knees), median age at time of operation was 53 (range 45-73) years. All patients were evaluated clinically (HSS Score, Tegner Scale, VAS and Crosby-Insall Grading) and radiographically (osteoarthritis staging, hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, tibial slope and metaphyseal varus). Results Mean follow-up was 11.9 +/- 7.2 years. HSS Score increased significantly from 70.8 +/- 10 to 93.2 +/- 9.1 (p < 0.05) instead Tegner Scale increased from 1.3 +/- 0 (range 1-4) to 2.8 +/- 0.7 (range 2-6) at the last control (n.s.); VAS score significantly decreased from 7.9 +/- 1.4 to 1.6 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.05) at last follow-up. According to the Crosby-Insall Grading System, 80 patients (97.4%) reported excellent-good results. HKA angle decreased from 6.9 degrees +/- 3.5 to 2.6 degrees +/- 2.6 (p < 0.01), tibial slope decreased from 10.1 degrees +/- 1.4 to 6.8 degrees +/- 2.1 (p < 0.05) and finally the metaphyseal varus decreased from 4.2 degrees +/- 0 to 2.1 degrees +/- 1.2 (n.s.) at the last follow-up. Adverse events were reported in 4.8%. Osteotomy survivorship rate resulted 92% at 10 years, 82% at 15 years and 80% at 20 years. Sixteen revisions (9.6%) were reported at a mean period of 12.8 years. Conclusions CW-HTO is a valid option for medial osteoarthritis treatment, with successful results in both clinical and radiological outcomes
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