Influenza del fattore sigma RpoS sulla sopravvivenza di Escherichia coli in stato vitale ma non coltivabile

Valutazione dell'influenza di Rpos o fattore sigma alternativo sula capacit\ue0 di sopravvivenza di Escserichia coli in presenza di situazioni di stress ambientale. E' stato indotto lo stato VBNC in vari mutanti di E.coli difettivi in rpoS: si \ue8 valutata la cinetica di acquisizione delo stato VBNC e la possibilit\ue0 di "rivitalizzazione" rispetto ai ceppi selvaggi. I mutanti RpoS-difettivi muoiono pi\uf9 rapidamente e presentano una capacit\ue0 di ricrescita molto pi\uf9 scarsa rispetto ai ceppi progentori, indicando un probabile ruolo di rpoS nella fase di entrata e mantenimento dello stato VBN

Proliferation and inflammation in bronchial epithelium after allergen in atopic asthmatics.

Contains fulltext : 142683.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: The mechanisms that regulate epithelial integrity and repair in asthma are poorly understood. We hypothesized that allergen exposure could alter epithelial inflammation, damage and proliferation in atopic asthma. OBJECTIVE: We studied epithelial cell infiltration, shedding, expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the epithelial cell-cell adhesion molecules Ep-CAM and E-cadherin in bronchial biopsies of 10 atopic mild asthmatics 48 h after experimental diluent (D) and allergen (A) challenge in a cross-over design. METHODS: Epithelial shedding, expressed as percentage of not intact epithelium, Ki-67+, eosinophil/EG-2+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were quantified by image analysis in bronchial epithelium, and adhesion molecules were analysed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: Epithelial shedding was not altered by A (D: 88.1+/-3.1% vs. A: 89.2+/-3.7%; P=0.63). The numbers of Ki-67+ epithelial (D: 10.2+/-0.2 vs. A: 19.9+/-0.3 cells/mm; P=0.03), EG-2+ (D: 4.3+/-0.5 vs. A: 27+/-0.3 cells/mm; P=0.04) and CD4+ cells (D: 1.7+/-1.2 vs. A: 12.3+/-0.6 cells/mm; P=0.04) were significantly increased after A, whilst CD8+ numbers were not significantly changed (P>0.05). E-cadherin and Ep-CAM epithelial staining showed a similar intensity after D and A (P>0.05). We found a positive correlation between EG-2+ and Ki-67+ cells in the epithelium (Rs: 0.63; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that allergen challenge increases epithelial proliferation in conjunction with inflammation at 2 days after exposure. This favours the hypothesis that long-lasting epithelial restitution is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma

Response to first-line ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r)-based regimens in HIV positive patients presenting to care with low CD4 counts: Data from the Icona Foundation Cohort

Background There are no data comparing the response to PI/r-based regimens in people presenting for care with low CD4 counts or AIDS (LC). Aim To compare the response to LPV/r-, DRV/r- or ATV/r-based cART regimens in LC initiating cART from ART-naive. Methods We included people enrolled in Icona with either CD4 counts â\u89¤350 cells/mm3(low CD4-LC) or CD4 counts â\u89¤200 cells/mm3(very low CD4-VLC) and/or AIDS, starting their first PI/rbased regimen after 2008. Initial regimens were compared by intention-to-treat: i) time to viral failure (VF) (first of 2 consecutive VL>200 copies/mL after â\u89¥6 months); II) time to PI/r discontinuation/switching for any cause (TD) and for toxicity (TDT); III) treatment failure (TF) (VF or TD). Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses were used. Results 1,362 LC patients were included (DRV/r 607; ATV/r 552; LPV/r 203); 813 VLC. In a median of 18 months (IQR:7-35), the 1-year probability of VF and TF were 2.8% (1.9-3.8) and 21.1% (18.7-23.4). In the adjusted analysis, patients initiating ATV/r had a 53% lower chance, and those initiating DRV/r a 61% lower chance of TD, as compared to LPV/r; the risk of TF was more likely in people starting LPV/r. Results were similar among VLC; in this subgroup LPV/r including regimens demonstrated a lower chance of VF. Conclusions We confirmed in LC a low chance of virological failure by 1 year, with small differences according to PI/r. However, larger differences were observed when comparing longer-term endpoints such as treatment failure. These results are important for people presenting late for care

Antiepileptic drug discontinuation by people with epilepsy in the general population

Objective: Rate, reasons, and predictors of antiepileptic drug (AED) discontinuation were investigated in a well-defined cohort of people with epilepsy to verify efficacy and tolerability of treatment up to 20 years from treatment initiation. Methods: The history of AED usage in children and adults with epilepsy registered with 123 family physicians in an area of Northern Italy between 2000 and 2008 was recorded. Cumulative probabilities of AED withdrawal for specific reasons were estimated using cumulative incidence functions. The probabilities of withdrawing for terminal remission, and of achieving sustained remission while still on treatment, were also evaluated. The roles of sex, age at diagnosis, seizure types, duration at diagnosis, and syndrome were assessed with hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Seven hundred thirty-one of 747 individuals were treated with one or more AEDs during the disease course. The three commonest drugs were valproate, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital. Reported reasons for AED withdrawal were, in decreasing order, terminal remission, ineffectiveness, and adverse events. The probability of withdrawing the first AED for terminal remission was 1.0% at 1 year and increased to 20.0% at 20 years. Corresponding rates were 2.9% and 12.6% for ineffectiveness and 0.5% and 3.3% for adverse events. Reasons for withdrawal varied with individuals' age, sex, disease characteristics, and drugs. Significance: The initial AED given was retained in the majority of cases. Terminal remission, lack of efficacy, and adverse effects were, in decreasing order, the commonest reasons for AED discontinuation. Withdrawal could be predicted by age at diagnosis, sex, and clinical characteristics and varies among drugs