Persistent organochlorine compounds in fetal and maternal tissues: evaluation of their potential influence on several indicators of fetal growth and health

Some organochlorine compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have a tendency to bioaccumulate in humans and predators at the top of the food chain. We have recently confirmed the transplacental transfer of these compounds and the present study has been designed on the same material with the aim of investigating their potential health effects on newborns from 70 pregnant women, resident in a Northern Italy industrial town. Organochlorine compounds [namely, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and PCBs] have been analyzed both in cord and maternal serum, placenta, and maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue by GC-MSD. p,p'-DDT levels in the adipose tissue resulted significantly (p<0.05) related to birth length. Mothers of neonates born by preterm programmed caesarean delivery showed significantly (p<0.005 for both) higher serum p,p'-DDE serum concentrations and p,p'-DDT levels in the adipose tissue, as compared to mothers delivering at term

Combined antiretroviral therapy reduces hyperimmunoglobulinemia in HIV-1 infected children

Objective: To evaluate the effect of combined antiretroviral therapy on serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in HIV-1 perinatally infected children. Methods: Data from 1250 children recorded by the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children from 1985 to 2002 were analysed. Since Ig levels physiologically vary with age, differences at different age periods were evaluated as differences in z-scores calculated using means and standard deviations of normal population for each age period. Combined antiretroviral therapy has become widespread in Italy since 1996, thus differences in Ig z-scores between the periods 1985-1995 and 1996-2002 were analysed. Data according to type of therapeutic regimen were also analysed. Results: Between the two periods 1985-1995 and 1996-2002, significant (P < 0.0001) decreases in IgG (6.29 ± 4.72 versus 4.44 ± 4.33), IgM (9.25 ± 13.32 versus 5.61 ± 7.93), and IgA (10.25 ± 15.68 versus 6.48 ± 11.56) z-scores, together with a parallel significant (P < 0.0001) increase in CD4 T-lymphocyte percentages, were found. These decreases were confirmed regardless of whether the children were receiving intravenous Ig or not. Ig z-scores were significantly higher in children receiving mono-therapy than in those receiving double-combined therapy (IgC, P < 0.0001; IgM, P = 0.003; IgA, P = 0.031) and in the latter children than in those receiving three or more drugs (P < 0.0001 for all z-scores). Ig z-scores correlated inversely with CD4 T-lymphocyte percentages and, directly, with viral loads. Conclusions: Our data show that in HIV-1 infected children combined antiretroviral therapy leads to reduction of hyperimmunoglobulinemia which parallels restoration of CD4 T-lymphocyte percentage and viral load decrease, which it turn probably reflects improved B-lymphocyte functions. © 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Evaluation of fracture healing with the computerized analysis of radiographic images

The radiographic evaluation of fracture healing in the long bones utilizes subjective and hardly analytic standards. Therefore, to solve this problem, the authors suggest using a computerized image processing system which increases radiographic informative content and allows an objective evaluation of fracture healing. We analyzed the radiographs of 15 patients suffering from femoral fracture and treated by means of Küntscher nailing. We processed the radiographs taken both before and 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after surgical treatment. It was thus possible to select the regions of interest, to graph brightness levels and to measure both distances and areas. Computerized image processing provides an objective and quantitative analysis of radiographs and allows an increase in informative content. It also allows the comparison of pre- and postoperative radiographs with those taken at different times. Our results may confirm the utility of computerized image analysis of radiographs to evaluate bone remodelling during fracture healing

Experimental investigation into reparative osteogenesis with fibrin adhesive

An experimental investigation was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of fibrin adhesive on the reparative osteogenesis of bone grafts in the short, medium, and long term. Sixty fully developed New Zealand White rabbits under general anesthesia were grafted with homologous bone tissue in the proximal third of each tibias. Fibrin adhesive was used in one hind limb only. The animals were killed at a predetermined time. Both tibias were removed and subjected to radiographic and histologic analyses. The reparative process was observed and the differences between the fibrin adhesive-treated grafts and the reference group in the first few weeks were determined. No substantial difference was detected in the reparative osteogenetic process of the graft in the animals killed after 2 months. © 1988 Springer-Verlag