Oxidative stress and kidney dysfunction due to ischemia/reperfusion in rat: attenuation by dehydroepiandrosterone.

Oxidative stress and kidney dysfunction due to ischemia/reperfusion in rat: Attenuation by dehydroepiandrosterone.BackgroundThe pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) involves generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This in vivo study investigates the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a physiologic steroid with antioxidant properties, on oxidative balance and renal dysfunctions induced by monolateral I/R.MethodsNormal and DHEA-treated rats (4mg/day × 21 days, orally) were subjected to monolateral renal I/R (30 minutes/6 hours). The oxidative state was determined by measuring hydrogen peroxide level and activities of glutathione-peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were also measured. Hydroxynonenal content was used to probe lipid peroxidation. Functional parameters determined were creatinine levels and Na/K-ATPase activity. Immunohistochemical and morphologic studies were also performed.ResultsA markedly pro-oxidant state was evident in the kidney of rats subjected to I/R. Both hydrogen peroxide and reactive nitrogen species (nitric oxide and iNOS) increased, whereas antioxidants decreased. Oxidant species induce TNF-α increase, which, in turn, produces lipoperoxidative processes, as documented by the increased hydroxynonenal (HNE) level. As final result, impaired renal functionality, hydropic degeneration, and vacuolization of proximal convolute tubules were observed in kidneys of I/R rats. DHEA pretreatment improved the parameters considered.ConclusionI/R induces oxidative stress and consequently damages the proximal convolute renal tubules. Rats supplemented with DHEA and subjected to I/R had reduced pro-oxidant state, oxidative damage, and improved renal functionality, indicating an attenuation of oxidative injury and dysfunctions mediated by I/R

Septic System Pollution Prevention BMPs: Development of Public Outreach Approaches, Assessment, and Decision-making Tools for Local Government

Describes a project to deliver and assess an evening workshop program that provided information on appropriate septic system construction and maintenance and apply computer -oriented tools (GIS, water quality modeling) to help county personnel identify problem source-areas and evaluate potential impact of septic remediation on receiving water quality.Ope

Design of understeer characteristics through torque vectoring on a lumped-parameter full vehicle model

Active safety systems play a fundamental role in improving stability and safety performance of modern passenger cars. Within this context, Torque vectoring (TV) represents one of the most promising technologies for the improvement of vehicle dynamics performance. This paper proposes a TV-based Direct Yaw Moment Control (DYC) strategy aimed at designing the vehicle understeering behaviour through a software simulation environment based on an efficient Lumped-Parameter Full Vehicle Model (LPFVM). Simulation results show that the vehicle is able to successfully follow a predetermined understeer characteristic

Delay in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a survey in the Lazio region, Italy

OBJECTIVE: To estimate patient and health care delays in the diagnosis of PTB and to evaluate associated factors. METHODS: PTB incident cases ≥18 years diagnosed between September 2010 and September 2011 in the Lazio region; information on symptoms and date of onset, health professionals contacts, diagnostic exams performed, and drugs prescribed before diagnosis were collected through a standardized questionnaire. The total delay (TD) was divided into patient delay (PD: from symptoms onset to first contact with healthcare services) and health system delay (HSD: from first contact to diagnosis). RESULTS: 278 cases were evaluated. Median PD,HSD, and TD, were 31, 15, and 77.5 days, respectively. The median PD, HSD, and TD were significantly lower in foreign born patients (26, 10.5, 63.5, vs. 45, 36, 100 days, respectively). Other factors independently associated with longer delay were: absence of fever and presence of weight loss for PD; prior unspecific treatment, absence of cough, consult with a general practitioner, visit to an outpatient clinic, and a PD <30 days for HSD. CONCLUSIONS: In Italy, the delay in TB diagnosis is similar to that estimated in other European countries. Results indicate that actions aimed to reduce diagnostic delay should be primarily addressed to Italian patients

Description of two measles outbreaks in the Lazio Region, Italy (2006-2007). Importance of pockets of low vaccine coverage in sustaining the infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the launch of the national plan for measles elimination, in Italy, immunization coverage remains suboptimal and outbreaks continue to occur. Two measles outbreaks, occurred in Lazio region during 2006-2007, were investigated to identify sources of infection, transmission routes, and assess operational implications for elimination of the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from several sources, the routine infectious diseases surveillance system, field epidemiological investigations, and molecular genotyping of virus by the national reference laboratory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall 449 cases were reported, sustained by two different stereotypes overlapping for few months. Serotype D4 was likely imported from Romania by a Roma/Sinti family and subsequently spread to the rest of the population. Serotype B3 was responsible for the second outbreak which started in a secondary school. Pockets of low vaccine coverage individuals (Roma/Sinti communities, high school students) facilitated the reintroduction of serotypes not endemic in Italy and facilitated the measles infection to spread.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Communities with low vaccine coverage represent a more serious public health threat than do sporadic susceptible individuals. The successful elimination of measles will require additional efforts to immunize low vaccine coverage population groups, including hard-to-reach individuals, adolescents, and young adults. An enhanced surveillance systems, which includes viral genotyping to document chains of transmission, is an essential tool for evaluating strategy to control and eliminate measles</p