The effect of parathyroid hormone (1-84) treatment on serum bone morphogenetic protein 4 and vascular endothelial growth factor in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of 18 months' parathyroid hormone 1-84 (PTH 1-84) treatment on serum levels of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis. METHODS: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age 72.9 ± 8.1 years old) and 23 healthy controls (mean age 68.9 ± 9.9 years old) were enrolled. Patients were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of PTH (1-84) 100 mcg for 18 months, plus calcium 1 gr and vitamin D 800 IU per os daily. Blood samples were taken every 6 months during the study. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences considering anthropometric parameters, co-morbidities, current medications used between patients and controls. Mean serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in osteoporotic patients compared to controls (436.7 ± 259.7 vs. 260.3 ± 184.3 pg/ml, p = 0.006), while there were no differences in mean serum values of BMP4 (5.3 ± 1.7 vs. 5.7 ± 1.6 pg/ml, p = 0.40). Serum VEGF levels increased by approximately 20% after 12 months of PTH (1-84) treatment compared to baseline (p = 0.03) and by 22% after 18 months (p = 0.01). A significant increase of 10% in mean serum BMP4 levels was observed after 18 months of PTH (1-84) treatment compared to baseline (p = 0.02). In the control group we found no differences after 18 months compared to baseline in BMP4 (5.7 ± 1.6 vs. 6.0 ± 1.5 pg/ml, p = 0.53) and VEGF (260.3 ± 184.3 vs. 257.4 ± 107.1 pg/ml, p = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: PTH (1-84) treatment increased serum levels of VEGF and BMP4 in postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis.

ABO/Secretor genetic complex and susceptibility to asthma in childhood.

A positive association has recently been reported in adult subjects between O/nonSecretor phenotype and asthma. To confirm this association, this study investigated the joint ABO/Secretor phenotype in a cohort of 165 asthmatic children. Three-hundred and sixty-two consecutive newborn infants from the same population were also studied as controls. The proportion of O/nonSecretor in asthmatic children was higher than in controls, thus confirming the association found in adults. The association was more marked in males than in females. In males, the pattern of association between the joint ABO/Secretor phenotype and asthma is dependent on the age at on-set of symptoms. Since the oligosaccharide composition of cell membrane and mucosal secretions is controlled by the cooperative interaction of ABO and Secretor genes, and since such composition influences the adhesion of infectious agents, the age pattern could reflect a more general interaction between developmental maturation and oligosaccharide structure concerning their effects on susceptibility to viral and bacterial agents.

DNA polymorphisms of apolipoprotein B and angiotensin I-converting enzyme genes and relationships with lipid levels in Italian patients with vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

The distribution of three DNA polymorphisms (XbaI, EcoRI, and I/D) of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, and of the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene was investigated in 53 patients with vascular dementia, in 80 patients with late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease, and in 153 age-matched control subjects. Furthermore, plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in the three groups and the involvement of the genetic variation at APOB locus on lipid levels was determined. Major findings of this work are (1) no genotype or allele of the polymorphisms examined here seemed to be associated with vascular dementia or with Alzheimer's disease, (2) total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were lower in Alzheimer's disease patients than in vascular dementia patients and in elderly controls, and (3) the dementia patients with APOB EcoRI R+R- genotype had higher total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than R+R+ homozygotes.

[Obesity and hypercholesterolemia in a primary school in Rome]. / Obesità ed ipercolesterolemia in una scuola elementare romana.

The research in particular the incidence of obesity, hypertension and hyperlipemia was evaluated involved 201 primary school children. The results show an obesity percentage equal to 28%; 23% of the young were hypercholesterolic and 21% had hypertriglyceridemia. Nobody was hypertensioned. The high percentage of obese and hjperlipemic subjects suggest the immediate needs of Courses of alimentary education in schools, as well as to resort to sound daily sporting activity.

Transmission line analysis of noncylindrical birdcage resonators.

Transmission line theory, validated for the standard cylindrical birdcage coil, has been employed for the analysis of a rectangular birdcage resonator which is useful for MR imaging of the hand. Due to lack of cylindrical symmetry in the rectangular coil, RF field uniformity was evaluated and found to be critically dependent upon the choice of column from which the coil was linearly driven. Effective L1 and L2 inductance elements were determined using known formulas for self and mutual inductance contributions, and compensation of the different inductance elements of the hand coil was performed to produce cylindrically symmetric birdcage current patterns. RF field mapping using the Biot-Savart law demonstrated a rectangular coil sensitivity 22% greater than a comparable cylindrical version. MR hand and wrist images were acquired using the rectangular birdcage coil. In addition, transmission line analysis was extended to other noncylindrical birdcage geometries.

Use of transmission line analysis for multi-tuning of birdcage resonators.

A general analysis for double- and higher order tuning of birdcage resonators is presented based on a lumped element transmission line model. Expressions were developed for the determination of the resonant frequencies of bandstop and bandpass birdcage coils and, with specific restrictions, for capacitor values required to obtain any two desired mode one resonant frequencies. Experimental measurements on three variants each of an eight-column bandstop and an eight-column bandpass were in excellent agreement with theory; the average absolute frequency difference and percent deviation were 1.51 +/- 1.57 MHz and 2.61 +/- 2.36%, respectively. In addition, 31P and 1H phantom images were obtained at 2.0 T using a representative bandstop coil.

Experimental design and fabrication of birdcage resonators for magnetic resonance imaging.

Although the birdcage resonator has been theoretically described for single- and multinuclear operation, this study provides the basic experimental guidelines needed for the fabrication and testing of such coils for various geometries and resonant frequencies from 10 to 95 MHz. The correlation of coil dimensions and resonant frequencies with individual inductance elements, L1 and L2, is also shown. Experimentally derived algorithms are presented for the determination of the capacitance needed for low-pass resonators based on measurements of the coil's "global" inductance. Ten low-pass birdcage coils with eight legs were evaluated and their four resonant frequencies were within 4% of theoretical predictions.

Diabetic pregnancy: evidence of selection on the Rh blood group system.

The blood glucose levels of pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the blood glucose levels of newborns during the first few hours of life show an association with maternal Rh genotype. Distortions of joint maternal-fetal Rh phenotype distribution have also been observed. Because a cluster of genes involved in glycide metabolism is located on the short arm of chromosome 1, the present observations may reflect the action of these genes.

Explicit treatment of mutual inductance in eight-column birdcage resonators.

A formulation has been developed for the determination of self and mutual inductances in unloaded, eight-column symmetric birdcage coils using their expected resonant mode current patterns and well-known inductance formulas. The average frequency differences between theory and experiment for mode one resonances for nine low-pass coils were 0.66 (+/- 0.57) MHz and 2.14 (+/- 2.08) MHz using effective (self plus mutual) and self inductances, respectively, and similarly, for three high-pass coils, 1.19 (+/- 0.56) MHz and 2.79 (+/- 2.20) MHz. These frequency differences were more pronounced for the higher modes; for mode four, the differences neglecting mutual inductance were 14.30 (+/- 11.10) MHz and 10.42 (+/- 4.60) MHz for the low- and high-pass coils, respectively. This analysis provides the first explicit evaluation of the total end-ring and column inductances L1 and L2 within each birdcage section at resonance with resulting excellent agreement in resonant frequencies between theory and experiment.

Distribution of ORM1, C6, C7 and APO C-II allele frequencies in populations from mainland Italy and Sardinia.

The genetic variation of the human plasma proteins ORM1, C6, C7 and APO C-II was investigated by isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting in populations from mainland Italy and Sardinia. The frequencies of ORM1*1 were 0.621 and 0.564, while those of C6*A were 0.657 and 0.706 on mainland Italy and in Sardinia, respectively. In the Roman sample, 8 heterozygotes with C6 variant alleles were encountered, while none were observed in Sardinians. For C7 and APO C-II a number of heterozygotes with the rare alleles C7*2 and APO C-II*2 were found, but their frequency did not reach polymorphic levels in either population. The two populations showed a significant difference in the gene frequencies distribution for ORM1.

Genetic polymorphisms of the A and B subunits of human coagulation factor XIII in mainland Italy and Sardinia: description of a new FXIIIA variant allele.

The distribution of the two alleles of FXIIIA and the three alleles of FXIIIB were studied in populations from mainland Italy and from Sardinia. The frequencies of the FXIIIA*2 allele were 0.266 and 0.265. The frequencies of FXIIIB*1 were 0.787 and 0.765; of B*2, 0.070 and 0.094; of B*3, 0.143 and 0.141. A new cathodal FXIIIA allele (A*7) was described in the Rome sample. No significant difference in the distribution of allele frequencies for either system was found between the two populations studied. For typing both markers, good results were also obtained by using whole blood instead of plasma.

Generalized electrical analysis of low-pass and high-pass birdcage resonators.

The radio-frequency 'birdcage resonator' has found wide use in MRI/MRS for its field homogeneity and signal-noise characteristics. This paper presents a general analysis, derived from lumped element transmission line theory, of the electrical behavior of unloaded, N-column birdcage resonators applicable to several versions of the basic design including low-pass and high-pass coils. Analytic expressions and computer results are presented for both types of coil describing resonant frequencies, input and characteristic impedances, dispersion relations, pass-bands, resonant peak bandwidth and Q. Theoretical expressions for normalized resonant frequency difference ratios independent of element values and resonator geometry have been developed for generic low- and high-pass coils. Experimental measurements of resonant frequencies were made for six coils, and the average agreement with theoretical predictions was approximately 4%.

Intravenous immunoglobulin in immune neutropenia.

Three patients with immune neutropenia successfully treated with high dose intravenous IgG (IV IgG) are described. In the first case, the neutropenia had not responded to standard steroid therapy; in the second case, very high doses of steroids were required in order to obtain and maintain remission. In the last case, the steroids were contraindicated because of an underlying immunologic disorder. We suggest that these 3 forms of immune neutropenia might be a good indication for IV IgG treatment.

Immunologic follow-up of infants treated with granulocyte transfusion for neonatal sepsis.

The immunologic status and the occurrence of alloimmunization against granulocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, and red cells was evaluated in 33 babies who received granulocyte transfusion because of neonatal sepsis. Nine age-matched babies were examined as control. A first group of 19 infants was examined only once between 6 and 23 months of age. Alloantibodies were searched by the following serologic methods: standard techniques for red cell antibodies; lymphocytotoxicity test; agglutination and immunofluorescence tests on granulocytes and platelets. No antibodies were demonstrated. The immunologic profile was investigated by determining the Ig levels, the percentage of E rosette-forming cells, and the lymphocyte blastic response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. Granulocyte function was studied by phagocytosis and killing of Candida. No significant differences were observed between treated and control babies. In a second group of 14 infants the occurrence of early immunization within 3 to 9 weeks after the last transfusion was investigated. No evidence of early immunization was found. The present data suggest that following neonatal granulocyte transfusion the risk of adverse immune reactions should be low.

Relationship between human serum placental alkaline phosphatase and the ABo and Rh compatibility status in pregnancy.

458 unrelated healthy women at various gestational ages were examined for serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSALP) activity. The sample was subdivided into four groups according to the compatibility mating type in the ABO and Rh systems: double compatible, ABO incompatible, Rh incompatible and double incompatible. The results confirm the exponential growth of serum placental isoenzyme as a function of gestational age and show that the moment of appearance of the placental isoenzyme is six weeks earlier in double incompatible matings.

Serum haptoglobin appearance during neonatal period is associated with acid phosphatase (ACP1) phenotype.

Erythrocyte acid phosphatase (ACP1) is a polymorphic enzyme found in many tissues and acts in vivo as a flavin-mononucleotide phosphatase. We have recently observed a relation between this enzyme and length of gestation. The present study shows that the pattern of appearance of serum haptoglobin during the neonatal period is associated with ACP1 phenotype suggesting some important function of this polymorphic enzyme in human development.

Intrauterine death: an approach to the analysis of genetic heterogeneity.

A study of survival time of zygotes in utero and the relationship with parental phenotype of a series of genetic polymorphisms was carried out in 41 couples with habitual abortion. Variability of intrauterine survival time was found to be much higher between families than within families suggesting that several genetic entities contribute to the condition clinically defined as habitual abortion. Significant differences of survival time were found in relation to the length of the paternal Y chromosome and to the maternal phenotypes of PGM1 and Ss. These observations are in line with previous data suggesting intrauterine selection in these polymorphisms. Further studies of the timing of intrauterine death in relation to 'normal' genetic polymorphisms may help to clarify the aetiology of spontaneous fetal loss.

Adenosine deaminase polymorphism. Associations at clinical level suggest a role in cell functions and immune reactions.

It is well known that subjects homozygous for a rare silent allele of ADA may experience a severe combined immunodeficiency. By analogy we have investigated the possible relationship of normal ADA polymorphism with some situations, such as reproductive defects and fetomaternal interactions, in which immunological mechanisms may play an important role. A total of 572 consecutive newborns, 93 consecutive low birthweight infants, 46 couples with unexplained habitual abortion, and 24 couples with unexplained sterility were studied. The proportion of ADA 2-1 phenotype was reduced in couples with reproductive defects. In the sample of consecutive newborns the proportion of ABO incompatible babies was higher among ADA 2-1 than among ADA 1 types. ADA 2-1 phenotype was also associated with a reduction in the variability of gestational length. These associations were much more marked among male than among female babies. The proportion of ADA 2-1 was significantly lower in low birthweight infants than in the consecutively studied infants and normal adults. The present data suggest that biochemical variability resulting from the normal ADA polymorphism may be, at least in part, responsible for the variability of some immunological functions and related physiological variables and pathological conditions. They also provide evidence in favour of a selective advantage of ADA heterozygotes.