Carbon nanotubes toxicology and effects on metabolism and immunological modification in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this research is focused on the biological effects of multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on three different human cell types, laboratory animals in vivo, and immunological effects. Large numbers of researchers are directly involved in the handling of nanostructured materials such as MWCNTs and nanoparticles. It is important to assess the potential health risks related to their daily exposure to carbon nanotubes. The administration of sterilized nanosamples has been performed on laboratory animals, in both acute and chronic administration, and the pathological effects on the parenchymal tissues have been investigated. We studied the serum immunological modifications after intraperitoneal administration of the MWCNTs. We did not observe any antigenic reaction; the screening of ANA, anti-ENA, anti-cardiolipin, C-ANCA and P-ANCA was negative. No quantitative modification of immunoglobulins was observed, hence no modification of humoral immunity was documented. We also studied the effects of MWCNTs on the proliferation of three different cell types. MCF-7 showed a significant inhibition of proliferation for all conditions studied, whereas hSMCs demonstrated a reduction of cell growth only for the highest MWCNTs concentrations after 72 h. Also, no growth modification was observed in the Caco-2 cell line. We observed that a low quantity of MWCNTs does not provoke any inflammatory reaction. However, for future medical applications, it is important to realize prosthesis based on MWCNTs, through studying the corresponding implantation effects. Moreover, it has to be emphasized that this investigation does not address, at the moment, the carcinogenicity of MWCNTs, which requires a detailed follow-up investigation on the specific topic. In view of the subsequent and more extensive use of MWCNTs, especially in applications where carbon nanotubes are injected into the human body for drug delivery, as a contrast agent carrying entities for MRI, or as the basic material of a new prosthesis generation, more extended tests and experiments are necessary. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd

Trichomonas vaginalis infection: risk indicators among women attending for routine gynecologic examination.

none5OBJECTIVES: Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common agents of sexually transmitted disease, but trichomoniasis is still considered as an infection of minor importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk indicators for trichomoniasis in women attending for routine gynecologic examination. METHODS: The study was conducted comparing demographic and behavioral characteristics in two groups of 122 women with T. vaginalis infection and 853 uninfected women. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed a significant increase of T. vaginalis infection among women with older age and multiple sexual partners. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the higher number of lifetime partners and older age remained significantly associated with T. vaginalis infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that T. vaginalis infection might be mainly related to lifestyle risk factors. Therefore, in our opinion, the diagnosis and treatment of this disease should be encouraged on routine gynecologic examination.mixedVerteramo R; Calzolari E; Degener AM; Masciangelo R; Patella A.Verteramo, R; Calzolari, E; Degener, Am; Masciangelo, R; Patella, Alfred

Correlation between posterior offset of femoral condyles and sagittal slope of tibial plateau.

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at assessing, in normal knees, the variability of posterior offset of femoral condyles and tibial slope and the presence of any correlation between the two which might be needed to achieve an adequate joint motion in flexion. Magnetic resonance images of normal knees of 80 subjects, 45 males and 35 females, with a mean age of 38.9 years, were analysed. Measurements were performed by two independent observers using an imaging visualization software. The tibial slope averaged 8° and 7.7°, on the medial and lateral side, respectively (p= 0.2); the mean posterior offset of femoral condyles was 27.4 and 25.2 mm on the two sides, respectively (p=0.0001). The variation coefficient of the condylar offset and tibial slope was 11.5% and 38%, respectively. In the medial compartment, a significant correlation was found between the femoral condylar offset and the tibial slope, while the same was not observed in the lateral compartment of the knee. Magnetic resonance imaging allows the assessment of tibial slope and femoral condylar offset in the medial and lateral side separately, taking into account any difference between the two compartments. The sagittal tibial slope exhibits a greater variability compared to the posterior offset of femoral condyles. The correlation found, in the medial compartment, between the tibial slope and femoral condylar offset suggests that the reconstitution of the proper morphology of the posterior part of the knee joint may be necessary to obtain a full range of motion in flexion after total knee replacement

Blood pressure load, proteinuria and renal function in pre-hypertensive children

It is as yet unclear whether blood pressure load (BPL) can affect renal function in pre-hypertensive children. We have studied 250 children, with a mean age of 9.12 \ub1 3.28 years, with the aim of assessing if pre-hypertension in children can indeed affect renal function. The study cohort consisted of 146 children with pre-hypertension (group P) and a control group of 104 children with normal blood pressure (group C). All children were tested for orthostatic proteinuria, an exclusion criterion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and proteinuria, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed. Based on the BPL, group P was further subdivided into group P1 (BPL 64 40%, low BPL) and group P2 (BPL > 40%, high BPL). We found that GFR was reduced in pre-hypertensive children(90.74\ub148.69 vs. 110.32\ub120.30 ml/min per 1.73 m2, p<0.0001) and that proteinuria was increased (145.36\ub1110.91 vs. 66.84\ub142.94 mg/m2 per 24 h; p<0.0001). However, mean values were still within normal limits. A comparison of the group with high BPL and that with low BPL revealed that the former had relatively reduced GFR (79.15\ub142.04 vs. 96.78\ub151.20 ml/min per 1.73 m2; p<0.006) and increased proteinuria (198.29\ub1142.17 vs. 118.31\ub180.07 mg/m2 per 24 h; p< 0.036). In comparison to the reference values of the normal population, the GFR was reduced and proteinuria was increased in the group with high BPL. Based on our results, pre-hypertension in children with high BPL seems to be associated with reduced GFR and increased proteinuria. A reasonable doubt remains that the patients with higher proteinuria and larger reduction of GFR may harbor an as yet unknown subclinical renal condition responsible for the onset of pre-hypertension. Therefore, children with even mildly elevated BP are at risk of developing renal damage and should change their lifestyle to prevent further increases in BP