Search results for "Positive"

Determining a healthy reference range and factors potentially influencing PRO-C3 – A biomarker of liver fibrosis

2021

Background & Aims Progressive fibrosis has been identified as the major predictor of mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several biomarkers are currently being evaluated for their ability to substitute the liver biopsy as the reference standard. Recent clinical studies in NAFLD/NASH patients support the utility of PRO-C3, a marker of type III collagen formation, as a marker for the degree of fibrosis, disease activity, and effect of treatment. Here we establish the healthy reference range, optimal sample handling conditions for both short- and long-term serum storage, and robustness for the PRO-C3 assay. Methods PRO-C3 was measured in 269 healthy volunteers…

Loss of Nrf2 in bone marrow-derived macrophages impairs antigen-driven CD8+ T cell function by limiting GSH and Cys availability

2015

NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), known to protect against reactive oxygen species, has recently been reported to resolve acute inflammatory responses in activated macrophages. Consequently, disruption of Nrf2 promotes a proinflammatory macrophage phenotype. In the current study, we addressed the impact of this macrophage phenotype on CD8(+) T cell activation by using an antigen-driven coculture model consisting of Nrf2(-/-) and Nrf2(+/+) bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMΦ) and transgenic OT-1 CD8(+) T cells. OT-1 CD8(+) T cells encode a T cell receptor that specifically recognizes MHC class I-presented ovalbumin OVA(257-264) peptide, thereby causing a downstream T cell activation. Interes…

Behavior Modification of Nanostructured PbO₂ Electrodes in Lead Acid Batteries Changing Electrolyte Concentration and Separator

2019

Currently, lead acid battery is extensively investigated owing to its prevalent use as a starting-lighting and ignition device. An essential role for electrochemical reactions is played by the surface area available for conversion reactions and a possible approach is the use of nanostructured electrodes. In this work, lead dioxide nanostructured electrodes were tested in order to investigate the dependence of the charge and discharge behaviour on some parameters such as electrolyte concentration, and a new type of thin separator. In this last case, it is possible to reduce the size of the cell by using a very thin separator comparable to the nanostructured electrode thickness. Besides, a lo…

Positive Law and Natural Law

2005

Si espongono i tre aspetti principali in cui si articolano i rapporti tra diritto naturale e il diritto positivo.

THE INTERPRETAZION OF DIAGNOSTIC TEST: A PRIMER OF ALLERGIST. PRICIPLES OF EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE TO OBTAIN A PRECISE DIAGNOSIS

2008

Nurses' experiences by using heated humidified high flow cannula to premature infants versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure

2016

Abstract Background Some premature infants are now being treated with heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) instead of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Purpose To explore nurses' experiences of using HHHFNC compared with nCPAP for premature infants. Method Six qualitative in-depth interviews were completed with nurses at two different newborn intensive care units. Results Preterm infants showed greater satisfaction with HHHFNC than nasal continuous positive airway pressure. HHHFNC was also associated with fewer pressure injuries and less facial discomfort, and an increased bonding between baby and parent. However, HHHFNC gave less ventilation support than nCPA…

Oncologic outcome and continence recovery after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: 3 years' follow-up in a "second generation center".

2006

Objectiues: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in major centers guarantees oncologic and functional results equal to open procedures. In our institution this operation was introduced in 2001 after an adequate training in laparoscopic surgery. We report the oncologic and functional results after 3 years of experience.Methods: We considered our first 150 patients that had undergone transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The following parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed: pathological findings, surgical margins, surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, catheterization, complications, oncologic follow-up and continence.Results: Single positive surgical margins were…

2015

High-throughput detection of protein interactions has had a major impact in our understanding of the intricate molecular machinery underlying the living cell, and has permitted the construction of very large protein interactomes. The protein networks that are currently available are incomplete and a significant percentage of their interactions are false positives. Fortunately, the structural properties observed in good quality social or technological networks are also present in biological systems. This has encouraged the development of tools, to improve the reliability of protein networks and predict new interactions based merely on the topological characteristics of their components. Sinc…

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities in Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet essential oils

2006

Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet is a widespread Lamiacea in the Mediterranean region used in traditional medicine. Essential oils were antibacterial against nine ATCC and as many clinically isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Antibacterial activity was also found against Helicobacter pylori: a dose-dependant inhibition was shown between 5 and 25 microg/ml. The antibacterial activity of the oils was expressed as MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MBCs (minimum bactericidal concentrations). At a concentration between 3.9 and 250 microg/ml the oils showed a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In …

Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, affects function of dendritic cells and induction of primary immune responses

2008

AbstractThe tyrosine kinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib are approved for the treatment of patients with malignant diseases. To analyze the possible use of these compounds in combination with immunotherapeutic approaches, we analyzed the effects of both inhibitors on the immunostimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and the induction of primary immune responses in vivo. Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, inhibits function of DCs, characterized by reduced secretion of cytokines and expression of CD1a, major histocompatibility complex, and costimulatory molecules in response to TLR ligands as well as by their impaired ability to migrate and stimulate T-cell responses. These inhib…