Mauro Zamboni - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mauro Zamboni

Maturitas, 1991

ABSTRACT The study was performed on 289 female patients (aged 20-60) of a family doctor in Castel... more ABSTRACT The study was performed on 289 female patients (aged 20-60) of a family doctor in Castel D'Azzano, a small town near Verona. The following variables were considered: body mass index (BMI), tricepital, subscapular, hypomesogastric, epimesogastric, supra-iliacal and epitrochanteric skinfolds, waist, umbilical and bitrochanteric circumferences, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glycemia, uricemia and blood pressure. A significant worsening with age was observed in the mean values of the variables. This worsening was particularly evident in women over 50. The population was subdivided according to presence or absence of menopause; the two groups were then matched for age. None of the variables showed significant differences. Our results did not confirm any of the many effects that menopause is supposed to have regarding metabolic and blood pressure alterations.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2011

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), Nov 1, 2017

The role of peritumoral adipose tissue (AT) has not been extensively studied in colorectal cancer... more The role of peritumoral adipose tissue (AT) has not been extensively studied in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was conducted in 20 male subjects undergoing elective surgery for CRC. The differences between the peritumoral visceral adipose tissue (P-VAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of the patients were described via immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analyses. The interactions between adipocytes and a colon cancer cell line were also investigated by using an in vitro coculture system. The analyses revealed that adipocytes near the tumor were significantly smaller than the adipocytes from other sites. The P-VAT was preferentially infiltrated by a CD68+/CD163+/IDO- macrophage subset with a prevalent reparative inflammatory response, while the macrophages identified in VAT and SAT mainly presented inflammatory features. Furthermore, the P-VAT presented a higher expression of adiponectin compared with other sites. Morphological analy...

European journal of preventive cardiology, Sep 1, 2017

Background Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between neck circumference and c... more Background Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between neck circumference and cardiometabolic risk. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between neck circumference, waist circumference, metabolic variables and arterial stiffness in a group of overweight and obese subjects evaluating a possible independent role of neck circumference in determining arterial stiffness. Methods and results We studied 95 subjects (53 women) with an age range of 20-77 years and body mass index range from 25.69 to 47.04 kg/m(2). In each subject we evaluated body mass index, waist, hip and neck circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, insulin, fasting glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVcr). Both PWVcf and PWVcr were higher in subjects with high values of neck circumferen...

Aging clinical and experimental research, Jan 14, 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) in patien... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) in patients with different degrees of chronic renal failure (CRF), treated with therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparin. This prospective study evaluated the effect of age, renal function, BMI, gender, in determining the efficacy and safety of treatment with enoxaparin, evaluated by assessing the anti-Xa. The therapeutic anticoagulant range was set between 0.20 and 0.70 U/mL. Two hospital geriatric units. 98 patients (64 men, 34 women, mean age 82 years) with CRF, treated with enoxaparin at therapeutic dosage, for deep vein thrombosis or acute coronary syndrome. Anti-Xa was assessed 4 h after the third administration of LMWH using Chromogenix test. Renal function was assessed by calculating creatinine clearance according to Cockcroft formula. The dose of enoxaparin ranged between 53 and 200 U/kg; total 4000-16000 U/day. The mean anti-Xa was 0.41 U/mL (95% CI 0.36-0.45). Multiple regress...

The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, Jan 8, 2017

There are relatively few prospective studies evaluating the combined effect of abdominal obesity ... more There are relatively few prospective studies evaluating the combined effect of abdominal obesity and low muscle strength on mortality, hospitalization, and incident disability. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the prognostic value of dynapenic abdominal obesity on incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality in the population of the InCHIANTI study. In 370 men and 476 women aged between 65 and 95 years, handgrip strength, waist circumference (WC), body mass index, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, education, medications, smoking status, and comorbidities were evaluated at the baseline. Difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-year follow-ups, using a standardized questionnaire. Hospitalization and mortality rates were evaluated during an 11-year follow-up. The study population was categorized as nondynapenic nonabdominal obese (ND/NAO, reference group), dynapenic nonabdominal obese (D/NAO), ...

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 2017

Lipid droplets are cellular organelles that regulate the storage and hydrolysis of neutral lipids... more Lipid droplets are cellular organelles that regulate the storage and hydrolysis of neutral lipids. The dynamic of lipid droplets (LDs), during the differentiation process from fibroblast-like cells into adipocyte, is strictly related to the lipid storage in cells. The number and size of the LDs depends on the lipidic or lipolytic stimulations to which the cells are exposed. Here, we propose a computational approach to study the processes regulating the LDs' number and growth/reduction in size using Monte Carlo simulations. The number and size of LDs are measured before and after experimental treatment in 3T3-L1 cell cultures. The algorithms simulating the evolution from basal to differentiate (lipidic or lipolytic) conditions are here detailed step by step. The algorithms can mimic thousand interacting events between LDs or squeezing/enlargement events of a single LD in a very brief computational time, from seconds up to few minutes. The main processes regulating the interactions between LDs are here presented, and for each of them, all the needed information to re-write the computational routine are provided. More specifically, the results obtained, analyzing the fusion process between LDs, are here presented. Here, we would like to supply the basis to explore the dynamics of lipid storage in cells with a computational approach and to encourage the applications of numerical simulation to cell studies.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2016

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2007

Digestive Diseases, Feb 1, 2007

Oncotarget, Jan 6, 2016

A significant epidemiological association between obesity and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (P... more A significant epidemiological association between obesity and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has previously been described, as well as a correlation between the degree of pancreatic steatosis, PDAC risk and prognosis. The underlying mechanisms are still not completely known.After co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and MiaPaCa2 with an in vitro transwell system we observed the appearance of fibroblast-like cells, along with a decrease in number and size of remaining adipocytes. RT-PCR analyses of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in co-culture showed a decrease in gene expression of typical markers of mature adipocytes, in parallel with an increased expression of fibroblast-specific and reprogramming genes. We found an increased WNT5a gene and protein expression early in MiaPaCa2 cells in co-culture. Additionally, EMSA of c-Jun and AP1 in 3T3-L1 demonstrated an increased activation in adipocytes after co-culture. Treatment with WNT5a neutralizing antibody completely reverted the activation of ...

Drugs & Aging, 2015

The most recent international documents on the management and therapy of chronic obstructive pulm... more The most recent international documents on the management and therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in addition to long-acting bronchodilators as maintenance treatment for patients at high risk of exacerbations, namely patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of <50 % predicted and/or more than one exacerbation per year. However, ICS are widely used in up to 70 % of COPD patients, including those at low risk of exacerbations. In recent years, concerns about the potential adverse effects of this drug category have been raised, and both observational and clinical studies have shown that elderly subjects with COPD treated with ICS are at high risk of developing cataracts and diabetes and more severe and life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, aging is characterized by memory impairment, decline in muscle strength and body mass impaired coordination, as well as alterations in eyesight and hearing that can impede proper use of devices currently available for ICS administration. Thus, regular use of ICS in more elderly patients with COPD should follow guideline recommendations, be considered with caution, and be based upon carefully weighing up expected benefits with the risk of undesired, adverse effects.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, Jan 17, 2015

Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid dro... more Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid droplets (LDs). To compare myocardial steatosis between subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD and non-CAD) and to identify which cells contain LDs. Body mass index, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA index, leptin, adiponectin and hs-CRP were evaluated in CAD and non-CAD subjects. Biopsies were collected from right atrial myocardium. Immunohistochemistry for perilipin (PLIN) 1 and 2 was used to characterize LDs and their localization respectively in adipocytes or myocardial cells. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis and HIF1 alpha were obtained in a subgroup of subjects. Hospitalized patients Patients: Male subjects consecutively undergoing elective cardiac surgery either for coronary bypass grafting (CAD, n= 23) or for valve replacement (non-CAD, n=18). Myocardial steatosis. PLIN1 and PLIN2 resulted significantly higher in CAD than in non-CAD subjects, as well as apoptosis; ...

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid dro... more Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid droplets (LDs). To compare myocardial steatosis between subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD and non-CAD) and to identify which cells contain LDs. Body mass index, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA index, leptin, adiponectin and hs-CRP were evaluated in CAD and non-CAD subjects. Biopsies were collected from right atrial myocardium. Immunohistochemistry for perilipin (PLIN) 1 and 2 was used to characterize LDs and their localization respectively in adipocytes or myocardial cells. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis and HIF1 alpha were obtained in a subgroup of subjects. Hospitalized patients Patients: Male subjects consecutively undergoing elective cardiac surgery either for coronary bypass grafting (CAD, n= 23) or for valve replacement (non-CAD, n=18). Myocardial steatosis. PLIN1 and PLIN2 resulted significantly higher in CAD than in non-CAD subjects, as well as apoptosis; ...

PURPOSE To test the intra- and inter-reader reproducibility for measuring macroscopic fatty infil... more PURPOSE To test the intra- and inter-reader reproducibility for measuring macroscopic fatty infiltration in the erector spinae muscle, as a preliminary test to using the technique for clinical research studies. METHOD AND MATERIALS Institutional Review Board waived informed consent for this retrospective study. One radiologist and one clinician reviewed the images from a high resolution T1-w sequence (TR 450, TE 15, Matrix 512x512, FOV 240mm, GAP 0.4mm, Averages 2, Scan time 5.42s, Voxel Size 0.8x0.5x4.0mm) from the preoperative scans of 7 patients with spinal canal stenosis performed on a 1.5T scanner, and selected by consensus 1 image per patient. Each reader subsequently and separately analyzed the images using MIPAV (Medical Image Processing Analysis and Visualization; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA) and measured total area of the left and right erector spinae muscle (TA) and intermuscular adipose tissue area (IMAT; this was subjectively selected by the reader for ...

Clinical cases in mineral and bone metabolism : the official journal of the Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, and Skeletal Diseases

Aging is accompanied by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, called s... more Aging is accompanied by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, called sarcopenia. The mechanisms underlying the development of sarcopenia are not completely understood and most likely multi-factorial, but significant progress has been made over the past few years to identify some of the major contributors. Besides life style-related factors, as diet and physical activity, sarcopenia seems to be also determined by hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammatory status, ectopic adipose tissue accumulation, neurological and vascular changes associated with aging. The present mini-review focused on the basic factors that primarily impact muscle homeostasis in older subjects. A better understanding of cellular mechanism leading to sarcopenia is required to establish evidence-based intervention in order to prevent onset of symptoms associated with sarcopenia and to extend the time free from disability in older adults.

Experimental Cell Research, 2015

Lipid droplets (LD) are spherical cellular inclusion devoted to lipids storage. It is well known ... more Lipid droplets (LD) are spherical cellular inclusion devoted to lipids storage. It is well known that excessive accumulation of lipids leads to several human worldwide diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis. LDs' size range from fraction to one hundred of micrometers in adipocytes and is related to the lipid content, but their growth is still a puzzling question. It has been suggested that LDs can grow in size due to the fusion process by which a larger LD is obtained by the merging of two smaller LDs, but these events seems to be rare and difficult to be observed. Many other processes are thought to be involved in the number and growth of LDs, like the de novo formation and the growth through additional neutral lipid deposition in pre-existing droplets. Moreover the number and size of LDs are influenced by the catabolism and the absorption or interaction with other organelles. The comprehension of these processes could help in the confinement of the pathologies related to lipid accumulation. In this study the LDs' size distribution, number and the total volume of immature (n=12), mature (n=12, 10-days differentiated) and lipolytic (n=12) 3T3-L1 adipocytes were considered. More than 11,000 LDs were measured in the 36 cells after Oil Red O staining. In a previous work Monte Carlo simulations were used to mimic the fusion process alone between LDs. We found that, considering the fusion as the only process acting on the LDs, the size distribution in mature adipocytes can be obtained with numerical simulation starting from the size distribution in immature cells provided a very high rate of fusion events. In this paper Monte Carlo simulations were developed to mimic the interaction between LDs taking into account many other processes in addition to fusion (de novo formation and the growth through additional neutral lipid deposition in pre-existing droplets) in order to reproduce the LDs growth and we also simulated the catabolism (fission and the decrease through neutral lipid exit from pre-existing droplets) to reproduce their size reduction observed in lipolytic conditions. The results suggest that each single process, considered alone, can not be considered the only responsible for the size variation observed, but more than one of them, playing together, can quite well reproduce the experimental data.

Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 2002

Over the past decades, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a health condition identi... more Over the past decades, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a health condition identified by a cluster of risk factors linked to the development of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and some types of cancer, has dramatically increased in the world. The rising of MetS incidence and progression appear related to Westernization of dietary habits in the world, with a corresponding increase in the consumption of meat or meat products, snacks, baked desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages not only in the Western countries, but also in the Mediterranean region and among the Eastern populations. Otherwise epidemiological evidence suggests that a high dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains can improve all the risk factors related to MetS. Particularly adherence to the Mediterranean diet seems to have positive effects on the prevalence and progression of the MetS. In this article we reviewed cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and clinical trials, showing new evidence supporting the beneficial role of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern on the MetS progression. Analysis of the literature suggests that Mediterranean diet should be considered as a healthy and sustainable lifestyle playing a key role in primary and secondary prevention of MetS and its components. © 2015 ACT. All rights reserved.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1999

To the Editor: “The Nursing Home at Night” is an interesting article about the influence of noise... more To the Editor: “The Nursing Home at Night” is an interesting article about the influence of noise and light on sleep, a problem encountered frequently in most healthcare facilities. However, the methods used in the study to measure the sound levels are unclear to us. For example, the type of sound level meter used, an Aor C-weighted decibel (dB) scale recording, the ambient noise, and the distance of the source from the measured noise were not clearly specified. The authors’ description does not make clear whether disruptive vocalizers, which could be the source of the noise, were excluded. The noise in this study exceeded 90+ dBs at several nighttime intervals. which is quite intriguing because such a high noise level is equivalent to industrial levels.’ It would be interesting to know how routine incontinence care could have contributed to such excessive noise. We conducted a study to measure the ambient noise level in a nursing home. In our study, we noted that the background noise levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended average of 45 dB in daytime and 35 dB at night. In our observation, persons talking in a normal tone of voice produced a maximum of 55 dBs of noise measured at 2 feet distance using an A-weighted dB scale. Maximum levels of noise did not exceed 70 dBs even with the use of a floor waxing machine or a vacuum cleaner. These inconsistent sound level results in different studies could be the result of the various techniques used in recording them. It is worth mentioning that the majority of older people, with their altered sleep patterns, are highly susceptible to the effects of even the slightest increase in noise. Health care providers must become aware of the hazards of excessive noise levels and should adapt measures to reduce it. However, if much of the noise is contributed by the residents themselves, how it can be reduced becomes a perplexing question.

Nutrition, 2015

Iron participates in several mechanisms involving inflammation and innate immunity, yet the dysre... more Iron participates in several mechanisms involving inflammation and innate immunity, yet the dysregulation of its homeostasis is a major cause of metabolic syndrome. Adipocytes should play a major role in iron metabolism, as an impairment in iron turnover is closely related to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iron in an in vitro-inflamed adipocyte model. Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, inflammatory chemokines (CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL12), and molecules involved in iron metabolism were evaluated in an in vitro mouse 3T3-L1 cell model. Cells underwent treatment with FeSO4 heptahydrate and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) membrane expression, lipid droplet immunohystochemistry, and lipolysis were also evaluated. Iron sulphate heptahydrate elicited gene expression of hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and ferroportin at different time courses. Additionally, it activated lipolysis but did not trigger any adipokine gene expression. When cells treated with physiological doses of iron were also stimulated with LPS, an enhancement in the LPS-induced gene expression of cytokines and chemokines was observed. The enhancement occurred with different patterns depending on different time courses and investigated genes, showing its maximal effect for IL-6 gene expression. FeSO4 heptahydrate at a relatively physiological dose, induced gene expression of iron modulatory proteins and also enhanced RNA transcripts of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines through a priming/synergistic mechanism involving membrane TLR4.

Maturitas, 1991

ABSTRACT The study was performed on 289 female patients (aged 20-60) of a family doctor in Castel... more ABSTRACT The study was performed on 289 female patients (aged 20-60) of a family doctor in Castel D'Azzano, a small town near Verona. The following variables were considered: body mass index (BMI), tricepital, subscapular, hypomesogastric, epimesogastric, supra-iliacal and epitrochanteric skinfolds, waist, umbilical and bitrochanteric circumferences, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glycemia, uricemia and blood pressure. A significant worsening with age was observed in the mean values of the variables. This worsening was particularly evident in women over 50. The population was subdivided according to presence or absence of menopause; the two groups were then matched for age. None of the variables showed significant differences. Our results did not confirm any of the many effects that menopause is supposed to have regarding metabolic and blood pressure alterations.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2011

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), Nov 1, 2017

The role of peritumoral adipose tissue (AT) has not been extensively studied in colorectal cancer... more The role of peritumoral adipose tissue (AT) has not been extensively studied in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was conducted in 20 male subjects undergoing elective surgery for CRC. The differences between the peritumoral visceral adipose tissue (P-VAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of the patients were described via immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analyses. The interactions between adipocytes and a colon cancer cell line were also investigated by using an in vitro coculture system. The analyses revealed that adipocytes near the tumor were significantly smaller than the adipocytes from other sites. The P-VAT was preferentially infiltrated by a CD68+/CD163+/IDO- macrophage subset with a prevalent reparative inflammatory response, while the macrophages identified in VAT and SAT mainly presented inflammatory features. Furthermore, the P-VAT presented a higher expression of adiponectin compared with other sites. Morphological analy...

European journal of preventive cardiology, Sep 1, 2017

Background Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between neck circumference and c... more Background Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between neck circumference and cardiometabolic risk. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between neck circumference, waist circumference, metabolic variables and arterial stiffness in a group of overweight and obese subjects evaluating a possible independent role of neck circumference in determining arterial stiffness. Methods and results We studied 95 subjects (53 women) with an age range of 20-77 years and body mass index range from 25.69 to 47.04 kg/m(2). In each subject we evaluated body mass index, waist, hip and neck circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, insulin, fasting glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVcr). Both PWVcf and PWVcr were higher in subjects with high values of neck circumferen...

Aging clinical and experimental research, Jan 14, 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) in patien... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) in patients with different degrees of chronic renal failure (CRF), treated with therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparin. This prospective study evaluated the effect of age, renal function, BMI, gender, in determining the efficacy and safety of treatment with enoxaparin, evaluated by assessing the anti-Xa. The therapeutic anticoagulant range was set between 0.20 and 0.70 U/mL. Two hospital geriatric units. 98 patients (64 men, 34 women, mean age 82 years) with CRF, treated with enoxaparin at therapeutic dosage, for deep vein thrombosis or acute coronary syndrome. Anti-Xa was assessed 4 h after the third administration of LMWH using Chromogenix test. Renal function was assessed by calculating creatinine clearance according to Cockcroft formula. The dose of enoxaparin ranged between 53 and 200 U/kg; total 4000-16000 U/day. The mean anti-Xa was 0.41 U/mL (95% CI 0.36-0.45). Multiple regress...

The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, Jan 8, 2017

There are relatively few prospective studies evaluating the combined effect of abdominal obesity ... more There are relatively few prospective studies evaluating the combined effect of abdominal obesity and low muscle strength on mortality, hospitalization, and incident disability. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the prognostic value of dynapenic abdominal obesity on incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality in the population of the InCHIANTI study. In 370 men and 476 women aged between 65 and 95 years, handgrip strength, waist circumference (WC), body mass index, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, education, medications, smoking status, and comorbidities were evaluated at the baseline. Difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-year follow-ups, using a standardized questionnaire. Hospitalization and mortality rates were evaluated during an 11-year follow-up. The study population was categorized as nondynapenic nonabdominal obese (ND/NAO, reference group), dynapenic nonabdominal obese (D/NAO), ...

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 2017

Lipid droplets are cellular organelles that regulate the storage and hydrolysis of neutral lipids... more Lipid droplets are cellular organelles that regulate the storage and hydrolysis of neutral lipids. The dynamic of lipid droplets (LDs), during the differentiation process from fibroblast-like cells into adipocyte, is strictly related to the lipid storage in cells. The number and size of the LDs depends on the lipidic or lipolytic stimulations to which the cells are exposed. Here, we propose a computational approach to study the processes regulating the LDs' number and growth/reduction in size using Monte Carlo simulations. The number and size of LDs are measured before and after experimental treatment in 3T3-L1 cell cultures. The algorithms simulating the evolution from basal to differentiate (lipidic or lipolytic) conditions are here detailed step by step. The algorithms can mimic thousand interacting events between LDs or squeezing/enlargement events of a single LD in a very brief computational time, from seconds up to few minutes. The main processes regulating the interactions between LDs are here presented, and for each of them, all the needed information to re-write the computational routine are provided. More specifically, the results obtained, analyzing the fusion process between LDs, are here presented. Here, we would like to supply the basis to explore the dynamics of lipid storage in cells with a computational approach and to encourage the applications of numerical simulation to cell studies.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2016

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2007

Digestive Diseases, Feb 1, 2007

Oncotarget, Jan 6, 2016

A significant epidemiological association between obesity and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (P... more A significant epidemiological association between obesity and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has previously been described, as well as a correlation between the degree of pancreatic steatosis, PDAC risk and prognosis. The underlying mechanisms are still not completely known.After co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and MiaPaCa2 with an in vitro transwell system we observed the appearance of fibroblast-like cells, along with a decrease in number and size of remaining adipocytes. RT-PCR analyses of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in co-culture showed a decrease in gene expression of typical markers of mature adipocytes, in parallel with an increased expression of fibroblast-specific and reprogramming genes. We found an increased WNT5a gene and protein expression early in MiaPaCa2 cells in co-culture. Additionally, EMSA of c-Jun and AP1 in 3T3-L1 demonstrated an increased activation in adipocytes after co-culture. Treatment with WNT5a neutralizing antibody completely reverted the activation of ...

Drugs & Aging, 2015

The most recent international documents on the management and therapy of chronic obstructive pulm... more The most recent international documents on the management and therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recommend inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in addition to long-acting bronchodilators as maintenance treatment for patients at high risk of exacerbations, namely patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of <50 % predicted and/or more than one exacerbation per year. However, ICS are widely used in up to 70 % of COPD patients, including those at low risk of exacerbations. In recent years, concerns about the potential adverse effects of this drug category have been raised, and both observational and clinical studies have shown that elderly subjects with COPD treated with ICS are at high risk of developing cataracts and diabetes and more severe and life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, aging is characterized by memory impairment, decline in muscle strength and body mass impaired coordination, as well as alterations in eyesight and hearing that can impede proper use of devices currently available for ICS administration. Thus, regular use of ICS in more elderly patients with COPD should follow guideline recommendations, be considered with caution, and be based upon carefully weighing up expected benefits with the risk of undesired, adverse effects.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, Jan 17, 2015

Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid dro... more Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid droplets (LDs). To compare myocardial steatosis between subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD and non-CAD) and to identify which cells contain LDs. Body mass index, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA index, leptin, adiponectin and hs-CRP were evaluated in CAD and non-CAD subjects. Biopsies were collected from right atrial myocardium. Immunohistochemistry for perilipin (PLIN) 1 and 2 was used to characterize LDs and their localization respectively in adipocytes or myocardial cells. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis and HIF1 alpha were obtained in a subgroup of subjects. Hospitalized patients Patients: Male subjects consecutively undergoing elective cardiac surgery either for coronary bypass grafting (CAD, n= 23) or for valve replacement (non-CAD, n=18). Myocardial steatosis. PLIN1 and PLIN2 resulted significantly higher in CAD than in non-CAD subjects, as well as apoptosis; ...

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid dro... more Fat may accumulate around the heart in epicardial adipose tissue or inside the heart as lipid droplets (LDs). To compare myocardial steatosis between subjects with and without coronary artery disease (CAD and non-CAD) and to identify which cells contain LDs. Body mass index, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA index, leptin, adiponectin and hs-CRP were evaluated in CAD and non-CAD subjects. Biopsies were collected from right atrial myocardium. Immunohistochemistry for perilipin (PLIN) 1 and 2 was used to characterize LDs and their localization respectively in adipocytes or myocardial cells. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis and HIF1 alpha were obtained in a subgroup of subjects. Hospitalized patients Patients: Male subjects consecutively undergoing elective cardiac surgery either for coronary bypass grafting (CAD, n= 23) or for valve replacement (non-CAD, n=18). Myocardial steatosis. PLIN1 and PLIN2 resulted significantly higher in CAD than in non-CAD subjects, as well as apoptosis; ...

PURPOSE To test the intra- and inter-reader reproducibility for measuring macroscopic fatty infil... more PURPOSE To test the intra- and inter-reader reproducibility for measuring macroscopic fatty infiltration in the erector spinae muscle, as a preliminary test to using the technique for clinical research studies. METHOD AND MATERIALS Institutional Review Board waived informed consent for this retrospective study. One radiologist and one clinician reviewed the images from a high resolution T1-w sequence (TR 450, TE 15, Matrix 512x512, FOV 240mm, GAP 0.4mm, Averages 2, Scan time 5.42s, Voxel Size 0.8x0.5x4.0mm) from the preoperative scans of 7 patients with spinal canal stenosis performed on a 1.5T scanner, and selected by consensus 1 image per patient. Each reader subsequently and separately analyzed the images using MIPAV (Medical Image Processing Analysis and Visualization; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA) and measured total area of the left and right erector spinae muscle (TA) and intermuscular adipose tissue area (IMAT; this was subjectively selected by the reader for ...

Clinical cases in mineral and bone metabolism : the official journal of the Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, and Skeletal Diseases

Aging is accompanied by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, called s... more Aging is accompanied by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, called sarcopenia. The mechanisms underlying the development of sarcopenia are not completely understood and most likely multi-factorial, but significant progress has been made over the past few years to identify some of the major contributors. Besides life style-related factors, as diet and physical activity, sarcopenia seems to be also determined by hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammatory status, ectopic adipose tissue accumulation, neurological and vascular changes associated with aging. The present mini-review focused on the basic factors that primarily impact muscle homeostasis in older subjects. A better understanding of cellular mechanism leading to sarcopenia is required to establish evidence-based intervention in order to prevent onset of symptoms associated with sarcopenia and to extend the time free from disability in older adults.

Experimental Cell Research, 2015

Lipid droplets (LD) are spherical cellular inclusion devoted to lipids storage. It is well known ... more Lipid droplets (LD) are spherical cellular inclusion devoted to lipids storage. It is well known that excessive accumulation of lipids leads to several human worldwide diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis. LDs' size range from fraction to one hundred of micrometers in adipocytes and is related to the lipid content, but their growth is still a puzzling question. It has been suggested that LDs can grow in size due to the fusion process by which a larger LD is obtained by the merging of two smaller LDs, but these events seems to be rare and difficult to be observed. Many other processes are thought to be involved in the number and growth of LDs, like the de novo formation and the growth through additional neutral lipid deposition in pre-existing droplets. Moreover the number and size of LDs are influenced by the catabolism and the absorption or interaction with other organelles. The comprehension of these processes could help in the confinement of the pathologies related to lipid accumulation. In this study the LDs' size distribution, number and the total volume of immature (n=12), mature (n=12, 10-days differentiated) and lipolytic (n=12) 3T3-L1 adipocytes were considered. More than 11,000 LDs were measured in the 36 cells after Oil Red O staining. In a previous work Monte Carlo simulations were used to mimic the fusion process alone between LDs. We found that, considering the fusion as the only process acting on the LDs, the size distribution in mature adipocytes can be obtained with numerical simulation starting from the size distribution in immature cells provided a very high rate of fusion events. In this paper Monte Carlo simulations were developed to mimic the interaction between LDs taking into account many other processes in addition to fusion (de novo formation and the growth through additional neutral lipid deposition in pre-existing droplets) in order to reproduce the LDs growth and we also simulated the catabolism (fission and the decrease through neutral lipid exit from pre-existing droplets) to reproduce their size reduction observed in lipolytic conditions. The results suggest that each single process, considered alone, can not be considered the only responsible for the size variation observed, but more than one of them, playing together, can quite well reproduce the experimental data.

Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 2002

Over the past decades, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a health condition identi... more Over the past decades, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a health condition identified by a cluster of risk factors linked to the development of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and some types of cancer, has dramatically increased in the world. The rising of MetS incidence and progression appear related to Westernization of dietary habits in the world, with a corresponding increase in the consumption of meat or meat products, snacks, baked desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages not only in the Western countries, but also in the Mediterranean region and among the Eastern populations. Otherwise epidemiological evidence suggests that a high dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains can improve all the risk factors related to MetS. Particularly adherence to the Mediterranean diet seems to have positive effects on the prevalence and progression of the MetS. In this article we reviewed cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and clinical trials, showing new evidence supporting the beneficial role of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern on the MetS progression. Analysis of the literature suggests that Mediterranean diet should be considered as a healthy and sustainable lifestyle playing a key role in primary and secondary prevention of MetS and its components. © 2015 ACT. All rights reserved.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1999

To the Editor: “The Nursing Home at Night” is an interesting article about the influence of noise... more To the Editor: “The Nursing Home at Night” is an interesting article about the influence of noise and light on sleep, a problem encountered frequently in most healthcare facilities. However, the methods used in the study to measure the sound levels are unclear to us. For example, the type of sound level meter used, an Aor C-weighted decibel (dB) scale recording, the ambient noise, and the distance of the source from the measured noise were not clearly specified. The authors’ description does not make clear whether disruptive vocalizers, which could be the source of the noise, were excluded. The noise in this study exceeded 90+ dBs at several nighttime intervals. which is quite intriguing because such a high noise level is equivalent to industrial levels.’ It would be interesting to know how routine incontinence care could have contributed to such excessive noise. We conducted a study to measure the ambient noise level in a nursing home. In our study, we noted that the background noise levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended average of 45 dB in daytime and 35 dB at night. In our observation, persons talking in a normal tone of voice produced a maximum of 55 dBs of noise measured at 2 feet distance using an A-weighted dB scale. Maximum levels of noise did not exceed 70 dBs even with the use of a floor waxing machine or a vacuum cleaner. These inconsistent sound level results in different studies could be the result of the various techniques used in recording them. It is worth mentioning that the majority of older people, with their altered sleep patterns, are highly susceptible to the effects of even the slightest increase in noise. Health care providers must become aware of the hazards of excessive noise levels and should adapt measures to reduce it. However, if much of the noise is contributed by the residents themselves, how it can be reduced becomes a perplexing question.

Nutrition, 2015

Iron participates in several mechanisms involving inflammation and innate immunity, yet the dysre... more Iron participates in several mechanisms involving inflammation and innate immunity, yet the dysregulation of its homeostasis is a major cause of metabolic syndrome. Adipocytes should play a major role in iron metabolism, as an impairment in iron turnover is closely related to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iron in an in vitro-inflamed adipocyte model. Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, inflammatory chemokines (CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL12), and molecules involved in iron metabolism were evaluated in an in vitro mouse 3T3-L1 cell model. Cells underwent treatment with FeSO4 heptahydrate and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) membrane expression, lipid droplet immunohystochemistry, and lipolysis were also evaluated. Iron sulphate heptahydrate elicited gene expression of hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and ferroportin at different time courses. Additionally, it activated lipolysis but did not trigger any adipokine gene expression. When cells treated with physiological doses of iron were also stimulated with LPS, an enhancement in the LPS-induced gene expression of cytokines and chemokines was observed. The enhancement occurred with different patterns depending on different time courses and investigated genes, showing its maximal effect for IL-6 gene expression. FeSO4 heptahydrate at a relatively physiological dose, induced gene expression of iron modulatory proteins and also enhanced RNA transcripts of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines through a priming/synergistic mechanism involving membrane TLR4.