Blood eosinophils and serum eosinophil cationic protein in patients with acute and chronic urticaria

We have analysed the relationship of blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in patients with acute and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The ECP levels and eosinophil counts were measured in the peripheral blood of 15 patients with acute urticaria, 25 with chronic idiopathic urticaria and 10 normal healthy subjects. Blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP levels increased in all patients with acute urticaria. Concerning patients affected by chronic urticaria, taking into account the recrudescence of the disease at the moment of taking the blood sample, only symptomatic patients showed increased eosinophil blood values whereas serum ECP levels were increased both in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, serum ECP levels in chronic urticaria did not correlate with the peripheral eosinophil counts, as they did in acute urticaria. The results of the present study indicate that eosinophils may play a role in the inflammatory mechanisms in patients with acute and chronic urticaria showing a positive correlation between serum ECP levels and disease activity.     

Serum levels of soluble IL-2R, CD4 and CD8 in bronChial asthma

The aim of the present study was to compare serum levels of soluble forms of interleukin-2 receptor, CD4 and CD8, released by lymphocytes during activation of the immune system, in patients with allergic bronchial asthma, with those in healthy subjects. Significantly higher levels of soluble IL-2R and soluble CD4 were found in patients with asthma compared with the control group. In contrast, lower levels of soluble CD8 values were found in patients with asthma compared to the control group. Significant correlations were found for both sIL-2R and sCD4 and these two molecules, with lung function measured as bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine. These results strengthen previous suggestions that in allergic bronchial asthma, activation of T cells plays a significant role in the disease pathogenesis.     

Secondary metabolites,secretory structures and biological activity of water celery (Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lag.) growing in central Italy

Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lag. (water celery) is an hydrophytic plant forming dense submerged populations occurring along streams and rivers of Europe. In the present work we provided new insights into the phytochemistry and biology of A. nodiflorum. In particular, we studied the chemical profile of essential oil and polar extracts obtained from the flowering aerial parts of water celery growing in central Italy, together with the essential oil biological activities, namely antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity on tumour cells. In addition, we correlated the productivity in secondary metabolites to the secreting structures through a detailed micromorphological study. The essential oil was dominated by two main chemotypes, characterized by myristicin and limonene, respectively. The oils showed significant toxicity on tumour cells, as evidenced by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, with IC₅₀ values in the range 3.8–15.9 μg mL^?1, together with inhibitory effects on Candida albicans (inhibition zones of 10–11 mm). HPLC-MS analysis showed the caffeoylquinic acids and quercetin-3-O-glucoside as the most abundant phenolic compounds. Ducts and vittae were the principal secretory structures of vegetative (leaves and stems) and reproductive (fruits) parts, respectively, storing mainly essential oil. Results of this work provide scientific evidences for the possible valorization and exploitation of water celery.     

Serum levels of soluble CD30 in adult patients affected by atopic dermatitis and its relation to age,duration of disease and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index

The value of CD30 and the soluble circulating fragment of CD30 (sCD30) for atopic dermatitis (AD) remains unclear. In particular, little is known about the effects of age, duration of disease and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD) on the levels of serum sCD30 in patients affected by AD. In the present study, we have analysed serum sCD30 levels of adult patients affected by AD. The study's population includes 18 non-smoking outpatients, with a diagnosis of AD. As a control group we studied 18 non-atopic subjects from laboratory staff, matched for sex and age. These subjects had no history of AD, urticaria or seasonal or perennial rhinitis or asthma, and had negative skin prick test to a panel of allergens. The sCD30 serum levels were clearly higher in patients affected by AD (14.2+/-9.0 IU/ml) than in healthy subjects (1.2+/-0.8 IU/ml) (p<0.001). No differences were observed between males and females affected by atopic dermatitis, regarding age, duration of disease and SCORAD. Significant correlations were found between serum levels of sCD30 levels and age (r=-0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.81 to -0.12; p=0.01), duration of the disease (months) (r=-0.64; 95% CI for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.85 to -0.24; p=0.004) and SCORAD (r=-0.74; 95% CI for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.89 to -0.42; p=0.004). As demonstrated by the close correlation with age, duration of disease and SCORAD, serum levels of sCD30 appear to be an additional marker for the follow-up of AD.     

PED/PEA-15 controls fibroblast motility and wound closure by ERK1/2-dependent mechanisms

Cell migration is dependent on the control of signaling events that play significant roles in creating contractile force and in contributing to wound closure. We evaluated wound closure in fibroblasts from mice overexpressing (TgPED) or lacking ped/pea-15 (KO), a gene overexpressed in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cultured skin fibroblasts isolated from TgPED mice showed a significant reduction in the ability to recolonize wounded area during scratch assay, compared to control fibroblasts. This difference was observed both in the absence and in the presence of mytomicin C, an inhibitor of mitosis. In time-lapse experiments, TgPED fibroblasts displayed about twofold lower velocity and diffusion coefficient, as compared to controls. These changes were accompanied by reduced spreading and decreased formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion plaques. At the molecular level, TgPED fibroblasts displayed decreased RhoA activation and increased abundance of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by PD98059 restored RhoA activation, cytoskeleton organization and cell motility, and almost completely rescued wound closure of TgPED fibroblasts. Interestingly, skin fibroblasts isolated from KO mice displayed an increased wound closure ability. In vivo, healing of dorsal wounds was delayed in TgPED and accelerated in KO mice. Thus, PED/PEA-15 may affect fibroblast motility by a mechanism, at least in part, mediated by ERK1/2.     

Primula spectabilis Tratt. aerial parts: morphology, volatile compounds and flavonoids

The vacuolar and epicuticular flavonoids and the volatiles of the leaves and parts of flower of P. spectabilis Tratt., an endemic species in the Italian Oriental Alps, were investigated. From a MeOH extract of the leaves two flavone glycosides, 8-C-β-glucopyranosylluteolin 7-O-α-arabinofuranoside (1) and 6-C-α-arabinofuranosylapigenin (2) were isolated, in addition to a flavone and three flavonols already known from species of Primula. From an EtOH extract of leaf exudates, 7,3',4'-tri-O-methylquercetin was obtained. The structures were elucidated on the basis of their 1D 1H- and 13C NMR data and 2D NMR techniques, as well as of HPLC-MS. The volatiles emitted by the leaves were mainly constituted by non-terpene derivatives, followed by comparable proportions of hemiterpens, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In flowers, monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most represented chemical class followed by non-terpene derivatives. Different proportions of compounds were found when individual parts of flowers were examined separately; calyx produced a greater proportion (approx. 49.5%) of non-terpenes as its volatile metabolites. P. spectabilis has glandular trichomes in the hyaline margins of the epidermal depressions, distributed on the adaxial leaf blade. Glandular hairs were also present on the corolla. Correlations of phytochemical data with the morphological features of leaf, flower and glandular hair are discussed, and a hypothesis is proposed on the ecological roles of the flavonoids and volatile compounds on the general fitness of the species and cross-pollination strategies.     

Continous alert for rickettsiosis in Sicily: molecular characterization of Rickettsia sp. obtained from ticks and human beings (1986-2001)

Several strains of Rickettsia sp. were isolated from patients in western Sicily with MSF (Mediterranean Spotted Fever) as well as ticks. Strains isolated were examined by PCR and identified as belonging to R. conorii sp. Importantly a strain of Israeli Spotted Fever Rickettsiae, obtained from a tick, was also identified. Our data prove that strains other than the classical R. conorii also circulate in Sicily.